April 21, 2005

Charleston, SC - Welcome (back) to the big leagues, Dallas.

Former Citadel baseball standout Dallas McPherson, a late-season call-up to the Angels last season, made his long-awaited 2005 debut with the Los Angeles club Monday night.

It was a rough one.

McPherson, who missed most of spring training with a herniated disk in his lower back, was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and went 0-for-4 with an error and a caught-stealing in the Angels' 6-1 win Monday over Seattle. He did not play in a 5-3 loss on Tuesday.

But McPherson showed no ill effects from his back injury at Salt Lake, where he batted .308 in 11 games, and the Angels need some pop at third base. Robb Quinlan is batting .185 and Maicer Izturis is at .211.

"Mac has a chance to be a special offensive player," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "The tough thing is to balance the bad day and bounce back to have a good day. Over the long haul, I think he is going to be very productive."