Black Won’t Try for Indian Job

Angel pitching coach Bud Black said Tuesday that he has withdrawn from consideration for the Cleveland Indians’ managerial vacancy.

“The timing is just not right,” Black said.

With a home in the San Diego area and daughters aged 15 and 10, Black said that he did not believe pursuing a job so far from home was appropriate at this time. Black said he had not been contacted about any other managerial vacancies, although the Seattle Mariners’ job just opened, and that he planned to return to the Angels next season.

“As of right now, yes,” he said. “I’m going to leave the door open for the future.”

The Angel coaches all are working on one-year contracts. Although General Manager Bill Stoneman has said all coaches will be invited to return next season, he has deferred contract negotiations until the end of the season.

Black, who worked for the Indians before joining the Angels, informed Cleveland General Manager Mark Shapiro of his decision in a telephone call Monday night.

“I’m disappointed, both because I think he has great potential to impact our organization and because of my personal and professional relationship with him,” Shapiro said. “But I certainly understand his values, and that only enhances my respect for him as a human being.”

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The Angels will lose two of their hottest hitters when the World Series shifts to San Francisco’s Pacific Bell Park for the third, fourth and, if necessary, fifth game.

With National League rules in force, the Angels will play without designated hitters Brad Fullmer and Shawn Wooten. Although Fullmer started six games at first base during interleague play, Manager Mike Scioscia said first baseman Scott Spiezio, the superior defensive player, will start throughout the World Series. Wooten, who also can play first base, is hitting .471 in postseason play. Spiezio is hitting .375, Fullmer .316.

The Giants aren’t yet sure who their designated hitter will be for games at Edison Field, although they might use Barry Bonds at DH against right-hander Kevin Appier and use Tom Goodwin in the outfield.

Ace Jarrod Washburn will start Game 1 Saturday, with Appier, Ramon Ortiz and John Lackey expected to follow in that order. The Angels made no changes in their playoff roster for the World Series.

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The Giants dumped reliever Ben Weber two years ago, and the Angels claimed him on waivers. But rather than hold any animosity toward the Giants, Weber is grateful to them.

“If it wasn’t for the Giants, I wouldn’t be here today,” Weber said.

After a nine-year odyssey that included playing in an independent league and in Taiwan, Weber, 32, made his major league debut for the Giants in 2000. In nine games, he posted a 14.63 earned-run average, and he did not return. But one of minor league managers with the Giants was Ron Roenicke. After Scioscia hired him as a coach with the Angels, Roenicke recommended to Stoneman that the Angels acquire Weber.