The 2009 MLB regular season is coming to a close and while some teams are planning on what to do with their families for Halloween, others are looking onward to the playoffs the most exciting time of the season for major leaguers and fans alike.

     I am a fan of the National League, I always have been. Every season I root for whatever team represents the National League (unless that team is the Cardinals, the only time I would ever root for them in World Series is if they played the dreaded New York Yankees). But this season I will be shifting my sights to the American League West Division where the Los Angeles Angles will be fighting for the franchise’ second World Championship.

     Some of you may be thinking to yourself, why? Well normally I would not make such a decision, but earlier this season in April the Angles experienced great tragedy. Nick Adenhart, former third starter in the pitching rotation for the Angles, was killed in a hit and run accident just hours after throwing six shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics in his first start of the season. Since then the Angles have overcome much adversity and were the first team in the American League to clinch a playoff spot.

     Adenhart’s locker in the Angel clubhouse remained untouched throughout the entire season until the Angles took their fallen teammates Jersey from its hanger to celebrate with the rest of the team when the Angles clinched the West Division Title and a playoff spot. In the parking lot outside of Angel Stadium there still lies his memorial where fans stop every day before entering the ballpark to bring flowers and say a little prayer.

     I’m the type of guy who likes to hear a heartwarming story with a happy ending. I have a feeling that the Angles will be giving fans an amazing story with very special ending come playoff time.     

-          By Martin O’Donnell