The American Spectator

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Victory Laps

11.8.02 @ 12:01AM

(Page 3 of 3)

I went to my first Angel game in 1961 at old Wrigley Field in South Central LA. Yes, I was very, very young. We went with reservations because the Dodgers were being touted as "L.A.'s team." Nevertheless, I went several more times with my Dad to see them at Chavez Ravine (Angels didn't call it Dodger Stadium), especially when the Yankees and Mantle came to town.

Then, in the summer of 1966, I headed to Cal State Fullerton. After basketball practice during August and September, several of us used to go down to the new ballpark on State College (The Big A), buy $1 seats in the Nose Bleed Section and drink and eat cheap back then. Angel management had their eye on the future because they used to invite everyone to move down to field level in the fifth or sixth inning because there were only 5,000 people at those games. The ushers were nice. Ditto to the food vendors, etc. It took us 10 minutes to get back to the dorm after the game (straight up State College ... no 57 Fwy yet). Contrast that to a trip out of Dodger Stadium.

I remember how open it was past the outfield fence. That's where they parked the buses...between the A's. Mantle hit a homer one night that broke a bus' windshield. Awesome. You could watch the train go by and, later, the 57 Freeway being built. Never much cared for the enclosed-thing. Like the new Disney look.

I went to a half dozen games every year until I bought season tickets in 1982 ... when Reggie Jackson showed up. Had them until my wife decided she didn't like going to the games in 1994.

I saw them all. Jim Fregosi, Nolan Ryan, Clyde Wright, Bobby Knoop, Steve Bilko, Roger Repoz, Bo Belinsky, Albie Pearson, Frank Tanana, Leon Wagner, Dave Chalk, Bobby Winkles, Don Sutton, Bruce Kison, Ken Forsch, Bobby Bonds, Alex Johnson (what a head case) and an over-the-hill Frank Robinson with countless others fitting into that category (remember former Dodger Willie Davis?). And, the Angels also traded away too many future stars to mention (Dante Bichette for one).

My favorite Angel was Bobby Grich (followed very closely by Brian Downing). Tough. Steady. Clutch hitter. He could fit in with the current group. I watched him dive in the dirt over and over trying to make up for the "Ole Man," Rod Carew, who never bent over to get a ground ball in the hole in his life. Also, Rod was a .350 hitter with no one on base and two out in the seventh, down by five runs. Put runners on with less than two out, ground ball for a double play. Check his RBI stats and don't tell me it was because of where he batted in the lineup.

Lived through all the tragedies. Was there in '86 for the Donnie Moore/Dave Henderson situation. I'll never forget it. The Stadium was shaking ... much like it did recently.

So, now, I really can't believe they are Champs. It's terrific beyond belief. And, there's plenty of Angel fans with a similar story.

Enjoyed your column. Peace.
-- Bill Whiteside
http://ireadfaces.com

THE GREAT RACE
Re: Paul Beston's The Sweet Taste of Humble Pie:

Paul Beston's piece on the NYC Marathon was the finest article I have read in a long, long time. As a long-distance runner myself, I can identify with all of the feelings that Beston writes about. I have asked myself during races many times, "Why am I doing this?" Such doubts come when I am tired and sore, my legs are cramped, I'm cold and my hopes for a personal best time have been dashed. At that point, I just don't have a clue what I'm trying to prove anymore; I am just fighting for survival. And somehow I finish, walking or even stumbling along if I have to. And the first thing I want to know is "When can I do it again?" Thanks Paul for capturing that feeling for me, and trying to put into words the emotions I have felt. Regards,
-- John Bresnahan

Paul Beston replies: Thanks so much for that high praise. Like you, I've asked myself "why" many times. This year, however, the question was "Why aren't you running?" For the first time since 1996, I watched the race instead of running it. I won't make that mistake again. Next year, I'm back. Masochism, some say, but you and I know better.

RIGHT QUESTION
Re: Jed Babbin's France, Russia and Enaam Anaout:

Sir, a question (rhetorical, of course): Why is Jed Babbin's 10/29 article not in every major paper in this country? As the saying goes: ... none so blind as those who will not see. Keep up the great work, and thanks for my number one site.
-- Skip Gulledge

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