SB Nation User Blog: SocalAngelFaninOC

I have 2 (Game) Balls

SocalAngelFaninOC — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:17:57 -0000

Well, while we are waiting for spring training to begin, I thought it would be fun to share stories related to when, how, and where everyone has gotten a game ball.

My first came at Yankee stadium when I was a kid and we went to a night game and sat in the upper deck behind home plate (in the days of no net). There I was, glove in hand, just waiting for a foul back. In about the 7th inning, here it comes - light a bat out of hell straight for my head. I dive out of the way, but my uncle grabs it as it hits the row behind us, and I got my first ball.

The second and last came at the Stadium when we sat about 15 rows back of the Angel dugout, and we grabbed a foul tip from a Ranger's lefty at bat. My son got the ball, and promptly got Tim Salmon to sign it a week later.

How did you guys get your "balls", and how many do you have?

PS: only real game balls "in play" count - no batting practice or balls flipped to you by a coach or ball boy. Those are lame.

Angels sign the Napster!

SocalAngelFaninOC — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:05:14 -0000

Angels sign the Napster!

According to the LA times:

The Angels signed catcher Mike Napoli to a one-year, $2-million contract Monday, less than 24 hours before the player and team were scheduled to exchange arbitration figures.

Napoli made $425,000 -– just above the big-league minimum -– last season when he set career highs by hitting .273 with 20 homers and 49 RBIs in 78 games.

With Napoli signed, pitcher Ervin Santana and infielders Robb Quinlan and Maicer Izturis are the only Angels without contracts.

Stay tuned to latimes.com/sports for full baseball coverage.

-- Kevin Baxter

Dodgers empty wallet for Manny

SocalAngelFaninOC — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:15:33 -0000

Well, here it is:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081106/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_gm_meetings_16

I guess we can say good bye to Tex. If Boras is marketing both of these guys, and according to the article, Manny's $$ will be second only to A-Rod, then we are in trouble. Manny is 36. Tex is 28. If Manny gets closer to $25mm than $20mm, what is Tex worth on the open market? Anybody have any epihany here?

Absolute Carnack, Kreskin, and Moreno

SocalAngelFaninOC — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:36:54 -0000

Guys - this is almost surreal in parts.......Just look at some of the predictions!......We have achieved the 2-fer with the addition of Tex......It is a year and 2/3 late, but take a read and enjoy....from Joe Florkowski, Sept 2006:

It’s time to jettison the Wonder Dog and Physioc

by Joe Florkowski

Angels owner Arte Moreno has promised some big changes for the Angels organization in the coming off-season, which –barring a bus falling on the Oakland A’s – will occur in 11 games.

Moreno made his comments to the Los Angeles Times after the Angels held a series of organizational meetings Tuesday in Kansas City before the Angels-Royals game. The L.A Times article spent most of the article discussing the likely moves the Angels will make this off-season.

Here’s who is not expected to be back with the Angels next season: Adam Kennedy, J.C. Romero, Kevin Gregg (Gasp!). Guys who could be traded: Chone Figgins, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana.

Here’s who could be with the Angels: free-agents Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano. The Times article also mentioned that the Angels could pursue centerfielders Tori Hunter or Vernon Wells through trade or even go after Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez.

And while I like talking about these guys, I think there is one move Arte Moreno needs to make in the off-season which goes under the radar but needs to be done.

Moreno needs to get rid of the Angels broadcasting team of Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc.

This is not the first time I’ve mentioned here that Hudler and Physioc need to go but this time I’m not simply saying they need to go because of their usual incompetence – although that does play a part in their needed departure.

As Moreno considers overhauling the team, he should consider removing the two who serve as the “voice” of the team. As Arte seeks to create a nationwide brand for the Angels, he should take a careful look at the broadcast booth. It’s tough to market the team nationally when you have Heckle and Jeckle serving as the TV presence for the Angels.

In order to sell this team to more fans, I think Moreno needs to find someone else for the TV broadcasts. Hudler and Physioc simply don’t do a good job of calling the game.

To wit, last Friday, Vladimir Guerrero hit a home run in the 11th inning off a Rangers reliever to put the Angels up 2-1. Both Hudler and Physioc were so ecstatic about the home run that they did not inform the television viewer that the Rangers were changing pitchers so the TV broadcast inexplicably went to a commercial. (Longtime baseball fans knew that the Rangers were bringing in a left-hander to face left-handed hitting Garret Anderson but Rex and Steve did not bring this up until seconds before Anderson saw the first pitch of the at bat.)

Maybe it’s because Southern California viewers have been spoiled by years of hearing Vin Scully call games for the Dodgers but Rex and Steve simply don’t do their homework. You can listen to Vin Scully call an Angels –Dodgers game and you’ll get more relevant information about the Angels from Scully than you will from the Hudler-Physioc team.

(I think this is because Scully still interviews players from both teams and does his research and checks the facts. Hudler, unfortunately, still thinks he’s a member of the Angels. For example, when Tim Salmon hit his 298th home run against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, Hudler let out what can only be called an orgasmatic yell for the Salmon blast.)

And I know I am comparing one of the all-time greats with two of the most dynamic dolts in broadcasterdom – but the gap between Scully and another newly hired broadcast team could be narrowed. Right now, the talent and professionalism of Scully blows away Hudler and Physioc’s chittering.

So there you go, what seems like an annual rant against Hudler and Physioc. But the Angels deserve a better announcing team; my vote would go to Angels’ radio team Rory Markus and Terry Smith – two guys who generally stay objective with the Angels but manage to have fun while calling the game and inform and entertain. Markus and Smith also do one of the best jobs I’ve heard of updating the box score for viewers listening and scoring at home. Can you think of the last time Hudler or Physioc gave the scoring on a play?

OK, rant over. But Arte Moreno, if you’re reading this, make this one of your major moves in the off-season, OK? And all things aside, I’d be willing to deal with having a Tori Hunter or Vernon Wells in center field and one other power bat and then I’d be willing to keep Hudler and Physioc. But only barely.

Ever wonder what happens?

SocalAngelFaninOC — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:47:26 -0000

When a player like Kotch or Tex gets traded the day of a game with no chance to make many plans? Here's a few questions I have and I'm sure there are many more:

An hour before the game he re-dresses to street clothes and heads for the airport:

1) The team has already bought him a ticket on a commercial airline - does he fly first or coach?

2) When he arrives, who meets him and where do they go?

3) Assuming he stays at the team hotel, he theoretically has no clothes other than the ones on his back....

4) Assuming (and we do) that he is in the lineup either that day or the next day, he has a locker and a uniform all ready prepared for him which somehow fits perfectly so he is not distracted performing his duties.

Anybody know how all this stuff gets done?

A-Rod Disinformation?

SocalAngelFaninOC — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:23:14 -0000

According to the NY Daily News:

Alex Rodriguez may be headed back to the Bronx after all -- but on the Yankees' terms.

Despite all of the back-and-forth posturing between the Yankees and A-Rod' camp, the Daily News learned today that the two sides have been discussing a deal for the past few days to keep the two-time MVP in pinstripes, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The biggest catch? The Yankees don't want agent Scott Boras involved in the negotiations.

A high-ranking Yankees source told the Daily News that the team is willing to bring Rodriguez back on a below-market contract, one that would make up for the $21 million subsidy from the Rangers that the Yanks lost when A-Rod opted out of the final three years of his contract.

In addition, the Yankees don't want to deal with Boras, who has been Rodriguez's agent since the slugger was 16 years old.

"We will not negotiate with Scott Boras," a Yankees source said. "He cannot be in the room."

The Yankees are also aware that Boras could convince Rodriguez to stop the talks. "We realize it could be a trap to get us back in the negotiations," said one Yankee official. "But we don't think that's the case."

Rodriguez apparently approached the Yankees through a third-party intermediary. "He went to them," said the source.

As the Daily News reported today, A-Rod will have to have person-to-person talks with the Steinbrenner brothers -- Hank and Hal -- before a deal can be sealed.

According to the first source, the Yankees are waiting for Mariano Rivera to sign a new contract before finalizing any plans with Rodriguez, who is expected to take a 10-year deal worth roughly $275 million. That would be about $75 million less than Boras has been looking for, though most industry insiders believe there was never going to be a $350 million offer out there for Rodriguez.

"Alex is going to be back with the Yankees," the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been made public. "The Yankees don't have a choice. How are they going to compete without Alex? They need him back."

After monitoring the third-base market, the Yankees apparently decided that Rodriguez was the best fit for them at third base. Mike Lowell is the only free agent of note, and his numbers were overwhelmingly better at Fenway Park last year than away from Boston.

Miguel Cabrera is the top name available on the trade market, but the Yankees were concerned about his work ethic and his habit of partying hard, something that dissuaded them from dealing for the talented 24-year-old slugger.

Rodriguez opted out of the final three years and $91 million of his contract on Oct. 28, prompting the Yankees to hold their stance that they would not negotiate with him as a free agent. The Yankees never even had a chance to make their offer, as Boras had told the Yankees it would take a minimum offer of 10 years and $350 million to get Rodriguez to meet with club officials face-to-face.

A second Yankees source said that the team believes A-Rod is trying to restore his image, which has taken a beating since Boras announced the opt-out during Game 4 of the World Series.

By taking a contract below market value, Rodriguez would be showing fans that it wasn't all about getting the most money, and that he truly wants to finish his career in pinstripes.

"Alex likes to be the center of the universe," the source said. "He wants to be a part of the Stadium going down and the opening of the new one. It's not about money. It's about his face being everywhere. This is the only stage that can guarantee that."

"Most of this is about Alex trying to salvage his image," said another source close to the negotiations. "He's upset over the way this whole thing has played out and the way he's being portrayed now, because of Boras."

2007 AL Cy Young

SocalAngelFaninOC — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:02:21 -0000

Who will prevail? The below is the MLB Cy Young "predictor" calculation. I think they have got it right that CC is above Beckett. I am surprised that they have Lackey above Beckett though. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/features/cy?season=2007

2007 Cy Young Predictor - American League
RK PLAYER CYP G GS IP ER K SV SHO W-L ERA VB
1 C.C. Sabathia, Cle 178.3 34 34 241.0 86 209 0 1 19-7 3.21 12
2 John Lackey, LAA 174.4 33 33 224.0 75 179 0 2 19-9 3.01 12
3 Josh Beckett, Bos 172.3 30 30 200.2 73 194 0 0 20-7 3.27 12
4 J.J. Putz, Sea 169.3 68 0 71.2 11 82 40 0 6-1 1.38 0
5 Fausto Carmona, Cle 168.9 32 32 215.0 73 137 0 1 19-8 3.06 12
6 Francisco Rodriguez, LAA 161.7 64 0 67.1 21 90 40 0 5-2 2.81 12
7 Kelvim Escobar, LAA 154.7 30 30 195.2 74 160 0 1 18-7 3.40 12
8 Joe Nathan, Min 143.4 68 0 71.2 15 77 37 0 4-2 1.88 0
9 Joe Borowski, Cle 142.4 69 0 65.2 37 58 45 0 4-5 5.07 12
10 Justin Verlander, Det 141.9 32 32 201.2 82 183 0 1 18-6 3.66 0

Poll

Who will actually get the nod?

CC Sabathia

18 votes

John Lackey

10 votes

Josh Beckett

34 votes

62 votes | Poll has closed

Can a World Series be Bought?

SocalAngelFaninOC — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:41:44 -0000

Let's take a look....

Take a look at payrolls for the top paying teams both during and after the NYY won 4. As their payroll went up, their success went down. In fact, the year we won, we didn't even make the top 10!..So, the question is, will Reagins and Sosh believe paying A-Rod the equivalent of California's GDP be productive??

1996

Yankees - 53 million
Orioles - 49 million
Braves - 48 million
Indians - 46 million
White Sox - 42 million

1997

Yankeees - 60 million
Orioles - 55 million
White Sox - 55 million
Indians - 55 million
Braves - 51 million

1998

Orioles - 71 million
Yankees - 64 million
Braves - 60 million
Indians - 60 million
Rangers - 55 million

1999

Yankees - 89 million
Rangers - 82 million
Braves - 76 million
Indians - 74 million
Red Sox - 72 million

2000

Yankees - 93 million
Dodgers - 91 million
Orioles - 84 million
Braves - 83 Million
Red Sox - 82 million

2001

Yankees - 113 million
Red Sox - 110 million
Dodgers - 110 million
Mets - 94 million
Indians - 93 million

2002

Yankees - 126 million
Red Sox - 109 million
Rangers - 106 million
Diamondbacks - 103 million
Dodgers - 95 million
Mets - 95 million
Braves - 94 million
Mariners - 81 million
Indians - 79 million
Giants - 79 million

2003

Yankees - 153 million
Mets - 118 million
Braves - 107 million
Dodgers - 106 million
Rangers - 104 million

2004

Yankees - 185 million
Red Sox - 128 million
Angels - 101 million
Mets - 97 million
Phillies - 94 million

2005

Yankees - 209 million
Red Sox - 124 million
Mets - 102 million
Angels - 98 million
Phillies - 96 million

2006

Yankees - 195 million
Red Sox - 121 million
Angels - 104 million
White Sox - 103 million
Mets - 102 million

Frankie's home town newspaper

SocalAngelFaninOC — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:18:51 -0000

Quite interesting, especially in translation:

K-Rod generates doubts

The stellar Venezuelan lock of the Angelinos, Francisco Rodriguez, has wasted two of its last three chances to save (AP)

The Venezuelan does not have been effective at the time of closing the games
BILLY RUSSO
THE UNIVERSAL ONE
He does not have as usual been so effective. Nevertheless, he has made the work. The press begins to doubt its physical state and its capacity. But manager endorses it and still it trusts him.
The stellar Venezuelan lock of the Angelinos of Los Angeles, Francisco Rodriguez, them has not had all with him this season, specially after the Star Game, lapse in which has four blown saves in 14 opportunities and a percentage of races allowed by each nine entrances of work of 4.58.
"It has not gone to him well, but I think that still it is not moment to worry. Frankie has been a little inconsistente, nevertheless, has given us what we needed him", said Mike Scioscia, to manager of the Angelinos.
Rodriguez, who is the better locking quarter of American Liga at the moment, with 34, was the past punished Friday by the logs of the Indians. That day the inicialista of Cleveland, Ryan Garko, connected a quadrangular one to him to tie the game. It was the second time in his last three opportunities to save that it could not do it.
"It has confidence in itself and we still trusted him. We really hoped that it goes to him better and than whenever sounds the telephone (of they bullpen) leaves to make its work successfully", commented Mike Butcher, coach of pitcheo of the novena of Los Angeles.
The front of his locker, in clubhouse of the Angelinos, the Angels Stadium, the reporters asked to him the Venezuelan for their situation, and he responded: "Simply I have not been able to make well my work. That is what all you want to hear. That is the unique thing that I must to say. Thanks".
The technical body of the club indicates that badly of the evils by which it crosses Rodriguez it finds in his mechanics.
"It is not having the rate nor the synchronization that accustoms in the movements that do when sending. The best thing is to give time him so that it returns to find the point perfect of his mechanics. We are sure that it will find his rate again", said Scioscia, to the newspaper Los Angeles Times.
For serafines he is vital that Rodriguez improves and she is to point for the beginning of the postemporada one, and perhaps is the preoccupation of Californian means there. The Venezuelan has three weeks to do it.

Team Coast to Coast Travel

SocalAngelFaninOC — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:35:07 -0000

Any Help?

Does anyone have insight into the following questions re: a coast to coast night trip for the team?

What kind of charter does the team have?
Does the team need to dress in suits like the Yankees do? How dumb.
Where does the plane land? OC? LAX?
When the team arrives in SoCal, how does GA get to Tustin?
Where do the players who don't live locally stay?

I always marveled at the logistics planning for MLB teams since they travel with large #'s of people and do it constantly.