Gagliano Aches for More Production

A hurt back. An aching right rotator cuff. A twisted ankle.

A season unfulfilled.

That’s what Manny Gagliano will take from his 1998 stint with the Vigilantes.

Injuries have limited the muscular third baseman to 64 of the Vigilantes’ 75 games this season. His numbers add to Gagliano’s frustration. Although his 12 homers and 37 RBIs rank are second and third, respectively, on the Vigilantes, his batting average (currently .243) will be the lowest Gagliano has had in four years in independent leagues.

“I feel that I’ve let the team down,” Gagliano said. “I’m a veteran player and I should help carry this team. That hasn’t been the case. I have some power numbers, but deep down inside I felt I’ve let the team and Buck [Rodgers] down because I know I can do better.”

Gagliano, 27, takes it a step further. He believes the Vigilantes’ playoff chances would be better had he played better.

“I think our pitching has done well,” he said. “Alan [Burke] has been great. Phil Kernan has done it at the plate. Young guys like Robert Muro have been doing well. But I’ve been struggling, as has Brad Gennaro. If we’re hitting like we can, it makes our lineup so much stronger.

“It’s the offense’s fault the team has struggled. If me and Gennaro were having our regular years, we’d be in the hunt.”

Gagliano, who grew up in San Diego and attended Oklahoma State, said this is the first time injuries have affected his game.

“I’ve always been a starter,” Gagliano said. “And when you’re used to playing many games before having a day off, it’s different. You’re always in rhythm.

“This year I haven’t felt that way. To be honest, it’s been a strange year.”

Vigilante coach Steve Hendricks, who was Gagliano’s teammate at Tri-City in 1995, said Gagliano has high expectations and can get down on himself when he doesn’t meet them.

“In a way he can be too hard on himself,” Hendricks said. “In 1995 he hit 16 homers with 50 RBIs Then he had two all-star years in the Texas-Louisiana League. But this year, with the bad back and bad shoulder, he’s pressing, trying to homer every at-bat.”

Though Gagliano will “sometimes look out for his stats instead of doing fundamental things,” Hendricks said Gagliano usually puts the team first.

“When he’s on the field he’ll give you 100%,” Hendricks said. “And he’s a good guy. He’s also quiet. He can be vocal if it’s needed, but he’s not a mouthy guy.”

Muro said Gagliano has been a role model for his younger teammates by trying to play through injuries.

“He’s somebody you can look up to,” Muro said. “He has a presence about him. A strong, silent type who leads by example.”

Nonetheless, Gagliano’s uneven season has him contemplating his baseball future.

“With baseball, you never know where it will take you,” Gagliano said. “I’m still hoping for a shot with a [major league] organization, which made this year even more frustrating. I’m thinking of playing overseas, but I don’t know. I’m getting close to the end as a player.

“I’m not sure how much time I have left. It depends on this off-season.”

Unless Mission Viejo can make a late run, its season will end Sept. 2. But Gagliano will have more baseball left. He has agreed to play in an Italian professional league for the final month of its season.

“That late in the year they cannot take foreigners, but they can take other Italians,” said Gagliano, who will be staying near Rome with family.

Because his father Salvatore kept his Italian citizenship, Gagliano has that as well as his U.S. citizenship. In fact, he has also Mexican citizenship, courtesy of his mother Estrella.

“I’m a scrambled egg,” Gagliano said, laughing.

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Vigilante officials and members of the South Orange County Community College District have met quietly the last 10 days to see if a stadium deal at Saddleback College can be reached.

The Vigilantes also have been talking with Mission Viejo officials as a bridge between the city and the district, General Manager Paula Pyers said. Mission Viejo and the district broke off talks about a new facility after nearly two years of negotiations.

“It may not be the original $6-million project, or the last $3.5-million project, but we’re exploring all options,” Pyers said. “We’re trying to find a positive resolution.”

Pyers said the Vigilantes need at least “an improved facility” including permanent restrooms, concession stands and seating for the team to be profitable.

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The Vigilantes will get three extra home games because the Western Warriors (formerly the Grays Harbor Gulls before the franchise folded in July) have to play all their second-half games on the road.

Those games take place this weekend, with a doubleheader today, and a single game on Sunday.

Ticket prices for all games are a penny each in conjunction a promotion with Pennysaver publications. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The doubleheader begins at 5:05 p.m., and Sunday’s game is at 5:35 p.m.