southsider2k5 Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Call them the Just Happy To Be Here Gang. A day after recalling catcher Jamie Burke from Triple-A Charlotte, the Sox expanded their roster by five Tuesday, promoting right-handers Jose Paniagua and Jon Adkins, infielder Aaron Miles and outfielder Armando Rios. They also reinstated right-hander Billy Koch from the disabled list and designated lefty Mike Porzio for assignment to clear space on their 40-man roster. While Paniagua could have the most impact, the 5-foot-7-inch Miles will be the sentimental favorite after having spent all nine years of his career in the minors. Miles nearly made the Sox's roster after hitting .299 in spring training. Then he was close to a promotion before the Sox traded for second baseman Roberto Alomar. Finally, Miles has arrived. "I signed [with Houston] in 1995 and have been grinding from then on," he said. "It's awesome to be here for a pennant race." Despite batting .304 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs at Charlotte, Miles didn't know he would join the Sox until Monday, during a game at Durham, N.C. That's when his manager, Nick Capra, simply told him: "You're going." "I thought he was joking," Miles said. "Then he called me into the dugout and asked me when I wanted to fly out. I knew it was a lock then. "It was pretty weird playing the rest of the game knowing I would be here." It couldn't have been too weird, though. Miles homered in the game. Rios also starred at Charlotte, hitting .320 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 45 games. The Sox designated the four-year veteran July 2 after acquiring Carl Everett. "It was humbling," Rios said. "When you have to wake up at 5 and go to the airport and go through security, it's like, `Hey, man, you've been spoiled [taking charters].' "But it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was in the lineup [every day]. And when you're in the lineup, days go faster. "I just want to ride the wave and jump on these guys' backs and hopefully make it to the playoffs, even if I'm not on the [playoff] roster." Given a chance to contribute Tuesday, Rios delivered. Summoned to pinch hit for Miguel Olivo in the seventh inning, Rios advanced Joe Crede to third on a groundout to second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 I met Miles last night... this guy is hungry!!! Says there are no hard feelings about being left behind, although I got the impression that he was definitely told something else in ST (Michelle can you confirm/deny if he was led to believe he was making the team?) I flat out asked.. and he flat out nervously smiled and said "hmm, umm, well, no comment". I saw that ding bat Koch last night, too. I mentioned I would be bringing Super Glue to keep his ass on the chair where it belongs.. he growled at me. Michelle, does Rios always talk 500 miles per hour, or was he just excited about his hit? And finally.. I got to talk to Cotts.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 3, 2003 Author Share Posted September 3, 2003 I met Miles last night... this guy is hungry!!! Says there are no hard feelings about being left behind, although I got the impression that he was definitely told something else in ST (Michelle can you confirm/deny if he was led to believe he was making the team?) I flat out asked.. and he flat out nervously smiled and said "hmm, umm, well, no comment". I saw that ding bat Koch last night, too. I mentioned I would be bringing Super Glue to keep his ass on the chair where it belongs.. he growled at me. Michelle, does Rios always talk 500 miles per hour, or was he just excited about his hit? And finally.. I got to talk to Cotts.. Is Neal back up with the team? I thought he was in Birmingham? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 I met Miles last night... this guy is hungry!!! Says there are no hard feelings about being left behind, although I got the impression that he was definitely told something else in ST (Michelle can you confirm/deny if he was led to believe he was making the team?) I flat out asked.. and he flat out nervously smiled and said "hmm, umm, well, no comment". I saw that ding bat Koch last night, too. I mentioned I would be bringing Super Glue to keep his ass on the chair where it belongs.. he growled at me. Michelle, does Rios always talk 500 miles per hour, or was he just excited about his hit? And finally.. I got to talk to Cotts.. Is Neal back up with the team? I thought he was in Birmingham? Neal was in the clubhouse last night. Why, I do not know. Needless to say, it was a nice surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDYTHECLOWN Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Who are you married to, or who do you know to get access around the clubhouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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