Somber Series

By Val Thompson

Everyone keeps talking about the Anaheim Angels' flight itinerary as if it's the most important aspect of the American League Championship Series. All of a sudden, because the Angels were on a plane the last two nights, they enter with a huge disadvantage against the White Sox. It's true that Anaheim should be an underdog in the upcoming series, but it has nothing to do with jet lag.

On a list of several aspects that will affect the outcome of the ALCS, the Angels' travel exhaustion ranks near the bottom. After all, baseball teams are taking red-eye flights all season long. If you want to talk about doing something strange, talk about the White Sox not playing a game for three consecutive days. That happened only once all season, during the All-Star Break. The Angels have taken at least 40 flights prior to this suddenly exhausting four-hour flight to Chicago.

Exactly one month ago, the Angels beat the Red Sox in Boston in a game that ended at 10:23 p.m. They got on a plane, flew to Chicago, probably landed at about 3:00 a.m., went to a hotel and slept. They started a three-game series with the White Sox later that day, at 8:00 p.m. Remember what happened? The Angels swept Chicago, jet lag and all.

That scenario isn't much different, rest-wise, from what Anaheim is facing today. They've been at their hotel since 6:00 a.m. They don't need to be at the ballpark until 4:00 p.m. at the earliest. That's ten solid hours to get a good night's rest. All that alcohol should have them pretty much knocked out anyway.

These players are professional athletes that make a living travelling the country with little rest and performing at a high level. In baseball, more than any other sport, players are prepared to handle hectic travel plans.

This championship series will be decided, like all the others. First, by starting pitching. Second, by timely hitting. Exhaustion from a five-hour flight will have no effect whatsoever.