Tuesday, September 27
Yes We Did
In September of 1979, I was a skinny 11-year-old Angel fan following my team to its first division title. The mantra of that year was "Yes We Can." It was a hope and a belief in a team that had won absolutely nothing in its brief history. On the night the Angels clinched the division, I drew a picture of a big A with a halo and the words "Yes We Did" underneath. It was a great day. We fans celebrated our team as champions that year, even though we went quietly to Baltimore in the division series.
Then the team spent a few years in the desert before the 1982 team led us to another title. Again, we celebrated, but again we lost in the division series (this time blowing a two-games up lead to Milwakee).
Four years later, it was 1986...and we all know what happened that year. The only consolation Angels fans took was that Boston was crushed even harder by their game six debacle.
Sadly, from 1986 to 2002, it was nothing but grief and heartache for an Angels team that always seemed to jump into the abyss just when things were going well. 1995 was the worst. I think I smashed about 3 remotes watching my team implode in August and September. The rally in the season's final week was nice, but Randy Johnson erased any chance we had to go to the playoffs.
Then 2002... what can I say? Watching Erstad catch the final out was the single greatest moment in my life.
In 2003, everyone--and I mean everyone--got injured, so let's skip that.
Then 2004: a comeback against the A's in the final week, and the first division title in 18 years. Sure, they lost to Boston in the ALDS, but I was all right with that--I can't be angry at a team that had won a world series only two years earlier and had made it back to the playoffs after only a season in the desert. Heck, I even got to go to a playoff game that year--my first.
Now 2005, and we've won in convincing fashion, winning 10 of 11 and kicking Oakland's ass on their home turf. What comes next? Who knows? This bats need to step up, but they've got an awesome pitching staff, a stellar defense, and a lot of guts. Whatever happens, though, this season has been one to remember, if only because it marks the first time the Angels have been division winners in consecutive years.
So as a long-time Angels fan, let me say it clearly:
These are the golden days, Angel fans. Enjoy them now, and remember who is responsible: Mike Scoiscia, Arte Moreno, and Bill Stoneman.
You might criticize these guys and jump all over them, but if it wasn't for these three, the Angels would not be where they are today--perrennial winners.
Let's go Angels!
Then the team spent a few years in the desert before the 1982 team led us to another title. Again, we celebrated, but again we lost in the division series (this time blowing a two-games up lead to Milwakee).
Four years later, it was 1986...and we all know what happened that year. The only consolation Angels fans took was that Boston was crushed even harder by their game six debacle.
Sadly, from 1986 to 2002, it was nothing but grief and heartache for an Angels team that always seemed to jump into the abyss just when things were going well. 1995 was the worst. I think I smashed about 3 remotes watching my team implode in August and September. The rally in the season's final week was nice, but Randy Johnson erased any chance we had to go to the playoffs.
Then 2002... what can I say? Watching Erstad catch the final out was the single greatest moment in my life.
In 2003, everyone--and I mean everyone--got injured, so let's skip that.
Then 2004: a comeback against the A's in the final week, and the first division title in 18 years. Sure, they lost to Boston in the ALDS, but I was all right with that--I can't be angry at a team that had won a world series only two years earlier and had made it back to the playoffs after only a season in the desert. Heck, I even got to go to a playoff game that year--my first.
Now 2005, and we've won in convincing fashion, winning 10 of 11 and kicking Oakland's ass on their home turf. What comes next? Who knows? This bats need to step up, but they've got an awesome pitching staff, a stellar defense, and a lot of guts. Whatever happens, though, this season has been one to remember, if only because it marks the first time the Angels have been division winners in consecutive years.
So as a long-time Angels fan, let me say it clearly:
These are the golden days, Angel fans. Enjoy them now, and remember who is responsible: Mike Scoiscia, Arte Moreno, and Bill Stoneman.
You might criticize these guys and jump all over them, but if it wasn't for these three, the Angels would not be where they are today--perrennial winners.
Let's go Angels!
