Another honor for Vogt
On a day Stephen Vogt returned to the field, he continued to rake in off-field honors.
Vogt was named the recipient of the A’s Dave Stewart Community Service Award as well as the Good Guy award from the Bay Area chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for cooperation with the media. He already has been named Oakland’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.
“It’s like a Triple Crown here,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Every award we give out, he seems to be receiving, so I’m trying to come up with different adjectives. ... All these traits are very rare to see in one guy, taking home all these awards. We’re very lucky to have Stephen Vogt.”
Vogt and his wife, Alyssa, are involved in numerous charitable efforts in the Bay Area, especially the School of Imagination in Dublin, making multiple visits to work with autistic and special-needs children.
“What we do off the field is bigger than hitting a home run, it’s bigger than throwing a runner out. It’s helping people around the community that can use it,” Vogt said.
Vogt was at first base, his first start in the field since being struck in the groin by a foul tip Sept. 6. Melvin said that Vogt will be behind the plate at some point this weekend.
Best bet: Friday night, when Sonny Gray is the starter, given the good rapport the All-Star batterymates enjoy.
“I want to get back there right away, to get the flinching out of the way, nervousness, if there’s a ball heading that direction,” Vogt said. “Just so I go into the winter fine. ... It’s a hurdle I’d like to get over sooner than later.” Parker update: Jarrod Parker said he expects to play next week for the first time since fracturing his elbow during his comeback from a second Tommy John surgery.
Parker, one of the best young right-handed starters in the game when healthy, probably will pitch in relief if he can come back from his latest setback. There is no precedent for a major-leaguer to return from the type of fracture Parker had, but, Parker said, “I’m preparing to pitch in the big leagues next year. It’s going to happen.”