ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SELIG PREFERS DISNEY REMAINS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, making the rounds through the Cactus League, stopped by Tempe Diablo Stadium during the Angels' game against the Oakland A's on Sunday.

Selig reiterated his belief that baseball's current labor system needs major changes in order to achieve competitive balance, which he says is necessary for the game to survive. He also said he'd like the Walt Disney Co. to remain in baseball.

Disney began operating the Angels in 1996 and took over full ownership upon former owner Gene Autry's death in 1998.

``We were thrilled when Disney bought the Angels,'' Selig said. ``Would we like to see them leave? No, for a lot of reasons. They're great partners, they're very successful, they bring a great perspective to business and they're very helpful in business matters. In sports today, it's very difficult to find quality ownership.''

Selig also said he could understand why Disney has been listening to offers to sell the club.

``It's a manifestation of the problems in baseball,'' he said. ``There are enough telltale signs that there are real, serious problems.''

Major League Baseball is running the Montreal Expos this season, but Selig said moving the franchise to Washington, D.C., or anywhere else would not solve baseball's economic problems.

``Moving clubs is fine, we'll do that, but until there are changes in the system, it doesn't solve the problem,'' he said. ``People want to put Band-Aids on the problem, but baseball's done that too much. We just can't do that anymore.''

--Missing the bell: Most of the Angels' regulars were not in the starting lineup Saturday when the team fought with the San Diego Padres. In fact, many had finished their day's work and left the complex.

Center fielder Darin Erstad was among those who already had left, but his dad was at the game.

``I was on the phone with my dad when Troy (Glaus) charged the mound,'' Erstad said, adding he was disappointed he missed the events. ``You always want to be there for your teammates.''

Glaus, Scott Spiezio and Garret Anderson were the only regulars in Saturday's lineup.

--Salmon not fresh: Right fielder Tim Salmon did not play Sunday, his second day in a row out of the lineup. He left Friday's game with a stiff back, but Sunday's ailment was an infected toe. He's expected back in the lineup today.

ANGELS vs. ARIZONA

Time: 12:05 p.m., Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Radio: 570-AM.

Matchup: Jarrod Washburn will start for Anaheim against Arizona's Rick Helling.

Sunday's results: The Angels lost both their split-squad games, 4-2 to the A's at Tempe Diablo Stadium and 6-5 to the Cubs at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, falling to 6-5-1 in Cactus League play. Most of the Angels regulars played in Tempe, including shortstop David Eckstein, who had two hits.

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ANGELS vs. ARIZONA (see text)