Valentine Tosses Hat in Managerial Ring

Bobby Valentine, managing the New York Mets’ triple-A affiliate at Norfolk, said he has not yet been contacted about the Angel job. But he said he was interested.

“There are only 28 major league managing jobs,” said Valentine, who played for the Angels and Dodgers during his major league career. “Anybody who said they weren’t interested in one of the greatest jobs in the world would be silly.

“And I’m not silly.”

Valentine, who managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992 and was American League manager of the year in 1986, has led Norfolk to a 67-50 record in the International League this year.

He managed in Japan last year.

Valentine’s name is one of perhaps a dozen General Manager Bill Bavasi has compiled.

*

Interim Manager John McNamara said Todd Greene and Jorge Fabregas, two home-grown catchers, will see the bulk of the action behind the plate the rest of the season.

Veteran Don Slaught, who has one hit in his last 15 at-bats, will be used primarily in a pinch-hitting role.

Greene and Fabregas were each converted from other positions and tutored by McNamara in the minors. Greene, in particular, didn’t make McNamara forget Johnny Bench.

“One day he crossed himself up and caught a fastball with his bare hand,” McNamara said. “He’s improved dramatically. He’s a very determined young man. He’s determined to be a major league catcher. I think he can play at this level.”

*

Former Angel catcher Greg Myers, now with Minnesota, on Marcel Lachemann, who resigned Tuesday:

“I don’t see how you can blame [the Angels’ poor play] on him because he [won] last year. I thought he did a pretty good job of motivating us [in 1995]. I guess there was some grumbling [recently]. I think that’s because they’re frustrated because they’re not doing what they should be doing.”