Thursday Halolinks: Albert Pujols Is Ready To Run, Sean Burnett Ready To Throw

Alright, I'll admit it...I actually giggled yesterday. Yep, while watching the game yesterday and seeing Trout rip that 3-2 pitch into the left field gap, and seeing him dive head-first into third without a throw from the Padre defense, I giggled like a schoolgirl (no offense to you schoolgirls reading this). It was so much fun to watch. Here are some Halolinks, I hope they make you giggle too:

Indeed, the club has "a chance to be pretty good": Padres 8, Angels 6 - FOX Sports. ''We have a lot of weapons,'' Bourjos said. ''We have speed at the top and bottom of the order and a ton of guys who can hit the ball long. Sometimes, too, the speed and power overlap. If we get rolling in the regular season, we have a chance to be pretty good.'' Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton both went 1 for 3 with an RBI for the formidable order that was similar to the one that will be used in the regular season. The only starter missing was Erick Aybar, who's with the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic." It was good to see new Angels' starter Joe Blanton throw. If this is the guy we're going to see this season, it's going to be a very fun summer: Right-hander Joe Blanton delivers effective start in Angels' loss to Padres - angels.com. "Los Angeles pitcher Joe Blanton allowed two runs on five hits in five innings. He had two strikeouts and didn't walk a batter."

It was also good to see Sean Burnett make his spring debut, although the results weren't the greatest. Burnett less than perfect in first outing as an Angel - The Orange County Register. ""The command was great," he said. "I was ahead of everybody. I didn't have that feel to be able to put guys away. I wasn't down in the zone enough. I was just missing up. It's unacceptable, but it's the first outing, so you can't put too much into it."" He commented that the reason he was "missing up" was a little excited about finally getting a chance to get into a game: Angels left-handed reliever Sean Burnett upset after rough spring debut - angels.com. "Everyone early on battles adrenaline." Burnett had plenty of it in his spring debut -- perhaps too much. It was his first Cactus League outing since suffering a stiff lower back early in camp, with the team that signed him to an $8 million deal, and the 30-year-old was admittedly "a little geeked up." "It's been a while since I stepped on the mound, so I was a little jittery out there," Burnett said. "It probably had something to do with being up in the zone a little bit and probably throwing through the [sinker].

Anyone else see Pujols limping in the dugout? Sure, he's finally staying in the game to run for himself, but wow...he looked slow. Wobbly wheels slowing Albert Pujols, raising question about his longevity - FOX Sports. "Pujols, 33, underwent right knee surgery during the offseason. He wasn’t cleared to run the bases in a competitive setting until this, the Angels’ 17th game of the Cactus League season. And when he reached base — twice, on a fielder’s choice and double — he moved slowly. Very slowly."

You know what? I have no problem with Wells getting playing time if he's hitting well, but I don't want the possibility of him hitting well to get him playing time: Vernon Wells making a case for more playing time in Angels’ outfield - Sporting News. Here's what Angels' manager Mike Scioscia had to say, "There is playing time to be won by a lot of guys and Vernon is one of those guys. You're talking about a guy who is just a couple of years removed from a monster season and he just hasn't brought that to us, but it's in there. If he can get to that level, there's no doubt that his playing time is going to increase."

Craig Calcaterra talks about the A.L. West:

This would be kinda fun to see, and maybe participate in. Once.: Ballplayers spring back to 19th century - SFGate. "Sunglasses, polyester blend uniforms, baseball gloves with a pocket ... none are allowed in the Bay Area Vintage Base Ball Association, which began its ninth season this month, hosting six local teams playing by strict 1886 rules. Departures from the modern game include 44-ounce wood bats, seven balls for a walk and the batter's choice whether the ball should be pitched above or below the waistline."

Here's a great story about Roberto Clemente from December. Why it's making the rounds now I have no idea, but it is worth the time reading. Especially the part about how big of a jerk Barry Bonds is: OTL: The enduring mystery of Roberto Clemente's bat - ESPN. "Les Banos was the Pirates' team photographer in the 1970s. He was a friend of my father, and he was also a close friend of Roberto. Wait a minute, I thought. There's another story about yet another Clemente 3,000th-hit bat? And Les Banos claims he has it? (H/T: BBTF's Baseball Newsstand)