Black on Indians’ List

The Cleveland Indians are believed to have included Angel pitching coach Bud Black on a list of prospective managers for next season, and Black said he is interested in the possibility of managing a team with which he has close ties.

The Indians fired Charlie Manuel last week and appointed coach Joel Skinner as interim manager. In addition to Skinner and Black, the list of candidates is believed to include Buddy Bell, Terry Francona and Eddie Murray, all of whom have ties to the team.

“It’s something I’d think about,” Black said. “I know the people in Cleveland extremely well. Right now, I’m consumed with what we’re trying to do with the Angels.

“But any time your name is talked about in a leadership position, it’s intriguing.”

Black, 45, pitched in Cleveland for four seasons. After his retirement in 1995, the Indians employed him in several capacities, including advance scouting, player evaluation and minor league coach. In 1999, when the Angels were searching for a pitching coach, then-Cleveland general manager John Hart and assistant Mark Shapiro recommended Black. Shapiro, who replaced Hart last year, remains close to Black.

Black has no managerial experience, but Angel Manager Mike Scioscia has no reservations about endorsing him.

“He’s a tremendous people person. He has a great knowledge of baseball--not only pitching, but all areas,” Scioscia said. “I think he’d be a great candidate, and I know he’d be a very, very good manager.”

Black has drawn raves for his work with the Angels’ young pitchers, and Shapiro has said the Indians are adding young players and rebuilding. Black’s contract with the Angels expires after this season, and it is possible Shapiro could pursue Black as the Indians’ pitching coach if he does not hire Black as manager.

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Outfielder Darin Erstad did not play Tuesday and might not play tonight after a blood blister atop his left foot became infected. Doctors prescribed antibiotics after Erstad noticed some redness on the foot Monday night. When he awoke Tuesday, he said his foot “looked like my hat,” pointing to his bright-red Angel cap, and he was sent to a local hospital to have the blister drained and additional antibiotics injected.

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The 1996 University of Florida team that finished third in the College World Series featured three players currently serving as leadoff hitters for major league teams--shortstop David Eckstein of the Angels, second baseman Mark Ellis of the Oakland A’s and outfielder Brad Wilkerson of the Montreal Expos.

In college, they batted in that order. When the Angels play the A’s tonight, a ’96 Gator will lead off for both teams, for the first time in the major leagues.

ON DECK

Opponent--Oakland Athletics, two games.

Site--Oakland Coliseum.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net tonight, Channel 9 Thursday.

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

Records--Angels 54-38, A’s 55-39.

Record vs. A’s--2-5.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ KEVIN APPIER

(7-7, 4.68 ERA)

vs.

ATHLETICS’ TIM HUDSON

(7-7, 3.27 ERA)

Update--With a double in the fourth inning, Tim Salmon tied Brian Downing’s club record of 282 doubles. Salmon’s 30 doubles this season rank fourth in the league, one behind Garret Anderson.

Thursday, 7 p.m.--Aaron Sele (7-6, 5.08) vs. Barry Zito (12-3, 3.30).