By Any Other Name, Rose’s First Home Run Would Be Sweet

There may come a day when Bobby Rose adjusts to the hype and hoopla of major league baseball. He’ll be able to yawn at reporters’ questions. He won’t have to blink and twitch when television cameras zoom in for a close-up. And he’ll be oh-so ho-hum when he receives a standing ovation.

For now, though, all Rose appears to be accustomed to is playing in the big leagues. Since he was brought up Friday by the Angels from double-A Midland, Rose has become a most pleasant surprise.

Rose hit his first major league home run Wednesday at Anaheim Stadium, one that broke a 2-2 tie and helped the Angels beat the Minnesota Twins, 7-3.

Rose’s homer, a fifth-inning leadoff shot into the left-field bleachers, earned him a standing ovation from the crowd of 32,993. He also scored a run in the seventh after reaching on a fielder’s choice. In his four major league games, Rose is batting .400 (4 for 10) with a home run, a triple and three RBIs. Not a bad start.

“He’s done a very fine job,” Angel Manager Doug Rader said. “He’s a tough kid; physically, the tools are there. And one nice thing about Bobby Rose is he’s not gonna talk himself out of anything . . . He’s a very tough kid.”

Rose, who was born in Covina and went to San Dimas High School, was drafted by the Angels in 1985. After two years in Class-A--one year in Salem and one in Quad City--Rose quit baseball.

“My wife and I, we had some personal problems,” said Rose, 22. “We split up . . . I didn’t want to play anymore.”

Instead, Rose spent 1987 working for an Orange County graphics company. During that time, he said, he never thought about returning to professional baseball.

“It was definitely over for me,” Rose said. “My mind wasn’t on baseball, and if you’re mind’s not on it, it’s not worth doing.”

But a year later, Rose reconciled with his wife, Michelle, and decided to return to baseball. He finished the 1988 season hitting .333 for Class-A Palm Springs. He was promoted to Midland this year, and played there until he was called up to Anaheim.

Now he seems to have caught many by surprise.

“Nobody thought a double-A player was gonna come up this time of year,” Rader said. “But with all the things (injuries) happening to us. . . . we needed some punch and he was the guy. I’m glad he was available.”

So is Rose, of course. Although he is quickly learning about the outside pressures of baseball--such as television interviews--he didn’t appear nervous on the field.

“I’m more relaxed (than when he first arrived),” Rose said. “The nerves aren’t there . . .”

Although he struck out against Shane Rawley in his first at-bat Wednesday, Rose said he was prepared on his second trip to the plate.

“He threw me a slider to strike me out, so I figured he’d come back with it and he did,” Rose said.

He sent the ball over the left-field wall--and then raced around the bases.

“It’s a habit with me, I don’t get into a home-run trot,” Rose said. “Actually, I don’t really know how to run.”

The crowd was standing and cheering as he stepped into the dugout. After a few seconds, Rose took a half step out and acknowledged the fans. “(Bert) Blyleven told me to get out there,” he said.

Getting hold of his first home run ball was more difficult. Rose had to trade two of his bats and two baseballs before a couple of kids would give him the ball.

“That was a joke trying to get that ball,” he said. “It’s worth it, though.”