Let the record show that on October 3, 2010, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did play their 162nd and final game of the 2010 Major League Baseball regular season. It ended with 80 wins and 82 losses, a clear disappointment after a 97-win campaign in 2009.
We will take the next few weeks to marvel once again at how bad the postseason coverage is on Fox and TBS (at least there's no Chip Caray this year), and then we'll start arguing about what went wrong for the Angels, what they need to do to fix it, and what we should expect in the future.
Both teams played tune up this afternoon. Dan Haren and Colby Lewis were pulled well short of 100 pitches, with the Angels scoring three times on three hits courtesy of home runs from Hideki Matsui and Peter Bourjos. Haren allowed just two runs on a spasm of singles in the fifth, and the Angels' bullpen held down the Rangers' C lineup for the final three innings. The Rangers' pen, however, combusted for three earned runs in the ninth, two of them coming on Mark Trumbo's first major-league hit. I wonder if Mark Lowe will be invited over to Rich Harden's place to watch TBS on his big screen next week. Scott Feldman should be there too.
The Detroit Tigers narrowly avoided a four-game sweep at the hands of lowly Baltimore, which would have been their seventh in a row, and guaranteed the Angels a protected draft pick. Given the monumental rebuilding task ahead, it would be impossible to overstate the importance of that. The Angels would not even be able to sign a quality middle reliever otherwise. Anyways, it's time to stop writing and get back to the Padres and Giants, the last meaningful game in the 2010 regular season. It's been fun. Sub out.
0 recs | 85 comments
Let it be known
That even WITHOUT K-Mo for a majority of the season, we STILL beat projections.
Suck on that, projections.
Kernel - October 3, 2010
I think PECOTA ultimately settled on 81-81
Suboptimal - October 3, 2010
fail.
clover_black - October 3, 2010
With Detroit winning, it was fun to hear Pete hit one out, and of course Trumbo's first hit, 2 RBI single.
It is awesome that we at least managed to get that protected pick. Nice write up Sub.
Wally's World - October 3, 2010
We still have a good chance at a protected pick
…right?
Chzburger Jones - October 3, 2010
It's over. It's FINALLY over.
Can I get a hallelujah??!
bc56274 - October 3, 2010
Everyone in the game thread knows I picked 12, even though I didn't get a chance to place my bet
Just you know. I am a winner. It’s the little things in life that matter. To me.
agent_99 - October 3, 2010
Over 1 MILLION POINTS [pinky to mouth] for me!
red floyd - October 3, 2010
I blew all of my points yesterday.
It was a good try, though.
Downing Rules - October 3, 2010
Unfortunately
We finish in third place this season :(
ryanfea - October 3, 2010
Protected Pick says
look forward to 2011 :)
blast21dave - October 3, 2010
We didn't deserve better.
AlanFalcon - October 3, 2010
Bronze medal ain't bad.
stuck in Romania - October 3, 2010
Halos finish in third.
Rangers finish 3rd from last.
red floyd - October 3, 2010
At least we did'nt lose our last game, that's something.
And we have some pieces in place to compete next season, I look forward to that. Some of our rookies have proven they can play at the highest level and that is encouraging. The protected pick is a consolation prize but ya never know how that will work out, hopefully well.
44FAN - October 3, 2010
I feel more confident with a full season of
Haren, Morales, Kohn, Thompson, Walden, Bourjos than Saunders, no Morales, Fuentes, Scot Shields, Matsui.
Slyintine - October 3, 2010
Matsui knocked in 82 RBIs this year while batting about the same as 2009.
I say bring him back.
And Fernando Rodney is a downgrade from Brian Fuentes.
clover_black - October 3, 2010
We're crowded at DH, with Abreu and Napoli
The fewer games Abreu tries to play “defense,” the better we are.
mattwelch - October 3, 2010
Napoli will be moved this offseason, i believe.
I wouldn’t mind bobby being at DH.
I just think Matsui is catching a lot of flack for doing what he was brought in to do.
clover_black - October 3, 2010
Scioscia has said that Matsui met expectations.
Downing Rules - October 3, 2010
Peter Bourjos finishes the season with an OPS over .600!!!!!!!!!!!1111111
Thats like almost over 9,000
1
Chzburger Jones - October 3, 2010
Too early to speculate on unknowable off-season transactions. If there's hope for 2011, it's this;
The Angels ended with 10 less wins than the Rangers. The hope? There are at least 10 games that could easily have been Angel victories with a stronger bullpen or marginally better offense.
The bullpen improved with Kohn, Thompson and Walden. But Rodney has shown he isn’t a closer. Offense? Without a doubt, this was the greatest disappointment of 2010.
So, I hope a closer and offense is where the management team focus off-season efforts. Seattle seems to be stuck in reverse, but Oakland and Texas will offer strong challenges for the foreseeable future.
My toast on this 3rd day of October;
“Though the Angels season has ended,
And we are melancholy at Halos Heaven,
May the Angels once again dominate
In 2011”.
(Clink)
sothball - October 3, 2010
L'chaim
(clink)
cath619 - October 3, 2010
I think we have our future closer in Walden
He has the stuff to dominate. High GB rate as well.
Slyintine - October 3, 2010
Clink!
Clutch - October 3, 2010
I'd like to see one of the So Bros. in Halo red nxt yr.
Rafael Soriano, or Jokim Soria. Closer issue Closed.
Wally's World - October 3, 2010
History repeats: 2010 Angels vs. 1990 Angels
2010 Angels : 80-82
Runs Scored: 681
Runs Allowed: 702
1990 Angels : 80-82
Runs Scored: 690
Runs Allowed: 706
Fan Since 1981 - October 3, 2010
This is like one of those rare volcano explosions
It comes every decade…well atleast in 2020 we’re prepared for this again…
maze88 - October 3, 2010 via mobile
Math fail :-)
AlanFalcon - October 3, 2010
hahah, yep
wondered if anyone would say anything. :)
cath619 - October 3, 2010
So it'll be the same in 2030?
Assuming you meant every two decades? :-D Well hopefully we’ll at least have at least a few more World Series wins by then…not to jinx it!
Clutch - October 3, 2010
hopefully we have
21 World Series wins by then… not to jinx it!
Vladd#27 - October 3, 2010
Ah shit...I'm a moron
Way to end the season looking like a fool! LMAO…I’m just so tired, glad the Angels season is over tho…
maze88 - October 3, 2010 via mobile
Don't be so hard on yourself maze88....
It took me a couple of times before I figured out that the numbers didn’t add up. Math was never my strong suit. And like you i’m just glad this long and disappointing season is over with. Go Halos in 2011!!
halofolife - October 4, 2010
Dan Haren is gangster.
clover_black - October 3, 2010
I got a kick out of him arguing with Ron Washington.
~MMP~ - October 3, 2010
Ron likes Coke and Dan likes Pepsi?
Downing Rules - October 3, 2010
Oh... SNAP!!!
red floyd - October 3, 2010
The only way this season could have been worse
is if we’d lost our protected pick with a bunch of garbage wins at the end of the year.
Robviously - October 3, 2010
Well folks see you next season
when the Angels come back and take it all!!!
kbrown2225 - October 3, 2010
Rec!
Clutch - October 3, 2010
a little more sweetner...
Weaver with the K title!
Monkeyspanked - October 3, 2010
More fuel for Bora$$' fire when the next contract is due.
Downing Rules - October 3, 2010
Just accept...
…that Weaver will be pitching for the Yankees in 2013, and enjoy him in the meantime.
The_Question - October 3, 2010
horeshit...
no way weaver leaves so cal.
Funke5ive - October 3, 2010
denial is understandable at this stage
2pintsofbooze - October 3, 2010
lol @ being as naive as a cavaliers fan.
clover_black - October 3, 2010
Reality is not part of Funke5ive's DNA.
44FAN - October 3, 2010
maybe, but
44fan is a kook **************
Funke5ive - October 4, 2010
really?
you just compared weaver to lebron…
that’s fucked up
Funke5ive - October 4, 2010
He won't host a one hour special to announce the "Decision", no.
But Boras’s clients go to the highest bidder, end of story. It’s his M.O., and clients who sign with him understand this – it’s why they choose him. If they were interested in quality of life, signing quickly, good fan reputation, etc., they would have chosen someone else.
The_Question - October 4, 2010
I feel bad for Soth
If it wasn’t bad enough we had such an epic fail season
we released his favorite player: Rob Quinlin
Raaddad - October 3, 2010
and his son Jeffy
was exposed for the “premium” player we all know he isn’t. Soth will be hittin’ the pasta & lasagna hard this winter.
blast21dave - October 3, 2010
Mathis redefines "premium"......
But not in a good way.
Angelsfan015 - October 3, 2010
Yet he will be the starter next season, I feel it in my bones
maybe it’s time for a “My SoftballTeamWillSignMathis” name?
Dontbatvlad4th - October 4, 2010
Final Score From Cowboys Stadium: Angels 6, Cowboys 2
LOL!!!!
Angels_48 - October 3, 2010
The kicker...
TBS is not televising the first two Rangers playoff games with the Rays, choosing to go with the MFY – Twins instead. Poor Rangers fans waited so long too.
44FAN - October 3, 2010
Not nationally, but I'm sure the games will be shown locally.
The_Question - October 4, 2010
Not sure what you mean
TBS is broadcasting the entire Division series.
ryanfea - October 4, 2010
I'm pretty sure they show both games, they don't start at the same time...
…do they? Whatever, just get the Skankees out in the ALDS so I don’t have to listen to Joe Buck knob-jobbing Jeter and A-Roid all ALCS+
Dontbatvlad4th - October 4, 2010
Who's name on the stRangers will Buck f-up?
I don’t think they have anything close to MAY-zer Izturis
red floyd - October 4, 2010
Uh....
…he will probably pronounce Esteban German as “Es-TEE-ban JER-men”, and Borbon as “BURR-ban” (rhymes with turban). I wouldn’t want to guess how he manages Neftali Feliz.
sothball - October 4, 2010
And....
Elvis And-RUS (rhymes with bus). Hell, I wouldn’t put it past Buck to mispronounce Ron Washington.
halofolife - October 4, 2010
I'll still watch the playoffs
I would love to see a good half of the playoffs team succeed – Twins, Rays, Reds, Giants. So it’s a decent enough postseason now that the Angels are out.
I am happy for Rangers fans that they get some real October baseball, but pardon me if I say I hope they get bounced in the ALDS.
They’re certainly a force to be reckoned with and I’m sure that regardless of this off-season’s events pundits will pick them to repeat, but watch out for next year, when we get Haren and Morales for the entire season (barring any more stupid plate-jumping).
Kernel - October 4, 2010
Here's hoping for Rays v Giants.
AlanFalcon - October 4, 2010
I'm hoping to see the Giant's make. I live in the bay area so it'd give me something to do.
RexTookMyStash - October 4, 2010
Rays vs. Cincy.
Guaranteed to give strokes the executives in Bristol, CT.
red floyd - October 4, 2010
Oooh... even better
Twins vs. Cincy.
red floyd - October 4, 2010
TB needs to destroy the Rangers....
angelsfan7 - October 4, 2010
Rooting for the Rangers and Twins in the AL
I’m tired of East Coast snobs saying that we play in the 4A West. Here’s hoping the Rangers or Twins, stick it to the Yankees and Rays.
This is like rooting for the Pac 10 team, even if you’re a CAL grad and its Oregon or UCLA playing. I’m sorry, but I would never root for Stanford.
righteous halo - October 4, 2010
Well, at least the Dodgers suck.
Commander_Nate - October 4, 2010
Rec'd
RexTookMyStash - October 4, 2010
agree...
oh crap we finished with the same record as them…. yuck
angelsfan7 - October 4, 2010
Yeah, but we went 5-1 against them
And swept them in their own house.
Commander_Nate - October 4, 2010
true, very true
that makes me feel a little better now.
angelsfan7 - October 4, 2010
and the Red Sux basically sucked too
Now if only the Yanks get mashed in the first round…
Raaddad - October 4, 2010
If the skanks are bounced in the 1st round,
After the sux failed to make the playoffs, i’m sure some heads would explode at the MLB offices, and Bristol Connecticut would cease to be. The good people at espn would probably be enveloped in a black hole consisting of Dick Vitale, LeBron updates, SEC knob-slobbing, and Favre updates. There would be a fantastic orgy of violence as Skip Bayless chases Colin Cowherd with scissors, and Trent Dilfer could have a battle royale with Herm Edwards to the death. God I hope the skanks lose.
halofolife - October 4, 2010
lol
Giants-Rangers would be the nuts (West vs. Southwest)
Raaddad - October 4, 2010
Minnesota vs. Cincy.
Two “small markets”.
red floyd - October 4, 2010
Must be the hangover, but
you forgot the Rothlisberger updates.
red floyd - October 4, 2010
and the latest on the Pats and Tom Terrific
as well as how awesome the Celtics will be this year
Raaddad - October 4, 2010
Damn. I forgot the booston celtics.
Yeah, the celts picked up “The Big Leperchaun”, otherwise known as Shaq, so of course, they’ll be awesome. ;)
halofolife - October 4, 2010
You're right red,
How on earth could I forget the “Doppler 7000-Roethlisberger updates”, along with Tom Brady updates. The sad thing is, I hardly ever watch espn anymore, except for sports updates online, but I just knew that these would be topics that make the folks in Bristol, CT. giddy. And Mike Krzyzewski. espn loves them some Duke too.
halofolife - October 4, 2010
The important thing here is no more effin Chip Carary.
Now all we have to do is send Joe Buck packing and we’re set baby!
RexTookMyStash - October 4, 2010
Easy Offseason Recipe
Shields – Retiring
Matsui – Gone(Hopefully to make room for Carl Crawford)
Rodney – Ship his ass out
Rivera – Look at trade options
Add two veteran relief pitchers(via trade or free agency)
Add one bat(Preferably C.C. as mentioned above or 3B)
Bake for 8 months and serve in October ’11.
KaponoMagic - October 5, 2010
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