BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Abbott Returns, Will Face Langston

Jim Abbott parked his car Tuesday in the same spot he had occupied the last four years at Anaheim Stadium, walked through the front doors, nodded to security, took the elevator downstairs . . . and then went into the visiting clubhouse.

“It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” Abbott said. “Nobody gave me a hard time or anything.”

The biggest difficulty, Abbott realizes, will be tonight when he faces his former teammates for the first time, wearing No. 25 for the New York Yankees.

In a strange twist of fate, Abbott will be facing Mark Langston, his best friend.

“There are a few other draws I’d rather have in the league,” Abbott said, laughing. “I miss him. I miss his pitching. I miss his work ethic. (Tonight) will bring back a lot of memories.”

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Right fielder Tim Salmon, second baseman Damion Easley and catcher John Orton spent their off-day Monday in Midland, Tex., to attend the funeral of minor league teammate Kevin Flora’s wife. MaryAnn Flora was killed last week in an automobile accident.