Golf cart carries some serious Angels freight

Reporting from Tempe, Ariz.-- It seemed to defy logic and gravity -- and, perhaps, some rules of common sense -- but the Angels squeezed more than half a ton of players and $318 million in outstanding contracts on one electric golf cart Saturday morning.

Veteran position players who work out on the lower fields of the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex usually catch rides back to the clubhouse, but there was only one cart available when Saturday’s workout was complete.

New slugger Albert Pujols, signed for 10 years and $240 million, and outfielder Vernon Wells, who has three years and $63 million left on his contract, grabbed spots on the rear-facing seat that is big enough to seat two comfortably.

First baseman Kendrys Morales ($3 million) took the passenger seat, shortstop Erick Aybar ($5 million) grabbed the wheel, and third baseman Alberto Callaspo ($3 million) squeezed between Pujols and Wells.

Infielder Maicer Izturis ($4 million) then took a seat on the front dash, facing Morales, and off they went, a combined 1,300 pounds or so and $48 million in 2012 salaries.

The back of the cart scraped the pavement a few times, but they made it back to the clubhouse in one piece.

“We bottomed out a couple of times,” Wells said. “I didn’t realize Aybar was driving until we were halfway through it.”