Frustrated Lachemann Throws Down Angels’ Reins

Marcel Lachemann, frustrated by the constant losing that he likened to “water torture,” quit Tuesday as manager of the California Angels.

John McNamara, 64, who managed California in 1983-84, will take over for the rest of this season while the Angels conduct a “very patient” search for a new manager.

Under Lachemann, the Angels collapsed after holding a 13-game A.L. West lead over Seattle last year. They’ve gone into another tailspin this year and were 52-59 and in last place in the A.L. West prior to Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota.

Lachemann’s disappointment became apparent recently as the Angels’ struggled.

“It was like water torture,” he said, stressing he was under no pressure to resign. “It just kept dripping and dripping, finally to the point where it was the thing to do (resign) for all concerned.”

Lachemann was half of the only brother duo to manage in the majors at the same time since 1879. His brother, Rene, was fired by the Florida Marlins on July 7.

Labor talks heat up

Baseball’s labor talks intensified Tuesday in New York, with the owners’ threat to resume a bitter court fight adding more urgency to the negotiations.

The owners’ ruling executive council is scheduled to meet today in Milwaukee, and negotiator Randy Levine is to brief his bosses on what could be an ugly month for baseball’s already-battered image.

According to several management sources who spoke on the condition they not be identified, owners will make a “final” offer next week if there is no progress toward a deal. About a week after that, they would ask U.S. District Judge Sonia Sotomayor to lift the injunction keeping the expired labor agreement in force, the first step toward declaring an impasse and unilaterally imposing work rules.

Sotomayor’s injunction, issued March 31, 1995, caused players to end their strike after 232 days. The court order prevents work rules from changing unless there is either an agreement or Sotomayor agrees that talks have reached an impasse.

DL comings and goings

San Diego Padres star outfielder Tony Gwynn, the six-time N.L. batting champion who was sidelined for more than a month by a fraying of his right Achilles tendon, has been removed from the disabled list.

The news wasn’t as good, however, for New Yorks Mets first baseman Butch Huskey (knee) and Cleveland Indians designated hitter Julio Franco (hamstring), who were both placed on the 15-day DL.

Cone throwing again

New York Yankees pitcher David Cone, working out off a mound for the first time since undergoing surgery for an aneurysm in his right shoulder on May 10, threw “free and easy” for 10 minutes under the watchful eye of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, general manager Bob Watson and team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon.

“I feel great,” Cone said later at a news conference. “I threw very hard. Dr. Hershon almost had a heart attack.”

It was the most important step yet in Cone’s comeback from the unusual injury, and the right-hander said he now expects to be back prior to the Sept. 7 return date he originally set.