Not on the roster, but Conger comes to town

Last off-season, the Quakes and Hank Conger’s family came up with a great idea: a Korean-American night at the Epicenter.

After all, Conger is the first-ever Korean-American baseball player drafted (first round in 2006), and is from Orange County. And the catcher, ranked as the Angels’ No. 4-prospect, was expected to be with the Quakes for the beginning of the 2008 season.

But Conger, a catcher, suffered a labrum (shoulder) injury in spring training, and remains in extended spring training. Nonetheless, Saturday night against Stockton, Korean-American night will continue. There will be Korean food, some sort of special Korean dance, and Conger will be there, too.

Conger accepted the Quakes invitation to be there anyway, and the Angels approved the Quakes offer to fly in Conger just for the game from the Angels’ complex in Tempe, Ariz.

Conger will be signing autographs at the ballpark during the game before he returns to Arizona. He is still likely at least another month away from joining the Quakes.