ANAHEIM -- The end of an era is nearing for the Angels, and the emotions can be felt in the clubhouse, albeit suppressed.
Tim Salmon will hold a press conference Thursday about his impending retirement while Darin Erstad tries to encourage a sore ankle to cooperate enough to last through batting practice and perhaps an inning or two on defense. Erstad isn't calling it quits, but only surgery and next spring will determine what his future holds.
Then there is Adam Kennedy, who has quietly forged his way into franchise lore, and he has the hardware to prove it. That was Kennedy who hit three home runs in Game 5 of the 2002 ALCS as the Angels clinched the pennant and was named the MVP.
Kennedy also is not retiring; the way he figures, he's got another half-dozen or so years left in him. But the 30-year-old is nearing the end of his contract with the Angels, and rookie Howie Kendrick is ready to take his job at second base.
No decision has been made, as general manager Bill Stoneman has said he'll review the entire roster once the season concludes, but Kennedy is resigned to the fact his days in an Angels uniform are nearing their last few.
"I don't try and keep it out of my mind; I'm just thankful to be playing at this point," Kennedy said.
There was a time when it would seem that Kennedy was the answer to a trivia question. He was acquired March 23, 2000, along with right-hander Kent Bottenfield, from the Cardinals for outfielder Jim Edmonds. Bottenfield had gone 18-7 with St. Louis a year earlier, while Edmonds clubbed 121 homers and was a defensive presence in center field with the Angels.
All Kennedy did was win the starter's job at second as a rookie and become one of the better defenders at his position over his seven seasons with the Angels. Along the way, he also picked up a ring.
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Notes: Kennedy era nearing end
Notes: Kennedy era nearing end
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