Favorite
season begins for loyal MLB fans
Kyle
Cavaness
It’s
been four long years since the Los Angeles
Angels of Anaheim took all of Southern
California on a white-knuckle ride to the
World Series Championship. With the Angels
kicking off the 2006 season Monday beating
the Seattle Mariners 5-4, the questions
start to arise – what has Mike Scioscia
and his team, who have won the division
title two years in a row, done to ensure
the Angels walk away from this season with
the big trophy?
Answer: nothing, really.
The Angels are fielding an almost-identical lineup to the 2005 edition. Such
inaction may be easy to criticize, but a review of the numbers places logic
heavily on the side of the Angels’ staff. Since Scioscia took over the
team in 1999, he has led the Angels to 60 percent of their American League
division titles (three of five), and 100 percent of their World Series championships.
His “small ball” mentality, seemingly archaic in this steroid-infused
era of 70-home-run seasons, has done wonders for the hard-working but largely
undistinguished Angels offense.
Without big names or big numbers, the Angels offense will once again resemble
the trench warfare they have made famous over the past several years. With
the impending return of Tim Salmon’s solid bat, the Angels may have another
chance to prove playing “small ball” is the smartest idea in the
league today.
Defensively, the Angels have as strong a squad as any team in the game, and
the strategic improvements are setting them up for a quality season. Angels’ cornerstone
Darin Erstad is returning to center field, where he earned a Golden Glove in
2002, after a two-season stint at first base. Erstad will be flanked by 2004
Most Valuable Player Vladimir Guerrero in right field, and Garret Anderson
in left – though a foot injury may put Juan Rivera in his place and Anderson
at the designated hitter slot.
Replacing Erstad at first base will be newcomer Casey Kotchman, who looks to
be a more than suitable replacement. Adam Kennedy, Orlando Cabrera and Chone
Figgins round out the infield along with Kotchman, comprising the backbone
of the Angels’ defense and a huge component offensively. The Angels’ catching,
a question mark with the loss of longtime catcher Bengie Molina, will be filled
by newcomer Jeff Mathis, backed up by Jose Molina. Both are more than adequate
at their position, though their ability to contribute offensively is limited
at best.
Finally, the mound – one place the Angels should have no problem in the
2006 season. Barring injury, 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon should
be able to continue to lead the Angels pitching staff to a great season. Jeff
Weaver, a new addition from the other side of the freeway, will also be a great
asset to the Angels’ pitching staff, complimenting returning starters
John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Ervin Santana. The Angels bullpen, one of the
most problematic spots of the 2005 season, has also added right-hander Hector
Carrasco and left-hander J.C. Romero. These veteran relievers – especially
Romero – should give the team a much-needed boost defensively.
Overall, the Angels of 2006 appear to have all of the right elements in place – a
strong defense, tenacious offense and a well-rounded and dominating pitching
staff. Only time will tell, however, whether or not these ingredients can create
a winning mix. Yesterday’s opening win against Seattle’– last
place finishers in the AL West in 2005 – is a good indicator of how successful
the Halos can be.
|
