Clubhouse Staff Shares in Glory

Unloading trunks of equipment at 3 a.m. after the Angels return from an East Coast swing: thankless.

Washing uniforms and socks after games at Edison Field: joyless.

Watching a Tahitian sunrise courtesy of your World Series bonus: priceless.

Turns out the Angels weren’t the only ones cashing in on their postseason success during the off-season. The team’s six-man clubhouse staff also took part in the revelry, thanks to the generosity of players who willingly split a portion of their shares.

Clubhouse attendant Corey Morbeck erased his credit card debt. Michael Martinez fattened his bank account.

And Steve Rivera installed a navigation system in his car and took that dream vacation in Tahiti.

“When you find that check in the mail, it’s great,” said Rivera, 27, whose responsibilities include everything from stocking food in the players’ lounge to guarding the left-field line from stray balls during games. “It’s not expected, but you know they’re going to take care of you.”

Shortstop David Eckstein said players were more than happy to acknowledge the contributions of a staff that typically works 60 to 70 hours a week during homestands. Equipment manager Ken Higdon, 40, also travels with the team on trips.

“We’ve got a great bunch of guys,” Eckstein said. “We felt like they definitely deserved what we could give them.”

None of the clubhouse staff would divulge exactly how much they received, insisting the amount didn’t matter. Just being around the players is reward enough, they said.

“You get such a friendship with these guys that it’s like a family atmosphere. There’s not a better life I can think of,” said Higdon, entering his 16th year with the club.

“The best part of the job?” said Morbeck, 30, repeating a question. “I get to have a locker next to David Eckstein.”