Freeport Journal-Standard from Freeport, Illinois • Page 13

GARY PETERS By JACK HAND SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) In all probability this is the last time around for Al Lopez as a big league manager. The soft- spoken popular veteran came out of semi-retirement last July to take over the Chicago White Sox from Eddie Stanky. After finishing out the season he agreed to stay on one more year. "We'll just play it by ear about the future," said the 60-year-old Lopez, whose home is in nearby Tampa.

"I'm pretty sure this will be the last. I'd like to get the ball club back in contention. "The White Sox always were built around pitching, defense and speed. I hope to build them up again. We sagged last year in all departments.

Injuries ruined our pitching staff." Lost 10 Straight Chicago lost its first 10 games Jast season, plunging deep into the cellar. They ended up tied for eighth with the California Angels, 28 games under .500 and 36 lengths behind Detroit. Lopez thinks the new two-division system will be more interesting. The White Sox will be fighting it out with Oakland, Minnesota, California and the two expansion clubs Kansas City and Seattle. When Lopez came to camp he was worried about his pitching because he didn't know what to expect from Gary Peters and Tommy John.

Both have been coming along fine so far. Groin Injury Peters, bothered by a groin injury and a tender elbow, won only four games last year, compared to 16 in 1967. John, knocked out for the year in a tackling match with Detroit's Dick McAuliffe in August, won his first seven and had to settle for 10-5. "It looks like my left shoulder is going to be all right," said John. "I was worried about it last fall but I think it's going to come back." Rebuilding Job Lopez counts on John as a regular starter with Peters and Joe Horlen as the nucleus of his staff.

Sammy Ellis and Cisco Carlos are probable starters. Danny Lazar, a young lefty, could get into the rotation or the bull pen which is well-manned with Wilbur Wood's knuckler and Bob Locker's sinker ball. Ward Moves To First In order to try to get more punch in the Sox's anemic attack, Lopez is oving Pete Ward to first base. Ward has played third, outfield and some first base in the majors and Lopez thinks he can do the best at first. Tom McCraw, last season's first baseman and a disappointment at the plate, was shifted to left field by Lopez at the start of spring training.

McCraw, however, suffered a torn cartilage in his left knee last Friday in an exhibition game against Boston and is expected to be sidelined from 10 to 12 weeks. This gives rookie Carlos May, a .330 hitter at Lynchburg, a good shot at left field. May has been working hard on his fielding. Melton On Third Bill Melton, who has seen part time service with the Sox in the last two years, is believed ready' to handle the third base job. Luis Aparicio, who got off to a slow start due to some minor surgery just before the exhibition season, will be at short and Sandy Alomar at second.

Ron Hansen will be the general handyman. Ken Berry will be in center field with May in left. Woody Held and Walt Williams are the reserves. Duane Josephson, of course, is the No. 1 catcher with Don Pavletich, ex-Cincinnati Red, behind him.

Russ Nixon is fighting for a job. TOMMY JOHN FREEPORT JOURNAL-STANDARD FREEPORT, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1969 Knicks Whip Bulletts Atlanta Beats Hawks New York Captures Tilt 113-101 BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Bullets, rags-to-riche; division champions in the Na tional Basketball Association, face another uphill battle after only one game of the postseason playoffs. The Bullets, a last-place team the two previous season, were trounced 113-101 by the New York Knickerbockers in the opener of the best-of-7 Eastern Division semifinals Thursday night. Kevin Loughery, Baltimore's No. 2 scorer, played ineffectively while with a groin injury and could be sidelined indefinitely.

Doubtful Player "I though Kevin was doubtful for the first'game," said Coach Gene Shue of the Bullets, "and he's even more doubtful now. I think he kidded me in telling me he was ready to go, but I won't let that happen again." Loughery, who averaged 22.6 points during the regular season, made only 12 points while sinking three of 15 field goal all seven tries in the opening half as Baltimore fell behind 54-44. A 10-point string at the start of the second period gave the Knicks a 32-21 lead and they stayed ahead by at least six points the rest of the way. Frazier Takes Charge Walt Frazier took charge for New York after intermission. The backcourt star scored 17 of his 26 points in the second half.

Baltimore's strategy at the start was to play Wes Unseld, the league' Most Valuable Player and No. 2 rebounder, outside- drawing strong Willis Reed away from the boards. "Willis is the backbone of the Knicks," Shue said. "We wanted to me him work hard, and try to wear him down by the last quarter. We were supposed to work some plays inside when Willis came out, but we just couldn't hit our shots." Conceded Defense Reed conceded that the New York defense wasn't the entire reason for Baltimore's 38 per cent shooting average.

"They had our defense out of position lots of times," He said, "but they couldn't hit the shots." After Unseld drove past Reed for two early baskets, Coach Red Holzman shifted Dave De- Busschere to the outside on Unseld and moved Reed under the basket. Baltimore eventually brought Unseld inside. Reed wound up with just 10 rebounds, but DeBusschere grabbed 21 and scored 24 points. Earl Monroe topped Baltimore with 32, pumping up 35 shots as he tried to rally the Bullets. The second game will be played in New York Saturday afternoon.

Promoters Seek Fight Postponement COMERION, Italy (AP) Promoters have asked for a postponement of the European welterweight championship bout Monday between Italian titleholder Silvano Bertini and French challenger Jean Josselin. Bertini has gone back to Florence where his wife, Carla, gave birth to twins. One of the twins died shortly after birth. TnHi a 2 JF. A RMnS ON (15 lea hi in the air to block a shot attempted by Indiana Pacer Mel Daniels (34) in Thursday night's season-ending game at the Oakland Coliseum The Oaks beat Indiana 122-110 to keep the Pacers from clinching the Eastern Divi- 2,2 Ame Basketball Association championship.

Oakland won the Western Division iitie earner. AP Pnotofax. Oaks Top Pacers; Title Race Tightens Rv THF! ASSOPTATirn j. By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Indiana Pacers are going have to wait until the day be- ore the season ends to clinch he Eastern Division title in the American Basketball Association unless Kentucky or Miami can do it for them earlier. The Pacers missed their chance Thursday night by losing to Oakland 122-110 after New Orleans had clinched at least a tie for them by beating Kentucky 137-106.

In other games, Minnesota nipped the New York Nets 117-115 and Los Angeles topped Houston 130-124. Only Game Left Indiana, with only one game left to against Kentucky holds a game lead over idle Miami and a three game bulge over Kentucky. Miami would have to win the rest of its four games, including one against Kentucky, while Indiana loses to tie for the title. Kentucky, which also has a game left against Miami, also must win its remaining five games to tie. Sweeps Series Oakland, in whipping Indiana, swept all six meetings with the Pacers this season.

The Oaks, who led all the way, built a 65-59 halftime bulge and boosted the margin to 14 points. Warren Armstrong tallied 26 points to spark Oakland while Freddie Lewis of Indiana topped all scorers with 35. New Orleans built a 20-point lead at home against the Colo- nels, and when Kentucky pulled within three in the third period, Jimmy Jones scored 12 of his 31 points in the next five minutes to wrap up the victory. George Lehmann and George Stone each scored 33 points to pace visiting Los Angeles. Chico Vaughn, who scored 35 points, broke a 104 deadlock with two free throws and Minnesota pulled ahead 117-110 to deal the host Nets their 12th consecutive loss, despite a club record 43 points by Willie Somerset.

ABA Weekend Schedule ABA Thursday's Results Oakland 122, Indiana 110 Los Angeles 130, Houston 124 New Orl'ns 137, Kentucky 106 Minnesota 117, New York 115 Only games scheduled Today's Games Denver at Dallas Houston at Oakland Minnesota at New Orleans Kentucky at Miami Only games scheduled Saturday's Games Los Angeles at Dallas Houston at Denver Sunday's Games Los Angeles at New Orleans Kentucky at Oakland Minnesota at Miami San Diego Thrashed In Opener By PIET BENNET ATLANTA (AP) Lou Hudson had "confidence" and now the Atlanta Hawks have the lead in their National Basketball Association playoff series against San Diego. Hudson's 39 points helped the Hawks thrash San Diego 107-98 Thursday night and take a 1-0 lead into Saturday's second game in the best-of-7 Western Division semifinal series against the Rockets. "When you're shooting and it's going in, you get your confidence and it's hard to stop you," Hudson said, explaining his best playoff performance. 'Super Game' Coach Jack McMahon of San Diego described Hudson's scoring as a "super game." The Rockets' coach added wryly that he assigned three players to try cutting off Hudson's scoring and "maybe I should have tried a few more." Hudson started hitting in the second quarter as the Hawks pulled fr6m 13 points behind to a 46-43 halftime lead. In the second half, Hudson wrapped up the victory by sinking nine of 12 field goal attempts.

For the night he made 14 of his 22 shots from the floor. Hawks 'Tight' Richie Guerin, the Atlanta coach, said the Hawks were "a little tight" when the game began. "When you get off to a bad start, you don't get loosened up that easily," he explained. McMahon said the game's turning point came in the second quarter when "we hit a cold stretch and I began making substitutions. But not one of those subs scored a basket.

"We lost our momentum then and after that Hudson kept them far enough ahead." Elvin Hayes, the rookie who ed the league jn scoring, had 31 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets. NBA Playoffs Thursday's Results Eastern Division Semifinal New York 113, Baltimore 101, New York leads best-of-7 series 1-0 Western Division Semifinal Atlanta 107, San Diego 98, At- anta leads best-of-7 series 1-0 Only games scheduled Today's Games Eastern Division Semifinal Philadelphia at Boston, Boston eads best-of-7 series 1-0 Western Division Semifinal San Francisco at Los Angeles, San Francisco leads best-of-7 se- 1-0 Only games scheduled Saturday's Games Eastern Division Semifinal Baltimore at New York, after- loon Western Division Semifinal San Diego at Atlanta Only games scheduled Sunday's Games Eastern Division Semifinals New York at Baltimore, after- loon Boston at Philadelphia, afternoon Only games scheduled Dr. Millard Rosenblatt last year won the Tualatin, Country Club golf championship for the 12th ime. He 77. Bruce Jacobson.

Joel Kadarauch and Steve Kaney Also Steve Kuntz, Barton Rocf Steve Rosenwinger, Mike Ross FHS Winter Sports Honored ketball, swimming and wrestling were honored Thursday 'af- assembly held at the school. Ralph Sager was voted the Pretzels' most valuable player in basketball while Gary Evers was elected captain of the team by his teammates. Freeport's swimming team picked Bill Jacobson as its most valuable swimmer last winter. Jacobson was also selected as a co-captain with Ray Glos. Ron Madden was singled out by the wrestling team as its most valuable player.

He also shared the co-captaincy with Steve Boettner. In sophomore basketball, Steve Nott and Mike Hutmacher were named co-captains. The letter winners follow: VARSITY AWARDS Bill Lee, Dennis Kaiser, Dave orse, Bob Moore, Ralph Sager i Wt Jl ly Youn 8. Also Rich Born Mark Cuplin, Doug Engle, Gary Swimming Kim Blackiston, Jeff Brel, Craig Dittmar, Tom Fenton, Chris Fve Ray Glos, Martin Glos, Bill Jacobson and Charles Kaney. Also, Stan Sff, Steve School Rich Smdtker, Terry Steenrod and Dennis Walton.

Ma Bob Moellenberndt and Mark Winter. Wrestling Heiden, Jim vieth, Larry Cra'f? Stees, Jeff Runge. Kirk Shenberger, Gary Runge Steve Knecht and Clyde Cole. ASO Steve Boettner, Ron Madden, Curt Smith Ron Samuelson, Tim Foley, Ollo Bob Dommel, LeRoy White and Craig LeBaron Managers Peter Tkocz, Jerry Watson and Terry Gagnon. JUNIOR VARSITY AWARDS Basketball Kerry Hughes and Curt Sliockey.

Swimming Jeff Burd, Mike Christenson, Chip Wrestling 1 Brandt Kevin Becker, Dar- Managers Dick Gassman. VVrestling Olson, Gary Lutliln, Mark Rosenberger CHEERLEADERS Far Roseann Schaye, Lynne Unior Varsity 'osfpone Race Opener POWNAL, Vt. (AP) The opening of the 1959 thoroughbred season at Green Moun- am Park was postponed Thursday from April 26 to May 2 KC Wins Gloves Title By LEW FERGUSON form sheet in the windup of the National Golden Gloves Kansas City's team championship. The host team captured the title with 19 points, two more than Cleveland. In the individual title matches, however, favorites tumbled right and left.

Among Casualties Chief among the casualties were Lorenzo Trujillo of Grand Rapids, the only defending champion to make it past the first round; Mike Quarry, younger brother of pro heavyweight contender Jerry Quarry, and John Brown, the nifty 156-pounder who had ousted Olympic bronze medal winner Johnnie Baldwin of Washington, D.C. Trujillo, a native of Edinburg, lost a close decision to James Busceme of Fort Worth team Trujillo helped win the national team title last year. Quarry, who had won the plaudits of the Municipal Auditorium crowd in his early bouts, was the victim of a vengeful au dience. Unanimous Decision Quarry won a unanimous decision over John Santiago of Ros- well.N.M., in the semifinals decision which the crowd didn'i like. Santiago, a stylish boxer, had become a crowd favorite.

When Quarry returned to fight Dave Mathews of Cleveland in the finals, he was soundly booed. Mathews won by a deci sion. Brown was knocked out at 1:15 of the first round by Morris Jor dan of Cincinnati. Walter E. Moore of Los Angeles repeated the feat of his father when he took the heavyweight championship with a second-round technical knockout over Ron Draper of Kansas City.

Moore's father won the Gloves heavyweight crown in 1943. Other championships went to Tony Moreno of Fort Worth al 112 pounds, Oliver James ol Kansas City at 119, Eddie Murray of Chicago at 132, Eddie Beauford of Indianapolis at 139, David Oropeza of Salt Lake City at 147 and Roosevelt Mol den of Lowell, at 165. Airlines Open Sneacf Among Early Leaders LEON BRINKMEIER, a senior at Western Illinois University, is a member of the Leatherneck's track squad this spring. Brinkmeier runs in the 440-yard dash. He is a graduate of Lena-Winslow High School and the son of Mr.

and Mrs. LaVera Brinkmeier, Winslow. By WILL GRIMSLEY MIAMI, (AP) Sam Snead has a new putting pool room he says he feels like he's 16 instead of 56. "I feel so good I believe I could go out and shoot a 50," the old Virginia hillbilly exulted af- firing a five-under-par 67 Thursday in the opening round of the $200,000 National Airlines Open golf tournament. Slammin' Sammy, who has won more than 100 tournaments in a career spanning three decades, found himself only one stroke off the record-setting jace of young Dewitt Weaver, out front with a 66.

Distinguished Players He led such distinguished characters as Arnold Palmer, 69; Gary Player, 69; Bill Casper 70, Jack Nicklaus, 73, and Julius Boros, 73. Directly trailing Weaver and Snead were seven pros bunched at Bruce Cramp- ion, 41-year-old Lionel Hebert, )ale Douglass, Dick Sikes, Dave Stockton, Butch Baird and Frank Beard. There were 13 oth- rs with Palmer and Player at 69. But everybody's eyes, enter- ng the second round over the par 72 Country Club of Miami course, were on the fabulous Snead. Snead Still Confident "I think I can still play as as any of these young fel- ows from tee to green," draw- ed Snead, who grew up in the hills around Hot Springs, and became the capitalist pro of the fashionable Greenbrier Club at White Sulphur Springs, W.

Vo. 'It's just a matter of getting it the hole. Like Ben Hogan I've teen getting the yips out there on the green. Weaver, 29, son of the former Texas Tech football coach, also let a few fly in getting five birdies and an eagle. Weaver uncorked drives of more than 300 yards and hit a three-wood 270 yards to within six feet for an eagle on the 570-yard seventh.

Fasf Gym Closed Until This Summer Farrell Benefiel, Freeport Park District recreational director, said today the east gym at Freeport High School will be closed for recreational purposes until the summer program begins in June. NHL Heads Into Final Weekend By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The National Hockey League's four East Division playoff Montreal, Boston, New York and head into the final weekend of the regular season with their final positions in the standings still in doubt. But there's no doubt that both Montreal and New York are in the drivers' seats. Hopes Still Alive Boston 'kept its hopes for HARRY TOSCANO, New Castle, a right-handed hitter, puts his foot (top) into water to make a second shot; dresses again (middle) and then holding the club head toward himself, (bottom) bits the ball left handed from dry land. Action occurred in the National Airlines Open Golf Tournament.

AP Photofax. catching Montreal alive by typing New York 3-3 Thursday night while Toronto clinched a berth and closed in on the third- place Rangers by beating Detroit 4-2. In the other game, Philadelphia took a solid hold on third place in the West by knocking off Los Angeles 4-2. Johnny McKenzie's third-period goal gave the Bruins their deadlock against New York and set up the climactic weekend home-and-home series against Montreal. Three-Point Lead The Canadiens hold a three- point lead that can only be overcome by consecutive Boston victories Saturday and Sunday.

The tie trimmed New York's edge over Toronto in the battle for third place to two points. The Rangers and Maple Leafs meet each other Saturday in Toronto and again Sunday in New York. Toronto would need a sweep of those games to finish third. If the Leafs win one and tie the other, they would tie the Rangers in total points but be declared fourth on the basis of few victories. Toronto cannot match the Rangers total of 39 victories.

One Victory Toronto got goals from Floyd Smith and Paul Henderson, two ex-Red Wings, to sink Detroit. Frank Mahovlich, who moved to Detroit in the big trade that sent Smith and Henderson to the scored his 48th of the sea- ion, matching his previous single season career high. Philadelphia needs only one victory Los Angeles loss in ihe two games left for each team to clinch third place in the West. The Flyers moved three points up on the Kings with Don Blackburn's goal in the final two minutes snapping a tie. Then Bill Sutherland hit an empty net for the clincher.

McGee's Loses 94-87 In Tourney McGee's Electric of Freeport ell before Booker T. Washing- on 94-87 Thursday night in the irst round of the Booker T. Vashington Invitational Basket- fa a 11 Tournament played in Rockford. The local club outplayed the ourney's favorite for three of our quarters. They led at half- ime 45-38, but a disastrous Jiird quarter when Booker out- cored McGee's 30-13, gave the idvantage to the eventual winners.

VernSchneider paced WcGee's with 25 points followed Don Drake who netted 21 markers. Henry Jordan of Book- had 29 points to pace the winners. McGee's next tourney will be Monroe the second week in April. Pairings for the meet will be announced soon. Score by quarters: Booker 19 19 30 26-94 McGee's 21 24 13 Fight Results By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TOKYO-Takao Sakurai, 121, Japan, outpointed Won Suk Lee, 121, Korea, 10.

LOS ANGELES-Eddle Garcia, 136, Downey, out- pointed Jimmy Fields, 138, Los Angeles, 10, I.