THE BIG PLAY

The score was tied, 1-1, in the bottom of the third, the bases were loaded and Garret Anderson, who had been relatively quiet in the World Series, was at the plate. Anderson had had only three RBIs in the Series, but he equaled that with one swing, hitting a bases-clearing double to give the Angels a 4-1 lead.

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NOT IN BOX SCORE

The veteran presence of rookies John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez. Both were in the minors when the season began and both were on the mound in Game 7. Lackey pitched out of a couple of jams and gave the Angels five solid innings, and Rodriguez struck out three batters in the eighth. You’d never guess they were rookies.

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THE BIG LETDOWN

There can be only one letdown on a day the Angels win the World Series: Gene Autry wasn’t alive to see it. Many criticized the late owner’s big-spending habits during the 1980s, but all he wanted was to give his team the best chance to win. The fact he wasn’t here is the only drawback to a great day for Angel fans.

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DID YOU NOTICE?

When Reggie Sanders fielded Garret Anderson’s double, a fan leaned over and hit him in the back with a noise stick. Those aren’t solid enough to cause any harm, but there is no place for something like that, and it made Angel fans look bad in a Series in which they were the best fans in the world. The fan was later escorted from the area.