The Daily Courier from Connellsville, Pennsylvania • Page 7

TUESDAY, APRIL 9,1974 THt DAILY COURIER, CONNELLSVILtE, PA. PAGE SEVEN Big Homer Record Chase Finally Ends for Aaron Here We Go Again On 'Called Shot' Home Run Routine By MILTON RICHMAN UPI Sports Editor ATLANTA (UPI)-It was, in a manner of speaking, like something straight out of pure fantasy, with lights blinking, fireworks flashing and a full grown 40-year-old, man being hugged by his mother as if he were still her little boy. And oh, how the Babe would've loved it all, particularly for that one little extra touch by Hank Aaron. He called his shot! The difference in personalities, and even in their performances, between baseball's new home run king and the old one is so great, so vast, as to be truly incalculable. When men like Waite Hoyt, who knew Babe Ruth then and knows Hank Aaron now, say it is impossible to compare them, they are telling the truth.

The Babe was loud, gregarious, emotional and profane. Hank Aaron is soft-spoken, basically shy, not at all animated and always careful of his language. Would Have Related Babe Ruth would've related to Hank Aaron anyway though if for nothing more than what he did during batting practice Monday night. It would've brought back memories to the Babe, remining him of that time in the 1932 World Series when with Charlie Root pitching for the Cubs, he stepped out of the batter's box a moment, pointed toward the center field bleachers and then dramatically deposited a home run there. Hank Aaron doesn't go in for all those flourishes.

He gets the job done nonetheless. This was before Monday night's contest with the Dodgers. The Braves were taking batting practice in damp, chilly Atlanta Stadium and everybody in the place was thinking about pretty much the same thing. Would he, or wouldn't he? Would Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run and break Ruth's record in the ball game' coming up, the Braves' home opener, or would he disappoint the crowd, of 53,775 and look terrible as he did against the Reds in Cin-- cinnati Sunday night? Comments to Aaron Ralph Garr and Dusty Baker, two of Aaron's teammates, looked at all the newsmen and cameramen congregated around the Braves' dugout and the batting cage and Garr said to Aaron. "Ixrd, Almighty, we'll sure be glad when it's all over with." Aaron, waiting to hit, answered immediately.

"I'll get it over with tonight," he said. Garr looked at Baker, and Baker looked at Garr. They believed, and Aaron didn't let them down, driving the ball over the left field fence his second time up in the fourth inning off Dodger southpaw Al Downing. When it was all over and the Braves had beaten the Dodgers, 7-4, ending their three-game winning streak and inflicting the first loss of the young season upon them, nobody but the Braves' personnel were permitted in the Atlanta dressing room. Something to Say The Braves had opened the champagne and were ready to pour, but Hank Aaron had something he wanted to say first to all his teammates.

"Thank you for being patient," he said, his sincerity moving them. "Thank you for putting up with all that you have --the newspapermen, the photographers and all the other distractions. I know how difficult it was sometimes, and I appreciate the patience you've shown." Hank Aaron doesn't make many speeches. Everybody in the room knew he meant this one. Soon it was tune for Aaron to walk through the rear doors of the clubhouse into an adjoining room where the media was waiting.

Here again Aaron asked if he could say something beforehand. It was his moment, his hour, his night, so he could really say anything he, chose and by the cloud that came over Aaron's face, it was obvious that what he was about to say was very important to him. Some were Critical "First of all," he began, "a lotta things were said about my performance in Cincinnati. I want to say I've never went out on any ballfield and not given my best. I played two games out of three in Cincinnati and the last one was against (Clay) Kirby.

He made some good pitches." Aaron paused momentarily. The words seemed to be coming a little hard but he wanted to get them said. "Contrary to some reports I that I was a disgrace to the ball I gave my best," he said. "I've always done that and that's the only way I know how to play ball." Aaron had gotten it off his chest. Years from now, he'll be able to take some of his friends out to the Atlanta Stadium and say, "See, this is where I hit it." Aaron will tell them No.

715 was hit pretty good, and could be classified the same way Pete Rose described No. wasn't a tapemeasure, but it was a no-doubter." The record-breaker set all the fireworks off in the ballpark, and got Hank Aaron a big bear- hug from his Mama after he crossed home plate. "I never knew she could hug so tight," he laughed later on. Greensburg Cathedral State CYO Champions Greensburg Cathedral's Dukes defeated Our Lady of Peace, 46-44, and St. Lawrence of Upper Darby, 39-35, in overtime, to win the state Catholic.

Grade School basketball championship, at St. Francis College, Loretto. The Dukes beat Immaculate Conception of Connellsville for the Greensburg Diocesan championship to get the berth in the state finals. In the preliminary, the Dukes were down 44-37, then ran off nine in a row to beat Our Lady. The final game ended in a 33-33 tie, with the Dukes winning in overtime to set their season record at 441, including 35 wins in a row.

Dave Palcic scored 71 points in three games, and ended as Cathedral's all-time career scorer with 1352 points. will be CLOSED TODAY and TOMORROW on account off thodoathof Mrs. Mario Glgllottf Baseball Standings National Lcagut Bait w. I pet. St.

Louis 2 0 1 000 Philadelphia 1 1 .500 New York 1 I 500 Chicago 0 0 000- Montreal 0 0 000 Pittsburgh 0 1 000 west San Francisco 4 0 1.000 Los Angeles Cincinnati Atlanta San Diego Houston Monday's Son Francisco 4 Atlanta 7 Los Angeles 4, night (Only games scheduled) Tuesday's Probable Pitchers (Won lost records paren theses) SI Louis at New York--Curtis 0 0 vs Koosman 0 0 Montreal at Pittsburgh--Rogers (0 0) vs Brett (0 0) Philadelphia at Chicago -Schueler 0 0 vs Bonham 0 0 Los Angeles at Atlanta, night -Sutton 1 0 vs Morton 0 0 Houston al San Diego, night-Dierker 0 0 vs. Arlm 0 0 Cincinnati at San Francisco, night Billmgham 0 0 vs Bradley 1 0 .750 500 .500 000 000 Results Cincinnati 1 2 2 3 3 Amer fork re ee id ican League East w. 3 2 2 1 1 0 I. pet. 0 1 000 2 500 2 .500 1 SOO 1 500 2 000 9.6.

0 1 000 1 667 1 .500 1 .500 2 333 2 000 1 1 I'J 2 Results New Baltimore Detroit Boston Milwaukee Cleveland West California Oakland Minnesota Kansas City Texas Chicago Monday's New York 5 Clevelanfl 3 (Only games scheduled) Tuesday's Probable Pitchers (Won lost records in parentheses) New York at Detroil--Kline (0 0) vs Lolich (0 1) Baltimore at Boston--Palmer 1 0 vs Wise (0-0) Chicago at Minnesota--Wood (0 1) vs Blyleven (0 0) Oakland al Kansas City. night- Hunter 1 0 Vs Splittortf 0 0 Texas at California, night-- Hibby 0 1 vs Ryan (1 0) (Only games scheduled) Sees, Ploys In Masters At Same Time By CHARLIE SMITH UPI Sports Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. (UPI) Jim Jamieson knows about the Masters. He knows about it because he grew up in Moline, 111. And in Illinois, like in most parts of the Midwest and northern United States, the Masters signals the start of the golf season.

"I remember when I was a kid and the Masters came on TV, I'd take out my clubs and shine 'em up and hope the weather was nice enough to get out and play after the telecast," Jamieson said Monday. "It usually wasn't, though. My lifelong dream was to see Augusta National. I never thought I'd end up playing it." Jamieson's father saw the first Masters in 1934. He was in the army and just happened to be going through Augusta when the late Bobby Jones staged the first event, which was won by Horton Smith.

"I really like playing here," Jamieson said. "I like the people and I like the tradition." The 30-year-old Jamieson, one of the longest hitters on the tour, should like Augusta National. He's played well here. In 1972 he tied for fifth with a 72-hole total of 290, four shots behind Jack Nicklaus, and last year Jamieson rolled in with a three-under-par 285, good for third place two shots behind Tommy Aaron. Furthermore, Jamieson is playing well now.

He finished at 11-under-par 273 Sunday in the Greater Greensboro Open, which placed him alone in sixth place for a $7,932 payoff. He's won $25,541 this year despite playing since the Phoenix Open with a broken right thumb. First Base at MU Giles Ungvarsky, Hempfield High graduate, is playing first base for the University of West Virginia baseball team. HANK AARON-AH-Timc Homer Leader Bullpen Pitcher Cougfcf Record Hit By BRUCE B. BAKKE ATLANTA (UPI) Bill Buckner of the JLos Angeles Dodgers was hanging atop the outfield fence, arms outstretched and shouting, "Let me have it! Let me have it!" But he didn't have a chance.

Henry Aaron's home run--the historic 715th home run--was sailing well beyond the fence and into the hands of young relief pitcher Tom House. "I couldn't believe it," said House in the clubhouse after the game Monday night. "I just kept thinking, 'It's coming to me. It's coming to House had played in 72 major league ball games before this game but had performed almost without notice. But Monday night the 26-year-old Seattle native was the center of a mob of sports writers, telling them about his catch of Aaron's home run just beyond the 385-foot sign in the Atlanta bullpen.

"This is the biggest thing that ever happened to me," he said. "When I'm old and have grandchildren I can say I was on the other end of the 715th home run. "I caught it on the fly. I was right against the base of the wall and I was excited, to say the least. It meant a whole lot to me." Aaron's quest for the home run record has dominated Braves' thinking for more than a year.

House indicated just how important it was when he said, "I was just hoping that I could make the club this spring so I could see the homer." Before the game House had been joking with Aaron and he told the slugger he intended to catch the home run ball. Although he was aware of the fact that as much as $25,000 had been offered for the ball, he said it never occurred to him to try to collect the reward money offered. Instead, he ran in from the bullpen and personally handed the ball to Aaron. "I put it right in Henry's hand," he said. Aaron was being embraced by his mother behind home plate at the time.

"Thanks Kid" "He said "Thanks, kid," when I put the ball in his hand," House said, "I don't know if he knew it was me. That's not really important "Do I have any second thoughts about the money? Not one bit. I think anyone that caught the ball in the bullpen would have done the same thing." Buckner had made a valiant effort to reach into the bullpen and rob Aaron of the homer. He leaped to the top of the six-foot fence and was balanced at his waist, with his glove reaching deep into the bullpen area. But he was too far away from the falling drive.

Before the game House and Buckner had chatted. "He said to me, 'If we get the ball, do we get to keep House said. "I told him I really didn't know -we, I mean the Braves, made up our minds that we were going to give it back to Hank." House will get a television set for his catch. Aaron endorses products of a major television manufacturer and the firm had offered to pay for the ball. After the game, House said, "A fellow sent me a message saying I'm going to get a television set of my choice.

That's one television set more than I thought I'd get." Everson St. Joseph Team Practice Set Everson St. Joseph's Softball team will hold a practice session today at Louck's Park, Scottdale, starting at 6 p.m. All holdover players, and anybody interested in joining the team this year, should be present at that tune ready to begin workouts, team officials said. Football Coach Williani Tornabene has been named head football coach at West Greene High School.

He has been a teacher two terms at West Greene, and last fall was assistant coach at Waynesburg College. Tornabene is a graduate of Fort Cherry High School and Virginia Military Academy, and was trainer at Waynesburg in the middle 1960's while doing graduate work at West Virginia University. Baseball Scores National Ltiguc Cincinnati 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 3 7 0 San Francisc 100 030 OOx 4 I 2 Nelson, Carroll (6). Bortaon (8) and Bench; D'AcquiSto, Sosa 7 Moffitt and Rudolph. WP--D'AcquiSto (1 0).

LP Nelson (0-1) MR-- VUddox (2), Rettenmund (1) Los Angeles Atlanta Downing, Ferguson. Correll HR 003 001 000-- 4 7 6 010 402 OOx-- 740 Marshall (J) and Reed. Capra 9 7 and WP--Reed LP--Dow Aaron Only games scheduled American Cleveland 001010010-3 II 1 New York 010011 iflx- 12 1 Johnson, Upshaw (5), Hilgendorf (5), Sanders (8) and Ellis. Medich. Buskey (9) and Mun son WP--Medich, LP--Hilgen dort HR-Nettles (2), Gamble Only game scheduled There Were Other Boll Gomes Ployed In the only other National League game Monday, the San Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds, 4-3, with Garry Maddox driving in all four San Francisco runs.

Maddox singled home Bobby Bonds in the first inning and hit a three-run homer over the rightfield fence at Candlestick Park in the fifth. The Reds scored their third run in the ninth inning, then loaded the bases with two out, but reliever Randy Moffitt retired Johnny Bench on a routine fly ball to Bonds in right. The Giants lead the majors in wins with four. In the only American League game the New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians, 5-3. Ron Blomberg scored the winning run in the seventh on a force play.

Yankee starter George Medich allowed Cleveland to take the lead in the fifth on a home run by Oscar Gamble, but the Yankees tied it immediately in the bottom of the inning on Thunnan Munson's sacrifice fly. Medich was relieved after allowing a leadoff single in the ninth but picked up his first victory of the season. Year Mokes Big Difference By United Press International In one playoff series of the World Hockey Association, it's already plain what a difference a year makes. year the Winnipeg Jets swept through the Houston Aeros in four straight games in the division playoff finals. But this year in the regular season the Aeros lost only one game in eight appearances in Winnipeg, and Monday night they picked up where they left off by beating the Jets again, 5-2, in the opening game of their first- round series.

In fact, the Aeros dominated the game so completely that the Jets got only 19 shots on goal even though Houston was tagged with nine of the game's 14 penalties. Murray Hall led the Houston attack with a pair of third-period goals. Other Houston scorers were Frank Hughes, Jim Sherrit, and Mark Howe, while Danny Johnson and Norm Beaudin tallied for the Jets. The Aeros-Jets series resumes Wednesday in Winnipeg. In tonight's games, the New- England Whalers, leading 3-0, visit Chicago and the Toronto Toros, leading 1-0, host Cleveland.

Monday's ABA Results York lOfi Virginia 128 Cnroltni 119 Utah 110 San Diego 99 Only games scheduled Tuesday's ABA Games qames scheduled VOLKSWAGENS NEW and USED PARTS at to DISCOUNTS All Type Mechanical Work On Volkswagen Cars. Ports For PORSCHE OPEL MG AUDI DATSUN TRIUMPH THE BUG SHOP Broad Ford-Owenidale Phone 628-3657 provides safe gentle cleaning action. Dirt is extracted from carpet and transferred to the vacuum tank in one simple operation. With other attachments, our trained operators clean carpeted stairways, corners, other hard to reach places -upholstery too. When our operator leaves, the goes too.

No clean-up for you. JIM'S RUG CLEANING Torn, Pa. 547-2183 Also Sets New Runs Scored Mark, Eyes NL Record for Hits By DAVID MOFFIT DPI Sports Writer ATLANTA (UPI) The Great Chase is over for Hank Aaron. Aaron's pursuit of Babe Ruth's once seemingly unbeatable career home run record, a pursuit that took 20 years and nearly 3,000 major league baseball games, ended Monday night when "The Hammer" hit his 715th. It happened at 9:07 p.m., in the fourth inning of the Atlanta Braves' 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Teammate Darrell Evans was on first and Dodger pitcher Al Downing, a cunning left- bander who had walked the 40- year-old Braves outfielder in the second inning, tried to sneak a fast ball past Aaron on a 1-0 pitch. "It was right down the middle," moaned Downing. "I was trying to get it down to him -but I didn't." Knew it was Gone "Yeah," grinned Aaron. "He just hung it a little too much. I didn't think I hit it all that good, especially into that wind.

But I knew it was going out." "That took a tremendous weight off my back, I'm glad it's over," said Aaron who has been subjected to a tremendous barrage of publicity, some of it critical, since it became apparent a year ago that he was making a run at a record Ruth set without much fanfare 39 years ago. But Hank Aaron doesn't plan to rest on his laurels. The Braves' aging outfielder immediately set a new goal for himself--getting the 120 more base hits he needs to eclipse Stan Musial's National League record of 3,630. Aaron, who already held 19 league records going into his 21st season in the majors, set yet another in the second inning Monday night when he scored from first base on Dusty Baker's double and a Bill Buckner error. That was his run, breaking a tie with now-retired Willie Mays for the National League record.

One Behind Hank Aaron hit 40 home runs last season, most ever by a 39- year-old player, and was only one behind Babe Ruth when this season began. It was obvious that it wouldn't take him very long to top Ruth and the Braves, anxious to have him hit 714 and 175 in Atlanta, tried to hold him out of this past weekend's three-game series in Cincinnati. But baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn intervened. He forced the Braves to play Aaron in last Thursday's season- opener and Aaron hit No. 714 in his very first at bat.

Again the Braves tried to bench Aaron to save 715 for Atlanta and again Kuhn intervened. Aaron sat out the second game of the series but played on Sunday and when he went hitless there were charges from some quarters that he didn't really try. "Let me just say this," Aaron said grimly at the- start of a news conference after Monday's historic occasion. "I have never given less than my best. (Clay) Kirby made some good pitches on me and that's all there was to it." As for Kuhn forcing the Braves to play him, Aaron said, "I'm glad it (715) came in Atlanta.

I felt after I hit No. 714 in Cincinnati that it would have been the courteous thing to do to let me wait to try to hit 715 in Atlanta." Aaron's Monday night home run touched off a raucous celebration in Atlanta As Hank circled the bases, the overflow crowd of 53,775 began a lengthy standing ovation, backgrounded by a gaudy fireworks display. "The only thought that went through my mind at the moment was to be sure to touch all the bases," said Aaron. "I don't think it's really sunk in yet. Maybe, after I've gotten a night's sleep, it will dawn on me what I have done." Aaron, who is expected to retire at the end of this season, was asked if he would like to become a manager, a job Babe Ruth coveted, but never obtained.

"If there hasn't been a black manager named at that time, I would take the job," said Aaron. "But, I really don't want to manage. I feel I could do more helping out in our farm system." But, for now, Aaron is more interested in having a good season for himself and helping the Braves, finish as high as possible. "(Teammate) Ralph Garr met me at home plate and helped me plant my foot," said Aaron. "Ralph told me before the game to get this thing (the home run chase) over with so the team could concentrate on playing baseball.

"I just thank God it's all over with." Monday's NBA Results No games scheduled Tuesday's NBA Games Detroit at Chicago Buffalo at Boston "Better Ideas By The Yard" Sale with a special offer on selected Ford attachments! NOW THROUGH APRIL ONLY BUY A FORD LAWN TRACTOR You can save up to $150 BUY A FORD LAWN GARDEN TRACTOR You can save up to $200 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF SELECTED FORD LAWN AND GARDEN ATTACHMENTS! Savings based on manufacturer's reduced price to dealer. CHACKAN'S SALES Of ACME Dial: 423-4666.