Palmeiro’s Intentions Are So Good He’s Almost Angelic

Orlando Palmeiro. This is what the Anaheim Angels are about. Orlando Palmeiro.

You notice the weaknesses first with the Angels. It has been that way all season. Not enough pitching. Not enough speed. Not enough defense. Way too much bad luck.

You notice the weaknesses first with Palmeiro. The speed of his bat just doesn’t seem big league. Looks like a batter with too much Judy, not enough Punch. When he draws a walk you think, “Wow, that’s about as good as he can do.”

And then the Angels grow on you. Maybe they make some goofy errors but then Kevin Stocker plays two fabulous games, sweeping up everything that comes near him.

No matter which punches to the stomach the Angels get, you know, umpires totally out of position, making the wrong calls, maybe costing them a game and then lamely apologizing a day later, it doesn’t matter. The Angels just come back and win.

Palmeiro grows on you too.

On Monday night Palmeiro tried to make a diving, sliding, spectacular catch on Brian Daubach’s plummeting ball. Palmeiro didn’t make the catch in the bottom of the 11th and the Red Sox won, causing head-shaking all around and sighs of despair. Darin Erstad would have caught that ball. That was the easy second-guess.

Palmeiro is playing for the injured Erstad, who has been the best player in the major leagues this year.

No pressure there.

On Tuesday night Angel Manager Mike Scioscia was calling Erstad Wally Pipp. You know, the guy who got injured and got replaced by Lou Gehrig.

Palmeiro was four for five, had two doubles, three runs batted in, made a diving, sliding catch in left field, scored a run. In general, Palmeiro played Darin Erstad baseball. Do everything, be everywhere. The Angels beat the Red Sox, 11-4. They drew within 2 1/2 games of Cleveland for the American League wild-card spot. Thanks to Palmeiro.

Which is where Scioscia’s Wally Pipp quip came from.

But Palmeiro has never been compared to Lou Gehrig before. Or compared to anyone really.

His eyes widened when Scioscia’s comment was relayed. Palmeiro is always serious and he didn’t get Scioscia’s little joke.

“I would never replace Erstad,” Palmeiro said. Thanks, Orlando, but no one thought that would happen. Palmeiro’s earnestness, though, is what makes him so Angel-like.

He wants to try his hardest, do his best and, please, don’t give him too much credit.

“I had a great night, yes,” Palmeiro said, “but I hit the ball soft and found a couple of holes.”

The Angels should be 3-0 without Erstad. Derryl Cousins, the second base umpire who was out of position and without a clue when he called Tim Salmon out at third Monday night, said both those things Tuesday. The acceptance of guilt is nice, but the loss won’t change into a win.

The Angels didn’t complain or feel sorry for themselves. They just went out and won.

Palmeiro won’t feel sorry for himself when Erstad is recovered. Palmeiro isn’t trying to win himself more at-bats or more starts by playing well in place of Erstad. Palmeiro just expects to be in the right place at the right time and then go back to his other place, where he is sometimes a designated hitter, sometimes a pinch-hitter.

“You see what Orlando brings,” Scioscia said. “He brings instant offense. He can set the table. He can be a big contributor--driving in runs, scoring them. That was a tremendous catch in left field. Certainly Orlando has come through.”

Palmeiro is 31. It took him nearly seven years to make it to the major leagues. He does nothing in particular that would make you choose him first in a pick-up game. He is what good baseball teams need, though. A man who will do what is asked and not complain when not much is asked.

On this critical trip, Palmeiro is 11 for 25, a .440 average. In 46 starts, Palmeiro has hit safely in 33 of them. He has 15 multi-hit games in those starts. You probably didn’t notice that. See, isn’t he growing on you?

Palmeiro was willing to say he should have made the Daubach catch Monday night. “I thought I had it,” Palmeiro said. “I really did. I could have made that catch.”

This is another thing about the Angels. If a mistake is made, blame is accepted.

When Erstad is healthy, Palmeiro will go away quietly. He will accept whatever playing time Scioscia offers.

The Angels, Palmeiro, so much alike. Always on the verge of being written off. Always just a step away from being nobody. Never being taken seriously.

“People keep expecting us to miss a beat,” Palmeiro said, “and this team doesn’t miss a beat. That’s what I want to do while Darin is out. I want to make it so he doesn’t feel pressure to return before he’s completely healthy because he can tell we won’t miss a beat.

“But I’m not about taking his job. It’s just a great feeling when you can make things easier for Darin while he’s hurt.”

The guy with no ego is perfect for the team with no ego.

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Diane Pucin can be reached at her e-mail address: diane.pucin@latimes.com.