Buckner Becomes an Angel

Bill Buckner was penciled into the starting lineup of the Angels, the team he helped beat last October, a few hours after signing with the American League club Tuesday.

“I probably could have signed with five different clubs,” the 37-year-old veteran said before the Angels’ game with the Oakland Athletics. “It was nice for my ego, nice to feel wanted.”

One of the teams was the Texas Rangers, managed by former Dodger teammate Bobby Valentine, Buckner said, but he would not name the others. The Minnesota Twins and Oakland reportedly were also interested in Buckner.

Buckner, released by the Boston Red Sox last Thursday, said his contract with the Angels goes through the 1988 season and that he plans to retire then.

He was listed as the Angels’ starting first baseman Tuesday night. Regular first baseman Wally Joyner has been out of the lineup with bruised ribs.

Buckner batted .267 and drove in 102 runs with Boston last season. He hit .214 with three RBIs as the Red Sox beat the Angels in the playoffs.

“I look forward to playing with the team we had such a great series with last year, and having a chance of getting in that situation (the playoffs) again, but on the other side,” Buckner said.

The Angels, despite four straight losses, went into Tuesday night’s game in third place in the Western Division, 4 1/2 games out of first.

Buckner was released from Boston, far back in the AL East, a day after going one for four in a loss to the Angels.

“I hit two balls that, in a normal ballpark, could have been home runs,” Buckner said, referring to two drives caught in deep right field. “I might have had two homers, three hits and been released.”

Buckner said he knew there was a strong possibility the Red Sox would trade him or release him.

“But I thrive on pressure, and over the last month and a half or so I hit well over .300,” he said.

Buckner was hitting .273 with two home runs and 42 RBIs for the Red Sox when he was placed on waivers last Thursday to make room for Sam Horn, who was recalled from Boston’s Pawtucket farm club.

Buckner, who brought a .292 lifetime batting average into this season, cleared waivers and became a free agent. Because he cleared waivers, the Red Sox are responsible for paying the bulk of his $800,000 salary.

Buckner had six game-winning RBIs for the Red Sox this season. He has 78 hits in 286 at-bats with six doubles and one triple in addition to his two homers. He drew 13 walks and struck out 19 times.

Buckner has 2,542 hits in his big-league career.

Buckner first appeared played for the Dodgers from 1969 until being traded with infielder Ivan DeJesus and pitcher Jeff Albert to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Rick Monday and pitcher Mike Garman in January, 1977.

Buckner played for the Cubs until being traded to the Red Sox on May 25, 1984, in exchange for pitcher Dennis Eckersley.

To make room for Buckner, the Angels placed catcher Butch Wynegar on the 15-day disabled list because of reoccurring irritation on the big toe of his right foot.

The Angels also said that relief pitcher Donnie Moore has been transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 21-day disabled list.

Wynegar, 31, has played in 31 games for the Angels this season. He is hitting .207 with no home runs and five RBI.

Moore is 2-2 with five saves and a 2.84 ERA in 13 games.