ANGELS HIRE WHIP-CRACKING COLLINS AS MANAGER : CLOSE, BUT...

Byline: Eric Noland Daily News Staff Writer

Where its sports ventures are concerned, it's obvious the Mouse is not all smiles, waves and squeaky-voiced cheeriness.

In its first managerial hire for the Angels, Disney Sports Enterprises opted for Terry Collins, a firebrand who wore out his welcome as manager of the Houston Astros precisely because he cracked a few too many whips over a few too many players' heads.

Collins, 47, introduced Monday as the Angels' 15th manager in their 37-year history, replaces the true-hearted but somnolent Marcel Lachemann and will be commissioned to coax some life out of a club that has been a historic underachiever.

``Some of the criticism I took in Houston was for asking guys to get better,'' said Collins, who presided over an Anaheim Stadium press conference like a guy who'd had too many cups of coffee. ``. . . They thought they were good enough.''

Tony Tavares, the Disney man who serves as Angels president, liked the sound of this enough to tender a multiyear contract of unspecified duration.

``Do you think (Seattle manager) Lou Piniella gives a rat's you-know-what if players like him?'' Tavares said. ``He's out there to do a job. He's out there to get the most out of his ballplayers. To me, he's the epitome of a guy who has a high level of intensity who doesn't have to scream at everybody and yell at everybody to get things done.''

With the Angels, there is, in fact, much to be done. To that end, Collins is already working on assembling a staff. He said he's talked to Lachemann about returning as pitching coach - a role much better suited to Lachemann's personality and abilities - and seemed optimistic about getting an affirmative response. Rod Carew also could be back as hitting coach.

But the Angels are coming off a 91-loss season and a last-place finish in the weak American League West. Over the past 10 seasons, they've finished an average of 15-1/2 games out of first place.

Also, the team seems to have limited prospects for upgrading its plight. The Angels' farm system is said to be nearly devoid of prospects, and Disney, in the face of an anemic Angels following that generates little revenue, has not shown an inclination toward deficit spending on the payroll.

Undaunted, Collins said, ``In my conversations with Lach, he certainly believes the players are here to get it done.''

Echoed Tavares: ``I think there's a lot of talent on this team. I think the talent didn't manifest itself into productivity last year.

``Do I think we have the best pitching staff in the league? Of course not. No. We think we need to pick up another starting pitcher, without question.''

``We've got a lot of holes to fill.''

Do they ever. The Angels, who dealt Chili Davis to Kansas City last week to free up salary slack (and pick up No. 4 starter Mark Gubicza), lack power in the heart of the lineup. Their pitching staff, long thought to be a strength, has developed fissures, as Chuck Finley, Mark Langston and Jim Abbott (to an extreme in '96) have performed well beneath their glittery reputations. And although Collins has promised a newly aggressive offensive style, the Angels appear ill-equipped to pull it off, since they are slow-footed in the traditional speed positions of shortstop (Gary DiSarcina), second base (Randy Velarde) and center field (Edmonds).

``There are no secrets. There's no magic,'' said Collins. ``The players are going to get it done for us. What I need to do is make sure they're prepared every day.''

While at it, Terry Collins - spunk or no - might be wise to prepare himself for some disappointment.

In his only previous major-league managerial job, new Angels manager Terry Collins guided the Houston Astros to three straight runner-up finishes in the National League Central, although the '94 season was aborted by a players' strike.

Yr. W-L Pct. Pos. GB Champ.

'94 66-49 .574 2nd -1/2 Cincinnati

'95 76-68 .528 2nd 9 Cincinnati

'96 82-80 .506 2nd 6 St. Louis

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Photo, Chart

Photo: COLLINS

Chart: CLOSE, BUT... (see text)