Raising a glass for those departed...

by Zu Long on Jul 30, 2008 7:21 AM PDT Comment 73 comments

It didn't really hit me untill this morning, I think. Casey Kotchman is no longer an Angel.

It's almost like my cat died. I don't think I've been this irrationally distraught over a player leaving since we let David Eckstein go.

One of the oddities about being a sports fan is the emotional investment you make in the team, the way "we" replaces "they" as the pronoun of choice when you talk about their achievements. The sense of ownership over the team and the camaraderie you feel with players are entirely illusory, but despite knowing that on an intellectual level, these feelings stubbornly remain.

In the case of some players the attachment is especially strong, for reasons that can only be called nebulous, though it tends to be more true for players who started out as young rookies on your team. These players, for whatever reason, are designated as your favorites. And when those players leave the team, it's a metaphysical blow, a sudden, drastic reshaping of your world-view. It doesn't matter how much sense it makes, either for the player or the team; somewhere deep inside a piece of you feels betrayed.

Sometimes you have time to anticipate it, the way many of us have been preparing ourselves for K-Rod and Garret Anderson's probable departures come November, or the way it became clear in 2006 that Tim Salmon just couldn't do it anymore. It's when you don't see it coming that it hits you the hardest. I've come to think it's the lack of closure, the way you are unable, mentally, to say goodbye.

This fanpost then is an attempt at that closure for Casey Kotchman, whom many of us liked and followed years before he was even a big-leaguer. Feel free to share a favorite Kotchman moment, a favorite interview, or even just wave a metaphorical goodbye.

For those who may not share these feelings, there is no need to come in and comment about how silly this is, or point out all the reasons it was a good move, or ridicule the fact that it's "like a funeral in here." We know all that, and we know it's irrational, but it's also very real and personal.

So, finally, here's to you, Casey. No matter where you go, or what else you achieve in what I hope is a long and successful career, you will always, in my mind, be wearing Halo red while you casually pick yet another horribly low throw out of the dirt at first. One last time, we at Halos Heaven sound the call:

"Wearing number thirty-five, and playing first base... CASEY KOTCHMAN!"

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

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Thank you Casey....

I will miss the grunting/excited face he gets everytime he swings the bat. Good luck in Atlanta!!!

I'm your huckleberry

by autry's cowboys on Jul 30, 2008 7:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

fantastic post

very articulate in your approach Zu, i too raise a glass for kotch

i pledge alliegance... to mike Scioscia
and the angels way of baseball
and to each pennant and ring we are sure to win.
one fanatic, under the halo, unwavered
with in n out and world series rings for all

by halofan4life on Jul 30, 2008 7:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice post, Zu.

I have been following Kotchman since 2001, as I suspect you have. I anticipated his arrival for years, and once he made the show and became a regular – he got MONO! I was so worried he wouldn’t get another chance in 2007. Luckily for the Halos and the fans he did. He had a great year last year and I expected to see many more of them in the future, unfortunately, those seasons will not come to pass as an Angel, but I still expect him to get better as time goes on…

I hope his regression this year was a fluke and he goes on to crush for 10 more years in the NL. Looking forward to 2011 when Atlanta plays the Halos in inter-league play again.

Jim Scully

Jim Scully Home
Haloville - Land of the Halos

by jimmuscomp on Jul 30, 2008 7:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks - I needed this

August, 2005 – I had fallen off the Angel bandwagon that year, working ungodly hours on a project in NYC. I came back to visit my parents, and was driving on 395 south of Bishop with my Dad, listening to an Angel game. Casey Kotchman came up, and I wondered, who the hell is he and what did they do with Darin Erstad? If only Scioscia could just stick with a line-up, dammit, for the sake of us casual fans! And then, 22-year-old Casey belted one out. I’ve been pulling for him ever since.

I won’t be surprised in the least when Casey bats .325 with 25 homeruns next year, besting New York Yankee Mark Teixeira in most every offensive category. Still, there comes a time when you have to shove all your chips into the pot and hope for the best. The next three months will be a lot of fun.

by rghan on Jul 30, 2008 8:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I mentioned this in another post

but it seems more appropriate to do it here. I am sad to see Casey go, but I want to see the team win the World Series again.

My son is 5 and has just started to to get into watching baseball games with me. Casey Kotchman is the only player that he knows ny name, and he knows that he plays 1B. I was a little extra saddened when I realized that I needed to tell him that Casey Kotchman is no longer the 1B for the Angels. When I told him he asked me why, and I found myself struggling to explain to him about how players are traded from one team to another, because I could see that he did not understand it. I know he will in time, it just saddens me that he will learn about it so young. It also made me realize that I need to do a better job of teaching him who the other players on the team are.

Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, Glory lasts Forever!

by billhune on Jul 30, 2008 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this is darling.

kids are so cute. my son said “Kotch!” too!

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

by lightupthehalo on Jul 30, 2008 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only one my son knows is "Figgy!"

from MLB.TV replays. Figgy! Figgy! Will have to work hard to explain the Desmond thing.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 31, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said, Sir

Your point about how we bond with those players who grow up with the organisation is particularly perceptive (I see it also with my other sporting love, Liverpool FC, where the Scouse players who came up through the academy are particularly revered).

After my move back to Blighty from California in the late 90’s I lost track with the Angels a little, while I waited for the internet and UK TV programming to catch up with my need for a baseball fix – I followed the standings, of course, but didn’t have a touchstone, such as this site, through which to relate to the players, as I rarely saw them on the TV, and the box scores in USA today don’t tell you much beyond the raw facts. As such, I didn’t have the quite same bond with some of the World Series generation players as I had with say Finley, Davis, Joyner – the guys I loved when I lived in California. Once I had reconnected, the guys that I immediately related to were the ones who were coming through (and the couple who spanned the generations), because they represented the future, and ultimately that’s what underpins being a fan – hope.

The three players that have meant the most to me since then have been three guys that came through the farm system – Lackey, Kendrick and Kotchman. Lackey – any rookie who can take on game 7 of the series the way he did will always deserve your undivided attention as he develops. Kendrick – he’s a pure hitting machine, his first batting title is (to me, anyway) a matter of when not if. And finally Casey. I think what I loved about Kotchman Jr was that, on the one hand, like many great sportsmen, he makes very difficult things look incredibly easy – particularly with his glove. And yet on the other, he seems to have lurched from one disaster to another, not least with the mononucleosis and the hit to the head. He’s had to deal with things out of his control that only we can really appreciate. There’s a feeling that only we know how good he really is, and will be, a faith in his talent in the face of adversity. Again, that’s being a fan, I suppose.

I’m looking forward to Teixeira and what he can bring to the team, but I do feel a sense of loss today. I wanted to see Casey break through, in spite of his setbacks. Best of British, Casey. Hopefully our paths will cross again.

I see red people

by The Limey on Jul 30, 2008 9:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Post Zu!

I’ll miss CK more than just about any other player had they been traded. My wife and I named our cat Casey since he was one of our favorites.

I’ve also followed him since the day he signed, things had to work our really well for the Angels even to be able to draft him. He dominated the minors hitting some tape-measure homers.

He came up to the majors and had that epic ab with Mariano. He showed flashes of 2005 of a being a franchise type player and the mono slowed him until 2007 where he was again showing that he could be a cornerstone of a championship team if you account for his injury. (His first month back after this injury was pathetically bad, but he was top 10 in OPS with that accounted for). Then this year, he was a solid contributor but I really don’t know why his OBP went down so much. Keith Law said he was too content to swing early and go opposite field. I think I agree with that a bit, I mean he showed in Boston off Dice-K that he can pull pitches on the outside corner with authority.

I wish him the best of luck in Atlanta and hopefully their hitting instructor can get him back on track to being the dominant offensive player he has shown glimpses of under Hatcher.

by MH252525 on Jul 30, 2008 9:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

God Speed Casey.

Whenever the fair winds blow you back into the Big A, no matter what team you’re with, you’ll no doubt see me in the stands. I’ll be the one standing and clapping when your name is called.

Let no joyful voice be heard! Let no man look up at the sky with hope! And let this day be cursed by we who ready to wake... the K-Rod!

by Scuff on Jul 30, 2008 9:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Kotch-MAN

We are all going to miss you.

Zu, i got goose bumps reading that. Kotch always could do that.

by kingfish on Jul 30, 2008 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice Post

Very well said.

Good….aahh…..ummmm…..luck…..aahhh…..Casey. I’ll miss you!

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Jul 30, 2008 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well done.

And I want to raise the warning here and now: no matter how well Tiexiera works out for them, should the Halos win the WS this year, I don’t want to read ANYBODY posting comments about how they could never have done so with Kotch still at 1B.

Yes, they could. The odds might have been greater but, yes, they could.

Francisco Rodriguez: 190 career saves. 2 career Panthers, tied with Hector Carrasco.

by Stirrups on Jul 30, 2008 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

seconded

by halofan4life on Jul 30, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HERE HERE!!!!

by MidwayCityLivestock on Jul 30, 2008 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good luck Kotch

You’re awesome.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Jul 30, 2008 9:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I miss Casey and love this fanbase

We are nothing less than the talk of Major League Baseball today, and, in spite of embarassing the Red Sox beyond recognition and landing a genuinely frightening talent to our roster, we can only seem to drop our chins (only a little) at the mention of the fine young player these past 48 hours of shimmer have cost us. I hope Kotch receives every ounce of this level of loyalty and support from the fans in Atlanta. I hope he gets all the attention he deserves for being a class-act athlete, and I hope we get the World Series appearance this year that we deserve for being true-red Angels fans.

by MostAngelic on Jul 30, 2008 9:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's to you Casey.

It always struck me as humorous that no matter what else might have happened, there’s no way YOU’d have struck out for the Mudville Nine. :)

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Jul 30, 2008 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He was a good player and great teammate

but come on guys, it’s not like he died. Perspective, people.

by Captain Awesome on Jul 30, 2008 9:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's been on the team for 4 years, and a lot of us have been following him for longer than that.

As Zu said, it’s the sudden absense that hits you more than any sense that the trade was a bad idea. If you don’t feel the need, fine, but let us sentimentalists have our topic in peace, hm?

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Jul 30, 2008 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

apologies

by Captain Awesome on Jul 30, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice post Zu

Sweet swinging Casey, you will be missed! Your glove, your bat and your GA demeanor of never getting to high or too low

By far one of my favorite Halos, the Kootch story was great. The kid who was the bat boy for GA, Salmon and othe Angels coming throught the farm system. A kid who showed the baseball knowledge of only a person who was around the game so much his entire life while learning from Pops who is a fine baseball coach. You got to love the kid who works hard and plays hard and accomplishes things in the organization he grew up in.

The best is yet to come for the Kootch and I wish him the very best luck in his career. The Kootch is one fine ball player.

Hey Casey, dont forget to smile over there in HOTLANTA!

Could be work, could be baseball...but I got Spring Fever!!!!!

by P237 on Jul 30, 2008 9:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I already miss the MONO jokes

This kid has been thru A LOT… he will be a great major leaguer and glad that he is not with an AL rival.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 30, 2008 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That helps close the door.

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 30, 2008 10:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post.

Said what I wanted to say.

Can you imagine if Casey reads this post? I have to think that players visit HH every once in awhile. :) I hope he reads this and knows how much he will be missed and how much we all liked him.

Classy guy! He’ll be missed!

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

by lightupthehalo on Jul 30, 2008 11:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kotchman

It was my pleasure to cheer for you from the stands this year… i hope you have a successful carrer as a brave.. even though my younger brother just bought your jersey and…. now…. your gone.. haha anyways that is crazy i found the one person on HH with the same name as me except the !

by lightupthehalo! on Jul 31, 2008 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...

you got to be kidding me :_:

== Resident Point Tallier ==

by scottnak on Aug 2, 2008 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahahah that really sucks for you, huh?

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

by howiestheman on Aug 2, 2008 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got chills

reading that final call.

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

by BruinHalo on Jul 30, 2008 12:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Props Zu, nice post ...

We ALL liked Casey Kotchman a lot and I for one will continue to follow his progress and root for him. It does make it easier that he has gone to the other league, but I agree it makes it much tougher because he was one of OUR GUYS.

My favourite Kotch moments: Every grimace poking through the goatee on those hard swings, all the great picks with the leather, going into second base hard on double plays, always playing hard for the Angels, and being really really slow.

I really liked you Kotch and we’ll miss you. Drinkin’ a toast now and good luck from Scotland, mate.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 30, 2008 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thought you didn't drink Zu

What is it, a glass of root beer you’re raising?

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 30, 2008 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Diet Coke. :-P

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 30, 2008 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

awesome post, Zu

and with that, I say good-bye to Casey Kotchman.

As Zu said, we all seem to have an irrational emotional attachment to a man that we don’t even know… but I couldn’t care less. While Teixeira excites me, Kotchman had the loyalty of the fan base, no matter what.

I wish Casey the best of luck in whatever he does and whoever he plays with. Win some Gold Gloves, Kotch. I’ll always be rooting for you.

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

by howiestheman on Jul 30, 2008 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's to the '97 style goatee wearing lefty.

I’m a lefty too, and played first, so I naturally gravitate toward liking firstbasemen. But, I didn’t really get attached to anyone since Wally Joyner until Casey came to town. Even in his rookie season, he seemed so mature in his approach at the plate, and of course on defense. There are plenty of guys on our team that make me nervous (uhumm, Frankie), but never the Krotch. Good ol’ dependable Krotch. Watching Kotchman play is as close to grandma’s oatmeal as a baseball player can get. He is comfort food on the diamond. It’s hard to say goodbye, Casey. God speed.

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

by Rally Manatee on Jul 30, 2008 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GREAT post Stu-Zu

by ladybug on Jul 30, 2008 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post

I too shall miss ol’ Kotch Rot. I think Atlanta’s fans will embrace him in good time.

See you at the crossroads, casey.

DiSarcina is my co-pilot

by HaloDutch on Jul 30, 2008 3:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nice...but let's keep some perspective

I’m as sad as anyone that Kotch is gone, but let’s not get maudlin about it—he’s no Tim Salmon or any of the Greatest Angels. I will quietly root for him, just like I do for David Eckstein and others, but let’s not cry on our keyboards for the guy. He’s certainly not sitting in his locker with his head in his hands, because he knows the business.

There will be other Kotchmans to come, and many of those will go, just like he did. Good luck, CK and the Sunshine Band! I will miss your hits.

by yeswecan on Jul 30, 2008 3:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You Rule Zu!

CHEERS!

"i got 5ive on it"

by Funke5ive on Jul 30, 2008 3:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Salute

Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Jul 30, 2008 3:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good luck with Atlanta Kotch!

Keep rakin and diggin’

by lightupthat420 on Jul 30, 2008 3:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hear, hear.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Jul 30, 2008 6:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was at his first game

After the Ersty injury in 04’.
He’s one of the most hyped Halos after Glaus and Salmon.
Solid player, but I don’t know if he’ll ever be great.
Loved his patience and grit and will always remember his at-bat against Pedro where he fouled off like a gazillion pitches…Best-At Bat-Ever!
Enjoy the ATL.

by KendrickExperience on Jul 30, 2008 6:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

God Speed CK.....you da man

http://bills.sportsbloggingnetwork.com/

by norcaliangelsfan on Jul 30, 2008 7:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

All I want for him is to hit .300/.400/.500 for the next 10 years

Really just a great, great ballplayer, and one who I miss already.

Best of luck, Kotch.

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

by Carl Johnson on Jul 30, 2008 7:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think of DiCaprio and a chowd accent when I read this title.

The did get swept by us twice. Fitting. They look to be depaaaaarrrrrted ahhhhh

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 30, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was even at his major league debut, so I heard that call sounded the very first time.

which makes this all the sadder.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 30, 2008 10:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sad for you dude

What’s your new screen name gonna be? It must be like getting a new kitten or puppy after the loss of a pet.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 31, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta be "blue smoke of death"

by Downing Rules on Aug 1, 2008 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Aug 1, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great post

I’m really gonna miss Kotch… He was truly one of my favorite players & always enjoyed seeing him make a great play or coming up with a “Klutch” hit. I have the poster of him from one of the Angels programs up in my room, and I think I’m gonna leave it there for a while… Just seeing him in a different uniform is so weird! I hate it! Having Teix is great but it sucks that we had to give up one of my favorite Angels to get him… This trade hasn’t completely sunk in for me yet… I’ve had a heavy heart since I found out about the trade, but hopefully Teix can cheer me up! : )

But, best of luck to Kotch in Atlanta and wherever else he may end up… Just wish he could have been in Angel Red longer!

Hud: "Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in"

by HawaiiHaloFan35 on Jul 31, 2008 1:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

KOTCH IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER, LOVE HIM NO MATTER WHAT TEAM… GOOD LUCK! AND I KNOW HE’LL BE AND AWESOME MAJOR LEAGUER AND EVEN BETTER BIG LEAGUE MANAGER ONE DAY!!!

by HEAVEN35 on Jul 31, 2008 10:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What the hell, it's the end of the month and I haven't burned my F-bomb yet.

Dude, will you FUCKING STOP SHOUTING????

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Jul 31, 2008 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe it is a dudette...

by Downing Rules on Aug 1, 2008 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

It’s a dudette. Of course, anyone who self-proclaims to be cool is definitely NOT cool… especially when they can’t figure out how to turnoff CAPS LOCK.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Aug 1, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs