Notes on a Scorecard - April 27, 1993

It has not quite reached the Angelmania stage, but Southern California is beginning to respond to the fastest start by any young ensemble in these parts since the Jackson Five. . . .

The walk-up sale of 16,948 before the Angels’ victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night at Anaheim Stadium was the biggest in the 33-year history of the franchise. . . .

Despite a dip in season ticket sales of 2,200, attendance is up 10,859 from a year ago after 11 home dates. . . .

A crowd of nearly 40,000 is expected for the return of Jim Abbott on Wednesday when the Angels conclude their home stand against the New York Yankees. . . .

“I’m going to give Jim Abbott my due and then sit down and root for the Angels,” said a customer Monday morning after ordering four box seats. . . .

Attendance is also up in the press box. No more than 12 writers and radio and TV personnel were on hand daily for the final home stand last season. Lately, there have been 50 to 60. . . .

A conference call with J.T. Snow was conducted for New York writers Sunday, and media relations director Tim Mead has been getting interview requests from across the country. . . . The kids, such as Snow, Damion Easley, Chad Curtis and Tim Salmon, are making the biggest difference, but don’t underestimate the contributions of Buck Rodgers, 54, who managed less than half the schedule last season. . . .

Exactly where the Angels will finish in the American League West is open to considerable debate, but the apparent decline of the Oakland Athletics could make the division less formidable than in recent years. . . .

Has Dennis Eckersley, 38, lost it? . . .

The Colorado Rockies are at a pace to exceed 5 million fans at Mile High Stadium during their inaugural year. . . .

If the Rockies and Florida Marlins are expansion teams, does that make the Dodgers a contraction team?

The Montreal Expos might have the best everyday lineup in the National League. . . .

Thumbs up to the Rams for taking a couple of Pacific 10 stars who probably should have been drafted higher--California running back Russell White in the third round and UCLA wide receiver Sean LaChapelle in the fifth. . . .

Former Pittsburgh coach Mike Gottfried is bullish on Mississippi State wide receiver Olanda Truitt, who was selected in the fifth round by the Raiders. Truitt played at Pitt, then transferred after Paul Hackett replaced Gottfried. . . .

A sleeper could be Gino Torretta, a quarterback from the University of Miami who was picked in the seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings. . . .

“Clearly, we’re not as talented as in years past,” UCLA Coach Terry Donahue said at the beginning of the final week of spring practice. “But we’re working real hard, and I’m starting to see some progress. I’d like to practice for another two months. By then, we would be fine.” . . .

Look-alikes: Brothers Tim Salmon, the Angel outfielder, and Mike Salmon, the USC safety. . . .

Prime Ticket announcers for the track meet at Drake Stadium last Saturday were Dwight Stones and Phil Stone. . . .

Raider wide receiver Willie Gault, 32, ran the 100 meters in 10.56 Saturday in the Meet of Champions at Azusa Pacific. . . .

The signing of Charles O’Bannon, who should start at UCLA from Day 1, could have a snowball effect on Bruin recruiting next season. But don’t expect O’Bannon’s Artesia High teammate, Avondre Jones, to follow him to Westwood. . . .

Among the more intriguing first-round NBA playoff series is that between the old Boston Celtics and the young Charlotte Hornets. . . .

The Orlando Magic, with Shaquille O’Neal, won 20 more games than last season. The Golden State Warriors, pretty much without Chris Mullin, Billy Owens and Sarunas Marciulionis, lost 21 more. . . . It was typical of Dave Taylor that a broken nose sidelined him for only 3 minutes 11 seconds during the Kings’ victory over Calgary in Game 4 of their Stanley Cup series Sunday. . . .

The pressure of a must-win game didn’t seem to bother King rookie goaltender Robb Stauber. . . .

I didn’t think the Cincinnati Reds would miss Marge Schott this much.