NOTEBOOK: FEELINGS MIXED ABOUT HAVING LENGTHY LAYOFF.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - It's not Super Bowl week, just an incredible simulation.

For the fourth day in a row the Angels did not play a baseball game Thursday, marking their longest layoff since early in spring training. In fact, Thursday's workout resembled a spring session, with pitchers taking part in fielding practice and hitters batting off some of the team's relievers instead of batting-practice pitchers.

The Angels finished up the American League Championship Series on Sunday and will open the World Series on Saturday after a five-day layoff.

``It's kind of nice,'' Angels shortstop David Eckstein said. ``You know how we've been playing so hard for so long, we needed the rest, especially after playing on turf (in Minnesota). And I was able to get some sleep.''

Though Eckstein might enjoy the time off, others don't. Eckstein scored only one run in the ALCS and might have needed the time to recharge. But much of the offense was rolling, and five days off between games leaves some wondering where they'll pick up.

``You just try to have them do the same things they've been doing in batting practice,'' Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. ``Pitchers are throwing simulated games, so the guys are seeing some live pitching with breaking balls and changeups to keep them sharp.

``It's tough, I hate the layoff. You want to get in there and keep it going.''

--No animosity: Anyone looking for a rivalry between former Dodgers and current Giants, or former Giants and current Angels, or anything of the like, will be disappointed. There are none.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia and most of his coaching staff are former Dodgers. Angels pitching coach Bud Black is an ex-Giant. Giants manager Dusty Baker is an ex-Dodger, as is Giants outfielder Tom Goodwin. Giants first baseman J.T. Snow is an ex-Angel, and Giants pitcher Tim Worrell's older brother, Todd, is an ex-Dodger. Angels pitcher Ben Weber is an ex-Giant.

``When I played for the Dodgers, I think any rivalry that was felt was more with the fans and the media,'' Scioscia said. ``We're not looking over there and seeing anything but a talented team you're trying to match up against and beat.''

Snow remembers some of the Angels players who were his teammates when he played here, but otherwise it's nothing close to when he played in Anaheim from 1994-96.

``The front office has changed,'' Snow said. ``The uniforms have changed a number of times. The stadium is different, the colors of the uniform and all that stuff. The Rally Monkey. It's almost like a different organizations, a different franchise.''

--Not the same: Scioscia has reached the World Series for the third time but said this time doesn't match the feelings he had as a player for the Dodgers in 1981 and '88.

``This game's all about playing it,'' he said. ``Getting to achieve the World Series as a player ... nothing comes close to it.''

--Salmon's enthusiasm: Probably no Angel has celebrated more during the past few weeks than right fielder Tim Salmon. During each of the three champagne- and beer-spraying parties, Salmon has been the loudest and most active among his teammates.

``Tim has enjoyed everything about the pennant race and the two tiers in the playoffs we've advanced,'' Scioscia said. ``Out of all the guys in the clubhouse, he realizes the difficulty of the journey better than anyone. He understands what it takes to get here.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) ECKSTEIN

(2) Johnny Ball installs World Series logos Thursday at Edison Field in anitcipation of Game 1 on Saturday.

Ric Francis/Associated Press