Erstad, Percival Only Angels on All-Star Team

The New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, who lead the American League East and Central Divisions, respectively, will have five players each in Tuesday’s All-Star game.

The West-leading Angels will send two players to Denver’s Coors Field--left fielder Darin Erstad and closer Troy Percival--who were chosen as reserves by Indian Manager Mike Hargrove on Wednesday.

Do the Angels feel slighted? Yes. Are they surprised? Heck no.

“We have several guys who are deserving, but the guys we have are grunts,” said Percival, who had a major league-leading 25 saves going into Wednesday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

“You see guys like Derek Jeter and Omar Vizquel--we don’t have a lot of pretty players, guys who get noticed. But I think it’s a testament to our team that we’re in first place and we don’t have five or six All-Stars.”

The two who were chosen certainly have All-Star credentials. Percival, who was picked for the second time in his four-year career, is 1-2 with a 2.80 earned-run average in 36 appearances through Tuesday. The right-hander has 14 saves in 15 chances and an 0.53 ERA in his last 18 games.

Erstad, who will make his first trip to the All-Star game, had a .316 average, 17 homers and 57 RBIs before Wednesday’s game. He also ranks second in the league in hits (109) and multi-hit games (33), third in doubles (26) and fourth in extra-base hits (46).

In typical Erstad fashion, he did not let the news overwhelm him.

“I guess it’s an honor, but the only thing I’m excited about is I can keep swinging for three days instead of taking three days off,” Erstad said. “I never envisioned myself playing in an All-Star game. It’s almost like getting called up to the big leagues. It doesn’t seem real.”

Percival, who pitched one scoreless inning in the 1996 game in Philadelphia, is looking forward to a more relaxing All-Star experience.

“I tried to do everything the first time,” he said, “but now I’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the festivities, do the things I want to do.”

Erstad has two items on his agenda: “I’m looking forward to seeing Mr. McGwire swing in the home run contest,” he said. “And I’d like to talk to [Cleveland first baseman] Jim Thome. He epitomizes old-school baseball, and I respect him a lot.”