Halos Heaven

easy there my friend lol

eh, it's emotion

feels good. we can live this up until midnight.

It feels good but i'm already over it wanting more.

nobody's settling with one win

but let’s not completely diminish this

Damn man.

Epic pic.

Great pic

very fitting

Thanks for posting it

Again

1 more time.
This pick sums it up!

We will always remember you Nick, Courtney, and Henry!

Stay strong Jon!

Funke5ive - October 8, 2009 reply

Can I rec this Again.

The Irony is killing me!

NICK'S PICTURE IS GONE FROM THE OUTFIELD WALL!!

NO

NO, it is not. It is there. It was there last night and it will remain there.

Rev Halofan - October 9, 2009 reply

Hardest Panther of the Game to pick

Those two guys should get co-panther. What a win—and it’s all on those two.

Riverrun - October 8, 2009 reply

I totally agree.

Lackey held them
Torii put up the runs

angelsfan777 - October 8, 2009 reply

No vote

I couldn’t choose, so I just looked at the results.

anaheimisnotla - October 8, 2009 reply

I agree.

Copanthers...

You can’t distinguish who was more important in this game… Torii for bitchslapping some leather, and Lackey for whiffing them.

shiftyeyedgoat - October 8, 2009 reply

On to Game 2 We Go

Will the red sox bats stay cold..?
I hope so.

Can't pull the trigger on a vote

They were both panther and a half.

leftwing - October 8, 2009 reply

one of the toughest potg polls evar.

scottnak - October 8, 2009 reply

44FAN - October 8, 2009 reply

Intelligence fail

Match Day 5 - October 8, 2009 reply

That shouldn't say "Win"

It should say “Losers”

Brew Angel - October 8, 2009 reply

or "silver medal winner"

44FAN - October 8, 2009 reply

LIGHT UP THE HALO!!!

eyespy - October 8, 2009 reply

Terry Francona: DIRTY BASTARD

Could it have been any more obvious that Torii was hit by that pitch on purpose? Francona is dirty scum-sucking asshole. Brings in a scrub (Ramirez) to nail Torii. This is the same dirty tactics Francona pulled in 2007 when Delcarmen drilled Guerrero in the back of the shoulder and knocked him out off the playoffs.

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed that our guys seem to take a LOT of HBPs.

TheOptimist - October 8, 2009 reply

I keep sayin' it.

Learn to throw the bat. Do it randomly so it doesn’t stand out so much when necessary. Pitchers will think twice.

I don't know man

They showed Francona on TV right after it and he was visibly upset. I don’t think it was on purpose

Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - October 8, 2009 reply

Hey buddy, I got a nice car for sale. Great deal for you

lol

maybe it was on purpose. That’s immediately what I thought as well, but after seeing his expression and taking into account that the Sox really couldn’t afford to put more men on base in that situation, I’m not so sure. I think it was an honest mistake.

I may be completely wrong. Just my POV

Based upon the historical record

neither Francona nor the Sux get the benefit of the doubt from me.

+1

gorams77 - October 9, 2009 reply

I agree with KingF15h on this one

I think the last thing Ramirez wants to do is put Angels on the basepaths to extend the 3-0 lead. It wasn’t intentional. If it was, well- Torii’s okay. Let’s go get game two tonight.

hk47 - October 9, 2009 reply

One more thing; K-Mo played it soft during the play at the plate, which is probably the smart thing to do.

But I bet if that was Erstad he would have knocked V-Mart into another time zone.

hell yeah he would have

I miss Erstad

That would have been epic

If you hit a guy on purpose

with your team down only three runs, nobody out and a guy already at first, you are an idiot. I’m not putting that out of the realm of possibility (they are the Red Sox), but Ramirez is a moron if he hit Hunter on purpose.

+1

hk47 - October 9, 2009 reply

Ramirez is a moron.

Downing Rules - October 9, 2009 reply

Francona may not have authorized it...

But there’s no doubt in my mind that Ramirez hit him intentionally…

Why Torii? Why on the first Pitch? Because Torii hit a bomb and celebrated a bit too much in the dugout afterword…

You could tell by the look on Ramirez’s face when he recieved the ball after word that there was no remorse.

They should have a custom like in Japan where you tip your hat in appology if it’s unintentional.

Jietoh - October 9, 2009 reply

see y'all tomorrow night!

Scotty G - October 8, 2009 reply

I love me some Halos! GIve me two more against the SOX!!!

gohalos912 - October 8, 2009 reply

If lackey is not pitching well we lose tonight.

It’s that simple.
Shout out to TH48 puttin in work with that Beast Mode Torii Bomb.

BOBBY ABREU WALKS

I was watching on mobile Gameday… And it kept on saying “BOBBY ABREU WALKS”.

F*** YEAH!

Big John.

Then came the night, nearly into the ninth,
when the chowdas cracked and Youk started crying.
The bitches were praying, and hearts beat fast
and everybody thought they’d rally at last
cept’ John.

Through the dust and the smoke of this man made hell,
walked the giant of a man that we fans know well.
Grabbed a rosin bag and gave out with a groan,
and like a giant oak tree he just stood there alone, Big John

i'll bet most HHers are to young to remember the song..

“Big John!!!”

Not this HHer!

foxpaw - October 8, 2009 reply

Big Bad John.

Wasn't that Jimmy Dean?

.... I think it was. I was in elementary school.

So was I.

But I checked, and it was indeed Jimmy Dean.

Hey opiejeanne, after seeing you mention your avatar I checked your page to get a good look at it. Very cool! We actually have a Colleen Moore film in our collection, Broken Hearts of Broadway.

Just wanted you to know that someone here gets the reference.

Big Bad John - Yep. Jimmy Dean. Before sausage fame.

And with all of his strength, he gave a mighty hurl.
Then Papi popped feebly, gave his useless bat a twirl.
And 20 men scrambled like a red river flood
and raced to the mound to praise their stud, Big John.

With high fives and hugs, they hammered John down,
then came a rumble that shook deep in the ground.
And as firework smoke and gas smelched out of them rocks,
everybody knew it was the end of the Sox, ’cuz Big John.

Now they wounds of the past we can all forget,
they just placed a stake through the heart of it.
These few words are written that always stand,
‘At the top of that hill, stood one Hell of a man, Big John’

I loved that guy as a kid

He was always hilarious. You can get a good example of him at his best in Diamonds Are Forever. But he more or less retired once he became the Sausage King, except for his being his own pitchman for a while.

And I forgot to mention

+10 for your new lyrics.

Jimmy Dean was in that movie? I had totally forgotten him in that.

My parents used to watch the Jimmy Dean show, and that’s where I saw my first muppet, Rowf.

He was the guy whose last line was

“Tell that guy he’s fired!” after that guy tried to kill him in a big ambush.

I don’t have a strong memory of that movie, but my wife loves it.

He was Willard Whyte

red floyd - October 9, 2009 reply

Yay! Grandpa was a photographic artist in the early days of movies.

I’d have to dig around to find the name of that Colleen Moore film, but the name of her team was the Swamp Angels. Ha! The team name is a reference to a character in a Jeanette Stratton-Porter book. I know, really obscure.

That's fascinating!

So he took production stills and the like?

My Grandpa was involved in photography at the time too, but it was surveillance photography at the end of WW I and its aftermath. I have hundreds of those photos still, and the camera he took them with.

http://www.flickr.com/people/snowwhite/

Yes! There are about 200 stills that my grandpa either took or processed. He retired in 1932

but came out of retirement during WWII and there are a few photos that he saved from that period. There’s an oddball shot of Howard Hughes in front of what has to be the largest bi-plane in the world, with a lot of servicemen, standing in front of it. The wings go off the page (I don’t know why, because Grandpa would not have done that.

If you have a Flickr account, go to my profile and make yourself a contact or friend, and I can let you see them. Too many people started helping themselves to my photos, and even swiped one that included my grandfather to illustrate her blog. It only became a problem this year, but the photos have been up for at least 4 years.

Thanks!

I have activated my account. I am Otis Criblecoblis there.

nice, by the way

wussup Sonoma. I was just up in Glen Ellen last weekend

Love it up there—the wine, the scenery. Nice to see someone from up there down with the Halos.

It truly is nice...

Only thing missing is the Big A.

SonomaCoHalofan - October 9, 2009 reply

TAKE THAT!

MOTHERFU..ERS!!!

Angels_48 - October 8, 2009 reply

Torii

Without a clutch hit there, the Angels might have been too deflated. They needed to score there, after the missed earlier opportunities.

LittleCupcakes - October 8, 2009 reply

Oh.. and LACKEY is panther

But major kudos to Hunter

Thousands of frat boys are in disbelief.

A nation of women who love Fever Pitch are crying.

how could this happen to the beloved sox?

women?

how can you tell?

the chicks' moustaches are tragic

instead of ironic like on the boys

ha!

a more pungent odor

princeton11loveshalos - October 9, 2009 reply

While thousands of frat boys carry on like idiots here

MidwayCityLivestock - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

i laughed at frat boys all last night

made my night the best night

GO HALO'S!

I couldn’t pick on this panther. Our leaders stepped up their games and got us a big W. Oliver also did a nice job out of the pen as usual.

ryanfea - October 8, 2009 reply

abreu is the underpanther with 4 walks patience just like a panther waiting to pounce

torri and john deserve the votes though

OCangels - October 8, 2009 reply

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAMM!! Big John, Torii, Bobby, lots of panther nominees tonite. Great defense, too cool. Kick big red stockinged ass tomorrow night Weev!!!!!!!!!!!

Jimatkins - October 8, 2009 reply

It's the playoffs

Double panther tonight.

Carl Johnson - October 8, 2009 reply

I already used my F-bomb for the month

But I don’t care.

Fuck, yes.

So ban me.

Suboptimal - October 8, 2009 reply

No bomb ban in October

FUCK YEAH!

Fuckin' yay for Rev!

Well then....

FUCK YEAH!!!!!!

Hey red! I can't remember, were you at the game tonight?

I just got back and I’m still revved up; I won’t be able to sleep tonight.

Nope. I was in class.

I’ll be in 507 tomorrow nite.

You'll have to take over and represent, because I have to be in Blue Jay.

We will try to catch it in the local sports bar. They like us, and we’re the only ones most weekends so it’s great.

Fuckkkkkkk yessssss

Slyintine - October 9, 2009 reply

this is the best night ive had since we won it in 02..... such a good feeling.... lets ride this all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in fact

we should have been up one more run, actually, because the one error that went against the angels cost us a run with torii being called out at third.

RubixsQube - October 8, 2009 reply

I think he actually was out at third

Not on the original tag, but he came off the base briefly while Lowell held the tag on him.

Red Sox fans and ESPN will be bitching about those calls at first base

But it didn’t matter. Kendrick didn’t score either time. Now that bogus call on Torii at third DID cost us. He would have scored on that double. Oh well, doesn’t matter now!

and the "catcher's interferance" call

I didn’t get a good look at it, but it appeared that the bat never hit Mathis’s glove

jamatson - October 8, 2009 reply

I'm not so sure about that either

but Mathis and Soth didn’t argue it. I guess Mathis must have felt it hit his glove or he would have argued, right?

But I agree with you. They showed it many times on TV and I never thought it even came close to hitting his glove

We don't really know if they argued it

They cut to commercials right away

foxpaw - October 8, 2009 reply

There was a discussion between Scioscia and the umps. Half the players were almost to the dugout.

The crowd booed and it took a while to sort out; I couldn’t figure out what had happened, and the Sox fans next to us told me what they thought it was. Those guys were great, but there were some behind us who were the stereotype assholes.

thanks for clearing that up

All in all though, I thought West called a good game. Which is AMAZING!

KingF15h - October 9, 2009 reply

What's amazing is Ellsbury didn't argue either.

Typically, the batter makes the biggest complaint. Ellsbury was headed back to the dugout. Glad it din’t cost anything more than a couple of extra pitches.

sothball - October 9, 2009 reply

Torii was out

He came off the bag while Lowell held the tag on him. He wasn’t out at first, so the umpire did make a bad call, but it wound up being the right one since Torii came off.

It was a force play

jjackflash - October 9, 2009 reply

But Lowell was surprised at the throw back to him, and was not in position to put his foot on the bag.

He never stepped on the bag. He applied a tag. I concur with Gorbachav. Hunter tried to stretch his leg around the tag. He probably succeeded, but the ump probably called him out there. But Hunter was not stable when he went to stand up and he did a bunny hop to collect his balance, coming off the bag while Lowell was still applying the tag. Even if the ump got the initial call wrong, he got the ultimate result right.

I pointed that out over on the Red Sux blog

hk47 - October 9, 2009 reply

I want to vote Abreu for panther.

That dude is the anti-Vlad, I love him.

bc56274 - October 8, 2009 reply

lol

much like anti-matter? when they combine they create the kind of power necessary for speeds faster than light?

teopeht - October 8, 2009 reply

The 'anti-Vlad,' I love it!

Fuck TBS.....Angels win and they talk about Lester

HaloFanInDC - October 8, 2009 reply

TBS, FOX, ESPN

they have hard-ons for the Sox and Yanks. Might as well get used to it cause it isn’t going to change.

What do you expect? If they hired the Sux play-by-play and color guys

I dont watch anything but the MLB Network now

Fuck those other guys.

linkbruin - October 9, 2009 reply

Meanwhile...

nearly 3500 comments in the game threads. This SBNation thing is getting interesting.

biggest .. best ... independent ... and it is YOUR Angels blog!

technically it is YOUR angels blog

we just get to bask in its glory

teopeht - October 8, 2009 reply

We don't bask in its glory

We contribute to its glory, Rev just makes sure the inmates never take over.

I thought it was crazy during the playoffs last year...

…I din’t ever try last night. The thread was moving too fast.

sothball - October 9, 2009 reply

That's what happened to me.

I didn’t post one comment, but was here all night. It was going too fast to even read everything.

WiHaloFan - October 9, 2009 reply

postgame show is so lame

if it were the Red Sox winning this game, they’d fawn on Lester and the Sox offense being able to apply pressure. as it is, the Angels are matter-of-factly the winners, no bestowing of accolades that they’ve consistently deserved all year.

How is it the Angels win yet Lester is awesome and Vlad is terrible?

HaloFanInDC - October 8, 2009 reply

well to be fair, Vlad did really suck tonight

But Lester wasn’t great by any stretch of the imagination. I have no idea why they kept kissing his ass. Lackey easily out-pitched him tonight!

OTM crying about the umps

Did they suck? Yes.

But did they cause lester to leave a pitch up to get smashed? NO

Did they help lackey out in any way? NO.

Id be sympathetic (well not really.) if it was game-changing, but it wasn’t.

+1

And ask them about a game in September if they remeber

WillGoAngels27 - October 8, 2009 reply

so very true.... i got kicked out of a bar during that game.... god i was pissed

catchers interference

safe at third

they got as much of the calls as us

eyespy - October 8, 2009 reply

Anybody remember the catcher's interference non-call in the 2005 ALCS?

Finley should have been safe, E on Pierzynski. Didn’t get the call then, either. I think that was the same game as the more infamous AJ/Eddings strikeout.

Brew Angel - October 8, 2009 reply

Exactly! Those two calls were bullshit.

Correct but you still want competency

Match Day 5 - October 8, 2009 reply

Oh, no doubt..

but to BLAME the game on the ump isn’t logical.

MLB really does have to look into how these games are officiated though…today was prettty bad.

instant replay on all calls except balls and strikes

that would fix everything

stuck in Romania - October 9, 2009 reply

and make the games last 6 hours...

oh please

There were three calls that could have been reviewed last night. You mean to tell me it would have taken 2 hours to review those calls? Get real man

KingF15h - October 9, 2009 reply

The second incident with Howie would have taken about 10 seconds.

I’d love the see the 1B ump’s reaction after seeing THAT on replay. That was as bad a call as I have ever seen. Not even close. He was out by a full stride.

sothball - October 9, 2009 reply

Agree. I cannot even fathom how anything might have obscured the ump's vision.

Even parents dragged out from the stands in Little League to ump the bases are relieved when those calls come their way, because they are so easy.

stuck in Romania - October 10, 2009 reply

just a little exageration...

no need for hostility. The truth is that even a call that is obvious and should take ten seconds would take quite a few minutes… just like football…

You got it: the key is that the outcome stays the same

1) Aybar’s double was clean
2) Abreu’s walk was legit
3) Torii’s HR was a monster

The 3 key runs were not impacted by any bad calls.

plan99fromouterspace - October 8, 2009 reply

Hey Bwahston you like apples?

Torii’s got yo numbah how do you like them apples!?!

Don't know how I'm gonna sleep, but I'll give it a shot. See ya tomorrow, folks.

TheOptimist - October 8, 2009 reply

yeah, i have to get up for work in 4 hours.... im so screwed.... its so totally worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ha, just got this gem off of the OTM nightmare...

Curt Schilling on the Umps for tonight’s game: http://38pitches.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/curt-schilling/general/2009/10/08/transcript-curt-on-the-big-show-108/

Such notable quotes as…

Have you seen the umpiring crew? Joe West, C.B. Buckner and Greg Gibson. Does it worry you?

It is embarrassing. Listen, Joe West, I think he is an ass and I have had problems with him forever but here is the thing – Joe West is a pretty decent umpire. Greg Gibson and C.B. Buckner? They suck. They’re horrible, horrible and they are not the only ones. The first thing that comes to mind is, on a merit system or an achievement system to be in the postseason.

It is a fraternity, because, in the postseason some of these guys make more than they do in the regular season.

Listen, Joe West hates the Red Sox. I never wanted Joe in Fenway. He called Game 6 of the ’04 playoffs. Behind the plate he called it pretty consistent, he’s good. He’s not big, he’s more of a hitters ump. Unless he doesn’t like you as a hitter. I would make it a point to find out the guys that Joe West doesn’t like as a hitter because I knew that my strike zone was 34-inches wide no matter who was up.

The thing I have with Greg Gibson was that he was having an argument with Tito and he said "Tito, do you realize you are arguing with the best young ump in baseball right now?" Dead serious.

shiftyeyedgoat - October 8, 2009 reply

He's not wrong

But it doesn’t matter anyways.

Suboptimal - October 8, 2009 reply

Well now we'll get to see how Bud Selig reacts to a call against the Sox, mayhaps!

After all he is in their laps…wonder just how big the scandal will be? Obviously a breaking story of national/epic proportions—but just HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? AND WHEN WILL THE TRAGEDY END? OH THE HUMANITY!

Ok, ok, I shouldn’t get all high and mighty—after all, they’re just as likely to do it to the Angels—AGAIN. Oh, wait?

GG good night halo fans

OCangels - October 8, 2009 reply

Panther

IMO, Lackey was just doing what he does and being our horse. Tori had been talking a big game about how this year was going to be different and he totally backed it up so I’m giving him the nod. Plus, we’ve been so deficient on offense in the playoffs recently that any big hit is magnified.

What is the deal with Vlad? He looked terrible in every at bat flailing at pitches he had no chance at hitting and got lucky to even reach base once. Not only that but his lack of hustle almost cost us a run if not for a ricochet at third base. I would think about sitting him tomorrow or at the very least, moving him down in the lineup please.

Finally, someone needs to take Jon Lester’s dick out of Buck Martinez’s mouth. He was slurping the guy all game long when he clearly was getting out-everythinged by Big John. Seriously, I don’t know how much more of these guys I can take.

turs12 - October 8, 2009 reply

I feel what your saying man.... Angels are punching lest in the mouth and Buck is swallowing Lester's leavings.... totally nauseating

Finally, someone needs to take Jon Lester’s dick out of Buck Martinez’s mouth. He was slurping the guy all game long when he clearly was getting out-everythinged by Big John. Seriously, I don’t know how much more of these guys I can take.

I was thinking the same thing all game long & just couldn’t type it out because he was pissing me off so much

Torii for panther...

… because of the bat-flipping and helmet-tossing and passion-rousing. But it was the closest POTG yet.

cath619 - October 8, 2009 reply

"The lousy umpiring was not a factor at all. "

Agreed. I see some of my compatriots back at Over the Monster getting pissed at umps, but you beat us 5-0, and you can’t say they made a bad call on that homer. Kudos, Angels, we took a legit beating tonight.

Ben Buchanan - October 8, 2009 reply

Officiating was horrible and needs to be looked into by MLB

Some of these chumps don’t even deserve to step onto the field for whatever reason.

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like some of these umps need to learn to take a back seat and realize that they are supposed to officiate a game, and not be a part of it, if that makes sense…

But ill be the first one to direct blame on the TEAM if they cant overcome the incompetency by the likes of bucknor and west… so long as it isn’t game-changing. If Elisbury scored on that catchers interference, I would have thrown my tv out the window.

Oh, it does make sense

Kind of like “activist judging” vs. “calling balls and strikes” (a John Roberts analogy, ironically?). Anywho. Doesn’t make a ton of sense that it may or may not make sense until you’ve seen it—that is, the differences between the two—in action. And then it’s always interesting to see how the beneficiary of such crap reacts when it becomes the victim—and, in our case, vice versa! Although having not actually SEEN the game due to being in a class/dinner, I can’t really say fairly one way or the other whether there were such calls tonight. I trust HH’s recollection, though, to show that it wasn’t really a factor and that the Angels (certainly) weren’t the beneficiary of such a policy.

what's this? class???

just kidding.

but seriously, this series is gonna be goooooood…..

Haha

There’s actually a ton of us out there. Just that it’s usually the trolls that tend to cross over to the other side, ya?

Ben Buchanan - October 8, 2009 reply

haha yeah i know

just poking a little fun at ya. =D

Good stones

Thanks for the hat tip. We are feeling it, and the Angels deserve it tonight.

Cheers and PANTHER

It’s still a series. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Hopefully the umps will do better

Thanks, man--You've reacted a h-ll of a lot better than I did over at OTM after Game 2 last year

And thanks for that—Dialogue increases the enjoyment of the game on all sides, whereas mindless or drunk trolling increases the savage factionalism.

Francona

Was watching his press conference on ESPN. He was obviously not happy. He was talking about getting food poisoning prior to the game and blaming it on Del Taco since they sponsor the Angels. Then it sounded like he used an F-bomb under his breath.

monkeys54 - October 8, 2009 reply

lolololol..... fuckin taco bell.... damn black tacos

Pure projection.

Pre-Game meal with the Ninja?

turs12 - October 8, 2009 reply

Home Now

Dono doubted…our ACE

figgifig - October 8, 2009 reply

I told someone else Lackey would be fine, right after Dono's post about him.

The BoSox can whine about the bad umps

It’s not like the umps missed two strikes in the bottom of the 9th with bases loaded 2 outs in a save situation.

Slyintine - October 8, 2009 reply

interesting...

Adam Wainwright is blaming the Matt Holliday miscue on the white towels that the Dodgers fans waved. I think I am going to blame it on Matt Holliday.

RubixsQube - October 8, 2009 reply

im blaming it on roy halladay

MLBN kept calling Holliday "Halladay"

Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - October 8, 2009 reply

Agreed

He just didn’t make up his mind on how he was going to catch the ball until it landed in his lap. But Ryan Franklin doesn’t deserve any credit for walking two guys and giving up hits to Ronnie Belliard and Mark Loretta. I mean, Ronnie Belliard. First pitch. Come on.

Suboptimal - October 8, 2009 reply

Aaaand exhale.

Well done, boys. That meant more than you’ll ever know.

pantsfucious - October 8, 2009 reply

Light up the Halo!!

and some good Nebula too :)

Nice quote:

“Despite the Angels’ ominous playoff history against the Red Sox , the noisy Orange County crowd didn’t seem to be anticipating disappointment while clacking its ThunderStix and easily drowning out the surprisingly small Boston fan contingent on a slightly chilly night.”

From the SI recap.

RubixsQube - October 8, 2009 reply

Missed the game because I was in class, but on the pregame, Biggsy

commented that instead of the usual 60/40 for a Bosux game, it was more like 90/10.

I was there and this is a spot on recount.

Downing Rules - October 8, 2009 reply

I'm nearly hoarse, and I broke one of my thunder sticks. The guys in front of me told me they had declined the thunder sticks because they just wanted to "blend in".

Blend in? This is a HOME GAME, fer cryin’ out loud. No need to hide your colors. They did have on Angels shirts that looked like they’d been worn a lot.

I poked a hole in my thunderstick because I was squeezing so hard

Had to steal one from the lady next to me.

BruinHalo - October 9, 2009 reply

Aw!

Did you see the two little kids on the big screen before the game? The little one popped one of his sticks so he started pounding his brother with the other one. It was funny.

I did see that...

speaking of little kids… the 8 year old next to me was decked out in Boston gear thanks to his mom (who wasn’t present). His dad insided-out his jacket and made him put a red pom-pom over his head to cover the B.

The boy was cool. He chanted for the Angels with everyone else.

BruinHalo - October 9, 2009 reply

Hahaha! That's funny.

When I have grandchildren (we are being threatened) I have plans to buy each one of them a complete Angels outfit and take them to Mariners games when the Angels are in town.

I was digging in the closet just before we left for the game last night and discovered an A’s visor that says 2000 ALDS champion (or maybe it says West Coast Champion, because I can’t find it right now). Someone must have given it to us, because I don’t think I would have paid money for it. On the shelf where it was last night there is also a Flyers hat (gift from a flyers fan who was almost my son-in-law), a Ducks hat (to annoy the Flyers fans), several different manifestations of the Angels logo including the dumb one with the wings, and one that says Oklahoma. That last one was purchased because Someone needed a hat to keep the sun off his bald spot during a vacation.

Hey guys, just got back

Oh man oh man a win!

Heard the last inning—top of the ninth—on the radio with Terry. Surprisingly kind of a nailbiter—or not surprisingly? Sounded like Oliver was the subject of someone’s best attempts to get him squeezed, but he pitched right through it! Good on Cousin Oliver!

And YES!!!! A WIN!!!! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!

NOW LET’S GO WIN!!!!!!!!! KEEP IT ROLLING BOYS IN ANGELS RED!

(That is, obviously, the Angels. On the offchance that the Red Sox and Angels actuall wear the same shed of red. Yes I'm a bit neurotic about this mess.)

YES! :-D

Oh, also

Did I miss anything wild? funny? hilarious? tragic? just sad? just plain weird? any announcer orgasms? PhiSlamma’s recording time of how long the announcers spent actually talking about the Angels?—that’s NOT likely to be put in the recaps?

The one thing you could not have missed...

Was Bobby Abreu walking four times. I thought my phone was crazy when I watched mobile gameday.

Oh wow.

I think I heard Terry (it was Terry, right? I get his and Rory’s voices mixed up, but I assume it was Terry—where was Hud, btw?) mention that in the top of the ninth when Oliver was in the stretch or getting ready or somesuch—“the MVP of this game is certainly Bobby Abreu, who walked four times, and not 0-2 like Big Papi is” or something like that. GO BOBBY!

BryanHarvey'sMoustache - October 8, 2009 reply

Great Win but....

two more games to go. Revel small halo fans, there is still a lot of baseball to play.

I totally agree.

Let’s not get too amped just yet. But it’s wonderful to win, and to not be in that depressed hole of here we go again game, set, and match that we as fans all were after Game 1 last year.

So let’s enjoy this to some degree tonight, and get back at it—even if that means worrying and all—tomorrow!

And GO ANGELS!

LET’S WIN THIS THING!!

LOL at the ESPN highlight announcer....

“The last time the Angels’ won a playoff opener was against the Red Sox in 1986. We all know how that turned out”

I hate ESPN.

Nashdiesel - October 8, 2009 reply

I heard that too.

How lame.

Not only lame, but just wrong.

The Halos won the opener of the 2005 ALCS against the White Sox, remember dickbags? Or were you too busy crying over how the beloved Yankees had been unfairly taken out of the postseason too early? Of course, “we all know how that turned out,” too…but the point remains. At least get the damn facts straight, ESPN.

Unless he meant entire playoffs opener--as in ALDS openers.

In which case OK, um, yeah…but the point above still stands!

:-D

Just got done talking shit on Overthemonster (red sox blog)

Gladly got banned after about 5 post. Damn does it feel good to stick one to those frontrunning fans. Tomorrow halos make it 2 baby. Go Angels!!!

redsoxaregay - October 8, 2009 reply

just got back from the game

that was such an amazing game to be at.. torii for panther for sure!!

in left field, some bawhston fan ripped tbe head off a rally monkey, got four beers or so thrown at him, then was escorted out of the stadium by security while sporting a fat, bloody lip..

go halos!! let’s get ’em again tomorrow weave!!

b0rd3rline - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

There was a woman who was escorted out for annoying the crowd by waving a huge Boston blanket-thing.

She was in those seats between the right-field foul pole and the outfield seats, below the knothole club. Everyone in the stands was booing her, but they should have just laughed. She must have been really obnoxious, to get kicked out.

BigBangRobbDawgg - October 8, 2009 reply

what a game...

watched every pitch… i think i hit the ceiling when torii hit his homer i jumped so high. big john was a fucking MANCHILD tonight… and lol @ torii’s press conference answer. Question was asking about the comments he made after the fenway series about the angel’s guts… torii’s first comment ..“i didnt say guts i said NUTS.”

Haha--That's great, and classic Torii

I love that signing so, so much. Good on you, Torii. Way to be.

Also

How did Jeff Mathis hit tonight? I’d love to be able to vindicate the guy in my mind…!

Dude got the first base hit of the game

and he laid down a great bunt.

Jeff did pretty damn good, actually.

VERY NICE!

I was kind of hoping for a surprise from Jeff…think he’s still got SOME clutchness in him, but WAY TO GET THINGS GOING!! Now let’s KEEP IT GOING!

Two completely crap calls went in our favor

Never thought I’d see the day.

My first thought was “is this what it’s like to be the sox?”

But later I realized that neither of those crap calls had any influence on the outcome of the game.

And that game me a happy, special feeling.

Seriously, I’m so happy I feel like taking in an encore showing of Toy Story 3D again. And I wouldn’t be surprised if I did, next time I have a day off.

Thank Gawd Ahm a Halo fan.

Zoe Necrosis - October 8, 2009 reply

Rec'd for truth.

Nice Zoe!

That's me this morning!

FEELS SO GOOD

i still wont be able to sleep tonight…

see you at the big a tomorrow!

LAHaloer - October 8, 2009 reply

Me too!!!!

Just got home from the game.

WHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
When torii hit it out…MAN it was loud. Thundersticks being smashed together to the point of explossion, Torii pumping his fist while running out to centerfield…all while getting a standing O, of course.

WHOOOO What a game!!!

Figgi4life - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

most of us have buck martinez's voice seared into our brains

im jealous that you got to go to the game

Haha

I’ll be back at home with you guys tomorrow

Figgi4life - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

Get your pictures together...

I’m gonna make a picture upload fanpost so we can all put them up.

BruinHalo - October 8, 2009 reply

WAIT A MINUTE

I forgot the best part!!! There was a BoSox fan who was getting into it with some Angels fans, just a shouting match, though. So, they get some ushers up there, and everything settles down. But later, it gets a little worse. The fans get closer, and finally some yellow-shirted security guards go up.
Hell ensues.
The Sox fan tries to get to the Angels fan, but security holds him. S
o what’s the logical thing to do?
Punch the security guard, of course!

Bad move. Some real cops come up, but not before a different angels fan takes off the sox fan’s hat and throws it all the way down to the area below the state farm sign in right field. But, once the real cop was up there, it was over.

Apologies for the length of this post.

Figgi4life - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

Ugh.

Not cool. Brings back bad memories of a game against the White Sox where some douche took my Angels hat and I nearly started a fight with him.

But

I don’t think he was gonna use it in jail…

Figgi4life - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

Still

There are some lines you just don’t cross as a fan. The hat, for me, especially was important because it was the first Angels hat I ever got…Symbolic, if you will, of my very Angels fandom itself. You do something to that hat, and your ass is MINE.

Big Easy Halofan - October 8, 2009 reply

Haha

At the last line.

Figgi4life - October 8, 2009 via mobile reply

Light up the Halo!

But bear in mind the sagacious wisdom of The Soth and turn the page tomorrow and win one game at a time…

OK, screw it — I am pretty stoked. Won’t stop smiling today. Good to get that one out of the way…

Agreed.

We must follow Scioscialist dogma and turn the page!

Quinlan's Goofy Swing - October 8, 2009 reply

Playoff beard is 1-0

Lackey put up zeroes.
MOLE!

Reverse the Curse

I heard that somewhere on the coverage tonight. I want our Halos to pound Boston and their disgusting fans into sports oblivion.

waters96 - October 8, 2009 reply

Not only do I want the Halos to pound the bosux..

I want us to take it to them in a way never imagined. I want this ass whooping to hurt so bad, that Gammons, Buck Martinez, Ron Darling and John Kruk, have no excuse, other than to acknowledge our pure dominance. I want this to hurt so bad, that if Jimmy Fallon approaches Drew Barrymore about a sequel to Fever Pitch, “Revenge of the wicked smaht yeast infection” she bitch slaps him into next week. Or he becomes a Laker or U. of Florida fan…like all bosux fair weathers.

halofolife - October 8, 2009 reply

AWESOME!!!

The monkey is off Lackey’s back, and off ours too as fans.
I roared when Torii jacked it and I knew the game was ours.
Good job guys.
I hope a couple hitters can try to relax more at the plate – Vladdy should take a deep breath – he doesn’t need to carry this team by himself anymore.
Bad luck for Juan, but I sure liked gettin’ me some off their bullpen.

Juan did get a double

So he wasn’t completely useless

Slyintine - October 8, 2009 reply

True

was greedy for him though with bases juiced and no outs.
I did like the way he and Aybar were able to pull those balls down the line.

TBS Postgame:

Found out Cal Ripken Jr. is a douche bag.
Proposed Bosux hitters were tired from the 3 day layoff, but was willing to give Lackey credit.
Anyone catch that crap he was slingin’?

Yeah that was hilarious

Cal was slurpin’ the chowd, blaming the three day rest, but then he caught himself and realized he might meet Lackey in person so he shifts gears and goes down on John for a great game.

I swear you could see the lightbulb go off in his head that stroking the Sox was just not cutting it anymore halfway through his Bostologue….

Too Right!

That’s just what it looked like.
slurpin’ the chowd, classic.

Since the other 3 spoke first, I actually thought to myself that I was glad to hear people saying positive things about the Angels – that hey, this isn’t ESPN, cool! This rebel base is stickin’ it to the empire…
Then Ripken opened wide to accept the chowd.

That's funny.

Really? I watched about… the first four seconds of the post-game show, and noticed no such thing. Therefore it could not have taken place.

brokenyard - October 9, 2009 reply

Yeah I lost the little respect I had Cal Ripken Jr.

to TBS, ESPN, and Neo Nazis I say Fuck Em.

SenorChuckles - October 9, 2009 reply

Lets face it...

The “pundits” and “experts” are nothing more than fair weather cheerleaders themselves, no more, no less, the fact that so many chowds are ironically complaining about bad officiating is icing on the cake. From what I could tell, Bard and Ramirez, along with Saito, didn’t strike out a Halo batter twice. The sux didn’t lose this game on a questionable call. Fuck you chowds. its called “Just desserts”. Deal with it!!

halofolife - October 8, 2009 reply

Sorry Folks.

I promised pics of the Halo Lit. I just got back. Damn if it is not still under construction. It remains dark.

Dang it Stirrups!

I wanted that pic. No worries, screw the pic, lets get the win tomorrow!!

Well, I did take pics, but they came out crappy in the dark.

No worries Stirrups..

Good looking out.

Terry said that they hope to have it fixed by the end of October. October?

They couldn’t just wait until after the World Series to retrofit that giant screen? Someone needs to figure out how to run an extension cord to the halo.

No kidding. Like, what EXACTLY do they need the Halo for in December?

Why couldn’t they have waited until December???

Yep

Heard on am830 today that it was still under construction.

New score board similar to the ducks coming soon.

Finally home!

Was in lower view, Sec 426 Row A

…and I have no voice. I left it all on the field.

This was simply incredible. The duel in the early innings had my stomach in knots.

…and then there was Torii. Anybody get a measurement on that thing? Wow!

Anybody that heard the talk about it being the loudest game in Angel history (per Lackey and Hunter), I can attest to, at least since I’ve been a fan. It was ridiculous in there, and I loved every second. Were there Sox fans? Yeah, some. Were we going to let them be heard?

Hell motherfuckin’ no.

Can’t wait for tomorrow.

101halo - October 9, 2009 reply

Louder than Game 5 of the 2002 ALCS?

Wow. That’s great to hear!

There was electricity in the air, from just before Lackey's first pitch. I think everyone could feel it.

This.

101halo - October 9, 2009 reply

Are you going to be at tomorrows game?

I am, and I would love to meet a fellow HH at the game.

whoa whoa buddy

This aint match.com

why not, dont we have chemistry ;)

SenorChuckles - October 9, 2009 reply

I thought it was..

My dream was that Mathis would get on base tonight, and it happened!!

LMAO

Though I wouldn’t mind hitting that keg of yours.

whoops

meant for the dark side.

never mind Higz…aka bazooka tooth.

I'd love to meet you, but we have to be in Blue Jay today so I'll be in the nearest bar with a big screen tv,

hunting for TBS and cursing the other patrons when they want to watch high school football.

Opiejeanne said she couldn't make it... she told me to represent.

I’ll be in 507.

red floyd - October 9, 2009 reply

REPRESENT! And ask the ushers what happened to Adenhart's picture in center field?

It is still there...

you were out near the Knothole club, right in CLUB level? You probably had an ostructed view of dead center where the picture is.

Downing Rules - October 9, 2009 reply

I'll be in 506 (R) with a Sox fan and a couple other Angels fans

HH represent!

FUCK YES

I actually watched the first half of this game sitting in a dentist’s chair.

Lost a filling the other day (a big one) and found a dentist who was open late and had TVs in the exam rooms. I was getting my teeth drilled while Torii was doing his own kind of drilling.

Novacaine is wearing off. Ouch

Novacaine wearing off Higz..one word,

Whiskey. Works for me! ;)

Damn straight brother!

I find vodka martinis have the same effect! Celebrate good times WOOOO HOOOO! hahaha

It don't matter what it is..

Whatever makes you feel better is reason enough Higz…although I find a certain herb and liquid helps me to feel okily dokily, if you get what I mean!!!!!!

My favorite herb

the guy from WKRP in Cincinatti

Les nessman is funnier!

Nice pull

Les Nessman FTW

Where is he wearing the bandage THIS episode?

Best

WKRP: my favorite TV show ever.

jjackflash - October 9, 2009 reply

haha

I posted in a game thread from my IPhone while sitting in the Dentist chair earlier this season.

BTW I HATE the dentist…cost me a grand for a crown. BASTARD

I watched the first half from the gym

It was the only way to calm my nerves. I was so pumped while on the treadmill when Vladdy came up with the bases loaded and I was having visions of 2004(the good part) all over again. I was so excited for this game that I felt like I could have run during the whole thing.

turs12 - October 9, 2009 reply

haha

I took the day off from the gym. It was my off day and tomorrow is my off off day.

You are a better man than me!

what's a gym?

(fondles man boobs)

hehe

I work hard to avoid that…though lately not hard enough.

It's what separates

us men from you boys.

Upload thread up.

BruinHalo - October 9, 2009 reply

Nice game boys!

Oh man it was great to see a win. That was awesome! See you tomorrow night!

A > B

LOL

matthiasstephan - October 9, 2009 reply

Hells Yeah

Fuck Bawstin!

gorams77 - October 9, 2009 reply

Was at the game...

and I am still shaking from how awesome it was! Go Halos! I’ll prolly be there tomorrow as well :)

trojanangelfan - October 9, 2009 reply

At a way, boys!

Today:

Boston: 1
Anaheim: 11

pwned.

brokenyard - October 9, 2009 reply

Wait, what?

Is that the combined scores?

Of the hockey AND baseball games, et al?

The game tonight is easily in top 2 or 3 I've been to

I was at Game 7 in 02 WS, and that will probably always be one, but this was up there. The place was loud and cheering all night. Not a lot of chowd noise.

1 down, 2 to go

linkbruin - October 9, 2009 reply

correction

1 down, 10 to go.. :-)

b0rd3rline - October 9, 2009 reply

Indeed

Slyintine - October 9, 2009 reply

1 series at a time

linkbruin - October 9, 2009 reply

tackled

yeah man… some crazy people behind me fell into my seat after Torii’s homer and knocked me into the lady in front of me who spilled some of her beer on the people in front of her. one of the ppl i went with got knocked into the next row completely. normally i would have been kinda pissed, but it was frickin awesome.

ghsu - October 9, 2009 reply

Exactly how did that happen?

Awesome anyway, though!

noooo idea

i have noooo idea what happened… i just know that the fireworks were goin, and then all of a sudden ppl fell right into my back haha. i think they left their seats for the rest of the game out of embarassment after the inning.

ghsu - October 10, 2009 reply

John Lackey: $100 million dollar man

When you’ve got an ace, you need to keep him. Show Big John the money, Arte!

mustard_man - October 9, 2009 reply

My favorite part of last night

Was watching Mr Hunter pace back and forth in the dugout (like a caged panther?) after spiking his helmet with a look of “Who wants to mess with Torii?! WHO WANTS A PIECE OF TORII?!!”

Zoe Necrosis - October 9, 2009 reply

I think

Tonight I’ll mess with the picture-in-picture views on the postseason.tv feed. Would have been awesome to have the dugout view, but I was scared the mess with any of the settings, thinking I’d encourage technical difficulties and miss a big moment.

Although I can totally picture Torii pacing and growling, I’d rather actually see it.

cath619 - October 9, 2009 reply

Yeah

I love the dugout view—used it for the end of NLDS Game 1 for the Doyers—can’t really see much beyond Torre/Soth? but still pretty awesome.

Too bad

We can’t have co-panthers. I feel like either way I vote I’m dissing an absolute panther performance by one of them.

RallyMonkey5 - October 9, 2009 reply

This!