Article Archives << Older Newer >> October 11, 2005 - Press-Telegram This Ervin puts on a magic show ANAHEIM - He was a $316,000 kid pitching against a $16.5 million man. He was a 22-year-old straight out of Double A going against a 42-year-old on his way to the Hall of Fame. When the Angels' Ervin Santana was born, Randy Johnson was a freshman at USC. (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Telegram Heaven sent ANAHEIM - Biggest game of his life, biggest game of the Angels' season, and 22-year-old Ervin Santana stood on the mound before thousands at Angel Stadium and millions watching on television and ... smiled from ear to ear. The only thing (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Telegram Fox not to blame for tough schedule If common sense was involved in Major League Baseball's daily decision-making process, someone might have figured out late Sunday night that the winner of Game 5 of the American League Division Series between the Angels and the Yankees shouldn't (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Telegram Those not icing arms, raise your hands ANAHEIM - The Angels and their once-mighty pitching staff took the team's signature scrappiness was never more evident than in Monday night's Game 5 victory of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Telegram Colon can't shoulder load ANAHEIM - The first inning Monday in Game 5 of the American League Division Series looked awfully similar to Game 1 for Angels pitcher Bartolo Colon. In both games, the Yankees had a runner on first with two outs when Gary Sheffield reached (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Telegram Angels wing it At times, it seemed patchwork, parts gumption and determination. At others, it was seamless, all orchestrated and designed. These Angels appear a little of everything, somehow both easy to fathom and impossible to describe. (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Rookie to the rescue ANAHEIM - Story of the game? Hard to pick one. Listen through the screams and shouts and loud music in one end of the Angels' clubhouse, and they say Ervin Santana. Listen to another corner and it's the way the bullpen pitched. In another louder area (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Colon cause for concern ANAHEIM - Bartolo Colon did not last long, just 23 pitches into Monday's decisive Game 5. And if the Angels are going to reach the World Series, they might have to do it without their ace. Already bothered by a lame lower back, Colon left the game with an (more) October 11, 2005 - New York Post  *** OUT OF TOWN VIEW *** Sorry, A-Rod you are the new emblem of futility ANAHEIM - He kept the uniform on for as long as he could, because once the jersey came off, once the socks were in the laundry pile, then another baseball season would be over. Another chapter of Alex Rodriguez' legacy would end so horribly wrong. (more) October 11, 2005 - New York Post  *** OUT OF TOWN VIEW *** Halos Rally Again You can't blame Yankees fans if they experience a case of déjà vu watching the Angels knock the Bombers out of the playoffs for the second time in four years. The Angels again sent Yankee Nation home for the winter without a trip to the World Series. (more) October 11, 2005 - LA Times This Ervin Has Magic of His Own There were no-look fastballs, behind-the-back sliders, a giant smile that carried a gaunt team another dramatic step toward a title. For one breathtakingly familiar moment Monday, Ervin was Magic. He's not a point guard, he's a pitcher. (more) October 11, 2005 - LA Times Angels Prove to Be Yankee Cripplers They have won 26 World Series championships and 39 American League pennants, but for all their storied tradition, for all their pinstriped lore, for all their October dominance, the New York Yankees still have not found a way to beat the Angels (more) October 11, 2005 - LA Times Angels' Game 5 Victory Is Quite a Timely Win A night to remember, or forget? 5 p.m. The Angels had an ex-New York policeman sing the national anthem in the series opener and lost. They went to Joelle James, who I've been saying is the best national anthem singer in Southern California the last four (more) October 11, 2005 - LA Times Rotation Is a Question Mark Huddled in a red sweatshirt, his shoulders pulled high around his ears, Jarrod Washburn watched the Angels beat the Yankees on Monday night from the Angel clubhouse, then listened as his teammates danced and shouted and shot corks about the room. (more) October 11, 2005 - LA Times Santana Has Their Backs The New York Yankees executed their game plan to perfection. They kept Chone Figgins from running wild on the bases. They did not let Vladimir Guerrero beat them. Better luck next year. The Angels sent the Yankees packing on Monday, dismissing them (more) October 11, 2005 - LA Times For Fifth Straight Year, Yankees Aren't Dandy Alex Rodriguez, the $252-million man, a star among stars even in the New York Yankee constellation, stared into a sea of cameras and microphones, his eyes moist, his voice soft, and said, "I played like a dog." Rodriguez, two for 15 in the series without (more) October 11, 2005 - AP Hungry Hungry Halos 5, Bronx Bummers 3 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Moments after Bartolo Colon doubled over in pain, Ervin Santana calmly jogged to the mound with the same poise he's shown so many times during his rookie season. The Los Angeles Angels were down and their ace was out, and the (more) October 11, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Pitching plans don't work out NEW YORK - It almost worked out. Jarrod Washburn got sick, John Lackey subbed in on three days' rest and he pitched like an ace. But with the Angels' offense back in sleep mode, a great outing by the Angels right-hander wasn't enough Sunday night in (more) October 10, 2005 - Press-Telegram Pitching boosts Yanks NEW YORK - Joe Torre didn't have the luxury of tomorrow. He was six outs from sending the American League Division Series back to Anaheim. Or he was going home. It didn't matter that using Mariano Rivera for the final two innings in Game 7 of the (more) October 10, 2005 - Press-Telegram Illness keeps Washburn from taking the mound NEW YORK - Jarrod Washburn was scratched from his scheduled Game 4 start Sunday because of a high fever and throat infection, something he came down with Saturday night. Angels manager Mike Scioscia informed John Lackey and Ervin Santana Saturday to be (more) October 10, 2005 - Press-Telegram Yankees find a way to Game 5 NEW YORK - In recent years, the "mystique" in Yankee mystique has been nothing more than an eight-letter word that rhymes with bleak. That's what happens when baseball's most-storied franchise goes without a World Series championship in five years. (more) October 10, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Washburn's illness shuffles rotation NEW YORK - With a throat infection and a fever that reached 102 degrees, Jarrod Washburn could hardly leave his bed, let alone start Game 4. Washburn began feeling sick on Saturday, which would have been his regular start day but the game (more) October 10, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Angels let 'em slide NEW YORK - While another bad throw by Angels third baseman Chone Figgins in the playoffs will be thought of as the difference-maker, in John Lackey's mind the difference was already made. And he wasn't in the game to make it. (more) October 10, 2005 - LA Times Lackey, Angels Get Yanked NEW YORK — As it all unraveled for the Angels in the seventh inning Sunday night, as reliever Scot Shields suffered a rare meltdown, turning a one-run lead into a one-run deficit and a potential playoff series-clinching victory into a crushing loss (more) October 10, 2005 - It's a Bad Time to Bring Up These Questions NEW YORK — Three innings from clinching. Three innings of clenching. The Angels had their fingers around the champagne that would christen a voyage to the American League championship series in Chicago. But those fingers stiffened, their grip (more) October 10, 2005 - LA Times He's Getting All Mushy About October Baseball NEW YORK — It's a city known for its great theater, and although I know the Angels lost and blah, blah, somebody has to be blamed, Sunday night's East Coast to West Coast thriller is probably going to have me sounding like Rex Hudler. (more) October 10, 2005 - LA Times Unable to Bring the Heat NEW YORK — It began early Saturday evening with a call from Jarrod Washburn to Ned Bergert, the Angel left-hander informing the athletic trainer that he was ill. Washburn was running a 102-degree fever, he was sweating profusely, his throat was killing (more) October 10, 2005 - LA Times Yankees Borrow Angel Formula NEW YORK — The Angels don't play Moneyball, but they have concocted their own formula for winning. They don't emphasize power or patience, but they win with timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and outstanding relief. (more) October 10, 2005 - AP Yanks 3, Fightin' Halos 2 NEW YORK (AP) -- Hardly any time to feel satisfied for Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and the Yankees. They packed their bags and bolted for the airport -- New York is still around in these playoffs and has much more work to do. (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Telegram Angels face a reign delay NEW YORK - Much like the Angels offense Friday night, the rain did not let up Saturday and Game 4 of the American League Division Series between the Angels and New York Yankees was postponed until 4:55 p.m. PDT today at Yankee Stadium. (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Telegram Spiezio isn't faring very well Three years ago, Scott Spiezio was in the middle of the Angels' run to the World Series title. Last week, he was charged with theft, general damage to property and simple assault, along with his girlfriend, Jennifer Pankratz, who is facing similar (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Telegram They're not through weathering the storm NEW YORK - Careful, now. It's all dark and gloomy out there, all foreboding. Not at all like the light at the end of a New York tunnel, not at all the harbinger of celebration and victory champagne. The Angels are, understandably, feeling rather good (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Telegram Molina May Have An Amazin' Future October 9, 2005 -- As Mike Scioscia walked into the Angels' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium yesterday he saw Bengie Molina at the doorway. The manager stopped to greet his catcher and gave him a tap in the left elbow with his hat. (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Telegram Angels Stickin With It October 9, 2005 -- Anyone who questioned whether the Angels might be a little more selective at the plate in Game 3 of the ALDS on Friday night got their answer quickly. The Angels swung at three of the first five pitches they saw and didn't (more) October 9, 2005 - LA Times Rainout in New York Means a Call to Arms NEW YORK — Upon learning Saturday's American League division series game against the Yankees was rained out, Manager Mike Scioscia summoned Bartolo Colon to his office and asked the Angel ace if he could start a rescheduled Game 4 tonight (more) October 9, 2005 - LA Times Molina Should Be Able to Cash In NEW YORK — Bengie Molina has been considered one of baseball's better defensive catchers, but his stock has gone up considerably with his offensive outburst in the division series against the Yankees. (more) October 9, 2005 - New York Times  *** OUT OF TOWN VIEW *** Big Winners in Rainout Are the Angels' Relievers The truck was already parked in the players' lot at Yankee Stadium yesterday morning, ready to haul luggage and equipment to the airport for an evening flight to California. It was wishful thinking, for two reasons: the Yankees would be flying only (more) October 9, 2005 - New York Times  *** OUT OF TOWN VIEW *** If It's Not One Molina, It's Another for the Angels Bengie Molina was in the Angels' clubhouse during the seventh inning of Friday night's game at Yankee Stadium, dealing with the pain of a pitch that hit his elbow a short time earlier. But while he wondered whether his arm was broken, Molina did (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Angels' reign delayed, but no one complains NEW YORK - It wasn't much more than some heavy rain that drenched the greater Manhattan area, but to the Angels it was the perfect storm. After using five pitchers and watching their hottest hitter get drilled in the elbow Friday (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Escobar factor NEW YORK - Everyone on the Angels team had an idea that when Kelvim Escobar came off the disabled list in early September, he could have an impact. What they didn't know was how much. The answer: A big one. Especially in their Game 3 victory. (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Molina's earning a hefty raise NEW YORK - Leave it to the members of the New York media to let conversations about the Mets creep into the playoffs at Yankee Stadium. At least in one corner of the visitor's clubhouse. As Angels catcher Bengie Molina continues his (more) October 9, 2005 - Press-Enterprise It's raining footballs NEW YORK - The rain that soaked the Angels' Game 3 victory kept on coming Saturday. Baseball can be played damp, but not drenched. So Game 4 of the American League Division Series was postponed, then the Angels and New York Yankees were (more) October 8, 2005 - LA Times Molina's Elbow Is Bruised NEW YORK — The fastball came up and in, crashing into the left elbow of Bengie Molina. He dropped to his knees in pain. At that moment, Molina feared the elbow was broken. "I couldn't feel my hand," he said. "I was pretty scared." (more) October 8, 2005 - LA Times Slaying Giants, Swaying Hearts -- It's Starting to Feel Like '02 NEW YORK — On an opening night just off Broadway, baseball's giant pitcher stepped on its biggest stage. Three innings later, fans were chanting for somebody named Small. In a Bronx cathedral decorated with autumn greatness, baseball's most historic (more) October 8, 2005 - LA Times Figgins Figures Big in Win NEW YORK — Chone Figgins doesn't play for the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. He doesn't hit home runs. He doesn't even have a position to call his own. If America knows him at all, it's as the guy who steals all those bases. (more) October 8, 2005 - LA Times In Gloomy Setting, He Helps the Cause NEW YORK — There were hours to kill before Friday night's game in Yankee Stadium, a playoff game that for a while appeared as if it might not be played. (Tough luck for the Yankees). (more) October 8, 2005 - LA Times Bronx Calmers NEW YORK — This was about the last thing Manager Mike Scioscia wanted in this American League division series, a slugfest between his Angels, who have one big bopper and a bunch of flyweights, and the New York Yankees, who have a lineup full of (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Molina thrives in cleanup NEW YORK - Bengie Molina has become one of the most consistent hitters in the lineup this postseason, and before Game 3, Manager Mike Scioscia slotted him in the cleanup spot. Good move. Molina hit a two-run homer in the third inning (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Enterprise They're Yankee killers NEW YORK - One more Angels win in this postseason series and maybe someone will start asking the New York Yankees about the "Angel mystique." On a wet, windy, miserable Friday night at Yankee Stadium, the Angels aligned with the weather, pouring it on (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Enterprise Angels take the best shot NEW YORK - Garret Anderson has faced questions all season. How is your back? How is your knee? Can you play left field? Is it harder hitting as a designated hitter, as your numbers indicate? They continued in the playoffs. The same questions, plus (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Telegram Anderson tries to take it in stride NEW YORK - All this time, and it's still hard to know what to make of Garret Anderson. The Angels' very own enigma, their talented outfielder, both admired and ... what? Anderson has been an offensive stalwart for years now, a central part to (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Telegram A perfect storm of offense for Halos NEW YORK - The search is over, the answer finally revealed. The Angels waited all season to discover who they were offensively, what kind of identity they could ultimately claim. Runs seemed a constant problem. The club was built around pitching (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Telegram Pouring it on NEW YORK - It was the kind of game one has come to expect at Yankee Stadium in October - dramatic moments, big plays and big hits, and all under a threatening sky that produced a steady but light rain all evening. For decades the Yankees seemed to win all (more) October 8, 2005 - Press-Telegram Molina injured, status unclear NEW YORK - Catcher Bengie Molina's status for today's Game 4 of the American League Division Series won't be known until he is evaluated today, but that's a lot better than what could have been. When Molina was hit by a Tom Gordon fastball (more) October 8, 2005 - AP Angels 11, Pin Stripes 7 NEW YORK (AP) -- The Big Unit was a bust when the Yankees needed him most, and Chone Figgins' clutch plays pushed the Los Angeles Angels within one win of the AL championship series. Figgins made another sparkling grab on defense and (more) << Older Newer >>