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His shot was heard beyond Anaheim

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Almost seven years after his three-run, seventh-inning homer altered the course of the 2002 World Series, former Angel Scott Spiezio still hears about his blast for the ages.

“Everyone’s got a story associated with it,” said the utilityman, who is trying to revive his career with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League.

Spiezio heard from an angry San Francisco fan who blamed him for getting stuck with T-shirts and bumper stickers proclaiming the Giants world champions.

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He heard from a friend who celebrated the homer, a Game 6 shot that cut the Giants’ lead to 5-3, at a bar in North Dakota during a bachelor party.

He also heard from a photographer who was shooting a wedding during the game. According to the photographer, about 150 guests kept peering through a window to see what was happening on a television in an adjacent room.

Spiezio asked how the bride felt about attention being diverted from her wedding.

Responded the photographer: “She was the one right in front of the TV.”

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Trivia time

Which Giants pitcher gave up Spiezio’s World Series homer?

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Tweet the truth

David Whitley of fanhouse.com thanked disgraced Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth for putting an end to the worst charade in sports: the prepared statement.

As evidence, Whitley presented both the official statement made by Stallworth after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the season after his DUI manslaughter conviction and what Stallworth had to say on Twitter a few hours earlier.

First, the statement: “Commissioner Goodell called me this morning. Obviously, I am disappointed, but, as I said previously, I accept the commissioner’s decision. Regardless of the length of my suspension, I will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes’ death for the rest of my life.”

The Twitter post: “TO ALL MY FAM IN THE LEAGUE: GOD BLESS Y’ALL, STAY HEALTHY, GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON!!! I’M WATCHIN EVERY [EXPLETIVE] GAME.”

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Trivia answer

Felix Rodriguez surrendered the homer on a full count on the eighth pitch to Spiezio.

And finally

Informed that the backboard and rim from Michael Jordan’s famous last shot with the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals at Salt Lake City’s Delta Center would go on sale via auction, one reader asked CNBC.com’s Darren Rovell: “Does the winner also get the left hand print Jordan used to push off Bryon Russell and get off a shot he never would have without some ‘assistance’?”

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ben.bolch@latimes.com

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