Northridge Teammates Are a Hit in Big Show

Old friends were reacquainted Monday at Edison Field, where they could compare their press clippings.

Angel second baseman Adam Kennedy and Detroit Tiger catcher Rob Fick were teammates at Cal State Northridge for two seasons. Both have made the highlight shows lately.

Kennedy had an eight-RBI game against Toronto last Tuesday.

And Fick? His animated performance during the Tigers’ brawl with the Chicago White Sox Saturday was shown coast-to-coast.

Fick not only sparred with the White Sox players, he taunted the fans, who in turn dumped beer on him.

“I was kind of pumped up,” Fick said. “I kind of liked it. Looking back, it was a little embarrassing.

“Some fans said I flipped them off. That’s not true. I gave them the hang-loose sign.”

Fick will probably have to hang loose in the near future too, considering suspensions are likely to be handed out.

“It didn’t surprise me a bit,” Kennedy said about the incident. “He’s an emotional guy. I’m sure he was having fun.”

Kennedy and Fick played at Northridge in 1995 and 1996, and helped the Matadors reach the NCAA West regional final in 1996.

“Adam is the best hitter and the best clutch hitter I ever played with,” Fick said. “Well, except for Juan Gonzalez.”

*

With shortstop Gary DiSarcina being activated from the disabled list Monday, the Angels optioned infielder Keith Johnson to triple-A Edmonton.

But only after reserve infielder Benji Gil was checked out. Gil, who suffered an injured left thumb in Sunday’s game, still had swelling, but said he was available to play.

“Gary comes back and I go down with the same injury,” Gil said. “Same thumb too. It’s weird, but I don’t know how it has been around here.”

Well, Benji, Mo Vaughn fell into a dugout in the first inning of his first game with the Angels last season.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KENT BOTTENFIELD

(1-2 5.64 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’

HIDEO NOMO

(1-1, 2.52 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

Radio--KLAC (570).

* Update--Tonight is a matchup of two former National League pitchers who are coming off rough outings. Bottenfield, who had been solid in his first three starts, gave up nine runs in 3 2/3 innings against Toronto Thursday. Nomo gave up four runs in five innings against Boston Wednesday.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.