HOT CORNER

A consumer’s guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, played, heard, observed, worn, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it’s in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed.

What: “Tales From the Angels’ Dugout: The Championship Season and Other Great Angels’ Tales.”

Author: Steve Bisheff.

Publisher: Sports Publishing L.L.C.

Price: $19.95.

There have been several “Tales From” baseball books put out by Sports Publishing. One on the Dodgers three years ago, written by former Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine, focused on the Dodgers of old, the glory days of Brooklyn.

For the Angels, the glory days finally arrived last year. So the timing of a “Tales From” on the Angels is ideal.

This 183-page hardcover book provides a look at Angel history, has profiles of past and present Angel stars, a review of last season and the incredible playoff run, and a brief look ahead into the future.

However, don’t expect any great revelations. Although the book is a decent read, it is mainly a rehash of what most Angel fans already know. It doesn’t compare to Jane Leavy’s well-researched masterpiece on Sandy Koufax.

Leavy interviewed about 500 people. It seems the author of this book, Steve Bisheff of the Orange County Register, got most of his material from newspaper clippings and from Ross Newhan’s book, “The Anaheim Angels Revised Edition.”

That’s not to say there isn’t some original material. Chapter 12 is about a meeting between Mike Scioscia and John Wooden. It happened at the legendary UCLA coach’s Encino condominium, and Bisheff witnessed it.

Bisheff also offers his own all-time Angel team, which will obviously prompt some debate. Those who disagree with Bisheff will get a chance to meet him at a book signing June 12 at Barnes & Nobel in Irvine.

-- Larry Stewart