Saturday, September 04, 2010

What's Wrong With The Angels, And Right With The Hogs

By Douglas V. Gibbs

This is a short journey away from politics. If you are not a baseball or football fan then I suggest scrolling down to, or waiting for, the next political entry on Political Pistachio.

Angels of Anaheim

As a quick note, I am an avid baseball fan. With my passion for baseball comes an incredible appreciation for my favorite major league team, the Angels of Anaheim. Yes, yes, I know that Los Angeles part of the name exists, but I refuse to refer to the Angels as such. Anaheim is not even in Los Angeles County, for God's sake.

Anyhow, after winning the 2002 World Series, under the tutelage of Mike Scioscia, the Angels have consistently dominated the American League West. . . until the 2010 season. The Angels find themselves many games out, and unless a true miracle appears, they will not participate in this year's post-season.

The question Angels fans are asking is why haven't the Angels been able to win the big series again, and why have they slowly deteriorated into a second place team?

The answer is best arrived at by examining how they reached the pinnacle of their success in 2002 with a World Series win in the first place.

If you will remember, the team to win it all in 2002 did not even win the division. They were underdogs in every way. The team was young, and without a single bona-fide star. Scioscia had molded the youngsters into his own image, making them competitors as a team, rather than as individuals. The team also grew through its farm system. The Angels had abandoned The Cowboy's tendency to try to buy a winner, and instead grew a winner with young talent.

As the team prospered, the ability to buy bigger bats, and better arms, became available, and the Angels did exactly that, hoping to buy their next great team.

Herein lies the problem. Often, dynasties are not bought. They are grown. The Atlanta Braves became the powerhouse of the NL East through a great farm system, just as the Angels did in 2002. Sure, champions can be bought if you have enough money, and you are aggressive, and lucky, enough. The Yankees have done it a number of times. But the true stars of New York are not the guys pulled in with the big bucks, but guys like Jeter who is a product of the system.

Until the Angels abandon trying to buy great players (who are often in the twilight of their careers), and return to growing winners through the farm system, and allowing more malleable youngsters to learn under Scioscia's guiding hand, the Angels will continue to struggle, and will continue to worsen. Their answer is the 2002 team. The answer is a family environment, a group of teammates, and a young team that grew together, and are willing to win or lose together, as a team.

Arkansas Razorbacks

As for the Arkansas Razorbacks, my favorite college football team (I have a lot of Arkansas roots through my family), the Razorbacks may be poised for a BCS run. Ryan Mallett is the most talented quarterback to don an Arkansas uniform in recent memory. He led the SEC in just about every category last year, and this year most of the talent he played with last year returns with him. This means the defense will be fairly incredible, the rushing game will be top notch, and the receiving corps will work with Mallett wonderfully. The defensive line is sturdy, and the offensive line is capable.

Head Coach Bobby Petrino is one that can create a winner, and Mallett and gang are just the team to be that winner. The schedule is a great mixture of moderate to difficult teams. National Champion Alabama is only a few weeks away, and a win against the Crimson Tide could thrust Arkansas into national attention, and possibly launch them, should they continue their winning ways, into the BCS mix. Wrapping up with LSU, if the Tigers are winners too, could be the final statement that ensures Hog Heaven.

After their first two games against opponents the Hogs should beat easily, the Razorbacks have four games against high ranking SEC rivals and one competitive Big 12 team (Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, and Auburn). If they can finish that gauntlet at 6-0, the likelihood they will enter their season finale against LSU as an undefeated team is fairly good. And a season like that could actually propel Arkansas into an opportunity for a National Championship run.

Of course, this is all speculation, and the season is long and arduous. But, under the arm of Mallett, and the coaching of Petrino, the odds are in Arkansas' favor to finish as top hog.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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