Dayton Daily News from Dayton, Ohio • 26

IN THIS SECTION College football, 28 Manclnl by a KO, 28 Flyers-Butler, 29 DAYTON DAILY NEWS Friday, Sept. 16, 1983 Page 26 The scoreboard, 29 rMBurick Mooges I j-QVl Sporti Editor 7 A A. Goodbye, Johnny a time for gathering superlatives From the Odds and Ends Zona: After 17-7 battering by Browns, 4 calls leave Bengals wondering r9 A 7 I've written several farewell columns on Johnny pencn, so mis is just snort piece recognizing Cln i pnnaus oinciai uoodbye, 'Johnny celebration at the Riverfront Saturday, Down through the years, I a number of Hall of Fame catchers operate. Their names 1 ire hallowed. They weren't 2 good; they were great Even the young among you should "recognize these names and yL what they stood for 3 Yogi Berra, Roy Campanula, Mickey Cochrane, BUI Gabby Hartnett, Al Lopez.

All are enshrined at If By MARTY WILLIAMS Staff Sports Writer CLEVELAND Three acton failed to appear for the final scene of the Cleveland Browns' 17-7 victory over Cincinnati Thursday night, but winning coach Sam RutJgliano had them pegged, i "During that scenario at the end," Rutlgllano said while shaking his head In amazement, "the only guys missing were Moe, Larry and Curly." The officiating crew drew almost as much attention as the teams In Cleveland Stadium as a number of decisions and non-decisions influenced the final outcome. The Bengali were particularly upset by four calls: a Brian Sipe pass to Ozzle Newsome that wu ruled a touchdown even though the tight end admitted he was Juggling the ball before fumbling it out of the end zone, an intentional grounding ruling against Kenny Anderson that thwarted a bid for a tying field goal late in the first half, a fumbled punt that wu awarded to the Browns after a long discussion and a pass interference call on Ken Riley that handed Cleveland Its clinching touchdown. THE DISPUTED PASS to Newsome came on the Browns' first possession. Cincinnati had appeared" headed for a score on its first drive, but for the third straight game, the opening threat was erased by a mistake, this time an Incredible leaping Interception by linebacker Chip Banks. Slpe's 19-yard pass to Newsome In the right rear corner of the end zone came as the big tight end was horizontal to the ground.

He did catch the ball, but then he began juggling it as he attempted to establish control. "Thank God," he said, "the ball was under my stomach and no one could see It but me." After the Cleveland lead grew to 10-0 early In the second quarter on a 19-yard field goal by Matt Bahr, the Bengals finally got their long-dormant offense In gear, at least momentarily, Anderson completed tlx straight passes during a crisp 71-yard drive that ended with a one-yard run by rookie fullback Larry Klnnebrew. THE BROWNS managed only one first down on their ensuing drive and had to punt A 17-yard Anderson pass to Steve Krelder produced a first down at the Browns' 45, and the Bengals used their second timeout They had 58 seconds left and needed about 15 more yards to get within Jim Breech's kicking range. On the next play, Anderson's receivers were covered, and he threw the ball out of bounds. The ball sailed over running back Charles Alexander's head, but the officials ruled It was too far over and threw a flag for intentional grounding.

The ball was moved all the way back to the Cincy 37 and the threat died. At the start of the second half, the Browns' near-perfect pass offense (13 of 14 up to that point) began to falter. The first possession ended with an interception by Ken Riley, the 58th of his career, and the second was aborted by two holding penalties. THEN JEFF GOSSETT punted and the circus began. Mike Martin was hit by linebacker Scott Nicholas and fumbled after an eight-yard return.

There was a huge pileup at the Cincinnati 35 and the offensive and defensive units for both teams went See BROWNS, Page 27. Looperstown. Bench goes to the head of the list In my book. In other words, I rate him tbe greatest. Doing everything, that Is.

Kf' Everything means receiving, calling pitches, throwing, handling pop fouls with ease on defense; batting, power hitting, clutch-hitting with a game at -Stake. His lifetime batting average was surpassed by several 01 we aoove, aitnough he leads all of hlsto-iry's catchers in home runs. Even his two MVP awards were surpassed; Roy Campanella won three for Brooklyn. But, let me repeat, doing it all has been Johnny's uniquely brilliant quality. r.y I suggested in an article for Saturday night's score-card that accommodations are hard to get for Hall of AF Wlrvgtfwtt Glum Gregg leaves field after loss tame ceremonies at Cooperstown.

Make your reservations now for 1989, when J.B. positively will be voted Into immortality. They're not superstitious 5 hi 11, not luck, for Browns Hal -McCoy Staff Sports Writer mgmmm sffalilllllifltl JOHN MULLEN sat in the Cincinnati pressbox the 4 other evening and responded to a question. John has been an "office" man for major league clubs since his employment by the old Boston Braves farm department in 1947. Since 1979, Mullen has been the Atlanta Braves' general manager and now, for the second September in succession, he Is undergoing the trauma of a close (too race.

"How are you handling the pressure, John?" an old acquaintance asked. "It's easy," the man said, forcing a smile. "All you llhave to do I mean if you can Is sit back and tell yourself, 'All I have to do is sit back and watch and hope because there's nothing lean do about It, that Is, I repeat, if you can." Obviously, even for Mullen, saying it was easier than doing it JOE TORRE, the Braves' manager, shakes off 'problems In the manner of an umpire sweeping off plate. Outwardly at least he Is a perfect example of Imperturbable Man. I He told, In response to a question, of getting a jphone call from owner Ted Turner.

"Do you want the tepee put back In the outfield?" Turner asked. (That's the normal abode of the Braves famed Chief Noc-A-Homa. The club "tail-Jspun" after the tent was removed.) "Hell, no," Joe replied. "That Isn't going to win or lose for us." To visitor, he added, "Our players affected by superstition. That's what they tell CLEVELAND The Kardlac Kids died In AD.

1980. RJ.P. Though no autopsy was recorded, cause of expiration most likely was heart stress. Over the course of that season, the Cleveland "Kardlac Kids" Browns time and again waited until their last breath to win games with matinee -movie serial dramatics, until finally the heart burst Time of death was late December and the body quickly froze on an Icy field shortly after Cleveland quarterback Brian Sipe tried to force an end-zone pass to Ozzle Newsome late in an AFC Playoff game with Oakland. The pass wu Intercepted, preserving Oakland's victory, ending the legend of the Kardlac Kids.

Cleveland wu 114 that season, winning garnet by 17-14 two weeks In a row, 27-24, 28-27, 27-28, 28-21, 20-13 and 27-21. Coach Sam Rotlgllano't best friend wat his cardiologist Since then, the Browns have been boring and lethargic the other ten- ant of cavernous Municipal Stadium, the Cleveland Indians. The Browns than 1980. We're young and we're getting used to winning. We've matured, because most of this team Is the same, especially the offense.

We'll get better and better." Pruitt believes there is another noteworthy difference between '80 and '83. "Now, we're going to win games because we're good, not because we're lucky; We dont have to be the Kardiac Kids any more," he said. The Browns lost their opener to Minnesota, 27-21, then ricocheted back to beat Detroit, 31-26, last Sunday, before whipping Cincinnati Thursday. "We thought we could have won the Minnesota game," Pruitt said. "Maybe it's fate.

Sometimes fate has a way of making you better and we've sure bounced back. We're 2-1 now maybe We'll end up 15-1." That plight be too much enthusiasm. 1 "Why not?" he asks. "We're running a new offense, still learning. We're no- were 5-11 In 1981 and 4-5 during last year's strike-shortened season.

On Thursday night In front of fans, national TV gawkers and Howard Cosell, the 1983 Browns banged the Bengals, 17-7. They are 2-1, the two victories coming five days apart And in both, the Browns grabbed a lead and let the defense hang on. Forget Kardiac Kids Cleveland running back Mike Pruitt senses something special. "I haven't seen the kind of enthusiasm we're showing since 1980," he said. "Those 1980 guys thought they couldn't lose.

We feel It again. "But, there Is a difference," he added. This team can be even better SMMkVlMH Over and out Sipe listens It's raining penalty flags 4 teams close to top Phils, Pirates in NL East tie FREE Grass Catcher Kit Worth 1 39.95 four batters he faced, giving him 21 strikeouts in his last 12 innings. Mets t. Cardinals 4 SNAPPER i Fall Spectacular is now.

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And not 't because the officials were overzealous in calling various infractions. It has to do with the nature of the game and Its restrictions to help make the game tsafer for the players. Believe me, I'm in favor of keeping the game as possible. But too often, infractions that are called at one stage are overlooked at another. I did some figuring after Sunday's show.

Officially, pun intended, Buffalo drew 9 penalties for 63 yards; Cincinnati, 8 for 85. That's Just part of the story. Because full yardage is not assessed near the offending team's own goal line half the distance to the line then becomes the tlimit that cut off a lot of yards. And then there's the privilege each team hu of declining the penalty. INSTEAD OF 17 penalties, there were 23 10 against the Bengals, 13 against the Bills.

Or 6 more nhan the final official figures, which would have i added up to much more yardage. There's absolutely nothing patriotic about seeing -23 yellow flags flying in a single football game. Most of us dont come to see the referee pace off penalty yardage. As I say, let's not let the boys get away with may-hem, but let's find a way to stop this kind of non-sense. Even Coach Forrest Gregg agreed that his leam had committed too many sins.

Let's curb 'em, Coach. PITTSBURGH (AP) In the heat of a pennant race, Pirates' Manager Chuck Tanner likes having experience on his side. Two of Tanner's veterans, Dave Parker and Richie Hebner, helped boost the Pirates back Into a tie for first place in the National League East Thursday night Parker, a star of the 1979 World Champions, had three hits, scored twice and drove In a run, while Hebner a starter with the '71 champs belted a grand slam to back Larry McWllllams In an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Combined with Montreal's 4-1 triumph In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh's fourth straight win elevated it Into a deadlock with the Phillies for the top spot In the East. The Expos are a half-game back and St Louis, which lost to the New York Mets 6-4, trails by 2 games.

Beginning tonight Pittsburgh hosts Montreal and St Louis Is at Philadelphia In the East battle. Expos 4, Phillies 1 Terry Francona had three hits Including a home run and knocked In two runs to back the pitching of Bill Gulllckson and Bob James. Gulllckson pitched Into the eighth inning and earned his eighth victory In nine decisions since the All-Star break and fourth straight win. James relieved with the bases loaded and two outs In the eighth and struck out three of the gain ground in we bast when George Fosters two-run homer vaulted the Mets to victory. Foster, coming off the worst season of his career, when he hit only 13 homers and drove in 70 runs, slugged his 25th homer of the year and drove In runs No.

79 and 80. "I'm starting to feel like I'm getting things together," Foster said. Tin hitting the bail out of the park with more frequency than I did last year, and I have a chance to get my RBI average back to where It wu before last year, up around 90." Dodgers 6, Astros 0 Alejandro Pena threw a five-hitter and struck out six to lower his league-leading ERA to 2.18. The Dodgers took advantage of wlldness by Astros' starter Nolan Ryan, who walked six and hit two batters, Including Pedro Guerrero In the batting helmet "It hit me on the back of the head and broke my helmet" said Guerrero. "After It hit me, I thought I was dead." Guerrero said he would send the helmet which wu shattered, to Ryan for the pitcher's autograph.

Mmm orm inds soon AT HWTICIMTINQ DCAURS SEE ONE OF THESE DEALERS LISTED BELOW Tribe staying in Cleveland? AUTO flAGIilu SEPT. 17 FINAL RACE of THE SEASON SEASON GUOHSIilPS LAT! MODELS 50 LAP FEATURE EVENT MINI-STOCKS 30 LAP FEATURE EVENT STREET-STOCKS 20 LAP FEATURE EVENT LC2SE RSXSEXTJIO. 3300 Phllodtlpnio Doytofif OH CSIHX TMCE TtJCTBl SZXY1CE 3598 Quaker Trace Road West Alexandria, OH SISSTE1 ISfPUXEIT CSKPUT 1833 Dayton lakeview Road New Cortttte, OH msrrrs uxswm 1031 S. Moin Ccntirviltf OH T23'S PBWn EfsnreixT 1007 Shroyer Rood WALXEl'S UWI I SAXSEI 140 S. Main Street Sprfngboro, OH WKIECKISCXS.HC.

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OH CLEVELAND (AP) Relatives of the late Cleveland Indians owner J. "Steve" O'Neill say they plan to eventually sell the American League dub, but will try to keep It in town. "What we're attempting to do Is keep this club In Cleveland if at all possible," O'Neill's nephew, Patrick J. O'Neill, said at a news conference Thursday. I.

"In my judgment anything can happen. The franchise could be lost we are going to make a sincere effort to keep tbe club here. The club Is for sale to the right buyer," he said. He said several potential buyers have contacted the family, although no specific offers have been made. Tbe Tampa Bay Baseball Group said It might contact the O'Neill family loon about buying the team.

"This sounds Intriguing," said Ray Bennett director of the group that wants to buy a baseball team for Tampa. "We might be In Cleveland In the next few days." O'Neill said his uncle's approximately 60 percent Interest In the team will be turned over to a family-run, private charitable foundation, the FJ. O'Neill Charitable Corp. fSv GATES OPEN 4:00 P.M. 5J) QUALIFYING 6:00 P.M.

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