A CHANGE OF HEART?

Herm Weiskopf

August 08, 1983

Angel Outfielder Ellis Valentine, who has one of the most powerful arms in the game, has been experimenting with pitching. "If I were 0 for 31, I think I'd want to be a pitcher, too," said Executive Vice-President Buzzie Bavasi of Valentine, whose slump lowered his average to .207. Pitching Coach Tom Morgan, though, felt that Valentine, whose fastball has been estimated at 90 mph, can be a big-leaguer on the mound. It's not all that new for Valentine, 29, who was a high school hurler. The Angels could use a strong-armed pitcher; since the All-Star Game, opponents have hit .317 against them.