WEDNESDAY ANGELS ROUNDUP: First Place, Big Daddy Baldy

Victory brings Angels back atop division - OCRegister.com
It took the Angels nearly three months and 69 games to get there, and it came on a night when they made scant contact in the batter's box once again. But they're back in first place, a position that seemed like their backyard in 2008 but has looked like a distant Himalayan summit for most of 2009.

Angels slow down streaking Rockies - FOX Sports on MSN
"We're a good ballclub and we don't give up," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "When you beat a team like that, the hottest team in baseball, that says something. That was big for us." The victory, coupled with Texas' 8-2 loss at Arizona, put the two-time defending AL West champions into a first-place tie for the first time since their opening day win against Oakland.

Kelvim Escobar isn't optimistic about season as shoulder injury flares - Los Angeles Times
The Angels pitcher, who missed all of 2008 and had just returned to the rotation June 6, has a 'deep ache' and probably will be shut down indefinitely.

Is anyone surprised by this?

It's All-Opinions day - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
Tony, don't lose that number. As a matter of fact, don't lose anyone's number. If Angels GM Tony Reagins isn't spending every waking minute of every day on the phone now that Kelvim Escobar's shoulder injury has regressed again, he never will . . .

I'm liking this column more and more each day.

Diamond Notes - Bill Plaschke on "Around the Horn"
Bill Plaschke says on "Around the Horn" that in protest of Manny Ramirez’s rehab, he decided not to go to Albuquerque to cover it.

Daily Pitch: Angels in 1st despite pitching woes, injuries - USATODAY.com
The Los Angeles Angels returned to familiar territory Tuesday night in the American League West, but they are a team with questions.

Baseball Digest Daily Blog - How Are Injuries Affecting Your Team?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the percentage of games plated by opening day starters on each team.

A graph!

The Vlad approach - Angels blog - OCRegister.com
I pointed out last week that Guerrero is swinging at far more pitches outside the strike zone this year, backing up Mike Scioscia’s contention that he’s pressing. If we take this a bit further, we can see just how badly his approach is costing him hittable pitches.

Sam Miller takes another look at Vlad.

Voters step to ballot box, make smart All-Star choices - USATODAY.com
The league's best outfielder — offense plus defense — this season has been Torii Hunter of the Angels, so he plugs right into the center-field spot the fans would give to Hamilton.

NBC Sports - 10 most likely to be traded - Relievers
Tony Reagins should go shopping from this list for at least 2...maybe three.

Several Teams Interested in Cardinals Troy Glaus - MLB Daily Dish
Glaus, who turns 33 on Aug. 3, is an above-average defender at third, but has played only four career games at first. He also is earning $11.25 million this season, at a time when few clubs are willing to take on additional payroll.

Vlad or Glaus?

Recap :: Hollywood Elsewhere
There's a link to the original "Moneyball" script (pdf) within this article.

Not really related to anything, but still funny...