Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 47

4 l'-D DETROIT FREE PRESS Friday. April 22, 77 NOT UNHAPPY, MSU COACH SAYS He'll Tell Today Darryl Rogers Denies He's Leaving ry. "My secretary says she hears those things when she goes out to din-ner. People come up to her and ask her about it. She came in to me one day and said: 'I understand you're tearing Rogers LANSING The big day is here.

At 9 a.m Friday, Earvin Johnson of Lansing Everett High will announce where he will play his college basketball. The G-foot-g prep All-American is expected to choose between the University of Michigan and Michigan State. The announcement will end what has been the most intense recruiting effort between the two schools since Campy Russell of Pontiac Central chose U-M six years ago. Johnson averaged 32 points a game this past season in leading his Everett squad to the state Class A championship. they assume he's unhappy and looking for greener pastures." THE SPARTANS had only a 4-6-1 record last fall, and as soon as the season ended, stories of Rogers' imminent return to the West Coast began to crop up.

He had been accustomed to success at San Jose State and the rumors said his reputation out west combined with his unhappiness over the MSU program would surely lead him back to ih coast. "Just because I'm from the West Coast doesn't mean I want to go back to the West Coast," he said Thursday. "I'm not unhappy at Michigan State, but I do approach the season honestly. There's no use kidding people that we're super. But our program will get better and continue to get better until we have standing-room-only crowds, too." During his first year at Michigan State, Rogers' comments about the talent available included: "We just don't have any speed on this team and I noticed when Ohio State fullback Pete Johnson got loose, some of our players got even slower." "We've looked very closely at our kicking game.

We've kept charts on it and everything. And we just hope we don't ever have to punt this season." Please turn to Page 5D, Column 1 BY CHARLIE VINCENT Free Press Sportt Writer EAST LANSING Almost since the day Darryl Rogers replaced Denny Stolz as head football coach at Michigan State the rumors have been hop-scotching around the state. "Rogers isn't happy there. watch, he'll go back to the West Coast as soon as he can." "Did you hear about all the trouble Rogers is having with the admissions office? He's sure to leave now." "Why of course you know Rogers has always had his eye on a pro job. As soon as one comes along, he'll be gone." THOSE WHISPERS quickly found their way back to Rogers' office.

And although he admits he has not found Utopia at Michigan State, Rogers scoffs at the rumors and says he has no thought of leaving with four years left on his five-year contract. "Sure, I've heard them," he sighed Thursday, plopping himself on the sofa in his office. ''My secretary says she hears those things when she goes out to dinner. People come up to her and ask her about it. She came in to me one day and said: 'I understand you're leaving "I told her, if I was, I didn't know about it yet." People close to the Michigan State athletic department agree that Rogers despite his blunt criticism of the talent Stolz's staff left him is not actively pursuing another job.

"I think the reason for the rumors," guessed one MSU staffer, "is the fact that Darryl doesn't deal in the outright giddy enthusiasm that other coaches have. People aren'jt used to hearing the truth and when they hear a coach talk negatively, Earvin Johnson 3 URs BURY BOSOX if Mvtl ffff 8S Rozema Wins 1st, 8-0 Give 11 oak Credit For Playing Kemp BY JIM HAWKINS Free Press Sports Writer BOSTON Those recent reports lamenting the Tigers' utter imcompetence appear to have been grossly exaggerated. Certainly, there was nothing wrong with the way the Tigers played Thursday afternoon, as they literally wipQd out the Boston Red Sox, 8-0. A week ago, one had to wonder if the Tigers would ever win another game. Thursday afternoon it was, indeed, difficult to imagine them losing again.

Rookie Dave Rozema had DETROIT Boston hbl hbi Stanley cf 5 12 2 Brleson Si 4 0 10 Fuentes 2b 5 1 2 0 Doyle 2b Staub dh Ogllvle rf 4 0 10 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 Rice dh 5 2 2 0 Vat If 5 13 4 Scot! lb 4 0 2 1 Flsk 3 0 2 0 Evans rf Thmpsn lb Kemp If May Veryier ss 4 0 0 0 Hobson 3b 3 0 0 0 Rodrguz 3b 3 2 1 1 Miller cf 3 0 0 0 the Bosox mumbling to themselves, mostly about him, as he shut out one of the better hitting ball clubs in the American League on just four hits. Meanwhile, Jason Thompson, Mickey Stanley and Aurelio Rodriguez all slammed home runs as the Tigers supported their 20-year-old righthander with 14 base hits, their high for the season. It was a sight to behold. Rozema went all the way for his first major league victory and his first complete game. In fact, the young rookie was in control from the first pitch.

Total! 39 114 I Totals 31 0 4 0 DETROIT 010 101 410 I Boston 000 000 000 0 E- Thompson, Doyle DP-Detrolt 1, Boston 3. LOB-Detrolt 6, Boston 4. 2B-Burleson, Ogllvle, Scott HR- Thompson (3), Stanley (I), Rodriguez (1). ONE MAN'S OPINION: Ralph Houk hasn't had an awful lot of fun since becoming manager of the Tigers. In fact, it has been very difficult for him.

The fans have been on him almost from the start and it's been a terrific struggle trying to get the team squared around. But he is about to look very good with his decision to go with young Steve Kemp in leftfield. This was not an easy thing to do because it meant giving up oh Willie Horton and going with an untested rookie. Houk made that decision and, in my opinion, it is going to work out for him. Something tells me that Kemp is going to be an outstanding hitter.

Not just a good one, an exceptional one. He has been struggling just getting his feet on the ground but each day he seems to settle down a little more and asserts himself more than the day before. You can only do this if you have talent. I think Kemp has the potential to be the batting leader around here for years to come. He has what they call a "live bat." The ball seems to jump when he makes contact with it.

Only the good hitters have this trait. He has it. His problem has been making solid contact but this should improve with time. I saw him in Fenway Park the other night and you had to be impressed with the way he rattled the ball off the wall. Pistons If I were Oscar Feldman, I wouldn't be sitting around Detroit fretting about the past season and wondering what to do about next season.

I'd get on the next plane to Boston and get as close as possible to Red Auerbach and the Celtics and see how a professional basketball team is run. The Celtics may not win it all. They may even be put out in this series against Dr. J. and the Philadelphia 76ers.

But this is an organization which knows how to operate, one which knows how to put a team together. I said a "team," not a collection of individuals. No kidding, Oscar, I'd go take a look for myself. Mixed Emotions on Gordie Red Wings It is tough figuring out how to feel about the Red Wings losing out on Gordie Howe and his family. On one hand, you'd love to have him back in Detroit at any price.

Imagine the stir he'd create the way he'd be received. His very presence in the lineup next season could make us all forget about the sorry state of our hockey team. Who's going to boo any team that has Gordie Howe out there? It could be just the thing to get the Red Wings through their final IP Roiema(Wl-O) 9 Cleveland (L 1-1) a Lee 3 ER BB 0 0 0 5 4 2 3 3 0 SO 4 0 Q. WP-Clevclnd. T-210 UPI Photo He struck out four Boston batters and walked none, never once allowing a runner to reach third base, in what was by far his best performance of the young year.

"I don't know what to say!" Rozema exclaimed, as his happy teammates swarmed around him. "It was beautiful! Just beautiful. "I DON'T KNOW why, but I was relaxed the whole game. Everything just happened my way. When we got a couple of runs, I said to myself, 'Now's the time to go need to win two in a "I even went to bed early last night, and I never do that," Rozema continued.

"I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but if that's what it takes. I'll go to bed early next time, too." Boston's Hutch Hobson juries throw, Jason Thompson lakes lliirri on Mill May's hit Rozema will make his next start and his first start at home And, under the circumstances, manager Ralph Houk wasn't next Tuesday afternoon at Tiger Stadium against the Chicago about to complain about that. White Sox. Especially now that, in their last two games anyway, the Thursday's triumph was the Tigers' second in a row over the T'8ers have begun playing a most acceptable brand of baseball Red Sox, giving them a record of 5-6 for this lengthy road trip aSain. that started out in Toronto looking like it could become a disaster.

Please turn to Page 5D, Column 4 season at Olympia Stadium and set them up for their move to Pontiac. A lot of the old bitternesss would be forgotten. In fact, I drool at all the things that could be written about ol' No. 9 the lift he'd give to all of us. On the other hand, I wonder what it would be like when he no longer could play.

The Red Wings' management would be back in the same position as before when Gordie hung 'em up. There just wouldn't be anything for him to do and all of the embarrassments to him and the team would come to the surface once again and cause great harm to everyone. The way I see it, the only way for everyone to be happy is for the Red Lions Match Oilers9 Offer, Keep Hand BY JACK SAYLOR Free Press Sports Writer Veteran defensive tackle Larry Hand will sign a two-year contract with the Lions Friday, ending his 10-month siege as a free agent and the strong possibility of his moving to the Houston Oilers. The 36-year-old Hand, who has played 12 years with the Lions, had agreed last Friday to sign with the Oilers. But under terms of the new agreement between NFL owners and the Players Association, the Lions had the right of matching Houston's offer and keeping him.

Thursday was the deadline for the Lions to make that decision and they exercised their option to keep Hand. As a 12-year vet, the collective-bargaining agreement states that Hand's offer has to be a minimum of $80,000, but it is believed the Oilers' offer was a two-year pact at $95,000. SJ A velvety velour kimono that's great to snuggle into, summer or winter. This one's a knee-length model with three-quarter sleeves and a sash, plus two handy pockets. It comes in solid shades with two-tone stripe trim: camel with white dark brown, grey with whiteTblack, or cinnamon with whitered.

Completely washable. One size fits just about every Dad, and the price is $40. Snuggle Dad up in luxurious velour Gordie Howe It took some scurrying on Wings to give Gordie something useful to do and the only thing I can think of would be to make him a "super scout" and let him roam the leagues at will, taking advantage of his great name and his great experience. Would Gordie want that, though? Nobody really knows what would satisfy him beyond getting out there and playing. It is the only thing he has ever done, really.

If Colleen Howe is as sincere as she sounds about wanting her family to play in Detroit, why doesn't she just tell the Red Wings to count her out that they don't have to include her in any deal. Actually, why should she be part of any package since there is nothing for her to do, anyway? I bumped into Ted Lindsay in the Boston airport the other day and you have to give the guy credit for doing all he can to try to get things turned around. He has been working like mad, literally going at his job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The sad thing is that, as general manager, he should be concentrating on running the entire organization and not doing the actual legwork. But then, he has no one else to turn to and maybe this is where he and Gordie could work together.

LeCs Promote Our Marathon Marathon We'll never have a Boston Marathon here in Detroit because you don't create more than 80 years of tradition overnight. But I see no reason why our runners can't get our community more involved in their annual race. They hold it every October over on Belle Isle. I've never seen it myself (which is my fault) but it seems like they could get far more attention if they ran it through the streets of Detroit. I always thought it would be kicky if we could get the Indy cars to run a loop around our expressways and let everyone lean over the edges and watch all the action.

That's a little silly, of course, as well as being very unsafe. But why don't the runners set up a course around the city and try to bring their race to the public instead of running it in private before only friends and relatives? The New York City Marathon is catching on and one reason is that they run it through all five boroughs. Earvin Frankly, I hope the young man chooses Michigan State over Michigan. No knock against the Blue but they've had an "up" program for years and apparently are still getting the blue-chip players. MSU is badly in need of a lift and this young man could give it to them.

The only thing, folks: If Earvin does sign with MSU, the best thing for everyone in East Lansing to do would be to leave him alone. He'll be under enough pressure without everyone hanging over him. Larry Hand the part of Hand's attorney, Brian Smith, to get the Oilers' offer on paper at the proper time. "It was fortunate he was in town last week," Hand explained, "because I was down in Virginia planting trees on my property, and it took several phone calls for him to get ahold of me. "We only had until April 15 to have the letter in writing with the Houston offer." SMITH ALSO had negotiations with Minnesota, Green Bay, Washington, Denver and Atlanta, but submitted the Houston offer to the Lions.

"After I sign, I'm writing Houston a thank-you note for their offer," Hand said. "They helped bring this about." Smith agreed that the collective-bargaining agreement, after the players' union had been without a contract for three years, was the pivotal point in Hand's signing. "Houston was able to make an offer (legally) and not have to worry about compensation to Detroit. It really benefitted us," Smith said. "It allowed the free-enterprise forces to come to play in the marketplace.

"Larry found out what he was worth. The Lions had seven days to match it and they acquiesced." Hand, a stalwart at end for years, moved inside to tackle Please turn to Page 5D, Cot. 1 NBA Referees Picket Again PHILADELPHIA (AP) National Basketball Associa tion referees will resume picketing Friday at NBA headquarters and selected playoff game sites, a lawyer for the referees said. Attorney Richard Phillips said Thursday night the Na tional Association of Basket ball Referees decided to break it's 48-hour picketing moratorium because the league misinterpreted it. The moratorium "was intended as a gesture of good will, aimed at breaking down existing barriers between the NABR and the NBA," Phillips said.

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