ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS MAKING PUSH TO ATTRACT HISPANIC PLAYERS, FANS.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

The gap between the Hispanic community and the Angels might have been bridged during ``Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day'' at Anaheim Stadium on Saturday.

The Angels, who have been accused of neglecting the Hispanic community, hired George Lauzerique in the newly created position of Latin American coordinator. The 16-year major-league scout has been responsible for the signings of Charles Nagy, Manny Ramirez, Bartolo Colon, Manny Alexander, Andy Stankiewicz and Jeff Ballard. The Havana, Cuba, native said that he will scout all of Latin America, but he will pay closer attention to Mexico because of the area's large Mexican population.

``(The Angels) are taking a very positive step in the right direction,'' said Lauzerique, 50, who played in the majors from 1967-69. ``The Latin market is a very lucrative market and the (Latin American) area has to be scouted and developed for a club to be successful.

``I guess (the Angels) haven't developed too many Latin players in their organization. But that is part of the past and I'm looking forward to the challenge. We will be very competitive and aggressive in that area starting (Saturday).''

In a pregame ceremony, the club honored the winners of the 1997 Little League World Series, Guadalupe Linde Vista from Monterrey, Mexico, and all the Hispanic countries celebrating their independence this month. The Angels also introduced five players who they've signed during tryouts held in Mexico this summer. Moreover, the Angels are expected to have their games on Spanish radio next season for the first time since 1992.

Henderson bats seventh: It is easy to make an argument that Rickey Henderson, major-league baseball's all-time leader in leadoff homers and stolen bases, is the best leadoff hitter in history.

But despite the accolades, the Angels moved the offensively struggling designated hitter/outfielder from leadoff to seventh in their lineup Saturday. Henderson, who has had difficulty staying on top of the baseball, was 0 for 3 with two walks Saturday and is now batting .194.

``It might take a little pressure off him,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said. ``He has been trying so hard to get on base.''

Injury update: Right-hander Mark Gubicza, who has missed 139 games with a sore right shoulder, said he would retire during spring training if his shoulder isn't entirely healed by then. The Northridge resident hopes to start playing catch by Nov. 1. . . . Left-hander Mark Langston, who has missed 129 games because of left elbow surgery, hopes to start throwing again at the beginning of December. Both Langston and Gubicza, who will be free agents at season's end, are open to incentive contracts and working out of the bullpen in 1998. . . . Left-hander Chuck Finley, who is out for the season with a fractured left wrist, is scheduled to have X-rays Wednesday and hopes to get his cast taken off. . . . Angels catcher Todd Greene, who is out for the season with a fractured right wrist, is scheduled to have X-rays Thursday, hopes to get his cast taken off and has expectations of throwing and batting again within a month. . . . Angels infielder Randy Velarde, who has been out for every game but one after right elbow surgery, will begin throwing again in January.

Also: On Tuesday, Angels middle reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa (3-6, 3.63) is scheduled to make his first start since May 17 and replace trial starter Darrell May when he faces Minnesota and its ace Brad Radke (18 wins). . . . Arizona Diamondbacks manager Buck Showalter and many major-league scouts were on hand Saturday scouting the personnel of both teams. . . . With Saturday's elbow injury to Jason Dickson, Wednesday's starter against Oakland is yet to be determined. Allen Watson (11-10, 5.15) is scheduled to start Thursday against the Athletics. . . . Angels rookie right-hander Mike Bovee made his major-league debut in the 13th inning and got Jay Bell to fly out to end Kansas City's at-bat.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) GUBICZA

(2) LANGSTON