Los Angeles Angels third baseman Dallas McPherson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 44th round out of high school but he opted to attend The Citadel. Following his junior year with the Bulldogs, he was selected in the second round by the Anaheim Angels and signed. “Mac” shot through the organization’s farm system after having success at each level. To date, the 6-4/230-pound left-handed hitter has played in 77 major league games, including three more in the post-season. The 26-year old is now married to the former Jennifer Penn of Atlanta, the couple have a dog “Rookie” and live in Chandler, Arizona, the spring training site of the Angels. He has spent the majority of his break rehabbing an injury that ended his 2005 season early. McPherson spoke with Diamond Prospects on his way to take batting practice during the off-season, read his story about debuts, homeruns, the playoffs and rehab. DP-How did your experience at The Citadel prepare you for professional baseball? DM-It was very regimented, structured, everyone has their role. Being a rookie with the Angels was like being freshman at The Citadel, it really helped me handle all that a lot better. Just playing college baseball and the entire college experience made me grow up faster. DP-You were a two-way player in college, when you got to pro ball did you miss pitching? DM-I never missed pitching. The Braves drafted me out of high school as a pitcher and that was a big reason I didn’t sign, I wanted to hit. My whole life I knew I was a better hitter. In high school I threw hard but in college you’ve actually got to be good at it to have success. I also had some arm problems in college. DP-The day you got “the call” to the Big Leagues, what was that like for you and who did you call first? DM-It was pretty much expected. The Triple-A season had just ended and I’d had a very good season. My bags were packed already to either go home or to Anaheim. They called me into the office and told me I was going up…I was very excited. The first people I called were my fiancé at the time, who is now my wife, and my parents. DP-You got to the Major Leagues quickly and immediately found yourself in the post-season with the Angels, what was that whirlwind like for you? DM-I spent a year or less at every level and had some success and it did happen fast. Nothing totally prepares you for the Big Leagues. In the minors you ride buses for hours, stay in crappy hotels, always eating on the go, it’s not a bed of roses. Reaching the Majors is the big reward for all that. DP-Tell about your Big League firsts, your first game, first at bat and first hit: DM-Of all things I made my debut as a pinch-runner at second base. David Eckstein hit a little blooper behind me in front of the centerfielder. I wasn’t sure it was going to fall or not, I was so scared! I decided to take off, thankfully the ball dropped and I scored, I was so afraid I was going to screw up right off the bat, that would have been a disaster! The game is so fast. My first at bat was against some young reliever from the White Sox, I cannot even remember his name. I do remember who I got my first hit off of, I actually got three that first game I started off of Ryan Franklin (Mariners). DP-You’ve done something that most left-handed hitters never have or never will, hit a homerun off of Randy Johnson. Tell us what is was like as you got in the box and when you connected: DM-Well, my first at bat I felt like I was on a Playstation, he made me look silly with three sliders. Before my second at bat, I decided I couldn’t hit his slider so I told myself to lay off of it. The first two pitchers were sliders for balls, now the count was 2-0 and I knew I’d get a fastball. Sure enough, he left a fastball up and I hit it well. My third at bat I got a single off of him and my fourth at bat he hit me. I don’t think it was intentional, it was just a two-seamer that got away. He sent a note over to the clubhouse after the game to let me know he wasn’t throwing at me. I’ll always be able to tell people I was hit by a Randy Johnson fastball. DP-Following your breakthrough year with the Angels they move World Series MVP Troy Glaus to make room for you, what did that move tell you about the organiztions plans for you? DM-It said they believed in me, of course I came a lot cheaper price than him! DP-What are some of your nicknames? DM-Mac DP-Who are the three toughest pitchers you have faced? DM-The toughest guy for me to hit has been Jake Westbrook of the Cleveland Indians, I’m 0-for-8, or something like that against him, he’s got a good cutter. The toughest lefty is probably Barry Zito with that big curveball, I’ve only faced him once but he’s pretty tough. DP-Fill in the blank: With the infield in and you’re at the hot corner, you don’t want blank at the plate: DM-A-Rod. He pulls everything hard on the ground. You never get a chopper from him, they all have a ton of top spin. DP-What about Gary Sheffield? DM-He rolls over a lot of balls and you can get some big hops, not with A-Rod! DP-Where is your favorite place to play? DM-Anaheim, great playing surface and hitting background, it’s a beautiful park and my family tells me it is very fan friendly. Now, to walk into Yankee Stadium, I was shaking the first time I played there. The plaques and monuments …
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