Scout Seeks Fresh Start After Dismissal : Baseball: Poitevint, who was fired Jan. 5 by Angels, helped boost club’s international recruiting.

Being fired by the Angels did not take Ray Poitevint totally by surprise. But the shock and pain have lingered nonetheless.

Poitevint, a longtime Sun Valley resident and one of baseball’s most respected scouts, was fired Jan. 5 after three years as the Angels’ director of international scouting. Previously, he was scouting director for the Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers for 20 years.

“I’m a positive guy but I’ve never experienced this kind of hurt,� he said. “I put 120% into the job and so did my scouts. I am disappointed because I honestly felt from the bottom of my heart that I did a good job.�

Poitevint’s relationship with the Angels began to deteriorate after Whitey Herzog resigned a year ago as senior vice president. Herzog had hired Poitevint, and the two enjoyed a trust and respect that had enabled Poitevint to develop a complex, mutually beneficial relationship with the team.

The Angels’ entire international scouting budget, Poitevint says, was paid for by fees he charged Japanese teams that sign U.S. players based on his recommendations. Poitevint, whose wife is the daughter of a prominent Japanese judge with baseball ties, is perhaps the American baseball figure most trusted by the Japanese.

In turn, the Angels allowed Poitevint to park players he believed would generate interest from the Japanese on Angels’ farm teams until they were sold. Players he sold to Japan include Alvin Davis, Max Venable, Larry Sheets, Ben Oglivie, R.J. Reynolds, Glenn Braggs, Mel Hall and Jim Traber.

Poitevint also brought to the Angels a ready-made department of 12 international scouts, a number that has grown to 16. He supervised the development of an academy in the Dominican Republic that 35 Angels’ prospects from around the world currently attend.

The Angels signed about 50 international players during Poitevint’s tenure from countries as varied as Australia, Guam, Columbia and Korea.

Although Poitevint won’t speak poorly of anyone associated with the Angels, it is clear he did not enjoy the same closeness with General Manager Bill Bavasi or assistant vice president Bob Fontaine Jr. as he had with Herzog.

The Angels’ international scouts, many of whom have worked under Poitevint for more than a decade, have guaranteed contracts through the 1995 season. So does Poitevint, although he won’t be asked to perform any duties.

Poitevint is seeking employment and said two teams have contacted him. He is considering starting a service that would supply scouting reports on U.S. players in Japan.