It was bad enough that Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan wears a Texas Rangers cap in his Cooperstown plaque despite a plurality of his pitching achievements occurring when he was a member of the Angels. It was made worse when he became a front office force in the Rangers organization. But now Nolan Ryan is the OWNER of the Rangers.
Is this the season for traitors? The Vatican might be on its 16th Benedict in 1,700 years, but Anaheim has its 2nd traitor in six weeks. First John Lackey, an Angels franchise great, signs with the Red Sox... the most hated post-season rival in the history of the Angels, and Lackey signs with Bahstin after actively pursuing them to pledge his interest in playing for them. But now Nolan Ryan has become the owner of a division rival. What is next, Billy Beane pulls off his mask to reveal that he is really Chuck Finley?
Other than Don Baylor's contributions to the 1986 Red Sox ALCS hammering of the Angels, it is hard to offer a candidate to compete with Lackey and Ryan actively turning on the Angels franchise. Save your rational lectures about the real world dollars and sense. Fans follow the sport to enjoy a sense of honor, character and loyalty and when the opposite is displayed, we get to swing at those who have snubbed us and our team
0 recs | 65 comments
For Ryan to reach Anakin levels of traitorism, the Rangers will have to actually beat us.
Yes, we beat Boston this year, in glorious fashion, but our Ace pitcher signing with our playoff rival means Anakin Lackey is still the knife that stabbed deepest.
AlanFalcon - January 24, 2010
I disagree
ineptitude does not save the criminal from the crime. It just makes it more despicable that he stinks at trying. Selling oregano may get you off a distribution charge, but you’ll still do time for attempt and conspiracy.
I’ve been saying it for months (and getting derided for it) Nolan is dead to me. A nameless player got all the no-hitters and K’s.
Moondoggy - January 25, 2010
The Hall of Fame cap still sticks in my craw
mattwelch - January 24, 2010
Yeah that bums me out too
There are several HOFers who played for the Angels at some point. But he’s the one that really should be wearing an Angels hat. The only thing that would be worse is if Vlad has an amazing run with the Rangers and decides to go into the hall with that hat as well.
10 27 02 - January 24, 2010
Vlad would probably go in as an Expo, before he would don a Ranger hat.
halofolife - January 24, 2010
Vlad will go in as an Expo.
hauldog - January 25, 2010
Sad, but true.
There really aren’t any probable HoFers in the near future that would go in as a Halo. Saddening.
angels4adam - January 31, 2010
I mentioned this to my manager at work
I’ma be so pissed if it happens.
TheTypingFiend - January 25, 2010
These days he would have gone in as an Angel...
since the Hall now decides instead of the Player.
Wearing a cap in the hall that represents less than 20% of your playing time in the Majors and zero postseason appearances is a farce.
Nashdiesel - January 24, 2010
I voted for Lackey
Nolan was a Texas guy through and through and he’s been true to that. Lackey is from Texas and is just a flat out sell out who cheated on our Strike Force ladies.
Another think in Nolan’s favor is that I have seen him with his mouth closed (see picture above) I can’t say the same think for Big John.
MH252525 - January 24, 2010
I cant really look at it like they are being a traitor.........
Guess im lame.
norcaliangelsfan - January 24, 2010
I don't see this move from Ryan as a big deal.
If you want to label Nolan Ryan a traitor (rather than something like the greatest pitcher ever, or something) that is fine, but the ship sailed on that a long time ago. He has been involved with Texas for a long time now, so buying the team is no new thing.
matthiasstephan - January 24, 2010
This. ^^^
red floyd - January 24, 2010
greatest pitcher ever?
He never even won the Cy Young!
angels4adam - January 31, 2010
So...
I don’t see the relevance to this comment.
matthiasstephan - January 31, 2010
it was a joke
angels4adam - January 31, 2010
If he went in as a halo
I’d be fine with this.
Teixeira Who? - January 24, 2010
I hope GMJ goes in as a Halo.
He owes us that much.
Stirrups - January 24, 2010
Okay, I laughed at this.
Zu Long - January 24, 2010
very little
We’re used to better from Stirrups.
Moondoggy - January 25, 2010
Sheesh. The bar keeps getting higher all the time...
If there is a blogging HOF some year, you guys better start doing right by me or I am going in as a Yahoo member.
Stirrups - January 25, 2010
lol
you set the bar, you jump over it
Moondoggy - January 25, 2010
Before calling him a traitor, think about how Ryan was treated by Buzzie Bavasi
The following are extracts from a Dallas Morning News article in 1993:
- "By the time he got to the Angels for the 1978 season, Bavasi was aghast at the money spent on players and the organization. He called the Angels a “country club” under general manager Harry Dalton, who left within a month of Bavasi’s arrival as executive vice president."
- "Ryan said he and Bavasi “were not compatible.” Bavasi made several comments to reporters that angered Ryan in 1978 and 1979, though the most famous came after Ryan left the club for the Houston Astros. Bavasi was the first of several critics to describe Ryan as a .500 pitcher, a brand of mediocrity that Bavasi still holds, though not as brazenly."
-"Bavasi was the reason Ryan decided to become a free agent and sign with the Astros after the 1979 season. Until Bavasi arrived, Ryan liked California. He considered moving his family from Alvin, where they annually returned in the off-season. Ryan loved Autry, a generous and affable owner. He liked and respected Dalton, who had acquired him from the Mets. He couldn’t stand Bavasi. “I wouldn’t have come back,” Ryan said, “as long as he was the general manager.”"
- “The relationship soured early, during the 1978 season. Ryan went 10-13, his worst record since a 10-14 mark in 1971, his last season with the Mets. He led the league in strikeouts for the sixth time with 260. But his earned run average was 3.71, up almost a run from the year before. The Angels still were not giving him much support, but it was better than ever. In his 13 losses, they scored 40 runs. From 1972-77, the Angels averaged 1.7 runs in his losses.”
- “Ryan, coming off a terrific 1977 season in which opponents voted him AL Pitcher of the Year in a poll by The Sporting News, picked it up again in 1978. He gave up no runs in four of his first six starts, though he was only 2-1. His record got worse quickly. He lost six of his next seven decisions. His luck was no better. He went on the disabled list from June 14 through July 5 with a pulled left hamstring, injured in a race. He won once in seven starts when he came back. He went back on the disabled list Aug. 20 with a rib separation and did not return until Sept. 6.”
- "Based on the 1978 season, Bavasi formed a quick opinion of Ryan, the club’s best player for most of the 1970s. To Bavasi, he was no more than the Angels’ fourth-winningest pitcher in their best season. A new club attitude was apparent. The 1978 Angels press guide boasted of Ryan’s accomplishments “far beyond his contemporaries” and his prospects of future greatness. The 1979 press guide included, for the first time, a biography on Autry and Bavasi, credited with bold deals that brought the club its success. The information on Ryan was not nearly as kind as it had been just the year before. “While lacking a consistency which has limited his overall success,” began the first lines of his 1979 bio, “nonetheless, for one game or one pitch, there’s no pitcher who’s more exciting to watch than Nolan Ryan.”"
- “Ryan never had an agent before the 1978 season. He negotiated his own three-year deal that paid him $300,000 annually through 1979. Because of his deteriorating relationship with Bavasi, he decided he likely would pursue the free-agent market after the contract expired. To help him in that anticipated search, he hired Dick Moss as his agent. Moss got along with Bavasi no better than Ryan did. A former Angels official said Moss was the reason for the ultimate fall-out between Bavasi and Ryan. Moss, without Ryan’s consent, presented a list of figures indicating what it would take to sign Ryan after the 1979 season. The incentives, Bavasi said, were so numerous and attainable that, in 1980, Ryan easily would have made $1 million, a figure no one else in baseball made.”
- "When Ryan signed with Houston after a 16-14 record in 1979, Bavasi said they would only have to come up with two 8-7 pitchers. “If nothing else,” he wrote in his 1987 autobiography, Off the Record, “the mathematics bear that out.”"
- “Up to 1979,” Ryan said, “I anticipated finishing my career in California. I think I would have. We were going to have to make some decision about where to live full-time.” He thought a moment, smiling. “Buzzie made that one for me.”"
mustard_man - January 24, 2010
How the hell
did either of the Bavasi’s get jobs?
ryanfea - January 24, 2010
Good question
Being gene autrys drinkin buddy had it’s perks I suppose
Rev Halofan - January 24, 2010 via mobile
Bavasi needs to be added to your poll above
For those of us old enough to remember, Bavasi was notorious for decorating his office soley with photographs of his former Dodger players. Never once during his entire tenure with our club did he ever add a single photo of an Angel player. He blatently showed where his heart & loyalty were all the while lining his pockets Autry’s money, ironically the kind of jack that his beloved Walter O’Malley would never deign to pay him. This alone should make that piece of crap the biggest all time traitor in Halos history
Quad Fin Rider - January 25, 2010
bingo, Bavasi was the bad guy
tanana40 - January 24, 2010
You got to it before me
The name Bavasi should be the one held up to the highest level of traitorism. Along with Mike Port these nimrods did more to ruin my childhood than any player.
Ghost of seven in a row - January 24, 2010
Ditto on Bavasi
my top ten anti-Angels includes Bavasi. Dave Henderson, the guy that shot Lyman Bostock, Curt Pringle are also on a list i developed a few years ago.
Ryan is nowhere on near the list. Too many positive memories – he’s still one of my favoritse.
Rex Fregosi - January 24, 2010
Ditto on Mike Port
Moondoggy - January 25, 2010
Not buying it
Front office assholes should not give players, like Nolan, a chance to dust off their shoes the love and honor that the fans bestow upon them. Anaheim was where he achieved his greatest glories. I know that he was great in Houston and Dallas, but everyone, not just Angel fans, associated him with the Halos.
Front office treated him bad. What a surprise. Welcome to the story of baseball. Hell, Ruth ended his career cast off as a Boston Brave. Fregosi ended with the Mets and the Rangers. Anyone think he’s not an Angel? Wally came back to retire as an Angel after being crapped on by Port and Jackie.
Do I sound bitter? hmmmm, good, because I am. He turned his back on us and I don’t mean by owning or running the Rangers (it’ll be interesting the first time he craps on a long-time icon because it’s the right business decision). He has as much right to earn a living in the sport as anyone else. But the day he turned his back on us by wearing the Ranger cap in the Hall, he was dead to me. It was as if all those years of cheering my guts out were without any meaning. Don’t visit the sins of Buzzy on us.
Moondoggy - January 25, 2010
What's the opposite of a rec?
angels4adam - January 31, 2010
Yea, i kind of have to ageee with the previous sentiment here....
I don’t really see Ryan as a traitor. I think the rush to judgment these days is to call everyone who moves on to other achievements in life, a traitor. Good for Ryan, a man whose blood bleeds for baseball. And, anytime a former player, who understands the intrac
The Furious Bat of Howie47 - January 24, 2010 via mobile
Dunno what happened there...i'll just continue...
Anytime a former player, who understands the intricacies of the game, becomes an owner, I think it’s better for baseballl overall. So, no, Ryan is not a traitor. And, I still respect him quite a lot.
The Furious Bat of Howie47 - January 24, 2010
I don't blame Ryan
First of all, he did not leave the Angels to go to a rival. He left for the other league, and pitched nearly a decade with the Astros before he joined our division rival. I don’t blame him at all for leaving under the circumstances, Bavasi was a piece of crap. I only wish the Angels had the Moreno/Stoneman/Reagins/Scioscia stability back in the day. Imagine Nolan Ryan taking the mound to close out game three against Milwaukee in 1982, or maybe in 1986 Mauch concedes that Moore is not 100% and asks Nolan to get the final out. My childhood could have been much happier.
I never had any hate for Ryan even with the Rangers. How could I hate him any more than his teammate and former Angel batterymate, Brian Downing? Brian never wanted to leave the Angels, they were run by idiots in 1991 and released him. Vladimir is another I’ll still root for (though hoping the Angels get 13 runs off their pitchers in a 13-7 victory). He was forced out by us signing Matsui. I wish Ryan well as the Texas owner, I hope his team beats the holy crap out of Oakland and Seattle and enjoys a string of second place finishes in the AL west.
Lackey is the only traitor here. Had he been willing the Angels probably would have worked out a similar deal. And for him to twist the knife on the way out – saying he joined the Red Sox because he wants to be on a winning organization after we kicked their butts out of the playoffs- Lackey is dead to me.
I tried not to say too much negative about him when he was our moron, but let’s face it, Lackey’s face appears in the dictionary next to the phrase “mouth-breathing idiot” and everyone in the league knows it. He and Papelbon are the perfect pair.
RallyMonkey5 - January 25, 2010
Yeah.
Fuck Lackey
angels4adam - January 31, 2010
I agree
Ryan is a Texan at heart and was mistreated by Bavasi also didnt come up from with in the halo farm system. Lackey was made what he is by the Angles system and took the money and ran, I hope he gets a torn rotator cuff.
SFV88 - January 24, 2010
I don't want him to get hurt
i want him to get old and suck so the chouds are on the hook for the money. i want him to roll out every fourth day and get shelled in the microscope that is the NY/Choud sports scene. I can’t wait to see the fail on his open pie hole after a 3inn 10 run outing and 20 cameras are in his face for a game in April versus Tampa. The SAUX own their own TV station for goodness sake. How are you going to like that after Lackey after playing in a place that is barely covered by one newspaper and three tv stations.
Good Luck Lackster
Ghost of seven in a row - January 24, 2010
Nolan became forever a Ranger...
…the day he chose to go to the HOF as a Ranger.
That’s really all there is to it.
California Cajun - January 24, 2010
He bought W's sloppy seconds
That means something in my book. You don’t buy a rental.
Zoe Necrosis - January 24, 2010
I agree concerning Buzzy Bavasi..
Ryan wasn’t the traitor, he was shown the door by Bavasi’s ineptitude and disrespectful demeanor. I voted for Don Baylor. 24 years later, and I still hate the chowds, and haven’t really gotten over our ‘86 ALCS. Lackey was another U-Haul, being led by the nose by the little woman, maybe he’ll grow a spine by the time he marries wife #4.
halofolife - January 24, 2010
For some reason
2002 wasn’t enough. I still could not release my hate for the chowds, although it’s not healthy to keep such hate. 2009 ALCS went a long way. I won’t know until the season begins how I’ll react, but I feel more indifference to them than hate right now. And I think that is better. And to a Red Sox fan, I think indifference from us would be more insulting than hate. With hate, they think they’ve earned it through superiority. I will no longer give them that. I won’t be the guy frantically rooting on the Rays in the 2008 series primarily because I wanted to see Boston lose. Instead, they are like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or Detroit to me. I don’t really give a crap what they do.
RallyMonkey5 - January 25, 2010
I don't see any of these three as traitors...
Y’all a bunch of “Virgin Pink Daiquiris” !
Funke5ive - January 25, 2010
Nolan will always be an Angel.
He WAS the Angels for far too long to be considered anything else.
His ownership of the Rangers should be applauded by baseball fans. May his team always be in second place and often the winner of the wild card. May his team often reach the second round of the playoffs and watch his division rivals advance to; and prevail in the World Series.
May he propell his new team to as much post-season sucess as he led our team to.
But really, gotta love Nolan.
hittheg - January 25, 2010
"He WAS the Angels for far too long to be considered anything else."
That’s why there’s a big “T” on his cap in the HOF. Because he considers himself to “always be an Angel.” News flash — You consider him to be an Angel, he doesn’t. Your loyalty and adoration is unrequited, my friend. IMO he doesn’t deserve it. Save it for Timmy, Garrett, Brian, Jim, Wally. Guys who know they are Angels and “will always be an Angel.”
Moondoggy - January 25, 2010
I don't give a shit about Ryan, anything Boston related pisses me off
I wasn’t alive for Ryan’s career here, but I was 1 year old in 1986. Lackey is the ultimate traitor.
I hated them with a passion until we finally humiliated them at home. My hate has been assuaged for the most part. Now they simply have my eternal disrespect.
Commander_Nate - January 25, 2010
Lackey sought out Boston and let them know he wanted to play there.
Ryan was screwed by Bavasi.
Baylor was not tendered, if I recall correctly.
All signs point to Lackey.
red floyd - January 25, 2010
Say what you will about Buzzie's lack of love towards, and competence on behalf of, the Halos...
…but know that he was incredibly instrumental in the efforts to integrate the game of baseball. He was brilliantly crafty in anticipating the efforts towards integration, and negotiating the proper social and political landmines of the time to ensure that integration was a success. Most famously, he was willing to put himself in harm’s way to defend the honor of black players, and their right to play the game. This is far more credible to his character than sitting around banging away at keyboards on the internet.
Stirrups - January 25, 2010
Benedict Arnold Lackey
Fish face is the #1 traitor in my book. No one else comes close.
xavier c - January 25, 2010
Can't believe that Ryan is getting off the hook so lightly...
..5 years down the line Lackey will be remembered as one of our better pitchers, certainly not an elite pitcher, who was fortunate enough to pitch in one Angels game that was more important than the rest. He wanted to go, he’s gone – fuck him, we’ll be fine. He’s not Ryan, he’s not Finley – he’s not fit to lace their boots. His best days are behind him. It’s not betrayal, it’s renewal.
His career ERA at Fenway is 5.75 (despite the near no-hitter) – have fun with that John.
Ryan on the other hand, a 1st ballot hall of famer with some impeccable records that may never be touched (for a while anyway), had the most significant and largest part of his career in Anaheim and then fucked us in the ass on induction day. I firmly believe that his choice of hat was one of those that led to the change in policy at the HoF – that the players are no longer allowed to choose. He’s not just a traitor – he’s been called out for it. The prick.
The Limey - January 25, 2010
I absolutely hate myself
when I agree with The Limey. Hell hath no fury ike an Angel fan scorned.
Moondoggy - January 26, 2010
I think Wade Boggs is the cited reason...
for cutting a deal to go in as a Devil Ray.
But you’re right. Ryan did screw us with the cap. He had no business going in as a Ranger.
Nashdiesel - January 26, 2010
really don't care about the HOF hat
big deal.
i remember what was on the field like 4 no-hitters, 383 strikeouts, and the one point of pride we had at that time. Ryan was an icon. As I posted earlier, Lackey is now in the same boat and I equate him more with Ramon Ortiz – they both won a WS game for us. I’m glad – thanks John. thanks Ramon. buh bye.
And no Angel fan has near a level of antagonism to Texas as they do to Boston. Bavasi is the villain, not Ryan.
Rex Fregosi - January 26, 2010
I'm a little baffled by all the Ryan hatred
It’s like having your wife throw you out of your house and scream "You know I don’t even care about your $100,000 a year job, I’m just going to replace you with two guys that make $50,000!" Should you really be faulted for marrying somebody else later?
Quad Fin Rider - January 25, 2010
If it's any consolation, rest assured that Ryan did not pay for the Rangers using any money earned off of us while here in Anaheim.
Stirrups - January 25, 2010
As much as I live and die with the Angels and loathe the Red Sox
if i could, I’d buy them.
I think most of us would buy even the Red Sox if we could.
As for “alleged” traitors, why not throw the ‘Enberg to the Pads’ on the list? I associate him with late 60’s/70’s Angels as much as any one.
It’s Arte’s money, but it’d be a smart move in light of Rory’s death to do everything thing he could to get Richard back behind the mike in Anaheim where he belongs. I know he has a contract, but its not like he’s never found a loop hole to exploit before.
Bring our Dick back home.
Rex Fregosi - January 25, 2010
It's better to never let your D*** leave home in the first place.
It is best to always keep your D*** close, and keep those who love your D*** even closer!
Stirrups - January 25, 2010
I'd buy the Red Sox
and then run them into the ground. I’d pull a Donald Sterling minus all the racism.
SalmonStream - January 26, 2010
that's an even better idea.
i’ll hire you as my GM.
as long as i can sell the team at a profit, i’m good with that. and then buy a better franchise
Rex Fregosi - January 26, 2010
Ryan a Traitor?
Because he didnt go in as an Angel…he’s a traitor? Ok lets look at a few things where is the guy from? And when he was a free agent what was it the Angels said about Ryan? I will say this Ryan is the reason I became an Angels fan…was I bitter when he left Not at him I wasn’t the Angels were like Sorry Nolan you want a million dollars a year and you’re NOT worth it…So he went off to Houston…the guy is from TX he is about to own the Rangers I can see why he went in as a member of Texas
SashRoxx - January 26, 2010
Something else for the commentator of this post
Saying that D Baylor should be there because of 86,,,Hmmm if my memory serves me correctly wasn’t it D Baylor that hit the go ahead HR in the 9th inning only to have D Moore give up the HR to D Henderson later for them to lose?
If you’re looking for traitors to go with Lackey and (As I think of it a JOKE) Nolan Ryan Who in case you don’t know is a NATIVE Texan Not from California You DO Know that Ryan left basically cause the Angels said he wasn’t worth the money he was asking right…in that case the Mets should call Ryan a traitor cause that’s where he started out….anyway as i was saying why didn’t C Lansford make the list after he left the Angels he did a lot of damage with the rival A’s. And Lackey makes the list and Figgins doesn’t? Why is that? Is T Glaus or GA traitors T Percival or K Rod for leaving the team?
I would rather see D Macpherson listed as a traitor because of him the Angels let T Glaus go and what did DM do as a replacement to Troy?
SashRoxx - January 26, 2010
This Post Is Unreadable And I got Really Pissed Off Trying to Read It And I really Thot S Roxx Should Know That For the Next Time He Tries to Post a New Comment
Higz - January 26, 2010
Ryan is bitter towards the Angels organization and with good reason. Bavasi was an ass. Ryan went into the HOF as a Ranger because he wants nothing to do with his former team. I wouldn’t call him a traitor. He’s like the ex-wife who caught you screwing the secretary. He’s RIGHT to be mad.
firebird81 - January 26, 2010
Hall of Fame
When did the Hall of Fame committee start deciding which team an inductee represent (Andre Dawson) Expos not the Cubs. If that was always the case then Ryan would have been inducted as an Angel.
OCLAAfan - January 29, 2010
After Wade Boggs.
red floyd - January 29, 2010
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