Angels, Ducks Hold Red Cross Fund-Raiser at Edison Field Today

The Angels and Mighty Ducks will hold a disaster relief drive to benefit the American Red Cross from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Edison Field. The Angels will practice from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and several Angel and Duck players will stop by the fund-raiser throughout the day to meet fans. Fans who make cash or check donations will have the opportunity to sign and express condolences on a giant banner that will be sent to the disaster areas. Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels will organize a blood drive to be held during the team’s final home stand, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7.

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When Angel reliever Ben Weber landed awkwardly on his right ankle after leaping for a chopper over the mound against Seattle last Monday, he figured he had suffered a mild sprain. Two days later, he discovered he had strained ligaments and fractured a bone in the ankle, an injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season.

“I thought, ‘Are you kidding me?”’ said Weber, 6-2 with a 3.42 earned-run average in 56 games. “It was like the double bonus. It stinks to have your season end like this, but that’s mild in comparison to what’s going on.”

Weber’s right leg is in a cast below the knee, and he’s on crutches. His wife, Marisa, is four months pregnant with triplets and has been ordered by her doctor to remain in bed.

“We’re both at home, and it’s like, who’s going to wait on who?” Weber said. “She has all the normal things you have when you’re pregnant, except she has them in threes. Instead of throwing up once a day, she throws up three times a day.”