ANAHEIM, Calif. - The grass may be greener on the West Coast for Mo Vaughn, but life as an Anaheim Angel has been a series of ups and down.
Vaughn came to the ballpark last night thinking there was no way that he'd be returning to Fenway Park for the 70th All-Star Game next Tuesday. Then he heard rumors that he might be chosen today as a reserve for the American League team by manager Joe Torre of the Yankees. With Texas's Juan Gonzalez sitting out the game, the AL is a little short of power hitters.
''I heard Joe was thinking about it,'' said Vaughn. ''We'll have to see what happens. Remember, in my previous three games I was an extra man named by the manager. You never know.''
Vaughn was an All-Star in 1995, 1996, and 1998. He was a starter in 1996, replacing an injured Frank Thomas of the White Sox. But in 1993 and 1994, he was passed over for selection as the Red Sox representative by Toronto manager Cito Gaston in favor of third baseman Scott Cooper despite having better numbers.
The Angels have only one likely All-Star candidate besides Vaughn, relief pitcher Troy Percival. Each team must be represented by at least one player. When asked about Vaughn's chances, Angels manager Terry Collins responded: ''I know he's been hurt and missed three weeks. But lately he's been playing very well. We'll just have to see what happens.''
Only a day earlier, Vaughn had virtually conceded he wouldn't make it. He sent congratulations to former teammate Nomar Garciaparra.
''He's an All-Star, for sure,'' said Vaughn. ''By me coming out here and him going out and doing his job is a good thing. I'm happy to see it.''
With only 22 starts at first, Vaughn had only a slim chance in the All-Star voting to be selected as a starter. He finished a distant fourth in balloting, trailing Cleveland's Jim Thome, Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro, and New York's Tino Martinez.
Vaughn has made 45 starts as designated hitter while recovering from sprained ligaments and a bone bruise in his ankle, suffered when he crashed into the dugout in pursuit of a foul ball on Opening Night. The injury placed him on the disabled list.
''My batting average [.285] isn't where it normally is,'' added Vaughn, who entering last night's game had 16 home runs, 53 runs batted in, and 14 multi-hit games. ''But I did manage to hit some home runs and drive in some runs when I came back. We still have some games left in the first half. Put up some numbers and get ready for the second half, when we start winning our share of games.
''I'm just being myself here. I think if you accept the role of a leader you have to be accountable for one's self. Just coming to work every day. We all know we're not going to be 100 percent all the time. Do what you're capable of doing.''
How much more Vaughn could have done is a matter of debate. Vaughn's success in Boston was built on his passion for playing the game and the intensity he brought to the table every night.
Anaheim fans haven't seen much evidence of that yet. They had been promised an ultimate warrior, worth the $80 million, six-year contract that Angels management shelled out last winter. The Vaughn they've seen hasn't matched the hype. He was limping for weeks after returning April 23 from the 15-day disabled list, though he was named American League Player of the Week May 10-16.
Knowing that the Angels have placed 15 players on the disabled list thus far this year, including such offensive stalwarts as Tim Salmon, Jim Edmonds, and Gary DiSarcina, opponents are pitching around Vaughn.
''Mo's problem when he first came back was that he thought he had to carry the load for all those guys,'' said hitting coach Rod Carew. ''I told him no one guy can do that. I know I tried to do the same thing when I came here years ago.''
Vaughn is aware that Anaheim fans look to him to be the catalyst. In the clubhouse, he has tried to instill in the Angels the intensity and daily commitment that he brought with him from Boston. But it's hard to compete with so many players hurt.
''It's not the same,'' said Vaughn. ''I know people talk about leaders and this and that. But it took us a little while to get it straight in Boston. It doesn't come overnight. It took two to three years before things started to fall in place. You've got to be patient in a situation like this. It's a slow-developing process.
''I'm sure if we'd get some runs and win some games, I'd feel a lot better. I want to improve this situation in the second half and go out there and do what I'm capable of doing and help this team.
''I'm an old-fashioned baseball player. I don't drift off into a lot of different things. My mentality or my IQ hasn't changed just because I'm on the West Coast. I'll still try to bring that East Coast intensity to this area and this team.''
Vaughn said his ankle injury is simply a nagging problem. ''If I played on Mars,'' he quipped, ''my type of game would involve the same intensity. That's just the way I am. I think I'm strong enough to go out there and make some things happen.''
Despite his distance from Boston, he is still close to several former teammates. The Mo Vaughn Foundation is going strong, and he is working with the Gene Autry RBI youth baseball program locally. Recently, he hosted 150 youths on a tour of Disneyland.
''I am happy,'' he said. ''Overall, my family comes first. And they're all happy that I'm happy, and out here doing a job. I plan on coming back [to Boston] in the wintertime and doing some things with the foundation. I'm out here, but things like that are ongoing. It never stops.''
