Soaking it all in

Winning is hard.  It’s really hard and I try not to forget that.  This helps me appreciate and savor every Angel victory just a little bit more.

Last night, as Cheryl and I stood behind the Angels dug-out while the players poured onto the field in a joyous celebration after clinching the 2014 American League West pennant, I couldn’t help but feel like it was all happening too fast.  I wanted to slow the moment down and soak it all in, but before I knew it – it was over.  Just like that.

We watched.  We cheered.  We slapped hands with Hank Conger and we snapped photos left and right.  We smiled. We laughed.  We savored.

The past 34 games were a blur. When your team is rolling, time goes by quickly unlike when they’re losing and the days drag on forever.

It all started after a miserable home series with the Dodgers and the Red Sox – where the Angels not only lost – they had their stadium over-run by opposing fans.  It was ugly. 

Then August 12, 2014 arrived and the Angels began the day 4 games behind the Oakland A’s.  The mountain that stood before the team looked enormous.  Four games felt like forty games.  Would they ever put it together? 

Fast forward to yesterday and the Angels go from 4 games down on August 12 to clinching the American League West going up 12 games on September 17.  The Angels would go 27-7 over that span and in the process blow past the competition like a locomotive.  It was impressive.  It was even breathtaking. 

As the Angels began to engage in an actual pennant race – the anxiety level of a great many Angel fans began to escalate.  As the team started to just roll over opponents in devastating fashion, baseball became incredibly fun.  Every game raised the level of expectation and every onslaught of offense gave fans unbelievable confidence.  It was no longer a question of “could they do it?”  It became, “Oh my goodness, they’re going to do this.”

I don’t know about the rest of Angel nation, but I was anticipating a month of anxiety and a dog-fight to the end.  Instead, the A’s rolled over and the Angels rolled on past them.  The Angels had become the big dogs and they were sticking their head out the truck window as the team blazed a trail down the highway.

When the team clinched the pennant last night – we all got to exhale a bit.  It felt good.  It felt unbelievably good to be back in the post-season.

So here we are.  Ten games left in the regular season and a post-season that beckons us.  Yes, the anxiety is about to ramp back up because things are about to get intense.  This is what it’s all about. 

Embrace the moment Angel fans.  This is a special time.  Take a deep breath and get ready for one heck of a ride.  The journey isn’t over and we still have memories to create.  We are blessed to have this opportunity to experience the post-season yet again.  And man, it’s great to be back.

Yes, we stayed

Every time we go to a baseball game, we know that just about anything can happen.  One thing that’s pretty predictable about an Angel game is that we are usually the last game to end on any given night. It’s uncanny the way that happens, but with the out-of-town scoreboard right in front of us, I track this phenomena on most nights.

Saturday was no exception and history was even made.

Not the kind of history that you might want to participate in, but history never-the-less.  The Angels played and won (thankfully) their longest home game in actual time played in the history of the organization. 

The game last six hours and 31 minutes.  Paid attendance for the night was 41, 159.  By game’s end?  Your guess is as good as mine, but a fair amount actually stayed.  I mean, it was Saturday night….

Over the course of 19 innings 558 pitches were thrown by 18 pitches (9 for each team); 347 of them for strikes.  Of the 347 each team looked at 54 strikes each (108 total) without swinging.  I find it curious that batters looked at strikes 31% of the time they were thrown.  There were 32 strike outs, and 11 walks.  Nothing spectacular for sure.

Highlights of the evening?  Well, there is the walk-off homerun by Albert Pujols.  I believe his first as an Angel.  I was beginning to think I’d never see one of those from him.

The nice thing about the six+ hours was that we got to spend it with some former season ticket holders (John and Linda and John and Ann) who bought some tickets from us.  As the game went on (and on), I joked that the Angels were making innings up to them for all the games they missed this year.  As we passed the 18 inning mark Linda’s husband – John remarked…. “We’re going to owe James for an extra game."

It was long. It was exhausting, but it was fun.  That being said, I hope I don’t ever do it again.  Talk about the dog days of summer...

I’ve never been to a doubleheader; although, Cheryl and I have been to two games in one day.  It was May 27, 2006.  Cheryl and I had gone to Petco Park to see the Padres and Cardinals.  We made the trip specifically to see David Eckstein. When that game ended – we rushed back to Anaheim to see Jered Weaver make his major league debut. 

That was a long day, but Saturday night was much longer.  Those two games in 2006 combined for five hours and 19 minutes more than an hour and 12 minutes less than the 19 inning marathon Saturday night.

Fun facts about the date in 2006 compared to Saturday night…

Albert’s homerun was the 514^th of this career.  We happened to be sitting in section 514.  

There are three players that we saw on that day in 2006 and also happened to be a part of Saturday night… Albert Pujols (playing in SD for the Cardinals) and in the Angel game there was Erik Aybar who came in late in the game for Orlando Cabrera and Mike Napoli who was catching for the Angels.

Dale Scott (umpire) also happened to be part of the crew in Anaheim in 2006 and again Saturday night.

It’s funny how a 19 game inning game unfolds.  As the game goes longer and longer, you really feel anxious about the outcome.  When you spend that much time invested in an even – your team had better win.  I still have horrible memories of a Sunday afternoon game at Angels Stadium with the Cubs.

The Angels lost that game 6-5 in 15 innings; a 5 hour and 8 minute affair in the heat of the day back on June 13, 2004.  It was agonizing and made all the worse by the loss.

Over the course of 19 innings, you might run out of food and drink.  You fear leaving your seat for the restroom because you might miss something that could end the game.  Which probably isn’t an issue if you have run out of food and drink…

You hear the crowd boo when the Angels announce that due to city ordinances and out of “courtesy” to their neighbors, there will be no post game fireworks.  At which point you hope for in-game fireworks from your own team.

You get to sing “Take me out to the ball game” again in the 14^th inning, but thankfully - you don’t hear “Buttercup” again.

You wonder who’s going to pitch if either team runs out of pitchers and then you realize that every position player (at least for the Angels) has already been in the game.  You look down into the broadcast booth and jokingly ask out loud if Mark Gubicza or Mark Langston is going to get the call next.

You start to worry about the drive home because bad things usually happen in the wee hours of Sunday mornings after Saturday night festivities and that’s no joke.

You start to wonder if you’ll make it for the 12:35 p.m. game that starts about 12 hours after the game you’re watching ends (yes, we made it back) and question the sanity of even considering such a thing.

You wonder if it’s too late to text your wife’s cousin who is a Red Sox fan and lives in New Jersey who was unable to watch the game on television and would surely appreciate an update (no, I didn’t text cousin Larry).

You notice that many of the ushers have gone home and guess the Angels just didn’t want to pay them overtime.

As you leave the stadium – the ushers say “good morning” instead of good-night.  Yup, everyone has a sense of humor when it’s late... I mean early.

You embrace the quietness of the crowd leaving the stadium; knowing full well that if the Red Sox had won, you’d be hearing them singing (badly) “Sweet Caroline” as they stumbled to their cars.

You notice that the moon is about to be full and you say to yourself… “It all makes sense now” – strange things happen when the moon is full.

You hear Terry Smith tell us via the radio that there’s no post game Angel talk for the ride home. Which means no one is phoning in calling for Scioscia’s head for at least one night and that’s a good thing because again – the moon is full and that brings out the crazies.

Freeway World Series? No, thanks.

It was bad enough that the Angels lost three out of four games in the Freeway Series with the Dodgers, but to have them pummeled in the finale 7-0 at home made it even tougher to swallow.  What’s worse is that Angels Stadium was over-run with loud Dodger fans who made their presence known all night long.

As the game was getting out of hand and the Dodger fans grew louder and louder, I wondered what was going through the player’s minds.  Their home stadium didn’t look like home at all – it looked like something of a cross between a Tattoo convention, Think Blue week and a Raider fan reunion.

Dodger fans had every reason to be overly happy.  Their team had won their first series with the Angels since 2006.

As I sat with Cheryl and took it all in, I sort of felt sick to my stomach.  Sure, I had been at the stadium when large groups of Yankee, Red Sox or Dodger fans had made their appearance before, but this was different.  I felt like an intruder in my own stadium.  It was demoralizing and disgusting and it was even embarrassing. 

I’ve grown somewhat accustom to Angel fans not showing up for games like this.  I’m used to the fact that they don’t typically vote their players into the All-Star game and tend to disappear when the going gets a little tough.  It is what it is.  But still… this was “our house” and no one should be able to do what the Dodgers and their fans did last night.

I felt bad for the players even though they had a big hand in all this by not playing well enough to shut up the Dodger crowd.  I’m guessing Albert Pujols and David Freese never saw anything like this in St. Louis and Mike Trout probably never saw this happen to his childhood team – the Phillies.

I know that putting up with opposing team fans isn’t easy and that the idea of watching the game from the comfort of your own home is appealing for games like this, but I can’t help but be a little disappointed that Angels fans don’t feel the need to represent at games like this.

I’m probably going to get that “super fan” label (which isn’t usually used in a good way) because of my feelings on the subject, but I can’t help but say it just sucks when this happens.

It sucks that our team didn’t have the benefit of a real home field advantage.  It sucks that young Angel fans had to witness a stadium being taken over by Dodger fans.  It sucks that the loudest cheers of the night went to Yasiel Puig and not Mike Trout.  It just sucks all the way around.

So… what happens if these two teams find themselves in the World Series? 

Think about it.

Will Angel season seat holders sell out?  Will the Dodgers enjoy home field advantage at both parks?  It’s possible and what’s worse… the world will be watching. 

I can hear the jokes and snide comments now… Angel fans went to Disneyland instead of the ball park.  Anaheim is now Chavez Ravine South.  Red mixed with blue still looks blue. 

As much as the baseball fan in me would love to see a Freeway Series, I’m starting to hope that it never happens.  I don’t think I could take it.  It would be torture and I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of agonizing pain even if it’s just emotional or mental.

Even if the Angels were to emerge victorious (a most likely scenario) in a Freeway World Series – the journey would probably kill me.  Every pitch would be filled with high anxiety.  The distraction caused by loud fans dressed in blue would be all too annoying and the potential for being surrounded by in-the-stands-conflict would not be much fun. So, even though I would receive great pleasure in watching the Angels dominate the Dodgers, it just isn't worth the hassle.

I like my park to be cozy.  I would rather exchange banter with fellow Angel fans than have to ignore rival Dodger fans.  I like the park to be loud, but I’d like that to be in one voice all in favor of the Angels.  I’m funny like that.

So… enjoy the victory Dodger fans.  You had your day.  Hopefully, this will end up being the highlight of your season and come October, you’ll be forced to watch the Angels on television while your team heads off to vacation and you all turn your attention to Raider football.

Here’s hoping for an Angels/Giants or Brewers, or Cardinals, or Reds, or Pirates, or Nationals or Braves World Series.  Please, anything but a Freeway World Series. 

Finding joy in a season of struggles

I know, I know, trust me; I know exactly how you feel.  

You’re frustrated.  You’re disappointed.  You’re confused and you’re even angry.  You keep asking yourself or anyone that will listen - how can a team with this much talent be this inconsistent?  You want to assign blame.  You’re ready to fire any combination of Mike Scioscia, Mike Butcher, the Rally Monkey and Vernon Wells.

I get it.  It wasn’t supposed to be like this.  Like I said, I know.

I don’t have any answers for why the Angels are in the predicament they’re in.  Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t.  That being said, I do have some thoughts and even some questions for you; yes – questions for you.

Let me ask you – can you enjoy a baseball season where your team doesn’t make the post season?  I know the quick answer might be – “No way” – but stop for just a second and think about the question in a deeper way.

Have you enjoyed watching Mike Trout burst onto the scene like a hurricane?  Have you enjoyed Mark Trumbo’s sophomore season as a middle-of-the-lineup-force-to-be-reckoned-with?  How about the season Jered Weaver has put together?

Look – I know nothing compares to a team that is winning and winning often, but the cold hard fact is that only one of the thirty teams in Major League Baseball will be a champion.  Don’t take this the wrong way; because I am in no way throwing in the towel.  I’m just asking some questions and sharing some thoughts.

Here’s what I know.  On many levels this season has been incredibly fun for me.  There was the Jered Weaver no-hitter and the fine individual performances of Mike Trout and Jered Weaver.  I have savored every moment of Torii Hunter’s season; knowing this could be his last in Anaheim. 

And yet… there’s an empty feeling that goes along with all the good times and it’s the feeling we have all come to know when the team struggles, under-achieves and just plain sucks.  It’s a horrible contrast in realities.

Still… this season isn’t over and if the Angels can make it to a wild card play-in game, they have a shot.  At this point in time, I’ll take that.  Just give them a shot; that’s all I ask.

If last season taught us anything about baseball; it’s that the season really is a marathon and that until your team is mathematically eliminated, anything can happen.  It’s a beautiful thing.  It can also be agonizing.  Watching a team this good – struggle, isn’t easy to do and judging by the attendance, many of you have definitely checked out.

And then there’s last night.

I know there are lots of other games I could talk about – such as the 14-13 triumph in Boston, but I’m going to bring up last night for the simple reason that we (Cheryl and me) were there.

When the Angels fell behind 5-2 in the sixth things looked grim, but if you’ve been following this team, you know that they seem to be hitting Clay Buchholz pretty good this season.  That gave me a little hope; albeit, just a bit. 

When the Angels closed the gap to 5-4, the spark of hope got a little brighter.  And then it happened...

Cheryl turned to me and said “We’re going to win this game; I’ve already played it out in my mind.”  You know what?  I believed her.  I didn’t say it at the time – but deep down, I knew I’d be reminding her of that statement after the game.

And then it happened… the Angels came from behind in the bottom of the 9^th for a walk-off win.  With one out- Erick Aybar was hit by a pitch.  Alberto Callaspo (who is under-appreciated in my opinion) walked.  Mike Trout singled and Aybar scored.  With runners on first and third; up steps Torii Hunter who delivered a sacrifice fly to score Callaspo to win the game.

Walk-off wins are about as much fun as you can have at a baseball game and last night was all that!

Sometimes I think Cheryl takes the losses harder than I do; so when she sees something or feels something about a game, I take notice.  It’s fun to watch.  She starts out by giving the players tough love – telling them how bad they are (not to their face, but just out-loud of course), but as soon as they do something positive, she’s cheering and high fiving everyone around her.

On a night when the weather was horrible (it was hot, muggy and the heat coated us like a heavy blanket), something cool happened – a walk-off win - over the Boston Red Sox no less.  More than that – a memory was created and a little bit of joy took place.  As we walked out, Cheryl realized she had called it… she called the come-from-behind win.  It was perfect.

That’s what baseball is all about. 

Even in the midst of a season of struggles, we can still manage to have a little fun and a heck of a good time anytime we’re at a game.  How about you? 

See you at the ball park.