Angels’ Mike Scioscia reflects on milestone

Mike Scioscia was about to manage his 2,000th game Monday night, and after reflecting on the milestone before the Angels took on the Seattle Mariners, Scioscia noticed former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson sitting just over his shoulder on the bench.

Anderson, who was making his Fox Sports West television debut as an analyst, was one of the team’s top run producers in 2000-03, Scioscia’s first four seasons in Anaheim. Anderson had the decisive hit in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, a three-run double that led the Angels to a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

“If it wasn’t for G.A.,� Scioscia said, “I would have been giving catching lessons in Thousand Oaks for the last 12 years.�

Scioscia was kidding, but when the Angels got off to a 6-14 start in 2002, there was speculation he might get fired. The Angels obviously recovered, and after winning the World Series, they went on to win five of six American League West titles from 2004 to 2009.

Scioscia was rewarded before 2009 with a 10-year contract extension, believed to be worth about $50 million. He is only the ninth manager in AL history to manage at least 2,000 games with one club.

“You have to know there are a lot of components that go into that,� Anderson said. “It’s not just him, it’s not just ownership. It’s ownership and him being on the same page, getting the players here, developing players in the minor leagues. It’s everybody working together to make that happen.�

Scioscia moved into 53rd place on the major leagues’ all-time list of games managed. Twenty-seven of the managers ahead of him are in the Hall of Fame, led by Connie Mack, who directed a record 7,755 games.

“I haven’t looked at it,� Scioscia, 53, said. “I really didn’t know this was coming up until I was told a couple of days ago. I think it reflects the success of our organization that lets one guy manage for this amount of time.�

Scioscia’s contract has an opt-out clause after 2015, and the final three years are mutual options. But Scioscia, who entered Monday with a 1,094-905 record in 13 years, does not have any intention of retiring soon.

“It’s still fresh, I love it,� Scioscia said. “I’m going to keep working toward that second championship, that’s our goal. There’s still a passion in all of us, and that makes time go by quickly, I guess.�

Short hops

An Albert Pujols popup that fell behind Texas first baseman Mike Napoli for an error in the sixth inning Saturday was changed by official scorer Ed Munson to a double. … Jered Weaver (lower-back strain) played catch at 120 feet Monday but will need to extend his long-toss to 200 feet before returning to a mound. … Reliever LaTroy Hawkins (broken right pinkie) is scheduled to make his second appearance for Class-A Inland Empire on Tuesday, after which the Angels will determine whether to activate the veteran right-hander for the weekend series at Colorado. … The Angels did not have a pick on the first day of the Major League Baseball draft. Their first pick will be made Tuesday, No. 114 overall.

[email protected]