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Show Three Teams Vie For Title Sportscoge NHL: Down To The Wire V-Ba- With six days left in the regular season of the National Hoc-Ke- y League only four of the loop's twelve teams know where they will stand at the season's end. 1Uld red the dubious distincAnge1" tion finishing last in their respective divisions while the St. J1 the Westem chnp for the third year in a row and the Pittsburgh Penguins are assured a spot in the West play- - JT1? DESERET SAMPLER, Friday, April 3, 1970 " Everything else is up for grabs in both the East and the West. The West is simpler so we'll start there. Philadelphia, Minnesota and Oakland are battling for the last two spots and the Flyers need only three points in their last three games to clinch their position. They should have no trouble making it as neither the Seals or the North Stars figure to sweep their last three contests. That leaves the Seals and Stars to fight for fourth. The Seals have won two of their last three, but the loss was a big one, to Minnesota, and that hurt Now they must play St. Louis on the road before they wind up the season with " series against the Kings. Minnesota meanwhile faces LA at home before swinging East to dose the season with 8-- 3 Iwwne-and-ho- Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Los Angeles is going to have a great deal to say alwut who joins them in sitting out the playoffs and you can count on them playing tough hockey because they are playing for pride and next years contracts. Minnesota looks like the better choice although they are a point behind the Seals right now. Gump Worsley's goaltending, and their potent offense should make the difference. The pressure is on them, however, and it could get worse for their game with the Penguins because Oakland will have completed their schedule the night before. The East is a toss-u- p now and probably will be right through Sunday's games. Each team can make a case for how tough their remaining games are and every case is valid. Detroit is the only team with a slight advantage as they have one more game left to play than the other contenders. All six teams play Wed-nesday, Saturday and Sunday and the Wings play the Leafs on Thursday in what is an important game for them. Boston and Chicago figure to fight for first while the other three clubs scramble for the playoffs. The outlook for each team V goes like this: BOSTON: Must play Montreal in the Forum where they are always tough, followed by Toronto in Toronto where the Bruins have always had a lot of trouble. Their salvation is that they play their final game, also against the Leafs, in the friendly confines of Boston Garden where they have lost only three games all year. Figure them for four points in the three games. CHICAGO: They play two games at home which is good, but they must face Montreal twice which is not good. The Frenchmen will lw flying as their pride will pull them out of the doldrums and they'll give the Hawks all they can handle. Also in their favor is the fact that they need only to match the Bruins' point production to take first place lecause they have more wins than the Boston Badmen. They'll have to have a win Wednesday against Detroit or they will settle for second place. 03SZZII Going into the final round of volleyball action the race is still a toss-u-p among three teams: MPs, Officers and Civilians. The "white hats" and the "brass" are tied with 2 records and the Civilians are right behind with a 3 mark. The Officers started fast, winning their first six in a row, but they have cooled off and dropped two of their last four. Meanwhile the MPs have come on strong and are riding a seven game winning streak. The Civilians have come back with four wins in a row since they lost to the MPs so the race could still go in any direction. The MPs' next two games will have a telling effect on the race, especially if they win them both, because they are against the Civilians and Officers. These will be the decisive games lecause no other team in the league has whipped any of the leaders except HHC which defeated the MPs during the season's first week. That is the last loss they have suffered. HHC was knocked out of the running last week when they were dumped by the MPs. Now they'll have to be satisfied with the roll of spoiler. STANDINGS: Officers Civilians 8 7 HHC Hospital 5 2 2 2 3 5 8 0 10 8 MP 8-- Left-Ove- n A's iMeet Padres In SLC Tomorrow The Oakland Athletics will meet the San Diego Padres in an exhibition tilt at Derks Field in Salt Lake City, Saturday, at 1 p.m. Oakland will be bringing some top talent to town including Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday, Sal Bando, Bert Campanaris and Jrtui "Blue Moon Odoin. The San Diego team will field a team much improved over last year, their first in major Padres league competition. The this campaign should pack a midpunch, especially down the dle of the lineup with Ollie Brown, Nate Colbert and Clarence Gaston. Tickets are going fast but Salt Lake Padres General Manager Herb Anderson said there are still plenty of good seats J W ROD CAREW EASTERN DIVISION BOSTON RED SOX "Base-Iwl- l. 1970" calls them a team on the verge of greatness. Three-tim- e AMERICAN Amtiimn Tm rwm QnW letting champ Carl goals. has appeared in league games T ABA basketball a star in the What pitcher the most major 8. What former player is now NBA? 4. Who holds the record for the most at bats in a season? 5. Name the basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. 6. Baseball's Little League World Series is held annually in what city? 7. What pitcher holds the major league record for strikeouts in a nine inning game? 8. Sugar Ray Robinson fought professionally for how many 2. 'S96I 061 '8 'aAij-Xjuaa- j II .It 11 11 10 7 S NATIONAL 11 ,sm 19 11 14 11 14 M IS .509 .471 .440 4- Jll JOS CARL YASTRZEMSKI Pel. 12 . 14 Pittsburgh Lea Angelas Chicago Houston Cincinnati San Diego Atlanta Philadelphia Now York San Francisco St. Louis Montreal 1 14 14 J 17 1 M .4 10 7 Wetness-ay- s I "J ' "J 35 10 a 11 11 .47 .434 .415 JM Mt 400 .US .574 .500 .500 ASS Hewn Kansas City 4, New York (A1 1 Cincinnati 1J, Washington 7 Philadelphia 4. Minnesota J Detroit a. Boston 4 Chicago (A) 5. Pittsburgh 1 San Diego 7, Oakland 1 Seattle f, Cleveland 4 Lea Angeles a, Chicago (N) I San Francisco 4, California 1 (II nings) In- Soccer Anyone? 'Iuip'L as . Ai.4r v LEABUI would never play ball again. C. was hit. in the head with a liaschall and sat out the following year. Last year he hit 20 homers and 82 RBIs and he has at 25 years old, the time and potential to lie one of the game's liest. Then there is Reggie Smith, also 25, off a .309 batting average with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs. Mike Andrews, a slick fielding second baseman who batted .293 last campaign, teams with shortstop Rico Fetrocelli, .297 and 40 home runs (an American League record), for one of the best if not the best key- stone combinations in baseball. . problem. DETROIT r RICO PETROCEUI With a fine rookie crop seasoned with such reliables as George Scott and Russ Gibson, it is not hard to imagine the Red Sox winning the pennant. In fact the only thing that could possibly stand in their way is their pitching It is a question mark on paper but with guys like Jim Lonhorg, Gary Peters, Sonny Siebert, Ray Culp, and Jose Santiago opposing 'hatters have to s JO V 1 HlM fS 1 1 71 lit ft w is? in PI su 171 7 m 171 Pittsburgh Philadelphia MrMflffgjYOtea1 Oakland IS M 17 1 21 is B X It SI MUndMddMUMlllM WetnesSer! Rostra) Montreal s, Boston J New York 2, Torontpl Ptttsbonn 4, Philadelphia 1 Detroit tChlejael SI. Louis t, Oakland I We) u J4 B 14 10 n44 m IN its 814 US TIGERS - The Tigers won the American League pennant by 12 games in 1968, and then won the World Series, rallying from a deficit of three games to one. Their brilliant performance was even credited with cooling racial tensions in Detroit. But last year the Tigers acted more like pussycats as they showed a lack of desire and plunged into second place. Manager Mayo Smith has De- troit back in the groove again now. Dick McAuliffe who underwent knee surgery last sum mer will be back at second. Mc-Au itte is tne sparK plug oi me club and the scrappy swinger plays the game to win: At the infield comers, the Tigers have Norm Cash, a .280 .hitter with 22 homers and ' 74 at first, and steady Don he worried. Add Mike Nagy (a RBIs, at third. Detroit 'has a Wert winner in his rookie fine outfield, ul I hough Al Kaline season last year), stylist young is .15. Kaline slipped to Ken Brett, and some strong amis .272Hearing last season with 21 homers from down on the farm and you m RBIs. U-f- t fielder Willie Eddie Kasko and see why hud impressive home run Horton predicts, in his first season as and run halted in totals, 28 and manager, that his ball club will 91 rcvpccticly, Mickey Stanley win it all. and Jim Northrup also haw the BALTIMORE ORIOLES-T- he credentials. Orioles 109 victories last camCatcher Bill Fechan is one of total sixth the were highest paign t in the business but the in major league history. They lie minus one of Detroit may team same the have basically their pitchers Denny McLain. lack too so it would lie rather McLain unquestionably is the them. Yet, silly to pick against ace of the staff and perhaps the the Orioles are not unconquerbest pitcher in the league. He and Mets able as the proved won 31 games and the Cy Young some need outstanding they'll and MVP awards in "88 and last years from the Robinson's and season collected 24 victories splitting the Cy Young Award with Baltimore's Cuellsir. If McLain isn't allowed to pitch because of the gambling investigation, Detroit could the blues capital of the world. Mickey Lolich. the '68 left-han- d "No-Nec- 9-- - much-covete- lib n Ix-s- lie-co- Series hero. Earl Wilson and newly acquired Joe Niekro will have something to say about that though. If NEW YORK YANKEES Yankees can produce runs the rHANK ROBINSON they scored only 5fi2, second Company to repeat in liascbull's fewest in the league last year toughest Division. they'll be a contender. The The pitching staff which led Yanks are strong in pitching the league in earned run averthey were stingy lust campaign mark 2.83 with is a back, allowing the second lowest nuin-Iage led by Mike Cucllar of runs, 587. Mel Stotlleinyre and Dave McNally, and right- heads the strong ami cast. He handers Jim Palmer and Tom has won 20 games the past two Phoebus. Cucllar, of seasons. the Cy Young Award (he shared Newly acquired Curt Blcfary, it with Detroit's Denny McLain), Danny Cater and Pete Ward was outstanding with 23 victories seasoned with established youngand a 2.83 ERA. But at 33 age sters like Roy White (.290). could start to Iwllier him. and Bobby Murcer (26 homers, 82 RBIs) spells run production McNally reeled off 15 consecutive victories at the start of for New York. If some of the Tine the season, then struggled to finyoung talent comes through penish 20-7-. His early season fortunes nant fever will be back in Yanearned him the nickname of kee Stadium. - ht maIN H til 754 53 - UNDEFEATED TIIROUCII TWENTY Richie Pctsoff is the undisputed kine of the HHP i ,t'KiRHI.l as his St. Louis Blues have zipped through 20 games with an unblemished record. The Blues flash both ll league's l.L. best offense and its best defense. HOWARD WASHINGTON SENATORS-- On paper, the Senators aren't an imposing team. But if Ted Williams can continue to work his managerial magic, there's no telling where the Washington team will finish. They've got the legitimate TONY OLIVA long ball hitters in herculean Frank Howard (48 homers), Mike CHICAGO WHITE SOX -Epstein (30 homers), and Ken Chicago's liest prospect appeared McMuIlen (19 homers). Shortto lie outfielder Carlos May bestop Ed Brinkman and center-fielde- r fore he lost his right thumb in Del Unser have the po- an accident while cleaning a tential for stardom. Pitchers mortar on active duty with the Casey Cos, Dick Bosman combinMarine Reserves. Now May is a ed for 26 victories and Bosman question mark. led the league with a 2.19 ERA Outfielder Walt mark. Reliever Darold Knowles Williams is one of the White -2 is extremely tough as his Sox few flickers of hope. Wilrecord with 13 saves and 2.25 liams, Sid O'Brien, Gaig Hopkins, ERA indicates. It is a "whole Bill Melton and Buddy Bradford new ballgame" in the nation's should mean happier days are on capital. the way. This young array of CLEMXAND INDIANS-- It talent blended with Luis Apari-ci- o could very easily lie an Indian and Bobby Knoop, and sprinksummer in Cleveland. Dean led with a veteran pitching staff Chance and Sam McDowell could headed Tommy John and Joe by give the Indians the most potent Horlen gives the White Sox a one-tw- o combination in the leagood chance to climb to at least gue, and the rest of the staff is third this campaign. almost as impressive. Especially SEATTLE PILOTS Dave with additions like Barry Moore Bristol's job this year biggest and Dennis Higgins to go with will be trying to build a pitching the likes of Mike Paul and Steve staff around the likes of Marty Hargan. and Pattin, Gene Byabender, Vada Pinson, Max Alvis, and Bobby Bolin. The sticks are there Tony Horton (.279, 93 RBI, 27 though. homers) will have to head the Versatile Tommy Harper, attack now that Ken Harrleson Ted Kubiak, Gerry is out with a broken leg. Ted McNertney, Greg Goossen and Uhlaender (.273) is another plus Mike Hegan are all talented and if Cleveland gets just a young men with great potential. couple of breaks which they did The Pilots score a lot of runs get a campaign ago, watch out but the opposition, at least in They got off to a horrible the past, always seems to score start and, on top of that, suf- a few more. fer more than their share of in- CALIFORNIA ANGELS -The Angels finished third last pe,, this time arnind. season but it certainly wasn't on their hitting. They finished last in the league in runs scored J528), hits (1221), total bases (1694), doubles (151), home runs (88), RBIs (480) and team average 12-ga- er 17 his prime. The Orioles seein to go as far as Frank Robinson goes and lately Robbie has been amoving. Last year he was great, hitting .308, driving in KM) runs, and slamming 32 home runs, and all at 33 too. Baltimore's other Robinson third baseman Brooks Begun showing signs of decline last season as his average plummeted to .234. However, he still hit 23 homers, knocked in 84 runs, and his fielding, though under par for hiin, was still brilliant. First basemen Boog Powell (.304), centerfielder Paul Blair (.285), shortstop Mark Belanger (.287) and Dave Johnson (.280) are all ready for another pennant drive. Overconfidence and complacency are usually common maladies for pennant winners but Baltimore is too experienced to fall victim to that. Age will lie manager Earl Weaver's biggest 'lum"tfH 1 FRANK - Tony A soccer Wesfeni DMsIm K xn20 IIISt n 11 n - "McLucky" from his teammates. But, like Palmer and Phoebus, McNally could just be reaching .340 If National Ilockey League 4i Cardenas, Killebrew, Kaat and Bob Allison are all aging veterans. e!?' J91 The Bruins, Bruce Henry's' Kings and John Frank's Hawks are fighting for the final two slots in the Dugway Cup playoffs. The Kings could be in third place but they have lcen having record trouble with the Western teams, compiling only a against the weaker loop. The league shutout leader is Engelke with four, so he is no threat to Tony Esposito. St. Louis has recorded three shutouts. Montreal two, and Brian Dickerson's Rangers and Tony Vieira's Flyers one each. (JMH) X Rig-ney- 's J35 20-0-- W Minnesota is strong and they have good all around depth. biggest problem could be age. Ace reliever Ron Perranoski, heads the young team. Yaz can do it all. as can Tony Couigliaro making a remarkable comeback after doctors told him in "8 that he .571 .554 17' IB 16-3- -3 Mian CMcasa. seasons. Pel. Meanwhile in HIIC's own USARHL, the hockey action is fast and furious and has some interesting parallels to the NHL, especially in the Western Division. The Penguins have a huge lead and have all but wrapfor 35 points ped up the Western crown as they are and nolxxly else in the division is playing .500 hockey. Meanwhile only five points separate the other five teams in the division. Another similarity is that Western teams have won only 13 and tied 4 against Eastern teams while losing 39. Every team in the East has picked up at least 10 points at the expense of Western teams and only the Penguins have a winning record against Eastern clulw. Richie Pctsoffs Blues are the scourge of the league as record. They have the league's they lead the East with a 0 most potent offense and the toughest defense. The Blues score better than seven goals a game and allow just over two. The wins Blues have had some close scrapes, notably two one-goover Jeff Maloney's Canadiens, but they are unscathed so far. The Canadiens have suffered only three defeats, but two have Ieen to the Blues and they are now 10 points off the pace. Nonetheless they have a solid six point lead over Bill Engelke's Bruins for second place and seem a good Inst to finish in the numlier two slot. DMMM. L T did it last year and Jim Kaat and Luis Tiant (obtained from Cleveland) did it in previous ki BOOG POWELL LEA9UE Wan 1 team is being organiz-ed by First Lieutenant Michael a0 nnoq g 'uojijwo ?joIs1II!M "9 Davies of Welfare and Morale. ddnjr udopy g . Seven people have signed up 'TO v 869 'wSjnqsWcI 'noty &WK f already and the project is just sung getting off the ground. The team xzuaoqj 'suu(MtH aiuuoj) g is open to anyone on post, milimZ '686 or civilian. 9JUJ aipJOQ pull taryIf a team can be organized with at least 16 players, the Utah Soccer Football Association NBA Playoff Standings send a team out for a game. will (eel ef Save Divtataa They plan to place Dugway's Easter DMslow team in the proper calibre leaWen Last Pel. 2 JOO New York 2 gue according to the result of X JOO 1 Baltimore the game. 1 S .750 Milwaukee The season starts later this 33t 9 Philadelphia " month and the games will be Waettni Dhflsiee Waa Lest Pet. played on Saturday so Lt. Davies 3 Atlanta 0 1.000 CMcas 0 I JOO urges anyone interested in par1 Lea Anades JOO ! ticipating, especially experienced 1 t Phoenix jot booters, to get in touch with Wedaesdoys Results Milwaukee HI, Philadelphia 111 hiin. '61 -- tester Yastr-zems- 11 New York Wathing ton Baltimore Bolton ' Chicago Milwaukee Cleveland California Oakland Detroit Kanias Cltr Minnesota 1. Name the three NHL players who have scored more than 600 Z96I ui Wl'ggjZ 'uaSporj sataSuy soq auj, ox 'T96I 8 'wxag g o Pride and two home games are in their favor, but they must face the top two teams in the league in Chicago and Boston. They don't face either of the teams they must beat out to make the playoffs so they must win and not rely on help from somebody else. They'll make the playoffs though because there is the fact that New York and Detroit will be cutting each other's throat on the final weekend. Figure the Canadiens for third. DETROIT: The game in hand is the Wings' big edge, but they'll have to beat the Rangers at least once in their two meetings regardless of what else happens, unless they sweep Chicago and Toronto and the Rangers lose to the Leafs. NEW YORK: Must at least tie the Maple Leafs and then take Detroit for three points to be sure of playoff spot. They are hurting physically and must play two of three on the road. Detroit must slip for Rangers to sneak in. Two months ago we predicted a Ranger slip to third, but it looks like they will exceed all expectations. HARMON KILLEBREW - Citrus Standings ANSWERS MONTREAL: :3l " league play? 10. What team holds the major league record for attendance in baseball for one season? ing Harry Lumles old record of 13, while leading the Hawks to a first place tie with three games remaining. Major League baseball will officially begin its 101st season Monday when President Richard M. Nixon throws out the first hall before the Washington Senators host the Detroit Tigers. Talk around Dugway Proving Ground is already getting rather heated as to who will be the next World Champs. To help the avid fans in their discussions this paper has taken a survey of the various teams in each league. This time we'll feature the American League and next issue 'the National League. In the American League Eastern Division baseball should be at its finest. Actually with a few breaks any team in the East could lie selling World Series' tickets for the October season classic. The balance completely disappears in the Western Division. This should le a two team race Oakland and Minnesota. Well all you "Jimmy the Greeks", here is a team by team rundown. You pick 'em! 7-- 9. What is the lowest bowling score ever rolled in sanctioned - The Cry Goes Out: "Play Ball" ll yean? MR. ZERO Tony Esposito, goal tender for the Chicago Black Hawks, has splashed on the NHL scene unlike any goalie the league has ever seen. After only 13 NHL games (all with Montreal) Tony was drafted by the Hawks and has established a new record for shutouts with 15, break- Unl Stove Corner Sppm1? d (.230). Individually, Jay Johnstone (.271) and Rich Reichardt (13 homers, 67 RBI) are exciting to watch. Alex Johnson (.315), acquired from Cincinnati, should pep up the attack but California has a long way to climb. REGGIE JACKSON WESTERN DIVISION OAKLAND ATHLETICS heeler-dealer Charley O. Fin-le- y has got himself a winner. The Athletics with Reggie Jackson (40 homers, 118 RBI), Sal Bando (31 homers, 113 RBI), speedy Bert Campaneris, Rick Monday, and Dick Green, have some of the best young talent in liaselwll. Add veteran All Star outfielder Felipe Alou and starting pitchers like John Odoin, Chuck Dobson, Jim Hunter, Jim Roland, and Lew Kraitsse, and you can see why Oakland talks alxnit the -W- I V ALEX JOHNSON Pitching is their bright spot with Andy Messersmith (16-12.52 ERA,' 211 strikeouts) as the nuinlier one starter. Rudy May, Tom Murphy and Mel Queen give them depth to go with a 1, pennant. The A's had damaging injuries bullpen which features knuckle-ballin- g that cost them a combined total Eddie Fisher and one of of 200 games and the use of ten the game's liest relievers Ken front line players last season, Tatum. yet they were only nine games KANSAS CITY ROYALS -from the playoff money. New manager Charlie Metro has Oakland has themselves a so- the nucleus of a team with prolid young ImII club that is pen- mise. Lou Piniella is the team nant hungry! leader and the AL's TWINS-B- ill MINNESOTA Mike Fiore (.274), Ed Rigney claims he has as good a Kirkpatrick (14 homers), Pat Kelly team as anylwdy in Iwseball. (40 stolen Inlscs) and catcher Whether you agree with that Ellie Rodriquez are other team statement or not, you must agree bright spots. that the talent is certainly there. Two former Orioles, Wally There is MVP Harmon Kille- Bunker and veteran Moe brew (49 homers. 140 RBIs). a head a rather shaky e lulting champ Tony pitching staff. The Royals seemOliva, Rich Reese (.322), Cesar ingly hurt themselves when tliey Tovar, and Leo Cardenas. And traded Joe Foy (71 RBI) to the then there is a pitching staff with Mets for Amos Otis. Otis is young four members who have won at though and could develop. Winleast 20 games in one season. ning could prove difficult for Dave Boswell and Jim Perry each manager Metro in 1970. (TCV) Ronkie-of-the-Ye- two-tim- |