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Thursday, November 20, 1986 / University Daily Kansan
Schmidt voted MVP again
Despite injuries, Philly wins third consecutive award
United Press International
NEW YORK -- Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies, who overcame sore knees and nagging injuries to lead the National League in home runs and RBI, yesterday became the third player in National League history to win the Most Valuable Player Award three times.
The 37-year-old third baseman was a runaway winner over Houston first baseman Glenn Davis in balloting by 24 members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America — two from each NL city.
Schmidt, who won the award in 1980 and 1981, received 15 first-place votes and 287 points while Davis had six first-place votes and 231 points. Gary Carter of the New York Mets finished third with one first-place vote and 181 points.
"This is quite an experience for me," Schmidt said from Philadelphia. "It was like the end of a political campaign the way The Most Valuable Player voting went . . . But anyway you slice it, winning the National League MVP, it's an honor.
"The most encouraging thing about the 1986 baseball season was the warmth, encouragement and respect coming out of the stands to me. That was something special. It's the one thing I'll cherish the most."
Carl. It's the one he loves.
Rounding out the top 10 vote-getters were Keith Hernandez of the Mets, Dave Parker of Cincinnati, Tim Raines of Montreal, Kevin Bass of Houston, Von Hayes of Philadelphia, Tony Gwynn of San Diego and Mike Scott of Houston, the NL Cy Young Award winner.
Houston has the two first-place votes, but Hernandez received the other two first-place votes, but Schmidt, Davis and Carter were the only players named on all 24 ballots.
Each writer was asked to vote for 10 players in order of preference and points were awarded on a 14-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 basis for votes from first through 10th.
Schmidt joins Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals and Roy Campanella of the Brooklyn Dodgers as the only three-time winners of the NL MVP since the award was started by the BBWAA in 1931. Musial won in 1943, 1946 and 1948 and Campanella was the winner in 1951, 1953 and 1955.
Four players have won the award three times in the American League: Jimmy Foxx (1932-33-38), Joe DiMaggio (1939-41-47), Yogi Berra (1951-54-55) and Mickey Mantle (1956-57-62).
All six previous three-time winners are in the Hall of Fame.
Schmidt won the award for a team that finished $ 20\frac{1}{2} $ games behind the Mets in the NL East. He also played in 160 games despite aching knees and various other ailments. He hit .290 — his best average in five years and the second highest of his 15-year career — and led the league in home runs (37), runs batted in (119) and slugging percentage (.547).
He led NL, third baseman in fielding percentage with a 980 mark, committing only six errors in 304 chances.
Sehmidt said winning the award has not made him change his mind about retiring after next season.
"Definitely not," he said. "My thoughts since the season ended are basically what they were then. I don't feel any differently about retirement now than I did then."
It marked the eighth consecutive year Schmidt hit 30 or more homers and the 12th time in his career. He has 495 career homers and has led or tied for the league lead in homers eight times.
Aaron says choice of pitcher as league's MVP is 'a joke'
Henry Aaron, a former National League Most Valuable Player, yesterday called the selection of a pitcher, Boston's Roger Clemens, as the American League's MVP "a joke."
The Associated Press
The first to speak out was first baseman Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees, the 1985 winner who finished second to Clemens in the 1986 balloting announced Tuesday.
The retired home-run king was among several players who disagreed with the choice of a pitcher as MVP.
Aaron, who won the MVP in 1957 while playing for the Milwaukee Braves, said, "Everyday players cannot win the Cy Young award, and pitchers should not be able to win the MVP award. The pitchers have their own MVP award, and it's the Cy Young. I feel very strongly about that."
Aaron is now head of player development for the Atlanta Braves.
"I know he is valuable, but it's hard for me to conceive that a guy
who is in 33 or 34 games can be as
valuable . . . as an everyday guy
who is out there 162 games "
Mike Schmidt, named yesterday as the National League MVP for the third time, said, "I am prejudiced because I am not a pitcher, but I tend to agree with Mattingly that the MVP should be reserved for an everyday player, a guy who puts his neck out seven days a week.
"Roger (Clemens) may be an exception, he was so dominant, meant so much to the team. But I'm not in favor of a pitcher being considered for the MVP."
Pitchers have been elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America as MVP 16 times in the past. But Jack Lang, secretary-treasurer of the baseball writers and a member for the past 22 years, said it only had been controversial since Cy Young winners were first named in both leagues in 1966. Eight pitchers have won both awards.
"The rules that are sent out to the voters on the (MVP) committee (two from each city in each league), state: 'Keep in mind that all players are eligible. That includes pitchers, starters and reliever,''' Lang said.
"Anybody on the committee that feels they cannot vote for a pitcher, we replace them. In my 22 years running the elections, only two writers have said that to me."
Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants was the first pitcher to take the MVP, earning the honor in the National League in 1933. He was followed in the NL by Dizzy Dean of the Cardinals in 1934. Bucky Walters of the Cincinnati Reds in 1939. Jim Konstanty of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1950. Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963 and Gibson
In the American League, Spud Chandler of the Yankees was the first in 1943, followed by Hal Newhouser of the Detroit Tigers in 1944 and 1945, Bobby Shantz of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1952, Denny McLain of Detroit in 1968, Vida Blue of the Oakland As in 1971, Milkie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1981, Willie Hernandez of Detroit in 1984 and Clemens.
Lomax to lead St. Louis against KC Chiefs
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — For those who may have wondered, quarterback Neil Lomax hasn't quite crawled into a corner following his demotion by the St. Louis Cardinals.
No sulking on the sidelines for him. No emotional outbursts. Just quiet repose and introspection. In fact, he's ready to return Sunday when his team, which is also enduring a nightmarish NFL season, meets the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cards head coach Gene Stallings, who benched Lomax on Nov. 2, says he's been gratified and impressed by the quarterback's quiet acceptance of the move.
"I think he's had very good practices and has been very attentive and very knowledgeable on the sideline," Stallings said. "I've never had the luxury of being able to sit on the sideline and discuss things with him. He knows what's happening."
Lomax, when hopelessly caught up in the swirl of St. Louis' 2-9 season to date, was relieved at halftime three weeks ago during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cliff Stoudt, who played in the USFL and is a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, took over to engineer a 13-10 comeback victory. It earned him a starting role the next week against the San
Frisco 48ers and left him at the helm last week.
Stallings gave Stoutd's performances, including 57.6 percent passing for 513 yards and three touchdowns, mixed reviews.
"We haven't gotten a whole lot more points," said Stallings, also noting Stoudt's seven interceptions in 10 quarters. "Cliff has had the luxury of throwing the ball to Roy Green, which Neil didn't."
Stallings had said he anticipated waiting until just before Sunday's home game against Kansas City before announcing which quarterback would start, but relented and named Lomax for the assignment at midweek.
"I don't really see any reason in announcing the quarterback every Wednesday. We've got, obviously, two of them that we think can play." Stallings said. "I was really hoping that we could have gotten a little more production (from Stoudt), even though we've said all along it hasn't been the quarterback's fault."
Lomax's fall from grace, albeit temporary, had been almost as spectacular as an ascent before to heights that have been reached by but a few quarterbacks in NFL annals.
Two years ago, the former Portland State collegiate standout passed for 4,614 yards while becoming only the fourth league passer to top 4,000. He dipped in 1985 to 3.214. This year, before
been benched, he passed for 1,532 yards, while ex-
tending his number of consecutive start to 52.
In Lomax's defense, Stallings said the 27-year athlete was handicapped early by the absence not only of Green, who underwent foot surgery and missed five games, but also of Pat Tilley, who is on injured reserve.
"Here's a guy that's a quality quarterback, and he has been for a long time. It's just that he was frustrated," the coach said. "He didn't have his wide receivers. He's got a great touch on the ball. He throws the ball well. He needs some protection, and he needs somebody with some experience to throw the ball to."
Serving Lomax well in his trial was his memory, still vivid, of the awkward feelings that arose in 1981 when, as a rookie, he succeeded Jim Hart as St. Louis' quarterback.
"He didn't handle it with a lot of class, and he didn't really help the situation." Lomax said of how Hart reacted to being benched. "I'm not going to be bitter or look for revenge or start a vendetta against Cliff Stoudt or Gene Stallings for replacing me."
The remaining games in 1986, Stallings said, will be devoted in large part to determining how both Lomax and Stoudt will fit into the Cards' future.
Jets to sign lineman before Miami game
United Press International
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The New York Jets, trying to generate a pass rush from their injury-wreaked line, said yesterday they would sign an NFL veteran before their game against Miami.
The Jets have tested four defensive linemen with NFL experience — Fred Dean, Elvis Franks, Mack Moore and Blaise Winters. Head coach Joe Walton said the Jets will sign one of them.
The Jets, 10-1 and tops in the NFL are the league's only winning team with less than 25 sacks. Through 11 games last season, the Jets had 32 of their 49 sacks.
To further weaken the pass rush, New York lost All-Pro defensive end Mark Gastineau for six weeks because of a sprained knee. Gastineau, usually a premier quarterback hunter, has struggled
because of stomach and groin injuries. He has just two sacks after seasons of 19, 22 and $^{13}$.
His loss apparently wiped out the starting defensive front. Two weeks ago against Atlanta, defensive end Marty Lyons injured his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve.
Also against the Falcons. All-Pro nose tackle Joe Klecko suffered cartilage damage in his knee and the team said he would be sidedel for three to four weeks. He was listed as doubtful for Monday night's game at Miami.
The Jets need all their defensive weapons for the Dolphins Klecko, Gastineau, Lyons and All-Pro linebacker Lance Mehl (out for the season with knee damage), were available in the third week when Miami's Dan Marino riddled the Jets for 448 yards and six touchdown passes in a 51-45 overtime victory
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