Erstad Supports Club’s Effort to Keep Scioscia

The last time word leaked that the Angels were working on a contract extension with their manager, in June of 1999, several players, in a mutiny of sorts, went to the general manager to object.

That was Terry Collins. This is Mike Scioscia.

“I don’t think anyone is going to complain about Scioscia staying,” center fielder Darin Erstad said. “If he’s not deserving, I don’t know who is.”

The team is negotiating to extend Scioscia’s contract, which expires after this season but includes an option for 2002. Scioscia’s future in Anaheim could have a bearing on Erstad’s future in Anaheim. Erstad is eligible for free agency after 2002, and he said he would “definitely be more inclined to stay” if Scioscia remains.

“I’ve said it before, I’d love to play the rest of my career for Mike Scioscia,” Erstad said. “He’s far and away the best manager or coach I’ve had in baseball.”

Why?

“The first thing that pops into my head is he’s the same every day,” Erstad said. “You never know if he’s mad or happy. He brings consistency, that you’re-gonna-win mentality every day. The players believe in him, and he believes in the players. There’s a mutual respect, and it’s contagious.”

The Angels were 43-48 on July 15 but have won 18 of their last 25 games to improve to 61-55 and move to within five games of the wild-card lead held by Oakland. It’s probably no coincidence negotiations with Scioscia heated up along with the Angels.

“But I’m not going to take credit for this team turning it around,” Scioscia said. “There’s nothing we’re doing differently now. This is a reflection on [the players] more than me.”

There was some concern after Jarrod Washburn’s rocky start against Chicago on Wednesday night that the Angel left-hander might be having shoulder problems, but results of an MRI test and an examination by Dr. Lewis Yocum, team physician, were normal. Scioscia said Washburn, who was rocked for six runs on seven hits in three innings, was having mechanical difficulties and will make his next scheduled start. . . . Designated hitter Shawn Wooten left the team again Friday to be with his ailing father, Bob, who is fighting lung cancer. Wooten, who returned from New York two days early last weekend because of his father’s illness, may miss the rest of the Blue Jay series.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ RAMON ORTIZ

(10-7, 3.95 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’ ESTEBAN LOAIZA

(8-9, 5.17 ERA)

Edison Field, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Update--Ortiz is 4-0 with a 2.51 earned-run average in his last four starts, giving up only two earned runs in each of his wins over Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Boston and New York. The right-hander gave up 22 hits in 28 2/3 innings of the four games, striking out 20 and walking six. Despite the pounding (five earned runs in six innings) it took against the White Sox Wednesday night, the Angel bullpen entered Friday’s game with a major league-leading 3.11 ERA.

Tickets: (714) 663-9000