In 29th Year, Landry Still Has His Values

Tom Landry is starting his 29th year as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and if you’re wondering how he made it this far, perhaps it’s his adaptability.

Harry Reasoner, recalling an interview of Landry several years ago, said he posed this question: “Coach, you are known as a conservative man with strict behavior codes for your players. But times have changed. For example, what if you had a halfback today who refused to get a haircut, who refused to wear a coat and tie, who smoked a joint every once in a while. How would you handle him?”

According to Reasoner, Landry gave the question some thought before answering. Finally, he said, “How good a halfback?”

In Wednesday’s crossword puzzle in the New York Times, under “Down” was “10. Met pitcher.” The answer was “DOCGOODEN,” not “DWIGHTGOODEN.”

Does that make it official?

Said Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Mark Clear when asked by USA Today which former player he thought would make a good manager: “Carl Yastrzemski. He played with such great intensity that it would just have to rub off on players he would manage.”

Funny thing is, the club that has been criticized most for lack of hustle is the one managed by the man they called Charlie Hustle. That’s Pete Rose’s Cincinnati Reds.

Add Rose: Pete Rose II, playing for the Cincinnati entry in the American Legion World Series, said much of his help has come from his mother, Karolyn Rose, who is divorced from his father.

“To tell you the truth, if I’m in a slump I would go ask my mom for advice before I’d ask my dad,” he said. “She’s been around baseball for so long that she can always tell when I’m stepping in the bucket or whatever. You would think she’s a major league coach herself.”

Trivia Time: Twenty years ago today, when Rocky Colavito helped beat the Detroit Tigers, 6-5 and 5-4, in a doubleheader by pitching in the opener and playing outfield in the nightcap, who was he playing for? (Answer below.)

The biggest salary cut of the year? How about Robbie Bosco’s. After the Green Bay Packers dropped him as a quarterback, he signed with Idaho State as an assistant coach.

Going the other way was Don Buford. In June, he was an assistant baseball coach at USC. Today, he’s the director of minor league operations for the Baltimore Orioles.

The Philadelphia Eagles will make history this year by employing two black quarterbacks, and Coach Buddy Ryan told the New York Times that he has a couple of winners.

Of Randall Cunningham, he said: “He’s in a class by himself. He’s the fastest quarterback in the league and he has the strongest arm.”

Of Don McPherson, the rookie from Syracuse who was projected by most scouts as a running back or receiver, he said: “I’m just getting to know McPherson, but he has charisma and intelligence, all the things it takes to win in this league. No question, he will be a winning quarterback. He reminds me of Joe Theismann.”

Trivia Answer: New York Yankees. In the opener, as an emergency reliever, Colavito pitched one-hit ball for 2 innings. In the nightcap, as a right fielder, he hit a home run.

Quotebook

Dallas Cowboys kicker Mike Saxon, formerly of San Diego State, on why he expects a big year: “I wear No. 4. This is my fourth year in the league. I had my All-America year in college my fourth season. And I chew four different types of gum, one for each quarter.”