Page 6 Will Bus-Key A Big Season? By Kevin Spiegel There are some people today who feel that baseball players have no desire for "helping out" high school and college players. Think about it: why should players, who are making millions of dollars, even care about anyone else? After receiving a call from the athletic department, I made my way over to the gym to check out the Penn State Capitol baseball team, and their assitant coach. He's tall and slender with a very strong build—he's former major leaguer Tom Buskey. Huddled around him are pitchers and catchers of the . Capitol baAeball team involved in winter training for the upcoming 1982 season. With all the weather problems of late, Buskey feels, "Capitol is just a little behind schedule, and pitchers and catch ers need all the time they can get." During the team's practice, Buskey is seen running with the team, and even participating in the pitcher's drills , at practice. He enjoys the workout, and "helping out" because, "if it wasn't for somebody in my career who took the time 'and Buskey concluded. Capitol's first game is almost a month away, March 20 vs. Rutgers, Camden at Capitol, and "now is the time for all young men to come of age." If they are ready to play now, and in shape before the actual season starts, then hopefully a productive season will follow. Buskey spent lour-and-a-half years in the minors before being drafted by the New York Yankees in 1969. Then he was traded to Cleveland and later to the Toronto Blue Jays where he "officially retired in 1981." He never made the BIG money other ballplayers are currently making, but then again, Tom Buskey is not a household name. He left the Yankees right before the Steinbrenner Era. George Steinbrenner, proprietor of the Yanks, is a man who is willing to pay any price for perfection, a la Winfield. Recently John Denny of the Cleveland Indians turned down a con tract offer from the Yanks and Buskey The sign from feels he knows why. "People seem to think money is everything-yes it's nice, but knowing that you're playing with somebody other than your teammmates who care about you as a human being is nice. It is a sport and a business, not the way Steinbrenner does it." Steinbrenner is a multi-millionaire, - so money is not a problem for him. He lures free agents into the big apple, and pays them handsomely. "The man re wards you if you do a job right, but the constant looking over your shoulder, and getting on you for every mistake is ridiculous. If I had the chance to sign with the Yanks (under Steinbrenner) I would not sign a contract," Buskey added. If a player is making $lOO,OOO a year, he is considered making the average salary for players. Rookies must be payed $42,000 in their first year. Re cently George Foster signed a five-year $lO million contract with the Mets, and he's not even the highest paid ballplayer. Buskey feels,"lf the organization cares for you, they'll reward you. But no ballplayer is worth $lOO,OOO, no actor is worth $lOO,OOO, but if the money is there...go for it! There are always two signatures on a paycheck--yours and the owners'." Is major league coaching in Tom Buskey's future? "Yes," he says,"but there would have to be some stipula tions. I would want control of my team. If I was a pitching coach, I would have to able to express my own opinion toward pitchers." The Capitol baseball team was 6-14 last season, but with the acquisition of two new teams, Alvernia and Cabrini, the competition should be even better. The first game is right around the corner, so check it out! Coach Ron Melchiorre and Tom Buskey head up a fine team this season. As for Buskey, he'll continue to run, lift, and throw to stay in shape, and maybe if per suaded, he'll come out of retirement and pitch for the Phillies (who desperately need pitching arms). stands just says it all. Reader Photo by Kevin Spiegel BLUE DIVISION Maddogs . 5 0 Coal Crackers 4 1 Death nflr'es 2 .3 Jr. Sr. Clam 1 4 Makohns Roots 0 4 Nightrider's Forfeited season due to non-payment of entry fee I:3 ft 1 4 1) ki :10X1 Bombers .1 Post Toasties Pipe Dreams Mixed Vegetables The Bookworms Flying Spikers The Party's Over Don't Leave It To Beaver ity Kevin Spiegel The sign read "Capitol, Don't leave it to Beaver," and the stands were full of spectators who were eager for the start of the upcoming game between Beaver College and Penn State Capitol. There have not been that many big basketball games in Capitol history. Take for example last year, about this time, Capitol needed to beat Beaver College to advance into the playoffs. But they lost. Well, one year later, the lions ousted the knights from any further play this season as they blew away Beaver 63-49. It was, perhaps, the biggest win of the season, or was it? Coach Dan Phillips explains, "No I don't think so, I think some of our losses might have been bigger games for us. Losing to Juniata by twelve was big, because they beat the number twelve in the country, Blooms burg." The record of Capitol may not be that impressive, but their determination and hustle is what impresses Coach Phillips. Flatley, Portz, Gaudi, Holtz, Stokes, Haller, Brady and Smith are not house hold names around campus but they are the Penn State Capitol Campus basket , ball team. In the last issue of the C.C. Reader the varsity basketball article was headlined "YES, There is a Basket ball Team," for the reason that students arenot showing any interest toward the team. Eight guys who enjoy the game give up their studying time to partici pate in basketball. The apathy amongst the students is unreal. Granted that there are some loyal followers of the team, and they have been through a helluva season. But they stuck it out. When I wandered through the locker room to talk to the players, each of them thanked me for coming, as they always do. Even though their record is dismal Coach Phillips and Company send out five guys to face the best of teams game after game. At least fan support might help the , team's morale. Capitoliz ICY 11 ~ ; ,~ J ~ . = ~ ~! Y ~.: _:y ' ~ ~ ~. Y Ca pitol- I:1:14V AC Vi Q COQ The Zoo . Hershey Outcasts Salty Da Autistk Children Trianide Naeye WHITE DIVISION Naeye The Zoo The Bears Faber Bombers II V-1-P's Capitol Cubs The game started out as the-teams swapped baskets with each team having a het man. The knights had Mike Adolph (12 pts.) and the lions had John Portz (14 pts. in the first half) to keep the teams close.,The lions ended the first half with a two-point lead, 28-26. One half to go and the lions led by two. What's the second half strategy? Senior guard Portz explaiins, "we wanted to stay patient, and get a good shot, just like in the first half." At intermission Maddogs GM Tony Beccone, gave the halftime announce ments and led a thunderous cheer as the lions re-entered Smitley Auditorium. It started-out as a typical 2nd half. SIQW pace, and missing the basket seemed inevitible once again. But when the chips are down--find the hot man. This time junior forward Lee Holtz started an awesome attack on the knights, and put Capitol ahead by nine with ten minutes to play. Would fate come back once again? Would Holtz stay hot? What happens if he gets cold? Who do you give the ball To? The answers are no, yes, he didn't, give it to anyone, they just couldn't miss! The big.play of the game came after Jim Flatley stole the ball, and outletted to junior guard Charlie Stokes who beat his man for the basket and the foul. And folk, after that it was "Good Night Irene." As a famous New York Sports caster says, "It's garbage time." So it was an impressive win for the lions, and one they deservedly wanted to win. Holtz led Capitol with 19 points. Portz. contributed 18 while Greg Gaudi added 12 points for the lions. The knights were led by Frank Zaccone who poured in 19 points of his own, and teammate Tom McCollum netted 14 points in Closing cause. Finally fellow students, if you missed the game, it was a fine offensive and defensive showing- by Capitol. Now we know that there really HI a basketball team! F•1 1 !FI
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers