LA Angels Thursday News Crash: Minor League Lifestyle

Welcome to the LA Angels Thursday News Crash. In our top story today, you have the right to free speech, as long as you are not dumb enough to actually try it. A bunch of guys in the Phillies system are apparently being reprimanded for protesting the conditions in their minor league lifestyle.

Females Moving Up

Here is an an interesting story about female Head Groundskeepers; something of a rarity in the sport. It’s not every day you hear someone say “I’m tweaking my grass and making sure my maintenance programs are set.”

Jessica Mendoza and Melanie Newman will do the first all female ESPN broadcast of a Major League Baseball game. It is not yet known which teams will be playing.

Bad First Pitch

Conor McGregor tried out for worst ceremonial first pitch ever. Sorry Conor, you didn’t bean a photographer so you lose.

Links From Around Baseball

Amidst the ongoing wave of firings, Nationals Assistant General Manager Sam Mondry-Cohen decided to quit, effective the end of the season. Of course, everybody’s still watching to see if Jayce Tingler or Bobby Dickerson get canned.

Jesus Sanchez of the Marlins made a bare handed catch in the outfield. Here is every angle.

Scott Kazmir is back yet again.

Meanwhile Jake Arrieta just got designated for assignment by the Padres.

Tommy Lasorda’s wife Jo just died.

No Angels appeared in this list of the ten worst pitchers in Major League Baseball, amazingly enough.

Former Angels farmhand Jake Faria just elected free agency after clearing outright waivers.

Kevin Kiermaier got plunked yesterday and the benches cleared in what was obviously a follow up to the scouting card Kiermaier picked up and kept. Reliever Ryan Borucki and Jays pitching coach Pete Walker were both ejected. I guess we find out about the suspensions tomorrow.

The 2021 AZ Fall League Schedule

The 2021 schedule is out for the Arizona Fall League.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I’ve seen this come up a lot lately so, if anyone making the complaint wants a shortcut to actual facts, there are plenty of teams with three bloated contracts on the books, especially if you go all the way down their lists….

Phillies
Dodgers
Yankees
Boston
San Diego
St Louis
Mets

I’m not saying our situation is good, or that those teams are all as bad. But, ESPECIALLY if the expensive players like Trout and Ohtani generate a ton of money on their own, I think we can afford some post Upton bloat…. we just need that bloat to play well for once.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

The Padres have a hot mess for sure. Tingler and Preller will be let go.

The Mets have a lot coming off the books next year, no doubt bit off on a turd in Lindor. Carrasco hurts.

Dodgers will blow away the luxury tax threshold but winning percentage will allow for that. Big boys puffing their chest out and kicking ass.

Yankees – Stanton and Cole…man, serious salary in those two. Stanton has got to be the worst contract in baseball. They have issues after those two; Chapman, Hicks, Britton. Yankees don’t look too good now.

Cards are too bad. Martinez, Miller and Carpenter won’t be retained.

Phillies have some bad contracts, Segura, Didi…at least McCutchen is on a club option next year, cut.

Red Sox biggest issue is Sale, otherwise manageable.

Angles are the Mets of the AL, expensive with a losing record. Not too bad after Trout and Rendon. As they need quality pitching, need to invest. SS? Shoehei’s handlers will look for $400M+. Do you bite or look to move him ahead of his last year. I can see him giving up one side of the 2-way in the future. Tough call.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Yeah. That list of teams… not all bad, but all are either bad or can get really ugly with one bad roster move. But it shows that most of the teams in our payroll bracket get along with three big contracts and some dead money. We can do it too, we just need to develop some talent like the Sux and Cardinals have. Not a ton, just some.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Two things.

First, with the Yankees it isn’t just their bloated contracts at the top (Stanton etc), but that they have a ton of players about to get or due (at least) arbitration raises to also squeeze in. I am thinking they will have to non-tender some otherwise decent talent or become super creative with trades (again) to free up space.

Second, you have brought up the 400M+ number a couple of times. It is a nice talking point – and a big number – but it matters nearly as much what that means. Is that 10 years at 40M? Or 12? When does it start, and does it advance? I don’t know that he won’t get that – or even that he isn’t worth it – but if we want to really talk about it, it will help to break it down. We have one more year with Ohtani before we have to pay him big money – and I think if we structure his contract such that next year is less (like they did with Trout’s contract) then we could stomach a 35M AAV (maybe even 40 with inflation – though I would like it to be in line or less than Trout’s – for reasons (I suppose)). The question, for me, is for how long. If he does end up a one-way player, is he the Kershaw/Scherzer of his day pitching, or the next Trout with the bat? If so, pay him!

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

While the Plumber’s pipeline to the majors keeps getting clogged by these overrated has-been relievers/arsonists:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/angels-select-aj-ramos.html

#FreethePlumber

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Wait till the plumber shows up….and hits .180.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Like half of our the roster isn’t hitting .180……..seen enough of Wong. Give someone else a try.

Free the Plumber!

Fleckstein
Trusted Member
2 years ago

RE: number 5 worst RP, Brad Hand…. Wouldn’t he be the second best RP on the Angels? Thank you R Churches for doing a pretty good job with saves. Could you imagine how much more horrific the season would be with the blown saves of the late-20teens?

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

New farm director, McDonald?

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

e-i-e-i-o-my (RIP Dick Enberg)

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Yah, huh? NEW farm director?

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

Yeah, he’s got quite a few “pricks” in the yard, don’t he?

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

For those, like me, who immediately thought “what does a field coordinator do?” Here’s my best guess:

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/05/14/Pirates-Off-The-Bat-Sunday-Mike-Rabelo-new-role-field-coordinator-Jason-Mackey-Thoughts/stories/202105130151

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Wonder who the starting pitcher will be tonight? Has Maddon spun the “Wheel O’ Pitchers” yet?

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Isn’t Cobb due a start?

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Who is due to start is not always who takes the mound. Just curious as I will be at the game tonight. The last game I will attend this year.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

…my condolences.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

 😆 

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

My kids excited about going to the game but he doesn’t expect a win.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Enjoy it my friend……all of us should be thankful we can spend time with our family and friends watching a shitty baseball team!

we lose 10-3….stick around until the late innings if you want to see our meaningless nightly offensive spasm.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

One good thing about trailing into the late innings, the House of Pain rally song, “Jump Around.” After drinking many Arte Budweiser’s, the Housewives of Orange County, shake it up. OC Baybee!

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Its Cobb…..

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Maybe someone can help me here, although those two nice men in their white coats are coming to take me away Ho-Ho, He-He. Why do the glass half empty crowd come to bitch and complain about a team that clearly is bad? Hey look at Goose, never played this much in his career and probably won’t again and ditto for Captain Jack, but rooting for them is fun even though the odds are they do not come through. And when they do it’s exciting. Hell we know our teams is not that good to take us to the playoffs and may not every be as long as Arte owns the team, but every comment negative is just ignorant and just gets old. Well I’ll climb down my High Horse for now and surf the TV and radio to find a game with female announcers to embrace and listen to so I can be enlightened. lol

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

I’ve concluded this is why it’s best to read CTPG but not comment. It’s become the “no fun league” around here. The game threads are the worst, Gitch’s irreverent takes are the best reads.

Last edited 2 years ago by Senator_John_Blutarsky
Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Hey look at Goose, never played this much in his career and probably won’t again

Here is a positive comment….Goose probably is the 4th best player on today’s roster, bring him back next year. We’ll need him again I’m sure at 3rd, 1st, RF, LF and some 2nd due to likely frequent injuries. I’d rather have him hitting than 3/4 of our roster.
Go Golden Goose!

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Do we bring back Gold Glove? Or do we go with Trout, Marshdell and Upton?

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Popular opinion recently is bring Upton to camp (he knows 2022 not likely playing much if the Twins are healthy). Then, if he’s not going to play everyday, work a deal, knowing we likely will eat it. I’d bring back Gold glove for some continuity as a defensive life preserver. They can’t carry 20 pitchers (is this really an exaggeration?) next year.

Then, every rag-tag-gaggle of bench players, AAA, AAAA, on the 40 man roster, make them get as good as possible learning the outfield. The Plumber gets an outfield glove, they all get one for Christmas with a Jugs machine. Find some guys that can hit while they’re at it…it would be nice for once to say, he’s a defensive butcher, but that MF’er sure can hit.

PedroCerrano
Super Member
2 years ago

It kind of falls into the “it is what is” bucket where I try to manage my expectations. You can’t objectively look at this team and conclude that they are much more than a bunch of minor leaguers or roll players for the most part. Given that, they are performing as you would expect and this line-up does bring back to my mind some of the “horrific” examples of the teams they fielded in the mid 70s only with somehow worse pitching. It is hard to watch as you could see the melt down coming last night to a team with much better players. Injuries are part of it but it will be interesting to see how they get from “here” to “there” as they seem to be broken on so many levels.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

I think they come here for therapy. I used to do the same, until people like gitcho bitch-slapped ME and made me re-think how I follow the team. Much more enjoyable now – I don’t get too caught up in why this guy didn’t throw this or that why didn’t we draft this guy, this guy is going to be a reliever/ we need ten ACES dammit!/ why can’t we find 10 more Mike Trouts? / … this stuff isn’t really making a dent into my psyche. Sure it pisses me off a tad, but what can I do? No chemical high required either – it’s pure common sense… watch and enjoy the positives that come along without too much expectation. As the great warrior Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce once said: “I will Buttercup No More Forever.”

So, some may not like his abrasive style, but gitcho really makes you think things over before complaining. Unfortunately, I engage with a few of the negatrons in an attempt to make them think and instead, I become pissed off. I have needed to step back a few times recently and re-think the re-thinking. Not everyone can reach the state of chill required to follow this team without going loony.

I also listened to someone who said I should “boycott the team.” I decided to eat tickets to at least 5 games this year. Nothing happened – Moreno didn’t call me to ask me what happened. Not sure it helped, but I followed that negative nelly’s advice. I’m trying to meet everyone in the middle at least.

Peace all – See you in the gamethreads tonight! Don’t come at me!

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

when a guy on our team does something awful are we supposed to say “nice try, Sam”? or “you gave it your best, Cishek”?

I want them all to do well but when they don’t I notice.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Fan when we win, critic when we lose….but always hope they get better.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I think everyone notices. It’s more a case of what we choose to fixate on, and these choices even tell us a lot about the type of person we choose to be. Try to remember, the level of bitch on HH was pretty high, even when the team was a WS contender, because that’s what some people just are.

The Angels are not horrible. I’ve seen horrid and this aint it. There are still things to enjoy, even beyond Ohtani. The rash of injuries we had was incredible, far more than any GM can stock depth for. But this means that these weeks are probably the only time we will see our team trot out the equivalent of a Pittsburgh roster. It’s cool to see all these new faces, to see how our org at it’s weakest stands up to the Astros, etc. Who looks like they may be tweaked into being a good pen arm? Is Mayfield a 25 HR bench piece? Won’t it be nice when Goose’s just a solid bench piece…. who is actually solid?

I think, as far as “resets” go, this look at the near MLB depth the org is taking at this particular time is the best that can be made of the situation and a lot of good can come of it via informed subtractions and then additions. If, at the end of this, we know Adell, Marsh, Warren, Junk and any number of other guys are useful then this was a lost couple months well spent. That’s actually entertaining for me.

Only one teams gonna win the World Series. Most teams aren’t even in the running most years. If I can’t learn to enjoy other parts of the game I’ll just be a miserable shit creating made up miserable shit narratives in my head about a team that’s supposed to be my pastime.

angelslogic
Super Member
2 years ago

“http:/comment image“>

angelslogic
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  angelslogic

I have that album you referenced GB

Designerguy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  angelslogic

Quality Dr Demento playlist standard

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago

It’s the internal conflict created by being a fan of a bad team. Most people find it more enjoyable to root for a team that wins, or is at least competitive with those that do.

However, it is also more fun to follow the same team for a variety of reasons e.g. location, it’s actually on TV, social pressure not to be a fair-weather fan or bandwagoner, seeing the same players for several years, etc… Even when people do change their favorite teams, they usually look for an external excuse — the team moved, I married a <blank> fan, I don’t like the new owner, the team traded “favorite player” and I followed him.

The end result when you are a fan of a team that has been bad for multiple years is that your desire to remain loyal conflicts with your desire to find a better team. This becomes especially frustrating when the team has some genuine super stars that you really like. Trout and Ohtani are not only 2 of the best baseball players they are also 2 of the best role models in sports. That makes it really hard to leave the team.

But when you stick by the team and it consistently loses, the frustration builds up year after year. One method that people use to deal with such frustration is complaining, and the internet tends to be a better place to complain than to your family/friends who may not be as big of a fan as you.

In sum, complaining helps people rationalize their decision to remain a fan of a losing team.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

I am slightly amused reading comments about the disappointment when the Angels lose. But the Angels management have no intention of winning as a evident of an inactive trade deadline day to fix the flaws that Perry “failed” to address. Injuries or not, this team could not make the post-season, Perry’s roster was flawed. We all saw that. Of course, the brass cannot speak publicly about it but the tank has been on for 7 weeks. Just crack a beer, relax and hope for more SHO-BOMBS and ignore the crap, grab-bag, minor league pitcher revolving tank door. Win or lose…I booze.

Tigers stepped over us, need Mets to regain their winning ways; Rockies, Royals and Twins have an outside chance in passing the Angels. A slot or two might not help greatly but better to be No. 10 instead of No.11.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

YES! A picture of a guy that has a point PLUS it’s a guy we actually need and have a spot for! YES! I agree, we should get him (or someone like him) AND the Driveline guy that just left the Reds. I’d be glad to see that.

James
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I was thinking the lady with the cats. Altuve comes up and she just starts tossing cats at him one at a time.

BruinsAngelsKings
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  James

I’d rather see baseballs tossed at that gnome.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  James

you said “lady with” and I instantly thought of one of Gitcho’s posts at the old place … some chick getting like 30 oscar meyers thrown at her cabeza. Not sure if the gif is allowed anymore, but hot damn does that image make the laugh off my backside.

James
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

I still use that hot dog gif on my phone

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  DowningDude

I don’t know if that GIF is verboten. I stopped using it because it was generally in response to some particular comment type that was just always popping up at the time and those comments went away…. can’t recall what it was that sparked my connecting what ever was said with hotdog face…… but it was something akin to always posting images of unnamed players from other orgs where you just get bored and decide to robo respond something asinine back.

Like the rainbow Hurr Derr Sheeba dog was too…. can’t recall who modified Dioji for HH but in the end there were like 6 versions of it.

Twebur
Legend
James
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Those are hilarious. I have always wanted to pose with an m16 and a mullet for a Christmas card to send out to the family.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Can any of those dudes pitch?

Cuz Soggy Joe says the Angels should only be looking for real professionals.

BruinsAngelsKings
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Well, it’s close to the end of the month so here goes…WHAT in the actual FUCK were those people thinking?

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Boy Scout dude looks like a serial killer.

Guest
2 years ago

Without Ohtani, the Angels would have been completely inconsequential during the second half of this season. You can’t say that about Guerrero, Jr. and the Blue Jays, so does that in itself prove that Ohtani is more valuable than Guerrero, Jr.?

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to 

Hard to give all the credit for Toronto’s success to the son of Vlad when Semien has almost the same fWAR (6.9 Vlad, 6.3, Semien) (not to discount Bichette, who is top 15 in fWAR and 2nd in Runs in the AL).

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to 

I would argue that the Angels were inconsequential during the second half of the season. But Ohtani is still the MVP because there is no other award to give him that accurately describes this historic season.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to 

It doesn’t prove it. It still depends on how you view MVP. If MVP = best player, Ohtani wins. If MVP =provided the greatest increase in total wins this season, it is still Ohtani. If MVP = contributed the most toward accomplishing the goal of making the playoffs, then whether it is Ohtani depends on whether the Blue Jays make the playoffs.

In terms of Monopoly, Ohtani is Boardwalk, the single most valuable stand-alone property. However, if you already own St. James Place and Tennessee Avenue, than New York Avenue (Vlady Jr.) is actually more valuable to you than Boardwalk, because completing the color set (making the playoffs) doubles the rent of all 3 properties and let’s you build houses and hotels.

I personally don’t subscribe to the Monopoly analogy, but it’s not an unreasonable viewpoint.

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

this is good, with the caveat that if a team is 20 games up in the division, it’s like owning New York Av. if you own every single property in the game other than Baltic.

doesn’t apply here, because TOR is fighting for a playoff spot!

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  H.T. Ennis

Which is one of the problems with the “value = helped the team make the playoffs” philosophy.

If you exclude Ohtani because the Angels don’t make the playoffs, then you should also exclude Corbin in the NL MVP if you think the Brewers would have won the division even without him.

James
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

So why do the Angels always land on Jail?

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  James

I think it is all the chance cards they draw. Sometimes it’s a go directly to jail card, sometimes it’s go to the nearest railroad owned by others, but never a bank error or get out of jail free.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

We NEVER draw that Luxury Tax car, tho.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  James

LMAO. cheap arte likes “Free Parking” actually.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to 

Do we really want MVP voters looking at Ohtani’s 2nd half batting numbers?

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to 

A glitzy 2nd half is much better than a glitzy 1st half. Lots of voters may suffer from COVID brain fog and only see Vladdy’s impressive rage and offensive stats. After listening to a lot of podcasts from guys who will cast their votes, there are a lot of folks who have jumped off the Ohtani bandwagon.

What plagued Ohtani in the second half was the subpar line-up and bullpen that he was surrounded with. The team just stopped hitting. He walked 4 times last night?? Vladdy walks up there with runners on almost every time and is energized by his line-up ad team success. Hitting is contagious and Shohei is playing with the likes of Wong, GG Lagares, Rengifo, Mayfield, Fletch (tanked), Stassi (tanked)…LOL, almost hurts to say it. Shoehei walks up to the plate thinking all-or-nothing.

I’m still all-in on Ohtani for MVP. Clearly, no other player has done what he has demonstrated this year, he is two active players in one; pitching and defense. There still is a good chance.

DaveChalk
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

I am also all in on Ohtani for MVP but I do hold him a bit responsible for his poor plate discipline in 2nd half though I agree a lot of the numbers decline was due to the players surrounding him in the lineup. I just would have rather him taken a few more BB’s than chase his way to 200 batting K’s.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  DaveChalk

protection and teams pitching around him (related to protection). he’s not seeing many strikes at all and leads the league in IBBs.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

He’s expanding the zone, uppercuts, launch angels, cork screwing himself into the dirt trying to jack homers. Only takes walks when it is egregious.

smithy610
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to 

In a lot of articles that I’ve read re: Shohei vs. Vlad Jr. for MVP, a writer (forgot who) brought up an interesting point – what if Ohtani does this two-way thing every year? Does that mean that he should be MVP every year just because he’s doing something no other player in the league does?

In my opinion – and I could be wrong and I very much would like to be wrong – I don’t think Ohtani, or anyone else for that matter, can replicate this season. That’s why I believe this will go down as an unprecedented, very special season, one for the ages. It would have been more fun, of course, if Trout was playing alongside Ohtani for most of the season and the Angels are fighting for a playoff spot.

What I see happening is that one side of his skill – pitching or hitting – will eventually crater off, and whichever one that is, the team would eventually ask Ohtani to focus on the side of his skill that he’s still consistently doing well.

Again, I hope I’m wrong, and we see many more seasons of Ohtani just like this.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  smithy610

If he does this again, at the elite level he is doing it, he should win another MVP. It isn’t just that he is a two way player, it is that he is top 10 (at least) with both the bat and on the mound. Either one of those gets him MVP votes. Combined is why he is more than 1 WAR over the son of Vlad.

El_Duderino
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  smithy610

If Shohei can do it again, then MVP again.

However my hunch is that this is Ohtani’s “pedal to the metal” season, enabled by management, manager, good luck, good health, and good execution. I hope he can do this season after season, but I personally doubt it.

Last edited 2 years ago by El_Duderino
matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  El_Duderino

Well, they kept saying Trout couldn’t keep winning – and he just kept putting up astronomical numbers. While other MVP pretender came and went. Ohtani has that potential – and this is just a recurrence of his break-out Rookie campaign. I wouldn’t put it past him.

Sure, he could regress. He could end up like Ruth and only play one way. But until I see a sign of decline, I will continue to think he can do this.

El_Duderino
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I won’t ever count Ohtani out. Again though the difference is that management or health has a greater chance of preventing this than with Trout. Who himself will be entering his decline soon, based on biology.

Last edited 2 years ago by El_Duderino
smithy610
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  El_Duderino

However my hunch is that this is Ohtani’s “pedal to the metal” season, approved by management, manager, good luck, good health. 

I agree. I like that – “pedal to the metal”. Like I said before, one thing that Maddon did that I really like was unleashing Ohtani, basically letting him dictate his playing time. And Ohtani amazingly had perfect health this season, notwithstanding any delays of starts due to extra rests needed and some small ouchies, but he never hit the DL, and this considering his workload.

I remember one game where Ohtani played after pitching the night before, and he hit a HR. Gubi was saying, during his pitching days, after a pitching day, all he wants to do was rest because he’s sore all over. Yet, here’s Ohtani, who’s not only playing a full game, but hit a HR.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  smithy610

agreed – Gubi provides amazing insight here … even Shohei batting in like the 8th inning after pitching all game – Gubi shakes his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe he’s been throwing over 100MPH and now is still lifting a bat in the 8th inning!” Love that insight – crazy shit.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

He is just sitting on the bench, ready to swing a bat. No player is ever tired to go up to the plate. Zero. Gubi has had too many Dubi’s

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  El_Duderino

I doubt it too. There is a good chance we have seen the best we will ever see. Do we sink $400M+ contract on one guy when we have two bloated contracts already?

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Padres having major problems in the Clubhouse, big egos coupled with big injuries will get you every time.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Down side sometimes to being old, change is difficult. 2 women calling a MLB game just does not happen to hold my attention. But if that is what the fans want then go for it.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

I understand your point, but I am old too and I think it’s cool. Maybe it’s because I have two daughters. I am kind of enjoying these ridiculous biases that were programmed into us being unraveled. But I totally understand the difficulty accepting change. My suggestion is to embrace it and attempt to view it as a positive.

YOUknowulovetheIE
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I hope one of those women wasn’t calling the padre/giants game last night. She was so boring to listen to.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago

What’s the downside? 2 women calling a MLB game shouldn’t be any more attention-worthy than 2 men calling a game.

Announcers should be based on skill. If the Angels are playing a game and the opposing announcer has a reputation like Vin Scully, I’ll check out the away feed to see if he/she is as good as people claim, but that’s about the extent of my interest in other teams’ announcers.

I’m more likely to watch a non-Angels game that is interesting because of the teams/situation than I am to watch a game because of the announcers. Looking at the current list of playoff contenders, I doubt there will be any game on Sep. 29 that is remotely interesting.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Exactly. My reaction is “meh”, because I don’t believe it should be a big deal. And I’m of the “older” generation.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

One has to get past the ‘first’ and the novelty of it before it can ‘not be a big deal’. It has to become normal, not outstanding.

Designerguy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

Female announcers can’t be any worse than some of the men who sat behind the mic.

[points judgmental finger at Hawk Harrelson]

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Designerguy

What’s your point? I view and and will treat them equally. I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch their broadcast if they were men, so why would I since they aren’t?

Designerguy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  AnAngelsFan

My point is they’re broadcasters. I’ll rate them on the quality of their broadcast skills. I don’t care if they’re male or female.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Designerguy

Then I believe we are on the same page.

El_Duderino
Trusted Member
2 years ago

Get two women announcers with nice voices, knowledge, and a good delivery and I may even prefer that. However, Mendoza is terrible, and I am not sure about Newman. Mendoza isn’t even listenable as a 3rd-seat.

El_Duderino
Trusted Member
2 years ago
Reply to  El_Duderino

I wasn’t a fan of listening to Darren Sutton, even though he sounds like a pretty nice guy. Another thing though, is the talent pool for women broadcasters has to be very low like not even wading depth. Whereas there are a million dudes who practiced there Vin Scully growing up.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  El_Duderino

They need an ASMR broadcasting team, male or female – no matter. Whispering the plays instead of yelling like “cat in heat” Vasgersian.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  DowningDude

I’d love a Jazz radio DJ calling games. When I first read about this amazing step that will obviously make America 1% better all I could think was, “Great, 80% of male broadcasters are just loud annoying noise I wish would go away. But instead of fixing that, why not just make that noise higher pitched?”

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  El_Duderino

This reply made me wish I’d never learned to read. So…. you think Mendoza’s good? Bad? Are you thinking? Here….
comment image

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

VOILA!

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Rest in Pease Jo Lasorda.

pe

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

I believe Pease is in Texas, outside Dallas.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

I thought Pease was what you used to make porridge hot, porridge cold, or porridge in the pot 9 days old?

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Ha! Exactly

Designerguy
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  red floyd

Can it be visualized around the world?