Musical bases
Erstad the Angels' all-over All-Star
Posted: Wednesday July 01, 1998 07:58 PM
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Erstad is hitting .316 with 17 home runs, 26 doubles and 57 RBIs (David Seelig/Allsport) |
ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Change not only doesn't rattle Darin Erstad,
it seems to inspire him.
The Anaheim Angels
outfielder has been shifted around the diamond and in the batting order so
often that he doesn't know where he's going to play from day to day -- or
inning to inning.
While some third-year players might have buckled under the constant
change, Erstad has thrived, leading the Angels in home runs, hits, RBIs and
stolen bases and earning a spot on the AL All-Star team Wednesday.
All that from his unaccustomed leadoff position, of course.
"No matter where you play, you've got to play the game the same way,"
Erstad said. "I'm not doing anything different."
Erstad talks the game just the way he plays it -- a no-nonsense,
blue-collar style that may not leave people in awe, but gets the job done.
Through Tuesday, the 24-year-old Erstad was batting .316, with 17 homers
and 57 RBIs. He won the AL Player of the Week award June 8-14, the first of
his career.
The Angels are atop the standings in the AL West, due in no small part to
Erstad's play.
"Right now he's showing everyone in baseball that he deserves to play at
this level," Angels manager Terry Collins said. "This kid's legitimate.
Everybody's talking about him."
The first player taken in the 1995 draft, Erstad certainly raised a lot
of expectations, but some doubters didn't think he would have such an
impact so soon.
Last year, his first full season in the big leagues, he hit .299 with 16
home runs and 77 RBIs.
Erstad was drafted as an outfielder out of the University of Nebraska,
where he also was the placekicker and punter on the Cornhuskers' national
championship football team.
But holes in the Angels' infield, as well as the logjam in the outfield,
which includes slugger Tim Salmon, Gold
Glove-winner Jim
Edmonds and Garret
Anderson, forced Erstad to play musical bases.
He has split time this season at first base, left field and center.
Normally a mid-lineup hitter, Erstad was bumped up to the leadoff spot.
But he treats the adjustments like a routine ground ball.
"I haven't changed my approach at all," Erstad said. "Maybe I've been
more aggressive than I have in the past, but other than that I haven't
changed a thing."
Erstad isn't big on individual achievements like an MVP award or All-Star
nominations. He's not a flashy player who catches fans' attention. In fact,
Toronto Blue Jays
outfielder Jose
Cruz Jr., who was sent back down to the minors recently, received more
all-star votes than Erstad.
Collins said Erstad is a perfectionist and then some.
After Erstad homered late in a recent game to help Anaheim rally to win,
Collins said the versatile slugger wasn't celebrating his home run, but
fretting over his previous time up.
"I guarantee you that Darin won't be dwelling on the one he hit out,"
Collins said. "He'll be unhappy over the way he didn't get the runner home
from third his time up before that. That's the way he is."
As long as he is contributing to the team, Erstad doesn't care about the
personal awards.
"The only thing considered a goal in my head is making the playoffs,"
Erstad said. "That's the ultimate goal and pretty much the only goal."
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