IN THE FIRST PLACE: What a difference...

IN THE FIRST PLACE: What a difference a year makes. The Angels are in first place in their division at 20-13. Last year they were 13-20 and in a struggle to stay out of the cellar. They now face their biggest test of the season, a 10-game road trip that starts tonight in New York and moves on to Boston and Baltimore. . . . If you’re keeping track: The Angels were only two games above .500 (11-9) when the Walt Disney Co. announced it was buying a chunk of the team.

FIRST IS BEST? Being the first pick in Major League Baseball’s annual amateur draft can be a blessing--or a curse. . . . The Angels, who selected Nebraska outfielder Darin Erstad with the first pick Thursday (C1), can only hope he turns out as well as some others drafted first: Rick Monday, 1965, A’s; Darryl Strawberry, 1980, Mets; Shawon Dunston, 1982, Cubs; and Ken Griffey Jr., 1987, Mariners. . . . Among the busts: infielder Dave Roberts, 1972, Padres; and catcher Steve Chilcott, Mets, 1966.

DOLLAR DAYS: When the two state beaches in Huntington Beach last year dropped their admission price from $6 to $5, it brought a huge jump in visitors. They’re repeating the $5 fee for this beach season, and the dollar reduction has been extended to Doheny State Beach near Dana Point, on a trial basis. . . . “It’s not that we are hurting for business,” says Doheny park aide Denise Estrada. “But people don’t balk as much at $5. It sounds better than $6.”

SORRY, CARLOS: Comedian Carlos Mencia, the star of a pilot for a Fox TV sitcom about a Latino cop billed as “a fish out of water” working in Orange County, appears to be a fish out of a job. Fox’s fall schedule is out and the show, “Carlos,” is nowhere to be found. It’s not even on the midseason replacement schedule. . . . Says a Fox spokesman: “Technically, there’s still a window there for it.” But network executives doubt this fish will fly.

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Head of the Class

The California Angels have reversed last year’s dismal start:

W-L Pct. 1995 20-13 .606 1994 13-20 .394 1993 19-14 .576 1992 18-15 .545 1991 17-16 .515

Source: California Angels