Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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% Small at dead end? By Brett Friedlander Sports Editor Reprinted from June 12 issue ATLANTA ? Over the past decade, Carolina's baseball program has been one of the finest in the nation. Twice in the past five years, the Gamecocks have finished second in the college World Series. The reason for the continued success is a combination of two things ? excellent coaching and first-rate talent. Since 1974, six Gamecocks have been named to the coaches All-American team, while a total of 19 have cirrnnrl nrnfnccinnQl KocoKQII nAntroMo oigfvu pi ui^ooiviiQi UUO^L/UAI wini a\.io. BUT OF ALL the great players to ever don a Carolina uniform, perhaps the best was first baseman Hank Small. A native of Atlanta, Small contributed to USC's program for four years. During that career, he almost completely rewrote the school record book. ins career Daiung average in iyi games was ? very gooa ior a power hitter. He also belted 48 homers and drove in 184 runs over the same span. Never before had anyone hit so many home runs in a collegiate career as Small. In fact, only Arizona State's Bob Horner has surpassed his total since. At the end of his outstanding career at USC, Small was drafted by his hometown Atlanta Braves in a high round. This seemed like a lucky break for the former Gamecock star. Not only would he get a chance to play in front of his family and friends, but he would also be hitting in a ballpark, affectionately called the "launching pad," that is suited for his power from the right side of the plate. the kkavius alsu seemea 10 gei a lucxy DreaK wnen iney acquired Small. A team which usually finishes in last place, the Braves were in need of some offensive punch to make up for the loss of home run king "It seems as though the Braves have run out of options with Small and are happy to l_: A ri nave mm rox away in ine minors. Hank Aaron. They also needed some solid defense in their problematic infield. The Braves seemed to have all of that in Small. But things just haven't worked out for either the Atlanta Braves or Hank Small. That, however, does not mean Small did not keep up his end of the deal. A year ago, Small batted .289 with 25 home runs and 101 runs batted in for Richmond of the International League. He led the league in homers and RBI's and won most valuable player honors while leading the Braves top farm club to a championship. EVEN WITH SUCH impressive statistics, the Braves seemed uninterested in Small's performance and potential. Instead of giving him a shot at the starting job in the majors, the team went out and signed 34year-old free agent Mike Lum for the job at $300,000. Lum, a "retread" who was traded away from the Braves in 1976 has a career batting average of .248 with only 82 runs in 11 major league seasons. So at the beginning of the current season, Small found himself back in the minors without getting a fair chance to prove himself. Obviously discouraged over the turn of events, he is having a sub-par season at Richmond this year. To complicate matters, 23-year-old catcher Dale Murphy has been moved to first base following a knee injury. This move leaves Small's future up in the air. IT SEEMS AS though the Braves have run out of options with Small and are happy to have him rot away in the minors. With a new general manager who does not know a lot about the system's personnel. Small's chances of being called up seem distant at best. The most fortunate thing for Small would be for the Braves to deal him to a team that could use his vast talents as a baseball player. In four seasons as a professional Hank Small has already had enough ups and downs to last an entire career. Although he is on a down right now, he will get his chance ? somewhere and sometime. One can only hope he is patient enough to wait for that chance. Brett Friedlander's column will appear in each Wednesday issue of The Gamecock. THE ROLLS OF REPRODUCTION ISMij Jn] WE-'VE GOT THE TOP OK THE LINE ^ " COPIER Willi AI L THE EXTRAS. g* Ibui at n-it lcc.)NOmicai. pro: of Jlm* if per Copy /"M in rvTHAC iMr>i i ir\r WUK CAIKAAO IIN^LULv't;; ; :>j\>?,OSs ;.eu J irv.l . [ :./< ? c.i J. * ' >. \\() S". ! ? i t OS ,'t )iO' . u ?>f i ' - !j )t < ? S v. ,r . " i- \ ] 1 ? M Hours 933 MAIN STREET Mm Bj M BjrMjgq* M?nihu, a u ; oo 799 3807 A r'",,,v o so r oo s aisifei wv Saturday 10.00 ?> 00 a^HHR v y^v ' Trrsr?L" ci/rn^/ USC head track coach Charlie Strong has an nounced the signing of two athletes to national letter! of intent. The latest newcomers to the Carolina trad program are high jumper Marv Johnson of Macon Ga., and triple jumper and long jumper Jame: 117 i 1, r i i r ^ ^ l.. k : ^ o r> wusuuui ncai V/Viuiiiuid, o.^/. Earlier Strong had announced the signing o hurdler Ricky Griddine of Columbia's A.C. Flor; High. "We're very pleased with these three additions t< our track program at Carolina," Strong said. "The; are all exceptional athletes and were highl; recruited. "WE FEEL ouk program nere are Carolina i Mliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiimiiiimiiiiiiiiimtiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii f LOOK IK TO THE M | SPIRIT OF THE E I 22 i J1 TniiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiitKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitii ; .w:|^y y-.x. - ?s announced definitely on the rise and we look forward to these ; three individuals having an immediate impact on our progress." Johnson (6-4, 180) was the Georgia state champion in the high jump this past spring with a leap of 6-1134. ; He attended Southwest Macon High. A product of Brookland-Cayce High, Wilson (5-10, f 155) had a personal best of 48-1 r2 in the triple jump i and he is also expected to compete in the long jump and sprints for the Gamecocks. ) Griddine led A C. Flora to the Class AAA state f crown this year and was the state champion in the 300 f hurdles with a time of 36.6. The 6-2, 160-pounder also recorded a time of 52.1 in the 400 hurdles at the Atlanta Classic, the best effort 5 by a prepster this year. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllllllllll^ \ I y^>?n*^.p 2 ARTH J 1 POKENSST. 1 ==