ANGELS NOTEBOOK: HATCHER `SHOOK UP' ON TRAIN.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of - Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher Michael Vaughn Hatcher (born March 15, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a former Major League Baseball player and a current coach. Most notably, he was Kirk Gibson's replacement for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 World Series, batting .368 (7/19) with two home runs and five RBI. always takes the subway to the ballpark in New York, whether it's to Yankee Stadium • • [ or Shea Stadium • • [ , but that may soon change. Hatcher took what he called the ``scariest train ride of my life'' Saturday afternoon when taking the subway from Manhattan to Shea Stadium. Hatcher took the No. 7 train, the train former Braves pitcher John Rocker referred to when making racial comments in a Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated is the largest weekly American sports magazine owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. It has over 3 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men, 19% of the adult males in the country. article a few years ago. The train was so packed Hatcher said he could barely move, and during the trip he noticed one man who Hatcher said appeared to be part of a gang staring at him. ``He was giving me a bad look and making some comments,'' said Hatcher, who tried to avoid making eye contact. Hatcher said he considered getting off the train, but didn't know the area. Later, what Hatcher said appeared to be a rival gang got onto the train and a fight ensued, although many of the men involved had trouble getting to each other because the train was so crowded. The combatants eventually spilled out of the train at one of the stops before reaching Shea Stadium. ``When I got off the train I had to sit down I was so shook up,'' Hatcher said. Hatcher, however, was able to make light of the situation. ``A few weeks ago I would have been saying, 'Take me out of my misery,' '' he said, referring to the slump Angels hitters were experiencing. --Reunion of sorts: Today's Angels starter John Lackey John Derran Lackey (born October 23, 1978, in Abilene, Texas) is a major league baseball starting pitcher from Abilene, Texas. He has played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim his entire career. squares off with the Mets' Pedro Martinez, but it won't be the first time they've faced each other. Lackey pitched against Martinez when Martinez was with the Red Sox, in a memorable night on April 27, 2003. Memorable, not because of the baseball game Noun 1. baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League , but because of who was in the crowd. ``The only reason I remember the game was because J-Lo (singer/actress Jennifer Lopez) was at our place in Anaheim,'' Lackey said. ``She was with whatchamacallit (actor Ben Affleck). I got a no-decision.'' Asked if it was a distraction, Lackey said: ``No, that's motivation, bro.'' When batting against Martinez, Lackey hopes there are men on base so he can bunt. Otherwise, it might get ugly. ``(Former Angels pitcher) Aaron Sele Aaron Helmer Sele (born June 25, 1970 in Golden Valley, Minnesota) is an MLB right-handed pitcher who plays for the New York Mets. His family moved to Poulsbo, Washington, a Scandinavian town on the Kitsap Peninsula, where Aaron pitched for North Kitsap High School. told me there were three rules for pitchers hitting,'' Lackey said. ``Don't get hurt, don't embarrass yourself and get the bunt down.'' --Also: Chone Figgins was not in the starting lineup Saturday, getting a day off to rest. ... Outfielder Curtis Pride (sprained wrist) will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday. |
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