There Is No Gravy

When the baseball season started, seven months ago, I told people that my expectations for the Angels season had already been met by the new logo. I really didn't like the old "swoopy wing" logo and was thrilled when they rolled out the new uniforms. The shift to red was a little wild at first, but the classic look of the new uniforms was a dramatic improvement over the blue/periwinkle mishmash they replaced. I said, "Everything else is gravy."

In late July, the Angels swept the Mariners and moved ahead of the Red Sox in the AL wild-card race. I sent a message to my coworker the Red Sox fan and pointed this out - with the disclaimer that "this could very well be the pinnacle of the Angels' 2002 campaign." I was happy that my boys had a moment in the sun this season, and thought to myself, "Well, it won't likely last. Everything else is gravy."

In September, in the last homestand of the season, the Angels finally clinched a playoff spot - for the first time since 1986. I had been saying for weeks that "all I want is a playoff spot. Everything else is gravy."

The Angels went to New York to face the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. They lost a heartbreaker in game 1. I realized that I really wanted them to beat the Yankees. "If they can just dispatch the much-despised Yankees..." They managed that and moved on to the ALCS. "If they can just get past the Twins..." When they beat the Twins I was giddy. Giddy! The hair was standing up on the back of my neck. I was grinning and laughing and jumping around and pumping my fists in the air, doing my best Russ Hodges imitation, shouting "The Angels Win The Pennant! The Angels Win The Pennant!" I could feel the joy emanating from Tim Salmon as he ran around Anaheim Stadium, the American League trophy held high over his head.

Last night the Angels pitching staff suffered a total meltdown and the Giants went up 3 games to 2 in the World Series, pushing the Angels to the brink of elimination. I was pretty upset - I couldn't get to sleep! Then I got upset that I was so upset that I couldn't sleep. I'm the first to admit that it's ridiculous, but that's what happened.

I guess I'm finally willing to admit that there is no gravy. I want it all. I want World Series rings for my beloved Angels.

It's going to be an interesting weekend.