SB Nation User Blog: vladtheimpaler

Angels dugout ignores Vlad after Home Run

vladtheimpaler — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:13:49 -0000

Now, this is a big reason why I love this particular Angels team. Camaraderie. Vlad, a future HOF, an Angel Icon, was given the business after his first HR in a long time. I quote from my Panther reply:

"Vlad was soooo pumped when he hit the hr he almost took off the third base coaches hand heading toward home. When he got to the dugout he was pumped and everyone just ignored him and stared straight ahead, solemnly. Vlad was like “WTF?” Then everyone erupted into joyous congrats. Abreu was busting out laughing as were the rest of the crew." Precious. Priceless.

To me, this was the best part of the win. Being from Guam, usually I come on late and everything is already said. Seems like everyone missed this. Anyone else saw this? Anyone else impressed? Anyone with video?

Blogger schools main stream media on Ibanez PED allegations

vladtheimpaler — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:38:49 -0000

Blogger schools main stream media on Ibanez PED allegations

I couldn't believe this. I was totally expecting the mainstream media to slap down this dumb blogger. I have to say Blogger 1, Mainstream Media 0. Ups to the moderator. This blogger is an intelligent and classy guy. Watch the video.

Angels number three in power ranking

vladtheimpaler — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:17:15 -0000

Angels number three in power ranking

Don't pay any attention to our record. This guy in Chicago knows how good we are. Interesting side note: from that one little paragraph he has on us, I can tell he knows more about us than 90 percent of the ESPN staff.

Finally thought of a decent fanpost (new Pitchers)

vladtheimpaler — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 08:37:56 -0000

I'm sitting here on Guam, checking halos heaven for comments and trying to blog, and as usual there is not much going on (7PM here equals sleep time for HHrs). Can't get into any conversations, trying to stir up trouble, and nobody biting. Usually that's okay, but tonight I was especially excited about the beginning of the season and thought there would be someone up I could harrass. Alas, nothing.

So, since I am both bored and excited, I decided to do a fanpost. Havn't done one in quite awhile. My first few ideas were kind of lame:

1. Announce how I was going to stomp goodvibe in the pregame guesses championship this year. That wasn't very interesting because I'm sure everyone already knows I will win this year.

2. Talk about how I am the all knowing King of Angels Wisdom. Beyond stats. All Knowing (may have said that already). But again, I'm sure everyone already knows that.

So, I finally came upon a (great?) idea. On May first I will call you all out. Here it is:

*Who will have the lowest ERA in April - Mose, Ad, or Lu. I'm callin' ya out, Mose dissers. On May 1st, I will report. Who will win. No poll. Step up.

Steroids and Questions About Steroids

vladtheimpaler — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:25:41 -0000

I guess they all did it. Maybe not? I keep seeing a number of 104 out 671, 402, 1000. Does it matter? You can't hide forever. They tried to hide 2003. Can you hide something? Can you hide it because the players association wants to? Maybe. Maybe you hide it because the owners association wants to hide it too.

Did A-Rod do Steroids prior to his MVP/HR 2003 season? Maybe. Maybe is bad enough. Maybe Clemens did it. Maybe Sosa did it. Maybe Bonds did it. Maybe Ma quire did it. Maybe?

And now, the number is MAYBE more that 104 out of whatever. They retested bonds sample with a new improved method, and he turned out positive. How many more will turn out positive with this new improved method.

I think we all get it. Steroids were legal (or not illegal), and many, many, people did it.

Or maybe, they all did it. Did the 2002 Angels do it? Maybe.

What now? When did it start? When does/did it stop? When does it end?

Where We Stand: Money, and the Angels Future

vladtheimpaler — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:09:45 -0000

This FanPost was inspired by Kristie_Joe and Marshgr.

Alright, I am going to try and tackle our payroll situation and future considerations. I'm a bit in-over-my-head here, but I can give it a go. I'm rounding here, give me a break.

Our Current Payroll:

1) 2008 starting 25 payroll = 118mil (minus Kotch)

2) Minuses (mil) = Frankie (10), GA (14?), White Sox Pitcher guy (12) = 36mil

3) Plusses (contract increments) (mil) = Tori (1.5), Vlad (.5), Escy (.5), GMJ (1), Lackey (2) Shields (0.75), Speier (.5), Morales (0.1), plus Oliver increase (1mil) = 9mil

4) Plusses (arbitration eligible) guess (mil) = Nap, Santana, Fig, Iz, Q = 10 mil

5) Other 25 man (typical 50K or so raise) (mil) = Mathis, Aybar, Kendrick et al = 1 mil

So what I have here is a payroll so far for 2009 = about 100mil (right now)

Our Max payroll is 120 mil (I would guess this is as high or higher compared to Yankee and Red Sox payroll compared to what they take in. Don't expect it to be higher). Tex would probably have broken this barrier. Obviously Moreno and Team were ready to go for it despite the cost (and future cost).

Future Cost, 2010: The economy isn't going to get much better. Let's say are budget is still 100mil and we don't sign anyone else this year. The add on for next year would be:

Re-sign Lackey (raise 10 mil/yr min) and Vlad (raise 3mil/yr min) = 13 mil

Add on 10 mil arbitration eligible and a couple mil increments = 12 mil

That puts us at 125mil for 2010

Tex was a luxury that was worth (maybe) the gamble because of his exceptional ability. He would have cost us in the future. Who else out there is worth this gamble?

Fuentes? add 10 mil. Lowe? add 10 mil. Peavy trade? add 10 mil.

With Peavy we go over budget, but like Tex, he is (maybe) worth it.

Let's say I'm 5/10 mil high or so. Let's not split hairs.

Like I've said before, it ain't easy having a contending team year after year. Cudos to Moreno and Co. Keep it real.

Open letter to a GM...

vladtheimpaler — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:02:41 -0000

I loved VladIS's latest fanpost (us vlads stick together), so I have decided to take it one step further. Hey, what the hell, its Sunday. This is for all you die hard 170/8yr Teix fans.

Dear Theo,

C'mon. You have this very good big sweaty albino gorilla at 1st, and a really good third baseman already. Teix isn't worth nearly as much to you as us. And besides, what you really need is a guy with offensive stats comparable or better than Teix's but at a different postion. There is one guy on the market that fits that description: Manny Ramirez.

Yeah, I know you guys have had your problems, but it is time to man up. He is the man you need. He fits perfectly into your team. If you really care about your team, you will put your ego aside. Call Manny and set up a meeting. The script should be as follows.

Theo: I'm stupid, you're smart. I was wrong, you were right. You're the best, I'm the worst. You're good looking, I'm not attractive.

Manny: All right, as long as you're willing to admit that.

Then everything will be back to normal in NE Patriot Land.

(Bonus points: What movie is the script from)

Tex, Peavy, and Manny

vladtheimpaler — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:41:57 -0000

Oh how things can change. My boy KRod just ditched us for pretty much the same amount we offered him. Tex could get close to his 10 year 200 mil. CC gone. The Elites remaining on the Block are Manny and Peavy. Unless, of course, you still want to go for Tex.

I am the type of person who loves to hear the latest thoughts from the Angel faithful.

1. Do you still want to go for Tex?

2. What would you offer in a Peavy trade?

3. What would you give for Manny?

All of a sudden, these have become important questions.

Although these questions have been asked before, things have changed.

HH MLB Saves Record Contest Winner: vlad IS my man

vladtheimpaler — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:41:21 -0000

HH MLB Saves Record Contest Winner: vlad IS my man

Congratulations to vlad IS my man for correctly picking the date and tiebreaker for Frankie becoming the all time MLB Saves Record Holder. Four people picked the correct date with Andyman and vladtheimpaler being eliminated on the second tiebreaker.

vlad IS my man beat howiestheman on the 3rd tiebreaker and thus becomes the "Halos Heaven All Time Saves Record Holder Genius Prognasticator."

Contest: MLB Saves Record Update 1

vladtheimpaler — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:53:31 -0000

Contest: MLB Saves Record Update 1

Clicking on the title link should bring you to a spreadsheet with everyone's picks. A few have already been eliminated. If the save record falls on a date not chosen, the closest to the date wins (plus tie breakers).