SB Nation User Blog: Clutch

A musical interlude--Beggin'

Clutch — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:28:19 -0000

I got hit with a bit of song-re-writing "genius" this afternoon and thought I would share with you all...flames welcome! Need a creative outlet for all this pre-game stress, anyway....!

(Note: This is to the original, not that random remix...)

Put your lovin' game on, Angels
I'm beggin' you

Beggin' you, beat the f---ing Red Sox, baby
Beggin' you, beat those Boston chowd-heads, baby

Ridin' high, AL West kings,
Playing' it hard and fast and we had everything
Walked away, swingin' friends
But playoffs came and then the end

I'm beggin' you, won't you beat the Fed Sux, Angels
Beggin', beat them down and sweep 'em, baby

I need you to understand
That swinging that hard won't win it in the end
'Cause you'll strike out and be in a jam
How you expect to get a title again?

Empty shells, you used to be
Shadows of '08 is hangin' out with me
Broken team, that didn't show
What it could do, stop playing with our souls

Beggin' you, cream the bleeping Red Sox, Angels
Beggin', get your mojo back on, Angels

Go on, fight hard, plate those runs home
No, 'cause Lack can't make it all alone
He needs support, don't leave those bats
Or that Series ring is fading fast.

We're beggin' you, paste those f--king Red Fux Angels
Beggin', won't you bring some wins home, Angels...

We're beggin'

AUUGHHH WHY SOTH WHY? Soth Publishes Game One Line-up--Featuring Jeffy Mathis!

Clutch — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:27:58 -0000

AUUGHHH WHY SOTH WHY? Soth Publishes Game One Line-up--Featuring Jeffy Mathis!

Why on G-d's green earth Soth would start Black Hole Mathis IN A FREAKING PLAYOFF GAME IN WHICH OFFENSE IS KEY, is completely beyond me.

I have seen no evidence that Mathis' "D" makes so big a difference with Lackey.

Good analysis over at OTM--"Is It Important to Go Into the Playoffs Hot?"

Clutch — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:04:35 -0000

Good analysis over at OTM--"Is It Important to Go Into the Playoffs Hot?"

Not that I necessarily agree with the author's conclusion, but the compilation of stats is great!

Umpires At It Again in Boston--But Papi Calls Them Out on It!

Clutch — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:48:47 -0000

Umpires At It Again in Boston--But Papi Calls Them Out on It!

Big Papi swings and misses on a Sabathia pitch. The umpire inexplicably claims he "heard a ticking noise" and says Papi fouled the ball off.

""That ball did not hit my bat," Ortiz told the umpire."

Fortunately for all involved, Ortiz then actually struck out on the next pitch.

Good to see the Red Sox players at least have some class in these situations. Scared umpires is right--even when they're playing against the Yankees! Wonder if Ortiz will get reported for "verbal abuse" after disagreeing with the ump...Kellogg, though, not Rick Reed!

OnionSports--Superstitious John Lackey Has to Build, Destroy Luxury Hotel Before Each Start

Clutch — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:20:22 -0000

OnionSports--Superstitious John Lackey Has to Build, Destroy Luxury Hotel Before Each Start

Hilarious.

Former Broadcaster Buddy Blattner Dead at 89

Clutch — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:36:25 -0000

Former Broadcaster Buddy Blattner Dead at 89

Well known as a legendary announcer for the Royals, Blattner announced for the Los Angeles Angels from 1962-1968. Anyone from back in that day have any fond memories or stories about him?

RELAX, or, What the Rangers Must Do to Catch The Halos and Tie the Division

Clutch — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:37:46 -0000

My dad came up with a nifty Excel program last year that calculates what the Rangers have to do to catch us, based on our and their current record. I've posted my findings after the jump. Rev, I'd be happy to e-mail this to you if you're interested enough--I'd post it here but have no idea how.

Right now, at the end of play tonight (8/31/2009), if the Halos play a measly .500--that is, 16 and 16--the rest of the season--Texas has to win at a .688 clip and go 22-10 to catch us.

Worst case scenario, if a 1995-esque collapse and the Angels go 10-22 for a .300 winning percentage, the Rangers *still* have to play .488 ball--which isn't quite as bad for them, but still requires a decent performance. If the Halos have the wheels fall off completely, and play .200 ball--a 6 and 26 record--the Rangers are in better territory and only have to go 12 and 20.

In other words, if the Halos keep playing like they're playing, we'll be fine. They have to be absolutely *abysmal*--i.e., 10 and 23--in order to be in serious jeopardy of losing the division.

Yes, the Halos' schedule is rough over the rest of the season. The Rangers' schedule is relatively easy. But that doesn't matter unless it means the Rangers go on an absolute tear--and the Halos simultaneously collapse, utterly and completely. Can that happen? Maybe. We're all still scarred by 1995. But I think it's certainly not worth getting all worked up at this point that the Rangers are suddenly going to win the division just by winning a few more games at the end of the season. I just don't see it happening.

RELAX!

Doyers Sign Padilla

Clutch — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:24:01 -0000

Doyers Sign Padilla

That place gets classier and classier by the day!

OT: Federal Standoff in My Backyard!

Clutch — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:04:56 -0000

OT: Federal Standoff in My Backyard!

This is about a few blocks away from my apartment! We're not one of the buildings evacuated, but it's always fun to have not only the police and not only the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Army, but to have a TANK outside making sure things are ok...Check out the video on the right side of the screen!

Jays Reject Ninja's Overzealous Offer

Clutch — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:40:23 -0000

Jays Reject Ninja's Overzealous Offer

"The Angels did indeed make a run at Halladay, offering Jered Weaver(notes) plus the Blue Jays’ pick of outfield or infield prospects, including Brandon Wood(notes), but it wasn’t enough."

Seriously, what the F is Ricciardi ON?