I am posting this before the game is over because any game with Gary Matthews Jr in it is over before it is over. For SHAME, Gary. It was the first big error of a rolelrcoaster ride lost on some errors.
Blame of the Game: Gary Matthews Jr.
photo credit: pattimelt
UPDATE:
• Still the BEST record in baseball.
•7-3 East Coast Road trip with a sweep in Fenway.
We'll take it!
Those10 unearned runs in the final two innings of this ridiculous road trip say it all: it is time for some home cooking.
And I am just going to say this ONCE... Shades of 1995. Hang tight
0 recs | 175 comments
Panther
Teixeira!!
hathaway93 - August 3, 2008
thank you TeX!!!
andrade13 - August 3, 2008
we were cursed from the first – once Gary starts, we lose.
Rev Halofan - August 3, 2008
agree
been saying that for weeks
time for the ninja to work some magic.
DFA and hope some contending team takes a chance on him
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
Lackey deserves Blame as well
You have a 5-0 lead. How the hell do you start nibbling around the strikezone? Just go after guys idiot.
FlyByKnight - August 3, 2008
I dont think Lackey deserves blame.
Mayheminthehood - August 3, 2008
Why not?
He has a five run lead and starts to nibble big time. He got lucky in the 4th, allowed a shot in the 5th, and got torched in the 6th. I hate how he does that sometimes. He tries to be too perfect. You have a five run cushion, just throw the ball over the plate, stay in the strikezone, and let the defense (which
iswas good) do the work for you. I hate how pitchers do that.FlyByKnight - August 3, 2008
Perfectionism is the game.
It keeps Lackey throwing No-hitters into the 9th, and other days knocks him out after 6.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
I'll take Sandy Koufax's philosophy
“I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it.”
FlyByKnight - August 3, 2008
That was some of the WORST DEFENSE I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!
It’s like we wanted to lose today. Blame of the game?? Take your pick…Mathis for throwing the ball into the outfield for the 100th time this season, GMJ for dropping a sure out, Aybar for his continued poor defense, or Figgins for his horrendous mess. I’m digusted with all of them
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
*disgusted
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
I don't think it's necessarily Gary's fault
What w/ the TORN KNEE and all.
It’s MANAGEMENT’S fault-esp. Soth-for insisting on trotting an obviously injured player out there every day because of his contract.
Force GMJ to have surgery and problems are solved-he’s out for the rest of the season and likely much more effective when he returns at some point next year. In the meantime, Rivera and Willits get more playing time and who knows-Maybe Kendry gets called up, too.
Clutch - August 3, 2008
I agree
Soth is being stuborn to a fault with GMJ. Willits or Rivera should play for him for the rest of the season
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
Exactly
As someone said with Frosty a few years ago, management needs to take away the option to play GMJ. Otherwise Soth is going to continue putting him out there.
At this point, I’d much rather see Kendry, Evans, or even Wood or Rodriguez getting ABs. But I’m not ready to give up on Gary completely. Remember, he produced pretty well for us last year-to the tune of a 15.8 VORP (not fantastic, but pretty good)-and happens to have been injured since roughly last September. Now that they know what the problem is, Soth needs to-or Reagins needs to force the hand-put Gary on the DL and try again next season.
Clutch - August 3, 2008
And for benching Vlad when Hunter is already gone.
Rally Manatee - August 3, 2008
Can we give the blame...
To everybody EXCEPT Tex and Willits?
tbone_cutter - August 3, 2008
scottnak - August 3, 2008
I don't think I've ever been on a DFA bandwagon...
as hard asI am now…
scottnak - August 3, 2008
See Finley and Hillenbrand
Downing Rules - August 3, 2008
matthews needs ot be traded in the offseason
to someon elike kansas city for 1 cent on the dollar. Give us a single A catcher hitting .125 and let us pay 90% of his contract.
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
ihearhowie2.0 - August 3, 2008
10 unearned in 2 in. WOW. That's pretty gnarly.
Mayheminthehood - August 3, 2008
figgins get's some mention
blew two double play balls that could have kept like a million runs off the board
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
but he performed offensively and had some nice defensive plays at other points.
You can’t blame everything on the Fig man.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
he makes that DP in the 8th,
they go into the ninth TIED!!!!
the only time that offense keeps u outta blame contention is if u’re offense comes thru after an error.
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
So Figgins botches one play,
he definitely doesn’t deserve the whole blame, just 2 unearned runs of the 10. So more like 20% of the blame minus whatever offense he contributed.
Blame GMJ for his lack of defense and offense
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
two plays
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
im not sayin figgy alone
but i think that he should shoulder some of the blame along with GMJ, more to GMJ because he was all-around crap today (like we expected any better), but figgy’s defense late was exceptionally bad
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
his defense cost us more runs then his offense gave us
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
It's true, it's not just Matthews
But I agree with Rev: any game in which Matthews STARTS, we’re basically saying we’re giving the edge to our opponent.
GMJ will find ways to ground into more double plays, be as unclutch as possible and lately even ways to have bad defense.
GMJ should NOT play/start in any of the Angels’ game anytime soon. I can only hope management realized that.
As for the actual blame of the game; you can honestly not put it on one person. MaMayFig ArreShieldsOl – in other words, Mathis, Matthews, Aybar, Figgins, Arredondo, Shields and Oliver and actually, also Lackey, all had some very VERY bad moments at some very, VERY bad times which in the end ended us costing us the game.
Teixeira, GA, Willits are about the only three players that did not deserve to lose today. Oh, and maybe Rivera too – although by the time he started hitting, the game was already lost.
infant - August 3, 2008
I thought that this was the year we were going for it all - screw the future and go all in
don’t understand than why someone like Gary even sees the inside of a locker room
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
I agree
He’s not part of the future, and shouldn’t be part of today.
infant - August 3, 2008
Does Kendrick just not exist then?
Zu Long - August 4, 2008
My bad
Kendrick absolutely exists and did not deserve blame indeed.
infant - August 4, 2008
The only worrisome thing about this game to me
is that the bullpen cracked under pressure, and the defense completely faltered in the big house of baseball, most likely trembling hands with 55K screaming fans around them.
I agree with RevHF, this has 1995 overshadowed tones and I don’t like it one bit.
Other than that, we’re doing great and should finish out the regular season much more offensively equipped than we were a week ago.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
don't know how much blame you can give the bullpen
if aybar, mathis and figgy would have played defense the yankees don’t score any runs in the 8th and only one run in the 7th
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
No, they receive most of the blame.
Arredondo gave up a 3 run shot to Nady, although unearned, was a crack in his armor, showing he faltered under the pressure and couldn’t handle the grave error given up by GMJ.
Shields was nibbling and not strong. His first two batters were his fault, but after that, the abysmal defense took over and allowed 5 unearned to be attributed to him.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
nady doesn't get on if the defense makes the plays
ineptituderunsamok - August 3, 2008
You're missing the point
despite the defensive follies, the bullpen was not able to adjust and reacted horribly to the bad defense behind them.
A mark of a good pitcher is to get past the last batter and focus on the next one, ie. giving up a homerun and coming back to strike out the next guy. Today, the pitchers were emotionally affected and unable to cope with the defense, and/or they pitched poorly.
Either way, not a good sign for the bullpen.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
Shields was off, Arredondo was off
They’ve been lights out for a long time, so were “due” for a stinker, as any pitcher is every now and then. It just so happened to be today. I’m not too worried about the bullpen, and not too worried about the defense. I’m sure they’ll rebound.
I AM worried about Scioscia still playing GMJ. I don’t care Torii wasn’t there to be played – give Vlad a day of tomorrow instead of today, Willits in center and Vlad in right and we win the game.
infant - August 3, 2008
Mathis, Matthews, Aybar, Figgins, Arredondo, Shields, Oliver, Lackey
These guys blew it, plain and simple
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
in that order?
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
no, not in order
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
Lackey didn't blow anything.
He left the game after six with the lead against one of the better offensive teams in baseball.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
THANK YOU
He struck out A-Rod twice in pressure situations … what the hell more do you guys want?
Rev Halofan - August 3, 2008
162-0?
we sometimes forget this is real life, not playstation!
ineptituderunsamok - August 3, 2008
ha
start – choose lineup
down arrow to matthews -> press X
R1 to select bench
down to vlad -> press X
“do you want substitute vladimir guerrero for gary matthews jr.?”
YOUR DAMN RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
with all due respect REV
A-Rod has been anything but clutch this year. One of the knocks on him right now is his inablility to deliver in clutch situations. Even the YES guys were talking about it today during the telecast
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
Keep in mind
that A-Rod struck out 7 times in this series and went 4-16.
Not a great series for him.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
still, Im not saying Lackey deserves all the blame
far from it. Our defense was horrendous today
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
agreed
he did try to throw too many breaking balls in the 6th, but was overall giving the team exactly what is expected with a bullpen as strong as ours.
thats the strength of this team, shortening games, almost everytime a game gets into the 7th that is tight, its close to over THEN b/c arre, shields, and k-rod shut the other team down.
yeah arre gave up a bomb, he was due and teixeira bailed him out.
shields got the DP groundball he needed and figgy “bucknered” it.
this game has a defensive blame all over it
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
doesnt it just break your heart
to know that gary matthews’ salary will cost us a Frankie Rodriguez, Teixeira, Figgins or Lackey?
Think about that for a second. And try not to kill something
ihearhowie2.0 - August 3, 2008
please oh please let it be figgy that he costs us.
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
not if we can get some sucker to take his contract
come on ninja. time to work some magic
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
might need to reserve a table at Del Taco
ihearhowie2.0 - August 3, 2008
reading this just made me very very sad
ZiK - August 3, 2008
OUCH
a stab in the heart of hope
Rev Halofan - August 3, 2008
Might not
Arte might open his hearts and wallets to us.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
disaster...
but definitely better than it happens in October; and as for GMJ, we should trade him for several bunches of balls or a dozen of bats, just like this
jjlooney - August 3, 2008
amen
four losses after the all star break….all games where GMJ started…..
ZiK - August 3, 2008
whoopee.
Knew you’d come in handy with the doomsday news ;)
scottnak - August 3, 2008
can we email that stat to the big A?
ihearhowie2.0 - August 3, 2008
coincidence ?
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
what are the chances of some team picking up Gary if we DFA him
cause if its higher than 25% It would be hard not to do it
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
I don't think it's even CLOSE to 25%
Nobody would want him now.
infant - August 3, 2008
come on, don't snatch away my dreams
some sucker in a division race might be that desperate
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
To make sure they won't make the postseason ?
infant - August 3, 2008
Zing!
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
not gonna have many games like today
This was an anomaly, thankfully. This might be a weekly occurrence for the Rangers.
yeswecan - August 3, 2008
+1
tbone_cutter - August 3, 2008
I was thinking the same thing.
Hopefully it’s a blip, not the start of a trend.
ineptituderunsamok - August 3, 2008
Maybe we should hack Angelsbaseball.com
And put out a fake pressrelease on how The Angels DFA’d Matthews after this game.
Think that’ll send them the signal they need ?
infant - August 3, 2008
(in case you are serious)
I do not condone this statement.
Rev Halofan - August 3, 2008
I was not serious
FWIW
infant - August 3, 2008
But I AM frustrated ;-)
infant - August 3, 2008
So does this game make us feel better about Izturis ?
infant - August 3, 2008
Ive always said Izzy is better than Aybar
and it is because Aybar’s D is subpar
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
Aybar
I don’t know if they get a DP on that play anyway…Christian was already at second when he bobbled it, but he could have got the guy at first.
The Figgins, Mathis and GMJ were much more costly, because I don’t think Aybar could have turned two there, Christian was too fast. As evidenced by his stealing third right after that.
hk47 - August 3, 2008
matthews no trade clause goes through next season right
i think we need to try really hard to get him to OK a move in the offseason. If he’s around next year when we might lose 2 outfielders….theres a chance that he could be an everyday starter
DEAR GOD NO
ihearhowie2.0 - August 3, 2008
good thing a no trade clasue doesn't apply to being DFAed
serious, right now might be our best opportunity to dump him. teams get pretty desperate at the end of the season.
wait, what am i saying. we are stuck with him
maybe we can reopen the case to void his contract
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
need to plant some HGH in his home
and sabotage some urine test.
Just kidding.
Sort of.
ihearhowie2.0 - August 3, 2008
hahahaha
Carl Johnson - August 3, 2008
We should not be worried
Stay positive
infant - August 3, 2008
Agreed
remember:
1) Vlad will play every game in the postseason
2) GMJ will play zero games in the postseason
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
Paging Steve Finley
...i just cannot be sure of that…
Rev Halofan - August 3, 2008
Neither can I
(which is why I said I hope so below…)
infant - August 3, 2008
If Soth plays GMJ this post season
I will personally go to Anaheim, sit down with Soth, and cry like a girl
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
I assume that
And hope so.
infant - August 3, 2008
Lossage in multiple places here
1. Gary Matthews, Jr. is not 100%, it’s true, and his knees certainly are problematic. From memory, he may need surgery on his knees, but the Angels can’t afford to be without the depth at the moment. That changes after this year, though.
2. Nobody has mentioned that Lackey’s 120-pitch CG vs. Boston was probably limiting him from going very deep into this one. Last time he threw 120 pitches was in the June 29 win over the Dodgers, which was immediately followed by a 6-run (5 earned) outing against the Blue Jays on July 5. So to the extent that Scioscia is willing to bow to Lackey’s ego, he’s cost the team wins. That part is certainly on Mike, and I really think his role in this loss is being underestimated, if it’s being considered at all here.
3. The other fielding errors were just as big if not bigger than Matthews’. In fact, there’s a pretty good argument that those errors were bigger precisely because GMJ is playing hurt. Erick Aybar, Chone Figgins, and especially, Jeff Mathis have no such excuse.
4. 1995 should always be in the back of people’s minds from the standpoint that it’s not time to brag until after they record the clinch. It’s not fair to say the Angels will collapse, just because it’s hardly clear that there’s anybody in the division who has a realistic shot at catching up, unless you’re talking about Texas. Even then, Texas pitching always melts in August and September.
4.
scareduck - August 3, 2008
Aybar's was the glaring one IMHO
That was a tailor-made DP. It was a routine ball. I don’t care how many highlight reel plays the Admiral makes, but Gary DiSarcina just chained smoked 15 cigarettes when he saw that one.
Matthews’ error was terrible. A little leaguer could have caught that ball. Who knows whether the sun interfered with his vision but he completely missed it. Terrible.
Mathis should NOT have thrown when Christian went for third, simple as that, the bunt defence was on and the only chance Figgins had of catching his throw was if it was dead on target, and it wasn’t.
Desmond’s E is the only one I find in the least excusable, and that’s not just because I’m a Desmond lover. That ball was kissed and it looked like it was going to take a short hop. It didn’t and Desmond got it off the heel of his glove. That’s a standard INF error, while not inexcusable, is at least understandable. Yes, Desmond should have fielded it cleanly and turned the DP, but rating the errors in terms of their glaringness:
1: Aybar
2: Matthews
3. Mathis
4. Desmond
Four errors is unacceptable in any ballgame, and I’m sure Torii will have say something to say about it back in Anaheim on Monday.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
I disagree
Christian was already sliding into second when he bobbled it. Matthews and Figgins’ errors were worse.
hk47 - August 3, 2008
Jeff Mathis has 11 errors this season, 11
hk47 - August 3, 2008
Matthews has 5, and his strength was supposed to be his defense
Look, if his knee is bad and it needs surgery…but him on the 60 day DL. Figgins can play outfield. Bring up Matt Brown or Brandon Wood to play third and get some ABs.
And while you’re at it, bring up Bulger! Send down O’Day. I know Zu would back me up on that.
hk47 - August 3, 2008
Zu will have your back on a lot of things :)
But he’s in Iowa. A lot of good he does you there, same as the Scottish barmaid I want to send him as an X-mas present.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
I both agree and disagree with the following
“The other fielding errors were just as big if not bigger than Matthews’. In fact, there’s a pretty good argument that those errors were bigger precisely because GMJ is playing hurt. Erick Aybar, Chone Figgins, and especially, Jeff Mathis have no such excuse”
The argument can be made that the other errors were more costly, but I fail to see how a bad knee would have any affect on GMJ’s glove. That ball was in his glove and he dropped it
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
i wanted to jump in tv and punch him in the nose at that moment
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
That bad knee had nothing to do with it
GMJ was in position to make the catch. He completely missed it. I feel sorry for the poor guy, it’s like his mind has gone completely away from the basics of baseball which got him to the major leagues. That was one of the most sorrowful errors I’ve seen in a long time.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
From what I saw
GMJ was still making a hard run at the time of the catch attempt. He just missed it, which indicated to me that if he were capable of getting into a better position in the first place, he wouldn’t have muffed it.
scareduck - August 3, 2008
Listening to KLAA...
.....some real crazies out there.
We’re in a good spot folks. It’s a nice time to be an Angels fan.
ViolaHalo - August 3, 2008
I don't mean...
...that people in LA are crazy (I’m in Ohio). I just meant there are some crazy Angels fans in radio-land.
ViolaHalo - August 3, 2008
what are they saying?
KingF15h - August 3, 2008
The crazy ones....
...seem to mostly be of a sky-is-falling mentality.
ViolaHalo - August 3, 2008
NOT on the DFA bandwagon
And I’ll tell you why. This is meant to be a classy organisation. For all his faults, GMJ has tried and failed, management have tried and failed. It’s a classic situation where things just haven’t worked out.
DFA is not taking the high road, and I think Arte likes that moral high ground.
I agree that Gary needs to be gone. It’s just not working out, it’s as simple as that, he’s eating up a valuable roster spot for someone who can help us (a youngster such as Kendry or Brandon Wood or S-Rod that would benefit from some playoff experience) or even a more logical choice such as Jason Bulger to solidify our bullpen. I did not like what I saw out of either Arredondo or Shields today and I’ve been predicting the typical Shields August meltdown for a while.
The honest answer is, and I’m sure he knows it, is to get rid of GMJ. The way to do it and still take the moral high ground is to trade him post-waiver deadline.
Until Aug. 31 we can trade GMJ literally for a bag of balls … a couple of borderline prospects would be nice in return assuming we accept the loss of salary that comes with DFA. Surely there is a team out there that could use a fourth/fifth OF for a couple of low-level low ceiling prospects? And we can give GMJ a chance to get his baseball career back on track with a change of scenery.
Surely GMJ and these prospects would clear waivers? Mind you, I’d hate it if the A’s claimed him and he started strafing again, but these are the chances you take for the moral high ground.
But then again, it’s Halos Heaven, isn’t it? We’re World Series bound folks, GMJ is just not coming with us on this trip.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
but he has a NTC thru next year
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
What would you do?
Hey Gary, you’re either DFA’ed or you waive your NTC and you’ve got a chance to catch on as the fourth OF for Reds/Rockies/Senators wherever?
Accept DFA or waive NTC?
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
good point
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
I'm just trying to come up with a solution that's good for both the team and player
If we get something (anything!) back for GMJ it’s worth it to threaten him with the DFA and get him to waive the NTC.
You never know, Eddie Bane and that lot might have their eyes on some guys (ie Brendan Donnelly) that we might pick up which might make swallowing the salary a bit easier. A straight DFA is just swallowing the salary … I don’t think we get any compensation whatsoever in terms of draft picks or anything from the league.
If we get a pick for DFA’ing a free-agent signing, and we get a pick, maybe it’s worth it to cut him. But I’m not up on the rules enough to know the answer to that one.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
i agree that getting something is better than nothing
but at the same time, i dont want them to run out of time and still be stuck with him before its too late. and if it comes down to taking the proverbial moral high road, and if DFAing him is the solution, much better to do it now, then two weeks before the playoffs
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
We'll DFA him this week if it's gonna happen
No sense in DFA-ing him after Sept. 1 when the rosters expand. Hence my comment on Rev’s sense of news judgement.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
i can live with that
so long as he never graces this halos lineup again
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
Don't forget the old "player to be named later" trick
For all you Get Smart fans. This way, you agree a deal straight up after the non-waiver deadline, both key components clear waivers, and the key is the player to be named later. Usually who is a prospect who wouldn’t clear waivers because he’s too cheap.
That might be our way to get Erstad for Matthews plus cash.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
at this point, i'm glad i missed the game
but pissed i missed Tex’s first homer! grrrr
i’ve been on the DFA bandwagon since around May, and I’m still there.
time for Arte to cut his losses, man up and just get rid of the guy. this team is MUCH better without him on it.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
BTW Rev has a pretty good idea of "what the news is"
As a member of the non-mainstream media, the Rev gets it right just as often as the mainsteamers if not more often.
Something has got to be done with Matthews and quick, because that roster spot is huge between now and Sept. 1 if we want to avoid any tremours of 1995.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
on the bright side
the offense was pretty good today and tex comin thru with GS AT YANKEE STADIUM was pretty impressive.
all the things of read that players say about yankee stadium is that it always feels like a postseason game. and he came thru in a big way in the 8th
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
Yeah
And he acted like he’d been there before … No hysterics, just a solid HR trot. I know Mark’s never been in the playoffs but he must be geeked knowing that he’s going there this year.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
he was way stoked in the dugout after his homerun
TBS followed him in their and he was fist pumpin and bashin with everyone, totally stoked.
welcome to the big time tex
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
anybody know for sure?
too lazy to look it up
but if we DFA gary, and someone picks him up within the 10days, don’t they have to take on his contract unless they wait until the 10 days are up then they can sign him for the minimum?
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
Not really
If we DFA him we’re responsible for the whole contract, and whatever team picks him up gets him for the minimum. Not the same as trying to trade him after the post-waiver deadline.
In the latter situation, Whatever team claims him gets 10 days to assume the contract (and they NEVER do), and then they can sign him for the minimum.
That’s why it’s in our interest to try to trade him. Is that fat-ass reliever Bobby Jenks still available? How about Derrick Turnbow? Maybe we can get Erstad back to PH/play def.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
thanks
UCIHalo - August 3, 2008
Bottom line is either way we eat a lot of money
But trying to trade him post-waiver deadline means:
a) We might get some useful players for him in exchange for the organization, certainly not anyone ML ready
b) Some twat like Billy Beane can pick him off the waiver wire, make a claim. Essentially blocking our trade, or he’s got 10 days to assume the rest of the contract or work out a deal.
The easier way is just to trade him to the A’s straight up for their worst AAA guy and assume 90 percent of the salary, because you know Beane will pick him off the waiver wire.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
GMJ makes a lot of money
But Beane probably doesn’t consider him a moneyball player with his OPS.
hk47 - August 3, 2008
He might pick him up just to shaft us
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
BRING BACK ERSTY
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
yes
please just need him to be the designated run into catchers and yell at people guy.
ps. hes doing quite alright at houston
ANewFoundThrice - August 3, 2008
That's not a bad idea actually
He’s not doing much in Houston … Houston could use GMJ.
We could use Erstad as a back-up 1B for Teixeira and a backup CF. And how popular would that move be? ... I think to get Erstad and both to clear waivers we’d have to include another lower-level prospect. A Stephen Marek type.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
Probably just dreaming
But wouldn’t it be great, the final out of the 2008 WS, to hear Rory Markus say: “Erstad says he’s got it!” ...
JINX OFF.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
and we'd pay a TON of HGH's contract
but really, that would be a great move for the Angels.
we’d get another back-up, another fan favorite, and a HUGE leader for the clubhouse comes late September/October.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
Arte pays the same TON for HGH
If we DFA’s him. Guaranteed Erstad and GMJ both clear waivers if a deal could be worked out. Only problem is Erstad doesn’t play 1B anymore, does he? I think he only plays the outfield.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
wouldn't matter
we’d need a backup outfielder anyway. I’m sure with some practice, he’d be serviceable at 1B.
he couldn’t be any worse than Q-Suck or Rivera at first. ;)
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
Maybe I'm wrong there ...
Maybe Erstad doesn’t clear waivers and the fart-twit beane claims HIM
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
Would Houston be stupid enough to do it?
Do we have enough chaff at the bottom of our system to give them some throw-ins?
I know it’s dreaming … I know it’s dreaming. But Erstad coming back in a historic season, even as a backup, would be …. WOW.
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
i'm sure we have some dispensible guys in Rookie/A/AA ball
and i agree with the Erstad sentiments… WOW
i know he wasn’t all that great, but he was my all-time favorite Angel. I loved his game.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
It's halosfan4life's idea, not mine ...
I’m not taking credit for it. But I like it more and more the more I think about it.
REV! Get on the bat phone to Reagins!
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
technically
it was your idea, i just put it in caps lock
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
So ... LET'S GET ERSTAD! :)
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
agreed
we need a poll and some statistical info and bread and tuna and tony reagins phone numbers
halofan4life - August 3, 2008
i got your poll...
Right Here
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
I'm going to channel my inner Johnnie Cochran and say...
“If the knee is bad, you must play Vlad”
hk47 - August 3, 2008
hahahahaha
rec’d.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
Wow, the X-Games were exciting to watch this weekend.
and the NASCAR race in Pocono…..awesome!
44FAN - August 3, 2008
You missed the barmaid in my pub in Inverness, Scotland
Now THAT was more exciting that watching guys go round-and-round in left turns
highlandhalo - August 3, 2008
Think positively...
The Angels offense went berserk again today after a 2-day layoff.
Downing Rules - August 3, 2008
I wouldn't say "berserk"
Through the 5th, 6th, and 7th, they had one hit. Infact, over the last five innings the Angels mustered four hits. The Yankees pounded out ten hits in that span.
FlyByKnight - August 3, 2008
KITT says: Crucify them, Michael...
Jeez, end result was NINE RUNS.
NINE.
Let’s say they score 20 in a game, getting zero in the 3rd frame…are you going to complain about that, too?
:)
Figgy went berserk and Reggie was on base every time he came up…Teixeira hit ONLY his fourth career grand slam. Not bad.
Downing Rules - August 3, 2008
truth
and Tex looks to be settling in finally?
from what i could hear, he hit the ball hard more than once, but he did make his one hit count.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
thought i'd throw this out there
Baseball Tonight (i know, I hate it too) is doing their “Diamond Cuts” thingy right now, which is basically the best stuff of the week.
not only was it Angels-dominant (and I mean VERY dominant), but i also very clearly heard Rory saying “Just another Halo victory!” in the middle of it.
i thought that was pretty cool, considering the fact that we just dominated the East.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
Character Builder
Losing a game like this on the last day of a successful East coast road trip give the Lads plenty to think about on the way home on that long ass flight.
Now we will see what the Halos are made of on this upcoming home stand.
I say look for a 7-1 record. We always lose the first game of a home stand when returning from outside of the time zone.
eyespy - August 3, 2008
I've got a craving for some Icterus galbula
Baked, stewed, fried or fricasseed.
vladtheimpaler - August 3, 2008
I think to compare to 1995 is a bit of a reach at this point...
just one crappy game.
but I will say “shades of Steve Finley” is sounding about right.
{shudders}
gdog009 - August 3, 2008
Arte needs to be a hero again....
And do what they did with Kevin Appier. Realize you made a bad signing. Then cut your loses…
mztrkrinkle - August 3, 2008
Appier did fairly well when he was here........WORLD SERIES championship ring anyone?
norcaliangelsfan - August 3, 2008
Ape sucked in the playoffs...
I dont think hes the reason we won the WORLD SERIES. He had such a bad 03 season. Arte let him walk. Only played in 6 more games after a Angels uniform…
mztrkrinkle - August 3, 2008
This is from HH top 100 player list on # 97 Kevin Appier
” Ape gave the Angels what Mo Vaughn could not: a positive contribution. Forgotten, too, were his two good starts against the Twins in the ALCS that year.”
He wasnt outstanding by any means…........but he wasnt as horrible as you may like to think.
norcaliangelsfan - August 3, 2008
uh...
An 11.37 ERA in the Series & a ERA close to 6.00 in 03 isnt helpin your team out. If Moreno was willing to eat his big salary. He should do the same thing here. As for Mo Vaughn (aka Move-on). I think anybody was a better team player than him…
mztrkrinkle - August 3, 2008
2003 was a down year for EVERYONE.........
and while I dont discount his lackluster performance….(i say again) his 2002 year (the entire year) wasnt as horrible as you claim.
norcaliangelsfan - August 4, 2008
Rev we dont speak of 1995.........it never happened LOL
norcaliangelsfan - August 3, 2008
i was at the game
and the goat clearly was yankee stadium
dirty1 - August 3, 2008
LMAO HILAROUS GAME
ANGELS SUCK AT BASEBALL
Steal Home - August 3, 2008
*ahem*
Any more comments?
shiftyeyedgoat - August 3, 2008
well played, goatman.
well played indeed. :)
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
how's the view of our butts?
or can you even see them from that far back?
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
I banned him
being an illiterate AND a loser is such an unlucky combination for some guys…
Rev Halofan - August 3, 2008
tough break.
poor kid’s probably going to cry somewhere now.
howiestheman - August 3, 2008
Stolen BRAIN...
from an “Abby” someone…uh, Abby Normal?
Downing Rules - August 3, 2008
hahahahahahaha
you win.
and you won’t be angry?
i will NOT…. be… angry.
howiestheman - August 4, 2008
Hello, everybody. Back from another weekend out of town.
Checking around to see what you have done with the place. Not pleased.
You know, the Angels are going to lose a game every now and then. Hell, they have been hotter than pistols and winning at a .600 pace. Uh, that means that they are going to lose 4 times out of every 10.
So it’s Ok, everybody. It’s totally Ok. Really, it is. The Halos are the biggest, baddest mofo’s in baseball and we all need to get back to acting like it.
Stirrups - August 3, 2008
700 win percentage on a roadtrip = SUCCESS
not failure. Good job Angels!
Downing Rules - August 3, 2008
Notice me not complaining.
44FAN - August 3, 2008
5.5 game lead over #2 on the road
Time to improve our home record.
vladtheimpaler - August 4, 2008
EX ACTLY.
If the Angels decided yesterday’s loss was as apocalyptic as it seemed to some and suddenly became a .491 (25-26) team the rest of the way, they’d still end up at 94-68. For the Rangers to achieve that record, they’d have to go 36-14, a mere .720 clip. So, a .622 team going .491 the rest of the way, while simultaneously a .518 club goes .720 the rest of the way…not impossible, but not very likely. Making it impossible for GMJ to enter any lineup would enhance our chances further. This morning on 830, Hud basically called GMJ mentally weak, and said that he’d been in Scioscia’s doghouse since the playoff tendinitis (dunno about that part, why so much rope then?). If an Angels broadcaster is calling a player mentally weak on the team’s flagship it would seem he should not be long for the team, let alone the lineup…
LUVtheLAA - August 4, 2008
this is the same Hud who told us to trade fot Tex 2 weeks ago
i think they listen to him… :)
what exactly did he say?
howiestheman - August 4, 2008
Hadn't heard that
maybe they should then, even though sometimes his thoughts run waaay behind his mouth (and that’s what we love about him)...anyway, Lodge asked about GMJ and although Hud was mostly sugar-coating things he was fairly disparaging, I think esp. re yesterday’s error. Immediately after, he said something to the effect, ”...when you’re mentally weak, you get benched…”. All you have to do is compare him to J.Rivera who kept his mouth shut and then when he got a bone, he showed why he should play a little more. After his benching, GMJ has been fairly quiet I think, however when they throw him a bone, he only REINFORCES why he should rot on the bench. He did break up a double play though…
LUVtheLAA - August 4, 2008
yeah it was a week before the deadline on Angels Live
Billy Mac says, “Hey Hud, what move should they make?
Hud says, “Trade for Mark Teixeira and sign him long term! NOW!”
it was amazing.
anyway, thanks for the info, and I think he’s absolutely correct.
howiestheman - August 4, 2008
I'm an idiot but...
what does DFA stand for?
Ducky22 - August 4, 2008
Designated For Assignment
basically, you’re cut
howiestheman - August 4, 2008
Unlike Spies
Assignments are bad for Baseball Players.
TheTypingFiend - August 4, 2008
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.