Friday, March 03, 2006 |
Pickoff Moves, Lunchtime Edition
The Career Lyndon Johnson Stole
I somehow managed to miss this Register piece about Dodgers rookie Roy Gleason, who coulda been a star in 1963 but got drafted, derailing his career... or maybe it was his lack of self-control:In his second year of minor-league ball, he started to develop a reputation. Curfew, in his mind, was merely a suggestion, and he rarely complied. He played decently, but he wasn't incredible – as the Dodgers thought he would be.Gleason got one hit in his only at bat, and ended up drafted despite his status as sole support of his mother. His mother lost her home in Garden Grove, and he lost his 1963 World Series ring in Vietnam. In 2003, the Dodgers gave him a replica.He remembers staying out much too late and having too many drinks one Saturday night in August 1963. He came to the ballpark the next day exhausted. He says he was so tired that, instead of holding his hands above his shoulder, he held the bat lazily with his hands drooping toward his chest.
Now kids, this is not an endorsement of a late-night lifestyle, but on that Sunday, a bleary-eyed Roy Gleason became one of the Dodgers' hottest prospects. He hit three home runs in a doubleheader. With his droopy hands - a loose style he kept - he hit 12 homers total over the last two weeks of the season.
You. Yes, You. Shut Up, Already!
The Idiots are back at spring training, and annoyed as ever at the guys who like some dude named Manuel Teaheeta (no, dummy, it's Miguel Tejada) who hits .330 with 40 dingers every year (uh, no). They also have a suggestion for what to do with Dusty Baker's playing non-players like Neifi Perez that involves taking out an ad in the papers looking not unlike this:To the fans of Chicago:It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that I have written a lineup in which Neifi Perez appears. I realize that mere words alone cannot explain away this affront to common sense, but you must understand — I see a man with Major League experience on my roster, and I can’t help but play him, even if it’s to the detriment of my team. I can’t help myself. Today, Shawon Dunston stopped by to serve as an honorary base coach during the third inning, and it took every bit of my self-control to refrain from sending him to the plate to pinch hit for Derek Lee. Even now, I’m thinking of calling up Jim Hendry and demanding we sign Shawon for one last run. He knows how to win. He always has.
Anyway, Neifi’s in the lineup and I feel very badly about it, but there’s nothing I can really do because it’s out of my hands. Well… it’s not, but I lack the imagination to come up with any other plan of attack. Enjoy that 680 OPS with my compliments.
Sincerely,
Johnnie B. Baker Jr.
Injuries, Injuries
- Kerry Wood, knee trouble. Two words: Darren Dreifort. There's no such thing as minor knee surgery in a pitcher.
- Jose Guillen's wrist will need surgery as well, keeping him out of the Nationals' lineup for at least three months.
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