Anderson Inching Up the Charts

Garret Anderson is not obsessed with statistics. However, he takes a few minutes each spring to flip through the newest edition of the Angel media guide and record book.

“I like to look at all the past Angels and see where I stand,” Anderson said. “That’s how you get measured as a baseball player.”

Anderson, the Angels’ center fielder, recorded his 1,000th career hit this week. He’s not much for memorabilia, but he kept the ball from his milestone hit.

“It’s minute compared to 3,000 hits, but it’s still an accomplishment,” he said. “You have to be consistent at hitting. A lot of guys don’t get to it.”

Anderson started this season ranked ninth in franchise history in hits, but he has moved into fifth, passing Rod Carew, Chili Davis, Gary DiSarcina and Wally Joyner. Brian Downing leads with 1,588, and Tim Salmon ranks third with 1,154.

Salmon’s contract expires next year. Anderson recently signed a four-year contract extension, so if Salmon leaves, Anderson should finish his career as the Angels’ all-time hit leader.

“But that’s no guarantee they’ll keep me all four years,” Anderson said. “That contract just guarantees I’ll get paid for the next four years.”

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The Angels, searching for a productive designated hitter, acquired Ron Gant from the Philadelphia Phillies in a July 30 trade for pitcher Kent Bottenfield. But the two-time all-star has split time with Orlando Palmeiro and started only 14 of 27 games, sometimes batting ninth.

In 53 at-bats with the Angels, Gant is batting .245 with five home runs. He said he is enjoying his time in Anaheim and is not worried about how limited playing time might hurt his value in free agency this fall.

“It’s a tremendous feeling to be a part of a team fighting for something. I haven’t had that the last year and a half,” Gant said. “I don’t know how other teams are going to look at it. But I have 25 home runs [including 20 for the Phillies], so the proof is there of what I’m capable of doing. Wherever I end up, I’m sure I’ll make them happy. I’d like to be here.”

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The Angels hope to sign Auburn pitcher Chris Bootcheck within the next week and are believed to have increased their bonus offer to $1.7 million. Bootcheck, the 20th pick in the June draft, and the Angels differ on whether his market value is more properly reflected by the $2.2 million the Dodgers gave the 17th pick, University of Arizona pitcher Ben Diggins, or the $1.65 million the Pittsburgh Pirates gave the 19th pick, high school pitcher Sean Burnett.

The Angels probably will spend that money on international scouting if they do not reach agreement with Bootcheck within the next week. Bootcheck could return to college, although Georgia Tech Coach Danny Hall dismissed speculation Bootcheck would transfer there. “There’s no chance,” Hall said. “We have already started school.”

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With rosters expanding to 40 players today, the Angels activated catcher Matt Walbeck and promoted infielder Justin Baughman, left-handed reliever Bryan Ward and right-handed reliever Ben Weber from triple-A Edmonton.

ON DECK * Opponent--Chicago White Sox, three games.

* Site--Comiskey Park, Chicago.

* Tonight--5 PDT.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight and Saturday.

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

* Records--Angels 68-65, White Sox 79-54.

* Record vs. White Sox--4-3.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(6-7, 5.19 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S SEAN LOWE

(3-1, 5.96 ERA)

* Update--Schoeneweis held the White Sox to three hits over eight innings in a 3-1 victory at Chicago on April 16. The Angels and Kansas City Royals are the only American League teams with winning records against the White Sox.

* Saturday, 4 p.m. PDT--Kent Mercker (1-2, 5.71) vs. Jim Parque (10-6, 4.36)

* Sunday, 11 a.m. PDT--Ramon Ortiz (4-5, 5.16) vs. James Baldwin (14-5, 4.16)