Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 13

vwmm DECATUR HERALD Decatur, Illinois, Saturday, December 10, 1977 dim Kuhn Hearing After A's Trade Blue to night, Finley tried to sell him to the Yankees and to send Rudi and Fingers to Boston for $1 million apiece. The $3.5 million clearance sale was blocked by Kuhn, who ordered the players back to the A's. But Rudi and Fingers were playing out their contracts and were free to leave at season's end. Blue had to stay. He finished 1976 with an 18-16 record and then, toiling last season for a last-place team that had been stripped of the departed free agents, he compiled a 14-19 record.

That gave him a nine-year mark of 124-86 with the A's. Finley, recuperating from heart surgery, did not attend the meetings in Hawaii and the Blue transaction was concluded by telephone. Reds' President Bob Howsam said he had been talking with Finley for the last month, trying to aquire the ace pitcher. Revering, a slugging first baseman, hit .300 with 29 homers and 110 runs batted in for Cincinnati's Indianapolis farm club last season. He was expendable because the Reds have 26-year-old Dan Driessen to play first base.

Honolulu (AP) Commissioner Bowie Kuhn advised the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A's Friday that he was calling a hearing on the trade of ace left-hander Vida Blue from the A's to the Reds. The Reds obtained Blue for minor league first baseman Dave Revering and an undisclosed amount of cash, believed to be in excess of $1 million. Eighteen months ago, the commissioner blocked the sale of Blue for $1.5 million to the New York Yankees. At the same time, he ordered two other players, outfielder Joe Rudi and reliever Rollie Fingers, returned to Oakland by Boston. The Red Sox had purchased the pair for $2 million.

The commissioner ruled that the sales were not in the best interest of baseball. When Reds President Bob Howsam was asked if he thought Kuhn might block Blue's trade to the Reds, he said, "It's just like any other trade, but I guess you'd have to ask him." About two hours after the trade was announced, Kuhn issued the following state- ball, attracted less than 500,000 fans. Oakland owner Charles O. Finley has been rumored ready to sell the franchise and interests in Denver and New Orleans have been talking with him. The removal of Blue, however, would seriously reduce the value of the team to a new purchaser.

Howsam acknowledged notification of the commissioner's action. "I see no reason for the trade to be disapproved," he said. The Reds' president said, "I will wait until the hearings and talk at that time." Kuhn's concern would seem to be the sale of Oakland's most valuable pitcher with the A's receiving just cash and a top minor league prospect. Howsam would not disclose how much Cincinnati had paid. Whatever the price, it seemed worth it to add Blue to a pitching staff headed by three-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Seaver.

Blue swept the Cy Young and most valuable player awards in 1971 when he had a 24-8 record and a 1.82 earned run average. ment: "I am advising Cincinnati and Oakland that I am calling a hearing relative to the Blue-Revering deal. I believe the deal raises substantial questions as to whether it should be approved or not. I would expect to have the hearing in the next 7 to 10 days. "I would not plan to have anything more to say on this subject until I have heard the views of the clubs." The commissioner was away from his beachfront hotel when the Blue transaction was announced.

When he learned of it, however, he reacted quickly and his action raised the question of whether the pitcher's sale would be blocked a second time by the commissioner's office. Blue and outfielder Billy North were the last surviving members of the Oakland team that swept three world championships from 1972-1974. Stripped by the departure of many stars, including Rudi and Fingers, through the free-agent re-entry draft, the A's finished in last place in the American League West and, in a record-breaking year in attendance in base "You've always said we only had firepower," said Cincinnati Manager Sparky Anderson, looking very much like the cat who had swal-. lowed the canary. "Now we can match it with pitching.

We can beat you 1-0 or 9-8 if we have to." The Blue transaction was completed 12 hours before the midnight interleague trading deadline and was announced as many executives began leaving for the mainland. Manager Tom LaSorda, whose Los Angeles Dodgers unseated the Reds as National League champions a year ago, was asked what he thought of the deal that delivered Blue to Cincinnati. "What do you think of the Brinks robbery?" snapped the usually jovial Dodger manager. Blue was a member of three straight Oakland world championship teams from 1972-1974. When baseball's new contract rules allowed players to become free agents in 1976, a fistful of A's walked away from Oakland.

Blue stayed, signing a contract on June 15 in which Fin-ley promised to keep him with the A's. That same "It's nice to have that kind of extra talent," said sam. The Reds also acquired outfielder Dave Collins from the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Shane Rawley. Collins, a switch-hitter, batted .239 with 25 stolen bases for the Mariners. He came to Seattle in the expansion draft from California and had 56 stolen bases in the previous two seasons.

Rawley, a left-hander, was 6-10 pitching for Denver and Indianapolis of the American Association last season. The Seattle Mariners acquired two minor league players from the Cleveland Indians to complete an earlier deal that sent left-hand pitcher Steve Barr to the Indians Toledo farm. Seattle got right-handed pitcher Alan Griffin and shortstop Pete Ithier. Griffin, 5-10 with a 4.14 earned run average at Toledo, will be assigned to San Jose in the Pacific Coast League. Ithier split playing time between Waterloo in the Midwest League and Jersey City in the Eastern League.

He goes to Stockton in the California League. Yankees saw. i. AP Laserphoto Vida Blue in another controversy astwick Sign Sound Off Royals Outdeal Cards To St rengthen i "Y'l Honolulu (AP) The New York Yankees signed free agent relief pitcher Rawly Eastwick to a multi-year contract Friday during baseball's winter meetings. Cedric Tallis, a Yankees' vice president, said that club owner George Steinbrenner approved the deal immediately after arriving in Tampa, following a trip from Hawaii.

Tallis said that Eastwick had been given a five-year contract but declined to disclose the terms. "I can say that we were not the highest bidder," said Tallis. Tallis said Steinbrenner had told him that Eastwick decided to join the Yankees because he wanted to be with a winner. Why did the Yankees want to add to their already talent-crowded bullpen? "You never have too much pitching," Tallis said, "and it places us in a position of having a surplus and being able to perhaps use a pitcher during the Feb. 15-March 15 in- There never was any doubt that Al Hrabosky, baseball's "Mad Hungarian," would be taking his act some place else.

So the news w-as not surprising. Hrabosky takes his beard to Kansas City for Mark Littell in a swap of relief pitchers. Although Hrabosky possesses fan appeal, there seems to be no room in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization for characters. It's a stuffy organization, folks.

Last Laugh Herman Franks, the Chicago Cubs manager, says Hector Cruz will be his starting center fielder. Cruz was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a four-player swap. If given a fair shot at the job, I'd say either Joe Wallis or Greg Gross will open in center. Wallis is outstanding defensively and at least as good as Cruz offensively.

Gross is a proven .300 hitter and is underestimated as a Punishment It was fitting that baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn lifted the one-year suspension of Atlanta Braves' owner Ted Turner three months early. Because it was a suspension that never should have been made in the first place. Turner was barred from participating in Braves' activities for "tampering" with free agent outfielder Gary Matthews after the 1976 sea EARL CAMPBELL, the nation's leading college rusher from No. 1 -ranked Texas, poses with the Heisman Trophy Thursday night after winning the award symbolizing that he was the country's top player. (AP Laserphoto) Game ears Last Home Cards Trade Hrabosky An Ominous Situation for Litteil On Sports From a constitutional standpoint, Hrabosky was right in his insistence to grow hair.

Whoever claimed baseball was a democratic sport, though? Hrabosky has his detractors. Some say he's lost the zip on his fast ball. Still, he is entertaining to watch. Regardless of what Littell accomplishes, the Cards have lost their most exciting player. Kansas City comes out the better in this deal.

JOE COOK on Cards defensive player. Even if Cruz doesn't win the starting job, it appears the Cubs may have gotten the bttter of the deal with the Cardinals. The reason is Steve Swisher, the catcher the Cubs unloaded. Cardinals fans have always laughed at Swisher's crummy play. Now he's Ted Simmons' backup.

Better say a prayer for Simmons' health. The more Swisher plays, the more the Cards will lose. MARK TUPPER for Honesty son. All that means is that Turner went to great lengths to sign Matthews before the date clubs were allowed to negotiate with free agents. Anyone with any sense knows that "tampering" happens behind the scenes all the time.

Turner was honest enough to do it openly, and for that he was punished. STEVE FOX involving 10 players. The New York Yankees bought pitcher Andy Messersmith from Atlanta, the New York Mets acquired Tim Foli from San Francisco, and Baltimore traded Rudy May to Montreal for Don Stanhouse in a five-player deal. Thursday Blockbuster day. Eight trades involving a whipping 26 players.

The top deals: St. Louis sent pitcher Al Hrabosky to Kansas City for pitcher Mark Littell. The Cardinals also got Jerry Morales and Steve Swisher from the Chicago Cubs for Dave Rader and Hector Cruz. California got pitcher Don Aase from Boston for Jerry Remy and acquired Ron Fairly from Toronto for two minor leaguers. Toronto bought Tommy Hutton from Philadelphia.

And Texas, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and the Mets were involved in three trades in Steve Fox To Honolulu (AP) The Mad Hungarian is taking his act and his Fu Man-chu beard to the American League. Al Hrabosky, whose affinity Royals kees' bullpen. Both are clients of super agent Jerry Kapstein, who also delivered left-handed ace Don Gullett the Yankees last year. 1 Kflstwirlr was an imnnrtant memrjer oi tne Cincinnati bullpen when the Reds won -world championships in 1975" and 1976. He slumped last season, when he played without a contract and was" traded at mid-year to the St' Louis Cardinals.

In 64 games; he compiled a 5-9 record with a 3.09 earned run average and 11 saves. The amount of his contract was not immediately learned The Yankees bid against foun: nt heir tomc inrlnHincr fho Montreal Expos, who earlier signed another Kapstein client, left-hander Ross Grimsley. Eastwick, a 27-year-old righthander, was credited with two World Series vic tories in each ot the Reds championship seasons. He gives the Yankees a third relief ace, joining Gossage and Cy Young Award winner. Sparky Lyle.

for throwing the home run pitch to Chris Chambliss that clinched the 1976 American League pennant for the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of the fifth playoff lie cuau jJiixueu iu iiie ninth inning of the fifth game last season, when the Yankees rallied to edee the Rov- als for the pennant again. "It was a lefty-righty decision," said Bing Devine, general manager of the Cardi- nals. "It seemed to fit both Hnhc Thov jL-antfri loft. hander and we wanted a -right-hander." The Cardinals felt they were set from the left side in the bullpen with Buddy Schultz and Dave Hamilton. They also have right-handers Butch Metzger and Pete Vuckovich, who was acquired from Toronto.

The Rovals a lpft-hanripr in hal. ance righty Doug Bird in The deal was cooking for'V most of the week, delayed onlv bv several bonus clauses which Hrabosky has in his 'contract. Thev include pay offs for various accomplish ments and reportedly must. be paid in advance should the eluded on that part of the, contract in order to allow the -swap to be made. "I'm trying to look at it in a positive way," said Hrabosky.

"It's not easy to leave. It's a new life. I leave with at warm feeling for the Stl; Louis fans." The feeling might not be quue as wawu iui tough disciplinarian, wha clashed with Hrabosky, Bob Fallstrom Sports Editor fi4L Off Trade Predictions Rawly Eastwick terleague trading period to get another important player." Tallis said the Yankees had found Eastwick "physically okay. Basically, it was his mental outlook that prevented him from doing better in St. Louis last season.

We feel that his outlook is better." Eastwick follows another free agent relief specialist, Rich Gossage, into the Yan- for facial hair put him on a collision course with Manager Vera Rapp in St. Louis last season, was traded to Kansas City Thursday night in a deal which sends pitcher Mark Littell to the Cardinals. The Cardinals also acquired catcher Buck Martinez from the Royals Friday, completing the trade, and immediately traded Martinez to Milwaukee for minor league pitcher George Frazier. Hrabosky, a left-hander, became a favorite in St. Louis for his antics around the pitching mound.

He often would stalk away, staring at center field, trying to psyche himself, and perhpas the opposing batter. The beard, he said, was part of his power and when Rapp ordered it off, the loss of the hair, claimed Hrabosky, reduced his effectiveness. Whatever the reason, Hrabosky slipped to a 6-5 record with 10 saves and, a 4.40 earned run average. That followed an 8-6, 3.32 season after Hrabosky had won 21 Of 24 decisions in the previous two seasons. "There were two reasons for our trading Al Hrabosky," said Gussie Busch, president.

"First, his failure to provide us for the past two seasons with the performance expected of a player of his reputation, and secondly, we have acquired one of the best young pitchers in baseball a real stopper. We are delighted to have Mark Littell on our team." Littell was 8-4 with 12 saves and a 3.60 earned run average for Kansas City last year He is best remembered I Now it the last home game. Like a year ago there is optimism about the Chicago Bears' chances of winning. The Bears, striving for a National Football League playoff berth, face the Green Bay Packers. On Oct.

30 in Green Bay, the Bears stormed to a 26-0 victory with Walter Payton breaking loose for 205 yards. So the Bears seem to be a cinch to win the rematch. Except that it's never a cinch when the Bears are favored. Yes, there's more danger facing the Packers than in the last game with the New York Giants Dec. 18 in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

Because the Bears have beaten the Packers once the No. 1 rival three successive times. The Packers will be fired up to be a "spoiler." And the Packers are not bad on defense, despite the previous 26-0 romp. The situation is ominous. The Soldier Field fans expect to cheer and cheer.

I hope the cheers do not change to groans. The reason for the lofty expectations: The Bears' once-dim playoff chances are bright. The Bears can earn a wild card playoff berth. Providing the Bears beat the Packers and Giants. And providing the St.

Louis Cardinals lose today to Washington or lose to Tampa Bay in the final game. There is a points differential involved. It favors the Bears. It will be a crushing disappointment if the Bears fail to make it. After a roller coaster season of exhilaration and despair.

reward the faithful with an overwhelming, dazzling, superb, fantastic performance. The kind which will bring at least five standing ovations. Sure. Since I've been covering the Bears the past two years, I've learned to take nothing for granted. That's why I put this one in the "ominous" category.

Noll Injured In Fall Cincinnati (AP) Chuck Noll, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was taken to a Cincinnati hospital for X-rays after slipping on an icy sidewalk Friday night. Jim Boston, business manager of the National Football League team, said Noll suffered an arm injury, but termed it as "nothing serious." Results of -the X-rays were not immediately available, Boston said. He said the accident ocv curred as Noll was going to dinner at a downtown Cincinnati restaurant. The exhilaration of Walter Payton's marvelous running and the comeback victories over Los Angeles and Kansas City. The despair of losing Wally Chambers with a knee injury, the despair of being crushed by New Orleans and Houston.

Then there were the "hold your breath" games twice with Minnesota and last Sunday with Tampa Bay. Nearly in the same category was the Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit. The Bears were putrid in the first half, then clicked for 31 points, the highest total so far. Now at last the Bears have the long-awaited winning streak four games. A bit of consistency.

If the streak continues Sunday, the Bears will have achieved a first winning season since 1967. It was the same objective a year ago when the Bears closed out at home with the Denver Broncos. A chance for a winning season. And Walter Payton was chasing the league's rushing championship, involved in a duel with O. J.

Simpson. What a sad day it turned out to be. Denver won 28-14. Walter Payton was injured in the third quarter after being limited to 49 yards. Surely itx can't happen again.

Surely the Bears will Before baseball's winter meetings began Monday, there was speculation that there would be few trades. The reason, supposedly, was that several players were planning on playing out their option next season and teams would think it too risky to make a trade for a player who might stick around for just one stint. It was pointed out that in 1972, the last time the winter meetings were held in Hawaii, that 19 trades were-made involving 68 players. By the time the free agent revolution was successful, trades during the week of the meeting dropped last year to 14, involving 39 players. Here is what has happened so far during this week of "light" trading, not including any deals made Friday: Monday Three trades were made involving 11 players.

The "biggie" was the six-player trade that sent Bobby Bonds from California to the Chicago White Sox for Brian Downing and Chris Knapp. Tuesday The St. Louis Cardinals traded pitcher Tom Underwood to Toronto for pitcher Pete Vuckovich. Overall, four players were involved. Wednesday Four trades volving 11 players in which, among other things: The Mets got Willie Mon-tanez.

Texas got Jon Matlack and Al Oliver. Pittsburgh got John Milner and Bert Blyleven. Some of the players in that deal were traded twice within a matter of minutes. The results of the first four days of the meetings: 16 trades involving 51 players. As this is written three days remain in the meetings.

The prognosticators were wildly wrong. It appears that by the week's end the 1972 record will be approached, if not passed. It's clear that the owners are still unsure of the effect of the new free agent era. After being conservative last season, they are throwing caution to the winds this.