Ex-Angel Executive Has Heart Attack

Former Angel general manager Mike Port, now the Boston Red Sox vice president of baseball operations, was in stable but critical condition in the cardiac care unit of Boston’s Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center on Sunday after a heart attack Saturday afternoon.

According to a source close to Port, the 58-year-old responded to verbal commands Sunday morning, which was a good sign because doctors had been uncertain how much, if any, brain damage would occur from a lack of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain when Port’s heart stopped.

Port, who was on a respirator and could not speak Sunday, had to be shocked once in the ambulance and twice at the hospital to get his heart rhythm back. He also injured his upper back when he fell during the heart attack.

Port, who joined the Red Sox in February 1993 as an assistant GM, has been the team’s vice president of baseball operations since October 1996. He was named interim GM on Feb. 28, 2002, and held that post until current GM Theo Epstein got the job.

A native of Fallbrook and a graduate of Fallbrook High and the University of Santa Clara, Port became the Angels’ minor league director in 1978 and the team’s vice president and chief administrative officer in 1980.

In September 1984, Port succeeded Buzzie Bavasi as the Angels’ executive vice president and GM, and held that position until April 30, 1991. He and his wife, Ann, live in Southboro, Mass.

-- Mike DiGiovanna