The 2008 Los Angeles Angels of the PSP

My current Angels season has so far been the most enjoyable. I'm playing as Brandon Wood, and earned a late season callup in 2007 as we won the world series. This year is even better, as we've passed the 120 win mark with 3 to play.

I've hit 49 homers so far, but Vlad is still the big Star. There is no Howie Kendrick in this game, nor is there a Napoli or Jered Weaver. Kennedy is still the 2B. Rivera was traded or released, but this team did add Soriano for left and Curtis Granderson for center. Kotchman and McPherson are living up to all their hype as well.

I was not supportive of the idea that we should have tried to offer Soriano 137 million or anything, but he is pretty fun to have on the team. He's got over 50 homers. There are 3 games to play against Oakland, who also have a loaded team. We've tried to keep them out of the playoff picture, sweeping the season series so far, but they have the wild card right now with a slim lead over the White Sox. They can thank less stingy computer ownership for keeping Barry Zito and bringing in Jason Bay.

In game 159, Escobar earns his 18th win, but the big story is Vlad. With 2 weeks to go he had about 66 homers after a hot streak and started thinking he could erase Bonds from the record book. I've had a little trouble since then, hitting the ball hard but not out often enough. With a 14-1 lead in the bottom 8th, Angels needed 2 runners to reach in order to bring Vlad, now at 69 homers, up one more time.

After one out, Jeff Mathis singled, bringing up the top of the order. Granderson singled. Now Kennedy had merely to avoid the DP. His orders were to swing at nothing from Joaquin Benoit. He didn't, and wound up walking to load the bases.

Then Vlad guessed a fastball, and got it. Hit to center field, not a no-doubter, but a high fly that crept to the fence. And then just barely over it for a grand slam. Quite an enjoyable afternoon commute on the train.

Now he just needs 4 homers in 3 games against the A's, and Bartolo Colon, healthy once again, needs 1 more win to get 30.