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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 1979)
Page 10 THE BATTALION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1979 Big hitters head leaders list United Press International NEW YORK — Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox and Keith Hernandez of the St. Louis Car dinals are the new major-league batting champions. Lynn, the Red Sox’ center fielder, spent the final day of the season on the bench Sunday — as did runner-up George Brett — and won the American League batting crown with an unofficial .333 average. Hernandez, the Cardinals’ slick-fielding first baseman, went 0-for-3 Sunday but wrapped up the National League title with an unofficial .344 mark. Hernandez had 210 hits and Lynn 177. Dave Kingman of the Chicago Cubs won the major-league home run title with 48 while Mil waukee’s Gorman Thomas led the AL with 45. California’s Don Baylor led the majors in RBI with 139 and Dave Winfield took the NL crown with 118. The last AL player to have more than 139 RBI was Harmon Killebrew of Minnesota with 140. Kansas City speedster Willie Wilson won the overall stolen base championship with 83 while Omar Moreno, center fielder for the NLEast champion Pittsburgh Pirates, led his league with 77. Baltimore’s Mike Flanagan, who will pitch the second game of the Oriole-California playoff series, was the major league’s biggest winner with 23. The Niekro brothers, Phil of Atlanta and Joe of Houston, the first brother combination ever to win Super Service Specials To Keep Your Car Running Right! 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Richard was also the leader in strikeouts, with 313, while California’s Nolan Ryan, who will pitch the opener against Balti more Wednesday, led the AL with 223, despite missing a por tion of the season with an injured elbow. Bruce Sutter of the Cubs tied an NL record with 37 saves while Minnesota veteran Mike Marshall paced the AL with 32. Astros come home to crowi pack up gear until next p Playoff schedule 95 By United Press International National League j Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh | Best of Five (All Times EDT) Oct. 2 — Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m. Oet. 3 — Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 3:15 p.m. Oct. 5 — Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 3:15 p.m. x-Oct. 6 — Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m. x-Oct. 7 — Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 1:15 p.m. American League Baltimore vs. California Best of Five (All Times EDT) Oct. 3 — California at Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 4 — California at Baltimore, 3:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Oct. 5 — Baltimore at California, 8:30 p.m. x-Oct. 6 — Baltimore at California, 3:15 p.m. x-Oct. 7 — Baltimore at California, 8:30 p.m. x-if necessary United Press International HOUSTON — The Houston As tros returned home without a divi sion title Monday, but a noisy crowd of boosters and the relaxing chore of packing away athletic gear helped sooth some of the disappointment of falling 1% games short of their goal. Manager Bill Virdon said his winter of handball, quail hunting and working around his Springfield, Mo., house would be a happier time because of his team’s surprising sea son. “You are never satisfied in baseball unless you win,” he said, slowly opening fan mail stufled far back in his desk during a tense Sep tember. “There’s always room for improvement. But, yes, I 11 get more satisfaction out of this season. ” The Astros’ 89-73 record was their finest ever, and they did it with a .256 team batting average and a major league season low of 49 home runs. Houston was the first team in 30 years to hit more triples than home runs. Virdon said, however, that the current Astros team could win a di vision title in 1980 with the same lineup. “Well have to win more games next year,” he said. “It’s hard to ex pect our pitchers to do as well. You can expect more run production from the people we’ve got.” Cesar Cedeno adjusted well to a move from centerfield to first base despite suffering a midseason ill ness. But he hit only .262 with six home runs and 54 RBI. Rookie Jeff Leonard led Astros regulars with a .290 average. Virdon said he thought the pennant-drive tension gripping As tros hitters for the first time was a factor in the poor run production and 38-42 record after July 4, a date Houston led second-place Cincin nati by 10 games. Cincinnati ended up winning the division title and faces Pittsburgh in the National League playoffs. Even as the players arrived sleepy-eyed at their lockers to pack clothes and gear the day after their final game, there was news of another award won by the Astros’ pitching staff. J.R. Richard became the fourth member of the staff named as the National League pitcher-of-the-month for his 4-1 record, 1.24 ERA and 69 strike outs in September. Ken Forsch won it in April, Joe Niekro in May and Joaquin Andujar in June. Rookie pitcher Randy Niemann paused as he packed his bags. “I have mixed emotions about this seiJson,” he said. “It’s nice to get home. You’ve gotta consider it a great year. But still, we- wanted to Niekro became the 21-game winner Sunday, llii one more win than Larry Dj had in 1969 and Richard 1 1976. “I’m disappointed, even»| 21,” he said. A group of about 500 Astr# greeted the team at Interconfo Airport early Monday aftertl* finished its season Sunday Angeles. ”1 can t believe it," thirdly Enos Cabell said. “Thisshor there are some people whoc The season marked a tremi improvement in three seasu since Virdon and presidett general manager Tal Smitl control of the team in latej That season the Astros finistt: games behind the leader “That’s a 42 game swing,’’XI said. Their was also a noteofi for some Astros’ fans as Jesus Alou, 37, was released! team Monday. The club, which finished ill son Sunday, offered no tea the action Alou coached at first has pinch hit for a .246 average4 son, his second with the lean being acquired as a freeagenli 1977. Oliver likes Texas but may leai United Press International DALLAS — Al Oliver said Monday he would hate to leave Texas. And the management of the Texas Rangers have said they want him to stay. So Oliver can be expected to re turn to the outfield at Arlington Stadium next season, right? Maybe, but maybe not. “Right now I just can’t say if I will or not,” said Oliver, who hit .323 for the disappointing Rangers this sea- STEAKHOUSE T A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN GOOD FOOD, FUN AND FRIENDS. 2528 S. Texas College Station son — fifth best average in the American League. “I don t know. “But when I make the decision everyone willm about it, just like when I get a hit everybody hears it. Olivejynot been on the best of terms with Rangers’ owner Brad Corbett and wants to renegotiate his contract with Texas. Corbett has said he will not do so and Oliver has hinted that he might asked to be traded if things cannot be worked out with the Rangers. “I have an attorney representing me and we hope to work things out,” said Oliver. “I d say that there are problems which are common knowledge. But some things go far below the surface. “But I’ve been happy here. I know I ve never been Ireali fairly by the press. 1 could sleep at night knowing tkh ever I said that night wo out right in the newsoapers. “And the fans have treattj very well which I apprecijie| When asked whether he baj appreciated hy the front ( Oliver said: "I’d like to think so. Ill they haven't appreciated iw| there is something wrong will understanding of the game,] have said they don’t want met} “It would be tough to 1 don’t know of a ball playen come to Texas who has i Governors put bull on lit United Press International NEW ORLEANS — Texas Gov. Bill Clements and Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh are betting more than a steak on the outcome of the annual Texas-Oklahoma football game to be played in Dallas Oct. 13. The two worked out their' at a meeting of the Southern nors Association. Clements bet a Longhorn that Texas will win the match, Nigh is putting up a buffalob the Sooners. Const hours Univ< althoi Day students get their news from the Batt. MSC Town Hall Presents w* Friday October 12 8:00 p.m. G. Rollie White Tickets: $ 3.50, $ 4.25, $ 4.75 TICKETS & INFORMATION M.S.C. BOX OFFICE 845-2916 IMSCI Itown holll Ask for thei by name! ...the gold bead! yoiFll be proud to give., and shel be proud to wear! With alcohol fuel that operatic The ( vehicle altemat increasi: Dr. the Tex said the demand for gaso ‘Start with one bead on a chain. Add a bead for other gift occasions.’ The ORIGINAL... the ULTIMATE... in 14K GOLD BEADS on a 14K GOLD CHAIN Ask for them by name, ADD-A-G0LD BEADS, and ask to see our Complete Selection, too! 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