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Begins 13th season in Angels organization and fourth as bullpen coach...Received contract extension through the 2007 season, Nov. 28, 2005...Served as Angels bullpen catcher for three previous seasons (2000-02)...Spent five seasons as Angels minor league coach, including two seasons with rookie-level Butte (1998-99), one at double-A Midland (1997) and two with rookie-level Mesa (1995- 96)...Served as player-coach at triple-A Vancouver in 1994...As catcher, played professionally for 17 seasons with 12 different organizations, originally signing with Seattle as free agent, Jan. 6, 1978...Appeared in major leagues with eight different franchises: Seattle (1982-84), Texas (1986), Detroit (1987), Los Angeles (1987), Oakland (1988), Minnesota (1989), New York Mets (1990) and Montreal (1990)...Spent final four seasons of playing career in minor leagues with Mets (1991-92), Chicago Cubs (1993), Cleveland Indians (1993) and Angels (1994)...Made major league debut as 20- year-old for Mariners, Sept. 13, 1982...Collected first hit (grand slam off Steve Comer of Texas) in first major league start, Sept. 19...Also teamed with Edwin Nunez (age 19) that same night to form youngest battery in Mariners history...Attended Dr. Trina Padilla de Sanz H.S. in Arecibo, PR...Led youth Mickey Mantle team to world championship...Assists Angels Community Relations with youth baseball clinics...Full name is Orlando Mercado Rodriguez. | 