BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Sandberg’s Retirement Stuns Dalesandro

Angel catcher Mark Dalesandro, born and raised in Chicago, couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Ryne Sandberg was retiring.

Is this some type of joke?

“I’m in complete shock,” Dalesandro said. “I mean, I’m in mourning. He was my idol. I grew up just three miles from Comiskey, but the Cubs were my team.

“First, Michael Jordan retires. Then, Sandberg. What’s with that city? My God, who’s next, Frank Thomas?”

Dalesandro then turned to express his disbelief to teammate J.T. Snow, who offered a suggestion.

“Why don’t you pay tribute to him by writing No. 23 on your cap?” Snow said.

Said Dalesandro: “Hey, I’m not in that much of mourning.”

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While Angel left fielder Dwight Smith still wants to be traded, and the Angels continue in their quest to accommodate him, Manager Marcel Lachemann said he appreciates Smith’s disposition.

“He’s been very professional about the way things have been shaking down,” said Lachemann, who turned 53 Monday. “With his credentials, he could have presented problems, especially with a first-year rookie manager.”

Said Smith, who has been relegated to the bench since Lachemann appointed rookie Jim Edmonds the left fielder: “I don’t agree with the decision, but I’m not going to bring down a ballclub or rain on a team’s parade. At some point, I’d appreciate a trade.

“But the one thing they will never be writing about me is that Dwight Smith had a bad attitude and quit.”