-V sports a( 1980 to be year Astros do it all Cowens leads Celtics past Rockets, 119—101 By RICHARD OLIVER Staff Writer For years now, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds have watched as the Houston Astros went through one rebuilding phase after another. Each year the Astros showed promise, only to either fall barely astray of their goal or flop miserably through another dismal season. Last year, however, the Reds and Dodgers glanced fervently over their shoulders only to find the Astros weren’t there. Looking ahead, they saw a nice view of a bunch of red, burnt orange and yellow posteriors breaking away from them. As the 1980 season begins, however strike-torn it may be, the National League West shapes up to be one of the biggest dogfights in the major leagues. Here are my predictions for the National League Western Division: 1) HOUSTON ASTROS — Astros’ Manager Bill Virdon and Gener al Manager Tal Smith both entered the Houston picture in 1975 telling the Houston fans to be silent and patient, because their long-promised pennant was on the way, at last. That time may have come. Smith’s over-the-years harvesting of Jeff Leonard, Nolan Ryan, Joe Morgan, Alan Ashby, Craig Reynolds and notably, Bill Virdon, have molded the club into respectability. The progress of Joe Niekro, J.R. Richard, Terry Puhl, Joe Sambito, Art Howe, Enos Cabell and Jose Cruz will be factqrs in this season’s run for the prize. The excuses are spent, it’s time for action. If he comes through this year, the Astros will be unstoppable. 2) LOS ANGELES DODGERS — The Dodgers last year suffered through a sub-. 500 season for the first time since 1968, and finished llVi games behind Cincinnati. Reggie Smith, the “everything” player of L.A., sat through a frus trating season of injuries, and a weak pitching staff allowed an excess of runs. The Dodger hitting corps, already slumping, was forced to press for more run production to compensate for the pitchers’ weakness, resulting in deeper slumps. All of this added up to a losing season. The biggest problem, however, lay in the bullpen, so the manage ment wheels went to work, acquiring Dave Goltz from the Twins and Don Stanhouse from the Orioles. Jay Johnstone came over from the Phillies to solidify the Dodger outfield that has been beset by injuries to Smith and centerfielder Rick Monday, another key figure for L.A. The Dodgers are back, with mainstays Davey Lopes, superstar Steve Garvey, and Ron Gey rounding out the infield. Burt Hooton, Texas A&M University graduate Doug Rau, Rick Sutcliffe and Goltz provide the pitching strength. 3) CINCINNATI REDS — Much to the surprise of most sports writers and fans, the Cincinnati Reds wrested the Western division title away from the Dodgers last year, leaving the L.A. Blue stomped and battered IIY2 games behind. This year’s Cincy team shows a slightly different look, but a rejuvenated Tom Seaver. The question is, can the Reds’ pitching carry a team whose hitting is faltering? I don’t think so. The Dodgers came out on the short end last year in head to head to combat with the Reds, but this year’s L.A. team is more powerful, and that along with the improving Astros should give the Reds trouble. The Reds have pulled off miracles before, though. Last year, they lost Pete Rose to the Philadelphia Phillies, and most fans thought all was lost. Ray Knight, however, filled in Rose’s shoes handily and is now acknowledged to be one of the finest infielder’s around. All in all, the Reds’ pennant hopes ride once again on the shoulders ilsarejP 0 f regulars Seaver, George Foster and Johnny Bench. The Reds’ 3 rotate starting pitchers are only challenged by Houston’s, and Foster and l supplfl Bench may come through with fine seasons once again. These factors ■s. could make the race very interesting, but along the stretch, the lack artingro'. of pitching depth may cut off the Reds hopes. Job For 4) ATLANTA BRAVES —In perhaps the most surprisingpick of all, then® “ I think the Braves may havejust what it takes to surprise some people e ERA? ' this year. Although “what it takes” may only vault them from last year’s eague ii showing in the cellar of the league to this year’s fourth position, the bats ;-hitter:! and improving pitching cannot be ignored. With Bob Horner finally •tential!': relaxed at the plate after his famous contract disputes, the Braves may have a claim to respectability. Horner is referred to by Sports Illustrat ed as “the power hitter of the ’80s.” H The key acquisition over the winter for the Braves was Chris Chamb- liss. Chambliss slammed 19 home runs for the Yankees last year while !§ seeing only partial action. His bat along with Horner’s (33 HRs), Garry |‘ Matthews’ (27 HRs), and Dale Murphy’s (21 HRs), may add up to a few ■ victories, despite the pitching performances. 11 East ii' ‘lennanti Itagues: 'he Nsli ifros ant m, two: dtwoymj A to win lies, wit le up (c: iicndoiii: ion, will; . llie most! ■. uer, Tk their a binsonftl | 3.61), as( I career-k 10 could); 10,25 H! igory. Hr iqualifc 1VP, will: 1 st base,? the Pirate :■< ■ague. Ss ! Madlod 1, hard-h t via Chita ?rage,ai t cal Piralt average I rates car . Tekuht 1 saves! shed (hit: igers, sh' : eir front: est relie ; f c to wine United Press International BOSTON — Dave Cowens scored eight of his 17 points in a 2:52 span opening the fourth quarter Wednes day, as seven Boston Celtics scored in double figures for a 119-101 win over the Houston Rockets in the first game of their NBA quarterfinal play off series. Game two of the best-of-seven series will be Friday night at Boston Garden. The Celtics held an 84-78 lead en tering the final period when Cowens went on his tear. Held to just two points in the first half after foul trou ble, he began a 10-0 Boston surge with a jump shot from just inside the threepoint stripe. The Boston captain then con verted a Chris Ford feed, and after a Ford runner, tossed in a scoop shot and a lay-up rebound to give Boston a commanding 94-78 lead with 9:08 to play. The Celtics built the lead up to 21 points, 109-88, on a backwards dunk shot by Cedric Maxwell to seal the victory. Boston, which had beaten Hous ton in all six previous games this sea son, got 19 points from Ford, 9 in the third quarter. Maxwell and rookie Larry Bird each had 15 while M.L. Carr added 13, Rick Robey 11 and Nate Archibald 10. Houston was led by Moses Malone’s game high 27 points, while Calvin Murphy added 23 and Robert Reid scored 15. The Celtics, shooting a blistering 64 percent, moved to a 39-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bird hit six of seven shots in the quarter for 13 points and his 3-pointer gave Boston its biggest lead of the period, 37-19, with 1:27 left. The Rockets hit only 38 percent of their floor attempts, with Malone and Murphy held to just one field goal apiece. Boston cooled off in the second half, hitting just 37 percent, allowing the Rockets to get back into the game. With their five starters on the bench, the Celtics reserves, led by Gerald Henderson and Robey, built up a 59-40 lead with 3:26 left in the half. But Houston went on a 16-2 spree, capped by a 3-pointer by Murphy at the buzzer to close to within 61-56 at halftime. Rangers take on Yankees United Press International ARLINGTON — The Texas Ran gers and New York Yankees, both of whom went through a season of dis appointments in 1979, open the con fused 1980 season against each other today. Jon Matlack, who put together a super spring before the exhibition was halted by a player walkout, will Metcalf, Aggies land guard United Press International Southern Methodist coach Dave Bliss today signed two of the top high school basketball players in Texas to day and Texas A&M landed a leading guard to replace the graduated David Britton. Wednesday was the first day NCAA schools could sign basketball players to scholarship agreements. Bliss, who took over at SMU only a little more than a month ago, signed Kirk Lundblade of Plano and John Briggs of Highland Park. Both are 6-7 forwards. Briggs averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds during the year. ■ Texas A&M coach Shelby Metcalfi , whose Aggies made it to the NCAA regional semifinals before losing to eventual champion Louisville, signed guard Reggie Roberts of McKinney. Roberts, 6-2, averaged 23 points a game and seven assists. “He has got exactly what we we re looking for in a replacement for David Britton,” said Metcalf. “He has good speed, good quickness and good jumping ability. ” open the season for Texas while New York will counter with Ron Guidry Despite the attractiveness of the opening, four-game series, Rangers’ officials said none of the games were sellouts. Ticket activity was curtailed sharply because of stalemated nego- tiations between players and owners. The Rangers, known throughout their eight-year history for their squabbles, managed to become embroiled in one on the eve of the season. Shortstop Nelson Norman, a second-year player who took over as a starter last season, left the club after the strike was called and has not been seen since by Manager Pat Cor- rales. So Corrales announced he was tak ing Norman out of the opening day lineup and substituting Pepe Frias, a veteran of seven seasons with Mon treal and Atlanta. Texas, hoping to battle California and Kansas City for the American League West crown, has what Cor rales calls the best team in the his tory of the franchise. The NEW K&M Sebring School of Hah* Design OPEN NOW AND TAKING APPLICATIONS STUDY THE MOST ADVANCED METHOD OE CUTTING AND DESIGNING... 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