Buck Memorial Draws 15,000

A crowd estimated at 15,000 attended a memorial service at Busch Stadium on Thursday for Jack Buck, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall of Fame broadcaster, before the Angels’ 3-2 interleague victory.

A closed casket was on the field during the hourlong ceremony emceed by Buck’s son, Joe, a broadcaster for Fox and the Cardinals.

St. Louis Manager Tony La Russa and Cardinal Hall of Fame players Stan Musial and Lou Brock were among many who participated in the tribute to Buck, who died Tuesday at 77, sharing fond memories about the man La Russa said “was the greatest Cardinal of all.”

Current Cardinal players watched from the dugout on a scorching 94-degree day, saying Buck also touched their lives and will be missed.

“From the moment you met him, you understood what kind of person he was, just from his presence,” said All-Star center fielder Jim Edmonds, who quickly developed a strong relationship with Buck after being traded from the Angels in March 2000.

“His name and his face are everywhere around here, and he meant a lot to the city and the baseball family. It was just a pleasure to be a part of his life for the short time I had a chance to be.”

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The first-place Seattle Mariners withstood the Angels’ post-April push in the American League West, and now the resurgent Oakland Athletics have rejoined the tight race.

A’s General Manager Billy Beane is known for making major trades to bolster his club down the stretch run, and many believe the Mariners still have not hit their stride. The Angel rotation is experiencing a rough stretch and General Manager Bill Stoneman is trying to acquire bullpen help, so things seemingly could be better.

However, Manager Mike Scioscia said he’s not worried.

“We respect everyone in this division, but we also know how we’re capable of playing,” he said. “We have the mental strength to be in this for the long haul. There’s no panic here.”

Struggling setup man Al Levine got the Angels out of a jam after relieving starter Scott Schoeneweis with two on and two out in the sixth, retiring Edgar Renteria on one pitch. But Levine gave up a leadoff home run in the seventh to Eli Marrero in a shaky two-thirds of an inning.

Opponents are batting .357 against the right-hander this month, in part explaining why Stoneman is interested in bolstering the bullpen before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.

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Third baseman Troy Glaus, benched Wednesday because of a 12-for-90 slump, returned to the lineup and was two for four.

ON DECK

Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, three games.

Site--Miller Park.

Tonight--5 PDT.

TV--None.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 40-29, Brewers 26-46.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

RAMON ORTIZ

(7-5, 3.40 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’

RUBEN QUEVEDO

(3-5, 3.81 ERA)

Update--The Angels and Brewers play for the first time since Milwaukee moved from the American League East to the National League Central in 1998. Ortiz has been effective against both right-handed and left-handed batters, limiting them to batting averages of .211 and .218, respectively. Ben Sheets has a 1.98 earned-run average at Miller Park, but 5.69 on the road.

Saturday, 4 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (6-2, 3.63) vs. Jose Cabrera (3-4, 4.53).

Sunday, 11 a.m.--Kevin Appier (5-6, 4.48) vs. Ben Sheets (4-7, 4.00).