He coached Washburn, other pitchers

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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Howie Gershberg, a minor league pitching coach with the Angels since 1985, died of cancer Wednesday. He was 67.

Gershberg helped develop current Anaheim pitchers Troy Percival, Jarrod Washburn, John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez, and former Angels star Chuck Finley.

Prior to joining the Angels, Gershberg was pitching coach at St. John's, where he tutored future major leaguers John Franco and Frank Viola.

``He taught me how to pitch, to think out there and not just go out and throw,'' Franco said.

Gershberg also was involved in several baseball instructional books and videos, as well as a coach in fall and winter instructional leagues.

``We are extremely saddened to lose a member of the Angels' family. Howie dedicated a huge part of his life to this organization and had a tremendous affect on many players through the years,'' Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said.

Gershberg, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, was a shortstop in the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants minor league organizations in the mid-1950s.

He is survived by his wife, Terri; and a daughter, Deborah.

Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press

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