Shawn Abner

Three years after he started at third base in the Angels' "infield of the future," Jack Howell became a part of the Angels' past. Howell, who lost his starting job when Gary Gaetti was signed last winter and then saw his utility role vanish, was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday for outfielder Shawn Abner. Abner, 25, was chosen by the New York Mets as the first overall pick in the 1984 draft. He was traded to San Diego in 1986 after he hit .266 for double-A Jackson.

Outfielder Shawn Abner reached agreement with the Angels on a one-year contract for $287,500 plus bonuses, averting an arbitration hearing. Abner, who earned $180,000 last season, hit .228 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 41 games after being acquired from the Padres July 30 for third baseman Jack Howell. He had filed for arbitration at $325,000, compared with the Angels' figure of $250,000.

It hasn't happened yet, but give it time. The kid has been around for only four games. Maybe it will come from ESPN's Chris Berman during an 11:30 p.m. highlight. Or from the Padres' Larry Bowa during a 5 p.m. batting practice. But it will happen. Somebody will take the name of the Padres' latest great prospect--Shawn Abner--and stick a "L'il" in there. Somebody will make a joke about hitting a ball to Dogpatch. Then everybody will laugh.

Shawn Abner knows what it's like to feel weary and beaten, and he has only been an Angel since July 30. He hit his doldrums in San Diego, where he languished for most of two months, waiting to be traded by the Padres after losing his spot in center field by hitting .165. When he joined the Angels in exchange for Jack Howell, he joined a team that had troubles of its own.

There were no raunchy jokes. There was no high-pitched laughter. Instead, he was subdued Tuesday, almost tranquil. "I never thought I'd react this way," Padre center fielder Shawn Abner said softly, "but it's going to be tough to leave here without crying." Abner, who had patiently awaited this day for so long, found himself trying to gather his composure Tuesday after learning he finally was being traded to the Angels for third baseman Jack Howell.

Outfielder Shawn Abner reached agreement with the Angels on a one-year contract for $287,500 plus bonuses, averting an arbitration hearing. Abner, who earned $180,000 last season, hit .228 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 41 games after being acquired from the Padres July 30 for third baseman Jack Howell. He had filed for arbitration at $325,000, compared with the Angels' figure of $250,000.

Shawn Abner, acquired from the Padres Tuesday for Jack Howell, was given No. 16, Howell's number, and took batting practice Wednesday at Tiger Stadium. "I'm just glad to be here," Abner said. "I can't get any less playing time than I've gotten since May. The Angels are still in it, and I hope I get a chance to play. . . . I still think I can play. I'm still relatively young (25). I don't think I'm maxed out yet. I'm not a .160 hitter." He won't be in the lineup regularly.

Shawn Abner knows what it's like to feel weary and beaten, and he has only been an Angel since July 30. He hit his doldrums in San Diego, where he languished for most of two months, waiting to be traded by the Padres after losing his spot in center field by hitting .165. When he joined the Angels in exchange for Jack Howell, he joined a team that had troubles of its own.

One day later, the consensus is this . . . --By acquiring Kevin McReynolds Thursday, the New York Mets helped themselves for 1987. --By acquiring Kevin Mitchell, Shawn Abner and Stan Jefferson, the San Diego Padres helped themselves for 1989. --McReynolds, the Mets' new left fielder, is thrilled to be leaving San Diego and, especially, team president Ballard Smith. --Mitchell, who grew up as a ruffian in San Diego and who will be the Padres' third baseman, is convinced he can come home again.

Padre center fielder Shawn Abner wondered how everything could go so wrong, so quickly. He was given the starting job in spring training, and the Padres promised they would stick by him. He hit .314 the first two weeks, and everyone in the Padre front office was gloating how Abner was responding. Then it happened. He went hitless in one game. Then another. And before Abner knew it, he was in a one-for-38 skid, with his batting average plummeting to .171.

Thought for the day: "On paper, we're probably the best balanced team in the West." --Angel CEO Richard Brown, July 21 And some others . . . Top 10 Reasons Why The Angels Are In Last Place This Morning: 1. They can't beat the Seattle Mariners at home. 2. They can't beat the Cleveland Indians at home. 3. They can't beat any team whose nickname ends in "s" at home. 4. They moved Scott Lewis into the starting rotation too soon. 5.

Shawn Abner, acquired from the Padres Tuesday for Jack Howell, was given No. 16, Howell's number, and took batting practice Wednesday at Tiger Stadium. "I'm just glad to be here," Abner said. "I can't get any less playing time than I've gotten since May. The Angels are still in it, and I hope I get a chance to play. . . . I still think I can play. I'm still relatively young (25). I don't think I'm maxed out yet. I'm not a .160 hitter." He won't be in the lineup regularly.

Three years after he started at third base in the Angels' "infield of the future," Jack Howell became a part of the Angels' past. Howell, who lost his starting job when Gary Gaetti was signed last winter and whose utility role vanished in recent weeks, was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday for outfielder Shawn Abner. Howell, 29, was summoned off the field before the Angels' game against the Cleveland Indians, and he immediately went into the clubhouse to pack his gear.

There were no raunchy jokes. There was no high-pitched laughter. Instead, he was subdued Tuesday, almost tranquil. "I never thought I'd react this way," Padre center fielder Shawn Abner said softly, "but it's going to be tough to leave here without crying." Abner, who had patiently awaited this day for so long, found himself trying to gather his composure Tuesday after learning he finally was being traded to the Angels for third baseman Jack Howell.

The meeting occurred nearly three weeks ago behind closed doors in the Padre clubhouse. During the meeting, Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine and outfielder Shawn Abner came to an agreement that Abner would be traded. McIlvaine vowed he would trade Abner within a few days. Abner thanked him. Eighteen days later, Abner still waits, growing more distraught by the day. "I ain't doing nothin' but taking up a roster spot," Abner said. "I'm not playing, and I won't be playing. I'm stuck.

Padre center fielder Shawn Abner wondered how everything could go so wrong, so quickly. He was given the starting job in spring training, and the Padres promised they would stick by him. He hit .314 the first two weeks, and everyone in the Padre front office was gloating how Abner was responding. Then it happened. He went hitless in one game. Then another. And before Abner knew it, he was in a one-for-38 skid, with his batting average plummeting to .171.

As anyone old enough to count the veins in Padre Manager Larry Bowa's neck will tell you, a guy can travel from Bowa's doghouse to stature as one of his pets as quick as . . . well, as quick as a Shawn Abner haircut. Ask Shawn Abner. Bowa's most curious trait surfaced again Sunday, this time in a most curious way with a most curious of outfielders.

He junked the earrings and left them home. His raunchy locker-room humor is being kept in check. He's seeking advice from veteran players instead of snapping wet towels at naked men. Shawn Wesley Abner, who has been little more than an intriguing sideshow to the Padres for the past five years, is changing his act. "For me, this is it," said Abner, vying for the Padres' starting center-field job. "This is my do-or-die year. I'm on a mission.