Jungle Lords Defeat Panther & Co.

by yeswecan on Apr 18, 2007 3:35 PM PDT in Angels News

Blame of the Game: Garret Anderson

The Rev called me last night to tell me he's going to be late getting home tonight. I tell him, "Don't worry, I can put up a 'Lose' thread for you." Obviously my subconscious didn't believe that the Angels would win today, and I'm sorry to say my subconscious was right.

P.S. I love my man GA, but he seriously needs to do his JOB as cleanup hitter.

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Rant and Rave

This team fucking sucks donkey balls. They cant hit, they cant field, they cant run the bases they cant take a walk. The only thing positive is our pitching, but when the other team scores a run....GAME OVER...Small sample size my ass....this offense is taking over exactly where it left off last year in the shitter....

GMJ started out great and now sucks
GA is dog shit and is turning into a liability (BTW he is my favorite player)
Keep Izzy in the lineup
Hillenpuke is the worst hitter on the team
Napoli doesn't even dseserve a comment and my waisted key stroke
Willits is Murphy and vice versa
Howie and Vlad are the only two that can hit and both of them are out...Why not bean our two best hitters..you know we wont retaliate...
Kotch is flying under the radar as he is just mediocre

Go Halos

Lets win with what we got!!!

by P237 on Apr 18, 2007 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

right to the point

couldn't have put it better myself

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Apr 18, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

sad but true

extremely disturbing

by DChalofan on Apr 18, 2007 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

bring em all up

Morales
Wood
Evans
Gournealt
Mathis

Can they do worse?

Lets win with what we got!!!

by P237 on Apr 18, 2007 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

agreed

our offense is pathetic.

the fans are being punished for our management's lack of balls to do what it takes to get the offense.

what good is pitching when you cant score 1 god damn run?

by ihearhowie2.0 on Apr 18, 2007 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Not quite

The offense is bad because Stoneman likes handing out contracts to over-the-hill players like Anderson, GMJ, and Hillenbrand rather than letting the kids come up and struggle. With the kids, at least there's some upside... but Anderson is a liability. We have known what was wrong with this offense since the 2004 postseason, and nothing has been really done since then to improve it.

Partly that's been because of limited opportunities (Paul Konerko elected to sign elsewhere) but some of it has been a reticence to pursue dubious free agents (Carlos Beltran, for instance). The Angels gave that up this last season, and signed Sarge, Jr. to a deal they will regret, one way (letting him play) or another (eating half or more of it).

For each the last three years, Stoneman has signed some veteran or another to a bad deal:

Steve Finley

Esteban Yan, J.C. Romero, Jeff Weaver

Gary Matthews, Jr., Shea Hillenbrand

And of course that doesn't count Stoneman's Erstad and Anderson signings which hurt the team long after the ink was dry. If you want to look at why the team isn't playing well, you can blame the front office.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Apr 18, 2007 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude...

Romero was gotten in a trade.

by SactoFan on Apr 18, 2007 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions

GA

1-24 RISP.

by Barry on Apr 18, 2007 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

Why the hell are you guys in love with Garret A.?

He sucks. Period.

We better pray Vlad's wrist injury is just a bruise, or this is going to be a long season.

I pose the question, if the Devil Rays will take Santana for Crawford do you make that deal now? I think I do...

by Floppy Bad Boy on Apr 18, 2007 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

GA

Main reason is I am an angel Homer and have been for the past 27 years...he has done a lot over the years...Hopefully he comes around if not the last couple years have sucked watching him

Santana for crawford in a heartbeat where do I sign?

Lets win with what we got!!!

by P237 on Apr 18, 2007 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

If this doesn't turn

it will be a long season even if Vlad is fine. One hitter can't do it alone.

by DChalofan on Apr 18, 2007 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Wait, what?

Is there a trade rumor between Crawford and Santana?
If there is, why aren't the wheels turning yet? That would be a great addition. Saunders and Moseley both showed they can pitch in the show. Who needs 7 starting pitchers (counting Colon)

by RH15 on Apr 18, 2007 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions

In the early part of last season...

...around late April, early May, this was more than a rumour. I'm fairly certain the Devil Rays were prepared to make the deal, rather it was LAA who said "Ei Kiitos!"

by Floppy Bad Boy on Apr 18, 2007 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

trades

any sane GM (meaning, pretty much everyone but Stoneman), is going to look to absolutely rape the Halos in any trade scenario. the Halos are probably (or at least, should be) pretty desperate at this point, and i think everyone knows that.

that being said, Stoneman's track record doesn't really make me think he's going to do much of anything to fix this problem, since offense has never been a priority of his, and his trade history is less than stellar.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on Apr 18, 2007 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

this is what sucks

in order not to get raped in a trade, the Angels are going to have to start playing better as to not come off as desperate... but if we play even a little better, Stoneman won't do shit.

I should be working right now...

by thrill000 on Apr 19, 2007 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions

remember

remember during the off season when the Angels home page would post up stories with titles like "Angels look within for offence" or "Managment says Halos have all the bats they need" etc etc...

can someone over there please print an article that says somehting like "Angels make boner move of the year for not getting a bat"

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Apr 18, 2007 4:18 PM PDT reply actions

New Slogan?

"Angels offence, we strive for mediocrity"
How do you all like it? It's pretty catchy if I do say so myself.

by RH15 on Apr 18, 2007 4:23 PM PDT reply actions

I WISH they were mediocre

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Apr 18, 2007 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's my problem:

I do strive to be positive about the team, but even cutting Angel officialdom all the slack I can, I am left with one question: Why, with our starting lineup, and considering that pitching and speed are our strengths, do we not configure the bench so as to give us the most pop possible? For example, why do we have Murphy on the bench when a) he virtually duplicates Willits' skill set and b) Scoscia is apparently averse to using him? Why the hell would we not have Gorneault in his stead? How could it possibly hurt to have someone on the bench who represents a reasonable possibility of hitting one out? It doesn't seem to me that he needs any more seasoning at AAA.

I know this is adding nothing new to the discussion, but sometimes ya gotta rant a little. And as much as I respect Scoscia, I really would love to hear honest answers from him to the above questions.

And one more thing! I'm a peaceable man, but if we don't protect our hitters, then opposing pitchers will feel free to hit them without fear. AARGH.

Stoopnocracy is peachy

by rspencer on Apr 18, 2007 4:23 PM PDT reply actions

we're keeping lil nicky...

in AAA so he can get bats to audition for a trade to a big league club.

Willits and Murphy are the same DEFENSIVELY, but more like Howie and Vladdy on offense (on a much smaller scale), respectively. They're both up to reduce time for GA/Vlad in the OF, but I still agree, we need just the one. Send the other back down to AAA ball and let'em fight it out there.

Also, I've never really liked Kendry's defense, but his offense has got to be better than Hillbilly's; plug him in at DH, bench hilly.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

'07 Halos

by Bilko 420 on Apr 18, 2007 4:27 PM PDT reply actions

these should be the type...

of "LOSE" photos we have

not that pointless Jungle comic horse shit.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I think I am speaking for all of us when I say

Agreed

by RH15 on Apr 18, 2007 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

by thebigA on Apr 18, 2007 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

yup.

fifthed.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on Apr 18, 2007 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll raise my hand on that one too

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Apr 18, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

yup

me three

by Carl Johnson on Apr 18, 2007 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I just prefer...

no more lose pics at all. How about some WIN pics...what do those look like?

Peanuts...Get your Overpriced Peanuts!

by Angel Hawker on Apr 18, 2007 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Let me defend the Rev here

I think the retro comix are pretty cool.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Apr 18, 2007 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions

AGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREED

REEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREEDAGREED

by Ty Webb on Apr 18, 2007 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree to Angel pix

NOT the comics. Just wanted to clarify.

by Ty Webb on Apr 18, 2007 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

the point of the comix

IS WE HAVE SEEN ENOUGH OF THAT SHIT ON THE FIELD DURING THE LOSS WE JUST SUFFERED...

by Rev Halofan on Apr 18, 2007 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

way to reply

mid-thread to make suckers like me look for the one new comment.

damn you rev! make the angels hit, please. thanks.

by 101halo on Apr 18, 2007 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I for one enjoy the comics

there is some very symbolic about a panther about to get knifed.

I should be working right now...

by thrill000 on Apr 19, 2007 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Is this our loose picture for Fridays Game?

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Apr 18, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

As I speak.......

Scoscia Better be sending Murphey to AAA and DLing or CUTting Shea No-Game Brand.

I better see Kendry Morales and Either (Gournault-or-Evans) on our roster by friday with a lineup of....

CF Matthews
SS Cabrera
DH Morales
RF Guerrero(Gournault if Guerrero cant play)
2B Kendrick
LF Evans
1B Kotchman
C Napoli (Hes not hitting but hes keeping calling good games)
3B Izzy

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Apr 18, 2007 4:36 PM PDT reply actions

how is he calling good games??

Did you SEE the Bosox sweep us? And outscore us some 23-3?

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Oops.....this loosing has me going crazy

Plug in Molina.

But what do you think of the lineup?

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Apr 18, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I say..

not bad, but shuffle it around on the call-ups:

CF Matthews
SS Kendrick
RF Guerrero
DH Morales
LF Anderson
1B Kotchman
3B Wood
C Mathis

I don't think OC should be batting second, under ANY circumstances. He's a 6 slot at best. HK, on the other hand, is a quick bat AND he has power. He is a terror on the basepath good for 20+ steals. If we can get pitchers worried about HK on the path while they're pitching to Vlad and the rest of our "power", just think of what we can accomplish.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

oops

CF Matthews
2B Kendrick
RF Guerrero
DH Morales
LF Anderson
SS Cabrera
1B Kotchman
3B Wood
C Mathis

oops, forgot to re-add cabrera. Silly me. :]

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Taking OC out of the lineup is silly

Especially when your lineup only has 8 hitters (and no 2B).

by DChalofan on Apr 18, 2007 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

note above

was copy/pasting on acuda's original presented lineup

forgot to plug OC in the 6th slot, and change 2nd slot for HK to 2B

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Also silly to take out Izzy

His bat's pretty hot right now, and Wood sure as heck ain't ready.

Again, it's been 2.5 weeks. We should definitely be cautious of a 2006 repeat, but we shouldn't be running around like chickens with our heads cut off at this point. Remember, we had the best record in baseball 2nd half last year; I know that didn't cut it but the reason for that was that we got wins at the wrong time (i.e., we always lost when Choakland lost--we had numerous chances to take the division in late August/early September). So a slow April start is not going to destroy us. 2.5 weeks is no more representative of the guys in AAA than it is of Hillenbrand, or even Izzy or Kendrick.

Need I remind you that Adam ".273" Kennedy was hitting .380 at the end of last April?

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Apr 18, 2007 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Slow starts....

I agree that you cannot judge a player after two-and-a-half weeks. But the problem here is not the individual performances by Napoli, Matthews, Hillenbrand, or Anderson. The problem is systemic -- 6 runs in 6 straight losses (after the major concern heading into the season was offense). When opposing pitchers work easily into the 8th inning, it is reasonable, in my opinion, to conclude that either the philosophy or the personnel needs to change.

by DChalofan on Apr 18, 2007 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah...

as much as i've preached patience, it was pretty painful losing today. i believe Scioscia was quoted in the Press-Enterprise saying something to extent that 15 games is not enough time to change the model. i generally agree.

believe me they're thinking about it, and the road trip will most likely make them think a hell of a lot more. However, i believe the series at HOME against the Mariners will dictate whether that thinking goes to the next level of action or whatever.

OK, we get crawford for santana, where do we put GA? out to pasture?

PS that's a beauty of an image of weaver eating turf!!!

by SactoFan on Apr 18, 2007 4:39 PM PDT reply actions

Vlad & HK

I read in Yahoo Sports that Vlad and HK flew to LA to see a hand specialist. What's the latest?

by Johnny Angel on Apr 18, 2007 4:39 PM PDT reply actions

This just in...

We're fucked. No not because of the swelling, it looks like vladdy's ok and HOwie's just a little swolen. But check this little gem: " No change in approach: Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher doesn't agree with the premise that the Angels aren't being selective enough with their at-bats... "I'm going to keep working with these guys, motivating them. We've got a lot of guys putting too much pressure on themselves, especially young guys. You've just got to play the game. It happens. There are other good teams, like the White Sox, going through it." " Start selling your season's tix now.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 18, 2007 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I know people will dis agree with me on this

But after watching the season so far I am now convinced that the pitches that hit Vlad and Howie were intentional.

Let's look at this:
What did Scioscia tell the world last season?-that he does not allow the Angels retaliate ever, if he has control over it.

What has the AL learned over the winter?-that the Angels have complete shit for offence besides Vlad and Howie.

What has happened during the first road trip of the season?-Vlad hit and taken out of game(s) by Sox/ Howie hit and taken out of game(s) by the A's.

What did that result in?- The Angels now look like a bunch of assclowns at the plate with top notch pitching that can't save them.

Conclusion? The Sox and the A's cut the snake at the head with ZERO repercussions, made the Angels totally demoralized and look as though they are non-contenders

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Apr 18, 2007 4:41 PM PDT reply actions

Except that...

Vlad said he didn't think Beckett's pitch was intentional. If anybody should know that, it's him.

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Apr 18, 2007 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, but

Vlad's one of the most non-confrontational players in the league. He retaliates with his bat, not his voice. If Beckett had said "Vlad, I'm going to hit you your first AB!!!!" before plunking him, Vladdy STILL would have said it wasn't intentional.

I'm not saying it WAS, I'm just saying you can't take those words at face value.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Apr 18, 2007 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Acuda27

what if your demands aren't met? You crack me up.

by SactoFan on Apr 18, 2007 4:41 PM PDT reply actions

I'll watch the Angels get swept by Guillen......

and watch JEFF WEAVER pitch a NO-HITTER against us.....then if im still alive, ill figue out what to do next.

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Apr 18, 2007 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Now, now

let's not resort to drastic measures. But Guillen in Seattle with a chip on his shoulder about his experience being an angel does concern me in that he'll outright kill us with his bat!!!!

by SactoFan on Apr 18, 2007 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm changing my sign...

from FUCK YOU GUILLEN

COME BACK GUILLEN
We need your bat,
head-case and all!

Look for it in section F107

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Apr 19, 2007 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions

HK to 15-day Disabled List w/ Fracture

From Doug Padilla's blog:

An MRI and CT Scan on Howie Kendrick's left hand showed a non-displaced fracture on his third metacarpal and the second baseman was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Kendrick was hit by a pitch in Tuesday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Vladimir Guerrero also was examined and his diagnosis of a contusion was confirmed. Guerrero could return to action as early as Friday.

The Angels will recall a player to replace Kendrick either Thursday or before Friday's game. Since Robb Quinlan could take over at third base and Maicer Izturis can be moved to second, the Angels aren't limited as to who they recall. In other words, they don't just have to bring up an infielder. Brandon Wood is one of the candidates to join the Angels as are Kendry Morales and Terry Evans.

http://www.insidesocal.com/angels/2007/04/kendrick_to_disabled_list.html

by G Abbes on Apr 18, 2007 5:03 PM PDT reply actions

Yes!

This season just gets better and better.

by Higz on Apr 18, 2007 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I would say...

That maybe with the absence of the only non-Vlad hitter worth anything on this team, maybe Stoneman would finally go out and get this team some help.

But I thought that would happen when Vlad went down in 2005 after that slide at the game in LA....

by iLoveLamp on Apr 18, 2007 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought it would have happened earlier...

like right after the 3 - 0 sweep in 2004 playoffs. That was shameful.

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Apr 19, 2007 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Stony

Won't do shit. It would be unprecedented.

by Higz on Apr 19, 2007 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

What I really think the Angels need now...

Is for some break to go their way. A bottom of the ninth walk-off homerun, a no-hitter, a grand-slam to open up a game. Then the team can take a collective sigh of relief and just relax and play baseball. Heck, I'm even stressed out over their play, can't imagine how they feel.

Peanuts...Get your Overpriced Peanuts!

by Angel Hawker on Apr 18, 2007 6:48 PM PDT reply actions

A meteor to crash into the Oakland Coliseum

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Apr 18, 2007 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions

If it did...

...it would've landed on Weaver.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Apr 18, 2007 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Speaking of injuries

King Felix was yanked during the first inning of his start tonight on account of an injury.

by G Abbes on Apr 18, 2007 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

That sucks.

He'll probably come back this weekend against the Angels and pitch a 27-pitch perfect game.

by Fan Since 1981 on Apr 18, 2007 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Where are the pitchforks and torches?

I agree that we need to be concerned, but I don't agree that we need to start forming a lynch mob. That was just a weird, weird road trip that smelled like disaster before before the team even left.

It didn't help that we just faced the top two pitching staffs in the AL. (Sure, the Halos have helped them get there, but both staffs would still be #1-2 excluding Angels games.) Bad weather, tough pitching, and, yes, a little bit of bad luck with runners in scoring position makes for a bad recipe that's hard to swallow. And, no, our hitters didn't help much, either.

This weekend, however, we face the #13 staff, followed soon thereafter by the #14 staff of Tampa Bay's. If we're still struggling after this homestand (and normal home cooking), then I'll provide the rope...

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know" - Bill Parcells

by johnnyangel101 on Apr 18, 2007 8:21 PM PDT reply actions