BASEBALL: DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Downing Retires on a Positive Note

Brian Downing ended his career in style Sunday, announcing his retirement immediately after he singled to left during the first inning against former Angel teammate Bert Blyleven.

Downing’s teammates applauded him from the top step of the dugout and the 21,986 at Anaheim Stadium gave him a standing ovation, their tribute for a 13-year Angel career during which Downing became the club’s leader in 13 offensive categories, including home runs and games.

“All I wanted was to this one line drive, just to get the feel of it, even if somebody caught it,” said Downing, who batted .267 in 2,344 games with 275 home runs and 1,073 runs batted in. “This was the ultimate.”

Downing, who still lives in Yorba Linda, said he decided Friday to retire because it would allow him to make his farewell in the Stadium where he spent most of his 19 seasons.

“When I left California the last time (after the Angels let him go as a free agent after the 1990 season), they wouldn’t let me know when my last game was,” said Downing, who will turn 43 Friday. “I wanted my last game to be here.”

Angel coach John Wathan said he is interested in managing the Rangers, who announced that they will interview candidates from outside their organization in addition to considering interim manager Toby Harrah. Wathan learned last week that he won’t get the Florida Marlins’ job, but he is still waiting to hear from the Colorado Rockies.

“It’s a good situation over there, with the organization and the new stadium,” Wathan said of Texas. “I think my name’s been up enough for the (jobs with) the two expansion teams that people know I’m out there and that I should at least be considered for whatever comes up.”

Luis Polonia won the Owner’s Trophy as the team’s most valuable player. The Booster Club voted Chad Curtis the best new player and pitcher Jim Abbott as the most inspirational player. . . . With 12 home runs, Gary Gaetti had the lowest team-leading total since Bobby Bonds hit 10 in 1977. Junior Felix’s 72 RBIs represented the lowest figure to lead the team for a full season since 1976, when Bonds drove in 54 runs. . . . Mark Langston’s 13 victories was the lowest total to lead the pitching staff since Mike Witt’s 13 in 1988. . . . Geno Petralli’s seventh-inning single was his first hit batting right-handed since 1987.