Kelvim Escobar

by cupie on Jul 19, 2007 9:46 PM PDT

Kelvim Escobar and Halos Heaven versus Cupie.

I get your takes and the gist of most of the comments. I think it is bitchin' that we all feel so passionate about Angels Baseball and the Panther.

Today, i had the pleasure of listening to the game on the radio. My impressions was that Kelvim was struggling through the first few innings, including later in the game when he had fellas at 2nd and 3rd and somehow the D-Rays managed some pop-outs. I am not discounting Kelvim Escobars's performance or results, but he was facing the Devil Rays. He should be shutting down these clowns. He did his JOB. He is our ACE. He stops the losing streaks.

GA got the Panther today because someone actually got a base hit with men on. Something so out of character for this team the last few games. It was as if some of the bad voodoo left our bats. It sounded great and felt great. It could've been GA, Jeff Mathis, or Vlad, but it was GA. GA is obviously a lightning rod for this blog, which again shows how much we love, and sometimes blindly, our Halos.

I stand by my Panther; GA.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

I want to hear from the Rev

by mattwelch on Jul 19, 2007 9:52 PM PDT reply actions

well...

When I entrusted the WIN thread to cupie (due to heavy workload), I also entrusted him with compelte editorial control.

I would have picked Kelvim Escobar as the Panther, but cupie was behind the wheel this afternon so the site got off at the G.A. Boulevard Exit instead of the Escobar Turnpike.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 19, 2007 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I stand by my Panther

by cupie on Jul 19, 2007 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I'll follow you off that cliff.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 19, 2007 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

LA TIMES supports CUPIE

The notion that Escobar dominated the Rays may appear in the boxscore, but it was not that type of game. from the game writeup at the LA-TIMES:

Escobar wasn't flawless against Tampa Bay. He continually pitched into and out of trouble, giving up nine hits and three walks with five strikeouts. The Devil Rays had multiple baserunners in five innings but stranded 10 and went hitless in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.

He won, yes, but was he a dominant ace? More like he got the right paly from his Defense when he needed it most.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 20, 2007 2:24 AM PDT up reply actions

So what?

Santana had a crappy game (after his last one, and the one before that, and the one before that, and ...) and GOT BLOWN OUT. Escobar wasn't Cy Young and shut down an offense when the Angels needed a win.

Santana's where he belongs. Now it's Bart's turn.

by scareduck on Jul 20, 2007 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Even tho I voted for Kelvim...

I am good with GA. Maybe it is the start of things to come...someone who has not really been contributings starts to contribute. Let's see some more of the same...

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Jul 20, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I respect the process

by mattwelch on Jul 19, 2007 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't.

The keys of this juggernaut known as Halos Heaven should be entrusted in only the capable hands of someone that is worthy of making such decisions. Someone that can watch a baseball game, using an analytical thought process, that can deliver you each and every day the player best personifying "Panther". Someone that knows the grand game better than anyone here, and that person can be found on the right of your screen, running away with the OPD title...

Of course, don't expect any pictures, or anything fancy, because, well, he also has his shortcomings.

by bc56274 on Jul 19, 2007 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions

analytical

One shortcoming of the internet is the privileging of the analytical comes at the expense of the emotional - even in fandom, the central sphere of emotional behavior... GA was an emotional pick, and that happens sometimes, if the PANTHER is anything it is about the hot blooded passion we have for the Angels.

A sane man would pick Kelvim, but even I, your Rev, am envious of the passion cupie has for this team.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 20, 2007 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Garret stepped it up

when it mattered most, and got the clutch hit to make the game out of reach with the way the game had gone. Kelvim got knocked about for 9 hits in 7 2/3rds, but somehow avoided giving up runs in several situations. Considering it was against the Devil Rays, his performance was adequate. It was a decent day in which any other opponent would have likely made it 6IP, 3ER. Pat on the back, no panther Kelvim.

Garret put the game away when things were a bit tense with a fine piece of hitting that these team had been missing lately.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 19, 2007 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

That this has to be a marketing ploy...

A way to stir up more feedback at Halos Heaven, because, for the life of me, I don't think any rational, sensible person would come to the realization that a two-run single is more impressive than 7.2 innings of shutout baseball on the road.

So, in short, I choose to believe that Cupie is a marketing genius instead of a clueless idiot.

by bc56274 on Jul 19, 2007 10:27 PM PDT reply actions

78% of 14

Escobar wasn't dominant, but he was solid. He put the team on his back and gutted out a win when the boys needed one. A hallmark of a good pitcher is one who can win when he doesn't have his best stuff. That was Kelvim today. GA's hit was big; it gave Kelvim a little bit of a cushion. However, Kelvim had to continue to grind knowing that three runs were probably all he was going to get. No need to consult the good rev, Ladies and gentlemen. Kelvim Escobar is your panther.

by Johnny Angel on Jul 19, 2007 10:29 PM PDT reply actions

Um

"I am not discounting Kelvim Escobars's performance or results, but he was facing the Devil Rays. He should be shutting down these clowns."

7 2/3 shutout (zero runs) baseball.

Derp

by Pwn on Jul 20, 2007 12:09 AM PDT reply actions

"he should be

shutting down these clowns"

But shouldn't our offense be hitting the clowns too?
And driving in runs?
Wasn't GA just doing his job too?
And then what about Q, he got the game winning RBI, doesn't that make him at least a baby Panther?

Balls.

by TheTypingFiend on Jul 20, 2007 12:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Escobar was just doing his job???

Isn't G.A.s job driving in runs? Escobar's job is to give his team a chance to win. 7+ shutout innings is more than just doing his job.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Jul 20, 2007 1:37 AM PDT reply actions

think hard...

this wasn't about shutting down a sub .500 team, this was about turning on the offense and getting back into the win column. i'm with cupie, GA all the way.

by Of Angels and Angles on Jul 20, 2007 1:37 AM PDT reply actions

ZOMG HARDTHINKING

We would have won if GA didnt drive in those runs.

Would he be the panther if he drove in two runs in a 7-0 victory?

by Pwn on Jul 20, 2007 1:43 AM PDT up reply actions

if you have to ask

you will never know...

by Rev Halofan on Jul 20, 2007 2:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Its like

buying a Ferrari

If you have to ask the price, you cant afford it.

by Pwn on Jul 20, 2007 2:21 AM PDT up reply actions

thanks by the way

for not cutting me off in your hyundai...

by Rev Halofan on Jul 20, 2007 2:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Honda

Del Sol

probably the gayest car ever, cept for a pink Jetta or something.

by Pwn on Jul 20, 2007 2:23 AM PDT up reply actions

How about a BMW 3-series

with a rainbow license plate frame?

Santana's where he belongs. Now it's Bart's turn.

by scareduck on Jul 20, 2007 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Classic!

Live near Laguna, do we?

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Jul 20, 2007 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Or Long Beach...

A big FU to the A's and Dodgers....

by Crapper John MD on Jul 20, 2007 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

You don't like my ride?

by melvintoast on Jul 20, 2007 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Cupie...

You said Escy was facing the Devil rays, so he should shut them down. Well our Offense was facing the DRays so they should've collected those hits.

I fear DRays offense more then their pitching.

by Obscurity on Jul 20, 2007 4:58 AM PDT reply actions

75%

75% of the uber-intelligent Halos Heaven demographic thinks you are flat out wrong, cupie. I understand it is a decision you may feel like taking to the grave with you, but you have to change it to Kelvim. 7 2/3 shutout baseball against a team that, regardless of their reputation, had offensively destroyed us the previous 2 nights. and GA had a single? Probability dictates that he should have gotten one at some point soon.

by Neo8234 on Jul 20, 2007 6:38 AM PDT reply actions

I respect the decision

I probably would have picked Escobar, but I'm fine with GA getting the award. After the first two games of the series, I'm mostly happy that there was a panther and not more blame to dole out. I didn't even watch the game. It was over before I remembered the Angels were playing so early - and I'm on the East coast.

If I went to war and could only take one weapon, it would be an HK47.

by RallyMonkey5 on Jul 20, 2007 6:40 AM PDT reply actions

GA had 3 LOB yesterday..

If its was top of the ninth, 2-out, Angels down a run then I give him the Panther...but a 6th inning single? TB had plenty of time to get back into the game, but Escy shut them down...

A big FU to the A's and Dodgers....

by Crapper John MD on Jul 20, 2007 6:57 AM PDT reply actions

I think GA suffers from high expectations

and from his style of play which to many appears to be lackadaisical.

This year, his numbers aren't much different from Kowbell. He's making something like $10 million more.

Unless he gets traded, we have him thru next year. The best possible near term result is that he starts playing like he did in 2002-2003 because he's not getting traded this year and most likely will be in the lineup post-season.

by melvintoast on Jul 20, 2007 7:20 AM PDT reply actions

THE QUESTION IS MOOT

I get the Panther.

by Sean @ Halos Heaven on Jul 20, 2007 7:25 AM PDT reply actions

HH.com=Russia

Red=Commie

At least Bush pretends to listen to the people...

...ok not really

I should be working right now...

by thrill000 on Jul 20, 2007 7:55 AM PDT reply actions

hh.com=slavery

I feel like a slave. Actually I don't.

by melvintoast on Jul 20, 2007 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions

It sounds like...

since expectations were so low for GA, he got the nod. And since expectations were high for Escobar, he was overlooked. So if Johan Santana posts his usual amazing numbers at the end of the season, should someone else get the Cy Young since that's "his job"? You're using some pretty silly logic, Cupie.

Of course, it's also silly that I'm taking the time to voice my opinion about which player some guy on the internet chose as "Panther of the Game."

by Dogman on Jul 20, 2007 8:30 AM PDT reply actions

silly?

The power of the Panther is no joke!

I should be working right now...

by thrill000 on Jul 20, 2007 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Better logic than snubbing OC from the ASG

by melvintoast on Jul 20, 2007 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

He should be shutting down these clowns

Six of their starting nine have BAs of at least .280 and above. They're not exactly clowns, they're a very young and exciting team to watch in a dreadful stadium. Once these guys play together for a couple of years and they get some pitching...they will be much more competitive than their 37-57 record shows. I'm not saying they'll win the East or anything, but clowns they are not.

After all, the clown known as Carl Crawford is highly coveted by many. Their 1B hits .290+ and has 22 HRs. I don't know of anyone on this site who would say nyet to those numbers.

by SactoFan on Jul 20, 2007 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

I think even BOZO bats 279

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Jul 20, 2007 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions

turn the page

new day and the Twinkies tonight.

let's move on - we have three months of baseball left.

yesterday is past. forget about it.

let's stop pissin' in the HH cheerios bowl and get behind Lackey and the Halos tonight.

by rbrianc on Jul 20, 2007 11:05 AM PDT reply actions

was that hit meaningful enough to warrant a Panther? debatable. escobar was the obvious choice, but i think the argument could be made for my man GA, too.

by yeswecan on Jul 20, 2007 4:06 PM PDT reply actions