SB Nation User Blog: 44FAN

Orioles' Billy Ripken 1989 Fleer Card

44FAN — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:40:50 -0000

Since we are in the middle of a series with the Baltimore Orioles, I am posting this little bit of comical Orioles baseball history. Billy Ripken played second base for the Orioles (1987-92, 96) along side his brother Cal Ripken Jr. and managed by his father Cal Ripken Sr.

Ripken posed for this 1989 Fleer baseball card holding a bat that had "F-CK FACE" hand written on the knob and clearly visible in the photograph. Once this "error" was discovered a minor scandal ensued for Fleer and it's young bubble gum chewing Orioles fans. Once the card was released, and the offensive phrase discovered, Fleer hastily issued subsequent versions of the card. The first version after the original "error card" was the white blob where a dab of thick white correction fluid was applied over the knob. The second and third versions had the phrase covered over with black marking pen and a black square. The white blob version has the highest collectible value.

Years later, Ripken claimed the "F-CK FACE" bat was his batting practice bat and the use of it in the photo was unintentional on his part. His explanation was that he wrote the phrase on the bat himself to distinguish it from his game bats.

Billy Ripken now owns three minor league baseball teams with his brother Cal. He served most recently as the first base coach with the US National Team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Angels Sought to Deal for Dan Haren

44FAN — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:05:35 -0000

Angels Sought to Deal for Dan Haren

Ken Rosenthal reports the Angels have been trying to put together a package involving catcher(s) and middle infielders for Diamondbacks right handed pitcher Dan Haren.

Marlins second baseman, Dan Uggla, relaxes in bed while signing boxes of souvenir baseballs.

44FAN — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:30:43 -0000

Marlins second baseman, Dan Uggla, relaxes in bed while signing boxes of souvenir baseballs.

Mariners first baseman and fan favorite, Russell Branyan, has had success this season scoring on...

44FAN — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:20:48 -0000

Mariners first baseman and fan favorite, Russell Branyan, has had success this season scoring on and off the field.

Sean O'Sullivan to make Big "A" debut Tuesday night. He will replace Ervin Santana who was placed...

44FAN — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:28:10 -0000

Sean O'Sullivan to make Big "A" debut Tuesday night.

He will replace Ervin Santana who was placed on the 15 day DL retroactive from June 12th. This was announced moments ago on the Drive on AM830.

Image FanShot

44FAN — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:13:30 -0000

Aftermath of Bullpen Meltdown in Detroit

44FAN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:25:56 -0000

The worst defeat a fan can witness of his or her team is the loss of a hard earned lead in a game by an agonizing meltdown of an inept bullpen. The hopes your team was going to get the W can turn in a heartbeat as we saw Sunday when four walks, an error, and a grand slam later the Angels had turned a possible victory in to defeat.

Bill Shaikin, reporting for the LA Times, did'nt need to get inside the clubhouse to gage the mood Mike Scioscia (or somebody else) was in immediately after the game:

Reporting from Detroit -- The expletive could be heard loud and clear. The clubhouse doors still were closed, but the four-letter frustration pierced the doors and echoed into the adjacent hallway.

Whoa, it looks like Bulger and Arredondo did'nt escape the heat even though Bulger refused to talk with reporters after the game:

After the game, Bulger declined to comment. Scioscia said he would consult with Reagins on today's off day about possible personnel moves involving setup men.

This quote from Scioscia may confirm what Ken Rosenthal was talking about when he said many teams were looking for a shortstop and the Angels could do well to bring up Brandon Wood and trade Erick Aybar for a bat or a reliever:

And Manager Mike Scioscia, who preaches in-house solutions wherever possible, said General Manager Tony Reagins is trying to find a reliever in trade.

"It's not easy to go out there and get the quality of pitcher you're looking for," Scioscia said. "Tony is on the phone every day with teams. If something is available, we'll consider it."

So it looks like a bullpen with a record comparable to that of the Washington Nationals may have finally forced the hands of Soth and the Ninja to finally look outside the Angels clan for some help. Which player(s) Scioscia is so loyal to and holds so dear is he going to have to part with to cure his ailing bullpen? Will a bat come in such a trade package as well?

Does Brandon Wood figure in to any of this or is he being held in Salt Lake to preserve his status as the next future star slugger for other teams to drool over? If the Angels brought Wood up and he failed to produce to expectations his trade value might be diminished. In Salt Lake, Wood keeps his numbers high and the mystique is kept alive and well.

Many Teams in Need of a Shortstop

44FAN — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:24:15 -0000

Many Teams in Need of a Shortstop

Ken Rosenthal reports many teams like the Red Sox, Mets, Cardinals, and Royals are in need of a shortstop. He says the Angels could look to trade Erick Aybar for a bat or a reliever and bring up Wood to cover SS strengthening the team in two positions. Rosenthal also mentions the Angels being in the unique position to acquire Jake Peavy as the Padres would not like to see Peavy end up in the Dodger organization. This would depend on Lackey (almost certainly) walking away in free agency at the end of the season.

Sports Media Challenge Rates Halos Heaven 12th Best Baseball Blog

44FAN — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:13:36 -0000

Sports Media Challenge Rates Halos Heaven 12th Best Baseball Blog

sportsmediachallenge.com rated sports blogs in each sport based on the site's content, community, and influence to determine which were the best in their sport. Halos Heaven was placed at number twelve on the baseball list.

UPDATE: Here is what Sports Media Challenge had to say about Halos Heaven:
12. Halos Heaven - The volume of content going out isn’t as high as some of the other SB nation, team specific blogs, with half their pitching staff returning from injury they might have more to discuss. In the interim, their solid content, strong community, and high network rankings have propelled them onto this list.

Hello Fishstripers, I came across this candid photo of Dan signing baseballs and thought I would...

44FAN — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:06:05 -0000

Hello Fishstripers, I came across this candid photo of Dan signing baseballs and thought I would post it for you all. I am an Angels fan but have always liked Uggla as a player.