LA Angels Monday News Crash- Back to .500

Things didn’t go quite as planned on Sunday.

Mike Trout’s Father’s Day tweet

Jaime Barria is back up from Salt Lake City.  Kean Wong was optioned down. 

Links From Around Baseball

The Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly is on the 10 day IL with a fractured wrist he sustained after being hit by a Walker Buehler pitch.  His whole season might be in jeopardy. 

It’s not a good day for catchers.  The Tigers released Wilson Ramos

Supposedly the umpires are going to err on the side of caution when enforcing the sticky substances ban.  They will inspect pitchers after they leave the game.  Might as well leave those guys in there longer, Joe. 

They are still enforcing the rule against arguing balls and strikes, but Joey Votto made sure to get his money’s worth

Fernando Tatis Jr. left a game early with what appears to be another shoulder injury. 

At least three teams expect to disregard the gentleman’s agreement among managers about not calling for the opposing pitcher to be checked for foreign substances.  What do you think?  Will Joe Maddon do this? 

Alek Manoah rather obviously plunked an Oriole and then got mad when he was ejected.  Benches cleared.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. personally eighty-sixed Freddy Galvis out of the scrum.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

Attention, teams drafting ahead of us! Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter got blasted in the college world series, giving up a ton of hits (4) and failing to pitch a shutout while whiffing only 15. Pass him up!

Last edited 2 years ago by Eric_in_Portland
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Yes. Jack Leiter is washed up AF. What a boner. Only a total geek would draft that guy.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Vladdy Jr. just picked another player up an walked him about 20 feet in his arms, funny stuff.

Shohei just had a week unlike anyone has ever seen, Congrads Shohei.

Twebur
Legend
Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

He should be tossing around the Fletch right about now

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

But Baldquin

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Exactly. Baldquin with no “o” cuz that dude could never hit.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago

ShoGone is AL Player of the Week!

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago

Note that this is extremely cherrypicked data, but Rendon has only had two stretches this season where he has not been injured in the previous fourteen days, and one of those started the season. He slashed .290/.378/.387 in the first and .282/.341/.436 in the second. These are low for what I expect from him, but they are not out of the realm of possibility.

I think over 1.5 seasons we’ve seen that the book on him is he’s an extremely slow starter. Given **gestures at above**, this makes sense. Alas, we have to wait another week before beginning to evaluate his newest stretch.

Jessica DeLine
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

He’s also GDPing at a record rate – including last year when he was not injured.

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

I have no idea what that is a product of—GB rate seems to be the same as always. Of course, we’re talking about like 5 or so batted ball events here, so could just be luck

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

He speed is limited, but as he was becoming healthier he wasn’t dragging a boat as much. Instead of doubles was lucky to get a single.

His injuries made his pushing off to his left or right difficult at best, so his fielding was limited. After his return this last time Joe could hived played Goose with better results.

I’m not a big Rendon fan, I believe that the money used for him was Arte’s not to be denied ego signing the second best F.A. available. Rendon was coming off his career year at 29 yrs old. Tough to evaluate how a guy will or will not play in his 30’s. Mays, Clemente and Aaron all did play well but Mantle, Vida Pinson and Tony Oliva did not, mostly because of nagging injuries. So it is difficult to recover after 3 injuries and trips to the Injured List, so Rendon should have time to return healthy.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessica DeLine

Should Pujols be worried he is going to steal the GIDP crown?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Of all time? Tony Tin Man has 76 career GIDP’s Grandpa now has 407 so his all time record is safe.

For 2021? Possibly. Rendon is currently tied for 5th in the Major Leagues with 10 GIDP. Grandpa is at 8 GIDP’s The league leader is currently at 12 GIDP so the lead is definitely in reach

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

I absolutely detest off days after day games losses and after almost 50 years with this team it hasn’t gotten much better. I’m sure stewing over an avoidable loss for over 48 hours cannot be healthy.

“You’re killing me Arte”

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago

Action items for Minisian this Monday morning:

1. Put aging superstar free agent acquisition Anthony RenDone on the IL, so he can recover from his “injury”, perhaps caused by hauling $240 million of Arte’s money to the bank.

2.Acquire a complete bullpen, a task not completed prior to the season.

Last edited 2 years ago by MarineLayer
Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

The problem with item no. 1. is when Tin Man Tony comes back off the IL we will have another 2 weeks of 0 for baseball to struggle through. Provided he doesn’t get another “ouchie”, I think we’re better off sucking it up and waiting for him to hit again. Maybe Joe can pinch hit for him in the upcoming close & late ballgames ?

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Look, I don’t want to write Tony off for 2021. Not yet. He’s got too much talent to put up the numbers he has over a full season.

However….. I have to say it. He does not look good. By that I mean his body language and his whole demeanor. His body language on the field is not good. I will not say he doesn’t care, or that he’s not motivated etc because I can’t get inside his head. But I do know what he looks like and what the appearance is.

Anaheim used to be the place aging superstars would come to retire; they’d take their big payday from Autry or later Arte and relax and enjoy the California weather as they sailed into the sunset and retirement. I sure hope this is not what Rendon is doing.

But if you look at his focus and his face during those World Series AB’s with the Nats and his face during the last month or so with us he doesn’t look like the same guy. Again, I am not giving up on him yet. But I do want to see some fire from him. And more importantly I want to see the ball coming off his bat and leaving the ballpark !!

We are approaching the month of July and IT IS TIME !!

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

If Rendon was just mailing it in now that he has a pay check then he would have done that last season, too. I think he is legitimately struggling, which depending on the reason for his difficulties, might be worse than if he just didn’t care.

JackFrost
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Yes, I did think about and consider last season. I truly do not think he is “mailing it in.” It could simply be that he is not as hungry as he once was. I think this is a common phenonmenon ; guys get paid and they subconsciously let up a little bit. It is hard for a veteran who has a guaranteed contract and is set for life to be as hungry as a young kid who is a) trying to prove himself and prove he belongs in MLB and b) earn his payday to set up himself and his family…

For example, do you have any doubt that Taylor Ward is hungry ?? I don’t. I also don’t think there is any way a player like Rendon could be as hungry to thrive as a Ward — this is human nature.

There are guys who are almost preternatural competitors who would claw your eyes out to win a game of hot-hands etc. These guys are very rare, even in pro-sports. In short, I don’t think Rendon does not want to win. But perhaps he is just not going to push himself when he doesn’t have to. A younger player might be driven to play with a minor injury because he has more on the line. Rendon on the other hand does not have to do this.

Last edited 2 years ago by JackFrost
AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Okay, that I get.

Should be an easy fix, though, we just need a training montage and “Eye of the Tiger.”

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

He should totally do 8 sit ups while PTP whacks him on the abs with a board. Then he’ll hit .700 with seven touchdowns per at bat,

Chap24
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Body language and demeanor were the biggest things that disturbed me with #5 as well. They act like anyone gives a crap about their accomplishments on their previous teams! That’s why I can appreciate Fletch and Walsh a ton more. When they struggle you can see how much it bothers them. Ya know they ACTUALLY care!! It may not matter to anyone in the clubhouse but fans arent gonna stand for it. (Yes yes I know he’ll wipe his tears with those $241 million dollars) but whatever do your job or go on the IL for good. 😒

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Chap24

You do know Rendon is basically famous for never showing emotion right? I mean, a guy with these deep insights into the minds of these ball players has to have known that this was even his MO at Rice. Just cause a guy doesn’t look like he’s trying to pass a kidney stone every time he strikes out doesn’t mean he isn’t unhappy about.

Honestly I’ve always liked the fact that Rendon is a silky smooth assassin. He’s never gonna be that Sparky Screwface guy some folks need, but he’s trying, I can see that, he just sucks. He’s still a long way from Pujols, is probably managing some injury…. badly.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

This captures my view perfectly. Not one to argue or kick dirt. People calling for Rengifo or Gosselin in his place is just comical to me.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  JackFrost

You know I hate random speculation about what a guy is thinking, motives, etc. and you totally dodged that, but you are right, he just doesn’t look like the guy he usually is. Now granted, he generally looks half asleep, but right now Rendon looks really tentative when he plays, limited, etc.

It actually reminds me of Upton. Even at the beginning of the season, when he wasn’t hitting the snot out of the ball, he just looked more comfortable at the plate and in the field. Ran faster out there, got in better throwing position, took swings that didn’t look like guesses, barreled a lot of his outs, fouled off more two strike pitches. I was reminded “Oh yeah, this guy is actually a fantastic athlete.” even before he got hot.

Rendon looks like post injury stressed out Upton right now. I hope he doesn’t have a real injury.

Guest
2 years ago

60 Minutes reran their 2018 story on Shohei Ohtani last night. You can watch it here.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to 

I’ll never forget watching that (1st run). Certainly the Angels would never get lucky enough to get a guy like that. He would choose NY, Boston, Doyers, Seattle, never us.
Yet, here he is, even teamed with Trout….and so far, nothing to Sho for it.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Eppler did a great job dishing off some players to free up international signing bonus money to get the Angels competitive financially. Nobody considered the Angels as a front runner but looking back, it made sense. West Coast, shorter trips to Japan, quiet superstar in Trout (no, not you Albert) and did not want to follow in the Ichiro footsteps in Seattle as he wanted to go a team where no Japanese players existed in order to forge his own story. He’s doing it.

Last edited 2 years ago by FungoAle
Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

If they want to enforce the ‘sticky substance’ rule, MLB will need to have representatives at random games doing unannounced spot checks. To rely on teams and managers to enforce the rule is unrealistic.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Owners are involved. Like Arte, the rest don’t want any bad press of cheaters. Unlike Arte, they don’t have to worry about the association with the sticky stuff.

This is just publicity to look like they are doing something.

“We, as the commissioner and owners, set the rules* in motion.”

“But as we all know. There is nothing like perpetual motion. So we ask again. For the help from our, on the field, hired help. They do get paid good money. To put an end to this sticky situation at hand.”

We will nip this in the Bud sweep this under the rug get over it yes.

MLB OWNERS LLC
let’s put an end to bad press

*rules do not pertain to “game of the week”, or any other televised game. Rules can not be brought up against any player that makes money for this league. Rules will not be in effect during any game that has any playoff, ceremonial, award, or other interest, not excluding, off-field interests by any and all parties involved.

Last edited 2 years ago by eyespy
Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  eyespy

Agree. It’s all about appearances and PR and not about actually doing something.

PedroCerrano
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  eyespy

Ohtani threw his wipeout splitter way less this start and it wasn’t nearly as sharp. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was brought on by this change. I still think the timing is wacky on this and as much as Glasnow came off as a whiner he still made valid points.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  PedroCerrano

I can’t be sure, but most guys splitters are the opposite of a “spin rate” pitch. You actually jam it between your fingers, you don’t grip it with the tips.

tommyshalo
Trusted Member
2 years ago

You are probably right as splitters rely on less spins.
Maybe the four seam, but with Sho’s command wild frequently, I don’t think he was gaining any advantages anyway and thus won’t suffer like Glasnow.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

Baseball “fights” are hillarious. At least Robin Ventura had the guts to run out to Nolan Ryan and attempt a takedown to make it easy for Nollie to deliver the beat down.

Good times.

Fleckstein
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I guess people are less angry what with the lack of coke, greenies, and steroids in their systems during a game,