ALL-STAR GAME NOTEBOOK: PEREZ ISN'T ALL-STAR SHY GUY.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer MILWAUKEE - Many of the first-time All-Stars remained shy and reserved about their experience, but the first half of the season taught everyone that Dodgers lefty Odalis Perez won't hide his personality or feelings. The ever-confident Perez, who enjoys dancing and being the life of the party on days he pitches, wasn't awed by his first All-Star experience. He also believes there's plenty of room in his future for All-Star trips. ``Here, you get all the superstars together,'' said Perez, who pitched the fourth inning and allowed one unearned run. ``For me to be part of this, to be part of the best, it's great. It's great, because I'm part of that. I deserve to be here. Right now I'm in this situation and right now I would say that I'm one of the best players in baseball. There are plenty of superstars here and I'm included in them. ``When you have (Barry) Bonds, Sammy (Sosa), (Andruw) Jones - they are supposed to be good players. They're the best. I would have to say I'm part of that.'' Perez, a wildly confident 24-year-old, has been one the biggest surprises in leading the Dodgers to their perch atop the National League West. They lead Arizona by 2 1/2 games and Perez is 10-4 with a 2.81 ERA. While mingling with the top players in the National League, Perez said he felt comfortable. He was asked if he could make a future All-Star club. ``I can and I will,'' Perez said. ``Not only I can, I will. Coming here every year is possible. Everybody I talked to is great.'' --Trade talk: Dodgers general manager Dan Evans is talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to other clubs about obtaining bullpen and bench help, and the club is exploring the possibility of obtaining Texas utility player Frank Catalanotto Frank John Catalanotto (pronounced Ca-ta-lan-na-toe) (born April 27, 1974 in Smithtown, New York)is a Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Texas Rangers. Nicknamed Little Cat, the Long Island native bats left-handed and throws right-handed. , sources said. The Dodgers like Catalanotto's versatility for the last two years, and the Rangers are looking to make a move with the infielder/outfielder. He is batting .262 with two homers and 14 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in but has a .366 on-base percentage and has a gritty style of play the Dodgers like. Texas is looking to clear a roster spot and has scouted the Dodgers' minor leagues and is willing to make the deal for a minor-leaguer. Evans, who spoke to nearly every club in the last few days, talked with Mets general manager Steve Phillips
Steve Francis Phillips (born on May 18, 1963) was the general manager of the New York Mets from 1997-2003. , and second baseman second baseman n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker Roberto Alomar --Slick Fick: Detroit outfielder Robert Fick Robert Charles Fick (born March 15, 1974 in Torrance, California) is a Major League Baseball player for the Washington Nationals. The left-handed batter, who throws right-handed, attended California State University at Northridge. walked in the American League American League (AL) One of the two associations of professional baseball teams in the U.S. and Canada designated as major leagues; the other is the National League (NL). clubhouse, but the occasion was so special he couldn't be himself. Usually outspoken and confident, the former Cal State Northridge product was humbled as he glanced around the clubhouse and saw Derek Jeter  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled until (UTC) due to vandalism. , Alex Rodriguez and the like.
``A guy like me, I'm kind of uncomfortable, with it being my first time and all,'' said Fick, who is batting .290 with 11 homers and 40 RBI. ``I don't really know many of these guys and the only way to get to know them is to come to some of these things. You kind of keep to yourself, let somebody approach you if they want to approach you. You don't say much, which is hard for me to do.'' Fick pinch hit to lead off the eighth inning and singled to center off San Francisco reliever Robb Nen. --Helton on Williams: Colorado first baseman Todd Helton is one of the best pure hitters in baseball and he is also following the sad saga involving former Boston slugger Ted Williams, whose body is apparently lying in a cryonic cry·on·ics n. (used with a sing. verb) The process of freezing and storing the body of a diseased, recently deceased person to prevent tissue decomposition so that at some future time the person might be brought back to life upon development state while the family bickers about his final resting place. Williams' son, John Henry, has suggested freezing his father's remains, or at least his head, to preserve the DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. , according to Williams' daughter. ``The kid is an idiot,'' Helton said. ``They should hit him over the head with a (model) T-141 (bat), or whatever model Ted Williams used. That's what I think.'' CAPTION(S): photo, 2 boxes Photo: Odalis Perez was unlike many first-time All-Stars Tuesday as he made his case to be known as one of major-league baseball's top players. John Hayes/Associated Press Box: (1) ALL-STAR GAME (2) PAST RESULTS |
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