Angel Optimism

by halofolife on Feb 13, 2008 12:52 AM PST Comment 13 comments

I posted a musing at cbssportsline.com(under the name socal909) if just winning the west or getting bounced in the ALCS is acceptable. I mean, of course as Angel fans we want to win the series, but have we become spoiled due to recent successes? I have been a lifelong fan of the Angels, and any other diehards would agree we were socals redheaded step child for a long,long time. Its just since '02, we have become major players in the world of MLB. I remember a time when the very notion of making the playoffs,let alone winning a series(or ring)seemed almost impossible. Have we become so accustomed to winning ways that we don't appreciate the big picture? Is just making the playoffs considered a good season? Or is it a case of win it all or bust?

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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We have a great pitching staff

I'd like to see them bring one home before they price themselves off of our team.

My complaints generally stem from that.

Um.........

by hauldog on Feb 13, 2008 12:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Winning is better than losing

Winning a game is better than losing a game.
Winning a division is better than not winning a Division.
Making the playoffs is better than not making the playoffs.
Winning in the post season is better than losing in the post season BUT Losing in the post season is better than not going to the post season.

by Rev Halofan on Feb 13, 2008 12:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I get it...

This was not a case of me throwing out a dumb a$$ rhetorical question, but something I really thought about. I'm friends with quite a few dodger fans(what do you expect out here in the I.E.) that always looked down upon me for being a Halo fan. ButI do feel that at times some of the newer Angel fans don't really understand what it meant to be an Angel fan, before the rock formation in CF, and when we were not perennial favorites to win the west let alone a ring.

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Feb 13, 2008 1:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

you and me both

i totally agree with you.

Whining about Bahstin Octobers is so lame and bandwagonish...

by Rev Halofan on Feb 13, 2008 1:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh well...

About to go back on cbssportsline.com, and argue my case, about being a diehard, lifelong Halo fan.Getting my arse kicked on those message boards by chowds, new yawkers and the like. But sometimes you gotta take one for the team. Here's to hoping the season is everything we could possibly wish for, and good riddance to the ghosts(10 game lead in 95) of the past.

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Feb 13, 2008 1:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ahh memories

I remember when my dad would take me to ballgames back in the eighties while rooting for Lance Parrish, John Orton, Wally Joiner, Johnny Ray, Dick Schofield, Jack Howell, Chili Davis, Devon White, Mike Witt, Bryan Harvey's nasty split fingered fastball. Then on into the nineties with Luis Polonia, Tony Phillips, and watching Salmon, Erstad, Edmonds come up. Then hooking up with Mo Vaughan... haha. Hell, my dad was able to introduce me to Bobby Grich and I was actually able to sit next to him at a ballgame and talk baseball. He gave me pointers on hitting. My dad hooked up honorary batboy for two games... which was amazing. Langston kicked me in the ass for carrying a Jose Canseco card that I just had signed by him. I admit, I loved the bash brothers but gimme a break, I was 9! Dave Winfield really is a big ass dude!!!! Insanely huge, but talked to me about hitting. Had pictures in the clubhouse with John Orton and Chili Davis. Standing next to Tony Armas Sr. Watching Chad Curtis tumble after throwing to home. Also watching Chad Curtis burst out of the dugout to rush the 3rd baseman of team I can't remember... a full on brawl. Grich leans over to me with a grin and says, "I've been in a few of those." Hell I got to ride in the man's Mercedes from Don Miguel Burrito factory behind the stadium. Ahhhh... wow, memories.

All because of my dad... everything I know about baseball came from him.

Oh I almost forgot the 89 All-Star game at the Big A. Sitting WAYYYYYY up high in the right field watching Wade Boggs and Bo Jackson go back to back. Awesome. Thanks dad, love ya.

by matt92130 on Feb 13, 2008 8:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Unforgetable Memories !!!!

Sometimes you wonder just how much your kids remember about their childhood, then you read a testimonial like the one my son just gave and you know there was no other place or person that you would have rather been with ............ watching the Angels with the one person that you are most proud of ........ "Your Son". He forgot to say when he was a bat boy he signed baseballs for the fans right next to Tony Armas, he even asked Tony for his pen. Thanks for being the son that every man hopes for ........... i couldn't ask for a greater legacy. A few names when i first became an Angel fan ...... Dean Chance, Bo Belinsky,Leon Wagner, Albie Pearson, Steve Bilko, Bobby Knoop and of course Jim Fregosi. I know i'm really dating myself but i loved the Angels from the start ............. Boo To Dodger Blue !!!!

by cookieman 57 on Feb 13, 2008 9:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fuck

yeah.

by Bilko 420 on Feb 14, 2008 12:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks dad

I hope one day, I can be half the man you are.

by matt92130 on Feb 14, 2008 7:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be happy with ...

"only" a division title

but, I'd sure be a lot happier with a World Series title.

Quit yer whinin' and START CHEERING!

by Downing Rules on Feb 13, 2008 9:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

i think had we not won in 02', id be all about the all or nothing approach of making extremely hard pushes for 2 years and then accepting a number of down years between.

However, since this team has won, I would almost say id rather be a top 5 team every year with high chances of being bounced in the playoffs than only competing every few years.

last season was one of the most enjoyable for me. Sure, one week in october was wildly frustrating but there was 5 months of extremely fun baseball and success that, for me at least, outweighed it.

i dont want to be the yankees and take success for granted. I want a championship every year, but i dont want us to become obnoxious and spoiled either.

by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 13, 2008 10:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Winning the AL West in 2008 would be amazing

I am in 100% agreement with 'ihearhowie' about winning it all in 2002. Thanks to 2002, I can look back at 2004-2007 as great years that were fun to follow.

As 'halofolife' put it: "I remember a time when the very notion of making the playoffs, let alone winning a series (or ring) seemed almost impossible." I still remember that feeling all too well. Such utter futility on the part of the Angels. It was hopeless (i.e the 90's) - other teams were too strong or the Angels just flat out sucked.

So if the Angels win the AL West in '08, that would be awesome. I'll worry about the playoffs if and when the Angels make it that far.

by Fan Since 1981 on Feb 13, 2008 6:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs