It Seems Only Strike Could Slow Them

The Montreal Expos had the best record in the major leagues when players went on strike in August 1994. The rest of the season was canceled, the most talented and most expensive players were subsequently abandoned in trades or free agency, and local interest and revenue have waned to the point where the Expos are expected to be moved or eliminated after this season.

A strike this summer would not threaten the survival of the Angels, but it would dampen interest in the suddenly revitalized team. The Angels are the hottest team in baseball, winners in 16 of their last 18 games, and they appear to have a legitimate chance to make their first playoff appearance since 1986--unless, that is, another strike cancels the playoffs.

“It’s on our minds, but it’s way in the back,” said pitcher Jarrod Washburn, one of the Angel representatives to the players’ union. “What’s on the front of our minds is that this could be our year. We have high expectations. We want to make the playoffs. If something happens that prevents that--well, hopefully, that doesn’t happen.”

With negotiations for a new labor agreement sputtering, the union has acknowledged discussing options that include setting a strike date, most likely in August.

“That’s the last thing we want,” Washburn said. “We hope it doesn’t come to that, but we have to plan for it.”

Mario Impemba, the radio play-by-play voice of the Angels for seven years, moved here this spring to become the television play-by-play voice for the Tigers. His wife and two children planned to follow this summer, after the school year ended in Orange County, but the temporary separation didn’t dampen Impemba’s enthusiasm about calling the games of his hometown Tigers.

Then the season started, and the Tigers lost their first 11 games. Was Impemba just a little bit nostalgic for his old job?

“The Angels got off to such a bad start that it wasn’t much better out there,” he said with a smile.

“To be honest, none of that stuff had any effect on me. I was adjusting to a new job and being away from my wife and kids. I couldn’t worry about how many games the team was losing. That got me through it.

“But, still, the first score I look at every morning is the Angel score.”

With the Angels leading, 8-1, in the ninth inning Wednesday and Darin Erstad on first base, Troy Glaus doubled. Erstad probably could have scored, but coach Ron Roenicke held him at third base. The score was a factor, but this wasn’t just a coaching decision made out of mercy.

Roenicke said he also was concerned that Erstad, who missed eight days while recovering from a concussion and who still hurls his body in every direction in the field and on the bases, would risk another injury in the unlikely event of a play at home plate.

“It’s not worth sending him and having him slide into the catcher,” Roenicke said. “I always want to get a guy an RBI, but not when there’s a chance somebody could get hurt, and you know Erstad isn’t going to go in there soft.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

SCOTT

SCHOENEWEIS

(2-4, 5.08 ERA)

VS.

TIGERS’

JEFF

WEAVER

(2-5, 3.33 ERA)

Comerica Park, Detroit, 4 p.m.

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

Update--Weaver and Boston’s Derek Lowe are the only regular major league starters yet to allow a home run this season. Angel reliever Donne Wall is scheduled to make a rehabilitation appearance Friday, pitching for triple-A Salt Lake.