Offerman, Belcher Feel Appreciated by Royals

ANAHEIM —  The Kansas City Whodats whipped the Angels, 9-4, Monday night at Anaheim Stadium.

If you don’t know the Whodats, you aren’t alone. That wasn’t exactly the feared Kansas City teams of the 1970s and ‘80s that rolled into town. No George Brett. No Dan Quisenberry. No Hal McRae.

These are the downsized, ‘90s Royals, owners of the lowest payroll in the American League. (At $18 million, it’s $8 million less than even the budget-conscious Angels.) Bob Hamelin and eight banjo hitters.

Yet standing out among the faceless, nameless fellows wearing Kansas City uniforms were two familiar faces. Jose Offerman and Tim Belcher, two former Dodgers, who each had a hand in the Royals’ easy victory.

That said, it was still a bit difficult picking out Offerman and Belcher. They weren’t quite where you might expect to find them.

Offerman, booed mildly by the crowd of 14,447 each time he came to bat, had three hits, scored a run and knocked in another.

And no, he didn’t flub any plays at shortstop--mainly because Manager Bob Boone has moved him to first base. For the time being, David Howard has taken over short with Offerman moving to first, a position he never played as a Dodger.

Offerman, batting eighth in a lineup that ranks last in the AL in runs scored, singled in the second, fourth and eighth. Since moving to first base on April 23, he’s batting .390 without committing an error.

“They told me they might move me because they need the other guy [Howard] in the lineup,” Offerman said. “I don’t have that much chance to play my regular position. It’s the manager’s decision.”

Boone apparently sees much more in Offerman than Dodger fans ever did.

“If you see him play first, day in and day out, he’s really, really good,” Boone said. “He can play a lot of positions. I think he’ll hit no matter where I play him. He’ll play some short for me, too.

“The biggest thing I what him to do is have fun with the game.”

That didn’t happen often at Dodger Stadium, where Offerman was booed for his shabby play in the field. He said he’s beginning to feel comfortable playing for Kansas City, far from the intense glare of the L.A. fans and media.

“I don’t see any people who boo me,” he said. “I don’t listen to what people say [now]. I just have to go out and do my best.

“It’s not that I’m happier going to the ballpark. Last year, I was happy going to the ballpark. I had some good times last year.

“And some bad times, too.”

Belcher gave up 12 hits over 6 1/3 innings for his third victory.

“You know, it was a pretty good night for batting averages,” Belcher said after the Royals outhit the Angels, 16-12. “I guess I shouldn’t complain. Obviously, I’m not thrilled with the way I pitched. Fortunately, I got the run support.”