It is much to soon to call this season done!

This division is Texas’s to lose. Neither Oakland nor LAnaheim is a good team. The Angels might try to spend the money to fill some holes, but I think they have just too many. I doubt Oakland has the money to fill any of their holes. The best strategy may be to try to get a little better, and hope that Texas collapses.

--BaseballMusings.com

Along with surrendering the American League division to the Texas Rangers, this clever writer from Baseball Musings also managed to create a clever little nickname for our beloved Halo Franchise, LAnaheim. Counting the Halos out now would be a terrible decision.  Lets just pretend that the last two years, didn't exist.  So the Angels GM Tony Reagins hasn't spent the past two years acquiring high caliber talent before the trade deadline, like trading for Mark Teixera or Scott Kazmir.  Or lets pretend that the last two years, the Angels haven't won the division, over coming injuries.  Why not forget about Mike Scioscia being one of the best managers in baseball.  In fact, lets just forget about ever positive motion the Angels have made.  

Forgive me if I don't buy the media hype proclaiming this as the year Texas wins the division.  These are the same talking heads that proclaimed Seattle would win it all last year and would win it all this year.  How are these Seattle predictions working out?  Before you get all worried about Cliff Lee joining the Ranger's pitching staff keep this in mind, Seattle had Lee along with King Felix and still couldn't manage to be contenders.  Cliff Lee, although a phenomenal pitcher, can't pitch every day and hasn't pitched particularly well in Texas.  The Ballpark in Arlington is a hitters park and as the summer heat gets hotter, well, Texas pitching has a way of withering.  Not to mention that the Rangers gave up there everyday young 1st Baseman and are relying on Chris Davis... who isn't exactly setting the World on Fire.  I will admit... Vladimir Guerrero looks totally rejuvenated in Texas... but he is a bit injury prone.  Same with Josh Hamilton. 

I won't try to pretend to understand the Pythagorean or try to explain strength of scheduling, but what I saw out of our Halos last night reminded me of last year's squad.  Hit the ball and score.  As the infamous "Wonder Dog" Rex Hudler would say... another lousy single.  A couple of lousy singles led to "Just Another Halo Victory" last night.  They won't all be that easy, but if the Angels can continue with the same principles... there will be a showdown in the American League West. 

Go Halos

F*** You Nolan Ryan

Here is a few reasons to hate Nolan Ryan.  

Bear in mind that prior to the Fregosi trade he wasn't much more then bullpen depth.  His time in Anaheim, he was able to develop into one of the best starting pitchers of all time.  While in an Angel uniform, he threw 4 of his 7 no Hitters; May 15, 1973 (@ Kansas City, July 15, 1973 (@ Detroit), Sept. 28, 1974 (vs. Minnesota) and June 1, 1975 (vs. Baltimore).   But when he became a free agent, he didn't take a Home Team Discount (like another recently departed Angel Pitcher), and made Buzzie Bavasi look like an idiot. 

In 1999, when Nolan was inducted into the Hall, instead of sporting the cap of the team where he threw 4 of those no-nos, he choses Texas.  The Rangers.  A team he had only been with for four years, unlike the seven he had with Anaheim.  

And the idiot comes out in the media yesterday.  And says that the Rangers are going to win 92 Games this year and take the American League West away from the beloved Halos.  Keep in mind, they are putting a lot of money on guys who are aging and can't stay healthy, Guerrero, Rich Harden, and Josh Hamilton.  They've lost some veteran leadership, like Hank Blalock and Kevin Millwood, who was an important part of that Ranger pitching staff in years past.  

F you Nolan Ryan!  You should have finished your career in Anaheim, you should have went into the Hall as an Angel, and you should know by now that the Angels are a better ball club than you are giving them credit for.  The Angel front office has a better rotation, a better infield, better bullpen, better outfield, and better catching.  How do the Rangers compete with that?  The final answer, they don't.  See you in May., Rangers!