MLB --- Thursday, October 13^th, 20005

Angels Should Survive Because Of Attitude

While the Cardinals - behind stellar defense and the hot bat of the new Mr. October, Reggie Sanders - were putting the finishing touches on a Gm. 1 win over the Astros, the Angels were getting screwed by the umpires. Yes, that’s right, royally screwed. I’m not an Angels fan so it makes no difference to me, but it was disturbing to see Mike Scioscia’s team lose in that terrible fashion.

The ump behind the plate put his fist up, calling for the strikeout. A.J. Pierzynski - who I can’t blame for trying to make a heads up play - sprinted for first as best he could while the Anaheim players walked off the field. They then rule him safe and Scioscia goes out onto the field to find out… what just happened??? Catcher Josh Paul felt like he caught it; he rolled the ball back to the mound and jogged back to get ready for the top of the 10^th. In his own calm way, Scioscia discussed it, asked if the other umpires could offer up their view and just shook his noggin as he walked back to the dugout.

That’s what most impressed me the whole night: the way Scioscia and his team handled if after Joe Crede doubled down the left field line to bring in the winning run. Attitude is everything in sports and the Angels have the right attitude, which should allow them to survive this one and win Gm. 3. There was no complaining or moaning following two hard fought games with the Yankees. They played the opening game of the series with very little rest if any and won. Leaders are there, such as Garret Anderson (3HR in the postseason), Vlad Guerrero, Bengie Molina, Darin Erstad, Orlando Cabrera, those proven relievers, etc. Even in the postgame press conference, Scioscia calmly noted, “we didn’t play well enough to win.” He’s taking the smart, safe approach so it doesn’t get his opponent fired up and so that his club maintains its composure. Deep down he knows they got a bad break, though.

Nonetheless, credit Jermaine Dye for getting an RBI off Jarrod Washburn, who pitched pretty well all things considered, in the first inning, and also credit Mark Buehrle. The left handed Buehrle worked extremely fast on the mound, going away with the breaking ball and inside with his fastball. By him being able to go nine innings they can save their bullpen for the next three out on the west coast. Three games both teams are going to play hard in until the final out is called.