Phillips Is Back in Business

A contrite Tony Phillips returned to the Angels on Thursday and was immediately penciled into the starting lineup for the finale of a four-game series against the New York Yankees.

“I’d just like to talk a little bit about my emotions right now and how I really feel,” Phillips said before the game. “I’m not really feeling real comfortable in this situation that I’ve gotten myself into. I’m extremely embarrassed and I just want to take this opportunity to express to the public my regrets as far as this situation.

“I’ve caused great embarrassment . . . great embarrassment and hurt to my teammates, the Anaheim Angels, and most importantly my two daughters and my wife. I intend to do whatever it takes for this situation to not occur again.”

Phillips, 38, hadn’t played since being arrested shortly after midnight on Aug. 10 in a nearby motel for felony cocaine possession. He was charged a few days later, but cleared to play last Saturday by the players’ union and major league baseball.

The Angels, however, suspended Phillips indefinitely with pay on Monday after he refused to go on the disabled list and enter an in-patient program.

The players’ union responded by filing a grievance, and it received the support of baseball ownership. As expected, an independent arbitrator reinstated him Wednesday in New York.

“I didn’t feel it was necessary,” Phillips said when asked why he didn’t take the Angels’ suggestion. “I have gone through the proper channels, as far as going to doctors in New York and the commissioner’s office’s doctors.

“And as far as what my obligations were, they were to do whatever they recommend. And I was trying to fulfill my obligations as a first-time offender.”

Phillips said he believes the situation has turned into a wake-up call for him.

“That’s exactly how I look at it,” he said. “Every situation doesn’t happen by coincidence. There’s a reason for everything. I have to look at the positive side of this situation. Many other people have put themselves in the same situation that I was in, and have come out in body bags. So I feel fortunate that I have an opportunity to correct this situation I’m in.”

Entering Thursday night’s game, the Angels were 3-8 since the arrest of Phillips. Six of the eight losses were to the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles--the two teams with the best records in the AL.

Anaheim started the day 1 1/2 games behind Seattle in the AL West race.

“In my mind, I think [the situation] had a part [in the 3-8 record], I don’t think it was huge,” Angel Manager Terry Collins said. “We have a lot of strong-minded people on this team.

“He is in there [the lineup]. If we’re going to move forward, let’s get him in the lineup and do so.”

Phillips was listed second in the batter order as the designated hitter.

Reaction to the return of Phillips has seemed mostly negative among fans on radio talk shows in the area.

The same was true of those asked about the situation at Anaheim Stadium before the game.

“I think he should get in an inpatient program and then get another chance,” said Seymour Bernzweig, 40, of Huntington Beach. “He should have done it on his own. He obviously has a problem. If he won’t go on his own, he should be forced to.”

“The Angels should be allowed to suspend him,” said Joe Navarro, 30, of San Diego. “If the man has a problem, he should seek help.”

“He should never be able to play again,” said Scott Brescol, 41, of Cypress, who coaches football at Woodbridge High. “I’m a role model, I’m an ex-athlete. I really believe they need to be positive role models. He shouldn’t be allowed to play, ever.”

After Phillips was reinstated Wednesday, 24 of the first 30 callers to XTRA radio in San Diego sided with the Angels in suspending Phillips.

“The union has no conscience,” one caller said.

“Give him due process, and then give him his release,” said another.

When asked about negative fan reaction, Collins said, “I’m not in a spot to have my personal opinion be relevant, no matter what it is. My job is to win baseball games, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”