The Freeway Series is Becoming One of Southern California’s Premier Events, Here’s Why
When people think of traditional MLB rivalries they think of Red Sox and Yankees or Yankees and Mets, series that go way back. What people don't realize is that one of the best series that people are missing out on, is in Southern California.
The Freeway Series premiered June 17th 1997, and from there a rivalry began. With 114 total meetings, as of now the Angels lead the all-time series 63-51.
This conflict of this series goes all the way back to 2005, when many Dodgers and Dodger fans started referring to the Angels as “ANA”, in other words not calling them Los Angeles due to their location in Anaheim. To put it into perspective, NYCFC plays in the Bronx while the Red Bulls play in Harrison, New Jersey. Both teams referred to as New York, but one being located out of state. Former Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully to the day on air will not call the Angels, the Los Angeles Angels, but instead just the Angels.
But it isn’t just the location that makes this series a rivalry, it’s the players that have been involved over time. Brotherly matchups in Erick and Willy Aybar, and Jeff and Jered Weaver. Not to mention there were many guys who had played for both teams at a time in their career. For example, one of my all-time favorites, Bobby Abreu, played for the Angels and Dodgers in the same season.
But of recent this series has been heating up for the better. In 2014, history was made when two MVP’s were chosen in the same area, Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw. Also include youngsters in Aderlaton Simmons and Cody Bellinger, two kids who hit dingers.
The competition this year is fierce, with both teams red hot, Dodgers coming in with a 12 game win streak on the line. With sellouts every night of the 4 game set, the crowd was full of blue and red, for they knew bragging rights was on the line.
At times the fans got a little carried away with themselves. On Monday night, fists flew at Dodger Stadium as a fight between fans broke out in the opening game of the series. One of the men with an Angels jersey, was seen with a bloodied face. Many fans engaged but was mainly between two men. You don’t see that anymore in the MLB unless you are a Yankee fan walking into Fenway Park covered in pinstripes. One prime example of what makes this event premier.
This year, the series split at two a piece, with chills and thrills it was a great series to watch. It started at Dodger stadium when the A’s and D’s traded back and forth 4-0 victories. Then back to the Big A when the Angels took the series lead with a 3-2 win, thanks to the hilarious Dodger defense. Game Four was all Clayton Kershaw, as the offense powered the Dodgers past the Angels 6-2.
The greatness still brings out communities, each with traditions and history and MEMES, it also still divides favorite jersey color and counties. But it may seem like I am hyping this series way too much, but it yet to reach its full potential. Both interleague teams are yet to square off in a World Series, something that would for sure put this series on the map.
This year it is possible both teams could reach the World Series. With the Angles playing solid .500 baseball without Mike Trout, there are still a dozen teams in the running for a wild-card spot. For the Dodgers they are keeping pace with the Rockies and Diamondbacks. The closest these two teams have ever come was in 2009 when the Angels fell to the Champs (Yankees) and the Dodgers dropped the series to the Phillies.
Until the stars magically align, all we can do is wait. That’s if the baseball Gods have anything to say about that. It is time to make this Freeway Series real, not just playing during the regular season for standings. Everything would be on the line in a “Freeway World Series”, and with Trout and Kershaw fans like me waiting, it would sure make for a good one.
By Jake Martino
