TOP RANKING: Cal State Fullerton’s baseball team...

TOP RANKING: Cal State Fullerton’s baseball team will start the 1996 season with high expectations. Star outfielder Mark Kotsay is among several returning starters. And the Titans’ competition paid them the ultimate compliment Wednesday: Fullerton was ranked No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball’s annual survey of Division I baseball coaches. . . . Fullerton will try to be the first Division I baseball team to repeat as national champion since Stanford in 1987-88. The season starts Feb. 2, at Stanford.

SPEEDY FEDS: Not everything is a mess in Washington, notes local Democratic leader Wylie Aitken. He and his wife, Bette, were among the Clinton guests at recent White House Christmas festivities, a perk when your party’s in power. . . . When they returned home to Anaheim, they found the White House Christmas card--and their picture with the Clintons--had beaten them back. Quips Aitken: “Who says government is not efficient? Particularly when the Democrats are in charge.”

CENTURY PARTY: Six years ago, Jerry Hansen of Anaheim became a blood platelet donor because a young leukemia patient in his church needed a transfusion. He was so touched by the mother’s thank you note, he’s been donating twice a month since. Wednesday was his 100th donation. . . . Says Judy Iannacone of the local American Red Cross office: “The process takes almost two hours, so it takes a very special person to be willing to do this.” . . . More such donors are needed. Platelets are critical for patients with clotting problems, especially cancer patients.

TREE LOTT: Another with a special reason for giving is Philip Lott, 19, of Lake Forest. Three years ago this month, he was a victim of a drive-by shooting. His medical bills were so high his family couldn’t afford a Christmas tree, but someone gave them one. Since then, Lott has lobbied with Christmas tree lot owners to donate trees to crime victims--he’s already given out more than a dozen trees this year. . . . Says Lott: “Everybody should have a Christmas tree.”