Angel Notebook : Grich Starts Work in What He Thinks Is Final Season

MESA, Ariz. — Bobby Grich reported to camp Friday along with the rest of the Angel infielders and outfielders, pulled on his familiar No. 4 jersey, stepped into the batting cage and officially began what figures to be his last season in professional baseball.

“I think it will be,” Grich said. “I’d be very surprised if I played next year.

“I’ve asked my body to do a lot over the years, and it has been pushed hard enough. I’m just hoping that it will hold together for one more year.”

Grich, 37, is beginning his 15th major league season and 10th with the Angels. He batted just .242 in 1985, the lowest mark of his career, and finished with 13 home runs and 53 runs batted in, his worst totals since 1978.

But because Grich suffered no debilitating injuries, he considers last season a rousing success--and a good reason to give it one more try in 1986.

“Going into last year, there was a good chance that that might’ve have been my last season,” he said. “If I played only 80 or 90 games and had back problems, I was going to quit then.

“But, fortunately, I was able to play 144 games and had a pretty healthy year. That’s why I’m back for another season.”

A six-time All-Star second baseman and the Angels’ all-time home run leader with 145, Grich shifted to part-time utility status last season. He remained the Angels’ regular second baseman but also spelled Rod Carew at first and Doug DeCinces at third.

He expects his role as a jack-of-all-bases to be expanded this year, especially with Rob Wilfong and Rick Burleson competing for playing time at second.

“If DeCinces is healthy and Wally Joyner does a good job at first base and I play well, I’ll be the second baseman,” Grich said. “But if Rob Wilfong hits .290 and if Rick Burleson makes all the right moves, I could be looking at a lot less playing time at second.

“So, I’m not coming into this season with any one game plan. I’ll just go with the flow. Wherever Gene Mauch needs me, I’ll play.

“I remember my first camp with Baltimore in 1969. They had Davey Johnson at second base and Mark Belanger at shortstop and asked me where I wanted to play. I told them anywhere--catcher, whatever.

“I’ll play where I’m needed. That’s the way I broke in and that’s the way I’ll go out.”

Grich does, however, have a definite game plan once the spikes are filed away in 1987.

“The first two years (after retirement), I’m going to play golf, snow ski, water ski and body surf,” he said. “Then if I get bored with that, I’ll get into business.”

It was time for infield ground-ball practice, and Manager Gene Mauch motioned DeCinces to come in from third base and back up Wally Joyner at first.

“As soon as he came over I told Doug, ‘We just got six stories in tomorrow’s newspapers,’ ” Mauch said.

The move of DeCinces from third to first in 1986 has been a topic of speculation since the end of last season, a season marred by chronic back problems for DeCinces. The logic: By playing first base, DeCinces will be able to ease the strain on his lower back.

That’s probably true, but according to both DeCinces and Mauch, such a move across the infield has never been actually discussed.

“All I read all winter is how I’m going to first base,” DeCinces said. “Nobody told me a thing.”

Mauch said: “It’s never been seriously discussed at any time. I don’t intend on him playing any first base at all. Today, I asked Doug if something were to ever come up, could he play first and he said, ‘Skip, I can play it in my sleep.’ ”

So why the infield practice at first base Friday?

“I just told him to catch some throws at first after he was done taking grounders at third,” Mauch said. “He did the same thing all spring last year, and nobody noticed.”

Designated hitter Rufino Linares and nonroster outfielder Raul Tovar were the only no-shows at the first day of full-squad workouts.

Linares and Tovar both live outside the United States and were booked on flights into Phoenix Friday, according to team publicist Tim Mead. Mauch said he expected both players in camp today.