Site of a Famous First

The Angels and Giants opened the World Series in Anaheim on this night in 2002 -- the first time that two Wild Card teams faced off in baseball's Fall Classic.

Could it happen again this year? The Red Sox have bludgeoned the Astros to take a two games to one lead in the ALCS, while the 106-win Dodgers, trailing the Braves two games to none, have all the firepower they need to turn that series around. 

The days of only first place-teams making the post-season are over. The four division plan that served from 1969 to '93 is a distant memory. And a new labor agreement could well include the playoffs increasing from 10 to as many as 14 clubs. We'll learn more in the months to come.

My last visit to the Big A came in 2008 for a pre-season Freeway Series game between the Angels and Dodgers. One of the ballpark's distinctive features is the palm-tree shaded outdoor concessions area. It even makes overpriced fast food taste good. 



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