Talkin’ (Angels) Baseball

“We’re gonna have a great team, and we’re going to be there at the end of the year, regardless of who’s on the field.”

DARIN ERSTAD,

Angel outfielder, on April 20.

*

“Who cares?”

BILL BAVASI,

general manager, when asked how a two-year extension for Manager Terry Collins might be received in the clubhouse.

*

“From what I can see, everything looks fine. Neither Bill [Bavasi] nor I see any problems in that locker room.”

TONY TAVARES,

club president, on May 30, with the Angels about to give Collins a contract extension.

*

“I can tell when a team is coming together, and this team is. We’re developing a personality. We’re starting to walk into the clubhouse with a feeling that we’re going to kick someone’s . . . “

MO VAUGHN,

first baseman, on July 11.

*

“It’s a very hard-headed team. If you [stink], you’ve got to admit you [stink]. That’s the only way to get better. You don’t want to make excuses.”

VAUGHN,

on July 27.

*

“I’m sick and tired of the bull . . . around here. I’m sick of guys not looking in the mirror, pointing fingers, and not being able to take constructive criticism. It’s tiring.”

*VAUGHN,

on Aug. 14.

*

“We’re getting some personnel back . . . but you almost wonder if we brought in Hank Aaron and Lefty Grove, how much of a difference that would make.”

TIM BELCHER,

pitcher, after a 14-3 loss to Boston on Aug. 7.

*

“All this finger-pointing . . . is destructive to the concept of the team. We’ve done things to each other that people who are blood enemies wouldn’t do. There isn’t a sense of one-ness.”

TAVARES,

in August.

*

“It’s like they’re the Harlem Globetrotters out there, and we’re the Washington Generals.”

GARY DiSARCINA,

shortstop, after the Angels were swept in a four-game series by the Indians in September.

*

“I tried everything I could think of to get them going. I decided that if I’m the reason they haven’t, then I’m out of here.”

TERRY COLLINS,

tearfully, upon his resignation as manager in early September.

*

“If people took as much responsibility as Terry Collins, if they had one-quarter the integrity he has, this wouldn’t have happened. I don’t think [the players] quit on Terry, they quit on themselves. I’ve never been more disappointed in a team. . . . I’m still not sure [Collins] was the problem down there. It’s more like a day-care center than a major league clubhouse. Somebody said to me, ‘You can’t trade 25 guys.’ I said, ‘Why not?’ ”

TAVARES,

after Collins’ resignation.

*

“Guys were at each other’s throats constantly . . . The atmosphere was totally miserable.”

RANDY VELARDE,

after his trade from the Angels to Oakland.

*

“Am I too attached to these players? Maybe. But I never had a problem trading guys, not emotionally. Did I over-evaluate a player or two? That’s possible.”

*

BAVASI,

tearfully, upon his resignation as general manager on Oct. 1.

*

“Frankly, I’ve been embarrassed by all the B.S. that’s occurred this year.”

TAVARES

*

“It’s a big job.”

BILL STONEMAN,

on the day he was hired as general manager.