Stealing Home -- Against the Angels

The Angels were fuming because Rod Carew was too quick. Carew, in only his third season with the Twins, stole home for the sixth time in the season during the first inning of an 8-2 victory over the Angels. "Minnesota better get some insurance with that showboat in there," Angels Manager Lefty Phillips said. "Carew was successful but stunts like that might cost this club the pennant." Phillips apparently was mad because Carew stole on his young pitcher, Tom Murphy, and did so with the Twins' top run producer, Harmon Killebrew at the plate. What made this a war of words was the man sitting in the Twins' dugout, Billy Martin. "Mr. Phillips seems to forget the last time the Angels were here Carew stole home on Hoyt Wilhelm," Martin told The Times' Ross Newhan. "You don't get any older than Wilhelm. You do and they bury you "Apparently, they didn't do that sort of thing when Mr. Phillips was playing his five games in the Arizona-Texas League." Ouch. Carew was philosophical: "I'm not going to pop off but I am going to work extra hard against the Angels. Anytime I get a chance to beat the Angels, I'm going to do it." Carew became an Angel in 1979 and played there through the 1985 season. --Keith Thursby