In what I can only describe as a controversial headline hellbent on destroying the "destructobeam," fishwrap expert Bill Plunkett discusses the Mathis-conundrum.

Notice the headline in the hard copy on Sunday linked here at my photobucket site: "Pitchers Lament Mathis' Departure" differs from the one that appeared in the on-line version: "Iannetta catching on at key position for Angels"

Just in case you didn't know ... as with every SPRING TRAINING, GameDay can lag actual game times, radar pitch speeds are inoperable/inaccurate, and pitch counts are all over the place...registering all pitches are strikes.

Just got this e-mail:

ANGELS INSIDER SUBSCRIBERS POSTSEASON REFUND INFORMATION

Due to the Angels being eliminated from Postseason contention, all future Postseason presale events have been canceled.

If you purchased tickets for potential ALDS and/or ALCS games you will be automatically refunded for the ticket price and associated convenience fees.

Thank you for your continued support of Angels Baseball.

The Texas Rangers have set up a memorial fund for their fan who died in a tragic fall at the Ballpark in Arlington. Hope we can help show our love to this fellow baseball fan in his family's time of need.

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Dave Cameron writes an article featured at Fangraphs about "Fleet Pete." He is questioning the popular belief that Bourjos is "all glove, no bat."

Soth has gone from genius to insane seemingly overnight. Bulger and Stokes in a 2-run deficit game? REALLY???????

I'm now labeling those guys "BULGingERa" and "Stinks."

Look at the highlight for Alex Rios' 2-run jack. Especially during 0:41 to 0:45 seconds.

That's why it's important for you to size up the other fans around you when you reach your seats. Questions like "if a home run reaches here, is this guy in front of me capable of catching it? If he doesn't, could the ball ricochet and hit me square in the noggin??" should come to mind.

Cool article from Tim Brown discussing how Scioscia, a longtime Dodger, is now helping the cross-town Angels.

Warning: This quote is entirely taken out of context ...

"Ever since they raised the padding on that wall out there, there’s always been problems over there," Anderson said. "That concrete is exposed, and it’s a coin flip. … The padding always used to go all the way to the dirt, so the ball never kicked that far. I remember errors in two straight games after they raised the padding, so I never ran over there aggressively any more since then."

Get well soon, Big Daddy.

Seems he was hit during BP session by a batted ball. He is in the hospital.

The Rays beat the Indians in walk-off fashion via a bunt! If it's such a bush league play, why not learn how to defend it? Shame on the Indians defense. Didn't help their cause, though, that the umps didn't give them a borderline call earlier in the inning.

The Sporting News on a bit from the Chicago Tribune are reporting that the Texas Rangers are interested in AJ Pierzynski. What a nightmare it would be to have to see that guy more than one or two series per year in Anaheim.

Here's to hoping a deal will not go through.

Look at these spoiled fans booing Troy Glaus, who at least has two homers. Maybe we are too laid back here in SoCal? OK, time to prove to Lackey that we are just as nuts as Boston fans ... let's BOO BRANDON.

(not a good idea, imho, just a jab at the Lackey jab that I think is overhyped)

Why on Earth does Victor Rojas keep calling the Big A a "baby?"

"Light that baby up again," he exclaims in the wake of a Halos victory. (See 1:43 to 1:49 of the linked video clip)

His "signature call" is grating on me, but hell, I will be happy to hear it 97 more times this year.