Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 29

DETROIT FREE PRESS Tuesday, July 20, '71 1-C SANDERS WILL BE TOUGH TO SIGN 0 aim ii II Ov 4yi ih II iiircj i Lions Wor 0 0 0 AWOL Report CHARLIE SANDERS All-pro end seeks an80G contract. MEL FARR -A new burxtdn- a ing approach will be tried. said he wouldn't work out until a contract is agreed upon. "It's tough enough to get In a shape when you're signed," he said. "I don't want to come in here with these two-a-day workouts and try to negotiate when I'm tired.

There's also the chance of being injured then where would I be? "There's too much to think of. If it isn't settled soon, I'm going to play out my option and not sign even if they offer me $100,000." Sanders' outlook was tempered somewhat by Fenton, who feels both his clients will be signed in due time. "I've canceled all my appointments for the next two-three days to get this worked out," Turn to Page 6C, Column 5 BY JACK SAYLOR Fret Press Sports Writer The wheels are grinding, however slowly, for the return of three holdouts to the Lion training camp. General manager Russ Thomas and player agent Bob Fenton spent more of a Monday together than Rowan and Martin, but it was no "Laugh In" and no contracts were signed, Fenton and Mel Farr had a negotiating session with Thomas in the morning then the Detroit lawyer returned with Charlie Sanders for a lengthy afternoon discussion. Errol Mann, the third holdout, is in Minnesota and Thomas has had no communication recently with Mann's attorney, John Noonan.

FENTON ADMITS that Sanders will be tough to sign. The all-pro tight end, who will be 25 next month, is believed seeking an contract, which would make him the highest paid tight end in history. Thomas emerged from the bargaining sessions somber, although he denied any pessimism. "Neither player agreed to terms," he said. "We hope to be able to resolve it soon, but it needs further negotiation.

They've asked that the numbers not be discussed and I've got' to honor that request." Fenton likewise declined to give specific figures, but he explained how he and Sanders arrived at their desired salary. "I'm in a position to know what many oF these people make," said Fenton, who has been bargaining in behalf of athletes for the last eight years. "We took what the top three quarterbacks are making and what the top tight ends make and picked a figure somewhere in Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, John Brodie and Joe.Namath are the top money-makers among the quarterbacks all getting well above the $100,000 figure. John Mackey of the Colts, the leading tight end in the NFL before Sanders' intrusion, earns an estimated SANDERS WAS resti'ess oyer the delay, but ERROL MANN Getting his kicks in Minnesota for now. Sport of Kings? Glamor Is Missing In Stable Area Boom Chickie-Boom Right On, Lions! "On your dressing room they hung a star" Irving I Berlin, 1948 Training camp swings into high gear at Cranbrook this week, signaling abrupt interruptions to the show biz careers of a number of Lions.

Wayne Walker's TV sports shows are just a memory. Alex inn. n.111 i liiwypwrowgy if i i 4 t'lS'M ArrXif? tma. It Ofc -1 Karras will be cozying up to John Brodie and Roman Gabriel instead of Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett. The only "Godfather" in his immediate future is Joe Schmidt.

And Mel Farr and Lem Barney will be spending their spare time gazing at their golden record. The Lions Touchdown Twins lent their vocal talents to back up Motown's melodic Marvin Gave on a record called "What's Going On." Thus the number immediately skyrocketed into the top 10 and became a million seller! They sing in the background and talk and have a good time," explained Gaye, who somehow managed nine or 10 gold records without the efforts of Farr and Barney. "I got the idea from them celebrating after one of the Lion victories. Mike Weger's a good singer, but he wasn't around at the time we could've used "Lem can sing," Marvin continued, he's sort of legitimate. I don't know if Mel had any experience, but he snaps his fingers real well." Gaye would be advised to keep an eye on Farr, too, or the gold trophy might disappear.

If his $100-a-day holdout is extended very long, Mel may be tempted melt down the record. "It's cheaper to get rid of a bad horse and buy a horse who can be a winner," says Hart. "It costs the same to feed a horse if he's a winner or a loser." Hart is one of the most successful trainers at Detroit's two thoroughbred tracks, although his number of winners this year is fewer than in the past. Whatever his horses' performances on the track, Hart is nevertheless a proud man. He is 68 now and doesn't have to prove anything to himself or anyone else.

"I'VE ALWAYS managed to have a winning year," he said, tilting his tan straw hat over his right eye, almost covering it. "What has been responsible for your success?" he was asked. "I really don't know. Probably it's timing-knowing when to get rid of one horse and bring in another," he said, resorting back to his businessman's mind of manipulating a winning stable. Hart is a horseman in every sense of the word and he's in the process of transmitting this knowledge to a horseman of a new generation.

Larry Spraker, a jockey until two years ago when he got too heavy for a mount, is studying to be a trainer under Hart. At 28, Spraker has a good chance to succeed, Hart claims. Hart enjoys his association with Spraker the chance to discuss horse racing with someone who is at least somewhat familiar around horse barns. When Hart comes up against an outsider like a reporter he's quite upset and Turn to Page 6C, Column 5 BY HOWARD ERICKSON Free Prest Sports Writer It's 4:30 in the morning and a horseman's day is just beginning. A trainer passes through the security gate leading to the track's barn area, a daily ritual he has done not willingly but because of habitfor many years.

Soon, the grooms and exercise boys the ones who live inside the gate in the small, unkempt tack rooms rustle out of bed. By 5 o'clock, the dust is swirling in the barn area and on the track. Some horses are given a brief walk by an exercise boy. Other horses are given a brisk half-mile or so sprint in preparation for a race the following day. THE WHIRLWIND of activity-the product of the betting public's demand for winners is evident at any race course, no matter where it is located.

Detroit's tracks are no different. The same routine goes on at Detroit Race Course and Hazel Park for thoroughbreds and at North-ville Downs and Windsor and Wolverine for trotters and pacers. Horse racing supposedly is a sport a mul-ti-million-dollar sport at that but the men who make this sport so excitingly complex say otherwise. "I've got $100,000 tied up in my horses," said John Hart, a trainer by profession and a stable owner by coincidence. "If a horse in my stable breaks down and can't win a race, I ship out, sell him or destroy him." Hart is a horseman and a businessman.

Which one precedes the other is unknown. But Hart is characteristic of almost all trainers a horse must win or it is sent to pasture. Going for a Grammy Free Press Photo by Dl-K TR'pp Trainer John Hart ami one of his hot friemls The record was released in March and by mid-April was the top-rated "soul single" and running No. 2 in overall competition (ahead of a block-buster like the Three Dog Night's "Joy to the "It did so well, we re-did the single for an album," Gaye said. Latest ratings show "What's Going On" still running No.

2 as a single and No. 8 as an album. "I got a gold record and I'm going to get one for Mel and Lem in exchange for a T-shirt that says "Detroit Lions (Almost)." The Motown star is a frustrated football player and devoted Lion fan who talked about a tryout last year until the Lions' Russ Thomas and Motown's Berry Gordy had simultaneous fits. Next to playing for the Lions, the singer says the "biggest thing to me would be to win a Grammy" and he's hoping for a nomination for "What's Going On." A Grammy, gold record or high rating isn't getting Farr and Barney rich. "They just got paid to cut it, "Gaye explained.

"I think they framed the checks it wasn't much." Such financial arrangements are in keeping with an old Lion tradition established about five or six years ago by one Charles Lolich Tames KC for 15th Victory, 5-2 BY JIM HAWKINS Frt Press Sports Writer KANSAS CITY Hurry up and get here, Friday. Mickey Lolich wants that ball back quick. With any luck at all, the Tigers' top lefthander will have that dreaded 20-victory curse conquered by the end of August. And Lolich knows it. rl savings on SUiTBinsei? Sjpoirfi1 eocatfs in warp Mel Farr knits, Dacron-wools, Lem Barney Marvin Gaye Central, Eastern Join MAC tropical wools, Arne and other blends, now 3195 to WBS Richard LeBeau, who made a record in conjunction with two teammates of that era named Bruce Maher and Joe Schmidt.

LeBeau is the Lions' resident guitarist, golf star, poet laureate, deep thinker and wit who also dabbles in songwriting. Sort of a Cole Porter in cleats. On to Cattlemen's Convention! Flushed with the success of two of his numbers, "Cry Out Freedom" and "The Lonesome One," the idea of cutting a record was spawned. Maher was willing and Schmidt can sing a bit A fact to which patrons of the Long Beach motel can attest following the Detroit victory over the Rams last year. "Joe sang the lead with Beaver and I backing him up," LeBeau said.

And how were the sales? "Ah, er, a very minute number was sold," he reported. "Somebody's got a basement full of them." Suffice to say, they didn't get a gold record. Marvin Gaye has bigger things in mind for Barney and Farr. "I want to use those cats on my TV special, "He says. "It's in the making, but there's no date scheduled." Woops, before Lem 'n' Mel get too excited, then, they best That's why The Mick was all smiles Monday night as he put another notch No.

15 on his glove with a nice and easy 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. "It's funny how much of a difference there is in the way a pitcher thinks when he's winning and the way he thinks when he's losing," explained Lolich after his seven-strikeout eight-hit performance. "When you're winning and everything is falling right in place for you, you can hardly wait to get your hands on that ball and go out there again because you know 75 percent of the time you're going to win. "AND WHEN you're losing, you just hate to even come to the park on days you're supposed to pitch because you know you'll go out there and somethihg'll probably happen and you'll get beat again." Lolich hasn't exactly had everything his way this season. In fact, he should be at least three wins richer right now.

Three times Mickey has taken a lead to within one out of a win, only to have the vic- Turn to Page 2C, Column 2 Not just a few, but a nice- assortment of some of our most popular summer sport coats marked way below normal for this event. Choose from warp-knit seersucker stripes, fancy summery Ar-nel blends and some pure worsteds in assorted models and a variety of colors and patterns. COLUMBUS, Ohto (UPI) Central Michigan and East-em Michigan have been admitted to membership in the Mid-American Conference, it was announced Monday. Dr. Phillip R.

Shriver, president of Miami University and chairman of the MAC's council of presidents and MAC president Fred Jacoby, said Central and Eastern would become eligible for MAC competition in all sports but football and basketball starting with the 1972-73 athletic year. THEY SAID the schools will begin competing in football and basketball as soon as schedules permit. The MAC also said it would review Marshall University's status in the near future if Big Green officials formally request such action from the council of presidents. "Noting the substantial improvements which have been made in the Marshall athletic program, the council of presidents has granted that Institution permission to apply for reinstatement at an early date," Jacoby said. Marshall has been under indefinite suspension since mid-1969 for recruiting violations.

Jacoby said admission of Central and Eastern marks the first expansion in MAC membership since 1953. The other six conference members are Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami, Toledo and Western Michigan. Sporls Editor Joe Falls is on vacation. DETROIT KANSAS CITY eh bl ah hi ARodrsez 3b 4 0 0 0 Patek ts 4 110 TTaylor 2b .3100 Schaal 4010 Kaline rl .4230 Otis cl 3 0 0 1 WHorton 4 I 1 1 Roias 2b 4 0 0 0 Freehan 4 1 3 2 Piniella 4 0 2 0 Cash lb 3 0 1 1 ROIiver lb 4 110 Mbuniey 4)1 KirxpairK rf i 4 0 0 0 4 0 11 .10 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 BrnKman lining jway Lolich 4 0 0 0 Rooker Nelson Knoop pit Abernthv Harrison ph hear the experience of the Schmidt-Maher-LeBeau venture. Thy had high hopes, too.

"We signed a lot of contracts we were going to sing at the Indy 500, the cattlemen's, convention and we were on a local TV show," LeBeau related. "It looked like it was only a wedge shot to the Ed Sullivan show. I said to Beaver (Maher): "We're on our way, are. you ready?" Yeah, yeah, what happened? "Well, we were supposed to have a couple personal appearances, but Joe's wife wouldn't let him go, "LeBeau recalled sadly. "She said he was too old for that sort of thing and the group died.

I probbably should sue." The memories linger. Whenever LeBeau encounters Maher he still greets him wistfully: "Beaver, are you ready?" Show biz, it's wonderful. "Let's go, on with the show" Joe Schmidt, 1971 Total' '34 5 9 4 Total 34 2 i 3 MMaMM Lmmmmmmm MMkMkaM Detroit 000 401 0005 Kansas City 000 001 001 2 Df Kansas 1. lob ueiron s. Kansas City 7.

2B M.Stanley, Pinella, Kaline. Freehan. Schaal. 38 R.Oliver. no charge for alterations J.May.

SB Pinella. SF Otis. I EN BflJU Lolich 0 ..2 2 I 7 Ronker 1. 5. S.

I. 2 R.Nelson .1 2-3 1.0.0.1.2 i Abernathv i 0 0 0 0 2 HHS STORES OPEN TUESDAY EVENING (EXCEPT WOODWARD NEAR STATE, GRAND RIVER GREENFIELD, BIRMINGHAM AND JACKSON 'TIL 5:30) MBP-oy Hooker a ,831 1.