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Homers fly at DoubledayAssociated PressCOOPERSTOWN, N Y. — This home run thing is getting so out of whack that now even the coaches are hitting them.California bullpen catcher Mick Billmeyer stepped to the plate for the first time in three seasons and launched a drive over the right-field seats, one of a record 10 home runs Monday as the Angels and Montreal Expos played to a 6-6 tie in the Hall of Fame exhibition game.“Pm saying to the guys, 4It ain't that hard, ” Billmeyer said with a wide smile.Henry Rodriguez and Sherman Obando hit consecutive home runs for Montreal, and Tim Spehr’s solo shot in the ninth tied it for the Expos. George Arias and Randy Velarde hit consecutive homers for California as both teams took advantage of the cozy configuration at Doubleday Field.In this year of offense, the outburst in the 50th annual Hall game was no surprise, especially since the park is a generous 296 feet to left field, just 336 to the trees overlooking the alley and 312 to right. The previous record for homers in Cooperstown was 9 by Texas and San Diego in 1979.The game was called after nine innings because the teams had flights to catch.Billmeyer was told before the game by manager Marcel Laehe-mann that he might get an at-bat. He got his chance in the eighth, and hit a 2-run shot off minor-leaguer Shayne Bennett that gave the Angels a 6-5 lead.Billmeyer, 32, is in his third year on the Angels’ staff. Popular with the players, the former catcher played nine years in the minors with the California. Baltimore and Texas systems, hitting .250 lifetime with 29 home runs.
Newspaper Details
Arlington Heights Daily Herald Suburban Chicago
Arlington Heights, Illinois, US
Tue, Aug 06, 1996
Page 157
Full Page
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MD, USA 03 Aug 2024
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