Teammates laud Abreu's presence

ANAHEIM -- There are players you hate to face but love to embrace.

A player with few peers in this class is Bobby Abreu, who is transformed from hated to loved, from menace to your main man, the moment he pulls on your jersey and graces your outfit.

Angels catcher Jeff Mathis has experienced the full breadth of Abreu's offensive talents, from his patience and versatility at the plate, to his smart, aggressive baserunning abilities.

"He's fun to watch," Mathis said. "He's definitely one of those guys you love to have on your team and hate to play against.

Angels at a glance 2009 record: 97-65 2008 record: 100-62 AL West champs WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Figgins: Staying true • Angels: Road warriors • Figgins/Abreu: Spark plugs • Bullpen: Stepping up • Figgins: The ignitor • Scioscia: Fundamental key • Vlad: Focused on present • Hatcher: Enjoying success • Scioscia: Approach the key • Aybar: More than just glove • Morales: Putting it together • Abreu: Lauded by 'mates • Wilson: Not alone • Vlad: Resume builder • Weaver: Family matters • Abreu: Hall of Famer? • Saunders: Overcame injury • Lackey: Playoff veteran • Kazmir: Ties to Morales • Jepsen: Remembering Nick • Weaver: Path to pros • Hunter: Humbled by honor • Lackey: It all began in '02 • Weaver: Growing as player • Reagins: Built from within • Morales: Back in the groove • Abreu: Influence extends • Scioscia: Catcher at heart • Lackey: Halos' leader • Morales: Gomez's legacy • Abreu: Embracing his role • Jepsen: Honoring Adenhart • Lackey: Takes place as ace • Weaver: Glue of staff • Scioscia: Postseason fixture • Morales: Perseverance More Angels coverage • Halos' title run comes to an end Vlad's gaffe latest blunder on bases Angels won't let rain stall momentum Who will handle changes best? Rain-induced rest should benefit both Rain may clear way for Lackey in Game 7 Halos ready for Round 6 of tight tussle Escape to New York: Angels take Game 5 Bauman: Moves don't cost Halos in the end Bats finally break out against Yankees Angels place fate in Lackey's hands Mathis brings QB skills to job Sporting News tabs Scioscia top skipper Halos staying positive despite deficit Stymied by CC, Angels on the brink California weather suits Lackey Umpires shaky on several Game 4 calls UConn tragedy hits home for Scioscia Kazmir rady for Game 4 Mathis lifts Angels in Game 3 Bauman: Halos prove they're a tough out Momentum shift in store for Game 4? Kendrick sparks rally Mathis delivers biggest hit of career Vlad silences critics Kazmir gets chance to prove worth Vlad remains in cleanup role Home cooking could revive Angels Halos not making excuses Hunter saw A-Rod's homer coming Angels drop heartbreaker in Game 2 Weaver in control at home in Game 3 'D' betraying Halos at worst possible time Halos falling short in RISP-y situations Neighborhood non-call the 'right call' Figgins' slump-buster nearly a game-winner Saunders rewards Scioscia's faith Halos come to life in wild fifth Defense abandons Angels in Game 1 Yankees benefit on close call at first Fielding miscues costly in Game 1 Saunders ready after long break Angels stun Sox in ninth, finish sweep Halos bury demons at Fenway Moreno revels in Angels' sweep Red Sox tip their hats to Angels Left side of infield a strength Fuentes wraps up phenomenal ALDS Vlad's heroics a long time coming Aybar rises to occasion in Game 3 Halos ready to go after late arrival Fenway doesn't faze Kazmir Angels making Sox taste own medicine Abreu getting due credit Oliver has reinvented himself Weaver's gem puts Angels in control Game 3 setup forces Angels to adjust Aybar, Izturis live up to clutch reputations Weavers etch spot in postseason lore Lackey baffles Red Sox in Game 1 Weaver must set aside second-half falloff Napoli earns Game 2 rematch with Beckett With 10 pitchers, Halos set ALDS roster Halos need quick start against Sox Lackey eyes October success Angels twice as tough at second Early adversity a motivation Fuentes set to thrive in playoffs Angels need wins at the Big A Bulger raring to face Red Sox Abreu embodies aggressive style Angels healthy, deep in rematch Halos out to end hex Ready for ALDS, Kazmir mows down A's Weaver excels in final tuneup Angels drop regular-season home finale Halos team up to one-hit Rangers Angels wrap up AL playoff picture History vs. Sox means nothing to Torii Angels shuffle rotation in wake of title Halos tee up title clincher by holding off A's Huge lead becomes crushing loss Magic number still four as A's win Gloves recharged, Angels believe Angels on losing side of duel in finale Morales providing value daily to Angels Angels get breather, then go back to grind Oliver's skills highly valued by Angels Halos rally to tie Yanks, fall in end Saunders puzzles Yankees in series opener Kendrick's five RBIs help Lackey win No. 102 Angels willing to learn Abreu's lessons Napoli trying to recapture Fenway magic Halos fall in makeup game with Yanks Hunter's homer drives Halos past Sox Angels fall despite late rally Angels down White Sox, pad lead Lackey goes distance, silences Mariners

"Every time he came to the plate when we were playing the Yankees, you knew you were in for a battle. He usually likes to look at a pitch or two, but sometimes he'll swing at the first pitch -- just to keep you honest. He's such a smart player."

Among Abreu's significant milestones this season were 30 steals combined with 103 RBIs, a rare 30/100 combo he achieved for the fifth time. Only Barry Bonds and Hall of Famers from a long-ago era -- Hugh Duffy, Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb -- had done that at least five times.

Abreu also joined Willie Mays, Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan and Craig Biggio as the only men in history to produce at least 250 homers, 2,000 hits, 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 300 steals.

A free agent this winter if the Angels don't retain him, Abreu can join Mays next season as the only performers to play at least 150 games in 13 consecutive seasons.

All of the Angels' starting pitchers have dealt with Abreu, Scott Kazmir more than the others.

Pitching for the Rays before his Aug. 28 move to the West Coast, Kazmir was housed in the same American League East hotbox as Abreu's Bombers.

"I said from the beginning, as soon as I got here, that I'm really happy to be on his team now," Kazmir said, grinning. "This guy shows you the way to do it. He doesn't throw anything away -- any at-bat, any pitch.

"He makes the other team work for everything it gets. He gives his teammates a look at what the opposing pitcher has, because he's up there for so long. If you had nine Abreus, you'd have 400-pitch ballgames."

Kazmir has watched Abreu's quiet, soothing influence spread through the ranks.

"Just by watching him, younger guys can pick up on things and see how it works," Kazmir said. "He is very unique because of the skills he has -- his discipline, his power, his ability to drive in runs, steal bases. He's a special player."

Youthful teammates such as Erick Aybar and Kendry Morales have made noticeable improvements over the course of the season in subtle yet vital aspects of the game. Both freely and frequently credit the 35-year-old right fielder from Venezuela.

"Abreu has helped me in many ways," said Aybar, whose .312 average led the club. "He's always showing me things, teaching me the right way."

Inheriting first base from Mark Teixeira, Morales emerged as a major force around midseason, finishing with 34 homers, 108 RBIs and a .307 average. At Abreu's urging, Morales became more selective, especially with runners in scoring position, and put himself in better hitting counts.

"I listen to everything Abreu says," said Morales, a .330 hitter after the All-Star break with 19 homers and 59 RBIs in 267 at-bats. "He is a smart man. He knows what he's talking about."

Mike Scioscia knew the Angels were getting a top-flight player when they signed Abreu in February to a one-year, $5 million deal. What the manager didn't realize was that his team also was acquiring a teacher whose patience as a mentor rivals his approach to hitting.

"Going into Spring Training, we knew what Bobby could do on the field," Scioscia said. "Some of the spillover effect he's had on a whole lineup has been a big surprise. I think he has influenced guys in a positive way."

In terms of impacting a game, only pitchers and catchers can fully understand what Abreu brings.

He can drive them crazy with seemingly interminable at-bats, getting to 3-2 and fouling off strikes until he finds one he can drive.

"He's in the elite class of hitters," Weaver said. "He can wear you out with his approach. He's one of those guys you don't fully appreciate until he's on your team and you see what he does every day."

The guy you hate to face becomes the guy you love to embrace.