[stros looking at top •.. THE BATTALION THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1974 Page 9 Texas Pro Baseball Outlook ... Rangers still at bottom? ly. 1974, :d Amji Jmission mtdicjl By TONY GALLUCCI A couple of managerial chang es in Texas major league base ball teams are responsible for ;Loel Passe’s annual statement I that this is indeed the “Year of | the Astros” and Bob Short’s sale of the Texas Rangers to a group I looking for a winner. In what is becoming an annual event for the Astros, the replace- ! ment of managers, Preston Go- z has taken over the helm from fiery Leo Durocher. Durocher removed himself ’from the job after less than a iyear somewhat due to pressure BATTALION SPORTS ANALYSIS from the powers that be and somewhat from the less than ex pected fourth place finish. Billy Martin takes over where Whitey Herzog left off with the Rangers and has brought in some fresh talent that won’t turn the franchise around but might help win more than last year’s 57 games. Athough both managers are expecting the most from their teams, the sages who make their annual predictions in various pro baseball magazines and numbers of city newspapers are expecting LA PETITE ACADEMY OF DANCE Ballet - Tap - Jazz Adult Classes Jan Jones Hammond Teacher 823-8426 3406 S. College, Bryan little more than last year offered from either ball club. Houston’s Astros are generally picked to hold up the third posi tion behind Cincinnati and Los Angeles, considered to be about equal in potential. The Astro’s mediocre finish last year, 17 games behind Cin cinnati, should be slightly im proved this time around. Houston fans will be missing some familiar faces when the season opens at the Astrodome. Jim Wynn, Jerry Reuss, Jim York were disposed of early this year and yesterday Skip Jutze and James Rodney Richard were cut to make the 25 player limit. Gomez sent Wynn to Los An geles in a trade for disintegrat ing Osteen. Gomez might have thought twice about the trade if he had a time machine to let him know that Cedeno would be cool ing off in a jail cell for awhile. The Astros weakest fielding spot is right field where one- deep Bob Gallagher spends his time. All-stars Cedeno, Doug Rader and Lee May hold down three of the other spots in the strong de defensive lineup. The pitching outlook is fair to good, depending on whether Lar ry Dierker, Don Wilson and Dave Roberts can regain form. Osteen more or less replaces Reuss giv ing a boost to the mound on the basis of his 16-11 record with the Dodgers, but some feel he has seen his peak pass on. The hitting outlook is about the same; enough to win the league, but needing help from the defense. The loss of Wynn whose average fell (slightly) to .320 (worth second in team bat ting) didn’t help matters a bit. The Astros are looking to the Mays (Milt and Lee not related), Bob Watson and Cedeno to carry the load. The Texas Rangers look to vastly improved and slightly ex perienced pitcher David Clyde to draw the crowds, power-hitter Jeff Burroughs to bring in the runs and pitcher Ferguson Jen kins to bolster a strengthening pitching crew. The baseball writers feel how ever that the larger crowds, higher scores and stronger pitch ing will not better the Rangers’ ) MAZDA y HARRY DISHMAN Sales & Service 603 Texas Ave. C.S. across from campus — 846-3316 TIRE SALE song Buy your tires for a Help the Singing Cadets get on the road for their Iron Curtain Tour. HOUSE OK TIRES ALL CARNEGIE STEEL BELTED RADIALS - 70 SERIES PREMIUM TIRES GUARANTEED FOR 40-000 MILES $39.95* PIRELLI - 20% DISCOUNT ON ALL STEEL BELTED RADIALS DUNLOP -2+2 FIBERGLASS BELTED - SET OF FOUR $99.98* ‘Prices do not include taxes, mounting or balancing. HOUSE OF TIRES - 1401 Texas Where Quality Costs Less sixth place finish of last year, although they see the possibility for a better winning average than last season’s .352. Burroughs pounded out 30 homers last season, had 85 rbi’s and a .279 average at the plate. His ability inspired Bob Short (while still major owner) to shorten the rightfield fenceline, to give the righthander an equal chance at all the walls. Look for the Rangers to be weak at third base or short stop whichever position Toby Harrah does not field, first base, one of the outfield positions (Bur roughs, Cesar Tovar and who else ?) and at catcher. Disregarding an above average starting four, look for hitting to be less than major league qual ity. While the Astros could make waves at the top of the National League West, look for either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Cincin nati to duel either Pittsburgh or the New York Mets for the NL title. The Oakland A’s are a solid choice in the American League West which they share with the Rangers among others. Either the Boston Red Sox or the Balti more Orioles should take the East and possibly the AL ticket to the World Series. Hargett jumps to WFL’s Hawaii Former Texas Aggie great Edd Hargett has agreed to terms with the Honolulu Hawaiians of the World Football League. Hargett has one year remaining on his contract with the Houston Oilers. He has been a taxi squad member on the team since being traded from New Orleans before last season. Hargett never played a down for the Oilers in regular season play after playing second fiddle to Archie Manning at New Or leans. Aaron opens against Reds CINCINNATI