Molina Makes Cub Unhappy

There is no such thing as spring training etiquette, at least as far as the Angels are concerned.

In an exhibition game Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, Mark Grudzielanek suffered a sprained right ankle in a home-plate collision with Angel catcher Bengie Molina.

Grudzielanek, expected to sit out several days, walked into the Cub clubhouse with a cane Wednesday and told reporters the throw had beaten him so clearly that he was “shocked” Molina had blocked the plate.

“I never would have thought in my wildest dreams he’d drop both knees right there instead of tagging me,” Grudzielanek said. “When I saw that, I didn’t have time to react. That’s a mistake I thought wouldn’t happen in spring training.”

Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said Grudzielanek should not have assumed Molina would not block the plate, even in a spring game and even if the play was not terribly close.

“I don’t think there’s any difference playing a spring training game, a regular-season game or a World Series game,” Scioscia said. “There’s one way to play the game.

“Grud plays the game as hard as anyone. If there was a double play to be broken up, Grud would be the first guy to do it. Bengie’s just playing the game hard.”

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Eric Owens appears to be a solid fit as a reserve outfielder. Owens had two hits and a stolen base Wednesday, threw out Grudzielanek at home plate from right field Tuesday and stole two bases Monday.

After playing seven seasons in the minor leagues and the last four seasons on major league teams that finished a combined 82 games out of first place, Owens signed with the Angels as a free agent.

“It’s a great feeling to know we have a chance to win,” he said. “I wanted to go somewhere where I could be part of a team and not be part of a bunch of egos. I used to worry about playing time. Now I’m worried about winning.”

Owens, 32, played for Florida last season.

“You come out in late August, and you’re just playing for your stats,” he said. “It’s very depressing.”

Owens figures to get most of his early-season playing time in right field, as the Angels ease Tim Salmon into defensive duty after off-season knee surgery.

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In addition to English and Spanish, French was heard in the clubhouse Wednesday. After the Angels claimed left-hander Eric Cyr off waivers from the San Diego Padres, Cyr and Angel prospect Steve Green exchanged greetings in their native language. They attended the same Montreal high school.

“It’s always nice to know somebody wants you,” Cyr said, “especially this team.”

Cyr, 24, was a jewel of the Padres’ farm system in 2001, posting a 1.61 earned-run average and striking out 131 in 100 innings at Class-A Lake Elsinore. He underwent arthroscopic shoulder and elbow surgery last year, and the Angels decided his promise was worth the $20,000 waiver price and a spot in their farm system this year.

“It’s a roll of the dice,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “If his arm comes back, he could have a very bright future.”

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A recent Sports Illustrated cover heralding the start of spring training featured the caption, “Manager Mike Scioscia and the World Champion Angels in Tempe, Ariz.”

Scioscia was in the picture, all right, but he was flanked by minor leaguers Ryan Budde, Trent Durrington and Jeff Mathis. The photo was taken before most of the major leaguers arrived in camp.

Durrington laughed when asked whether an appearance on that cover would be good enough to earn him a ring.

“Just the magazine,” he said, “which I have to pay for.”

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Chris Bootcheck gave up one run in three innings of a 7-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen him throw,” Scioscia said. Bootcheck, the most polished of the Angels’ starting pitching prospects, is expected to open the season at triple-A Salt Lake.