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By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2001
The Angels knew the loss of Mo Vaughn for the season because of biceps tendon surgery would hurt their offense significantly. And by the midseason break we saw how valuable the first baseman, who hit .272 with 36 homers and 117 RBI last season, was to the lineup. "We have to execute when we have the opportunity and we haven't," outfielder Darin Erstad said. "We're not getting the job done. Offensively, we're just not very good." Erstad's numbers are down from 2000, and so are Tim Salmon's. Meanwhile, third baseman Troy Glaus and outfielder Garret Anderson are having solid seasons. Anaheim used 17 DHs in the first half but got little from any of them (.216 average, 7 home runs, 34 RBI). Angels first basemen batted .242 with 11 homers and 37 RBI. Anaheim was 47-41 at the break last season and 42-45 this season, on pace to score 106 fewer runs and hit 58 fewer home runs. Key players who are missing Mo:
Troy Glaus
2000:.284 Avg., 47 HR, 102 RBI
AT THE BREAK:.247 Avg., 22 HR, 54 RBI
Garret Anderson
2000:.286 Avg., 35 HR, 117 RBI
AT THE BREAK:.279 Avg., 15 HR, 62 RBI
Tim Salmon (DL)
2000: .290 Avg., 34 HR, 97 RBI
AT THE BREAK:.206 Avg., 9 HR, 26 RBI
Darin Erstad
2000:.355 Avg., 25 HR, 100 RBI
AT THE BREAK:.279 Avg., 7 HR, 43 RBI
-- Compiled by Kevin Kelly.