Pursuit of Ring Keeps Downing on Diamond

The thought of retiring, that perhaps he should give in to the protests of a body that ever more insistently resists being coaxed into playing shape, was a demon that Brian Downing wrestled with all winter.

He was sure, at times, that ending his career after the Angels’ American League West pennant run failed last season was the right choice. “It was most of my thoughts,” he said.

But then he would allow his mind to graze over memories of nearly 17 major league seasons--the first five with the Chicago White Sox--and his nine club career records with the Angels. Each time, the 39-year-old designated hitter realized that his career was not complete, that he had to come back this spring.

“It’s the ever-lasting pursuit of the magical ring,” he said, referring to the Angels’ inability to win an American League pennant or World Series during his tenure. “Every time I talk to people, the few I’m friendly with, they say, ‘If you leave, they’ll probably win.’ Maybe that’s why they’d win, because I leave. I don’t know.

“They go out and sign (Mark) Langston and pursue Joe Carter and it looks good. Then you have this shutdown (the 32-day lockout) and that puts you back down to earth again.

“I’ll keep going until results tell me otherwise. My body told me otherwise a long time ago. It’s strictly a matter of production now. The biggest thing is what you’ve got in your guts. You’ve got to have it in your guts.”

Downing had the guts to play through painful rib muscle strains in each of the past two seasons, but he earns no points for diplomacy. Downing’s unwavering bluntness drives away those who try to know him, and as confirmation of his desire to distance himself from others, his locker in the Angels’ spring training complex is tucked in a corner, with more room between it and its neighbors than any other player’s cubicle.

“Brian’s part of the group, but everybody’s part of the group in their own way,” Manager Doug Rader said. “You’ve got to allow them their freedom and preference. You don’t have to be gregarious to be part of the team.”

Downing was a productive member of the team last season. His .281 average ranked eighth among AL designated hitters, and was an improvement of 41 points over his 1988 average. He was one of only four designated hitters to appear in 100 or more games, and he became the Angels’ all-time leader in hits, games played and career at-bats.

But for the first time since 1976, Downing struck out more times than he walked, by an 87-56 count. If that was because of his rib problems or the erosion of his skills, Downing couldn’t be sure. Healthy and swinging easily after the first days of camp this season, Downing is concentrating on easing his mind, if not his body.

“I attack it with the wonderful cliche that I take things one day at a time,” Downing said Saturday. “That part (his rib muscles) is coming along real well, but I know a problem is just the next sunrise away. The problems have been well documented the last two years and right now, they’re under control.

“I would have liked to take it slow, but we kind of started a little late (because of the lockout). I would normally have taken it slow. That’s not to say I’m taking it easy, but I’ve got to play a lot more under control. I’m just trying to get my body back together. I’m out of condition, and I’ve got a lot of work to do to get it back where I normally am. That kind of goes against the grain of everybody who says they’re in the best condition of their life, but then again, I don’t play a position out on the field, so to be in good condition isn’t as mandatory for me.

“I did go through a great bit of indecision over the winter about whether I wanted to give it a try. I was ready, then we had this foolish lockout business.”

The lockout has tarnished the season for Downing, having wiped out the original first week of play.

“To me, April 9 (the rescheduled opener) is just the first game. It doesn’t have that aura of opening day to me or to a lot of people,” he said. “You get those feelings just twice a year: When they do the pregame introductions on opening day and when they do them for postseason play. Those are the times it’s a real special feeling inside.”

The Angels have given up on Tony Armas appearing in time to win an outfield spot. Armas, believed to be in his native Venezuela, has not responded to the club’s attempts to contact him. “Tony is a foregone project,” General Manager Mike Port said Saturday. “He was located down in Venezuela but we’re to the point where because of the brevity of camp, Doug (Rader) and I discussed that we wanted to concentrate on the people who are here. This is one that just didn’t work out.”

Rader said speculation that Mark Langston will be the opening day pitcher because the left-hander will start the first exhibition game on Monday in Yuma, Ariz., is “kind of silly.” Rader and pitching coach Marcel Lachemann have a starter in mind, but won’t make an announcement until next week.

Langston threw on Saturday for the third time in camp and looked sharp, striking out Lance Parrish on three pitches.

Barely able to keep a straight face, Langston said that starting on Monday is enough for him. “That’s a tremendous thrill. I’m very excited,” he said.

Speculation abounds that the Angels are watching Yankee outfielder Dave Winfield and might trade for him if he’s fully recovered from the back injury that sidelined him last season. Port would not confirm or deny the club’s interest, but Dan O’Brien, the club’s executive vice president for baseball operations, said the Angels “have not been looking” at Winfield. “There’s no credence to it,” he said.