JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: BURLESON RETURNS WITH NEW FAMILY.Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer As a boy, Rick Burleson v process in which a therapeutic touch practitioner centers himself or herself so as to be aligned with or “in tune” with a healing energy “frequency,” so that the patient may choose to join the practitioner (tune Dodgers games on the radio from his Downey home. ``That's when I always dreamed of being a major-league player myself,'' said Burleson, who fulfilled his childhood wishes with a respectable big-league career. He bled Dodger blue back then. He's a member of the family now. Burleson's San Bernardino San Bernardino, city, United States San Bernardino (săn bûr'nədē`nō), city (1990 pop. 164,164), seat of San Bernardino co., S Calif., at the foot of the San Bernardino Mts.; inc. 1854. Stampede stam·pede n. 1. A sudden frenzied rush of panic-stricken animals. 2. A sudden headlong rush or flight of a crowd of people. 3. spoiled the JetHawks' California League The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth home opener 9-4 Wednesday night at Lancaster Municipal Stadium. The game was something of a homecoming for Burleson. He spent the past two seasons with the Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Mariners have played in Safeco Field. and both years were in Lancaster with the JetHawks. ``I liked the third-base side,'' said Burleson, referring to the home dugout in Lancaster. ``I don't like making that long walk (between the visitors dugout and third-base coaches' box). Burleson said his first spring training in Vero Beach Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. was quite an experience ``I'd never been to Dodgertown before. It's a neat place,'' Burleson said. ``I was pretty impressed with Dodgertown. The cabanas were nice. You don't have to leave to do anything. Everything was there. ``I did have to leave once to get a haircut. But I bet there was a barber somewhere around.'' The Mariners didn't offer Burleson a manager's position. The Dodgers did, so the 47-year-old changed organizations - again. Burleson, who has worked as a coach/manager in four organizations on the major-league and minor-league levels the past 10 years, joined the Dodgers in the offseason. The switch brings with it different philosophies. The most significant transition is the Dodgers' dedication to player development at the minor-league level. Even if it means sacrificing victories. Burleson, who hates to lose, said the development of prospects normally supersedes game strategy in the minors. ``For example . . . you don't pinch-run for a prospect. If he's on second and you have a guy that can fly in the dugout, you'll leave (the prospect) on base so he can learn how to score the run.'' So will Burleson tear his hair out in the late innings of a tight game - perhaps tonight, when the JetHawks and Stampede finish a three-game series - when he can't make such a move? ``I haven't done it yet,'' Burleson said, a slight smile creeping across his face. The Turman show: It's hard to miss 6-foot-10 JetHawks newcomer Jason Turman. He'll take the mound tonight in the finale of the three-game set with the Stampede. Turman, traded to the Mariners from the Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (French: Les Expos de Montréal) were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1969 until 2004. After the 2004 season, the franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Nationals. for reliever Bobby Ayala Robert Joseph (Bobby) Ayala (born July 8,1969 in Ventura, California) was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos. He was brought up as a starter before moving to the bullpen in his second season. , fits perfectly into the JetHawks rotation after Sunday's rainout rain·out n. An event, such as an athletic contest, that has been rained out. Radioactive material in the atmosphere brought down by precipitation. and ensuing doubleheader left an opening. Turman, who spent 1998 at both low and advanced Single-A in the Expos system with modest results, could join the rotation permanently. JetHawks manager Darrin Garner even hinted his club could go to a six-man rotation. JetHawks director of player development Benny Looper looper, name for caterpillars that move with a looping motion, including the inchworm and the cabbage looper. looper or cankerworm or inchworm and Roger Jongewaard, vice president of scouting and player development, attended Wednesday's game but didn't inform Garner of any long-range plans. There's no place like clubhouse: JetHawks reliever Tim McClaskey hopes to find a permanent place to live by the end of the weekend. Until then, his address has been The Hangar's home clubhouse. McClaskey slept on the trainer's room table after the team returned from Visalia early Wednesday morning. ``I liked it. It was nice and quiet,'' McClaskey said. ``It has everything. A shower, a television. . . . I've stayed in a lot worse places than clubhouses.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1--Ran in AV Edition only) Rick Burleson returned to Lancaster Municipal Stadium as a member of the Dodgers organization. (2--Ran in AV Edition only) JetHawks players stand for the National Anthem at the team's home opener. Evan Yee/Daily News (3--Ran in SAC Edition only) MCCLASKEY |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion