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Infielders expected to be busy during Jones-Fidrych duelPHILADELPHIA fUPI) - Like one of those musketeers from days of yore who’s honor has been offended, “The Count” has thrown down the challenge to the American League for tonight’s 47th All-Star GameJohn Montefusco, the brash righthander of the San Francisco Giantswho admits to being “emharassed ’ by his 7-8 record, has practically dared the American League batters to hit him in tonight's contest at Veterans Stadium, and flatly predicts the National League will win the game for the fifth year in a row.“Just wait until tomorrow nightAW■• '* ;• ‘.Y'.’.V: •§;, % fit ■ ■yy;w/-'.lt;r « 1WMMy/y.lt;* j'r5* ■*»* **/// I .» -k * » 1S'-v* Wy/v.'.vv y.•w.v^n «v«. -ysAijui • • • Iand you’ll see why I’m the best pitcher in the National League,’ Montefusco said Monday, directing his comments at two of the AL’s best hitters— five-time batting champion Rod Carew of Minnesota and current batting leader George Brett of Kansas City.“These guys think they’re good hitters,” Montefusco added, “but we’ll see tomorrow. You want a prediction from me? The National League will win. There’s no doubt about it. We’re a stronger loop. Iwas a Yankee fan for 15 years and Iused to think the American League was better. But when I got into the National League I saw that we had better players.”Montefusco may have trouble backing up his boast, though. Lefthander Randy Jones of San Diego, the majors’ top winner with 16 victories, will start for the NL and manager Sparky Anderson indicated he would follow Jones with Tom Seaver of the Mets.Mark Fidrych. the rookie hotshot from Detroit who leads the majors in earned run average with 1.78. has been named to start for the American League but manager Darrell Johnson says he is not sure who will follow the 21-year-old righthander. “We’ll just have to wait and see how the game develops.” said Johnson, who’s pitching staff includes three relievers and six starters.Both managers announced their starting lineups Monday, and it came as no surorise that AndersonDAILY REPORT12 Tues.. July 13, 1976stacked the top of his lineup heavily with his own Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati's Pete Rose will lead off followed in order by Steve Garvey of Los Angeles, Joe Morgan of Cincinnati, George Foster of Cincinnati, Greg Luzinski of Philadelphia, Johnny Bench of Cincinnati, Dave Kingman of New York, Dave Concepcion of Cincinnati and JonesRon LeFlore of Detroit will lead off for the AL followed in order by Carew, Brett. Thurman Munson of New York, Fred Lynn of Boston, Toby Harrah of Texas, Rusty Staub of Detroit, Bobby Grich of Baltimore and Fidrych.The highlight of the game, which is expected to draw more than 60,000 fans, including President Ford, is supposed to be the pitching duel between Jones and Fidrych. Under All-Star rules, no starting pitcher isallowed to go more than three innings, but if both are on the top of their games, there may not be a ball hit out of the infield during thattime.Both pitchers specialize in keeping the ball down below the knees and the league's best hitters have found it extremely difficult in connecting solidly off them“Jones doesn't throw hard,” says the Reds' Morgan, “but he knows what he’s doing out there. If you know what you’re doing you don't have to be overpowering. He gives you the comfortable collar ’ The ball may look like a melon coming up there but when you hit it it’s onMARK FIDRYCH... “world’s worst hitter”—Manager Ralph Houk.the ground somewhere. He’s got tremendous movement on the ball and that’s the secret of being a goodpitcher.”Morgan also had a chance to face Fidrych in spring training and admits he was impressed with the young right-hander.“He has a good sinker,” saidMorgan “The first time you face him he has a bigger advantage because you’re paying more attention to his antics on the mound then you are to what he's throwing you. There aren’t too many guys around who took to the ball. This time we won’t be in the batter’s box laughing.”• * 4 ' • * .* * • i # 4 ?V% + * * » C* ♦ ♦.* ' * lt;r * 4 # a # \ £ »' • • ' * • r * • • * * - * ' * ... --vmRANDY JONES... “world’s best pitcher» 9John McNamara
Newspaper Details
Ontario Daily Report
Ontario, California, US
Tue, Jul 13, 1976
Page 12
Full Page
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CA, USA 12 Mar 2020
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