Extra muscle

Anderson breaks through with key double in Game 7

Garret Anderson's three-run double in the third inning snapped a 1-1 tie. AP

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Garret Anderson, the Anaheim Angels' quiet superstar, broke out of his extra-base slump at the perfect time: Game 7 of the World Series.

Anderson's three-run double in the third inning propelled the Angels to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night and their first championship in their 42-season history.

"I can't believe it, man," he said. "It's over with. I can smile now."

After the final out, while the Angels celebrated wildly on the Edison Field infield, Anderson was off to the side with his family, holding one of his three children -- no surprise considering his reserved demeanor.

Finally, when teammate Tim Salmon handed him the World Series trophy, Anderson let go, running around the outfield holding it high and waving to the hysterical fans before disappearing into the Angels' dugout.

Then came an even wilder celebration in the clubhouse, but Anderson again didn't take part, instead going to the training room for treatment.

Odd, considering the team won't play again until next season.

CNNSI.com's John Donovan Viewpoint: After a classic Game 6 on Saturday night, Anaheim's Game 7 victory proved to be anticlimactic. A Giant question: If San Francisco is to repeat as NL champions, they might have to do it without Dusty Baker and Jeff Kent. No-name faces Click the image to launch the clip The Angels won the World Series without a superstar-laden lineup. Start Angels manager Mike Scioscia commends the play of World Series MVP Troy Glaus. The Giants face an uncertain future after failing to close out the Angels in the Series. Scott Spiezio says winning the Series is one of the greatest accomplishments of his life. Adam Kennedy believes the Angels' team-first atmosphere was key to the club's World Series win. Video Plus Visit Video Plus for the latest video and audio. HEROES & GOATS HERO GOAT John Lackey L. Hernandez A rookie, throwing on three days' rest, starts and wins Game 7 with five solid innings. Maybe he does lose in October -- twice in this World Series alone. BY THE NUMBERS .857 -- Winning percentage (12-2) of home teams in the past two Series. 10 -- World Series titles won by teams from the state of California: The Dodgers have won five, the A's four and the Angels one. 14 -- Home runs hit by the Giants, most by one team in a World Series. 17 -- Men who have won World Series rings as both a player and a manager, including Mike Scioscia. 85 -- Total runs scored by both teams in this World Series, setting a record. 93 Years since a rookie starter won Game 7 of the Series. Pittsburgh's Babe Adams shut out Detroit in 1909. • World Series records set or tied

But that's Anderson.

His bases-clearing double was the fifth such hit in Series history and the first since Terry Pendleton did it for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985.

Anderson's franchise-record 88 extra-base hits were the second-most in the AL this season behind New York's Alfonso Soriano, and he set a club record with 56 doubles.

But all Anderson had mustered in the Series before coming to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs in the third inning were eight singles in 29 at-bats with three RBIs.

The 30-year-old cleanup hitter pulled a 1-1 pitch over first baseman J.T. Snow's head into the right-field corner to drive in David Eckstein, Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon, doubling his Series RBI total and giving the Angels a 4-1 lead.

That would be all Anaheim needed.

"Garret's been swinging the bat good the whole Series, he just didn't have a lot to show for it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's a great clutch hitter."

Anderson hit .306 with 29 homers and 123 RBIs this season. He was voted the Angels' most valuable player for the third time in four years and figures to finish among the top five in the AL MVP voting.

He hit safely in the final 10 postseason games, but hadn't distinguished himself in the Series, getting only two hits in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.

That all changed in Game 7.

"All you've got to do is set the table for that guy," hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. "He hadn't had that many opportunities. He's been the type of guy that when you need the big hit, he's always been there."

Anderson finished the postseason with 21 hits in 70 at-bats for a .300 average with four doubles, two homers and 13 RBIs.

He was the Angels' lone All-Star this season, picked as a backup outfielder. It was his first All-Star performance -- a surprise considering he hit .286 with 35 homers and 117 RBIs in 2000 and .289 with 28 homers and 123 RBIs in 2001.

Anderson has 1,307 hits since the beginning of the 1996 season to rank third in the majors behind Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers.

The Angels, in their first Series, became the eighth straight home team to win Game 7, and the 12th team to prevail when coming home trailing 3-2.

It didn't appear the Angels would have such an opportunity when they trailed the Giants 5-0 before scoring three runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth for a 6-5 victory in Game 6.

Anderson singled in the eighth and wound up scoring the go-ahead run in that game.

Thanks to Anderson and solid work by rookie starter John Lackey and three relievers, the Angels didn't need a late rally in the deciding game.

The Angels won the Series after a franchise-worst 6-14 start to the season, and they trailed the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners by 10 1/2 games on April 23.

They rebounded to win a franchise-best 99 games and the AL wild-card berth. They beat the Yankees and Minnesota Twins in the AL playoffs, and then the Giants in the Series after losing the opening game to all three.

"I've been in this game for a long time and have never been around a group of guys so passionate," Scioscia said. "I think our whole team stepped up and did what we had to do.

"For me to look at the past, the Angels, they've had championships here. They've won divisions. They've never gotten to the level we have. For us to get to this level is very, very rewarding."

 

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