C.C. Reader N.L. WEST By Darrell Reider Normally this division has been a battle between Los Angeles and Cincin nati. Last year, though, the Houston Astros, with awesome pitching and timely hitting, captured their first-ever division title. Joe Niekro notched 20 wins and youbg Dave Smith registered a 1.92 E.R.A. as the Astros tasted the sweetness of being number one in the West. I believe they will be tough again this year, especially if J.R. Richard can recover from his unfortunate stroke, and if newly acquired pitchers Don Sutton and Bob Knepper can achieve double digit victories. The only real weakness I see for this team is behind the plate; thus, with the crop of fine pitchers that Houston has, a trade for a catcher is possible by mid-season. THE Los Angeles Dodgers, who have no new faces this season, will pose a threat once again in the West, thanks largely to balanced hitting and solid defense. Steve Garvey (the only Nation al League hitter to reach the 200-hit plateau in 1980), Reggie Smith, Ron Cey, Dusty Baker, and rookie sensation Rudy Law head the list of power and offense for the Dodgers. The team to watch in the West is the Atlanta Braves. Owner Ted Turner isn't afraid to spend money for some players -many of whom might not even be worth it--such as free agents Claudell Wash ington and Gaylord Perry. As a team, the Braves slammed 144 homers in 1980, with Bob Horner, Dale Murphy, and Chris Chambliss accounting for 86 of them. Atlanta has improved its pitching with the additions of Bob Walk, John "The Count" Montefusco, and Perry to the pitching staff. Beware of the Braves in 'Bl. The rest of the division, as I see the order' of finish: the Cincinnati Reds, the San Diego Padres, minus Dave Winfield, and the Sad Francisco Giants. N.L. EAST By Darrell Reider If anyone trusts the Las Vegas odds on the upcoming season, this year's charts show the Montreal Expos as 8-5 favorites to win the division, with the Phillies right behind them at 9-5. There have been some rumblings in the Expos' camp this spring, with the signing of Gary Carter, one of the forest all-around catchers in all of baseball, and Larry Parrish to multi-year deals for mega bucks. Andre Dawson and Ellis Valen tine are unhappy and could end up on new clubs by the June 15 trading deadline. The big blow to Montreal this off-season was the loss of outfielder Ron LeFlore to the free agent draft. He provided a spark to the offense that generated team speed, as was evidenced by his league-leading 97 stolen bases. The Expos will miss him. , As for the Philadelphia Nunes, I really can't see how they can be stopped, barring injuries to key players. The Phils have solid pitching, with 1980 Cy Young Award winner Steve Carlton, Dick Ruthven, Larry Christenson, and Nino Espinosa. Both Ruthven and Es pinosa are recovering quite well from injuries. The hitting is lead by powerful Mike Schmidt and singles hitters Bake Mcßride and Pete Rose. Charlie Hustle Middleboro Lanes 944 9991 W EDNESDAY- Campus League Nite Ball drilling services, Bags, Shoes and Accessories will surely top Stan Musial's record of most career hits in the National League sometime this season. The acquisition of Gary Matthews could give the Phillies a boost. But remember, the long-gone Greg Luzinski really helped the club against the stubborn Astros in the playoffs last year. Right now, Philadel phia has about eight outfielders, which leaves speed demon Lonnie Smith on the bench. With utility players of this caliber, the Phillies will definitely be hard to beat in 1981. The next spot in the standings should be a battle to the wire between the Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis General Manager Whitey Herzog did some major dealing at the winter meetings in Dallas, where he added Bruce Sutter, Larry Sorenson, Sixto Lezcano, Gene Tenace, and Bob Shirley to the Redbirds' roster. But those departed include Ted Simmons, Ken Reitz, Leon Durham, Terry Kennedy, and the one-day Cardinal Rollie Fingers. Herzog, though he helped his pitching staff tremendously, nevertheless could have adversely affected his hitting at tack. He is a clever man, though, and knows the game of baseball as well as anyone. Remember, he called a press conference as General Manager to name himself new manager of the team. The Pittsburgh Pirates were fairly quiet during the winter, with the excep tion of the trade that sent Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillen to Cleveland for pitchers Victor Cruz, Bob Owchinko, and Rafael Vasquez, and catcher Gary Alex ander. Many members of the press have counted the Pirates out already, even before they open their campaign against Montreal next week. Star rightfielder Dave Parker has said that this will be the Pirates' year, and ageless Willie Stargell still heads the Pirate Family. I am sure the Bucs will threaten the leaders in 1981. The New York Meta, listed as 20-1 1 longshots to capture the division title, have many new faces to start the 1981 season. Free agents Mike Cubbage, Dave Roberts, and Rusty Staub, and acquisitions Bob Bailor, Randy Jones, and Dave „ King Kong” Kingman will all be wearing the orange-and-blue of the Mets this year. The New Yorkers are certainly no pushovers. For proof, just ask Pittsburgh, who dropped 11 games to them in 1980. The Mets must concen trate on playing as a team, not as individuals looking for personal glory and prestige. The Chicago Cubs will sorely miss ace reliever Bruce Sutter, the master of the split-finger fast ball, coming out of the bullpen. Offensively, they are led by the National League's leading hitter of 1980, Bill Buckner, but one man can't carry an entire team. The Cubbies really need some help if they expect to bring a division title to the Windy City in 1981. We are sure many. readers will disagree with these predictions. If you do have some picks of your own, just, drop them off in the C.C. Reader office and we'll be sure to include them in our next issue. Next issue: Capitol baseball, NHL and NBA reports, and intramural updates. Special thanks go to Kevin lannucci for his help with this report. Thursday, April 2, 1981 By Kevin Spiegel While all of us were at home enjoying ourselves on "break," the Capitol Cam pus baseball team was traveling down to Maryland, to play four games in three days. Folks, this is 1981, not 1980, and guess whose team won three out of four? Yes--ours did! Coach Melchiorre and company sur prised everyone by starting their 1981 season on the right foot. In game one versus Coppin State, Capitol received a command pitching performance from Tim Christine. The hard-throwing right hander fanned 12, walked four, and yielded three runs. En route to the team's impressive first win, John Buzzy and Gerald Stahl led the hitting attack, both collecting two hits and scoring two runs. Games two and three were played as a doubleheader, which PSU split. 'in the first game, PSU lost 8-4 to St. Mary's College, but the big story in that game was the superb relief performance by Kevin Keffer. He came on in relief of Mike Smith, and shut down St. Mary's attack, hurling five innings of no-hit ball. (An impressive performance by the tall righthander!) Game number two of the double header proved to be yet another out- RECREATION FACILITIES SPRING TERM HOURS Monday through Friday--8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday--2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ( CLASSIFIEDS Rox—l don't know what this campus will be without you. What's the deal with HLB? I would still like your leg, remem ber!--HLB-II Mr. & Mrs. Carlton A. Klinger—Congra tulations and happiness always! Baby Boots-You be very careful if you get the Mini Couper--you are irreplace able to me. Love, Lad Boots Bob, Ruth, Ray, Kim-Thanks for being around on Friday the 13th. It's nice to have friends like you!--Joe A-1 State College—l'm the other Kevin. Missed you at the Ranger-Flyer game. Sorry to hear about your N.Y. friend. We miss him, too! It's the Mets??in 'Bl--W328 SMS—Here's lookin' at you--Starßider Joanie—Hope you remember April 11 forever; I will. Too bad no REO, but DC was fun (sorts)--Me W2os—Welcome to the booming metro polis of Capitol Campus. Nice to be reunited a: am. It's home for now.--W328 Ruth-Thanks for helping me through a J.R.-You are a Honey!--Peggy Sue bad time again. Friday the 13th sure Becky-Your performance was excellent, isn't my lucky day, but I'm lucky to have countess. I'm proud to be your friend. found ou for a friend--J.W. Looking forward to your Ist year at Cal? Rosanne-`Only the strong survive.' --The One & Only Vampire Think about it.--The Vampire WSDC—WE DID IT! Thanks for working J&M—Boy am I looking forward to in the phonathon--Your Prez partying! Sorry about last time--really. Princess—ls incest best, or am I? You Who knows, maybe you'll learn some- know what I mean. Still want to be thing better about me this time?--Puppy Queen B?--Your 'SB' A SUCCESSFUL ROAD TRIP standing pitching performance. Tom Stoudt, a lefthander, surrendered three runs and three hits (two in the last inning), as the Lions were en route to their second win in as many days. Stoudt helped his own cause by pounding out two hits himself. The Lions needed a four-run outburst in the second inning to help capture the victory for Stoudt. You might be saying, "Wow--two lucky wins!" But wait, we are not finished yet. Game four was not only pitching, but also a barrage of hits; 12 of them in fact. Tom Stoudt collected four hits, and John Clark added a 2-for-2 game. Kevin Keffer started, but ran into trouble late in the game. Coach Melchiorre put in Frank Notturno, who pitched well enough to earn PSU its third win. Tim Christine saved the day and game for Notturno by shutting down a strong Coppin State hitting attack. In the four games played in Mary land, the Lions' hitting was led by Tom Stoudt (8-15, . 533), Gerald Stahl (4-9, .444), and Tim Christine (4-13, . 307). Coach Melchiorre said that all the non-starters, especially, helped the team's efforts. This year's team has won more games in three days than last year's team won in the entire campaign. So look out opponents, the Lions have been released from their cages. Are you interested in participating in an intercollegiate tennis program, co-ed, during the Spring Term? If so, there will be a meeting on Friday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building Gymnasium. If you are interested in this program, but are unable to attend the meeting, please call 948-6266 for further information. M.M.S.—Hello Again, How's life been? Well Spring Term is gonna be easy--only two classes. I enjoyed the break with you--doing all those things and wishing it was warmer weatherl There's only 9 more weeks of school left til summer fun in 'Bl. . . when it gets here I hope we can share it together! It'll work if you want it to. C-U-Soon.--Cruisin Ro-The beautiful picnic weather showed that two Prez's are better than one. Couldn't have done it without you. -Joe Baby --Joan & Joe Snugglebuimy—You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. 5-21-83 seems like an eternity away, hope the time goes by quickly. Can't wait to have those little B's buzzing around! Caroline—Do you love as good as you look? MOUNTAIN WOMAN--Sorry about Aliquippa. It'll be good to be looking from the other side of the bars in June. Have a good term--HLB Son—Sure miss you bumming Tylenol. REO was great! Hope to see you soon. Your Mom Almond Joy--I missed you over break It's nice to be back with you.--Mounds TENNIS,ANYONE? --Your Princess Page 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers