Bittersweet Return for the Angels

Red, white and blue bunting was hung from Edison Field’s rafters Friday night, giving the Angels’ park a postseason feel.

But the Angels, who have not played host to a playoff game since 1986, are closer to the last-place Texas Rangers in the American League West than the second-place and wild-card-winning Oakland Athletics.

The bunting, the American flag mowed into the center-field grass and the pregame ceremonies paid tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The atmosphere lent a bittersweet feeling to the crowd of 26,128 in the Angels’ first home game since the tragedies.

“I think anything in our lives right now is bittersweet,” Manager Mike Scioscia said before the Angels’ 11-2 loss to Texas.

The Rangers’ Alex Rodriguez hit his 50th home run of the season and the Angels lost for the 12th time in 13 games.

Not that the Angels weren’t able to keep things in perspective.

“Anything positive we do in anything right now is tempered with the tragedy of a couple weeks ago,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully this celebration or memorial ... is one step in getting over that hump and getting back a sense of normalcy and everyday life that is so important to what this country’s about.”

The Angels embarked on a nine game, 10-day trip to Seattle, Texas and Oakland when baseball resumed on Sept. 18.

“I think there was a little anxiety just to be away at a tough time, and that’s something we deal with all the time in this game,” Scioscia said.

As part of the Angels’ “A Night To Unite,” a giant U.S. flag was unfurled in the infield by representatives of the police and fire departments, emergency medical technicians and armed services. Students from Foothill Ranch Elementary School led fans in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Anaheim High choir sang “God Bless America” and the national anthem was performed by Kristen Romero of the Fullerton Police Dept.

Angel shortstop David Eckstein, who established a rookie record Friday when he was hit by a pitch for the 21st time this season, said there was a different atmosphere in the clubhouse than the last time the Angels played at home, on Sept. 10.

“And with the pregame ceremony, we definitely won’t forget what happened on Sept. 11,” he said. “It puts everything into perspective.”