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The Oakland Haiders had upset the Philidelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl only 24 hours prior, but in Johns burg, Monday night, the sports clatter didn't ring out the names of Jim Plunkett, Al Davis or Lester Hays. Instead, legendary names such as Joe Strain, Carl Page! and Harry Chappas can be heard eminating from various conversations within the local community hall. The pigskin has given way to the cowhide, and talk of the hard ball season is accompanied by the iabber of the hard-headed baseball optimists and pessimists. The Fifth Annual "Hit and Hun" Baseball Banquet couldn't have come at a better time. The event featured baseball dignitaries such as Vince Lloyd, radio voice of the Cubs, Dennis Lamp, Cub's pitcher, Mike Squire, Sox first baseman and John Cox, Assistant to the Cub's Bob Kennedy. Also displaying a crowd of about 270 local baseball fanatics, the evening was filled with conflict brought about by the mixture of fans hungry for answers and the team managements hesitant to supply the answers. The representative oC each Chicago team came to this winter affair beaming with the optimism usually reserved for spring training time. The vicious crowd, however came prepared with questions, rehearsed over and over in their minds. The crowd was not about to let the optimism of the baseball brass supress the frustration which had built up in each fan's mind after both local teams finished out of contention again last summer. Team representatives first spewed out cliche' after cliche' during after-dinner speeches. Kurt Valentin, recipient of the 1980 Johnsburg Oldtimers Scholarship, then recieved a plaque signifying the $550 awarded to the The Third Half Joel Wakitsch Sports Editof Spring Optimism Makes Eariy Arrival I960 Johnsburg High School graduate. The came the fun part of the program ...questions and answers. Of course, there was the typical interrogation. Q. "What do the Cubs think of Dave Kingman?" And the typical answer came out of John Cox, assistant to the executive vice president. A. "We think that if he is physically sound, he can help us like in 1979 when he hit 48 homers." Then there also was the probing question. Q. "Why was Miquei Dilone traded away without being given a fair chance with the Cubs?" And surprisingly, an honest answer from John Cox. A. "It was a case of a conflict between player and manager (Preston Gomez), and the Cubs chose to get rid of the player. We all make mistakes." Questions also flirted with difficult subjects M. "Was Preston Gomez io fault fur the Cuu* bad year 1980?" And sometimes produced enlightening answers from Dennis Lamp. A. "Preston told us in spring training that we were lousy hitters and had no pitching. That started the season off on a bad note. You can't win when your manager doesn't have faith in you." No question-answer session would be complete without a dumb question. Q. "What do Sox players think about Jimmy Piersall?" And some dumb question get avoiding answers, instead of dumb answers. Mike Squires handled this one. A. "Personally, I have no hard feelings toward Piersall. Harry Carey should be blamed for leading Jimmy on when he makes a controversial comment." Other question probed into salaries and finances. Q. "How can you go to arbitration, Dennis Lamp, after having a terrible, 10-14 season?" Vince Lloyd came to Lamp's defense. A. "You can't blame any player for going to arbitration because he's not going to get any less than what the club originally offered." Local player treatment also crept in to the discussion. Q. "How could the Cubs let Mick Kelleher and Larry Bittner go after so many loyal years?" And John Cox shunned any and all responsibility. A. "I thought we offered them both good contracts but after they became free agents, we then had no rights to them. It was their decision. In fact, Bittner signed for less than what we offered (with Cincinati) and Kelleher is still looking for a job." The question and answer period went on longer than expected and when the program ended near 11 p.m., the real class of the baseball personalities showed. Many appreciative fans lingered on until neaj- 1 a.m., and both Vince Lloyd and John Cox were there with them even though they had to be in Peoria for more of the same the next day. A lot went on in the wee hours of the night. Autographs were signed, philosophies were discussed and promises to look at local talent were made. Right before I left, I noticed a somewhat sarcastic fan talking to John Cox and putting down every cub trade made in the last year. When the older man was about to leave he applauded John Qoy for putting up with his abuse. John Cox smiled and replied, "I love it. In fact, I wish 25,000 people like you would come to the ball park every day. You fans sure are a refreshing challenge." Then again, so is staying a Cub fan. PAGE 7 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY. JANUARY 39.1981 fW 4 attendance at the Fifth Annual "Hit and Run" Baseball Banquet at the Community Club in Johnsburg Monday night. STAFF PHOTO-JOEL WAKITSCH Baseball personalities (left to right), Dennis Lamp, Vince Lloyd, and Mike Squires answer questions from the 270 fans in OF THE 1228 N. Green St McHenry * "EARL WALSH' So I Hear You , can't beat good readers who call, write or offer a kind,word. Love 'em. Have two more letters giving us the words to that song- "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now". Norm Hoym, of Sussex Drive, recalled the song and enclosed some Mitch Miller Sing Along numbers. I'll keep those for future use. A letter from Marilyn Johnson, of Mehring Ave., gives me special pleasure. Marilyn says she isn't old enough to qualify as an "Old Timer", but heard many old songs as she grew up. Her mother was an out­ standing organist remem­ bered as Jeanne Randolph, who played at many places in and near McHenry. Marilyn's father was Dr. Hopfear, an osteopath who soothed the aches and pains of many. I was one whom he helped so much. I miss him. There was a time when organ music wasn't my dish, then, along came Pearl Miller and Alice Barbian to turn me around. Next came Marilyn's mother to make me a real lover of organ music. Memories of those fine people puts a song in my heart. Now, here's a letter of a different nature, with a clipping from a column of some years back that read as follows: "A book by "So I Hear" finished in 1980 selling 3 copies right off the press." Friend Earl, I have sifted through every good bookstoie mifre country to find a copy of your book, but to no avail. What went wrong? At the time that appeared in your column it seemed like the ideal answer to my Christmas shopping. A gift to ALL my friends (that would have meant a sale of two more copies) would have made me a genuine Santa Claus Can I count on this for next Christmas? Keep me posted. "Biff" Enough items are listed to make a book, "Biff". Now to find a way to put it together and find a publisher. Where do we go from here? Florence Roth defends the weather man by saying, "We are all entitled to make a mistake." That's the old spirit! ?• The crowd arrived early Monday night at the John­ sburg Community Club to tune up for the 5th Annual Baseball Banquet sponsored by the Johnsburg Oldtimers Club. When Marie Oeffling, who with her crew prepared a delicious meal, announced "Soups on", there was real action by the knife and fork crowd. Sports Editor Joel was there with his camera so I suppose he will have a report of festivities. Suffice to say I had the usual good time, joining with Sib Whiting and George Harker in the trip north. Enjoyed seeing many old Just o reminder that now is o good time to beat the spring rush on equipment repairs of all kinds for the farm, construction, or lawn. We have the largest, most eHicient shop in the area to take care of your equipment needs. We are authorized dealers for: J.I. CASE MIGGSt INTERNATIONAL STtATTON HARVESTER KOHLER NEW HOLLAND <>NAN c atom LAUSON SAT°H TECUMSEH TORO POULAN GREEN MACHINE ECHO STOP HI OK CALL BUTCH JUSTEN AT 385-0420 Tigers like George Frett and Howie Freund. The list would be long. Lloyd Freund was telling me this event, like the an­ nual golf outing, was a dream of unforgetable Joe Frett Lloyd and Chairman Jerry Wakitsch were all smiles as they saw the work active committee unfold. The White Sox representatives and fans w e r e o u t n u m b e r e d . 3\yevei erued( first baseman, being able and quick with the one liners. He can field more than baseballs. Hov^ever, Joe Etten com­ mented on Mike Squires, Sox Dick Rabbitt let me know the Warriors are winning without me. "But", says the man, "I have a chair ready for Alvina". If the Warriors lose the next game I attend, I will have to go out the back door. Those Warriors are something else. Imagine it -- they won games on con­ secutive nights by the sum margin of 3 points. You have to havp something behind TfuTbelt to stay in Tfiefe ahtT win those close ones. Oh. doctor! How am I going to take off these extra pounds? Now comes the famous roast beef dinner at the Zion Lutheran Church next Sunday. Feb. 1. Family style. That's my downfall. The price is right The food is great Crowds pour in So don't be late. Comment On Sports FOOTBALL By Pete Fritchie WASHINGTON. D. C. -- Looking back on this sea­ son's college bowls, it can be said that: Georgia was fortunate indeed to beat Notre Dame-Irish mistakes decided that otjfe} But then mistakesP'usjuffry do. Oklahoma wasNortunate to beat FSU. One had the feeling FSU had the better team, but quarterback Stock- still was a total flop as a passer, and FSU had no passing attack. Strange. Alabama ran over Baylor -the Crimson Tide should have been rematched with Notre Dame-or with FSU. Michigan wasn't all that much better than the Huskies. The Huskies just blew too many chances in the first half, which they dominated. J As for a Mislou net­ work poll among viewers, as to whether there should be a post season college playoff, that was a lightweight stunt. And the network far over- reported the returns, con­ stantly interrupting the game. Two or three reports- would have been enough. And of course fans would like to see a playoff. But we're dealing with college sports, not a pro system. And the bowl scenario is very good--a number of teams can make their claims. And what difference does it make, really, if two or three think they are number one? Fine. On The Sideline With Dick Rabbitt The Warriors have a big doubleheader weekend. Tonight, they host last place Cary Grove at Buckner gym, and tomorrow night travel down Randall Road to play Jacobs high school. After their two big wins last weekend, defeating Crystal Lake South 61 to 60, and going into the n: ZeeBeeo *>.»! out on top 8-9 to 58. it should make the Ken Ludwig crew raring to go this weeekend. They played two good games last week, and we hope along with Warrior fans they can keep it up during the second half of the conference season. With Crown almost impossible to catch, the Warriors have their eye on second place in the Fox Vallev, and although it is not impossible to do, the Warriors will have to maintain their fine play of the past weekend to accomplish this feat. Pat Wirtz, coach of the girls' team had a rare experience last Saturday in the game against Cary Grove. Four of his regulars fouled out, and with only eight girls dressed for the game wound up by playing only four d one-against the Trojans five. In the two and one-half minutes that the Warriors only had four players, the C was able to score only a free throw. A total of 49 iwere called in the game, unusually high for a girls game, or for that matter any high school game. The Johnsburg Old Timers put on another fine baseball banquet last Monday night. Jerry Wakitsch as usual had a fine program line up for the 270 guests. Vince Lloyd, the voice of the Chicago Cubs, again did a fine job. He brought along with him Dennis Lamp of the Cubs and Mike Squires first baseman of the Sox. John Cox assistant to Bob Kennedy General Manger of the Cubs, also said a few words and answered questions from the audience. A lot of old friends were in attendance. Four members of Ken Swanson's North Suburban baseball champions of 1977, John and Jeff Meyer, Doug Oeffling and Scott Letzer were reliving their high school days. Judge Herrmann and son Paul, and that young lad may be the big man Ken Ludwig is looking for in the future. S.I.H. was at the head table, but those Cubbies wouldn't let him expound on his favorite team. Lloyd Freund did an excellent job as Toastmaster. And the party would not be complete if one didn't get to talk to Harry May and Mike DeWolfe Bob Swartzloff and Norb Wolter from McHenry high were in attendance, Jim Meyer A D at Johnsburg awarded the scholarship to one of his former athletes Kurt Valentin, who is attending University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Dr. Duane Andreas never misses a meal at the Community Club, and football coach Bob Schmitt and roundball coach Bob Kies were there Tom Bolger had a tablefull from the State bank Rumor has it that Don Wattles picked up the tab. Big Don and little Don Bentz, you pick them apart, were blocking my" path to the dining room" *" Sib Whiting, a McHenry old timer, had a good seat, but John Bolton must have got in early as he had a front row seat. Christ Wirtz along with Tom Blake had me in stitches, and not to forget the one that saw that I got a ticket. Bill Oeffling, he is a good captain on ticket sales All in all it was a fun evening, the cause is great, scholarships for athletes from Johnsburg high school and we are looking forward to next year Down memory lane, we take you back to the 1968-69 season when the largest crowd ever, attended a basketball game at Buckner gym. The ZeeBees from Zion and the Warriors were neck and neck in the North Suburban race. Zion had won the first meeting, 72 to 59. and the Warriors were out for revenge It was a thrilling night indeed for the huge crowd as the Warriors won 68 to 61 and gained a tie for the conference lead. Mike Weingart with 15 points led the Warrior attack on that great night McHenry vs. Zion Benton I %K-«9 Season McHenry Zion Benton fg ft pf IP Hurckes 2 1 3 5 Smith 1 2 1 4 Weingart 7 1 3 15 Heard 2 1 5 5 Freund 3 5 1 11 Harbecke 5 1 3 11 Fairchild 4 4 2 12 Morenz 0 5 1 5 Totals: 24 20 19 68 McH Z.B. fg ft pf IP C White 3 4 5 10 Rogers 0 3 4 3 Collins 0 1 4 1 Mitchell 5 5 2 15 E White 4 4 4 12 Czopiwsky 7 4 4 18 Frederickson 1 0 1 2 Totals: 20 21 24 61 Best Of Press J A Thought Maybe you can't take money with you, but where can you go without it? -U.S. Coast Guard. nrnBHiHTTTTCTTTiTrffiTyrfriTTrriTT McHENRY COUNTRY CLUB (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) Winter Schedule (CLOSED MONDAY) The Lounge Opens at 3:00 SUNDAY 10-5 DINING ROOM Monday: The Club Is Closed Tuesday: Dining Room Closed, Lounge Open Wednesday: Prime Rib, Salad Bar Special Wednesday ft Thursday "Twilight Dinner Hour 4:30 - 7:00 MENU FROM *2.95 • $5.50 Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Fried Chicken Special with glass of wine. Friday: Fish Fry, Lake Perch w/Potato Pancakes Saturday: Special Gourmet Menu Beside Our Regular Full Menu, Your Choice Dinner D a n c e F r o m 6 - 1 1 Friday & Saturday "LAST STOP" Late Hour Menu 10 -12 -- ENTERTAINMENT -- Every FRIDAY ft SATURDAY From 8-12 For Reservations Please Call (815)385-1072 MUflflflWfll'W MMMH