Kennedy Gets Much Advice, Few Results

By Bill Shaikin

May 3, 2002 12 AM PT

CLEVELAND —

At a charity event last winter, the greatest second baseman in Angel history introduced himself to the current second baseman. With a few adjustments, Bobby Grich told Adam Kennedy, you could develop into a terrific hitter.

“If he can hit between .260 and .270 with an uppercut like that,” Grich said, “then if he could flatten his swing out who knows what he could hit?”

Kennedy agreed to work with Grich several times during the winter, and the two discussed the finer points of the swing and the stance. In spring training, Kennedy hit .439. “I thought he was going to have a bust-out year,” Grich said.

Instead, after hitting .266 and .270 in his first two seasons with the Angels, Kennedy is hitting .247 and is platooning with Jose Nieves.

In watching the Angels, Grich has seen Kennedy revert to old habits, but he is reluctant to get involved. “Mickey Hatcher is the hitting coach,” Grich said. “I don’t want to step on any toes.”

Hatcher said it wouldn’t bother him. “You learn from good hitters,” he said. “I don’t have an ego about this.”

Said Kennedy: “I’m trying to make adjustments to keep Bobby’s plan on my mind. But I won’t go up to the plate with something I’m not comfortable with. Bobby was working mostly on one thing. Mickey sees me every day.”

Wil Cordero cleared waivers and became a free agent, but the Angels opted not to pursue the veteran right-handed hitter, because they believed his recent spotty offensive production and his defensive weakness did not justify taking a chance on him.

ON DECK

Opponent--Toronto Blue Jays, three games.

Site--Skydome, Toronto.

Tonight--4 p.m.

Radio--KLAC (570) Friday and Saturday, KPLS (830) Sunday, XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 13-14, Blue Jays 8-18.

Record vs. Opponents--3-0.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

AARON SELE

(1-2, 5.65 ERA)

vs.