Stoneman Is the Man for Angels

In Disney limbo for 10 days, Bill Stoneman, the low-key financial whiz who helped keep the destitute Expos viable in Montreal, has been hired as general manager of the Angels, club officials said Sunday night. The announcement will be made today in a noon news conference at Edison Field.

Chosen by Angel President Tony Tavares as the successor to Bill Bavasi on Oct. 21, Stoneman waited as four other candidates were paraded through Disney Chairman Michael Eisner’s office in Burbank. On Sunday, Eisner signed off on Stoneman, eschewing Bob Watson, Jim Duquette, Omar Minaya and Danny Evans.

The conclusion, reached one month after Bavasi resigned, was a protracted process that probably cost the team its first two managerial preferences--Phil Garner and Don Baylor.

According to sources, Tavares made a proposal to Baylor on Friday, but Baylor was too far along with the Chicago Cubs to consider it.

After yet another week of interviews, the third for some (including Watson), the second for others and the first for one (Evans), Eisner consented to Stoneman, whose demeanor and business acumen reminded many at Disney of Mighty Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier.

Stoneman arrives to a lengthy to-do list, beginning with the acquisition of a new manager, followed by the broader assignments of restructuring the roster, the scouting department and the farm system. It is a massive job, and one that is further complicated by the potential sale of the club by Disney.

While it is unlikely that Expo Manager Felipe Alou could be part of an all-Montreal package, it is a fact that Alou admires Stoneman and is rather cool on Expo General Manager Jim Beattie.

In a break from policy, the Expos allowed Beattie to interview for the general manager vacancy in Seattle. Alou could be given a similar courtesy, despite a new contract extension.

New York Yankee coaches Willie Randolph and Chris Chambliss are possibilities, as is San Diego coach Davey Lopes. Former Cleveland manager Mike Hargrove said he would like to be considered for the job, but reportedly is close to an agreement to manage in Baltimore. Oakland coach Ken Macha coached in the Montreal organization.

Joe Maddon, who managed the Angels after Terry Collins resigned with a month left in the season, was a candidate before Bavasi quit.

Stoneman must also initiate contract negotiations with left-hander Chuck Finley, who is eligible for free agency. During interviews with potential general managers, club officials stressed that a multiyear deal with Finley was a priority.

Stoneman, 55, worked primarily as Montreal’s chief financial officer since 1983, when he left a lucrative position with The Royal Trust in Toronto to rejoin a club he pitched for from 1969-73.

He earned his front-office reputation with his handling of salary arbitration and contract negotiations.

“He can surely balance books, those types of things,” said Jim Fanning, a friend of Stoneman’s and a longtime Expo official. “He won’t run amok, is what I’m trying to say. “He’s not a front-line guy. You won’t see his statements in the paper. In his capacity here, you won’t, unless it comes to contract negotiations, things like that. But, as far as being a person who wants to see his words in print, that’s not Bill Stoneman. Now coming on the scene as a general manager, I think you’ll see some pretty aggressive behavior.”

After conversations with Disney officials, general manager candidates said they believed the Angel payroll would be at least $60 million, an increase of about 10% over last season. Most also took away the impression that Mo Vaughn could be made available in a trade.

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Bill Stoneman Timeline

April 7, 1944: Born in Oak Park, Ill. Grows up in West Covina. Attends Mt. San Antonio College and the University of Idaho. Signs with Chicago Cubs in 1966.

July 7, 1967: Makes major league debut with the Cubs.

1968: Selected by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the expansion draft.

April 17, 1969: Pitches no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies only 10 days after the Expos make their franchise debut.

1971: Has his best season, finishing with a 17-16 record, 3.15 earned-run average and 251 strikeouts. Had 20 complete games, still a team record.

July 25, 1972: Pitches two innings, giving up two runs, for the National League in the All-Star Game.

Oct. 2, 1972: Throws his second no-hitter, beating the New York Mets. Finishes the season with a 12-14 record and 2.98 ERA.

April 4, 1974: Angels purchase his contract. Has a 1-8 record in 13 games, then retires in the middle of the season. Joins The Royal Trust, a Canadian financial institution.

Nov. 14, 1983: Hired by the Expos as an assistant to the president.

Sept. 8, 1984: Appointed the Expos’ vice president, baseball operations.

Today: Will be introduced as Angel general manager.