SPORTS
University Daily Kansan, October 18, 1983
The University Daily KANSAN
Page 10
Guilty plea, 0-5 record could be end of Blue's lengthy career
By United Press International
Vida Blue
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Vida Blue's baseball career began with a Cy Young Award season in 1971 and ended with a forgettable 0-5 mark in 1983 and a not-so-forgottable guilty plea to cocaine possession.
Blue was an incredible 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA in leading the Oakland A's to the first of five straight American Division championships in 1971.
Charlie Finley, who then owned the A's, gave the left-hander a baby-blue Cadillac EI El Dorado with license plates that read "BLUE." Finley also asked his 22-year-old phenom to change his name. True Blue to increase his popularity.
"Only if you change your name to True O. Finley", was Blue's response.
Blue asked for a $2,500 contract the
next season, but Finley would offer only $50.000. The pitcher sat out up spring training in a bitter hollow before he and Finley agreed to a $33.000 salary
"CHARLIE FINLEY has soured my stomach for baseball," he said when he returned to the A's. "He treated me like a damn colored boy."
Blue was 6-10 in 1972 but appeared in four series games as the A's won the World Series. He would win 20 games over the Bears in 1974 and 124-86 over seven seasons with the A's.
Before the 1976 season began, the Andy Messersmith-Dave McNally court decision gave players with expired contracts a chance to win the highest bidder. Blue began the season without a contract, intending to play out his option.
On the trading deadline of June 15,
Finley and Blue agreed on a 3-year
contract. That evening, Blue was
purchased by the Yankees for $1.5
million, the same night Finley sold Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi to Boston for $1 million apiece. Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, however, voided all three deals as not being in the best interests of baseball.
IN DECEMBER 1977, Finley pedaled
Blue to the Cincinnati Reds for $1.5
'I'm glad it's over.'
—Vida Blue
after the 1983 season.
million and a minor leaguer, but Kuhn also vailed that deal.
On March 15, 1978, the Giants acquired Blue for seven players and $400,000. Blue ran off a 10-game winning streak that summer for the Giants, who finished just six games out of first behind Blue's 18-10 record.
Blue's ERA ballooned to 5.01 in 1979 but he bounced back in 80 before a thumb injury limited him to just 125 innings in 1981. Before the injury, however, he was the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game, becoming the first player to be credited with an All-Star victory in both the American and National leagues. His American League win came in 1971.
The left-hander, along with pitcher Bob Tuffus, was traded to the Kansas City Royals on March 30, 1982 for pitchers Allee Hammaker, Reni Martin and Craig Chamberlain and infradial Brad Wellman.
HIS FIRST SEASON with the Royals.
Blue was 13-12 and led the team with 103 strikeouts. But in 1983 he went 6-5 to win his last game by his release to the team Aug. 5, 1983.
"Wida put together some good innings and pitched well for parts of games."
Royals' Manager Dick Howser said at the time. "But the results weren't there."
"I'm glad it's over," Blue had said.
"I guess it's best for both parties. That's the way the ball bounces."
But Blue's name was to soon appear in connection with a drug investigation in Johnson County, Kan. The investigation eventually led to the U.S. Attorney filing cocaine possession charges against the former pitcher yesterday.
Less than an hour after the charges were filed, Blue pleaded guilty to possessing three grams of cocaine, a misdemeanor. Three of his former Royals' teammates -- Wille Akens, Jerry Martin and Willie Wilson -- earlier were charged with attempting to possess cocaine. All have pleaded guilty and could be sentenced to a year in prison and fined $5,000.
Orioles blend youth and experience while 'Phossils' contemplate future
By FRED McMANE United Press International
PHILADELPHIA — Now that they have given the Philadelphia Phossils, er Philies, a quick burial, the Bali tourists can look to the future with optimism.
with their well-defined team concept and marvelous collection of wings belonging to the likes of Mike Boddicker, Scott McGregor and Storm Davis, the Orioles should be flying high for quite some time.
"We were the best team in '83, we have the best organization in baseball and we'll win it again," said second baseman Rich Dauer during the 1983 World Series. The Orioles whipped the Phillies 5-0 to win the World Series in five games.
In many ways the Orioles were a very special team. They had a nice blend of youth and maturity yet they were not overladen with old players like the 1970s, and a collection of players who gracefully accepted their roles as part timers.
"IM HAPPY AND PROUD of the whole organization. It was a team effort," said general manager Hank Peters. "But you never lose sight of the future. I'm going to savor this for a couple of days then sit down and begin planning what needs to be built in the type that needs to be tinkered with as opposed to overhauld. You always have a few things you want to do."
unlike the Phillies, however, the Orioles have very few question marks. They could use an everyday third baseman who can hit, and they're in need of some infield depth. It's possible that Gary Roenicke, who has platooned so well with John Lowenstein in left, would be a better fit for Peters to try and land someone like Buddy Bell of Texas in an off-season trade.
"I expect the ballclub will strengthen itself, but there won't be changes like a New York Yankee team," said relief pitcher Tippy Martinez.
THE ORIOLES CERTAINLY have plenty of pitching to give up in order to acquire players to fill their needs. Their minor league system is full of strong young arms. Minor league pitchers like Allen Ramirez and Bill Swaggyter performed well when called up to the Orioles during the season and then pitched for the pitchers who will cause Peters' phone to be ringing plenty this winter.
What about Peters himself? Although he has been one of those mentioned as a possible successor to Lee MacPhail as American League president, he gave every indication that he will return as general manager.
"Right now I wouldn't have any interest in a position that's almost 100 percent administrative," he said. "It is the competition. I'm happy where I am."
The Phillies, on the other hand, have problems. They approached this season with a new system.
worked. But, in so doing, they are now faced with the unpleasant task of deciding what to do with players such as 42-year-old Pete Rose, 41-year-old Tony Perez and 40-year-old Joe Morgan.
ALL THREE HELPED considerably in getting the Philies into the World Series, but it's doubtful any of them will return next year. Center fielder Garry Middox may not be back either as the team likely will go with younger players.
Second baseman Juan Samuel, 21;
first baseman Len Matuszek, 28;
outfielders Von Hayes, 24, and Bob
Halpern, starting at lineup on opening day next year.
"I'd like to go with some of the younger players and see how good they can play," said Hugh Alexander, the Philhies' chief scout. "I'm a firm believer in seeing how good they can play. We set it up that way. We got some young players and some old players and told ourselves we had a chance to go to the World Series. I think we're going in the right direction."
Paul Owens, who currently wears a dual hat as manager-general manager, may not be back either. Asked by president Bill Giles to replace Pat Corrales in July, Owens had indicated at the end of the regular season that he would undergo a second manager's chair next season. But he seemed to enjoy himself in the post-season competition and might want to return as manager.
BALTIMORE — World Series MVP Rick Dempsey signals to a crowd of 100,000 people welcoming the Orioles home from Philadelphia. The crowd chanted "Dempsey for President" as the Baltimore catcher was introduced after the leading the Orioles to a 4-1 Series victory.
SPORTS ALMANAC
FOOTBALL
Big 8 Team Stats
Rushing Offense
g car yds avg tyd vbp
Nobraska 7 7281 6901 344 37.4
Okahanna 6 325 415 374 31.8
Missouri 6 341 153 4.0 155 27.2
OkahomaSt 6 279 180 4.0 165 12.2
Kansas St 6 279 180 4.0 165 12.2
Kansas St 6 228 785 3.5 119 108
Kansas St 6 228 785 3.5 119 108
Kansas St 6 201 434 2.3 25 72.3
Brown leads experienced Jayhawk squad
att cp intdp yds tds ydspb
Kansas 106 187 107 174 125
 Iowa State 106 187 107 174 125
 Colorado 184 92 184 163 183
 Nebraska 113 68 163 163 183
 Missouri 93 59 57 87 163
 OklahomaA 93 59 57 87 163
 Kansas 96 38 65 64 102
| | g playvs vd avg tyd betp |
| :--- | :--- |
| Nebraska | 7 107 5354 | 7 196 8358 |
| Kansas | 6 412 1259 | 7 385 1258 |
| Missouri | 6 434 2213 | 5 118 3718 |
| Oklahoma | 6 434 2213 | 5 118 3718 |
| Illinois | 6 394 1806 | 5 121 327 |
| Iowa St | 6 409 1864 | 4 617 3107 |
| Oklaho | 6 409 1784 | 4 617 3107 |
| Oklahoma St | 6 409 1784 | 4 617 3107 |
Leading Rushers
car ydds avg tdyd kg
Bauer, Neb 144 1069 4.14 13.202
Owens, Okla JSki 131
Tillman, Okla 89 458 4.1 4.763
Drain, Mo 101 449 5.1 4.763
Kubi, Kansas 101 449 5.1 4.763
Kubi, Kansas 72 366 5.1 4.105
Dodge, Knires 80 345 4.1 3.415
Rosson, Colo 79 332 4.2 0.535
Bradley, Okla 79 332 4.2 0.535
Bradley, Okla 50 322 4.6 0.645
att cp in 59 yds td pts.
Gill, Neb 11 6 2 975 10 173
Adler, Mo 78 47 5 763 11 306
Seurer, Ken 84 106 5 763 11 307
Steiner, Kai 201 173 5 763 11 308
Moulhé, Colo 36 21 5 254 11 212
Hilker, Okz 18 61 5 254 11 212
Bogue, KaSt 119 61 8 651 11 318
Vale, Cam 119 61 8 651 11 318
Bralka, Om 18 61 8 651 11 318
Individual Stats
AD won't say if ticket sales are completed More tickets sold than last season, department says
gm ct  yds tdp  cips
Henderson, Iowa St          29 697 4.8
B.Johnson, Kansas           29 697 4.8
Alexander, Colo              62 382 4.4
Jacob, iowa St             62 382 4.4
Wallace, Kan St            62 382 4.4
Harris, Ohio               62 334 5.8
Pryer, Neb                 62 334 5.8
Rouson, Colo              62 119 0.0
Rosson, Colo              62 119 0.0
Rhymes, Maio              62 160 7.1
Rhymes, Maio              62 160 7.1
car ydsp avg ybvp
Seuryer, Kansas 6 15 42 0
Archer, Iowa 53 1138 5 1.220
Gill, Neb 64 1286 7 9.181
Nurber, Neb 144 1694 7 1.812
Brandon, Illinois 62 64 9.181
Bryant, Okla 69 870 5 1.450
Vogel, Colo 11 16 84 5 1.440
Bogue, Kan St 11 864 5 1.440
Jones, St 48 1007 7 4.196
Hilger, Oklahoma 26 377 7 5.262
Knight, who played center for the past two seasons, will probably move to a big forward position to team with Dreiling. Last season, Knight led the Jayhawks in rebounding and averaged 12.3 points a game.
Very few of these reports, however, have mentioned anything about Carl Henry, Kerry Bogni or the other talent on the Javahawk basketball team.
The Kansas basketball program has been in the news for the past month, featured by many national sports publications, and in a two-minute spot on ESPN's SEC Football.
"I expected it." Brown said yesterday about the media blitz "The kids suffered so far I don't think it hurt us. I just want everyone out and starting to play."
But now that everyone has heared about Ed and Danny Manning and how Larry Brown supposedly maneuvered to get the Cubs back on the ground, begin workouts for the 1983-84 season.
By JEFF CRAVENS Associate Sports Editor
BOAGNI PLAYED on the United States team in the World Cup championships this summer after earning a spot on the all-tournament team at the National Sports Festival. As a freshman, Boagni averaged 14.1 points a game.
By COLLIN HERMRECK Staff Reporter
THE JAYHAWKS have been ranked in the top 20 by several national publications.
id xp pi pts xp ppt
Kallmeyer, Kansas 0 30 17 71 13.8
Rozier, Neb 0 30 17 71 13.8
Fryar, Neb 7 2 0 44 6.3
Adler, Moe 7 2 0 44 6.3
Burditt, Mo 0 17 6 35 5.8
Reach, OklaSt 0 18 0 34 5.7
Thompson played in the Kansas City summer leagues with several professional players. He hit .260 and outscored 30 points in the upset victory over Oklahoma.
magazine has predicted that KU will win the Big Eight conference.
Brown, who took over for coach Ted Owens last April, is one of the reasons that the Jayhawks are getting the national rankings. Brown coached for nine years in the NBA and ABA, plus two years at UCLA.
Bobby Johnson named Big 8 Player of the Week
KU Athletic Director Monte Johnson said yesterday that he could not speculate whether the department would sell student basketball season tickets again to allow students a last chance to purchase tickets for the 2014 season.
Through these 11 seasons, Brown's teams have never suffered through a losing season. At UCLA, he led the team to the NCAA Final Four.
Members of the Student Sports Council met with Johnson yesterday afternoon but a decision was not made. The commissioner, said Anne Stucker, council chairman.
Stucker said that the increase in overall sales had been an encouraging result. Going to the students, she said, had made students more aware of
Brown has five returning starters off last season's 13-16 club that upset Oklahoma in the Big Eight post-season tournament.
Dreiling will be complemented up front by Boagni, Kelly Knight and Calvin Thompson, all players who started last season.
Carl Henry, who averaged 17 4 points and 6.4 rebounds a game, heads the list of returning Jayhawks. Henry earned all-Big Eight honors last season after transferring from Oklahoma City. Backing Henry up will be sophomore as a long球, who earned a reputation as a strong defensive player last season.
THE POINT GUARD position is one that poses the biggest problem for Brown going into the season. Junior Tad Boyle and sophomore Jeff Guiot return. They will be challenged by newcomers Cedric Hunter, Mark Turgeon and Mike Marshall.
"AT LEAST IT WAS one more option for students to buy tickets," she said. "Those are 235 tickets that might have or might not have been sold."
The WK team has last night for its record-setting performance against K-State. Johnson, who set KU single game records with 10 receptions for 208 yards, is the second Jayhawk to earn the honor this season. Frank Seurer was named Player of the Week for his performance against USC.
Although KU students this year bought 879 more student season basketball tickets than last year, 2,804 of the 7,000 seats allotted for students went unsold. Because 2,700 tickets were guaranteed to buyers of All-Sports tickets, 1,496 were sold during the four days of ticket sales last week.
The final figure for tickets under the athletic department's new ticket policy was 4.196. The policy limited sales to those who could purchase the option of buying single game tickets.
At center will be 7-1 Greg Dreling. After transferring from Wichita State and sitting out last season, Dreiling will give KU a different look in the middle.
Jon Gilchrist, a council member, said he thought the sale was worthwhile.
He said that going to the students was a main consideration the council had recommended to the athletic department and that the members had taken it upon themselves to help sell more tickets.
The sports council, which volunteered to sell season tickets to several of the organized living groups four nights last week, sold 235 tickets.
Jayhawk wide receiver Bobby Johnson was named Big Eight Offensive Player of the week last night for his record-setting performance against K-State.
Stucker said she did not know if another extended sale would help or hurt. The negative effect, she said, might be that an extended sale could anger students who were told they only had four days to buy tickets.
TICKETS WERE SOLD Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but were extended an extra day because nearly 700 tickets were sold on Wednesday.
"I definitely think it was worth it." Gilchrist said. "If you go to them they're more apt to buy."
Junior Paulo Berquist prepares for the Big Eight cross country championships, which will be at Rimrock Ranch outside of Lawrence in two weeks. Berquist is confident of KU's chances.
By JANELLE MARTIN
Sports Writer
Junior Paula Berquist is confident about the upcoming Big Eight Conference cross country meet in two weeks. She thinks that she and her teammates should be able to challenge the other conference squads for the title.
An illness prevented her from running on the Jahayawks' course last weekend when KU challenged Arizona State at Rimrock Farm.
"I've been working on the hard spots," she said about her running. "So I think it will go real well. Running on our home course will help."
Berenquit, though, has not been kept from running too often. She came to KU this year from Barton County Community College, where she was an All-American eight times in cross country and track. She said she has made the transition from junior college to KU easier by pushing herself more.
THE TRANSITION in training from high school to junior college was a real shock," she said. "But now at KU the transition has become more intense, I have worked harder."
Her work so far this season paid off two weeks ago when she led the
Brequiert has her running career in junior high because she said her father thought she might get hurt if she went out for basketball.
"Once I started running I found out I was good at it, so I kept on," the 5-foot-8-inch Claflin native said.
Bergquist said that her coaches in junior high and high school realized she had talent and encouraged her to continue running.
THE BARTON COUNTY coach was the only coach to recruit her out of high school, though, because of her lack of exposure, she said. She said collarbone during her senior year and was only able to enter in the last three years.
Borquiet's running talent has taken her to places like New York City — quite a change from her hometown of nearly 1,000. She ran on a two-mile relay team at Barton County that wounded nationalists last year, and her relay team placed third. Individually, she was fourth in the 1,500 meter run.
"I'm mainly a distance runner," Berquist said. "So I was thrilled about
He said he first saw Berquist run in high school when he was coaching at Baylor.
the mile relay team. I only had to run a 440."
She runs three to four miles each morning and another five to eight miles
"I WAS MOST IMPRESSED with her competitions," Rovelot said. "Whether her times were fast or not, she was always battled."
Her coach at KU this year, Cliff Rovello, said Berquist would also compete in the half-mile and two-mile runs indoors, and distances up through 5,000 meters outdoors this season. But a physiotherapist will be in the mile distance.
He said that since Berquist had come to KU, she had been a leader during workouts and had made an overall improvement in her running. She has improved her time in the 5,000 meter run by about 20 seconds.
Berquint's training includes running in the morning on her own and in the evening with her friends.
"I like to run by myself a lot," Berquist said. "I enjoy the morning runs because that's my thinking time."
She said that one of the things she enjoyed most about the KU squad was
the competitiveness of each team member. Because of the competitive atmosphere, this year is the first time she has felt like a part of a team.
"THEHER IS A REAL togetherness this year." Bertquist said. "I have a team to support and I know they are supporting me, so that is a big help."
She has also had a lot of support from her family. She said most of her family had attended the University of Kansas. Her dad wanted her to go to Kansas State, but she said she was definitely against that idea.
"It was just a matter of getting communication between the coaches to come here," she said.
Berquit, a personnel administration major, grew up in a male-dominated family. She has two older brothers. One her brother is a nurse and her other brother is a physician.
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She is especially close to her father, a retired accountant, she said, because her mother died when she was 2 years old.
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"There is a real generation gap, but I guess that is expected. For a dad he's pretty cool."
She said that no one else in her family was atheletic inclined.
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