ANGELS : It’s Hammer Time as Parker Gets Two Hits in 9-6 Victory Over Cubs

MESA, Ariz. —  Dave Parker brought a sledgehammer and a first baseman’s glove to HoHoKam Park Sunday. The sledgehammer looked natural in his hands. The glove didn’t.

“A couple of guys wondered which weighed more, the sledgehammer or the glove,” Angel Manager Doug Rader said jokingly.

Parker, who uses the sledgehammer to strengthen his already bulging muscles, had an eventful Angel debut. Admittedly rusty at first base, a position he played only three times for the Milwaukee Brewers last season, Parker dropped two easy throws, including one that set up the Chicago Cubs’ third run in the fourth inning.

But Parker also singled to right twice and drove in a run in the Angels’ 9-6 victory, an offensive performance he hopes to build on.

“I feel at home here, and two hits make it easier for me to feel more comfortable,” said Parker, who was acquired from Milwaukee on Thursday for Dante Bichette and a player to be determined.

“From what I see of this ballclub, I definitely have a shot at another (World Series) ring. As long as we stay healthy and everybody does what they’re capable of doing, this lineup can match up with anybody. We can go blow to blow with Oakland.”

The trade united Parker, a member of the 1979 champion Pittsburgh Pirates and 1989 champion Athletics, with his old National League rival Dave Winfield, who joined the Angels last May. Winfield celebrated Sunday with an run-scoring single and his second spring home run, which gave the Angels an 8-4 lead.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Parker, who plans to play through 1993 to try to get the 408 hits he needs for 3,000. “Dave and I always talked about playing together. We didn’t know it would happen at age 39 (for both). I used to think Dave and me being on the same team would be double dynamite.”

Said Winfield: “You can never have too much run production or pitching. He’s left-handed and he hits for power and he fills in a couple of roles for us. Here are two guys that for years have admired one another’s style of play and accomplishments. I like it a lot.”

Rader would like to use Parker at first base to give Wally Joyner an occasional rest.

“I’ve seen him play first base and he’s more than adequate,” Rader said. “When Luis Polonia came here, everybody thought, ‘We’ve got a little designated hitter here and nothing else.’ He’s made a lot of progress defensively. Dave Winfield, also.

“It takes a little time. A lot of rhythm is involved in fielding the ball. You can’t expect it to come right away.”

Parker, who is still rebuilding strength in his left knee after arthroscopic surgery--his “regular maintenance”--expects to produce impressive offensive numbers right away.

“Once you get beyond 35, every year you’ve got to prove yourself,” said Parker, who hit .289 last season with 21 home runs and 92 runs batted in. “The thing about guys with outstanding ability is you know when to hang it up. The talent doesn’t start diminishing, the mental part goes first. I’ve still got great zest for the game.

“I’m going to be 40 in June, but I want to have some 22-year-old numbers. I’m still as productive as any 27- or 28-year-old guy.”

All he questions is whether he can keep his beard. Parker said he would abide by club rules prohibiting facial hair, but General Manager Mike Port hasn’t decided whether to enforce those rules.

“The only stipulation we made is under any circumstances (Bert) Blyleven would keep his beard because we all know what’s underneath,” Port quipped. “We could make a rule that anyone who wears larger than a size-52 jersey can appear however he wants.”

Angel Notes

Kirk McCaskill was frustrated by his curveball, but was otherwise satisfied with his four-inning stint. He was credited with the victory, the Angels’ fourth in their last five exhibitions. “In ‘86, my curve was sharp. Whether off-speed or my regular curve, it would bite,” he said. “I pretty much lost that. This spring, it seems to have come back. It snaps more coming out of my hand.” He attributed the return of his curve to surgery that cleaned his pitching elbow of bone chips and improved his arm extension.

Left-hander Bob McClure threw for eight minutes and reported no discomfort in his left shoulder. No timetable has been set for his return. . . . Jack Howell flied out to right as a pinch-hitter, his first appearance since being hit on the left hand by a pitch Thursday. . . . An arthrogram on right-hander Mike Erb’s pitching shoulder showed no damage. His injury is being called a strain.