June 8, 2005

Atlanta, GA - Nothing like spending a few nights in a row as SportsCenter highlight material to jump-start the confidence of a young big leaguer.

Dallas McPherson whacked a 10th-inning solo home run off Kansas City's Mike MacDougal on May 28 to give the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim a 9-8 victory. The night before, the former Citadel star beat the Chicago White Sox with a two-run shot in the seventh inning of a 3-2 win, the first of three home runs in three nights in Anaheim.

"It was nice. Mostly, it was nice to be able to come away with some big wins, and getting big wins in late innings is always exciting," said McPherson, a 24-year-old rookie third baseman whose gaudy minor league numbers forecast big things in the big leagues. "It was a lot of fun to finally have some success up here and hopefully I can keep it going.

"I had some success after my (major league) call-up last September, but I struggled a lot. This year, I was a lot more comfortable and then having the week I recently had made me really feel like I belong."

McPherson also is comfortable in Atlanta, where the Angels tonight complete a three-game interleague series with the injury-riddled Braves. Dallas and Jennifer McPherson were married at Chateau Elan north of town in December. With hometown in-laws, friends from The Citadel and family from McPherson's native Greensboro, N.C., the Turner Field cheering section for No. 23 in Anaheim red and white has been loud and proud.

"Not as many people were able to come as I'd like ZONE from Page 1C

to see," McPherson said, "but it's nice to have all the support."

The best part for McPherson is first place in the American League West, a perch from which the Angels are eyeing a postseason run like the 2002 magic that ended with the first World Series title in club history. The Angels have added such key parts as outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and pitcher Bartolo Colon since then.

But they don't have their 2002 World Series MVP, allowing third baseman Troy Glaus to leave as a free agent (Arizona Diamondbacks) because they had so much confidence in McPherson. Teammates appreciated the 6-4, 230-pound McPherson's recent homer barrage after his slow start, particularly the extra-inning blast against Kansas City.

"For Dallas, it's huge," Paul Byrd, the ex-Braves pitcher who played for LSU against The Citadel in the 1990 College World Series, told reporters after the game. "We need Dallas McPherson."

McPherson is batting .243 with 5 home runs and 13 RBIs. He quietly endeared himself to fellow Angels with his sweet personality and poise last September when McPherson hit .225 with three home runs in 16 major league games. In the off-season he was named Minor League Player of the Year by both The Sporting News and Topps.

Scioscia, however, immediately let his new third baseman know his place as the Angels gathered in Tempe, Ariz., for spring training.

"Being from The Citadel, I knew he was intelligent," Scioscia said. "Just by coincidence, (Angels bench coach) Joe Maddon had just read 'My Losing Season' and when Dallas came to spring training we talked to him about it."

The conversation didn't last long.

Scioscia: "Have you ever met Pat Conroy?"

McPherson: "Yes, I have."

Scioscia: "Have you ever read his 'My Losing Season' book?"

McPherson: "No."

Scioscia: "Well, you're going to read it now."

The rookie was given three days to read the book and prepare an oral book report, which was delivered in the clubhouse to 75 players.

"That was one of my duties," McPherson said. "And it was a pretty good book."

Professor Scioscia gave McPherson an 'A'.

"He did a great job with it," Scioscia said. "Dallas is a very enthusiastic, disciplined guy. I know he's focused and inside of that exterior is a fun-loving kid. As he gets more comfortable and makes his footprints in the big leagues, I think you'll see him loosen up a bit."

McPherson particularly credits veteran Angels outfielders Darin Erstad and Garrett Anderson for their tutelage and examples of work ethic.

"I'm in a great situation," McPherson said. "I'm on a great team in a great lineup without any pressure on me. Any particular night, anybody in this lineup can do enough to win the game. I don't have to hit 30 or 40 home runs or drive in all the runs every night. This is a great bunch of guys -- a lot of low-key, laid-back guys off the field and hardcore, get-after-it guys on the field. We all click."

Hopefully for McPherson, all the way to late October.