Jockey Hospitalized in Track Accident; Profile of Dodger Broadcaster, May 1, 1969

Ross Newhan filed an interesting game story involving current Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday. The Oakland A's beat the Angels, 9-4, with Monday's grand slam off George Brunet the key blow. Newhan told how Monday was offered lucrative signing bonuses from several teams coming out of Santa Monica High in 1963 and "the Dodgers said they would match anything else I was offered," Monday said. His mother wanted him to go to college, however, so he attended Arizona State and eventually became the first player picked in the first free-agent draft with a $104,000 bonus from the A's. Monday credited one of his Oakland coaches, Joe DiMaggio, for his quick transition to the majors. Yes, the Joe DiMaggio. "Every day I talk to DiMaggio about a different aspect of the game," Monday said. "He has stressed the importance of mental attitude ... the importance of going to the plate with an idea of what to expect." --Keith Thursby