Miss-Delectable
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Being deaf hasn't slowed Pride
TEMPE, Ariz. -- He's a long shot to make the team out of spring training, but that's nothing new for Curtis Pride, who has been a long shot all his life.
Pride, 36, was born 95 percent deaf, believed to be the result of his mother contracting German measles while she was pregnant. Pride hasn't let it affect him.
He's played professional baseball since 1986, when he was drafted by the Mets, and made his big-league debut in 1993 with the Expos, becoming the fifth deaf player in major-league history. He has since played with the Tigers, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees and, last season, the Angels.
Pride, hitting .375 (6 for 16) this spring, is competing with Jeff DaVanon and Juan Rivera for a reserve outfielder spot. Pride, who hit .250 in 35 games last year for the Angels, likely will go to Triple-A Salt Lake.
"He's a better player now than when he first had an opportunity to play in the big leagues," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He worked his way back from Independent (League) ball (last season) to the major leagues. It shows passion for a guy to take the steps necessary to get back here."
Even when he toiled with Nashua (N.H.) in the Independent League early in 2004, Pride said he didn't consider giving up on baseball.
"'I've always believed in my ability," said Pride, who never learned sign language but communicates by reading lips. "Give me a chance, and all I have to do is put up numbers."
Being deaf hasn't been a hindrance for Pride at the plate or running the bases, although playing the outfield presents its challenges.
"He has great instincts," Scioscia said. "He's great at running the bases, and he understands the game. The only part of it (that is difficult for him) is, defensively, some of it is verbal. But it hasn't been an issue. He'll only call for a ball if he's certain he can catch it. And he's very good at glancing (at the other outfielders) and keeping his eye on the ball."
Lackey looks good: John Lackey threw three scoreless innings, surrendering only an infield hit, in the Angels' 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Sunday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium, showing no ill effects of the blister on his right index finger that forced him to miss one start.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- He's a long shot to make the team out of spring training, but that's nothing new for Curtis Pride, who has been a long shot all his life.
Pride, 36, was born 95 percent deaf, believed to be the result of his mother contracting German measles while she was pregnant. Pride hasn't let it affect him.
He's played professional baseball since 1986, when he was drafted by the Mets, and made his big-league debut in 1993 with the Expos, becoming the fifth deaf player in major-league history. He has since played with the Tigers, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees and, last season, the Angels.
Pride, hitting .375 (6 for 16) this spring, is competing with Jeff DaVanon and Juan Rivera for a reserve outfielder spot. Pride, who hit .250 in 35 games last year for the Angels, likely will go to Triple-A Salt Lake.
"He's a better player now than when he first had an opportunity to play in the big leagues," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He worked his way back from Independent (League) ball (last season) to the major leagues. It shows passion for a guy to take the steps necessary to get back here."
Even when he toiled with Nashua (N.H.) in the Independent League early in 2004, Pride said he didn't consider giving up on baseball.
"'I've always believed in my ability," said Pride, who never learned sign language but communicates by reading lips. "Give me a chance, and all I have to do is put up numbers."
Being deaf hasn't been a hindrance for Pride at the plate or running the bases, although playing the outfield presents its challenges.
"He has great instincts," Scioscia said. "He's great at running the bases, and he understands the game. The only part of it (that is difficult for him) is, defensively, some of it is verbal. But it hasn't been an issue. He'll only call for a ball if he's certain he can catch it. And he's very good at glancing (at the other outfielders) and keeping his eye on the ball."
Lackey looks good: John Lackey threw three scoreless innings, surrendering only an infield hit, in the Angels' 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Sunday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium, showing no ill effects of the blister on his right index finger that forced him to miss one start.
