BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Curse Is Catching as Season Goes On

Call it the curse of Ron Tingley.

Ever since the Angels released the popular veteran catcher at the end of the 1993 season, bizarre occurrences have been haunting the Angel catching corps.

The latest incident occurred during the weekend. Catcher Andy Allanson, who was brought up Tuesday, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken right index finger without appearing in a game. He was replaced by Chris Turner.

“In all of my years in baseball,” said Ken Macha, Angel third base coach, “I’ve never seen that. Come on, a guy coming up and then going on the disabled list without even playing?”

Said Allanson: “I’ve had broken bones before, but before, I always knew it.

“The frustrating thing is that I finally got my opportunity, and now I don’t know if I’ll have another one.”

He can join the club:

--Greg Myers, the Angels’ starting catcher, suffered cartilage damage to his left knee and was sidelined two months. He has sat out the last two games because of a bruised right thumb.

--Bullpen catcher Mick Billmeyer suffered a broken arm while warming up John Dopson and sat out two months.

--Jorge Fabregas, considered the Angels’ best defensive catcher, inexplicably lost his skills and was sent to the minors.

--Chris Turner, kept on the roster because of his hitting, batted .138 through June, then was demoted to the minors. He returned five days later when Allanson was placed on the disabled list.

“It’s just been a brutal year,” Myers said. “It can only get better. I mean, it can’t get worse, can it?”