I really liked watching the Dodgers-Angels games a couple of weeks ago. Two good teams near or in first place. And they are my two favorite baseball teams!

    It was an added bonus to see the Weaver brothers pitch against each other. I was trying to figure out what it would be like to watch my two sons in that pickle.

    Dodger Jeff Weaver, 32, has had his ups and downs the last few years while Angel Jered Weaver, 26, has been mostly a phenom. Jered was undefeated at home this year, and the game was played in Anaheim. The brothers are close and keep in touch throughout the season.

    In the stands were their parents, Gail and Dave Weaver. The Angels gave them each jerseys that showed their split of allegiances. Each had on half an Angel jersey and half a Dodger Jersey. Gail’s jersey had “An-Dgers” on it and “DoGels on Dave’s.

    Dave, especially, was in agony every time anybody on each team got a hit or a walk. After the game he was quoted as saying, “We were hoping for a 0-0 game through about seven innings or so. I know I’m drained.  I’m going home to recoup.”

    The score was 2-2 after three innings but the Dodgers led, 6-2, when both Weavers found their showers. Jeff and the Dodgers won the game, 6-4. It was the first time the two have pitched against each other. What a place to pit them against each other. The Angels and Dodgers are one of baseball’s biggest rivalries. It may never happen again. They, and their parents, certainly hope not.

    “I tried to call him (the day of the game),” said Jered. “But he wouldn’t answer my calls. He big-leagued me.” Jered also tried to get Jeff’s attention when they were warming up but Jeff wouldn’t bite. “After the game though, we went home together and had a couple of cold sodas together.”

    I was just trying to think of what my two sons would have done under similar circumstances and ages.

    Son Dave would have put itching powder in Dan’s jock, I’m sure. And warming up he definitely would have gotten Dan’s attention as he would have dressed up as a rally- monkey and climbed the fence separating the two bullpens.

     Dan would have acted more like Jeff. It would have been all business because he just couldn’t lose to his little brother. He would have been very gracious after winning the game and Dave would be explaining he was just trying to get in Dan’s head if he won.

    I would be like the Weaver dad. I would want both of my sons to succeed and I would be miserable in that situation. But now, less than two weeks later, everyone is alive and well and both sons make millions of dollars a year. Not a bad situation to be in now that I think of it.

    Former Cal-State Fullerton baseball coach Augie Garrido’s year started off badly but ended on a high note. Garrido got a DUI in January and was suspended for four games by Texas. But Garrido’s Longhorns made it to the finals but lost to LSU.

    Some fans and players have said that the seventy-year-old coach “manned up” and used the DUI as a teaching tool. “He’s showed us that he’s a leader by taking responsibility for it and making an example of himself,” said Texas starting pitcher Chance Ruffin.

    I like the “taking responsibility for himself” theme but not doing it in the first place would be better.

    Some coaches would have been fired but Garrido’s success as a baseball coach for over 40 years got him a reprieve. Okay, so I’m still miffed Cal-State Fullerton didn’t win it all this year!

    Know about some fans that go crazy for their teams? Please E-mail me about them and watch for my FANtastic columns in October to see if they made the cut! E-mail Don Alexander at Journaldon@aol.com.