Lisa Blumenfeld - Getty Images
about 2 years ago: ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 10: Hideki Matsui #55 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waits on deck during the game against the Oakland Athletics on April 10, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Godzilla made a winner out of The Angels after a spotty bullpen meltdown. Hideki Matsui drove home Bobby Abreu in the bottom of the 9th inning after an intentional walk of Torii Hunter. Senior citizen outfielders dominating late, it would have been a good evening for a 1970s night as the players born in the age of Nixon contributed to a win for reliever Fernando Rodney, who pitched a scoreless 9th.
SCOTTNAK ON THE WIN: Things were looking nice at the beginning of the game, after the Angels got the offense (somewhat) going to get some runs on the board. Surprise surprise, it was Godzilla to get the first run in as well! Unfortunately the As promptly pecked at the lead and eventually equalized it by the end of the 8th. (Of course, had Erick Aybar not made a baserunning gaffe, this game wouldn't have needed the heroics, but... hey. Worked out nicely in the end!)
And how about that Rodney, did pretty well today, nothing like the impending doomsday-like comments. Hopefully this will start a more positive wave of comments coming, for all topics that is "Angels"
Now the question to ponder is, would you have walked Hunter to get to Godzilla? (Of course, take the opinion if you were on the other side) I dunno. But we certainly got a nice SAYONARA GAME (サヨナラゲーム) from Godzilla!
UPDATE: Our SBN partner FANGRAPHS gave Matsui the WPA of .376, Weaver .251 and Rodney .154
Roll Call: robbiesqp, moosemastr, Halowood, angelsfan7, Quad Fin Rider, Angelsrthebest101, foxpaw, ladybug, desecrator09, vlad IS my man, Moondoggy, chairmanofthebar, Downing Rules, halofolife, opiejeanne, Figgi4life, Turks Teeth, vongveng, rspencer, bc56274, Fan Since 1981, LazorkoRules, Rev Halofan, daze, ZiK, scottnak, Raaddad, red floyd, Zu Long, Epic Dean, RexTookMyStash, UCIHalo, tanana40, angels_rally_mom, TheAngelsColts, Clutch, ryanfea, Match Day 5, mattwelch, norcaliangelsfan, snowhor, princeton11loveshalos, UK Halo, ALucky22, Northwest, salmonforever, Los Angeles de Anaheim, Teixeira Who?, sothball, clover_black, halofan1, Billman29, lightupthehalo, DAD OF VLAD, TheKingfish, Vladd#27, yeswecan, mastermind565, firebird81, chikmagnet_565
Total Users: 60
Total Posts: 1176
Total Threads: 2
0 recs | 117 comments
Weaver = Panther
Quad Fin Rider - April 10, 2010
+1
Figgi4life - April 10, 2010 via mobile
+100
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
+36
Teixeira Who? - April 11, 2010
Matsui's got a good case for panther too
3-5 with 2 RBI including the game winning hit…
foxpaw - April 10, 2010
Yay
But we need to start winning games that Lil Weav doesn’t start.
By the way, how’s Howie doin’? Looks like he picked up right where he left off. But that must not be true, because all the stat guys tell me that the Angels’ prospects never pan out.
LA Seitz - April 10, 2010
He is doing great like I though he would
TheAngelsColts - April 10, 2010
Panther = Giant Lizard
vladtheimpaler - April 10, 2010
No, a panther is a feline beast found in the jungles of north and south america.
Clutch - April 10, 2010
Zing!
LA Seitz - April 10, 2010
Sorry, on this site Panther means more
From the “Lore of the Panter”
“Panther,” and its emotive yelping cousin PANTHAH ! are what separate this blog from mainstream packaging of the team – because of John Cage (and Darby Crash), we can own a piece of the Angels that nobody can (nor probably would really care to) ever take.
The irony-free incongruity of “Panther” and “Angel” binds us into a fraternity (co-ed of course) of hardcore fans which goes beyond simple passion. Panther is outright consumption with the franchise formerly known as the California Angels.
Zing that
vladtheimpaler - April 10, 2010
"Lore of the Panther"
vladtheimpaler - April 10, 2010
Trust me, Clutch knows all about it. It was just a zinger.
red floyd - April 10, 2010
Ha, thanks!
Clutch - April 10, 2010
It was a lame attempt at anti-humor.
I’ve been around since Panther was a much more oft-used term in these here parts!
Thanks, though.
Clutch - April 10, 2010
It's all good
’cept for pink floyd and LA Seinfeld trying to kiss your ……
Been around a while myself.
vladtheimpaler - April 10, 2010
Yeah, that's one of the reasons I was a bit confused!
Clutch - April 10, 2010
I cheered so loudly when Matsui hit that winning single
that I hurt my mouth. I got my wisdom teeth out a couple days ago. Ouch
chairmanofthebar - April 10, 2010
Sorry...
Hope you feel better soon.
Clutch - April 10, 2010
Watch out you don't pop the stitches.
halofan4life - April 10, 2010
Zing!
LA Seitz - April 10, 2010
Dammit, replied to the wrong post.
LA Seitz - April 10, 2010
Maybe, but funny all the same
rmhalofan - April 11, 2010
zing!
Funke5ive - April 11, 2010
I need to have mine out. After I get back from my trip will be soon enough.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
Come to Hawaii
I know a great dental surgeon, who is also a Matt.
eyespy - April 10, 2010
My suggestion would be to do them as soon as you can.
I was supposed to get mine out when I was 19 but waited until now (I’ll be 32 in a month).
chairmanofthebar - April 10, 2010
Fantastic.
ok, forget about the bad start… if this team makes the postseason, we have a player in matsui that is a bona fide CLUTCH hitter. We haven’t had that in some time…
Also, mathis is going to get traded and is being shopped right now… right?? right??
clover_black - April 10, 2010
Mathis? Shopped?
You’re funny.
halofan4life - April 10, 2010
haha your hilarious.
I actually like how Mathis is playing and seems to be picking up where he left off in the playoffs
TheAngelsColts - April 10, 2010
Agreed
I’m actually a big fan of Mathis behind the place and his bat is slowly winning me over. Naps at DH maybe? (When Godzilla is in LF)
Teixeira Who? - April 11, 2010
Thats what I am thinking. I expect for us to start seeing him at DH and then Wilson will be the main backup C for Mathis.
That and I could see Wilson playing some 1st when Morales gets a day off if needed.
TheAngelsColts - April 11, 2010
What about Matsui?
SportsChicken - April 11, 2010
What about him?
He is the DH. I think as most do (i think) that he will almost sole play DH with sparatic LF opportunities in which I think Nap. will get most of the DH at bats. Napoli will obviously still do some catching as well just not as much this year I don’t think based on what we are seeing right now but hey I could be totally wrong.
TheAngelsColts - April 11, 2010
Sparatic is a pitcher not a DH
Rev Halofan - April 11, 2010
kaz looks good for thurs
vongveng - April 10, 2010
Rodney pitched the 9th btw, didn't he?
Clutch - April 10, 2010
yep
TheAngelsColts - April 10, 2010
And looked good doing it.
Beginning the road to redemption, I hope.
red floyd - April 10, 2010
Poll up now.
scottnak - April 10, 2010
I'm almost bankrupt.
I’m glad I don’t live near vegas.
halofan4life - April 10, 2010
Great win!
Tough game initially; wasted opportunities, sloppy play, the blown lead.
But at the end of the game the Angels were saved by:
Fan Since 1981 - April 10, 2010
Nice graphic.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
Special japanese versions
for a matsui victory!!
scottnak - April 10, 2010
Angels won tonight because I was at the Big A.
MATSUI FTW Whoooo Whoooooooo!!!!!
deejayelleseven - April 10, 2010 via mobile
Then you have to go to every home game from now on.
That’s the rule.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
Not just home games. Start following them around.
If you are a real fan, that is.
matthiasstephan - April 11, 2010
Were you eating anything during the winning rally?
eyespy - April 10, 2010
Oh you better believe it brother.
Nom Nom Nom RAWR RAwR RAWR Gozilla Karate Chop!!!
HH Fundraiser to get Me season tickets lol.
Im not picky section 401 is ideal.
deejayelleseven - April 10, 2010 via mobile
i'm sorry you feel that way.
Cause it was my presence that made it possible for them to win. :-p
b0rd3rline - April 11, 2010
I just don't see putting Torii on to face Matsui
he is so locked in right now
Angelsrthebest101 - April 10, 2010
And he is just as potent against lefties as righties
halofan4life - April 10, 2010
yeah.
that wasn’t very bright.
clover_black - April 10, 2010
With just one out
you’re setting up a double play by walking Torii.
Rusty Carew - April 10, 2010
To be sure
I’m glad it didn’t work out.
Rusty Carew - April 10, 2010
Karma's a bitch, ain't it.
As I recall, the same tactic bit the Bosux in the ass last year in the playoffs, when they walked Hula Dula to face Vlad.
red floyd - April 10, 2010
It used to tick off GA when they'd walk Vladdy to get to him.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
She wouldn't be such a bitch if she'd try Midol once in awhile.
sothball - April 11, 2010
I asked Torii if he’d have walked himself, and he said absolutely, no matter who the batter was after him, to set up the DP. “When I become the manager 10 years from now, I’m walking him — no matter who it is. You get a double play, inning over.”
But I sort of thought it was definitely going to backfire.
Sam Miller OCR - April 10, 2010
That's really cool.
Also, I can’t wait to see Torii as the bench coach or the manager for the Salt Lake Bees before taking over for Scioscia (or Gardenhire, whoever retires first) upon their retirement!
Clutch - April 10, 2010
I thought the same thing myself
It was a typical baseball move (both are good offensive players)
However, that Matsui “stare” that the pitcher will get has to be intimidating.
“uh, oh, what did I just do?”
vladtheimpaler - April 10, 2010
Sick new banner
Figgi4life - April 10, 2010 via mobile
welcome to 2010
comments welcome. Just something I threw together in 10 mins
scottnak - April 10, 2010
sweet signage scottnak
44FAN - April 10, 2010
I wouldn't have intentionally walked Hunter to get to Matsui
Matsui is just one long-faced killer.
BBFan1 - April 10, 2010
Weaver and Matsui.
One guy pitches, one guy hits.
This has been a microcosm of our season. These are the only two guys doing anything.
Good win tonight. We needed it.
bc56274 - April 10, 2010
Well 2 of the only guys cause there are a few others that are being consistant but not many yet
TheAngelsColts - April 10, 2010
I'm watching Angels in the Outfield!
chairmanofthebar - April 10, 2010
Dear god man
WHY?
foxpaw - April 10, 2010
Nostalgia?
chairmanofthebar - April 10, 2010
no need to torture yourself, we won tonight
Quad Fin Rider - April 10, 2010
I have never watched that. Can't believe they got Christopher Lloyd and Danny Glover for that.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
and Matthew McConaughey and Adrien Brody
and Dermot Mulroney
chairmanofthebar - April 10, 2010
Wait, was there a remake? Of that???!!!???
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
It was already a remake.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
The original is actually pretty good, don't you think?
Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Donna Corcoran, and Bruce Bennett, who’s especially good as the pitcher destined soon to play in a higher league.
For those who haven’t seen it, it is set around the Pirates, who were nearly as hapless in the postwar period as they are now.
rspencer - April 10, 2010
Was it? Sounds like a good cast for the period, but I haven't seen that one either.
Last night I bailed and watched Fantastic Mr Fox.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
Well, my wife and I like it
It’s a funny film, by turns salty and sweet. Janet Leigh may be a highly improbable love interest for Paul Douglas, but that’s part of the film’s charm. And nobody flaps his arms like wings!
Oh, and Keenan Wynn is very good in it as a sportscaster with a chip on his shoulder who has it out for Douglas’ character. It’s just typically good post-war, pre-Schary MGM fare.
rspencer - April 11, 2010
Oh wait. Were Brody and Matthew kids in the film?
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
Young men
chairmanofthebar - April 10, 2010
Right. I looked it up; I thought they were quite a bit younger than they are.
opiejeanne - April 10, 2010
Yeah, I was very surprised when I found out a year or two ago that Brody was in the film...
You know those moments you get when you realize some really established actors are/were in some of your favorite films when you were younger—and you didn’t realize it at the time because you were too young to know/care who was who?
Clutch - April 10, 2010
Respeck knuckles for Rodney
He whooped some Athletic ass to set up our 9th inning walkoff.
moosemastr - April 10, 2010
Efficient too. 10 pitches or less.
sothball - April 10, 2010
ladybug went boke on her panther points for not believing in the Dream Weaver.
Ha, ha
44FAN - April 10, 2010
Be careful.
She has special internet skillz and powahs.
sothball - April 10, 2010
but I am the Iron Man.
44FAN - April 10, 2010
that is too bad
TheAngelsColts - April 10, 2010
I have never been so happy to have lost a pregame contest.
red floyd - April 10, 2010
Yea I couldn't bet much on this one. Wasn't going to take the risk.
TheAngelsColts - April 10, 2010
Don't leave out Bobby!
Matsui and Weaver were great but let’s not forget about Abreu’s two doubles. Bobby’s the guy that got into scoring position so Godzilla could knock him in (twice!)
kbrown2225 - April 10, 2010
44FAN - April 10, 2010
Seriously...
Are you Quinlann?
gorams77 - April 11, 2010
who is that?
jjackflash - April 11, 2010
Rivera
I think
Figgi4life - April 11, 2010
We only beat the A's by one run?
Bunch o’ bums, I tell ya.
/“sarchasm”
Downing Rules - April 10, 2010
Angel's win makes nick a happy boy
RexTookMyStash - April 10, 2010
Rally Buffalo Cheese Fries FTW
watched the 9th. God I love this team. HH is the SHIT
princeton11loveshalos - April 10, 2010
Having a good time tonight?
Clutch - April 10, 2010
glad you took time off from your party
to revel in victory
Moondoggy - April 10, 2010
It's good to win games when leading after 8
Props to Fernandizzle.
LOL at the Rangers.
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - April 10, 2010
I lurked for a bit at the A's blog
They were really angry when Hunter was walked.
As soon as I saw Matsui’s face when they were walking Hunter, I just knew….
SportsChicken - April 11, 2010
Nice
TheAngelsColts - April 11, 2010
"Sayonara hituh" must be "walk-off hit"
TV, Radio and Japanese calls of Matsui’s walk-off
Downing Rules - April 11, 2010
I'm gonna be honest now.
I sat in row G in section 259 tonight (the row directly behind the bullpens). I have ADD, and I had a terrible time keeping focussed on the game during the middle innings, cause there were a bunch of little kids yelling at Jepsen (while he was warming up) to sign their baseball. I had a couple of beers, but this really bothered me.
Regardless, I had a great time, and enjoyed watching the Angel’s walk off. Pix from this game, as well as the Rancho game that Kazmir started, coming as soon as I figure out how to get these damn pix on my computer.
b0rd3rline - April 11, 2010
Par for the course....
when you choose to sit in the left field FAMILY pavilion. Want to drink your suds and drop f-bombs to your heart’s content? Try the right field pavilion next time.
Downing Rules - April 11, 2010
It's only the FAMILY pavillion on:
Sunday’s and Tuesday’s. Any other day, it’s just another section that is overpriced. I had an awesome time, it was just a little annoying at times. I had only a couple suds, and was far from buzzed, so my consumption of alcohol had nothing to do with my annoyance. In fact, the usher for the section had to come 2 or 3 times to remind the young children that they weren’t allowed to hang out there during the game.
I do prefer the RF pavilion though, I think it’s one of the best views in the house. Thanks DR, I appreciate the advice. Are you going to the May 15th game? I’d love to have a convo with you, as I think you’re one of the more intelligent posters here on HH.
b0rd3rline - April 11, 2010
Trying to scrounge up a few more pennies...
only $24 in my paypal acct…
Overpriced? Face on LF should be only $14 … Kiddies are $5 in that section, so the cheapskates (like me) buy those kiddie tickets for my rug rats.
Don’t worry, if I show up at the HH night, I won’t have the rats in tow. Although, I’d beat mine if they interrupted other Halo fans enjoyment of the game or if their cheering was mis-placed/mis-timed. ;)
Downing Rules - April 11, 2010
My seats in row G (front row behind bullpen)
were $16/seat, plus the $5 convenience fee I dumbly paid on ticketmaster. I think they were decent for the price, just definitely more expensive than they were last year. If you need the extra couple bucks for the HH game, I’ll be more than happy to send it your way sir.
b0rd3rline - April 11, 2010
Thanks for the offer...
i should be able to get my shit together in the next day or two.
Much obliged, though!
Downing Rules - April 11, 2010
Can't wait to meet you.
And of course everybody else that is going. I swear I won’t try to correct anybody on any errors they make during the game. Lol.
Gotta get some sleep now, apparently they make us Doctorate students study for quizzes, tests, and lab pracitcals these days. What is the world coming to?
b0rd3rline - April 11, 2010
i sat in RF season seats for years
beats the 3 games i have sat in LF.
People’s kids are animals.
Rev Halofan - April 11, 2010
If people's kids are animals,
Then I witnessed a freakin’ pack of ‘em tonight. At least 10 kids 7 and younger yelling at whatever pitcher was warming up in the bullpen to sign their baseballs. I told them that they were signing at the other end of the bullpen, but they only were gone for 5 min before coming back claiming that the ushers wouldn’t let them down there. :-p
b0rd3rline - April 11, 2010
Auto signing is STRICTLY pre-game.
my advice to autograph hounds … go to spring training already!!!
Downing Rules - April 11, 2010
trick with kids
start taking their pictures. oh holy shit do the parents freak out. Usually grab them quick and keep them away from you. And if the dipshits confront you you tell them you assumed the kid was abandoned and were about to call security.
Rev Halofan - April 11, 2010
LMAO
Good way to get arrested
Figgi4life - April 11, 2010 via mobile
I went to watch the winning hit on MLB.com and read...
…all the comments.
I’m both laughing and crying. Everyone seems to hate Rojas and Gub. And the funny, or sad thing, is the more I listen to him, the more Gub sounds better!
And no, I won’t get ‘used’ to it. Do you get used to wearing pink speedos or eating cow’s brains in gravy if you do it every day? Noooooooo. Well, ok the speedos had a nice silky finish, but you get my point.
Sad day for Angels when you get to look forward to Mota, Gub, and Rojas. Someone kill me.
Rex and Phys together were so much better for my entertainment. I don’t care if we lose 10 in a row, I had fun tuning in.
Sigh.
RedFog - April 11, 2010
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