Angels Can't Solve King Felix
by Rev Halofan on Aug 31, 2011 9:28 PM PDT
in Angels Postgame
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Final Score in Seattle: Don't Ask.
When Catcher Jeff Mathis is behind the plate, he is lauded by a terrible hack sportswriter who keeps his job only because he must excel at gladhanding the frat brother who hired him. When Jeff Mathis walks out to the mound late in the game with a plan to get the final batter of thinning out and that man ends up getting on base and then Mathis calls for the pitch that is hit to drive that man in for the winning run, will the Mathis-loving hack ever blame the terrible game calling of Jeff Mathis? No. He only points out the intangible good that Jeff Mathis does. Can I say definitively Jeff Mathis lost this game for the Angels? No. But can I say that his presence in the lineup hindered their chances? Yes. Did his presence behind the plate cause Dan Haren to strike out 7 Mariners? I would say no, but of someone offered tangible evidence the case remains open a bit. But the hacks of this world only stroke away, insulting the intelligence of every passionate fan.
Rangers lose to Rays (Texas has scored 3 runs past two games) Angels Magic Number drops to 31 despite losing 2-1 to Felix Hernandez and an obviously on-the-bribe-Pete-Rose-style home plate umpire make that check payable to Brian Knight mister bookie is Bart Giamatti spinning in his grave tonight Mister Rothstein? Was Tim Donaghy the rule or the exception? Does Mickey Hatcher encourage his batters to hack because he knows that plate discipline goes unrewarded in an era of gamblers controlling the MLB plate umpiring?
Bobby Abreu's much lauded plate discipline was not an asset with Brian Knight behind the plate. The #3 batter struck out three times. The Angels had the lead with four outs to go and couldn't close the door. At least they got dominated by one of the game's pitchers with an assist to the dirt near the pebbles a little bit away from the crevice before the black edge of the plate.
UPDATE: It was not Knight's strike zone throughout the game that was as egregious as his HIGH-LEVERAGE wide and high strike zone in the 9th inning against Angels batters.
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god do i have bad timing
I take it you don't have the DOV Secret Decoder Ring
You need to drink more ovaltine
-Quad Fin Rider
no problem understood
being unable to know the score and seeing on the front page i assumed that we won the game so i wanted to get in there and be the first to wish every a great win
well crap changed that
I take it you don't have the DOV Secret Decoder Ring
You need to drink more ovaltine
-Quad Fin Rider
by DAD OF VLAD on Aug 31, 2011 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
many times
I take it you don't have the DOV Secret Decoder Ring
You need to drink more ovaltine
-Quad Fin Rider
by DAD OF VLAD on Aug 31, 2011 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
In times like these I am very distraught that I used my Fbomb on Fing Rodney
Now that Lackey has turned to the enemy lets kick his ass
by Angelsrthebest101 on Aug 31, 2011 9:32 PM PDT reply actions
If we can't even count on Downs
Then I don’t see how we are going to make it. These are the games we have to win.
by Brody on Aug 31, 2011 9:32 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
BOTG Mathis
Not only is he sprinkling his magical CERA on pitchers, he’s also sprinkling his stink .178 BA on the other hitters as well.
actually stink works well in this case.
My response to your letter of February 19, 1976, is - kiss my ass.
Sincerely,
Bill Baxley, Attorney General
by sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher on Aug 31, 2011 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Fuck this loss!
I’m gonna pack a bowl.
& get munchies & probably eat del taco.
Night.
I have a secret place, inside my mind, where I keep hidden inspiration you wont find.
by Tapatio Man on Aug 31, 2011 9:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Don't make any trades or sign anyone tonight then.
AWB - Thank you, Arte.
Damn these eggs
Damn all the eggs that ever was!
"Its like when i’m right…i’m right… and when i’m wrong…i could have been right..so i’m still right cause i could have been wrong"-Chevy Clarke's Twitter
+1 to anyone who actually knows what I'm referencing
"Its like when i’m right…i’m right… and when i’m wrong…i could have been right..so i’m still right cause i could have been wrong"-Chevy Clarke's Twitter
Fister - Furbush ... the inuendo trade of the century
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Sep 1, 2011 7:47 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Sorry dudes...
Gotta blame Downs for this one. Shitty game.
Tim Salmon: The once and future Kingfish.
by Teixeira Who? on Aug 31, 2011 9:48 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
If I had to choose
I’d pick Abreu. OBP now under .360, like his slugging percentage. Having a DH with no power whatsoever and a batting average in the .250s was fine when he got on base 2 out of every 5 plate appearances. Now it is far from fine.
by Brody on Aug 31, 2011 9:49 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
and you know he's going to be even better next year
and more expensive
My response to your letter of February 19, 1976, is - kiss my ass.
Sincerely,
Bill Baxley, Attorney General
by sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher on Aug 31, 2011 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep, although it's not like the rest of the lineup was crushing the ball. Not surprising with Felix out there though.
That loss really hurt. One of our best pitchers starting, relieved by our best reliever, and we still lost.
by ~MMP~ on Aug 31, 2011 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
in Abreu's defense, he went down hacking on some amazing pitches
at least it wasn’t the good ole Abreu statue called strike 3. He was swinging hard.
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Sep 1, 2011 7:49 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
And why was he batting 3rd?
Don’t we want a guy who will SWING in the 3rd spot?
Trust the Deception
by Rally Manatee on Sep 1, 2011 9:02 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
.. just to let me down ...
… let me down …
… let me down …
… let me down …
… let me down …
"It is a haunted game in which every player is measured against the ghosts of all who have gone before."
Pretty much.
"It is a haunted game in which every player is measured against the ghosts of all who have gone before."
Hurts to Lose
Obviously. Then again, I don’t expect them to beat Felix Hernandez three times in a season.
The AL West is turning into an awkward high school party
The Rangers totally want us to f*ck them and we just won’t do it.
Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.
by Commander_Nate on Aug 31, 2011 10:07 PM PDT reply actions 6 recs
Because we don't have any condoms and we're afraid that we'll run into our parents at the store when we go to buy some
by ~MMP~ on Aug 31, 2011 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Or maybe we're afraid the Red Sox will see us
And get all jealous and ask where we’ve been since Oct. ’09.
Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.
by Commander_Nate on Aug 31, 2011 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Best Quote of 2011
Thanks, Nate
"I'm Tony Reagins. People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an I.Q. of 48 and am what some people call mentally retarded."
testing..
"The AL West is turning into an awkward high school party
The Rangers totally want us to f*ck them and we just won’t do it." - Commander_Nate
by GutterDem0n on Aug 31, 2011 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions
A thing of beauty!
My response to your letter of February 19, 1976, is - kiss my ass.
Sincerely,
Bill Baxley, Attorney General
by sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher on Aug 31, 2011 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Now you're catching on.
My response to your letter of February 19, 1976, is - kiss my ass.
Sincerely,
Bill Baxley, Attorney General
by sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher on Aug 31, 2011 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought it was bleeping brilliant.
We gotta get off the air!
You boys stick around--there'll be turkey and ice cream later!
I just noticed your avatar
not to be a dick or anything, but you are aware this isn’t Myspace, right?
:p
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
where you been Subop?
I’ve been getting dumber in your absence
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
The Jersey Shore
Not far from the truth, actually. I was on a research trip for all of last month, visiting a number of unpleasant places along the eastern seaboard.
nice, good to have you back
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
last year TR said blame stops w him
Because he provides the players. Maybe if he provided some semblance of an actual bullpen they wouldn’t have to stretch starters beyond the point where they are ready to break. Maybe Downs doesn’t get it done.
I could be wrong but I grew up understanding that a bullpen consists of more than two pitchers………
Oh, you mean they DO have more than two pitchers in the Halos bullpen. Oh good, well then I can now go back to sleep (east coast here… it’s late).
I like the above response by commander nate
Or maybe we’re afraid the Red Sox will see us
And get all jealous and ask where we’ve been since Oct. ’09.’
Good one Commander. Aye Aye Sir.
I'm a non-traditionalist
I think MLB should eliminate the home plate umpire. Have a computer call balls and strikes and use replay for all close plays at the plate. Does that remove the “human element” from the game? No. The human element comes from the players themselves. Getting calls wrong or having an inconsistent strike zone injects a human element where it doesn’t belong and robs the players of having the impact they should. See the A’s and Indians 16th inning tonight, where the A’s made a great play to get the man at the plate, but were jobbed by the ump who called the runner safe. The players should determine the outcome of the game, not the umpires.
I'm inclined to agree with this.
I’m really over the whole “human element” bullshit. Baseball is the only sport where you can get nearly 100% of the calls correct. Why not do it? Why do we need Country Bear Jamboree West’s fat ass behind the plate taking out his vendetta on anyone who doesn’t say “master may I?” before entering the batter’s box? Also, There would have been another perfect game last year.
Tim Salmon: The once and future Kingfish.
by Teixeira Who? on Sep 1, 2011 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm grudgingly coming to the same conclusion, more or less
I tend to be a rigid traditionalist, but the quality of the umpiring has been declining as the egos of the umpires have been inflating. Egregiously bad calls used to be rare; now a day without one somewhere in MLB is rarer still.
I’m still not comfortable with machines calling balls and strikes—the current system does not take movement within the zone into account, as far as I can see—but I’m now comfortable with the idea of instant replay for all other calls.
You boys stick around--there'll be turkey and ice cream later!
Disagree.
Arguing with the ump, booing against him and a few terrible calls is part of a game and a part of the tradition we can’t remove.
And who is the catcher going to flirt with between the innings? Robocop?
hula dula da dominoes rula.
by DanishThunder on Sep 1, 2011 2:46 AM PDT up reply actions
About 2 years ago, I would have agreed.
That is, until I saw this…
Tim Salmon: The once and future Kingfish.
by Teixeira Who? on Sep 1, 2011 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
If Mathis tagged them, they would have been called out.
AWB - Thank you, Arte.
Man, I forgot how bad that was.
"Lose your pants and only good things can happen."-MayhemInTheHood
by Mayheminthehood on Sep 1, 2011 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
That was a punch below the waist. Man it hurts looking back.
hula dula da dominoes rula.
by DanishThunder on Sep 2, 2011 2:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Felix may have gotten some calls late, but I think Haren was getting more than his fair share
Total strikes outside the zone
Haren 11 Felix 4 (plus those 3 outside were all in range of what he called for Haren so nothing really changed, just the first called pitches in that zone all night)
Total balls inside the zone
Haren 1 Felix 3
by RQ on Sep 1, 2011 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I looked at that after the game, I didn't get to watch it, because of all the controversy
and then left that site confused on how to read their charts. Now it has been confirmed.
Well actually I got to see the last half inning of the game, and that is when he got them on the inside to a right handed batter. It’s all about the timing.
My point was that Haren had been getting the same calls
on all 3 that were the same distance inside plus got more calls low and away than Felix did so the zone did not change even in the 9th.
by RQ on Sep 1, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I understand that.
I can see that both Haren, and Felix, got some calls from the ump. It’s just that I seen the inside given to Felix in that last inning. With one of those pitches being a called strike three to Torii.
Anyway, what’s a hillbilly like yer self doin’ on this here site arguin’ fer the umpiers?
I come from a family of umpires
I have no problem calling them out when the make calls as pictured above (Naps tagging out Cano and Posada) because MLB umps are fat slobs too lazy to get in correct position. Same thing happened to Texas earier in the year at Minn. Andrus is standing BETWEEN 2nd and the runner, tags him, and throws to first but it was ruled the runner was on the bag when he was more than 4 feet from the bag. My father-in-law, who as an ump, and non-Ranger fan was livid that an ump at that level could be so out of position to even dream that his foot was on the bag.
But when graphic evidence shows Haren getting more calls than Felix and the inside corner had been established about 3 inches inside already by the calls for Haren earlier in the game, I dont see how you can complain. Hraen was explioting the low outside corner way more than Felix was
by RQ on Sep 1, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
that sucked
however, I am still getting chills from watching the trout HRs.
the jeff mathis research center: searching for a way to strike out on 2 pitches since 2005
by the king of CERA on Aug 31, 2011 11:53 PM PDT reply actions
and Vernon Wells on the bench not celebrating along with Trout and Hunter when Trout hit those
homers on tuesday. Wells was sitting right next to them and ignored everything that was going on.
"It's our money," owner Arte Moreno said.
I wouldn't be celebrating either
If I knew I was losing my job to a kid who’s half my age.
hula dula da dominoes rula.
by DanishThunder on Sep 1, 2011 2:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Didn't see this game
but anytime Texas loses and the Angels don’t win = This game sucked.
"Talent does what it can; genius does what it must." ~ Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
Angels 2011 W-L record with the alternate red jersey: 14-10
Absolutely correct
There will only be so many opportunities to gain ground on Texas. Regardless of who is pitching, to lose two of three (thus far) to Seattle during a pennant race is an embarrassment.
The score: Carp 2; Trout 1
Back to being skeptically optimistic.
by OCangels on Sep 1, 2011 1:40 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
This one's
On Downs. I’ll take “Rich thompson” for $200, Alex
BASEBALL !!! ...sucks :( or maybe not?
by Figgi4life on Sep 1, 2011 2:16 AM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
Pitching the lefty Downs vs. the lefty Carp was the right play
I’ll take “Scott Downs over Rich Thompson any day of the week” for $200, Alex.
It’s always easy to criticize when looking through the “retrospecto-scope”
More Howie please...
I was more joking
Than anything else, but I really do believe chopper should be used more. His stats are better than Takahashi’s
BASEBALL !!! ...sucks :( or maybe not?
by Figgi4life on Sep 1, 2011 2:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
By the way.....see that Texas added another bullpen arm yesterday?
Mike Gonzalez’s last 13 appearances for Baltimore: 13 games, 12.1 innings, 5 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 15 strikeouts. Now part of Texas bullpen.
We still have the flightless Hawk and (likely) a tired Downs
Do I smell panic???
Mop up dude from the not to pressure packed birds.
The stRangers needed someone to burn up some innings after they start the dead, and tired arms, of their long relievers.
"In the last couple of outings, I’ve been losing the strike zone. I’m confused. My body feels good, but my arm doesn’t do what I want it to do."
- RHP Alexi Ogando, on his recent struggles.
We’ll see if he can survive in a pennant race.
Perhaps
However a lefty that throws in the mid-90’s, has three legit pitches, and historically has a strong K:BB ratio is very nice to have……
Ya well, we have Horacio Ramirez back!
He has all of those things besides the mid-90s velocity, three legit pitches, and a strong K:BB ratio
So.. he has a left arm..?
yes – something is not right
by SanDiegoKev
I think some of the Angels
(J. Williams) is –
probably one of the undead, Rev has been involved –
in some kind of black magic,
What undead to follow?
He must be sticking pins in
to Ranger Starting pitchers
bobblehead dolls as well.
Rangers have their finger on the panic button
If Wilson doesn’t give them a good start tonight, that button will be pushed, if it hasn’t already.
our panic button is broken
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Sep 1, 2011 7:52 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
It broke when Reagins pushed it too hard in the offseason.
AWB - Thank you, Arte.
We only have one button
We’re just not sure exactly what it does yet.
Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.
by Commander_Nate on Sep 1, 2011 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I keep pushing it hoping it launches a tactical missile strike at a certain catcher, but so far no dice
Defending maligned chants since 2009
Mathis would dodge those Matrix style
the guys a natural athlete after all
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
He seems to miss every other damn thing heading his way
I see red people
by The Limey on Sep 1, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He'd deflect them with the power of CERA
"Lose your pants and only good things can happen."-MayhemInTheHood
by Mayheminthehood on Sep 1, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
did you see this movie? I really liked it
also, going back to our convo about Planet of the Apes…that was one DAMN GOOD movie.
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought X-Men: First Class was awesome, as well. Both were two of the better movies this summer.
I also really liked Super 8.
"Lose your pants and only good things can happen."-MayhemInTheHood
by Mayheminthehood on Sep 1, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
those were the only 2 movies I saw this summer
I did see Super 8 is playing at the $3 theater in HB, I may need to go check it out
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I wasn't even gonna see Super 8, but the day it came out I had gotten off of work a couple hours early, and there was a 5 buck matinee going on down the street from my office.
Figured what the hell.
I ended up thinking it was a great summer movie. I was wary of all the nostalgia buttons I knew it was going to try and push before seeing it, but in the end I just gave up on fighting it and surrendered. It set out to be a Close Encounters/ET/Goonies type of movie, and I thought it nailed it.
"Lose your pants and only good things can happen."-MayhemInTheHood
by Mayheminthehood on Sep 1, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah I doubt I would go see it if it weren't at the $3 theater
lately I just wait and watch stuff on blue ray, way cheaper.
I did hear some criticism that the train crash was waaay overblown, but if thats the only complaint than its gotta be pretty good.
"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 tool named Designatedforassignment from Athletics Nation
by 2pintsofbooze on Sep 1, 2011 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm usually with you, but I don't think I would've initially liked Super 8 as much if I didn't see it in the theatre.
The train crash is pretty cool, and was exciting on the big screen…was also loud as hell.
"Lose your pants and only good things can happen."-MayhemInTheHood
by Mayheminthehood on Sep 1, 2011 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Woah
How did I not notice this whole comment string until just now? Damn, work – getting in the way of important stuff like this.
Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.
by Commander_Nate on Sep 1, 2011 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
We only have an Easy Button, and ...
Soth stashed that in the drawer under the instant ramen noodles, and this team only eats pasta. Do you think it will ever be found?
How about Torii and his propensity to get thrown out at 3rd?
He always has to prove what a doofus on the bases he can be by getting thrown out at 3rd. I mean c’mon, if you cant see the ball why risk it. That insurance run would have been crucial. (not to say he woud have scored for sure, but he sure ain’t scoring sitting on the bench).
Why bring in Downs when Carp is hitting .333 off of lefties???. Where is the logic there?
Lyle, responding to a tweet asking him why the Angels would keep Jeff Mathis
You keep Mathis because you want to win a championship.
LOLLLZZZ TROOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1PBptSDIh8
yes – something is not right
by SanDiegoKev
I think some of the Angels
(J. Williams) is –
probably one of the undead, Rev has been involved –
in some kind of black magic,
What undead to follow?
He must be sticking pins in
to Ranger Starting pitchers
bobblehead dolls as well.
OOH OOH OOH
That’s a response to me.
BASEBALL !!! ...sucks :( or maybe not?
by Figgi4life on Sep 1, 2011 2:11 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
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