ANAHEIM — Angels manager Ron Washington met Willie Mays just once as a ball player when his team traveled to San Francisco, recalling how the legendary superstar knew who he was.
“At the time, I was nobody,” Washington said.
Still, the memory has stayed with the Angels manager and he called Mays’ passing a sad day for baseball. Mays died Tuesday at the age of 96.
“We’re losing all of our legends. Baseball will definitely miss him. In the San Francisco area, he was always visible, always available for anybody. We’re going to sorely miss him,” he said.
Mays was scheduled to be honored on Thursday at Rickwood Field in Alabama, the former home of the Negro Leagues’ Birmingham Black Barons. The former San Francisco Giants great and Birmingham native played for the Black Barons in 1948 before his major league career.
“They were hoping to honor him in there but now they have to honor him not being there, which will make it even more powerful,” Washington said, “because he’s meant so much to the game of baseball, so many lives in the game of baseball. You just don’t know how often you went into San Francisco, and everyone was looking to see if Willie was there.”
MORE PRAISE FOR MAYS
Mike Trout took to X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge Mays, who many consider the greatest player to play the game.
“I’m saddened by the passing of legend Willie Mays, one of the greatest baseball players of all time with a remarkable impact on the game. Thank you for everything you gave us, Rest in Peace! #24”
WARD CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE
When Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick snagged Taylor Ward’s towering shot to the wall in the ninth inning on Tuesday night, it not only robbed the Angels of a potential game-tying three-run homer, but also stole a much-needed confidence boost for the Angels’ left fielder.
Ward has struggled this month, collecting just four hits in 47 at-bats, two for extra bases, and has batted .085 in the first 18 days of June. Overall, he is batting .235.
“I see him swinging and missing a lot,” Washington said. “In a baseball season, you go through that … that happens. And it happens to the best players in the world.
Despite Ward’s low production at the plate, Washington has not lost confidence in him and has no plans to replace him in the lineup.
“We believe he’s going to come out of it,” Washington said. “As long as you get a chance to get up there (at the plate) and swing, you have a chance to come out of it. You just gotta keep putting him out there.”
Ward, who started the season batting 275, is tied for the team lead in home runs (12) and RBIs (37).
STATUS QUO FOR SORIANO
There wasn’t any new update for pitcher Jose Soriano, who continues to deal with an infection. He was scratched from his start on Monday night because of abdominal pain, but there aren’t any plans yet to send him to the injured list.
“We haven’t made that decision,” Washington said.
Asked if he was confident Soriano could avoid the IL, Washington hesitated, saying “That’s strong. We haven’t made that decision yet. He’s still day-to-day. We’ll see how it goes.”
If Soriano is not ready to throw Saturday night against the Dodgers, Zach Plesac would get the nod. The right-hander started in place of Soriano in Monday’s series opener.
DRURY SCRATCHED
Infielder Brandon Drury was scratched two hours before game time because of illness. He was activated from the IL on Monday after missing 34 games because of a hamstring strain.
UP NEXT
The Angels are off Thursday.
Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 2-8, 5.24 ERA) at Dodgers (TBA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., Bally Sports West, SportsNet LA, 830 AM, 570 AM