The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 46

f6 2 THE RECORD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1978 tin Giants' punter broadcaster Ballesteros eyes future is Dave Jennings' A 5 I if Trevino also had an eight on his card and shot 75. And Jerry Pate scored a pair of sevens, hit at least two shots left-handed, once hit from his knees, and finished with an 84. Jack Nicklaus shot a 72 and was glad to get it after a bogey-bogey-bogey string beginning on the seventh. And Tom Watson, gunning for repeat titles as Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy winner, and leading money-winner, said he "was fortunate to shoot a 74. 1 didn't play very well.

If you can ever say you're happy to shoot 74, 1 guess I can say it today." Masters champ Gary Player shot 76, U.S. Open king Andy North had 77, and PGA titleholder John Mahaf fey 75. That left defending champion Lanny Wadkins and Hubert Green tied for second at par 70. Wadkins had nine one-putt greens, including one 40-footer to save par, and Green scored an eagle-three. Hale Irwin, runner-up in this event the last two years, Tom Kite and Dr.

Gil Morgan were another shot back at 71. "The golf course was the toughest I've ever seen it," said Wadkins. "It's much harder than usual," said Green, "but that gives me my only chance. I'm not a big hitter. And these conditions make the big hitters more accurate.

The only chance I've got at all is for the course to stay hard and fast and windy." this By Vinny DiTrani Staff Wmer EAST RUTHERFORD Dave Jennings, the Giants' punter, aspires to be a broadcaster when his kicking days end. He's already done some readio work in New York and Connecticut, with a modicum of success (about 35 yards per boot, translated into the punters' terms). At the urging of a few reporters, Jennings decided to try his interviewing techniques on one of the players he most admires in the National Football League. "He's the best," Jennings has often said about John James, his counterpart in Atlanta, where the Giants will meet the Falcons Sunday. After getting James on the phone and dispensing with the pleasantries, Jennings's session turned into two punters talking shop.

Here are a few of the highlights: Jennings: John, I always tell the writers up here that you are the best punter in the league, better than Ray Guy because of your ability to get the ball inside the 20. Who do you think are the best punters in the league? James: I think there is a highly talented group of punters right now. Guy certainly kicks them high and long, but Ray's not as accurate as he can be. Jennings: That's right. In the playoffs he kicked five into the end zone and when he did try to kick out of bounds, it went out on the 22.

The name of the game is field position, the ability to put the ball out of bounds inside the 10. James: You and I have very similar views. We consider ourselves as members of the team. We could be selfish and kick through the end zone to help our averages, but that won't help the team make the playoffs. Jennings: That's right.

It's easy to kick the long ones; it's the short ones that are tough. Who are some of the other good punters around the league? James: I think Tom Blanchard is a good punter. Severiano Ballesteros South course at the Firestone Country Club. "It was very difficult to get the ball close to the hole, particularly from the rough," said Ballesteros. And he spent usual time in the deep grass, hitting only eight fairways.

His troubles were nothing compared those of some of the world's finest players. Bill Kratzert, for example, had the lead until he visited two hazards on way to a triple-bogey eight on the 16th hole about the same time Ballesteros was making birdie on the 17th. Lee net. Says here a guy named James leads in net oops, no, it's Tom Sklandany in Detroit. He's the guy making $400,000 a year.

James: I can't pull for that guy. But iniy time you average 35-36-37 yards in net, our're doing a good job, no matter what your total average is. Jennings: Up here they call me an actor because I've been roughed 14 times in my career. Do you think I'm an actor? James: You really want me to answer that? Okay, I think every one of those calls was legitimate. Jennings: Did you see the one last Sunday against the 49ers? James: No, we'll see that film Friday.

Jennings: Well, I got out of the hospital Monday, and the X-rays were negative. Have you seen our place Giants Stadium? James: I punted there in an exhibition against the Jets this summer. I liked it a lot. I normally like to kick on grass, but the turf up there is nice and soft. Jennings: It can get very windy up here, and that's one reason my average is so high.

The day before the opening game here we had a storm that knocked over one of the goalposts. James: It's not that easy punting with the wind at your back. You can't always get the ball to turn over. Jennings: That's right. And sometimes it's hard just getting the snap.

Have you ever played golf? James: Since I was four years old Note: he's a three-handicapper, It'i not easy getting a golf ball up on your approach to the green with the wind at your back. Punting is a lot like playing golf. Jennings: Well, John, thanks for your time. Maybe we can get together Saturday night and have dinner. After the closing remarks, Jennings asked the assembled group of reporters about his performance.

The consensus: Keep that right leg in shape, Dave. AKRON, Ohio (AP) Severiano Ballesteros, the spectacular young Spaniard who has dominated European golf for three years, is having some second thoughts about joining the American tour. "I don't know. I haven't made up my mind. It is very difficult for me to decide," Ballesteros said after a one-under-par 69 had staked him to the first-round lead yesterday in the prestigious World Series of Golf.

After his surprise victory in the Greensboro Open this year, he'd said publicly he would accept the offer of an American tour card and join the U.S. circuit in January. Now, however, he's not so sure. "The courses are better, the conditions are better, the money is better, everything is better over here," the hard-hitting 21-year-old admitted. "But they need me in Europe.

It is very difficult for me to decide. I don't know what I'll do." Ballesteros, who counts the German and Scandanavian Open titles among his four European victories this year, won his way into the select, 26-man field here by leading the European Order of Merit for the third consecutive season. And he took the lead with a little wedge shot to three feet on the 17th, a birdie that made him the only man in the field able to break par 70 in the chilly, windy weather that played over the dry, fast, Phils can PITTSBURGH (AP) Philadelphia Pjullies manager Danny Ozark has a pragmatic view of his club's four-game showdown with the Pirates for the championship of the National League East. "My thinking is to win it as soon as possible," Ozark said last night while his first-place team, one win away from their third consecutive division title, rested for tonight's two games. "I'd like to end it in the doubleheader.

That way we can set up our pitching rotation for the playoff with the Dodgers," he said. On the other hand, Pirate manager Chuck Tanner believes relaxation is the key. "The only way you get results in any sport is to be relaxed," he said. "I know one thing, we're a relaxed group." Seek wrestling coaches WAYNE Two assistant wrestling coaching positions are available at Wayne Hills High School. The Patriots' girls basketball team also has an open date Dec.

8. Those interested should contact athletic director Roy Bruno at 694-8600 (ext. 284) or coach Robert Hol-den at 694-8600 (ext. 289). his to the win it tonight 1 7 -1 r- 1' iiiiimirmniinVli 'i Xi Dave Jennings Jennings: Cough! James: You know Tom, don't you, from the time you were up there together? Jennings: Er, yes, he was the guy I beat out here the year of the strike (1974).

The writers still refer to that as the "Great Mistake." James: I think Chicago's Bob Parsons is another good punter, very effective. And he's got a good man on the outside, Schuler Steve Shubert who gets down under those punts for him. Washington's Mike Bragg is another fairly effective punter. Jennings: That's right, Bragg is one of my favorites, too. I see him twice each season.

James: There are a lot of young punters I really don't know too much about yet. There's been a big turnover. Jennings: I think it's up to 11 now, with Mitch Hoopes back in Philadelphia. What do you think about Cincinnati's Pat Mclnally? James: I've never kicked against him, but I admire his statistics. Jennings: Talking about statistics, let's see who's on top in the NFC this week scans the punting averages.

James: You are, aren't you? Jennings: In distance, yes, but not in other cornerback, Bobby Jackson. "Sometimes it's my fault," Taylor said, "and other times when we're in a zone coverage it might be someone else's. But all the fans see is me. "After a game my friends always seem to point out they saw me get beat. It's no use telling them that some aren't my fault." This week Taylor is readying himself to go against Pittsburgh's John Stall-worth who has averaged 21.2 yards a catch.

That leaves the rookie Jackson to deal with the sensational Lynn Swann. "Terry Bradshaw likes to take big chunks of yardage when he can, so I don't think they'll go to the short passes as much as Washington and Seattle did," Taylor said. "Sometimes our linebackers picking up the receivers the way they should," said coach Walt Michaels. "But in the last game our cornerbacks were playing soft giving short receivers room in order to defend against the long pass. One thing is sure, we didn't tell them to stop going for the ball." The Jets' defensive backs looked strong in the season opener against Miami.

Buffalo's Joe Ferguson had a good game in the second contest, but the defensive backs played capably. However, against Seattle and Washington, the secondary seemed more Intent on tackling a receiver than deflecting a pass. At times Theismann toossed Jets9 Taylor feels The Pirates, 3Vi games back, will have to relax through four straight wins over the Phils to keep their playoff hopes alive. With that in mind, right fielder Dave Parker is one Pirate who can't relax. "The adrenaline will flow," said Parker, the league's hottest batter at .332.

"All the chips are on the table." The Pirates, HVa games back on Aug. 12, have since won 22 consecutive games at Three Rivers Stadium, four shy of the all-time major-league record set by the New York Giants in 1916. The Phils lead the season series with the Pirates 10-4, including four wins against one loss at Three Rivers Stadium. "The thinking by some people is that the law of averages is going to catch up with us," Ozark said. "I can't buy that.

The best club's going to win." Steve Carlton and Dick Ruthven will pitch for Philadelphia against Bert Blyleven and Bruce Kison. Parker concedes one advantage to Philadelphia. "The Phillies have a little stronger bench than we do, but that's the only difference I can see. I don't look at their pitching staff as being any better, and I don't look at their lineup as any better." The nine strikeouts raised Guidry's season total to 243 and established a Yankees record. Jack Chesbro, who won 41 games and pitched 455 innings in 1904, set the record of 239 that year.

If last night's decision is Guidry's last, he has finished with the best winning percentage ever by a 20-game winner .889. His 1.72 ERA is the lowest by a left-handed pitcher since Carl Hubbell's 1.66 in 1933 and the third lowest ever in the American League. Guidry wins 24th Pennant races at a glance AMERICAN LEAGUE Pet. SB 17 2 YANKEES Boston BOSTON Hum 1: Toronto 1. Seet.

n. -16 63 .604 1 SC. Oct. 1. YANKEES Home 3: Cleveland 3.

Sept. 29, 30. Oct. 1. NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST Pel 61 89 as Sit J'A Philadelphia Pittsburgh PHILADELPHIA Awav 4: piusDurgn 4, Sept, 21 2.

Sept. 30, Oct. 1. PITTSBURGH Home 4: Philadelphia 4, Sept. 29 2, 30, Oct.

1. Away l. J.R. exceeds 300 strikeouts The Record Wir Services J.R. Richard got what he wanted and then some in the Houston Astros' 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves last night.

Houston's star pitcher achieved his goal of 300 season strikeouts by striking out six in five innings before leaving the game with a blister. His major-league-leading strikeout total is now 303. Richard enjoyed his 18th win in 29 decisions even more because he hit a solo home run in the third inning, his first of the season. REDS, S-7 Pete Rose, who started the six-run ninth Inning rally with a single, singled in the winning run with two outs in Cincinnati's comeback victory over Los Angeles. Steve Garvey of the Dodgers had two hits to reach the 200-hit plateau for the fourth time.

Rose, shooting for his 10th 200-hit season, had four hits to raise his season total to 195. ORIOLES, 3-2 Jim Palmer, with relief help from Don Stanhouse, raised his record to 21-12 by beating Cleveland. Doug DeCinces stretched his hitting streak to 18 games with his 27th homer, off losing pitcher Don Hood. Rich Dauer of the Orioles tied a major-league record with his 85th consecutive errorless game. He has handled 411 chances at second without an error this season, three shy of Bobby Doerr's (Red Sox) American League record and seven shy of the late Ken Hubbs's (Cubs) major-league mark.

Lu iw iimihiiiiuii i i hi mi ii urn ii 1 1 i mi 9 pr FROM PAGE CI assignment will be against a good-hitting team, not the not-too-selective Blue Jays. But then, his next assignment might come Sunday. Lemon says he might use Guidry in relief if the situation dictates. Guidry has some minor reservations about that too, but says, "If it's for one batter, and he's left-handed, I think I'll have a chance." By Bob Kurland Staff Writer HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. If they rated football positions the way they do movies, cornerbacks would have to be given an rating.

Once a cornerback takes the field, he's absolutely naked. "Yeah," says Ed Taylor, "we're out there alone and everyone in the stands sees what you're doing." The Jets' cornerback has been taking a lot of heat because Joe Theismann passed him silly in Washington last Sunday. The week before Seattle's Jim Zorn did the same number on the Jets' Putt on last hole decides Met PGA WOODMERE. N.Y. (AP) Austin Straub, an assistant pro at Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains, sank a four-foot putt on the final hole and captured the 52nd Metropolitan PGA championship yesterday with a 54-hole total of 215.

The 35-year-old Straub, winner of the Westchester PGA last year and the Connecticut Open three years ago, scored a one stroke victory over twice Metropolitan Open titlist Martin Bohen. Straub collected $4,500 in the $25,000 event. Bohen won $2,550. Jay Horton of Cedarhurst finished third at 217. Dave Glenz shot a final-round 78 on the Woodmeer course and tied at 218 with Jim Wright, Peter Davison, John Langford, and Jim Albus, the New York State Open champion.

Li LJ CwL YMCA OF GREATER BERGEN COUNTY Is member eaenty of the BERGEN COUNTY NCAA FOOTBALL, X-rated some wobblers which should have been batted away, but the receivers had so much time they grabbed them. "Maybe we will have to get more aggressive," Taylor said. "But in that Miami game where we looked so good we played more zone coverage than we have lately." When Taylor and Jackson take the field Sunday, they might hear some boos from the 60,000 fans. "It bothered me the first year I switched from strong safety to corner," Taylor said. "But now, in my fourth year, I've learned to block out the fan noise and just concentrate on playing football." JETS NOTES Quarterback Richard Todd was released from Lenox Hill Hospital yesterday and showed up at the training complex.

"I still have a little bit of pain, but not as much as yesterday," reported the quarterback who suffered a broken clavicle Sunday in Washington. "When it happened it was the worst pain I've ever experienced, worse than my knee injury last year." Todd will attend team meetings and try to stay in the best shape possible. "I want to be more effective than when I came back last year," he said. Todd noted he ran the wishbone for four years at Alabama, getting hit on almost every play, and never suffered a broken bone Sunday's game with the Steelers will not be shown on TV. 0 y' f.j, SPORTS CAR" RACING! Saturday on ABC! i fajriAlgr bateattaferiaWitf UNITED FUND hi 366 pi hi i 9 L3 6222 DUCKY DEI IT Yiikw Shortstop HERE SEPT.

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