ANGELS NOTEBOOK: CATCHING NO BREAK AT ALL.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer TEMPE, Ariz. - It was late afternoon and most of the Angels players had returned to the clubhouse from their day's work (Naut.) the account or reckoning of a ship's course for twenty-four hours, from noon to noon. See also: Day , showered, dressed and left the facility. Then, a final group of players marched in from the field. It was the catchers. Eight of them. Dirty and sweaty from a full-day's workout. Right fielder right fielder n. Baseball The player who defends right field. Noun 1. right fielder - the person who plays right field outfielder - (baseball) a person who plays in the outfield Tim Salmon Yes, they were. And right along with them was manager Mike Scioscia These catchers - Bengie Molina Benjamin José ("Bengie" or "Ben") Molina (born July 20 1974 in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico) is the starting catcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. After being initially regarded as a "good glove, no hit" catcher, Molina has developed into one of the better , Matt Walbeck Matthew Lovick Walbeck (Born: October 2, 1969 in Sacramento, California) is a former righthanded Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1993 to 2003 for the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. , Todd Greene Todd Anthony Greene (born May 8, 1971 in Augusta, Georgia) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Anaheim Angels (1996-2000), Toronto Blue Jays (2000), New York Yankees (2001), Texas Rangers 2002-2003) and the Colorado , Steve Decker Steven Decker (born October 25, 1965 in Rock Island, Illinois), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a catcher from 1990-1993, 1995-1996, and 1999. He is the current manager of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. , Bret Hemphill, Shawn Wooten, Jason Dewey and Bryan Graves - are getting special attention. Maybe too much attention, though they'll never admit it. ``I think it's great,'' Walbeck said. ``I've never had the good fortune of having a manager who was a major-league catcher. To have a manager who played as long as he did makes it much better, much easier to communicate. He's been there. There is no second-guessing what he says. We work hard and we sleep hard at night.'' They are the last group to leave the field nearly every day as Scioscia runs them through endless drills. Scioscia, though, won't admit to working them harder than they're used to. ``These guys have always been aggressive here,'' Scioscia said. ``(Coaches) Joe Maddon, John McNamara, Bill Lachemann . . . their program was always aggressive. This isn't anything these guys aren't used to. I'm happy with their work. They're getting a lot accomplished.'' Scioscia himself gets down and dirty with the players at times. The other day he slid into home as the catchers worked on blocking the plate In baseball, blocking the plate is a common technique performed by a catcher to prevent a runner from scoring. The act of blocking the plate accounts for most of the physical contact in baseball. , a Scioscia specialty. It had been a while since Scioscia had gotten that physical in workouts. ``The last time I did it I was sliding into (Mike) Piazza and I tore cartilage in my knee,'' Scioscia said. Scioscia said he hasn't decided whether he'll keep two or three catchers on the 25-man roster. --Ailing Erstad: Darin Erstad continues to take things slowly because of an inflamed left shoulder. He's participating in fielding drills - in the outfield and at first base - and took batting practice in the cage, but is not allowed to throw. Scioscia said Erstad will take live batting practice for the first time today. ``The thing that's hurting Darin is his practice time really has to be monitored,'' Scioscia said. ``No throwing, but he's taking a ton of ground balls (at first).'' WEEK IN REVIEW Best storyline: Mike Scioscia and Mo Vaughn greet each other with a hug at the opening of camp. Everyone's lovey-dovey when you're 0-0. Best subplot sub·plot n. 1. A plot subordinate to the main plot of a literary work or film. Also called counterplot, underplot. 2. A subdivision of a plot of land, especially a plot used for experimental purposes. : Jim Edmonds is still an Angel. Progress was made with: Communication. New coaching staff, players getting to know each other. Progress wasn't made with: Starting rotation. Angels are counting on the youngsters coming through without former staff ace Chuck Finley. Spring surprises: Nobody's been seriously hurt. The week ahead: Spring games begin Wednesday with a game vs. Arizona State. Friday vs. Mariners; Saturday vs. A's. - Joe Haakenson CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: no caption (Mo Vaughn) Box: Week in review (see text) |
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