Abominations Lose Two More Key Players June 13, 1999
Edmonton (AP) - Anchorage continues to be pounded by the injury bug, losing both
second baseman Miguel Cairo and shortstop Mark Grudzielanek to injuries in
the first two games of the three game set with Edmonton. To make matters even
worse, the 'Boms drop both games, both by the score of 4-3. Both players
injuries are listed as day-to-day, but manager Nick Tulach says they are not
minor enough to allow them to stay in the lineup. "Miguel jammed his finger
real bad. He can't even grip the bat or flex his glove. I'm hoping, though,
that he'll be ready to go soon. Grudz [Grudzielanek] has a pulled groin and
he could be on the shelf for some time. I guess we'll see if DiSarcina can
step in and keep us afloat. Its tough." said Tulach.
The two injuries leave Anchorage without both its potential leadoff men and
short four of their six best hitters. Greg Vaughn and Mike Lieberthal both
indicate that they are ready to go, but both still have four days before they
are eligable to come off the disabled list. Anchorage is also still without
the services of reliever and spot starter Billy Wagner, who has been out since
it was revealed that he had bone chips in his left elbow that were causing
discomfort. The chips were removed and he is slated to be back after the all-
star break.
Anchorage called up veteran Luis Alicea to replace Cairo in the active lineup
for the time being. Alicea, though a liability in the field, has a good bat
and some speed. Dave Telgheder, who is said to be disgruntled at the comments
made earlier in the week by owner/manager Nick Tulach, was also called up.
Notes:
- Attendence has been slowly decreasing this season for the Abominations.
Despite better weather for baseball, the lack of a good product has caused
fans to think twice about going to the ballpark. Anchorage has drawn just
394,752 fans over 32 home dates thus far, for an average of just 12,336
per game. Attendence for the last three game series versus the Whalers
was just 22,660 total, an average of just 7,553 fans a game. "We need to
find a way to get attendence up. We have planned a few good promotions
such as free motor oil to all children under 14 and Cover-Your-Pet-In-Oil-
And-Get-In-Free day. These have had good response, but we need to be more
creative. Winning might help some too." said GM "the Man". One fan
commented: "We ain't going to no games unless we get stuff free. They
never win, so we might as well go home with something."
- Abomination centerfielder F.P. Santangelo has settled down so much this
season that he even took it upon himself to knit the mascot an interm
pair of feet until the actual feet are returned to the team. Teammates
of Santangelo have commented that F.P. has become a "good, wholesome
character" and has "turned over a new leaf". F.P. has been considering
retiring and testing out his new found passion -- crochet. "I believe I've
found something to deter me from tormenting children and going through
those weeks of drunken rage. Something about a needle and yarn is so...
peaceful. It makes me feel at one with nature." said Santangelo. F.P. is
batting .280 with the team's only triple.
- Citizens of Anchorage have begun to riot due to the manditory curfew imposed
by the mayor and national guard as a result of the stolen mascot's feet.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars of damaged have been estimated due to the
riots and the National Guard has had to open fire on numerous occasions
to quell the violence. Thirty people have been killed and another four
injured. All this unrest leads to just one question, "Who could be cruel
enough to steal a mascot's feet?"
