Angels Heal Wound, Hire Carew as Batting Coach

Rod Carew used to sit in front of his television and critique the Angels’ hitters. Now, he will be paid to do it from close range.

Carew, who won seven American League batting titles during his 19-year career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer, joined the Angels’ staff Tuesday as the team’s batting coach. His return ends a period of estrangement that began with his unceremonious release after the 1985 season.

“I was bitter, but I can’t keep on being that way. . . . Any player in my position would have felt that way,” Carew said at an Anaheim Stadium news conference.

“After a while, I found myself doing other things and enjoying them. . . . I’ve been ready to come back for about two years. I had opportunities elsewhere, but one of the things that kept me away is my fear of flying. One of the good things about this is that I’ll be home a lot more.”

When he watched games in his Anaheim Hills living room, he said, “My wife would come in, or a friend, and I’d see a guy approach a pitch the wrong way and I’d say: ‘He should have done this.’ Or: ‘He should have picked up the spin or pulled the ball.’ I’d spend a lot of time watching hitters. I think I can help.”

Carew plans to rely on Deron Johnson, who will shift from hitting instructor to dugout coach.

In other changes announced Tuesday, former Kansas City Royal manager John Wathan became the Angels’ third base coach, and Ken Macha, who worked with Angel Manager Buck Rodgers in Montreal, became bullpen coach. Former third base coach Bobby Knoop will move to first base.

Pitching coach Marcel Lachemann, bullpen catcher Rick Turner and conditioning coach Jimmie Reese will retain their roles.

Said Richard Brown, Angel president: “I wanted Rod Carew in the organization, and Buck wanted Rod Carew even before he know what my plan was to get people back into the organization. When he said he wanted Rod as the hitting instructor, I said, ‘Tremendous.’ ”

Angel Notes

Angel ticket prices will not be increased next season. They will range from $11 for field and club boxes to $4 for general admission. General admission Monday through Thursday for those 15 and under will remain $1. . . . The Angels’ Arizona Instructional League team won the title for the second successive season. Outfielder Eduardo Perez, the Angels’ top 1991 draft pick, batted .283 with one home run and 11 runs batted in in 31 games. Outfielder Tyrone Boykin led the team with a .412 batting average. Right-handers Victor Silverio and Justin Martin led the pitching staff with four victories each.