The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 24

ghe Atlanta fotmtal and CONSTITUTION SATURDAY, JAN. 29, 1 977 No Ordinary Saloonkeeper, Toots Shor Earned and Delegated Star Status fumtan idler Journal Sporti Editor flag station in Detroit. More tenderly, Atlanta will remember him as the action announcer who escorted the Falcons through the preseason on Channel 11 and barely escaped with his sanity. He dampened his feet in journalism as a writer before transferring his talent to the oral and visual. He has not yet been quite cured of the urge to challenge the typewriter.

Professional custom dictates he should be a hard-riding, profane, crusty bird in a flop-brimmed hat, an untidy shirt, a belt below his navel, and pants that always seem about to fall. Who never saw a dawn, and made vast contributions to the Shorian economy. Dave Diles is a quite handsome fellow who watches his figure, dresses it well, and thinks such thoughts as "My father taught me that it was not only possible but wise to be masculine and a Christian at the same time." This thought in mind and a tape recorder in hand, he set out on a round of visits with National Football nition!" Shor's was a citadel of sychophancy. Celebrities went there to be recognized, and Toots liked them there so he sould recognize them, and be recognized by them. It was their honor that he should join their table, and that they should be addressed as "crumb bum," a term, I hope, that shall not have been lastingly inflicted upon the human race.

As far as he was concerned, the United States was bordered on the east by the East River and on the west by the Hudson. I don't suppose there's too much wrong with that. I know several farmers who never left their own county. But Shor's America was just as narrow in its own way. The trail he blazed will make no lasting mark on time, it is to be assumed, which leads up to a class of U.S.

hero whose attention Shor coveted, but whose congregatings he never graced with his attendance. Dave Diles is an NBC sports commentator between duties at his own I know you're supposed to say only kind and reverent things of the dead. Like, no matter what a cad the deceased might have been, the least you can say is, "But his brother was a nice guy." I don't know if Toots Shor had a brother. He did have a saloon. Now, saloonkeeping is not to be frowned upon, so long as the saloonkeeper doesn't become his own best customer.

It is a quite honorable trade. Toots Shor became a kind of natural symbol for other saloonkeepers. Places where sports crowds would hang out in whatever American city where two or more gathered became known as "the Toots Shor's of Gadsden," for example. Sometimes the saloonkeeper becomes the larger attraction, in his own mind, of the public place he operates, above his liquid wares and the food he serves. As in the case of Shor, the proprietor also becomes a sort of status-setter by his acknowledgement of clients.

Americans are funny. To be League players who ha with Christianity. It seems that a deeper strain of religious faith is found among the football athletes, perhaps because of the very sadistic nature of the game. While Diles admits a few players preferred not to be included, he found a bookful quite interested in speaking out, in the manner of Terry Bradshaw. "Everyone knows I'm a Christian," Bradshaw says in his chapter.

"If my example helps someone else, if my own witnessing helps lead someone else to Jesus, then that's wonderful' and I'm glad." Merlin Olsen speaks concernedly of parental sycophants, those who would live vicariously through the feats of children. "The guy could be a bad human being for all they know," he says. "But because he gets enormous publicity, because he's making big money, and because he has certain physical skills, they (parents) think that's enough of an example for their own kids," The book is heavy on Georgians, on Rayfield Wright, reared in the parsonage home of his grandparents; on Mel Blount, who finds peace on his farm near Vidalia; and on John Small, once a No. 1 Falcon draft whose career has been a crushing experience. Blount tells of riding horseback in a blind haze one day, praying and crying, and finally rushing back to his wife with the news.

"I had found the answer to my problems," he said. "I just felt good all over. I became a brand new person." After his fifth case of surgery, and medical advice that he should give up football, Small returned to the Detroit Lions. A teammate greeted him, "You know you're crazy." He knew he should quit, John Small said, "but God hasn't told me yet." The title of the book is "Twelfth Man in the Huddle," published by Word Books of Texas. Dave Diles put 24 visits with committed NFL players between its covers, and it's a kind of gift to man that will leave a mark on time, and on your conscience, it you'll allow it recognized and addressed handily by saloonkeepers, waiters, bartenders, and other such assorted tradesmen is a star in the crown.

During a golf tournament In Florida recently, Arnold Palmer said hello. Lou Graham said hello. Gene Sarazen said hello. And a few others. Walking on, and meeting a caddy laboring under the load of a bag, the caddy flashed a smile and spoke, calling my name.

A companion stopped short, threw out both hands like Al Jolson at the crescendo of "April Showers," and said, "Now, THAT'S what I call recog Good News for Kiddies: Noc-A-Homa Returning jimmy Ifi me -greek III ron hudspeth Vols Picked By 4 Over UCLA's Bruins 1 J- 7 i 1 i i Allocated Prtu Photo Laker Coach West Says NBA Down in Talent MR. COACIV West Spells Fun W-i-n He dresses and takes showers in the Braves' clubhouse. He's been in left field for more than 1,000 games at Atlanta Stadium. His records rival Henry Aaron's. He has never struck out to end a rally.

Or made an error that cost a game. He always hustles. He's a holler guy. He's such a team man, he makes his own uniform. Most Atlanta nine-year-olds don't know Jeff Burroughs and Andy Messersmith from Captain Bligh.

But they know this guy. He causes near riots at elementary schools and children's wards at hospitals. Most of the Braves are cheap imitationsCaucasians, blacks, Puerto Ricans. This guy is the real thing. Now for the really big news: Levi Walker, better known as Chief Noc-A-Homa, is returning for his eighth season.

That should come as joyous news for Atlanta's pre-teeney boppers and others who were shocked to read a couple of weeks ago that Noc-A-Homa had resigned to take a better-paying job. "We have renegotiated and given him a new deal with more money and a bonus," announced Braves Public Relations Director Bob Hope. So, all is not bad for the Braves. They have lost an owner, but gained a mascot. The irony that is Noc-A-Homa was causing a commotion years before Ted Turner ever thought about coming near the stadium.

Unlike Turner's problem, however, Noc-A-Homa's wasn't from drinking firewater at a cocktail party. "He seems to have a natural attraction toward calamity," smiles Hope. Amen. You gotta love Noc-A-Homa. Not understand him, necessarily.

But love him. There was the time he set off a smoke bomb after a Braves home run and accidentally burned down his tepee. And the night the game had to be halted for 10 minutes while the smoke cleared so everyone could see the outfielders. By some unkind twist of fate, Noc-A-Homa had mistakenly ordered super duper smoke bombs, rather than the economy-smoke size. Orthe evening the game had to be halted again when the jalopy Noc-A-Homa used to chauffeur pitchers in from the bullpen decided to explode and catch fire in the outfield.

It hasn't always been easy for Noc-A-Homa since that day in 1969, according to Hope. "He walked in off the streets and told us he was upset because we'd been using phony Indians as Noc-A-Homa." (The two stunts as throwing rocks at him and sneaking up behind him and tying his mocassin strings together. Fortunately, the Chief can take care of himself. After Cincinnati relief pitcher Pedro Borbon had doused him twice with a bucket of water last season, the third day Noc-A-Homa threw down his peace pipe, showed up with a water balloon under his outfit, and. drenched a surprised Borbon good.

There are those players who are leery of a screaming Indian behind them in left field. Jim Bouton, in fielders psyched out by Noc-A-Homa's presence, or the fear of a flaming arrow. It was in the early 70s that Noc-A-Homa survived his biggest crisis. Russell Means, a leader of the American Indian Movement sought to denounce professional sports teams' using Indian names, and he was publically critical of Noc-A-Homa. "I understand you have a guy down t' "re dressed like an Indian who comes out of his tepee and does a dance," said Means in a phone conversation with a reporter.

"That's just like having a guy in a Nazi helmet beating on Jews or a guy painted black coming out and doing a soft shoe." "Did you know he was a real Indian?" asked the reporter. After a long, obviously stunned silence, Means asked, "What kind of Indian is he?" "Half Chippewa and half Ottawa," was the reply. "Figures," growled Means. "The damn Ottawas used to hang out around the fort, anyway." For a week, controversy raged. Noc-A-Homa even went on radio talk shows to defend his honor.

"I think Indians can be proud that their names are used with professional sports teams," he said. Noc-A-Homa survived. Understandably. The admiration and wonderment on the face of a seven-year-old who peers up to see Noc-A-Homa for the first time is explanation enough. Most agree Noc-A-Homa is the best sports mascot this side of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.

The Braves are lucky to have him back. By JIMMY (the Greek) SNYDER College basketball will present another outstanding attraction Sunday when Tennessee and UCLA meet in Atlanta. The Bruins turned the tables on Notre Dame last week at South Bend, atoning for an early-season loss to the Irish at Pauley Pavilion. Now, Gene Bartow's five must take on a Tennessee club that proved its mettle by upsetting Kentucky on the Wildcats' home court Tennessee by 4. The NBA has what might be called a preview of the All-Star game with Philadelphia traveling to Denver.

Each team will have three starters in the Feb. 13 classic. The Nuggets have been playing tremendous ball all season, as has Philadelphia, with both teams leading their respective divisions. Denver has an edge in team speed, plus the advantage of being at home in the rarefied air. I favor Larry Brown's club by 6.

Seattle will be home against San Anto- nio, and while the Spurs can score, they can't stop anybody, particularly on the road. Bill Russell has a capable team, but it's playing in the toughest division in the league. The Sonics have missed Slick Watts of late, but should have enough firepower to handle San Antonio. Seattle by 6. Other Sunday NBA action: Boston 2 over Golden State, Milwaukee 2 over NY Nets, Cleveland 10 over Buffalo, Detroit 9 over Indiana, Washington 8 over Kansas City, Portland 7 over Phoenix, Los Angeles 10 over New Orleans.

Saturday-NY Knicks 7 over Kansas City, Atlanta 1 over Houston, Washington 2 over Indiana, Detroit 2 over Chicago, Phoenix 8 over New Orleans. You have to figure Evel Knievel at 10-1 to make it when he ies to jump his motor-cyle over a vat filled with 13 lemon sharks in Chicago Monday night Otherwise, why would he do It? But it's, also 10-1 he's wearing shark repellent the Lakers. "Our practices are short, and I think we accomplish a lot. I don't believe you can practice a team and make it better SO games into the season." West admits his Lakers are still pretty much a one-man show with superstar center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar providing most of the punch, although others, most notably Cazzie Russell, have being playing well. "But," he says, "We've been able to rest Kareem a lot more this season than in the past, and almost everyone on the team is getting a lot of playing time.

"I think all our guys have a helpful attitude toward each other, and that's a big plus. I actually think most of the players are having fun now. Of course, it's easier to have fun when you're winning." Despite his team's rise, West seems hardly overconfident about the rest of the season. "I've seen too many strange things happen," he remarked. "This year is really strange; teams that are perfect at home can't win on the road, and anybody can really beat anybody else on a given night" The Laker coach said he thought the addition of four former American Basketball Association teams to the NBA made things less predictable.

LOS ANGELES (AP) "Mr. Clutch is now Mr. Coach" says the billboard featuring a smiling Jerry West, and Los Angeles Laker fans are beginning to believe it. The former NBA All-Star guard pictured on the Lakers' promotional sign is trying to perform a minor miracle in his first season of coaching, transforming the Lakers from also-rans into overnight successes. Los Angeles, which had fallen on hard times since West and Wilt Chamberlain helped bring home the NBA championship in 1972, has suddenly begun to look like a contender.

After a slow start, the Lakers are near the top of the Pacific Division and have, been the hottest team in the league in recent weeks. They have the third best record in the NBA, and go for a club-record 18th straight home victory Saturday night when they host Philadelphia. West still boyish-looking at 38, said when he took the Lakers' coaching job last year that he hoped to make basketball fun for his players. Now he says he believes that approach is paying off. "I remember the things I didn't like as a player, like gruelling two-hour practices in midseason," said West, who earned the nickname "Mr.

Gutch" with his frequent game-winning shots during his 14 years with previous noc-A-riomas were ex-uoy scouts.) Noc-A-Homa's had to survive a lot Like the enemy players in the bullpen near his tepee. They regularly pull such 1 (tw Pros Ahead of College Basketball on TV Cards' Tyson Signs for Three ST. LOUIS (AP) Second baseman Mike Tyson signed a three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, becoming only the fourth Slayer to receive such a pact rom the National League team. Tyson, 27, whose signing puts 22 players in the Cardinals' fold for 1977, had a career-high batting average of .286 last year in spite of the fact that he appeared in only 76 games because of thigh and finger injuries.

Stan Muslal signed a three-year contract in 1944 and relief pitcher Al Rrabosky and catcher Ted Simmons are currently in the second year of three-year pacts. darrell simmono WaaMidav Hoc rr Atlanta CWcooo, WSB (750), I am ThorMatr Pro Batkatbot Atlanta vv Buffalo. WSB (7), I ajn. Fricur Hockav: Atlanta BottonWSB (750). I am.

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1 JO a m. Tannte Lavar Sofomon, Channal 4a, MX m. "I was playing against Barnett once," Cunningham said of the NBA's all-time flake, "and he kept running in front of me. After three or four times, I told him If he did it again I was going to punch him in the nose. He just looked at me and said, 'If you do, they'll call a foul on Add another ex-76er to the broadcast ranks.

Matt Goukas is now doing color commentary on Philadelphia radio broadcasts-Channel 17 has put together 90 minutes of last Monday's state Golden Gloves finals for viewing Saturday afternoon. The first boxing show in The Omni was relatively successful, drawing a crowd of 4,000 on a bad-weather night- More boxing coming up the second Installment of ABC's United States Boxing Championships will be aired Feb, 13 from the U.S. Naval Academy. RADIO lalwoair Co" Gtorgli Ttcfi vk Tulu. WOJT (WO), I pm Co'J Baumtall: Goreli Sltlt v.

tMtctr, VWAS-FM (M S), 7 pm Pro Atlanta m. Houtton, WSB (7S0), I rn. Mcmlty BnMibtli: Otort Ttch Woflord, WOJT Invf. 1 m. Hockty: Alltnt vi Toronto, WSB (750), 6 am Tuoutov Pro katkttbt Atlanta vt Oatrolt, WSB (7S0), I am By DARRELL SIMMONS This used to be the slack season for television sports, with football finally over.

It was a time when local bowling fans would protest local stations' passing up telecasts of that sport One Atlanta television station manager once explained that the reason his channel did not pick up on bowling was that "we get letters and telephone calls from little old ladies who say they are sick and tired of sports on TV by the time football season is over." Apparently, those "little old ladies" are crazy about basketball, because this year there's more than a double dose of that sport on television. NBA games, NCAA games, the Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference and the Metro Seven are all available on TV in Atlanta. It's interesting that the college and pro games are going head-to-head this year on Sunday afternoons. It's the first time college and pro sports have challenged each other on the air on a regular basis. So far, the ratings indicate the pro game is ahead.

That could change, though, as college basketball nears tournament time. Of course, pro basketball also becomes more interesting the closer it gets to playoff time. One thing CBS has done with its pro-basketball coverage, apparently in reaction to the competition from the colleges, is to become more flexible. Each week they can do up to six games on a regional basis, or just one game nationally, if that game looks like one that could be a blockbuster. Two weeks ago, the regional game shown In Atlanta was the Philadelphia 76ers vs.

the New Orleans Jan. It turned out to be a runaway for the 76ers. The same afternoon Dave Cowens was playing himself back into the Celtics lineup against the New York Nets, and CBS cut to that game for several reports on Cowens. While that kind of thing could be disturbing if you're particularly interested in one game, done properly, the viewer gets the feeling the network is really working to give him something to watch. SEEN AND HEARD In that Jazz-76ers game Billy Cunningham, doing color commentary, came up with a classic story on Jim "Crazy Horse" Barnett who was playing his first game after being brought from retirement by the 76er.

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