News Scrapbook 1980-1981

SENTINEL

SAN DIEGO UNION

Wathan proves self in K.C. By Victor Buckel Omaha and Jacksonville. Sports Correspondent "It gets discouraging playing in the minors after Many youngsters, dream of playing majorleague a while," said the 32·year old. "When you start baseball and to maybe, someday, play in a World riding those long bus rides between games you Series. really wonder if it's going to be worth it." For John Wathan, a former Pacific Beach For Wathan, it seems to have been worth it as he resident, his dream has come true. Wathen finished has gained security in Kansas City after signing a the final hurdle last season when the Kansas City three year contract with the Royals last week. "l Royals went to the World Series against hope to finish my career with the Royals last week. Philadelphia. "I hope to finish my career with the Royals, Wathan was in town last weekend for the annual because they have a super organization," he said. University of San Diego alumni game and to accept Besides having that good organization, the • an award for being the only USD graduate to have Royals have a pretty decent team. They have won played in a World Series. the Western division of the American League three The Royal catcher, who now makes Kansas City out of the last four years, having missed out only in his home, went to Saint Augustine High School 1979 when the Angels won the West. before accepting a scholarship to USD, the only "We have a nucleus of a good team coming school to offer him one. Wathan has come a long back," said Wathan. "l would have to say we have way, as he looms as the starting catcher for the a great chance of repeating." Royals. Last season's starter Darrel Porter went Wathan feels last season was his best by far. the free agent route and signed with the St. Louis "Besides being the 11th leading hitter in the Cardinals. American League, I probably completed the two "I think my statistics the last couple of seasons things kids would like to do when they're young. I show that I can play," said Wathan. "But I have to played in a World Series," he said. go out everyday and show that I can do the job." "The number one thing would be to make the Last season he did just that, hitting .305 during the major leagues." regular season, and .286 (2 of 7) during the World After playing catcher, first base, third base and Series. His batting averages since 1977 have all the outfield at St. Augustine, he went on to be one of been above .300, except 1979 when his average the top hitters in USD history. During hi/, three dipped to .206. . years with the Toreros, Wathan held single season Wathan has been with the Royals for five years, records for most triples (7), and longest con· but before that he spent six seasons in the minor secutive game hitting streaks (at 18 games). He leagues in such places as San Jose, Waterloo, Iowa, (See WATHAN, a-2)

COLLEGES B Ailene Voisin This Royal Is Hardly Shaded Blue

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already have a good man to replace him in John Wathan," Bretl replied. "John's a fine major league catcher. He hould have been on the All-Star team last year" Wathan, however, will settle for the starting job. •·Right now, rm the catcher, but it's a day to day thing. They (management) don't want you to get too comfort- able." After the alumni contest, Wathan and his family, who reside permanently m Kansas City, left for a week in Hawaii. Training camp looms just a few weeks away. 'Tm looking forward to it,'' he said. "I proved last year, when I limshed 11th in the American League, that I can hit on a daily basis. And I play with a great bunch of guys. Most of us came up from the farm system, so we know each other well. "We have that intangible element, camaraderie, that can't be measured in statistics." • • U. D open its baseball season with a series this week· end at Arizona. Cunningham anticipates another good year. but says it will depend on how well his pitching staff develops . . Major league players Alan Trammell, Mark Lee and Brent Strom will be among those competing iri UC San Diego's exhibition opener at l p.m. Saturday. The Tri· tons' regular-season opener is Feb. 13 at Occidental ... US. International University, under new Coach Jeff Bur• rue!. will begin its eason at Chapman College Feb. 11 ... Point Loma College has its alumni game Saturday at noon. Former stars Marty Decker and John McGaffey are sched• uled to participate. The Crusaders begin the regular sea• on Feb. 12 at USD. Decker, a right-handed pitcher, had a 4-1 record. 2.10 earned run average and nine saves for the Helena Phillies of the Pioneer League last summer. ,

John Wathan sat tn the dugout of t~e Umver tty of San 01 o baseball Ii Id, glancing out at the perfectly groomed mf1 Id, and wond rmg, a he often does, about the irony of tall ' Did you ever thmk you'd make 1t?'' a. k a former USD t amm te ·J thought I would," rcph d Wathan, the Kansa City Royal ' catcher who \\ a in town r cently for the USO alumm ba eball game, "but lot or people along the way

told me I'd never make it ' It got pretty di couraging.'' But m this, Wathan' sixth spring m the major leagues, h finds few thmgs to trouble him. Just last Fri• day hi 1gned a three-year contract with the Royals and, after hve sea• sons of playing behind Buck Mar• tm z and Darrell Porter, he will at• tend sprmg training as the starting catcher. An opportumty. finally, at the age or 32. As he sits, chatting amiably with members of the media and former

t ammat who wand r by, Wathan outlines his Journey H wa a catcher, outfield r, third and first baseman for t ugustmc High But at th end of h1 semor year, only one offei; wa~ forthcoming a cholarshlp to USD. And even that result• d more from circumstanc than anythmg else John' old r broth r u ed to play for me." recalled USD Coach John Cunningh m. "and on~ day I remember Mark pomtmg to th1 fat htUc kid on the couch, and saying 'someday h 's going to play for you.' scholarship" A ye r later, Cunnmgh mwas convinced he had a poten· t1al pro on blll rost r ·John had exc pt1ona I speed for a big man (6-2, 205 pounds), and although he didn't throw particularly well, he had a quick rel a e But th biggest thing about him." said Cunmngham, pointing to his chest, "is inside. He' got tre• mendous de ire " De ire, agr Wathan, is what got him through six sea• on in th minors, in places like San Jose, Waterloo, San Jo e again Omaha. Jacksonv111e, Omaha again, and lmal• ly, Kansa~ City in 1976 But his batitng average since 1977 (.328, .300, .206 and .305 r pectiv ly), coupled with hi receiving skills. got him to Kan as City and kept him there. When Porter w •nt the free agent route and signed with t. Lou1 last fall, Kansa City third baseman George Brett was a ked how much the Royals would miss Porter. "We v ntu II I off im

Watha

n-(Continuedfrom B1)- h0lds seco_nd place i~ the single season batting average with .430, which he accomplished in 1970. He also is second in stolen bases with 30 (during the 1939 season.) During his three years with tbe Toreros he also played basketball. Wathan was a first round draft choice in the 1971 January draft. "I had hoped I would be a first round pick," he said, "Even though the January draft isn't as big as the June draft." Thus he began his Royal career Wathan feels he might not be where he is without USD coach John Cunningham. "I learned more fro~ John than I learned from probably anyone." 8:ight now Wa~han feels the only serious problem facmg baseball is the salaries. "There has to be a ceiling for the skyrocketing salaries being paid today," said ~athan. "You get a couple of owners who are paying these rediculous salaries and they're the ones who are going to hurt baseball. The Royals have only gotten two players from the free·agen~ draft, and both being utility players.'' After his baseball career is over Wathan would like to try his hand at either coach~g or managing or to get into radio or television. Last season he hosted a local Kansas City radio show before the Royal games.

DAILY TRANSCRIPT

Boston Prof USDDean

Boston University School of Law Pr~f. Sheldon Krantz has been ap• pomted dean of the University of San Diego School of Law effective July 1. He replaces Dean Donald T. Weckstein, who remains on the faculty. A cum laude graduate of the University of Nebraska (1962), Krantz has been director of Boston Univer- sity's Center for Criminal Justice; executive director, Governor's Committee on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justioo; and trial attorney, Organized Crime and Racketeering Division, Dept. of Justice. Krantz, 42, is married to Carol Hallstrom, an attorney. They have a son, Christopher, 10. • • • G

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SAN DIEGO NEWSLINE

TIMES-ADVOCATE

5 1981

FEB

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-An "Introduction to Christian Moral· ity" course begins today at USO. $70 cre

MICHAEL BAHDE Piano rec ~ al, 12:15 p.m., Feb. 11 in the French Parlor, Founders Hall

READER

BLADE TRIBUNE

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USO.

FEB 5 1981 USD Present Vienna Series > Show Sunday SAN DIEGO - "Vienna My City of Dreams," and medley of songs from Lehar's "Merry Widow" will be among the selections heard Sunda_Y, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. in the. s1x~h program of the Uruvers1ty of San Diego's 1~81 "Music in Vienna" senes. . The concert will take place m USD's Camino Theater General admission is $3.50; · students and seniors $l 50 t~.details, call 291-6480 ~xt: Baritone Robert Austin and Soprano Jean von Metzke . will perform, ac- comparued by pianist Ilana ~ys1or. The program will mcl1:1de _arias by Puccini, Domzett1, Rossini and Leoncavallo; as well as songs by Mozart, Schumann Schubert, Wold, Korngold' Heuberger, Stolz and Millocker. Aus~in, lecturer in music at USD, IS graduate of SDSU 8:nd rece1ved his master of fme art~ degree from U.S. International University. Von Metzke, a USD graduate now ~eaches. voice at usri and is a smger with the Pacific Lyric Theater; she received her master of music degre.e from SDSU. Mysior is associate professor of music at USD, and is a UCLA graduate.

Concert Series ofUSO will present a vocal concert with baritone Robert Austin, soprano Jean von Metzke, and bass Conrad von Metzke, Sunday, February 8, 4 p.m., Camino Theater, USO. 291-6480 x4426.

LA JOLLA LIGHT

LOS ANGELES TIMES

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f.B

FEB 4

TIMES-ADVOCATE FEB 5 1981

USD t\oor~time Concerts - Michael Bahde will present a piano recital Wed. at 12: 15 . he French Parlor of Founders Hall. p.m. m t

The University of San Diego's noonttme concerts con- tinue this month m the French Parlor of Founders Hall with plamsl Michael Bande next Wednesday; vocalist Bob Austin on Feb. 18 and pianist Father Reveles on Feb 25.

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"MUSIC IN VIENNA" Series continues at 4 p.m., Feb. a in USD's Camino Theater.

TIMES-ADVOCATE rEB 5 19~1

LOS ANGELES TIMES

READER

FEB 5 1981 USD Law School Gets a New Dean Sheldon Krantz, a professor at Boston University School of Law has been appointed dean of th~ Umvers1ty of San Diego's School of Law. replacing Donald T. Weck- Slem, who will remam on the USD faculty.

FOUNDERS GALLERY "Keweenaw Suite," a series of watercolor paintings by renowned artist Glenn Bradshaw will be featured thru March 17. The Gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at USO.

hKet-weenaw u1te/' a scnes of watercolor painting by MiJwc,t• ~m arti,r Glenn BraJ,haw, will be t·xhihtred H an opl'nmg receptmn for rhe am,r, Munday, February 9, 7 w \Ip. m ; ,ind continue thruu~h M 1rch 17. foundmG.,llcry, USD. NI 6480 x42%.

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