Here are the pictures.

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Oh, Happy President's Day! I haven't seen it posted anywhere else, but i read on ESPN Desportes a few days ago that Albert is reporting one week early. That puts him reporting along with pitchers/catchers Feb 19th, I believe. I should be there that first morning to photograph Day 1 as usual.

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So Garret Richards won again yesterday, going all 9 innings, and the puts him at 11-1 in Arkansas with a 3.23 ERA. Angel management I'm sure has their 'game plan' - finish the year at AA, likely a September call-up and see about AAA, or a crack at the rotation in the Spring.

But Finley and K-Rod made the jump, and considering we're tiring of Joel Pineiro's inconsistent performance, or alternatively looking at ways to fill the gaps in the bullpen, maybe we had second rookie to our rotation. He's older than Chatwood, and not only did a rookie when Game 7 for us in 2002, Brendan Donnelly and Frankie Rodriguez pitched in that game too, both in their rookie season.

If the last drops of candy fall out of The Piñata in the next couple of starts, I'd be willing to throw GR into the rotation for a "spot" start. Maybe Piniero can be afflicted and catch Scott Kazmir's and F-Raud's "lower back strain". Or maybe we get him in the 'pen for Auguust before it's too late.

Being from Arizona, I was aware that Russell Branyan had been just out right released by the Diamondbacks (who were really even near first place at the time...but that's changed since). I also follow them enough to know that there wasn't a big reason "Why" except he just wasn't hitting, and had just 1 HR.

So when the Angels signed him, I wasn't expecting much at all from him based on his performance in an offense-friendly ballpark, and if a teamn that was muddling along like the DBacks couldn't use him, then he wasn't likely to make a big impact with the Angels.

But I could see the logic - Kendrick and Wells were out and we were having to play Amarista in LF so WTH? We could use him as a back-up and maybe he'd start to hit a bit better.

But time to re-evaluate - Branyan is hitting just like he did with the DBacks about .200, Trumbo isn't falling off the cliff, and Wells and Kendrick are back. After tonight's game in Florida and Trumbo's recent streak, did we really need to see Branyan play tonight, instead of Izturis and/or Trumbo?

I think its time to send him back down the road and I don't see a need to keep him around any longer

(but i hope he gets voted a nice playoff share)

Thanks for stopping by Russell Branyan. But i think your time in Anaheim should be about up.

The Killer died this morning of cancer. While always an AL and division rival with the Senatots/Twins, how was it not possible to admire this guy? His forearms were massive and just seemed to play the game right.

I've got one memor to share. During Nolan Ryan's 3rd no-hitter (928/74) - Fan Appreciation Night, I was fortunate to attend , Killibrew came to bat in the 9th inning as a pinch hitter and Ryan walked him.

RIP, Harmon

Here's my annual contribution to the HH community - Day 1 pictures.

I got there a little bit later than usual as I had class at ASU and am not sure how much more i'll be able to get over there because of this PhD program is taking its toll.

Anyway, three position players are in camp - Aybar, Morales, and Pettit. First things I noticed are: the loss of Nick, and the loss of >100 Japanese media (though a few were around for Takahashi but I heard they were just hanging out cause Matsui doesn't report for a few more days to A's camp). Preston Gomez I still miss along with Tim Salmon, but I imagine Tim will show up in a few days.

But the first thing that stood out was that 7'1" Loek Van Mil that came over from the Twins for Fuentes. I didn't see Arte out, but Tony was there, on the phone most of the time (is that good or bad?).

As always, any one who comes to practice, the highlight is catching Scioscia working with the young catchers.

http://otrsportsonline.com/2010/12/21/angels-pull-offer-for-beltre/

Arte's again thinking long term I guess. Maybe Boras is overplaying his hand, maybe Beltre needs to have a reality check. Maybe Texas will give him that extra ten million. Who knows, but this is an interesting development.

the failure of Brandon Wood to develop last year has had too many far ranging consequences. I never want our season to depend so much on the performance of an unproven prospect. Is Wood getting another chance Plan B or does Ninja have something else figured out. The intrigue grows.

It is just my opinion of course, but last week's post of Dec 6th was akin to announcing you were pregnant and had chosen a name for the baby. TODAY is the 50th birthday of the day we had ourselves our first Angels!

Buck Rodgers, Jim Fregosi, Dean Chance, Albie Pearson, Steve Bilko - - Eli Grba was our #1 choice in the Expansion Draft, so he was the first Angel.

I'm extremely partial myself to this day because it's my 50th birthday too!

So the Times is saying the Giants are touching base with Jeter to see if he has any interest in playing for them and the article says Jeter's inevitably bound to go back to NY.

OK, lets fire up this hot stove topic, and say if he did leave, NY, how'd you feel if he signed on for a certain So Cal American League team with a championship tradition?

We ARE definitely in need of some BIG left side of infield help, mostly 3B. Would we want him playing there for us? I doubt  we want him playing SS for us and maybe he won't play 3B for us, but you never know.

It'd cost us a lot of $$ but I think we could use him with everything he brings, especially if he were to handle 3B for us for a few years. Tony and Arte should at least give him a call and I would be OK with having him join us as our new 3B.

Not much time today either, only had a chance to get pictures of the players heading to work.

Pictures of Hideki Matsui (mat-SOO-ee), Maicer Izturis (My-sair), Bobby Abreu (ah-BRAY-you), and Erick Aybar (EYE-bar) among others, a better photo of the 3rd mural, getting the beer ready to go.

I guess when they say a picture is worth a 1000 words, it doesn't count towards the 75 word count, because i keep adding on. I wish I had more time today to get some action photos. There's a nice roster list too you can use to help identify players from previous posts. Add Fernando Rodney was wearing his hat like the rest of the team today, what little i saw as they walked by.

Enjoy.

I was able to squeeze in an hour up there today mid-day so here are some pictures in the main stadium. Didn't see Kendry (absent); otherwise, here's all our starters.

The other noticable absences were Q, Terry Evans & Bobby Wilson weren't hitting with the A-team, but Willits was. I wouldn't read too much of that as far as who's #25 on the roster, just wanted to note it.

Enjoy! (Editors Note: Note the Nick Adenhart Pin on Arte's jacket. That is PRIDE.)

Angels coach Steve Soliz (an alum of Cal State L.A.) observes catcher Hank Conger earlier today in Tempe.

Here's another 'few' from this morning. I got some catchers today. I didn't see the bearded dude around, but Tim Mead was leading a group of about 20 Japanese media around (I caught the back of the group). Even yesterday I forgot to mention there were two Japanese media gals there. Pedro Gomez was on site too.

Another initial impression and concern is that John Lackey and before him Troy Percival could be counted on to be a vocal leader of the pitching staff. We don't have that veteran mound mouth now and can't see any one filling the void.

I guess Jeff Mathis is in FL doing his arb thing, so it was just Bobby Wilson and Mike Napoli as the big two catchers. Anyway, here THEY ALL are. (I might not be back up there till next Thursday - besides tomorrow, that's my next opportunity)

Here are my Day 1 pics from Tempe. The link is to pictures from this morning's work out - just a few random shots. I'll try and get back there tomorrow for some more, but too much real life to do for now.

Besides Arte Moreno's new beard I can report that Scot Shields, Fernando Rodney, and Scott Kazmir didn't work out much. It was a lot quieter without John Lackey around too. Didn't stick around to get any pictures of any catchers, and Chris Pettit was the only position player I saw. Enjoy!

I just read Will Carroll's annual pre-season team health report at BP, and surprise of surprises, he has the Angels as the healthiest overall team in the MLB! Its just a projection of course on holding up over an entire season and he rates players as green (the best), yellow, & red as to the likelihood of breaking down - it includes starting nine, rotation and relief pitchers.

The Angels had the most 'green' players, and only two 'yellow' (Kazmir, Rivera) and three 'red' (Matsui, Santana, Rodney). When comparing to Texas, Oakland, and Seattle, they project to have a lot more injury vulnerability.

Also note that Chone and Lackey are 'yellows' and Vlad's a 'red' - they are also gone. ;-)

In we all pretty much know what projects to be a tighter AL West, the injury factor could be the difference maker. I've read these reports since he's been doing them, and the Angels have never projected as being this healthy.

Trying to figure this one out. Tex Clevenger and Bob Cerv were originals in 1961 and traded to the Yankees before the season was half over, but neither played in the World Series in 1961 or 1962.

Best I can figure it was George Thomas who played for us in 1961 too, then got in as a PH for Boston in 1967 in Game 3 & struck out. He also got an AB in Game 6 but made an out so he was (0-2) in 1967. That's the best I can figure.

So I'm also wondering who was the first ex-Angel to get a hit in the World Series and also the first pitcher to appear. Can any one do better than George Thomas?

Also, looking at the early 60's World Series makes me wonder when was the first Angel-Dodger trade? Anyone going to the Dodgers had a good chance to be in a Series up till 1966.

I consider myself to be born the same exact day the Angels were, December 14, 1960. It was the day of the AL Expansion Draft, and we formed the team and had our first players - Eli Grba was the first, followed by Fregosi, Rodgers, Chance among others.

Others can certainly make the argument the Angels were born when Autry was awarded the franchise eight days earlier (12-06-60) or when we played the first game (4-11-61). Who am I to argue - whatever.

So what happened in Angels history the day you were born? 1979? A Ryan no-hitter? 2002? And you can go back to the PCL if you have too. Share the day with your story! - trivial or rather important.