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ANAHEIM -- It's a good thing Chone Figgins likes to run.

Not only does that put him at the forefront of American League base-stealers, but it has provided the Angels with coverage at a key position.

Figgins is again the any and everywhere man for the ballclub this season, starting at no fewer than five different positions plus designated hitter. But it has been his time in center field that has made the greatest impact.

This was supposed to be the year that Darin Erstad returned to center, but bone spurs in his right ankle have twice sent the veteran to the disabled list and limited him to 27 games. Erstad currently is working out at first base in hopes of returning there as a defensive replacement before the season is out.

Enter Figgins, who has made a habit of moving around since his tenure with the Angels began at the end of the 2002 season. A gifted athlete and one of the fastest men in Major League Baseball, Figgins started his 68th game in center Wednesday night and is happy to have the room to roam.

"It's been fun," Figgins said. "In the infield it is a lot of footwork, but in the outfield I get to run and that is what I like to do."

Aside from Erstad, Juan Rivera also has played center this season, as have Tommy Murphy and Reggie Willits, but the job largely has fallen to Figgins, who is doing what he does best: playing where needed.

Last year, that need was at third base, as Dallas McPherson struggled at the plate and eventually missed two-thirds of the season with a bone spur in his left hip, for which he had surgery.

"It is not so much the physical part, but it's learning the routes and gaining experience at the position," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He is learning how to take charge. He is learning where [Vladimir Guerrero] and Garret [Anderson] and Juan are and players coming out of the infield. He is playing better as he's playing out there every day."


Complete Article: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim : News : Los Angeles Angels News

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GO ANGELS

Well he's kind of had it in me ever since i accidentally ran over his dog. Actually, replace "accidentally" with "repeatedly" and replace "dog" with "son".