Griffin on Fast Track?

When the Angels hired Mike Scioscia as manager, the White House did not issue a commemorative proclamation. When the Kansas City Royals hired Tony Pena as their new manager last week, Pena received a fax with congratulations from Hipolito Mejia, the president of the Dominican Republic.

Pena, in Anaheim with the Royals tonight, is the third major league manager from the Dominican Republic, following Felipe Alou and Luis Pujols. When the Royals and the Detroit Tigers--managed by Pujols--play in July, in the first meeting of Dominican managers, the pregame managerial handshake is expected to be pictured in every newspaper back home.

The next Dominican manager also could be at Edison Field tonight. Alou suggests Alfredo Griffin, the Angel first base coach, ought to be in line for a managerial job. Griffin played in three World Series during his 18-year career, and the Angels hold him in high regard for his work in tutoring infielders David Eckstein, Adam Kennedy and Alfredo Amezaga.

Although he appreciates Alou’s support, Griffin said he could probably not be hired without first managing in the minor leagues, a step he would not take without first discussing it with his family.

“I’m good at what I’m doing here,” Griffin said. “I enjoy it.”

Griffin has managed in the Dominican winter league for two seasons and says he is considering an offer to manage there this winter. Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre played for Griffin on a team that reached the league finals, and endorses him for a major league managerial position.

“He’s honest with the players,” Beltre said. “He’s played the game long enough. The way he managed down there, I think he’s good enough to manage here.”

*

In addition to the torn hamstring that wrecked his season on the field, catcher Bengie Molina endured an emotionally trying 2001 season off the field, one in which his wife suffered a miscarriage, his grandmother died, his mother was hospitalized and his parents separated.

The news is much better on and off the field this year. He’s hitting .291 and has thrown out a league-high 50% of opposing baserunners. Better yet, his wife and mother are healthy, and his parents are trying to reconcile. They plan to visit from Puerto Rico in a few weeks. “They’re trying to get back together,” Molina said. “It would be great for us and for our family.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7.

TV--ESPN Wednesday.

Radio--KPLS (830) tonight and Wednesday, KLAC (570) Tuesday, XPRS (1090) all three games.

Records--Angels 24-17, Royals 16-26.

Record vs. Opponent (2001)--5-4.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ KEVIN APPIER

(4-1, 2.79 ERA)

vs.

ROYALS’ BLAKE STEIN

(0-1, 8.41 ERA)

Update--Appier pitched for Kansas City from 1989-99 and is the Royals’ career strikeout leader. The Angels activated reliever Donne Wall and returned pitcher Matt Wise to triple-A Salt Lake.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Aaron Sele (4-2, 5.10) vs. TBA.

Friday, 7 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (3-4, 5.29) vs. Paul Byrd (7-2, 2.56).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.