BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Stevens Getting Another Chance

When Lee Stevens had about 200 at-bats and a batting average under .200, the Angels figured they had given him a good enough chance.

“It was obvious he wasn’t going anywhere but down the tube,” Manager Buck Rodgers said.

Stevens had lost his aggressiveness and wasn’t showing much willingness to learn or adjust, Rodgers said.

Then, in the last month, hitting instructor Rod Carew suggested Stevens rest the bat on his shoulder. Stevens tried it, and was hitting .395 with seven doubles in the month of August.

“I think he resigned himself and decided he does need help,” Rodgers said.

Now Rodgers is taking another long look at Stevens at first base. Gary Gaetti, who had been playing there, hasn’t started the past five games, and will only play at first against left-handers.

Senior Vice President for Player Personnel Whitey Herzog said he doesn’t plan for any new players to join the team today, the first day rosters are expanded to 40. Hubie Brooks, rehabilitating from a neck injury with triple-A Edmonton, will return as soon as he’s considered ready.

One of many off-season challenges is to find someone to bat fourth, Rodgers said.

Though rookie Tim Salmon is getting a taste of batting cleanup, Rodgers doesn’t expect him to start next season there.

“I wouldn’t want either Salmon or Stevens to be hitting cleanup,” Rodgers said. “To me they’re fifth or sixth hitters at this point in their careers.”