Eckstein Wants More Walks

The job of a leadoff man is to get on base any way he can, but one way shortstop David Eckstein gets on base is risky for the Angels.

Eckstein’s .333 on-base percentage ranks second on the team to outfielder Orlando Palmeiro, but he has drawn only two walks while being hit by a pitch five times.

Getting hit by a pitch is a trademark for Eckstein, who set a major league rookie record by being hit 21 times last season. Eckstein, who stands so close to the plate that a wayward inside pitch often hits him, has been hit at least 20 times in each of his four full seasons in pro ball and never has been seriously injured.

He did suffer a broken hand when hit by a pitch in a college summer league, and such an injury now could devastate the Angels. Backup shortstop Benji Gil is on the disabled list because of a severely sprained ankle--his return is not imminent--and top shortstop prospect Alfredo Amezaga is batting .200 at triple-A Salt Lake City.

“Believe me, I’m not going up there trying to get hit,” Eckstein said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to get hit in spots where it hasn’t caused much damage.”

It is less painful, and just as productive, to draw a walk. Eckstein drew 43 last season, a number he doubled in his best minor league seasons. As a patient hitter, and one listed at 5 feet 8, it is almost inconceivable he has drawn only two walks in 21 games.

“I definitely need to be walking more,” he said. “You want to work the pitcher as best you can. But right now, a lot of people are throwing a lot of strikes, and you don’t want to take them and hope they get called balls.”

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Aaron Sele won 32 games in his two years with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners did not offer him a contract last winter, and club officials told him they preferred to spend their money on offense.

But after the Mariners reportedly offered a four-year contract in excess of $30 million to pitcher Jason Schmidt, suspicion mounted that the Mariners were concerned Sele, 31, would not remain productive for the life of a long-term contract.

Schmidt eventually re-signed with the San Francisco Giants.

Sele signed with the Angels for three years and $24 million, the richest contract the team has awarded to a free-agent pitcher.

In his first four starts for the Angels, Sele is 0-2 with a 6.65 earned-run average.

In an ESPN column last week, Peter Gammons quoted an unnamed scout on Sele thusly: “I think he is in decline. Still a pro and a smart pitcher but the decline in his stuff barely allows him to compete at this level.”

Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said during the Angels’ visit to Seattle this week: “I don’t see that. He’s a pitcher that will compete very well. He’ll give you innings and give your team the opportunity to win.

“Is he a shutout-type pitcher? No. But there aren’t too many of those around.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Toronto Blue Jays, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 9 tonight, Fox Sports Net on Saturday and Sunday.

Radio--KLAC (570) tonight and Saturday, KPLS (830) Sunday, XPRS (1090) all three games.

Records--Angels 7-14, Blue Jays 8-12.

Record vs. Blue Jays (2001)--5-4.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(1-1, 4.57 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’

MIKE SMITH

(major league debut)

Update--The Angels have four players hitting .500 or better with runners in scoring position: Palmeiro (four for seven), Eckstein (eight for 16), catcher Bengie Molina (eight for 16) and infielder Jose Nieves (two for four). The Angels have given up at least one home run in 19 of 21 games this season and have been outhomered, 31-9.... Stock-car driver Dale Jarrett will throw out the first pitch.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Aaron Sele (0-2, 6.65) vs. TBA.

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Matt Wise (1-0, 6.00) vs. Brandon Lyon (1-2, 6.75).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.