)y, July 29, 1977
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THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Page Eleven
AFTER FIVE YEARS
DH rule still controversial
By The Associated Press
The designated hitter is now in its fifth year as an
Iserican League staple. Yet the reactions to it remain
e same.
The National League, which adamantly refuses to
eognize it, scorns its rival league for employing it.
j, members swear by it and claim the designated
geer is here to stay, eventually in both leagues.
THE ONE GROUP THAT BENEFITS most from the
signated hitter is the pitchers. But even they aren't
snimous in their opinion of the rule.
"Frankly, I can't see how any pitcher can't like it,"
pys Montreal Manager Dick Williams, who managed
i the AL at Boston, Oakland and California. "It keeps
starters in longer and you don't have to pinch-hit
relievers once they are due up, so they pitch
ger."
Jackie Brown, one of Williams' hurlers in Montreal,
plit four seasons in the American League between
exas and Cleveland and relished the help of the desig-
sted hitter.
"WHEN I BECAME A BETTER pitcher was when I
as in the American League and they had the desig-
ted hitter," says Brown.
"I love to hit and swing the bat. I think all players
like to swing the bat. But in the AL, I sat on the bench
with no worries about hitting.
"Here, I have to think about it ... Actually, I don't
have to, but I do and that can detract from my pitch-
ing. You can become a better pitcher by not having to
worry about going to the plate.
"I'D LIKE TO SEE THE DH in the National. It would
give us an extra batter in the lineup, although it would
give them an extra batter too. But I enjoy the DH.
"It doesn't tire you out to hit but it does tire you out
to run the bases," Brown added. "In the late innings,
if I'm pitching a good game, I don't want to hit and
have to run."
A dissenting opinion from the American League
comes from three-time Cy Young Award winner Jim
Palmer.
"I DON'T LIKE THE DH rule," says Palmer, "be-
cause I consider myself a complete athlete. I feel I
can help myself hitting, especially bunting and hitting
behind the runner.
"The DH helps some pitchers because it enables them
to pitch more complete games. But, in my case, they
leave me in anyway and give me the benefit of the
doubt."
Some AL pitchers are so used to the designated hitter
that they don't give it a second thought.
"I THINK MAYBE IT IS something I am used to,"
says Baltimore's Ross Grimsley, "and I don't think
much about hitting anymore."
"You think about it when you get to the World Series
and don't have it," notes New York's Ken Holtzman.
Most pitchers would love the problem of just pitching
in the World Series, with or without a designated hitter.
"We used the DH in the Series last season," says
Holtzman, "andI think it was a good idea. ButI did
all right when I hit in the Series with the A's."
HOLTZMAN WAS A TERROR at bat for Oakland in
the 1973 and 1974 World Series, even though he hadn't
batted all season. He compiled an .833 slugging average
and even had three doubles in one Series.
"Just lucky, really," he says.
Until the designated hitter rule is accepted by the
National League, former AL hurlers like Montreal's
Brown will miss it.
"Our job is to pitch, to get hitters out, not to hit,"
says Brown. "I think that's how it should be."
4t47the boi/,
By The Associated Press
andle-Lucchesi case closed
ORLANDO - New York Mets infielder Lenny Randle was
sed $1,000 and given a stern lecture Thursday for a slugging
ad kicking assault on Manager Frank Lucchesi when both were
ith the Texas Rangers.
"If you prefer to engage in actions like this," Circuit Judge
aurice M. Paul told Randle, "you should change to the pro-
ssion of boxing where your opponent is prepared to defend him-
ll."
Under an agreement worked out 10 days ago, the prosecu-
Lion reduced the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor and
Randle pleaded no contest. The judge then found him guilty.
Randle was ordered to make sure that all Lucchesi's medical
expenses were paid.
"All I want to do," Randle said later, "is concentrate on
seball."..........
The attack on Lucchesi occurred March 28.
Randle, unhappy about losing his starting job at second base
rookie Bump Wills, approached Lucchesi prior to an exhibition
seball game in Orlando against the Minnesota Twins. Randle
ddenly began punching Lucchesi, knocked him to the ground
Sd kicked him.
The American League fined Randle $10,000 after the in-
cident,suspended him for a month. He was waived out of the
league and signed a five-year contract with the Mets where he
has been a regular at third base. He was hitting .312 at mid-
week.
tordan fears cut
LANDOVER, Md. - Veteran forward Mike Riordan said
ursday he has been dropped by the Washington Bullets of the
ational Basketball Association.
Riordan said he "I called Bullets general manager Bob Ferry
t week and he told me that the team was concentrating on
ing its three draft choices," Riordan said. "Bob told me that
gs could change but that right now neither Leonard Gray nor
fit into their-plans."
Ferry was not available for comment.
The nine-year NBA veteran forward said he had become
a victim of the "old numbers game." For three years in a row,
the Bullets first choice in the college dift has been a for.
Ward to play Riordan's spot.
"The Bullets signed three rookies last year and are looking
sign three more," Riordan said. "That takes up a lot of spots."
nother bowl-with a twist
TAMPA -- A Canadian - Amrican Bowl pitting collegians from
countries against each other in a post-season football game,
set for Jan. 8, 1078.
The game at Tampa Stadium replaces the Lions' Ameri-
ea4 Bowl North-South clash. It never gained the popularity or
gatUre of other bowl games.
Twelve men will be used on offense and defense and the-field
HAVE A CHECKUP
IT CAN SAVE YOURULIFE.
SI
Johnny Bench
During one of my checkups, the doctors found a spot on my
lungs. I thought it might be cancer. So did they.
Luckily, it wasn't. Most people are lucky. Most people
never have cancer.
But those who find they do have cancer are farbetter off
if their cancer is discovered early. Because we know how to
cure many cancers when we discover them eart
That's why I want you to have a checkup. And keep
having checkups. The rest of your life.
It'llba lot longer if you do.
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