The Sacramento Bee from Sacramento, California • 35

The Sacramento Bee Sunday August 11 1991 05 4 BASEBALL Rader says he's ready for anything especially the worst MAJOR-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK By Nick Peters Atlanta in the West? Here's a proposal to send it South Doug Rader 1111 A lA Angels' slide may cost manager his job The California Angels' brass insists manager Doug Rader's job isn't in jeopardy Yet the team has had at least one meeting with Buck Rodgers the former Montreal Expos manager who is regarded as a solid candidate for a number of managerial positions Rodgers a former Angels catcher lives in Southern California "I'm a realist" Rader said "I'm certainly ready to accept whatever happens If that's what it comes down to that's what it comes down to I'm a man That kind of talk is potentially disruptive to a team but not to me personally" The rumors about Rader aren't surprising considering the Angels have underachieved as the last-place team in the American League West During a seven-game losing streak that ended Wednesday the Angels dropped five places in the standings Padres grumble again Apparently it wasn't all Jack Clark's fault The San Diego Padres again have dropped out of the National League West race amid grumbling in the clubhouse Manager Greg Riddoch has been on the griddle all season and infielder Bip Roberts is the latest malcontent Roberts removed himself from Monday's game in Houston complaining of a sore wrist He had a shouting match with Riddoch when he wasn't in the lineup Tuesday Riddoch isn't the most popular manager in Padres history but Roberts is being perceived as a whiner and also lacks wholehearted support "They haven't been playing that enthusiastically" general manager Joe Mc Maine said of the players But McIlvaine isn't blameless Remember he's the guy who turned down a winter deal that would have sent the disappointing Roberts to Kansas City for Danny Tartabull 1 I 1 1 1 1 i who is 14-5 and has yielded three runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 starts San Diego is 16-7 when he starts Dan Plesac started Saturday night for the Brewers his first after 311 relief appearances and 132 saves "It's just getting more difficult for me to bounce back" said Plesac' whose tendinitis has contributed to 14 blown saves in 46 attempts since the start of 1990 Otis Nixon has reached base in 66 of the 73 games he has started for the Braves is third in the NL batting race at 321 and leads the majors with 62 stolen bases He and teammate Terry Pendleton are prime candidates for Comeback Player of the Year distinction along with the Twins' Chili Davis in the AL Stricken Red Sox pitcher Jeff Gray was contacted by former pitcher Tom Burgmeler who overcame a mild stroke in 1981 to go 7-0 in 1982 with Boston Red Sox manager Joe Morgan who received a contract extension through 1992 this season was down in the dumps as Boston virtually dropped out of the East race last you ever seen an uglier mess?" he asked after myriad Boston mistakes Monday "It's awful terrible If a doctor or a lawyer did that they'd be looking for another job" On the bright side Wade Boggs is on a 26-for-43 binge (605) to climb to 342 Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson on respect: "Whenever anyone talks about power pitchers they talk about Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan My fastball is right there with them but I'm only in my third season I've pitched (3423) fewer innings than Clemens and have more strikeouts (163 to 158) All I hope is that someday I'll get the same respect as those guys as a power pitcher" Rafael Palmeiro of the Rangers proving to be a better hitter than Mississippi State teammate Will Clark is up to 355 after batting 479 (46 for 96) in his last 24 games and 425 (71 for 167) over 42 games "All I know is that we're a great hitting team and Minnesota is hitting even better than us" Texas manager Bobby Valentine said "Everyone talks about the Twins' pitching but you have to score runs I don't think you can ever say that's bad I say that's exciting" cause there are always other more important issues It is on the owners' agenda It should and will be discussed especially now that expansion is done But it's a slow process so it will take time" That being the case why not go for broke and give the public what it really wants a drastic realignment that would truly cut costs enough so teams can afford to pay utility infielders and reserve outfielders hefty contracts? Why not be absolutely progressive and factor interleague play into the master plan? No offense Judge Landis but times have changed since you ruled with an iron hand Why not tamper with the game in a blatant manner and have four divisions with strong geographical ties a guarantee of exciting new rivalries for the next century? Here's one proposal: West A's Giants Dodgers Angels Padres Mariners-1 Rockies South Rangers Astros Marlins Braves Reds Orioles Cardinals East Yankees Mets Red Sox Expos Phi Liles Pirates Blue Jays Midwest Cubs White Sox Tigers Indians Brewers Twins Royals Imagine the anticipation for real games between the A's and the Giants between the Dodgers and the Angels Texas would be in a tizzy over the Astros playing the Rangers Ditto in the East where fierce competition would be automatic between the Expos and the Blue Jays in Canada and for the Yankees and the Mets in the Big Apple It's not so far-fetched The Browns Colts and Steelers were longtime National Football League teams When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970 they joined the American Football Conference and suffering was minimal Nick Peters I I I I i 1 1 I 1 1 I 1 i I i ---1 1 I 1 1 1 While being hammered by the humidity last week at Cincinnati and Atlanta the discomfort caused me to wonder again about the lunacy that has the National League insisting the Reds and the Braves are West Division teams The lords of baseball have the audacity to suggest these games were played in the West The amazing thing about the grand deception is that they've pulled it off since the divisional format was initiated in 1969 Twenty-two years later baseball has withstood free agency multimillion-dollar contracts Charlie Finley and George Steinbrenner yet it has done nothing about realignment Even the American League with its unnecessary designated hitter has managed to avoid geographical confusion The seven AL West teams are the closest to the Pacific Ocean with the exception of the Milwaukee Brewers who have an excuse They previously were the Seattle Pilots But the stodgy NL keeps insisting Cincinnati and Atlanta should play in the West because of traditional reasons We're constantly told the Cubs and the Cardinals are adamantly opposed to trading places with the Reds and the Braves even though Chicago and St Louis long have been regarded as gateways to the West But there is no logical reason to maintain the status quo Shifting west wouldn't disturb the longtime Cubs-Cardinals rivalry They'd still be in the same division "I agree that the Reds and the Braves belong in the East" Giants owner Bob Lurie said "It makes sense for a lot of reasons But there is opposition to such a move because of some of the rivalries which have built up over the years People are reluctant to change "Frankly we haven't spent as much time on realignment be and eight RBI in 51 games "A wasted season" he said Bo is back at practice Bo Jackson of the Chicago White Sox was pleased with his first batting practice last week "It felt great" said Jackson who hit a few balls out of the park but was generally rusty "Right now it's day by day Week by week" The plan is to have Jackson rehabilitate in the minors and play a few games with the White Sox in September "I'm very encouraged by what I saw" batting coach Walt Hriniak said "The main question is whether the left hip will let him hit in game conditions Only time will tell So far he has made good progress" Maybe he's finished Remember Cory Snyder complaining about Hriniak when the White Sox traded him last month? Well the Blue Jays shipped Snyder to the minors after he mustered only three hits in 28 at-bats with 15 strikeouts under his new batting coach Toronto acquired Candy Maldonado to complete a search for a right-handed DK The Blue Jays turned down Dwight Evans of the Orioles and also pursued Chris James of the Indians One reason Milwaukee deemed Maldonado expendable was the emergence of outfielder Darryl Hamilton who is batting 374 (37 for 99) since the All-Star break Another pleasant surprise for the Brewers is A's castoff Willie Randolph who entered the weekend batting 340 "He has been as good as you would ever think he could be" manager Tom Trebelhorn said of Randolph "He has been more than expected" Go figure Following a 16-game hitting streak Carlos Martinez of the Indians was so mad when he was hit on the head by a Kevin Appier pitch that he bumped an umpire Naturally the hitting streak was to blame "No more hitting streaks for me" he said "Maybe five games but nothing more I'd like two hits one game then an oh-for-four and then maybe one hit" Is there any wonder why that team is in last? Etcetera Nobody is complaining about the new Comiskey Park now that the White Sox have set a home attendance record in only 58 dates They've drawn more than 30000 for 53 consecutive dates and have an outside chance for 3 million fans When the Phillies recently visited Candlestick Park their losing streak had reached seven games and there were rumors slumping Dale Murphy was heading for a right-field platoon When the Phillies won their 10th in a row Friday Murphy had five doubles two homers and 10 RBI during the streak including a grand slam Imagine where the Padres might be without left-hander Bruce Hurst is in last? Et cetera Nobody is complaining about the new Comiskey Park now that the White Sox have set a home atten- dance record in only 58 dates 53 consecutive dates and have an They've drawn more than 30000 for outside chance for 3 million fans When the Phillies recently visited Candlestick Park their losing streak had reached seven games and there were rumors slumping Dale Murphy was heading for a right-field platoon When the Phillies won their 10th in a row Friday Murphy had five dou- bles two homers and 10 RBI during the streak including a grand slam Imagine where the Padres might be without left-hander Bruce Hurst Toronto Blue Jays' other relievers frequently are overlooked Yet they entered the weekend with a 15-9 record three saves and a 280 ERA for the At East leaders Mike Tim lin currently on the disabled list tops the four freshmen with a 9-6 record and three saves but Bob MacDonald (2-1 273) Juan Guzman (4-2 302) and newcomer David Weathers (142 ERA) have made significant contributions Henke who was rocked for two 14th-inning homers Thursday by the charging Detroit Tigers is perfect in 25 save opportunities The all-time percentage record is held by Willie Hernandez who was 32 for 32 before squandering his last save attempt for Detroit in 1984 "There's not another team and I don't care what they say about the White Sox or Oakland that's going to pitch with Toronto" Tigers manager Sparky Anderson said Herr's parting shot The faces change but the New York Mets apparently don't When infielder Tom Herr whom the club released last week gave his opinion of the Mets' attitude it sounded familiar reminiscent of comments from when they played below expectations in the past "A lot of the Mets came up during the glory years" Herr said "Their attitude is that they know they're going to be in contention It seems like they take it for granted "It's like they're saying 'We'll be right there' They don't realize it takes a better work ethic They don't gut it out very hard The Pirates and the Cardinals are so successful because they go out with a more businesslike approach" Alomar Jr is a big bust Cleveland Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr the Al Rookie of the Year in 1990 ranks among the game's biggest disappointments this season partly because of injuries and also because he admittedly was lax in his offseason conditioning "I cheated myself" said Alomar who went on the disabled list a second time last week "I learned my lesson I tried to be nice to everybody last winter I didn't want anyone to think I had a big head because I was Rookie of the Year" Alomar was referring to a rigorous tour of the banquet and baseball card show circuits He went on the DL with a 217 average zero home runs nesslike approach" Alomar Jr is a big bust Cleveland Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr the Al Rookie of the Year in 1990 ranks among the game's biggest disappointments this season partly because of injuries and also because he admittedly was lax in his offseason conditioning "I cheated myself" said Alomar who went on the disabled list a sec- ond time last week "I learned my les- son I tried to be nice to everybody last winter I didn't want anyone to think I had a big head because I was Rookie of the Year" Alomar was referring to a rigorous tour of the banquet and baseball card show circuits He went on the DL with a 217 average zero home runs Higuera is a poor investment The Milwaukee Brewers are taking it on the chin now that one-time ace Ted Higruera will miss the rest of the season because of a "significant" tear in his rotator cuff The injury was termed a "slight" tear during spring training and a conservative approach was taken Higruera sat out the first two months and pitched 3613 innings before shutting down June 29 After developing neck back and shoulder problems the veteran left-hander underwent tests last week and was declared out for the season Higuera signed a four-year $13 million contract over the winter "It's a heartbreaking story" owner Bud Selig said "but that's the system and we've got to go on Let's just hope the doctors can get him ready to pitch for years to come" There is growing speculation how-vier that Higuera may never pitch 'again He was 3-2 with a 446 earned run average this season and is 92-56 with a 337 ERA lifetime down June 29 After developing neck back and shoulder problems the veteran left-hander underwent 'tests last week and was declared out for the season Higuera signed a four-year $13 million contract over The winter "It's a heartbreaking story" owner Bud Selig said "but that's the system and we've got to go on Let's just hope the doctors can get him ready pitch for years to come" There is growing speculation how- ever that Higuera may never pitch 'again He was 3-2 with a 446 earned run average this season and is 92-56 with a 337 ERA lifetime Toronto's tough rookies Because of Tom Henke's ominous presence as the bullpen stopper the The Farm Report checked in two weeks ago with an item entitled They Are" listing 39 area players and their whereabouts within the minor-league system Missing in action was Donald Meyers Jr Christmas Day baby 1987 Oakmont High School graduate 'and former Sacramento City College star He turned up in Yakima Wash alive well and prospering in the Northwest League with the Class-A 'Yakima Bears the Los Angeles Dodgers' short-season affiliate Formerly a first baseman and third Meyers is a catcher in training for the first-place Bears who held a 412-game lead over the Everett Giants in the Northern Division through Friday "I feel great about being a catch' er" Meyers said "It's a lot more fun in on every pitch calling the game I enjoy throwing runners out I've been throwing really well to second and I've been blocking the ball well" Meyers was offered the opportuni: ty to catch simply because the Dodgers' system is loaded with prospects at first and third Last fall Meyers donned the armor for the first time at an instructional league in Mesa Ariz Temperatures reached 115 degrees But Meyers you might say sweated it out "I lost 10 15 pounds" Meyers said "But I caught on quick They said 'Go to Yakima and catch'" Which brings us back to Yakima Meyers plays in about four of every six games He's part of a three-man rotation behind the plate plus he plays about twice a week at third and once a week at first "I'd like to play every day but when I do get in I do my job" Meyers said In his first game Meyers caught nine innings and threw out two runners attempting to steal While Meyers has split time at three positions his stroke has remained consistent On June 26 Meyers hk4 Yakima's first hortte run of the Meyers is settling in behind the plate THE FARM REPORT By Bill Poindexter Don Meyers Oakmont graduate is a catcher for the Yakima Bears season Through Thursday he was batting 315 Last season Meyers batted 326 but was lost in the shuffle on a Great Falls team that went 48-20 and won the Pioneer Rookie League championship Meyers was one of seven Great Falls players to hit better than 300 First baseman Mike Busch led the league in homers Pitchers Gordon Tipton and John DeJarld finished one-two in earned run average Mark Mimbs led the league in strikeouts And Ronnie Walden the Dodgers' No 1 selection in the 1990 free-agent draft went 3-0 with a 042 ERA in four games "It was a lot of fun winning day after day after day" Meyers said "But I sat a lot because we had a lot of top prospects Watching them play I learned a lot and it was great to win that ring my first year" Meyers is doing fine but now has other goals If all goes according to plan look for him to turn up next season at a Dodgers long-season Class-A affiliate near you (Bakersfield) or not so near you (Vero Beach Fla) Nor Cal tag team Tim Holland (Rio Americano) and former Stanford star Paul Carey hit grand slams in the same game as Double-A Hagerstown (Md) set a team record for runs in a game by de feating Williamsport (Pa) 25-3 on July 20 It was the first time two players had hit slams in the same game for the Baltimore Orioles' farm team although the Suns' Dave Falcone hit two in the same game in 1986 Holland batted 302 during a recent 21 -game stretch with four homers six doubles and 21 RBI but currently he is in a I-for-27 funk He's batting 253 and leads Hagerstown with 63 RBI Keller is still hot Clyde Keller (Del Campo) continues to shine for the Class-A Springfield (Ill) Cardinals He is first in the St Louis organization with 24 saves and is second in the Midwest League to Rod Huffman of the Clinton (Iowa) Giants who has 28 Keller is 5-0 with a 092 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 4823 innings Huffman is 1-5 with a 187 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 4313 innings Sly Fox Third baseman Andy Fox (Christian Brothers) played in his second all-star game in two seasons July 24 Playing for the Prince William (Va) Cannons the New York Yankees' advanced Class-A affiliate Fox went 0 for 2 for the Northern Division in the Carolina League all-star game Fox who played for Greensboro last season and made the South Atlantic League all-star team is hitting 242 with a league-high 74 walks for Prince William Fox leads the Cannons in doubles (22) and on-base percentage (384) and is tied for the team lead in homers (six) Ralph the setup man Curtis Ralph (Woodland) a teammate of Fox's at Prince William is the setup man for closer Mark Ohlms Ralph is 5-7 with a 320 ERA three saves and 48 strikeouts in 5613 innings GUARANTEED DOMESTIC An MICHNLIN WAWA SO MUCH IS RILANta ON YOUR TIRES WAAL' STEEL BELTED RADIALS 145013 155013 165SR13 175014 185014 165015 1757013 18517013 1857014 1957014 3617 40 115 4550 5125 5712 5351 5694 6102 5741 7172 s4 I COUNTITIRRENTERS tisltio kPILICANIFIND 111111111E0HEAtERII itOUILLIGETMORE THAN TAIRICOGIES: JO' HIGH PERFORMANCE WAR 18560HR14 7395 19560HR14 7495 19560HR15 7495 20560HA15 7795 21560HR15 7895 19550VR15 9495 20550VR15 10995 22550VR15 11995 22550006 13995 FRONT DISC Brakes Reptace front pads pack inner and outer tront bearings where applcable Road test and nspechon Inspect rear brakes $2195 addtionat tor semmetailic pads h40S US 4 40DEiGN CADS WAD DUNLOP SPECIALS SP32J P18570SR14 3595 SP32J P19575SR14 3695 SP32J P20575SR14 3995 (- DUNLDP OUTPERFORMS SIIPPI FS SMITH) FRONT OR REAR Brake Brakes Repface font pads or rear Swigs pack front over bearings where apical) Resurface fronuouysorteardrems Acaustsritem Road test $2195 additional for semrsetalloc pads 040ST US FGAEIGN CARS WAD FRONT END Alignment bon aohtwod Set camber caster toe where apphcable Inspect Of worn parts Road test MOST US FOREIGN CARS WAD MICHELIN BKAUSI SO MUO4 IS RIDING ON YOUR nets Ali STEEL P175180R13 591 BELTED P189801113 ISSA RADIAL 11er-ten 'Ls P17580R13 131851801113 P1851914 P1951751314 P2051751314 P205175R15 P2151751315 P2251751315 P2351751115 5998 6108 Sin 7222 7709 717i 8211 8419 8942 AIROMOTIVEISERVICEEMII LIME OIL FILTER WORLD CLASS PROTECTION $1499 WOO Eh dm 44d to 5 14 14 4 4 4140 no tow forA-1 4 1101N A14 0e1 Gabriel Gas Shocks HEAVY DUTY Installation available NO ST 4 FOREIGN CARS VAAO c' OPEN SUNDAYS! 9 AN NOW OPEN! NOW OPEN! VALLEJO CITRUS HEIGHTS 514 Georgia Street 6160 Auburn Blvd (707) 648-7057 969-0505 Closed Sunday" No destom No cif "touts No other dwounio ooply SACRAMENTO 1200 I Street Corner of 12th 1st 442-3811 SACRAMENTOU 1956 Fulton Avenue Corner of Fulton Alta Arden across from Target 483-6167 SACRAMENTO III 4930 Auburn Blvd 12 block of Madison Ave East side of street 344-4945 INTEREST' FINANCING AVAILASE 0 A NOW OPEN! FINANCING NORTH HIGHLANDS AVAILAE1L 0 A 5647 Watt Ave r-Amia 12 block of the VIAW't McClellan AM A lillleatal Street Gate 332-4492 Fas-z-441 Vcfl PRICES EXPIRE 8-3141 1 LOWEST 5160S 5160S )560E 5165S vii Anin--9-91nooto mono s41 A I CVUMIIIIKC VCRICK0 00t0S A 01111 WIIININD TIRES CHEAPERM --T YOUILL cart MORE THAN AR 1 0114611EL e7 avg ICI 411V Or Nv sir4Sr 141111r gdpj 1 i lir 4 IV 4 N- kb 41 SI IF: No01cit 4 t11 1' 1' Pr6 "071 1 rgi il II is 1 NA e- "-I-5 -ex44 a i 62A--4 ostodoo- NA i Ilk 6 4 ii a i 1 4 04 0 1 dr 0 11 4 5 i 441 ivIll 'Nrir lel I r- 41 IP 4t3INI 6 ft --t i -111k? k' "'S i '4fr Td dig CwisU? ij t21 ---14 4011 -Emg I To tough rookies C-eit 1 tito --skN Because of Tom Henke's ominous 1111GUARANTEED wiNgsr ZDCZTLE3 OR (1E4Rs BACK presence as the bullpen stopper the gwaramaed lowest the plies on dw brands we carry If you do fbid a lower Mail Price alwrithed Wally widan 30 putchsse at mown Centers simply bring us the competitor' ad I wed refund you 23of the difference Meyers is settling in behind the plate or im NI DOMESTIC 111F91107tRillffirt-----mi Illmilit The Farm Report checked in two Ire' feating Williamsport (Pa) 25-3 on Ju- as ft oAs et 0 --t7-! A la 1 weeks ago with an item entitled THE FARM REPORT ly 20 iAel (iA ''''s SCP'6 rl $610s oil 519 cool' row' They Are" listing 39 area osbice 9239 141 01- 211 14 By Bill Poindexter It was the first time two players 41rip IffoYeonvii 0- slfw players and their whereabouts within had hit slams in the same game for --oor--''--c' )7 the minor-league system the Baltimore Orioles' farm team at- Ill STEEL BELTED RADIALS STEEL BELTED RADIAL WHITEWALLS STEEL BELTED RADIALS HIGH PERFORMANCE 0691 DESERT DUELERS Missing in action was Donald FOR SMALL IMPORT CARS 30500 MILE LTD WARRANTY SPEED RATED ALL TERRAIN STEEL though the Suns' Dave Falcone hit P23517915 6996 Meyers Jr Christmas Day baby to: -4: 1 30 000 MILE LIMITED WARRANTY P15580R13 1595 P18560SR14 5895 BELTED RADIALS I 5195 27850R14 6 799t two in the same game in 1986 1987 Oakmont High School graduate hid 145SR13 1895 P16580R13 7695 P19560SR14 s59Q9c5 309 50R15 6 10195 2195 300 50R15 311050R15 6 12295 'and former Sacramento City College Holland batted 302 during a re- 155SR13 1915 P18580R13 2595 31x1050R15 8495 pP12905516600S41155 P18575A14 25 95 75011167 HA Don Meyers 165SR13 2095 cent 21 -game stretch with four ho- P19575R14 2795 an P21565SR15 6-4-i5- 7595 3211501315 6 star 175SR14 2895 P20575R14 2995 LT23518916 1 "74 P25560SR15 12895 He turned up in Yakima Wash i -4- I mers six doubles and 21 RBI but 165S1315 2895 P20575R15 3095 810165 8195 50 SERIES 331250R15 6 13795 P19550HR15 7995 33112 50R16 5 8 15495 alive well and prospering in the 11)- e'' Oakmont currently he is in a I-for-27 funk Northwest Leagrue with the Class-A 4 1 graduate is He's batting 253 and leads Hagers- 17570S1313 2795 P21575A15 3295 950R165 9295 18570SR13 2895 P22575815 3495 8A195 11695 P20550HR15 P22550HR16 9495 ALL WHEELS TORQUED TO 12495 MANUFACTURER 'Yakima Bears the Los Angeles a catcher tor town with 63 RBI 18570S1R14 2995 P23575R15 3695 PRICES PLUS i SPECIFICATIONS 1 Dodgers' short season affiliate 4 the Yakima Keller is still hot itedisdaw LOP' MUCHIELIN MICHEILIIMMICHNILIN Formerly a first baseman and third 04 Bears 1111111br 410101711roN1 dromer 410 I Meyers is a catcher in I Clyde Keller (Del Campo) contin- MN fA1A "--III ri training for the first-place Bears who ues to shine for the Class-A Spring- 1 held a 412-game lead over the Everett season Through Thursday he was field (Ill) Cardinals He is first in the 7" 0 I 1 t- f-e14' 10- 4-0 1 'Giants in the Northern Division batting 315 St Louis organization with 24 saves VAIIM 1 1'11' 4 z--- 4 4 r-- --4 FaiiCl iiiiW 000'? '41--'-'1'' oot 's'' -1Ai A 1r i4 '''''47-11i' through Friday Last season Meyers batted 326 and is second in the Midwest League i 71k II A but was lost in the shuffle on a Great to Rod Huffman of the Clinton (to- DUNLOP SPECIALS MICHELIN MICHELIN MICHELIN 1 "I feel great about being a catch- HIGH PERFORMANCE HVAIR Falls team that wen- an won SP32J eiscArtu 80 ''3mucH''''''ANG er Fll 4820 Meyers said "It's a lot more fun wa) Giants who has 28 Keller is 5-0 ow 18560HR14 7395 BK4u0sNt ysooumoucnalisS MOINE ON YOUR MIS sicauo with a 092 ERA and 63 strikeouts in sNi soloumRucni-iptiss inoiN1 You're in on every pitch calling the the Pioneer Rookie League champi- 19560HR14 74 95 P18570SR14 35 95 XZYJNXI STEEL 145SRI3 3917 175RI3 5998 XPS RIO STEEL BELTED RADIALI BELTED p1858013 me onsip 4823 innings Huffman is 1-5 with a I 19560HR15 7415 SP32J BELTED 155SR13 40 55 RADIAL 8 i28I8 game I enjoy throwing runners out 20560HA15 77" P19575SR14 3695 RADIALS 165SR13 4550 P18515R14 587i Meyers was one of seven Great 187 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 4313 I75SRI4 5125 P19576R14 7222 LI215185A16 8 12612 I've been throwing really well to sec- 21560HR15 7895 Fa Ils players to hit better than innings 19550VR15 9415 SP32J IS5SRI4 5712 P209751314 7709 LT23518916 10 1390 ond and I've been blocking the ball 165SRI5 5951 P205175R15 7879 First baseman Mike Busch led the 20550VR15 109a5 P205175SR14 3995 I75i7OR13 5994 P2I5751315 HAI 875A165 13204 well" 2255011115 11995 league in homers Pitchers Gordon Sly Fox 6 mciArzapy 185170R13 5302 P225175R15 11415 Meyers was offered the opportuni- 22550VR16 13195 OUTPERFORMS 18570R14 5741 P235IThRIS 8942 950A165 8 14921 Tipton and John DeJarld finished 195170R14 7172 SUPPLIES uMETE 0 ty to catch simply because the Dodg- Third baseman Andy Fox (Chris- SIIPPI WS WITH) PRICES PLuS one-two in earned run average Mark 10' ers' system is loaded with prospects an Brothers) played in his second A-Irrimin6inuctecouiric mimbs led the league in nkeouts tt at first and third Last fall Meyers all-stargame in two seasons July 2 4 And Ronnie Walden the st 0 Dodgers Mill41311111111111-13F-611a 6 n111116 6111111 donned the armor for the first time at No I selection in the 1990 free-agent Playing for the Prince William 11 an instructional league in Mesa Ariz draft went 3-0 with a 042 ERA in (Va) Cannons the New York Yank- 111 FRONT DISC FRONT OR REAR FRONT END LUBE OIL FILTER Gabriel Gas Shocks Temperatures reached 115 de- Beftdao grees But Meyers you might say four games was a ees' advanced Class-A affiliate Fox Brakes Brakes Alignment HEAVY DUTY Brakes 931: "It of fun winning day af- went 0 for 2 for the Northern Divi- ii 4 Replace front pads pack nner and outer ReplacerronipadSOrrearatungs Align koattend Set Camber eager ME PENNZOIL Installation available sweated it out yers ter day after day Meyers said But I sion in the Carolina League all-star front bearings where akable Road lest oeabeannpovrgselyreappecadie ResurIace whea inmct tot re pplicabls "I lost 10 15 pounds" Me said and mspectron Inspect rear brakes 12195 IMM010s0Peatdrums Road own parts Road test 111 7----- 1111116 sat a lot because we had a lot of top game adVionai tor semmetallic pads test S2195 additional tor sernmetalloc pads "But I caught on quick They said EACH WiTHIS AD i prospects Watching them play I Fox who played for Greensboro 111111 $3995 $5995 $2595 WORLD CLASS PROTECTION $1995 'Go to Yakima and catch' learned a lot and it was great to win last season and made the South At- Which brings us back to Yakima I that ring miy first year" doing fine but now has lantic League all-star team is hitting 1 P40ST uS 4 FOREIGN CARS WAD MOST uS FOREIGN CARS oo MOST FOR ANEIGN CARS WAD -K A Z777 how us FoREGN cAns wfAo ri 4 111 ThullIGUARANTEEDLOWPmcesIMOMER REPNRScett 1 Meyers plays in about four of every 61 A-A nu 1 Meyers 242 with a leagrue-high 74 walks for MI OPEN SUNDAYM H-1 PMSun 9 AN PM ugly BE NECESSARY Al six games He's part of a three-man other goals If all goes according to Prince William Fox leads the Can- rotation behind the plate plus he plan look for him to turn up next nons in doubles (22) and on-base 11'0 0 plays about twice a week at third and season at a Dodgers long-season percentage (384) and is tied for the ly 1 INTEREST once a week at first Class-A affiliate near you (Bakers- team lead in homers (six) NOW OPEN! NOW OPEN! SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO II SACRAMENTO III NOW OPEN! FINANCING "I'd like to play every day but field) or not so near you (Vero Beach when I do get in I do my job" Mey- Flo Ralph the setup man VALLEJO CITRUS HEIGHTS 1200 I Street 1956 Fulton Avenue 4910 Auburn Blvd NORTH HIGHLANDS AvAoliAV job" Corner of 12th 1st Corner of Fulton Alta 12 block of Madison 5647 Watt Ave r-Ammik: ers said 514 Georgia Street 6160 Auburn Blvd Arden across Ave East side of street 12 block of the 111 i 1 In his first game Meyers caught NorCal tag team Curtis Ralph (Woodland) a ream- (707) 648-7057 969-0505 442-3811 from Target arget McClellan AFB A wommo! mate of Fox's at Prince William is 344-4945 nine innings and threw out two run- clepd sund strew Gate 1 vrilit: 483-6167 Tim Holland (Rio Americano) and the setup man for closer Mark ners attempting to steal 332-4492 EvAT41 1 While Meyers has split time at former Stanford star Paul Carey hit Ohlms PRICES EXPIRE 8-3-91 1 grand slams in the same game as Ralph is 5-7 with a 320 ERA three No destem No coNyouts No other dwounlo INON 1 three positions his stroke has re- mained consistent On June 26 Mey- Double-A Hagerstown (Md) set a saves and 48 strikeouts in 5612 in- OWillithi0 tettiliOnirt0IntOttlWiltaShingt0400gObt CIIIIPIM ers hk'r Yakima's first hortte run of the team record for runs in a game by de-.