Yankees Minor Leaguer Rony Bautista was one of three players to receive a 50-game suspension on Friday from Major League Baseball for testing positive for substances in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Bautista, a pitcher assigned to the Dominican Summer League roster, tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone, according to the Commissioner's Office.

Bautista did not play professionally for the Yankees in 2009.

Pitcher Roberto Toribio of the Angels' organization and outfielder Miguel Negron of the White Sox organization were the other players who had suspensions announced on Friday. All three suspensions will be effective at the start of the 2010 season.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100108&content_id=7893342&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Anyone?

TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS

Did I miss an announcement or have dates been finalized? It should be happening very soon and I searched all over the Angels website looking for info to no avail.

Last years was a lot of fun. We got to wait in line for autographs for hours with the Rev and Missus Halofan. I had no idea you could get pictures with Angel players so that might be more up my alley this time.

"Now that Bill Stoneman, who was never know as much of a wheeler-dealer, out of the front office, it appears the San Diego Padres and Anaheim Angels could talk about making a deal.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported the Padres could try to get Anaheim outfielders Reggie Willits and Nathan Haynes. Willits has almost no power, but he had a .391 on-base percentage last year. The strong relationship between Padres manager Bud Black and Angels manager Mike Scioscia increases the chances the two franchises could strike a deal. "

From Yahoo News

"Bartolo Colon, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Darren Oliver, Scot Shields, Justin Speier and Francisco Rodriguez will be in the bullpen while John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Jered Weaver will be the starters."

http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/baseball/angels/2007/10/pitching_staff.html

No Bootcheck or Moseley?

That's kinda messed up.

Had a great time at the clincher yesterday. Since yesterday was fan appreciation day, they handed out 2007 Team Photos. My son got last years as well and likes to frame them and hang them on his wall. We noticed that this is the second year in a row that Orlando Cabrera was not around for the team photo. Anyone have any ideas why? Will the camera still his soul or something?

Anybody else going to the game besides me? I know it's pre-season but it's probably the only tickets I'll be able to get this year. The game won't be on tv but it will be on AM 830...the home of Ducks Hockey. Man, Moreno has a lot of money and clout in SoCal now.

The new uniforms aren't that different but they are definitely cool looking.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3280/nhlanaheimduckssy5.jpg

I decided to take my 10 year old and 4 year old to the Angel player parking lot yesterday at 12:00 to try and get some autographs.

Six hours before a game seems to be when people start to arrive. Most players had arrived by 2:15 when we left.

Here's a brief rundown of who signed, and some observations.

SIGNED:

Orlando Mercado - VERY friendly
Juan Rivera
Ron Roenicke
Joe Saunders
Robb Quinlan - Really nice guy
Gary Matthews Jr. - Unbelievably cool guy. He was very friendly with my kids. Tops in my book.
Dustin Moseley and Chris Bootcheck (Carpoolers) - very friendly as well
Rich Thompson - Cool

Vlad didn't sign, but then again, he never does. Nor did Garret. I've seen Mike Butcher turn down people on 4 different occasions during my walks around Angel Stadium. He seems like an ass. Scioscia didn't sign though he does on occasion.

What was weird is that a woman who was there with her son told me that players with girlfriends or wives with them rarely stop. And she was right.

Howie Kendrick, Casey Kotchman, Reggie Willits all with women and all didn't stop. I would have figured they would but no.

And there were some carpoolers who didn't stop either such as Napoli and Mathis, and Figgins and Haynes.

Overall, it was very successful and interesting to see the way they handle things.

I really like Dino. Some excerpts...

"Angels traffic cop lays down baserunning law

No third base coach is better at waving runners home than Dino Ebel of the fast-breaking Angels. No third base coach is better qualified to share the do's and don'ts of the job, either.
...
Don't just stand there. When there's a hit to the outfield and baserunners in scoring position, Ebel moves nearly halfway down the third base line as the play develops. "When the runner rounds second, he'll look over. If he sees me heading back toward third, he knows I'm likely to stop him," Ebel says. "Being down the line that far allows me just a little more time to make a decision. If I see the outfielder bobble the ball, I'm still able to send the runner."
...
Do your homework. Ebel shags during batting practice to see how balls snake through the outfield grass, and he studies caroms out of the corners and off the fences. "The outfields with big gaps in left and center are the easiest places to make the decision to send the runner."
...
Don't be shy. With a lineup lacking in power but full of speedsters, the Angels must be aggressive. "If you're going to play this way, you can't be afraid to be thrown out. We want to force the other guys to have to make a play."

http://tinyurl.com/29qfec

Anyone need three tickets for tomorrow? Right field Pavilion, 15 Bucks each. The closer you live to Angel Stadium the better unless anyone knows if I can drop off tickets at will call to be picked up?

"One-line diaries are prohibited on Halos Heaven. Give your diary a bit more thought, then give it another shot. If you have nothing to add to your proposed diary, then it probably belongs as a comment under another appropriate thread."

Nice little article that made me feel better.

"After today, the teams still in serious contention for playoff spots all have anywhere from 49 to 53 games left - a little less than a third of the season.
...
Detroit has the most home games (31); Cleveland and Seattle the most on the road (30).
...
That's particularly troubling for the Mariners, who, entering Sunday, are 23-27 away from Safeco Field and scrambling to catch the Angels, who play 30 of their final 52 games in their home ballpark."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0804onbaseball0805.html

Sorry guys. It's really not for me. I'm an Angel fan through and through. My coworker, however, is from Detroit, loves the Tigers, and would love to "bump" into a few of them. Anybody know where they stay typically when they are in town?

Also, do all the opposing teams stay in the same hotel or is it up to each individual team?

Normally by now there had been a Caravana or two and maybe even Black Magic signing autographs at a local cellular store but so far I haven't heard a word about anything like that this season. Anyone know of any appearances that any Angels players will be making so I can get my son some autographs and pictures?

"As defending American League champions, it's not at all strange to see the Detroit Tigers leading their division at the All-Star break. The Seattle Mariners sitting near the top of the AL West, however, is one of the season's biggest surprises.

The Tigers seek their sixth straight win while the Mariners look for their fourth in a row Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Safeco Field."

This 4 game series could help the Angels greatly.

Is there a good online reference to what all the different stats mean? I get the standard stuff of course but I'm talking about a place that will give explanations for all the different stats and what they mean in relationship to a player. Also, what number would be the average for that stat, etc. Is there such a place?

I know you can bring peanuts, sunflower seeds and bottle water but can you bring in anything else? Can you bring in Hot Dogs wrapped in tin foil or anything like that? Or is it at the discretion of security?

The kids always hit me up for just about everything under the sun and they are starting to make going to the ballgame way too expensive.

My wife just called me to tell me that we got invited to some Grand Opening celebration for the Hall of Fame Store. You get to watch the Angels vs Red Sox game from the Diamond Club or something to that effect. I'll have to check it when I get home for more details but that seems pretty cool. Anybody else get one of these?

I could personally care less if Garret Anderson wears #42 on Jackie Robinson day especially since the whole damn Dodgers team doing it seems kinda silly.

This smack talk about Garret seems a little much to me though.

From LAist...

"In our opinion Anderson is a punk who doesn't deserve to wear Robinson's number. Anderson is everything that Jackie wasn't, he's the modern day selfish athlete who doesn't care about baseball traditions, history, the African American struggle, or common fucking sense.

Garret Anderson is Barry Bonds minus 500 homers but fully equipped with the You-Owe-Me attitude that nearly ruined baseball. Now in his 14th season, you'd think that GA would have gotten it by now, that the $50 million that he's earned over the years in baseball would have made him feel somewhat grateful. But no, he chose to take this moment to spit on the memory of a fellow Black man who paved the way for him.

Heck of a job, brotha."

http://www.laist.com/archives/2007/04/05/garret_anderson_doesnt_care_about_black_people.php

The author of "The Cheater's Guide to Baseball" thinks he caught K-Rod cheating the other night. He even has blurry pics that prove nothing. Go to his blog and see what you think.

http://www.zumsteg.net/cheatersguide/2007/04/03/francisco-rodriguez-doctoring-the-ball/

Moses supposes his toeses are Roses,
But Moses supposes Erroneously,
Moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses,
As Moses supposes his toeses to be!

I noticed they are finishing up some last minute changes to the front of the stadium. They have some new concrete posts around the front area. On some of these posts are giant concrete baseballs with the Angels logo on them. Also...the giant picture of Darin Erstad is officially gone from above the Home Plate Gate. They are switching out all of the 6 pictures. The left side is now done. The pictures are of Orlando Cabrera, Garret Anderson and john Lackey. The other three are empty for now. The banners that line the nearby streets are not up yet but expect to see them anyday when I come in to work. NEXT WEEKEND BABY!

Started this morning if you were on their mailing list. I think the rgular on-sale date is tomorrow. I got tickets for March 10 (Seattle) and 11 (Oakland)this year. I'm going to do a quick turnaround and only stay one night but catch two games. If any of you people haven't gone yet, you really should. It's alot of fun and Tempe Diablo Stadium is awesome.

I work across the street so I decided to take a stroll around the stadium hoping to see Jered Weaver or Tim Salmon like my co-worker did yesterday. Nothing. It was quiet. Eerily quiet. Not like it should be. And the one person who is most responsible for the Angels defeat this year is in the playoffs in St. Louis on the Angel's dime. :sadface:

I'd love to put together a CD of the songs used by the Angels at the stadium. I know there is Calling All Angels by Train, Enter Sandman, Thunderstruck etc. Anyone know the name of K-Rod's song when he comes out? Or Vladdie's batter music? Essentially, if anyone knows any of these songs, please let me know. Or point me in the direction of where I can find it. Thanks!

I'm going to see the Angels vs. Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium this Saturday. I've read that I should be weary about what I wear to the left field pavilion but I also have Angels stickers on the rear windshield of my car. I know Dodger fans are a little "thuggish" but what are the chances they would do something to my car? Should I remove the stickers before I go to the game?

At the March 17th Angels vs. Oakland Spring Training game, my son got this Angel to sign his baseball. Anyone have a clue who it is? We can't tell from the signature. He should probably only get autographs from people he can recognize but he got caught up in the whole thing. Thanks to anyone who can help us out.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5100/img25406gc.jpg