Halos Stumble at Home

Blue Jays win, but Halos are still in 1st place

By Pete Zarustica Orange County Tribune

The first home game of the 2023 season seemed very familiar. Mike Trout, as usual, did great, and the Los Angeles Angels, as often, blew an early lead and lost 4-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays before 44,735 fans in Anaheim.

The good news is that the Halos remain tied for first place in the American League West, locked up with the Texas Rangers, with both teams 4-3.

Sports Retorts

Jim Tortolano

At a time when all teams can still dream about World Series glory in the fall we sometimes reflect on the deeds of the past that still stick in our memories, to which we compare what’s unfolding in front of us. What were the most amazing plays ever on the diamond? Was it the Vic Wertz catch by Willie Mays in the far deepest stretches of Cleveland Memorial Stadium in 1954? How about Babe Ruth “calling his shot” in hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs in 1932?

More recent heroics would include a nearly-crippled Kirk Gibson homering for the Dodgers in the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A’s.

And, for the contrarians in the stands, how about “Marvelous” Marv Throneberry playing pathetic first base – whoops! – for the “Amazing” Mets of 1962 who, in losing 120 games, are considered to be the worst team in Major League Baseball history.

I’ve got a personal nomination that never made the papers or Sports Center. The main character qualifies only for the Hall of Fame in the category of Class Act.

It’s 1967 at Lampson (now Ralston) Intermediate School in Garden Grove. A very ordinary schoolboy event is taking place: a softball game in a physical education class.

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