ANGELS KEY PLAYER: TEXTBOOK GLAUSSARY ANGELS' THIRD BASEMAN GETS BIGGEST OF ALL CLUTCH HITS.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Before this season, the Angels' playoff history could be summed up in a pamphlet.

Now, on the verge of their first World Series championship ever, they at least have enough material for a book. And it seems every new chapter involves Troy Glaus.

Saturday night, he authored the biggest hit in franchise history - well, at least this week - when he smacked a hanging slider from San Francisco Giants closer Robb Nen into left field, driving in the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning of the Angels' scintillating 6-5 victory in Game 6 of the World Series before 44,506 at Edison Field.

The victory tied the Series at 3-3, ensuring a Game 7 tonight.

Glaus, the enigmatic 6-5 third baseman from UCLA, had an off year - at least for him - this season, hitting .250 with 30 home runs and 11 runs batted in. The slugger is in a constant battle with his swing, a complex piece of work because of his long frame.

Slumps are inevitable. Adjustments must be made. But through it all, Glaus never seems to lose his ability to hit in the clutch.

``Troy's been unbelievable,'' shortstop David Eckstein said. ``He's been getting the clutch hits all along. It's just a bigger stage now. He is such a confident person. He believes that time and time again, he'll get it done.''

October certainly has agreed with him.

Glaus leads the team in postseason home runs (7) and RBI (14). He's hit three go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later, and his solo home run off J.C. Romero in Game 3 of the league championship series vaulted the Angels into a 2-1 series lead.

Lately, though, his work has almost been a bad-luck charm. He hit two home runs in Game 1 of the World Series, and the Angels lost. His two-run home run in Game 4 gave them an early 3-0 lead, and they coughed that game up.

Saturday, the game was right there in front of him, with the Angels staring elimination in the face.

With pinch runner Chone Figgins on third and potential go-ahead run Garret Anderson on second with no out, the Giants summoned closer Nen to get six outs and ensure San Francisco its first World Series title.

With the infield back, Glaus claimed he just wanted to hit something on the ground that would enable the speedy Figgins to score from third.

He did himself one better. Nen elevated a slider and Glaus smacked it into the alley in left-center field, scoring the tying and go-ahead runs and ensuring everybody would have to come back here tonight.

``Fortunately, he left a slider up,'' Glaus said. ``I was able to get it over the outfielders. I was thinking sac-fly, groundball to second, whatever. I didn't really care.''

It capped off a typical night for Glaus, in that twice he was sent to the dirt by inside fastballs. He's used to dusting himself off, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said.

``He's a big cowboy,'' Hatcher said of Glaus, who has horses on his property in Norco. ``He's got a big heart. That's how you evaluate an individual. They knock him down twice, he hits it deep.''

Tonight is the last chance for Glaus to be a hero. Even if it's not his turn, it's safe to say he's been immortalized in Angel playoff lore.

Hatcher, for one, will make sure of it.

``I keep telling him, take these playoff tapes home with you in the offseason,'' Hatcher said. ``Don't forget what you've done in the postseason.''

At this point, that seems almost impossible.

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Troy Glaus was able to connect again Saturday night at Edison Field, as his eighth-inning double off Robb Nen won Game 6 for the Angels.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer