First off, hello everyone. I'm pretty new to the site and I really love it here. I was not sure if I was allowed to say "asses" in my title (it's not "ashes", I swear). Since moving out of SoCal to Oregon I do not get nearly enough of my beloved Halos and this site is my one and only link to other Angel fans and Angel news. So, thanks! I am not a writer or a blogger by any means but i just felt the urge to express to the world a subject that has had me incredibly agitated lately.

I am having a real difficult time accepting the way that the Angels are treating Mark Trumbo. He was their freaking savior last year. As a 24 year old rookie, he almost literally carried the team on those massive shoulders of his. With a little bit of help from his friends, the Angels could have easily achieved greatness.

This is, and has always been, the type of job where you have to earn your spot and the right to be playing amongst some of the best athletes in the world. Last year when Kendrys was not able to come back from his injury, Mark was thrown into the fire and handled it all exceptionally well. If you were like me, you got excited when he came to the plate (unlike when Bobby or Vernon came up and I got up to cry and get another beer). Yes, I realize he did strike out very frequently, but you just knew that he was excited to be there and was busting his ass to earn a spot on the roster. I would say that his performance was a true feat of excellence and he earned himself a spot.

Fast forward to 2012. Albert is our new first baseman. Okay, I get it, he's ALbert Pujols and he's a hall of famer and what not. And Mark may have even been okay with losing his position to Albert. But what if he wasn't okay with it? Where the hell is his motivation now to do a good job? "Well last year I led the team in HR's and RBI, played a decent First base and was continually improving. Hell YA I have a spot on the roster!!!" But no, it's become more like "Huh, guess that wasn't good enough, what the hell else do I have to do?"

Most rookies are just happy to be up in the Majors and are not gonna argue with anyone or let you know they have a problem with the way their being treated. But Mark has earned the right to not only play everyday, but to also make sure everyone's aware of it. He, as well as we, has got to know that a good amount of teams would pick him up in a heartbeat and could start for them every day. That would sure as hell give me some confidence. And I'm only two years his senior.

So I say to you all, where is Mark Trumbo's respect?! Is it getting steamrolled by the "veterans" (yes I have lost faith in that word and have been reduced to using it sarcastically) that make more money in two weeks than he does in a year because they used to play well? Is there some sort of bad blood between Mike and Mark? What else does a homeboy have to do to prove his worth and get the playing time he busted his ass for last year and this spring?!