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Thursday, June 1, 2000

Associated Press
Keith Luuloa had three hits for Anaheim last
night before being optioned to Edmonton.

Angels’ Luuloa
back to Triple-A

Angels' skipper Sciocia says
he'll be back soon, though

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

On a day when the island of Molokai celebrated its high school's second-consecutive state baseball championship, the Farmers' brightest alumnus shined on national television, only to be sent to the minors immediately after.

But Keith Luuloa is optimistic he will be up with the Anaheim Angels again soon.

"(Manager Mike Scioscia) told me I'll be getting more opportunities, and that I proved that I can play second base every day at the Major League level," Luuloa said. "He said I deserve to be there, and I made a statement."

Luuloa went 3-for-4 for the best performance of his two-week major league career as the Indians beat the Angels, 7-3, Wednesday in Cleveland.

After the game, Luuloa was told he was being sent back to the minors. Anaheim acquired veteran shortstop Kevin Stocker on Tuesday, and Luuloa is victim of the numbers game, at least for now. He will return to Edmonton of the Pacific Coast League.

"I had it in the back of my head. I knew they signed Stocker, and he was reporting Friday," Luuloa said. "Mike Scioscia called me in and we had a 20-minute conversation. I could tell from his eyes that it was hard for him, and that it probably wasn't his decision.

"Hey, but what a sweet way to go if you've got to go," Luuloa added. "Three hits on national TV."

Luuloa's father, Henry, watched the game on ESPN on Molokai. He didn't know what happened afterward until told by a reporter.

"It was a big thrill to watch him do well. I'm so happy and proud for him," Henry Luuloa said. "It's disappointing that he's going down, but at least he went up and had his dream. We were going to go up and see him play next month. I guess that's on hold for now."

Luuloa singled his first three times at bat, and was robbed of a fourth hit by Indians' Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel.

Luuloa quickly became a favorite of ESPN announcer Chris Berman, who called Luuloa "the pride of Honolulu, Hawaii, following in the footsteps of Sid Fernandez, Benny Agbayani and Mike Lum." Luuloa was born in a Honolulu hospital, but grew up in Kaunakakai on Molokai.

Luuloa was 6-for-18 in six games at second base and shortstop since being called up by the Angels.

Also, Henry Luuloa said his other son, Miles, has decided not to accept a scholarship to play baseball at Nebraska. Instead, Miles is in the process of signing a pro contract with the Detroit Tigers.