SIGN: DISCOVERIES 1980 was a year full of surprises and tragedies. One of the year's most pleasant surprises was the exciting discoveries of the Voyager I as it trekked near Saturn. The rings surrounding the huge planet were found to be 500-mile-long braided rings of ice. Astronomer Bradford Smith said, "It boggles the mind that it even exists." Three new Saturn moons were sighted by the Voyager, totaling 15 sighted since 1655. As the Voyager approached SIGN: RECORDS Kansas City's George Brett nearly broke the .400 batting average barrier , ending the season with a .390 average. Ted Williams was the last players to hit over the .400 average, setting the record of .406 for a season in 1941. "I have seen people hit the way he has for 10 to 15 games at a times," Jim Frey, Royals' manager, said, "but never have I seen anyone do it night after night, time after time, against all kinds of pitching. It' s incredible. " The Oakland Raiders smothered the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 to win Super Bowl XV and the imSige as the NFL's "bad boys." Jim . Plunkett, quarterback for the Raiders, was named the game~s Most Valuable Player. Cliff Branch, Oakland's valuable wide receiver, caught two touchdown passes, chewing up the Eagle secondary. Oakland's defense, led by the intercepting hands of Rod Martin, s hut down the Philadelphia offense in this lopsided contest. RIGHT: POWER HITTER. George Bretl almost broke the national" batting average in pro/essional baseball. The Kansas City player bats a .390 - the record is .406. Saturn, the ringlets surrounding the planet appeared to number in the millions, like grooves in a phonograph record. Smith commented, "The mystery of the rings keeps gett~ng deeper and deeper. We have no explanations for this." - Wid.. World Photos ABOYE: THE SIXTH planet of our solar system, Saturn. along with ilS moons, are seen by the camera eye 0/ Voyager I.
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