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Plant in Ohio
FINAL EDITION
“All the News
That
Fits, We Print” The Baseball Once-Upon-A Times. Including final
results of all ball
games

VOL. 2, No. 158 THURSDAY, SEPT. 9, 1971 TEN CENTS

Major League Standings

Dodgers Take Tense Rubber Match A.L. EAST W L PCT. GB N.L. EAST W L PCT. GB

Behind Singer Throwing Machine Baltimore

New York
Detroit
88
87
72
49
56
70
.642
.608
.507
---
4
18½
New York
Pittsburgh
Chicago
85
80
77
56
64
65
.603
.556
.546
---
6½
8½
LOS ANGELES — It’s a baseball truism, Pirates 8, Cubs 2 Boston 64 79 .448 27 Philadelphia 72 71 .503 14
and an oxymoron to boot: PITTSBURGH — Against the backdrop of a Washington 62 79 .440 28 St. Louis 66 77 .462 20
The shorter the game, the better. sizzling batting title chase, the Pirates’ Steve Cleveland 60 83 .420 31 Montreal 50 90 .357 34½
And when the nailbiter has postseason impli- Blass fired a six-hitter to beat the Cubs and be-
cations, you have a good chance to experience a A.L. WEST W L PCT. GB N.L. WEST W L PCT. GB
come the first Pittsburgh hurler since 1960 to
Oakland 85 57 .599 --- San Francisco 86 57 .601 ---
genuine classic. win 20 games.
California 74 68 .521 11 Los Angeles 79 64 .552 7
So it came to pass Wednesday night when It was Blass’ fifth victory in his past seven Chicago 73 69 .514 12 Houston 76 67 .531 10
the Giants and Dodgers, bitter rivals vying for starts. His ERA is 1.86 during that span. The Kansas City 63 79 .444 22 Cincinnati 74 71 .510 13
the National League West, gave 51,009 Angele- complete game was his 12th. Minnesota 62 78 .443 22 San Diego 58 85 .406 28
nos 1:50 of tight, tense com- The Cubs took a 2-1 lead after 2½ innings, but Milwaukee 59 82 .418 25½ Atlanta 54 90 .375 32½
petition. that was all Blass allowed them.
It was the last of a three- Wednesday's American League Results Wednesday’s National League Results
Pirates catcher Milt May broke a 2-2 tie with
game set, the teams having Boston 3, New York 2 (11) Pittsburgh 8, Chicago 2
an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh in- Washington 8, Detroit 7 New York 13, Montreal 3
split the first two. The Dodg- ning. He added a two-run double in the eighth. Oakland 4, California 3 Los Angeles 2, San Francisco 1
ers were seeking to cut the
The Cubs’ Joe Pepitone belted his 15th home Kansas City 12, Milwaukee 1 San Diego 16, Cincinnati 4
Giants’ lead to seven games. Minnesota 5, Chicago 2 (11) (Only games scheduled)
run, one of his two hits that kept him astride the
The Giants hoped to build a (Only games scheduled)
Bill Singer N.L. Top 10 list at .363. The Bucs’ Roberto
nine-game cushion. Today’s Probable Starting Pitchers Today’s Probable Starting Pitchers
Clemente, in second place and gunning for his
As he has done in countless big games over
fifth batting title, went 3-for-5, boosting him All times local All times local
the years, Dodgers leadoff man Maury Wills
to .354. Washington (McLain 5-15) at Baltimore (Palmer 11 Los Angeles (Downing 11-15) at San Diego
gave his team a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the -10, 8 p.m. (Norman 7-6), 7:30 p.m.
The Cubs’ Glenn Beckert is third with .350,
first inning. This time he singled, advanced to Boston (Lonborg 4-13) at Detroit (Gilbreth 2-0), 8 (Only game scheduled)
but is lost for the season with a thumb injury.
second and third on ground balls, and scored on p.m.
Mets 13, Expos 3 Milwaukee (Parsons 7-8) at California (Murphy 7-
Richie Allen’s RBI single.
MONTREAL — Mets catcher Jerry Grote 15), 8 p.m.
The starting pitchers — LA.’s Bill Singer
N.L., Page 2 (Only games scheduled)
and S.F.’s Juan Marichal — were air-tight over
the next five innings. From the second inning
through the sixth, the Giants had one base-
runner, on a Marichal double.
20/20 Vision: Hunter Joins Blue with Milestone Win
The Dodgers had two baserunners, on a sin- OAKLAND — Coming eighth inning, Ken Berry
gle and a San Francisco error. into this season, the A’s had McLain to Senators: ‘I Want to be Traded’ drew the Angels to within
Then, the Giants strung a rally together. not welcomed a 20-game WASHINGTON (AP) — Denny McLain, last year’s bad boy of baseball and one of the one run with his second
Pinch hitter Jim Ray Hart singled, advanced to winner in their ranks in 19 sport’s major disappointments this year, says, “I want to be traded; I know I’m gone.” round-tripper of the season.
second base and scored on Alan Gallagher’s years. A 31-game winner with the Detroit Tigers three years ago, McLain now has a 5-15 Fingers, with a raucous, if
game-tying single. In the past 10 days, mark with Washington. sparse crowd of 6,263 cheer-
The tie was short-lived. With one out in the they’ve welcomed two. McLain said in an interview with a Detroit newspaper Wednesday that “I wouldn’t ing him on, executed a three-
bottom of the frame, Steve Garvey smacked a On Wednesday, Catfish want to have to come back to a place where I knew I would be pitching fifth or sixth or pitch save.
solo home run over the left-center field wall for Hunter came within one out sometimes even every seventh game. I just wouldn’t want to go through all that again. I Hunter followed in the
a 2-1 Los Angeles lead of a complete game over the don’t care where they trade me — just as long as I can pitch every fourth day when I get white footwear of Vida Blue,
Marichal (14-12) was lifted after seven in- Angels, but he received a there.” who notched his 20th tri-
nings, having allowed two runs on four hits. bigger prize — his first 20- McLain has asked Washington manager Ted Williams all season to start him every umph against the Senators on
Singer (14-9) who held the Giants to one run on game season. fourth day. Aug. 29.
four hits, was replaced by reliever Jim Brewer In vanquishing the Halos, McLain maintains that’s the only way for him. Williams says he doesn’t operate that Prior to Blue, Bobby
after the eighth. 4-3, Hunter allowed three way. “I’m a stubborn player, and he’s a stubborn manager,” McLain said of himself and Shantz won 20 games for the
The major league leader with 22 saves, runs on six hits. He went 8 Williams. A’s in 1952, when the team
Brewer retired three power threats in the ninth, 2/3 innings, whiffing three was based in Kansas City.
Hart, Willie Mays and Bobby Bonds — authors and walking two. Red Sox 3, Yankees 2
of 901 major league homers. A’s manager Dick Williams, after Hunter had when Dick Green clubbed a grand slam off Ha- NEW YORK — Rookie Cecil Cooper,
Only when the Giants had been dispatched put two runners on base in the bottom of the los starter Rudy May in the second inning. making his major league debut, lined a tie-
did Dodgers fans retreat from the edge of their ninth inning, called for reliever Rollie Fingers, Hunter, little by little, frittered away most of breaking single in the top of the 11th inning as
seats. who retired pinch hitter Jerry Moses on a game- the 4-0 lead, serving up back-to-back solo home the Red Sox edged the Yankees.
The teams conclude their season series with ending fly out. runs to rookie Bruce Christensen (the first of his Both starting pitchers were on the top of their
two games at Candlestick Park Sept. 13-14. Hunter got some wind against his back early career) and to Sandy Alomar in the sixth. In the A.L., Page 2

Around Baseball Major League Leaders Ho! Ho! Ho! Grocer

Yanks: Murcer Could AMERICAN G AB R H AVG. NATIONAL G AB R H AVG.
Makes Bid for Nats
Return This Weekend Murcer, N.Y. 140 509 109 188 .369 Pepitone, Chi. 118 460 67 167 .363
1

Tovar, Min. 140 581 93 193 .332 2

Clemente, Pit. 123 478 72 169 .354 WASHINGTON (AP) — Joseph B. Danzan-
NEW YORK (AP) — Bobby Murcer, the 3
sky, head of a supermarket chain, said Wednes-
New York Yankees’ leading batter, is expected Cater, N.Y. 121 435 44 143 .329 Beckert, Chi. 133 571 83 200 .350
day he had made an offer to purchase the
to be released from Lenox Hill Hospital within Oliva, Min. 123 475 74 155 .326 4
Jones, N.Y. 129 491 74 171 .348 Washington Senators.
a day or so following hospitalization for a kid- Rettenmund, Bal. 121 436 74 142 .326 5
Brock, St.L 140 579 103 198 .342 He told reporters he should know within 10
ney ailment, the team learned Wednesday. 6 days whether he will be able to buy the team.
F.Robinson, Bal. 116 427 80 135 .316 Garr, Atl. 142 582 91 199 .342
The slugging center fielder is not afflicted Asked if he had made an offer involving
with a kidney stone, as thought earlier, but has Kaline, Det. 119 391 63 122 .312 7
Torre, St.L 143 551 84 185 .336 about $9 million, reported
gravel, which is less serious. Cash, Det. 125 430 79 133 .309 8
Williams, Chi. 139 574 102 192 .334 earlier in the Evening Star,
It is believed Murcer will join the team this Theobald, Mil. 125 395 54 122 .309 9
Sanguillen, Pit. 129 497 65 166 .334 Danzansky said, “I could tell
weekend in Cleveland. 1 you but I won’t. I think any
Powell, Bal. 111 376 73 116 .309 0 Stargell, Pit. 136 463 127 153 .330
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies, playing in information has to come from
HR: Cash (Det.) 39; Smith (Bos.) 38; Nettles HR: Stargell (Pit.) 56; Aaron (Atl.) 46; May
a new stadium this year, have a set a club rec- commissioner Bowie Kuhn’s
(Cle.) 33; Melton (Chi.) 32; Jackson (Oak.) 31. (Cin.) 43; Bonds (S.F.) 33; 2 tied with 30.
ord of 1,426,658, it was announced Wednesday. office.”
RBI: Murcer (N.Y.) 107; Smith (Bos.)106; Ban- RBI: Aaron (Atl.) 126; Stargell (Pit.) 118; Wil- Danzansky
The old record of 1,425,891 was notched in The president of the Giant
do (Oak.) 98; Cash (Det.) 99; 2 tied with 96. liams (Chi.) 105; May (Cin.) 104; Torre (St.L)
1964 when the Phillies made a strong pennant Food Stores said he has had several discussions
Wins: Blue (Oak.) 21-5; Hunter (Oak.) 20-8; 98.
bid only to collapse in the stretch run. with Bob Short, the Senators owner, and that
BALTIMORE — The Orioles have an- Dobson (Bal.) 19-7; Coleman (Det.) 17-8; Wins: Jenkins (Chi.) 22-11; Blass (Pit.) 20-6; the price of the team will have to be negotiated.
nounced they will begin accepting mail orders Cuellar (Bal.) 17-8. Perry (S.F.) 17-8; Sutton (L.A.) 17-9; Seaver Short acquired the Senators three years ago for
Strikeouts: Blue (Oak.) 330; Lolich (Det.) (N.Y.) 16-8.
Friday for tickets to the first two games of the approximately $9.4 million, but said he wants
1971 American League championship playoffs. 255; Coleman (Det.) 231; Blyleven (Min.) 207; Strikeouts: Seaver (N.Y.) 245; Jenkins (Chi.) to sell the club for $12 million to cover the
Barring an unforeseen collapse, Baltimore Wood (Chi.) 188. 213; Stoneman (Mon.) 210; Kirby (S.D.) 198; losses he has experienced.
will host the opening games of the best-of-five ERA: Blue (Oak.) 1.99; Wood (Chi.) 2.21; Sutton (L.A.) 190. Danzansky said that should he buy the team
pennant series at Memorial Stadium on Satur- Splittorff (K.C.) 2.52; Messersmith (Cal.) 2.72; ERA: Grimsley (Cin.) 1.83; Seaver (N.Y.) he would have at least one associate.
day and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3. Two varieties of Kekich (N.Y.) 2.77. 2.12; Wilson (Hou.) 2.43; Ellis (Pit.) 2.77; Nolan Asked why he wanted to buy the Senators,
tickets -- $5 upper deck reserve and $3 general (Cin.) 2.85. Danzansky said: “I think they belong here in
admission – will be available by mail. DANZANSKY, Page 2

National League Boxscores
————————
Who’s Hot - Pepitone.: Chi.: batting .535, 14 RBI, in past 11 games since Aug. 8
Who’s Not - Popvich, Chi.: hitting .071 in 14 games since Aug. 24
Pitching Swell - Singer, L.A.: 6-2, 2.63 ERA in 8 starts since Aug. 1
Not So Well - Osteen, L.A.: 1-2, 6.59 ERA in 5 starts since Aug. 17
Dodgers’ Downing Revels in Rebirth
LOS ANGELES (AP) —
His eyes glitter with excite-
ment. The excitement that
being in a pennant race can
bring to a ballplayer. Al
Downing is with a contender
again and he loves it.
Downing, rescued from the
pitching scrap heap by the Los
Angeles Dodgers, has been a
vital factor in L.A.’s charge
back into the National League
West pennant picture. Sud-
denly, the arm the New York
Yankees gave up on two years
ago, has risen from the dead.
“Being with the Dodgers is
great,” said Downing, “Just
like being with the Yankees
was great. They’ve won be-
fore. They know how to win.
You have no idea what a dif-
ference that can make.”
Downing was a member of
the pennant-winning teams
with the Yanks, in 1963 and
1964 – the last time a flag
flew in the Bronx. In those
days, his left arm could fire
the ball with tremendous ve-
locity.
Then came the arm prob-
lems that seem to catch up
sooner or later with most fast-
ball pitchers. After a couple of
years, the Yanks gave up on
him and he drifted to Oakland
Sc000 000 000reboard
and then to Milwaukee.
The Dodgers, meanwhile,
spent all winter trying to pry
some left-handed pitching help
loose. They were hot on Sam
McDowell’s trail for a while
but couldn’t make that deal
and finally, a few days before
training camp began, settled
for Downing in exchange for
outfielder Andy Kosco. The
difference between wanting
McDowell and settling for
Downing is vast to say the
least.
“In camp,” said manager
Walt Alston, “we
kept using the
younger guys. But
he kept pitching
well and eventual-
ly, we decided he
might be the an-
swer after all.”
Somewhere Al Downing
between his Yankee
days, the sorry 5-13 season he
had with Oakland and Milwau-
kee last year, and his acquisi-
tion by the Dodgers, Down-
ing’s career was reborn.
“I realized that I’ll never
throw as hard again as I could
when I first came up,” said
Downing. “Fortunately, I
learned to be a pitcher. Even-
tually every fastball pitcher
THURSDAY, SEPT. 9, 1971
American League Boxscores
————————
Who’s Hot - Billings, Was.: batting .417 with 7 RBI in past 11 games
Who’s Not - Reese, Min.: batting .132 in 13 games since Aug. 22
Pitching Swell - Fingers, Oak.: 1-1, 3 Svs, 1.64 ERA, in 10 outings since Aug. 15
Not So Well - Slaton, Mil.: 1-4, 9.40 ERA in 5 starts since Aug. 18
N.L.
From Page 1
tied career highs with four hits
and four RBI as the front-
running Mets beat the Expos
for the 12th time in 15 match-
ups of the two teams this sea-
son.
Grote lined a two-run single
in the seventh inning. He had
an RBI single during the Mets’
five-run rally in the top of the
eighth inning, and topped his
day with an RBI single in the
top of the ninth.
The Mets’ overpowering
offense — 13 runs and 21 hits
— made things easy for New
York starting pitcher Ray
Sadecki (14-3).
He tossed a six-hitter and
won 14 games for the first time
since 1964, when he won 20
games with the Cardinals.
Montreal starter Carl Morton
(9-14) allowed six runs on 11
hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Padres 16, Reds 4
SAN DIEGO — Clay Kirby
has to make that adjustment.
The sooner he does it, the bet-
ter it is for him.”
So now Downing
depends on changes
of speed, pitching
savvy and the know-
how gained from
nine big league sea-
sons.
“His control is
improved and he has
more of an assort-
ment of pitches,” said Alston.
“He hasn’t had a bad outing
yet. He’s pitched well every
time I’ve used him.”
Downing moved immedi-
ately into the Dodgers rotation
this season. His 11-15 record
and 3.78 earned run average
are testimonials to his pitching
rebirth, his professionalism
and his ability to compete on
went the distance and added a
two-run single in an eight-run
rally in the bottom of the
fourth inning as the Padres
trampled the Reds.
The game was a scoreless
tie going into the bottom of
the fourth inning. The first six
Friars reached base in the
frame. Nate Colbert and Ollie
Brown both had a pair of hits
in the inning.
Reds starter Don Gullett,
who came into the game with
a personal three-game win
streak, was hooked during the
uprising.
He allowed seven runs in
three innings and fell to 8-9.
Colbert had four hits for
the Padres, and Clarence Gas-
ton homered and drove in
four runs.
Kirby (9-10) turned in his
seventh complete game. He
whiffed eight, coming within
two of being the first Padres
pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts
in one season.
the major league level. He
will be Alston’s starter against
the Padres tonight as the
Dodgers try to run down the
division-leading Giants.
“It’s great to be back,” said
Downing. “And back with a
winner too.”
A.L.
From Page 1
game. New York’s Mel Stot-
tlemyre pitched eight innings,
allowing one run on three hits.
Boston’s Roger Moret carried
a 1-0 lead into the ninth.
There, Ben Oglivie, another
rookie call-up, singled home a
run to give Boston a 2-0 lead.
But the Yankees’ John Ellis
hit a gapper that scored two
runs, tying the game and set-
ting the scene for Cooper’s
big moment.
Moret (2-1), hurled 10 in-
nings whiffing 10. He allowed
two runs (both unearned).
Sparky Lyle nailed down his
seventh save.
New York’s Jack Aker (5-
5), took the loss.
Twins 5, White Sox 2
CHICAGO — Leo Car-
denas broke a 2-2 tie with a
three-run home run in the top
of the 11th inning as the
Twins downed the White Sox.
The game was a squeaker,
with both starting pitchers —
the Twins’ Jim Kaat and Wil-
bur Wood of the White Sox
— allowing two runs in seven
innings.
Both bullpens pitched shut-
out ball from the seventh in-
ning to the 11th, when Joe
Horlen allowed a walk and a
single, setting the stage for
Cardenas’ blast.
Minnesota reliever Hal
Hydel (2-0) got the win. Hor-
len (8-8) absorbed the loss.
Danzanski
From Page 1
the District of Columbia and I
want to do my part in keeping
them here. He said that he
believes Short considers him
to be “an acceptable individu-
al” to buy the club.
He said that he thought the
Senators could be a financial
success under him “because I
could bring a few supermar-
ket ideas to them, such as dis-
count prices.”
He laughed when someone
suggested that, under his own-
ership, the team could be
called the Washington Green
Giants.
“That’s a jolly good idea,”
he said.
Bob Short, who acquired
the Senators three years ago,
has said that if he is unable to
find a buyer who will meet
his asking price of $12 mil-
lion he will move the baseball
team to another city next year.
The two most frequently
mentioned cities for such a
possibility are Dallas-Fort
Worth and Toronto.
Danzansky, 57, and a na-
Page 2
Senators 8, Tigers 7
WASHINGTON — Dick
Billings, capping a career day,
grounded a game-ending two-
run single in the bottom of the
ninth inning to give the Sena-
tors a win over the Tigers.
Billings drove in a career-
high four runs in the contest.
His first-inning RBI ground out
fetched the first run of the
game. He also singled home a
run in the Senators’ five-run
rally in the bottom of the sixth.
Neither starting pitcher lasted
the fifth inning. Paul Lindblad
(7-0), the fourth and final hurler
for the Senators, got the win
despite allowing two runs in 1
1/3 innings.
Tigers reliever Joe Niekro,
who allowed Billings’ winning
safety, dropped to 7-9.
Norm Cash, Bill Freehan and
Dick McAuliffe homered for
Detroit.
Royals 12, Brewers 1
KANSAS CITY — Al Fitz-
morris snapped a personal three
-game losing streak and Gail
Hopkins had a game-high three
RBI as the Royals romped past
the Brewers.
Fitzmorris (7-11) turned in
his fifth complete game of the
season, holding Milwaukee to
one run in seven hits.
The Brewers’ Jim Slaton (5-
11) was driven to cover after
four innings, having allowed six
runs on eight hits. He has four
defeats in his past five deci-
sions.
tive of Washington, said he
was distressed at the thought of
the nation’s capital being with-
out a major league baseball
team. He pledged his support
“as a civic duty” to do all he
can to keep the team here.
In 1964 Danzansky offered
$6 million for the Redskins of
the National Football League.
The offer was rejected.
His offer for the baseball
team was made after separate
conferences with Short and
baseball commissioner Bowie
Kuhn.
Danzansky would confirm
only the fact he has talked to
Short, Kuhn and Joe Cronin,
president of the American
League.
Danzansky, who is president
of Washington’s Metropolitan
Board of Trade said the discus-
sions he held with Short and
others were strictly in behalf of
himself and not the supermar-
ket chain he heads.
A spokesman for Kuhn
acknowledged that the com-
missioner had talked to
Danzansky about the possible
purchase of the Senators. He
had no other comment.