Reprieve Seen by Elder Angels in 3-2 Victory

Chili Davis and the rest of the Angel veterans feared that this day would occur, and when the news Wednesday of veteran starter Scott Sanderson’s release swept through the clubhouse, they whispered among themselves who would be next.

This is why instead of elation over his two-run double that proved to be the game-winner in the Angels’ 3-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Anaheim Stadium, Davis felt only relief.

“Being a veteran in the big leagues at this point,” Davis said, “if you’re not putting up the numbers and (you’re) making good money, you could be in a whole lot of trouble.

“If you don’t produce, you’re gone.”

Although Davis has 73 runs batted in, only 20 shy of the high for his career, he realizes there is no guarantee he will return. It’s as easy to buy out his contract for $500,000 at the end of the season, he said, as to pay him a base salary of $2.4 million in 1994 with an opportunity to earn more than $3 million.

“Times have changed in this game, and we’re all seeing that,” Davis said. “I don’t know if they’ll want me back or not. Really, there’s not a whole lot of guys in here who know their future.”

Said veteran catcher Ron Tingley, who drove in the Angels’ only other run for Mark Langston’s first victory since June 19: “This was a slap in the face to all of us. It tells you that you better bust your fanny or you’re next.”

While the Angels still must pay the remainder of Sanderson’s $500,000 base salary, they cleared themselves of any obligations to pay the $225,000 of remaining incentives in Sanderson’s contract. Davis, who still is eligible to earn an additional $525,000 in incentives, knows he could suffer the same fate.

“It’s the nature of the game,” Davis said. “I know my day could come. I think we all knew that if we fell out of contention, some things would start to happen.

“And they’re happening.”

While the Angels (46-54) insist they are not surrendering in the American League West, the latest roster move made it evident they are preparing for the future.

They also purchased the contract of rookie Phil Leftwich.

“It shocked me,” said Langston (10-5), who had not defeated Oakland since Aug. 12, 1987, when he still was with the Seattle Mariners. “I can’t say that I agree with the move, but I’m not management.

“I fell really bad for Scotty, but they’re going to give the young guys now the ultimate chance to come up and get their feet wet.”

Leftwich, who will make his major league debut tonight, becomes the third starter in the Angel rotation who has less than three months’ experience in the big leagues. He will be the 12th rookie to play for the Angels this season, and the sixth to make his major league debut.

“I think it’s clear that the organization is more interested in the long-term effect than the short-term effect,” Sanderson said. “It’s kind of a new thing in the game--teams looking to cut finances.”

Before the Angels are accused of becoming Orange County’s version of the San Diego Padres, Rodgers said it’s ludicrous to suggest Sanderson’s release signifies that they are pulling the plug on the season. After all, Sanderson has lost his last nine decisions, and the Angels are 1-10 in his last 11 starts.

“It was very obvious we haven’t won a game in the last couple of months (that Sanderson has started),” Rodgers said. “So I can’t see where that translates into a white flag.”

Although Sanderson was aware he had been struggling, and knew of the possibilities he wouldn’t remain with the team the entire season, he never envisioned it would happen so quickly.

“Sure, it’s painful,” he said. “I feel a little bit of rejection. It would be hard not to feel that.

“I’ve never gone through this before.”

Certainly there will be other moves--if not in a few weeks, by September. Pitchers Darrell Scott and Mark Holzemer, catcher Chris Turner and outfielders Jim Edmonds and Garret Anderson all are expected to arrive for tryouts.

“I don’t know if these moves would be made if we’re one or two games out, but we have to be realistic,” Davis said. “This is going to be a learning process, and when changes are made, they’re going with youth.

“And there’s not a damn thing we can do about it.”