Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 53

Ibnny Tha Creeps picks With the first weekend of the new NFL season now close at hand, Jimmy The Greek is back with his picks for this weekend's games. Page 5 Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1970 SPORTS PEOPLE FOR THE RECORD SB SCOREBOARD DETROIT FREE PRESS HORSE RACING End Elena est Buffalo acquired former Lions' kicker Errol Mann and cut Tom Dempsey. Page 4 mm McCourt sues to stay Tigers name GM Campbell president of the club, too with the Red Wings By CHARLIE VINCENT Free Press Sports Writer Dale McCourt filed suit in federal court Tuesday to block the arbitration judgment that would send him from the Detroit Red Wings to the Los Angeles Kings. In a complicated, 25-page suit, supported by nearly 50 pages of exhibits, McCourt's attorneys charged the Kings, Red Wings, the National Hockey League, the NHL Players' Association and California Sports, (parent company of the Kings) with various acts that they claim should render the award of McCourt to Los Angeles "unenforceable as a matter of law." The suit also criticized arbitrator Edward J.

Houston's decision, claiming it "is arbitrary and capricious and lacks in fundamental rational basis in violation of the United States Arbitration Act." According to the suit, Houston based his decision to award McCourt to Los Angeles after Detroit signed Rogie Vachon "in part, on the basis that, despite Vachon's age (33), 'many goalies like good wives get better with age' and, in part, because 'in the Ottawa Valley there was a saying: If you want to dance you have to pay the REPRESENTING MCCOURT are attorneys Laurence Connor, John Entenman and Ted Amsden from the law firm of Dykema, Gossett, Spencer, Goodnow and Trigg, and Brian Smith of Brian M. Smith and Associates. Amsden's secretary said. Tuesday afternoon none of the attorneys would comment on the suit until 10:30 Wednesday morning, when they have scheduled a press conference. The suit, which has been assigned to U.S.

District Court Judge Robert DeMascio for a Sept. 13 hearing, contends McCourt had a verbal agreement with the Red Wings that he would play his entire career in Detroit, despite the fact such agreements are in violation of the Standard Player's Contract and collective bargaining agreement. It also maintains, because of a quirk in Vachon's contract, that no compensation should have been required for the former Please turn to Page 2D By JIM HAWKINS Free Press Sports Writer In an effort to "streamline the chain of command," Tigers' owner John Fetzer reorganized his front office staff Tuesday by naming general manager Jim Campbell to the new position of president and appointing himself chairman of the board of directors. At the same time, the 77-year-old Fetzer squelched recent rumors that he might be preparing to sell the team by emphasizing his intentions to remain active in the affairs of the Tigers as well as those of major league baseball. The promotion of the 54-year-old Campbell, who joined the Tigers in 1949 after graduating from Ohio State University and worked his way up through the organization, was the biggest of the series of -changes announced Tuesday as Fetzer revamped the front office from top to bottom.

Three other members of the front office staff Bill Lajoie, Bill Haase and Alex Callam were elevated to Seeigc IwMl Puseas AP Photo Tigers' owner John Fetzer stands with arms folded at Tiger Stadium on Tuesday while general manager Jim Campbell answers questions about his promotion to president of the ball club. "I'm not taking to the rocking chair in any sense of the word," said Fetzer. vice-president and named to head the three major divisions of the club's operation. Wilcox 12 wms JLJL9 THE THREE will report directly to Campbell, who will continue to serve as general manager as well as president. Lajoie, 44, who had been in charge of the Tigers' scouting, Will now be responsible for the baseball end of the operation, including scouting and player development in the farm system.

Haase, 35, formerly the business manager, will be in charge of all non-baseball op 'Twin-killing9 is Tiger's 15th complete game, too By JIM HAWKINS Free Press Sports Writer The best year of Milt Wilcox's big league career keeps getting better and better. On the brink of retirement a year ago, Wilcox continued to pitch better than even he had dared dream possible as the Tigers whipped the Minnesota Twins, 4-2, Tuesday evening. Wilcox, who was destined for long relief out of the bullpen and branded as a six-inning pitcher when the season began, went all the way once again, permitting the Twins just seven hits, to claim credit for his With all new faces, Lions resemble expansion team In polite society, one never mentions the mundane, especially a matter such as housecleaning, where it is generally assumed traps are in place, powder spread and floors swept, thus making the joint habitable. Nor has head coach Monte Clark ever suggested his primary task in the Lions' den was to perform janitorial service upon the club's player roster. Such is the result, though, of his six or seven weeks of trying to put in order a house he saw in decay and disarray.

Nearly half of last year's players are gone fully 20 of the 43, making it the most thorough renovation in the history of the Lions, if not pro football. Whoever junked so much so quickly? A few cherished properties Barney, Sanders, Orvis, Hand have been dumped. From a player assembly which just a year ago was considered capable of reaching the playoffs, not much remains. Thirteen of those retained are subs. If you need a reason for it all, consider they won merely six of 1 4 games last year despite an ideally weak schedule of opponents.

Gone in Clark's football garage sale are Jim Yarbrough, Rocky Freitas, Jon Morris, Dick Jauron, Marv Hubbard, Jim Mitchell, Jim Laslavrc, Garth Ten Napel, Charlie West, Steve Mike-Mayer. They usually ivon 'half a loaf What remains from the 1977 gang are merely 10 players five on offense, five on defense who will start the new season for Clark. In segments, only tight end Dave Hill remains from the offensive line which opened last season; only Ken Sanders and Doug English will start another year in the defensive line; Ed O'Neil, unappreciated by past housekeepers, will be starting a season for the first time at linebacker, and only James Hunter was in the defensive backfield for the 1977 opener. There has been no great rush by other teams seeking to erations. Callam, 50, will continue in his role as secretary-treasurer in addition to head-ing the Tigers' financial de partment.

"There are critical times ahead for baseball," said Fetzer, "and we have to or ganize our own shop to cope with the difficult times ahead This is a simple step, but it's a step forward and one we coa sider very necessary. llllllf a jyf 1 Denny tells why he wasn't at reunion "I think these changes will bring about stability in our sixth win in a row and his 12th of the year. Furthermore, the 28-year-old righthander has now completed his last five games, and 15 of his 22 starts, which makes him, perhaps, the most pleasant surprise on a Tiger pitching staff that has been filled with surprises this season. "It's really surprised me, the way I've pitched," admitted Wilcdx, who has won more games, completed more games, struck out more people and pitched more innings this season than ever before in his injury-marred big league career. "I've always felt I could organization.

Teamwork has to start in the front office, and go from there right down to the field. You can't have teamwork on the field without teamwork in the front office. "I'm not taking to the rocking chair in any sense of Free Press Photos by CRAIG PORTER the word," continued Fetzer. "I intend to be very active in baseball affairs. My principal Please turn to Page 3D Alan Trammell (3), who had just scored, gives the stand-up sign to Ron LeFlore (right), who also came home on Rusty Staub's double in the fourth inning Tuesday night.

employ the dispatched. Orvis has been relocated, so have West, Mitchell, Morris, and a couple more. The temptation is strong to declare the discarded as overrated anyway, and that might be true, except they almost always won half their games; what destroyed them was the half they simply gave away. If it is a knock that so many discards have not been claimed, consider that some Lions coaches of their time are employed today as salesmen. A few names on a device known as the injured reserve list could linemen like Russ Bolinger, Mark pitch this way.

I've always thought I could be a good pitcher in this league. But I've never really had the chance before. I've never had a manager show the confidence in me that Ralph (Houk) has shown. "It's very satisfying to me, Please turn to Page 4D Lions cut 2 veteran offensive linemen, John Brockington Monte Clark By JIM HAWKINS Free Press Sports Writer Denny McLain claimed Tuesday that business commitments prevented him from attending Sunday's 1968 reunion, and that the Tigers knew several days in advance that he wasn't coming. McLain said he informed sportscaster Pete Sark, a member of the reunion committee, last Wednesday that he and his wife would be unable to attend.

However, Sark, who works for radio station WFDF in Flint, said again Tuesday that he received no such message. "I was very busy with company business last week," said McLain, who spoke by phone Tuesday with Tigers' presidentgeneral manager Jim Campbell and with Vince Doyle of WWJ radio. "Last Wednesday, we informed Pete Sark that my wife and I were not coming. We informed him of that fact again on Friday. "Conditions existed in Denver that I just had to be there the entire weekend," Please turn to Page 4D 1 return some day Tigers 4, Twins 2 Ten Napel Brockington Hertwlg Minnesota Detroit abrhbi Powell rf 4 0 0 0 LeFlore cf Cubbag3b 4 12 1 Whitakr2b Carewlb 4 0 0 0 Staubdh Smallev ss 4 0 10 JThmps lb Fordcf 4 0 0 0 Kemp If Wvnegarc 3 110 MMavc Adams dh 4 0 10 Corcorn rf Norwood If 2 0 0 1 Mnkski 3b Randall 2b 3 0 2 0 ARdrgz3b Trammt ss abrhbi Sill 4 0 10 4 0 2 2 2 0 10 4 0 10 4 110 4 12 0 2 0 0 0 10 0 0 4 13 1 344 124 32 2 7 2 Total Total linemen are relative youngsters, it is obvious that Clark is concerned more with a "better player movement" than a "youth movement." THE ONLY "OLDSTER" expected to be on the starting offensive line against Green Bay Sunday is center Mike Montler, 34.

The starting guards are expected to be Anderson, who has one year's experience, and Homer Elias, who is a rookie. Another rookie, Bill Fifer, is Please turn to Page 5D By CURT SYLVESTER Free Press Sports Writer Coach Monte Clark sealed his commitment to the Lions rebuilding program Tuesday by releasing two more veteran offensive linemen tackle Craig Hertwig and center Melvin Mitchell in the final squad cut. Hertwig, who started all 14 games in 1977, and Mitchell, who played on special teams, were among seven players removed from the Lions' roster to meet the NFL's 43-man limit. ALSO CUT WERE veteran running back John Brockington, rookie running back Ken Callicutt, defensive end Dan Gray and defensive back Mike Burns. Linebacker Garth Ten Napel was sold to the Atlanta Falcons.

With the departure of Hertwig and Mitchell, the Lions will open the 1978 season with only two offensive linemen from the 1977 season guard Gary Anderson and Lynn Boden, who has been switched from guard to tackle. Although most of the new offensive Minnesota 10000010 0-2 Detroit 000 400 00 x-4 Carew, Norwood, Trammell. DP Minnesota 2, Detroit 2. LOB Minnesota 5, Detroit 9. 2B Slaub 2, Smallev, Wvnesar, Kemp.

HR Cubbage (7). Mankowskl. SF Norwood. IP RERBB SO Minnesota GoltzLJO-9 12 4 1 2 2 Detroit Wilcox W.12-8 7 2 2 0 4 HBP Wynegar (by Wilcox). 2:09.

Pistons' cheerleading squad lagging in the name-game Markovich and J.D. Hill, who was a top receiver at Buffalo three years ago, cost the Lions a first-round draft choice but has scarcely played since. They are truly injured. Among some others, the scythe Clark swings has not been so cruel as imagined. Those fortunate to have impairment on judgment day Barney, Yarbrough, Hand, Charlie Sanders, Levi Johnson, Howard Fest, Dave Simonson, Rocky Freitas could ease securely into another life.

It is true in a few instances that Clark simply could not wait for them to be ready, that they had limited time left in football anyway, but the group at least is guaranteed salary for this season. It will cost the Lions in excess of $500,000. Where all this is leading, you suspect, is to the question of what to expect from the Lions in 1 978. The answer might be obvious. Lack of runners really smarts The result of Clark's housecleaning is that the Lions are essentially a new team, newer perhaps than even Tampa Bay and Seattle, the most recent of pro football's expansion teams.

Ironically, the one segment Clark tries most desperately to repair his backfield has frustrated him most. What he inherited and what he has left might be the weakest collection of running backs in the pro game. So the Lions struggle more than ever. No demons on offense before, they are worse at the moment. It is no surprise, offense being the one most difficult, demanding aspect of the game.

To expect them to be legitimate contenders for the playoffs with 20 men new to their colors is expecting a bit much. "We could have and should have been 4-0 during the exhibition season," Clark said after losing to Baltimore last Saturday night. It sounded like an old Lions refrain, but how was he to know? Still, it was true. They were close enough to win in losses to Cleveland and Baltimore. If that suggests potential is with the Lions, it also declares they suffer for lack of experience and refinement.

For the first time in years, we enter a season without a playoff promise. It seems reasonable and probable the Lions will continue to struggle for weeks to come. Even Clark suggests there are dark and disappointing days ahead. If it is any comfort to him, we are use to it. with various auto parts: The Spark Plugs, Tap-Pets, Piston-Rings, Detroit Cams, The Lifters, Piston Starters, The Bumpers, Carburetion Girls and Gear Girls.

hooj you OTHERS tie in the Silverdome and-or the Pistons nickname: Piston Packed Motorettes, Piston Silverettes, Pistonettes, Silver Pistonettes, Piston Passion, Piston Puffs, Piston Pussycats, Piston Pinups, Piston Prancers, Piston Pom Poms, Piston Pumpers, Silverbelles and the Domettes. Then there are those who think head coach Dick Vitale should be commemorated in the name: Vitalty Girls, Vitalettes, By CHARLIE VINCENT Free Press Sports Writer We've had the Loves, the Wheels, the Cougars and the Express, the Caesars, the Lions, the Pistons and the Red Wings, the Stags, the Tigers and the Travelers. Are you ready for The Hoop-a-loos or The Bod Squad? How about the Silverdames? THOSE AND DOZENS of other nicknames have been proposed for the Detroit Pistons fledgling group of cheerleaders, who went through a preliminary screening Monday night at the Pontiac Silverdome. One hundred eighty young women auditioned, from which 50 will be selected as semifinalists. Those 50, who will be notified next week, will then be interviewed and the final squad of 20 will be selected in time for the Pistons' home opener, Oct.

13 against New Jersey. But when the girls hear some of the names proposed for them, they may decide the whole thing was a bad idea from the beginning. Many of the names submitted are plays on words dealing Vitaleizers and Detroit Vitals. Others would like to get their favorite city in the name: Detroit Dolls, Pontiac Challengers, Motor City Maidens and Motor City Kiddies. The contest to name the group runs through Sept.

1 5 and the person who comes up with the name that is eventually selected will win two season tickets to all Piston home games. Entries can be sent to Detroit Pistons, Pontiac Silverdome, 1200 Featherstone Road, Pontiac 48057..