Galarraga Has Last Word With Homer

The Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, who have never hidden their animosity for each other, had one final incident to remember during the winter.

Rocky first baseman Andres Galarraga, angered that he had been hit by Pedro Astacio in the third inning, crowded the plate when he came to bat in the fifth. Astacio had also hit him in June after he homered twice, and Galarraga was going to let him know he wouldn’t stand for it.

Galarraga hit the go-ahead homer deep into the center-field stands for his league-leading 46th homer of the season.

And to convey his feelings toward Astacio, Galarraga simply stood at the plate and admired it. It was almost 10 seconds before Galarraga even started his home-run trot.

“I watched that one more than I normally watch,” Galarraga said. “I told him, ‘Don’t mess with me.’ He hit me before. I don’t think he was trying to hit me but just pitch inside, but he did try to buzz me over the head before. It happened too many times from the same pitcher.

“I don’t think it was intentional, but it wakes you up sometimes.”

*

Dodger clubhouse attendant Mitch Poole was frantically looking for the ball from Hideo Nomo’s no-hitter Wednesday, fearing it had gotten lost.

No problem.

It turned out that Nomo left the ball in his glove overnight in his locker.