This Series Won’t Be Repeated

The Angels and the Dodgers have broken camp, always a painful experience, compounded this spring by a pair of fractured idylls.

The Angels were 19-9-1 in Arizona, where they ruled as sun-tanned gods of the Cactus League, finishing ahead of every other team in the American League, even Seattle.

The Dodgers went 17-9 in Florida, where they talked the talk and walked the walk and produced the best record of any National League team, including Atlanta.

What does it mean?

Well, consider this: Greg Gagne left Florida with four more errors than Jose Offerman. For those keeping score, the final tally was Gagne 5, Offerman 1.

That’s spring training. Opiate of the masses, indicator of nothing worth remembering once the month of April begins.

The Angels and the Dodgers returned from spring training feeling good about themselves, refreshed and revitalized, ready to pick up where they left off.

(Let’s not get too literal here. If the Angels and the Dodgers picked up exactly where they left off, that would mean too many 9-1 losses to Seattle and three-game series sweeps by Cincinnati to even ponder. The Angels and the Dodgers would be too depressed to proceed with the season, Opening Day would have to be canceled and what would 29,000 Angel fans do with themselves next Tuesday evening?)

The Angels and the Dodgers returned from spring training thinking Freeway Series, which is good, because the traditional exhibition series between the teams opens tonight. As for a Freeway Series II, a possible rematch in October, the odds of such a convergence remain the same as always, barring the 1996 dissolution of the Cleveland Indian and Atlanta Brave franchises--and, most likely, the Baltimore Oriole, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astro franchises as well.

Realistically speaking:

Do the Angels have enough at second base, third base and catcher to build another 11-game lead over the Mariners and then fritter away no more than 10 1/2 games of it?

Have the Dodgers figured out a way to reach the World Series that does not require winning a playoff game?

Is George Arias the next Carney Lansford?

Or the next Bobby Rose?

If Eric Karros’ shoulder tendinitis flames on instead of out, who replaces him at first base and in the lineup?

Besides Mike Busch?

Isn’t that how Busch’s problems started, when he began replacing Dodgers?

If this is a brand new baseball season, what are Shawn Boskie and Scott Sanderson doing in the Angels’ starting rotation?

Did not this not work once before?

Is Billy Ashley the Greg Brock of the 90s?

If he is, shouldn’t Todd Hollandsworth take better care of that right thumb this summer?

Will the Angels be able to steal a base a week?

Who, if anyone, will lead them in this category? Randy Velarde, the new leadoff man, stole five bases last season.

Bonus trivia question: How many bases has Velarde, 33, stolen in his major league career?

(Hint: The number is 48 less than the Angels’ single-season record.)

(Time’s up: Mickey Rivers stole 70 bases in 1975. Velarde stole 22 bases from 1987 through 1995. By way of note, last season’s Angel stolen base leaders were Tony Phillips and Rex Hudler, tied with 13.)

Has everyone in the Dodger bullpen been properly introduced yet?

If Jorge Fabregas doesn’t work out at catcher, and Don Slaught doesn’t work out at catcher, to whom do the Angels turn next?

Andy Allanson?

Andy Allanson?

(Sorry. Bad 1995 flashback.)

If the Dodgers are truly shopping Carlos Hernandez, do they need to look any further than the home dugout tonight?

And while they’re at it, do you suppose the Angels could find room in their starting rotation for Chan Ho Park?

Does an 0-3 spring record against the Braves have the Dodgers concerned?

If not, how about the Braves outscoring them in those games, 28-10?

If Bill Bavasi had the chance again, would Bob Patterson be $200,000 richer and still property of the Angels?

Who makes it back first, Bryan Harvey or Steve Ontiveros?

When will the Angels permit Lee Smith to take his next hunting trip?

After he retires?

In his next life?

Can Hideo Nomo do it again?

Can Jim Edmonds do it again?

Can Mike Blowers do it better than Tim Wallach?

Can Tim Wallach do it in case George Arias can’t?

Will the Dodgers be satisfied with winning the NL West?

Will the Angels be satisfied with winning the AL West?

It’s not the ultimate objective, not for either one of them. But at this stage, realistically speaking, it’s about all they can ask.