Notes on a Scorecard - July 25, 1995

Just when the Angels are coming into their own, their president and chief executive officer is probably on his way out. . . .

No matter how successful the team is this year, the new part-owner and future sole owner, the Walt Disney Co., is expected to replace Richard Brown and put its own executive in charge at Anaheim Stadium. . . .

“Under the right circumstances, I would love to stay,” Brown said, “but I can’t fault them if they want to bring someone else in.” . . .

It was in November 1990 that Gene Autry called on Brown, who had been the Angels’ legal counsel since 1981 and was a knowledgeable baseball fan whose playing career began and ended with the L.A. High junior varsity. . . .

“We formulated a five-year plan,” Brown said. “The plan was to bring salaries down, but develop young players and become a contender by 1995.” . . .

The growing pains were severe. . . .

During the first four years of the five-year plan, the Angels were 59 games under .500. . . .

They finished seventh once and in a tie for fifth twice in the seven-team AL West, then fourth in the four-team AL West. . . .

But to say they are contenders in the fifth year would be an understatement. . . .

They are pulling away in the division race, leading the major leagues in runs scored and boasting six .300-plus hitters in the starting lineup, including four who are products of the farm system. . . .

“Except maybe for the Von Hayes and Hubie Brooks acquisitions, we didn’t detour from our plan,” Brown said. “This year, we had the money to go after a Lee Smith, and we got Tony Phillips because we needed a veteran leader on the field.” . . .

Of course, not even Brown could envision the Angels’ success at what would be the halfway, 81-game mark of almost any other season. . . .

“Everyone seems to be maturing at the same time,” he said. “Jim Edmonds’ power has been surprising. We thought Gary DiSarcina could hit .280, but he’s doing a lot better than that. J.T. Snow is making the Jim Abbott deal look good and then there’s Garret Anderson.” . . .

Brown said the last five years have been among the most exciting and frustrating of his life. . . .

This year, though, the emphasis has been on the exciting. . . .

*

McKay Christensen, the Angels’ first draft choice in 1994, is living in Japan this summer. . . .

However, the 19-year-old outfielder from Fresno isn’t playing baseball. He has begun the second year of his Mormon mission. . . .

Christensen, a star running back at Clovis West High who signed a letter of intent to play football at Brigham Young, has signed with the Angels and will start his professional career next season. . . .

Brown on the disappointing attendance at Anaheim Stadium: “This team deserves more support, but I can understand why people aren’t coming out. They want a labor agreement and assurance that baseball will be played without interruption for years to come.” . . .

Actually, the strike might be overrated as a factor. . . .

Anaheim Stadium attendance seems to depend greatly on how the team fared the previous year. . . .

The Angels tied for last place in 1987 but attracted 2,696,229, their second-highest total ever, after winning the AL West title in ’86. . . .

It will be interesting to see how the second game of the Cleveland series, an attractive Chuck Finley-Orel Hershiser pitching matchup, draws tonight. . . .

*

Every year, Sebastian Coe’s 800-meter record of 1:41.73 set in 1981 looks better. Nobody is coming close to breaking it. . . .

Thumbs up to Wayne Lukas for a terrific job keeping Thunder Gulch sharp between his victory in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes that capped a rigorous Triple Crown campaign on June 10 and the 1 1/8-mile Swaps Stakes two days ago. . . .

Lukas, ever the optimist, sees hope for Thunder Gulch and Timber Country if they race against Cigar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 28 at Belmont. “The 4- and 5-year-old horses usually peak this time of year,” he said. “The 3-year-olds keep developing.” . . .

Kobe Bryant, a guard who will be a high school senior in Ardmore, Pa., and who is the son of former NBA player Joe (Jelly Bean) Bryant, was the most impressive player in the Adidas Big Time AAU Tournament at Las Vegas last week. . . .

Michael Jordan shot a seven-over-par 78 from the back tees the other day at Riviera, site of the PGA Championship next month. . . .

It makes no sense, but both the Lakers, against Denver, and the Clippers, against Phoenix, are scheduled to open the NBA season at home the night of Nov. 3.