The LA Angels were a special team during the 2008 regular season. They had the contribution of every team member’s efforts when it counted.
Early in the season, the hitters made them contenders. Around mid-season, the pitching staff pulled through. And towards the end, both the offense and pitching staff kept the team in the games.
The Angels were in many ways fortunate to be able to clinch the American League West Division on September 10. But sometimes when you do the “best thing”, you end up with results that you don’t expect.
Clinching early allowed the Angels to rest their key players, and give Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, and others a chance to get ready for the upcoming playoffs.
Sometimes accomplishing the goal of winning your division early can backfire. Clinching a playoff spot so early can players out of the "must win mentality." Come playoff time, you can’t get that “must win mentality” going quick enough. By the time it kicks in, your team is already out.
That’s exactly what happened to the Angels in 2008. Even though a team that clinches early can rest its players, it also loses the momentum you build when the team is trying to earn a playoff spot.
The Chicago Cubs and LA Angels both had the chance to clinch their division early, and we all know the results of that.
Last year the Colorado Rockies came into the playoffs with momentum. This year, the Boston Red Sox and LA Dodgers are the teams with momentum still in the playoffs.
Many times during the 2008 season, the Angels were able to execute their game plan and win close games. Frankie Rodriguez played a vital role in many of those victories.
Yet the Angels weren't able to perform in the playoffs. Once again, they struggled against the Redsox and were eventually eliminated.
The Angels are known as a team that can execute when called upon. They are known for top-tier performances in key situations.
There is an old baseball saying that goes, “You live and die by the squeeze play.”
This was especially true for the Angels. Their season rode upon a suicide squeeze by Eric Aybar.
Unfortunately, the Angels season died when Aybar didn’t perform when he was called upon to bunt. If Aybar executed, the Angels might have won game four.
This could have completely turned momentum around in the Angels favor. They could have won game five at home and Mike Scioscia would have looked like a hero instead of a scapegoat.
For the Angels, that one play crushed their entire season. So close, yet so far!
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about 1 month ago
How many times have we all seen that one little break here or there and a game, season or even someone's life turns on a dime. CIP: Mitch Williams.
about 1 month ago
Mark,
Great article first off. I was wondering what your take on the squeeze was. I mean I know it looks brilliant if you pull it off, but it looks equally worse, if not even more worse if it doesn't work.
I've read that Aybar is normally a reliable good bat control guy? I still don't know if I take the bat out of his hands. All he needs to do is slap a ball somewhere, or hit it remotely deep in the outfield. The announcer made a great point when he said they could pitch out into the right handers batting box, because the pitcher was a righty and could see if Willits was going to break. I dunno, I just didn't like the move right there. I definitely think that if that run scores, the Angels shut down the Sox in the 9th and have all the confidence in the world in game 5 back at home...
about 1 month ago
Mark, good perspective.
My feeling here is that the Angels were a solid team, but also the product of a weak division. They won a lot of games in a division that had three teams combine for a .442 winning percentage. Contrast that with Boston. Like you said, they had to work into the latter parts to the season to clinch and had a shot at the division until the last week. Add to it, four teams had more than 85 wins, and the Orioles would still have finished ahead of last-place Seattle.
The same piece makes me skeptical about the Dodgers. Yes, they have momentum, which Colorado found is very much a strong piece to the puzzle. Yet, the Phillies fought tooth and nail down the stretch to lock up that division.
I'm also curious your thoughts on the squeeze. It's how the Angels played all year, but is it right for the playoffs? I think you can argue it either way.
I posted an article on Lackey's post game comments. I felt he was out of line, especially given some of his emotions towards his own teammates on the mound. Maybe he's done that all season, I could be wrong there.
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