Phillips Pleads Guilty, Avoids Jail

Former Angel Tony Phillips pleaded guilty Monday to one count of felony cocaine possession, but his criminal record could be wiped clean if he successfully completes a drug program for first-time offenders.

Phillips stood before the court and answered a judge’s questions in a reserved tone.

North Municipal Court Judge Michael Hayes warned Phillips that for the duration of the 18-month program he must submit to a police search at any time, must complete an anti-drug educational program and stay drug-free--or else face a prison sentence.

Phillips, 38, who declined to be interviewed Monday, was arrested Aug. 10 at the Ivanhoe Hotel with a loaded pipe in one hand and a lighter in the other, police said.

Investigators said they were tipped off by an informant who sold Phillips three $10 rocks of smokable cocaine. Another man, 40-year-old Daryl Smith, was arrested on suspicion of supplying the drugs to the informant and is awaiting trial.

Phillips’ attorney, Allan Stokke, said before the court hearing that Phillips entered a guilty plea only for the purpose of enrolling in the drug program with the intent of striking the arrest from his record. Stokke said the plea does not mean his client is guilty or has been convicted of any wrongdoing.

“At the present time, the court makes no finding of guilt,” Stokke said. Angels officials declined to comment Monday on Phillips’ guilty plea.

The Angels will not offer a new contract to Phillips, who finished the season hitting .275.

In the wake of Phillips’ arrest, a morality tug of war emerged between baseball’s union and the Walt Disney Co., which runs the team.

Some say it was the desire to protect Disney’s wholesome image that prompted the Angels to suspend Phillips on Aug. 18, even after doctors had cleared him to play. The union filed a grievance on Phillips’ behalf the next day and an arbitrator later ordered the Angels to reinstate the leadoff batter, who played the rest of the season.

The chain of events also highlighted baseball’s lack of a formal drug policy, which is being handled on a case-by-case basis since baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement expired in 1985.

At the time, Phillips criticized Disney and Major League Baseball, saying he didn’t want to be used as “pawn” in a feud over the sport’s drug policy.

The Angels were tied for first place in the American League West when Phillips was arrested. Team officials said it was a major factor in the team’s downward spin. The Angels finished in second place, six games behind Seattle. “Our guys tried to handle it as best they could,” Manager Terry Collins said at the time. “But the fact that it was the focus for so long took away from what they were doing on the field.”

Phillips took responsibility for the situation, but added that “good teams overcome controversy.”

Phillips must enroll in a drug diversion program within the next two weeks and is scheduled to return to court May 4 with proof he has completed a 32-hour anti-drug educational program.

It’s “like traffic school,” except it targets first-time drug offenders, Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Flory said.