Angels fire pro scout Rich Schlenker

Updated: October 10, 2011, 6:16 PM ET
By Mark Saxon | ESPNLosAngeles.com

The Los Angeles Angels continued to clean house in the wake of general manager Tony Reagins' departure, with longtime professional scout Rich Schlenker being informed late last week that his contract wasn't being renewed.

It has been a selective purge in the scouting ranks, with the Angels retaining pro scouts Brad Sloan and Jeff Schugel.

Schlencker, 68, was informed of the team's decision three weeks before his contract expired, scant time to land a job with another organization. Schlencker worked for the Angels for 27 years, the last 15 as a pro scout.

"It was disappointing in the beginning. They never even said, 'Thank you,' for all your years of service," Schlencker said. "I got over it, and I'm going to find a job if I can."

Reagins stepped aside Sept. 30, though a statement from owner Arte Moreno made it clear he did so under pressure, noting, "We felt a change was needed."

Since then, the Angels have opted not to retain assistant general manager Ken Forsch, special assistant to the GM Gary Sutherland and farm director Abe Flores.

Mark Saxon covers the Angels for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Mark Saxon

ESPNLosAngeles.com
Mark Saxon is a staff writer for ESPNLosAngeles.com. He spent six years at the Orange County Register, and began his career at the Oakland Tribune, where he started an 11-year journey covering Major League Baseball. He has also covered colleges, including USC football and UCLA basketball.

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