Chuck Richter of angelswin says, "Suck it!"
Blogging and internet reporting got a big boost from the Angels front office Sunday when they issued press credentials to an Angels blogger. Internet coverage of the Angels, and baseball in general, has seen huge gains in web-based readership as mainstream media outlets continue to shrink.
Unfortunately, the blogger receiving credentials was Chuck Richter of the Angels booster club-like Fansite angelswin.com. Not surprisingly, the site's editors and commentors are using this opportunity to bash other Angels blogs and writers rather than focus on the big picture of how it relates to internet reporting or gaining insight for their readers.
Some typical responses from angelswin commenters include; "Somebody has to say it: suck it, haloshaven", "Say hello to the Rev - I'm sure he'll be there.", "What's a Rev? A non-productive out. No..a 2 base error that scores 2 runs.", plus criticism of Stephen Smith of FutureAngels.com
"Suck it, critics", Chuck wrote prior to gaining access to Angels players and personnel on Sunday, which mirrors the site's focus on themselves first, Angels news a distant second (an example of this can be found on the site's front page which prominently displays large pictures of the site's staff, something no other serious web-based outlet does).
One commenter posted a possible reason for Richter's selection by writing, "Chuck and (Angels Vice President of Communications) Tim Mead have been friends for a long time".
According to their website "We're always looking for new ways to communicate with the Angels fan base and this is another venue for that communication," said Mead, "This is the first time we've done this and Chuck and AngelsWin.com have earned the opportunity." No doubt, Richter and his staff work hard at maintaining and promoting their site. However, this incident makes the site appear unprofessional when it could have been a big win for internet reporting and blogging.
As the shift from mainstream print media to internet sports reporting continues, Major league Baseball should eventually start allowing press access already provided by the other sports communities. During the recent NFL and NBA drafts, SBN bloggers were granted press access in order to provide content for their sites. Hopefully, this trend of issuing press credentials by the Angels front office continues for serious web-based outlets and they are not turned off by the amatuerish actions of angelswins.com.
0 recs | 40 comments
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but
Angelswin.com does NOT in any way, shape or form have ANYTHING to do with the Angels Booster Club. Don’t know where you got that information, so please correct it.
I’m a member both here and at Angelswin. I know some of you have trouble with the other site, but I’ve posted both here(and on the Rev’s previous sites) and there for a long ass time, and some of your comments sounds like sour grapes. Instead of writing a piece sounding like a jealous kid, cause someone got something you didn’t, you should be celebrating the fact that the Angels gave press credentials to an internet blogger for the first time. Be proud that the Angels are willing to step into the 21st century and accept a blogger as a true member of the press with access to the team, at least for one day. It’s a START.
Say what you will about Angelswin.com, but know that Chuck and the team that writes and puts that site together do it out of love for the team and do not get paid for their writing. Nothing against the Rev here, cause I know and love him (and he can verify that!), and know he truly loves the team, too. I don’t know where all this animosity between the 2 sites started, but this needs to stop. We are all part of an online Angels community because we love the Angels. Some of you prefer this site to the other, some prefer Angelswin over this one. And, there are some, like me, that read and post to both sites, but we all have one thing in common, and that’s our love for the team called the Angels. So get over it and realize that this is just the first step for bloggers to get mainstream access to the team. Like any baby taking it’s first steps, we will stumble and fall, only to get up stronger and better.
pattimelt - July 6, 2009
I have no doubt Chuck and others love the Angels
Or the hard work they put in to the site. And I did comment on angelswin congratulating Chuck on his accomplishment.
The point of this post was to point out that the Angels finally are starting to recognize blogging. However it’s too bad some of the commenters on that site think there’s a competition between sites, and need to continually bash the Rev.
This is a HUGE step for the Angel organization, it’s unfortunate that angelswin doesn’t see the big picture and how it relates to anything other than themselves.
Jealous? Of course I’m jealous. Although I live 2000 miles away from Anaheim, I realize how much of an opportunity this is for anyone. Sour grapes? Nope.
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
And you think some of the posters here don’t continually bash Chuck and Angelswin???
Sure, you congratulated Chuck over there, but here you post, "Unfortunately, the blogger receiving credentials was Chuck Richter of the Angels booster club-like Fansite angelswin.com. " Why is it unfortunate? That comment right there sounds like sour grapes because you or one of your friends didn’t get it. And if you think that website is “Angels booster club-like”, then why do you post there? Having been a part of the Booster Club, and on it’s board of directors, no less, I can tell you that Chuck’s site is VERY unlike the Booster Club. I am not being constantly bombarded with requests for money, nor am I bombarded with advertisements to make money for someone else. How can you write that the Angelswin site is “booster-club like” when you are not a member, nor, since you live 2000 miles away, have you ever attended a booster meeting?? If you’re going to compare things, at least know what the comparison is before you start.
pattimelt - July 6, 2009
I think it's unfortunate because
I feel if someone else had been given this opportunity it would have been handled in a more professional way. I doubt the Rev would have posted, “Suck it” when commenting about getting credentials.
Donations? Doesn’t angelswin post requests for donations on their site?
In reference to “booster club-like”, I’m referring to the different environments here and at AW. Fanfests, requests for donations, and Angels analysis that is less than what is found here (just my opinion). I’m not saying “booster club-like” is a bad thing, and I’m surprised you seem to be taking it that way, but the “atmosphere” is definiately different between the two sites. I think HH is trying to be an online news site, while angelswin is more of a place for fans to mingle (once again, I don’t mean that in a bad way).
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
The only time
I can remember the site asking for donations was for the BBQ we had this past weekend when people were asked to bring a dish or something to share. Never have I been asked for money to keep the site running(yet fundraising is a big part of the booster organization, and there’s a LOT of advertising here on HH).
I do understand where you are going with the differences in the 2 sites.
pattimelt - July 6, 2009
One their main page
On the right side of the page (under the t-shirt ad) is a paypal link to make donations to the site. I also remember reading posts asking for money. I understand there are expenses to running a site, and I have nothing against asking for help.
I have the utmost respect for you, Pattiment. And I appreciate your participation in BOTH sites. I know you’ve been coming here a lot longer than I have, and I hope I haven’t made you not want to continue commenting here.
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
LMAO
I’ve never seen that link, cause I don’t go to that page..
pattimelt - July 6, 2009
Congratulations to Chuck...
Downing Rules - July 6, 2009
Absolutely.
Congratulations again.
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
Let me clarify a few things before...
…the shitstorm starts.
1) I take full responsibility for this post. Although I’m an editor for this site, I do not speak for the Rev, the other editors, nor the frequent posters/commenters of this site. Please don’t hold what I write against them.
2) I completely agree with Pattimelt. Both sites would be better off if more people were like her and visited and participated here and at AW.
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
The only thing that bothers me...
Is the fact that he says “Suck it”
Also, do you have a link?
Figgi4life - July 6, 2009
Maybe he meant to direct it toward all mainstream media/blog critics...
who think bloggers are scum.
A better way to reply would be: “Thank you for selecting me, a humble blogger, to join the ranks of regular media.”
I am a big-time Halos fan and while I have posted exclusively here at HH, I don’t see why there cannot be two or more different blogs. No hostility is needed between the two sites, but I have read at both sites negative words about the other. That’s ridiculous. We are all united in our love for the Angels.
GO ANGELS!
Downing Rules - July 6, 2009
I think the "Suck it critics" comment
was directed at me and something I posted on their site when I said that Chuck looked like a pussy for not wearing any Angels gear at the Mariners game he went to (and was shown on TV). He was replying to someone suggesting he wear his Angels gear in the pressbox.
My comment cause quite a stir on their site (imagine that).
I agree with you. The more sites, the merrier.
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
Well, that shows your sour attitude, as you post a mention not to blow it for everyone else like the last guy did.
How he went all fanboy or something, yet you critisize Chuck Richter for not wearing Angels gear!! Reads like your playing both sides, which is the kind of attitude that creates division.
Besides, why do you feel the need to attempt to insult him? That is childish behavior. Save it for the other teams.
Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - July 6, 2009
No, that's not how it went.
When I said he looked like a pussy for not wearing his gear was about three weeks ago. I had posted a response to some negative shit they had wrote about Halos Heaven.
I thought it was lame that he, as “Mr. Angelswin.com” would go to an Angels game and not wear one stitch of Angels gear (hat, shirt, whatever) supporting his team. So now that’s sort of one of their meme’s, “Don’t forget to wear your Angels gear”.
When you ask why I insulted him, do you mean 3 weeks ago when I said he looked like a pussy (while defending this site and its users), or are referring to this post?
WiHaloFan - July 6, 2009
the "suck it"
comment was located in a thread here: http://www.angelswin.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22813&posts=52&start=1
and to quote the original post: "Well, as a member of the press, you’re not allowed to root for the team or wear Angels gear. I have my dockers, dress shoes and collared short-sleeved shirt ready to go for tomorrow.
Suck it, critics. ’
pattimelt - July 6, 2009
i've never gone to AngelsWin and felt compelled to come back
this site is a community, angelswin is a platform for pathetically inflated egos and self-promotion
ihearhowie2.0 - July 6, 2009
Been there once
They took there shit way to seriously, have no urge to go back.
Congrats to the Angels for recognizing the importance of bloggers.
Seik1177 - July 6, 2009
It is really hard to read the threads, and some of the pictures turn me off (the poster's pictures) but there is some cool angel's content that is different than here.
I hang out here, and I visit there.
Big Bad, 'Vlad'! - July 6, 2009
That site is a mess.
Mayheminthehood - July 6, 2009
Yeah. It is. It really is.
When I first started browsing fan blogs that focused on the Angels, that was the first site I hit. I spent a fair amount of time traipsing around that site trying to figure out the layout and site map. It is a mess. Honestly, I cannot say that I have ever seen another community blog anything close to that. I realized that I would have to bookmark certain places within the site to make it usable but, being a very long-time IT Pro, that requirement is practically the very definition of poor usability so I bailed. I have almost never gone back. Somebody has had to link me into there over the years in order to make the content worthwhile.
My oldest son – RubixsQube – pointed me to here and this site stuck immediately. For navigability and for content (both here and the links outward from here) and for attitude. They have attitude as well, but my takeway during those first few hours was more of an attitude of self-congratulations.
If they like it over there, more power to them. I am happy here.
We have to understand, however, that Rev’s style is more one of guerilla marketing. Corporate types will always gravitate to mainstream marketing styles first, and those include the socially non-threatening. So it should be no surprise that front office love for HH might be behind the power curve. The proper takeaway from this is to congratulate the front office for dipping another toe into the new millenium, and pay attention to our own house and keep doing what we do best.
Stirrups - July 6, 2009
Yeah that site sucks...
I toyed with the idea of being apart of both but it doesnt really offer anything not to mention it is a total mess and aesthetically unappealing….
I like the SBN networks and yeah, Rev is a smart-ass, but from the looks of it I would rather hang with him than Chuck.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - July 6, 2009
There are other Angels Blogs?!?!?!
meh……….I know where my bread is buttered……..right here on good ole HH
norcaliangelsfan - July 6, 2009
Has the Rev/HH applied for press credentials?
vladtheimpaler - July 6, 2009
Angelswin is shit.
that is all.
HaloDutch - July 6, 2009
Probably a bad move to write this story WiHaloFan,
but I am all for speaking your mind if you are pissed off about something. Let the chips fall where they fall.
I joined Angelswin just for the hell of it and posted a few times but my experience was identical to Stirrups. Hard to navigate the site to the point it was’nt worth my time. What I did read, and the atmosphere, was not nearly as entertaining, creative, informative, or as fun as Halos Heaven. I would much rather have a Diet Coke with Rev Halofan than a anything with Richter.
All I hear of Richter is minor league reports on AM830 that sound repetitive and mundane week after week. I don’t think the average listener cares that much about minor leaguers they won’t see playing in the big leagues for five years or so. This information is better comprehended when read on a website that is devoted to the minor league teams in my opinion, rather than spouted off on the radio in a few minutes.
Richter seems to have quite an ego but most folks that run successful websites do. You have to give props for Richter’s ambition to get himself on the radio and game broadcasts as often as he can though he rarely has much to say, and attracting advertising on his website from the Angels organization. He is a true suck up but it has worked very well for him.
44FAN - July 6, 2009
Well, "suck up" is not giving the guys over there their just due.
They have put in quite a bit of effort for a significant number of years, and attracted a reasonable following. That is worthy of respect. “Suck up” is unworthy. “Sycophant” would seem, to me, far more apropros.
Stirrups - July 6, 2009
I was in Las Vegas when all of this happened
This and five thousand emails is the first thing I come home to. Weird.
The negative history of the two sites goes back a long way and every time this site has a minor success (example: our partnering with YahooSports) I get the old buddy-buddy email from Chuck Richter offering to bury the hatchet if only my site will give his site exposure.
If I didn’t have a life, if I had not succeeded at other things in life and this site was the first and only thing that had ever gotten me attention or acclaim, I would have been twice as far up the asskissing altar to the Angels brass that Chuck has tongued his way thru and would have WAY WAY WAY more to show for it than a one day escorted field trip to the press box.
What do you want to read, a site that is a mouthpiece or a site run by a guy who enters 7 poker tournaments in Vegas and makes the final table at Binions three fucking times?
Rev Halofan - July 6, 2009
nice...........
norcaliangelsfan - July 6, 2009
the best part:
…as one tourney starts the dealer is asking this one guy when his episode of Poker After dark is going to air. The guy is pleasant but “big-timing” it. I took him out when he went all-in on a low flush and I had flopped the nuts and slow-played it.
Rev Halofan - July 6, 2009
daaamn...
Rev, you just got even cooler. no joke!
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - July 7, 2009
Props to the Rev...
“…cause in the end,
the record shows,
I did it my way”.
sothball - July 6, 2009
Nice to have you back Rev!
I think it is far more important and valuable to maintain our complete independence as a blog site than have to worry about what we write about a player, owner, manager or coach that may jeopardize whether or not we get privileged access or that sacred advertising account that makes the site look uber cool.
This press pass could actually hinder Richter and Angelswin on what they could report on some big news worthy story. I would rather remain free to say and report whatever we want at any time.
44FAN - July 6, 2009
Amen.
That was always my problem with AW(other than their arrogance and terrible site design) is that the harder the teat the Angels offer, the more they become just a branch of their PR department.
HH is ’Here’s stuff about the Angels, presented by Rev and co."
AW is " Chick Richter presents Chuck Richter’s Angels news"
HaloDutch - July 6, 2009
I am biased here..
And would be the first to admit it. A while back, quite a while back, about a year ago or more, I heard of a reference to Angelswin, and decided to visit. The site, like Stirrups and BHM have alluded to was hard to navigate, not user friendly to a computer illiterate, such as myself, and overall, not a good experience. Kudos to them for their success. But Halos Heaven is where I go for all things Angels. Not a knock on Angelswin, just my opinion.
halofolife - July 8, 2009
I am also biased
but I have been on AW.com for a while now and when I first stated over there I thought…..wow what an easy board to navigate around. I have been here a few times but personally I did not like the layout. I think both boards probably have something for everyone which is Angels Baseball. I think it is pretty childish to go on with this constant bantering. We have a good time on AW.com and it is the first message board where I wanted to hangout with some of the posters. I did just that during Spring Training this year and have made quit a few friends.
As someone once said “Can’t we all just get along?”
vladfan - July 10, 2009
Chuck cant respond?
I’m wondering why Rev has banned Chuck and his attempt to respond?
I’m also wondering why Rev and AW.com cant get along and share interviews and information amonst the two sites?
I’m wondering how long before Mat deletes this post?
azhalofan - July 10, 2009
In all fairness
He was unable to respond here.
Why?
Mat banned him. Plan and simple.
azhalofan - July 10, 2009
Here's what he wrote:
Talk about bad journalism, WiHaloFan. If you’re ever poised to get a full press credential, you probably just ruined it for anyone at Halosheaven.com going forward.
Wow! What a load of crap. When have we ever created an article for the masses to read that spoke exclusively about Rev Halofan or anything Halosheaven.com in a negative manner? You come over here on Sunday and give your Congrats to the media press pass, then stab me, us here at AW.com the back on your Blog. You take some members who do not like HH or the Rev an choose to blend their negative comments as a perception of unworthiness to what was a historic day for us as a website and a day in which I was humbled and yet proud of had been accomplished. Yet, you managed try and squash this fine day and take it away from all of us with a single, hate-filled, jealous rant, Blog post.
First off, way to take what I posted on our message board out of context, WiHaloFan.
Second, when you say " No doubt, Richter and his staff work hard at maintaining and promoting their site. However, this incident makes the site appear unprofessional when it could have been a big win for internet reporting and blogging. – What incident?
When I said “Suck it critics” I was replying to one of our own posters and yourself for calling me out as a p*ssy for not wearing any Angels gear when at a opposing team’s stadium (Seattle specifically when seen on TV). I put that to rest when I was in Texas, so I took a picture there with my family, all decked out in Angels gear which ultimately ended up on the OC Register’s Blog the next day.
My reply was in that context, and as a member of the working media who has been given a Press Pass, you’re suppose to appear neutral when in the clubhouse. No Angels shirts or hats, a move Tim Mead applauded when I showed up without wearing any Halos gear.
The context of my “Suck it critics” can be seen below.
mancini79 – 7/4/2009 10:26 PM That is awesome. Chuck, you will have a fantastic time. Remember to not LOOK like a p*$$y and wear some angels gear.
You know exactly what this was about, as you alluded to it later in your comments on the Blog post. But, you choose to keep it in the Blog post anyhow.
Now, what any member of our message board says about you, the Rev or HH is free game. You guys are all about free speech at HH, as are we. I didn’t delete our members’ negative posts about your Blog or the Rev because of that very reason. Just like I don’t expect you to delete any of your members " Angelswin is shit" comments either.
There are some at Halosheaven.com that do not like me or our website Angelswin.com and that’s fine. There is a reason that our community forum and website is successful and why they like it at Angelswin.com and not so much at Halosheaven.com. There has been bantering from both sides sure, but I tried to reach out to your fearless leader and there was no traction. He claimed that it would be pointless, but said we could start by putting a HalosHeaven.com Banner on our Message Board that said “HalosHeaven.com – Angels #1 Blog”. I just wanted to do a link exchange on each others Blogs, but more importantly call for a truce since we both house a huge Angels Blog/Fansite and we’re all just Angels’ fans at the end of the day.
Mat Gleason (Rev Halofan) said:
The negative history of the two sites goes back a long way and every time this site has a minor success (example: our partnering with YahooSports) I get the old buddy-buddy email from Chuck Richter offering to bury the hatchet if only my site will give his site exposure. If I didn’t have a life, if I had not succeeded at other things in life and this site was the first and only thing that had ever gotten me attention or acclaim, I would have been twice as far up the asskissing altar to the Angels brass that Chuck has tongued his way thru and would have WAY WAY WAY more to show for it than a one day escorted field trip to the press box.
Two items from Mat that are false here. We tried reaching out to Mat Gleason (Craig and I) well before this Yahoo deal that SBN struck with Yahoo. It’s worth noting, this was a SBN wide deal for all teams’ Bloggers to have their RSS feed in a box on each of the Yahoo team’s pages. He seems to rave about this as if it was some accomplishment of HH, but in reality it is a SBN partnership which happens to maintain and house HalosHeaven.com and other sports Blogs.
Secondly. I have been friends with Tim Mead since 1998 and didn’t start this website until 2003-2004. I do not kiss anyone’s ass that works with the Angels, in fact, I’ve sent my share of rants and opinions to Tim over the phone and through email over the last 11 or so years. Tim Mead said this at our Fanfest himself.
“We’re always looking for new ways to communicate with the Angels fan base and this is another venue for that communication,” said Tim Mead, Angels vice president of communications. “This is the first time we’ve done this and Chuck and AngelsWin.com have earned the opportunity.”
The response by you and Rev Halofan at Halosheaven.com smells of jealousy and envy.
The whole press credentials thing came as a surprise to me when Tim let me know of it on July 3rd, the day of our AW.com fanfest. I did no ass kissing to get the credentials. The Angels have said repeatedly that they enjoy the content we provide for the fans at Angelswin.com. Adam Dodge, Eric Denton, Geoff Bilau, Victor Varadi, David Saltzer, Jason Sinner, Bruce Nye and Zach Stoloff to name a few of our contributors, have been instrumental in providing quality content for our readers. We’ve also received high praise from the folks at AM 830 and certain members of the Angels brass about our work on the radio at AM 830. From what I hear, the same cannot be said for your representative from HH on the air. Most recently when HH was on the air, Jeff Biggs asked Rev Halofan about Ervin Santana’s performance and the Rev talked about his acne which resulted in crickets, dead air time.
Note: When I tried to post this at Halosheaven.com after I just signed up with a new account, I received the message below. Your fearless leader is not so fearless apparently! WiHaloFan, remember, despite your harsh Blog post about me on your website, you’re still not banned here. I think that says alot about how we roll here vs. HH. If you’re going to talk sh*t against someone, at least let them have their say, much like we have let you do here at Angelswin.com.
You are banned from Halos Heaven.
You can browse the blog, but you can’t participate.
Finally, you should look in the mirror when you speak of professionalism WiHaloFan. What you’ve done with your Blog post at HH is further the hate of Angelswin.com from Halosheaven.com Angels fans & members there, even though you speak of wanting unity. This Blog post of yours reeks of amateur journalism. I lost all what little respect I had for you. You portrayed me as some d*ck that’s full of himself. Perhaps you should ask some people here who actually know me before writing my biography on your Blog and spewing – out of context lies.
That’s all I have.
WiHaloFan - July 10, 2009
Ooops, that should read, "Here's what Chuck wrote:"
WiHaloFan - July 10, 2009
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