The Angels might make the bloggers sit at the kids table in the press box, but they send out real purty press releases for us to share with our readers (seeing as our blog's readers alone outnumber print-media dinosaur Mark Whicker's shrinking legion of old men in Orange County who still get the OC Register thrown on their lawn).
Click to make it bigger but here is the release announcing the TWENTY Non-Roster players that they have invited to Spring Training. Two pitchers, Francisco Rodriguez and Loek Van Mil were on the roster at the end of the season but were removed by Jerry Dipoto. Former major leaguer Jorge Cantu, signed to a minor league contract is also heading to Tempe on February 19, one month from Thursday!
0 recs | 15 comments
Jett Bandy sighting.
I wonder what level he’ll be placed at this season? He saw a game at four different levels last year, and otherwise was one of the few decent performers in Arizona (though a bit long in the tooth for rookie ball).
Cool that we get to see a bit of Taylor Lindsay this spring as well.
Surprised Chris Scholl didn’t get an invite after a very solid season with the Travs in 2011.
Turks Teeth - January 18, 2012
I know he might not be popular.... or good.....
But I sure hope that K-Rod 2.0 makes the team. The guy is just plain nice. He is the only player who has acknowledged me at an angels game (I usually have pretty shitty seats at fenway by the bullpens), and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Even if he isnt that good.
ItCouldHappen - January 19, 2012
He also used to play for a professional Mexican soccer team...
no joke.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - January 19, 2012
He was very nice at Spring Training last year, and he taught himself English
A few of the bullpen guys autographed a ball for me and some kids next to me, but FRod2 was the only one who took some time to talk to us. Just a quick minute, but enough to make a lasting impression.
JeffJoiner - January 19, 2012
I told this story in a dying thread earlier
But two summers ago I grew out a horrendous mustache (I was on campus that summer with no women worth procreating with) and at the end of the game I caught his attention and he turned around and yelled “Nice mustache bro”….. this was after a whole game of him just wandering around the bullpen talking with the usher and just being chill. seems like a great dude
ItCouldHappen - January 19, 2012
That's pretty cool.
I know he’s a Dodger, but Andre Ethier is a class act, too. He signed for about a dozen of us after he left during a split squad game against the Padres. Not only did he hang out for a few minutes, shake hands and take pictures, but he actually looked around and asked “Did I get everybody?” before he left.
JeffJoiner - January 19, 2012
Warms ya heart
don it
ItCouldHappen - January 19, 2012
HOLY CRAP
Spring Training officially starts in ONE MONTH
Halowitz - January 19, 2012
Kole Calhoun!
I know he isn’t going to make the team obviously due to the glut of outfielders we already have….but I’m excited to see how this guy handles major league pitching.
Chzburger Jones - January 19, 2012
Van Mil should be fun to watch, hope he makes it.
DanishThunder - January 19, 2012
Go Matt Shoemaker and dirty, dirty 'stache
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - January 19, 2012
Hope he makes the team...
We could use a quality ’stache on the team.
thetooth - January 19, 2012
Sweet about lindsey! And Darwin
miketrout - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Looking forward to watching Navarro this year; Cron next year
I’m still pulling for Moore and Segura. One of the great things about Spring Training is that every year somebody new seems to impress you.
JeffJoiner - January 19, 2012
Dirty Doug Deeds - Done Dirt Cheap!
It appears that Servais is doing an ex-Ranger farmhand a favor by bringing him in. Only batted .249 at Round Rock and he’s over 30 years old.
Brasier and Carpenter are the ones that need to get long looks.
johnnyangel101 - January 19, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.