I am the most proud of the team battling through that terrible start and just hauling ass past the Texas Rangers. The team played solid baseball in spite of many big guns being hurt during the season.

Also, a little shout out to:
Kendry Morales — Amazing, amazing breakout season. Wow
Erick Aybar — Cannot believe how delicious this crow tastes, after wishing you would just go away so Brandon Wood or Izturis (if he could stay healthy) could start. You made me a believer
Matt Palmer — Where did YOU come from? Wow, what an amazing performance from an “unknown.” Thanks!

While a disappointing end to the season is the harsh reality, the way this team battled in 2009 was unlike any Angel team I have ever seen. Even the 2002 group did not face this kind of adversity. To take this ALCS to six games was an amazing accomplishment.

Thanks Arte Moreno. Thanks Mike Scioscia. Thanks Tony Reagins. Thanks to the ENTIRE TEAM.

Thank you for a wonderful 2009.

and not because we finally beat Boston. Last year was frustrating, and it literally took weeks to get over. Tonight’s 8th inning was frustrating. The umpiring was frustrating. But the game, and the series was not. Despite the gaffes, it really was a great series.

there are things about this postseason that I feel great about. we didn’t play like we could have, but he we toed the line against a great team, and that is what competition is about. I would loved to have gone on to the WS (I had reserved seats for Game 1), but stretching out the ALCS, and making every game (but 1) close felt very satisfying, even if we ended up on the wrong side of good.

This postseason won’t grate on me for weeks. In fact, tonight, I feel pretty good about next year. Rev’s right, it’s going to be an exciting offseason.

Tomorrow, I am calling DirecTV and cancelling my service. I took on debt to watch the season every single night this year. We ONLY watched TV for Angels baseball, and are not interested in anything else. I don’t even care about another east coast WS. But, I’m counting down until Spring Training, and when I can turn my service back on. By then, I’ll be debt free and ready to take on some more!

I’m proud that the Angels fought back froma devestating loss of a young man in Adenhart. I’m proud they fought back from a 29-29 start and proved to the world that we won’t go down easily. I’m proud that the Angels never folded even when both Hunter and Guerrero went down. I am also especially proud to have watched the team beat the Red Sux and I feel honored to have seen the Angels career of Lackey, Guerrero and Figgins.

Can’t wait to see you guys in the spring and look forward to hopefully a World Series ring.

I for one hope and pray Arte resigns Vlad. Sadly, I don’t see it happening. I think he is too proud to take a major pay cut, and that’s what it will take to keep him here. He will be sorely missed.

I’m too proud of how much this team overcame, how hard they fought and how much they gave of themselves to be anything but a satisfied and honored Angels fan today. Thanks for all the commentary guys, looking forward to keeping up in the off-season and making it to spring training in 2010!

RIP……..you will never be forgotten.

fucking beatiful

Something else to think about. Vlad brings fans to the game. Even if he is declining as some think (me i’m not sold on that), fans come out to see him play. And we have to have fans fill those seats so we can pay our players.

For a decent reduced contract with major incentives, I say re-sign Vlad and let the chips fall where they may!

but he doesn’t sign autographs for them once they are there.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.