ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANAHEIM MEMORIES STILL STIR EDMONDS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS - Jim Edmonds, dripping with sweat from batting practice, peeled off his Cardinals practice jersey late Tuesday afternoon to reveal a T-shirt that read ``California Soul.''

But Edmonds, the 1988 graduate of Diamond Bar High who spent 12 years in the Angels organization, has made a home in St. Louis. He has close friends on the Angels, particularly Troy Glaus and Garret Anderson, but has otherwise tried forget about his time in Anaheim.

Edmonds was criticized by teammates, often times behind his back, for showboating and lacking a good work ethic. When he was traded to the Cardinals during spring training in 2000 for second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kent Bottenfield, Edmonds got the chance to start fresh.

``I had been with those people since I was 17 years old,'' Edmonds said of his time with the Angels. ``Old thoughts were lingering in their heads and it was hard for them to get past that. These people don't have that. Being so young (with the Angels), they had tainted views.''

Now Edmonds, who turns 32 next week, admits he has grown up.

``I'm three years older, I'm a little more mature,'' Edmonds said. ``I've been to the postseason, I know what every game means now. I know what it's like to be in a winning situation. It makes you grow up and be a better player under pressure.''

Edmonds hit .295 with 42 homers and 108 RBI in 2000 and .304 with 30 homers and 110 RBI last season. He's also been to the playoffs in both seasons with St. Louis, hitting .321 (17 for 53) with five homers and 15 RBI in 13 postseason games.

He signed a six-year, $57 million contract soon after joining the Cardinals and says he'll retire when the contract is up after 2006 at age 36. He said there is nowhere else he'd rather play.

``I got an opportunity here and I'm glad I did,'' said Edmonds, who entertained former teammates Glaus, Anderson, Troy Percival and Scott Schoeneweis at his house Monday night. ``People say the mind's a powerful thing. I come to the stadium every day and being on a good club and having people in your corner makes all the difference in the world. You just have an upbeat personality the whole day.''

--Kennedy returns: The return to Busch Stadium was ``exciting'' for Kennedy, even though he played in only 33 games for the Cardinals in 1999 before the trade.

``Not only on the field but because of a lot of people here,'' Kennedy said. ``There are three coaches here now (hitting coach Mitchell Page, third-base coach Jose Oquendo and bench coach Joe Pettini) who helped me up through the minor leagues. And (general manager) Walt Jocketty is a pretty special guy.''

--Ramirez goes on DL: St. Louis outfielder Julio Ramirez had to be carted off the field during batting practice Tuesday after his left leg gave out while trying to catch a flyball. Ramirez was examined by Cardinals team doctor Stan London, whose initial diagnosis was the player had a strained left calf. Ramirez, though, said he heard a pop behind his knee.

Ramirez was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The club will call up reliever Brendan Donnelly to replace him on the roster.

--Wooten improving: First baseman/DH Shawn Wooten took live batting practice Tuesday for the first time since straining a muscle in his right side on May 31. Wooten isn't expected to begin a rehab assignment for at least another week. ... The Angels will call up a starting pitcher from Triple-A Salt Lake for Monday's doubleheader in Texas. It'll be either John Lackey or Matt Wise. Lackey is pitching for the Stingers tonight, meaning he'd be starting on his normal four-days rest on Monday. ... The Angels renewed their agreement with Triple-A Salt Lake through the 2004 season.

ANGELS vs. ST. LOUIS

Time: 5:10 p.m. at Busch Stadium.

TV/Radio: ESPN; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Aaron Sele (6-3, 4.97 ERA) will start for Anaheim against St. Louis' Matt Morris (9-4, 3.09). Manager Mike Scioscia said he doesn't expect any lingering hard feelings resulting from Sunday's incident with the Dodgers in which Angels pitcher Dennis Cook hit Dodgers right fielder Shawn Green with a pitch. ``In hindsight, I think they realize there was no intent at all,'' Scioscia said.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. vs. ST. LOUIS (see text)