ANGELS NOTEBOOK: THE OPTIMISM ABOUNDS AT FAN FESTIVAL.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - After a winter spent licking wounds both real and symbolic, the Angels emerged from their hibernation at Saturday's second annual Angel Stadium fan festival bursting with spring optimism.

AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero's right thumb, injured during an ill-advised winter-ball stint, is fine. Catcher Bengie Molina, entering the final year of his contract, has lost 22 pounds and is in excellent shape. Second baseman Adam Kennedy's rehabilitation from October knee surgery is going well as he aims for a return in June.

Perhaps the most significant change was felt when first baseman Darin Erstad greeted left fielder Garret Anderson before their round of golf Friday.

``I shook his hand,'' Erstad said, ``and it felt different. He looked great.''

The Angels won the AL West last season although Anderson, their cleanup hitter, played just 112 games, missing 43 because of an arthritic condition in his lower back. Anderson produced his lowest offensive output since 1996 and, most alarmingly, his slugging percentage fell from .541 in 2003 to .446.

Anderson no longer feels pain from the condition, although he continues to take medication. In response to his lost season, he began lifting weights in October, about seven weeks before he usually does, and those close to him feel the results are evident.

``He's coming in with a vengeance,'' hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. ``You can tell by looking at him - he looks stronger to me. I think he's going to be the Garret Anderson we all know this year.''

--No winter ball? General manager Bill Stoneman said Guerrero saw a hand specialist in Miami, and his right thumb, injured while sliding during a Dominican winter-league game, is fine. Stoneman said he hopes Guerrero, who has resumed swinging a bat, will avoid winter ball in the future.

``I've worn his agent's cell phone out,'' Stoneman said. ``The agent understands it.''

--Who's fault? Jose Guillen, traded to Washington in November, insinuated to a Bay Area reporter that pitcher Jarrod Washburn and other Angels requested that manager Mike Scioscia suspend the Angels' former left fielder for the final eight games after his on-field tirade in late September.