Will Dodgers and Angels Be in Photo at Finish?

The elevator door opened and, surprisingly, no armed guards stepped out to secure the room.

The only men in uniforms were the cargo themselves, more valuable than precious metals, even more valuable than their contracts worth a combined $185 million.

It was Kevin Brown and Mo Vaughn, fresh from a photo shoot upstairs in an Edison Field luxury box--and when it comes to baseball what could be worth more than the pennant hope each represents to his franchise?

They went their separate directions; Vaughn to the Angel clubhouse on the left and Brown to the right to rejoin his Dodger teammates. Who knows when they’ll be in the same ballpark--let alone the same elevator--again?

It could be at the All-Star game July 13 in Boston.

Or it could be at the World Series in October. This is April, so it’s still permissible to think those thoughts.

But when the preseason discussions mention October, it only makes April that much more important. The first few steps the Dodgers and Angels take should go a long way toward determining their final destinations.

The Dodgers play their first 14 games against National League West Division teams, beginning with that opening day matchup pitting Brown against Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As if that weren’t enough, the Atlanta Braves come to town after that, giving the Dodgers a chance to gauge themselves against the best team in the league.

As Eric Karros said of the first month of play: “You can set the tone.”

The Angels face Cleveland in their opening series, then play the next 10 games against their American League West Division rivals. They jump right into the mix with a three-game trip to Texas.

To Dodger Manager Davey Johnson, a good start “validates the fact that you had a good spring training and everybody came out on the same page and ready to go.”

There’s much more to be validated in this case. For the Dodgers and Angels, a good start validates those huge salary commitments. If Brown takes out Johnson and then one Atlanta’s formidable pitching staff, the investment looks pretty good.

And if Vaughn gives the Angels a guy who can match Texas’ Juan Gonzalez long ball for long ball, perhaps they won’t get blown out the way they did when the two teams met in Anaheim last September.

No one’s saying that early success guarantees repeat occurrences down the stretch and in the postseason. But it’s enough to earn a contract extension for hope. And it sure beats the alternative.

If the Dodgers and Angels stumble out of the gate, rack up losses and tumble in the standings, the road becomes that much tougher. The expectations get thrown back in their face and the flaws come to the forefront.

All of a sudden, the Dodgers become a team with a catcher who can’t catch on a regular basis and fill the left-handed batter role, an unproven third baseman, uncertain middle relievers, a left fielder who wants to be in right field and a right fielder who wants to bat higher in the order.

The Angels turn into a team with an uncertain catcher, an unproven hitter at third base, a pitching staff that shows its (old) age and a shortstop who can’t regain his old form.

When asked the key to his team’s season, Angel Manager Terry Collins said: “Health.”

Sooner or later, that’s always the key for the Angels. This year it’s sooner. Chuck Finley’s arm has already been hit by a flying object. And Gary DiSarcina has a plate in his left forearm and will be out three to four months, thanks to an unlucky swing of a fungo bat.

Collins seemed tense Friday, looking more like a man in a hospital waiting room than the leader of a talented team about to start the season. His latest concern is the health of Jim Edmonds, who has a nagging groin injury and a troublesome lower back.

If his playing status is in doubt, all of a sudden the crowded Angel outfield situation goes from a nice problem/luxury to a necessity. And General Manager Bill Bavasi loses some of his flexibility to bring in a front-line pitcher through a midseason trade.

Lose early and the pressure mounts. For the Dodgers, patience has gone the way of Ebbets Field. And now that the Angels finally upped the ante, they’ve upped the expectations inside and outside the franchise. How are they supposed to assure their fans it will all turn out OK if they get off to a slow start? The Angels aren’t exactly known for their strong finishes.

Talk to the players and there’s confidence that there should be high hopes for these teams. They know what’s real and what’s manufactured.

“I’ve never been one of those types that believes the hype,” Angel outfielder Tim Salmon said. “We’re good. I know if we can stay healthy, we’re going to be where we’re supposed to be.”

For the Dodgers, “There’s always been the expectations to win,” Karros said.

Sometimes they’re justified, sometimes not. They definitely haven’t come to fruition for the past decade, though.

So what makes this year any different?

“This is easily the most experienced team I’ve been on, the deepest team I’ve been on, the best pitching staff,” Karros said.

It’s also the most expensive. There’s that to live up to--or live down.

It’s time for the Dodgers and Angels to get on their own elevators now. Penthouse or garage? We’ll get an idea on their directions soon enough.

J.A. Adande can be reached at his e-mail address: [email protected].