The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 52

COMMENT Page 52-. tf.Examinrr a WedJuno 1 8, 1 975 Eurt heralds emd of aM-hero era US Hence, loathed melanrhnlv. of Joe Willie Namath snrf blackest midnight born, in some dank saloon forlorn among horrid shapes and shrieks and gamblers unholy. Find some uncouth broadcasting job where corporate darkness spreads its jealous wings and perfumed night-ravens sing. There under dark shades and low-browed rocks as ragged as their American Steve Wells TWOMBLY Bartkowski has spurned 'M no-cut aeai w'ft with Atlanta locks, in deserved oblivion ever dwell.

With apologies to the poet John Milton, who isn't around to defend himself from such rude parodies, it is possible to report today that the wretched era of the anti-hero in American sports is beginning to fade. 1 and has olso 1 spumed 1 bigger money offers from the WFL For the better part of a decade athletic heroes have tended to be arrogant, cynical, sin-loving creeps with pool KiicIai Atrae onit tttkuA that ufauM mab-A iVm 1PmvvAta nf VJVO HUU (ft 1 VVU kiJUV TV UU1U UlCftlVC WIC JWilJyvl VI 9 Vi China uncomfortable. They wrote endlessly through their I Examiner photo A rJ 'J "It is true," said Steinberg, "that I let the word get out that Steve might be available to the World Football League. Every offer we received from the WFL was higher than what the Falcons paid. In the end Steve simply wanted to prove himself against the best competition possible.

We were asking for more than we got and he said to give in and settle the matter. He was just anxious to start learning his job. So we gave a little and they gave a little. Football is most important to Steve." The truly devout communicants in Atlanta have acted with moderation typical of Southern football fans. They see Steve Bartkowski as a sweaty savior come to rescue the Falcons from absurdity and ridicule.

When the plane touched down on the red clay of Georgia they interrupted the news on all three channels to say that he was in their presence. The newspapers immediately decided that he was something called "The Golden Pole," honoring Roman Bartkowski, but absolutely ignoring the fact that Helen Bartkowski, mother of the quarterback, had an Irish maiden name. "That's some kind of nickname," he said, blushing. "Frankly, I told somebody it didn't sound so good. If somebody had a certain kind of mind it could even end up X-rated.

I wish they'd think of something else. But, I tell you it's fun walking through the streets of Atlanta and having people stop and talk to me. They wave on the streets and act real friendly. Some people thought I got paid too much. Maybe that's true.

I certainly would argue with them. If they really want to see over-paid athletes, how about those basketball players?" literary spectres, about the numerous women they'd bedded, the vast sums of money they wrenched loose from gullible promoters. It was fashionable to be haughty, to spit A 1 A A A A it autvfciayuo iv gcw uic cu uul ui uic naj, I 1. I 4 i A A ir una morning neiore ne leu 10 sian eanunn nis aauy 7 filet mignon, Steve Bartkowski, the richest rookie in the history of the National Football League, hired a hotel "meeting room at his own expense, bought some coffee and doughnuts and invited some his friends in the communica-tion media in for breakfast. He had absolutely nothing to gain.

He had performed nobly at the University of i tf 1 vuuiunua unu was going on iu Auama wnere uie aicons are making him very comfortable if not exactly rich for lifo. Ha iiiKt wanted tn tav thnnlr vnn nnH prwiHhvp a noble gesture. Bartkowski actually meant it, strange behavior for a man so newly well-to-do. "Over-pricing can kill the game of football," he said. "I saw someplace that the Washington Redskins are pushing their top ticket price up to something like $15.

1 don't think that's right. This game belongs to the people and they are the ones who end up paying for the high salaries. When I say I'd play for nothing I mean it. If the National Football League was an all-volunteer army, I'd play football for fun and get me a steady job on the outside to be able to afford it." For several long, agonizing months Bartkowski existed in his own private version of purgatory, neither student nor professional football player. He hung around with some friends from Cal he had been living with.

He bought an expensive sports car, based on the money he expected to receive. And he went off hunting with his Irish setter and close personal companion, Gena. Then he called Steinberg, who has only been practicing law a few months. It is quite possible that this suave young legal rookie will cause club owners to do half-gainers under the sheets at night in future seasons. He styles himself a "sports lawyer," which is a surpisingly candid admission.

At the time Steinberg entered the negotiations, the Falcons were talking about a figure that was less than "$400,000 for four seasons." Amazingly, four teams from the World Football League clubs submitted offers. There were two clubs in the South, probably the Memphis Southmen and the Birmingham Vulcans, who were quite interested. So were the Philadelphia Bell and the Chicago Winds. The latter club got especially friendly after Joe Namath said, naw, he didn't think he'd like State Street quite as much as Broadway. Besides, part of the offer included $1 million from future television revenue.

A lew days earlier, Bartkowski, who is as bright, blond and earnest as Namath was dark, smirky and insincere ten years ago, became the owner of a document which will guarantee him something like $700,000 over the next four years. Roughly 60 percent of that money is already in the bank. All he has to do is make the team to get the rest. That how he wanted it. when he switched agents a few weeks says Steve Bartkowski.

If he makes it big, that will be nice. He'll earn his big salary, of he is mildly ashamed because it seems so unreasonable. If he isn't anything more than a third string quarterback when his four year contract is finished, he'll look for another line of work. The kid walks in a golden aura, pure of spirit and pure of heart. A whole new cycle has begun.

Johnny Miller drinks milkshakes and takes his children on the golf tour with him. Both Richie Allen and Raymond Fioyd admit that they have reformed. Even the great anti-hero himself, Joe Namath, says that money isn't enough to make him jump leagues. The streets and campuses are empty of protestors. An ex-football star occupies the White House.

Barbers confess that business is better than it has been at any time since the white sidewalk haircut fell into disfavor. Children are giving up dope and drinking beer like their fathers before them. God is in his heaven, Steve Bartkowski will give back some of the bonus money if the Falcons will cut their ticket prices and all's right with the world. Just pretend the 1960s never happened. ago, taking on an amazingly glib ex-college friend, Leigh Steinberg, he told him just how he felt about things.

At the same time literary men were grumbling about Bartkowski's $700,000, not a word was said about the fact that David Thompson wanted a mere $4 million to commit his beautiful body to the Atlanta Hawks, And Dave Meyers was willing to settle for a $1.5 million contract before he'd consent to let the Los Angeles Lakers trade him to Milwaukee in the great Kareem Abdul-Jabber financial deal. The man who went away from Los Angeles as Lew Alcindor and returned with an Islamic name will get $500,000 a year for five years. That's nothing in comparison to the $2.3 million that the Seattle Sonics paid to Jim McDaniels, a lethargic man of wealth whom coach Bill Russell told to go home and stop fouling up his team. These are the best and most exciting days of his life, What Bartkowski wanted to do was make it on his own. He didn't want one of those no-cut contracts, the kind that guarantee you four years pay even if you're so terrible the coaches want to cut you after three weeks of training camp.

Even more amazing, he offered to take less money anytime the Falcons wanted to cut their ticket prices. It was not just NAMES arid FACES Gaillard's fight for top prospects Warriors GM Vertlieb named NBA Exec of Year 1 975 INTER-CONFERENCE LETTER OF INTENT 1 975 INSTRUCTIONS 3 Football; Do not sign prior to 8:00 a.m. February 19, 1975 12 All other sports; Do not sign prior to 8:00 a.m. April 9, 1975. 1.

Plac in proper box above. 2. Read reverse side before completing and signing Ibis lorm in triplicate one copy to be retained by student, two copies to be returned to the institution, one of which is to be sent to the appropriate commissioner. 3. THIS IS NOT AN AWARD OF INANCIAL AID.

11 the enrollment decision, in thn letter is made with an understand ing by the student that he it to receive financial assistance, he should have his possession, before completing this Letter of Intent, a written statoment from the institution involved which lists the terms and conditions, including the amount and duration of such financial assistance. iniiFnm Baraga Name of student (Print or tvpa prop nma, rrwiudino. middle name or initial) the tail of 1975. This it to certify my decision to enroll at Thl HdTtTgliT Pf TTtlf iKi Nam Ql InMllutiort their injured outfielders, is not improving. The club said it was placing Lou Piniella on the 15-day disabled list, transferring Elliot Maddox from the 15- to 21-day list, and recalling Terry Whitfield from Syracuse, (Roadrunner) Ferguson, the 5-6 running back who tore up the Big Ten while at Wisconsin but flopped with Atlanta of the NFL and Winnipeg of the CFL, has signed with the Portland Thunder of the WFL.

Last year he gained over 1000 yards rushing with the WFL's Portland Storm. Marcel Dionne, who has spurned a $300,000 offer from the Detroit Red Wings, may get his wish and be traded soon. The Los Angeles Kings have offered a package of defensemen Sheldon Kanne-giesser and Terry Harper and forwards Dan Maloney and Whitey Widing, while the Toronto Maple Leafs have offered forwards George Ferguson and Bob Neely and a choice of Brian Glennie or defenseman Jim McKenny. Wings Coach Alex Delvec-chio said he was "pleased by the competition of the ure to stop at the scene of an accident, failure to render aid and failure to give identification. Zisk testified yesterday that he and his wife were standing in back of their car at the Three Rivers Stadium parking lot when Peak backed his vehicle into theirs, pinned them for about a minute, then drove off quickly as they made note of his license plate number.

The Cincinnati Reds announced they are suing vendors who Usually market their wares on the plaza outside Riverfront Stadium. The Reds contend that they have all rights to the profits from concessions in the stadium and on the plaza, and have filed a $200,000 civil more action. Random notes; The Houston Oilers have reacquired wide receiver Jerry LeVias from the San Diego Chargers in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice. LeVias left Houston in exchange for two linemen in 1971, but now returns home to the city where he maintains his home and all his business interests. problem the New York Yankees have with all In making this certification I understand that: (1) All members of the cooperating Conferences and institutions (listed on the reverie tide of this letter) art obligated to respect my decision.

(2) I MAY SIGN ONLY ONE LETTER OF INTENT, If that letter is rendered "null and void" I may not then sign a second letter, but I remain free to enroll at any institution of my choice where I am admissible, (31 If I elect not to enroll in the above named institution and enroll hi another Institution which it a participant in this agreement, my athletic eligibility at the institution in which I enroll will be limited in accordance with the reguletiont outlined on the reverse tide of this letter, (41 II my parent or legal guardian fails to co-sign this Letter of Intent, it will be rendered null and void. (SI This letter will also be rendered null and void tf I have not, by the opening of its classes in the fall of 1975, met both the requirements for admission to the institution named above and its academic requirements for financial aid to athletes. (61 My signature on this form nullifies any agreements oral or otherwise that would release me or the institution from the conditions stated in this Inter-Conference Letter of Intent. (7) This Letter of Intent will be null and void unless signed within ten (101 days after being issued or As a' hardly surprising development, Warriors general manager Dick Vertlieb was named yesterday as the National Basketball Association Executive of the Year" by The Sporting News. Vert- -lieb, who built the Seattle SuperSonics franchise as business manager and then general manager, came to the team last June and immediately signed top draft choices Keith Wilkes, Phil Smith and Frank Kendrick.

The league championship, of course, followed. The Texas Rangers can be happier now than they were three years ago when they signed high school pitching sensation David Clyde, who turned out to be less than sensational in the major leagues and is now laboring in the minors. Yesterday they signed a college pitching sensation, Jim Gideon of College World Series champion Texas. He was 36-2 for the Longhorns the past two seasons, and the 6-4, 190-pound, righthander beat Clyde the only two times they met as high school opponents. A grand jury in Pittsburgh is preparing its investigation into the case of George Peak, a suburbaft salesman who faces the possibility of a few days in jail following an incident involving Richie Zisk, the Pirate outfielder, and Mrs.

Barbara Zisk. Peak is accused of fail- From Page 51 wasn't convinced. He wanted to be told face-to-face. So two nights later Crum was sitting in on Boynes graduation ceremony right next to Gaillard, who had gone to Oklahoma City for the signing. Winf ord was supposed to go to school the next morning, then spend a few minutes telling Crum face-to-face and return home to meet with Gaillard and his assistant, Larry Gillman, at 11.

"We stayed at the house anticipating that Winford would be back any time," said Gaillard. But Mrs. Boynes came home from work and said Crum would be back with Winford at 4 a o'clock. 1 By 7 they were still not home and Mrs. Boynes went to find them leaving Gaillard and Gillman with her two younger sons.

"At 8:30 we get a call and the mother tells us Winford has signed with Louisville said Gaillard. "Winford tried to talk to me over the phone but just said, 'I'm I asked what we did wrong and he said, 'Nothing, I'll be right home." Soon, Mrs. Boynes, Winford and Crum came through the door. Crum looked at Gaillard and said, "Too bad, you win some, you lose some." But he was bluffing. Although Crum had been with Winford some nine hours in a last ditch power move, nobody had signed anything.

The scrimmage resumed early the next morning with both head coaches right back in the Boynes' living room. This time, however, Mrs. Boynes finally set some rules. One more visit for each school and then a decision would be made. Gaillard agreed and quickly departed, leaving Crum with first shot.

Crum pleaded his case for an hour then left. Gaillard countered with a 10 minute talk." After a brief discussion with his mother, Winford signed the USF letter at 11:50 and phoned Crum to tell him the decision. But Crum refused to accept this and, forgetting the rules, was soon back in the house pleading his case yet another time. "The mother hasn't signed yet, so the letter isn't valid," Crum told Gaillard. Winford began to crack under the pressure.

A friend dropped by and they went for a ride, leaving Gaillard, Crum and Mrs. Boynes sitting together in silence. Winford returned in an hour, by Thit Letter can be reissued. AM' SIGNED Dc And Tlm of Signature SIGNED Ptjlw Data and Trma Data and Ttma Stgnatura ADDRESS Submission of this Utter of Inunt has been authorized by SIGNED loth Otroctor PnlTTilty ef Sin rrtnelaca Inamuilon Prescott Sullivan is on vacation. A PHOTOSTAT OF WINFORD BOYNES' USF LETTER OF INTENT FIND OF THE WEEK had one more private talk with his mother, then asked Gaillard to wait on the front lawn.

"In a few minutes Crum came out and said, "Congratulations, you have a great player," recalled Gaillard. Crum hasn't been seen on Creekwood Terrace since, and Boynes hasnt received any wild promises on the phone yet, but Gaillard still isn't relaxing. "I won't be sure of anything," said Gaillard, "until I count heads on October 15." filachiavelli, P.T. Barnum, and Billy Graham Put them all together, and you've got: J. harli SPORTS CALENDAR Iii the Bay Area -ivy Charles Oscar Flnley vs.

th Baseball Establishment by Herbert Michelson Sole owner of the Oakland A'l, THURSDAY TODAY Television and tadio (Television and rodio information is provided by stations.) TELEVISION TODAY Baseball Oakland A's vs. Minnesota Twins, (5) :00 p.m. Spotlight on Sports With Bud Foster, Coblevisiort (6) 7:38 p.m. RADIO TODAY Baseball San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants, KSFO (560) 12:45 p.m.

Wnnun With Mike Forrest. Charles O. Finley is the most colorful man In baseball. tfm Son Dieoo Padres vs. Now all the highlights of the game fans have been Hots Racing Solano County Fair, Vallejo, first post 1 :30 p.m.

Tm USLTA Men's 35 Hardcourts, Mill Volley TC, oB day; NorCal Sectional Women's Seniors, Blossom Hill TC, Los Gatos, oM day. Motorcycle. Class A roces, San Jose Foirgrounds, 8: 15 p.m. following tor years-Charlie O. vs.

everyone i WW San Francisco Giants, Condlestick Park, 1 p.m. Ttmii USLTA Men's 35 Hard-couls, Mid Volley temis dub, dl day; NorCol Sectional Women's Seniors, Blossom HiN TC, Los Gates, al day. Here's the perfect gift for that moustache man of yours. Genuine tortoise shell moustache comb with sterling silver plate for engraving. From France.

$7.50. Engraving, KNEW (910) 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. are captured In one of the wackiest rViltlnnH A't vs. Minnesota Twins. KEEN CONVEVrNT TEBVS books about baseball you'll ever read.

(1370), KKIS (990) 5:45 p.m. Sports Rotntdyp With Art Eckmon, KSFO (560) 5:45 p.m. With Scottv Stirlina. KNBR (680) 4:05 $7.95 Sportsratk With Monty Stickles, KGO (8 1 0) 4:05 p.m. S-o-t, Phone With Scotty Stirlina, KNBR (680) 6:15 p.m.

Upcoming baseball GRANAT BROS fine Jeweler Since 190b San Francisco Grant at Geary a Stortestown Mat Atso Oakland Southland Vat Steven Crack Pwj aitndiM Val Norther Fashion Va HiBsdate V.iH Tanforan Val SunVart Center Webentown Vat Sunrise Ma HaaH TELEVISION THURSDAY No sports events scheduled. RADIO THURSDAY Sotrliports With Sam Skinner, KDIA (1310) :35 a.m. and 6:35 p.m BosebaN Oakland A's vs. Mirmenta Twins, KEEN (1310), KKIS (990), KTIM (1510) 7w: rJ At your bookseller or: THE GIANTS June 18 Son Dego June 19 Idle June 20 At Atlanta (N) June 21 At Atlanta June 22 At Atlanta (N-2) June 23 At San Diego (N) THI AS June 18 At Minnesota (N) June 19 At Minnesota June 20 Konsas City (N) June 21 Kansas City June 22 Kansas City (2) June 23 Minnesota (N) 3 I DUDOd-rVlCnrilLLj 4 West 58th Street A Ai New York. Y.

10019 SoortJtolk With Monty Stickles, KGO (810) :05p.m. Spoftsdial For sport results cad 478-9560. -V.