Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 35

Tribune Sports news General 1D 1976 March Thursday 25 Twins tan White Sox rookies 6-2 By Joe Soucheray Staff Writer Orlando, Fla. Vernal equinox aside, spring officially began Wednesday afternoon when Carl Langford, the mayor of Orlando, pitched the first ball of the "Grapefuit" season to Twins president Calvin Griffith, who stood behind home plate in his shirt sleeves with Phil Roof's catcher's mitt. The mayor threw it in the dirt and Griffith lunged and missed, much to the pleasure of 2,052 fans who sunbathed on the bleachers at Tinker Field. City glover upset in nationals By Special Correspondent Miami, Fla. Favored Gil Mitchell of Minneapolis lost his first match as the national Golden Gloves tournament opened in Miami Wednesday night.

Dave Johnson of Fergus Falls dropped an unanimous decision to Danny Wells, Toledo, Ohio, in the 106-pound class, while Mitchell lost a unanimous decision to Wayne a split decision to Wayne Lynumn, Chicago, in the 119-pound division. Wells held a reach advantage over Johnson and scored two knockdowns 1 in the third round. Mitchell, who once went as far as the semifinals in the nationals, threw few punches in the first two rounds while stalking Lynumn, who used a straight right hand for telling effect. In matches later. last night, Don Curry of Rochester, unleashed a furious body attack in the first round and scored a technical knockout over Calvin Clark of Des Moines at 147 pounds: Frank Cogswell of Rochester lost a unantmous 132-pound decision to Tyrone Moore, Louisville, Ky, Monroe Gage, Minneapolis 165- pounder, knocked out Larry Crawley, Elizabeth, N.J., at 30 seconds of- the first round with a solid left hook.

The occasion was prompted, finally, by the arrival of the Chicago White Sox, or more accurately, a small band of non-rostered White Sox minor leaguers who traveled all morning from. Sarasota, in a chartered bus that they parked next to their third base dugout. The real White Sox stayed home to play Pittsburgh. Gene Mauch put together his best line-up, started his best pitcher, Bert Blyleven, and the Twins won 6-2. Blyleven was the official winner, but Joe Decker was the official hero.

Decker, who was ineffective all of last year after a virus attack early in the season, struck out five batters over the last three innings and allowed only one hit, a hard grounder up the middle by a leftfielder named Bob Tucker. "I felt great," Decker said. "I had a fast ball; I had control. I even had a curve ball that curved over the plate." Steve Lubber pitched the middle three innings when the Sox scored twice, but neither Mauch nor Luebber were concerned about the runs because Mauch said his club played a fundamentally sound game, which they set out to do in the week of cramming sessions that began last Thursday. Rookie catcher Butch Wynegar hit two singles.

Glenn Borgman, last year's regular catcher, caught glimpses of the game from a batting cage beyond right field. Third baseman Dave McKay bopped three singles into right field, each a little farther and a little harder than the previous. Eric Soderholm, last year's regular at third, watched from the dugout, concerned about his left knee that has swelled after exertion. "I think the game was a mystery to Frank McCormick, former 'U' coach and athletic director, dies at age 81 Frank McCormick, 81, former athletic director at the University of Minnesota, died Wednesday at Fullerton, after a long illness. McCormick served as Minnesota athletic director from 1933 to 1941.

Then, after service in World War II, he served a second term from 1946 to 1950. By Dick Cullum Staff Writer He is remembered as one of the strong figures in Minnesota athletics. His first tenure spanned the period when Minnesota had its most successful record in football under Coach Bernie Bierman. He was the chief mover in assembling the powerful squads with which Bierman won championships. He also coached the Minnesota baseball team throughout his tenure.

He was one of the cofounders of the American Legion baseball program and persuaded the National Collegiate Athletic Association to hold its first college baseball tournament. When the new Bierman Field baseball stadium was dedicated in 1971 McCormick returned from California for the occasion. He called it the best college baseball stadium in the country. He was considered at one time for the office of commissioner of baseball. During World War II he and Col.

Ted Banks were in charge of the army's recreational program in Europe and they were responsible for us all," McKay said afterwards. "I got jammed tight twice and just came around for two of my hits. This was just for the mechanics of it all, this game. The first game is like that, to get the feel, try to get the timing. We didn't, or couldn't do things today that come easy in the regular season like maybe bend down for a slider and hang it out there.

That will come." The Twins scored five of their runs in the third inning, started off by McKay's first hit. Jerry Terrell then was hit by a pitch and Wyne- Twins continued on page 3D Frank McCormick (1945 photo) the creation of the American Legion baseball program. Born in Genoa, he played professional football with the Akron, Ohio, Indians as a teammate of Jim Thorpe. He played fullback at the University of South Dakota. While serving in World War I he was the outstanding fullback in the American Expeditionary Force.

Before coming to Minnesota as backfield coach under Fritz Crisler he served for a time as U.S. district attorney in South Dakota. He succeeded Crisler in the Minnesota directorship. During his years McCormick continued on page 2D defeat Scouts By Special Correspondent Kansas City, Mo. Veteran Bill Goldsworthy scored the lead and insurance goals in the Minnesota North Stars' 4-1 victory over Kansas City in the National Hockey League Wednesday night.

Goldsworthy scored early in the second period for Minnesota's 2-1 lead and again midway in the third period to put the North Stars ahead 3-1. The North Stars now have gone three games without a loss. They had ties with Los Angeles and Philadelphia before last night's triumph. The loss extended Kansas City's winless streak to 21 games, only four shy of the NHL record held by the Scouts' expansion twin, the Washington Capitals. Kansas City scored on a power play at 6:34 of the first period on a goal by Chuck Arnason.

The North Stars pulled even at 1-1 on a goal by Tim Young at 12:53, Young taking a pass from defenseman Dwight Bialowas. The first period action reached its peak with only four seconds remaining, when a brawl broke out. The fight erupted when the Stars' Brian Hextall shattered his stick over the helmeted head of Jean Guy Legace in front of the Scouts' bench after Legace reportedly slashed him. The brawl worsened when Henry Boucha, a former North Star, and Ernie Hicke were ejected for being third men in a fight. The Scouts' Dennis Dupere also was removed from the game for coming off the bench to join the fracas.

When it was over, referee Dave Shewchyk handed out eight minors and three game misconducts, with Kansas City receiving five of the minors. The North Stars took advantage of a one-man advantage because of those penalties at 4:11 of the second period to take a 2-1 lead when Bill Goldsworthy knocked in a loose puck. Baseball Coach Frank McCormick hit a ball during University of Minnesota practice in the spring of 1932. Roberts' Hibbing rink holds world meet lead Associated Press pionship match. Duluth, Minn.

The Bruce Roberts rink of Hibbing, took command of the. Silver Broom World curling tournament Wednesday before 5,000 curling fans by scoring a pair of victories to remain the tourney's only undefeated team. Roberts led his U.S. champions to a 10-5 victory over Canada in the late draw to run his record to 6-0. Earlier yesterday the U.S.

team smothered Denmark 12-3. The United States has an excellent chance of winning its remaining three games in the round robin competition and earning an automatic berth in Sunday's cham- The loss dropped the Canadians to 2-4 for the worst record the Canadians have ever recorded in the Silver Broom. Although Canada played its best game of the tournament through the first seven ends, Roberts scored a four-ender in the eighth end to put the Iron Range rink ahead and Canada was unable to score again. Switzerland, 5-1, stayed on the heels of the United States by edging Scotland 5-4 in the evening draw. France moved into sole possession of third place at 4-2 with an 8-7 extra end triumph over Sweden.

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The fees would be over and above the regular license amounts. In the past, vendors got a percentage of the fee. Many complained it was insufficient. The bill also puts a new March 1 starting date on all licenses, beginning in 1977. This will allow fishermen to use one license for both winter and summer angling.

Fishing licenses this year will be extended to March 1, 1977. Spencer signs with Vikings The Minnesota Vikings beat a host of NFL clubs to the signing of running back Willie Spencer Wednesday. He signed a three-year contract. Mike Lynn, Vikings general manager, met with Spencer in Memphis yesterday after he had been declared a free agent from the Grizzlies of the defunct World Football League. Until recently, Memphis owner John Bassett had held the Grizzlies' players together in hopes of a franchise in the NFL.

Spencer, who played for Memphis in 1974 and 1975, was the first player signed off the Memphis roster. Of the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Spencer, Vikings Coach Bud Grant said, "Willie is the big back we haven't had since Bill Brown's heyday. In McCULLOCH CHAIN SAWS: 12" MINI MAC 30 SPECIAL! McCULLOCH Buy this Mini Mac 30 now and get Mini an extra chain for one low price! Mac 12" 30 bar and chain zips through logs up to 24" in seconds. reg. 143.46 Combo SAW, reg.

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He's the equivalent of a first-round draft choice." Spencer shouldered most of the fullback duties for Memphis last season with Larry Csonka nursing injuries much of the year. Dave Skrien, Memphis backfield coach and an ex-University of Minnesota athlete, compared Spencer favorably with Csonka. "Willie isn't the finished player that Csonka is," said Skrien, "but he has greater natural ability. One thing he does better than Csonka is to catch the ball." Giving his reason for choosing the Vikings over 10 other offers in the NFL, Spencer, 23, said, "I always figured the Vikings were top ball club, and I figured I'm a top back. There's no reason why the best shouldn't get together." Spencer never played college football.

After graduation from Massillon (Ohio) High School in 1971, Spencer played football in Canada. He tried out with Ottawa in 1972 and was sent to the Rough Riders' farm team in Indianapolis. "But the coach there thought I was too young," Spencer said, "so I went home and got a job." Spencer tried out with Ottawa again in 1973 and lasted until the final squad cut. He was sent to Hartford, where he played until they tried to convert him to a tight end, so he joined a semipro club. In 1974 Spencer signed with Toronto of the WFL before that franchise was shifted to Memphis.

As a WFL rookie he rushed for 769 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in 15 games before injuring a knee. Last season he rushed 100 times for 590 yards before the WFL halted operations. feet to the direct your County PRAIRIE be here!) complete Levis For the SEAT Southtown Wayzata STORES Also at The Plaza Dales Maplewood Northtown Apache.