Serious about the Series

Deirdre Newman

Angel fans in the area are an optimistic bunch.

Instead of sitting at home burning incense and praying to the gods

of baseball for good World Series karma, some were out Friday

shopping at South Coast Plaza for Angels’ hats and jerseys.

Many expressed confidence that the Angels would triumph over the

San Francisco Giants in the series that starts today at Edison

International Field of Anaheim.

“I think we’ll win in about five games,” said Alvaro Fernandez of

Sacramento, as he eyed some Angels’ shirts at the Foot Locker. “We

might let the Giants win one.”

Many were adamant that the Angels’ pitching staff not be

intimidated by Giants’ slugger Barry Bonds.

“I think they should pitch to Bonds because no one else is really

hitting on the team,” said Art Yang of Irvine, a long-suffering,

20-year Angels fan. “The only person they have to worry about is

[Benji] Molina.”

Yang said even if Bonds ended up hitting three home runs in one

game, it probably wouldn’t matter, since the Angels are so potent at

the plate.

Many local fans even managed to score coveted tickets to the World

Series.

“I spent too much money, but I’m taking my 10-year-old son to

Opening Day,” said Charlie Schuhmann of Irvine. “I’m looking for a

shirt because I need a red shirt to buy into the Angels’ spirit.”