IN THE PIPELINE:

The only thing better than spring baseball and summer baseball is, of course, autumn baseball, particularly if your team is in the playoffs.

My team, the Angels, are in. Paul Anderson, city editor for the Independent, is happy because his team, the Cubbies, is also in. I’m sure for many other locals here in Huntington Beach, the baseball bliss has begun as the red — Angels red, that is — is donned for the current divisional series.

Many locals will never begin to appreciate the good fortune of being a scant 20 minutes away from a beautiful ballpark where the temperature will probably not dip below 70 before any first pitch. Compare that with long, slow, bundled-up subway rides to East Coast games that can easily run past midnight and you’ll know we live in baseball heaven. As a former East Coaster, I’ll take this any day, even with the Rally Monkey.

There’s another reason to pay attention here in Huntington Beach as the playoffs commence — a former local youngster may factor big in this postseason. His name is Ian Kennedy, the former USC star pitcher who now wears Yankee pinstripes. I spoke with Kennedy last week, and he’s excited about the prospect of perhaps pitching in the playoffs right here in Orange County before his family and friends.

Some background: Kennedy grew up in Huntington Beach and attended La Quinta High School in Westminster (other Major League alumni from La Quinta include Bobby Crosby, Gerald Laird and Ian Stewart). He went on to star at USC and then was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft (first round, 21st pick overall). Kennedy pitched for the Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League, the Class A Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League, and the AA Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League. On July 24, Kennedy was promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees and then just several weeks later, Sept. 1, he made his sparkling debut at Yankee Stadium in place of Mike Mussina. He got the win by allowing just one earned run and striking out six in just seven innings.

I asked him, “What was it like to make your debut in perhaps the most hallowed of stadiums?”

“It was amazing,” Kennedy told me from the locker room in the House That Ruth Built. “I don’t know a whole lot about baseball history, but I know about that place and it was unforgettable.”

Was he nervous?

“Not really,” Kennedy said. “I had Roger Clemens talking to me about how to be tough and handle the better hitters. Plus, Moose (Mussina) was real supportive so I was in good hands.”

To say the least.

Kennedy said his entire family was on hand and told what a thrill it was to see them after the game. He doesn’t get back to Huntington Beach too much, so seeing friendly faces on the road is a good way to help settle you down. He said he admired Greg Maddux the most while growing up, and though he hasn’t had the chance to meet him yet, he’s working on it.

“There’s nobody like Maddux,” the powerful righty says.

We also talked a little bit about baseball movies.

“I’d say my favorite is ‘The Sandlot,’” he said. “It’s an awesome movie because it’s all about playing just for the love of the game. No money or nothing, just love of the game.”

Kennedy laughed when I asked what it would be like to try to secure tickets for everyone in Anaheim should the Yankees and Angels both advance to the League Championships. “That’s going to be crazy. For sure I’ll have to see about getting some tickets off the other guys on the team.”

One curveball Ian Kennedy may have to deal with is his wedding — scheduled for Oct. 6 at Westborough Country Club in Kirkwood, Mo. (His fiancee is Allison Jaskowiak, a USC basketball player.) Back when the date was set he had no idea he’d be where he is, but Kennedy said he’s sure they’ll figure something out.

So by all means, root for the home team this postseason. But also root for the home player — Yankee star-on-the-rise (and Huntington Beach’s own) Ian Kennedy.

What do you think? Will the Angels beat the Red Sox? Other MLB predictions? Post your opinion at In The Pipeline, www.hbindependent.com/ columns/.

Have an old H.B. family photo for the new book Chris is working on, “Huntington Beach, Then and Now?” Write him at chris@chrisepting.com. If he uses it, you’ll get a copy of the book!

CHRIS EPTING is the author of nine books including his latest, “Led Zeppelin Crashed Here, The Rock and Roll Landmarks of North America.”