It's that time of the year again, when every baseball writer is trying to fit the tired and over-used phrase "Hope springs eternal" into their headline or lead. Well, my eternal hope springs for today's Halolinks:
With all of the news about those two guys who signed with the Halos back in December, some have forgotten about the first deal Jerry Dipoto made as Angels' GM. The deal that started the most awesomest off-season. Ever!: Angels' Iannetta looking forward to fresh start - Yahoo! Sports. "Iannetta is a .235 career hitter but he produced a .370 on-base percentage in 2011. The Angels ranked 21st in the majors last season with a team OBP of .313. Iannetta promises discipline at the plate. "I don’t look to walk at all, but I just don’t like getting myself out," he said. "I’m not against swinging at the first pitch if it’s there. If it’s a pitch that I can do something with early in the count or if it’s the 12th pitch. I’m not going to chase." That .235 batting average might look pretty weak, but it's almost 50 points higher than the average put up by Jeff Mathis. The OBP is 145 points higher! Kinda like going from Alberto Callaspo to Adrian Beltre.
Mathis' shortcomings in the batter's box wasn't noticed just by fans: For many fans, Chris Iannetta is a great catch for Angels - latimes.com. "The leadership qualities Jeff had, the job he did behind the plate, that's the kind of stuff fans don't really see," Haren said. "They see what's flashed on the scoreboard and, unfortunately, he was hitting .200 with a couple of homers. I can sympathize with the fans too. They get fed up at some point."
Very good article by Morosi on the Angels' owner: Albert Pujols in spring training just one reason for optimism for Los Angeles Angels - FOX Sports. The clouds parted, the sun spread beams of light from heaven, and then, "Moreno didn’t arrive on a golf cart, nor was he flanked by an entourage, because he’s more than capable of supervising the grounds on his own. He wore black boots, black jeans and dark sunglasses, along with a red Angels shirt. He looked regal and fit. He walked with purpose. He was possibly the youngest 65-year-old I have ever seen." Sorry, got carried away. We fans are very fortunate to have an owner such as Moreno guiding our favorite team. He gets it. From off field stadium stuff, to on field needs, "Look at Morales. Did you see him hit?" Moreno said, thinking back to batting practice. "That was a missing piece — a big missing piece. It’s like if you don’t have Weaver." That's a great way of looking at Morales' contribution to the batting order by comparing losing Weaver in the rotation.
The 10 best things about being an Angels fan - Yahoo! Sports. "Heck, during slower games you can even go seat hopping! I'm sure that's frowned upon but doesn't hurt to try." Really? It's been a few years since I seat-hopped, but I remember getting booted right away. That is, if I even got to within 25 feet of front row seats. Anyway, this post uses part of HH poster MH252525's front row seat video of Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. Pretty neat.
The season can start...we've got Lyle on-board with the Pujols-Morales tag team smackdown: Lyle Spencer: Albert Pujols is looking to join forces with Kendrys Morales - angels.com. Sure glad we've got Lyle running around the clughouse checking out the hot bods or else we'd miss this tid-bit, "On the subject of food, always one of his favorites, Scioscia shed 37 pounds over the winter, and it shows. He hasn't looked this good in several years."
Hey Jordan, how do you grip your doubles?: Walden adding third pitch to repertoire - angels.com. "For 2012, a season in which the Angels are counting on him to take the next big step in order for their bullpen to improve, Walden is planning on throwing more changeups to offset his slider and play up his fastball. "It'll be something I really throw this year," said Walden, who used the changeup sparingly, and mostly early in counts, in his first full season last year."
This isn't one of those inspiring, making good on a dream type stories. It's full of interesting, behind the scenes stuff related to rehabbing injuries, The 39-year-old who won’t give up on his dream - The Hardball Times. "Andrew McNally is a 39-year-old father of three living in suburban Puyallup, Wash. Like most people, he has a day job—real estate appraisal—and spends a lot of time taking care of his family. And yet: Last May 20, I received an email from him. He told me a little about his background and his injuries—and his desire to play professional baseball again." Of course it'd be cool to see McNally make the majors, to see his hard work pay off, but the story is still an interesting one regardless.
Crowdsourcing MLB Broadcasters: Cast Your Ballots - FanGraphs Baseball. "Since late November, FanGraphs has been asking readers to rate the television broadcast teams for all 30 major-league clubs — with the intention, ultimately, of determining which broadcasts might best reflect the sorts of inquiry and analysis performed here at the site." Here's your chance to vote for Victor Rojas and that other guy.
We've been told we have to cut back on our bromance of Mike Napoli, but what about Joe Saunders? Joe Saunders is in The Best — and the sexiest — Shape of His Life - HardballTalk. "The experience of being temporarily on the job market made him stronger and wiser — and maybe even a little bit sexier. "My wife said my butt has gotten a little bit smaller," Saunders said with a smile." I like big butts, I can not lie...
Manny Ramirez Officially Signs with Oakland A's - Athletics Nation. "To me this move makes sense in quite a few ways. First and foremost, it costs the A's nothing really other than $500 K which I think Lew Wolff burped up after his breakfast burrito this morning." Can someone explain to me how Ramirez' 100-day suspension got reduced to 50 days?
Mariners Demote Ichiro, Find Surprise Leadoff Man In Figgins - Baseball Nation. "On the plus side, keeping Figgins means the Mariners might actually get something out of him, to the point where they might actually be able to trade him for, at the very least, a bit of payroll relief. On the minus side, keeping Figgins means the Mariners might get nothing out of him -- as they did last season -- in which case the front office will look even dumber, and the fans will become even more disgusted. And Alex Liddi will be stuck in Tacoma for no particularly good reason." The Mariners have their own Wells conundrum.
K-Rod contemplates lawsuit against former agents - CBSSports.com. "K-Rod and his attorneys allege that he was led to believe he had a no-trade clause that included 10 teams -- the Brewers being one of them -- by his agents when he initially signed a three-year contract with the Mets before the 2009 season." Oops.
Another interesting FanGraphs post: Collin Cowgill, Brett Lawrie and Age vs. Level - FanGraphs Baseball. "For me, projecting based on a basic 22-24-26 rule helps keep it simple when at the ballpark scouting. If I can project a player to establish himself for good at 22, then the potential is there for him to be a star. At 24, a player is likely to be a solid regular, but will fall short of star-level status. At 26, a bench role is the most likely outcome."
And finally, this totally cracked me up: Lakers Radio Guy Vigorously Applies Makeup Without Knowing He's On Camera, Realizes It Soon Enough. "Wait. We've been on camera the whole time? Shit. Really? How long has that thing been rolling? Did anybody see that? Nobody saw that, nobody saw that, nobody saw that. PLEASE fucking tell me nobody saw that..." On a serious note, I rarely watch basketball on TV, but someone commented a few days ago about how well Bill MacDonald does on the Lakers' broadcasts. I re-watched this clip and although it's just a few seconds, Billy Mac does sound good.
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I want Kendrys (or any player, for that matter)
to not break his leg during a home-plate celebration after hitting a grand-slam home run..
my favorite part of Pujols presser yesterday was when
comrade Lyle asked Albert if his injured wrist bothered him and would cause problems.
Albert gives him an exasperated laugh and then says, “Look at the numbers 2nd half.”
using Congers sporadic ab’s against him, plus Iannetta has shown little ability to hit away from Coors in his career (.369 slg for his career). Also if you look at 2010-2011, his slg% has been a figgins-esque .270…
I mean, Pujols is great, but there’s a chance he doesn’t lead us to a WS. It’s slim, but there’s a chance.
And everyone’s saying the right things about Morales, but who really knows how he’ll do in games?
But Iannetta over Mathis? Hell, you put a corpse in the batter’s box and it would provide a huge offensive upgrade. Iannetta cannot help but be an upgrade.
But then I’ve never been much for taking things just on faith alone. I’m more of a science guy, and the cold hard facts say that Ianetta will out-hit the old #5. But not the new #5.
Yes, DiPoto was a win the moments he replaced Mathis on the roster.
I’d be very excited for this season if that and Kendrys showing promise for a return were all that happened. Our 1-2-3 rotation was already solid, Trumbo was looking great at first base, especially if CJ jumped ship to the dodgers or something I’d feel good about 2012. So Ianetta is where Spring Hope springs eternally from.
That said, HOLY SHIT WE HAVE ALBERT PUJOLS AND CJ WILSON TOO! THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!!!!
This is the time of year to believe in winning it all
Pujols, Morales coming back, huge offensive upgrade at catcher, CJ and Jerome rounding out a great rotation, a bounceback from Wells, and Cassevah becoming a stopper out of the bullpen.
It’s all positive, and possible, during Spring Training.
I really don’t understand why they decided to let him off easy (i.e., to give him an exception from the disciplinary policy). I can only assume that the reasoning, such as it is, is that when he “retired” last year after 5 games or whatever, he also forfeited his salary. In other words, it had the same net effect of a suspension – can’t play, can’t earn. So, he sat out 157 games, plus another 50 games this year, meaning he’ll have missed a total of over 200 games without pay. I also assume that the next time he tests positive, it will be a lifetime suspension.
Not the money, of course, but the legacy. Manny would sooner go on the $5 foot long diet than get within sight of suspicion of another banned substance. It’s simple, he can’t look bad in Oakland, regardless of how poor his unaided performance is, so he can retire with “dignity” at the end of the year instead of knowing his kids think of him as being run out of the game for cheating. I don’t wish him the best, but the last thing I’d want at this point was a lifetime ban, it’d be bad for his family and terrible for the sport.
Personally, I’m bummed he was/is a ‘roider. Even though he’s always been on enemy teams, I was in awe of just how fearsome he was at the plate. He was definitely one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen in person. Unfortunately, I’ll always have to pair that memory with the truth that he had help. Bummer.
He’s considered such a mentally vacant guy. He always sounded a bit slow when he spoke and he did funny things (especially in the field and the dugout) that made you question his IQ.
But if you talked to him about hitting or watched the way that he hit, he was an absolute genius. Bill James has said something along the lines that he would see Manny purposefully miss a pitch simply so you’d throw him that same pitch later in the game and he’d hit it out of the park. He’s one of the only batters he’d encountered who would set up pitchers instead of the other way around.
I have so much respect for the way he carries himself. He’s a real guy who worked his way to the top and stayed a normal guy. I’m sure he has plenty of steak and lobster dinners, but he also has a beer and hot dog at the game. I can’t see a lot of other sports owners (the Jerry Jones crowd) doing the same.
With the release of Fernando Rodney, I find it hard to find hope in having the kind of season we had last year. Too often, I have relied on Rodney to increase my anxiety, and make me dread going into the middle innings with less than a five run lead. I associate going to baseball games with leaving them in a despondent state of loss, and eagerly looked forward to the expression which occurred on Coach Scioscia’s face when Rodney got up in the bullpen with under three run lead situations.
I’m sure many of you have spent time last year praying that our inept offense just ‘please put two more runs on the board before Rodney comes in’. I witnessed faces of fans turn from one of pride and certainty to abject forlornness, as leads were relinquished in a torturous, fatiguing, pitch-by-pitch, slowly load the bases way.
It should be difficult finding alternatives for the Angels to bring back these same feelings once again. For me Rodney has just been a matter of habit; a matter of complete and utter apprehension of the future.
Yet, the thought of truly feeling all of my baseball emotions without the faint haze of this melancholy draping over me is invigorating. I’m looking forward to going into this season with the knowledge I can be at peace and content by the Angles just scoring a few extra runs; and that no other assistance will be required….at least I hope so.
I want Kendrys (or any player, for that matter)
to not break his leg during a home-plate celebration after hitting a grand-slam home run..
HalosFanInNorCal - February 21, 2012
my favorite part of Pujols presser yesterday was when
comrade Lyle asked Albert if his injured wrist bothered him and would cause problems.
Albert gives him an exasperated laugh and then says, “Look at the numbers 2nd half.”
LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, LYLE! LOOK AT THE NUMBERS!
river-z - February 21, 2012
Silly Albert, Lyle doesn't look at numbers(except for the ones who make his Jeffy look good)
~MMP~ - February 21, 2012
Don't forget the other number he looks at...
4000 games.
red floyd - February 21, 2012
Lyle is too busy
checking out The Soth in his new spring slimwear package.
Halo Hurricane - February 21, 2012
Soth looks
less fat.
NathanielS - February 22, 2012
He's on a hunger strike until management brings Jeffy back.
snowhor - February 22, 2012
In that case, he might get thin enough to do a remake of the
Baseball Boogie
red floyd - February 22, 2012
Pujols > Moses
lead us
DAD OF VLAD - February 21, 2012
Hey Jordan, how do you grip your doubles?
I don’t know about Jordan, but I grip my Double-Doubles with both hands.
red floyd - February 21, 2012
Lyle Spencer did not write that article.
There was absolutely no mention of Mathis.
red floyd - February 21, 2012
I'm expecting to see some platoon action with Conger and Iannetta before long
The extra left-handed pop and OBP will be a needed compliment to Iannetta’s weaknesses.
Commander_Nate - February 21, 2012
Gotta love Conger's left handed HR potential during any at-bat.
Conger slugged .356 last year, while Chris slugged .414
RexTookMyStash - February 21, 2012
A bit unfair...
using Congers sporadic ab’s against him, plus Iannetta has shown little ability to hit away from Coors in his career (.369 slg for his career). Also if you look at 2010-2011, his slg% has been a figgins-esque .270…
hybrid - February 29, 2012
what about all of the above???
chickendinner11 - February 21, 2012
+1
angelslogic - February 21, 2012
It's gotta be Iannetta, right?
I mean, Pujols is great, but there’s a chance he doesn’t lead us to a WS. It’s slim, but there’s a chance.
And everyone’s saying the right things about Morales, but who really knows how he’ll do in games?
But Iannetta over Mathis? Hell, you put a corpse in the batter’s box and it would provide a huge offensive upgrade. Iannetta cannot help but be an upgrade.
Gorbachav5 - February 21, 2012
That was my logic
But then I’ve never been much for taking things just on faith alone. I’m more of a science guy, and the cold hard facts say that Ianetta will out-hit the old #5. But not the new #5.
Brew Angel - February 21, 2012
Ianetta is what they call a sure thing.
Its like asking if CJ Wilson is an upgrade as our #4 starter.
mustang6944 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Yes, DiPoto was a win the moments he replaced Mathis on the roster.
I’d be very excited for this season if that and Kendrys showing promise for a return were all that happened. Our 1-2-3 rotation was already solid, Trumbo was looking great at first base, especially if CJ jumped ship to the dodgers or something I’d feel good about 2012. So Ianetta is where Spring Hope springs eternally from.
That said, HOLY SHIT WE HAVE ALBERT PUJOLS AND CJ WILSON TOO! THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!!!!
AlanFalcon - February 21, 2012 via mobile
This is the time of year to believe in winning it all
Pujols, Morales coming back, huge offensive upgrade at catcher, CJ and Jerome rounding out a great rotation, a bounceback from Wells, and Cassevah becoming a stopper out of the bullpen.
It’s all positive, and possible, during Spring Training.
JeffJoiner - February 21, 2012
I agree with all of this, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
RexTookMyStash - February 21, 2012
You know how I know your last statement is true?
I originally read that as “Cassevah becoming a stripper out the bullpen” and I still found myself nodding confidently.
Gorbachav5 - February 21, 2012
Nice
JeffJoiner - February 21, 2012
Jeff hitting .200, Dan?
Maybe in April…
clover_black - February 21, 2012
This pic was taken right after Pujols makes contact with the pitch in the main article picture.
Mayheminthehood - February 21, 2012
Kendrys Morales to Mike Scioscia on Opening Day:
LAA101010 - February 21, 2012
there goes ASU
PAC-12 test scores rise 300%
DAD OF VLAD - February 21, 2012
Manny's Suspension
I really don’t understand why they decided to let him off easy (i.e., to give him an exception from the disciplinary policy). I can only assume that the reasoning, such as it is, is that when he “retired” last year after 5 games or whatever, he also forfeited his salary. In other words, it had the same net effect of a suspension – can’t play, can’t earn. So, he sat out 157 games, plus another 50 games this year, meaning he’ll have missed a total of over 200 games without pay. I also assume that the next time he tests positive, it will be a lifetime suspension.
jjackflash - February 21, 2012
How funny would that be if he did test positive again and got the Lifetime ban?
Persi W - February 21, 2012
Manny's coming back for his kids' sake
Not the money, of course, but the legacy. Manny would sooner go on the $5 foot long diet than get within sight of suspicion of another banned substance. It’s simple, he can’t look bad in Oakland, regardless of how poor his unaided performance is, so he can retire with “dignity” at the end of the year instead of knowing his kids think of him as being run out of the game for cheating. I don’t wish him the best, but the last thing I’d want at this point was a lifetime ban, it’d be bad for his family and terrible for the sport.
AlanFalcon - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Good point re: legacy
Personally, I’m bummed he was/is a ‘roider. Even though he’s always been on enemy teams, I was in awe of just how fearsome he was at the plate. He was definitely one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen in person. Unfortunately, I’ll always have to pair that memory with the truth that he had help. Bummer.
yeswecan - February 21, 2012
It was like his bat was 12 inches in DIAMETER when he was at his peak.
The dude didn’t miss. EVER.
Downing Rules - February 21, 2012
His persona is funny
He’s considered such a mentally vacant guy. He always sounded a bit slow when he spoke and he did funny things (especially in the field and the dugout) that made you question his IQ.
But if you talked to him about hitting or watched the way that he hit, he was an absolute genius. Bill James has said something along the lines that he would see Manny purposefully miss a pitch simply so you’d throw him that same pitch later in the game and he’d hit it out of the park. He’s one of the only batters he’d encountered who would set up pitchers instead of the other way around.
Gorbachav5 - February 21, 2012
Those stories about batters setting up pitchers are fascinating to me.
I’ve heard a similar thing about Edgar Renteria’s walkoff in the 1997 World Series.
It could partially be BS, but if those are true, it’s really impressive.
~MMP~ - February 21, 2012
This is the truth
hauldog - February 24, 2012
Arte is the man
I have so much respect for the way he carries himself. He’s a real guy who worked his way to the top and stayed a normal guy. I’m sure he has plenty of steak and lobster dinners, but he also has a beer and hot dog at the game. I can’t see a lot of other sports owners (the Jerry Jones crowd) doing the same.
JeffJoiner - February 21, 2012
Jerry Jones had to buy his own airplane...
because the airlines kept charging him excess baggage on his eye bags.
Downing Rules - February 21, 2012
Living one day at a time
With the release of Fernando Rodney, I find it hard to find hope in having the kind of season we had last year. Too often, I have relied on Rodney to increase my anxiety, and make me dread going into the middle innings with less than a five run lead. I associate going to baseball games with leaving them in a despondent state of loss, and eagerly looked forward to the expression which occurred on Coach Scioscia’s face when Rodney got up in the bullpen with under three run lead situations.
I’m sure many of you have spent time last year praying that our inept offense just ‘please put two more runs on the board before Rodney comes in’. I witnessed faces of fans turn from one of pride and certainty to abject forlornness, as leads were relinquished in a torturous, fatiguing, pitch-by-pitch, slowly load the bases way.
It should be difficult finding alternatives for the Angels to bring back these same feelings once again. For me Rodney has just been a matter of habit; a matter of complete and utter apprehension of the future.
Yet, the thought of truly feeling all of my baseball emotions without the faint haze of this melancholy draping over me is invigorating. I’m looking forward to going into this season with the knowledge I can be at peace and content by the Angles just scoring a few extra runs; and that no other assistance will be required….at least I hope so.
Creamsicle Power - February 22, 2012
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