TURNING POINTS

By HOUSTON MITCHELL

Oct. 14, 2002 12 AM PT

THE BIG PLAY

The Angels trailed, 5-3, in the seventh, and a Game 6 appeared likely. Adam Kennedy came to the plate with runners on first and second, failed to bunt them over, then hit a three-run homer to right. The Angels scored seven more times. If Kennedy had bunted successfully, who knows what might have happened?

THE BIG LETDOWN

With a chance to really put the hammer to the Twins and put the game out of reach, Alex Ochoa struck out looking on a 2-and-2 pitch with two on and two out in the seventh inning, leaving the Angels clinging to a 13-5 lead over the Twins. Just kidding, Alex. It’s tough to find a big letdown in a game like this.

NOT IN THE BOX SCORE

Kennedy became the fifth player to hit three home runs in a postseason game, joining an illustrious group. The others: Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928 World Series), Reggie Jackson (1977 World Series), George Brett (1978 ALCS) and Bob Robertson (1971 NLCS).

DID YOU NOTICE?

Gene Autry died in 1998, and had not had much to do with the day-to-day activities of the Angels since selling part of the club to Disney in 1996. But several signs in the stands Sunday paid tribute to Autry. It was always his dream to see his team in the World Series. It was nice of the fans to remember him.

ALCS MVPs

1980...Frank White, Kansas City Royals

1981...Graig Nettles, New York Yankees

1982...Fred Lynn, Angels

1983...Mike Boddicker, Baltimore Orioles

1984...Kirk Gibson, Detroit Tigers

1985...George Brett, Kansas City Royals

1986...Marty Barrett, Boston Red Sox

1987...Gary Gaetti, Minnesota Twins

1988...Dennis Eckersley, Oakland Athletics

1989...Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics

1990...Dave Stewart, Oakland Athletics