Monday, August 14, 2006 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
McKay Christensen LAN b. 1975, played 2001. A utility outfielder of no import, he was part of the scrap heap the Angels used in trade to get Jim Abbott back. Considering the results, it was about worth it.
Mike Cook CAL b. 1963, played 1986-1988. Another throw-in on a trade to get someone the Angels picked up years too late, Bert Blyleven. A first-round pick in the 1985 draft, Cook was taken when Rafael Palmiero, Randy Johnson, and even Tino Martinez were still on the board. Hindsight's 20/20.
Joe Grahe CAL b. 1967, played 1990-1994. Continuing the "What Were They Thinking?" draft news, this guy was taken ahead of Tim Salmon.
Mark Gubicza ANA b. 1962, played 1997, All-Star: 1988-1989. An injury-plagued right-hander with a hard (90 MPH) slider, he was the last link in Kansas City to their World Series champion team of 1985; the trade that sent him to the Angels was essentially a challenge trade of fading veterans, one that Kansas City won, as they got a couple okay years out of top 100 Angel Chili Davis, while Gubicza lasted just two starts with the Angels before undergoing season-ending arthroscopic surgery. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in January, 1998, but retired before the season started when the pain was too awful. Gubicza is now an analyst with Fox Sports.
Scott Stewart LAN b. 1975, played 2004
A Pitcher And A Catcher: Dodgers 1, Giants 0
Almost all the Dodgers needed last night was a pitcher and a catcher, as Greg Maddux stymied the Giants over eight innings, needing only 68 pitches to do it, retiring 22 consecutive. I wonder just how long he can keep this act up, but he's amazing to watch; it makes you jealous of Braves fans in the era, over a decade ago, when he was still in his prime. With the walkoff solo shot off the bat of Russell Martin winning the game in the 10th, Russ Martin goes down the happy path of Steve Finley two years ago, and who can ask for a better outcome?Rory Markas To Be Inducted Into Local Hall Of Fame, Other Bullety Stuff
- Rory Markas will be inducted into the Guinness Irish Wall of Fame at Saturday at Muldoon's Dublin Pub & Celtic Bar in Newport Beach. Cool and all, but how famous is that Hall, exactly? That's sort of like me having a Hall of Fame.
- Ervin Santana will make his next start. Will he be good, though?
- Garret Anderson will get today off most likely, as his back stiffness continues to dog him.
- The Angels told Fox they couldn't give up Video On Demand rights that were not theirs to surrender when they negotiated their $500M contract earlier this year, which makes the Dodgers' situation rather ... interesting.
- Dodger attendance records will likely fall again, and again the year after that, thanks in part to a favorable home schedule.
- Jayson Werth — remember him? — had a second surgery on his wrist, and will miss the remainder of the season. Trainer Stan Johnson has been unable to reach Werth.
- Hong-Chih Kuo's success as a starter of late is forcing the Dodgers to consider him as a starter. He was converted to starting mainly to get him more innings so he could work on his command, but his recent good work opens the door for him to start for the Dodgers. He'll be up in a September callup most likely.
- Kip Wells will miss his next start thanks to a sore foot. With rookie Edinson Volquez collecting his first major league win on Saturday, the Rangers for once have some options in their rotation.
Makes you wonder whether the Angels really thought they couldn't give up VOD rights, or whether they simply didn't want to give them up, at least not at the price that was offered.
: 8/14/2006 10:50:00 AM
Jaret Wright. Nomar Garciaparra. Paul Konerko. Jason Varitek.
In the second round:
Troy Glaus (did not sign with the Padres). Kevin Brown.
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