Is a Quick Scioscia a Reassuring Mike?

by Rev Halofan on Apr 6, 2011 1:54 AM PDT in Et Cetera

He is usually so patient, but Mike Scioscia's quick demotion of Fernando Rodney may be an indicator of swifter things to come.

Poll

Have the recent player shufflings reassured you of Mike Scioscia's commitment to winning?

YES!

270 votes

I will believe it when Mike demotes Kazmir

179 votes

I will believe it when Mathis sits for three consecutive games

185 votes

634 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 45 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

seems that this is an extension of the impatience he was showing at the end of last year

I’ll fully believe that he’s willing to pull the trigger on change when he shuts down Mathis. Funny how baseball is…on Sunday I was ready to completely throw in the towel and fight it out for third place. But after last night’s win, I am very encouraged. Straighten out the pen (sit Jepson/Bulger, get Downs back, use Chopper, and see if Rodney and Hawk can set up in the 7th), play smart aggresive offense, and solve for the 5th starter and we have a scrappy outside chance at the division and a shot at the wild card.

Mmmm, mmmm. The kool-ade is tasty in April.

Well, come see a fat old man some time!

by Moondoggy on Apr 6, 2011 2:50 AM PDT reply actions

Enjoying your morning in a sunny London?

I see red people

by The Limey on Apr 6, 2011 3:50 AM PDT up reply actions

yep..weather cleared up nicely just in time for me to leave

and head over to Ireland. I did leave some of my children’s inheritance at the Casino there however

Well, come see a fat old man some time!

by Moondoggy on Apr 6, 2011 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

All the people who said Yes, . l. .

Suckers

by Wally's World on Apr 6, 2011 4:28 AM PDT reply actions

It's A Start

I was starting to think that Scoscia was going to get in the way of his own success by continuing to “believe” in players who weren’t doing hald as well as they needed. I know the clsoer role is overrated, but when your entire bullpen is having trouble, AGAIN, you need to have a stabilizing force. It’s too earlyt o call Jordan Walden anythig but last night’s door-shutter, but it was a relief to see that Sosh is starting to make the necessary moves to make sure we’re putting our best team out there. I know a 4 and 5 of Palmer and Bell doesn’t strike fear into anyone’s hearts with Pineiro out, but I am certainly confused by Kazmir’s continued presence in the rotation. Everyone who has seen this guy knows that he is done as a power or even regular pitcher. Unless he completely rebuilds his approach, he cannot succeed in professional baseball.

I hope King Cong opened some eyes with his blast last night. When you replace Mathis with Hank Conger, I think this team is more offensively stout than it looked.

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart - Always an Angel

by Kernel on Apr 6, 2011 5:15 AM PDT reply actions

Agree on Kazmir.

Against Kansas City, his fastball was topping out below 90 MPH. He’s tried to compensate for loss of velocity by nibbling around the strike zone. It hasn’t worked.

If he’s hiding an injury, then he needs a long rest. That’s about the last page to turn. After that, if he still hasn’t improved, then adios. Either way, he needs to be removed from the starting rotation.

by sothball on Apr 6, 2011 6:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think he's nibbling, I think he doesn't know where the ball's going

He’s a pusballer with no control and sub-par breaking stuff. He belongs on a dude ranch.

by mattwelch on Apr 6, 2011 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Pusballer? LOL...rec'd

Q: Why was he once so good, then?

dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Apr 6, 2011 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Because that pushballer

once threw a mid-90’s fastball and nasty slider so he got away with it. Now, not so much.

by dmhead on Apr 6, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

I think the cowboy code would prohibit a pusballer on a dude ranch.

by sothball on Apr 6, 2011 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions

When a lefty pitches outside to a right hand batter

you can guarantee he will adjust his command of he’s good, throw a fat hone run pitch over-compensating if he’s not. But when he throws that pitch six straight times? It’s puzzling…

"We are not on an austerity program," Arte Moreno

by thebigtizzle on Apr 6, 2011 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope Conger opened some eyes with that throw to 2nd that Izzy dropped.

Mathis hasn’t done that in 5 years. Izzy, Aybar and Howie better get ready.

"Ballplayers play baseball." -Jose Mota

by Fred Fredrix on Apr 6, 2011 7:03 AM PDT reply actions

Izzy probably felt embarrassed

No one told him the ball was going to be THROWN at him. I mean, rolled, tossed, MAYBE.

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart - Always an Angel

by Kernel on Apr 6, 2011 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Or thrown over his head.

"Ballplayers play baseball." -Jose Mota

by Fred Fredrix on Apr 6, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I too was kinda turned on by Conger's motion in the ocean behind the plate

That wild pitch that he bunny hopped like 4 feet to his right was something I haven’t seen in a while from an Angel catcher. His bomb was had Napol-esque arc on it too, just like the one I saw him hit in the Futures Game. His LH swing and defense looked ready for the bigs…maybe have him stick to that for now.

Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.

by Commander_Nate on Apr 6, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Not sure a Napoli-esque bomb from Conger is a good thing with Scioscia managing.

by ~MMP~ on Apr 6, 2011 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Wish I could get excited about a "new" Sosh

But look who’s back in today’s lineup.

by ReggieBullits on Apr 6, 2011 8:11 AM PDT reply actions

Mathis-Wood

barf.

Official prediction: The Angels will win the AL west this season.

by RexTookMyStash on Apr 6, 2011 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions

I am excited about the "new Sosh"

Just making that one “quick hook” is exciting, and hopefully translates in some more at least fairly quick hooks, though who knows
Kaz: probably 2 more starts and then done—relegated to long relief
Mathis: no quick hook, but you gotta think that Soth will become dissaffected with his ‘favorite,’ hitting .150 and not throwing anybody out whatsoever—that’s just too embarrassing for a former catcher, etc. Hopefully, we will evolve into a platoon of Wilson and Conger, with Premium dissolving into a once a week appearance, or something. (Oh, that Premium’s’ too too sullied flesh would resolve itself into a dew and melt). Yes, I have to admit that his great first game must be a chimera and we are once again seeing his normal lack of playing ability.

by Raaddad on Apr 6, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions

The defense is SCARY

Reggie Willits: The non-tender candidate of my dreams.

by hauldog on Apr 6, 2011 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions

SCARY to the fans, or to opponents?

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Apr 6, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Fans

Vernon in center
Abreu in LEFT!

Reggie Willits: The non-tender candidate of my dreams.

by hauldog on Apr 6, 2011 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Hadn't seen the lineup at that point.

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Apr 6, 2011 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Poor Haren

by ~MMP~ on Apr 6, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Wells CF?

Should be interesting…

"We are not on an austerity program," Arte Moreno

by thebigtizzle on Apr 6, 2011 8:39 AM PDT reply actions

Abreu in LF?

I’m more concerned about Abreu in left.

by LAA of A Fan on Apr 6, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions

O boy . . .

Just tell me Rodney won’t be back as closer . . .
I do think Wood deserves a chance to get his butt off the pine.

by Raaddad on Apr 6, 2011 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I was going to ask why Wood deserves playing time, but I guess you're right. It's early in the season, might as well see if he's up to it this year.

But if he doesn’t get a hit today, don’t play him again until an injury forces Sosh’s hand.

Whatever, dude.

by Mayheminthehood on Apr 6, 2011 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah that too...

we’re a bit old and pudgy out there…

"We are not on an austerity program," Arte Moreno

by thebigtizzle on Apr 6, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Ha...Sosh puts Brandon Wood and Mathis in the game the next day.

To quote the poet Backstreet Boys: Quit playing games with my heart.

Whatever, dude.

by Mayheminthehood on Apr 6, 2011 8:54 AM PDT reply actions

Shouldn't we be fielding the line up that's going to give us the best possible chance to win?

Official prediction: The Angels will win the AL west this season.

by RexTookMyStash on Apr 6, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure Haren is asking that same question right now

poor guy

"You realize that Ive been posting on AN since 07 on this name and I am one of the most rec'ed posters there right?" - Some douche named DFA from AN

by 2pintsofbooze on Apr 6, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Poor Haren

not only does he have to suffer wood and mathis in the game, but the offense is facing a rookie pitcher … DOOM

Somewhere, right now, Mickey Hatcher is ruining a swing.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Apr 6, 2011 9:16 AM PDT reply actions

I guess Mathis gave him one of these faces....

Bring on the OREO Line!

by angelskid2210 on Apr 6, 2011 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

So Mathis is back in the lineup tonight.

So much for change I can believe in.

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Apr 6, 2011 9:21 AM PDT reply actions

Must resist acerbic politcal rhetoric*

Official prediction: The Angels will win the AL west this season.

by RexTookMyStash on Apr 6, 2011 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

no need

without being political, you can call mathis back in the lineup as a complete parallel.

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart - Always an Angel

by Kernel on Apr 6, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Just simmer down Rex,

No politics here bro. Just pissed that Mathis missed all of one start after yet another Mathis-like fail. Hit the stash Rex, enjoy the mellow. Or, if you’re at work-get back to work! ;)

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Apr 6, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

No politics here bro

Meaning, there wasn’t any political slant in my posting. Didn’t want anyone to think otherwise.

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Apr 6, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I know dude, I was just messin'

Official prediction: The Angels will win the AL west this season.

by RexTookMyStash on Apr 6, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

You ain't pushin' the boundaries, you ain't tryin'

;)

Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.

by Commander_Nate on Apr 6, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Expect a big hit and a gunned down runner today...

Mathis knows how to do just enough to keep his job long enough for everyone to argue over whether he should have it. I’ve worked with people like that before and no matter how much they fail, they have the job interview and job retention psychology down. Look for that shitty grin today…

"We are not on an austerity program," Arte Moreno

by thebigtizzle on Apr 6, 2011 9:32 AM PDT reply actions