Waking up this morning, down 1-0, hurt. It hurt deep down inside. My fan hood had been challenged, my confidence in the Angels, dented. And for good reason. 1-0 Red Sox is a lot different than 1-0 Angels, especially in a short 5-game series. Just like runners on first and second, one out, is a lot different than runner on first, two outs - which was the scenario last night.
Vladimir Guerrero, has an A-Rod esque history in the playoffs - unsuccessful at best. When he came to the Angels in 2004, a year after the 2002 Championship season, he was the worth the price of admission. Guerrero was expected to rejuvenate the aging Angels line-up and carry the Angels back to the World Series. His first year in an Angels uniform, he hit a measly 39 dingers (the third highest total in his career) and drove in a lousy 126 runs (the second highest total in his career) collecting the American League MVP award in the process - and to think he spent eight season rotting in Montreal. However, in the 2004 postseason he hit a porous .167 (3 for 12) as the Angels were swept out of the ALDS by the eventual World Champion Red Sox.
This year big daddy Vladdy, limped his way to an average of .303 and a home run total of 27 (and it was a DOWN year for the slugger). However, his defense became suspect and manager Mike Scioscia began using him as at DH more and more.
Before the acquisition of Mark Teixiera, a blessing in and of itself, Guerrero was the only guy in the Angel line-up who had a chance to hit it out of the park every time he stepped to the plate. His eagerness at the plate, which has always entertaining, yet problematic, has put every fan on the edge of their seats since his arrival in Anaheim. Every since his first swing in an Angel jersey, every fan knew he had the ability to turn any pitch 425 feet the other way.
I knew going into this postseason, for the fourth time in five years, Vlad was going to break this little funk he was in. I knew that someone was going to leave a hanging curveball and see it fly over the rocks at Angel Stadium. I had confidence that Vlad, who has become a more patient hitter since the arrival of amazingly patient power hitter Teixiera, was going to prove to everyone that his lousy playoff numbers were merely that, lousy numbers.
The first 7 1/3 innings of last night's electrifying game one was exactly what I was expecting. His two hits energized the crowd, for everyone seemingly knew about his documented problems in the playoffs. The lovable Dominican with the funky batting stance and clumsy nature, had just come up big in a tight spot, sparking an 8th inning rally sure to lead to an eventual 1-0 Angel ALDS lead.
However, one bad decision may have changed everything. I saw the ball leave Kevin Youkilis' hand that play and I'm just hoping it didn't take Vlad's confidence with it.
1 comment:
Pretty good B.
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