Dave Hollins

Padre fans used to torment the outfielder, booing him on the field during the game, and breaking into his car at night. They once slashed the convertible top on his car while parked at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, and openly cheered when he was traded away. They never even saw the third baseman. He was in the minor leagues during his three-year stay, never advancing past double-A Wichita, and the fans shrugged their shoulders when he was left unprotected in the 1989 winter draft.

Not long after Dave Hollins was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, there was speculation in the SkyDome about a possible return to Anaheim for the former Angel third baseman. It makes some sense. The Angels, who traded Hollins to Toronto at the end of spring training, are already paying $1.3 million of his $2.4-million contract, and if Hollins clears waivers and is either traded or becomes a free agent, the team he goes to would have to pay him only about $100,000.

Dave Hollins was once so upset after losing a high school football game that he locked himself in his room for two days, refusing to eat. What he did for those 48 hours remains a mystery to all but Hollins. "It's better to leave that stuff alone," the Angels' new third baseman said. "It might scare the people in Anaheim."

The Angels on Tuesday lost their starting shortstop for an additional three to four months, traded a third baseman who was credited with infusing the team with a new attitude, released a reliever who was expected to be a key member of the bullpen and released a utility infielder. As they say around these parts: Just another day in Angel camp.

Tom Tanzer, the agent for third baseman Dave Hollins, met with General Manager Bill Bavasi Thursday morning to discuss his client's status with the Angels. Hollins then spent Thursday afternoon solidifying his standing, smacking two home runs, one from each side of the plate, a sacrifice fly, and knocking in six runs to lead the Angels to an 11-4 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix.

The Angels, who have long been frustrated in their attempts to woo the fans of Southern California away from the Dodgers, were at least able to beat their rivals for the services of veteran infielder Dave Hollins. Hollins, who has played on four teams during the last two seasons, signed a two-year contract worth at least $3.8 million with the Angels on Wednesday. "We caught a break because he wanted to stay in the American League," General Manager Bill Bavasi said.

His stomach is covered with shirts, hiding the tender skin that is stuck as many as four times a day with hypodermic needles. "During the season, I can't shoot my arms and legs and butt," Dave Hollins says. "I need them too much." His dugout shakes are covered by teammates, who sprint to the clubhouse and bring back little packets of energy gel before anyone notices the Angel third baseman is pale and trembling.

Dave Hollins is a whirlwind on the field, diving for ground balls, going from first to third on most singles, running out every grounder. But in the clubhouse, the Angel third baseman moves around so gingerly you'd swear he was either hurt or exhausted. "I have to shut it down and save my energy because of my situation," Hollins said, alluding to his efforts to cope with diabetes. "I don't want to do too much before the game because if I work too hard, I'll be shot.

The first few weeks of spring training were a grind for third baseman Dave Hollins. He had difficulty getting his legs and back loose and, not wanting to risk injury in the cold weather, he spent a good deal of time on the bench during the first week of exhibition games. But as temperatures have risen in the Phoenix area, so have Hollins' at-bat totals, and the switch-hitter finally appears to be getting into game shape.

Had this been a normal spring training, where all he had to do was get in shape and find his batting stroke, Dave Hollins might have spent the weekend getting treatment on his sore hamstring and resting until it was 100%. But a normal spring, this isn't. The 32-year-old switch-hitter is trying to fend off youngster Troy Glaus for the third-base job, so Hollins played Saturday and Sunday even though it's obvious he's not at full strength.

Tom Tanzer, the agent for third baseman Dave Hollins, met with General Manager Bill Bavasi Thursday morning to discuss his client's status with the Angels. Hollins then spent Thursday afternoon solidifying his standing, smacking two home runs, one from each side of the plate, a sacrifice fly and knocking in six runs to lead the Angels to an 11-4 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix.

Had this been a normal spring training, where all he had to do was get in shape and find his batting stroke, Dave Hollins might have spent the weekend getting treatment on his sore hamstring and resting until it was 100%. But a normal spring, this isn't. The 32-year-old switch-hitter is trying to fend off youngster Troy Glaus for the third-base job, so Hollins played Saturday and Sunday even though it's obvious he's not at full strength.

Dave Hollins has a guaranteed contract that will pay him $2.4 million this season. The only questions: Who will be paying it? And for what services rendered? Hollins could be the starting third baseman or designated hitter for the Angels. He could be a super utility guy, playing three or four games a week at first base, third base and DH. He has no desire to be a spare part.

Dave Hollins will undergo shoulder surgery today and will not play for the Angels again until spring training. What position Hollins might play next spring depends upon what moves the Angels make this winter. "I told him to bring his first baseman's glove to camp and win the job," Manager Terry Collins said. Hollins, the Angels' starting third baseman last season and most of this season, lost the job to rookie Troy Glaus. The Angels have guaranteed $2.

Dave Hollins hit a season-high Tuesday night in Bank One Ballpark, but it was not for runs, hits or errors. It was for the amount of glucose in his bloodstream, a reading that reached a dangerous level when the diabetic third baseman was pulled from the game in the eighth inning. A normal blood-sugar count would be in the 80-120 range, but Hollins, fighting a cold and having difficulty coping with Phoenix's 90-degree temperatures, hit 402 Tuesday night.

While Dave Hollins works and adjusts to get his offense going, he has been nearly perfect in the field, with only one error in 23 games. On Wednesday, Hollins saved the Angels two runs, starting a inning-double play in the first inning and backhanding a ground ball down the line to get a force out at second base to end the second. Both times the Boston Red Sox had runners on third. "Right now, Dave is saying, 'I'm not getting any hits, so you're not getting any hits.