HE'LL HAVE HIS SHARE OF FAME.

Byline: KEVIN MODESTI

ANAHEIM - When John Lackey and his teammates walked out of the clubhouse on the way to the field during the sensational homestand that closed Wednesday, they came face to face with a new display labeled the ``Angels Wall of Fame,'' colorful lists of the club's award winners and statistical champions from Dean Chance to Bartolo Colon.

Whether it was meant it as motivation for the boys, or the Angel Stadium interior-decorating department just thought it beat bare concrete, really doesn't matter.

Lackey is going to have a prominent place on that wall someday, it's obvious if you remember the fearless rookie from Game 7 of the World Series in 2002 or watched the untouchable star-in-the-making of early July 2006.

So great are the expectations Lackey has established, they seem to thrive even amid the inevitable disappointments. Such was the case Wednesday afternoon when Lackey left the mound to a standing ovation. Right after he lost a scoreless-innings streak and a game in one bat-around inning by the Cleveland Indians.

``That definitely was different,'' Lackey said of being cheered by the Angels crowd just as Cleveland took charge of what became a 6-4 victory. ``The fans have been so supportive. It was nice.''

You see Lackey at his tough-guy best (first rookie in 93 years to start and win a World Series game). And at his ready-to-put-it-all-together best (8-1 down the stretch for last year's division winners). And at his blow-'em-away recent best (26 2/3straight scoreless innings coming in, with three straight 10-strikeout games and near-perfection in Oakland).

You watch Lackey on top of his game and you're certain that one of these seasons the 6-foot-6 Texan will break through, from his not-quite to no-hit, from his 14-win single-season highs to 20 wins, from a guy appreciated for subtle decimal-point stats to a Cy Young Award-winning ace.

This could have been a big step toward the big time for Lackey, not to mention for the Angels with their eight-game win streak and designs on first place. It could have been a big day even though Lackey would have had to remain unscored-upon through at least the first week of August to threaten Orel Hershiser's record. It could have been a big day even if he personally didn't think his streak was meaningful -- ``I've told you a hundred times I couldn't care less about the scoreless streak,'' he said.

``I care about winning games.''

Thus there was unusual electricity in the sticky air for 43,744 fans as Lackey put both his poise and his stuff on display, stranding five runners while striking out five Indians in the first two innings.

Lackey's invincibility ran out when Ben Broussard yanked an 0-and-1 fastball for no-doubt home run to right field after Victor Martinez walked with one out in the fifth. It went in the books as a 30 2/3 shutout-innings streak, halfway to Hershiser (59 innings) and Don Drysdale (58 2/3).

Lackey's afternoon ended six batters later, five of them reaching base and two coming home on a Jhonny Peralta blooper to make it 5-2 Cleveland. A walk to Casey Blake loaded the bases and sent Lackey's pitch count past 100 on an 88-degree day, and he bounced the ball off the rubber in frustration as Mike Scioscia came to get him.

Then a funny thing happened to a pitcher who had just let the visitors bat around.

The crowd brought Lackey to the dugout with that nearly unanimous ovation, as if to say we know this is just a bump on the road to the Wall (if not the Hall) of Fame.

``Really, the home run was the only ball hit hard,'' Lackey said. ``I gave up a few runs today. But I feel like I'll be fine.''

Lackey was charged with the loss, making him 8-6 (a pace for 13.9 wins). His ERA, which was second in the American League, rose to 2.93. What everybody's been talking about are the numbers like the league-low .194 batting average of his opponents before Wednesday. The numbers that Scioscia calls ``internal stats.'' Those numbers are still good.

``He's pitching like a 20-game winner now. I think he did last year in the second half,'' Scioscia said. ``There's no doubt he's moved into an elite group.''

But moving in and announcing yourself to the neighbors are different things.

``He's got the ability,'' said Jose Molina, who caught Lackey Wednesday.

``He's got the arm, a good mentality. He's getting experience, and hopefully some day he'll be a Cy Young winner.''

Lackey is 27, just getting into his prime. Four years after joining the Angels rotation in the World Series summer, he's the dean of the major leagues' hottest starting staff. Under contract through 2008 (plus a club- option year), he knows that whatever great things he is supposed to do, he is supposed to do them for the Angels, for that Angels Wall of Fame.

Sounds as if Angels fans mean to be with him every step, long and short, of the way.

heymodesti(AT_SIGN)aol.com

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