Sunday, April 01, 2007 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
Matt Herges LAN b. 1970, played 1999-2001. Had some decent years for the Dodgers early on in his career; he's been with the Expos, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, and Marlins since. Most recently, he signed a minor league deal with the Rockies, who gave him a spring NRI but declined to add him to their 25-man roster. I'm not sure if he's been released or agreed to work for them at AAA Colorado Springs.
Willie Montanez CAL b. 1948, played 1966, All-Star: 1977. Came up with the Angels but played in only eight games with them; eventually, he was returned to the Cardinals, who originally signed him. They in turn sent him to the Phillies in place of Curt Flood, who refused to report, thus sparking the most significant skirmish in the long battle for free agency since the Koufax/Drysdale holdout. Once up with the big club, Montanez proved a slick-fielding hot dog centerfielder, who hit 30 homers in his first full season. The power was atypical, and his lot in life was to be frequently traded. One of those trades was a monster four-team deal in December, 1977 that sent Bert Blyleven to the Pirates; by the time his career was over, he had been traded nine times.
Ron Perranoski LAN,CAL b. 1936, played 1961-1967, 1972-1973. Rubber-armed and dominating, Perranoski won three World Series rings with the 1960's Dodgers, leading the league in saves twice. He later became the Dodgers' pitching coach under Tommy Lasorda.
Angel Stadium Notes
- I saw the Ruby's Diner sign hanging over the third-base-side infield seats behind the screen; it looks like there actually is one not yet open, though on the Terrace Level near the press boxes. Also, there's a new team store on the terrace level where the old Season Ticket Holder Wall used to be; we didn't go in, but it looks great, and will help keep crowds down at the field level store, which always used to be crazy crowded.
- We went to last night's game with a friend from work, Tom, and his wife Nicole. It was her first visit to Angel Stadium, and her reaction was that it's "a lot nicer than Dodger Stadium. It's a lot more relaxed. You don't feel like you're going to get jumped." This likely came up because Tom was wearing Dodger colors, but it's an important point for female fans; Dodger Stadium in some places still feels unsafe, though I'm sure relative to what it's like in the Bronx, that's nothing.
- Update: I should also probably add that I was able to find a chicken Caesar salad at the upper deck Beefery with one-carb dressing. That's variety! Now I can eat at the park after all. My great thanks to Arte and the guys running food service. Yay!
Quote, Unquote
"I just have to worry about making sure my back is healthy," McPherson said."I'm pretty sure I can play at this level if I'm healthy. I can't worry about who's moving to third base or who's moving to first base.
"I'm sure there will be a place for me. Hopefully, it's here."
— Dallas McPherson, on his chances to play major league baseball
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