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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 1980)
sports THE BATTALION Page 13 WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980 Chandler discusses memories, Ags WHAT'S THE ULTIMATE 4" LETTER LVORP FOR, The: MCV/£ WITH Something to OFFEND everyone ? by KATHLEEN McELROY Battalion Staff College Station isn’t Cooper- stown, and Olsen Field can’t rival Yankee Stadium, but resident Texas A&M University baseball expert Tom Chandler isn’t complaining. Chandler, head coach of the Aggie baseball team, is proud to have coached at Texas A&M for 23 years, prouder even than his three years of professional baseball in the Pitt sburgh Pirate organization in the late ’40’s. “I played three years at catcher and first base, not at the same time though,” he said, laughing. “I had more experience at catcher.” He never went to the big leagues, but he said he doesn’t regret he didn’t make it. “No, I had my chance to make in the major leagues, but that curve ball sent me into college coaching,” he said. College players should be happy — he’s been there ever since, help ing develop some talented players. From the summers of 1950 through 1958, he was a player-field manager- general manager of that semi- professional baseball power, the Alpine (Texas) Cowboys. “We had the cream of the crop of college players while they were still in college," he said. “We had college players from all over the country, and they were the best. ” Chandler coached some future major leaguers there, including one lanky kid who now pitches for the Texas Rangers — Gaylord Perry. “He was just a kid, 19 years old,” Chandler remembered. “He was 6-5 and could really throw. He said he could already recognize Perry’s potential at that time. ; Recognizing and coaching young talented players is Chandler’s favo rite occupation. “That’s why I like college baseball because it’s a teaching experience,” he said. “And it’s very gratifying to see these young men improve in their game. It’s so pleasing then to know that your players go on. “It’s not our primary objective to develop players for the major leagues,” he added, “but the two do work hand in hand.” Chandler said baseball, particular ly the college game, has changed in the years he’s been coaching — but it’s all been for the better. “It’s improved simply because facilities are so much better,” he said. “Uniforms are better, equip ment is better. ” He also praised the aluminum bat, which is used in col lege, but not in professional base ball. Another improvement is the length of the season, giving the athletes more time to improve in the course of the year. “The kids play more games,” he said. “When I first came to A&M we only played 25 games. Now we play about 55 games. “We were afraid of taking a youngster out of class. A few years ago we went to school on Saturday and the academic people frowned upon too much playing. Now we’re on a five-day schedule, and we can play on Saturday.” And in all his 23 years, who’s been the best Texas A&M player he’s coached? “It’s a pretty hard question, prob ably the best athlete I ever coached was Davey Johnson, who played with the Atlanta Braves and the Balt imore Orioles,” Chandler said. What was special about Johnson, who played shortstop for the Aggies in the early 60s? “Great dedication,” he said. “I’ve never had a youngster work any har der.” Chandler also coached Doug Rau, a pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave Elmendorf, now a strong safety with the NFL Los Angeles Rams. He’s currently coaching someone who may not become an all-star base ball player, but he’s still close to him — his 20-year-old son Tom Dean Chandler, a reserve outfielder on the Aggie team. He said his son was des tined to play baseball. “When you coach baseball well you get indoctrinated at home with baseball three meals a day, eight hours a day and seldom does the con versation shy away from baseball,” Chandler said. So his son never got a chance not to play ball. Chandler said. COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOO / ©I960 BRIGHTON PRODUCTIONS, INC. Tom Chandler, in his 23rd year as coach of the Texas A&M University baseball team, advises Rick Luecken (44) how to handle a tough situa tion in action earlier this season. Chandler and the Ags will participate in the Southwest Con ference post-season tournament in College Station May 16-18. Staff Photo by Lee Roy Leschper your 1 marketplace WANTADS rgirrirtnrrB-innnnnnnmmrff^^ o ana, VILLA MARIA ONE HOUR CLEANERS FREE STORAGE ONE HOUR DRY CLEANING ON REQUEST ONE DAY LAUNDRY SERVICE : ALTERATIONS ( 710 VILA MARIA RD. 822-3937 l ULU 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000 USED GOLD WANTE D! 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