Let's Go Trout...

Mike Trout... a name that strikes fear into the heart of every pitching/catching battery in the league, not wearing a Halo Uniform.  And with just cause, with 31 stolen bases in 4 months of his rookie campaign, #27 has played in only 75 games.I've said many of times, I'm not a stat guy... my brain just doesn't have the capacity, but when you look at the Stole Base number of 31, it leads all of Major League Baseball.  Its better than Dodger's Gordon (who is on the DL), better than the Brave's Bourn.  When you take into consideration that Trout also leads the league in hitting, pitchers who mistakenly walk the guy (and he's walked 30 times this season), could potential turn that free base into a double.  The scary thing is, the pitchers know it, the catchers know it, and there is nothing they can do to prevent it.  It happens. 


The other amazing thing is, Trout isn't putting up Rookie of the Year numbers, he is putting up MVP numbers.  With only 75 games played in his 2012 Campaign, he's have over 100 hits, 15 Home Runs and 30 Stolen bases.  Everybody's favorite Radio Show host, Roger Lodge pointed out this morning on the Sports Lodge that if Mike Trout maintains his .357 batting average or at least above 340 and drives in 5 more home runs, and rip 9 more bags, Trout will stand alone as the only player to hit that high of an average with 20 HR and 40 SB.  It's an awful lot of pressure for a 20 year old, but nothing about #27 has the feel of a 20 year old.  He would be an elite company... because he'd stand alone. 

And Ron Washington would have to shut his face and eat some humble pie, because Mike Trout is a legitimate, not only an All-Star but quite possibly the Face of the Franchise. 

Let's Go Halos

Arte Moreno on the Sports Lodge: recap and thoughts...

What has become a regular appearance for the owner of your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Arte Moreno joined Roger Lodge's Sports Lodge on AM830 as part of the pre-opening day ceremonies, underneath the hats.  Here's a recap from the owner via a phone...

On the Season Opener
I'm fired up.  They worked hard in Spring Training, they're having fun, Mike's tough, he's fine tuning them, but I think they're ready to play.

On Albert Pujols
He is nicknamed the Machine because of his work ethic.  First to arrive and last to leave.  He works with the younger guys and is quite the gentleman.  Great players are disciplined, strong will and a high level of concentration.  Pujols, Morales, and Trumbo got to Spring Training a week early, fine tuning things.

Scoiscia's added pressure to win
"Mike is highly competitive, you want to prepare your team, but at the end of the day, the players need to play.  You have to do the best you can, with the tools you have."

Getting Mad at Players
You never want to see someone get picked off or cause the final out on 3rd base.  I don't get mad at my players, but I don't like to lose.

I remember last year on opening day.  I was driving my daughter to her school.  I live in Anaheim.  She goes to school in Los Angeles County.  Needless to say it is a very long drive.  But I didn't mind the drive that day.  Because everybody's favorite Uncle, Arte Moreno joined the Sports Lodge.  Arte dropped hints about Weaver (and hoping to extend him), his thoughts on what happened with Teixera a few years before.  He tried to defend the decision to trade Napoli to the Blue Jays for Vernon Wells (still wasn't a smart business decision).  And he also spoke of the progress of Kendrys Morales bum foot. 


Arte's Favorite Non-Angel Players...
Although it turned into more of a great player around the league as opposed to favorite players....
Yankees (Derek Jetter & Robinson Cano), Red Sox (Dustin Pedroia & Adrian Gonzalez), Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Dee Gordon), Tampa (Longoria), & the Rangers (Andrus, Beltre, Kinsler, Hamilton, Cruz --didn't mention Napoli)

Thank You Sports Radio AM830

Be it Angels Radio or the new name of Sports Radio, AM830 has been as much a fan friendly radio station as the Los Angeles Angels.  I listen to Mike & Mike and The Sports Lodge every morning.  I also try to listen to the Scott Van Pelt or The Doug Gottlieb Show.  And I've been listening to a lot of the Post-Season on AM830.  


But I honestly feel my "fandom" has been rewarded.  Tickets to Angel games, Free Buffet Passes to the Valley View Casino, Gift Card to Mr. Stox's and the latest was the Togo's Gift Cards.  So for anyone who happens to stop by my site looking for AM830 or TOGO's, click those links.   


Thanks again AM830.

Pinch me, I'm Dream Weaving...

Sure we are only into the second week of April, but already Jered Weaver has 3 Wins.  In fact, he's undefeated and is 3 for 3 in starts.  Of course nobody is going to crown Jered Weaver the American League Cy Young, but maybe we should.  Weaver's strike rate was one of the few things to celebrate in last year's sub par season.  And even with terrible run support; Weaver has 13 wins, 23 strike outs, and an ERA of 3.01 and racked up a staggering 224 innings pitched of 34 starts.  Weaver was also selected to the All-Star Team, even though he was ineligible to play.  Regardless, Weaver was an All-Star on an abysmal team.

With upgrades in its offense and bullpen, Weaver has started the season 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 27 Strikeouts and recording a career high 15 Strikeouts in yesterday's game.  Obviously this is way to early to predict any season awards, but I'm happy that Weaver is on the Angels staff.  And I was pleasantly surprised that Angels' Owner Arte Moreno (who was on AM 830's Sports Lodge) say that when it comes to Weaver's contract negotiations "We are not expecting a home town discount."  Weaver's agent Scott Boras hasn't exactly been seen as a friend to the Halos franchise and stands to look for a big contract for Weaver.  And it sounds as though Moreno and his front office are prepared to offer Weaver such a contract. 

Go Halos

Remembering Nick

One year ago, I blogged about the death of Nick Adenhart.  I did so with tears in my eyes.  I will not lie and say that I had been watching his career flourish in the minors.  I really didn't know who Nick Adenhart was until the Spring Training of 2009.  Sure he was in my MLB game and I used him on occasion.  I followed his Spring Training with great expectations.  It was then I learned he was a very promising player.  When the Angels didn't re-sign Jon Garland, you knew that Adenhart was battling for that 5th spot in the rotation.  A position he won.  Six innings, 4 strike outs, of big league ball.  As mentioned by Roger Lodge of the Sports Lodge, people were complaining that next morning about Fuentes blowing the save.  It wouldn't be too much longer after that, we all would learn the sad, sad  truth.  Adenhart was gone.  His life taken unfairly by a selfish, idiotic, man-child who had two previous DUIs.  His selfishness ended three lives and forever changed a 4th.  That person will probably spend his remaining years in prison. 

Like I said a year ago, I can't get over the feeling I lost another friend, I never got to meet.  I hope that this tragedy has awaken the minds of people who recklessly drink and irresponsible drive.  I don't think I'll ever forget about Nick.  I made a promise to myself that I will never drive drunk because of this incident.  I would never want to be responsible for ending another life and causing so much pain to so many people.  I hope you will never forget Nick either.

Down in the basement, three games into the Season!

Three Posts in Three Days!  I must really be in love with this ball club.  I don't think I can do this all year, but wouldn't it be awesome if I could?  I missed the beginning of the game due to Job #2.  But was listening in on the drive home.  Heard Brandon Wood strike out with the bases loaded.  I'm not willing to give up on Wood after 159 Game, but I'm starting to worry about the guy.  As I said I was at the game last night and the theme music Wood picked (or was it picked for him?) repeated the line "I made it!"  Well honestly with Wood the jury is still out.  Izturis is looking for at bats anywhere he can get them.  And even on the Sports Lodge, peoples are calling in left and right.  I'm all for sticking with Wood, but the question is, how long can the Angels let him swing and a miss.  

Everyone during the game was talking about Santana's stuff.  And sure games in March mean a hell of a lot less than games in August.  But His Stuff surrendered 4 runs.  After having a quiet bat Opening day Morneau and Mauer wake up, when the 1st Baseman cashed in on a 2 run Home Run.  Later J.J. Hardy goes deep, again.  And finally Denard cashed in an RBI on a sac fly.  Rivera and Napoli both scored RBI too, but the Angels again looking a little weak against the Twins.  The Angels offense made Pavano look like a Cy Young candidate.  Santana went six innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits.  He also had 4 strike outs.  Maybe Santana's numbers will look better in August.  Or maybe the Angels offense will split the series and get their offense going tonight.  Any way you look at it...Angels are tied for last with Seattle. 

New Line Up for AM 830 Opening Day

AM 830 has been the home of the Angels since around 2008 (2007 they broadcasted the games in Spanish) and before that 830 was the home of fellow Anaheim Sports Franchise the Ducks.  In 2009 AM 830 received the local broadcasting rights to the Fighting Irish of Norte Dame Football.

But since its inception, when Artie Moreno purchased AM 830, the fans of the Angels had often dreamed of a new sports network dedicated to Anaheim fans, be it baseball or hockey.  However outside of Roger Lodge's Sports Lodge and Dave Smith's The Drive, later Jeff Biggs and Jason Brennan.  The remaining of the programing left a lot to be desired from a Fan of Sports, stand point.  Essentially, my day would go from Listening to Lodge, getting to work and listening to Biggs on the way home.  But this all changes April 5th.

AM 830 in association with ESPN National Radio, have created a full day line up of Sports Talk Radio for the fans of the Angels, Ducks, Notre Dame, and anyone who wants an alternative to the existing Sports Talk Radio.  ESPN currently broadcasts on 710, in the Los Angeles market.  But after Colin Cowherd the programing takes a more regional format with LA Sports Live and the Mason and Ireland show.  But what about the shows that aren't being played in our local market.  Well check it out, now those shows will be available to AM 830.  The line up looks like...

 3AM- 7AM  -- Mike & Mike (which also will be played on ESPN 710)

 7AM-10AM -- The Sports Lodge w/ Roger Lodge

10AM- 1PM -- The Scott Van Pelt Show

 1PM -  4PM -- The Doug Gottlieb Show

and 4PM will be a new variation of the DRIVE that will lead to the Angels Pre-Game Show. 

So the Angels are finally surrounded by a deserving all sports lineup.  Artie stands to make significantly more money than the previous lineups.  And the real winners are the listeners and the Angel Fans.

Joel Pineiro to the Angels -- My 2 Cents

 I recently e-mailed famed sports radio show host, Roger Lodge and the Sports Lodge on AM830 about the signing of Joel Pineiro.  Here is the original letter.

Hey Roger,

I don't love this deal, but I'm okay with it.  For 2 more million, we probably good have had Ben Sheets who when healthy is a dominant pitcher.  Pineiro certainly makes our pitching staff better, by adding a lot of strike outs and a lot of innings to eat.  It makes Palmer more versatile being able to shift from bullpen and spot starts when players or injured or need a night off.   

Frankly, I would have loved to see the Angels pursue former Yankees Ace, Chien-Ming Wang.  The dude is revered in Taiwan and when healthy has the stuff to be an ace.  He won't be available until May, but that isn't any different with last year waiting on Lackey to be healthy.  His last year in New York his mechanics were off.  But he's been rehab-ing and with Butcher lending his tutelage, we could have had another good arm come May.   And Palmer could have filled the 5th spot until Wang was healthy.

Jay Cal

Roger got a quarter way through the letter when he made a very good point that should be addressed.  I'll paraphrase that what Roger said was something like When Ben Sheets is healthy he is dominant, but when was the last time he had a healthy season, nobody know how his arm will hold up.  A very good point.  Pineiro is healthy.  His strike to walk ratio was the highest of all MLB pitching last year.  He discovered his sinker last year in St. Louis.  And the Angels are a very aggressive defensively, which makes a great fit for the Angels.  Many people will try to make the argument that Pineiro isn't nearly as good as Lackey.  Those people are confused.  Pineiro doesn't have to be better than Lackey.  Pineiro has to be better than Matt Palmer and the bevy of Triple A starters who stepped up to the plate after the passing of Nick Adenhart.  Pineiro is a legitimate #2-#3 on most teams.  He ranks right now as the 5th man on the Angels strong pitching rotation. 

So my thoughts on Pineiro are unchanged.  He's probably the best available option, I don't love this deal.  But it makes sense.