THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 20, 1995 TAG: 9510180165
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
WHO'S GOING TO WIN the World Series?
Will it be Atlanta or Cleveland?
Currents contacted some of the avid baseball fans across the city and the consensus says the Braves will emerge victorious, most likely in six games, in the annual baseball classic starting Saturday.
Here's the way the Portsmouth picks went:
EDDIE WEBB, director of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame: ``Atlanta in six. The reason is simple. Pitching, pitching and more pitching.''
BUTCH CUTHRIELL, administrator of District 6 Little League baseball: ``I would have to pick Atlanta in six games. The Braves simply have too much pitching.''
L. PETTIS PATTON, director of Leisure Services in Portsmouth: ``I pick Cleveland. I know everybody in the city seems to be picking Atlanta but I look for it to go seven games with a 4-3 edge for the Indians. I like Cleveland's hitting. Everybody talks about Atlanta's pitching but Cleveland has some good pitchers, too. And better hitters.''
MAHLON PARKER, chairman of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: ``I've been a Cleveland fan all my life but I would have to pick Atlanta. Cleveland has good hitting but I thought Cincinnati had good hitters and look what Atlanta did to them. I look for Atlanta to take the first two at home behind (Greg) Maddux and (Tom) Glavine. Then Atlanta should win in six.''
BENN GRIFFIN, director of the Portsmouth YMCA in Churchland: ``I would have to say Atlanta will win it, probably in six games. The pitching is just too strong.''
CORNELL GORDON, girls softball coach at Wilson High School: ``I expect Cleveland to win in six games. The Indians are the Cardiac Kids. All year long they have been able to come back and win games in the last at bat. I look for that to continue in the World Series.''
CARL RHODES, baseball coach at Churchland High School: ``It seems to me that the Braves are on a roll and the Indians have struggled of late. I'm more familiar with Atlanta because we see more of them on television and somebody probably could challenge me with statistics. I give the Indians a little edge in speed. But in total pitching Atlanta has the advantage. I pick Atlanta in seven games.''
BILL KLINE, president of the Portsmouth Sports Club: ``In Little League, pitching is 70 percent of the game and I'm not sure it isn't about the same in the majors. There is no staff better than Atlanta's and the Braves have a good closer, too. I believe Atlanta will win in six games.''
CURRENTS: Atlanta in seven. The difference will be Greg Maddux with three victories. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
L. Pettis Patton
Indians in seven
Mahlon Parker
Braves in six
Carl Rhodes
Braves in seven
by CNB