ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SELE FINDS RELIEF ROLE A TOUGH ADJUSTMENT.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer ANAHEIM - He's probably the highest-paid long/middle reliever in baseball, and he's not thrilled about it. Oh, the money ($8.5 million this season) is fine for 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. , it's the role he has that he's trying to understand. Sele lost to Ramon Ortiz in the spring-training competition for a spot in the rotation and was sent to the bullpen to serve in long and middle relief. Before this season, he had made only one relief appearance in 11 seasons. Sele had made two relief appearances this season going into Saturday's game against Oakland, as he tries to develop a comfort level in an unfamiliar situation. On April 9 against Texas, Sele was rocked for five runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. He was better his second time out, giving up no runs and one hit in two innings against Seattle on Thursday. ``It's been hard,'' Sele said. ``It's not an easy adjustment to make. I'm leaning on all the bullpen guys for a lot for tips and advice. We talk daily about what to do, what's the best way to warm up. We talk about situations during the game. Those guys in the bullpen got it pegged pretty good.'' Sele is used to the more structured routine of a starter, who knows when he's going to pitch and has a set between-starts workout and throwing routine. And it's been especially tough for Sele to feel comfortable with his curveball, which is his best pitch. ``The curveball is a feel pitch and I don't get a lot of time to work on it,'' Sele said. ``I had seven days off before the game in Texas, then I had six days off (actually five) before the last one.'' Manager Mike Scioscia ``It's getting a little better but there's still a transition period,'' Scioscia said. ``He has to keep plugging away, and that's not easy for a guy who's been a starter as long as he has.'' --Together, at last: The game Saturday night marked the first time this season the Angels have had their entire projected lineup in a game at the same time. Catcher 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 (hamstring) has missed nine games, third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker Troy Glaus Troy Edward Glaus (born August 3, 1976 in Tarzana, California) is a Major League Baseball player who plays third base for the Toronto Blue Jays. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels (1998-2004) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (2005). (hamstring) four games and shortstop David Eckstein David Mark Eckstein, (born January 20, 1975 in Sanford, Florida), is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is noted for his size, as he is a small (for professional sports) 5' 7", but weighs 175 pounds. (rest) one game. ``We talked about our depth,'' Scioscia said. ``The fact some guys have been out of the lineup and we still can create offense is important. We're not going to be a team that totally relies on everybody being in the lineup to have a chance to win. But it's nice to have everybody in the lineup.'' --Success in minors: The Angels' minor-league clubs have all gotten off to good starts, as all four teams had winning records through Friday's games. Triple-A Salt Lake was 7-2; Double-A Arkansas was 5-4; Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Cucamonga (răn`chō k  'kəmäng`gə), city (1990 pop. 101,409), San Bernardino co., S Calif. was 5-3; and Single-A Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids, city (1990 pop. 108,751), seat of Linn co., E central Iowa, on the Cedar River; inc. as a city 1856. The second largest city in Iowa, it is named for the surging rapids in the river. was 6-2.
First baseman/outfielder Robb Quinlan Robb William Quinlan (born March 17, 1977 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a Major League Baseball player. He currently plays third base for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Quinlan graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1999, obtaining a degree in marketing and communications. is hitting .361 to lead Salt Lake, and catcher Jeff Mathis is hitting .344 to lead Arkansas. Joe Haakenson, (626) 962-8811 joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): box Box: ANGELS vs. OAKLAND - Joe Haakenson |
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