ANAHEIM -- Tribute patches worn on the customized Players Weekend jerseys feature a left-to-right progression of a child evolving into a Major Leaguer.
When Astros right-hander James Hoyt met former Major Leaguer Tony Phillips, he certainly wasn't the child on the left side of the patch. But in terms of his evolution to the big leagues, the distance seemed about the same.
A 24-year-old playing with the Independent Yuma Scorpions of the North American League in 2011, Hoyt was immediately drawn to Phillips, then 52, who played 18 years in the Majors. Jose Canseco was also the manager and cleanup hitter for the Scorpions.