CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Anaheim Angels apparently have rid themselves of manager Terry Collins after all, but it took a nine-game losing streak and the worst record in baseball to do it.

The Angels have called a news conference for 6 p.m. EDT to make a "major announcement" and One-on-One Sports Radio, citing a source within the team, is reporting that Collins will announce his resignation.

Several Angels players had pushed for the departure of the often intense Collins earlier this season, but general manager Bill Bavasi instead gave Collins a contract extension on June 22.

But the injury-plagued Angels hardly rallied around Collins, who never played in the major leagues. Anaheim has lost 21 of its last 26 games, dropping its record to 51-82. The Angels were 8-21 in August, the second-most losses in the month in club history.

Anaheim hosts the New York Yankees tonight in the opener of a four-game series.

The Angels again were expected to contend for a playoff spot this year, especially with the offseason free agent signing of former Boston Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn, the 1995 American League Most Valuable Player.

But a series of injuries that seemingly have cursed the franchise in recent years surfaced again, beginning in spring training when shortstop Gary DiSarcina suffered a broken left forearm when hit by a fungo bat.

The Angels have had 18 players on the disabled list this season, including Vaughn, outfielders Darin Erstad and Jim Edmonds, DiSarcina and pitchers Tim Belcher and Ken Hill.

Collins managed the Angels to an 84-78 mark in 1997, his first year in Anaheim after a three-year stint with the Houston Astros. Collins was fired by the Astros after leading them to three consecutive second-place finishes in the National League Central Division. The Angels were 79-75 last season.

A native of Midland, Missouri, Collins owns a career managerial record of 438-432. His teams finished in second place in each of his five seasons on the job. Collins played in the Pittsburgh and Los Angeles organizations but never made it to the majors.

The Angels have never played in a World Series and have not appeared in the postseason since 1986.

Collins would be the third managerial change in the majors since the start of the year. Tim Johnson was fired by the Toronto Blue Jays in spring training and the Milwaukee Brewers dismissed Phil Garner last month.