ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SHAPING UP TO BE GOOD FOR MOLINA.Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer TEMPE, Ariz. - As a gentle rain fell on Tempe Diablo Stadium Tempe Diablo Stadium is a baseball field located in Tempe, Arizona. It is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the home field for night games of the Arizona League Tempe Angels. on Saturday, 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 moved gracefully around the plate during an infield drill, preparing to catch a second game in three days, right on his spring training schedule. Significant? More than one might think. Molina sat out most of spring training 2004 with hamstring and conditioning problems. Various leg injuries and a broken finger plagued him all year and he played in just 97 games. But as Molina's potential final season with the Angels looms, his 22-pound, off-season weight loss is paying dividends as he's already well into game shape. His condition has bolstered his confidence as free agency beckons. He wants greatly to return in 2006, but is at peace knowing he's done what he can on his end to make it happen. ``It's in the back of your head,'' Molina said of his future. ``We're human beings. Come on. But it's not my worry right now. I trust in my ability to play this game. If this team doesn't want me, another team might. Might. ``Obviously, I want to stay here. I hope we can get something done. But they see it as a business, and I do, too.'' Molina's future is tied in part to the success of his younger brother Wiki is aware of the following uses of "'Younger Brother":
contingent upon, dependant on, dependant upon, dependent on, dependent upon, depending on, contingent top prospect Jeff Mathis Jeffrey Stephen "Jeff" Mathis (born March 31, 1983 in Marianna, Florida, USA) is a major league baseball catcher playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and made his Major League debut on August 12, 2005 with them. He bats and throws right handed. , who could eventually be a low-cost replacement, but backslid to a .227 average at Double-A Arkansas. He'll probably return there this year. --Injuries: 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 Dallas McPherson has back spasms and won't perform baseball activities for a couple of days, but he says it's not as serious as the ruptured disk rup·tured disk n. See herniated disk. ruptured disk Herniated disk, see there that sidelined him for two months of the 2003 season. --Visa problems hurt Morales: General manager Bill Stoneman said Cuban defector Kendry Morales had not yet received a Dominican passport by week's end, ensuring he won't arrive anytime soon. That all but ensures he won't make the major-league club. ``He's absolutely set back,'' Scioscia said. ``We'd have to get him in in fairly short order to give him a chance to make that club.'' Gabe Lacques, (626) 962-8811 gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): box Box: BEYOND THE BOX SCORE - Gave Lacques |
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