Matsuiland has Officially Closed in Anaheim

It was one year ago today that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would officially close the door on the return of "Big Daddy" Vladimir Guerrero and start its preparations to open Southern California's newest Theme Park... Matsuiland. Hideki Matsui coming off a World Series MVP Title would sign with the Angels for $6.5 Million dollars, with promise of an influx of Japanese Media, sponsorship, added fan base, and most importantly production. Matsui's production in Anaheim was pretty close to his production in New York. Maybe Matsui had a few more strikes outs and few less home runs, but I don't think anyone would complain about the effort that Godzilla put forth in Anaheim. And although he seemed to be a very beneficial addition to the Halos Roster in 2010, you almost knew that he wouldn't be returning.

After seven years with the New York Yankees and one year with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Hideki Matsui will now be taking his talents to the Bay Area for perennial American League West Runner Ups, the Oakland Athletics. Two days ago, Matsui signed a one-year contract worth $4.25 million with the Oakland A's still wearing #55 and occasionally playing Left Field while usually playing DH. And I would expect that Matsui's numbers in Oakland will be comparable to his numbers in Anaheim. So although Matsuiland has been condemned, it will be only a matter of time when the dozen or so fans left in Oakland build their shrine to the one they call Godzilla.

Thanks for your efforts in 2010 Hideki Matsui. But you will not be missed.

Oakland Swept

Earlier in this still fairly early season, when the World seemed upside down, Chokeland and Texas were battling for the first place spot in the American League West.  The Angels were floundering in the cellar with the Over Rated Seattle Mariners.  I said then, that the season is just too young and that things will work their way out.  I also said that the A's couldn't maintain their record and the Rangers have been fortunate to face some weaker opponents, feasting on teams like the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and the Cleveland Indians.  

But you can see the Angels are fairly strong in their own division.  And they certainly looked fantastic against the same state rivals, the As.  Saunders and Piñeiro with shutouts and even Santana only giving up 2 runs, with a ton of run support makes me think that the Angels are heading to higher ground.  Saunders was dueling with the 19th Perfect Game thrower, Dallas Braden, and outlasted das wunderkid.  Morales and Kendrick have been hot all year.  Howie even got promoted to batting 2nd.  Which I think has helped sparked a lot of this offense.  The bullpen has been getting some rest, because the starting rotation has been going long.  This is the team we were all hoping for and with patience being a virtue that the Halo Faithful could could no longer tolerate has opened its eyes to the winning ways.  With better pitching and much better hitting, the Angels swept the hated A's. 

So Today, the Rangers come to town.  And we'll just see who the superior team is.  Lets all see how REAL the Rangers are or how rather lets see if their weaker schedule has benefited their win loss record.  Go Halos.

You have your fear, which might become reality; and you have [Matsui], which IS reality.

It was announced on December 14th that the Angels were in serious negotiations with Hideki Matsui.  Matsui coming off a World Series MVP award was looking for a new home, when it was announced that the Yankees wouldn't be bringing him back.  All of the speculation was Matsui would only be interested in playing for a city with a large Asian population and an American League team, which could allow him to DH.  This led many to think that the MVP would be playing in Seattle, Oakland, or L.A.  Fortunately for the Angels, Matsui filled a lot of holes on and off the field.

It was apparent that Vladimir Guerrero wouldn't be coming back.  And the sport of baseball has been growing internationally for years.  Their are many Japanese players in the Majors.  But very few are of the status of Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and the newly acquired Hideki Matsui.  Rev Halofan of HalosHeaven brought up a good point in his article entitled Hideki Matsui Signing a Goal of Angels President John Carpino.  Rev goes on to mention Billboard advertising was another bonus to signing Matsui. 

The minute that Arte Moreno purchased the then Anaheim Angels from the Disney Corporation and wanted to take the Angels to the next level.  Shortly after the purchase, there was free-agent spending, a name change, lower beer prices, and 5 American League West Championships Titles.  A Matsui signing opens up a window to fans of baseball in Japan who still idolize Matsui, perhaps new revenue streams.  Or what I'm sure would make Uncle Arte happiest, a legion of fans in Japan wearing Angel Red Hats, television broadcasting rights, and maybe an opening day game in Japan.  

On the field Matsui is a true professional, or in other words, he won't swing at pitches in the dirt.  He's patient and will draw a lot of walks.  He also has a lot of power and can help drive in a lot of runs.  Matsui will add international star power to the Halos.  Off the field, the Angels will take advantage of the larger fan base.  More revenue streams.  This move will make the team better, immediately.  If Bobby Abreu's approach helped the players last year, Matsui's approach will help the team this year.  Sure I'll miss Vladimir Guerrero.  But I'm already picturing the the sound guy at the stadium ripping the soundtrack to Kaiju daisenso and animations on the scoreboard with Matsui's face photo-shopped on Godzilla and Matsui will be shooting lazer beams out of his eyes and breathing nuclear fire through the cities of opposing teams.  And when the spectacle is over on the score board, Matsui was crush a ball to the Angels Bullpen with Matsui doing his job and being professional

ESPN Insider predicts the Angels will sign Holliday

Hat tip to Halos Heaven poster AngryFan, Olney speculates that The Angels will sign Matt Holliday

As I've mentioned in other posts, the Angel roster already has 3 capable outfielders-- Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter, and the recently re-signed Bobby Abreu. Adding another outfielder forces Abreu to DH, which no longer becomes an option for a platoon type position. Holliday seemingly found his bat in the National League. But was he ever terrible in Oakland, facing American League West Pitching.

A Holliday signing could bolster the offense of the Angels which looked somewhat anemic during the ALCS, however signing Holliday all but guarantees that Chone Figgins will not be returning and the Angels will probably have a need to move another player (Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits, or even Juan Rivera.) Also a contract to Holliday would be expensive which would probably tie the hands of Angel Front Office to re-sign John Lackey or another free agent starting pitcher.

I would have to say that I would be against such a signing. Holliday's price tag will be much to high and there is no guarantee will be getting the Matt Holliday of the National League or the Matt Holliday of the American League.

2 out of 3 in Texas, Magic Number 7.

On an afternoon that started out very shaky for Angel pitcher John Lackey, Lackey proves that like a fine wine, he gets better with time. Lackey's win on Sunday tied him for Frank Tanana's record 102 wins as an Angel. Lackey has at least one more start before the regular season ends. Hard to say now if Lackey will be back next year. His contract expires at the end of the post-season. It is said that Lackey is looking for a comparable deal to what AJ Burnett received from New York, last year. That could be quite the bargain, considering how ineffective Burnett had been this year. I hope the Angels would be willing to spend some of the saved Teixera money to make Lackey an Angel for another 4 years.

The hero of the game yesterday was Howie Kendrick. On his own, Kendrick scored 5 RBI. Which I believe is a career high. HK, has really kind of found his bat from his struggles earlier this year. And has gone from the AAA Salt Lake Bees, to platooning 2nd Base with Maicer Izturis, to flat out hitting. I'm glad that the Other Howard has found his swing.

Beating Texas in Texas is about as sweet as it gets. Now that we have a controlling 7 1/2 game lead on the Rangers, its only a matter of time that they spiral out of control. You really have to applaud the efforts of the Rangers, they really have made it a race this year in both the AL West and the Wildcard. But as John Lackey recently said in a "We try to fly flags; we don't talk. Let them do that. We win games." And with our last three opponents at home being, the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and the Texas Rangers, with a few good outings, we can wrap up the AL Western Division Championship at home.

Need a Youth Ticket Voucher for the last home stand?

I'm selling one of these on ebay. My daughter and I have gone to quite a few number of games this year. But the three vouchers we have left are going to go unused. So why don't you buy them. You can buy directly from me for $5, just email Jay Cal Or you can bid on the ebay auction
. If you plan on going to the last series of the year against the A's or the Rangers, you really should pick the Youth Admission up. Especially when the A's take on the Angels on the 27th. Family Sundays and Kids Run the Bases.

Thanks for looking.

100 Wins

Last year 100 win season was phenomenal. But 100 wins for John Lackey might be all the sweeter. Lackey won his 100th game against the Athletics Sunday. Chuck Finley, Nolan Ryan, Mike Witt and Frank Tanana are the only other ACES who've won 100 games in an Angels uniform. Unfortunately his career as an Angel may end with the season. The 30 Year-old Texan dealer debut for the Angels in June of 2002. That would also be the year that "Big" John would also be the second rookie ever to win a Game 7 of the World Series.

Earlier this season John was very adamant about the Angels acquiring some offense before making a decision about his career after the 2009 season. This was around the time the Angels tried to re-sign Mark Teixera. Unfortunately Tex didn't re-sign. Fortunately the Angels offense hasn't missed a beat. Kendry Morales contributions nearly match what Tex has done this year. Not to mention the efforts Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Mike Napoli, and practically the entire offense. Although the offense surge quieted some in the month of August, nearly all nine starters are batting over 300 or close too it.

Big John is a big game pitcher. He wants to be in that playoff position. Fortunately the Angels have been able to provide him with that, even with a myriad of injuries and mis-fortunes. There are talks that the Angels will not be able to afford the kind of contract that Lackey will command. However, we would be $20 million poorer has Teixera stayed. One would have to think that a deal can and should be made. And perhaps Lackey would like to stay with the Angels now that they've acquired another outstanding pitcher in the name of Scott Kazmir.

Congratulations to John Lackey and his 100 wins. Lets hope Arte doesn't make the mistake of letting Lackey go. Remember what Nolan Ryan did after his time with the Angels.