Kennedy Learning to Share

The seeds of October stardom were planted in April, or so Benji Gil believes. For Adam Kennedy, a hero of the fall, frustration evolved into resignation last spring and determination by summer.

In 2001, Kennedy often expressed his annoyance at the platoon system employed by Manager Mike Scioscia, in which Gil played second base against left-handers. When Gil sprained his ankle last April, Scioscia used Jose Nieves against left-handers rather than give Kennedy the full-time job.

“I think that might have helped him,” Gil said. “He got to realize it wasn’t necessarily me that was going to play against left-handers, that they were just going to go with a right-handed bat against left-handed pitchers.

“By the second half, he really took off. He hit with more authority. His defense was better. He was the same guy, but with more confidence. He became a whole lot more mature and became a complete player.”

Kennedy hit .327 after the All-Star break and .340 in the playoffs, including his now-legendary Game 5 of the American League championship series, in which he hit three home runs to clinch the Angels’ first World Series berth.

That October excitement generated record ticket sales, supporting the payroll boost that enabled the Angels to re-sign Gil for $725,000 rather than turn his utility infielder’s job over to a minimum-wage rookie and turn Kennedy into a full-time second baseman.

Gil was the opening-day first baseman last season, replacing the suspended Scott Spiezio, and the opening day shortstop two seasons ago, replacing the injured Gary DiSarcina. But the Angels’ championship formula calls for him to play most often at second base, rendering Kennedy a platoon player yet again.

“After you lose the battle so many times, you try to go in a different direction,” Kennedy said.

“I’ve never accepted it. You just have to deal with it. You can deal with it in two ways -- let it affect your play, or be ready to play.”

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The Angels are concerned that Matt Wise, competing for a job as a fifth starter or middle reliever, might be seriously injured. Wise started Sunday’s 4-1 split-squad loss to the San Francisco Giants but left after one inning, complaining of discomfort in his right elbow. Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angels’ medical director, issued a preliminary diagnosis of a sprained elbow, pending an MRI examination today.

The Angels’ concern, according to Scioscia, stems from Wise’s history of elbow trouble. Tightness in his right elbow forced Wise onto the triple-A disabled list from Aug. 14 to Sept. 3 last year.

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The Angels’ hearts skipped a beat when center fielder Darin Erstad, recovering from off-season hand surgery, sprawled onto the grass to make a diving catch during a 14-8 split-squad loss to the Texas Rangers. Erstad was unhurt, but the Angels were trailing, 9-2, at the time, in an exhibition.

“There’s one way Erstad knows how to play the game,” Scioscia said. “At times, it can be a double-edged sword.”

Kevin Appier put the Angels into a 5-0 hole, making 40 pitches in one inning while walking three, hitting two and throwing a wild pitch. Appier, whose delivery is notoriously inconsistent, assured Scioscia and pitching coach Bud Black that he was not injured. Scioscia said he would dismiss the outing as “just one of those days.”

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The Angels sent infielders Casey Kotchman, Tommy Murphy and Mike O’Keefe, catchers Ryan Budde and Jeff Mathis, outfielder Kenny James and left-hander Tony Milo to minor league camp.