Eckstein’s Family Gets Bad News

Kidney disease again has struck the family of Angel shortstop David Eckstein. With his father on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, Eckstein recently learned that two nephews, ages 3 and 5, also will require transplants.

Three of Eckstein’s siblings, brother Kenny and sisters Christine and Susan, needed kidney transplants. Doctors recently told Christine that her two boys would eventually require transplants, Eckstein said, and tests are underway to determine how long they can live normal lives before the need becomes acute.

Eckstein and his other sibling, brother Rick, are not affected by the condition. The brothers are single, and Eckstein said doctors have advised both against donating a kidney now, in case either he or Rick should have children who require a transplant.

Eckstein’s father, Whitey, is fighting erratic blood pressure as his wait for a donor kidney approaches one year. Eckstein said he is holding up well amid the sadness and said that, even during illness, his father still does his best to look out for him.

“My dad won’t tell me what’s going on,” he said. “He doesn’t want it to be a distraction.”

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First baseman Robb Quinlan never had set foot in Fenway Park before Tuesday, but the intense Boston fans let him know they already knew of him.

“I heard a couple of them yelling Quinlan,” he said. “I couldn’t really understand what else they were saying, but I’m assuming it wasn’t good.”

As Quinlan enjoys the Green Monster, the Angels are enjoying his production. In his first 25 major league at-bats, he has 12 hits, including two Wednesday against Pedro Martinez. He could be the Angels’ first baseman next year, even if he is not a slugger.

“The bottom line is not how many home runs he can hit but how productive he can be,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s got the potential to be a 100-RBI guy.”

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A team official said he believed pitcher Mickey Callaway, released last week by the Angels, would sign a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.... With one shutout inning Tuesday, Francisco Rodriguez lowered his earned-run average below 3.00 for the first time this season. His ERA is 2.95 overall and 1.30 since June 16.... Nathan Haynes, the Angels’ top outfield prospect, homered for triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, after an 0-for-13 start since his promotion last week from double-A Arkansas.... Kevin Gregg (5-3, 4.13) or Chris Bootcheck (6-8, 4.56) will be the extra starter for Saturday’s doubleheader. Both are in triple A.