Carew Bids Farewell to Angels

After seven seasons playing for the Angels and eight more coaching for them, Hall of Famer Rod Carew bid a quiet farewell to Anaheim Tuesday. As the Angels announced their new coaching staff, Carew accepted the position of hitting coach with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Mike Scioscia, the new Angel manager, retained Joe Maddon as bench coach but hired four new coaches: Bud Black (pitching), Mickey Hatcher (hitting), Ron Roenicke (third base) and Alfredo Griffin (first base).

Although General Manager Bill Stoneman had advised Carew that a new manager could hire his own coaches, Scioscia did not make a courtesy call to Carew. The last three Angel managers--Buck Rodgers, Marcel Lachemann and Terry Collins--had employed Carew as hitting coach.

“You invest time with all these kids, so I would have liked to have stayed here,” said Carew, who lives in Anaheim Hills. “But I respect what they’re going to do. I just wish them well.”

As the Angels stumbled through their season, with the club scoring the fewest runs and posting the lowest batting average in the American League, Carew erupted in frustration at his hitters. He suggested, “maybe some of them aren’t capable of being big-league hitters” and wondered whether the team should “clean house.”

Since then, the manager, general manager and all but one coach have departed. In reflection, Carew said Thursday, cleaning the house of hitters might not be the wisest course.

“There are some things that need to be done, player-wise, but there is still a very good nucleus of players,” Carew said. “When those guys are healthy, they can be as good an offensive club as any other in the league.”

Scioscia said he did not intend to slight Carew by not contacting him or any other outgoing coach.

“That’s no reflection on the Angel personnel that were here before,” Scioscia said. “You’re not going to find finer baseball men than Larry Bowa, Rod Carew and George Hendrick. But we’re bringing in quality people.

“These guys have a very good attitude. They’re high-energy and upbeat. They know the game well and relate well with people. I think the players will feed off this staff.”

None of the new coaches worked in the major leagues last season. Hatcher, Griffin and Roenicke were former teammates of Scioscia with the Dodgers; Hatcher coached under Scioscia at triple-A Albuquerque this year. Scioscia said Black, whose only experience as a pitching coach came at triple-A Buffalo in 1998, was one of several candidates recommended by Stoneman. All four of the new coaches won World Series rings as players.

Scioscia would not discuss the candidates for bullpen coach, the only remaining vacancy on his staff, but said, “Bill is working on it.” Former major league catcher Tony Pena is among the candidates.