Appier remembers being a young prospect

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Kevin Appier has been where John Lackey is now.

As a young pitching prospect in the early 1990s, Appier was brought in to join a talented Kansas City Royals staff led by Brett Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza, Charlie Liebrandt and Floyd Bannister.

The 24-year-old Lackey figures to be a member of the World Series champion Anaheim Angels' starting rotation this year after making quite an impression in 23 appearances last season.

``I was very young, but I was put in the rotation and I was expected to perform,'' recalled Appier, now 34. ``Lackey did a good job. He performed right way and showed a lot of poise.''

Lackey went 9-4 after being promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake in late June, and went on to win Game 7 of the World Series to become the first rookie pitcher to accomplish such a feat since Babe Adams in 1909.

While Appier and fellow veteran Aaron Sele lent their support to young pitchers like Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schoeneweis last year part of what Appier refers to as the ``unsaid job description'' those young pitchers are now considered veterans.

That makes it their turn to help out the young pitching prospects the Angels' brass is churning out like Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez.

``You can see the natural progression there,'' Appier said. ``We keep getting reinforcements coming up. You've got to give a lot of credit to the scouting system and the minor leagues for developing these guys.''

Angels manager Mike Scioscia feels fortunate to have a talented mix of veterans and youth youth within his staff.

``Right now, we have a blend of veterans that are still young and extremely productive with a core of young pitchers that are even going to get better but are performing at a high level,'' Scioscia said. ``That makes for a champion-style pitching staff.''

Scioscia saw leadership not just from Appier and Sele.

``It was everybody in that clubhouse,'' Scioscia said. ``Everybody understood the importance of that. It's not something that's going to slack off.''

Appier said that Lackey does a great job of ``bending our ears'' for information, and Lackey is happy to have solid veterans around.

``They've been around this league for years,'' he said. ``And they've gotten guys out for years. Not only that, their work ethic is outstanding.''

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)