The Anaheim Angels (I refuse to use the Los Angeles addition to the name) has been my team since the mid-seventies. I hung with the Halos through the good times and the bad times (mostly rough times, back then). When the new millenium arrived, the Angels picked up Mike Scioscia as their manager, and from that time forward became a consistent winner (my Los Angeles friends constantly remind me it took a Dodgers catcher to make the Angels a winning team). The most gratifying part of the new Angels, I have to admit, is how the Angels have the Yankees number.
Last night, before a rowdy sell-out crowd in Anaheim, the Yankees lost their 18th game of their last 23 games at Angel Stadium. Andy Petitte, admittedly one of those pitchers I respect greatly both on and off the field, threw a great game, but was not enough to break Anaheim's strangle-hold on New York's beloved Yankees.
If only the Angels could have the same kind of success against the Red Sox.
With a dozen games remaining in the regular season, half a dozen is the magic number for the Angels. The boys from Anaheim have suffered a number of injuries in the pitching corps, but the youngsters have stepped in and taken care of business. Hitting has hovered around .300 for most of the starters all season long, and defense has been a crown jewel atop a season that may promise to finish as did 2002, with a World Series win.
It is very likely the Angels will meet up with the Red Sox, and the Yankees, in the playoffs. Even more interesting, is it is very possible the Angels could go up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
A freeway series would be interesting. I wonder if the east would care enough to watch?
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Pettitte Returns, but Doesn’t Bring Any Luck Along - New York Times, Tyler Kepner
No comments:
Post a Comment