Anaheim Angels 2004 Season Preview

by Bob "Twilight" Brigham

Arte's Party: New Year's Eve or April Fools?

Will it be another trying year for the Angels?

This time of the year when everybody is talking pennant it's easy to get caught up in the spirit of the season, but I just want to warn you that the Anaheim Angels are not due for another 41 years. For those who haven't been paying attention, that's how long it took them to win their first flag in 2002, breaking hearts along the way dating back to 1961 when Gene Autry rode into Los Angeles with a brand new American League franchise in tow.

They were the Los Angeles Angels then, playing the first couple of years in LA's smaller version of Chicago's Wrigley Field. The cozy park in the south central part of town had been built in the early 20th century to house the Angels of the old Pacific Coast League. P.K. Wrigley, the chewing gum robber-baron, owned both the Cubs and the minor league Angels, and wanted to be sure Los Angeles fans identified with the big club on the shores of Lake Michigan. Fast forward to the 1960s, Autry wanted his big league Angels to establish their own identity in a market dominated by the Dodgers, who had arrived in town a few years earlier. He did not do himself any favors by playing at Dodger Stadium when the former pride of Brooklyn was on the road. When the Halos finally built their own park down the freeway in Anaheim, they became the California Angels and eventually the Anaheim Angels, the name by which they are now known.

Enough of the history lesson already. Let's turn to current events. Enter Arte Moreno, new Angels owner. With the acquisition of slugging outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, he has proven that he is willing to open his check book in an effort to bring post season play back in a hurry. Guerrero was on the shopping list of every owner in baseball. The fact that Moreno would not be out-bid is testimony to his determination to make the Angels more than a one season ('02) flash in the pan. [Editor's Note: Perhaps Moreno should read about the Winner's Curse].

Baseball, like life itself, is filled with irony. With all that Guerrero brings to the Angels, the club's MVP might end up being the trainer, the guy who played a big role in rehabbing team stalwarts Darren Erstad, David Eckstein and Adam Kennedy. This trio found their games compromised by hamstring problems as the 2002 World Champions played out the dog days of 2003 in less than championship form. Will they be ready to go on opening day, and will they stay healthy throughout the season? Two important questions, the answers to which only time will tell.

Erstad has played both the outfield and first base during his Anaheim tenure. A Gold Glover last year in center field, he will move to first base, where it is expected that he will be less subject to injury, especially to his legs. Manager Mike Sciocia has so much confidence in the athleticism of the ex-Nebraska Cornhusker grid star that he things his next Gold Glove could be a first baseman's trapper. It will be interesting to see how his overall value is affected by the move down the defensive spectrum.

Shortstop Eckstein is one of those players who makes up for a lack of size with less tangible attribute like hustle and smarts. His career high BA of .293 for the championship season of 2002 slipped to .252 last year, losing a lot of leg hits to his aching hamstrings. He better leave his wallet in his locker, though. His arbitration win over management gave him $2.15M as opposed to the $1.5M the Angels offered. The extra weight and bulk could slow him down on the basepaths.

Joining Guerrero in the outfield will be two other slugger the move the likes of Eckstein and Kennedy around the bases once they get on. Garret Anderson needs no introduction to the Anaheim fans. He was the club's MVP last year, and is one of the steadiest players in the game. Jose Guillen, like Guerrero, came in as a free agent and is expected to add a lot of pop at the plate. Tim Salmon, who has been a fixture in right field for several seasons, will be Sciocia's designated hitter. With all those potent bats Guerrero should get better pitches than he saw in Montreal where opposing moundsmen could pitch around him. Something to keep AL pitchers awake at nights.

Let's not forget third baseman Troy Glaus when evaluating Angels offensive strength. Never long on consistency, the ex-UCLA star has always been sufficient in the power department.

How about pitching? Jarrod Washburn, the potential ace of the Angels staff, is another player plagued last season by injuries. Just a bad shoulder, no big deal for a pitcher. Sure, right! Here is another come-back question mark who could make the difference between no October and an Angel-red October.

Of the remainder of the Halo hurlers Bartolo Colon stands out in my mind. He even brings back memories of the greatest pitcher ever to grace the Anaheim mound. Why do I think of Nolan Ryan when I look at Colon? Certainly they are different body types. Bartolo is short and squat. OK, let's say it, he's overweight. Ryan was always quick to point out that he derived his pitching power not from his arm, but from his legs. Well, that part of his body enables Colon to keep bringing 98 MPH fastballs in the ninth inning. As a boy in his native Dominican Republic he climbed enough coconut trees and scrambled up and down endless rows of coffee bean bushes to make his legs exceedingly strong. He has thrown 200 innings or more in five of his last six seasons. Last year he recorded 242, second most in the American League. He and Washburn should claim 40 wins between them.

Look out to yonder bull pen. Yes, there he is, Troy Percival, ready to come in and throw some serious heat for an inning or two, putting those close ones in the win column.

Bottom line? The Angels won't be at the bottom. The bad news - but not too bad - is that they won't be at the top either. I predict a second place finish in the AL West with a good enough W-L percentage to make them the AL wildcard.

Arte Moreno has reloaded probably better than any owner in baseball. But getting the club back to the heights of the 2002 season when they won it all is not a short-term project. It won't be long term either. Fans won't have to wait another four decade to see flags flying from atop Edison Field, or whatever Senor Moreno wants to call his new casa grande. Let's be realistic. Elimination in the first round of the playoffs for the comeback kids next October.

Then, in 2005? I've got to think about that one. Call me back in a year.