Angels Will Fill Coaching Staff With Familiar Faces, Collins Says

Angel Manager Terry Collins, faced with the prospect of replacing at least one coach, said Thursday the team will look to promote from within.

Coaches Rod Carew, Joe Maddon, Marcel Lachemann, Joe Coleman and Mick Billmeyer will return in 1998, the Angels announced.

On Wednesday, first base coach Dave Parker joined the St. Louis Cardinals as a hitting coach. Third base coach Larry Bowa, who managed the San Diego Padres in 1987 and part of ‘88, is one of four finalists to become the Toronto Blue Jays’ manager.

Collins said he has discussed possibilities with General Manager Bill Bavasi and prefers to move along Angel minor league managers or coaches.

“If we think we have the right guys, I would like to do that,” Collins said. “It’s a way to reward your minor league people who have paid their dues. I went through that with the Dodgers [as a minor league manager].”

The Angels will designate a first and third base coach, if Bowa leaves, at a later date, Collins said.

Collins credited Parker and Bowa as a reason for the Angels’ success this season.

“We were aware that the Cardinals were interested in Dave and we knew he wanted to be a hitting coach. I’m happy for him,” Collins said. “I hope Larry gets the job, because I know he wants to manage.

“We have some quality veteran players who believe we’re close to some fun things. They got better and we were a better team because of the job the coaches did.”