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Hot Stove League Heats Up At > Seventh Annual Old Timers Banquet Lloyd Freund (left) has a few laughs with former cubs announcer, Vince Lloyd, during the Oldtimers Banquet. Dutch Rennert Is One Umpire The Vince Lloyd Era I can remember growing up as a kid in Neenah, Wise., listening to tne radio my father had tuned on to listen to the Chicago Cubs broadcast on WGN. My father was and still isan avid Cub fan and although I was a maverick (avid Brewer fan), the two voices on the radio will always stick out in my mind. It seemed those voices would never die. They were permanent. But, I guess all things must come to an end. It was announced just after last season that Vince Lloyd would hang up his microphone and do something else. His new position with WGN is heading a department tnat is working on increasing the station's radio and television network. Although he will be still traveling with the ballclub and making an appearance or two on the radio and television broadcast, too many Cub fans around, the world, it won't be the same. Lloyd was the M.C. again for the seventh annual Johnsburg Oldtimers Banquet held at the Johnsburg Community Club Hall Monday night. And as he is noted for, he came out entertaining the 280 baseball fans in attendance. ' ' - . "I could hardly find the place -- there were no snowbanks," quipped Lloyd. But, he found the place alright. Even though not feeling well and running a slight fever. Lloyd's announcing career started in Sioux Falls, Neb. He had just graduated from college and was going to be a teacher, but instead auditioned for a opened broadcasting job Following a stop at a Bloomington station, Lloyd traveled down to Peoria. He did everything from selling commercials to writing news for a station down there. He did leave the his broadcasting career for four years, joining the Marine Corps during World War II. He came back to Peoria afterwards. "I'll never forget mv first sportscast," said Lloyd. "I did a football game. I did it sitting in the stands. The rain was coming down unbelievably and I had no protection. It was good experience." Lloyd even mentioned covering the first Rose Bowl game after the Pac 10-Big 10 agreement. Illinois played UCLA. ___ WGN was his next and last stop, in 1949. He worked with Cub and White Sox television. It Sport Mike Lam Sports was 1965 when fi<Twair inserted as a Cub radio, announcer. When asked what single year stands out in his mind during his span as a Cub announcer, he blurted out, "69, I'll never forget it. Starting with Willie Smith's winning p\nch hit on opening day. It was a tremendous season. If we would have had the bullpen of J82 then, we would' have won it." ' Since 1965, Lloyd has seen a lot of Cub games and is probably a good indicator of the 1983 Cubs. "I really think they will finish over .500. I expect to see them win 85 ballgames. I base they did during the last half of the Season. Out of 102 games, they won 52 and lost 50. That's 102 games of a 162 game schedule. I thought that was real progress; including his (Manager LeeElia) pitchers made progress. It was the pitchers that gave him the most problems early in the year. I think they were a big part of the success the last part of the year." Lloyd calls the acquisition of Ron Cey a great one. "It gives them the left-handed power they never had. If it's the ninth inning and they need a homerun to win it, they will have a good chance of getting it from Cey. They didn't have a homerun hitter last year. They have to find a starting pitcher, either through the system or make a deal." During a question and answer session, a fan |rom the audience yelled out, "Do you like your lew job?" He says it's going well, but he has been putting in more hours than he anticipated. "I will still be involved with the Cubs. I stil! will be involved with every game. They said I can travel as long as I want to. "I have an option this ^ear. If I feel the traveling is getting to me I can refuse it. I think I'm in a good position to be in. I have been travetmg for 40 years, since Peoria, andtI think I saw all the hotel rooms I cgre to see." Well, Vince, if you have to go. Cub fans will m i s s y o u r v o i c e . Y e s , E r n i e B a n k s i s n o t e d ^ for being Mr. Cub, but if that title could be bestowed upon deserving people, Lloyd would be a Mr. Cub too. Even a Brewer fan from Wisconsin knows what a man like Vince Lloyd means to Cub fans everywhere. Respected In N.L. Baseball Perconte Jmt Wants To Play Baseball MIKR I.AMR "If thpv HSP> sinner words -- rail me / MIKE LAMB JOHNSBURG -- If there is anybody who could tell you what life is like in major league baseball and in the minor league's, it's Dutch Rennert. The Oshkosh, Wise, native has umpired in the minor league's for 14 years and 10 years in the major league's. It's the National League umpire's on the job experiences that makes Rennert popular on the banquet circuit. And he was a favorite at the Johnsburg Old Timers Club Banquet held Monday at the John­ sburg Community Club Hall. Rennert is not only a veteran um­ pire, but one that is respected. Vince Lloyd, M.C of the event, introduced Rennert as "one hell of an umpire." With respect corties honors and Rennert has received the honor of umpiring the 1980 World Series bet­ ween Kansas City and Philadelphia. That, according to Rennert, is the greatest honor an umpire can receive. He also umpired the 1981 national league playoff championship between the Dodgers and Montreal and also the 1982 Atlanta-St.Louis playoff championship game. Rennert is noted for his flamboyant umpiring style. His strike call is his trademark, swinging his arm out and bellowing strike. "I umpired like that all my life," said Rennert. "Now I'm in the major league's, now people notice. I'm not showboating." Rennert also likes to talk about ejections. "People always like to hear about ejections. It ruins my whole day. "If they use slang words -- call me something my mother wouldn't -- that's an ejection." Now, in his 22nd year of umpiring, Rennert says things couldn't be better. He just signed a four year contract. But, he did say he had to give up refereeing high school basketball in Wisconsin after 20 years. He said his schedule was getting to hectic. Managers has always been another favorite topic for Rennert. He always had unkind words for Sparky An­ derson and Dave Bristol, but now both are out of the N.L. and he has nothing but good to say about managers. "Our league has A-l managers. I'm glad to see Bill Virdon back." Rennert also had a few words on baseball during his 24 year span. "The ballplayers have changed. It was a lot tougher 20 years ago. The managers have changed in minors and big leagues." But he said, "They (today's players) are better prepared. They are more scouted now. The younger one's are better coming up." With 24 years of service in baseball, Rennert sees himself not retiring from the game for a long time. "I will work as long as they will want me. I would like to last 10 or 12 more years. It helps to come to spring training in good shape. With the heat and traveling, it's foolish not to stay in shape. Parks & Recreation Recreational Basketball MEN'S A LEAGUE -- Hiler & Hamm def. St. Regis Pub 57-47 (scorers: Ben Beck 24, Ben Ingram 9, Bill Hurckes 9, John Meyers 14 and Jeff Meyers 10.) Christopher's Men's Wear def. Fergie's Farmhouse 62-61 (scorers: Jim Zasada 20, Dan Stanowski 13, Pat Wirtz 12, Greg Patock 18, Rodger Keller and Will Hegg 12.) Buss Ford-John's Sport Stop def. McHenry State Bank 72- 58 (scoers: Rick Neiss 15, Mary Mayer 15, Don Przack 14, Jim Heard 10, John Walkington 23 and Phil Walkington 19. MEN'S B LEAGUE -- Henehan & Mclntrye def. Lakes Cablevision 78-32 (scorers: Dave Jsolyn 20, Billy Henehan 20, Rick Madsen 14, Dennis Larsen 12, Ken Vanderhayden 8, Craig Melcher 8.) Little John's def. Lawson's Painting 66-46 (scorers: Kevin Hoerner 27, Rick Peterson 16, Gene Vitale 11 and Dick DeVries 10. MEN'S A LEAGUE W L Buss Ford-Sport Stop 8 0 Hiller & Hamm 6 2 St. Regis Pub 5 3 Christopher's Men's Wear 4 4 McHenry State Bank 2 Fergie's Far mhouse 0 _BOWLING Tuesday Early Birds W Bosom Buddies 53 Night Owls 44 Gutter Huggers 42 Peacocks 41 Tuesday Gals 32 Shoulda Beens 31 Vz 441/2 Three Stooges31 »/2 44V2 Eight Balls 29 47 MIKE LAMB / JOHNSBURG -- In an era of high price athletes, play mefcr trade me, it's unique to find a professional athlete like Cleveland Indian, Jack Perconte. Perconte not only plays for the Indians, but he lives in Johnsburg, where his wife is a Methodist minister. The former Joliet resident played on and off as a second baseman last season. He started the season as a regular, but injuries took him out of the starting spot. The first week he broke a finger. He finished the season with a .237 batting average with 219 at bats in 93 games. Now, Perconte finds himself in a reserve role with the Indians in 1983 because of the acquisition of Manny Trillo from the Philadelphia Phillies. Last season, Perconte shared the secondbase spot with Larry Milborne and Allan Bannister. That kind of a situation Would probably discourage most major leaguers, but not Perconte. He is just glad to be playing the game of baseball. " ̂Trrt happy," said Percointe. "It's just great to be in the major leagues. I just want to play in the major leagues." Perconte was present for the seventh annual Johnsburg Oldtimers Club Banquet at the Johnsburg Community Club Monday. The left hander's professional baseball career started seven years ago, when drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1976. He played in the Dodger system for six years and played with the major league Dodgers during five Septembers when the major league clubs are permitted to increase their roster. He played for the Dodgers triple A club in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In three seasons with the Dodger top minor league team, he batted .323, .326 and .348. He was traded to the Cleveland organization last winter. Now the seven-year player finds himself in unsecure situation. He realizes from now to spring training he could be traded or sent down to the minors. And if he still survives wit!) with the Indians, he knows he will probably be a utility infielder with them. But, that doesn't seem to bother him to much. "I find myself with the Indians as a bench sitter. I feel -- I hope they (Indian club) have the confidence of our young ballplayers. It was a good love for our organization. were real weak on fun­ daments and he is sure going to stress tha^in spring training. He will / "If I'm sent down, fine. It's just fun to play. It's more fun then sitting on the bench." Jack Perconte have us bacfcHo the basics." Perconte/ expects a tough spring training. That tough spring training should make Cleveland into a contender for the American League East. Perconte points to Bert Blyleven as the key. The veteran pitcher also experienced an injury full season in 1982 and Perconte believes the Indians will have the best pitching staff in the American League if he stays healthy. A healthy Bake McBride will also be a key, according to Perconte. Perconte also had a few comments about the Yankees and the major league pennant races. With Billy Martin back at the helm and few other acquistions, Perconte expects the Yankees to be the team to beat in the Eastern Division. "They have the potential and the players no how to play together. Billy Martin is one of the best. It will all come down to their pitching. "The White Sox is a good ball club. They have a lot of pitching. The Kansas City Royals are going to be there too." In the National League, Perconte sees the Dodgers the team in the West and he said Houston will be tough also If it seems Perconte to be pro- Dodger, it only is because he has some fond memories of the Dodgers. "To play in a ballpark with over 40,000 people every game -- well that's what baseball is all about." me to come off the bench and con­ tribute during a big ballgame. Hopefully they won't have me come in during a five or 10 run ball game. I want to be able to contribute." When asked if he though he might be traded or sent down he said, "You just never know." "If I'm sent down, fine. It's just fun to play. It's more fun then sitting on the bench. But it's good to play in the bigtleague's too." One aspect of 1983 that could either help or hinder his future with the Indians is the club's new manager. Former manager, Dave Garcia, was replaced by former Yankee assistant, Mike Fererro. Perconte sees the move as a good one. "It was an outstanding move. He is a young fellow and he will understand PRESENTED BY TOP DECK 1232 N. GREEN, McHENRY 385-9836 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1983 If you con t ge» to Mordi Gras in New Orleans or you've never been to Mardi Gras. treat yourself to a winter break right here at home at TOP DECK in McHenry. Singles as well as couples are invited. 120 tickets only are-on sale now at the bar. Bar will be closed to the public. All the festivities that go on at Mar di Gras will go on here. $15 PER PERSON CQSTUMtSAMUST FESTIVITES COMMENCE AT 7:30 JAZZ SAND DINNER SERVED AT 9:00 LIMITED AMOUNT Of FREE HER CLOSED PARTY-CASH BAR Mchenry Country Club Open to the Public Since 1921 385-1072 820 N. JOHN ST., McHENRY mm. :£:v* ATTENTION! We are now serving on elegant Country Club Morning BREAKFAST featuring our Specialty EGGS SUPREME Plus Omelets, Eggs Benedict, Waffles and Eggs Prepared Any Way You Wish! ~\ Many Other items Also! COME TRY THIS DELICIOUS EATING EXPERIENCE! serving 9am until i:30 pm i •"•"-I**' REMEMBER>.. We're Open to the Public! SUPER BOWL PARTY McHENRY STORE ONLY SPECIALS! ORVILLE REDENBACHER'S GOURMET POPPING CORN Reg. & Diet COKE 2 LITERS Reg. $1.17 15 OZ. JAR Try new diet coke Less than 1 colorie per bottle. SOLO BIG CUPS ri-m- Package of 18 16 Oz. Plastic Cups ERITO-LAY CHIPS Reg. $1.29 NOW Reg.97C Choose from Plain, Sour Cream, Bar-B-Q HEFTY COMPARTMENT1 PLATES Reg.$2.47 laosinft Strong-soak Proof-Foam Plastic Plates-Great for small or big get-togethers 25 10'/4" Plates s Choose from Sausage & Cheese or Pepperoni Seasoning 120 NAPKINS PER PACKAGE 51c 1 oz. Beef Sticks 3 Beef Sticks Per Box NOW Reg.93 Reg.99C Pick-up those party spills with strong dependable Beach Napkinsj 3 Beef Stick Snacks FIRS your sAwnwigJ*1™S»E . DUALITY • SAVING • StHViw: McHENRY STORE ONLY 4400 W. RTE. 120 Prices effective while quantities last. We reserve the right to limit quantities. SELECTION PRltES EFFECTIVE NOW THRU SUNDAY JAN. 30 Daily 9 to 9 Sunday 10 to 5