(After a tough 4-2 loss to the Angels Saturday afternoon, Ron Washington and Mike Scioscia meet on the field during batting practice. A tense conversation happens between them.)

Scioscia: What have I to fear?

Wash: The Rangers. You know, the team’s that beat you the last two years. Some are even saying an “Earth’s Best Team” type thing.

Scioscia: Yes, I’ve met them.

Wash: Yeah, it’s taken us a while to get any national traction, I’ll give you that one. But let’s do a head count here: your former catcher that you, for some insane reason, traded for Vernon effing Wells; the Face of the Franchise, a living legend that doesn’t quite live up to the legend, but still, he’s pretty good; a right-fielder with a breath-taking boomstick; a couple of the best middle-infielders in the game, and you, and your team, you’ve managed to piss off every single one of them.

Scioscia: That was the plan.

Wash: Not a great plan. When they play, and they WILL, they’ll come for you.

Scioscia: I have Jared Weaver.

Wash: We have Hamilton.