BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Carew Finds a New Source of Pride

Rod Carew victimized pitchers for 19 years during his Hall of Fame career, coming to the ballpark each day believing he was going to get his hits, and leaving most days satisfied, evidenced by seven batting titles.

Now, as batting coach of the hottest team in the American League, Carew says the satisfaction of watching the Angels this season is as rewarding as during the days he played.

“I really suffered with all of them last year,” said Carew, who watched the Angels finish last in 11 offensive categories. “Now, I can’t tell you how great it is to see these guys get base hits and come through when it’s necessary.

“It’s the same kind of feeling I had when I played, that we’re going to hit whoever’s out there.”

The Angels, who batted a league-low .243 last season and averaged only 3.6 runs, are batting. 291 and averaging 5.75 runs after Sunday’s game.

“No matter what happens the rest of the way,” Carew said, “they know now they can hit. They’ve already proven it to themselves. There’s no doubt they can do it.

“I’m telling you, it’s been fun. You should see the enthusiasm on the bench. I looked at (Mark Langston) the other day and said, ‘This is fun, isn’t it?’ He looked right back at me and said, ‘You’re damn right it is.’ ”

Reliever Chuck Crim, who is 2-0 and has given up no earned runs this season, said the Angel relievers are looking for suggestions to spruce up their bullpen platform, which sits in the left-field seats under a canopy.

“We’re thinking about getting hanging plants with white tables,” Crim said, “you know, make it like a sidewalk cafe. We’re also looking for some kind of name for the place.”

The Angels’ triple-A Vancouver team donated all of the proceeds from its game Saturday night against Las Vegas to second baseman Kevin Flora, whose wife and mother-in-law were killed Thursday in a car accident. . . . Angel left-handed reliever Ken Patterson is suffering from a strained left hamstring. . . . Second baseman Damion Easley sat out his second consecutive start because of shin splints.