| | ESPN.com
Tom Candiotti is not older than the infield fly rule. It only seems that way.
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ANGELS LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Tom Candiotti has not knuckled under at age 43. |
1999: 70-92
Runs: 711, 13th in AL
Allowed: 826, 4th in AL
Key facts
The Angels finished last in the league in batting average (.256) and on-base percentage (.322).
The bullpen had a 4.03 ERA last season -- only the Yankees (3.69) and Red Sox (3.93) fared better in the AL.
Mo Vaughn had his lowest batting average (.281), OBP (.358) and slugging percentage (.508) since he became a full-time player in 1993.
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: Someone in the lineup works the count, takes a strike and the Angels return to being an above-average offensive club.
Worst-case: The pitching is as jumbled as it appeared in spring training.
Prediction: 4th in AL West
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This much is true: Candiotti had Tommy John surgery only six years after John himself. And 19 years later, the knuckleballing Candiotti is still going.
Candiotti is as good a place as any to start in analyzing the Anaheim Angels. He is older than his rookie manager, Mike Scioscia, who once used to catch him. He was released twice last season, when he compiled a 7.32 ERA between Oakland and Cleveland.
And he's most likely in Anaheim's rotation.
Candiotti signed a minor-league contract with the pitching-thin Angels, who were in search of inexpensive insurance. They cashed it in after their best starter, 23-year-old Ramon Ortiz, experienced pain in his shoulder midway through spring training.
Candiotti worked four solid innings in an emergency start. "That's a franchise player there," Candiotti said of Ortiz. "Just send the 42 year-old player out there. If there's going to be any damage to my arm, it's already been done."
It would be kind to call Anaheim's rotation a work in progress. A disaster area might be more correct, although new acquisition Kent Bottenfield will certainly help. Scioscia, a bright young manager steeped on the Dodgers' way of pitching and defense, will begin his managerial career with rotation possibilities Ken Hill, Kent Mercker, Brian Cooper, Scott Schoeneweis and Candiotti. That crew was a combined 18-24 last year -- as many wins as Bottenfield had by himself.
Tim Belcher, in the final year of a two-year contract, could be out until June after elbow surgery. Left-hander Jarrod Washburn fell behind in spring training because of a strained oblique muscle. Ortiz is trying to come back without surgery, but he might eventually be shut down for surgical repair.
"Ramon has that electric-type arm that doesn't come along often," Scioscia said. "We're not going to take any chances."
That's where Candiotti comes in.
-- Phil Rogers
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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Darin Erstad, LF
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Slumped badly in 1999 because he tried too hard. Missed pal Dave Hollins
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B
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Adam Kennedy, 2B
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Hit .327 with 10 HR at Triple-A Memphis
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I
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Tim Salmon, RF
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Best player never to be an All-Star. Kind of guy you want your son to be like
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A
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Mo Vaughn, 1B
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108 RBI on an ankle that hurt from Opening Day through Game 162
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A
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G. Anderson, CF
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Take a pitch already! Only 139 BB in five seasons
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C
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Troy Glaus, 3B
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Already a defensive star despite being tall (6'5") for position
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B
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G. DiSarcina, SS
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Leader. Gets big hits. Tough guy. His injury killed the Angels last season
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B
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Todd Greene, DH
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Has power, but career .281 OBP
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D
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Matt Walbeck, C
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Smart, handles pitchers well, but can't carry Todd Greene's bat
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C
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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Ken Hill, SP
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Decent stuff when arm is sound, which it rarely is. Assorted ailments all spring
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B
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Tim Belcher, SP
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Leading returning winner (6) among starters -- and he won't be ready until May
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C
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T. Candiotti, SP
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Knuckleballer, 42, was hurt doing hurdle drill last year with A's
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D
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Ramon Ortiz, SP
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Little guy (not close to his media guide 6'0") who overthrows when in trouble
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D
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S. Hasegawa, RP
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Agent also reps some sportswriters, so don't believe what you read
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C
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Troy Percival, RP
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One of only nine guys named Troy in ML history. Two are current Angels
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A
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