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Times-Advocate, 1984-04-18, Page 1110 Times -Advocate, April 18, 1984 Sports Spotlight By Ross Haugh This may or may not be the year of the Montreal Expos, but, one thing is for sure there is a little more hustle, colour and excitement in the lineup at Olympic Stadium. When it was announced that Pete. Rose had been signed, we were not too sure that an aging Rose would provide any .extra push to the Expos. It appears vale were very wrong. In the first two weeks, Pete Rose has been the Montreal leader and is living up to his nickname of Charley Hustle. In addition his quest for his 4,000 hit in the majors drew a lot of attention throughout the major leagues. When it did happen at the Expos home opener in Mon- treal Friday afternoon, hundreds of reporters and photographers were on hand from all parts of North America to record the important happening. When Rose cracked out a two- bagger in his third trip to the plate it was not only his 4,000th hit, but his 1,000th extra base hit to go along with 3,000 singles. Since that time he has accumulated four more hits and is heading for Ty Cobb's mark of 4,191 and the way he has switched to an Expo uniform with lots of en- thusiasm we would expect without any injuries he could quite feasibly reach that figure some time during the 1985 season. It took Pete Rose exactly 21 years to reach the 4,000 hit plateau. He picked off his first major league hit on April 13, 1963. It was a triple off the offerings of Pitt- sburgh Pirate pitcher Bob' Friend. Probably the only person in addition to -Rose to see both his first and 4,000 hit was Montreal manager Bill Virdon. Back in 1963, Virdon was the centre fielder for the Pirates and he probably chased the ball which allow- ed Rose to reach third base. Despite the good contributions to date by Rose, the Expos are currently in fifth place in the National league east, but, only a game and a half out of first place. In comparison in the American league east, the Toronto Blue Jays are in second place. three games out offirst spot. There is a bit if a difference herein that the Blue Jays with a six and four record are three games out. That's because the Detroit Tigers have yet to lose. The flying start by Sparky Anderson's Tigers is cer- tainly the best record a Motor City big league ball club has ever recorded from the starting gate. Some people may say the early games don't really make much difference. But, they really do. Just remember, the Tigers already have eight games which they don't have to win in September when the chips may be down. The Tigers are hitting on all four or six or eight whatever the case may be in an automobile manufac- turing city. They are getting good pitching and great hitting and fielding. In Friday's home opener for the Boston Red Sox, the Tigers scored eight runs in the first inning and turn- ed six double plays during the afternoon. Jim Rice of Boston hit into four of the six twin,killings. Enthusiasm about the Tigers in Detroit is very high and manager Sparky Anderson is right at the top. Anderson said recently that the 1984 Tigers are the best team he has ever managed. That's quite a statement from a fellow who led some great teams in Cincinatti. The start of the Blue Jays has been very encourag- ing. Winning six of 10 games on the toad is very accep- table. Three of the four losses were by one run and with a little bit of luck could have been turned around. l he Jays are proving the Yankee manager Yogi Berra was right when he said. "it ain't over until it's over." Sunday when most Toronto supporters including this reporter had sort of given up-. the Jays came roar- ing back to win. With one out in the top of the.ninth in Texas and trailing 1-0, Bobby Cdx's team seemed to be out of it. That quickly changed when Willie Upshaw sent.one over the right field fence and on the very next pitch Cliff Johnson sent his third round tripper of the new season into the left field bleachers in Arlington, Texas. . The Blue Jays bullpen staff seems to he improved considerably from a year ago. Dennis Lamp has already. been in, five of the first 10 games and in his last two appearances has been very successful. Sunday, he sent the Rangers down in order in the eighth and ninth innings. In the early going. Lamp already has a win. a loss and a save. That's quite a few decisions for a short reliever. The other pleasant surprise of the 'I'tir'onto relief corps has been rookie ,Jim Key. Ile has been flawless in two appearances. The home run Sunday in Texas by Willie t:pshaw was probably one of the -most important in .his short career. Playing in his home area, Upshaw had more than 100 relatives and friends looking on. A situation oI hometown boy making good and Blue .Jay fans hope he will be doing more than making good in becoming a super star.. ' A wards time again This is the time of the year when most sportsmen and women in the area who enjoy their favourite sports during the winter months have a chance to celebrate their just concluded- achievements. In recent nights we have enjoyed the food and awards presentations at Centralia College, the South Huron hockey league, and the Exeter curling club Thanks to these groups for their kind invitations. There was quite a difference in the future forecasts of two of tfie groups. The South Iluron league was stag- ing its 13th annual banquet and it could be the last in the present format of the league. Due to a number of reasons one of which is high budgets, the league may swing to the more popular no body contact style next year which produced shorter games and less danger of injuries. On the other end of the scale, the Exeter curling banquet showed plenty of enthusiasm. President Albert Van Dyken said the club had 50 new members this past year and he was putting a junior club high on the priori- ty list for 1984-85. MVP AND TOP SCORERS - Jamie Caldwell of Hensall was named the most valuable player in the South Huron hockey league. He is shown at the left with top season scorer Brian Mercer of Exeter and playoff leading scorer Ken Varley of Hensall. TOP INDIVIDUAL AWARDS — Tom Steeper o the Exeter o aw s is s own ws the best goalie award in the South Huron hockey league won 139 team-mate Doug Fairbairn. Next are second most valuable Brian Mercer of Exeter and most improv- ed Jeff Laporte of the Zurich Bucke es. SOUTH HURON HOCKEY AWARDS -- Receiving trophies at the South Huron hockey banquet Friday were best defencemen Jim Guenther accepting for Barry Baynham of the Exeter Mohawks, Dave Kinsman, rookie of the year Bob Malone, both of the Hensall Sherwoods and most sportsmanlike Brian Taylor of the ExetertMohawks. SHERWOODS BRAIN TRUST — Shown with the South Huron hockey league cham- pionship trophy are Hensall Sherwoodstrainer Pete Zwaan.coach John Baker and Don Ried T -A photo. manager 2nd Annual Ball Hockey Tournament May 5, 6 At South Huron Rec Centre For more information call 235-2833 SH hockey loop may be finished The number 13 may prove to be very unlucky for the South Huron intermediate hockey league. At the 13th annual benquet at the Exeter Legion hall on Friday, April 13 it was sug- gested the league may be at the end of its existence. John Stephens of Centralia College who was one of the original founders of the league along with John Ainslie, formerly of Grand Bend said "this may be the end of the league as we know it." Stephens continued, "We know a new format of no - contact hockey would pro- duce shorter games, lower costs and less chance of injuries." Earlier Friday night, league president John Snell said budgets for the 1983-84 season for each South Huron team were in excess of $8,000. A no -contact tournament was held recently at the Zurich arena and attracted many of the players par- icipating in the just conclud- Hd South Huron league season. Players from the playoff champion Hensall Sherwoods and the Exeter Mohawks, league winners carried off most of the individual awards. The honour of the league's best defenceman was shared by Hensall's Dave Kinsman and Mohawk Barry Baynham. Two Sherwoods were nam- ed most valuable players in• the league. Jamie Caldwell was the MVP during the. regular schedule and goalie Steve Sararlls took playoff honours. Ken Varley of the Sher - woods was the top scorer -in the playoffs and team-mate Bob Malone was named rookie of the year. Brian Mercer ,of the Mohawks was the league's top scorer with 31 goals and 55 assists fora total of 86 points and was also named the se- cond most valuable player. Completing the awards list for the Mohawks were Doug Fairbairn as the best goal tender and Brian Taylor with only one penalty all year as the most sportsmanlike. Jeff Laporte of the Zurich Buckeyes was chosen as the most improved player. Frank Funston of the Cen- Here comes Express The Express will be runn- ing again this year, Manager Geary Penhale has called the first practice of the year for the Exeter Ex- press baseball team Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at Exeter Community Park. The Express will again par- ticipate in the northern divi- sion of the Great Lakes senior league along with the Exeter juniors, Clinton, Kincardine and Walkerton. The southern division will include teams from Arva, Thorndale, London Ser- vicemaster juniors, Southwest London juniors and Please turn to page 12 Registration Crediton Softball Association -Thurs., April 26, 1984 from 7 - 9 p.m. Crediton Park's Board Room Girls and boys, atoms, pee wees, ban- tams, plus juvenile girls. J ` For further information call 234-6287 Ironwood Golf Club' LOCATED ONE MILE EAST OF EXETER OFF HIGHWAY 83. Phone (519) 235-1521 • You'll enjoy your membership at Ironwood more than ever this year. We're planning more social activities this year siriiilar to our recent wine and cheese party. Take advantage of our new convenient payment plan. Pay 1/2 now and the other half by June 1, 1984. (Previously played games will not be applied to membership) NOW OPEN Weather Permitting For confirmation call 235-1521 If no answer course is closed • Ladies night starts Wed., May 2 (pot luck • Juniors night begins Mon., May 7. Free lessons supper) • and treats Membership Fees Mon $235.00 Lady $125.00 Man & Wife $340.00 Junior $110.00 Man 8 Junior $325.00 Family* $385.00 Lady and Junior $230.00 Green Fees '7.00 for 9 holes Weekdays and Weekends Each additional 9 holes, 83.00 weekdays and 84.00 weekends. TWILIGHT RATE '7.00 after 5 tralia College Saints was named coach of the. year. John Baker, Don Reid and Pete Zwaan accepted the grand championship trophy for the Hensall Sherwoods. The Exeter Mohawks headed by manager Dan Brintnell and coach Jim Guenther won the regular league trophy. 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