ANGELS NOTEBOOK: CAUGHT STEALING: MOLINA GETS HIS MAN.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Catcher Bengie Molina and manager Mike Scioscia disagree on why it's happening, but the fact is, it's happening.

Molina threw out 24 percent (19 of 79) of the baserunners trying to steal last season but has improved this season so far to 55 percent (18 of 33), best among all catchers in the majors.

``It's simple,'' Scioscia said. ``His mechanics are much more consistent on a daily basis. He's thrown the ball well the last two years, but right now it's as good as I've seen him.''

Scioscia went as far as to say Molina is comparable to the Rangers' Ivan Rodriguez.

``Pudge is still the top of the class,'' Scioscia said. ``His arm strength, accuracy and glove-to-glove times are incredible. Bengie's not far behind that. He can be almost as effective as Pudge and I think his stats are bearing that out.''

Molina said the one reason he's better this year is health.

``I think nobody realized last year I had a sore (right) knee most of the time,'' Molina said. ``To throw guys out, you need that and I didn't have it last year, period.''

--Buck won't stop: At age 90, former Negro League star Buck O'Neil works for the Royals in community relations. O'Neil, who is one of the founders of the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame in Kansas City, played for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1938-55, winning a batting crown in 1946 when he hit .353.

On Wednesday, O'Neil attended a couple of school graduations, one in the afternoon and one at night. He said the question he's asked most by children is: ``What was it like?''

``It was outstanding,'' O'Neil said. ``It was segregated, but we still had some of the best athletes in the world.''

O'Neil said his most memorable day came in 1943 on opening day in Memphis, Tenn. He hit for the cycle that day, and that night met a woman, Ora Lee, who became his wife for 51 years.

--Glaus fourth at third: Results of the early balloting for the American League All-Star voting were released Wednesday, but only one Angel was even listed among the leaders. Third baseman Troy Glaus was listed fourth among third basemen.

ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA

Time: 5:05 p.m. at the Metrodome.

TV/Radio: Channel 9; 570-AM. 1090-AM.

Matchup: Scott Schoeneweis (3-4, 5.43 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Minnesota's Brad Radke (4-2, 5.08). Shortstop David Eckstein started Wednesday as the DH, his first start since he sprained his knee May 20. Last season at this time, the Angels were 23-26, 14 games behind first-place Seattle in the A.L. West.

- Joe Haakenson

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