Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991                   TAG: 9103190256
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BEN WALKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SARASOTA, FLA.                                LENGTH: Medium

THEY KEEP GOING ... AND GOING ...

But when it comes to pitchers and catchers, none lasts longer than the new pair in the old, odd package.

At 43, neither Carlton Fisk nor Charlie Hough look their age. Certainly, it doesn't appear Hough is younger, although he is, by 10 days.

Fisk is tanned, brawny and struts upright. On the most youthful team in the majors - batteries not included - his extensive workouts make him the picture of health and fitness.

Hough is pale, bony and steps hunched over. He's 14 years older than any other pitcher on the Chicago White Sox, and mostly lifts cigarettes in the locker room.

When Fisk and Hough play together for the first time this spring, they might be joined in another way, as the oldest battery in history. Researchers have yet to find anyone to beat them, although Satchel Paige pitched to a lot of people, and no one really knows how old he was, anyway.

"There will a lot of experience when they're out there, but the reason they're on the field isn't experience," White Sox manager Jeff Torborg said. "It's because they still can produce."

Fisk, who made his major-league debut in 1969 with Boston, and Hough were pretty much strangers until last Aug. 17. On that day, Fisk connected off Hough for his 328th career home run as a catcher, breaking Johnny Bench's record.

"I guess I got to know him well enough to put him in the Hall of Fame," Hough said.

"I shouldn't say it's a thrill to give up a home run like that, but in fact it really is. And I've got to think Carlton might be happy to have hit it off a guy that's been around a little bit.

"I think there's a certain respect that goes with anyone who's played 20 years," he said. "And more so for a guy like Carlton. When you realize how hard they have to work to be able to stay at that level ..."

Hough is 186-169 lifetime and Texas' all-time victory leader with 139. He was released by the Rangers after going 12-12 with a 4.07 ERA, his third straight season of not being above .500.

"I feel every year's kind of a comeback," he said.

Fisk, meanwhile, helped the surprising White Sox to a second-place finish. He led the team with 18 home runs, and is the club's all-time leader with 192. His .285 batting average tied for Chicago's best.