Executive Suite

by Rev Halofan on Jul 22, 2008 12:06 AM PDT in News Comment 76 comments

I have season seats in Centerfield. I take these binoculars to every game. They are for planet watching, so they are good for spotting things. Little things. Sharp line drive foul ball hits a fan in the skull - I can lip read the guy waving for the usher. Drunk in a stand starts a fight, I can watch the staggering swings make impact.

So I watched the action across the field, above the diamond club, over at Arte's suite tonight. I watch a little bit of what is going on over there during every game. He holds his wife's hand when they eat if they are alone at the beginning of the game. He has guests who are usually consumed with the spectacle of the diamond from the front row vantage point as he chats with various Angels personnel in the spacious digs behind that VIP set of seats.

Tonight was a bit different up there relative to what I have seen in any game before, and since it is July, near the trade deadline, I thought I would share with you what I saw. Assistant GM Ken Forsch and Arte were off to the side of the owner's box for a few innings up to the end of the game. It is rare for Forsch to be in Arte's box, ever. The conversation between the two was ongoing and animated, hand gestures of explication throughout. It was friendly, upbeat, but appeared intensive.

Next to Arte's box is a small viewing area with two rows of seats where the front office watches every game. Tony Reagins now occupies Bill Stoneman's laptopped chair in the far right of the 2nd row. Ken Forsch usually sits in front of him. Reagins did not seem to be enjoying the game (and neither was anyone but the smattering of Cleveland fans, which is what led to my deep study of "Casa Moreno" in the first place). TR had his head in his hands as if he had a migraine, or perhaps, the weight of the future of the franchise on his shoulders ... if I may speculate a little here... Forsch and Arte talking... animated in July... Reagins looking weary beyond tonight's game... okay, now YOU speculate...

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Whew

For a second there I thought you were going to say that you brought these binocs:

to the game, and I was going to ask you how you managed to carry the weight of a Figgins or an Eckstein to the game with you every night. (Really, I took those pictures in the lower view seats. He must have had a REALLY great view that night).

Interesting observations and commentary. Will this finally be the July that they pull the trigger on a trade (a meaningful one, I mean).

I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious.

by lightupthehalo on Jul 22, 2008 12:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

your binoculars

I’m sure that the Strike Force - err, the front office - were in deep conversation about the tightness of their jerseys - err, the status of the roster - throughout the late innings. What I don’t know is, why didn’t Mrs. Halofan slap you across the face? Hahahaa, just kidding…

by yeswecan on Jul 22, 2008 12:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GMJ will be gone by the trade deadline

And Arte’s going to eat alot, both at the Diamond Club buffet AND in the pocketbook…

by yeswecan on Jul 22, 2008 12:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If it looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders,

then it’s not Matthews they’re trading. That would be an easy decision that would cause Reagins to appear buoyant, enlightened, and jubilant. Unless they were discussing voiding his contract, which might be a PR nightmare.

I swear, if one more person tells me to "work smarter, not harder"...

by Rally Manatee on Jul 22, 2008 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bill Stoneman, Tony Reagins -- separated at birth?

No way in hell is ANYBODY going ANYWHERE.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Jul 22, 2008 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it has more to do with the trade demands than the man who is the GM.

Kendrick, Santana, and a top prospect? By and large teams are asking us for things that rape the MLB roster.

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

Kobe tell me how my ass tastes

by hauldog on Jul 22, 2008 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's already swung a major trade

and has only not pulled the trigger on rumored trades where we would have been absolutely hosed…so I would hesitate to compare him to Stoneman.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 22, 2008 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stoneman swung several offseason trades.

And only refused rumored trades where we would get hosed. They still look pretty similar to me.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point

is more that he’s been doing the job for what? 9 months now? You can argue they look similar now in the same way that you could argue that Benny Agbayani looks pretty similar to Babe Ruth through the first 70 at-bats of his career.

Could he turn out to be like Stoneman? Absolutely. But he’s been through precisely zero trade deadlines and one winter meeting. I’d give it more time before drawing any parallels…I’m not saying one way or the other.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 22, 2008 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Point.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like TR has a bad case of the fourteen hour days.

Having to take all those trade talk calls from various general managers and player’s agents has got to make you nauseous at some point.

by 44FAN on Jul 22, 2008 12:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Apres GA, we need a dependable LH power bat to round out the line-up.

Other than Teixeira, who’s there?

by wumbug on Jul 22, 2008 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Barry Bonds

http://inplaynoouts.blogspot.com/ - A blog about teams I like, written by me.

by Carl Johnson on Jul 22, 2008 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah........I forgot about him........

That would give Reagins heartburn.

by wumbug on Jul 22, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two words that explain why we won't sign bonds.

Jose Guillen

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Jul 22, 2008 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

4 words why we'll regret it.

first round playoff exit

by Northwest on Jul 22, 2008 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather exit first round

than have people talk about the 2008 Angels as “the team Bonds carried to the World Series” for the rest of eternity. No thanks.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd still rather win a world series.

regardless of the cost.

by Northwest on Jul 22, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some things aren't worth it.

That’s one of them. And since we’ll win the series anyway as long as we play Rivera, it’s both repulsive AND unnecessary.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To say that Rivera is the key to our World Series fortunes

is a bit of a stretch even for you, Zu

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 22, 2008 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To say that we will auto-fail without a blockbuster deadline trade or adding bonds

is stretching just as much. I’m just going the other way.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I certainly am not in favour of adding Bonds

Nor am I sure we need a blockbuster deal. And I like Juan Rivera (like him a lot, and hope he gets GMJs ABs the rest of the way), I’m just saying it’s a bit of a stretch to say we’ll win the series anyway as long as we play Rivera.

The guy’s good, but but I’m not sure he’s that good.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 23, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again

I realize the absurdity of the statement. It was intended as a response to another absurd statement.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 23, 2008 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This wouldn't help by July 31

But there has been speculation that, in the off-season, the Brewers may be willing to trade Prince Fielder, since he’s coming up on his arbitration years and seems unwilling to sign a long-term deal with them (thank you Scott Boras). If they hadn’t traded LaPorta in the CC Sabathia deal, it’d be even more likely they’d be willing to move him. If they were willing to trade, it would cost young, cheap talent, and certainly a starter. Brewers’ needs for 2009, sans Prince, would be 1B, starting pitching, bullpen, CF. Probably Casey + Santana/Saunders + Willits + a prospect or something like that. Though if GMJ would waive his NTC, and Arte would eat most of the contract, they also might be willing to take a good defensive/weak switch-hitting OF as one of the throw-ins.

by Brew Angel on Jul 22, 2008 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you are undervaluing young, All-star SP

no way Saunders/Santana would be included in that package. SP, especially cheap SP that is of all star level, is soooo valued in MLB. Both these guys are established now. It would take alot for another team to get either of them in a deal with the Angels. These are top of the roatation type foundation guys.

Casey isn’t exactly chopped liver either.

Go Angels!

by Four Ts on Jul 22, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he's undervaluing at all...

Let’s toss in Lackey, Arredondo and Shields along with ervin and saunders … Maybe if we throw in Figgy we might get Fielder.

Green and Adenhardt will do a fine job covering the mound.

by melvintoast on Jul 22, 2008 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll pass

that kid is straight up fat. he can hit, but he’s slow. not really sure about his defense there either.

"Here we go baby, 'bout f***'n' time!"

by b0rd3rline on Jul 22, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

is he FAT?

Seattle I would like to thank you for sucking. It allows me to get back to my roots: Hating Fremont.

Kobe tell me how my ass tastes

by hauldog on Jul 22, 2008 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's a vegetarian now

maybe some of the weight will come off, though.

His defense make Chuck Knoblauch look like Ozzie Smith, however.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 22, 2008 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps Reagins was being tormented

by the field presence of Gary Matthews Jr and his multi-million dollar contract.

by TheTypingFiend on Jul 22, 2008 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this was my first thought!

This is BAD Vlad and his band of wimps! (can't change it now, cuz the last time I did...he started sucking again!)

by K3YEROUT on Jul 22, 2008 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definately GMJ being traded

And the reason Reagins looked like that was because he was regretting including his first born child in GMJ’s deal.

by tbone_cutter on Jul 22, 2008 9:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Those are some badass binocs

Me, I’ve got a little pair of Eagle Optics 10×12’s we got for backyard bird watching, and from our section 526 seats in the thin air, it’s plenty good enough.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Jul 22, 2008 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How do you see through the moths?

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Jul 22, 2008 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's hope it was Arte giving the front office shit for him having to eat GMJ's contract when we release him today.

Please let it be true, please, please, please…

by snowhor on Jul 22, 2008 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nobody is taking GMJ right now

bad contract, NTC, bad performance and possible injury.

The offseason is where we might be able to trade him. Doesn’t his NTC go limited after this year or is it after year 3?

Go Angels!

by Four Ts on Jul 22, 2008 10:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Three year NTC

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Scioscia sits GMJr long enough,

he’ll waive the NTC before the end of year #3.

by wumbug on Jul 22, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We can only hope.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 22, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like to think Arte was saying that he doesn't care the cost...

We need to find that bat. And simultaneously lower beer prices while forever banning the Ruby’s commercial.

by BruinHalo on Jul 22, 2008 11:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That awful, forced smile at the end

by the girl in front makes me think she was on meth or something.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Jul 22, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The food's just not THAT great...

and saying it twice in a jingle doesn’t make it so.

It’s like they ran out of lines and thought “eh… just repeat the first one again…”

Of course I'm right... I have a UC education.

by BruinHalo on Jul 22, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you know a lot of girls on meth Duck?

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 22, 2008 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly zero

But I have a mental picture.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Jul 24, 2008 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rev...

I also think it was something along the lines of…

They wanted Santana, Kendrick and Adenhart for HOLLIDAY??? WTF?????

Where Howie took a BB and hit two HR's in the same game...

by hk47 on Jul 22, 2008 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Then of course

there’s this Executive Suite.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Jul 22, 2008 12:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

...what happens in long beach stays in long beach…

by Rev Halofan on Jul 22, 2008 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

I’m so happy my volume was turned up all the way.

I suppose that’s what I get for clicking the link.

by BruinHalo on Jul 22, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bringin my brass knuckles next I come to meet you duck

My boss was NOT amused. My boss being mrs highlandhalo.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 22, 2008 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry 'bout that

I should have added NSFW.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Jul 24, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're an ASSHOLE

what else is new though…........ My company has super strick internet monitoring policy and now Im probably going here shit or get in trouble because of your perverted fuckin ass. Ban me if you want rev for using an f-bomb again but that shit is uncalled for.

What in the wide wide world of sports is a goin on here?

by AlohaHalofan on Jul 22, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh come on .... Wal-Mart isn't that strict!

You ever feel as if your mind had started to erode?

by PieceOfAase on Jul 22, 2008 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure you sending the word ASSHOLE through the carefully monitored proxy

won’t make an impact, though.

by infant on Jul 22, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually it wont.......and hasnt before.

However, people have been fired from the company I work for for viewing adult websites though. Do you honestly believe there is no difference there? Dont answer that though, I dont care what what you think is acceptable and it doesnt matter anyway.

What in the wide wide world of sports is a goin on here?

by AlohaHalofan on Jul 22, 2008 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SORRY ABOUT ALL THAT

FOLKS – we all should really make the effort to label things that are NOT SAFE FOR WORK as such – just write in NSFW near your link, this is really basic internet etiquette…

by Rev Halofan on Jul 22, 2008 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just kidding Aloha

Didn’t mean to offend you.

In general though, I think companies should be more concerned with what people POST (and send through the proxy) then with what they view.

I mean, come on, everybody has a crappy banner for some casino or xxx website popping up out of nowhere, even with todays browsers, even on a Mac.

I hate the internet police policies that some companies have.

Rene

by infant on Jul 23, 2008 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll never trust your links again.

I actually screamed out loud when I saw that. My poor innocent white Macbook is tainted slightly brown now.

I swear, if one more person tells me to "work smarter, not harder"...

by Rally Manatee on Jul 22, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's wrong with something being "slightly brown?"

;)

by Downing Rules on Jul 22, 2008 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh SNAP!

You ever feel as if your mind had started to erode?

by PieceOfAase on Jul 22, 2008 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if rumors are to be believed

then he was shaking his head at the stupidity of the Braves, who apparently want Quinlan and Wood for Teixeira. :P

but seriously… i wonder what was going on… hmmmm…..

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 22, 2008 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think they were discussing

exactly what festivities should occur on FRIDAY since it’s my BIRTHDAY!

yes, reminders will happen daily until Friday, then it will start again next year!

by ladybug on Jul 22, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What the hell is she on about?

I missed the whole point of that post. :)

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 22, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup, keep it up.....sauce? what sauce?

by ladybug on Jul 22, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

25th b-day?

nice! congrats ladybug!

by SCHalo on Jul 22, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy

32. Year of the dragon, right?

by Rev Halofan on Jul 22, 2008 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What they should be talking about:

Firing Matthews and suing him for misrepresenting himself in contract negotiations through use of banned substances.

I’m serious.

by SurfCity on Jul 22, 2008 3:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

amen!

by Downing Rules on Jul 22, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought that would happen last off season.

Good thing they kept his sorry ass around for this season, huh? Major contributions.

I swear, if one more person tells me to "work smarter, not harder"...

by Rally Manatee on Jul 22, 2008 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd also like to sue The Devil for collusion with GMJ in the acquisition

of his soul in the year 2006. Stoneman also lacked the mental capacity to enter into agreements; namely, GMJs. Hence, this $10 million/year contract is VOIDABLE at our discretion.

You ever feel as if your mind had started to erode?

by PieceOfAase on Jul 22, 2008 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs