Tuesday, June 20, 2006 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
Luis Alcaraz LAN b. 1941, played 1967-1968
Paul Bako LAN b. 1972, played 2005
Juan Castro LAN b. 1972, played 1995-1999. One of the things I've learned since I returned to baseball is that attention to details like the bench are significant. Castro was an all-glove, no-hit infielder for the late-90's Dodgers; 220 AB and a .195 average tell you a lot about the kind of teams Kevin Malone assembled. Not hitting for the Twins this year, he somehow ended up not hitting for the Reds, too. A sub- replacement player, if such a thing can exist.
Dude Esterbrook BRO b. 1857, played 1891, d. 1901-04-30. With a name like that, it's too bad he wasn't born in the modern era.
Andy Etchebarren CAL b. 1943, played 1975-1977, All-Star: 1966-1967. For the Angels, he backed up another former All-Star, Ellie Rodriguez, but in 1976, he became the team's principle catcher as a 33-year-old, to disastrous results. It would take another year in the wilderness behind the dish before the Angels settled on Brian Downing.
Kevin Gregg ANA,LAA b. 1978, played 2003-2005. Gregg's probably in his last tour through the Angels; the swingman still has some value, but the difference between his good days and his Frankensteinian bad days makes me think he'll be pitching elsewhere in 2007.
Larry See LAN b. 1960, played 1986
Dickie Thon CAL b. 1958, played 1979-1980, All-Star: 1983. It wasn't so much that the Angels didn't get value for Thon as Ken Forsch only lasted three years and had only one good year in him. Thereafter, the Angels had nonentities like Rick Berleson, Tim Foli and Dick Schofield at short. Meanwhile, in Houston, Thon was the best offensive shortstop in the National League, until getting beaned by Mike Torrez; thereafter, vision problems hurt his ability to hit.
Roster Notes
- Darin Erstad may have to return to the DL because his ankle is preventing him from doing anything. Erstad is expected to miss the Giants series. Get the damn surgery, Darin.
- Mike Napoli hit fifth for the first time this season.
- Adrian Beltre denied using steroids or HGH in a Times interview.
- Frank Thomas may start a minor league rehab assignment early next week.
- Milton Bradley will not resume hitting until next week because of shoulder pains.
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