Belcher Doesn’t Want to Say Goodbye to Anaheim

Tim Belcher will make his final start of the season today against the Mariners. He hopes it’s not his final start as an Angel or the final start of his major league career.

After contemplating retirement this summer, the veteran right-hander, plagued by elbow problems for two seasons, has informed General Manager Bill Stoneman he would like to return in 2001 and is willing to renegotiate his contract to do so.

The Angels have a $5.1-million option on Belcher for 2001, or they can buy out the contract for $1 million. The odds of the Angels picking up the option are remote, but Belcher said he would be “very open� to a contract with a much lower base salary and incentives for games started and innings pitched.

“I want to pitch again next year, and I would like it to be here,� said Belcher, who is 4-4 with a 6.39 earned run average in eight starts this season after undergoing elbow surgery last winter.

“I feel like I’m over this elbow thing. I’d like to have a full, healthy and successful season, so I can make things right here.�

Belcher missed six weeks of the 1999 season because of a broken finger and sat out the final three weeks because of an inflamed elbow, going 6-8 with a career-worst 6.73 ERA in 24 starts.

Several setbacks prevented Belcher from joining the Angel rotation this season until June 17, and he was back on the disabled list after four starts. But Belcher returned again on Sept. 17 and has been encouraged by his last four starts, winning twice and pitching extremely well three times.

“We’re open to him returning next year,� Manager Mike Scioscia said. “When he’s healthy, he’s a horse, a guy who can throw 190-200 innings. What happens with this club and his contract is still being formulated, so it’s tough to say [what his chances are of returning], but a healthy Tim Belcher would be a plus to any rotation.�

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Outfielder Darin Erstad, who tripled in the second inning Friday night for his major league-leading 237th hit, was honored Friday with the Gene Autry Trophy, the annual award given to the Angels’ most valuable player.

Through Thursday’s game, Erstad was batting .356 with 25 home runs, 37 doubles and 28 stolen bases.

He led the major leagues with 76 multi-hit games, was batting .353 with runners in scoring position and .571 with the bases loaded, and has played Gold Glove-caliber defense.

Of course, the ultra-intense Erstad showed no emotion during a pre-game ceremony for the award, which is voted on by Angel players.

“I’m not the type of guy who sits back and says, ‘Wow,’ � Erstad said. “That’s not to say I don’t have fun. The fun for me is grinding it out every day. I know I don’t smile a lot, but that doesn’t mean I’m not having fun out there. I’m having a great time.�

TODAY

ANGELS’

TIM BELCHER

(4-4, 6.39 ERA)

vs.

MARINERS’

JOHN HALAMA

(13-9, 5.14 ERA)

Edison Field, 1 p.m.

TV--Channel 11. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Update--Troy Glaus’ three-run home run in the first inning Friday gave him 100 RBIs for the season, and Darin Erstad’s sacrifice fly in the sixth gave him 100 RBIs. That marked the first time in club history the Angels have had four players with 100 RBIs. Mo Vaughn (117) and Garret Anderson (114) have also surpassed the mark this season. Don Baylor, Dan Ford and Bobby Grich each had 100 RBIs or more in 1979, and Tim Salmon, Jim Edmonds and J.T. Snow accomplished the feat in 1995. Belcher is looking to rebound from a four-inning, seven-run, seven-hit performance in a 7-5 loss to Oakland Monday.

* Tickets: (714) 663-9000