Fans Want Their Bobblehead Dolls

NEW YORK — With players set to strike Aug. 30, the Angels have gotten fewer questions from fans about potential ticket refunds for games not played than from fans concerned about whether they still could get the Brian Downing bobblehead doll scheduled to be given away Aug. 31, Angel Vice President Tim Mead said Wednesday.

In the event a strike forces a game to be rescheduled, the Angels plan to offer ticket-holders the choice of a refund or admission to the rescheduled game. Tickets would be refunded for any games not rescheduled. If the Aug. 31 game is rescheduled, the bobblehead dolls will be given away then. The Angels have not made plans for distribution of the dolls should the game not be played.

It is strictly coincidence, Mead said, that Aug. 30 also is the deadline for season-ticket holders to pay in full for tickets to potential playoff games. Those deposits would be refunded if no playoff games are held in Anaheim, whether because a strike wipes out the playoffs or because the Angels do not qualify.

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First baseman Scott Spiezio, who hit the game-winning home run Wednesday, has driven in nine runs in his last eight games. He is hitting .287 overall and a team-high .330 with men in scoring position, more than adequate for a No. 7 hitter.

And, said closer Troy Percival: “If he doesn’t win the Gold Glove, there’s something wrong. I know [Seattle’s John] Olerud does a great job, but Spiezio has saved our bacon so many times on defense that whatever he does on offense is a bonus.”

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Four baseball writers were walking the streets of Manhattan about 1 a.m. Wednesday when a New York police van cruised by. The guy in the back seat was pounding on the window, gesturing to and attracting the attention of the writers.

Turns out the guy was Spiezio, who had not been arrested. After Tuesday night’s game, he attended a concert to benefit the NYPD, and he couldn’t pass up the offer of a ride back to the team hotel in a police van. Spiezio, whose band, Sandfrog, plays heavy metal, said he did not jam with the police band that performed at the concert.

“They were playing all classic rock,” Spiezio said. “I didn’t know any of their songs.”

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The Angels promoted left-handed reliever Mark Lukasiewicz, who posted a 3.48 earned-run average in 14 games with the Angels earlier this season but a 4.24 ERA in 33 games at triple-A Salt Lake. They have been ambivalent about Lukasiewicz’s work this season, but they would like to add another left-handed reliever.

After passing on available relievers--they discussed a minor league contract with Mike Magnante, released by Oakland and later signed by the Dodgers--they’ll try Lukasiewicz, at least for a few days. He is the only left-handed reliever on the Salt Lake roster.

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Howie Gershberg, the Angels’ beloved and respected minor league pitching coach, attended Wednesday’s game and was happy to report that a recent CT scan indicated the cancer diagnosed two years ago continues to remain in control, if not in remission.

With minor league seasons coming to a close, Gershberg said he has been assigned to scout the Yankees in preparation for a possible Angel-Yankee playoff series.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JOHN LACKEY

(5-2, 3.11 ERA)

vs.

YANKEES’

DAVID WELLS

(13-6, 4.22 ERA)

Yankee Stadium, 4 PDT

TV--Channel 9, delayed, 5 PDT.

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

Update--Some of Lackey’s high school teammates from Abilene, Texas, will be on hand. This is Lackey’s first visit to New York--”There’s a lot more people than I’m used to”--and to Yankee Stadium--”It’s pretty awesome. This is the biggest place in baseball.”