A fan for all seasons who always finds an underdog to follow in October, I won't be jumping on any bandwagon this year. Like the Twins in 1987, the Angels were a west coast team I adopted when I realized that those in charge of my boyhood beloved Bosox were more intent on turning them into a free agent satellite of primadonna superstar mercenaries than a ballclub that truly represented homegrown talent or the city of Boston.
Just as well, I stopped being a Dodger fan when LA traded away their franchise player, Mike Piazza, then paid the big bucks for a bum arm that didn't work. In short, I refuse to root for teams ruled by aloof, instant gratification, musical chair business of big money at the expense of the family/team concept. For the team that is allowed to grow together can eventually win together.
In the Anaheim Angels and St. Louis Cardinals -- whom I predict will eventually overcome the Giants -- you have a potential poignant WS matchup like the Rams/Patriots Super Bowl. Patriots won it for American pride in the face of a grave new world. But this time, a salute to the memory of individuals is in order as heavy duty incentive for the joy of victory.
The Angels, haunted by the ghost of a great pitcher turned unfair scapegoat they need to win it for, Donnie Moore, are truly Cinderella personified. Moreover, they boast an overlooked MVP candidate in Garret Anderson and heroic underrated skipper Mike Scioscia, whose stoic, steady leadership is more a boon to victory than 30 GMs who cross their fingers, throw the dice, pull the strings and do nothing to inspire teams other than sign contracts.
And then we have the other, America's team and its best baseball town by far,
St. Louis, shocked by the loss of DK and JB with its own personal agenda. So this is destined to be a win-it-for-the Gipper Fall Classic. Only this time the Gipper(s) are ... were ... real people.
When the post 9/11 world around us is falling apart at home and abroad, the innocence of sports is the last bastion of civility that binds us together. Athletic competition is, quite simply, war with balls in place of bombs or bullets. That's why this year -- like last when I halfheartedly pulled for the Yanks for the first time in my life -- it doesn't matter who wins. It only matters who they win it for.
Be that as it may, my pick for the record -- Angels over the Cards in 7 games. Hopefully a patch for Donnie is as much if not more relevant now that the Angels are close to earning their wings. Those who would agree -- Angels fans or not -- please E mail me his number -- on his uniform ... or in Heaven ...
» Hank Festa is a freelance writer who lives in Los Angeles.
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Copyright © 2002 by Hank Festa. Posted October 14, 2002.
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