Well, the Angels have returned to New York and will take on the Pinstripped Crew for the first time in 2007. The Yankees struggles so far in 07 not withstanding, the Halos usually have little to fear in New York.

As most Angel fans know we are the only team with a winning record against the Yanks over the last 5 or 6 years (I don't have the exact record handy but I know it's good).

I have made the trip out to New York as part of a brief vacation in which I'll visit family in Connecticut as well as going to Yankee Stadium to see the Angels. I am therefore more emotionally invested in this series than I might otherwise have been.

As I checked into the Hilton on the West Side (6th Avenue) yesterday evening I was pleasantly surprised and excited when I bumped into Mike Napoli and Kelvim Escobar near the elevators. I told Kelvim I was going to the series, and knowing he was pitching on Saturday I wished him luck. He told me to bring my camera! I wasn't wearing any Angles gear so perhaps he thought I was a Yankees fan or a generic baseball fan.

A little bit later I saw Howie Kendrick near the hotel entrance. I shook his hand and wished him luck in the series. He was hanging with Shea whom I did not greet (don't want to be a hypocrite. you know...) And this morning as I was leaving the hotel to get coffee I bumped into Mike Scioscia. I told him I was an Angels fan -- he was very friendly. I know he is planning on attending the graduation of his son Matt this weekend (Matt played baseball for Crespi High in Encino and I have heard from at least one coach that he is quite a talented hitter; he was compared to a young Troy Glaus!) and I presume therefore that Mike will only manage tonight's game and will miss the games on Saturday and Sunday.

No more Angel sightings yet, but perhaps if I have time I'll have a diary/report from New York tommorrow.

Okay, I'm off now to visit the Spirit of the Rally Rothko !!