Let me make this perfectly clear right from the start – I am not an Angels fan and haven’t been since the Autry family sold the franchise, and this includes their minor league affiliates. In fact, there is nothing that I enjoy more than watching the Dodgers beat the Angels in interleague play (well, except for the Dodgers beating the Giants, of course) and the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes beating the Angels Advanced Single-A Inland Empire 66ers.

Unfortunately, the 66ers got the better of the Quakes this season by winning the best of three Cal League South Division Wild Card playoff series, which sent the Quakes home for the winter. The 66ers advanced to face not only the defending 2012 Cal League Champion Lancaster JetHawks, but the JetHawks who absolutely dominated the Cal League South again this season by winning both halves of the season (by a wide margin) in the South Division playoffs. It was truly a David versus Goliath affair with the 66ers being huge underdogs.

But just as David slew Goliath, the unlikely 66ers won the best of five series against the heavily favored JetHawks in an exciting 15-inning 4-3 game-5 series finale to advance to the Cal League Championship Series against the Cal League North Division winning San Jose Giants (yes, those Giants).

It became very clear very quickly that the 66ers had hit their stride at the absolute perfect time as they swept the Giants in three games by scores of 4-0, 9-1 and 3-1 to capture their first Cal League Championship since 2006 (while a Seattle Mariners affiliate) and their first as an Angels affiliate since 1996.

Lost in the hype and hoopla of the MLB pennant race, the unlikely Inland Empire 66ers won the 2013 Cal League Championship in dramatic style. (Photo courtesy of MiLB.com)

Again, I am not an Angels or a 66ers fan, but how can you not acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of the 66ers for going from Wild Card participants to Cal League Champions.

Congratulations to 66ers manager Bill Haselman (a former MLB catcher who served as the first base coach for the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox) and the entire Inland Empire 66ers staff and team.

Just wait till next year!