We saw a little bit of everything: the terrible defense from last year, the impact of GMJ in the outfield, Good AND Bad Lackey, some young guns (Kotchman), and something we all hope to get used to this year: A WIN!
This year, instead of a single "Panther of the Game", the Rev has expanded it to 3 categories: bat, arm, and glove. Enter your nominees, and the Rev will tabulate and crown a winner in each category. As the season rolls along, there will be standings to show who the baddest Panthers are. Here are my nominees:
PANTHER BAT: Kotchman
PANTHER ARM: Lackey
PANTHER GLOVE: GMJ
Who do YOU nominate?
Panther of the Game: Justin Speier
0 recs | 77 comments
and the nominees are...
Bat: CaseyArm: Shields
Glove: GMJ
ladybug - April 2, 2007
Nominies
Bat: KotchmanArm: Speier
Glove: Matthews
edhoo - April 2, 2007
Great start for us!!
First off: If things can go like they did tonight, I will be the first to gladly admit that I'll be Casey Kotchman's bitch. Great job Casey!Bat: Kotchman
Arm: Speier
Glove: Kendrick (looked good out there).
goodvibe61 - April 2, 2007
i agree
i'm not on his team yet, but this is a good start. i will gladly eat crow if he has a great year.yeswecan - April 2, 2007
1 - 0 Baby!
CaseySpeier
HGH
gorams77 - April 2, 2007
i'll take it
Bat: kotchArm: speier
Glove: GMJ, begrudingly. Giving it to him with a routine error is tough, though. As long as that's the last one...
101halo - April 2, 2007
sex panthers
SEX PANTHER BAT: KotchmanSEX PANTHER ARM: Lackey
SEX PANTHER GLOVE: Kotchman
angels4adam - April 2, 2007
prize
the player who receives the most Panther votes will get to have bits of himself in a new men's fragrance next season.yeswecan - April 2, 2007
Gotta go with...
KotchSpeier
GMJ
Despite the E... he did some amazing stuff out thar.
Cellllebrate!
scottnak - April 2, 2007
loving the new interactive HH!
KotchmanSpeier
GMJ
lightupthehalo - April 2, 2007
For me it's...
KotchLackey
GMJ
Though I disagree that we saw bad Lackey at all. Lackey had a few control problems, but give the man his props- he took two errors in the same frame and didn't give up the big hit. He knuckled down and worked through it. Bad Lackey would have collapsed in the 3rd with the bases loaded. This was just Lackey with mid-grade stuff working around a poor defense.
Zu Long - April 2, 2007
that's why he got my Panther Arm vote
yeswecan - April 2, 2007
I figured
But, you know... I felt like I needed to say something else besides just copying your picks. :PZu Long - April 2, 2007
you're right, tho
we certainly didn't see Bad Lackey like we've seen Bad Lackey melt down in an inning. but we certainly saw glimpses.yeswecan - April 2, 2007
Actually, if you look at his history...
This is a HUGE step forward for Lackey in terms of March/April pitching, and especially against the Rangers.Typically, April has been Lackey's adjustment month, where he reaclimates himself to the majors. He got faster at it every year (only needed two weeks in '05, and only one game in '06) but generally April has been a horrible month for him. And for some reason he always seems to go up against the Rangers in his first start and get creamed.
Observe his previous first starts in the last 4 seasons
- March 30th vs Texas- 5.0 IP, 5 ER
- April 10th vs Texas- 4.2 IP, 7 ER
- April 7th vs Texas- 5.2 IP, 4 ER
- April 4th vs Seattle- 4.0 IP, 5 ER
Now by comparison, I think2007: April 2nd vs Texas- 5.0 IP, 0 ER
looks pretty darn good, you know?
Zu Long - April 2, 2007
i like your style, i like your moves
yeswecan - April 2, 2007
speaking of Panther Arms...
did anyone see Percy throw out the first ball? just like scioscia predicted on the pregame radio show, percy threw a heater like it was the last time he'd toss one from the mound...and it was.thank you, Percy! hope to see you on the bench soon.
yeswecan - April 2, 2007
ESPN...
Cut to their bald announcer while it was happening. It was kind of funny, what with the crowd all at once giving a huge cheer, but overall, really annoying. Their broacasters were morons the whole game, too. I was extremely happy that Franky induced a foul ball that winged one of them. Totally deserved it.Zu Long - April 2, 2007
you missed the whole Hud/Phyzzzz
interview with Percy? He said he gave it his all and was afraid it was breaking 5 feet before the plate! Very good interview from Hud for once.I also am 99.9% certain it was Percy I saw at the ATM (wearing my "we are not LAA" shirt. no wonder he looked at me funny. I think I am going to camp out at the ATM for the next Percy appearance!ladybug - April 2, 2007
What was up
With Frankie tonight? He looks like he's gained serious weight, and his cheeks looked stuffed with something. And where were the goggles/glasses? He was panther, of course, but he just looked...different. Anyone else notice that?Bat: Kotchman
Arm: Lackey (or Speier--toss up)
Glove: GMJ
Clutch - April 2, 2007
chew
dont remember if he did before but it sure looked like it tonight...Author - April 2, 2007
Chew
Damnit, I don't want my closer getting mouth cancerNeo8234 - April 3, 2007
He had Lasik
or something....but had his vision corrected during the break hence no need for glassesladybug - April 2, 2007
I know he had his eyes 'fixed'
but fuck that. The goggles were half of the intimidation. Bring those babies back.Caseys Kiss of Death - April 3, 2007
Panther
Clutch - April 3, 2007
just like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
yeswecan - April 3, 2007
I was thinking more
like Wild Thing from the "Major League" movieHutch (someone took my name) - April 3, 2007
nice
yeswecan - April 3, 2007
I'm pretty sure
he was wearing some sort of glasses during one of the Dodger games ... because I remarked that they were more gray colored than his yellow from last year. Were they yellow last year? Or am I just going crazy?lightupthehalo - April 3, 2007
Panthers
KotchSpeier
Juicer
Sixtyminuteman - April 2, 2007
Wow
You summed it up, some good things and some ugly things in this opener. If GMJ or Naps make those easy outs Lackey does not have that excruciating 5th. Oliver crapped the bed.Bat: Kotch very solid at bats.
Arm: Speier - Cleans up Olivers mess
Glove: GMJ
hauldog - April 2, 2007
That's a little harsh
I thought Oliver had a better outing than it looked. He created a mess, but even on that walk, he was just barely missing spots. An slight infield shift on the single, and it was just a groundout. It looked a lot worse than it really was, and didn't matter in the end anyway.Caseys Kiss of Death - April 2, 2007
I agree
I actually thought he got boned on a couple of those ball calls - looked like strikes to me. Speier still get my Panther vote though for getting us out of it and not even making us sweat it...gorams77 - April 3, 2007
Lefty on Lefty
Faces two lefties and two lefties get on base. Job well done?Granted I was at the game and sitting above first so i have no clue what that ump was calling.
hauldog - April 3, 2007
Oliver got hosed
during the second at-bat. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an epic relief appearance by any standard, but it wasn't really as bad as all that. Just a drop-in single and a shrunken strike zone. His control wasn't anywhere near Romero-grade.Zu Long - April 3, 2007
Noms
Kotch, Speier, GMJAuthor - April 2, 2007
hey
I expect this game to be very similar to many this year. few runs scored to fewer runs allowed, sweet bullpen, good starting pitching, good defense although shakey at times.bat: vlad still makes me laugh (rbi first swing each of last 3 seasons)
arm: speier, no doubt
glove: howie looks confident and comfortable
TeddyBlogame - April 2, 2007
Panther
Bat: Kotch. Did he have a single game last year when he reached base safely three times?Arm: Speier. Two innings on only 16 pitches, escaping a two-on, none-out jam in the 6th.
Glove: HGH's error wound up not really hurting much except Lackey's pitch count, and his two nice plays definitely saved a couple of runs, so he gets the nod.
jjackflash - April 2, 2007
Panthers
Bat: KotchmanArm: Speier
Glove: Kendrick
Speaking of 'panther,' GMJ's error smelled like a diaper filled with indian food. He definitely doesn't get my vote.
iLoveLamp - April 2, 2007
GMJ concerns me on defense right now
at least one of his nice catches, he broke poorly and compensated, the other was legitimately sweet. but add that to a flat-out DROP of a flyball, and I'm a little worried. I do love the hard-nosed effort on everything hit near him, though. if he gives us that all year, I can look past his obvious baseball flaws.Caseys Kiss of Death - April 2, 2007
from a hotel
Kotchman/Speier/MatthewsRev Halofan - April 2, 2007
Easy Cheesie
Kotchman's BatLackey's Arm
Matthews' Glove
Anaheim of Anaheim - April 2, 2007
Dude, Speier totally won the arm..
And I own that flag. It sits perched on my wall currently.kotch/speier/a solid GMJ
shiftyeyedgoat - April 3, 2007
Light up Rob Neyer
Panther Bat: KotchmanPanther Arm: Lackey
Panther Glove: Two errors - no panther glove tonight. But at least Kendrick was involved in two DPs, so if forced, i'd give him the nod.
Panther Wheels: Napoli (currently leading the Angels in SB)
rbrianc - April 3, 2007
yes, props to HK47
two dp's = pantheralso, Kotch & Lackey
squarefootnatlpark - April 3, 2007
Picks
Bat: KotchmanArm: Shields
Glove: GMJ
Angel Hawker - April 3, 2007
One Panther
I liked it as it was - one Panther for every win. This waters down the Panthers, and while some games it may reward three deserving players, at other times it's just picking someone to pick, who otherwise WOULD NOT have deserved a Panther last year.It wasn't broke last year - why fix it?
Ty Webb - April 3, 2007
I see your point
Almost 500 Panthers will be given out this year!thrill000 - April 3, 2007
I second
Hutch (someone took my name) - April 3, 2007
standings
i think having 3 panthers allows more players to win, and therefore allows the standings to be more accurate in terms of contribution to the team. having only 1 panther doesn't tell the whole story.yeswecan - April 3, 2007
then how about
an "MVP" for each game in each area then keep "Panther" for end of season? I too would like to keep the Panther designation as the ultimate honor.ladybug - April 3, 2007
i can't speak for the Rev
and this is the Rev's deal. but i think "panther" is so unique to HH that it becomes a kind of "brand identity" or whatever, therefore it distinguishes our recognition of player performance from anybody else.yeswecan - April 3, 2007
yeah I can see that
it just seems to minimize Panther status since there will be so many. We can give it a try and if we don't like it, then fight it next year.I learned to not argue with Rev a long time ago-that much I do remember about him ;-)
ladybug - April 3, 2007
since we're a Running club
you can see i added a fourth - Panther Wheels.so much of our game is base running, perhaps it too deserves a category.
rbrianc - April 3, 2007
Panthers
Bat: The Mighty CaseyArm: Speier
Glove: GMJ
thrill000 - April 3, 2007
Panther
Casey/Speier/GMJcanadianangelsfan - April 3, 2007
Pather-esque
Bat: Kootch, off to a great start. I have high expectations for him. Does anyone else realize how his batting stance and the way he moves his feet mimic that of GA?Arm: Lackey- Way to get us off to a good start, he manned up and pitched a great 5 inn. that is the way to lead a staff
Glove:HK47
Halos 1-0 (small sample size, but who gives a fuck any day the halos win and the green bastards loose is a great day)
P237 - April 3, 2007
We're on pace for a 162-0 record...
while the A's are on pace for a 0-162 record.thrill000 - April 3, 2007
pace
Napoli should get 162 steals, and we'll have 324 errors.rbrianc - April 3, 2007
mineare
BAT - KotchArm- Spier
Glove GMJ
Sinatrasratpack - April 3, 2007
Speier was big
Bat - KotchArm - Speier
Glove - GMJ
Wytelitning - April 3, 2007
my picks
Bat - KotchArm - Shields
Glove - GMJ
charlata - April 3, 2007
Scioscia
So if Mike is going to call for a hit and run everytime Shea is on base when Kotch is batting why doesn't he just split them up?hauldog - April 3, 2007
Seriously!
I said the same thing.lightupthehalo - April 3, 2007
It was maddening.
hauldog - April 3, 2007
picks
Bat- KotchArm - Speier
Glove - GMJ
Ando775 - April 3, 2007
Panthers
Bat: Single Malt KotchArm: Just Inspire
Glove: Kenny Howdrick
WiseAndEck - April 3, 2007
One down...one hundred sixty one to go
Bat: Casey at the batArm: Shields
Glove: GMJ even though I was cursing under my breath at that routine drop
Moondoggy - April 3, 2007
Speier?
wasn't his DP a line drive, just hit at Izzy, with a matter of luck involved? you can't really say he "induced" an innning ending DP. His 7th was good, but Shields 8th and Frankie's 9th were too.a few feet on either side, we'd be seeing Speier - Blown Save #1.
Lackey pitched 5 inning and only gave up an unearned run. His pitch count exploded after Nap's error so he had to come out after the fifth, but John definitely had the Panther arm.
rbrianc - April 3, 2007
Wasn't hit hard at all.
hauldog - April 3, 2007
Well
Kinsler actually tagged it pretty well, but it was a well-located change-up, outer-half and just barely high enough to be called a strike. It wasn't what Kinsler was looking for, and he pulled it instead of looping it opposite-way for a single. Even though he did nail the ball, it didn't get any height, or drop to the ground, and that only gets through if he hits it right at the hole.Honestly, it was almost a perfect DP pitch. It was too far outside for Kinsler to really clobber (if he was looking to pull, which he was), too low for him to get under it, and too close to the zone to take with two strikes. In that situation, unless Kinsler hits it perfectly in the 3B-SS hole, that ball is an out (either K or DP) every time.
I still think Lackey deserved panther-ship mind you, but I'll give Speier his props.
Zu Long - April 3, 2007
A's Lose/Dodgers Lose/Halos Win....A Great Day
Bat: KotchArm: Speier
Glove: GMJ....he definitely pulled a Vladdy on that fly though....
Crapper John MD - April 3, 2007
yesterday's real panther arm.
http://sportsunfiltered.blogspot.com/2007/04/cincinnati-mayor-mark-mallory-could.htmlpedro guerrero - April 3, 2007
Should have a 4th category
Panther runner. Last night it would have been Mike Napoli....Otherwise, it's obvious:
Kotch
Speier
Matth
mattwelch - April 3, 2007
Hustl
Wow, Garrett looked great running around the bases. It must be true that he is feel good because I've never seen him run that fast.akathelorax @ Halos Heaven - April 3, 2007
Panther Categories
If we're going to have different Panther categories this year, may I humbly suggest that they correspond to our contest - and simply have categories for Offensive Panther, Defensive Panther, and Pitching Panther (Panther OPD).It is entirely foreseeable that the Angels could win a game where the only Pantheresque offensive contribution comes on the basepaths, or from not swinging a bat (Kotch and Napoli, I'm looking at you guys). Juan Rivera got a Panther or two last year for gunning guys down at the plate, which was more about his arm than his glove.
Along with a Special Panther category (e.g., for an astute coaching maneuver - Dino Ebel got one last year; a coach could call for a successful pitchout that ends a 9th inning rally, etc.)
jjackflash - April 3, 2007
They do correspond
Rev Halofan - April 5, 2007
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