Rader Replaced by Rodgers as Angels Strive to Look Up : Baseball: Team’s former catcher says the job is a dream come true. He promises to be tough in evaluating the players.

Promising no quick fixes and no holding back in evaluating a team mired in last place in the American League West, Buck Rodgers became the Angels’ 15th manager Monday, replacing Doug Rader.

Rodgers, who played for the Angels from their first season, 1961, through 1969 and was their catcher in the first game played at Anaheim Stadium, was given a contract through 1994.

In a companion move, the contract of Dan O’Brien, the Angels’ senior vice president for baseball operations, was extended for that same span.

“It’s kind of a dream come true, coming back to the place where you were born, kind of,” Rodgers said at a news conference before the Angels faced the Detroit Tigers.

“There’s bittersweet to every managerial change. I got the bitter about three months ago (when he was fired by the Montreal Expos). I know Doug Rader is a fine baseball man. I know he’ll pop up somewhere. . . . This is sweet for me today. It’s nice to be back.”

Rodgers began his managerial career in the Angels’ farm system in 1975 and went on to manage the Milwaukee Brewers and the Expos. He was voted manager of the year in 1987, when the Expos finished third in the National League East, but was fired after compiling a 20-29 record this season. His overall managerial record is 644-601.

The 53-year-old Ohio native, who combined with pitcher Dean Chance to form the Angels’ “Buckeye Battery” in the early 1960s, has lived in Yorba Linda for more than 25 years.

“It’s always been a dream of mine before I quit having fun in this game and get burned out, to come back and manage the California Angels,” he said.

He will manage a team that was 13 games out of first place before Monday night’s game and was described by club President Richard Brown as needing “a change, a new direction, whatever you like to call it.”

Brown would not specify what faults he might have found with Rader, and Jackie Autry, the club’s executive vice president and wife of owner Gene Autry, said she and her husband will leave all comment to Brown and O’Brien.

The players, who have supported Rader since rumors of his firing began circulating several weeks ago, again backed him emphatically.

“I will miss him,” said first baseman Wally Joyner, who is eligible for free agency after this season. “He’s a great friend. I learned a whole lot from him and he’s a great man. My first reaction was disappointment. . . . Unfortunately, in baseball it’s easier to fire one man than 25.”

Designated hitter Dave Parker, whose acquisition from Milwaukee last spring was favored by Rader--and whose meager offensive production contributed to Rader’s firing--said the Angels’ failures weren’t Rader’s fault.

“I thought he did a real good job,” Parker said. “I think he did the best he could.”

Rader’s popularity with the players, Brown said, “Is a tribute to Doug Rader. It’s fabulous. I suspect a lot of players think they lost a friend. They’ll have a new friend in Buck Rodgers.”

Rader, who visited the Angels’ clubhouse before the game to bid farewell to the players and coaches, said he would reserve comment until today.

Less than a year ago, his contract was extended through 1992 and he was promised more influence in personnel decisions. But the Angels’ plunge to last place after the All-Star break put him in a tenuous position.

Their three consecutive losses at Oakland last week, ending a trip that began with three victories in four games, spelled the end of his tenure. His record with the Angels was 232-216.

“Given all of the things he had to deal with, he did a most commendable job,” said former General Manager Mike Port, who was fired on April 30. “Everything he did was for his players, perhaps even at his own expense. I say that as a positive. The man sincerely tried to do the best for all involved. I can’t recall anything he did in his own best self-interest.”

Said O’Brien: “Any time you make a change it’s extremely difficult. I won’t address (Rader’s shortcomings) point by point. I’m delighted Buck Rodgers is here. I’m delighted and excited and I look forward to the next six, seven weeks.”

Rodgers’ priorities were to introduce himself to the few Angel players he hadn’t met--Mark Langston pitched for him in Montreal and outfielder Max Venable played for him in Montreal and Indianapolis--and speak to his coaches, upon whom he intends to rely heavily. His next task will be to judge the talent available to him and discern why the Angels have been at the bottom of the American League West for three weeks.

“This team is better than that, certainly, and I think everybody thinks that, too,” said Rodgers, who met with Rader in the manager’s office before speaking to his new team. “But we’ve all been in that position. It’s almost September. Nobody likes to be holding up the league and be considered an underachiever.

“On the other hand, we could have been overrated. It’s very important to come to some type of decision by the first week of October, or even before, as to which is which.”

ADVERSITY: Rodgers proved his ability while managing the Montreal Expos. C4

ANGELS LOSE: There is a new perspective but a familiar result against Detroit. C4

Rodgers as Manager

Year Team Record Pct. Place GB 1980 Milw.* 39-31 .557 2nd 3 1/2 1981 Milw. 62-47 .569 1st -- 1982 Milw. 23-24 .489 ** 7 1985 Mont. 84-77 .522 3rd 16 1/2 1986 Mont. 78-83 .484 4th 29 1/2 1987 Mont. 91-71 .562 3rd 4 1988 Mont. 81-81 .500 3rd 20 1989 Mont. 81-81 .500 4th 12 1990 Mont. 85-77 .525 3rd 10 1991 Mont. 20-29 .408 6th 13

*--Record while serving as interim manager during George Bamberger’s medical leave.

**--Brewers were in fifth place when Rodgers was replaced by Harvey Kuenn. Brewers went on to finish first.

Rader as Manager

Year Team Record Pct. Place GB 1983 Texas 77-85 .475 3rd 22 1984 Texas 69-92 .429 7th 14 1/2 1985 Texas 9-23 .281 7th 10 1/2 1986 Chic. 1-1 .500 5th NA 1989 Angels 91-71 .562 3rd 8 1990 Angels 80-82 .494 4th 23 1991 Angels 61-63 .495 7th 11

Only One Better Than Rader

Doug Rader, fired Monday after most three season, is the second-most successful manager in Angel history. Rader’s teams won 232 and lost 216 for a .518 percentage. Only Gene Mauch (1981-81, ‘85-87), with a percentage of .533 (379-332), has a better mark. Ranking Them Gene Mauch (1981-82, 1985-87): .533; 711 Doug Rader (1989-91): .518; 448 Norm Sherry (1976-77): .517; 147 Lefty Phillips (1969-71): .497; 447 Jim Fregosi (1978-81): .489; 485 Cookie Rojas (1988): .487; 154 Dave Garcia (1977-78): .472; 127 Bill Rigney (1961-69): .469; 1,332 John McNamara (1983-84): .466; 324 Bobby Winkles (1973-74): .462; 236 Del Rice (1972): .452; 155 Dick Williams (1974-76): .431; 341

Note: Does not include interim managers Whitey Herzog (2-2) and Moose Stubing (0-8); numbers outside bars games managed.

Source: California Angels media guide