Scioscia Likened to Royalty

ARLINGTON, Texas â€”  Mike Scioscia was queen for a day. Drama queen, that is. Splashed across the front page of Tuesday’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram sports section was a large picture of Scioscia under the headline, “Drama Club.â€�

In a story ranking sports’ top 12 drama queens, those who “beg for attention with outrageous statements and actions,� the Star-Telegram, influenced heavily by Scioscia’s recent on-field tiff with Washington Manager Frank Robinson, gave the Angel manager the highest rating, five stars.

Only three others -- Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens and Larry Brown -- received the five-star ranking. Mike Tyson was among those receiving four stars, and George Steinbrenner was among those receiving three.

“I look at myself in a lot of ways, but certainly not dramatic,� Scioscia said. “I told Anne about it,� Scioscia said, referring to his wife, “and she said I’m terrible on the dramatic side because I’ve been trying to act skinny for 30 years, and I haven’t fooled anybody.�

The feature was good for a few laughs in the Angel clubhouse, where four copies sat on a table waiting to be signed for charity.

“I think it’s funny that he got five stars and Tyson got four,� second baseman Adam Kennedy said. “Man, when you think Mike Tyson, you think drama.�

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With shortstop Orlando Cabrera (inflamed right elbow) and third baseman Dallas McPherson (tight left groin) still sidelined by minor injuries, the Angels moved to shore up their infield depth, recalling Robb Quinlan from triple-A Salt Lake and designating outfielder Curtis Pride for assignment.

Quinlan, who hit .238 with one home run in five games after being demoted to Salt Lake on June 18, can play first base, third base and both corner outfield positions. Pride, who can play only the outfield, has cleared waivers but has the option of refusing an invitation to Salt Lake and becoming a free agent.

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Reserve catcher Josh Paul, who hasn’t had an at-bat in 33 games, had this exchange with a young fan above the dugout during batting practice:

Fan to Paul: “You’re my favorite player, can I have your autograph?�

Paul: “What’s my name?�

Fan: “I don’t know.�

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Catcher Bengie Molina missed his second game because of a stomach virus but felt well enough to shag balls during batting practice.... Pitcher Kelvim Escobar will undergo surgery today to shave down a bone spur in his elbow.