LA Angels Weekend News Crash: Independence Day!

Freedom. Gotta love it. This weekend is set aside to celebrate our independence as a nation and the freedoms and protections of our Constitution. We might interpret some of these differently, but isn’t it great to be free to disagree?

The Angels were free from playing yesterday. For once we might’ve caught a break against the Yanks as the make up game will be at the Big A when we should have a healthy Mike Trout in the lineup.

The team needed the day off after the epic comeback Wednesday night. It is great I can still link that game just because you can’t ever have enough Yankee fan pain.

And speaking of Trout, he was very pleased with his teammates.

Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani were also named All-Star starters on Thursday evening. Trout will not be able to participate, but Ohtani was already named to the Home Run Derby and will be a candidate to start the All-Star Game.

Let’s not overlook the Milwaukee Brewers, who also gave up 7 runs in the first inning only to come charging back and win Wednesday. This was the first time in MLB history there were two games in which both squads scored 7 runs in an inning.

That had to be a blast to attend.

Why do I pay for The Athletic? Sometimes it has pieces of pure mastery such as this one on Ohtani. That and I’m on a promo for $1 a month for the year.

As much as we love him, Ohtani isn’t the only one bringing fireworks to MLB ballparks. Kyle Schwarber is having an epic summer as well. Remember when the Angels were linked to him and folks thought we already had too many outfielders? Good times.

In order to get to the 4th of July we had to wrap up June. What did we learn in June?

The 2021 (2020?) Olympics are around the corner and if there’s one sport we should hope to win it is baseball. After all, it is our game. This year’s squad is a little different than others as it has so many MLB veterans. Todd Frazier is having the time of his life playing for the national team.

That’s your long form reading if you cant get the Ohtani piece.

Of course we wouldn’t have our freedoms if men like Bob Feller hadn’t fought to preserve them. A major star athlete running to the military. Definitely a different era.

Back to the modern game, a new baseball might be the solution to MLB’s sticky goop problem.

Looking at the future, the MLB Draft is just over a week away. Kumar Rocker’s squad lost in game three of the College World Series. Did his draft stock drop enough to make him available at 9?

Congratulations to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, your 2021 College World Series champions! On a one hitter no less. Their ace, Will Bednar, was really impressive. I’m no scout, but here is one scout’s report on him. He looks to be a reach at 9 but probably gone by the Angels second pick. He certainly got the results on the big stage.

I always love shenanigans. Teams and players have gone to some interesting extremes leading up to drafts in the past.

Enjoy your weekend, your family, friends, and freedom. And if you happen to be at the ballpark on the 4th, look for me and my crew.

Happy birthday America!

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Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

https://twitter.com/Jared_Tims/status/1411352224244981765

This will require a 26 man AND a 40 man roster move. Who is dead man(s) walking? My guess is a James Hoyt DFA and Slegers demotion

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I wantz a pitcher. Er…ahh…Who?

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

…….Not a belly itcher.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago

First Base

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Wantz is an honest to goodness Angel draft prospect! I wonder if Andrew is any relationship to Dick Wantz, an unforgettable name in Angel Lore. This would be a compelling story if he was.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Maybe Griff get sent down for a refresher course? That’s my vote.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

Annnnnddd….. you win!

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Why is Mayfield on the 40 man roster…….inquiring minds want to know.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

Good question.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Adding to the MLB record. 597th time the Angels after an injury, listed as day to day, no DL/IL is needed, go on the injury list, not return on date eligible to come off. TJS next week? Perfectly natural, perfectly normal.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day ILLF Justin Upton (lower back tightness)
Expected return: Early July
Upton exited on June 22 against the Giants with lower back tightness after he struck out to end the second inning. Manager Joe Maddon said on June 28 that he expects Upton to return as soon as he’s eligible on July 2(Last updated: June 28)

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

Sooooo…. what are you saying? Did they Update Upton to a longer stint?

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago

Maddon says that Upton can hopefully return Sunday.

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

He hopefully was day to day, hopefully won’t go on the DL, hopefully be ready on the day he’s eligible to come off the IL, hopefully return Sunday…….trAdition.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Day to Day Activation? TrAdition!

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago

Gosselin again, me gusta

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

Is this the place to discuss or not discuss Bauer? We don’t seem eager to get into it.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

I do not really want to express where I am at on this story, just not enough information released just yet. But being put on administration leave as a player doesn’t sound good.

Plus it is a pretty filthy tale that I cannot relate to.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

It will will probably go into hibernation mode for a while. Lawyers on top of lawyers, league officials, team officials, Bauer (hard to believe he can) will remain silent.
We will probably wait, days, weeks, months for next round of new information.
It will be interesting to see what happens when Bauer come off “the administration leave list”…..didn’t even know MLB had such a thing.

2002heaven
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Him and Mann Act Matt Gaetz ( does he have enough hair gel on him? ) or Andy Cuomo?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I love observing folks on Youtube, etc try to address this WITHOUT using any magical terms that will piss off the Puritanism 3000 Conversation Monitoring System and get them demonetized or a strike. All the freedom of speech flying around is ridiculous.

Tweber’s take below is correct, there probably won’t be anything solid to opine about for a while…. so it’s a lot fun to observe these people NEED to have a take on this when there’s almost nothing to comment on PLUS both these people involved seem like absolute sewer rats so it’s really hard to have any strong feeling about them other than just being disgusted…. but folks on social media are still driven to try.

My bet is 85% of normal people have very little sympathy for either of these people which is why the topic is just sort of sitting there like a turd on a wedding cake.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

It’s in the hands of the “Crisis Management Industrial Complex” now.
Doesn’t matter who did what to whom. Let the battle of public opinion begin! Who’s team is best at crafting perfectly parsed statements and shaping public opinion. Go shopping for Trevor’s good boy sweaters. Lots money to made. Screw the truth.

2002heaven
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Trevor Bauer just saved the Angel’s some bad PR concerning the Tyler Skaggs family lawsuit.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  2002heaven

Why have you not posted Bauer’s picture mugshot announcing how you were advocating for Cheap Ass Arte to sign him last offseason? Huh?

2002heaven
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Because then I would’ve had to post his name along with his mugshot since some of you don’t know who he is! 😆  😆 
What’s the name of that guy again who just got out of prison in Pennsylvania and used to come out on a 1980’s family sitcom?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

In the year 3000….

Last edited 2 years ago by Cowboy26
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Both are sewer rats while disgusting and never the less probably true is funny stuff. Lot’s of laughs here.

2002heaven
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I got banned from UCLA Bruins SB Nation ( yes Vox Media ) a few years ago for asking why they weren’t talking about the situation at the time with Ohio State FB and then coach Urban Meyer having a assistant coach who was under investigation for domestic violence.

Last edited 2 years ago by 2002heaven
Nick_LA96
Member
2 years ago

Hello everyone, I’ve come back to the site after a while. Missed seeing the conversations on here. I saw Bedrosian elected free agency, should we give him a try again?

H.T. Ennis
Admin
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Nick_LA96

I wonder what happened to him this year, he seemed fine last year?

Nick_LA96
Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

He was injured last year but yes when he wasn’t he was really good. This year I’m not sure, he’s always had walk problems but there could be more, he’s done better lately with the A’s so maybe he’s turning around again, which is why I’m wondering if we should give him a try.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Nick_LA96

Welcome back

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Nick_LA96

He and his new pitch did not work out for the A’s?

Nick_LA96
Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

I mean I’m not sure, he had a 2 era with them. Everyone was confused why they sent him from what I saw.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Nick_LA96

Nick you are Welcome back hear any time. Bedrock? Not so much.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Home Game Win Tonight for sure.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago

Sweep!

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Now that’s the spirit, and we should against the weaker teams, just keep them down.

Rahul Setty
Admin
Trusted Member
2 years ago

Enjoy the long weekend all, hope the Angels can lock down some wins too 🙂

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago

Just out of curiosity, read Jayson Stark’s piece in the Athletic and he mentions the Yankees add up to trouble. Chances for them making the playoffs are getting pretty slim. So who loses his job first, Aaron Boone or Torey Lovullo of the D-Backs?

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

It depends on the working relationship between Cashman and Boone otherwise if Geoge was alive both would be gone now.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

Personally, I believe Boone is clearly the front runner to get dismissed before Lovullo. The D-Backs GM worked with Tory in the Red Sox organization and are on good terms. They will both write this year off. Hazen is seen as a sharp GM.

Boone was handed a loaded team in 2018 and has flopped in the post season. I’m not a fan of managers coming from a TV booth w/o prior management experience. His hire was very odd and seem to be aimed at finding a players-manager after Girardi’s reputation. If Hank or George were still alive, Boone would be gone already.

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

Also I doubt the interim GM will want to fire Torey, and we don’t know how much longer Hazen will be out.

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

I just want to add incase you missed it,

George were still alive, Boone would have been fired.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

So, about Bednar and Rocker, I believe there are occasions that Mark future performance.

I didn’t like Ben McDonald, with all the hype he got coming out of LSU, because when it mattered he gave up a grand slam in the CWS. He was ok as a pro but that slam was a tipoff.

On the other hand there was Joe Montana leading Notre Dame back to an improbable victory in the Cotton Bowl. That resilience and leadership showed throughout his pro career.

So I take that last game seriously. I can see Bednar having the right stuff while Rocker is less of a sure thing.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Arte on the scouting department:

Scouts? We ain’t got no scouts! We don’t need no scouts! I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ scouts!

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  red floyd

Why would a professional baseball team want to hire a bunch of 12-18 year old boys who like to hike and learn how to tie knots?

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

comment image

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Correction! Now accepting girls too.( but no cookies  😫 )

nishiogawakun
Super Member
2 years ago

If Trout believes, I believe!

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  nishiogawakun

In the Power of the Rally Monkey!

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago

Baseball and the military note- Ted Williams flew jets in Korea, and he was John Glenn’s wingman.

2002heaven
Trusted Member
2 years ago

comment image
Good job dude while #27 has been gone!
Oh damm I didn’t post his name!!

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  2002heaven

At least you posted his number.

max
Trusted Member
max
2 years ago
Reply to  2002heaven

Well I think posts would carry more weight if you mentioned their name.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago

Mind editing out your second sentence starting with “I am worried?” It is neither germane to the article or baseball and therefore violates the no politics rule.

Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

I think that sentence is germane to baseball. If we were to have a fascist dictatorship, imagine all of the MLB players who would protest and not play. It also seems likely that all of the international players would be banned from playing in the MLB. It seems that converting to a fascist dictatorship would have a dramatic impact on baseball.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

the Japanese of 1941 were not the Japanese of today. They were allies of the fascists and Nazis. They were more of a threat to us than anything we have at home. Check out what they did in Asia, how they treated the people they conquered.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago

The Milwaukee whats? Never heard of them.

LET’S GO HALOS!!! #webelieve

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago

Suarez in the rotation is something that actually makes sense. Bundy in the bullpen also makes sense. Anybody heard anything about Shohei not feeling well on Wednesday? He seemed kind of, I don’t know, off physically. Maybe the humid heat did him in. So with Upton coming back, who goes to SLC? Thinking Schnebler is the odd man out. Happy 4th, everybody.

eyespy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

I’m thinking it was the resurrection of the Skaggs news. He seemed to take it pretty hard two years ago, and at the anniversary mark last year.

Mas_Angeles
Member
2 years ago

Speaking of Ohtani — there’s a pretty good article over at 538 about how good he’s been this year, with a comp from the KC Monarchs (Bullet Rogan): https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/long-before-shohei-ohtani-there-was-bullet-rogan/

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Mas_Angeles

Never knew that about Bullet Rogan, and is that about the coolest baseball name of all time? Amazing player.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

Fred’s Uncle, On his mothers aunt’s side twice removed because he was so good……..Huh?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Yeah but how’s his podcast?

Last edited 2 years ago by Cowboy26
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Good Friday Morning to ya, and yup in just two more days the Fireworks will exploding and up here in four seasons neighborhood it is warm and the lake maybe down but the best fireworks show in all the land will go down, err I mean up. Barges build for this occasion are taken out on the lake and our radio station plays music in sync with the event. An estimated 200,000 people witness this event every year and the Lion Club and Rotary step up. But fear also sets in as illegal stuff is brought up and a dry forest is just waiting to go up in flames. 2 nights ago a house loaded with illegal firework burnt to the ground. So stay safe and sane and enjoy your Q and appreciate you friends and neighbors.