PHOTOS: Angels' rookies get 'squirrely' for 'rookie hazing day' en route to Texas
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sep 19, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; General view of Los Angeles Angels helmets of Albert Pujols (5), Mike Trout (27), Efren Navarro (19), Collin Cowgill (7), John McDonald (8) and Luis Jimenez (13) in the dugout before the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Angels didn't have a great Wednesday. They dropped the finale of their three-game set with the Oakland Athletics by an 8-7 score on what was an extremely sloppy night for the Halos.
Four Halo errors led to SEVEN unearned runs for the A's, and the Angels couldn't quite come through despite having the potential game-tying run at third base in the ninth inning. What's more, the Houston Astros' victory later in the evening flip-flopped them and the Angels in the Wild Card hunt.
Now, the Angels head to Arlington for a mammoth four-game set with the first-place Texas Rangers to close out the regular season and solve the postseason puzzle. Ordinarily, the circumstances of the flight the team went on after Wednesday's game would be sour, but 'rookie hazing day' stepped in to alleviate some of the stress.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}When the Angels' rookies headed back to the clubhouse after the game, they found squirrel costumes waiting for them. Yes, squirrel costumes - complete with big acorns and nuts adorning the hooded facial area of the outfit. What resulted was a pretty amusing fashion requirement as Trevor Gott, Cam Bedrosian, Nick Tropeano, Kyle Kubitza, Jett Band, Taylor Featherston, Carlos Perez and Kaleb Cowart made their way out of Angel Stadium en route to the airport, while first-year Halo Johnny Giavotella wore a penguin outfit.
Even Mike Trout, who obviously doesn't have to partake in these kinds of shenanigans now that he's been in the league a while, couldn't help but crack a smile as the rookies strutted their stuff:
With this amusing and oh-so-traditional aspect of the season now out of the way, the Angels can focus on the monumentally important series with the Rangers that kicks off on Thursday night.