Angel Fans

It's September, and Angels fans with long memories are wondering whether their team will finally outrun the "Curse of the Singing Cowboy" and make it into postseason play for the first time since 1986. It's a nervous time, but a far better way to spend the waning days of summer than trying to digest a second-place finish during a strike-shortened season.

CHICAGO - All the pieces seemed to fall into - and, in one case, out of - place this season for the Angels to have their most regular lineup in years. The infield was set. The trade of Kendrys Morales to Seattle assured that Peter Bourjos , a favorite of General Manager Jerry Dipoto , would start in center field and slugger Mark Trumbo would have a spot. And the March trade of outfielder Vernon Wells to the Yankees removed any temptation for Manager Mike Scioscia to tinker with the lineup by playing Wells too much.

Tried to find the Angel-Red Sox game on TV, didn't you? Found the White Sox-Devil Ray game. Bet that had you glued to the tube. But the Angels-Red Sox? Two teams battling for American League division titles and wild-card position? At a sold-out Fenway Park? That game wasn't televised in Southern California. These Fightin' Angels deserve better. A team owned by a media conglomerate should use some muscle to get the biggest game of the season on television.

The Dodgers - and their world-record payroll - have sunk to the bottom of the National League West. The Angels - and their collection of superstar hitters - are flailing in the depths of the American League West. We thought we would be talking about the Dodgers and Angels meeting in a Freeway Series in October, not about whether the Dodgers and Angels would fire their managers before the Freeway Series at the end of May. Josh Hamilton is fighting to keep his batting average above the Mendoza Line.

Soon after the Angels conclude their final homestand of the 1996 season next week, the demolition crews will move in. Where outfield seats now stand largely empty, a testament to yet another disappointing baseball season, workers in hard hats will begin Anaheim Stadium's $100-million metamorphosis. In a little more than 18 months, the Angels expect to have a 45,000-seat, baseball-only stadium--plans for which have been altered significantly since they were unveiled in May.

My wife and I are 43-year Angel fans and 10-year season-ticket holders. You can call the 2002 Angel season a fluke, a miracle or pure luck but it doesn't change things. It was a wonderful, magical once-in-a-lifetime experience. We saw every home game, every playoff and World Series game. Our house is filled with 2002 Angel pictures, DVDs, books, autographs, baseballs, pins, posters and collages. The 2002 season is euphoric to relive! And guess what? Red Sox and White Sox fans would give anything for a 2002 Angel season.

Even after 43 years as Angel fans, with the last 12 years as season-ticket holders, my wife and I would rather drive 90 miles south to San Diego Padre games than gag as the Big A public address announcer blares out, "Here come your Los Angeles Angels" as the team takes the field. Jerry Mazenko Garden Grove If Arte Moreno persists in his attempts to rename the Angels, his honeymoon period of ownership will come to a screeching halt. Such feel-good measures as lowering beer prices and spending big bucks for free agents will be long forgotten by the Orange County fan base that has stuck with the team through all of the lean years, those who are likely to think twice about flocking to the stadium to see the "Los Angeles Angels" play.

Mark Langston's signing was cheered by fans, but even they pondered the economic implications. "As long as (Yankee owner George) Steinbrenner says he'll top anybody's deal, these guys are going to keep getting it," said Hal Hammonds, who tends bar at The Catch Restaurant across the street from Anaheim Stadium. "The spiral can't keep going up because pretty soon we can't afford to go to ballgames," said Hammonds, who attended 40 games last season. "Only the ultra-rich will be able to afford it."

Mike Port should be concentrating on getting players (young players) for next season who want to play aggressive, fired up, fundamental baseball, rather than keeping inconsistent, unenthusiastic, dead players. The swing-at-the-first-pitch team just seems to want to get the game over quick and go home. Every year we Angel fans go see them play and cheer, root and support them in hopes that they will make it to the championship, but it's the same old dull story. DAVID CASTILLO Monrovia

How exciting to contemplate the coming baseball season with its unbalanced schedule. Angel fans now get to see more of crowd pleasers Seattle, Oakland and Texas and less of the dull Yankees, Red Sox and Indians. Just think, we might miss Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens completely and will see a lot less of Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken, Manny Ramirez and Juan Gonzalez. Brilliant, Bud! JERRY MAZENKO Garden Grove Apparently the Angels are trying to corner the market on weak-hitting middle infielders, with the trades of good arms for Wilmy Caceres and Jose Nieves.

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Vernon Wells era - or error, as most Angels fans would call it - is coming to an end. Wells confirmed he is being traded to the New York Yankees, the Angels outfielder saying Sunday that he was "excited" about going to the Bronx and that he had already said his goodbyes in the Angels' clubhouse. Though the trade wasn't officially announced Sunday, Wells, several hours after leaving Tempe Diablo Stadium with two packed equipment bags, wrote on his Twitter account: "Thankful and Blessed.

The Angels have launched their own ticket resale program, hoping to help season-seat holders save a few bucks while reducing the number of cut-rate tickets available on third-party websites. The Angels and New York Yankees are the only two of the 30 teams to opt out of an agreement between Major League Baseball and Stub Hub. The Angels had grown frustrated as fans realized they often could buy a cheaper ticket from Stub Hub than from the team itself. "What we're trying to accomplish is to build pricing integrity back into the secondary marketplace," said Robert Alvarado, the Angels' vice president of marketing and ticket sales.

DETROIT — Vernon Wells , out since May 21 because of a torn ligament in his right thumb, is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment of seven to 10 games this weekend, moving a big step closer to a return that could cause tension in the Angels' clubhouse and test the patience of fans. Wells, who has been taking batting practice for a week and throwing for several weeks, was the starting left fielder when he was injured, but since then, outfielders Mike Trout , who joined the team April 28, and Mark Trumbo have emerged as most-valuable-player candidates.

Although the road to the first Stanley Cup championship might have become more difficult for the Kings after consecutive losses to the New Jersey Devils, their fans aren't hitting the panic button - yet. “It's going to happen tonight. It has to happen tonight,” said Paul Dockstader, who is a Kings season-ticket holder with his wife, Janette. “Otherwise, as every Kings fan imagines, it will go to Game 7, and we'll be doomed. “I expect them to win tonight, and I'm afraid for Game 7.” Janette, donning the jersey of her favorite player, Jeff Carter, said a loss does not necessarily spell doom for Los Angeles.

Die-hard Los Angeles Kings fan Bobby Scribe hopes for a Stanley Cup victory for his beloved team in six games. But even if that happens, there will be a hole at the heart of the TV coverage, he said, because local announcer Bob Miller, the voice of the Kings for nearly four decades, won't be calling the plays. The National Hockey League finals between the Kings and the New Jersey Devils, airing on NBC and its cable channel NBC Sports Network starting Wednesday night, have a national broadcast team that doesn't include Miller.

Hint No. 1 that this was something big. Text messages. "It's one of those signs you've done something unusual," he said. Hint No. 2 that this was something extra big. An outpouring of fan support, post-midnight, adjacent to LAX after the Kings' flight had landed. "It was like driving down a hallway lined with human flesh," he said. "You couldn't see anything except people screaming and Kings jerseys. It was a feeling that not anyone will forget ever, I think on the Kings team.

Even as they expressed regret over first baseman Wally Joyner signing with the Kansas City Royals, Angel fans praised him Monday, and also blasted the club for the "bad mistake" of letting him slip away. Here's what some Angel fans had to say: Ron Webster, baseball card dealer and owner of ABC Coins in Santa Ana: "I hate to see him go. I am upset about it. It's a bad mistake. That's what's wrong with the Angels.

It should be noted how the California Angels reward their fans, who in recent years have averaged the best numbers in the league. Gone since the late 1970s are the twilight doubleheaders. Gone, too, are all half-price family nights. Not too long ago, every home Monday night was a family night. And now we can look forward to the 1986 season in which box seats will be $2 more than at Dodger Stadium. Thanks a lot, Angels! ROBERT FLAGG Azusa

My text to my friend Joe Carillio at 9:37 Wednesday night: "How bout them Angels! no hitter!" Joe's reply 10 minutes later: "Weaver or Pujols?" Joey Almeida Santa Barbara :: "El Hombre" is looking more and more like "El Mendoza. " Anthony Moretti Lomita :: Albert Pujols has turned into MLB's version of Lamar Odom, and he's not even married to a Kardashian. Gary Wosk North Hills :: Wait, the McCourts are really gone and the Dodgers actually reduced the cost to park?