Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 41

Friday, July 15, 1S83 sportspsah GEORGE PUSCAS 3 at Hazel Park 8-2 Payoff: $76.80 "He's the type of player you're automatically attracted to. He can blow people right out of their COMICS 8,9 8 rn or seats. Islander general manager Bill Torrey on Pat LaFontaine PC WEATHER 9 DETROIT FREE PRESS Call with sport new: 222-6660 QBs; ftaised or not, they're winners dally doubla ten (lO)fl 5 and scramble. His improvement over the course of the season is remarkable." In the regular season, Hebert was 257-for-451 passing (57 percent) for 3,568 yards, 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He was the No.

1 -rated passer and had the most TD passes. FUSINA WAS 238-for-421 (56.5 percent) with 2,718 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That is 19 fewer completions for 850 fewer yards than Hebert. Fusina ranked fifth among USFL quarterbacks. And, in his own way, Fusina believes he can win one more game this season.

"I don't come across as 6-foot-4 with a baritone voice, yelling at people in the huddle," said Fusina, who is 6-foot-1 and soft-spoken. "People do things differently. I can't jump in the huddle and kick offensive linemen in the rear. That's just not the way I am. "What I think I get from the players is that they believe I'm going to go 110 percent when I'm out there, that I'm going to get the best out of them and myself." That's what he did in the comeback victory against Chicago, leading the Stars to four touchdowns to erase a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Before his charge, he had thrown four interceptions and fumbled. Panthers coach Jim Stanley hasn't gone overboard See QUARTERBACKS, Page 3D "He's a winner," Peterson says. "That's all you can say about the guy he wins." Hebert, by comparison, has been praised by friend and foe. Stars coach Jim Mora says the development of Hebert, more than the addition of offensive linemen Ray Pinney, Tyrone McGriff and Thorn Dornbrook, turned the Panthers from a 1-4 team into a 12-6 team and the winners of the Central Division. "They talk a lot about the offensive linemen they added," Mora says, "but I think his improvement is as much a reason for them being here as anything.

You don't see many rookes come in and do the job he did. "He has great ability, he's smart, he has the ability to run By CURT SYLVESTER Free Press Sports Writer DENVER There's one easy way to tell which quarterback is which in these final days before the USFL championship game. All you have to do is listen for a moment Chuck Fusina is the guy everybody's saying bad things about and Bobby Hebert is the budding boy wonder. Fusina? Philadelphia Stars general manager Carl Peterson can tell you everything wrong with his quarterback. Start with his arm.

"He doesn't have a great arm," Peterson says. What about leadership? "He's a very, very quiet person, not the type to jump in a huddle and start yelling at people." Overall ability? "Our guy is not good enough, but he finds a way." That is just about as close as Fusina comes to getting any praise, although he has led the Stars to 16 victories in 19 games, including a dramatic 44-38 overtime victory over Chicago last Saturday. ACCORDING TO Peterson, there is only one way to explain how the Stars reached the title game with a quarterback who can't really scramble, can't throw the long ball and isn't a dynamic leader. How Panthers, Stars quarterbacks match up Player Att. Comp.

Yards Pet. TDs Int. LG BOBBY HEBERT 451 257 3568 57.0 27 17 81 (Playoffs) 27 18 295 66.7 1 1 56 CHUCK FUSINA 421 238 2718 56.5 15 10 52 (Playoffs) 33 22 254 66.7 3 4 37 KEY: Att. Attempts; Comp. Completions; Yards Yards gained; Pet.

Percentage; TDs. Touchdowns; Int. Interceptions; LG Long Gain. iH'i ii tiiili iViiiii 1 A fM Hike Downey listi The fertile mind dreams up a load of fertilizer Downey Does Detroit: Philadelphia 27, Panthers 20. Sorry.

I wrote something nice about the USFL, so the commissioner sent me a great big green plant. All I can say is, it's about time. For years I've been writing the sort of stuff that helps plants grow. "if If the Detroit Pistons draft one more player from Wichita State, the NBA's going to put the team on probation. If a team called the Pistons can draft Antoine Carr, I think it's only fair the Tigers sign Jim Kaat.

I'm not saying Tiger fans are fickle, but one more game-winning double by Wayne Krenchicki and they'll probably name the county after him. To further beef up the infield, the Tigers have announced the signing of Jaws Scheider, a hot prospect from Hollywood, Calif. Free Press Photo bv ALAN KAMUDA Bobby Hebert has a strong arm and the USFL's best statistics. Chuck Fusina is a winner who gets the most out of limited skills. Uh9 who was thai again? Sometimes, somebody asks a show-biz performer to say hello to somebody in the audience.

The performer goes overboard, telling the crowd to "please welcome a Defense can rest Lemon's fielding wins' raws from Sparky very dear friend of mine," the way Frankie Valli did during Monday's Four Seasons concert at Meadow Brook. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a big hand for the outstanding receiver from the Detroit Lions, you all know him and you all love him, Don Hill." Oh, well. Maybe David Hill can tell all his friends he got to see Rudy Vallee and the Four Seasons. Speaking of concerts, when tennis star John If LEMON, WHEN told of Anderson's comments, wanted to add something: "Well, before it's all said and done, he's going to tell you I'm the best offensive center fielder he's been around, too." That may be down the road for Lemon. Wednesday night he doubled in four trips as See CHET LEMON, Page 5D McEnroe attended a Bruce Springsteen performance in New York, hardly anybody in the audience paid attention to him.

They were too busy mobbing Ron Duguay. Flock of birdies lifts Stadler in British Open UPI and AP SOUTHPORT, England Craig Stadler reeled off five straight birdies on the back nine Thursday for a 7-under-par 64 and the early first-round lead at the 112th British Open. Stadler held a three-shot lead over defending champion Tom Watson, 1981 winner Bill Rogers and West German Bernhard Langer, who was second to Rogers two years ago. When Stadler finished, a quarter of the field of 154 was still out on the Royal Birkdale course. But none appeared to have a chance to overtake the former Masters champion.

Watson, chasing his fifth British Open title, and Rogers were early starters, and at one point seemed set to share the overnight lead. Watson played steadily, picking up five birdies against one bogey. Rogers delivered one of golf's rarities, a double-eagle, at the 526-yard, par-five 15th. He holed out from 228 yards with a two-iron to leap from one-under to four-under. See BRITISH OPEN, Page 2D You remember Ron Duguay.

He's the guy who By ROMAN BERGER Free Press Sports Writer Sparky Anderson would like to squeeze in a few days of rest for Chet Lemon. But he can't for a combination of reasons Lemon's defensive skills, his base-path intensity, his leadership and hisability to get on base. And the Tigers are on the West Coast for 12 games, which are especially important because Toronto (5-1 since the All-Star break) and Baltimore (4-2) are rolling. The Tigers are 5-1 since the break. "Chet Lemon is the best defensive center fielder I've been around," Anderson has played as good for us as anyone.

I'd like to rest him but I can't afford to." When he managed the Reds, Anderson had one of the league's best defensive center fielders, Cesar Geronimo. "Geronimo was a good one," Anderson says. "He had a strong arm and could outrun Chet in his early years. But Chet's a better defensive player and better player overall." wants to play hockey for the Red Wings about as much as Lee Iacocca wants to buy a brand new Celica. By the way, you'll notice that I haven't made one joke all week about Billy Martin's personal problems.

I think it's all behind him now. Silverdome Officials Storm Spectators' Homes, Rip Up Tigers turn to the light Jack Morris (8-8) was scheduled to lead a series of lour right-handers the Tigers will throw at Seattle as they started an 11 -day, 12-game West Coast swing Thursday night. The Mariners' scheduled starter was righthander Glenn Abbott (3-0). Pitching matchups for the rest of the four-game series: FRIDAY NIGHT: Juan Berengier (4-1) vs. left-bander Matt Young (7-9).

SATURDAY NIGHT: Dave Rozema (6-0) vs. right-hander Mike Moore (0-3). SUNDAY: Milt Wilcox (7-8) vs. left-hander Bryan Clark (4-2). Chet Lemon (above) "is the best defensive center fielder I've been around," says Tigers manager Sparky Anderson.

"He has played as good of baseball for us as anyone. I'd like to rest him but I can't afford to." Ron Duguay Fixtures and Rugs. Film at 11. I need a couple months' sleep. Wake me when Lou Whitaker makes an error.

As soon as catcher Steve Lake joined Detroit's Baltic foreseen dopted National League team, the Chicago Cubs, I extra points Friday guess we should have seen this coming. The other day, Lake was the Cubs' starting catcher. The starting pitcher was Steve Trout. for pole spot distant replay I'm not sure, but I think Sen. Muskie threw out the lan o-llil ichiiian 500 at IV first ball.

tool! Slrikcs Oiil IT to None better than Sister Mary If -tHSV' Now that I've finally seen George Kell play third base, at the Old-timers All-Star Game, how can they put this guy in the Hall of Fame? He can't go to his left, he isn't much of a hitter boy, I guess they'll put anybody in Cooperstown. BY JIM HAWKINS Free Press Sports Writer For five years, no pitcher was able to hold the Tigers without a hit lor nine innings. Not one. Now, in the last three months, it has happened twice. Nolan Ryan, the innocuous-looking right Which reminds me: If Ernie Harwell is supposed to be such a great Hall of Famer, how come he didn't play Tiger notes A hot team haads west As the Tigers headed west for Thursday's game with Seattle, they were one of the hottest teams in baseball.

Since May 25, when Detroit hit its hot streak, it has had the best record in the majors (27-14, .650) Lou on the loose, Part 1 Tiger second baseman Lou Whitaker is on another hitting streak. Going into Thursday's game, he had hit in eight straight games. Wednesday he was 3-for-4. Lou on the loose, Part 2 After going 3-for-4 Wednesday, Whitaker became the major league leader in hits with 110. Wade Boggs of Boston has 109 and Andre Dawson of Montreal has 108.

A triple threat Speaking of league leaders a trio of Tigers leads the league in triples. Larry Herndon is first with seven. Kirk Gibson and Glenn Wilson are tieck second with six each. sports sound off Tiger fans fickle? Tuesday night, Tiger fans cheered Wayne Krenchicki's game-winning hit after booing him earlier. Billy Sims, Kirk Gibson and others similarly have been both jeered and cheered by fans.

Do you think Detroit fans are fickle? No, 22 percent If you play like a bum you get booed; you play like a champ you gel cheered. When we pay that kind of money, we want to tee winners. Yes, 78 percent Sura we are, we want winners. Too many fans go out Just to see them win, Instead ol going to see a good ball game. (Percentages based on about 300 calls.) Friday's question: The Toronto Blue Jays, who never have finished out of last place, continue to lead the American League East? Do you think the Jays still will be a contender in September? YES NO call 222-8838 call 222-8848 before noon before noon in the Old-timers Game? Whatsa matter, Harwell, couldn't find your glove? July IS, 1974 hander tor the California Angels, who may throw a baseball For those who remember her sixth-graders asking if BROOKLYN, Mich.

Based on practice speeds, Thursday's battle for the pole of Sunday's third annual Michigan 500 at Michigan International Speedway was expected to be close. Rookie Teo Fabi, who won the pole for the Indianapolis 500, turned in the fastest opening-day lap, 199.778 m.p.h. But three others were right with him. Don Whitting-ton had a lap of 199.463, Rick Mears did 199.42 and Kevin Cogan 199.104. Defending Michigan 500 champion Gordon Johncock could do no better than 197-plus and Indianapolis 500 winner Tom Sneva could not get over 195.7 m.p.h.

Thirty-five of the 48 cars at the track got on the two-mile course for Wednesday's four-hour practice session. Practice resumed at 9:30 a.m. Thursday with qualifying following. The race, which will be televised live by NBC (Channel 4 in Detroit), will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday before an anticipated crowd of about 55,000.

Charlie Vincent Sister Mary Gehringer could sing the national anthem at Tiger Stadium the day Charlie Gehringer's number was retired, you may have noted that she didn t. But you'll be pleased as she is because Sister Mary finally did get to sing the anthem at a recent major eague baseball game between the Tigers and Balti harder than any human being who ever lived, was untouchable Sunday afternoon as he collared the Tigers, 6-0, without as much as a whimper In addition to holding the Tigers hitless a feat in itself, especially when you realize it has only happened 1 1 times Ryan struck out a near-record 17 of the 31 batters he faced. Ryan tanned Dick McAulifte and Duke Sims three times; Norm Cash, Dick Sharon, Aureiio Rodriguez and Mickey Stanley twice, and Ed Bnnkman, Gates Brown and Jim Northrup once en route to his second of live career no-hitters. Compiled by Bernie Czarniecki more. No sister has sung that well at a ball game since We Are Family" by Sister Sledge.

That's the news for today here in Krenchicki County. Cheer up. Only Lght more months until tty USFL season opener..