Glaus Virtually Ready for the Season to Start

By Bill Shaikin

Jan. 10, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

With 45 sensors attached to his head, torso and every limb, Troy Glaus went through the motions Friday, in a simulated workout with 20 cameras pointing at him. The sensors and cameras captured even the slightest move in any direction, providing data so the animators of the 989 Sports version of Major League Baseball can make the imitation Glaus in the video game as lifelike as possible.

At one point, the director asked Glaus to pretend to field a ground ball and throw the runner out. Glaus reached down for the invisible ball, then extended his right arm high above his head and followed through on the throw to the invisible first baseman.

Glaus could not have even pretended to make that throw six months ago, after suffering a torn rotator cuff that ended his season prematurely and left him unable to lift his right arm above his shoulder. After intensive rehabilitation, he said the injury has healed and he has thrown without discomfort in his winter workouts.

“I can play a game tomorrow,” he said. “Now it’s just waiting the five weeks until we leave for spring training.”

Glaus said it would be “no problem” to play 150 games at third base this season, a scenario the Angels are counting on as they try to prove their 2003 disaster was the fluke, not their 2002 World Series title run.

The encore to Glaus’ World Series MVP season was not pretty. He won election to the starting lineup for the All-Star Game, but he played in a career-low 91 games and hit .248, including .175 in his final 40 games. He acknowledges he was “not really” 100% at any point during the season, from a wrist injury in spring training through hamstring, back and foot maladies that preceded the shoulder injury.

In addition to regaining his health, he has gained normal vision. After wearing glasses and contact lenses since his childhood, and after missing an occasional game because of problems with contacts, he underwent laser surgery three weeks ago. He resisted the procedure for years, concerned that the slightest misfire could jeopardize his career, but his longtime eye doctor recently convinced him the latest technology had substantially reduced the risk.

“The next morning I was 20/15,” he said. “I’m fired up. To wake up and be able to see the clock in the morning is wonderful.”

This could be his final season with the Angels, a possibility he says does not concern him. The three-time All-Star and former American League home run champion will earn $9.55 million this year and can file for free agency thereafter. Although the Angels have discussed a contract extension with outfielder Garret Anderson, whose contract also expires after the season, Glaus said the team has had no such talks with him.

Owner Arte Moreno has said the player payroll will drop next winter, and the Angels have a highly touted third base prospect in Dallas McPherson.

“It’s not worth worrying about right now,” Glaus said. “If they don’t want me, there’s not much I can do. If they do, we’ll talk about it.”

Glaus, 27, who recently married his longtime girlfriend, left little doubt he wants to stay with the Angels. He grew up in Carlsbad, attended UCLA and lives in Corona.

“This is home,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to play at home?”

Glaus joins Anderson and closer Troy Percival as potential free agents next fall, making 2004 a so-called “walk year” for all.

“It’s not about walk years. It’s about winning rings,” Glaus said. “We’ve got one. We want two.”

Accordingly, Glaus is gratified by the signings of outfielder Jose Guillen and starters Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar, Moreno’s $76-million contribution toward returning the Angels to October.

“Mr. Moreno went out and spent the money to get the players,” Glaus said. “Now it’s on us.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Troy Story

Troy Glaus was drafted by the Angels with the third overall pick of the 1997 amateur draft. A look at his year-by-year salary with the Angels:

*--* Year Salary 1998 $170,000 1999 $207,500 2000 $275,000 2001 $1,250,000 2002 $4,000,000 2003 $7,250,000

*--*

A look at Glaus’ six-season totals with the Angels:

Games ... 769

At-bats ...2,755

Runs ...476

Hits ...696

Doubles ...154