Security Official Warns of Internet Gambling

The use of illegal steroids is on baseball’s front burner this spring, but it’s not the only issue causing concern in the commissioner’s office. In a meeting with the Angels on Wednesday morning, Kevin Hallinan, baseball’s senior vice president of security, warned players of the dangers of Internet gambling and gave them a brochure on the subject.

“It’s the fastest-growing form of gambling in the U.S., and with computers being the rage today, there’s a lot of these offshore gambling advertisements that pop up on your screen,” said Hallinan, who tours camps in Arizona and Florida each spring to update teams on security issues. “These Internet gambling sites lead people to believe it’s a legitimate practice, but it’s against the law.”

Hallinan said his focus on Internet gambling this spring did not stem from any major league players’ running into a problem with such sites, “but I’m always trying to be proactive in my approach and to look out for the players’ best interests.”

Several Angels were unaware of baseball’s growing concern with Internet gambling, and some were unaware that Internet gambling is illegal.

“The whole gambling thing is such an issue with the Pete Rose situation,” veteran Tim Salmon said. “Kevin was just making players aware of the fact that certain things are available through the Internet that can lure you in.

“Plus, there’s the whole privacy issue. Whatever you do is out there -- it’s not private. Some may think it’s offshore, but if you don’t claim [gambling winnings on your taxes], it’s a federal offense. You can become a prime target.”

Added pitcher Jarrod Washburn: “I barely know how to get my e-mail, so I don’t have any involvement with it, but some think it’s anonymous, and it’s not. They warned us not to do it. It’s against the law.”

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Josh Paul, who is competing for the backup catcher job, hit a home run, and utility infielder Shane Halter had an RBI single to highlight a 4 1/2-inning intrasquad game Wednesday.

Third baseman Troy Glaus has been experiencing some stiffness in his back and legs and was held out of Wednesday’s workout and game, but he is expected to be ready for Friday’s Cactus League opener against the San Diego Padres. Left fielder Jose Guillen was also held out of the game because of minor stiffness.

John Lackey will start Friday against the Padres, Bartolo Colon is scheduled to start Saturday against Oakland, and Washburn will pitch Sunday against Oakland.

The spring pitching schedule is an early indication that Manager Mike Scioscia probably will split the hard-throwing Colon, who is expected to be the opening-day starter, and the hard-throwing Kelvim Escobar in the rotation with Washburn, the team’s only left-handed starter.

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Relievers Brendan Donnelly and Scot Shields agreed to terms on one-year contracts that will pay each of the right-handers $375,000 this season.... The exhibition season hasn’t even begun, but the rumor mill is already spinning. One Internet rumor had the Angels supposedly discussing a Lackey-for-Alfonso Soriano swap with Texas, but the Angels do not believe Soriano can play shortstop, so there is no need for him, and they are not eager to part with Lackey, who is young, inexpensive and filled with potential. “Don’t wait for that one,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said.