The Minneapolis Star from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 35

FUN, BUT NO FISH Only Four Regulars Healthy as Twins End Worst April game of the Twins' 7-3, 3-0 trying to go to second base doubleheader losses at Wash days and again last June, gave way on him yesterday when he tried to field a slow-hit ball at third base. He'll be ington Sunday. He's doubtful By MAX NICHOLS Minneapolis Star Staff Writer After muddling through their worst April ever, the Twins return home tonight for tonight. Dean Chance will pitch Tuesday night against New York's Fritz Peterson Dave Bos-well will face Fred Talbot Wednesday night. 1 Details, box score, statistics: Page 15B out about a week.

"My side (rib cartilage) When asked about the didn't bother me when I was swinging the bat," said Bat "worst April," Mele asked in replay: tey. "But it hurt when I had to throw hard. That shot felt "How do you mean that?" like fire in my side, but it's He agreed the Twins have with injuries battering their regulars to half strength. Standing 5-10 in 10th place is the lowest April mark ever recorded by Minnesota in in the first game," said Mele. "He was sure he could make it and did.

The umpire (Lou DiMuro) missed it I'm told by two feet." Carew was tagged out trying for a double before Earl Battey reached home, costing the Twins a run. Jim Merritt will try to lift the Twins off their backs in his first pitching start at 8 p.m. "I'll just do the best I can and see how it comes out," said Merritt. "I need work. I'm glad to get the chance." Mele will stay with his normal pitching rotation started at a low in perform supposed to do that.

If Battey can't play, Russ ance as well as in record. Three errors yesterday made The MINNEAPOLIS STAR SPORTS Nixon will start. He's a lifetime .274 hitter, but has had difficulty this spring. it 14 in 15 Twin games in addition to six base-running mistakes, four misjudged fly balls and miscellaneous fundamental problems. its first seven Mele American League baseball seasons.

But dark as it appears at the bottom of the With Battey, Rich Rollins, Tony Olivia and Carew out of most of the second game yesterday, the Twins man- TWIN KILLINGS stairs, last place is just the May 1,1967 "jjg thought Carew was right in tliy i Sun v. April Gloom Here are records of the Minnesota Twins in the base beginning of Manager Sam Mele's problems. The one thing Mele hoped for more than anything else was to avoid a flood of in LEAPFROG OR BASEBALL? ball-season opening month of April since the club started playing at Metropolitan Stadium in 1961: juries. His utility players are relatively inexperienced 1 'V 4' jM jf" tmMmm cia in most cases and lack run-scoring power. So what iliiiliiililiPiiiSi 1961 1962 3rd 6th 7lh 4th lit .600 1', .500 .474 3 .53 1 .727 1', 1963 1964 9 6 9 9 9 10 7 6 8 3 4 6 $rl lift, JrK 1965 1966 The Twins will face the 6th .400 5 1967 5 10 .333 4', 10th New York Yankees at Metro politan Stadium with only Harmon Kulebrew, Bob Al ison, Zoilo Versalles and Cesar Tovar healthy among the regulars.

And Tovar pro aged only one line drive, a single for the only hit off Washington pitcher Barry Moore. Dr. George Resta of Washington gave Oliva a shot similar to Battey's yesterday. He said the medication "takes bably will switch positions. "If Rod Carew can't play, we'll switch Tovar to second base and use Ted Uhlaender in center field," said Mele.

the pressure off and gives the injury a chance to heal Ron Clark will play third base, and either Walt Bond quicker." It's possible Carew of Sandy Valdespino will play will receive a shot of Hydel 1 cf'SSw. 0 llll right field. trasol, a similar drug, for the bone bruise in his right hand Catcher Earl Battey was given a shot of xylocaine (of "I'll be ready to play," said Carew. But George Lentz, the novacaine family of drugs) after playing the first Twins trainer, estimated Carew would need a couple of days off. United Press International MET SHORTSTOP SANDY ALOMAR STRADDLES CINCY'S VADA PINSON Tries for double play after making out at second base WL .71 Rollins' right knee, injured several times in minor league Minneapolis Star Photo by Charles Bjorgen they had no" fish to show for their efforts.

However they were expecting to catch a few recently stocked rainbows later as the creek level was normal and the fish were hitting on opening day. Details on Page 15B. THESE YOUTHFUL fishermen, Robert Whitley, 8, and Jeff Ferguson, 13, both of Savage, tried their luck on Eagle Creek west of Savage as the statewide trout season opened Saturday. But when checked shortly after the 10 a.m. opening Saturday Same Yank Tune, New Cast TRESH ONLY STARTER FROM '64 CHAMPS Twins on Spot-Yanks Won 't Let Them Off ard really should count as "half." He is scheduled for, the 8 p.m.

series opener because left-handed Jim Merritt will pitch for the Twins. Against right-handers Jake Gibbs, the club's leading hitter at .333, dons the mask. Things were different in 1964 when How- SAM MELE brought his Minnesota Twins back for their first extended home stand with the realization that he and his players are on the spot. They are last in the American League today. They have dropped three to a Washington team which used to be a setup for them.

They pUARI FS have prob- nM-EJ By DICK GORDON Minneapolis Star Staff Writer The Yankees are near first place today after Mickey Mantle's second homer in two games gave them a split in the Sunday doubleheader with California. All that has a familiar ring, doesn't it? But times have changed as Metropolitan Stadium fans can see for themselves tonight. Tom Tresh will play left field and Elston Howard will catch. They happen to be the only regulars in the same positions they filled on the Yankees' last pennant-winning team of 1964. And How ard caught 150 games.

Joe Pepitone, a center-fielder now, was a first baseman then. And Mantle, whose three-run lOth-inning homer beat California 4-1 yesterday, has reversed that switch. The others are gone Manager Yogi Berra, second baseman Bobby Richardson, shortstops Tony Kubek and Phil Linz, third baseman Clete Boyer and right fielder Roger Maris. Instead the Yanks have a cast which combines rookies and retreads rookies like outfielders Bill Robinson and Steve Whitaker and second baseman Horace Clarke and retreads such as second lems. JOHNSON Lowdown on Sports Their pitching, expected to be the best in the league, United Press International STEVE BARBER No denying it hasn't come Barber Miller decision not to accept the law of the land by refusing to don a uniform of the United States Army.

He is hiding behind excuses that never have been accepted as legitimate. It is true that he rates as one of the more capable champions the heavyweight division ever had. He has defended his title every time a challenger has popped up. He has eliminated all opposition without any trouble. He deserves no sympathy and will not get any from those who love and follow competitive sports.

There have been other champions with poor public images. Sonny Liston is one who didn't rate with the sports public. Primo Camera reached the top because racketeers controlled the. game and the title. Jack Johnson was one of the better fighters of all time, but his morals placed him among the undesirables.

With Clay, the campaign is under way to take his title away from him by default. The New York Boxing Commission and world leaders are ready to dethrone him because he has challenged the authority of the United States government. Morally, the Clay challengers are correct. But they will discover as so many others have through the years that champions can be dethroned only in the ring. Someone must beat him before a successor will be accepted.

baseman Dick Howser, shortstop John Kennedy and third baseman Charlie Smith. Those names don't mean much, maybe, but so far they have helped the New Yorkers to a winning 9-6 record. Only a 4-2 loss to California in the nightcap at Yankee Stadium yesterday kept them from coming here on Manager Ralph Houk, who was in the front office as general manager three years ago, hasn't changed his preseason tune. "We are going to surprise a lot of people," he says regarding the 10th place outfit of last season. "Out pitching has been good.

If we can just start hitting. The Yanks totaled just 14 hits in the Sabbath twin bill, being limited to five by the Angels' Rickey Clark and Bill Kelso in the second game. They are not in the best of shape physically with Pepitone and Clark doubtful starters because of injuries and pitcher Mel Stottlemyre left in New York because of tendonitis in his shoulder. Jim Bouton will pitch tonight in an effort to retain' the usual Yankee mastery. For five of the six years since the Twins moved here, New York has won the season's series.

Pennant winners or not, the "new" Yanks see no reason to change that pattern. What Barber Needed Was a No -walker Associated Press Steve Barber should forget about no-hitters. He'd be bet ter off pitching a no-walker. Barber, the Baltimore Ori ole who was supposed to have trouble with his left arm, displayed trouble only with his control Sunday as when Cincinnati's John Klip-pstein, Hershell Freeman and Joe Black held Milwaukee hitless for nine innings. However, the Braves got a hit off Black in the 10th and then won 2-1 in the 11th.

Jim Nash pitched a five-hitter for Kansas City, and Danny Cater hit a homer for the only run to beat Boston's Darrell Brandon Cleveland topped Chicago 2-1 in the opener on Leon Wagner's ninth inning homer as Gary Bell scattered seven hits. The White Sox, ability to finish. "In all honesty, I didn't deserve a no hitter," said Barber, who on April 16 had another bid ruined when Jim Fregosi of California doubled with one out in the ninth. "I have no great pride in my performance," said Barber, who threw 144 pitches and struck two batters in addition to the 10 walks. "It was not a work of art.

They probably didn't get a hit because I didn't throw anything close enough to the plate. "The only time I thought much about a no hitter was when Detroit got those runners on second and third in the ninth. Then I thought, 'I've got to pitch one now, or that's "If I hadn't been pitching a no hitter, I would have been out long before I was out of gas in the fifth inning. "I put Hank in a bad position," Barber said. "I have to give him credit for sticking with me as long as he did." In only one previous instance had more than one pitcher combined for a no-hitter.

That was in 1956 he and Stu Miller became the first pitching pair in baseball history to hurl a no-hitter and lose in nine innings. up to such promise. Their hitting hasn't been timely. Their fielding has been erratic and their "skullers" too numerous. The trouble is that the Twins will not get any relief with the appearance of the New York Yankees at Metropolitan Stadium for a three-game series starting tonight.

The Yanks, with Ralph Houk, as their spokesman, have lived up to the predictions made for them during spring training. Then their manager said his team could be the surprise of the league. In fact, he predicted that his perennial champions of a few years back not only would make the first division, but could challenge for the title. Today the Yanks are just a step out of first place while a year ago they finished last in the final standings. The Twins': big problem up to now is that they haven't been making the big play.

For example, in Saturday's loss they had three on and none out against Washington in the first inning and got one run. In the second frame of the same game they had two runners on with no one out and didn't get a single tally. Sunday the Twins missed a double play and an important run scored. Later two bases on balls set the stage for a rally that decided the first game. Such a situation puts terrific pressure on the manager whose team is far down in the standings.

Only victories can put the manager back in good standing even though he can't do much about what happens on the field or the injuries to several key players. Barber did the bulk of the work, holding Detroit hitless for 8 innings. But he walked 10 Tigers, and after nowever, roared bacK on the last one, there was no What a disgrace it would have been if Van Nelson, St. Cloud's marvelous distance runner, had been deprived of his record in the three mile race at the Drake Relays because one of the official timers had been lax on his assignment. This error was quickly corrected.

"Only one more pitch, but holding Manager Hank Bauer walks and stolen bases for a 4-2 second game triumph. Box scores: Page 16B such is life. I can't get upset. It's too late to cry. any longer.

He called in Miller, who preserved the no-hitter but not the victory as the 1 lgers scored on Mark Belanger's error and won the first game MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STANDINGS (Key: Read across for victories; read down for losses.) of the doubleheader 2-1. De NATIONAL LEAGUE troit also won the second game 6-4. The Tigers' first run, also scored in the ninth inning, came on a wild pitch minutes after Barber issued his eighth and ninth walks and just before he recorded No. 10. As Mickey Stanley trotted to first Bauer walked out of the dugout.

Miss No Bets THE UNIVERSITY of Minnesota baseball team is setting a hot pace in the Big Ten race with seven victories in seven starts to gain a lead of 2Y2 games. But there are many good reasons for this situation. The Gophers miss no bets on the diamond. They make the most of every opportunity to get winning runs. Minnesota has had the advantage of some outstanding pitching by Jerry Wick-man, Jerry Sevlie, Mike McNair and Jack Palmer.

AMERICAN LEAGUE Won lost Pel. G.B. Dtl NY Bot Chi Bal Col CI Wai KC TWN Detroit 10 6 .625 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 2 2 New York 9 6 .600 12 032030100 Boston 8 6 .571 1 0310 0 0 2 2 0 Chicago 9 7 .563 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 4 0 0 Baltimore 8 8 .500 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 2 California 8 9 .471 2'2 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 Cleveland 7 8 .467 22 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 3 Washington 7 8 .467 2Y2 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 Kansas City 6 9 .400 312 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 00 TWINS 5 10 .333 42 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Won lol Pel. G.I. Cin Stl Pah CM Atl Phi SF IA NY Hon Cincinnati 15 5 .750 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 3 6 St Louis 9 6 .600 Z'2 0 0 0 0 0 3 3,03 Pittsburgh 7 5 .583 4 0 2 2 0 2 0 OVJ) Chicago 8 6 .571 4 0 0 3 0 2 0 0-12 Atlanta 9 7 .563 4 0 0 0 0 32 20 Philadelphia 8 8 .500 5 0 0 0 1 1- 0 0 San.

Fran. 7 9 .438 6 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 40 Los Angeles 6 10 .375 7 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 New York 6 11 .353 7a 1 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 Houston 5 13 .278 9 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 O'i. Speaking of tough luck, can one match that of Steve Barber who pitched and lost a no-hit game? "I tried to get it for you," Bauer told Barber when he (YEAR AGO: Twins 6th, 8, 7, Pet. 533, G.B. 5't reached the mound.

GAME TONIGHT Barber, a sometimes fiery Pittsburgh at St. Louis. competitor on the field, is al Only game scheduled. ways imperturbable in the LATE SATURDAY San Francisco 5, Los Angeles 0. RESULTS SUNDAY New York 2-2, Cincinnati 0-3.

Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 0. Chicago Ik Houston 1. Philadelphia 6-3, Atlanta 4-6. San Francisco 5, Los Angeles 1.

RESULTS SUNDAY Washington 7-3, TWINS 3-0. Detroit 2-6, Baltimore 1-4. Cleveland 2-2, Chicago 1-4. New York 4-2, California 1-4 (first game, 10 innings). Kansas City 1, Boston 0.

GAMES TONIGHT TWINS vs. New York, 8 p.m. Metropolitan Stadium. Boston at California. Baltimore at Cleveland.

Only games scheduled. GAMES TUESDAY TWINS vs. New York, 8 p.m, Metropolitan Stadium. Boston at California, night. Washington at Kansas City, twilight.

Detroit at Chicago, night. Baltimore at Cleveland, nijiht. locker room. The point is the Gophers play such heads-up baseball that they make the most of every opening tossed their way by the opposition. Their four victories over (he weekend put them in a strong positibh to bid for top Big Ten honors once again.

Must Lick Him NO BOXING champion at any time has created a worse public image than Cas-sius Clay, undefeated boss of the heavyweight division. The sports public has rebelled at his He passed the supreme test GAMES TUESDAY NIGHT San Francisco at New York. Houston at Philfrtelphta. Los Angeles at Pittsburgh. Chicago at Atlanta.

Cincinnati at St, Louis. yesterday, discussing with amazmc: detachment his in.