One lesson is that problems can't always be fixed by throwing money at them - a favorite truism of fiscal conservatives in many walks of life. The ballclubs committed hundreds of millions of dollars to acquiring star players, the Angels getting Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson last winter and the Dodgers adding Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett during the season. But both teams narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs.
Another lesson is that it is possible to perceive progress even if results don't materialize as quickly as hoped - something that supporters of President Obama and congressional incumbents like to point out in the context of economic recovery. The Dodgers and Angels were more promising, entertaining teams at the end of this season than they were a year earlier, although neither is going to the World Series.
In the bittersweet baseball cliche "wait till next year," the "sweet" side stands out right now.
The Dodgers fans should be optimistic about the future. The franchise's well-heeled new owners, who took over from Frank McCourt last spring, have backed up their promise to use their resources to try to improve the lineup. Gonzalez, 30, Matt Kemp, 28, and pitcher Clayton Kershaw, 24, are players to build a winner around; given more time, the talent should jell.
Angels fans might feel more let down than Dodgers fans by how the season turned out, since the Anaheim team was expected to contend for the pennant. But they too have much to look forward to - namely many years of Mike Trout, the 21-year-old outfielder who some already call the best player in the sport.
Baseball fans divide a year into two halves: the season and the offseason. In Southern California, a tantalizing season just ended and an offseason of anticipation now begins.
If only the real world gave people as much cause for optimism as L.A.'s ballclubs do.
Source: http://www.sbsun.com/editorial/ci_21719460/local-baseball-fans-see-bright-future?source=rss
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