Fallen Angels. The Anaheim Angels lost again today to bring their record since the AllStar break to a Tigers-like 5-20. That is five wins and twenty losses. Such a record wouldn't be newsworthy except for the fact that the Angels are the World Champions.

Last year, the Angels were the "Angels With Dirty Faces" as they dove, bunted, ran and scrapped their way into the World Series. The defied all then opinion by beating the Yankees in the first playoff series and then winning the American League title. The little team that could then went on and beat the Giants in the World Series. It was an amazing run that started after the AllStar game last year.

A team hasn't fared this poorly after a World Series win since the dismantling of the Florida Marlins after their series win. Upon contemplation of the team's fall, it seems logical that a team that won with passion and spirit more than with talent would falter badly when that passion finally hits a wall. Injuries and sagging performances were that wall and it's now starting to spin the team downward quickly.

Let's start with the injuries. Darin Erstad has been injured twice and hasn't been a factor all year. Troy Glaus went on the disabled list at the end of July. Brad Fullmer went on the disabled list at the end of June. That's three really good hitters from their lineup. And Troy Percival has had hip problems despite having another good year.

And then there are performances by core players that are well below that of last year. Pitcher Kevin Appier was a solid starting pitcher for the Angels for two years with a winning record and an ERA under 4.00. This year, his ERA was at 5.63 when he was released. Mickey Calloway, another starter who helped the Angels down the stretch had a 6.81 ERA before he too was released.

John Lackey was 9-4 last year with a 3.66 ERA and started Game 7 of the World Series! This year, he is 7-10 with an ERA of 5.60. Jarrod Washburn was 18-6 last year with a 3.15 ERA. This year he is 9-11 with a 4.51 ERA. And now comes news that his start today was scrapped as his right elbow is hurting. The Angels' relief pitching has been excellent again, but their starters just can't get it done.

But pitching isn't their only problem. The hitting, from the infield especially, has not been what it was:
2002 2003
Eckstein .297 107 runs .253 52 runs
Kennedy .312 .268
Spiezio .285 .259

Even the Rally Monkey was fired according to the ESPN commercial!


Sammy Sosa personally defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kevin Brown today. Brown only gave up five hits but two of them were homers to Sosa who now has 28 for the year. Keep in mind that Sammy missed at least a third of the year and is within seven homers of the leader, Barry Bonds!

As impressive in that game was Mark Prior who dominated, giving up only one run on five hits. Then again...it was the Dodgers, one of the worst hitting teams in baseball. Even so, a complete game five hitter is a complete game five hitter.