Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503130076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and Dallas Morning News reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Lenny Randle, a 46-year-old former infielder who hasn't played in the big leagues in 13 years, signed a minor-league contract with the California Angels on Saturday and agreed to be a replacement player.
Randle, best remembered for punching manager Frank Lucchesi while with the Texas Rangers and for trying to blow a bunt foul, joins a list of ``new'' Angels that includes Pedro Guerrero (age 38), Leon Durham (37) and Mike Schooler (32).
``Lenny played in Italy the last several years,'' said Bill Bavasi, the Angels' general manager. ``He worked out for us for a few days, and he held up.
``He showed he was healthy. But we're realistic. We know his age. You have to keep an eye on him. But he's got experience and a good personality, and he can help some of these kids who might be tentative.''
When Randle began his career with the Washington Senators in 1971, Willie Mays led the NL in walks, Henry Aaron led in slugging percentage and Bob Gibson led in shutouts.
``Playing baseball in Italy was like finding the fountain of youth,'' said Randle, who runs a hitting school in Southern California. ``Guys go over there and learn how to relax and enjoy the game. It's easy, because there's no stress.
``I won the batting title the year before last. You'd faint if you heard the numbers. I finished at .410 or .425 one year. And I still run. They like stealing in Italy.''
In West Palm Beach, Fla., the Montreal Expos added nine players, seven from Venezuela and two from the Dominican Republic.
While foreign players are prevented from joining U.S. teams during the strike, Expos vice president Bill Stoneman said Montreal is not affected by U.S. immigration laws.
``We're in a unique situation,'' he said. ``We are allowed to use these foreign players because we are a Canadian-based team.''
The newcomers, who reported to the Expos' minor-league complex in Lantana on Saturday, are pitchers Ramon Garcia, Miguel Garcia, David Mosquiera and Julio Strauss; catcher Clemente Alvarez; and outfielders Rafael Delima and Raul Tovar. All are from Venezuela.
Pitcher Gabriel Ozuna and outfielder Sergio Cairo are from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.
``Most of these players have some experience at the major-league level,'' said Kevin Malone, Montreal's general manager. ``I know, for instance, that Ozuna was one of the St.Louis Cardinals' top prospects a few years ago. We need some veterans to be competitive.''
Among the ``real'' players, Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo threw on the sideline Saturday in Vero Beach, Fla., with Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire watching.
Nomo, still throwing off a flat surface instead of a mound, threw for 12 minutes from about 80 feet.
``At that distance, with that velocity, that's pretty impressive,'' Claire said after watching Nomo for the first time.
``That's probably one of his best sessions,'' said Pat Screnar, a Dodgers physical therapist. ``We're continuing to strengthen his arm. He'll throw again on Monday, then we'll see about getting him on a mound. Once he gets to the mound, it's more stressful.''
Nomo, signed by the Dodgers to a minor-league contract, isn't allowed to pitch in the major leagues until the strike ends.
In Scottsdale, Ariz., left-hander Randy Tomlin, who played at Liberty University and for the Salem Buccaneers of the Carolina League, signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants and will report to training camp Monday.
The Giants said Tomlin, 28, whose best year was in 1992 when he was 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA for the Pirates, will not participate in spring training games.
Tomlin has been bothered by arm problems the past two seasons. He went on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left elbow in May 1993 and had arthroscopic surgery on the elbow in August to remove a spur.
He was bothered by tendinitis in his left shoulder and tightness in his left deltoid while splitting last season between Pittsburgh and the Pirates' Class AAA affiliate in Buffalo.
IF YOU WERE WONDERING: The expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays are named for a large, passive marine creature. The devil ray, an oversized manta ray, can weigh up to several hundred pounds and ``only wants to gloat peacefully in the water, taking in mouthfuls of its favorite food, which are called plankton,'' said Vince Naimoli, the expansion franchise's owner.
All of this seemed funny to Jerry Colangelo, the Arizona Diamondbacks' chief executive officer.
``We're a little more aggressive in Arizona,'' Colangelo said. ``You don't ride diamondback rattlesnakes. We wanted to put a little more bite in our name.''
TALKS BEGIN:Former commissioner Peter Ueberroth is considering buying 25 percent of the California Angels, with an option to buy the remaining 75 percent upon the death of owner Gene Autry.
Ueberroth and his investment group recently began talks with the Angels, according to Jackie Autry, Gene Autry's wife and the team's executive vice president.
Last year, Jackie Autry said her 87-year-old husband ``loves baseball and the ballplayers, but he doesn't have the heart anymore for the day-to-day anguish that goes on in baseball.''
by CNB