Angels Spring Training Pictures from rbrianc FEB 23

by Rev Halofan on Feb 23, 2006 7:00 PM PST in Angels News

MOVED OVER FROM THE DIARIES:

I was out there today again. here's the link and the summary.
--Brian

http://bricoot.smugmug.com/gallery/1226456

Back today with a few hundred more pictures from Tempe. It was just a perfect sunshine day here in Arizona!

First up you'll see some of the Tempe Diable upgrades. If you've been there, you'll notice the entrance is completely different and looks great! It's just wide open with a grand set of stairs leading into the home plate area. i walked in and grabbed some pictures of the field too and you can see the new bleachers and seats. You'll also see the concourse area and a new ticket booth on the first base side with plenty of constructioon still going on.

Next i got the players walking over to the practice complex - man, it was great to see Vlad smiling! In fact today was the first day of me seeing all the position players - sweet! That's followed by some distant shots of morning warmps. the infielders broke off to a separate field and did some 'laps' on the outfiled grass from 1st to 3rd. i caught of few of the circuits, and spent too much time there because i only got one or two of the outfielders doing the same thing. Then the Outfielders left to go back to the main stadium, presumably to the hitting cage underneath the stands so that was it today for Vlad, Rivera, Ersty, Garret, et al. Too bad --- so hopefully i'll catch some more of them tomorrow.

The rest of the day was as follows

1. Seeing 2nd-SS players doing double play drills and pick off drills - they were divided into two groups. One group was assigned to pitchers who were working on pick off moves, while the other did the double play 6-4-3 and 4-6-3. Then they rotated. You'll see different batches of those lumped together as well as the pitchers who rotated through. Wood is #3, Kendrick is #47, Callaspo is #73, and Aybar is #32.

2. Catchers doing fielding drills like pitch outs and throwing to 1B. Again two groups, but unlike the middle infielders, the two groups were definitely divided based on seniority - Mathis, Molina, Budde and Napoli were in one group, with Collins, Wilson, Del Chiaro, Martinez in the other.

3. More pitchers pictures and a few shots of Arte.

I didn't see any hitting today - i was there from when the players arrived about 10 am until just before 11:30 am.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

MAN WHAT A SLICE OF HEAVEN!!!

YOWSER! YO SOY MUY EXCITADO!

Thanks for the pics man. Soon and very soon I'm gonna see the Angels.

Nothing quite like that is there?

"I don't have to be nervous... It's a baseball game."

by proletariat on Feb 24, 2006 12:15 AM PST reply actions

Five More Years of Hud?

As reported in the Daily News:

"In the other part of Los Angeles: Angels radio play-by-play man Rory Markas has agreed to a five-year extension with the team after his contract to do games on KSPN-AM (710) expired. Renewals for Markas' partner, Terry Smith, and for TV broadcasters Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler are imminent."

Link:

http://www.dailynews.com/sportsmedia/ci_3539983

by G Abbes on Feb 24, 2006 7:23 AM PST reply actions

RENEWALS????

i like Rory Markus, but the rest of those guys???

THE HORROR! THE HORROR!

by yeswecan on Feb 24, 2006 10:13 AM PST up reply actions

I heard him on XM...

on Home Plate ch. 175 Charlie Steiner has a show. Hud was layin' it out as a guest yesterday... I mean he was spreading the "rah! rah!" optimism thicker than mayo on a sub.

Hearing enough, Steiner finally interrupted him and said "PUT DOWN THE POM-POMS FOR JUST ONE MINUTE!"

It was classic... I almost felt bad for that chap-stik addict.

Rory rocks!

"I don't have to be nervous... It's a baseball game."

by proletariat on Feb 24, 2006 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

hilarious

every once in a while i listen to a dodger game, and charlie steiner's great. very guy-next-door, no bullshit, talks like a fan but not like a fanboy, which is what Rex is.

by yeswecan on Feb 24, 2006 4:52 PM PST up reply actions

Rory

I don't think I've ever heard anything as stupid as the catchphrase, "Just another Halos victory."

by Jack Frost on Feb 26, 2006 4:19 PM PST up reply actions

I like it

It was fresh in 2002 as things were calescing that season, especialy after some of those big comebacks.

Maybe it is a little stale when he rattles it off quickly before he cuts to yet another comemrcial, butt it is cool in my book.

Is theere a better alternate?

by Rev Halofan on Feb 26, 2006 8:26 PM PST up reply actions

I like it too...

It's original, and to me it's much like Barry Sanders flipping the football to the ref after a TD, it says "we've been there before."

by thewebb on Feb 26, 2006 9:18 PM PST up reply actions

i'm ok with it

it's kinda tired, but it does speak to the swagger a team of this caliber should have. gone are the days of hoping for a winning season -- we should expect it now, and this catchphrase should remind all of us of that.

by yeswecan on Feb 27, 2006 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

"Just Another Halos Victory"

It's not so much that it bothers me now. It was the fact that he used when IT WASN'T TRUE. He used it right after the Angels had slayed the Yankees in the 2002 ALDS -- that WAS NOT just another victory. He used it after we beat the Twins to win the American League Championship and advance to our franchise's first ever World Series -- that most definitely wasn't just another Halos victory. Then of course, he used it when we won it all. I'd just have like to have heard something more spontaneous and original in thoses moments. That's my biggest complaint.

by Jack Frost on Feb 28, 2006 8:34 PM PST up reply actions

Pushing for the TM

of course, there is something ironic to minimizing a great victory, as if it is something we expect to occur all fo the time - hmmm, I like the ring to that....

by Rev Halofan on Feb 28, 2006 8:51 PM PST up reply actions

funny thing about Rex

He is a lot more disciplined when bumped up to the national telecasts - mellower, more lucid, more polite.

It is Steve Physioc who cannot keep Rex in check.

by Rev Halofan on Feb 24, 2006 12:41 PM PST up reply actions

Hudler

I agree with this assessment - Hudler is at least palatable on the national broadcasts.

by Jack Frost on Feb 26, 2006 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

Line-up Construction

From the Daily News:

"If the season started today, Scioscia seems intent on dropping Erstad to No. 5."

Just wondering, but wouldn't Juan Rivera be better-suited to bat in the five hole?

For more on Scioscia's projected line-up . . .

http://www.dailynews.com/angels/ci_3540737

by G Abbes on Feb 24, 2006 9:01 AM PST reply actions

yes!!!!!

Rivera should be 5 damnit!

by thewebb on Feb 24, 2006 8:51 PM PST up reply actions

Joe Maddon & "The Pit"

Joe Maddon is already making a difference in Tampa Bay:

'If this managing thing doesn't work out, the Devil Rays' Joe Maddon can always try marketing. The team plans to incorporate Maddon's suggestion to promote Tropicana Field as "The Pit," trying to build a home-field advantage.

'Under previous owner Vince Naimoli, the Rays took almost the opposite approach, with ushers frequently asking noisy fans to quiet down.

'"Make it loud, raucous, a fun place to be," Maddon says. "The place to go in the summer in Tampa Bay has to be `The Pit.'"

'But what about the "The Trop?" Maddon, who previously was a coach with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, is quick to suggest a compromise in the name.

'"The Pit at Tropicana Field," he says, smiling.'

Link:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5356842

by G Abbes on Feb 24, 2006 2:36 PM PST reply actions

Bisheff's Take on the Angel Kids

Steve Bisheff of the O.C. Register has a great write-up today about the Angels' top prospects, comparing this group of prospects to the Dodger crop of Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey, and Buckner. Scioscia is high on the kids, too. Bill Stoneman critcizes Angel management of the past for its shortsightedness. A terrific read.

Link:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/pros/angels/article_1016000.php

by G Abbes on Feb 24, 2006 3:11 PM PST reply actions

ahhh

that article warms my heart. Let's just drop all the Manny talk right now. I'm really enjoying hearing about these guys.

My favorite game I saw at last year's spring training was when our '2nd' team faced Brian Lawrence and the first team Padres and just kicked the crap out of them.

side note - Was lucky enough to sit right next to Kotchman's mom, sister, and girfriend as well as Will Nieves' girlfriend at that game. Very nice people, especially Mrs. Kotchman.

by thewebb on Feb 24, 2006 9:01 PM PST up reply actions