Any of you guys ever been on Wikipedia? It's an internet "encylopdedia". I typed Mike Napoli in the search and found a basic bio and stuff, but the crazy part was this listed under "Trivia":
"On July 1, 2006, Napoli hit two homeruns in one game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first came off Mark Hendrickson and the second off Hong-Chih Kuo"
Not only was this today's game, but Napoli's 2nd homer came in the bottom of the 7th inning. It was only the top of the 8th inning when I read this! How the hell do they update this stuff so fast???
Nap's 2 homers, GA's 2000th hit, Escobar coming to play today, OC tying Bonds at 58, and best of all: we clubbed the Dodgers for the 1st time this year.
tough call on the Panther, Kelvim earned it, but second panther obviously goes to Napoli. Aside from the 2 homers and walk in the box score, he was robbed of a double by a great play on at third.
Napoli, Escobar and Rivera. Rivera needs to play everyday. Still disappointed in Salmon's hitting with men on. Anderson had a nice day, I wonder if batting 6th actually helped.
Did I miss something, or did someone hide Donkey's spectacles? Is this something new, or has this been going on for awhile? Isn't this kinda screwing with the pen's happening Elton John vibe?
he wasn't wearing his goggles, and then Fox had a microphone on Napoli, and when Nap went to the mound the first time, he asked if Donkey was ok, and he said "I'm hurting"-- I specifically went back and re-watched to make sure I heard right (thank you, tivo!!)and turned the volume all the way up.. why they left him in, I don't know..
He definitely said, "I'm hurting". I played it back 7 or 8 times. Just what we need, a blind Donkey with a sore arm. Trade him now before the league finds out!
physical hurt or the "I'm hurting cuz I suck at throwing this damned ball"
either way, he should have been yanked. Or he could have faked an injury or whatever to get out of the game. He's just lucky he didn't blow that big lead we had.
And how much of it was Hendrickson throwing bp? Maybe the fact they were hitting made it look that way, but his stuff sure looked hittable. The guy has no fastball, nothing really moves and there isn't much change of speed....
Hendrickson had decent #s in TB so he's not bad all the time. Of course we tagged Sele and Kuo too.
Whatever, I'll take it. it was so odd to watch a game where there were Angels on the bases, and they even turned a double play. They looked like a good team for the first time in a long time. felt good.
One thing is for sure, Jeff Mathis might not be the Angels future at catcher. Nappy is crushing the ball, taking walks, playing good D now. To me, the fact that he's hitting to all fields indicates this probably isn't a fluke. Sure maybe a hot streak, but he's a good hitter, not a swinger that get's lucky at times.
What amazes me most is that he's maintaining a better average and better hitting stats now than he ever had in the minors (if I recall the stats correctly).
Well done though, that first HR was 2 rows in front of me today. By the way, I got roasted. Left field foul pole area is brutal at a 100+ degree day game.
For a lot of players that are good and the team knows it, they are focusing on the things they don't do well. That's why a pitcher with so-so stats may be the best pitcher on the team. They know he's got a plus fastball and could strike out every body in the minors with it, but they make him throw the change every other pitch even if it sucks until he figures it out, because a fastball alone isn't good enuf in the show.
Lets say for instance, Young Napoli can't hit off speed stuff, so they tell him to lay off fastballs no matter what and to swing only at the off speed pitches.
Sometimes, it's also a mechanics or mental breakthrough that happens and suddeny the guy becomes instantly better. They might fix a hitch in his swing that he has always had and suddenly he can rake, or he suddenly learns how to pick up the spin on the breaking ball before the ball starts to break. Tiny little things can make massive differences in baseball.
Conversely, there are sometimes very athletic players who on talent alone can mash minor league pitchers because they throw so many mistake pitches, but in the show, it's much nastier stuff and far fewer fat pitches. Same with pitchers, a 95 fastball that often sails over the plate and a mediocre curve can dominate in the minors, but it'll get you killed in the show.
Lackey v. Billingsly. Lackey's been money, Billingsly's been... well, you do the math. In 3 starts...
16 innings pitched.... 13 walks, 18 hits... only 6 Ks, We have to pounce when we get these lame gazelles on the mound. These easy meals don't come up often.
was/is probably a top five pitching prospect, ahead of Weaver Jr. and a most other starters not named Verlander and Liriano. not quite a lame gazelle, he has great stuff, but is very young.
but prospect shmospect, the show box score #s don't lie, he's getting rocked. He might me good someday but not yet. The talent differential between the minors and the show is so great, you never really know what you're going to get when you bring up a minor league star.
The Angels boosters pick up the 8th CONSECUTIVE blood drive trophy before the game on the field, and their booster club members have to grovel to the president and the other lady that ran the blood drive.
I'm liking this. 8 years running, we've kicked their butts to the curb while donating more blood that THE DODGER FANS will end up needing if they attend any games at their stadium..
There's a lot of Dodger fans you don't want giving blood. I assume there's drug screening with these things, right? You ever been to the outfielder bleachers? bring a shank, you might need it.
This is crazy...
Any of you guys ever been on Wikipedia? It's an internet "encylopdedia". I typed Mike Napoli in the search and found a basic bio and stuff, but the crazy part was this listed under "Trivia":"On July 1, 2006, Napoli hit two homeruns in one game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first came off Mark Hendrickson and the second off Hong-Chih Kuo"
Not only was this today's game, but Napoli's 2nd homer came in the bottom of the 7th inning. It was only the top of the 8th inning when I read this! How the hell do they update this stuff so fast???
Also NAP IS A STUD!!!!
darkangel01 - July 1, 2006
and i thought I had no life...
Rev Halofan - July 1, 2006
Escobar was probably in the dugout
using his laptop to check his myspace page so they went ahead an updated the Wikipedia page too.HeyLegacy - July 1, 2006
A Jock's Dilemma
score chicks or talk about how great I am?Rev Halofan - July 1, 2006
I'm sure there's SOME way
to do both at the same time.But how....................?
HeyLegacy - July 1, 2006
Not a dilemma
Do both at once.scareduck - July 1, 2006
a third factor
don't forget his love of the playboy channel...proletariat - July 1, 2006
LMAO
TFF!! that's exactly what I was thinking & then I saw your comment....uh-oh, we think too much alike!ladybug - July 1, 2006
its updated by users
anyone can contribute.rjcicc - July 1, 2006
I have to make money for my excessive drinking fun
Everyone have nice night.rjcicc - July 1, 2006
back on topic
Nap's 2 homers, GA's 2000th hit, Escobar coming to play today, OC tying Bonds at 58, and best of all: we clubbed the Dodgers for the 1st time this year.very nice day indeed.
rbrianc - July 1, 2006
2nd panther
tough call on the Panther, Kelvim earned it, but second panther obviously goes to Napoli. Aside from the 2 homers and walk in the box score, he was robbed of a double by a great play on at third.leftwing - July 1, 2006
Nice games from
Napoli, Escobar and Rivera. Rivera needs to play everyday. Still disappointed in Salmon's hitting with men on. Anderson had a nice day, I wonder if batting 6th actually helped.What is LMAO ?
higdog - July 1, 2006
What is LMAO?
Love My Asparagus Oily.rspencer - July 1, 2006
Laugh My A$$ Off
eyespy - July 1, 2006
Love My Angels Omnipotence
I wish!ladybug - July 1, 2006
Hello to the IE
higdog - July 1, 2006
huh???
ladybug - July 1, 2006
Donkey Despectacled?
Did I miss something, or did someone hide Donkey's spectacles? Is this something new, or has this been going on for awhile? Isn't this kinda screwing with the pen's happening Elton John vibe?John Hashcroft - July 1, 2006
I noticed that, too
he wasn't wearing his goggles, and then Fox had a microphone on Napoli, and when Nap went to the mound the first time, he asked if Donkey was ok, and he said "I'm hurting"-- I specifically went back and re-watched to make sure I heard right (thank you, tivo!!)and turned the volume all the way up.. why they left him in, I don't know..pattimelt - July 1, 2006
I heard the same thing...
He definitely said, "I'm hurting". I played it back 7 or 8 times. Just what we need, a blind Donkey with a sore arm. Trade him now before the league finds out!darkangel01 - July 1, 2006
it can be taken two ways
physical hurt or the "I'm hurting cuz I suck at throwing this damned ball"either way, he should have been yanked. Or he could have faked an injury or whatever to get out of the game. He's just lucky he didn't blow that big lead we had.
ladybug - July 2, 2006
How much of that was the Angels?
And how much of it was Hendrickson throwing bp? Maybe the fact they were hitting made it look that way, but his stuff sure looked hittable. The guy has no fastball, nothing really moves and there isn't much change of speed....Hendrickson had decent #s in TB so he's not bad all the time. Of course we tagged Sele and Kuo too.
Whatever, I'll take it. it was so odd to watch a game where there were Angels on the bases, and they even turned a double play. They looked like a good team for the first time in a long time. felt good.
One thing is for sure, Jeff Mathis might not be the Angels future at catcher. Nappy is crushing the ball, taking walks, playing good D now. To me, the fact that he's hitting to all fields indicates this probably isn't a fluke. Sure maybe a hot streak, but he's a good hitter, not a swinger that get's lucky at times.
johnsamo @ Halos Heaven - July 1, 2006
about Napoli
What amazes me most is that he's maintaining a better average and better hitting stats now than he ever had in the minors (if I recall the stats correctly).Well done though, that first HR was 2 rows in front of me today. By the way, I got roasted. Left field foul pole area is brutal at a 100+ degree day game.
Neo8234 - July 2, 2006
Minor league stats don't always mean much
For a lot of players that are good and the team knows it, they are focusing on the things they don't do well. That's why a pitcher with so-so stats may be the best pitcher on the team. They know he's got a plus fastball and could strike out every body in the minors with it, but they make him throw the change every other pitch even if it sucks until he figures it out, because a fastball alone isn't good enuf in the show.Lets say for instance, Young Napoli can't hit off speed stuff, so they tell him to lay off fastballs no matter what and to swing only at the off speed pitches.
Sometimes, it's also a mechanics or mental breakthrough that happens and suddeny the guy becomes instantly better. They might fix a hitch in his swing that he has always had and suddenly he can rake, or he suddenly learns how to pick up the spin on the breaking ball before the ball starts to break. Tiny little things can make massive differences in baseball.
Conversely, there are sometimes very athletic players who on talent alone can mash minor league pitchers because they throw so many mistake pitches, but in the show, it's much nastier stuff and far fewer fat pitches. Same with pitchers, a 95 fastball that often sails over the plate and a mediocre curve can dominate in the minors, but it'll get you killed in the show.
johnsamo @ Halos Heaven - July 2, 2006
Now we got to take the series
Lackey v. Billingsly. Lackey's been money, Billingsly's been... well, you do the math. In 3 starts...16 innings pitched.... 13 walks, 18 hits... only 6 Ks, We have to pounce when we get these lame gazelles on the mound. These easy meals don't come up often.
johnsamo @ Halos Heaven - July 1, 2006
well, billingsly
was/is probably a top five pitching prospect, ahead of Weaver Jr. and a most other starters not named Verlander and Liriano. not quite a lame gazelle, he has great stuff, but is very young.SoCalSoxFan @ Halos Heaven - July 1, 2006
Someday maybe
but prospect shmospect, the show box score #s don't lie, he's getting rocked. He might me good someday but not yet. The talent differential between the minors and the show is so great, you never really know what you're going to get when you bring up a minor league star.johnsamo @ Halos Heaven - July 2, 2006
Ahead of Weaver Jr?
Weaver throws 4 cy young caliber gems and Billingsly has thrown three games of bp....Weaver's averaging a walk a game, Billingsly, nearly a walk an inning.
I'm not saying Billingsly isn't going to throw a perfect game tomorrow, I'm just saying the odds are extremely remote.
johnsamo @ Halos Heaven - July 2, 2006
I know at least SOME
Dodger fans will have to grovel tomorrow...The Angels boosters pick up the 8th CONSECUTIVE blood drive trophy before the game on the field, and their booster club members have to grovel to the president and the other lady that ran the blood drive.
I'm liking this. 8 years running, we've kicked their butts to the curb while donating more blood that THE DODGER FANS will end up needing if they attend any games at their stadium..
pattimelt - July 1, 2006
Trust me
There's a lot of Dodger fans you don't want giving blood. I assume there's drug screening with these things, right? You ever been to the outfielder bleachers? bring a shank, you might need it.johnsamo @ Halos Heaven - July 2, 2006
nope
no drug testing. But patti brings up a good point; without the Angels donors, the Dodgers fans would be a few quarts low after their "activities"ladybug - July 2, 2006
not sure what the need is....
for blue blood.thewebb - July 3, 2006
sorry
Tommy Lasorda would have been pissed if I didn't take that opportunity.thewebb - July 3, 2006
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