ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SHIELDS SET UP IN PERFECT POSITION.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer MESA, Ariz. - Legend has it that Scot Shields Scot Shields (b. July 22, 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with whom he has spent his entire career, serving as their setup man since 2005. once pitched 16 innings in a college game, throwing more than 150 pitches. Shields doesn't like to talk about it, because his teammates give him a hard time about it. ``It would be something if he actually won the game,'' fellow reliever Brendan Donnelly Brendan Kevin Donnelly (b. July 4, 1971 in Washington, D.C.) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox. Donnelly had bounced around the minor leagues for 10 seasons after he was drafted in 1992 by the Chicago White Sox before he finally made his said. Nevertheless, it showed the kind of arm Shields has, and how valuable he would become to the Angels' bullpen. Shields went 8-2 with a 3.33 ERA and four saves last season in 60 appearances. With closer Troy Percival Troy Eugene Percival (born August 9, 1969 in Fontana, California) is a Major League Baseball reliever on the St. Louis Cardinals. Percival came out of retirement on June 8, 2007 when he signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals[1]. gone to Detroit, Shields and Donnelly will play key roles setting up new closer Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez may refer to:
Shields knows, accepts and enjoys his role, but he hasn't given up on the idea of becoming a starting pitcher Noun 1. starting pitcher - (baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game baseball, 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"; . This season, the Angels are set with Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). He bats and throws right handed. , Jarrod Washburn Jarrod Michael Washburn (born August 13, 1974 in La Crosse, Wisconsin) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. Drafted by the California Angels in the 2nd round of the 1995 amateur draft out of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Washburn won the final game , 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. and Paul Byrd in the starting rotation. If the need for a spot starter arises, long reliever Kevin Gregg likely will get the start. It's not that Shields isn't capable, but he's simply more valuable in his current role. ``His versatility is such that ... (manager) Mike (Scioscia) called him our most valuable pitcher on last year's team,'' pitching coach Bud Black said. ``He pitched in the part of the ballgame that is very important to the team - from the sixth inning on.'' There's a lot more money to be made in starting than relieving, unless you're a top-of-the-line closer. And Black said Shields has what it takes to be a successful starter. But Shields, who will make $925,000 this season, is willing to wait for his chance. ``Right now on this team, my job is in the bullpen,'' he said. ``Down the road I'd like to get the chance to start. But we have a big challenge ahead with the loss of Percy. It's a good situation to be in.'' --An easy day: Jarrod Washburn was so efficient in his four innings - 39 pitches - Saturday afternoon against the Cubs at HoHoKam Park that he had to go to the bullpen and throw another 15 pitches to get his work in. Washburn gave up one run and four hits in the Angels' 8-3 victory, and went 1 for 2 at the plate against Cubs starter Greg Maddux. After the game, Washburn went directly to the airport to fly home to La Crosse, Wisc. to be with his wife, Kerri, who will be labor-induced today. It will be the couple's third child. In a split-squad game in Scottsdale, the Angels lost to the Giants, 7-4. Joe Haakenson, (626) 962-8811 joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): box Box: BEYOND THE BOX SCORE |
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