Tejada Is Interested in Joining His Hero

Oakland star Miguel Tejada wears No. 4 in honor of his childhood hero, fellow Dominican shortstop and current Angel coach Alfredo Griffin. The Angels are expected to pursue Tejada in free agency this fall, and the 2002 American League most valuable player said Monday he is interested in the possibility of joining Griffin and the Angels.

“I’ll be listening,” Tejada said. “The Angels and me, we’ll talk.”

Tejada was reluctant to discuss the subject in depth, saying his loyalty right now is to the A’s and the AL West pennant race. He did say, however, that he believes the Angels can win again next season -- “They have a great team, great pitching” -- and that he will consider all interested teams.

“I’ll talk to everybody,” he said.

Tejada, 27, has played in 576 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the major leagues. He is on pace to hit 25 home runs and drive in 100 runs for the fourth consecutive season.

“It would make the Angels better, obviously,” Oakland pitcher Barry Zito said. “It’s going to be huge for us to lose Miggy.”

The Oakland players have been resigned to losing him since spring training, when A’s co-owner Steve Schott announced the team could not afford to re-sign Tejada.

“It stinks,” third baseman Eric Chavez said.

Neither Chavez nor Zito said he would begrudge Tejada signing with the Angels. Each said Tejada should find his best deal, division rival or otherwise. The Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Dodgers all could pursue him as well.

General Manager Billy Beane and the A’s weathered the free-agent departures of Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen two years ago, and Tejada and closer Keith Foulke are expected to leave this year. Chavez said the A’s can’t keep losing stars and winning games.

“I just don’t think it’s possible,” he said. “The one thing you look at is our pitchers (Zito, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder). When you lose one of those guys, I think that will be the true test.”

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