Sunday, September 10, 2006 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
Bob Chance CAL b. 1940, played 1969. Won the triple crown in the minors, but it never translated to major league success, as the first baseman/outfielder kept gaining weight. The Angels got him in the Rule 5 draft, and he served for seven at-bats, the last of his major league career.
Chad Hermansen LAN b. 1977, played 2003. Failed Prospects Day: Hermansen "could walk on water" according to the glowing reports coming from GCL Pirates manager Woody Huyke; he was voted the second best prospect in the league, right after Adrian Beltre. After an extended look in 2002 in which he fought for playing time with AAAA hanger-on Adam Hyzdu and Adrian Brown in centerfield, the Pirates shipped him to the Cubs for virtually nothing, flushing a 24-year-old first-round pick. The Dodgers got him as a throw-in in the Todd Hundley for Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros deal. Though Hermansen hit a very respectable .353/.405/.540 with AAA Las Vegas, he once again wilted upon exposure to major league pitching, hitting only .160 in eleven games and 25 at bats, mostly during a brief July callup at a time when the Dodgers' offense had all but shut down. He spent a year in the Blue Jays system, and currently toils for the new American Association's Sioux Falls Canaries.
Jim Hibbs CAL b. 1944, played 1967
George Kelly BRO b. 1895, played 1932, Hall of Fame: 1973 (Veterans), d. 1984-10-13. Spent most of his career with the Giants; considered by Bill James as the worst Hall of Fame selection ever:
George Kelly was a good ballplayer. So were Chris Chambliss, Bill Buckner, George McQuinn, and Eddie Robinson. He wasn't a Hall of Famer on the best day of his life. What put him in the Hall of Fame was a Veteran's Committee salted with two of his old teammates, one of his old General Managers, and two old reporters who had covered his team in his glory years. And, not wishing to be impolite to Mr. Kelly or his son, or even to the Hall of Fame, I don't think one can denounce that kind of thing in strong enough terms.That is, his inclusion at Cooperstown is not unlike sending J.T. Snow there. Spent the last year of his career with Brooklyn, in 1930.
Ted Kluszewski LAA b. 1924, played 1961, All-Star: 1953-1956, d. 1988-03-29. An original Angel in the last year of his career, most of which was spent with the Cincinnati Reds or Redlegs, depending on whether you were scared by commies. The Reds helped out his home run totals by bringing in the left field fence from 382 feet to 328. In 1952, Rogers Hornsby was one of the Reds' three managers that year, and hated his guts, telling GM Gabe Paul "you ought to trade that big lazy Polack", suggesting Earl Torgeson of the Braves as the return. Hornsby was gone after that year, but Kluszewski collected three straight 40+ homer seasons starting the very next season, and stayed with the club for another five years.
Terry Wells LAN b. 1963, played 1990
Roster Notes
- Ben Villa thinks the Angels should look to the Wild Card for their postseason hopes.
- The Angels won't necessarily call up Dallas McPherson and Kendry Morales immediately now that the Bees have been eliminated in the PCL postseason. Note that I incorrectly said Jeff Mathis would get a callup; he's already with the big team.
- Ervin Santana's troubles on the road may hold up a trade for Miguel Tejada.
- Tim Brown blames the Padres' acquisition of David Wells for their sudden 3.5 game leap in the standings. Pardon, did he pitch all those games?
- Greg Maddux would like a rematch.
- Joe Beimel is getting the job done:
"He has been very consistent for us, despite having to carry more of the workload than he deserves to have to carry," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "He can give us multiple innings whenever we need them, and most of the time, he keeps the ball on the ground and pitches to contact."
- Some of the Dodgers rookies are looking for winter league assignments, in particular Matt Kemp and James Loney.
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