Time for the Rally Monkey to Retire
by LazorkoRules on May 4, 2009 1:50 PM PDT
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PrintIs anybody else with me here? The Rally Monkey has been around for coming up on 9 years now, and I'm a firm believer that all good things should and must come to an end. Recently, at games, I have witnessed that the Rally Monkey has been met with derision, and not excitement. And more than one player has verbalized his displeasure with the annoying spectacle. I would like the Rally Monkey, who has served us well these many years, to have a proper send off, and then be sent to Mascot Leisure World, or wherever it is that the SF Giants Crazy Crab and Chief Nokahoma reside. Thoughts?
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I still throughly enjoy the rally monkey. At times it can be a bit over the top, but it’s still fun.
#34 Nick Adenhart always an Angel
by UCIHalo on May 4, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I think the videos are hilarious. Yeah, over the top, but who cares? They’re fun. The Ferris Bueller one is so funny.
RIP Nick Adenhart, #34
I haven’t seen the Ferris Bueller one, or have I? Wait, is it Ed Rooney and the dog door at the back-door to the Bueller home?
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 5, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I love the Rally Monkey
I know it’s cheesy at times. But I love it, and what it symbolizes — a rally.
Jared Weaver, to name one
… wow, I was expecting the Silent Majority of Reasonable People to rise up and side with me. You’d think that after NINE YEARS of the Rally Monkey, you’d find someone who would be tired of it. But I find that the argument that “because it annoys others, I’m for it” rather weird. Using that logic, I would expect that Paulie Shore and Carrot Top and Dane Cook would have overwhelming support here as well.
Dane Cook is awesome
Comparing him to Paulie Shore and Carrot Top is just wrong.
I wish I was as good at stealing jokes as he is
he’s not even the funniest comic named Dane Cook, and I don’t know anyone else with that name.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on May 5, 2009 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Dane Cook is pretty synonmous with Boston douchebag for me
RIP #34
by linkbruin on May 5, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You must be thinking of another site
We’re all loud and unreasonable here.
In memoriam Nick Adenhart
by rspencer on May 4, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
When the others that it annoys are the bad guys, we have:
“the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. We win. Monkey stays.
Kill one of the *only* original audiovisual experiences at the ballpark?
What, you’d rather hear your Buttercup, and get the occasional “Dayyy-oo!!”, and maybe some “Aye! Oh! Let’s-go!”, and the kiss cam, and EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AT EVERY OTHER SPORTING EVENT IN THE COUNTRY … just as long as we axe the dorky, random, Pantheresque inspiration of something that just kinda retardedly cropped up out of nowhere, and was embraced so much that a little weird kid no one has seen before or since was wandering up and and down the behind-home-plate seats in a freaking MANCHICHI costume during the World Series? Yeah, count me out.
by mattwelch on May 4, 2009 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Guys hate sausage parties.
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 4, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
we should have wagon races...
i can see it now…. oh so fun! who’s with me?
"Man, this is baseball. You gotta stop thinking. Just have fun. I mean, if you were having fun you would've caught that ball."
Actually, the sausage races are pretty fun, too.
All the similarly-themed knockoff races that have come since, though….
The presidents race at the Nat is truly inspired
One time I went, and Abe & George snuck off early, looking suspicious, with night sticks. Teddy then comes out, all optimistic, and they JUMP him, just beating holy hell on him, Rodney King style. It was utterly inappropriate in a family-entertainment venue, and I loved every minute of it.
that is the best story evar.
i wanna see that on tape.
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
Haha, Teddy loses because of… a Panther! There’s video footage too. Angels fan, perhaps? :-)
Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.
EXACTLY
I love the little touches that make a stadium experience unique. The rockpile, the monkey, Panda Express, the asswipes on Blackberrys (Blackberries?)who come in the 3rd and leave in the 7th….
This bullpen collapses faster than the Austro-Hungarian Empire
While I'm being pilloried ...
I will add that I hate the rockpile [remnants of the generally clueless Disney ownership – anyone else remember the cheerleaders?], and muttonheads on Blackberries … and I hate “Build Me Up Buttersquash” or whatever that f*cking song is. What I love is baseball. Give me more baseball.
I am partially with you here...
…I actually looked forward to the quiet time between innings…watching the pitcher warm-up, the infielders taking ground ball practice, and so on. For whatever reason, we now need to be “entertained” between innings…like a few moments of quiet is something that just cannot be allowed.
It’s like having TV’s at check-out counters in grocery stores…too, too much for me. Ah well…I don’t believe it will change back…not anytime soon anyway.
Don't tell me you dislike the kid stealing 3rd base!
*Ade-Rock 34*
by TheTypingFiend on May 6, 2009 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I just don't like that stealing 3rd generates the loudest cheer in the stadium on most nights.
by MidwayCityLivestock on May 7, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the "Ball Race" gets more cheers.
hideous
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 7, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Uh No
Why would you want to get rid of something created spontaneously by stadium video techs which actually turned out to be a good luck charm? This was a wholly original creation of a mascot – not some forced marketing campaign. The Rally Monkey is totally unique and original, it’s part of team lore and character. We should continue to embrace it.
Also, who exactly are the Angels players who voiced displeasure? I have never heard this.
(Aside to those of you who actually do like the Rally Monkey. I was playing Trivial Pursuit not that long ago and received the question: “What California ballclub won 9 of its subsequent 14 games after the initial appearance by its mascot, the Rally Monkey?”
Awesome!)
RIP Nick Adenhart, #34
The monkey stays
Keep the monkey and get rid of the whiners. If we want to improve things let’s push to get rid of Thunder Mountain rocks in center field.
where is thunder mountain
gonna do his pre-game “warm-ups” then?
World Series '09 - In Memory of #34 Nick Adenhart!
by b0rd3rline on May 4, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Given that the Disney Imagineers are credited with design work on the stadium renovation...
I think you’re 100% right.
Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.
Die, heretic!
The Monkey is one of the best things about being at a game with kids. Kids love monkeys. Watching them light up when he makes an appearance makes all the bathroom trips and whiny demands for cotton candy worth it.
Other teams, other fans, hate the Monkey.
Therefore, Monkey stays.
Step 1 towards returning to respectability: Izzy starts at SS.
c'mon give the rally monkey an even break
He is so associated with the team that in Yankee Stadium on Saturday, the souvenir hawkers were derided for trying to sell a Yankee rally monkey.
GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can
IRONY ALERT
A guy with the User Name LAZORKO – one of the biggest losers in franchise history, a sure bet to make the BOTTOM 100 Angels – is leading the charge against the most awesome mascot in all of professional sports!!!!
I agree
I’m aware of NO other mascot of a professional team that can actually transmit rare frightening tropical diseases. None.
GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can
i didnt know that herpes was a frightening disease
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
Have to disagree with you here, Rev ...
Jack Lazorko was a truly inspirational story, and hardly one of the worst Angels. A lifelong plugger, who for a very brief period, overcame his lack of talent by even making it to the bigs as a 28 year old rookie [31 when he was an Angel.] One could argue he was the original Willits. Someone of modest abilities who, through hard work and overwhelming effort – his fielding of the position was described as “hockey goaltender-like” – was able, for a brief period realize his dream of making it to the bigs. The guy had a lot of heart. The radio broadcasts of his starts are still etched in my mind, the fans really got behind him. So go ahead – use your seemingly endless supply of ad hominems against me, but really, attacking Lazorko [because I dared to criticize the Rally-Killing-Monkey] shows no class.
by LazorkoRules on May 4, 2009 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Alright i will admit that it WAS a low-blow
and i regretted it and looked up Jack’s stats right after that.
But your argument, taken to its extremes then should be “Why do the Angels still have the name Angels? Some fans don’t even believe in ethereal beings, this is Orange County, how about Anaheim Surf Mice?” You know what i mean?
WOW
In the short time that I’ve been here, that is by far the best tyrade/argument I have ever seen. And, I will give you your second rec…
34 - N.J.A - R.I.P
What about..
The Rally Panther?
You could release him from the Rockpile, and he could just go apeshit on the opposing team’s centerfielder!
http://www.sipperphotography.com
by sipperphoto on May 4, 2009 3:43 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
he should be under the outfield like in gladiator
and when the outfielders get too close to a fly ball we open the cages
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
As long as Pedroia is tormented by the Monkey, which he has said he is, then we must keep the little guy.
I am The Iron Man.
By "the little guy" ...
… are you referring to Figgins?
by LazorkoRules on May 10, 2009 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey there, Howard Cosell….
Make some noise already people. Come on!
by Downing Rules on May 12, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
NEVER!!!!!
we should never get rid of the monkey! btw i live in portland oregon, and frequent the beavers (padres AAA) games, and they are now selling rally monkeys in beaver jerseys, needless to say i was PISSED! thats OUR mascot! but never the less, i will be there for the ENTIRE weekend series as the bees are in town for four games, friday being my birthday, maybe see lackey on his rehab assignment!
If we got rid of the monkey then the baseball card I have of him from the 2002 Championship Video would be worthless!!!!!
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on May 4, 2009 5:14 PM PDT reply actions
actually might be worth more
like the haypenny and other rare collectibles….
Shit still is funny to me....
Keep Him.
Do it for Nick '09
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on May 4, 2009 5:37 PM PDT reply actions
The Monkey Stays
My handle is derived from a conversation a few years back with friends about how the Angels’ woes at the time were possibly the Rally Monkey’s fault, and that maybe a new mascot such as a Rally Manatee or Rally Trout might be just the boost we need. However, that was purely in jest. I love the monkey. As Stirrups said, other teams hate it, which is enough reason to keep it forever. I also agree that it is a unique innovation, and it distinguishes our team from others, like the Big A, and hot chick fans.
Keep those hammies limber, boys.
I like how there was absolutely zero support on this thread to get rid of the monkey
The monkey is unique and part of our franchise. Now he’s embedded in our history; monkey stays.
RIP #34
Good LORD, no!
Recently, at games, I have witnessed that the Rally Monkey has been met with derision, and not excitement.
Have problems resisting peer pressure, do ya? Are these derisive people the same ones who tell people to sit down and shut up during rallies?
In memoriam Nick Adenhart
To those people I say...
nothing. I just keep cheering on my team and they can stand too if they want to join me. Occasional special exceptions if there’s short kids involved.
Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.
That's the best thing to do
I don’t mind people in back of me telling me to sit down after a while, but the people who act as if any demonstration of support for the team is gauche are—well, since they act as if they weren’t at a ball park, I act as if they weren’t there as well.
In memoriam Nick Adenhart
The issue I take with this argument
Is that in a LOT of cases, those standing for the rally monkey are ONLY standing because of the rally monkey and not because they recognize this as a clutch/key time in the game.
I find in my experience, that the people that go ape-s%&t over the appearence of the Rally monkey are the same people that sit in their seat watching for the next time the wave comes around to their section while the angels have runners on the corners in a tie game with one out.
by MidwayCityLivestock on May 6, 2009 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
FANTASTIC POINT!
or the ones who don’t know to start cheering on a 3-2 count until the scoreboard tells them to start cheering.
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 6, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions
You know the saying...
“Human see, human do.”
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us."
My kids love it,
and that’s enough for me.
Lamest poster of all-time.
by ineptituderunsamok on May 4, 2009 6:52 PM PDT reply actions
I think he should make babies
And it could the the rally Family of Monkeys. They could act out entire movies using a monkey only cast. Watching Pearl Harbor, but with monkeys, would not only take three hours, be a better movie, but it sure as hell would inspire me to hit the shit out of a baseball.
I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....
the video should be a stampede of rally monkeys
so long as it is SPCA approved
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
They already had "Space Monkeys"
so I think your idea is already in motion.
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 5, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
All I know is the Psycho shower scene with the rally monkey is the BEST! And the crowd goes wild every time.
The ultimate for HH'ers...
…the fun begins when the rally monkey goes shopping at Howard’s and finds Scioscia’s stash of mini sirloin burgers…then an argument breaks out with a Marooners fan on the value of pythag theory and the monkey looses body control…
by sothball on May 4, 2009 7:27 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
For my next post idea ...
I will propose getting rid of motherhood, apple pie and Kim Kardashian’s ass. I think that might play better …
Leave Kim's ass alone!
have you no shame?
GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can
by Moondoggy on May 4, 2009 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I vote for the mini sirloin burger rally song
(sponsored by Jack in the Box)
by dmoney2741 on May 4, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
I love the rally monkey
but this thread reminded me of this equally hillarious Sportscenter commercial.
He's become a pop culture icon
recognized and loathed by fans of all franchises, and cheap knockoffs spun off by all other franchises.
It’s envied because it’s awesome, and no matter what any other dipshits ever try to do, he is OURS first, and no one else’s.
I love the guy, and the videos at the stadium are awesome. And I have no idea where the hell you were when the video was being derided by other fans in attendance rather than cheered, because that doesn’t happen at the Angels Stadium I go to.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on May 5, 2009 12:12 AM PDT reply actions
He must have been at a Boston game.
Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.
torri talked about him so much when he came over
people know the monkey and respect it. i was at citizens bank the other day (philly) and they have started their own rally monkey.
the monkey is our mascot, and he can never go! RALLY TIME BABY!
Keep the Rally Monkey
Here is the clip of Torii talking about the Rally Monkey and Rex Hudler
RIP Nick. The Angels and their fans will always remember you.
Game 6 7th inning 2002 WS If they Angels win another one
then you can retire him. Otherwise you must either not remember 2002 or been too young to understand that some of us have waited 30+ years for something wonderful to happen and the monkey was part of it.
I got a fever and the only prescription is... more Kowbell!
Anything that motivates the apathetic fanbase...
is a WINNER in my book. I used to have to single-handedly (or single-voicedly?) support the Angels in the later innings. The Rally Monkey has helped bring hope to the hopeless and voices to the voiceless. I don’t have to cheer as loud now due to many more of my fellow fans cheering with me.
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 5, 2009 8:16 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I dunno. I listened to that and was not comfortable.
Calling out one of his own members on a public radio show is kind of uncool.
by Stirrups on May 5, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
A friend heard the show ..
I’m in Indiana right now on business, so I was told about it … and actually a friend taped a very small snippet and told me about it. I have no problem with being called out for my contraversial opinion about the team’s mascot as long as we keep it in perspective. We’re talking about a stuffed animal mascot folks – we’re not talking about the Pope. So let’s all lighten up a bit. And I’m not hating on the team, or really on the Monkey – I just think that after 9 years, the joke has gotten stale. Even Seinfeld walked away. Calvin and Hobbes took a hike. The Beatles broke up. To everything there is a season, and I’m of the opinion that the Rally Monkey has become crass. But apparently, that’s just me.
Look I have to thank you
You gave something to talk about other than Brandon Wood. While I disagree with what you say, Halos Heaven is about fostering debate and enjoying the exchange of opinions.
And the Rolling Stones didn’t break up.
You touches on a topic that has been ricocheted around HH, but not pulled completely apart.
For the Halos, pitching is supreme. Defense supports that. Then pressure offense.
And for Halos pitching, as you touched upon, the bullpen is the key. From my perspective, Sosh’s math is that a shut down closer reduces the game to 8 innings. Stack onto that the notion of having a shut down setup man, reducing the game to 7 innings. Those 7 innings are split between starter and long reliever, based on how the starter is doing. That is Sosh’s defensive attack formula, and how (I believe) he would like to manage the game. A catcher’s perspective of game management, and all. But until Fuentes proves he can be a shut down closer, Sosh’s leverage at the back end of the game is diminished, and he has to manage outside of his comfort zone. Shields makes the situation worse for Sosh.
The Halos current middle relief is spending time filling in for missing starters, making things abysmal for him. Getting the starters back also bolsters middle relief, granting better options for innings 1 – 7. It may also take some pressure off of Shields as the tool for inning 8.
So it would have been a really great chance to go off on your bullpen thread and rant on how Fuentes needs to step up into his extremely important role under Sosh. Perhaps far more important than on any other contender. He is a linchpin, not just a closer. He needs to get a clue and man up. Without him, the pitching strategy is rudderless.
Calvin and Hobbes should never have left
they sure as hell weren’t stale
This bullpen collapses faster than the Austro-Hungarian Empire
by HaloDutch on May 6, 2009 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Completely agree with that one.
Left a gaping hole in the culture. Watterson was/is pure genius, the likes of which comes along very rarely.
But the Rolling Stones? Really? Pretty much dreck after Exile. Drecky dreck dreck dreck. And I love all of the Stones as musicians, just as songwriters post 73, they ain’t done much. And by the way, I saw them at Anaheim Stadium in 1978 – the famous “show throwing” show.
by LazorkoRules on May 6, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
After Exile:
Some Girls
Tattoo You
Never Make a Saint of Me
And others … plus still putting on the best live show in rock ’n roll.
The Rolling Stones have sucked for a long time now Rev
Sorry…
RIP Nick. We will miss you!
by KingF15h on May 6, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
it would've been better if Lazorko had been given an opportunity to respond on the show
as opposed to just in here
This bullpen collapses faster than the Austro-Hungarian Empire
I personally would rather have a Rally Orangutan
But I concede that the monkey is so steeped in tradition now, that it won’t happen. Sigh.
Angel Pitching (Adenhart), Angel Defense - get past that.
How 'bout a RALLY SLOTH?
It could have the countenance of Scioscia, so we could morph the name into RALLY SOTH.
In a year of such turmoil, whining still abounds.
by Downing Rules on May 6, 2009 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Don't many people would rip it's head
When Wood isn’t listed in the starting line up.
Angel Pitching (Adenhart), Angel Defense - get past that.
by vladtheimpaler on May 6, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry LAZORKO, it took me too long to come to your aide...
The Rally Monkey argument puts me in a sort of nether realm… On one hand, what’s the harm in the kids having a little fun while at the ball park. For me, it’s the struggle of control for cynicism vs. compassion. The cynic says, “God forbid these parents teach their children to watch and appreciate the damn game.” Still the other part says, “What’s wrong with the kids having a little fun?”
Ultimately, my whole issue with the Rally Monkey is that we have so much trouble getting fans involved with such a successful team, especially in key junctions in the game, that we have to resort to a “Cartoon Character” to illicit interest.
Of Course, just about EVERY other team in the league has something you can liken to the Rally Monkey, so whatever… damn monkey.
by MidwayCityLivestock on May 6, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions
Even before mascots, there was
“MAKE NOISE”
clap-clap, clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap, clap-clap
organists
“CHARGE”
(Anybody else remember “Halo Harry”?)
It’s not just modern times. Not just baseball. Not just the Angels’ fans. We just seem to be wired like international soccer fans or Japanese baseball fans, etc. But as long as all those other people who need remedial training in fan encouragement are putting money into Arte’s pockets so that he can pay for my team, I am Ok with it.
I'm all for retiring the monkey
Imagine the monkey going away, and then sometime down the stretch (even later this year), in a close game, in a playoff race… bringing the monkey out of retirement. People would TRULY go apeshit and it would recapture some of its original luster.
If we can’t get support for that, how about restoring some of the original rules?!? The monkey only comes out in the 7th inning or later, and only if the team is down and there are runners on base. Frankly, I hate attending games and seeing the monkey come out in situations that don’t even make sense…
If it's good enough for Kanye...
it’s good enough for me.
keep the rally monkey
it would be good to see him come out in the later inning to help the angels come from behide
JOE ANDERSON
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