Angels Open Talks With Nolan Ryan, Conclude Managerial Interviews

Putting his money where his petition signature is, Angel General Manager Mike Port began contract talks with Nolan Ryan Friday by tendering the free-agent pitcher the club’s first offer.

This came two days after Port, along with Angel owners Gene and Jackie Autry, good-naturedly endorsed a “Bring Back Nolan Ryan” petition being circulated by an Orange County businessman. Funny stuff, at least as funny as Port gets, but according to Ryan’s agent, Dick Moss, the Angels are serious.

Ryan, 42 next January, earned $1.2 million in 1988 with the Houston Astros and has said he’d like to play one more season. Ryan had a 12-11 record last season with a 3.52 earned-run average and 228 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, after meeting with former San Diego Padres coach Bobby Tolan Thursday, Port said he has finished interviewing candidates for the Angels’ managerial position and expects to name a successor to Cookie Rojas within the week.

The finalists include Doug Rader, former Texas Rangers manager; Jim Fregosi, ex-Chicago White Sox manager, who managed the Angels in 1978-81, and Pat Corrales, former Philadelphia Phillies, Texas and Cleveland Indians manager.