BASEBALL

One day, maybe 30 years from now, one of the members of Dartmouth's 1970 baseball team may receive an invitation from Reader's Digest to author an "unforgettable character" article.

There won't be a question of his selection because Tony Lupien's artistry as a baseball coach and, more so, as a human being never was more conspicuous than during the weeks that saw his Indians reap their third Eastern League championship in the past four years, romp to the NCAA District One (New England) championship, and then turn in a performance that gave them fifth place in the College World Series at Omaha, Neb.

It was a remarkable season in so many ways. The final record, 24-10, included a streak of 21 straight victories that spanned two months. The Indians were undefeated in 15 games against New England foes and carried the long winning string into the second round of the World Series where it was finally ended by Florida State.

The facts belie the real story of this team. It's a simple thing to read of stirring comebacks like the 7-6 win over lowa State in the opening round of the World Series, built on Bruce Saylor's two-run homer in the ninth inning. There were gut pitching performances, too. Chuck Seelbach hurled eight innings in sweltering humidity against Iowa State and then gave way to John Prado who had been pitching great relief all season and did it once again that night.

The immeasurable strength, though, lies in the unity that was perhaps stronger in this baseball team than in all but a few teams in Dartmouth athletic history. It was a team where all the words that sound trite - pride, friendship, togetherness - took on a meaning and created a greater impact on more people than all the strikes, disorders and dissent could hope to achieve.

It was a team that touched the heart of Lupien, the hard-bitten old major leaguer, and a lot of other people, too. "There was a time, early in the season, when I seriously considered leaving coaching," said Lupien. "This team did so much to change my mind. They're just a great group of people."

Saylor, the captain from West Caldwell, N.J., was the most conspicuous member of the team that matched the 1925 team's victory total. He had a batting average of .359 and a career mark of .352 and took just about every record for batting that is listed at Dartmouth.

Bob Mlakar, the shortstop who admitted that "the chance to play against the best in the country at the World Series is a greater thrill than all the great moments in football," was the hub of an infield that seemed makeshift at the season's outset (and was) but always came up with the big play.

"Baseball is a personal game," said Mlakar after the Indians had beaten lowa State before the largest crowd (12,798) in NCAA series history. "The crowd is part of the game and it makes you want to give them something in return."

It was a group of players who probably performed beyond their talents - because they didn't realize they were supposed to have limitations.

Like Tim Hannigan, the catcher and captain-elect. The son of Dartmouth's 1947 football captain spent many hours early in the spring learning his position from George Woodworth, the Indians' catcher and captain in 1960, who is one of the better instructors of catching anywhere. "Tim improved 150 per cent during the season," said Lupien. "We were extremely concerned about catching but Tim came through. We were also worried about second base but Jim Bell made the conversion from pitching and should be even better next year."

All in all, it was a team that stirred more conversation than one would ever expect. They were "loose" and enjoyed playing together. They had fun winning - and they didn't mind sharing their enthusiasm with the people who came to see them play.