AMERICAN LEAGUE: INSIDE THE A.L.: ATTACK ON K.C. COACH NO SURPRISE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

Seeing the replays of the two fans attacking Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa on Thursday in Chicago's Comiskey Park was shocking to some, but not a surprise to others.

It's not difficult for a fan to jump onto the field, as often times they do. Usually, though, they run around like idiots and maybe slide into second base.

``I've never seen anything like it,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``It's something you never think about. Obviously, if something like that happens, you rally to help no matter what uniform a guy is wearing if somebody's being attacked.''

Scioscia was trying to continue his playing career in 1993 with the Padres when Gamboa was a coach there.

``Tommy's a great guy, I'd be surprised if he had an enemy anywhere,'' Scioscia said.

Angels center fielder Darin Erstad has been approached in the outfield by fans before, and he just avoids them the best he can. But if a teammate was being attacked, his response might be much different.

``It's hard to comment on and say you'd do something,'' he said. ``You can think of the shock. Try to imagine being the first baseman or the umpire (in Gamboa's incident). You'd almost be in utter disbelief that it's happening.

``But it's not the first time something like that has happened and it won't be the last. Security does a good job, but situations like that come up. It puts a bad rap on the fans, because there are very few people who would do something like that.''

--A-Rod: Pick me: Alex Rodriguez's vote for A.L. MVP?

``I would vote for myself,'' he told reporters. ``Why not? In '96, I said I wouldn't, and it cost me. I'll be a little less humble this time.''

Juan Gonzalez of the Rangers won the MVP that year and Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr., both with the Mariners, seemed to split the votes, canceling out each other. Rodriguez said that season he'd vote for Griffey.

``I said it in the middle of September, so listen to what I'm saying now,'' Rodriguez said, jokingly. ``Sure, I'd be disappointed if I'm not MVP. I've been in the race three or four times. I've come close - '96 was my closest. The two local writers didn't vote for me, and that hurt. I'll never forget those guys. They really helped motivate my career.''

--Red Sox blues: The Boston Red Sox had six players named to the All-Star team this year, have a batting champion candidate in Manny Ramirez and a couple of Cy Young Award candidates in Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez.

And still, the Red Sox are making arrangements for the offseason.

``Unfortunately, we're packing up, even with all of the accomplishments we've had this year,'' shortstop Nomar Garciaparra said.