So I'm sure I'm not the only one who's noticed this... Torii Hunter was so fired up the entire way through the ALDS against Boston. They win and make it to the ALCS in NY and ever since, Torii has has a look on his face that I can only describe as absolute depression. I have not seen him smile a single time since Boston, and have only seen him hanging his head as though he faces an inevitable defeat.

In Monday's game, there was a home run hit over his head in dead center. Torii ran to the wall where Nick's memorial is and leaned against the wall for several seconds, as though he was apologizing to Nick for the impending loss.

This is not how it should be! Torii is a great player and has the ability to turn it on for this team at any given time if he starts to believe again.

Bring back that fire Torii, we believe in you!

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Los Angeles Angels defeated Francisco Rodriguez in salary arbitration Friday, and the reliever will receive $10 million rather than his request for $12.5 million.

L I N K -to- S T O R Y

Despite the loss, Rodriguez tied the record for the highest salary in an arbitration decision, a mark he shares with Alfonso Soriano, who lost his case against the Washington Nationals in 2006, and Ryan Howard, who beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

From the ESPN.com story:
________________

He was home in Arizona, "eating popcorn and watching the whole [George] Mitchell thing," and up popped his name. "I was," Donnelly says, "sick to my stomach."

Donnelly is tied to Kirk Radomski for supposedly asking him for Anavar and being supplied with Deca-Durabolin in 2004, when Donnelly had nosebleed and arm problems.

Here is Donnelly's statement: "In 2004, I was having multiple physical problems and was concerned about not getting back on the field for even close to the level I had experienced. I made a phone call to Radomski. We discussed Anavar.

"Upon learning that Anavar was classified as a steroid, I realized that was not an option. That was the end of it. Yes, I called him. But I did not purchase or receive anything from him. I never took Deca or Anavar. I do want to fully support the testing program of Major League Baseball, and I support wider testing."

....

He is, in baseball terms, a grunt who has found himself and his career caught in the crossfire of the millionaires and billionaires of the steroids era. "I haven't slept since that came out," Donnelly says. "I'm still sick."
_________________

Full story at http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3156636

For the fourth straight year, and seventh time overall, Vlad Guerrero earned the Silver Slugger Award. Guerrero hit the 25-homer mark for the 10th consecutive season, and he is one of four players in the past 50 years to hit .300 for 10 straight years.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071108&content_id=2296283&vkey=news_ ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps_07.jsp

Our first game on Wed @ Boston will begin at 3:30 PST, and the Friday game at 5:30 PST.

The first home game Sunday in Anaheim will be at 12:00 PST, and the Monday game will be at 6:30 PST.

Since I have to fly home from Sacramento on Sunday to see the game, it looks like it's going to be an early flight for me.

So, by deciding to give TBS the exclusive broadcast rights for the DS and half of the CS, MLB has said "FUCK YOU" to those of us wishing to watch all our playoff games in HD.

To my knowledge, the only carrier that has added TBS HD (only launched on Sept 1) is DirecTV.  So, if you're like the vast majority of the country watching with cable, too bad.

Side note: After reviewing MLB's playoff schedule (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps_07.jsp) I realized that the "half of the CS" that is on TBS is the NLCS, which means as an Angels fan I will only be screwed out of the DS games.  Still, why go with a cable network that has just barely launched their HD channel?  Thanks, MLB.

So, I was fortunate enough to get an email yesterday stating that I had won the lottery and am allowed to buy tickets for the ALDS... The exact wording of the email:

"CONGRATULATIONS!
You have been selected for the opportunity to purchase tickets to a potential 2007 Division Series game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim!

You may purchase up to four (4) tickets to each potential game of the Division Series, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability by game. Use your Passcode (shown below) to begin the purchase process.

Note: If you purchase more than four (4) tickets to a single game, your ticket orders will be voided without notification."

-----
So, this morning I clicked on the link at 10am, opened up the first game, and bought the best 4 tickets I could.  I then went to the second game and did the same thing.

Upon trying to go buy for the third game, I was greeted with a message saying "We're sorry, there are no more tickets available for this promotion."  I knew that the game couldn't be sold out yet because I did all of this within about 3 minutes.  So I go back to the first page on the Angels website that I was taken to from the email.

The page on their website states:
"You may purchase up to up to four (4) tickets to one (1) potential game of the American League Division Series, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability by game. This purchase opportunity will be online on this page only, starting at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday, September 19 and continuing through 10:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, September 20.

Note: If you purchase more than four tickets to a single game, your ticket orders will be voided without notification."

This is more than a misunderstanding, they completely changed the policy.  Now I'm not that upset that I only got tickets to the first 2 games, but if there is any way my tickets are getting revoked then I'm going to have to have a word with Arte.

Sidenote:  I'm assuming since I got my tickets e-mailed to me by ticketfast that the order was successful and is not void.  Unless they decide to void the tickets they already sent out and not even tell anybody about it.

Anybody else have problems like this?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angrep9aug09,1,6916098.story?coll=la-headlin es-sports-mlb-angels

Medical report on Rivera is encouraging
The outfielder, who broke his leg in the off-season, could play in minor league games next week.

Continue reading this post »

Discuss.

This is absolutely ridiculous, there is no excuse for his performance and I have a really hard time believing that Saunders could not bring us more wins with the way Santana has been pitching.  What does everybody else think?  Will it actually happen?

300 yet? 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2694164

Free-agent reliever Darren Oliver has reached preliminary agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year contract with an option for 2008, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

Darren Oliver
Relief Pitcher
New York Mets

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM     W     L     BB     K     ERA
45     4     1     21     60     3.44

It's believed the total package could be worth $3.5 million if the option year vests.

As expected, the Angels essentially severed ties with veteran second baseman Adam Kennedy, who was informed by Stoneman this week that the team would not attempt to retain the free agent. Stoneman, who spoke by phone with Kennedy on Tuesday, did leave the door open a crack for a possible return.

"I told him if he doesn't find a deal to his liking, and he'd be interested in coming back on a short-term contract, we'd be open to that," Stoneman said.

Kennedy, though, has already drawn interest from three to five teams, according to his agent, Paul Cohen, and it is possible he could command a deal in the four-year, $18-million range.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angels2nov02,1,6719495.story?coll=la-headlin es-sports-mlb-angels

So that leaves Lackey, K-Rod, Anderson, Figgins, and possibly Erstad? [Edit]And Shields and possibly Donnelly

Huston Street gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to allow Seattle to tie the game up.  Seattle won in the bottom of the 10th.  Choakland refuses to finish this thing.  One more loss against Seattle and it's all in our hands.

300 characters? blah blah blah blah blah..........................................

I'm uploading a few of the pictures that I got from row F behind the Angels dugout on the 30th. These were easily the best seats I've ever had at an Angels game. I've been behind home plate a couple times (years ago), but these were ridiculous. Great win :-)
Jeff Weaver
D-Mac about to strike out
Lackey, Kennedy, & Quinlan in the dugout
K-Rod after the save
Cabrera pimpin the FSN interviewer

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angrep3may03,1,6391808.story?coll=la-headlin es-sports-mlb-angels

The Angels, confident that Jered Weaver is ready for the major leagues after one month at triple A, are leaning toward starting him Saturday in Toronto and giving him the chance to replace Bartolo Colon in the rotation.

As Colon's recovery from a shoulder injury lingers, the Angels believe they might be better served with Weaver in the rotation and Hector Carrasco back in the bullpen.

----------------------------------
Also, they mention that there's a good chance we will see Howie Kendrick starting at first or 3rd for some games soon

I can put him at first and third," Griffin said. "I'm not afraid."

Scioscia said the Angels are trying to find spots for Kendrick and improve their offense this year, not turn him into the second coming of Chone Figgins. Kendrick said he hopes his future remains at second base but would play anywhere to get into the lineup.

"Things happen every day in baseball," he said. "One day I might be an outfielder. I'm open to moving anywhere."

So, what's the deal?  A little bit of raw leather?  The Angels have an AL-leading 10 team errors.  3 of those come from Orlando Cabrera who only had 7 all of last season.  I know these things can come in spurts, but it doesn't seem like a very strong way to start the season right out of spring training.

What does everybody think?  I think I would just say it comes down to a little bit of complacency on the players' part.. Just because you know your defense is awesome doesn't mean you can go through the motions.

So it had nothing to do with dollars or number of years, only details relating to emerging technologies (web broadcasts in the future?).

--------------------------------------------
http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-freewaynotes3apr03,1,7576159.story?coll=la-h eadlines-sports-mlb-angels

With the first pitch of the season hours away, the Angels and Fox Sports Net agreed Sunday to a contract that will ensure the team television coverage of virtually every game for the next decade.

The contract includes the rights to 150 games, with FSN West carrying 100 starting with today's opener and Channel 13 airing 50.

The financial terms of the contract -- $500 million over 10 years -- have not changed since February, when Angel owner Arte Moreno called the package "a done deal." Moreno broke off talks last Wednesday, over what sources called issues surrounding emerging technologies, but the parties resumed discussions Friday.

For the second time in nine years, FSN paid handsomely to stop the Angels from starting a cable channel.

In 1998, when Disney proposed ESPN West for the Angels and Mighty Ducks, FSN secured 10-year rights to both teams for $140 million.

This time, with the Angels coming off consecutive division championships and setting team records in attendance and television ratings, FSN paid $500 million for the Angels alone. In its initial bid last October, FSN offered about $340 million for 10 years.

Under the old contract, FSN would have paid the Angels $14.5 million for the rights to 50 games this season. Under the new deal, which takes effect immediately, FSN will pay about $32 million for 150 games, with the rights fee increasing annually.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2006/news/story?id=2361345

The Dominican Republic might still be holding out hope that Vladimir Guerrero joins the team for the World Baseball Classic, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim star isn't planning to suit up.

A top executive of the Dominican delegation told ESPNdeportes.com early Thursday that Guerrero would fly from Arizona to Florida on Thursday night and could be cleared to play by Friday, when Dominican Republic faces Australia in the final game of the first round.

"Guerrero will play for the Dominican Republic from Friday till the end of the Classic. We don't want to make an official announcement yet because we want to wait for the player to get here," said a Dominican official.

Guerrero, however, denied later in the day he would join the team and said he was surprised to hear of the report.

"I told them from the beginning I'm not playing, and there's no change in the original plans," Guerrero told ESPN's Jose Mota by phone Thursday night from the Phoenix area.

Guerrero told ESPN he never had any intention to return to the Dominican team.

I feel bad for Vlad :-/

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2346719

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Los Angeles Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero was given Monday off after three cousins died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic.

Three males, all first cousins, were killed in the Sunday crash, said Tim Mead, vice president of communications for the Angels. Few other details about the wreck were available.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060215&c ontent_id=1311871&vkey=pr_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels Wednesday agreed to terms on a 2006 contract with right-handed pitcher Jeff Weaver in an announcement made by club Vice President/General Manager Bill Stoneman. Per club policy, no financial terms of the contracts will be released.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2324660

"The way they let me go without a notice, without calling me, that said a lot," the catcher said Thursday, three days after agreeing to a $5 million, one-year contract with Toronto. "That's what really hurts me."

 "I think I built a good relationship with them," he said. "They never let me know. They just threw me like a piece of trash."

Molina signed with the Angels when he was 17.

"I don't think I did one thing to disrespect them at all for all those years," Molina said. "If anything I went out of my way for them. I even helped them get Bartolo Colon on to that club. I gave him a call. I called a couple of guys for them. And now when I needed a call, they never called me."

Umm so I was wondering about Peralta.  The last thing I saw about him was that he was designated for assignment to the minors.. but now I look on ESPN's transaction tracker, and I see this:

Lost [-]:
RHP Joel Peralta (waivers/KAN)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2251832

Why the hell would he be released on waivers?  That kid was promising!