Angels Add Skinner to List of Candidates

Maybe it’s because he pitched for eight years in the big leagues, but Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman has a soft spot for catchers.

Joel Skinner, who caught for parts of nine seasons in the major leagues, interviewed for the Angel manager job with Stoneman Monday in Dana Point.

Of the eight candidates Stoneman will interview four are former catchers, including former Angel and Phillie standout Bob Boone, who met with Stoneman Monday night.

The other ex-catchers are former Dodger Mike Scioscia and former Angel minor leaguer and current Angel bench Coach Joe Maddon. Both will be interviewed today.

Skinner, 38, has spent the last five seasons in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system, winning manager of the year honors three times.

Skinner, who played for the Yankees, White Sox and Indians from 1983-91, has a 364-277 record as a minor league manager.

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Carney Lansford, who guided triple-A Edmonton to a 65-74 record in 1999, has resigned after only one season in the Angel farm system. He will likely be replaced by Garry Templeton, who managed the Angels’ double-A team at Erie, Pa. . . . Angel pitching Coach Dick Pole, whose contract, along with the rest of the Angel coaches expired Oct. 31, has interviewed for similar positions with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. . . . Darrell Miller, an Angel scout and former Angel utility player, is considered the leading candidate to become the Angels’ farm director.