ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ERSTAD GETS HIGH PRAISE.

Byline: Gordon Verrell Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Angels manager Mike Scioscia continues to marvel at the remarkable play of Darin Erstad, likening his right fielder's intensity to that of former Dodgers teammate Kirk Gibson.

``I see a lot of similarities,'' said Scioscia, who played with Gibson for the '88 World Series champion Dodgers, the year Gibson was the National League Most Valuable Player.

``Ersty has that rare blend of a heavy talent level and an extraordinary mental makeup to match,'' Scioscia said.

``He's fun to watch.''

Fun to manage, too.

Erstad began Sunday night hitting .359, second in the American League to Boston's Nomar Garciaparra (.361). He is far and away the majo-league leader with 213 hits, and his 92 RBI have him on pace to become the first leadoff hitter in history to reach the 100-RBI plateau.

``It seems it's a personal challenge for him every time he takes the field,'' Scioscia said. ``He stays locked in.''

--Accidents happen: The subject was the terrifying injury Friday night to Boston pitcher Bryce Florie, who was struck in the right eye by a line drive, and what effect it might have on other players.

Scioscia thinks it won't have any.

``There have been some horrific accidents on the field,'' he said.

``But I couldn't be a successful catcher if I went out there thinking about Ray Fosse,'' Scioscia added, recalling the catcher who was run over by Pete Rose in an All-Star Game and saw his career dwindle quickly after that.

``It's the nature of competition ... a trade-off for achievement and success playing out the dream you had as a kid.''