ANAHEIM, Calif. -- David Eckstein did it all Friday night.

Yes, the Angels lost their fifth game in a row, this time to their division rivals, the Oakland A's. And yes, they only scored one run and were shut down by another great pitcher, Tim Hudson.

But any fan of the game had to appreciate the excellence of "Eck."

The Angels' unlikely shortstop and leadoff man is listed at 5-foot-8 but admits he's 5-foot-6 1/2, making him one of the smallest players in the big leagues.

On Friday, he rose in stature again, legging out two infield hits and executing difficult plays in the field. His team came up short, but his batting average climbed to .325, tops on the team.

And even more important, his gutsy play served as a perfect example that the Angels aren't losing games because of a lack of effort.

Still, back in the clubhouse, Eckstein didn't want to hear any compliments.

"I think my performance tonight was a failure," he said. "I had a big at-bat (in the fifth inning with the bases loaded) where I struck out. It could've changed the game. We were putting pressure on Hudson, it was an opportunity to get some runs, and I didn't come through. That's the only thing I'll be thinking about tonight. That's what will burn inside of me."

That flame has been going ever since Eckstein's Little League days in Sanford, Fla.

Eckstein's father, Whitey, instilled in his son a drive for flawlessness that would never waver.

"When I was growing up, if I wasn't perfect, I'd be in trouble -- in all aspects of life," said Eckstein, 27. "He never came to any of my games until high school. He wouldn't go to Little League games because he knew that I wouldn't be perfect. Shoot, he'd be mad if I went 3-for-4 instead of 4-for-4. So he didn't want to watch me if I wasn't perfect. He would just get a report from my mom."

Now, Whitey gets his reports from MLB Radio. He never misses an Angels game, and David never misses a phone call back to him afterwards to discuss the night's events.

"He's more mellow now than he used to be, but he'll still let me have it," David said. "He'll say, 'You can't be striking out with the bases loaded,' just so I don't forget it. But he's very positive. He wants this team to win just as bad as we all do."

Eckstein's teammates aren't quite as hard on him. They have seen a remarkable progression of hard work and inner fortitude that has propelled this firebrand to a pivotal role on a Major League club.

"I think we appreciate Eck so much because most of the guys on this team are like him," said Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy, Eckstein's double-play partner.

"Being tough on ourselves is what got us all here. And Eck has one of the toughest jobs in the league -- playing shortstop and batting leadoff -- and he does a great job every day."

Eckstein's manager agrees. Mike Scioscia, who parlayed dogged determination to a key role as the Los Angeles Dodgers' catcher for over a decade, can see a lot of himself in his shortstop.

"We need that piece of the puzzle that we get with Eck, and it's great to see," Scioscia said. "He's feeling more confident in his position and his role every day."