The April weather isn’t to blame for the Dragons’ bumpy start, of course, but it hasn’t helped.
“It’s the first time for a lot of these guys playing in this kind of weather,” DeShields said.
True, most of the current Dragons played in Billings, Mont., last season. It gets cold there, too, but the Pioneer League season doesn’t begin until mid-June.
“There may be a couple nights early when it’s chilly, but not cold, not freezing,” said DeShields, who spent the past two summers in Billings, first as hitting coach with the Mustangs, then manager. “I didn’t know what kind of start we were going to have here, but I knew the elements would be against us.”
Compared to Lansing at least, conditions have been relatively balmy in downtown Dayton the past two nights. Game-time temperature Tuesday was 58 degrees.
RUNNING WILD: Last year's Dragons stole 135 bases. Through 12 games, this year's team already had 30 steals, putting it on pace for about 350. Even if they slow down, it looks as if the Dragons will easily obliterate the team record of 151 set in 2002.
Shortstop Billy Hamilton, especially if he remains here all season, figures to put the individual season record out of reach. It is held by Noochie Varner, who stole 37 bases in 2002.
Andrew Means holds the career Dragons mark with 40 steals. At this rate, Hamilton will own that record by mid-June.
DRAGON TALES: DeShields' lineup Tuesday was the same as Monday's, marking the first time this season it's been the same for back-to-back games. ... The team placed infielder Frank Pfister on the disabled list as a way of creating a roster spot for right-handed relief pitcher Chad Rogers, who arrived from extended spring training.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com
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