HEALTHY ATTITUDE; DICKSON ASSAILS ROOKIE DECLINE WITH CONFIDENCE.Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer Jason Dickson Dickson is a graduate of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University. He plays for the Somerset Patriots and was drafted by the California Angels in the 6th round of the 1994 MLB Amateur had everything working his way. After making the Angels in spring training due to an injury to Chuck Finley In the first month of last season, the right-hander from London, Ontario, had a 4-1 record, a 3.18 ERA and two complete games. Although Dickson may have reached his peak during May (2-1, 4.38) and June (2-2, 2.91), his midseason statistics (8-4, 3.41) were strong enough to be selected as the Anaheim's lone representative in the All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games . He was also the first Angels rookie pitcher to be selected since Mark Clear in 1979. While the league was praising Dickson, manager Terry Collins was cautious. Collins was impressed with Dickson and believed he had a bright future ahead. However, the manager thought American League American League (AL) One of the two associations of professional baseball teams in the U.S. and Canada designated as major leagues; the other is the National League (NL). batters were not familiar with the rookie and may have better success once they received ``scouting reports, start to see him and hear things.'' After the All-Star Game in Cleveland, Collins' foresight became a reality. Dickson said shoulder problems, fatigue and a lack of arm rest caught up to him during a second half in which he was just 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA and gave up 19 homers. By season's end Season's End are a British band based in Hampshire. They describe themselves as playing Progressive symphonic metal[1], although they are often tagged as a gothic metal band by reviewers and reference sources[2][3]. , Dickson allowed the fourth-most home runs in the AL and was ninth in hits allowed (236). ``His shoulder certainly bothered him a little bit and he started changing the way he pitched,'' Collins said. ``He got away from some things. Maybe he thought he didn't have a good enough fastball, and it's a long season. When you're a first-year player in the majors, you don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how long it is or how tough a grind it is.'' Seattle manager Lou Piniella By season's end, Dickson was frustrated and wondered if he was healthy enough to be on the mound during Anaheim's run for a divisional crown. ``I guess you try to remember the positive things (about last season),'' said Dickson, who received All-Rookie honors from The Sporting News and Baseball Digest and was named Baseball America's top AL rookie pitcher. ``I remember my success and the times that I failed. I'm trying not to repeat (the failures). During the offseason, I didn't think much about it. . . . I tried to relax.'' During spring training last season, Dickson was just a nervous rookie hoping to make the squad. Despite some shoulder problems a year later, he doesn't ``have as much stress'' since he came into camp with a secure spot in the rotation. In addition, he won't be as wide-eyed this time around when Ken Griffey Ken Griffey may refer to:
• • [ or sees The Green Monster This article is about the left-field wall at Fenway Park. For other uses, see Green Monster (disambiguation). The Green Monster (often known simply as The Monster or The Wall) is the nickname of the 37-foot, two-inch (11. standing behind him at Fenway Park. He has been there and done that. ``Every situation won't have so many unexpected things (this season),'' said Dickson. ``When you talk about going to Baltimore, you know the ballpark and you know the lineup and the hitters. It is something where you don't have to run it through in your mind and worry about it. Now I know what to expect and it gives you more chances to concentrate on the hitters.'' Collins said, ``He will be a little bit better because he is more experienced now. During this second half, he probably won't have that decline.'' While Dickson has the distinction of being the only current Angel that earned All-Star status last season, he still knows his place in the clubhouse. Fellow starters Finley, Ken Hill, Jack McDowell and Allen Watson combine for more than 32 years of experience, seven All-Star appearances and a Cy Young Award. And if they are healthy and ready to go, as expected, the team's youngest starter will be more at ease to develop into the ace he seems destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to be on his time and not overnight. ``Sometimes I just sit around and listen to (the other starters) tell stories,'' said Dickson, who turns 25 Monday. ``I have a lot of experience around me. They've faced a lot more experiences than I have. ``I usually ask them what they did in a certain situation and I understand that sooner or later that is going to happen to me. It is definitely good to have some experience around me.'' FALLEN ALL-STAR Last season, Jason Dickson entered the All-Star break with an 8-4 record and a 3.41 ERA. But the rookie All-Star dropped to 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA during the remainder of the season. Here is a look at him month-to-month: Month W-L ERA CG ER HR April 4-1 3.18 2 14 5 May 2-1 4.38 0 19 4 June 2-2 2.91 0 11 4 July 2-0 4.28 0 16 6 Aug. 3-2 5.10 0 17 5 Sept. 0-3 6.59 0 20 8 Total 13-9 4.29 2 97 32 CAPTION(S): Photo, Box PHOTO (Color) no caption (Jason Dickson) Ed Zurga/Associated Press BOX: FALLEN ALL-STAR (see text) |
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