In the giddy afterglow
that still lingers following the greatest season in Anaheim Angels
history, Tales from the Angels Dugout relives all the fun and magic
associated with the team's first world championship. Follow the team
into the clubhouse and find in-depth profiles on all the key members of
the club, from manager Mike Scioscia to the unofficial team leader,
Darin Erstad, to Frankie Rodriguez, the amazing relief-pitching phenom.
With Scioscia's special insight, remember not only the Angels'
remarkable season, but also the division series surprise against the
Yankees, the ALCS victory over the Twins and, of course, the World
Series success versus Barry Bonds and the Giants. But to truly
appreciate what the Angels achieved in 2002, it is necessary to
understand what they had to overcome to get there -- the 41-year
drought, the many seasons of futility and frustration and the various
curses and hexes long associated with this franchise in a stadium
supposedly built on an ancient Indian burial ground. This is a team
that has had more than its share of zany characters and wild moments,
from the happy Bill Rigney era to the suicide of a tormented relief
pitcher. In Tales from the Angels Dugout the players tell why owner Gene
Autry was so revered; Bobby Knoop describes his old double-play
partner, Jim Fregosi, the Derek Jeter of his day; and Bobby Grich
remembers what it was like to be on the field when Donnie Moore threw
that fateful pitch to Dave Henderson in the 1986 playoffs. Read about
the special post-2002 meeting of the minds between Scioscia and Hall of
Fame basketball coach and admitted Angels admirer John Wooden. Compare
your all-time Angels team to the one the author has selected and read
his analysis of what the future holds for this team that has captured so
many hearts.