Take Me Out to the Ballgame or Brawl Game?

There are no fireworks planned for the Angels’ four-game series at Kansas City beginning Tuesday, but don’t rule out the possibility of some incendiary behavior on the part of the Angels.

Utility infielder Felix Martinez was called up by the Royals on Sept. 1. Remember him? The Angels do.

Martinez sucker-punched former Angel Frank Bolick in the side of the head as order was being restored during a bench-clearing brawl between the teams on June 2, 1998.

Four Angels chased down Martinez and tackled him, and former pitcher Jack McDowell pummeled him with several punches. A fairly routine brawl turned into an ugly, violent melee that resulted in numerous ejections and suspensions.

Martinez was banished to the minor leagues, never to be seen in Kansas City again until this month. In fact, he served his five-game suspension stemming from last year’s fight after he was promoted.

Martinez didn’t appear in a game until Sunday, and Royal Manager Tony Muser told reporters he hasn’t decided whether or not to play Martinez against the Angels. However, the teams have a doubleheader Tuesday, so there is a chance Martinez could play.

If he does?

“I don’t know how these guys will react, it’s a different breed of ballplayers today,” said third-base coach Larry Bowa, a former all-star shortstop.

“I know how these things used to play out. We’d get him back. We wouldn’t hit him in the head or anything, we’d hit him in the legs or ribs, just to let him know we remember what he did in that fight.”

Few Angels were in the mood to talk about Martinez--”He means nothing to me,” pitcher Ken Hill said--but if Martinez plays, what happens to him could be determined by Angel pitchers--and the umpires. If warnings are issued before Martinez hits and a pitcher beans him, that pitcher would be ejected, fined and suspended.

“I don’t think guys are going to remember,” shortstop Gary DiSarcina said. “Our minds are so fried right now.”

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Angel batting instructor Rod Carew said he is flattered that he has been mentioned as a possible successor to fired Milwaukee Brewer manager Phil Garner, but he has no interest in the job.

“I’ve never had any desire to manage, I like to teach,” Carew said. “I’ve got enough gray hairs. I don’t drink, and I don’t intend to start.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ BRIAN COOPER (1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. TWINS’ LaTROY HAWKINS (9-11, 6.45 ERA)

Metrodome, Minneapolis, 5 PDT

TV--Channel 9. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Update--Todd Greene provided the Angels with two insurance runs Sunday when he lined a pinch-hit, two-run double to left-center field in the eighth inning. Reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa gave up a two-run homer to Marty Cordova in the ninth. . . . Tim Salmon’s single in the third was his 1000th career hit. . . . Steve Sparks has been scratched from Tuesday’s start in Kansas City because of a tender shoulder and will be replaced by Mike Fyhrie.