Molina Floats Idea of Catching All Ortiz Starts

Ramon Ortiz, the Angels’ highly talented and highly excitable pitcher, sometimes needs a friend to calm him down during games. Bengie Molina, who has caught Ortiz in the major and minor leagues for the past five years, would like to be that man.

Molina said he does not believe it is his place to ask Manager Mike Scioscia to catch each of Ortiz’s starts. That said, he believes the Angels ought to consider it.

“I know how to handle him a little better,” Molina said. “I think it would help the team, not taking anything away from anybody.”

Ortiz heartily endorses that idea, though he says he also likes pitching to backup catchers Jorge Fabregas and Jose Molina, Bengie’s brother.

“For me, Bengie’s the best catcher,” Ortiz said. “Fabregas is very good. Bengie’s brother is very good. But Bengie, oh my gosh. He’s a great catcher.”

As the first-string catcher, Molina will catch the majority of Ortiz’s starts. Scioscia said he believes pitchers should be able to work with all catchers and said he does not want to assign Molina as the personal catcher for Ortiz in case the Angels want Fabregas’ left-handed bat in the lineup on a day Ortiz starts.

Ortiz made his final exhibition start in Wednesday’s 8-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Once the regular season starts, Molina promises to be a big brother to Ortiz.

“Right now, he is listening to everybody. Once the games start, we have to try to get him focused on the game instead of listening to everybody,” Molina said.

“I don’t want anybody to be yelling at him during the games. I don’t want him to be thinking that much. I want to keep things simple for him.”

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With Al Levine, Lou Pote, Ben Weber and Donne Wall assured of joining closer Troy Percival in the bullpen, the finalists for the last relief spot are left-hander Mark Lukasiewicz and right-handers Matt Wise and Brendan Donnelly. Lukasiewicz would be the lone left-hander in the bullpen.

Donnelly, 30, could make his major league debut after playing for 14 minor league teams, including two independent teams, during the last 10 seasons and passing million-dollar busts along the way. He was signed as a 27th-round draft pick, for $5,000.

“After taxes, $3,500,” he said. “I got my wife an engagement ring and I got myself this chain around my neck, and that was it.”

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Scott Spiezio and Troy Glaus, suspended for their roles in the March 9 brawls against the San Diego Padres, had their appeals heard here Wednesday by Bob DuPuy, president of Major League Baseball. The results are expected to be announced by Friday, DuPuy said. The suspensions, six games for Spiezio and two for Glaus, could be reduced but will not be overturned.

Spiezio said he was “optimistic” his penalty would be lightened and said he would be disappointed but resigned if it were not.

“It’s not like I can appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court,” he said.

Disney’s off-season commitment to the Angels, evident in the retention of Percival and Darin Erstad and the addition of Kevin Appier, Brad Fullmer and Aaron Sele, has not translated into an overwhelming opening-night response. As of Wednesday, the Angels have sold 36,000 tickets for Sunday’s opener, 9,000 short of a sellout.

In 41 previous seasons, the Angels have sold out their home opener only twice, both times against the New York Yankees.

The pregame ceremonies, honoring American heroes, will include appearances by Olympic gold-medal speedskater Derek Parra and Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin.