Angels : Ray’s Reward Is Almost a Reality

PALM SPRINGS — Johnny Ray still hasn’t found happiness in left field, but he soon may find some in his contract.

Negotiations to add an option year to his current Angel agreement, which expires at the end of the season, are nearly complete, Tom Selakovich, his agent, said Thursday. And although at least one unspecified detail needs to be worked out, Selakovich said he anticipates no problems.

The sooner the better for Ray, who now spends his afternoons in the outfield rather than at second base, where he played for six major league seasons. The switch was the Angels’ idea, not his, and truth be known, Ray said it was awfully nice of him to make the change.

“It was, it really was,” he said. “I guess I could have been very difficult about it. But I came here, came to an organization that I felt wanted my abilities. Turns out they wanted me in the outfield, so I had to make an adjustment. Right now I’m tolerable with it. I have no complaints. I’m not saying later I might.”

Ray also isn’t apologizing to anyone for demanding the extra year on his contract. What with the position change and the uncertainty that comes with it, Ray said the Angels owe him a reward.

“They should (add an option year),” Ray said. “I don’t make any bones about that. I’m not chopped liver by any means in the infield and I have confidence in my ability if the situation dictates change, I suppose. I’m ready to push as long as I’m compensated for it.

“I mean, money is not the major factor, although it is a factor,” he said. “I think I deserve to be compensated. If I was a rookie . . . I could see myself doing it. But after playing six productive years at a position and then making a switch . . . I feel something should be made.”

Despite the difficulties encountered by going from the infield to the outfield, Ray is doing well enough. His batting average rests near the .300 mark and his fielding and knowledge of left improves each day.

“I hope (the Angels are) happy,” Ray said. “I’m satisfied so far and that’s all that matters anyway.”

Ray can rest easy. The Angels can find little wrong with the experiment thus far. This way, they get Mark McLemore in the lineup as the leadoff man and still have a place for Ray, a career .288 hitter and doubles specialist.

“He’s played left field as good as you could want it played,” Manager Gene Mauch said. “He handled himself good in Arizona, and he’s handled himself good here. When he gets in a big league stadium, he’ll play even better. I don’t think he’s the least bit uncomfortable out there.”

Told that Ray wasn’t exactly thrilled by the position change, Mauch counseled patience.

“He’ll be crazy about it if it puts 2, 3 or 4 million dollars in his pockets by playing in the outfield longer than he could at second,” Mauch said. “I saw what it did for Brian Downing (who switched from catcher to left fielder). You’ve seen the millions of dollars Downing has made.

“And Brian didn’t like (left field) either,” Mauch said. “He was scared to death of it. In fact, one of the first plays he had was with bases loaded against the White Sox. There’s a line drive to left field, he went down . . . the ball went through his legs and everyone scored. Then he hated it even more.

“Then he played a couple of hundred games (244) without ever making an error,” Mauch said.

Ray makes no such promises. He said simply that he’ll do what he can. “Basically, I’m getting used to a new position and I’m adjusting to it accordingly,” he said.

Angel Notes

Another day, another blowout Angel loss. This time the San Francisco Giants reached double digits, defeating the Angels, 13-1. A day earlier, the Chicago Cubs had scored 11 runs off Angel pitching. That makes 24 runs and 34 hits in two days against the Angels. Starter Willie Fraser got the loss Thursday, allowing eight runs in the fifth inning, his last of the day. Entering the game, he had given up just 3 runs in 15 innings. “Everything before today, before that fifth inning, I felt was going real good out there,” he said. “I think it’s been a good spring except for that inning today.” Wally Joyner went 2 for 2, and Gus Polidor had 2 hits in 3 at-bats.

Reliever Greg Minton, hampered this spring by frayed ligaments in his right elbow, returned to the sidelines Thursday for another short throwing session. This time he added a curveball to the workout and results were mixed. “I can see in just one or two more outings that I’ll be able to throw (the fastball) about 100%,” Minton said. “We then tried throwing what you call the breaking ball. I’m about 2% on that. Of course, with me, panic sets in. But the trainers said, ‘Don’t worry. Don’t worry.’ They keep telling me, ‘Greg, you’re on schedule.’ I say, ‘But the season’s only 10 days away!’ ” According to Minton, Angel trainers hope to have him ready for a few innings’ work during the April 1-3 Freeway Series. “I don’t know if they’re consoling me by saying that or if they really believe it,” he said.