2002 SPORTS: CINDERELLA STORY ANGELS' DREAM SEASON ENDS WITH RINGS.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Designated hitter Brad Fullmer welcomed the off-season trade to the Angels. The Chatsworth native, whose previous major-league experience was with the Montreal Expos and the Toronto Blue Jays, was thrilled just to get a chance to play for a Southern California team regardless of its postseason history - or lack thereof.

``We would have been happy with anywhere west of the Mississippi,'' recalled Brad's mother, Judy Fullmer. ``He's playing the American pastime and here he was playing his whole career in Canada.''

Pitcher Kevin Appier, a former Antelope Valley High star who grew up an Angels fan, also expressed delight to return to the Southland when he was traded to Anaheim from the New York Mets last December.

Location may have been a top draw at the beginning of the season, but there ended up being a lot more than that to like about the Angels this year. With a core of local products leading the way, the Angels went from a team that finished 41 games out of first place in 2001 and had the worst start in club history this year, to one that earned the franchise's first World Series title.

Few outside the organization took manager Mike Scioscia seriously when he kept calling the Angels a playoff-caliber team throughout their 6-14 start. What followed for the team that had never reached the World Series and hadn't been to the playoffs since 1986 was a comeback story that got more improbable as it progressed.

Everyone took turns as the hero during a postseason run that began with a Divisional Series upset of the New York Yankees and ended with a seven-game World Series victory over the San Francisco Giants.

``If I had this script delivered to me, I'd say, Get real,'' Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner said after Game 7.

Third baseman Troy Glaus from UCLA was named MVP of the World Series for heroics that included a decisive three-run double in Game 6, capping the biggest comeback by a team on the verge of elimination.

Former California State University, Northridge, standout Adam Kennedy was MVP of the American League Championship Series against the Minnesota Twins. The second baseman became only the third player in LCS history to hit three home runs in a game when he did so in Game 5.

Francisco Rodriguez didn't earn any individual awards this time, but he could be in line for 2003 AL Rookie of the Year if the fearless reliever continues to pitch the way he did after bursting onto the scene after a September promotion from the minors. The 20-year-old earned a postseason-record five wins.

Rodriquez began the season in Double-A before joining 31-year-old rookie Brendan Donnelly, midseason call-up John Lackey and Ben Weber as unlikely members of a staff that featured the American League's top-rated bullpen.

Teammates voted outfielder Garret Anderson the team MVP for the regular season. Anderson, a graduate of Kennedy High in Granada Hills, batted .306 with 29 HR and 123 RBI in addition to setting a team record with a major-league-high 56 doubles.

Anderson also was the Angels' lone selection for the All-Star Game. However, in a selfless lineup that prided itself on balance, it wasn't difficult to find others worthy of the honor.

Veteran outfielder Tim Salmon rebounded from a forgettable 2001 to make a habit of clutch hits down the stretch.

Diminutive shortstop David Eckstein's big contributions included three grand slams.

First baseman Scott Spiezio tied postseason records with 19 RBI and a .688 batting average with runners in scoring position during the playoffs.

There's also center fielder Darin Erstad, who had a record 25 postseason hits. He also won a Gold Glove Award, as did catcher Bengie Molina.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Angels manager Mike Scioscia displays the franchise's first World Series trophy to fans after Anaheim defeated the San Francisco Giants in Game 7.

(2) Featuring a crop of local players, the Anaheim Angels rejoice after winning the World Series. Troy Glaus, from UCLA, was named MVP of the World Series.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer