Dave Parker, unable to find his stroke at age 40, was put on waivers Saturday by the California Angels, a day after the team made Whitey Herzog its director of player personnel.
The Angels, who hoped to contend in the AL West this season, got Parker in March from Milwaukee in a trade for outfielder Dante Bichette and pitcher Brandy Vann. Parker spent last season with the Brewers, batting .289 with 21 home runs and 92 RBIs, and was named baseball's designated hitter of the year for the second straight time.Parker, a seven-time All-Star, was batting only .232 with 11 home runs and 56 RBIs in 119 games this season. He got the 2,700th base hit of his 19-year career on Sept. 3 against Boston with an RBI double, and it was the last game he played.
"He never got untracked," said teammate Dave Winfield, who turns 40 next month. "It's frustrating for a guy whose always hit."
The Angels have fallen from first place to last place since early July. Less than two weeks ago, they began a shakeup when they fired manager Doug Rader and replaced him with Buck Rodgers.