Alumni baseball aims to cut up diamond
Major, minor leaguers have fallen to Bruins three years in a
row, put on heat Saturday
By Brian Purcell
The UCLA baseball team will kick off its season Saturday at noon
by playing what appears to be its toughest opponent of the season:
the alumni team.
As is the case every year, the alumni lineup will include
several major and minor leaguers. Fairly enough, most of these
players won’t be playing with their usual win-at-all-costs
attitude.
"The major leaguers will usually do a lot of showboating," UCLA
head coach Gary Adams said. "The current team will be playing it
straight, but most of the alumni are just there for fun. It’s a
good time."
Among the major league players expected to play on Saturday are
Todd Zeile of the Chicago Cubs, Sean Berry of the Houston Astros,
Mike Magnante of the Kansas City Royals, Rich Amaral of the Seattle
Mariners and Ryan McGuire of the Montreal Expos. Eric Karros will
play if he can avoid an agent-imposed obligation.
Recent graduates who will take a break from the minor leagues
for a brief return to Jackie Robinson Stadium include Gar Vallone,
Mike Caravelli and Pete Janicki, all of the Angels’ system, as well
as last year’s bullpen closer Bobby Kazmirski, now with the Oakland
A’s.
Perhaps due to their lackadaisical approach, it’s been three
years since the alumni have beaten their younger counterparts. It
is expected that they may pick up the intensity this year to avoid
further embarrassment.
"I’m sure that the guys who graduated recently want to win,"
junior pitcher Nick St. George said. "For us, we take it like any
other game. It’s just a more fun and relaxed atmosphere."
Adams will relax in the alumni team’s dugout, while assistant
coach Vince Beringhele will coach the current Bruins.
As is the case every year, the alumni lineup will include
several major and minor leaguers…. due to their lackadaisical
approach, it’s been three years since the alumni have beaten their
younger counterparts … they may pick up the intensity this year
to avoid further embarrassment.
Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu