BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Gaetti, Lefferts Won’t Be Striking Out

While major league players will not be paid in the event of a strike, the Angels still are required to pay two of their former players.

The Angels were informed Friday that they must continue to pay the salaries of former Angel third baseman Gary Gaetti and former pitcher Craig Lefferts.

Gaetti, who was released in June, 1993, and signed by the Kansas City Royals, still is being paid $2.89 million this season by the Angels and will be paid if there is an Aug. 12 strike.

Lefferts, who was released July 9 and did not re-sign with anyone, will be paid his $400,000 salary.

“That’s the beauty of the whole thing,” Gaetti said, laughing. “Oh well, they didn’t do anything to help me when I was out there. I found out that some of the people who were booing me were getting their tickets from Angel employees. That’s not right.

“They tried to make me quit, and I almost did (in 1992).

“It was just terrible out there.”

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Ranger starter Kenny Rogers, never to be mistaken again with the country-western singer, received a surprise telegram when he came to the ballpark:

“For about the last year and a half, I kept hearing about a baseball player with my name. After last night, you’ll be hearing about a singer with your name. Congratulations. I wish I could have been there.

“Kenny Rogers.”

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Pitcher Rogers’ biggest decision over the weekend was deciding whether to appear on David Letterman or “The Tonight Show.”

His decision?

Letterman.

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First baseman J.T. Snow was moved to the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season in a promotion that is expected to last at least until Tim Salmon returns this week from the disabled list.

“I was kind of surprised,” said Snow, who is batting .274 with three homers and 10 runs batted in since July 5. “I’m used to coming in each day and seeing that 6 or 7 next to my name. I think I’ll get some good pitches to hit with Chili (Davis) behind me.

Said Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann: “He’s been hitting the ball well, and besides, we’ve got to do something to get us started.”

Starting pitcher Chuck Finley, chiding Rod Carew upon seeing him the day after the perfect game:

“How can a hitting coach even show his face today.”

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Just what is the unique aspect of the Angels and Dodgers being home at the same time this week?

Fans will have the opportunity to see the three worst teams in baseball.

The Seattle Mariners and the Angels have the two worst records in the American League, and the only team with a worst record is the Padres, who are playing the Dodgers.

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Former Ranger pitching coach Tom House on Rogers’ perfect game: “The book on him everywhere was dumb and durable. I’m just repeating, not creating. He always had the pitches to be a starter, but didn’t seem to keep his focus for more than one or two innings. He was hyper, like Mitch (Williams), and relieving seemed to suit him.”