AMERICAN LEAGUE: AROUND THE HORN COMERICA IS HATED AND LOVED.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - How ironic.

The Tigers distribute a packet to the media with all the information you'll ever need to know about Detroit's new Comerica Park.

On one of the pamphlets inside, there are the words: ``You'll love playing here.'' Whose picture is on the cover? Juan Gonzalez, of course.

Gonzalez has complained about the expansive outfield at Comerica. They list the distances down the lines (345 feet in left, 330 in right), the power alleys (398 in left, 380 in right) and straight-away center field (420).

But what they don't tell you is the distance at the flagpole, which is between the left-center-field marker and straight-away center. It is estimated at 435 feet from home plate.

The same spot on the right side of center is about the same distance. Pitchers love it. Power hitters hate it. Gonzalez hates it so much, he's demanding they move the fences in next year or he won't re-sign.

The Angels got their first look at Comerica earlier this week and reviews were mixed. The Angels crushed a few balls that stayed in the park. Scott Spiezio hit one about 430 feet . . . and it short-hopped the fence. zHe ended up with a triple.

``Now I know what Juan's complaining about,'' Spiezio said. ``I don't know how much more I've got than that. Usually you hit a ball like that, it's out.''

``It's very, very big ballpark,'' Angels first baseman Mo Vaughn said. ``Now I know why Juan Gonzalez didn't sign here. I wouldn't sign here.''

Angels pitcher Tim Belcher, though, benefited from the park and wasn't shy about sharing his feelings.

``I think we're about four or five Comerica Parks away from balancing things out,'' he said. ``Most people believe the strike zone has shrunk, the hitters are stronger and I believe the ball's tighter. Throw in a Camden Yards into the mix and it gets ugly. Kudos to the architect of Comerica.''

--Nails tells no lies: Want more evidence the baseballs are harder?

Tigers pitcher Steve Sparks says knuckleballers might disappear completely from the game because of the baseballs.

``It's getting a lot harder (to be a knuckleball pitcher) because the balls are harder,'' Sparks said. ``In Triple-A, they use a different ball. When I got called up, I had to learn how to dig my nails into the ball.''

Knuckleballs actually dig the tips of their fingers into the ball, relying on their fingernails to give them a grip. Sparks said he had to cut his nails even shorter than usual, because the major-league baseballs wouldn't give and bent his nails back.

--Retaliation from `95? Some have suggested that Red Sox first baseman Brian Daubach was a target of Devil Rays pitchers recently, not only because the Rays thought Daubach was throwing cheap shots at the bottom of the pile during a fight, but because Daubach was a replacement player in 1995.

``I would hope that's not the case,'' Daubach said. ``That was five years ago. I would hope that's over with.''

Daubach made his major-league debut last season after nine full seasons in the minors.

--Perseverance pays: Angels catcher Shawn Wooten made his major-league debut this season at age 28 after toiling in the minors for six years. On a recent payday, Wooten stared at his first major-league paycheck and smiled.

Asked if he would frame the check, Wooten said: ``That's what I was thinking, but my dad said, 'You'd better cash it.' ''

Wooten revived his career by moving from third base to catcher. He impressed the Angels enough with his ability to learn the position - as well as his hitting - to rise from Double-A to Triple-A to the big leagues this season.

But he might need more seasoning at catcher, like a full year at Triple-A next season.

``I think I opened up some eyes around here,'' Wooten said. ``I waited eight years for this opportunity. I'll wait another couple years if that's what it takes.''

--Rangers roll over: The only team in the American League West that isn't in the race is the same team that has won the division in three of the previous four years.

This year has been a nightmare for the Texas Rangers, who rolled over and died in August. They went 9-21, their worst month in 21 years (9-22 in August, 1979).

``I'm trying to think of anything possible to make this stop,'' Rangers manager Johnny Oates said. ``Everyone is frustrated, discouraged. In 33 years, I've never experienced anything like this.''