BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : McGwire Priced Out of Anaheim

Although Mark McGwire has mentioned the Angels as one of his favored alternatives after he files for free agency because his young son lives in Anaheim, Angel Senior Vice President Dan O’Brien said Tuesday, “I think it’s improbable” the Angels will spend the huge sum the Oakland first baseman will undoubtedly command.

“We may try to do other things at first base,” O’Brien said. “I can’t get into specifics. I can’t even talk about (McGwire). It would be tampering.”

O’Brien said the Angels will employ “the whole spectrum that’s available to us” in trying to improve the club. That means trades, free agency and promoting from within the organization.

O’Brien also said minor-league star Tim Salmon might still be recalled from triple-A Edmonton during this trip, as was hinted last week, but he gave no specific date. Through Monday, Salmon was hitting .342 with 29 homers and 103 runs batted in.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina wasn’t joking when he said he had a lump in his throat upon hearing Boston Celtic star Larry Bird had retired.

DiSarcina, who grew up in the Boston suburb of Billerica, has long idolized Bird. Earlier this season, to express his joy when the Angels ended their 11-game losing streak, DiSarcina said the victory “was like I went one-on-one with Larry Bird and I won.”

Bird’s announcement made it “a dark day at my house,” DiSarcina said. “The weather put me in a gloomy mood this morning, but then I heard about this, and it’s just a dark, dark day.”

DiSarcina wanted to wear black wristbands with Bird’s number 33 written on them in tribute to his hero, but interim Manager John Wathan nixed that idea. “I’m going to play this one for Larry then,” DiSarcina said. “I’m going to dedicate the rest of my life to Larry.”

That, at least, was a bit of humor.

Catcher Greg Myers (sprained right wrist) might be placed on the disabled list if he’s not fit by Friday, Wathan said. Myers took batting practice Tuesday but his wrist remained tender. . . . The Angels haven’t hit a home run at Fenway park in 13 games and 124 innings, since Jack Howell homered in the second inning on April 26, 1990.