Pitching is easy part for powerful Penny
Overpowering some of the toughest hitters in baseball with a fastball clocking more than 90 mph is the easy part for Los Angeles Dodgers starter Brad Penny.
Put him in the stands on a day when one of the thoroughbred horses he owns is running, and the big guy turns into a nervous wreck.
“You have no control over what they do,” he said. “You just want them to do good because you see how hard it is to get them to a race. You start to love them. You don’t want to see them fail, especially when you know they’re good.”
Launched last year, Penny’s fledgling stable is comprised of four horses – three of which he owns in partnership with several others, including prominent owner-breeder John Harris.
Penny’s most recent success on the track came May 5 – Kentucky Derby eve – when Excess Temptations won by 3 1/4 lengths at Hollywood Park.
He bought a one-third share of Excess Temptations for $50,000. The horse has earned $116,772 in three victories.
Royals turn triple play
The Kansas City Royals turned a triple play – with the help of an appeal call – in the second inning against Tampa Bay.
With Aubrey Huff on third and Rocco Baldelli on first, Russell Branyan flied out to David DeJesus in shallow center. Huff came home on the play and Baldelli tried to take second, but was thrown out by pitcher Scott Elarton, who was backing up the throw to the plate.
Angel Berroa tagged out Baldelli and then threw to Mark Teahen at third base as the Royals claimed Huff had left early. Third base umpire Bob Davidson agreed with the appeal and ruled Huff out.
Drabowsky dead at 70
Moe Drabowsky, the prankster pitcher who delighted in putting pythons in teammates’ shoes and wound up as a World Series star for the Baltimore Orioles when they won their first championship in 1966, is dead at 70.
Drabowsky died Saturday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center in Little Rock, spokeswoman Liz Caldwell said Sunday. He had been ill with multiple myeloma, the Orioles said.
Drabowsky worked for the Orioles’ organization the last 13 seasons as their Florida pitching instructor, overseeing players in extended spring training and on rehab assignments.
The highlight of Drabowsky’s 17-year career came in Game 1 of the 1966 World Series. He set a record for relievers by striking out 11 over 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting the underdog Orioles toward a sweep.
Clearing the bases
The Yankees activated right-hander Shawn Chacon from the disabled list and designated right-hander Scott Erickson for assignment. … Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin, who has been on the disabled list since May 28 with a strained right shoulder, pitched a simulated game at Triple-A Pawtucket. Timlin said he expects to be activated Tuesday when Boston opens a three-game series at Minnesota. … Rockies reliever Mike DeJean will have season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined six to eight months. … The Royals acquired right-hander Brandon Duckworth from the Pirates for cash considerations and designated for assignment right-hander Kyle Snyder.