Thumbnails | Next player Guardian Angel: The Angels lose $80-million free agent Mo Vaughn on Opening Day. Vaughn finally returned to the lineup April 22, but his injury was a harbinger of a hellish first half for the Halos. On his crutches, Vaughn clicks and clanks through the dialogue to the far end of the room. His ankle is immobilized by a strap-on plastic cast. He injured himself in the first half of the first inning of Opening Night -- Opening Night! -- chasing a high, meandering foul ball off the bat of Omar Vizquel of the Cleveland Indians. Vaughn had it, had it, had it, then didn't have it as he tumbled off the top step of the Indians' dugout, missing the next five steps and landing with a thump, twisting the ankle. He remained in the game, batting twice before leaving in pain in the fifth inning. He will be put on the 15-day disabled list. -- Leigh Montville Issue date: April 19, 1999 Photograph by V. J. Lovero Sports Illustrated on Baseball | Team-by-Team Reports Rookie of the Year Watch | SI's Inside Baseball Archive

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