Angels Have Plenty in Reserve

He’s one of the guys who, in the words of Mark Langston, “has done it before.” The kind of role player the Angels have not often enjoyed--a veteran reserve who can still contribute when called upon.

Of course Tim Wallach, 38, still has some trouble thinking of himself as a bench guy. Even though Wallach, a 14-year veteran, came to the Angels as a non-roster invitee, he was certain he would start at third base.

George Arias’ hot spring (four homers, .388 average) and Wallach’s injury-slowed spring--he had leg problems despite batting .400--made the decision easy.

So Wallach must watch and wait--and contribute when asked.

He did so Sunday, filling in at first base for J.T. Snow. He got his first hit as an Angel and in the American League, a sixth-inning home run that was the difference in a 6-5 victory against the Chicago White Sox.

“This isn’t something I’ve ever done before,” Wallach said about his reserve role. “I may get some chances to play. I still feel I can play every day. But that’s not what I’m doing right now so I’ll try and help out as much as I can.

“I thought if I was healthy I’d be starting. But I wasn’t as healthy as I’d like to have been early in the spring. I think [the coaching staff] didn’t like the way I was moving and it kinda stuck with them. . . . George is going to be an outstanding player and I’m rooting for him. I feel I can help this club, but right now [starting] is not my role so I’m going to wait and see how things go.”

Fighting through injuries earmarked Wallach’s three-year stint with the Dodgers (after 11 years in Montreal). He was restricted to 97 games last season because of a bulging disc in the lower back, and a torn ligament in his left leg. In 1993, he was sent to the disabled list because of a fractured rib.

Wallach said Sunday he feels as healthy as he did in 1994, when he won the National League Comeback Player of the Year award with 23 homers and 78 runs batted in.

“Right now I feel tremendous,” he said. He forgot to add one word--physically. Mentally, he is not completely used to his new duties.

“I’ve got to stay as ready as I can,” Wallach said. “Pinch hitting and spot starting is going to be a tough role to keep sharp in.

“But there are a lot of guys here who have done it before. You pay attention to what they’re doing, and try to be prepared when you get your chance.”

So Wallach will remember to stretch and stay limber during games and get his hitting and throwing in during pregame drills. “Keep myself as loose as possible, and ready to go when called on.”

His work Sunday did not hurt his chances. Along with the home run, Wallach handled all of his fielding chances, including scooping up a grounder by speedy White Sox infielder Ray Durham and racing over to tag him out before Durham could slide into the bag.

“He can always pinch hit, but I liked his work out there at first. He can play there very easily,” Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “But I also wouldn’t let a Gold Glove guy [Snow, who came in to start the seventh] sit on the bench with a one-run lead.”

Meanwhile Wallach, whom the Angels drafted in the eighth round in 1978 but stayed another year Cal State Fullerton and whom Montreal picked in the first round the next year, will have Sunday’s memories to keep him company until the next time he is in the lineup.

“I probably thought a lot more about hitting homers here in 1978 than I have at other times,” Wallach said. “This was the place I wanted to come to when the Dodgers suddenly weren’t interested. It’s right next door to where I live [Yorba Linda] and they have a chance to win. If I didn’t think they had a chance to win I wouldn’t be here.”