Jackson: Just the Angels’ Fourth Outfielder

It was designed to be a news conference, but the moment he walked through the door Monday afternoon, the Angels knew their entire image suddenly had changed.

It has been years since they had this feeling, but for the first time since the Angels last had a Jackson on the field, they now have an identity.

Reggie was the one responsible for delivering glamour and sex appeal to the Angels.

Now, Bo is bringing it back.

“I really never understood that magnetism he had,” Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi said, “until today. It was unbelievable.”

Vincent Edward Jackson, whom the world simply calls, “Bo,” charmed, teased and mesmerized reporters and photographers for nearly an hour at Anaheim Stadium. It was the Angels’ best-attended news conference since Reggie Jackson signed as a free agent in 1982.

There were about 100 people, including 12 television crews. The Angels’ entire front office was there, no one willing to miss the moment

Jackson warned the assemblage that he’s not a franchise savior. He even called himself a fourth outfielder, who wasn’t trying to cost anyone a job.

Still, it didn’t matter. This is a guy who transcended two sports before Deion Sanders ever entertained the notion. This is a guy who is playing with an artificial hip, knowing it could break at any time. This is charisma.

The Angels, who acknowledge that Jackson will be an instant gate attraction--but claim it is not the sole reason they signed him--believe this will be a cozy arrangement. Jackson will be paid $1 million if he makes the opening-day roster. If he’s cut in spring training, they Angels are responsible for only $300,000. Jackson can earn $2.2 million if he plays in 130 games, receiving a $200,000 bonus for every 10 games he plays beginning with the 80th and ending with the 130th.

“My role is to play where I’m needed,” Jackson said. “I’m just here to be part of the team.”

While Jackson was talking as smoothly as a politician, he wasn’t fooling anyone. He’s not coming to California simply to be close to Hollywood. He wants to play, whether it will be as the Angels’ starting left fielder or as their designated hitter.

“I know what he said,” Bavasi said, “but I can’t believe he goes back to Phoenix and works out just to be a fourth outfielder. No way.”

The Angels already have a full-time DH in Chili Davis, who hit 27 homers and drove in 112 runs last season. They also have viable left fielders in Eduardo Perez and free agent Dwight Smith, who reached a tentative agreement Monday on a one-year contract, according to a knowledgeable source.

Any possible conflict could be resolved by trading Davis, who is guaranteed $2.4 million and could earn $3.05 million.

“There are no sacred cows here,” Bavasi said. “This gives us flexibility.”

“I’m not saying we’re signing the same Bo Jackson. I mean, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation if he had stayed away from football.”

Jackson has spent his entire professional career thwarting those who doubted him.

They said he would never play major league baseball after winning the Heisman Trophy in 1985. He was playing for the Kansas City Royals eight months later.

They said it was impossible to play two professional sports. Jackson was playing for the Raiders and Royals in 1987, earning All-Star and Pro Bowl honors.

They said he was finished after undergoing hip replacement surgery in 1992. He hit a home run in his first at-bat of the 1993 season for the Chicago White Sox, hitting .232 with 16 homers and 45 RBIs in 85 games.

“People told me I’d never amount to anything growing up,” Jackson said. “All I can say is, ‘Look at me now, baby, look at me now.’ ”

Bo Jackson’s Statistics

REGULAR SEASON

Year AB R H HR RBI Avg. 1986 KC 82 9 17 2 9 .207 1987 KC 396 46 93 22 53 .235 1988 KC 439 63 108 25 68 .246 1989 KC 515 86 132 32 105 .256 1990 KC 405 74 110 28 78 .272 1991 Chi. 71 8 16 3 14 .225 1992 Chi. Injured, did not play 1993 Chi. 284 32 66 16 45 .232 Total 2192 318 542 128 372 .247

PLAYOFFS

Year Opp AB R H HR RBI Avg. 1993 Tor 10 1 0 0 0 .000