Piazza’s Next Stop? How About Anaheim

You shouldn’t feel any urgency about seeing Mike Piazza’s return to Dodger Stadium in a four-game series with the New York Mets that begins tonight.

He’ll be back again at the end of spring training, wearing an Angel uniform in the Freeway Series.

I know it must seem as if I’ve come down with a serious case of halo fever. I know it’s not logical to believe the Angels would pursue a high-priced free agent such as Piazza considering their commitment to the bottom line.

But I also know that since speculation began around the trading deadline that Piazza might come to the Angels, neither side has made an effort to squelch it.

It makes sense for Piazza, who, after experiencing the lifestyle on both coasts, apparently prefers this one.

A move to Anaheim also would enable him to put as much distance as possible between himself and Met fans and still be in the major leagues.

I’ve always admired East Coast baseball fans because of their knowledge of the game, but that no longer applies to those at Shea Stadium who boo Piazza as if he were George Steinbrenner.

Met General Manager Steve Phillips acknowledged this week that Piazza might not be able to hear the team’s efforts to sign him over the boos.

It also makes sense for the Angels.

You have to give credit to catchers Phil Nevin and Matt Walbeck for their play this season. But the Angels don’t want to be dependent on either, or Charlie O’Brien, next season.

Unlike a National League team, the Angels could give Piazza 40 or 50 games off behind the plate and still take advantage of his bat as a designated hitter. His presence in the middle of the batting order also would give them flexibility they don’t have now to trade an established player for another starting pitcher.

Signing him also would enable the Angels to compensate for their mistake last season of not trading for Mark McGwire.

Sure, Piazza also would sell tickets, maybe even to Dodger fans.

But this would be first and foremost a baseball decision, sending a signal that the Angels are serious about winning something beyond the American League West.

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Charles Johnson, even in his worst season, is a better defensive catcher than Piazza. Not even Piazza would argue with that. . . .

I’m not sure, however, that comparing the pitching staff’s earned-run average with Johnson and Piazza as battery mates is the best way to prove it. . . .

If that’s an important statistic for a catcher, then Piazza was brilliant the last three seasons when the Dodger pitching staff finished second, first and tied for fourth in National League ERA. . . .

Replacing Glenn Gregson with Charlie Hough as pitching coach is more of a factor in the staff’s improvement since the beginning of the season. . . .

Tom Lasorda was criticized when he traded right-handed reliever Jim Bruske to San Diego by Dodger players, who griped about him aiding and abetting the enemy. . . .

In case you missed it, the Padres have since traded Bruske to the New York Yankees, who sent him to triple-A. . . .

Serving as Steve Mason’s “Big Show” co-host Thursday morning on AM-1150, actor Joe Mantegna said he has the ball used for the opening pitch in Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game at Wrigley Field. . . .

I hope it was authenticated by Al Clark. . . .

Mantegna, Dennis Franz and others collaborated in the ‘70s on “Bleacher Bums,” the best play ever written about sitting in the outfield stands at Wrigley Field. . . .

OK, it was the best play ever written about baseball. Period. . . .

Donald Sterling is telling friends he wants a coach who won’t let the Clippers lose, one who will poke them in the chest during timeouts and demand excellence. . . .

Yeah, that’s all it will take to make Stojko Vrankovic play like Tim Duncan. . . .

Has Sterling watched “Hoosiers” too many times or what? . . .

History is not on Paul Hackett’s side Sunday against Purdue. The last six USC coaches have failed to win their first games. . . .

That includes John Robinson twice. . . .

Coliseum officials have ignored my suggestion that they pay tribute to Peter Ueberroth with a plaque in the Court of Honor. It’s a good thing too. . . .

Margaret Farnum, the Coliseum’s chief administrative officer, advises me they only accord such an honor on those who no longer are among the living. . . .

Stay well, Peter.

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While wondering if Ken Hill can come back like Jack McDowell, I was thinking: Orel Hershiser gives baseball players a good name, what Bobby Hull meant to say is that Stalin was all right with him, I’ll never forget the . . . you know, that women’s basketball team in Long Beach.