BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Team Says Goodby to Palm Springs

The Angels commemorated their final game of their 32nd and final spring in Palm Springs with a proper sense of history.

As if on command, the sun broke through dark rain clouds to shine on owner Gene Autry as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch Wednesday. The ball was caught by Buck Rodgers, a member of the original 1961 Angels and manager of the current team. And in a nice touch, Rodgers and his players--who will train in Tempe, Ariz., beginning next spring--saluted the fans at Angels Stadium with a collective tip of their caps.

But the most momentous touch was applied in the first inning, when the Angels scored.

Shut out for 20 innings over their previous three games, the Angels scored a run in the first inning and two in the seventh for a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres. That ended a three-game losing streak and balanced their record at 13-13. They were 5-8 in their last desert sojourn.

“I’ll always remember we won the final game,” Rodgers said. “We won the first game (8-3 over the Cubs) and the last game and a bunch in between.”

Rodgers left Palm Springs without choosing his starting catcher. John Orton was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27 because of an inflamed right shoulder, leaving Lance Parrish, Ron Tingley and Mike Fitzgerald competing for jobs. Rodgers hasn’t decided whether to carry two catchers or three, but the presence of extra infielder Dick Schofield might limit the number to two.

“Everybody’s interested in Lance’s situation, and the big question that has to be answered is, is he still a productive player or is he through, or on the way out?” said Rodgers, who will make his decision during this weekend’s Freeway Series.

Parrish, 35, who is batting .111, has decided not to let the question upset him. “It doesn’t do me any good to fight with myself about it,” said Parrish, whose $2.25 million salary is guaranteed.

“Hopefully, I’ll get an opportunity to play. I view myself as a starting catcher here, and if that’s not the case, then I’ll just take time and evaluate my situation at that time.”

Releasing Parrish would leave the cost-conscious Angels paying him a hefty sum for not playing; that scenario is unlikely but not impossible if Rodgers insists on it. Fitzgerald has a solid chance at a job because he can also play left field--as he did Wednesday--first base or third base. Tingley, probably best suited for a backup role as a solid defensive catcher, might be the easiest to cut. “I can’t do anymore than what I’ve done,” he said.