Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Salmon gets long-awaited glory

The Angels' career leader in home runs and RBIs finally reaches the World Series at age 34.

©Associated Press
October 18, 2002

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- There was a time when Tim Salmon considered leaving the Angels.

Perhaps after last year, they wouldn't have minded.

Now, Salmon and the Angels are happy together -- and going to their first World Series.

"I can't put into words what it means. It's something you dream about as a kid and as an adult," he said. "Even now, it's dreamlike. We're riding with it. After 10 years of not happening, it's like it still hasn't sunk in.

"Sunday night, I could hardly even eat, my jaws were so sore from smiling."

That was the day the Angels beat the Twins 13-5 to win the AL Championship Series 4-1 and advance to the World Series, which begins Saturday at Edison Field.

Salmon joined the Angels in 1992 and was AL rookie of the year the next season, hitting .283 with 31 homers and 95 RBIs.

The 34-year-old rightfielder is the Angels' career leader in home runs (269), RBIs (894), extra-base hits (576) and total bases (2,558).

Salmon entered the playoffs with the most games played (1,388) and at-bats (5,009) of any big-leaguer without postseason experience.

"This guy has been a championship-caliber player for a long time," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "This core, which Tim has led, has gotten close a number of times. I think of all the guys in the clubhouse, he realizes the journey to get here better than anyone. He's taken nothing for granted."

Salmon has acknowledged thinking about leaving the Angels before signing a four-year, $40-million extension in March 2001 because of a concern that there wasn't enough emphasis on winning.

But he stayed upon being convinced otherwise.

It finally paid off with a postseason appearance.

"There's no guarantee in life," Salmon said. "After 10 years, I can testify to that. You've got the Derek Jeters and Chipper Joneses who are there every year. You do start wondering, maybe it's not be to."

Salmon hit .286 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs this season -- not nearly as good as some of the years he's had, but far better than last season, when he hit .227 with 17 homers and 49 RBIs.

And that was right after he signed the extension.

"It was sad to see him go through that, he turned the page," hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. "It was tough for him. It gets to be a mental thing when you miss pitches you know you can hit."

Salmon had surgery on his left shoulder after the 2000 season, and it affected his bat speed.

"He was just a tiny bit late, wasn't able to get out there on the fastball," Hatcher said. But it was back to normal this year.

"The first time he grabbed a bat in spring training, I saw it," he said. "I didn't have to say anything -- let's play."

And that's what Salmon did, although he had to get past his typical slow start.

Centerfielder Darin Erstad also had a miserable year in 2001 and has bounced back.

"I remember last year, we are kind of bosom buddies saying, "Let's just make it through the year,' " Salmon recalled. "He made it a point to come to me the other day and say, "Fish, we really did it.'

"Here he and I both are. We can both appreciate it."

Outfielder Orlando Palmeiro, who first played with the Angels in 1995, called Salmon a true professional.

"We've had some frustrating seasons since I've been here. I can only imagine what he's been through," Palmeiro said. "To see him soaking up the moment is really special for me. And he really has -- I heard something about his face hurting from smiling.

"He's always ready to work, he does everything right. That's all you can ask for from a player. He shows up for work every day. I'm very happy for him, for all those people who are here who never reached the playoffs."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright