BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Rose Is Frustrated by His Fielding
Bobby Rose’s sudden and mysterious inability to turn the double play was pronounced “not acceptable to anybody.”
But that wasn’t a threat from Manager Buck Rodgers or criticism from any of the Angel coaches. That declaration was uttered by Rose, who said he lies awake at night worrying about the errant throws and bobbled grounders that have contributed to his five errors and countless botched double plays.
“Mentally I’m screwed up right now. I’m thinking about where I am around the bag when I’m turning the double play, and when I’ve got the ball I throw it too quick,” said Rose, who let a potential double-play grounder by Oakland’s Jose Canseco squirt out of his hand in the eighth inning Monday. That allowed the Athletics’ to tie a game they won, 4-3, in 11 innings.
“I’ve got to be able to turn the double play and I don’t know how long they’re going to be able to put up with this,” Rose added. “At times I’m turning it great, and then (Monday) night, I didn’t get a grip on the ball. Those are the DPs that have to be turned, with men on first and third and one out. In my bed at night I’m thinking, ‘How do I throw the ball 30 feet down the line on a double play?’ I think about it so much it’s going to continually happen. And I’m letting it get to me at the plate, too.”
Although Rose is in an 0-for-12 batting slump after Tuesday’s game, Rodgers has given no hint he’s thinking about benching him.
Gary Gaetti, hitless in five at-bats Monday, and in a one-for-16 slump, was given Tuesday off. Rene Gonzales started at third. . . . Mike Fitzgerald was the catcher, part of Rodgers’ plan to pair catchers and pitchers when circumstances permit. Lance Parrish will catch Jim Abbott, Mark Langston and Chuck Finley; Fitzgerald will pair with Don Robinson and Joe Grahe.
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