Holtz Happy to Have Vaughn on His Side

A large media contingent and a good-sized crowd were on hand Tuesday for Mo Vaughn’s first workout with the Angels, and from General Manager Bill Bavasi to the clubhouse kid cleaning spikes, everyone expressed excitement about seeing the slugging first baseman in an Angel uniform.

But there was one player who was just a little more excited, a little more elated, than everyone else to see Vaughn in periwinkle: Angel reliever Mike Holtz, the left-hander who no longer has to deal with the menacing Vaughn.

Holtz will never forget the first time he faced Vaughn. He was 23, recently promoted from double-A Midland, and the Boston Red Sox had the bases loaded with two outs and were trailing by a run in the bottom of the eighth inning of an ESPN-televised game.

Vaughn struck out that night and the Angels held on for the victory, but whenever the Angels played the Red Sox, Holtz was consumed with visions of Vaughn. And they weren’t pleasant.

“Now he can put those thoughts into the minds of other left-handed relievers around the league,” Holtz said.

“He’s definitely a threat you hope to bypass in the order. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

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At a team meeting before Tuesday’s workout, Manager Terry Collins told the Angels their goal this season is to win the World Series, not just the American League West.

“I don’t think every club can say that right now,” Vaughn said, “but realistically, we have as good a shot as anyone. People talk about me bringing intensity to this team. This team is already intense. We have enough talent to make the playoffs.”

Collins noticed a significant mood shift this winter, when he spoke to players after Vaughn signed a six-year, $80-million contract in November.

“When we signed Mo, the attitude changed here,” Collins said. “A lot of guys were disappointed last July when we couldn’t pull off a trade. Everyone saw when we signed Mo that we mean business. And we do. . . . This guy is one of the best players in the game.”

Collins had the honor of throwing the first round of live batting practice to Vaughn, and Vaughn knocked a few balls over the fence. But it wasn’t Vaughn’s bat that impressed Collins Tuesday.

“Watching Mo take ground balls, I didn’t know he threw that well,” Collins said. “He’s got a good arm. I didn’t realize the ball came out of his hand that easy. He’s loose and very agile for a big guy.”

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Two long-time Boston writers on hand Tuesday were amazed at how much more relaxed Vaughn appears this spring than he was last spring. Of course, Vaughn entered camp in 1998 amid a bitter contract dispute with the Red Sox and with his trial for a drunk-driving arrest about to begin in Massachusetts.

Vaughn never let his off-the-field troubles distract him. He hit .337 with 40 homers and 115 RBIs last season despite the uncertainty surrounding his future and his constant haggling with the front office.

“A lot of guys who play under those kinds of contract situations don’t do well,” Vaughn said. “I feel if I could do what I did last year under those circumstances, I can do it any time.”

Notes

Vaughn said he’s looking forward to working with Rod Carew, the Angels’ Hall of Fame batting instructor. “I’ll be picking his brain constantly,” Vaughn said. “He’ll probably get sick of me.” Will Vaughn request any drag-bunt lessons from one of the masters of the craft? “No,” Vaughn said. “No bunting.” . . . The Angels on Tuesday agreed to terms on 1999 contracts with infielder Nelson Castro and outfielder Norm Hutchins, who are expected to play for triple-A Edmonton this season.