Stadium Seats Might Be Sold

The city of Anaheim is considering selling about 14,000 outfield seats in Anaheim Stadium after the $100,000 million renovation begins at the end of this season. Prices are expected to start at $10 per chair.

“What else would you do with them?” said Greg Smith, Anaheim Stadium general manager. “These aren’t going to be the so-called memorabilia seats. These are going to be mostly the outfield seats. We’ll sell the rest of the seats after the 1997 season.”

*

Clinging to a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning, the Texas Rangers turned an unusual, but pivotal double play.

With a runner on first and no outs, Angel third baseman George Arias bunted. Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez pounced on the ball and threw to shortstop Kevin Elster for a force at second base. Elster then whipped a throw to second baseman Mark McLemore, covering first.

Said Texas Manager Johnny Oates: “More times than not, with [Rodriguez’s] arm strength, he can make that play. If the bunt’s out on the grass instead of just on the dirt, we only get the force at second, though.”

*

Jim Abbott, who made his final home start in 1996 on Saturday, is 0-11 in 16 starts at Anaheim Stadium since the July 27, 1995 trade from the Chicago White Sox. His last victory as an Angel at Anaheim Stadium was Sept. 8, 1992.