ANGELS: PADRES TO NAME BLACK AS SKIPPER ANGELS WILL LOSE PITCHING COACH TO NL WEST CHAMP SAN DIEGO.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

The Angels' pitching staff is looking for a new leader after Bud Black was hired to be the manager of the San Diego Padres. Multiple sources confirmed Black's hiring, which will be made official tonight at a Padres' awards banquet.

Black did not return a call seeking comment. Manager Mike Scioscia, who would not confirm the loss of Black, spoke highly of the only pitching coach he has had in his six-year tenure with the Angels.

``His philosophy was instrumental in our pitching success over the last five years,'' Scioscia said. ``It will be big shoes to fill if (his departure) happens, but with the seeds he's planted for the growth of our pitchers on the player-development side, we will keep moving forward.''

Black nearly was hired as manager by the Dodgers last offseason but turned down that job for family considerations. Part of Black's concern was the distance of Dodger Stadium from his San Diego-area home. Petco Park will be a much easier commute from his Rancho Santa Fe residence.

The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported Black's hiring and the Associated Press also confirmed it through an unnamed baseball official. Black will replace Bruce Bochy, who was hired by the San Francisco Giants late last month.

Under Black in 2002, the Angels posted the second-best ERA in the American League (3.69) and went on to help the team win the franchise's only World Series title. In 2005, they had a team ERA of 3.68, third in the AL and the lowest team ERA since 1989 (3.28).

This past season, the Angels' 4.04 ERA was again thirdbest in the AL behind the Minnesota Twins (3.95) and Detroit Tigers (3.84).

Scioscia said he has formulated a list of candidates to be the next Angels pitching coach but declined to reveal any names.

Charles Nagy, the pitching coach at Triple-A Salt Lake, is a likely candidate. Orel Hershiser, who was a teammate of Scioscia's with the Dodgers, also is a possibility.

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Angels pitching coach Bud Black will be the new San Diego Padres' manager, replacing Bruce Bochy.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press