Erstad Gives Angels Plenty to Consider

Jim Edmonds stands on the dugout steps leading the cheers, but he must be thinking, “Now I know how Lee Smith felt.”

Smith is gone, Troy Percival--who picked up 19th save during Tuesday night’s 5-4 victory over Chicago--is the closer. That case is closed. But is there a center fielder controversy brewing in the Angels’ future?

Darin Erstad is only 22 and he’s playing in the majors for only one reason: the cast on Edmonds’ thumb. But this is no wide-eyed rookie who is praying only to catch all the fly balls hit his way.

If you’re looking for wide eyes, check the Anaheim Stadium fans watching the replay of Erstad’s diving catch of a line drive by Chicago’s Norberto Martin in the third inning. Or White Sox starter James Baldwin, who had to hit the deck to save his head from an Erstad smash up the middle in the fifth inning. Or maybe Frank Thomas, who had to check his glove to make sure he had fielded a one-hop rocket off Erstad’s bat that moved the winning run over to third in the eighth inning.

So if Erstad keeps this up, don’t be surprised if you see some of those how-can-they-send-this-kid-back-to-the-minors? headlines in a month or so when Edmonds’ thumb is healed.

Erstad had two hits Tuesday night and he may have been robbed of a third when he appeared to beat out a near-perfect drag bunt in third inning. But his most impressive at-bat was that ground-out to first with no outs in the eighth when he turned on a delivery by reliever Bill Simas, slashing down on the ball to ensure he would move Gary DiSarcina over to third after the Angel shortstop doubled to lead off the inning.

“Of all the things he’s done so far, that was the most professional,” Manager Marcel Lachemann. “And it’s not just knowing what has to be done, but being able to do it. He got on top of that ball and he made sure it went to the right side. And that’s no easy thing to do because Simas throws hard.”

Erstad hit a two-run homer Monday night on a pitch that catcher Don Slaught said “most guys couldn’t even foul off.” But Tuesday night’s shot to Thomas that allowed Slaught to drive in DiSarcina with the game-winner was Erstad’s proudest moment as a major leaguer.

“That was more pleasing than anything,” Erstad said, “To set up the run that wins the game, that’s what it’s all about, that’s how baseball is supposed to be played. I was determined to get that ball on the ground and hopefully to the right side, but wherever it went, it was going to be on the ground. That was sweeter than anything.”

A lot of Erstad’s teammates have been surprised by his poise, bat speed and offensive skill, but Rex Hudler isn’t.

“First week of spring, I watched him real close, asked him a few key questions,” Hudler said. “I spent a couple of days stretching next to him and then went back to my locker. He didn’t need me.

“In a lot of ways, he’s a throwback. He didn’t come in here saying, ‘Step aside, y’all, I’m the man.’ It was just, ‘How can I help this team?’ He’s just kept his mouth shut and his ears and eyes wide open. You add that kind of attitude and work ethic to great athletic ability and you’ve got to expect big things.”

Five games into his major league career, Erstad is already come up with some big things . . . and a little thing, a ground out to first, that says as much about his potential as any home run or spectacular catch.