Why 2002 Anaheim Angels Run to World Series is Memorable

World Series starts tonight and throughout the years there were so many memorable teams that won it. One of my all-time favorites will always be 2002 Anaheim Angels team. At the time the team payroll was in the middle of the league. The team consist players they built through minor league system such as Tim Salmon, Garrett Anderson, Troy Glaus, Darin Erstad, Benji Molina, Jarrod Washburn, Troy Percival, and Scott Shoeneweis to name a few. Along the way they picked up Martin Donnelly who was cast away bouncing around minors. When teams expanded the roster in September they called up two players who turned out to be key for the team: John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez. With Mike Scioscia managing they employed back-to-basics offense with timed hitting spraying the ball through gaps of the field and hard-nose running on the bases. They got their chemistry working in the season and made their run to the playoffs with a hot September.

In the divisional series they took on dangerous high-priced New York Yankees team. When they lost game one you thought Yankees easily moving on. Wrong. The next three games Angels obliterated Yankees with offensive show as they took three straight to eliminate them in shocking fashion. They took on Twins which they lost game one then proceed win next four putting them in World Series. In the World Series they are pitted against Giants with a feared batter in name of Barry Bonds. Both teams battle back and fourth in barrage of offensive firepower. Down in the series 3-2 Angels was in must win situation. Things were not looking up being down 5-0 on bottom of the 7th and their season possibly ended the bats came alive for the Angels. Glaus and Brad Fullmer hit back-to-back singles only for Scott Spiezio hit 3-run homerun making it 5-3. On bottom of the 8th Darin Erstad open up with a homerun. Later in the inning Glaus double drove in Garrett Anderson and Chone Figgins coming back from 0-5 to lead 6-5 as they hang on to win. Now on season ending game 7 Angels handed the ball to then-rookie John Lackey. Giants struck first with a run in the 2nd. Angels bounce back tying it up in bottom of the 2nd. In bottom of the 3rd with bases loaded Anderson cleared it with a double sending David Eckstein, Erstad, and Tim Salmon home making it 4-1. It was enough runs for the Angels. Lackey would hold on the lead giving way to Martin Donnelly then Francisco Rodriguez then to Troy Percival saving the game. Final score: 4-1 and Anaheim Angels are 2002 World Series champs. What the team did on the field with offense and pitching strategy was art. It was old school and going clutch when needed.

Angels World Series victory changed the way how teams build a team into a contender. It wasn't through big money free agency. It was through old school homegrown style of scouting for "hidden" talents and going through minor league system. They made teams realize if they build a team into a World Series winner they can do it. It showed with Florida Marlins winning it the following year. St. Louis Cardinals have always been constant winner with trips to playoffs and World Series. There's Tampa Bay Rays who made few runs to the playoff including World Series appearance. That method still going on today with two teams in the World Series: Royals and Giants. If they can build it they can win.

Random Autograph Card: MIke Moustakas

Royals going to World Series and one of key players is this guy with his hitting and catching. I got this signed when he was with Royals Double-A club Northwest Arkansas in 2010.  Every year I kept wondering when will Royals get it together for playoff run. They won almost everything in the minors with these same group of players. Now they got it together this season and surge themselves to World Series.

PSA on Cardboard Form

Nothing screams early 90s sport cards than PSA. It's not graded PSA cards I'm talking about. I'm talking about public service announcements. Few companies tackled it like Hoops did with 90-91 set with four cards featured on it.

We have Johnny Newman and Dell Curry of Charlotte Hornets making rounds of NBA Stay in School program.

Notice they mention about getting college education AND a degree. When mid-90s hit that part was abandoned when mass exodus of underclassmen college AND high school players were jumping in the draft hoping get chosen in the first round and get that big money. It got so bad NBA introduce "One and Done" rule which turn into bigger joke. Dell Curry son, Stephan, would leave after three years for the draft with promise of getting a degree.

Then there was Say No to Drugs PSA cards featuring Patrick Ewing and Isiah Thomas.

It's every PSA ad formula featuring sports athlete. Put all-star player and have them give a reason why say no to drugs. Hoops put two star players to do get the message. Other than Thomas accidental overdose on sleeping pills, both continue remain clean. Funny how it feature one of most popular and one of most hated figures in New York.

Nice to look back on use of PSA on cards. Not sure if it can be done today as any player featured on PSA will be heavily scrutinized through internet and social media.

Trip to City Wide Garage Sale

Had a free Saturday and there was city-wide garage sale that happens on first weekend of the month at Palmer Event Center. Never been so I made a trip down there. Paid $6 to get in as vendors selling loads of stuff such as old toys, VHS and DVDs, guitars, vinyl records, clothing, and lawn/yard items. Browsed around going through vendor table after another.

Few interesting items like this abstract paining of naked woman.

Then there was this that wouldn't pass on the modern day.

There was this toy vendor with tub full of wrestling figures

Then there was another vendor I felt at home

Loads of unopen boxes, packs, and memorabilia. I went through this seller's table and picked up two boxes and dozen of packs for $17.

I also came home with these:

Never had Warrior and Batista figure so I picked them out of the tub. I got them for $5 altogether.

Had good time there. Hopefully I can get back there in few months.

Sellout Sam

Three-time Indycar champion Sam Hornish returning back to series this time behind the booth. Truth, I could careless if he returned back to driving Indycar. I can't help how much he's a sellout to NASCAR. If he returned back 3-5 years ago I would have welcome back in open arms. I used to be Sam Hornish fan. His drives reminded me one of my favorites Rick Mears. Methodically race the track and strike when it matters. He 2000 version of the ovalmeister. He was amazing on the ovals. He gave remaining Indycar fans hope during that time. Then he went NASCAR in 2007 and stayed there til since. There were times Indycar fans wanted him return especially when he didn't have a ride due to sponsorship woes. What did he do? Spend times in the sidelines and NASCAR garages hoping for another break. What hurt Indycar fans he said he rather be tester in NASCAR than having a ride in Indycar. It was enough to be label a sellout to Indycar fans as I wash my hands clean from this guy. Enjoy the booth, but don't expect me, this fan, to welcome Sam Hornish back to Indycar.

Sammy Basura

Best ever shithead in indy wrestling.

"You're trash!"  That's one of chants I hear from a fan who attends ACW and IPW shows. A chant reserved for dastardly heel wrestlers. That chant is reserve for wrestler who did something beyond stupidity outside the ring. His name Sammy Guevara or Sammy Basura (that's trash in spanish) I shall call him. Claiming to be "best ever" the guy has talent even you take away his backyard flips. But he also has attitude of cocky, self-absorbed idiot. The guy lived the gimmick because that is really him in real life. Everywhere he went he burned bridge after bridge with that attitude. The guy is Texas version of Teddy Hart.

One of his biggest burning moments happened months ago. Wrestling for San Antonio's based River City Wrestling he was given a platform to perform with a rocket pack strapped his back making of name of himself. How did he thank them? He shoot on them at IPW Clash at the Bash in middle of the ring catching RCW by surprise. Not only he burned that bridge on a fed that made him, but made IPW look bush league as RCW cut ties with them. At last IPW show Justin Bissonette gave him Flair/Carlito shoot talk in middle of the ring hoping it gets in his head. Apparently it never did.

Last week San Antonio's Aqua Man died. Around San Antonio he's well-loved for his charity contributions and being a strong fighter. Even my buddy from there Ed (not a wrestling fan) told me what he done down there and how he touched everyone's heart. Aqua Man was family to everyone in San Antonio including River City Wrestling. As friends and family offer condolences and memories of him Sammy Basura decide stir up drama with his post on Facebook.

Wrestling career suicide in 1..2..3..

This low blow post caused hurt to family, friends, and colleagues. It didn't take long for feds from entire state of Texas blackball him including feds from outside the state lines.

Sammy Guevara is truly basura. I don't care if he's playing character there's this line you don't cross and he crossed it in one biggest beyond idiot things to say. Like Teddy Hart the guy have talent in the ring, but found idiot ways to ruin his wrestling career.

Sammy Guevara wrestling career

I feel bad for IPW. Due to Sammy Basura actions they have broken relationship with RCW and forced to vacate J-crown title.

If there's a book on how and not conduct yourself in wrestling while starting out there's two names: Barrett Brown and Sammy Guevara. On how conduct yourself is Barrett Brown who taken his lumps, learned, be well-grounded, and respectful. On how not to conduct yourself is Sammy Guevara, a loudmouth punk burying and stabbing those in the back that helped him out.

My Name is Vexx, V-to-the E-Double X

Shawn Vexx calling it a career

"Allow me to re-introduce myself my name is Vexx, V-to-the E-Double X. I enter the ring to the max. I throw down slams so I can be champ of A-C-W, Vexx." - lyrics changed from Jay-Z - My Name is Hov

After his match against Masada at ACW From Innocence to Insanity Shawn Vexx got on microphone calling it a career ending long journey of Infamous one in the rings of Anarchy.

Mainstay of ACW, Shawn Vexx is one of hardest working wrestlers giving it his all throwing down slams feuding and having wars with Darin Childs, A.C.H., Davey Vega, and Evan Gelistico. His entrance one of the best getting fans pumped up before his match. Throughout the way he battle through adversary in and out of the ring yet he popped back up ready to battle in the ring. Throughout it all he became a champion becoming two-time ACW heavyweight champion, a TV champion, and U-30 Young Guns champion.

Being a wrestling fan is a strange thing. Wrestlers do something horrible getting you invested to boo at them. Later they do something good getting you invested to cheer at them. Shawn Vexx manage get me to do that. I went from a guy that  had "Vexx Must Die" sign during his feud with Davey Vega to "Vexx Lives" sign at 2013 Lone Star Classic battling his way in the tournament. All of this in span of 10 months in between.

I remember the first time watching him for first time. It was 2011 Delusions of Our Childish Days (my first ACW show) and he turned heel at previous show after months of foreshadow. He took on Gregory James in the first match of the show and had decent bout. Later in the show he popped out destroying referee Donny Davis with a chair within few feet in front of me. I was hooked.

I spent 2012 booing him and getting invested in his feud with Davey Vega trying steal Athena from him. During this time he got best out of super fan name Tommy in very fun moment.

 
In 2013 cheering him on in a battle against Evan Gelistico culminating to first ever steel cage match in ACW history which he took ACW Heavyweight title away from him.

At the end Shawn Vexx enter the ring as a fighter and at the end left as survivor and a winner in front of the crowd. Thank you Shawn Vexx for giving the fans all you got in the ring. In honor of Vexx a familiar Jay-Z classic.

A champ in front of fan's eyes