Tony and Doug Inside MLB

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July 30, 2006

Doug Padilla: Getting stronger

Here's a sign of a team doing all the right things on offense. The Angels took advantage of all of Curt Schilling's mistakes Sunday during a season in which the right-hander has made few mistakes. Schilling entered the game 8-0 at home this season with a 2.71 ERA.

“I couldn't get the ball in to (Vladimir Guerrero) for the first run,� Schilling said. “Second inning, same thing. A couple of pitches I left out over the plate. In the third inning, one-out fastball in the middle of the plate (Orlando Cabrera's home run), hanging split (Guerrero's home run).

“Then the ball that (Juan) Rivera hit was a ball that I wanted in. I didn't think it was a bad pitch but he got to it. He got his hands in and got to it. I didn't feel like I made a lot of great pitches tonight but every mistake I made, they hit.�

As the trade market looks to be drying up, an offensive approach like the team had Sunday might be enough to give the pitchers the run support they need.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:48 PM | Comments (4)

Tony Jackson -- media hijinks

The annual media game, a baseball bloodbath for bragging rights between the print and electronic media, will take place after today's Dodgers-Nats finale.

I, for one, have chosen to sit this one out, lest I make a fool of myself in front of my colleagues. I have chosen instead to sit on the sidelines with similarly inactive Dodgers communications director Camille Johnston and public relations staffers Josh Rawitch, Joe Jareck and Crystal Fukumoto, watching all my media colleagues make fools of THEMselves.
Some seem to be taking it more seriously than others. At least two participants visited local batting cages this week to hone their swings, and one reportedly (I wasn't there, so didn't see it) regaled Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko in the clubhouse this morning with a detailed explanation of why this individual chose the particular brand of cleats he will wear in the media game.
Most of the so-called players, though, will treat this affair exactly like what it is: a glorified office softball game, the only difference being that it wil be played with actual baseballs on an actual, regulation-sized baseball field.
The Dodgers will not be responsible for any, sprained ankles pulled belly fat muscles or dislodged toupees.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 02:38 PM | Comments (1)

July 28, 2006

Doug Padilla: Monster setting

Fenway Park's Green Monster is among the more notable architectural ballpark features in the entire major leagues. What the paying public can't see about the left-field wall is the history that is accumulated inside.

During batting practice, I went inside the scoreboard of the Green Monster with a pair of colleagues. Usually cramped, dark and poorly ventilated areas are undesirable sites to visit. Not this one. Much of the ballpark's history is right there on the walls, mostly in the signatures of visitors. Many of the names on the concrete walls are from players, while many are unrecognizable. Maybe they are the names of former scoreboard operators and their friends.

Brian Cashman, Mike Timlin, Rod Beck, the list goes on. In blue paint at the entrance it reads, ``1986 World Series.'' One entry begs for a dream 2004 World Series matchup of the Red Sox and Cubs. The Cubs couldn't do their part to make it happen. Baseball players aren't the only known figures to sign as actress Rene Russo signed the concrete ceiling. The young scoreboard operator said she was a visitor earlier this year.

Reggie Willits, who was making his first visit to the park, had already signed the wall before batting practice. And just to the left of Willits are three new entries, from three Southern California baseball writers.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)

July 25, 2006

tony jackson -- more than meets the eye

Forget about the Dodgers finally getting rid of Odalis Perez. The fact they were able to reacquire Elmer Dessens isn't going to send anyone into a frenzy, but this is a solid move.

A staff ace, he's not. A clubhouse enforcer, he's not. But a solid, reliable and professional presence in the bullpen, well, that describes Dessens to a tee. This is my third go-round with him as a beat writer, including three seasons in Cincinnati, a season and a half in Los Angeles and now. Dessens is quiet and goes about his business without bothering anyone. But he also takes the ball whenever he is asked, without complaint, whether it's for the occasional start, short relief or the decidedly unglamorous long relief. And for the most part, he signs autographs when asked and gives interviews when asked. He gets a lot of groundball outs and usually has a low ERA.
This is a good move for the Dodgers, both in terms of what they gave up and what they got.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:59 PM | Comments (2)

Doug Padilla: Erstad's ankle

A reader recently inquired about Darin Erstad's injured right ankle. Specifically, he wanted to know if Erstad's time as a punter at Nebraska could have contributed to the ankle joint irritation that has him on the disabled list. So the question was posed to the Angels' medical staff.

The answer from head trainer Ned Bergert was that indeed Erstad's career as a punter (he also kicked off) could have contributed. The extended answer is that all of the athletic endeavors Erstad pursued in his younger years are the likely reason he is suffering now.

In addition to baseball and football, Erstad played youth hockey growing up in North Dakota and also participated in track and field. As Bergert put it, you only have so many miles on the tires.

There is your answer Edward Larkin. Thanks for reading.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:48 PM | Comments (1)

July 23, 2006

Doug Padilla: Brown out

The Kansas City Royals' Emil Brown probably will see Orlando Cabrera in his sleep. Twice in the four-game series at Kansas City, Cabrera has taken advantage of Brown's aggressive baserunning.

On Sunday, Cabrera fielded a bouncing ball from Angel Berroa as Brown ran from second to third. Thinking Cabrera would throw to first base with two outs, Brown touched third and ran home. With a close play at first base developing, Cabrera instead faked a throw there and threw to catcher Mike Napoli who easily tagged out Brown.

Cabrera's decision to throw home instead of first gave Berroa a hit. Nobody was complaining, though, because if Berroa is safe at first, Brown scores with ease in a game where runs were at a premium.

On Thursday, Cabrera faked a throw to first and threw out Brown trying to go from second to third.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:22 PM | Comments (954)

July 22, 2006

Doug Padilla: Football in July

Usually the Angels' clubhouse television is tuned to a sports highlight show or afternoon baseball. On Saturday, about half of the team was watching the high-school football movie "Friday Night Lights" and John Lackey had a front-and-center seat. Being a former high-school football standout in Texas, Lackey had a reason to feel a connection.

After the movie, Lackey confirmed that the final high school game of his career at Abilene High School was against Permian, the school the movie revolves around. Lackey was the Abilene quarterback and he had a vivid recollection of the game.

Talk about memories dying hard. Lackey said the final score was something like 13-9 in a game to see who would qualify for the state playoffs. He said his team was going to get one last crack at victory but a 90-yard Permian punt pinned down Abilene deep in their own territory. Lackey also recalled he had just over a minute to operate and a scoring drive never materialized.

Lackey said Drew Brees' team beat Dominic Rhodes' team for the state title. "We had some pretty good football going on down there," Lackey said. Pretty good indeed.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:29 PM | Comments (1)

July 20, 2006

Doug Padilla: mirror images

Before the game Thursday, Tommy Murphy and Reggie Willits were talking about how they are confused for one another on a daily basis. Afterward, the Angels helped relieve some of the confusion by sending Murphy back to Triple-A Last Vegas.

Willits said the most recent confusion happened during Wednesday's day game at home when people were calling him “Tommy� and asking for his autograph. Bullpen catcher Steve Soliz struggled with their identities all spring.

The players, who both shave their heads, played on the same level the past two seasons and had a short stint with each other at the big-league level. The biggest difference on the field between the two is that Murphy takes an aggressive approach to the plate while Willits tends to work a count.

Willits now will get some chances to show what he can do on the big-league level. Murphy was sent back, in part, so that he can get some regular playing time after playing sparingly with the Angels of late.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:53 PM | Comments (0)

July 19, 2006

Tony Jackson -- Derek Lowe is totally discombobulated

Derek Lowe threw not one, not two, but three side sessions between starts. Guess it must have been overkill, because he wasn't much better tonight than he had been in his previous four.

He gave up five earned runs on 11 hits over 4 1/3 innings, including a gargantuan three-run homer by Shawn Green (tough to know who was more upset about that, Lowe himself or longtime Green-hater Odalis Perez). Lowe failed to get through the fifthinning, when four of the five batters he faced reached base, one on an error by third baseman Willy Aybar.
Both Lowe nad pitching coach Rick Honeycutt agree that the right-hander no longer has a consistent release point on his bread-and-butter pitch, his sinkerball.
Whatever the problem is, Lowe needs to fix it quickly, because the Dodgers need to rely on him every five days, and right now, they don't know what they're going to get when he takes the mound. And yes, you do need more than one good starter, even in the National League West.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)

July 18, 2006

Doug Padilla: Angels near miss

The Oakland Athletics' Mark Kotsay might have won the American League Player of the Week Award for the week ending July 16, but the fact that two Angels received honorable mention might be more impressive.

Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey each received consideration for the award in a week shortened by the All-Star break. It is proof that the Angels are coming together as a team with a little under a half season still remaining.

Kotsay, a Cal State Fullerton product, certainly was worthy of the award for batting .556 with a .772 slugging percentage in a four-game series at Fenway Park in Boston. He had three doubles, five RBI and 13 total bases. It was the first time Kotsay had received the award in his career.

Guerrero was 7-for-11 with two home runs and six RBI last week as he emerged from a June funk to find his top form.

Lackey might have been a lock for the award had he pitched more in the week. As it were, Lackey still received mention off of just one start. He pitched a shutout Friday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with 10 strikeouts. It was not only Lackey's second consecutive shutout, but he has struck out 10 batters in three consecutive games. He makes his next start Wednesday afternoon against the Cleveland Indians in the finale of the Angels' current homestand.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

July 17, 2006

Doug Padilla: Bat men

Formerly one of the worst offensive clubs in baseball, the Angels are on the kind of run that the addition of a bat might disrupt. For over a year, the cry has been for the Angels to add a significant bat to their mix. Now the team seems to hit at will.

In winning 12 of their last 13 games, the Angels have scored 86 runs. That is an average of 6.6 per game. So while the starting pitching has been getting most of the credit, the offense has redeemed itself for now.

Mike Napoli and Maicer Izturis have emerged of late but the biggest help might be coming from Juan Rivera.

``If you look at the bottom third of our lineup right now with Rivera, (Kendry) Morales and (Adam) Kennedy, that's a pretty strong grouping,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``Kendry is still learning but he has thunder in his bat. Juan gives us a guy that probably can be hitting higher up in some lineups you look at, but with him hitting seventh just points to the depth we have now.''

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)

July 16, 2006

Doug Padilla: History lesson

When the Angels returned from the All-Star break, they found a new addition to the runway leading from the clubhouse to the field. An "Angels Wall of Fame" was affixed to the wall that faces the players as they exit the clubhouse.

The wall of fame is an exact replica of one that is fastened to a wall near the Angels memorabilia store behind home plate. Every player that has received a postseason award or All-Star honor is listed. The idea is to seemingly provide inspiration to the current crop of players, many of whom already have earned their spots on the wall.

One Angels official jokingly said the wall might become similar to the sign in the Notre Dame football locker room that every player touches before taking the field. As of now, Angels players don't seem to be as similarly moved.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 05:41 PM | Comments (1)

July 15, 2006

Doug Padilla: Words of wisdom

Mike Scioscia was recalling the day he left home as a 17-year old to join the Dodgers organization. It was on that day that the Angels manager heard the words he still recalls, although it makes much more sense to him now than it did then.

"If you want to be a leader, the first person you have to lead is yourself.''

The words did not come from a Dodgers official, an old coach or a friendly passenger on a bus ride to the bushes. Scioscia said the words came from his mother. As Scioscia recalled it, he could tell his mother wanted to say something profound and the words came tumbling out from the heart and not from anything memorized.

Words to live by, indeed.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:42 PM | Comments (703)

July 14, 2006

Doug Padilla: Peek inside

Early batting practice is underway beneath the scorching afternoon sun and many Angels players seem anxious to get to work in the second half.

Juan Rivera, who looked to be rounding into form when the second half ended, just crushed a number of pitches into the bullpens in left field. Darin Erstad, who has battled ankle problems all season and currently is on the disabled list, is getting in his hacks and seems content to spray the ball to all fields.

Former Angels bench coach Joe Maddon is the only member of the Devil Rays' traveling party on the field and is saying hello to anybody and everybody he sees. As early as two months ago, Maddon was praising the schedulemaker because he would be able to relax at his Brea home for the four-day break and then start the second half just up the freeway against the Angels.

Howie Kendrick, who was recalled today as Kelvim Escobar went on the disabled list with elbow irritation, is part of the group taking early swings. Kendrick also is spraying to all fields. Whether he gets a chance to do it on a regular basis in the Angels' lineup remains to be seen.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:19 PM | Comments (1)

July 13, 2006

Tony Jackson -- gorgeous

Of course, by gorgeous, I'm describing the new Busch Stadium, not myself.

I had heard nothing but complaints about the new yard before actually seeing it myself, first from my window of my seventh-floor room at the Westin when I arrived last night and then this afternoon when I actually walked into the press box for the first time.
My first reaction was, it's not nearly as bad as everyone had led me to believe. My second reaction was, it's certainly better than that old trash dump the Cardinals used to play in next door. And as the evening has worn on, my third reaction is that I absolutely love the place.
It's not the greatest yard I have ever been to, especially after covering an All-Star Game at beautiful PNC Park a couple of nights ago. But it is a perfect setting. They have taken great steps to preserve several elements of the old park ,including bullpens, outfield bleachers and a batter's eye that are almost identical and the smattering of premium seats painted green behind home plate in contrast to every other seat in the house being bright red.
The best part, though, is the backdrop. The famed Gateway Arch dominates the landscape beyond center field, and the turquoise dome of the Old Courthouse is just as majestic beyond left-center. Here's hoping the condo/shopping mecca due to be built in the vacant lot where the old stadium stood won't block the view of that dome.
This is indeed a gorgeous place to see a baseball game. Cardinals fans, some of the most loyal and knowledgeable in the game, deserve nothing less.
tj

Posted by Tony Jackson at 06:45 PM | Comments (0)

July 09, 2006

Doug Padilla: Going somewhere?

Sunday's home-plate upmire, Eric Cooper, certainly seemed like he was anxious to start his All-Star break. The biggest strike zone of the season had nearly everybody on edge.

It might be a problem when both benches voice displeasure over how the game is being called. The zone was not only high, like on a Nick Swicher strikeout in the fifth, it was very low too as Maicer Izturis found out int he seventh inning.

It got so bad that A's hitting coach Gerald Perry had seen enough. His protests, after Jason Kendall struck out looking in the seventh inning, were enough to get him ejected.

The 2-hour, 19-minute game was the third under 2:20 for the road trip. The Angels played in 2:01 on Friday and 2:03 on Wednesday at Seattle. Those were much more friendly game times than the White Sox and Red Sox experienced in their marathon extra-inning game Sunday.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)

Tony Jackson -- First half review

The sorry state of the National League couldn't be more evident than in the fact the Dodgers enter the final day before the All-Star break as the leaders in the wild card standings -- at 45-42.

This despite the fact their starting rotation is in shambles, their bullpen is shaky and their lineup, potent though it may be, seems disturbingly helpless against good pitching. But the good news has been the performance of the rookies, at least some of them.
Andre Ethier and Russell Martin are legitimate Rookie of the Year candidates, and Jonathan Broxton, while still technically a rookie, has used the experience of last year's big-league debut to his advantage this year. But Chad Billingsley, who still has a chance to anchor this rotation one day, could use more seasoning. And it's possible that Matt Kemp, who was so good when he first came up, also could use more seasoning. He might get it when either Ricky Ledee or Jason Repko comes off the DL.
Those rookies have helped the Dodgers overcome a slew of injuries, but the club can't withstand many more in the second half. The health of two players with histories of injuries, Nomar Garciaparra and J.D. Drew, is critical. A quick return by Jeff Kent also is critical.
But the Dodgers' biggest concern right now could be Derek Lowe. The Dodgers have exactly three wins by a starting pitcher other than Lowe or Brad Penny since May 1. But Lowe went 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA in his final three starts of the first half, and something clearly isn't right. He'll get the ball for the second-half opener at St. Louis on Thursday, kicking off a pivotal four-game series that will set the tone for the Dodgers the rest of the way.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)

July 08, 2006

Doug Padilla: Napoli joins name game

One of the topics in the Angels' dugout well before Saturday's game was nicknames in baseball. Angels broadcaster Rex Hudler was talking about the Cleveland Indians' Travis Hafner and how his nickname “Pronk� came from two previous nicknames that the slugger didn't care for, “Project� and “Donkey.�

Hudler said he had a role in Tim Salmon's altered nickname of “King Fish� and David Eckstein's moniker of “X-Factor.� Hudler was asked what he would name rookie Mike Napoli, but nothing came to mind.

Napoli was asked if he had any nicknames while growing up and he admitted to one that was starting to take root in the Angels clubhouse. It seems as if Napoli is being referred to by Adam Kennedy as “Snacks� because of Napoli's habit of getting something to eat every time a flight attendant brings the cart down the aisle on the team's charter flights.

“Snacks� might not be the most flattering of nicknames but it sure beats a yawner like “Nap.�

Posted by Doug Padilla at 07:55 PM | Comments (663)

July 07, 2006

Doug Padilla: Different perspectives

It shouldn't be too surprising that Chone Figgins (a base stealer) and Jose Molina (a catcher) had a difference of opinion on a stolen-base attempt during a game the players were watching on television Tuesday.

The players were watching when the Baltimore Orioles' Jeff Conine was trying to steal second base against the Cleveland Indians. Conine was caught stealing on a close play but Figgins and Molina had differing opinions.

Figgins was certain Conine slid under the tag, but of course he did. He makes a living trying to slip in under the tags of opponents. Molina was certain Conine was nowhere near safe. He saw a catcher making a perfect throw and the infielder completing a caught stealing with a perfect tag.

An inning later Conine went back on a ball to the left-field wall, tripped over his own player when retreiving the ball and fired a horrible throw to the infield that went for an error. Nobody was taking Conine's side that time.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 06:06 PM | Comments (1)

July 06, 2006

Doug Padilla: Extended break shortened

The Angels knew their All-Star break schedule was too good to be true and this week it was confirmed as such. The Angels were set to receive a rare four-day All-Star break next week because their first series of the second half was scheduled to start Friday after the All-Star Game and not Thursday as is typical.

The Angels have learned that there now will be a team workout on Thursday in preparation for the start of the second half next Friday at home against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The workout is not open to the public.

The workout is expected to be nothing more than a typical pregame batting-practice session with hitters taking swings in small groups, pitchers shagging fly balls and infielders working on their defense. It likely will not last much more than an hour. That is the same kind of workout teams have on off days during playoff series.

The workout could end up costing players a day on some already planned All-Star break trips. Orlando Cabrera, for one, has already said he has plane tickets to return to his native Colombia over the break.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)

July 05, 2006

Doug Padilla: Trading ideas

Angels general manager Bill Stoneman made a trade Wednesday, just not the impact deal many Angels fans have been anticipating since last season. The Angels sent pitcher Jeff Weaver to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor-league outfielder Terry Evans. Dealing Weaver for the a desired impact bat never was an option.

Stoneman was chatting with reporters a mere hour before Wednesday's trade with the Cardinals when a fan noticed the GM standing on the bottom step of the dugout. So the fan yelled out for a trade, something shouted in Stoneman's direction often over the past year. A reporter acknowledged the fan by asking his trade preferences.

``Ever hear of a guy named Pujols?'' the fan yelled, in reference to Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols.

Pulling the trigger on any trade of significance hasn't been Stoneman's strong suit. A trade for Pujols? Please.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)

Doug Padilla: Trading ideas

Angels general manager Bill Stoneman made a trade Wednesday, just not the impact deal many Angels fans have been anticipating since last season. The Angels sent pitcher Jeff Weaver to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor-league outfielder Terry Evans. Dealing Weaver for the a desired impact bat never was an option.

Stoneman was chatting with reporters a mere hour before Wednesday's trade with the Cardinals when a fan noticed the GM standing on the bottom step of the dugout. So the fan yelled out for a trade, something shouted in Stoneman's direction often over the past year. A reporter acknowledged the fan by asking his trade preferences.

``Ever hear of a guy named Pujols?'' the fan yelled, in reference to Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols.

Pulling the trigger on any trade of significance hasn't been Stoneman's strong suit. A trade for Pujols? Please.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)

July 04, 2006

Doug Padilla: The lighter side

A baseball clubhouse can be a funny place so on the Fourth of July we observed the top five lighthearted moments of the day.

No. 5: Angels announcer Rex Hudler entertained a group of reporters by recalling the day he spent as a player in Japan when he ate a worm. He did it for Japanese equivalent of $1,000 U.S. In seven Japanese newspapers the next day Hudler was presented as the crazy American who ate a worm.

No. 4: Mike Scioscia doesn't care to be called “skipper,� yet that's what a TV cameraman did when he was getting sound bites. He not only prefaced a question by calling Scioscia “Skip,� but he called him “Skip� again when leaving his office.

No. 3: Vladimir Guerrero must be feeling good about himself. He's been wearing a Superman T-shirt lately in the clubhouse. Or perhaps it's just a tie-in to the recently-released Superman movie.

No. 2: Ervin Santana felt obligated to help the same cameraman who called Scioscia “Skip.� The cameraman was trying to hold his camera and a microphone to record Santana's statements. So Santana grabbed the microphone and looked like a reporter presenting an on-air piece.

No. 1: Leave it to players to watch their own lives unfold on television. Many Angels players were stationed in front of the television for an ESPN piece that gave a behind-the-scenes look at what the Houston Astros go through on a road trip. Makes you wonder what the Angels players found so interesting.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)

July 03, 2006

Doug Padilla: M's on the rise

After all the talk before the season that the Angels, A's or Rangers would control the division, the Seattle Mariners went into Monday's game playing the best baseball in the American League West. The Mariners went 14-4 in interleague play and have won 11 of their last 15 games. Angels manager Mike Scioscia has been impressed.

Ichiro Suzuki is doing his typical job of being a pest at the top of the order but guys like Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Lopez have given the team a lift. Adrian Beltre has improved isnce moving into the No. 2 spot in the lineup three weeks ago.

"The two guys Betancourt and Lopez are probably the most improved guys on their team from what we saw last year," Scioscia said. "You could see the talent was there but I think their inexperience last year showed up at times. That time they spent up here last year they put to good use because it made them more comfortable this year and they're playing great baseball."

Posted by Doug Padilla at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)

tony jackson -- odd man out?

Left-handed-hitting outfielder Ricky Ledee (left groin) will begin his rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, and manager Grady Little said Monday that, "For Ricky to do what we need him to do, we don't feel like he will need all that much time on a rehab assignment."

The question then becomes, what will happen when Ledee returns? Or more specifically, what will happen to Jose Cruz Jr. when Ledee returns? Rookie outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have played too well, so far at least, to go back to the minors. Kenny Lofton is a veteran whose average is hovering near .300. J.D. Drew has a five-year, $55 million contract. And with the club carrying three catchers and only six infielders, there simply isn't room for another outfielder.

All of which probably means Cruz, who is hitting just .229, will be designated for assignment. And it won't be the first time his career has been in jeopardy. Two clubs, Arizona and Boston, gave up on him last season before he wound up with the Dodgers on Aug. 9 and rebounded to hit .301 the rest of the year.

Cruz does bring something to the table. A switch-hitter, he is hitting .328 from the right side. But he is batting just .182 left-handed, where, as with most switch-hitters, the overwhelming majority of his plate appearances have come. If Cruz clears waivers, and he likely will, the Dodgers will have to eat most of his $2.91 million salary even if he signs with another club. But if he does sign with another club, the Dodgers would be out from under the $300,000 buyout on his option for next season.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:50 PM | Comments (3139)

July 01, 2006

Doug Padilla: Radar not enforced

A media member who typically covers the Dodgers waited until the middle of Friday night's Freeway Series opener before asking if the Angels put pitchers' radar-gun readings on the scoreboard. On Friday, those readings were curiously missing.

The theory is that with Bartolo Colon on the mound and not yet back his typical hard-throwing self, the Angels decided that a night without a radar gun would be a good idea. Even general manager Bill Stoneman admitted before the game that Colon was not throwing as hard as he had in the past but is now healthy and that's what is important.

With Kelvim Escobar on the mound Saturday and throwing as hard as he ever has, the Angels had the radar gun up and running on the outfield scoreboards. Makes you wonder if the CHP has days when it elects to not use its radar.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:05 PM | Comments (441)