Hollering for the Halos

There were all kinds of reasons to be at Edison Field on Monday night.

Some in the crowd said they came to see recent improvements to the ballpark. One woman said she was there to watch some good-looking ballplayers in action. For most, though, it was a chance to see their Angels in the pennant race.

“I’m an Angels fan,” declared Dustin Mansell, 20, of Norwalk. “They’re my team. They’re usually the underdogs, but I go for the underdogs--underdogs always come out for me.”

Whether that will happen this season remains to be seen--in the first of a three-game series that will play a big part in determining the winner in the American League West, the Texas Rangers defeated the Angels, 9-1. Regardless, the hometown fans stood by their team.

“They seem more enthusiastic than usual,” usher Miguel Martinez said of the crowd. “It’s got to be the pennant. They just want to see their team win, but even though we’re losing, the crowd’s still into it.”

That certainly was true of Michael Easterly, 38, a Moreno Valley resident who has been an Angels fan for 30 years.

“I love Angels games,” he said. “I come out for anything, but it adds a little more excitement when you’re in a pennant race. We’ve been let down so many times--this year we’re hoping for something a little bit different.”

Everywhere, Angels paraphernalia was evident, from jerseys and hats to pompoms and flags.

Sandi Miller, 31, of Anaheim sported an Angels jersey and undaunted enthusiasm. “It’s a must-win situation,” she said. “It’s a big game, and I want the Angels to win.”

The cheers and boos of 33,487 fans in attendance were sometimes deafening beyond the stands, where people stood in long lines for beer and hot dogs.

Jill Oliver and Dawn Daugherty, students at Irvine Valley College, had visited a costume shop to purchase the glittery silver angel halos that they wore with pride. “We wanted to start a wave,” said Oliver, 17, “but nobody else is wearing them.”

Daugherty was still hopeful. “We think the Angels will win,” she said. “We have faith in them.”

Greg Figge, a 51-year-old resident of Dove Canyon in south Orange County, praised the Angels even though he’s a Dodger fan. “I like a pennant race,” he explained, “and the Dodgers aren’t in one. The Angels are a scrappy team with a lot of heart and, as a baseball fan, I appreciate that. Right now, they look a little flat, but I hope they win--I’m a home-team sort of guy.”

Even as the home team fell behind, though, some fans found reasons to enjoy the game. Lisa Larrazolo, 25, of Arcadia said she was there for three reasons: The Angels are her favorite team, they’re tied for first and “they’re an exciting team to watch.” Then she thought of a fourth reason: “The players are very good-looking. Well, maybe that’s the first reason.”

Stacy Selin, 23, of Huntington Beach said she hadn’t come for the Angels at all. “I’m from Texas,” she said, “and I came to see the Rangers. I hope the Angels lose.”

But wasn’t it exciting being at a game that will help decide which team goes to the playoffs?

“Not really,” Selin sniffed. “I’m not interested in the whole baseball thing--where it’s really at is football.”