Happy days are here again

Two days ago it seemed like the Angels would never, ever win a game against Boston again. Angel fans far and wide were in a state of deep depression; despair was everywhere. Even though they days were getting longer with summer approaching, they seemed darker than ever.

And then it happened.

Despite the gremlins (Right, Bill Plunkett?) the Angels managed to pull out an improbable 5-3 victory in a 13 inning roller coaster that went nearly eight hours (including a 2.5 hour rain delay). Had they lost that game, I shudder to think of what Angel fans might have done next. Yes, it was that bad.

And then today… just a few hours later – the Angels would put on their hitting shoes and knock the living daylights out of John Lackey on their way to an 11-0 win. It was a beautiful thing.

And this; yes, THIS is why I love baseball. Just when you think you have it all figured out; just when you think all hope is lost – a game is played, player compete and the outcome that once seemed so predictable – takes an unexpected, almost unfathomable turn and surprises you. This game can turn a dark day into a happy one, just like that.

The Angels had 18 hits today. Lackey gave up ten of them and eight of the eleven earned runs. His ERA rose to 7.16 and just like that, the world seems like a better place. Food tastes a little bit better, the traffic seems a little bit lighter and peace on earth is sure to follow.

Oh the joys of being a baseball fan.

Embrace this one folks. The two wins were therapeutic. They virtually wiped away all the disappointment and frustration of the last two years and breathed hope into our lungs. And did I mention that John Lackey got his butt whipped?

This team has shown us something this season; its resolve. This is the kind of thing that builds champions. No matter how down the fans may have sunk, it’s apparent, the players kept at it and never gave up. Make no mistake about it – this was big. It was huge. It was important and perhaps when all is said and done, we will look back at the past two days as the turning point in 2011.

I can't wait for the next game and the next one after that. I can’t wait for more of this year's story to unfold before my eyes.