ANGELS NOTEBOOK: BLACK HAS EYE ON THE FUTURE, COULD MANAGE.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer DETROIT - Though there will be a variety of changes to the club's roster by next spring, the entire coaching staff - with the exception of pitching coach Bud Black - is under contract for next season. After the Angels won the World Series last season, the staff was rewarded with offers of two-year contract extensions, and all but Black accepted. Black instead took a one-year deal, preferring to keep his options open after this season. Though he is considered a managerial candidate, he emphasized his reasoning for taking a one-year deal didn't necessarily have to do with exploring other opportunities in baseball, but included personal reasons. ``Yes, possibly, at some point,'' Black said when asked about his interest in managing in the majors. ``It's intriguing, but as of right now, it's not at the forefront of my thinking. ``I like it here. I enjoy working with (manager) Mike (Scioscia), with (general manager) Bill (Stoneman) and with the coaching staff.'' Though Black's jumping into the managerial pool after this season doesn't seem likely, no one with the Angels will get in his way if it happens. ``This staff is incredible and Buddy's an integral part of that,'' Scioscia said. ``Nothing stays the same forever, so when Buddy or one of the guys gets an opportunity, we'll move on. When you have such a great group of baseball guys, it's something that's inevitable.'' Pitcher Jarrod Washburn developed into an 18-game winner in 2002 under Black's tutelage, showing that one of Black's strengths is working with young pitchers. --Anderson at DH: Regular left fielder Garret Anderson started at designated hitter Friday night for the ninth time this season, and he remains the only Angel to play in all 129 games. He has never played in all 162 in a season, topping out at 161 in 2001, but could do it this season because there is no need to rest up for the postseason. Scioscia said Anderson will get a day off ``if he needs it, but Garret hasn't shown any signs of needing it. He looks at DH as a day off.'' While some players have trouble adjusting to a rare start at DH, Anderson has excelled, hitting .368 (14 for 38) with three homers and 10 RBI in those nine starts. Joe Haakenson, (626) 962-8811 joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): box Box: ANGELS vs. DETROIT - Joe Haakenson |
|
||||||||||||||

Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion