Blue Jays’ White, Parrish Say These Angels Are for Real

Lance Parrish and Devon White have much in common.

Both are former Angels who played on the last California teams to contend for the AL West title. Parrish and White were teammates on the 1989 Angels, who chased Oakland into the final week of the season before finishing third. Parrish also played on the 1991 club that led the West at the All-Star break.

Both have been on championship teams. Parrish was a member of Detroit’s 1984 World Series winner, and White sports rings from Toronto’s 1992 and 1993 champions.

Both left the Angels under less than satisfying circumstances. White was traded to Toronto after the 1990 season, when it was obvious he and Manager Doug Rader could not coexist. Parrish was released by California in 1992, a victim of the Angels’ youth movement.

And both think the Angels climb to the top of the AL West in 1995 is no fluke.

“They have a good young team now,” White said before Tuesday’s game. “And if their front office has learned anything from the past, they will do all they can to hold on to these players. If they do that, they will have a very good team for a long time.”

Parrish was even more impressed.

“They have all the ingredients--starting pitching, a good bullpen, guys who can hit for average and power--and they play solid defense,” Parrish said.

“Right now they’re playing like a championship club. I really don’t see too many weaknesses.”

Parrish sounded almost wistful recalling his Angel days. The Anaheim Hills resident felt the 1989 team should have won the division, “but for some reason we hit a wall when we fell out of first place and could not get back on track. And it’s frustrating when you know you have the ability, and suddenly you can’t do anything right.

“That’s why we have a great appreciation for the teams who can do it for the whole year. Because it’s not that easy.”

White, however, believes the Angels could have gotten to this position sooner if they had been willing to wait for his California contemporaries such as Mark McLemore, Dante Bichette and Mike Fetters to mature.

The three are doing quite well in Texas, Colorado and Milwaukee, respectively.

“When I was here they were always trading or just getting rid of some young player for a veteran,” White said. “You need to have a mixture of both. I hope they’ve learned not to give up too soon on young players.”

Parrish says the Angels’ front office has grasped that concept, and now has a team that should continue to contend in the second half.

“For those of us who grew up in Orange County and have had the opportunity to play here, you’ve always wanted to be part of a team here that could go all the way,” Parrish said.

“They can play. And to be on the Angels’ team the does eventually win it all will be pretty overwhelming.”