The Angels of the Majors American League capped off an undefeated season and division title by winning their playoff games to take the American League championship.

The common thread running throughout the team was the depth of all the players. There were five players who could play catcher with ease: Dennis Armstrong, Craig Lingaas, Jeremy Nagel, Scott Mongiardo and Max Umland. Three of the players - Greg Lingaas, Dennis Armstorng and Robert Tomao - were very capable pitchers, all of whom could pitch a complete game.

In the first playoff game against the Royals the Angels won by a score of 9-0; Greg Lingaas pitched a no-hitter. The score does not credit the quality of the Royals squad, as they hit the ball solidly throughout the game. The Angels played the field with aplomb and nothing seemed to fall in.

The semi-final game against the Mariners was a real thriller of a slugfest culminating in an Angels 11-8 victory.

The Mariners jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, initially battering a resilient Dennis Armstrong. It seemed gloomy and the end of the line for the Angels. Despite the onslaught, Armstrong pitched three more solid innings striking out 7.

By the top of the 5th, the Angels led 9-6. The team brought their ace - Greg Lingaas - to finish the game. Just as it looked like the inning would end, the Mariners Robert Wroblewski wailed into a Lingaas fastball for a 2 - run homer; the score was now 9-8. In the bottom of the 5th the Angels came back with two insurance runs; Lingaas finished the 6th inning 1-2-3.

The Championship game against the Red Sox would be the opposite of the slugfest against the Mariners. This game would be won, in the baseball parlance, by "small bll" as the Red Sox had fireballer Matt Adelhelm.

The Angels won 5-0 with a combined no-hit performance by Greg Lingaas (4 innings) and Robert Tomao (2 innings). Lingaas couldn't go the distance as he had pitched two innings the previous Wednesday. He was so hot on the mound (hitting corners consistently) that had he gone the distance, he very likely would have had another complete game no-hitter.

James Hoffman led off the bottom of the first with a single. In usual Hoffman fashion, he stole 2nd and 3rd base. He came home on a base hit by Scott Mongiardo. The Angels continued in this manner - a base hit here, a walk there, another stolen base - accumulating 4 more runs and winning 5-0.

In sum, the defining characteristic of the team was depth. Besides the pitching and catching, players like Robert Tomao, Max Umland, James Hoffman, Craig Lingaas, Jeremy Nagel, Tom Butler, Matt Vitale, Scott Mongiardo, Dennis Armstrong and Sean Tempesta could easily be moved around the infield and outfield. Everybody hit with rallys starting with any batter in the lineup.

All of the players contributed to the cause. Robert Tomao could chase down a fly ball like a pro. Matt Vitale made several key diving catches and could hit with tremendous power. Craig Lingaas could throw anybody out at second base. Max Umland would always end up on base 3 times virtually every game, often going 2-3 and a walk. James Hoffman could not be thrown out stealing and played awesome 1st base. Jeremy Negel would not let a ball pass him and always made contact at the plate, often driving in a key run. Tommy Butler would make the right play at the right time and get the clutch hit when most needed. Sean Tempesta played consistently better every game, improving more than anyone on the team. Scott Mongiardo had great presence behind the plate and hit solidly. Dennis Armstrong always hit and played skillfully at catcher and shortstop besides pitching.

In the end, the team proved that it was really easy to win when you have depth, play together well and have a never say die attitude.

Top Row L-R: Matt Vitale, Sean Tempesta, Tom Butler, Scott Mongiardo. Bottom Row L-R: James Hoffman, Greg Lingaas, Max Umland, Robert Tomao, Craig Lingaas, Dennis Armstrong. Coaches L-R: Charles Lingaas, John Umland, Dennis Armstrong. Missing: Jeremy Nagel, Coach Dave Butler.