CAN'T SPELL MVP WITHOUT VLAD DESPITE STAR NUMBERS AND CLUTCH PLAY, GUERRERO VALUED FOR HIS TEAM-FIRST ATTITUDE.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - It's almost comical to imagine a leather recliner and personal flat-screen TV gracing Vladimir Guerrero's locker in the Angel Stadium clubhouse.

It's odd to consider the notion of a Guerrero entourage, unless one counts his many family members who come and go from his home here, or the occasional forays about town with a small group of teammates.

And to see Guerrero toil for six months, play 156 games with a bad knee and a portion of the season with a large brace protecting his balky back, it's even more unfathomable to imagine him asking out of a game early, leaving a game after his club is eliminated, or grousing about his place in the lineup.

No, the Angels got more than just a perennial All-Star when they anointed Guerrero their franchise player last winter. They also got a clock-punching, unassuming, no-nonsense ballplayer.

``It makes everything easier when you know the guy who's probably the MVP and should be the MVP behaves like that,'' catcher Bengie Molina said. ``He's just so down to earth and that tells you a lot. It makes you so much more comfortable.''

The Angels open the American League playoffs this afternoon at Angel Stadium, with a division series game against Boston. In many ways, it is the destiny envisioned when Guerrero signed here as a free agent.

He was integrated into the mix of grinders that produced a World Series title in 2002. Looking back after one amazing season, the blend of superstar and old guard was seamless.

``You meet him for five minutes and you know that's not going to be a problem. He'd be the same every single day,'' designated hitter Troy Glaus said. ``There's no baggage, per se. He fits in with the rest of us. Come in, do your job, go home.

``It's hard to say he's exceeded expectations. But he certainly achieved them.''

In so many ways, Guerrero is nothing like his teammates. He's the one with the five-year, $70 million contract.

He's the one who evokes comparisons to Roberto Clemente, what with his violent right-handed swing, his prized throwing arm and his predictable production, which this year turned out to be a .337 average, 39 home runs and 126 RBI, all team-leading categories.

Play with Guerrero for a while, and the message is clear: Don't try this at home.

``Being a right-handed hitter and hitting behind him, it's frustrating, because you think, I can do that. And you can't,'' Glaus said. ``I don't know what the game looks like through his eyes. But I'd like to try it.''

Despite all the bouquets tossed Guerrero's way, he brings them production without the preening, unless one considers a finger pointed toward the heavens after a home run an act of self-absorption.

And when he took the Angels and seemingly dragged them across the finish line by hitting .400 with 10 home runs and 21 RBI the last three weeks of September, then crushing a crucial game-tying home run in the division clincher Saturday at Oakland, they got something else, too:

A star who could carry them without acting like a star, who could prove on the field he was special, yet no different among a group of 25.

``Big back,'' Angels bench coach Joe Maddon said. ``Carried us when we needed to be carried. And then became part of the group when he had to become part of the group.''

Reliever Brendan Donnelly put it another way.

``We're doing better,'' Donnelly said, ``because of the person he is.''

Since Guerrero spent seven seasons in the baseball hinterlands of Montreal, there is a fascination with how he will respond in the postseason. Boston starter Curt Schilling on Monday called Guerrero ``Barry Bonds with less patience,'' and his hack-happy style will be put to the test of facing nothing but top-shelf starters come playoff time.

But the test already might have been passed. He went 13 for 25, with six homers and 11 RBI as the Angels went 5-1 to clinch the division title last week.

``It's nice to see a guy who's never been to the playoffs stepping up like he's always been there,'' Donnelly said.

On Saturday, Guerrero said: ``This is the ultimate. This is what you play for.''

The New York Mets offered Guerrero far less guaranteed money last winter, opening the door for the Angels to sweep in and sign him at the last minute. A herniated disc made Guerrero a different player, the Mets insinuated, and they had the medical charts to prove it.

One year into his deal with the Angels, his back is fine. After all, it carried the Angels last week, and could carry them deeper into October.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(color) no caption (Vladimir Guerrero)

Linda Kaye/Associated Press

Box:

IMPALING THE COMPETITION