The Daily Courier from Connellsville, Pennsylvania • Page 9

FRIDAY, APRIL 5,1974 THE DAILY COURIER, CONNEllSVILLE, PA. PAGE NINE Lakers, Nets Have Troubles In Playoffs Pitt Also Weighs Move OutofECAC PITTSBURGH (UPI) Athletic Director Casimir J. Myslinski said Thursday the University of Pittsburgh might join Penn State in withdrawing from the 214-member Eastern College Athletic Conference By United Press Internatioul (ECAC) because of Julius Erving, leading scorer bership inequities, in the ABA regular season, Penn State, a charter mem- missed a soft five footer with her, withdrew from the ECAC, two seconds to play Thursday two weeks ago. Among other night to hand the Virginia things, Penn State said it and smothering Bucks defense Squires a 116-115 victory over other larger members contrib- Thursday night, suffering a tne New York Nets and renew uted more money to the confer- the "Hampton Court jinx." In THE WHERE AND TEAR by Alan Maver INGLEWOOD, Cilif. (UPI) The offense collapsed, the defense withered and Los Angeles Lakers Coach Bill Shuman summed it all up with: "We'll have to do some soul searching now." The Lakers fell victim of an awesome Milwaukee attack and the NBA's fifth best scorer with 25.4 point average.

damaging 112-90 loss in the fourth game of their NBA Western Conference best-of- seven playoff series. It was the only NBA game scheduled Thursday night. In tonight's only game, Boston plays at Buffalo, leading in the series 21. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in tandem with forward Bob Dandrige dominated the Lakers and all but crushed any chance of Los Angeles winning the semifinal series. Only twice has a team, down 3-1 in a playoff, comeback to win the series.

Los Angeles did it the last time in 1969 against Phoenix. Milwaukee can wrap up the Western Conference title at home Sunday night. During just three quarters of play, Jabbar hit 12 for 18 and seven free throws for 31 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, while Dandrige netted 12for 15 and two free throws four 24. The Lakers started fast, pulling ahead 13-8. But the Bucks rallied to 52-39 lead by halftime and near the end of the third quarter the lead was stretched to 33 ooints.

The hand was strong enough to hold Gail Goodrich to two points, a career low. Goodrich is Pens Score Over Buffalo, Host Flyers PHILADELPHIA (UPI) Watch out, Pittsburgh. The Philadelphia Flyers say they're heading into the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs with more "desire" than talent. a i a Philadelphia and Pittsburgh meet on the Penguins' home ice Saturday night in the next-to- last regular season game for both teams. Pittsburgh failed to make the playoffs.

"With the playoffs upcoming, there are a couple of clubs that look better than we do on paper," said Flyers coach Fred Shero Thursday night after Philadelphia disposed of the New York Islanders 4-0 behind a record setting performance by goalie Bernie Parent. In the only other NHL game Thursday night, Pittsburgh got four goals from as many players in the second period to defeat Buffalo 4-2 in a contest that had no effect on the regular season standings. Lowell MacDonald began the Penguins' scoring with his 41st goal. "Four or five teams have better talent than we do," continued Shero, but we're better on desire." other playoff action, George McGinnis sank a basket with six seconds left to cap a fourth quarter comeback and give the defending champion Indiana Pacers a 91-89 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, while the San Diego Conquistadors, trailing four times by as many as 26 points, came back to nip the Utah Stars, 100-98. Victories by the Pacers and Q's tied their series at 2-2.

The Squires victory pulled them to a 2-1 playoff record with the Nets and once again frustrated the Nets at the Hampton arena. New York has won only one game at Hampton in four years and that came in the second game of the playoff. The Nets lost a three point halftime lead in the third period but rallied in the fourth and pulled to within a point with 23 seconds left on the clock. Virginia's (Me Taylor missed a layup and Erving took the ball down court driving for the winning basket with the seconds ticking away. Five feet from "the basket Erving stopped and put up a soft shot which rolled off the rim and preserved the Squires win.

Jim Eakins scored 31 points for the winners while Erving paced the Nets with 29. Indiana, two times defending ABA champions, went into the fourth game of their playoff series with San Antonio leading two games to one. San Antonio whittled away at a 12 point first period Pacer lead to build up a five point advantage by the end of the third quarter. Then Indiana came to life. McGinnis tied the game at 72-all and the two clubs see-sawed the lead until the final seconds.

Bird Averitt tied it one last time for the Spurs before McGinnis sank the winning bucket in the final seconds to put the best-of-seven series at two games each. Roger Brown led the scoring for Indiana with 29 points while Rich Jones paced the Spurs with 28. The Q's looked set for a rough night when they trailed 35-19 after the first quarter, while there was little improvement at the half, with Utah 6342 ahead. In all-or-nothing final quarter, the Q's, on baskets by Tim Bassett and George Adams and a 3-pointer by Billy Shepherd got rolling and with 1:25 remaining, Adams stole a Utah pass to bring the score to, 97-96. Seconds later Lamar added two free throws and the Q's had the lead for the first time.

They did not surrender it, The Q's outscored Utah, 28-14, in the final period to mark the fourth time this year they've come back to win from a 25- point deficit. ence than smaller schools yet could be outvoted by them. "I presume I will recommend getting out, but I won't fight like mad to get out," said Myslinski, adding the decision may be made at the next meeting of Pitt's athletic board. "We are considering dropping out. If we can solve officiating problems, we probably will get out right away." Member schools are required to use officials accredited by the ECAC in all sports except football.

Motocross Qualifier Set at Bruceton Mills MORGANTOWN, W. Va. Appalachia State Park, in nearby Bruceton Mills, will host the national motocross championship qualifying races on Sunday, April 7, starting at 1 p.m. The field of 125 expected entries, over the course, will include the Maico factory team from Pennsylvania, race officials said. The field will be trying to earn berths in the American Motorcycle Association's Inter-AMA and Trans-AMA International Motocross Championships, plus earning qualifying points and competing for a share of the $1800 purse posted for this race.

SAY MATS tfROHG Season's First Hit Gets Aaron Tie Wiffc Ruth But You Don't Hit With Feet Friday's ABA Games Kentucky vs Carolina Greensboro By ED FITE UPI Sports Writer ARLINGTON, Tex. (UPI) Reggie Jackson and Oakland A's owner Charles 0. Finley may not always see eye to eye, but after the season-opening performance by Jackson, Finley ecstatically exclaimed, "he can play barefooted for all I care." Jackson, the American League and World Series most valuable player in 1973, got off to a terrific start Thursday By RICK VAN SANT CINCINNATI (UPI) Hammering Hank has caught the Babe. Now he'll try to pass him in Saturday's second game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. With his first swing of the 1974 season, Hank Aaron smacked a dramatic three run homer against the Reds Thursday to tie Babe Ruth's career home run record of 714, a mark once thought unreachable.

"It's a load off my back," said Hank, "But I need one more to it When I get it, I'll probably run around the bases backwards." Hank gets his chance for some fancy basepath footwork here Saturday, when the Braves seek revenge for Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Reds. Both teams were idle today. Didn't Wait Long The 52,154 fans who jammed Riverfront Stadium for opening day didn't have to wait long for Aaron's blast. With two men on base in the first inning, Aaron worked Reds' pitcher Jack BilUngham to a 3-1 count. Then Billingham night.

The world champions served up a "sinker" that didn't powered to a'7-2 debut under sink and Aaron lined it over the Pitcher Knew Then He Was in Record Books By LEE LEONARD CINCINNATI (UPI) Jack Billingham knew Atlanta's Hank Aaron had swatted his 714th career home run the moment the ball left his bat there Thursday afternoon. "I knew by the way he swung," said the Cincinnati Reds pitcher. first I just sort of looked down -at the ground, but then I thought I might as well watch it go out." Billingham, who started in the Reds come from behind, 7-6, llth inning win, said the home run ball he dished up to Aaron was a sinker which didn't sink like it was supposed to. "It just kind of sailed into him," said Billingham. "You make a mistake on him and it's gone." Aaron was thrown a similar pitch in the third inning, Billingham said, and grounded out.

"Any game you pitch as bad as I did and win, you're going to be happy," said Billingham. "I marked this off as one of the four or five bad games I expect during the season." The game was stopped for six minutes while Aaron was presented the baseball clobbered to tie Babe Ruth's alltime Major League homer record. Billingham said he was "irritated" by the delay and thought the ceremony should Alvin Dark at the expense of the Texas Rangers and 1973 nemesis Jim Bibby. The A's right fielder merely had a four-for-five night against Bibby and his successors--a home run, two doubles and a single as well as stealing a base. Oddly, the solo homer gave Jackson his only RBI, but his first double ignited a four-run outburst in the second inning that really was all Jim "Catfish" Hunter needed to get credit for the victory.

Hunter tired and gave way to Rollie Fingers in the eighth after successive singles by Jim Fregosi and Rich Billings and a double by Dave Nelson that gave the crowd of 21,907 much to cheer about. Jackson and Finley were standing together in the dressing room after the game when someone brought up the subject of controversy. "Anybody who gets two doubles, a home run and a have been held after the inning single in the first game can play was ended. "It seemed like a half how- out there," said Billingham. Cincinnati outfielder Pete Rose scored the winning run from second on a wild pitch and said he was "mad" when he saw the ball hit by Aaron sail over the left field fence.

"You don't want a home run with two men on in the first inning," said Rose. Tony Perez, the batting hero for the Reds whose four runs batted in were overshadowed by Aaron's homer, said he wished the Atlanta slugger would get his next, and record-breaking home run against Cincinnati's chief rival in the National league West, Los Angeles. TURKEY and HAM SHOOT Sunday, Apr. 7 1PM Everyone Welcome DUNBAR Sportsmen Club (Off Rt. 119) Reuss Hurls Buc Opener ST.

LOUIS (UPI) The revamped St. Louis Cardinals will rely on veteran workhorse Bob Gibson taking the mound for the 10th consecutive inaugural tonight when the Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates kickoff their National League season at Busch Stadium. Gibson, 38, who has a 26-15 career mark against the Pirates, was 12-10 last year in an injury-disrupted season. He will NOW IS THE TIME To make a great buy on a new car at Null Ford. Leftovers at the largest discounts ever.

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Monday thru Thrusday. Til 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Phone 437-9827. be opposed by yoimg southpaw and one time teammate Jerry Reuss in the opener that is expected to draw some 25,000 fans despite predicted cold temperatures.

Reuss was 16-13 last year with the Houston Astros. Only a dozen of the 25 St. Louis players who were on the squad for last year's opener at Pittsburgh are on the roster this year. Newcomers starting tonight include rookie Bake McBride in centerf ield who was .302 in 40 games last year and Reggie Smith whom the Cardinals obtained during the winter from the Boston Red Sox. Smith will be in right field.

The Pirates with Irishman Danny Murtaugh at the helm again also have undergone some changes. Richie Zisk will start in right field in place of the late Roberto Clemente and Dave Parker, who hit .288 in 54 games with the Pirates last year will start at first. Rennie Stennett will be at second base in the spot vacated by Dave Cash who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Former Cardinal regular Dal Maxvill will be at shortstop for the Pirates. barefooted for all I care, Finley said.

Jackson described as "a bunch of bull" the stories of friction between him and Finley. "You guys just like to sell newspapers," he said. "Mr. Finley and I have a mutual respect. I'm not going to make a fool of him and he's not going to make a fool of me." The A's combined Jackson's double, a walk to Gene Tenace, a double by Joe Rudi and singles by Ray Fosse and Dick Green for the four runs in the second inning.

Jackson's second double was wasted in the third, but in the fifth he singled off Nelson's glove, went to second on a throwing error that also allowed Sal Bando to score from second, then stole third and came home on Rudi's single. Toby Harrah got to Hunter for three singles and Rich Billings for a pair of one baggers. Aside from those blows and Nelson's two-bagger Hunter looked just like he did in compiling a 21-5 record last year. The clubs were idle today with the second game of their series set for Saturday night. left field wall near the 375 foot mark.

After Aaron circled the bases, the game was stopped for a six minute ceremony during which Hank took the public address microphone and told the cheering crowd, "I'm just glad it's almost over with." A Cincinnati policeman, Clarence Williams, 22, stationed in the open area behind the wall and in front of the stands, retrieved the ball and it was immediately presented to Aaron. Reds Rally Although Aaron's homer staked the Braves to a 3-0 lead, the Reds rallied to take a 7-4 victory in 11 innings. Pete Rose scored the winning run from second base on a wild pitch. But the day belonged to Aaron, the 40-year-old slugger who once in his youthful, unsophisticated zeal for the game of baseball, batted crosshanded for a barnstorming team called the Indianapolis Gowns. A beaming Aaron told more than 100 newsmen after the game he felt like he was off to a good season--his 21st in the major leagues.

"I felt I would hit a home run today," he said. "I was a little disappointed you gentlemen didn't see the other one." Aaron had hit only one other opening day homer off the Chicago Cubs' Bob Rush in 1956. Sunday in Doubt While Aaron will be in the lineup Saturday, he said he doesn't know if he will play Sunday. "I was only ordered to play two out of three," he laughed, referring to an edict issued by baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn after the Braves had announced intentions of witholding Aaron until the first home stand in Atlanta. "I've had a chance to hit one here and I do owe the fans in Atlanta a shot at it," Aaron said.

Did that mean Aaron would be something less than a home run hitter here Saturday? "I'm certainly going to play the game the way it's supposed to be played," he said. "If I get a pitch I can hit out of the ball park, I'm going to try to dispose of it." The dubious distinction of serving up no. 714 to Aaron didn't seem to bother the easy going Billingham. Not Embarrassed He greeted reporters with his usual boyish grin and mild manner. "I'm not embarrassed at all," Billingham said.

"Hank Aaron is a great hitter. He's going to get his homers. I just feel bad that I didn't pitch as good as I know I can pitch." Asked for the pitch Aaron hit for his homer at 2:40 p.m. EOT, 10 minutes after Vice President Gerald Ford tossed out the first ball, Billingham said: "It was a sinker that didn't sink. I wanted it to be low and away and to sink, but it sailed into him.

It was my mistake. That's what makes Hank Aaron great. He takes advatage of mistakes." Billingham knew the ball was gone the instant Aaron connected. "I'm afraid I did," he said. "I said a few words to the ground.

Then I turned around and watched it go over the wall." By MILTON RICHMAN UPI Sports Editor CINCINNATI (UPI) The pitchers who have been Hank Aaron's victims these past 20 years fib a little. They say he has no discernible weakeness whatsoever at the plate. They're wrong. Hank Aaron does have a weakness, and it's a glaring one. He doesn't know how to fake it.

He wouldn't know how if he tried. That's his big weakness. As a consequence, it is entirely possible, even rather likely he may break Babe Ruth's home-run record by hitting No. 715 in the same place he hit No. 714.

Right here in Cincinnati. Would Prefer Atlanta Given his choice, Aaron would prefer to hit the record breaker before the homefolks back in Atlanta, not only as a way of showing his gratitude for their support, but also because in later years he could take some of his friends out to Atlanta Stadium and say to them, "See, this is where I did it." Hank Aaron says he plans to play in tomorrow's game with the Reds here and maybe Sunday's and nobody really Majors' Probable Pitching Choices American League Boston at Milwaukee --Tiant (213) vs. Colborn (20-12) California at Chicago --Ryan (21-16) vs. Wood (24-20) Detroit at Baltimore --Lolich (16-15) vs. Palmer (22-9) Minnesota at Kansas City (n) -Blyleven (20-17) vs Splittorff (20-11) (Only games scheduled) National League Houston at San Francisco -Osteen (16-11) vs.

Bradley (1312) Pittsburgh at St. Louis (n) -Reuss (16-13) vs. Foster (13-9) San Diego at Los Angeles (n) -Arlin (11-14) vs. Sutton (18-10) (Only games scheduled) would be any the wiser if he "short-armed" his swing a little bit, like a fighter does pulling a punch, or a race driver does when he lets up a trifle on the gas pedal coming out of a turn. But to Hank Aaron that would be faking it, and something like that is entirely foregin to his nature.

He would never do a thing like that because he simply doesn't go that way. He still is somewhat sensitive over Bowie Kuhn' directive to the Braves that they had better make sure they played him the same way they had in the past in these three opening games with the Reds. Sensitivity Surfaced That sensitivity surfaced when Aaron was asked, after hitting No. 714 off Jack Billingham in Thursday's 11- inning 7-6 loss, whether he intended playing in both Saturday's and Sunday's contests. "I'm gonna play Saturday; I'm only ordered to play two out of three," he laughed.

Then there was the question of how hard he'd be shooting for the record-breaker Saturday. Would he be giving it his best homerun shot? "If I get a pitch to hit out of- the ballpark, I'm gonna do my! best to dispose of it." he "The last pitch (Roger) Nelson- threw me today I shoud've hit out of the park, but I didn't catch it just right, and I flied out to center field." Hank Aaron, who's feeling great and doesn't need it, has a day off today because the Braves aren't scheduled. Giving All Tomorrow he goes to work again, and you can rely on it, he'll be giving it all he has, because, as Jack BilUngham puts it, that's why he's Hank Aaron. Don Gullett, the Reds' fire- balling 23-year-old little lefty, will be out there trying to stop him. Gullett has been tagged for seven homers by Aaron in the five years he's been in the majors and he's going to do everything he can to put the collar around him tomorrow, but, if the Braves' 40-year-old marvel clips him for No.

715, he has no immediate plans to jump into the Ohio river. "If he does it, he does it," says Gullett. "He has hit me pretty good. Those seven home runs have come off practically every pitch I throw, fast ball, curve ball, slider and changeup. Will Pitch Aaron "No, I'm not going to pitch around him.

I certainly am not going to walk him intentionally for no reason. If he can beat me in a ballgame, fine. I'm going to be very careful, but I'm not going to throw him four balls in the dirt." Somebody asked the youthful Gullett if the name Tracy Stallard had any particular significance for him. Stallard was the pitcher who gave up Roger Marls' 61st home run in 1961 --the home run which broke Ruth's single-season record. "Am I supposed to remember him?" Gullett wanted to know.

"I was 10 at the time, and my only recollection is that it was an awful lot of home runs. The thing that sticks with me is that Willie Mays broke in the year I was born. He was the first guy to hit a home run off me and the first guy I ever struck out. Both fast balls." Opening Day--Something fo Everybody Stocking TROUT SAT. 8:30 A.M.

Mw tpM IUL, 11M. Atl NIGHT FISHING FOR CATFISH AND CARP By MILTON RICHMAN UPI Sports Editor CINCINNATI (UPI) Opening Day! It is the most special day in a baseball player's life, belonging to not any one of them in particular and yet to every last one of them in general. What goes through a ballplayer's mind on Opening Day? What does he think about and what'-emotions does he feel inside? Everyone feels something, whether his name us Hank Aaron, Pete Rose or a kid trying all he knows how to make it like, say, Bill Madlock with the Cubs. Ron Santo can give you a pretty good rundown on it. This will be his first opener with the Chicago White Sox but his 14th in the big leagues.

He has been in 13 previous openers with the Chicago Cubs. "I.know I'll be nervous because I'm always nervous on Opening Day," says the 34-year- old Santo, who balked at being traded to the California Angels That was when Harry Dalton, the Angels' highly capable executive vice president and general manager, decided to call Santo and try persuading him to come to California. Poised and Sincere "After talking with Harry, I wavered," Santo confesses. "I by the Cubs last December and 10-year man with the last five subsequently was dealt to the years on the same club. White Sox.

Opening in Chicago "I'm sure I'll be excited, too, because we're opening up in Chicago, where I've been playing the past 14 years, and for another thing, we're playing the Angels." Seeing them will certainly stir up some other feelings inside never talked to anybody with as Santo. He concedes as much, much poise and with as much When the Cubs decided to deal sincerity. I hated to say no to Santo to the Angels four months him, and I thanked him for ago, they were looking for a wanting me so badly and pitcher. The youngster they making me feel so good." zeroed in on was Bruce Hein- Only a few weeks ago, bechner, a 23-year-old left- tragedy struck the Angels and hander who looked like a find in a roundabout way Ron Santo last year with Salt Lake City and was tabbed one of the best prospects in the Angels' system. Ron Santo scotched the whole deal however.

He didn't wish to uproot his family and leave Chicago, he had made up his mind he wouldn't go and that's all there was to it. He had baseball law on his side being a was able to relate to it. Bruce Heinbechner, training with the Angels in California, was killed in an auto accident. Ron Santo saw the story in the newspapers and it made him think of that Cubs-Angels' trade which never went through this past winter. It also made him think of another more personal tragedy that occurred a year ago.

"To be honest," he says, "the thing I thought about was my parents being killed." Parents Died Santo's father and mother died in an automobile accident on March 22,1973. Before that, whenever they could, they would come to watch their son play. Ron Santo still remembers his first day the big leagues. He also remembers the date, June 26, 1960. The Cubs, who had brought him up from the minors, were playing a doubleheader at Pittsburgh and Bob Friend was working the opener for the Pirates.

"My first time up, I hit a line drive through the box for a single," says Santo. "I drove in two runs with a double my second time up, then singled to left and walked. Vern Law pitched the second second game for them and I remember we won, 2-1, and I went two-for- three." Two Third Basemen The big question after the Cubs got Santo was what would they do with two long-ball hitting third basemen inasmuch as they also had one-time home run king Bill Melton. "No problem," says White Sox manager Chuck Tanner. "Ron Santo will be our designated hitter and bat sixth in the opener and Bill Melton will hit cleanup and play third base.

No problem at all." Ron Santo says the same thing. No problem. He and Bill Melton get along fabulously, he says. "We were god friends before and we're better friends now. I'm here for only one reason -to help the White Sox any way I can.

I'm anxious to get ted." Opening Day. It is the most special day in a baseball player's life..