ANGELS NOTEBOOK: FOR NOW, L.A. CAN REMAIN IN THE NAME.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Angels gained a preliminary legal victory Friday in their battle against the city of Anaheim when a judge denied the city's request for a temporary restraining order against the team.

For now, the Angels are free to market themselves as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and club spokesman Tim Mead said they will continue to do so.

The city on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the team, alleging breach of contract and violation of good faith and fair dealing. Anaheim officials claim the new name violates a stadium lease agreement that has provided nearly $30 million in public subsidies to renovate the ballpark.

Superior Court Judge Peter Polos set a hearing for Jan. 21 on the city's motion for a preliminary injunction against the team.

``This is the first inning of a very long game,'' city spokesman John Nicoletti said. ``We're encouraged by the fact that the judge does want to hear the case and scheduled a hearing so quickly.''

The crux of the club's defense is that the lease agreement between the city and then-owner Walt Disney Co. stipulate that the name Anaheim only be contained within the name of the franchise. The city claims that after Disney sold to Arte Moreno in 2003, the new owner began a ``conscious, systematic, and pervasive elimination of Anaheim from references with the team name.''

Despite a public outcry in Orange County over the name change, Mead said the club has lost just two ticket accounts, totaling 10 season tickets, since the change was announced Monday.

``We feel confident in our convictions,'' Mead said. ``Our official name is Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Everything else is the same.''

--Guerrero injury update: Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said a sprained thumb suffered by Vladimir Guerrero won't affect Guerrero's readiness for spring training, but expressed his wish that the AL MVP would forsake playing winter ball.

Guerrero, playing for Licey in the Dominican winter league, sprained his right thumb sliding during a Dec. 26 game. He told reporters in the Dominican Republic that he cannot grab a bat and would thus miss the playoffs with Licey.

The Angels signed Guerrero to a five-year, $70 million contract before his 2004 MVP season, but they did not include a clause forbidding him from playing winter ball.

``Obviously, we'd prefer he not play,'' Stoneman said. ``We have a substantial commitment to him, and he has a substantial commitment to the team. I understand the pressure on guys who are natives in winter-league countries. At the same time, we prefer they not risk injury.''

--More moves: The Angels will invite 21 nonroster players to spring training, most notably Curtis Pride, who made key contributions to the club during their September stretch drive. Pride re-signed with the club on a minor-league deal. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 16 to Tempe, Ariz., and hold their first workout a day later. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 22.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com