Pupil's success made Scioscia's Classic memory

TORONTO -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia was an All-Star catcher with the Dodgers in 1989 and '90, but his most memorable experience would come 13 years later, when he was the skipper of the reigning World Series champs. That gave Scioscia a chance to manage the American League in the '03 Midsummer Classic -- and gave one of his players a chance to show the world what he can do.

"I think the biggest memory I take from that is Garret Anderson, and what a great game he had," Scioscia said. "He had won the Home Run Derby, was [Most Valuable Player] of the game and had some key hits. On that stage, it was really a coming-out party for Garret, to where the national audience saw his talent, and he had a terrific career from then on."

Anderson, who now works as a part-time analyst for the team's local television affiliate, FOX Sports West, spent the first 15 years of his Major League career as an outfielder with the Angels -- the last nine of which came under Scioscia. His best statistical season came in '02, when he finished fourth in American League MVP voting en route to the franchise's first World Series title, but he took center stage in the following year's All-Star Game at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field -- then known as Comiskey Park.

He won the State Farm Home Run Derby, edging out current Angels first baseman Albert Pujols in a dramatic final round, 9-8.

Then, he went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, leading the AL to a 7-6 victory and earning the MVP trophy.

For that -- and so much of Anderson's career -- Scioscia had a front-row seat.

"Garret was easy to manage," the Angels' skipper said. "He wanted to come and play every day. He came to the ballpark, he played a lot, he played through injuries and produced, and he's the kind of guy you just put his name in the lineup and work around him."