For god sakes, why didn't Mike switch HK for Vlad in the 10th?

by Christhammer on Oct 18, 2009 1:50 PM PDT

Its bad enough Scioscia didn't pull him earlier, but for God's sake, when Vladdy got that lucky hit off of Rivera in the 10th, why didn't he have HK take his place and do a hit and run, bunt or steal a base?????????????????????

I really felt that Mike squandered a run-scoring opportunity there.

If you want to beat the Yankees, you have to take a deep breath, slow the game down, and execute strategic baseball circa 2002 Anaheim Angels.

Bench Vlad, put in Kendrick or Napoli as DH.

Eff the loyalty bs, Mike. Focus on the team.

If the Angels lose this series, then Game 2 will forever be remembered as the Halo Waterloo.

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How quickly our tone changes...

Vladimir Guerrero is a future HOF who has proved his worth time and time again.

How quickly people’s love of Vlad wains. Sure, he blew some big opportunities last night. But if anyone has sucked this post-season its been Napoli. He’s been a ghost of himself. At this point, I hope Mathis starts game three. At this point, their performing about the same.

As far as pinch-running, I do have to agree. It worked in game one against the Sox. I think weather probably had a lot to do with it. HK aint gonna steal when their is a slip and slide between 2nd and 1st.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Oct 18, 2009 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Slip 'n Slide

I like the hyperbole of the slip ‘n slide but wouldn’t that get him there faster? (Picture Kendrick in a spectacular 40 foot slide to the bag!)

I don’t think Angels fans are turning on Vlad it’s just that he’s been scouted and the Yankees and Red Sox pitch to only his weaknesses and it works. Strategically it might be a good idea to consider a different approach with Vlad. Up until now we’ve only used Vlad as a clean up, run producer in the batting order. We’ve never put him 7th in the order or used him as a pinch hitter. I think the Yankees’ scouting of the Angels has determined the best way to beat us is to put Vlad in the clutch situation. If that’s the case, that would explain why when he wasn’t in the line up earlier this year we kicked the Yankees asses all over our field for four games.

Check out my article about the Dodger Dugout Club.

by alcor805 on Oct 18, 2009 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

F'ing Nostradamus

Well done!

Touch'em all

by THE VOICE on Oct 19, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Get a hold of yourself dude...

They want power, We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Oct 18, 2009 2:16 PM PDT reply actions

I agree to a degree.

I think Howie should have been pinch running there in the 10th.
-Howie’s a faster baserunner and is more likely to make the force out at second a closer play
-Howie’s done well against the Yankees in his short career

That said, Vlad getting a hit off of Rivera isn’t a small accomplishment, he was the only Angel to do it last night.
There’s no reason to bench Vlad, he probably just needs to be hitting lower in the batting order.

*Ade-Rock 34*

by TheTypingFiend on Oct 18, 2009 3:52 PM PDT reply actions

Thank you for starting an entire thread to inform us of your opinion.

Wouldn’t want to over-look this gem amongst the numerous, more appropriate places to post it.

And more question marks, please. It’s unclear as to whether or not you are truly baffled.

Apologies in advance.

by Red114 on Oct 18, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

i thought hk should have been pinch running as well but thats not the only mistake we made

by OCangels on Oct 18, 2009 6:39 PM PDT reply actions

okay so Howie should have pinch-hit

not for vlad – pinch running is another topic (see Willits).

but yeah know, can’t bring a dead horse back to life by beating it. let’s focus on how to beat the yankees in games 3-7.

by Halos in DE on Oct 18, 2009 6:46 PM PDT reply actions

You've written some strange posts...

…(and that “Christhammer has spoken!” is goofy-annoying), but I thought the same thing as you. Scioscia replace Vlad with Howie in game 2 of the ALDS, and Howie then stole a base and scored the go-ahead run.
So why didn’t he insert Howie? I don’t know. It seemed like a logical move. Of course, it didn’t help that Morales grounded into a force-out. Howie would have been as out as Vlad. So…turn the page.

by sothball on Oct 18, 2009 7:10 PM PDT reply actions

Unlike Jesus...

Vlad has come through in a pinch before and can do it again.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Oct 18, 2009 10:05 PM PDT reply actions

Vlad definitely still has some skill left

by wiskyhalo on Oct 19, 2009 6:39 PM PDT reply actions

game 2 goat

Don’t blame not running HK for Vlad as the reason we lost game 2. How about the Arsonist Fuentes trying to put a fastball on the outside part of the plate to A-Roid when it’s a known fact you have to pound him inside. If Fuentes does not groove that pitch, we win game 2 and are playing a game 7.

by Baylorsgroove on Oct 27, 2009 12:44 AM PDT reply actions