Tuesday, May 16, 2006 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
Watty Clark BRO b. 1902, played 1927-1937, d. 1972-03-04. Mostly a Dodger in a 12-year major league pitching career, he led the NL in losses in 1929 with 19; well, it was a bad year for everyone. Part of the reason the 1920's Brooklyn teams couldn't get out of the cellar, he had more hits than innings pitched in five of his seasons. After his playing days were over, he spent some time as a pitching coach for the Dodgers.
Bob Patterson CAL b. 1959, played 1994-1995. A sometimes-dominant reliever for the last of the Pirates teams to not suck, thereby earning three consecutive postseason berths from 1990 through 1992, he came up with the Padres in 1985. For the 1994 Angels, he was the only reliable reliever the team had, and that included 6.65 ERA closer Joe Grahe. It wasn't that important, really; the '94 Angels only had 21 saves. The advent of Troy Percival and Lee Smith eventually pushed him out.
Rick Rhoden LAN b. 1953, played 1974-1978, All-Star: 1976,1986. Overcoming childhood osteomyelitis (he had to wear a brace and had part of his knee surgically removed) and serious shoulder surgery, he was key component in the late 70's Dodgers rotations, a versatile and durable starter. He had an excellent postseason record, though he barely pitched for the "We Are Family" 1979 Pirates who went all the way. The trade that sent him there returned one of my all time favorite Dodgers, Jerry Reuss. He also garnered two Silver Sluggers for pitchers.
Rube Walker LAN,BRO b. 1926, played 1951-1958, d. 1992-12-12. If Roy Campanella needed a day off, it was Rube Walker who gave it to him. He was also the man who called for the pitch that made Ralph Branca a goat and Bobby Thompson a hero for the ages. He came up with the Cubs, and lasted only briefly after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. He later became a pitching coach, and worked with Joe Torre in both New York and Atlanta.
Mitch Webster LAN b. 1959, played 1991-1995. .267/.334/.420 was a pretty good line for a switch-hitting reserve outfielder, but not so good for a starting right fielder. That's because he mostly replaced Darryl Strawberry in the Dodgers' awful 1992 season; Webster was slugging about .070 under Strawberry's line the year before, but even Strawberry's numbers represented a step down from what the Dodgers thought they would be getting. There's no money-back guarantee with free agents.
Tack Wilson CAL b. 1955, played 1987
No Mystery: Rookies Are Rookies
With only a few major league at bats the Angels rookies' haven't performed, but neither have they had an adequate chance to get things straightened out. They'll be fine, though maybe not immediately.Derrick Turnbow, "Out There" Guy
Here's a brief piece on the former Angel, in case you feel like crying:"I remember I was in Triple-A watching guys like Gagne and those guys on TV and dreaming I could be like those guys one day," Turnbow said. "They're the best. I never thought I'd be in this position."Turnbow has a bobblehead promotion with his face on it this year. Wacky.The team rewarded him this offseason, shredding a one-year, $488,000 contract signed in February for a three-year, $6.5 million deal in April. He responded by saving his first 12 games of the season, but lost a game and blew a save over the weekend.
I seem to recall that he was also something of a character.
And supposedly he's a pretty fine golfer these days.
: 5/16/2006 10:36:00 AMNewer› ‹Older
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