SALT LAKE CITY -- It was clear something was going on when Sunday attendance started climbing.
That day is largely set aside for religious observance here, leaving pockets of seats empty at Franklin Covey Field, home to the Angels' triple-A affiliate.
But for the first Sunday home game this season, more than 8,000 fans showed up, some sprawled on blankets and towels beyond the outfield wall. The crowd nearly doubled the average Sunday attendance last season.
And it wasn't just to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains.
The Bees triumphed in their first eight games, dropped their home opener and proceeded to go on another 13-game win streak to start the season 21-1. That, by all accounts, is the best start in Pacific Coast League history, dating back more than a century.
"Usually, it's pretty quiet around here Sundays," outfielder Terry Evans said with a laugh. "We have a couple of fans that come here every Sunday and you can hear them throughout the whole ballpark because there's not that many people here. Then, this past Sunday, there was a great crowd."
Angels fans, your future is bright.
The Bees have blown teams out. Squeaked out narrow wins. Had their share of walk-off wins. And when they were down, 6-0, to start a game against the Fresno Grizzlies, they yawned and scored six runs in the bottom of the first before winning, 11-10, in 10 innings.
They've already thrown four shutouts; last year's staff tossed only two all season. And they lead the league in hitting and pitching.
"Every team is loaded with players, especially at this level," catcher Bobby Wilson said. "To do what we've done so far is definitely special. It's been somebody different every day. Somebody stepping up and doing the job."
Imagine how good they would be if the Angels would stop raiding them.
Infielders Sean Rodriguez and Brandon Wood, outfielder Reggie Willits and pitcher Nick Adenhart are all with the big club now to help the Angels combat a slew of injuries, after spending chunks of the start of the season here.
Others, like infielders Matt Brown and Kendry Morales, have been called up and sent down.
"We are losing different guys each time," said Manager Bobby Mitchell. "Rodriguez and Morales and then they come back. We lose Wood and Brown and then Adenhart goes up. It's kind of been a roller coaster, but guys are just staying on an even keel and doing a good job."
