Davis Says He’s Not Going Anywhere

How convenient it would be if the Angels could rid themselves of Chili Davis’ $3.8-million contract for 1997.

They could keep outfielders Tim Salmon, Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson and Darin Erstad and rotate the designated hitter spot among the four next season, giving Erstad time to settle into the leadoff role. They would have a huge chunk of money to pursue a top-flight free-agent pitcher this winter.

But as frustrated as Davis, 36, has been--a few weeks ago in the clubhouse, he screamed, to no one in particular, “I wish this season would end!”--he has no intention of retiring a year before his contract expires.

“I signed a three-year deal, I made a commitment, I’m going to play,” said Davis, who had a .293 average, 20 homers and 68 RBIs before Saturday night’s game. “I’m in this battle with these guys, and I’d never quit on them.”

Davis acknowledged that another season at triple-A could stunt Erstad’s growth, “but if they want him up here, they’ll figure out a way to get him here,” he said. “Hey, I played four years in the minor leagues, I’m still alive.”

Don’t expect Davis to be playing beyond 1997, though. “If you see me in an Angel uniform, or any other uniform outside of Japan, in 1998, I’ll give you every dollar I have,” he said.

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Saturday’s game in Anaheim Stadium was unaffected by Saturday’s power outage. The Angel clubhouse went black at about 4 p.m., but the lights flickered back on almost immediately. The stadium ran on auxiliary power for a few minutes after the blackout but was soon functioning on normal power. . . . General Manager Bill Bavasi said he has not defined any specific parameters in his search for a new manager, “but I think the guy will either have to have big league experience as a coach or a lot of minor league experience as a manager,” Bavasi said. “I’m putting together a long list. It’s impossible to identify any front-runners at this point.” . . . Reliever Mark Eichhorn, on the disabled list since June 6 because of an inflamed rotator cuff, retired the three batters he faced in a rehabilitation appearance for Class-A Lake Elsinore on Friday night. He’s scheduled to pitch another inning for Lake Elsinore today. . . . The Royals recalled pitcher Jeff Granger from triple-A Omaha on Saturday and put infielder Bip Roberts on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle in his left side.