ANGELS REPORT

Scioscia loves what he has seen of Troy Glaus, but to gain a full appreciation for the young third baseman, one must have endured the Dave Hollins error--oops, era--when Angel players, coaches and fans held their breath every time the strong-armed but erratic Hollins threw in 1997 and ’98.

Hollins brought some much-needed intensity to the Angels, and his passion, gritty play and consistent bat were among the reasons they contended for the division title in 1997 after finishing last in ’96. But a Gold Glove third baseman--as Hollins readily admitted--he was not.

The smooth-fielding Glaus, on the other hand, does not need a chest protector. Nor does he send fans behind first base scurrying for cover.

Glaus had a .954 fielding percentage in 1999, his first full big league season, making only 19 errors in 410 chances, third most in the league. Only New York’s Scott Brosius (.962), Oakland’s Eric Chavez (.961) and Seattle’s Russ Davis (.959) had higher fielding percentages among third basemen who played at least 100 games at the position.

Glaus showed his talents when he ranged far behind the bag to field Shane Spencer’s eighth-inning grounder Tuesday night and made a perfect, chest-high throw to first.

He helped keep the Yankees from scoring in the seventh inning of Wednesday night’s 12-6 Angel victory when he stabbed Derek Jeter’s one-hop smash to his left and threw Jeter out.

Glaus also charged two slow rollers and made accurate, off-balance throws to first, then ended the game by ranging far to his left for Bernie Williams’ grounder and throwing Williams out.

“Joe Maddon [bench coach] told me he’s the best defensive third baseman in the league, and he hasn’t shown me anything to the contrary,” Scioscia said. “He has good power and he’s a good baserunner. This guy is going to be a force in this league.”

*

Todd Greene, released by the Angels on March 29 to make room for outfielder Edgard Clemente, signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, who had tried to trade for Greene several times.

Greene, a power hitter, was the Angels’ top prospect in 1995, but his big league career was derailed by two shoulder surgeries. He will join the Blue Jays’ triple-A team at Syracuse next week, playing left field. He will also be used at designated hitter and as an emergency catcher.

“It’s the hard way for both of us,” Greene said, alluding to his release and subsequent minor league deal and the Angels getting nothing in return for him. “But change is not always bad.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Boston Red Sox, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports Net Saturday and Sunday.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 1-2, Red Sox 1-2.

* Record vs. Red Sox (1999)--1-9.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JASON DICKSON

(did not pitch in 1999)

vs.

RED SOX’S

PETE SCHOUREK

(4-7, 5.34 ERA in 1999)

* Update--The Angel offense had better take advantage of Boston’s fourth and fifth starters in the first two games. Awaiting them Sunday is Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, who picked up right where he left off in 1999, giving up two hits and striking out 11 in seven shutout innings of Boston’s season-opening 2-0 victory over Seattle on Tuesday night. The Dominican right-hander is 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA against the Angels. He gave up only one run in 13 innings against the Angels last season. Dickson will be making his first appearance since September of 1998 after sitting out the 1999 season because of shoulder surgery.

* Saturday, 7 p.m.--Ken Hill (0-1, 3.38) vs. Brian Rose (7-6, 4.87 in 1999).

* Sunday, 1 p.m.--Kent Bottenfield (0-0, 3.18) vs. Pedro Martinez (1-0, 0.00).