Kevork Djansezian - Getty Images
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: Hideki Matsui #55 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim stands during the national anthem prior to their game against the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day at Angel Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Vladimir who? Angels offseason acquisition Hideki Matsui debuted in red, donning the familiar #55 jersey and batted in the cleanup spot for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He had a run scoring single in the 5th inning for his first hit and RBI as an Angel and had a solo HR in the bottom of the 8th for his first Angel HR - the hometown crowd cheered him.
Matsui told the postgame interviewer, some dude from Fox Sports West, that he was just glad to contribute to the win. He also said he was glad he could come to winner this past offseason and that the Angels are a great team.
Jered Weaver first ever home opener start earned him a W while Kevin Jepsen pitched an intense 7th inning. Fernando Rodney also made his Angel debut with ten pitches - 3 strikes, 7 balls and unbelievably 3 outs with no damage.
After Matsui's monstrous blast, Kendry Morales sent a souvenir to the left field seats. Earlier in the game, Jeff Mathis hit the first Angel homerun of the season, a solo shot to give the good guys a 3-2 lead. Erick Ayabr was the first Angel run to score in 2010, crossing the plate on a Morales single in the first. Torii Hunter also scored that inning on a basehit by Juan Rivera.
The Twins looked okay, but Weaver got the flyouts and Ks when he needed them. Minnesota's bullpen is going to determine how far the defending AL Central champs go.
0 recs | 122 comments
Panther
GODZILLA.
And, for me, it’s not even close
halofan4life - April 5, 2010
I think Aybar merits consideration
But yeah, Matsui will be my pick
ryanfea - April 5, 2010
I'm with you on Aybar.
Zu Long - April 5, 2010
Make that another...
RedFog - April 5, 2010
Fangraphs gaave it
TO RODNEY
followed by Matsui, Jepsen, Aybar and then Weaver.
Rev Halofan - April 5, 2010
scratch that
Matsui THEN Rodney, Jep, Ayb, WTY
Rev Halofan - April 5, 2010
dollar for a stat please?
44FAN - April 5, 2010
You're kidding right?
He was getting booed out there.
red floyd - April 5, 2010
That was due to his offset ballcap
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
Rodney scared me tonight
linkbruin - April 6, 2010
Rodney took a one run lead and passed it on to the next guy.
Fangraphs sees a walk and a double play about the same as two Ks, right?
AlanFalcon - April 6, 2010
2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs?
I’d be down with that
red floyd - April 5, 2010
Aybar
On base 3 times, scores 2 runs, starts a key DP to bail out Rodney (who not only had control problems but no velocity – 88 MPH).
But I won’t argue against Godzilla. Just a great game. Fuentes looked sharp. If he pitches like he did the last year in Colorado, and in spring training this year, we are going to want to pick up his 2011 option.
I’m very skeptical on Rodney though. I’d like to see more of Shields, but I guess Mike wants to work him back slow.
RallyMonkey5 - April 6, 2010
that's easy...
Brandon Wood. He showed in-game improvement by not striking out his final AB.
BigSnyan - April 6, 2010
Easy Panther choice Tonight
Godzilla
hauldog - April 5, 2010
Panther
Godzilla gets my vote! I love how he is all business after a homer.
ginbejury - April 5, 2010
So do you think Mike starts Wood for the entire series?
I do, if for no other reason than to give him at bats + not rattle his confidence.
But if he has more SO’s than the entire team combined again, you’ll see super tits on Wednesday…
RedFog - April 5, 2010
Wood tomorrow,
Then Super Tits Wednesday. Agreed.
Slasher52 - April 5, 2010
Very bad start
Even worse is that he didn’t have strong AB. If he fouls off a few pitches, works the count full, and then strikes out you’ve got something to build on. But Wood was having 4 pitch AB strikeouts. I could do that. Scioscia has to leave him in though. You pull him now and he’ll be pressing even more when he gets in the lineup.
No matter what Wood does, he should be in the lineup everyday for April. Give him every chance to find his stroke. But sooner or later, he has to produce.
RallyMonkey5 - April 6, 2010
Completely agree
You have to keep putting him out there. His offense isn’t critical to the team right now. Let him get some productive AB’s for his confidence. He really looked like he didn’t belong in the clubhouse with the team… He just looked so uncomfortable. Maybe it was that huge ass chain he had around his neck, haha. But seriously, Scioscia has got to keep playing him through the month of April, and I feel beyond.
matt92130 - April 6, 2010
At the same time
Izzy is too valuable to keep out of the lineup, and between resting Aybar, Kendrick, Wood, and the DH spot, Izzy should be seen 3-4 times a week, if not more. Maybe not in the first week of the season, but soon enough.
I agree that Wood needs consistent ABs, but I think he’ll be riding the pine at least once in a 3 game series.
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
Yeah... he was pressing.
I was just happy his last out wasn’t a K.
red floyd - April 5, 2010
Panther=K-MO!
SenorChuckles - April 5, 2010
Matsui-Smash!!!
Weaver gave a solid Opening performance. Aybar, Mathis, and Morales also deserve a good amount of praise.
Commander_Nate - April 5, 2010
Godzilla had a great game but I went with dream Weaver
He looked sharp and showed poise in bad spots. We’re going to need a big year out of him.
RexTookMyStash - April 5, 2010
Kendry deserves the Panther as much as Matsui
Which is why I gave my vote to Weaver. That’s a good offense he just kept in check for 6 innings.
Halowood - April 5, 2010
Going with Godzilla
His RBIs were the go ahead and 1st insurance
gorams77 - April 5, 2010
NOPE
Mathis HR was the Go Ahead!
acuda27 - April 6, 2010
Au contraire:
Bot 5th: LA Angels
- H. Matsui singled to right, E. Aybar scored, T. Hunter to third
That made it 4-3, then Stan single-handedly added insurance with his jack to RCF. He’s the panther du jour.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
Im talkin when it was 2-2 then mathis hit the Solo Shot!
acuda27 - April 6, 2010
OK, whatever!
;)
Usually, you would say “go ahead” when you have officially GONE AHEAD and never relinquished the lead after that point. Consider my/gorams77’s viewpoints while we (and 70% here) take Matsui in the poll.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
Morales single in the first, not Torii...
edit and delete comment.
stuck in Romania - April 5, 2010
blochead - April 5, 2010
eyespy - April 5, 2010
Holy awesome!
hobbit_86 - April 5, 2010
Oh that's killer
Somebody’s got to make those, Eye
Raaddad - April 5, 2010
Sosh
game went just as he designed team.
Blaze453 - April 5, 2010
got ot give it to the Weav
he is a BAD ASS
matsui is just muh
DAD OF VLAD - April 5, 2010
I got to go with Weav
He looked like he was in command tonight & should shut up the all hacks that claimed we have no post-Lackey ace
Quad Fin Rider - April 5, 2010
We just got a fresh shipment of
princeton11loveshalos - April 5, 2010
44FAN - April 5, 2010
weird
Mathis and the middle chick look like they could be brother and sister…. maybe its the plucked eyebrows.
jhens76 - April 5, 2010
Where is Nap
He must be driving.
going to drop off Mathis and Weaver
and take the ladies home
DAD OF VLAD - April 5, 2010
Where the hell do you get these sweet pictures?
Teixeira Who? - April 5, 2010
44fan is our personal TMZ reporter
halofan4life - April 5, 2010
Otherwise known as Mike Napoli.
Clutch - April 5, 2010
Yup
44Fan IS the one on TMZ always rockin’ the Halo gear.
Funke5ive - April 5, 2010
Keep 'em coming
I love these photos.
Teixeira Who? - April 5, 2010
I'm starting to think that myself.
halofolife - April 5, 2010
Meaning that 44Fan is associated with TMZ.
Because there’s no other way he could provide such in depth privacy shattering pics of the Octomom.
halofolife - April 5, 2010
You *had* to say it, didn't you.
red floyd - April 5, 2010
I apologize in advance red.
But yes, I *had * to say it. For some odd reason, it ain’t a new season unless we see that image.
halofolife - April 5, 2010
BTW red,
Where were you during the game thread? There was more than one instance where we could’ve posted that we weren’t “Over Macho Grande.” ;)
halofolife - April 6, 2010
I was in section V426, Row E, Seat 25 (just behind the NHK cameraman)
red floyd - April 6, 2010
I want one.
Brunette will suffice, but I won’t be picky.
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
I am sorry
but they all look like Lackeys Sisters
HORSES
DAD OF VLAD - April 6, 2010
Damn
Mom of Vlad had better be smokin’ for you to say that about all 3 of them
Seik1177 - April 6, 2010
Jeez
Agreed! A hungry man doesn’t complain about getting steak!
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
It is called Standards
They are big nosed, MAC-faced, horses
DAD OF VLAD - April 6, 2010
I wonder if
Mom of Vlad hijacked Dad of Vlad’s HH account…
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
Wow.
You live at the Playboy mansion, don’t you?
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
I voted Stan
K-Mo was not an option.
Funke5ive - April 5, 2010
k-mo hit it like a redhead step child
DAD OF VLAD - April 5, 2010
As said by Alan Gardner in the Hangover
“I hate gonzilla he destorys cities!” Bye bye Twin cites!
WillGoAngels27 - April 5, 2010
Good quote, and good movie.
ByeBee Twin Cities
eyespy - April 5, 2010
sooooooo...
you think you’re kung fu’s pretty good, eh? I want to fight your Pitcher…. Him, against me Let’s kung fu!
jhens76 - April 5, 2010
Godzilla hit a very nice and timely HR.
But WTY pitched a very good game, all the while pitching out of some uncomfortable situations, and helping us to forget a mole afflicted traitor, who chased the chowd crowds dinero. WTY for Panther. Again, in my opinion.
halofolife - April 5, 2010
+1
RexTookMyStash - April 5, 2010
Oh Man
I blew my load on my PGP
I need a Dollar
Funke5ive - April 5, 2010
Go work for ESPN then.
Clutch - April 5, 2010
And pick the Mariners to roxxor our soxxors.
Clutch - April 5, 2010
ok
Funke5ive - April 5, 2010
Don't
For the sake of your soul, don’t!
Teixeira Who? - April 5, 2010
I'd say Hideki
Purely because he got us the go-ahead run.
But other notable players:
Aybar – 2 for 3, .750 OBP, 2 R
Kendry – 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBIs
Bullpen – 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 R, 1 SV
Slyintine - April 5, 2010
dude we need to go to sleep earlier
princeton11loveshalos - April 5, 2010
I went with Weaver.
Matsui was awesome, of course, but it’s gotta be hard stepping into those Opening Day shoes…and delivering pure pantherness.
It’s pretty close, though.
A side note on the Picks results, though—as is, it just shows what we bet, not what the actual results are. Is that easily fixable?
Clutch - April 5, 2010
I'll work on it
Shouldn’t be too tough.
foxpaw - April 6, 2010
Aybar and Morales deserve some praise as well
Morales had an RBI single and homerun just like Stan. He also made that super sexy grab on a Morneau line drive to end Jepsen’s terrifying inning.
Aybar was on base 3 out of 4 times with 2 hits and a walk. Hello Mr. Table Setter. Chone who?
Also props to Woodstock for not getting a golden sombrero.
Panthers all around though. I went with Dream Weaver. He got the outs when he needed them and had Mauer go 0-3. Well played Mauer.
Teixeira Who? - April 5, 2010
Fuentes?!?!?
Was it another nervous-save for brain fart? Anyone?
HalosBiggestFan - April 5, 2010 via mobile
A three run lead with him coming in will always make me nervous
Still, I thought he did pretty good.
Teixeira Who? - April 5, 2010
Lol yea I agree, thx for the info, I was at work so I missed the game ;(
HalosBiggestFan - April 5, 2010 via mobile
No worries
and in all seriousness, the three run lead had me biting my nails.
Teixeira Who? - April 5, 2010
He did fine.
Some good athleticism from Abreu helped out, the three run lead didn’t hurt either.
AlanFalcon - April 5, 2010
Mmm
I’m just happy baseball is back, the win just made my week
teedme2 - April 5, 2010 via mobile
Lots of love tonight...
Aybar was looking smart in the batter’s box tonight. Good eye up there.
Matsui surprised the heck out of me coming back after going 0-for-2.
Morales … wow, what a game. That right-handed power is coming up to speed. Also, his snare of Morneau’s spicy liner was fantastic. Morneau was robbed.
Weaver was superb.
And now for the hate:
Wood looked lost. Just like the BP’s I saw in the beginning of spring training. Foul tips and slicing pop-ups. Ugh. Can he square up a ball?
Downing Rules - April 5, 2010
Wood's swing speed seemed to be a tick behind on the fastballs he got tonight.
44FAN - April 5, 2010
Are you really that dude on TMZ who always wears the angels gear?
That’s so sick!! Give me a shoutout someday!!!!! :O
HalosBiggestFan - April 5, 2010 via mobile
no
44FAN - April 6, 2010
No you're not him or no you won't give a shoutout.
I’ll assume it’s a no on the shoutout.
snowhor - April 6, 2010 via mobile
no
I am not the TMZ guy.
44FAN - April 6, 2010
who is that guy?
Anyone know?
DAD OF VLAD - April 6, 2010
I'm sure 44FAN knows but isn't telling.
red floyd - April 6, 2010
Stanzilla!!!!
Epic first game performance
Raaddad - April 5, 2010
just back from the game
So FANTASTIC to see so many people decked out in Angels gear. I swear, ever since July of 2002 (the year they changed the unis to something more marketable than that periwinkle shit, combined with an exciting, winning team) there has been a consistent increase in the percentage of fans donning merch at the games.
I know I’m gonna sound like an old fart, but it still gives me great joy and relief to see this. Lordy, those old days of being outnumbered by visiting fans sucked donkeys, and today was another reminder that this franchise has come leaps and bounds in less than a decade—a complete and utter transformation from the team I grew up loving for better or worse. Let the bandwagoners come along—they’ll start paying attention to the game soon enough.
yeswecan - April 5, 2010
I'm in total agreement
I too remember pre 2002 and the feeling of shame and disappointment in hearing opposing fans more than Halo fans. How discouraging that must’ve been to the players. Now only the tier 2 games are like that. We’ve definitely headed in the right direction and I enjoy the continuing growth. Shit we’re in Japan now!
Anaheim71420 - April 6, 2010 via mobile
Cheap Ramen for all!
Woo hoo!
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
Great game.
Just got back from it. Was sitting near the Budweiser lounge… I don’t really understand the mentality of standing through a baseball game. whatever. great turn out, only saw a few incidents involving the yellow-shirts.
clover_black - April 5, 2010
I have a buddy who hung out there ... STANDING.
he gets a “get me in the door” ticket … then hangs out at that Lounge. It’s a common alcoholic hangout, I guess.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
Being an alcoholic I understand the draw of the Budweiser Patio
It’s cool to stand there for a while while you’re waiting for a drink or if you’re trying to meet up with people, but unless you can get one of those tables or you’re tall like me and can claim a patch of ground against the railing facing the field, it kind of sucks long-term. If it’s really crowded, it’s not even worth staying once you got your drink.
I usually get seats in the RF Pavillion or RF MVP sections so that my seat is as close to the well as possible.
Commander_Nate - April 6, 2010
Here is my problem with the Budweiser Pavillion.
Say you take a European chick to the game. Never been to a baseball game.
You lie to her and say that the Budweiser Pavillion is a hangout for gays.
She wants to check out an American gay bar.
What will her response be after 5 minutes on the Budweiser Pavillion?
That it is just an average gay bar, kinda boring, with a sports theme.
Rev Halofan - April 6, 2010
True fact: The best sports bar in D.C. is a gay bar
mattwelch - April 6, 2010
fewer loose screws in left field
yeswecan - April 6, 2010
how bout Howie?
i thought Howie had a pretty good day at the plate, despite only going 1-4. he hit a couple balls well, just not into the gaps, and he didn’t chase and down and away breaking balls (i remember him taking one in particular- a really close slider with 2 strikes against Baker earlier in the game). looked like he was working the count much better. hope that’s the new and improved Howie Kendrick and not just today!
anyway… great way to start the season! see some of you dudes tomorrow at the game when we break that world record with the Matsui blankets! godzirrraaa!!!
ghsu - April 6, 2010
He had a double taken away by Span...
I didn’t see where Span had been positioned, but he was way into the RF-CF gap when he caught that liner.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
Howie was great
His outs were line drives right at people (his actual hit was a blooper, the worst ball he hit all night). Howie also hit some really good fouls, one that just missed falling in for an extra base hit. He laid off pitches out of the strikezone and punished the balls in the zone. Everything we want him to do.
You don’t get panther for hitting the ball hard and making good swings, panther means producing runs. But Howie’s good day bodes well for his future performance.
RallyMonkey5 - April 6, 2010
Kendry Morales!!!!! lol, but he aint an option so Im going with Gorilas!
He was pretty bad ass, and he had MatsuiLand!
acuda27 - April 6, 2010
That was cool whomever brought the "Disneyland Font" "Matsuiland" posters
They get a pantherous shout out for sure.
The AP article summarizing this game said that it was a play on the Dodgers’ “Mannywood” section in the OF. I didn’t think of that at all. I thought instantly because of the disney lettering that it was a play on Disneyland.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
yeah it was in the Disneyland font for sure
yeswecan - April 6, 2010
With a halo over the first "a"!
rspencer - April 6, 2010
Rad to see the "MatsuiLand" sign in right
yeswecan - April 6, 2010
This is as bad as having to see the Japanese media
everytime Stan comes to the plate. Kowbell had just as nice of a game as Stan did, but Stan gets all the love. I voted for WTY, he was great today, and even stepped up as a leader as well, getting on Hula Dula for fraternizing with the other team during the game.
Oh, and we still have a chance at the undefeated season! 162-0 baby!
b0rd3rline - April 6, 2010
This
Weaver set a panther-tone by gut-checking the acknowledged team leader in mid-game for not being hard-ass enough. It was his way of saying “John who?” And, unlike John, it wasn’t showing someone up for making a bad play in the field.
mattwelch - April 6, 2010
The team looked good tonight
Just about everything worked, which is always good to see on opening night. I almost choked when I saw that Erick Aybar took a walk in the Angels’ first AB of the season. Seemed like good patience from the lineup all around. Nothing lacking in the power department either.
Still, I can almost guarantee that Fernando Rodney will not be pitching in high-leverage situations by the end of the season. That 8th inning was his career in a nutshell: bad control but good luck on balls in play. Brandon Wood also looked overmatched. I hope he pulls it together.
Suboptimal - April 6, 2010
game 1
we’ll see.
yeswecan - April 6, 2010
Voted for Matsui
But what is “Panther” in regards to an Angels game?
CaliPhinian - April 6, 2010
http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2006/6/5/41318/19900
Zoe Necrosis - April 6, 2010
Welcome to Matsuiland
Please remain seated until the season comes to a complete stop. 座っているままでいてください
Zoe Necrosis - April 6, 2010
Haha, nice! Just need a few more languages to round it out...
Willkommen auf Matsuiland! Bitte sitzen bleiben, bis die Saison zu einem völligen Stillstand gekommen.
(Been a while since I’ve used German…forgive my rusty google-assisted attempt.)
Commander_Nate - April 6, 2010
Remain Seated please. Remanece sentados, por favor.
(my memory of the end of the Matterhorn may be off).
red floyd - April 6, 2010
That's it, verbatim.
Zoe Necrosis - April 6, 2010
Side note.
I missed the announcement of the umps, and I could tell it was Mclelland behind the plate, because of his delayed calls.
red floyd - April 6, 2010
so i guess he will be 3B tonight
to botch a call…
Rev Halofan - April 6, 2010
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