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Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees

            As I said in my blog, I am picking the Angels to win the whole thing because they are the only ones this year that are playing for more than a trophy. A lot of times you’ll see the team that wants it most, not the most talented team, win the World Series and no one is playing for more than the Angels who are playing in memory of the late Nick Adenhart, their 22-year-old rookie teammate who died tragically in April when a car in which he was a passenger was hit by a drunk driver. The Yankees will be tough, but I think the Angels want it more

Angels in 6

Philadelphia Philles vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

            There are no major psychological advantages in this matchup, at least none like the one in the Angels/Dodgers matchup, but it certainly helps the Philles that they won this exact same series last year in five games in the NLCS. The rosters haven’t changed that much and in fact the Philles might actually be better with the addition of Cliff Lee. The Philles have two outstanding hitters, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, and two ace esque pitchers in Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, as well as depth throughout their rotation and their lineup. The only weakness is their bullpen, but Brad Lidge has pitched well in the postseason and so much of a closer’s job is psychological, so this hot streak in recent games for him is going to be huge.

Philles in 6

            It would have been hard for me, as a Red Sox fan, to pick the Angels to win the World Series as long as the Red Sox were still in contention and playing the Angels. Now that is no longer the case as the Angels completed their 3 game sweep of the Red Sox in comeback fashion today. I am officially throwing my support behind the 2009 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to win the World Series this year. This is not because they are likely going to play the Yankees next round, assuming the Yankees win one of the next three games, though I would hate nothing more than to see the Yankees get #27. I am supporting the Angels for the same reason they were able to beat the Red Sox. They are playing for something more than a trophy.

            On April 8th, Nick Adenhart threw 6 shutout innings against the Oakland A’s in a no decision in his first major league start. Shortly after the game, Nick got in a car as a passenger with some friends and drove out to celebrate. A red Toyota minivan, whose driver was later confirmed to be drunk, ran a red light and hit the gray Mitsubishi Eclipse in which Adenhart was a passenger. A passenger and the driver of the Mitsubishi Eclipse died on impact, while Adenhart and his friend Jon Wilhite were in critical condition. The drunk driver of the Toyota Minivan would walk away from the accident. 6 hours later Adenhart, a 22-year-old rookie with amazing potential, died.

            The Angels got off to a slow start, but finished with a record of 97-65 and won the AL West. Even though Nick was not physically there, he certainly was present. Every single game they played, they played in Adenhart’s memory, with a giant picture of him in mid throw on the outfield wall. Pitcher Jered Weaver, who was supposed to room with Adenhart this season, spends time before every one of his home starts out in the outfield with the poster of Nick. Before each one of the Angels’ home playoff games the entire team did and will do the same. Each and every member of this Angels team wears a patch of Nick’s number #34 on their jerseys every game. They left his locker the same as it was before he died. Heck, if they win a World Series they’d probably give him a ring. And what an emotional ring ceremony that would be.

Angels’ outfielder Torii Hunter had this to say about their turnaround, “I think we realized that Nick was looking down on us saying, ‘Fellas, come on, let's get it together. I want to win.’” This is why they won the Red Sox series and why I think they will win every other series this postseason. They have more fight in them than any other team because they are playing for more than simply a trophy. They are playing and winning in memory of their friend and their teammate #34 Nick Adenhart.

The Angels play every game as hard as they can to honor Nick Adenhart's memory. What can you do to honor Nick's memory? It's simple. Don't drink and drive.