Disney Ought to Pick Former Angel to Wear Halo

Now that the world knows what the Angels are thinking--and what splendid thoughts those are--there is no longer a question of how they should act.

They wanted their manager to be Jim Leyland?

Then they should fill that vacancy with Jim Fregosi.

They offered Leyland nearly $2 million a year, including stock options and house and vacation packages?

They could get Fregosi for the bit about the stock.

He’s the sort who would use his office for a house and his dugout for a vacation.

That, and he’s as good a manager as Leyland.

(Oh no, I’ve done it now, insulted the baseball gods, trod upon baseball trendies who think Leyland is Connie Mack without the seersucker, Casey Stengel without the nose. Oh, ESPN, will you ever forgive me?)

Leyland, hired Friday by the Florida Marlins after being pursued by every team with his phone number, won three National League East titles in 11 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Certainly, he succeeded without the high-priced free agents afforded by teams from larger markets. Indeed, many of those wins came with younger players.

But at one time, Leyland could write out a lineup card that included Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke, Doug Drabek, John Smiley, Sid Bream. . . .

And he still never went to a World Series.

Fregosi, with a team handcuffed by similar problems, won one NL East title in six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

And in 1993, he went to a World Series.

With a team picked for last place.

Without half the talent Leyland once had.

Fregosi’s second baseman that year was Mickey Morandini. His shortstop was Kevin Stocker. Two of his outfielders were Pete Incaviglia and Jim Eisenreich.

“The way we came together against everyone’s expectations . . . that was one of the two most special years in my career,” Fregosi said late last week.

The other?

“Well, of course, it was 1979,” he said.

Of course. The Angels’ first division championship. Managed by Fregosi. The same person who had spent parts of 11 seasons as a fiery shortstop there.

“The look in people’s eyes in 1979, the ones around the office who had been waiting so long for a championship, that’s something I’ll never forget,” Fregosi said.

He’s Leyland, with Angel heritage.

He’s Leyland, without the hype.

Disney made the offer to Leyland, but it is Fregosi who should accept.

That offer, incidentally, was the most exciting thing produced by this franchise since the last week of last season.

Aside from exiling the cheerleaders to deep right field, there has been no greater sign that Disney is serious about challenging for a West title and Southland affections.

The offer showed they want a manager who can work with youngsters but will take no lip from them.

A manager who will let veterans be veterans.

A manager who knows you create a tough clubhouse first and a championship team second.

Fregosi was fired by the Phillies because he was unhappy they had refused to properly replace injured stars, putting those championship hopes on hold.

Nonetheless, he still went 13-13 in September with a team of minor leaguers far worse than anything Leyland ever managed.

When he was fired, several Phillie veterans publicly said they also wanted to leave.

“I just try to make a clubhouse a place where players want to be,” he said. “I want guys coming in early, talking baseball, playing together.”

As long as those guys are following rules, treating each other like men, respecting the organization.

“I know everyone has their own contract . . . but I still believe in loyalty,” he said.

Fregosi had few such rules during his previous 2 1/2 years as Angel manager. He tried to be one of the guys. He lashed out at the media and management. He wasn’t yet 40 and wasn’t yet ready.

As anybody who witnessed the remarkably tight and tough Phillies of 1993 could attest, he is ready now.

It is believed Buzzie Bavasi, the man who hired and fired Fregosi the first time, has witnessed. And believes. It is hoped that son Bill shares that vision.

A month ago, conventional wisdom was that Disney was looking at Tomorrowland, at a relative youngster who would grow with the team.

Davey Lopes and Tim Flannery from San Diego, Tim Johnson from Boston, Rick Down from Baltimore.

Then it seemed as though they were looking at Fantasyland, at a big name that could grab important headlines.

Sparky Anderson.

Now it is obvious they are going in neither direction, that their destination contains no fancy moniker or theme.

In this new place, only one game is played, baseball. And there is only one goal, an immediate championship.

In this new place, if Jim Leyland was a checked swing, then Jim Fregosi is making contact.