OC Register: Angels celebrate 2002 World Series champs’ 20th anniversary

[AngelsWin.com]

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  Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon addresses Angels fans during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon speaks to Angels fans during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels first baseman/center fielder Darin Erstad acknowledges the crowd as his name is called during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels third baseman Troy Glaus waves to the crowd during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels players watch a video of their run to the 2002 World Series title during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their championship on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels manager Mike Scioscia and former players Tim Salmon and Brendan Donnelly join other 2002 Angels players as they watch a highlight video of their run to the World Series title during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels players watch a video of their run to the 2002 World Series title during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their championship on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy waves to the crowd during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels first baseman/outfielder Darin Erstad, left, addresses former teammate Tim Salmon, front right, and former Manager Mike Scioscia, center, as he speaks during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels first baseman/outfielder Darin Erstad speaks to Angels fans during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels relief pitcher Troy Percival throws out the ceremonial first pitch to former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson after a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Fans watch as former Angel players gather in the dugout before a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon waves to the crowd during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon gets high-fives from former teammates, including Garret Anderson, bottom right, during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon gets high-fives from teammates, including Troy Percival, bottom right, during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2002 World Series championship team on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Members of the Angels’ 2002 World Series title team take a photo with the trophy during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their championship on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Members of the Angels’ 2002 World Series title team take a photo with the trophy during a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their championship on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon holds up the 2002 World Series trophy after a pregame ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of their championship on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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ANAHEIM — For a brief moment in the disappointing 2022 season, Angels fans could rejoice in 2002.

That applied to a few players too.

Angels pitcher Michael Lorenzen was a 10-year-old from Fullerton who celebrated the 20th anniversary of the franchise’s only World Series championship.

“It’s really cool for me to be on the team 20 years later,” Lorenzen said. “It’s awesome.”

Infielder Matt Duffy, who was 11 in 2002, said he attended Games 1 and 6 of the World Series, although his faith was dwindling when Scott Spiezio’s drive sailed toward the right field fence in Game 6.

“When it went over the fence I had my head in my hands,” Duffy said.

Duffy said he was undersized growing up, so shortstop David Eckstein was his favorite player. Duffy said he wore No. 22 – just like Eckstein – at Lakewood High.

Infielder David Fletcher, who was 8 in 2002, said he didn’t go to any of the games, but he went to the championship parade.

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They watched along with the rest of the Angels fans as the team honored the championship squad, with most of the players and coaches in attendance. Former manager Mike Scioscia and outfielders Tim Salmon, Darin Erstad and Garret Anderson received some of the loudest ovations during the ceremony, which was hosted by longtime Angels radio broadcaster Terry Smith and included speeches by Erstad and Salmon.

“The past 20 years have flown by and it’s important to keep these memories alive for the fans and players,” Salmon said during his speech. “I’m sure every team that wins a World Series championship says there was a special bond and a chemistry unlike any other team. Same with his team. We had the spit, grit and tenacity to overcome our April start. This team was a blue-collar team. Check your ego at the door. It was more than just words on the wall in that clubhouse, it was a mindset backed by selfless play every night.”

Among the players who attended the event were John Lackey, World Series MVP Troy Glaus, Adam Kennedy, Scot Shields, Scott Spiezio, Brendan Donnelly, Scott Schoeneweis, Kevin Appier, Aaron Sele, Benji Gil, Shawn Wooten, Ben Weber, Al Levine, Brad Fullmer, Matt Wise, Salmon, Erstad, Percival, Eckstein and Anderson.

King Fish on the big stage!!@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/bNAU1YzmXP

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) June 23, 2022

Erstad takes the podium@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/neUF8RPP76

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) June 23, 2022

The Champs are here @Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/XlMyO2SWTJ

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) June 23, 2022

Percival throwing darts @Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/mippr86lpD

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) June 23, 2022

"The Angels, World Champions" pic.twitter.com/NmL0zzA7XL

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 22, 2022

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[Tank]

I wonder where Figgins was tonight. 

[Blarg]

I had hopes Mike Scioscia would have said something. 

[T.G.]

58 minutes ago, Blarg said:

I had hopes Mike Scioscia would have said something. 

He’s not Joe Maddon. He never wants it to be about him

[T.G.]

It was great seeing many of the 2002 team tonight. That was a special team and they brought back lots of great memories.

I would have liked to have seen Figgins, The Molina brothers, Washburn, K-Rod, etc.

I would have never recognized Shields had they not said his name.

It was especially nice to see Speizio. I hope he has conquered his demons.

[T.G.]

Best line of the night… Erstad telling his wife after the Angels lost the first game to the Yankees… “They better bring their lunch pale because we aren’t going away”

I miss his attitude and Percy’s too.