Murray, 40, Gives Angels Pop

The Angels got older and perhaps a bit wiser Wednesday when they signed 40-year-old Eddie Murray to a one-year contract with a base salary of $750,000. Incentive clauses could make the deal worth as much as $1.5 million.

Murray, a switch-hitter, will be counted on to provide more punch at the plate, fill a void at first base and lend experience to a young team that has aged considerably since the end of last season.

The Angel lineup, filled last season primarily with young players such as outfielders Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds and Tim Salmon and shortstop Gary DiSarcina, has grown older during the off-season.

In addition to Murray, the Angels have acquired pitcher Mark Gubicza, 34, catcher Jim Leyritz, 32, and third baseman Dave Hollins, 30.

The Angels said they knew Murray had trouble getting around on a fastball last season and wasn’t as good with the glove as he once was. They also were aware of Murray’s difficulties in Cleveland, but they believed he was still their man.

Murray, who split the 1996 season with the Indians and Baltimore Orioles, batted .260 with 22 home runs and 79 runs batted in. He also hit his 500th home run Sept. 6 at Camden Yards to join Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as the only players with 500 homers and 3,000 hits.

He said he had been troubled last season by a sore rotator cuff in his left shoulder, but that he was now fit.

“We’re fortunate to have him,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “We had been looking to add another bat. He helps on the field and in the clubhouse. He will have a good impact on the young players we’re still developing.”

Bavasi said Murray will be used mostly as a designated hitter, but also expects him to join Leyritz and Darin Erstad in a three-man rotation at first base. The Angels needed Murray to make up for the departure of veteran designated hitter Chili Davis, who was traded to Kansas City in the Gubicza deal, and two-time Gold Glove first baseman J.T. Snow, who was sent to San Francisco.

Bavasi said he spoke to only one other club about making a deal for a first baseman, but wouldn’t name the team or the player.

“In our opinion, he’s not the first baseman Eddie is,” Bavasi said. “We think Eddie’s still got ability. We looked at his numbers from last year and we feel he’s a good fit with us. It’s a combination of his ability and his experience.”

The Angels were Murray’s best option until the Orioles came back with an offer last weekend, Murray’s agent, Ron Shapiro, said. The Orioles apparently offered Murray more money, but “the Angels made it clear there was a role for Eddie,” Shapiro said. “It was ambiguous in Baltimore.”

Said Murray, who earned $2 million last season: “It wasn’t hard to make a decision. That’s a talented ballclub. Of course, it’s also home.”

This will be the second homecoming for Murray, who played with Ozzie Smith, another seemingly certain Hall of Famer, at Locke High. Murray was a Dodger from 1989-91.

He had played a key role in Cleveland’s first American League pennant since 1954, leading the Indians to the 1995 World Series. But things soured last season in Cleveland and Murray was seen as a clubhouse distraction.

“Oh, there were lots of changes,” Murray said when asked for his side of the story. “He [General Manager John Hart] felt the need to make changes when the team was in first place. I think it changed the look. Cleveland wasn’t the same team.”

Murray expressed thanks to Oriole owner Peter Angelos for trading for him July 21.

“I appreciated everything he did for me,” Murray said. “He got me out of a situation that I couldn’t wait to get out of in Cleveland. He was good people to me.”

Bavasi apparently was unfazed by Murray’s troubles with the Indians.

“If I thought the problem was solely Eddie Murray we wouldn’t have talked to him,” Bavasi said.

Murray seemed energized by the trade to Baltimore, helping lead the Orioles to their first playoff appearance since 1983 and an upset over the Indians in their division playoff series.

* CURTIS TO INDIANS: Chad Curtis, an former Angel and Dodger outfielder who has averaged 32 stolen bases in five seasons, agreed to a one-year contract with Cleveland. C9

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Hall of Fame Credentials

Eddie Murray almost certainly has a spot reserved in Cooperstown when he finally endshis playing career. He is one of only three players, along with Henry Aaron and Willie Mays, to have more than 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. A look at his career statistics and how he ranks all time.

Category: Total (Rank)

Games: 2,971 (8th)

At-bats: 11,169 (5th)

Hits: 3,218 (11th)

Runs: 1,612 (33rd)

Home Runs: 501 (15th)

RBIs: 1,899 (8th)

Doubles: 553 (13th)

Triples: 35 (*)

Walks: 1,318 (23rd

Strikeouts: 1,490 (22nd)

Slugging %: .478 (31st)

Once You Beat Them, Join Them

Eddie Murray enjoyed the greatest day of his career at Anaheim Stadium against the Angels on Aug. 26, 1985. In the first five innings, he hit three homers, drove in nine runs and had 13 total bases.

* 1st Inning: Three-run homer off John Candelaria.

* 2nd Inning: Run-scoring single off Candelaria.

* 4th Inning: Solo homer off Alan Fowlkes.

* 5th Inning: Grand slam off Fowlkes.

After flying out in the seventh, Murray walked in the ninth. Orioles won the game, 17-3.