Holy smokes, unless you're a fan of Scott Hairston, college football, stupid Hall of Fame votes, are just as intrigued as I am as to why Melisa spells her name with one "s", stupid Hall of Fame vote articles, or Derek Jeter, there's nothing going on in the Halosphere. This makes my job both harder and easier since there's nothing to link to, and well, there's nothing to link to. Except for this:
- Seriously, I don't want to start this conversation all over again as it's been beaten to death, but:
Inbox: Are Angels improved from a year ago? - angels.com
So it's pretty much time to get rid of "Build Me Up Buttercup," right? I mean, Angels fans have higher expectations than to ultimately be let down. Right? -- Jason D., Tustin, Calif.
Turns out the most popular Inbox email had nothing to do with Hamilton, Pujols, Trout or the starting rotation. It was regarding "Build Me Up Buttercup," the classic Foundations song with pessimistic lyrics -- "Why do you build me up [build me up], Buttercup baby, just to let me down" -- that the Angels play during the seventh-inning stretch. Angels communications manager Eric Kay told me that as of now there are "no plans for a change." But upper management and the entertainment department usually make that call closer to the season. I'll keep you posted; I know you're all very concerned." Uh yeah we're concerned, it's a loser song. Why not change it to "She's Having My Baby" or "Billy Don't Be A Hero" since they're just as relevant. Wait, I've got a better idea, why not just play "Sweet Caroline" in the seventh and then "New York, New York" after the game? And then the front office can feel like they're sitting at the adult table. - Red Sox 'hopeful' of finishing Napoli deal - Boston.com
"Napoli agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million deal on Dec. 3. But an issue — believed to be a pre-existing hip injury — was detected during Napoli's physical on Dec. 7. The sides have been working on an amended deal since." It might get pretty interesting if the Red Sox and Nap can't work out a deal. Napoli will re-enter the free agent market, probably at a reduced rate and/or looking for a make-good one-year contract. - Today's Trout Porn:
- I like stats. And I like the analysis of stats. However, sometimes it just...ummm, the stats....screw it, if you're interested, here's an article: The Decline of the First-Pitch Out - Beyond the Box Score. "The first pitch-out has therefore been on a steady decline since the data has been available, falling from 10% of all PA's in 1988 to just 7.3% in 2012."
- This was interesting, and since it has nothing to do with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, baseball, or Southern California, why the heck not link to it: Was Knute Rockne Killed By The Mob? Tracing The Origins Of One Of The Stranger Urban Legends In Sports. "On the morning of March 31, 1931, TWA Flight 599, en route from Kansas City to Los Angeles, fell out of the sky over the Flint Hills of central Kansas, near the community of Bazaar. "