For Openers

* Gates open: Parking lots at 5 p.m.; stadium turnstiles at 5:30 p.m.

* Ceremonial first pitch: Lynn Rigney-Schott, daughter of Bill Rigney, who died in February at 83. Gene Autry hired Rigney to manage the expansion Angels of 1961, and he managed the team through 1969. No one else has managed the Angels for more than four consecutive seasons. Buck Rodgers, a catcher for Rigney and later a manager for Autry, will catch the ceremonial first pitch.

* National anthem: All-American Boys’ Chorus.

* Other ceremonies: Center fielder Darin Erstad will be presented with his 2000 Gold Glove award, and Erstad and third baseman Troy Glaus will be presented with 2000 Silver Slugger awards, signifying the top offensive player in each league at each position. A 300-foot American flag will be unrolled in the outfield before the national anthem.

* Something new: The murals along the outfield wall, which last year celebrated the Angels’ all-time team, this year will feature current Angel players and highlight the 100th season of American League baseball. Players also will wear uniform patches in honor of the 100th season.

* Something for you: Fans will receive posters commemorating the first quartet of American League teammates to hit at least 30 home runs in a season: Glaus, Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon and Mo Vaughn.

* Opening-day memories: The Angels are 1-1 in home openers against Texas. The Angels lost in 1974, 10-2, but won in 1972, 1-0, on a shutout by Andy Messersmith. . . . Right fielder Tim Salmon has started nine consecutive openers for the Angels, including this year’s. No second baseman has started consecutive openers for the Angels since Johnny Ray in 1989-90.