THE MUSCLE TUSSLE

Here's the picture. Remember the bully in grammar school who tried to [pick a fight with you? They wanted to knock you down and rub your face in the dirt because you were smart, good looking, had nice clothes or just had a squeaky clean image and they didn't like it? Well you could say the Anaheim Angels fell into the latter category in Kansas City, June 2nd… the night the Royals assaulted the boys from the heavens gate by throwing balls and punches at their heads.

Well then came the surprise… the Angels didn't spread their wings and fly away, NO… they tucked them in, whipped out their muscles and started to pound away at their attackers rolling around in the dirt and getting their squeaky clean red, white and blue uniforms all soiled up and… WHA-LA… they became the Anaheim Avengers. Joust because they are the Angels [Disney Angels at that], you can't expect them to turn the other cheek when you throw balls and punches at them…squeaky clean or not. It was an exhibition of strength and team unity that would have done MIGHTY MOUSE proud.

The Avengers, ah… I mean the Angels; have been aggressively pounding away at their opponents ever since, recording a 16-3 record since that event and a 17-3 record for the month of June 9 [through Sunday, June 21st]. After taking two of three games from the Rangers over the weekend, the Angels have won seven straight series. They haven't lost a series since losing at home against those same [ahem] Kansas City Royals May 25 & 27.

"I wouldn't point my finger at the Kansas City brawl as turning this team around," said veteran Angels pitcher Chuck Finley. Obviously that helped a little bit. I think the game in Minnesota [May 31], that Sunday, when we were down 5-0 and came back and won that game was a big lift for us.

"We have been scuffling the first two months of the season trying to figure out what we needed to do to win games. It just wasn't going right. We'd go through a spell and win eight out of nine then we'd go into a spell and lose six out of seven so…

"We just needed something to get is over the hump and I think that brawl and that game in Minnesota kinda pushed us to another level and we've been maintaining that ever since. The guys are really focused and... really concentrating on the things we need to do to win games and not letting guys that are hurt interfere with that. It seems that everybody that we put out there is pretty much doing the job for us."

O.K., O.K…. well maybe the brawl wasn't entirely why the Angels are ripping up the AL West and have a 2 ½ game lead over the Rangers after they completed their three-game series Sunday. You can minimize the significance of the brawl… if you want. We're not saying fighting is the way to go… that isn't Disney's style. What should be learned is… that you shouldn't poke your nose into other people's business or you might get a good old fashioned @ss kickin. The Angels have been doing plenty of that lately. What's that saying in the Marines 'DON'T TREAD ON ME?'

Though the Angels are battered they refuse to be beaten. Three fifths of the Angels opening day starting rotation are on the disabled list, Jack McDowell, Ken Hill and Allen Watson. Their replacements have combined for a 10-2 record, Omar Olivares (5-2), Jarod Washburn (3-0) and Steve Sparks (2-0). Manager Terry Collins credits the trio for much of the team success.

The Seattle Mariners Jamie Moyer knows first hand about the Angels power. After having a 5-2 lead over the Halo's Thursday night, Moyer was tired and asked to leave the game after pitching six innings. He watched his lead disappear from the bench when the Angels muscled eight runs and seven hits in the seventh and eighth innings for a 11-5 win.

Moyer noted that the Angels are winning and took the division lead despite their suffering numerous injuries. Ï look back at last year… it's the same type of team... the same type of situation... and last year they fell short," Moyer said. It seems like they've dealt with it before they're dealing with it again... but they've become a better for it. "It seems like whoever they throw out on the mound is willing and capable of giving a good outing. Whoever they're putting out there defensively is doing the job... and whoever they're sending up to the plate is doing the job. They come back and win. That shows a sign of a team who's battling and is not going to give up. To me that's the difference between a winning team and a losing team." The Angels injury list would make the medical unit form MASH proud and hope that the bleeding will stop at the current number of six on the list. Despite what happens the Angles seem to be on top of overcoming adversity and as a result, have developed a strong inner strength. Too bad for the opposition. MORAL of this story: Don't mess with the Angels with DIRTY FACES or they might [as the Beatles once sang] Come Together.'

 

NATIONAL RADIO PUBLISHED IN 5 LANGUAGES