LA Angels Monday News Crash: Loup Activated

Trusted Member

15 days ago

Totally random thought: In search of true answer why Shohei decided to join Angels (from he wanted to visit Disneyland multiple times taking advantage of annual pass offered by Angels to he misread Google map and made a wrong turn because all Japanese cars have their steering wheel on the right side and he was not used to American car), I would like to offer another one since Shohei has never divulged it. (Maybe he will include in his autobiography after he retires.)

Shigetoshi Hasegawa

He used to play for Orix Blue Waves (now Buffalos), where he played with Ichiro. There is a well documented report that Shohei contacted Ichiro before his trip to interview MLB teams. It is my surmise that Ichiro might have mentioned that Angels are the best fit for him.

My question is how Angels fans thought about him when he played in Anaheim for 5 years. It looks like he was mainly used as set up/closer. I do remember that he did not use interpreter when being interviewed.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

He admitted that he was not really from Japan but was, in fact, a space alien.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Shige? Then I am even more impressed that he is able to pose himself as Japanese speaking English with heavy accent (although I heard Scioscia quipped his English improved) while selling real estate in Southern California and playing golf to qualify for US amateur championship.

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Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

I was gettin’ Shiggy with it.

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tommyshalo

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Though I wasn’t at the original site of CtPG at that time, I’ve seen comments here refering to Shige here as a so-so serviceable guy on a reasonable contract.

But dude, even the wildest conspiracy theorists wouldn’t connect Shige’s presence in Anaheim as a distant cause for Shohei to come here.
It’s Ippei. It has always been so and forever will be…

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to tommyshalo

With disclaimer that it is total conjecture. Shohei admires Ichiro. Ichiro regretted that his interactions with Mariners players turned sour while playing for them for 10 years, which made him leave Seattle to go to Yankees then Marlins. He advised Shohei that he needed to go to a team where no older Japanese player was playing, which excluded Dodgers (Kenta Maeda) and Padres (Yu Darvish). The fact that Angels were in American League helped with DH rule Because of close friendship Shige had with Ichiro not just in Japan and as Mariners for additional 4 years, I could imagine that Ichiro had favorable impressions on Angels in general. By the way, Shige was the first Japanese player who joined Angels and has spoken on Japanese TV about his time in Anaheim and relationship with Scioscia with fondness and respect.

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Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

You can also read this book for additional insight.

https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1549426679948316673

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DowningDude

15 days ago

Reply to tommyshalo

Ippei’s dad the chef. he’s the key

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DowningDude

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

I would say that Anaheim Angel fans LOVED Shigetoshi Hasegawa, aka “shige.” The dude’s walkup music was Will Smith “getting Shige with it.” Classic. Loved that guy.

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rosstrade

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Shohei didn’t sign with the Dodgers as they would not use him as a two way player.

The Angles said they would.

And the rest is history.

I don’t think that Ichiro or Shaggy had an influence on Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Angels…

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RexFregosi

15 days ago

Kuiper is gone from the A’s now permanently. Fired.

They seemed to imply they found some other stuff too during their investigation.

Fosse/Kuiper had a good team for a long time.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

I listened to what Kuiper said. He obviously just screwed up saying NEGRO League. Clearly this could lead to apartheid in America if it isn’t checked. End that man’s career. Stone him in the streets. He was probably at that museum looking for ways to burn it down.

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

https://twitter.com/nlbmprez/status/1654934654057603074?s=20

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Jeff Joiner

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Great response.

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PedroCerrano

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Awesome response! As 12 year old kid my friends black grandfather who had grown up in the deep south in 1920s told me something loosely like this in response to the violence happening in the 70s in LA. “Always going to be people that hate, you can’t do anything about them. You just gotta spend your time, love an energy on the people who are worth loving.” I didn’t know much but I knew that was truth when I heard it and have tried to benefit from his hard earned wisdom.

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clover_black

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

The man is clearly a racist and deserves death HOWEVER I’m willing to listen to him grovel and embarrass himself before he swings from the gallows.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to clover_black

Does he have a family? What can we do to them?

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

They get him, then they attack his family and friends, then they attack and eat each other…….until the next one comes along.

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clover_black

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Scorched earth on all of them aside from 1. Preferably the ugliest.

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PedroCerrano

15 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Disclaimer: I really don’t know any of the additional details beyond his awful slip/choice/misspoken word(s).

I’m glad that social media and the cancel culture didn’t exist when I was young. While he is old enough to know better, most of us also wouldn’t do well to have a microphone recording so much and I think he probably just screwed up saying the word. The trend of using after the case scouring of social media accounts for the one out of context posting that can be used to make the case to censor is disturbing.

As someone who grew up with a very diverse mix around me, I miss the being able to have real conversations about what was different in my family versus my friends as cultures ARE different and I thank God for that. It seems that the unintended consequence of all of this has resulted in a stifling of the dialog that brought forward change as a country slowly albeit, but steadily moving away from it’s checkered past. I can still have those conversations with people who really know me but dare not with those I don’t as it seems to me that some are looking for offense in every phrase.

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Jeff Joiner

15 days ago

Reply to PedroCerrano

Yeah, I have a very diverse friend group and we make a lot of jokes that would not go over well on social media. We also know that what is said among us is for our us only.

I have a hope that a guy who is genuinely excited about seeing the NLBM and has interacted with black folks his entire career made a genuine mistake. And thus far there’s nothing to indicate otherwise.

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2GA2Join

15 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

I live in the Bay Area, and I’ll say that I really enjoyed watching Fosse/Kuiper for years. (Especially since we used to play the A’s 19/20 times a year. That was 19/20 automatic free games for me on TV too.) I found their announcing really good and they were extremely balanced, with lots of info on the Angels, and a respect too, so that I enjoyed it as an Angels fan. There was no doubt they were routing for the A’s, but they never came across obnoxious or as “homers.”

I once watched a free game on the MLB channel a few years ago, and I think it might have been the White Sox, and the feed was from the White Sox TV broadcast.
Wow, they were homers. It was really extreme, almost obnoxious. I actually got over my initial feelings of it after a little while and was able to laugh at it for the rest of the game. It didn’t hurt that we won too, I think. So those TV guys were all upset about it.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Starting Lineup:

Moniak LF
Trout CF
Ohtani DH
Renfroe RF
Walsh 1B
Druly 2B
Thaiss C
Rengifo 3B
Neto SS

Predicted a wrong person Phil decided to rest. Let’s go Halos!

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

You do know if they lose tonight you need to stop predicting the lineup, right ?

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

My question to you is if Angels win tonight, would you encourage me to continue with my prediction of lineups? Are you superstitious? I am.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Let’s just say, if they win tonight you can do it again.

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Senator_John_Blutarsky

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

I’m a little stitious

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

A user pseudonymously named Kiyotchan started predicting Angel lineups on internet fan site Crashing the Pearly Gates about three decades after the unrelated release of Belgian techno anthem “Pump Up the Jam.”

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

https://youtu.be/9EcjWd-O4jI

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Did you know that “Pump Up The Jam” has a BPM of 125, the same as the heartbeat of a cat at rest?

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

That would be considered normal FHR for those obstetrically and neonatologically inclined. I get this picture of babies dancing in women’s wombs.

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RexFregosi

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

an Intel processor just demo’d at 9 GHz this month.

Nine billion beats per second

(or as about as often as Phillip thinks about giving players an off day to rest them)

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to RexFregosi

I thought we DFA’d Phillip?

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to Dogface1956

I think he means Phillip Nevin. I had same mistake on Cowboy26 comment, when he wrote Phllip’s. So, I felt it is appropriate to copy and paste the following:

My bad. It is often confusing that many first names are similar to last names. And all these shorter versions of first name such as Pat, which can be Patrick or Patricia. When I was learning English, I miscalled a girl’s name Denise but ended up sounding like Dennis. She did not talk to me again.

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Well maybe we should DFA Phillip how many options does he have left?

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Cowboy26

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Are you going to post this song everyday until they lose?

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

Should I stop predicting starting lineups?

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to Cowboy26

And then maybe until they win again.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Consistent with my compulsive obsessive characteristic, I predict today’s starting lineup.

Moniak LF/Trout CF/Ohtani DH/Renfroe RF/Walsh IB/Urshela 3B/Thaiss C/Soto 2B/Neto SS

I welcome any other suggestion.

Last edited 15 days ago by Kiyotchan

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Did you know that “Pump Up The Jam” has a BPM of 125, the same as the heartbeat of a cat at rest?

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TrojanBoiler

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

I honestly didn’t even realize Soto was still on the 40 man.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

I kinda went back and forth between Rengifo and him. With right hander Houck, I thought Phil prefer left handed bat and Soto is switch hitter. Rengifo has been playing many games lately, so I thought Phil might rest him.

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TrojanBoiler

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Rengifo is also a switch hitter.

Or did you mean switch hitter Soto in place of right handed Drury?

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Switch hitter Soto in place of right handed Drury. This tells me Soto is considered as defensive purpose only (while Rendon is on IL) and possible pinch runner.

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Look at the bottom of today’s comments to find the record holder in career home runs for all six Major League Divisions.

To provide some context for those who would like to guess before seeing the answers, the West and East Divisions came into existence in 1969. The Central Divisions came into existence in 1994.

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RexFregosi

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

ok i’ll guess some

Sosa, Pujols, R Palmiero, Eddie Murray, McGuire, Barry Bonds, Willie Stargell, Chipper Jones, Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, George Brett, Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Reggie, are some names outside AL WEST i’d expect to see

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jco

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

OK, here are my guesses before I look:

AL West: Griffey (I’ve seen this referenced by GhostGuest in the past.
AL Central: Jim Thome is my best guess. It was between him and Frank Thomas, but I know that the Sox were in the AL West for the first few years of Thomas’s career. I also couldn’t recall how many for either were for other teams.
AL East: David Ortiz is my guess. Cal Ripken was my 2nd choice. I feel like I’m forgetting someone obvious.
NL West: It has to be Barry Bonds. Even with the HRs in Pittsburg, it’s still got to be Bonds
NL Central: Sosa is my first guess. If not Sosa, I would guess Pujols.
NL East: Mike Schmidt seems to be the obvious answer.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

ERRRR MAH GIRD! ARAM POOOP! AH WILL SEA HEEM WID MAH EYES! OTHER PIDJERZ AHR ALIFE! WHYYEEEEE! I NO UNASTAN! SO ANGER! ARTE.

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MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

It looks like you forgot to take your meds.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

AHHHH MEH GIRD! SICK BUUUHRN. MUCH THINKS! GOO JAHB!

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

.

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Brent

15 days ago

How long until his first blown save?

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matthiasstephan

15 days ago

Reply to Brent

Depends, when is Loup scheduled to pitch?

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Senator_John_Blutarsky

15 days ago

Reply to Brent

It will be the second time he pitches in a “save” situation.

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Brent

15 days ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

lol a whole one appearance.

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

The SoCal Seraphs scored 11 runs in those three games against the Minnie Twinnies. Here is the list of who was responsible for which portion:

2.25 Moniak
1.75 Drury
1.50 Neto
1.25 Urshela
1.25 Renfroe
1.25 Ohtani
1.00 Walsh
0.50 Thaiss
0.25 Ward
0.25 Rengifo

This was Moniak’s first time leading the Angels in Actual Runs Produced. Drury has his hands on a lot of Angel runs this year. I wonder if he is in the top five Angel Produced Runs this year?

Here are the year-to-date Actual Runs Allowed per Batters Faced:

0.00 Moronta (5)
0.05 Estevez (95)
0.05 Moore (91)
0.09 Ohtani (231)
0.09 Sandoval (213)
0.10 Barria (90)
0.11 Weiss (9)
0.12 Wantz (85)
0.13 Detmers (178)
0.14 Silseth (52)
0.16 Herget (51)
0.16 Devenski (43)
0.17 Davidson (83)
0.19 Suarez (123)
0.22 Loup (50)

Moronta is lucky to be at the top of this list. Ohtani impresses by facing the most batters of any Angel pitcher. Barria’s performance against the Bostons could have a large impact on where he is placed on this list at the end of this series.

Last edited 15 days ago by GhostGuest

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Thank you for the update.

Trout is missing from the list of run contributors, but I remember he got on base after pass ball after swinging third strike and running hard to first base safely. I was really hoping that Shohei would hit a homerun there. If homerun happened and Trout scored, would he have gotten 0.25? Another question for those professional scorers, does Trout’s safely reaching the first base after strike out add to his on base percentage?

Moronta was fortunate yesterday. Perhaps he should give all of his dinners for the next seven days to Devenski in expression of appreciation. Who knows it might be healthier for Moronta, too. 😁

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

I double-checked, and In the third inning of yesterday’s game there were two outs with no one on base and Trout struck out on a passed ball and reached base safely. Ohtani then grounded out to end the inning. No runs scored.

In the two games Trout played against the Twins this weekend, the Angels scored six runs. Trout had eight plate appearances, but he did not contribute to any of those six runs.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Right. I just so wanted Trout to contribute and was a little disappointed that Shohei did not hit a homerun there. Even though it did not result in a score for us, I wanted to commend his hustle. I also read that dropped third strike and reaching first base safely does NOT add to OBP.

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TrojanBoiler

16 days ago

I have to assume the only reason Wantz and Weiss were optioned was just to juggle who had availability out of the pen. Amazing that our bullpen innings crunch has gotten so bad.

It is going to be interesting to see how short Loup’s leash is. A bad inning or two and he will surely go the way of Tepera.

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smithy610

16 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Phil put him in the perfect spot during that Cardinals game that got close. Mop-up duty, no pressure, and he still made it close enough that Phil had to use his better relievers in a game that shouldn’t have had. Now he has his last card to play – the Tepera-coming-back-from-injury-but-I-was-really-in-the-doghouse-to-work-on-my-stuff card. Hopefully we can have a game where he can play mop-up duty to see if he screws up, or doesn’t, yet again.

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cookmeister

15 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

They needed some fresh arms. Wantz and Weiss are the only guys that can get sent down without getting DFA’d

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to cookmeister

Yah. Wantz’ll be back soon. May only pitch once down there.

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TrojanBoiler

15 days ago

Reply to cookmeister

That’s what I figured. We did a ton of this a few years ago. I think it was 2021 where we practically had a private shuttle service between SL and Anaheim.

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Here it is…..Rodger-Rodger. What’s your vector Victor?

https://twitter.com/EricaLWeston/status/1660103916036698112?s=20

Last edited 15 days ago by Twebur

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Jeff Joiner

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

That plane is huge. The sound as it flies over the stadium is incredible.

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

I met Kareem on a beach in Hawaii once he was standing next to a tree on the way into the beach, when I passed him I told him that I “Loved him in Airplane and Adam-12” he started to laugh and told me no one remembered his cameo in Adam-12, I told him that his scene was being stuck in a sports car in a shopping center parking lot and the boys from Adam-12 helping him out.

He was actually pretty friendly and we had a pretty good conversation and he told me about some good spots to surf that were off the beaten track (this was on Maui).

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to Dogface1956

Dogface, have you ever seen a grown man naked?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSi6iF9kVBs

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red floyd

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

So, Dogface, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to red floyd

That’s a big no, but I did spend a day in Philadelphia once does that count?

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Only in a mirror

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

My guess, seeing how short Tepera’s leash was, is that Loup, Nevin, PTP and the world in general know that he better come out of the gate hot and provide some pretty solid innings for a while if he wants to stay. It would really help the team if he can pitch. The only way to find that out is to, you know, have him pitch. So, if I use my big boy brain, it seems to me that he’s probably gonna pitch some. So OK we’ll see.

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TrojanBoiler

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

It would be awesome for the team if he could get his mojo back and at least be an average pitcher. I am rooting for him, but also not holding my breath.

I’ve read that advanced metrics say he has been more unlucky than bad, maybe he will get some reversion to the mean and get into a groove for the rest of the year.

Last year, his worst month was May (OPS allowed of 1.095) followed by June (OPS .840) and then he settled down.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Yeah. Anyone who is holding their breath will likely not be missed in the gene pool. But you gotta see if you fixed something before you throw it away.

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Jeff Joiner

16 days ago

The fact Nevin went with the righty Devinski to face Gallo with the game in the line instead of lefty Loup is telling.

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smithy610

16 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

I actually thought he should have brought Moore in at that point. But I guess he was hoping to get something more out of anyone else except Moore/Estevez since they’ve been doing the heavy workload.

I know everything all worked out in the end. But I was a little surprised he didn’t put Devenski back out there in the 8th to start a clean inning, so Moore can at least get some rest.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to smithy610

I had the same thought yesterday while cussing at Moronta and Phil Nevin for raising my blood pressure and predicted that Moore there for possible multiple innings. Now in retrospect, it turned out to be the right move because Moore (from overuse?) did not look that sharp yesterday. He was hit hard twice, one to Renfroe who made a great catch and another almost the best defensive play of the season by Moniak which ended up as a homerun, again requiring additional dose of antihypertensive. So, I agree with you that Phil should have continued with Devenski. Retrospect is 20/20.

I know we would like to discuss this mysterious matter called “luck”. Watching last night’s highlight, I zoomed in on the first run we scored after being one down. Renfroe got a gift from plate umpire who called ball for what should have been third strike. Renfroe ended up hitting a single and advanced to third with Walsh’s first hit of this season. Urshela hit a sacrifice fly (Not tradition) to score Renfroe. That did not happen last month.

Are we getting “luckier” or is it just law of average/regression to the mean? I keep on wondering.

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Jeff Joiner

15 days ago

Reply to smithy610

Agreed on both. I was thinking Moore for 4 outs.

Once Devinski got Gallo, I figured he’d be in for the next inning.

Nevin obviously had other ideas.

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MarineLayer

16 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

It’s truly difficult to understand why Loup is even on the roster. We just can’t afford to have him give away any more games.

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clover_black

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

He’s been just as terrible as tepera. the only thing considerably better is not allowing the HR ball.

not sure why he’s back.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Totally agree.

Maybe he comes into a game we are down 1-2 runs but is still winnable. He implodes for one inning and the game is then OVER. To me that is almost as bad as blowing a lead …

Just DFA him Perry. Please.

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TrojanBoiler

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

Completely agree. Especially with our offense’s ability to score late and climb back into games.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

It’s difficult for you to understand. I understand.

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MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Thanks for being so understanding.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Understood.

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DowningDude

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Understanding:
https://youtu.be/mQX78Pqgdak

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

No kidding. I was glad that decision was made … I was actually thinking Dev. start the inning rather than Moranta, but I guess you have to throw Moranta in there at some point to see what he can do .. To me Devenski is a key high-leverage guy for either the 6th or 7th inning as a bridge to Moore.

Last edited 15 days ago by JackFrost

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

Can you imagine the wrath of Angels fans on Moronta and Nevin if Devenski did not come through? My heart skips even thinking about that possibility. Moronta was lucky to get the second out with strike out with a clear “ball” outside the zone. Umpire last night gave several calls in our favor.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Not me.

Because Devenski has proven (at least so far in 2023) that he has what it takes to come through. At some point he will blow a lead. Do we all turn on him at that point ? I don’t think I will… but others may.

No reliever comes through every time. Eventually they’ll blow one.

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smithy610

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

Just basing on the eye test, Devenski has been the best reliever so far outside of Moore/Estevez. I guess Barria has an argument. But in terms of really high leverage situations, Devenski is right there.

I agree with riding the hot hand until it falls off (if it does). Devenski may eventually go back to his mean, but so far he’s doing a good job. I think it speaks highly of him (that, or Nevin really has no other choices), that Nevin chose him to face Gallo in a bases-loaded situation where shit could have hit the fan really fast, instead of opting for the traditional lefty-lefty matchup. He’s earned their trust because so far, he’s been doing well.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

If you read my post, “the wrath of Angels fans on Moronta and Nevin“, I did not say anything about Devenski. Besides, I used to pitch in high school (poorly at best with only one win against uncountable losses in my high school career), I tend to be easier on pitchers in general.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

You talked about the “wrath” of Halos fans or fans here… Maybe that does not include you. No problem with that claim. However, I simply said I would not be one of the ones whose wrath would come down on Phil … If a guy has come through and proven himself in my eyes I do tend to give him a little more leeway. Not all people do.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

Baseball is a game that we take pleasure in second guessing. It is a beautiful game, which teaches life in my opinion. As someone who loved playing baseball and understood the difficulties in throwing strike when bases are loaded with full count, I will never blame any player for making errors or walking a batter or what turns out to be a wrong choice when it comes to coaches or managers . I think that is different matter for me or others to point out certain player’s action or manager’s decision, which may have contributed to Angel’s loss on this site.

“Wrath” may have been a wrong choice of word, again, and I apologize for the misuse; perhaps I could have used passion or love, which are more positive. However, we are on the same page when it comes to we will never blame players or managers.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

There is almost nothing as cute and darling as Angels fan wrath. It’s like watching kittens fight over a chunk of old cheese.

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DowningDude

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

no need to apologize, man.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

What if I DEMAND that a reliever comes through every time? Will that fix it? I mean demand HARD.

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Senator_John_Blutarsky

16 days ago

As a pitcher this season, Ohtani has been “human” when compared to last season. Walks and HRs allowed are up; more flyballs are HRs this season. Ohtani has also paid the price due the number of errors by defense. Maybe he’s pressing given his upcoming free agency? Maybe this is the how the initial regression manifests: pitching before hitting?

The team has 32 errors – which is the most in MLB. Advanced defensive metrics are middling.

If the team didn’t have the blown saves and errors, they’d be leading the AL West with ease. Yet another self-inflicted wound.

Poor fundimental baseball is an indictment of the coaching staff at every level (MLB and MiLB) .

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MarineLayer

16 days ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

Rendon had more than a third of that total so hopefully the defense improves with Gio getting the everyday reps.

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FungoAle

15 days ago

Reply to MarineLayer

Gio has never been a strong defender and Rendon used to put up very strong numbers. Rendon on the offensive side of the diamond is clearly the superior player.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

While I agree that Urshela is not the level of Nolan Arenado, who might have won player of the week award this week along with Aaron Judge, he is a solid, serviceable infielder. I just watched last night highlights and saw he made a fantastic defensive play on a weakly hit grounder to start a double play after Shohei walked a lead off hitter.

Last edited 15 days ago by Kiyotchan

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MarineLayer

15 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

And only $30 million more a year.

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FungoAle

15 days ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

Walks, errors and mental lapses certainly hamper the team. I care less about leading the division but more about playing solid baseball. Our GM etched in stone that on day 1, these areas was what he was all about. I don’t see an improvement, do you?

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

I disagree. I’d rather be leading the division and not playing solid baseball. At the end of the day the standings gets you into the playoffs, NOT playing good “solid” baseball.

Another way of saying this is “it is better to be lucky than good.” Or, just win baby.

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FungoAle

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

I’d like to be leading the division come late September, we differ.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

Well, if you fall 7 or 8 games back in the division on June 1st you’re not likely to be leading in late September. That is the way it works about 95% of the time …

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

Source?

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2GA2Join

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

Overall, I’d rather have a good baseball team instead of one that gets “lucky”.

The “lucky” team apparently has some good outcomes on close things that may result in a handful of extra wins.

The “good” team wins 90 games instead of 70.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

Yeah. shitty team leading division just feels like you’re waiting for the wheels to fall off. The Angels, with their issues, are right where they should be. We can see what needs improvement. and we can see that they will climb the standings if they improve. Fix the issues, maybe gain 5-6 games in the standings over time. So good.

A little luck will be a bonus, get us a few extra wins. But clearly, if the Angels don’t explode, I think a team like Houston will just outpace us in “the marathon”. But, as a huge fan of mediocrity, I’ll actually be happy if the team is 10-15 games better than last year.

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

Just looking for an improvement year to year, so if they win more games than last year, we will be winners in my book. Just keep building, it looks like we may have 3 new young starters moving forward (O’Hoppe, Neto and Moniak) with some bullpen help perhaps on the way, not sure about any other starters that are lurking in the minors. I think for the first time in a long time there is reason for feel optimistic about the future, baby steps, just keep improving every year, we will get to the promised land.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Dogface1956

In general your argument makes sense Dogface. The problem is that you are totally ignoring important contextual factors. In this case it is the elephant in the room. And that elephant is named OHTANI !

The main reason so many of us here have placed such a high importance on winning in 2023 is that the opportunity to keep Shohei is DIRECTLY tied to it. For those of us who value him and think keeping him is a good thing, yes, WINNING NOW is more important than say making the playoffs in 2026 or something …

The other thing we have to think about is that Trout is only likely to decline from here out, not get better. The chances of winning on a high level are probably better now then they will be at any time in the next 5 years ; especially if Ohtani is gone after this season.

Last edited 15 days ago by JackFrost

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

I don’t want to feed that elephant for ten years. Fk the elephant, just build the team right and get better this year, and the next few years, till we win all the games.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

And, I understand that argument. You clearly believe that the Angels would be better served to take the financial resources that might be spent on Ohtani and invest those resources into other players.

Cool. That is one school of thought. I don’t happen to agree with it. And there is one main reason : it is not the loss of Shohei’s offense that would kill us, but rather the difficulty if not impossibility of acquiring an Ace starting pitcher.

It has been shown time and again that to win on a high level you need a true Ace. Maybe two times over the last two plus decades it hasn’t happened that way..

So, ultimately keeping Shohei the Ace is why I WOULD choose to pay the elephant. I get your argument I just see it differently.

Last edited 15 days ago by JackFrost

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

I asked similar question earlier. Do you think Shohei should stop batting on the days he pitches. There are many experts out there that he will win Cy Young multiple times if he becomes “full time” pitcher and eliminate practice time he spends on hitting.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

These are VERY good questions Kiyo. I think at the very least the Angels should experiment for a month or so of not having Shohei bat on days he pitches… It just splits his attention and gives him less time to look at the iPad and get info re pitching side…

Also, I have not checked the data, but my observation seems to say that Shohei doesn’t hit quite as well on days he pitches.. I know the other day in Baltimore he did hit that big HR but overall it seems he is less productive. It would be interesting to see a good chunk of stats that covers 2-3 years…

As for Shohei the pitcher, when he is ON there is nobody better, DeGrom included.

IF he is pitching at a very high level he is more valuable to us there in my opinion …

Last edited 15 days ago by JackFrost

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

I totally agree with your idea of experimenting Shohei pitching and not hitting for a month (4 games) especially with warmer weather and see. It is obvious that there has not been anyone like him, so there is no previous records to compare with. So we have to compare pitcher only Shohei with two way Shohei. And the only way to find out is executing the experiment on the field.

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to JackFrost

I have pretty much resigned myself that he will be leaving us at the end of the year and I am not all the broken up about it. I figure signing him is going to cost way too much and handicap the team from being built by being able to afford to get the depth we signed this off season which so far I think most here would agree has been a breath of fresh air. If we sign Otani to a huge contract and it is going to have to be huge for him to sign with us, we are going to have to pay him big money for non-performing years just like most of our other big money contracts. I would rather let some other poor suckers sign Otani and pay him 40 to 50 million a year when he is 37 and older.

I don’t agree that our chance to win with him his better in the next 5 hears then it would be without him. He is not going to keep pitching and hitting like he has, his pitching skills are going to decline and within a few years 2 or 3 he will injured or average, his hitting skills might last a bit longer, but with 5 years he will be on the down slope and I think we need to learn not to hand out these big 10 year contracts for big bucks to players who going to be 30 years old during the first year of the big contract.

I think you have to let go of Otani he is not going to stay, he will be moving on and I think that is best for the Angels and most likely for Otani.

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JackFrost

15 days ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

You’re moving the goalposts. Fungo specifically said he’d rather be solid than leading the division. I beg to differ. How do you get winning 90 games instead of 70 out of that? I mean, presumably the 70 win team is not leading the division…

The point is that winning is the bottom line. The “best” team does not always win the World Series. Would you rather be the “best” team or take home the trophy ??

I know what my answer would be …

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steelgolf

15 days ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

At this level fundamentals should not even have to be an issue. And having the most errors in MLB is just inexcusable. That means players don’t have their head in the game.

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to steelgolf

I was also taught that physical errors happen to the best of them, making a bad throw, missing a catch, dropping a ball, etc., but mental errors are inexcusable. I think a lot of mental errors don’t even count as errors, throwing to the wrong base, taking the wrong route to a ball, thinking there are 2 outs when there is only one. I don’t believe any of those will show up as error, but they cost runs and games.

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Charles Sutton

15 days ago

Reply to Dogface1956

I’ve got a Rhett Bollinger article about this in tomorrow’s links. Perry is aware of it and apparently expects people to get their acts together.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

John Smoltz has stated multiple times that if Shohei sticks to pitching only, he would win many Cy Young awards. Which brings me to this question. Should Angels experiment in some games by not allowing Shohei to hit when he pitches? Especially with warmer weather on horizon, putting someone else for DH, I want to see how that would affect his pitching. Let’s say after 2 or 3 games, if his pitching results are better, we have the answer. Yes, we might miss his bat, but only way we will find out is actually doing this experiment on the field instead of persisting on this two way method.

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FungoAle

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Smoltz is just jealous he cannot hit a baseball 500+ feet

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to FungoAle

That made me look up Smolts batting records. Lifetime batting average of 0.159 with 5 homeruns (did not list the distance), 26 doubles and 2 triples. Had his career year in 1999 with 0.274/0.338/0,387). I also understand that he is a terrific golfer, so he was probably good at hitting those bloop single.

In case you wondered, I was a math major in college, and was highly advised to put “0” in front of decimal every single time. Old habits die hard.

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2GA2Join

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

And I wonder if you were used to using the comma instead of the decimal point.
My wife is from a place that uses decimals and commas differently. It has led to me doing some major double-takes a few times when I look at a financial spreadsheet she has worked on.
😄

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

Touche!

That made me think of old IBM punch cards, briefly became famous for “hanging chad” debacle. I used to get so frustrated with them when I misplaced periods with commas when I was in FORTRAN class. I think I am having quite a day of “Flight of Ideas” today. I will go get my meds for that schizophrenic symptom.

Last edited 15 days ago by Kiyotchan

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GhostGuest

16 days ago

Gio Urshela was amused by Jared Walsh’s levitating cap trick yesterday.

Last edited 16 days ago by GhostGuest

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GrandpaBaseball

16 days ago

I have Questions….Why does Phil Nevin like to keep Rengifo in late in the game?…. Why do we allow opponents runs with 2 outs?…. Why do batters get so lucky with 2 strikes on them against us?…. Why do we rest players a day after they were killing it with the Bat…. Why is Trout rested so much, is he not the team’s leader?…. Scrapping the bottom of the barrel for relief guys does not pump up the fandom meter needle much, if at all. 📉 does it?…. Has Taylor Ward gone into a slump or is he just done? (Slump I believe) …. Would you start Mickey in LF while he is hot? (So would I)….Why do all of our starters have problems throwing strikes instead of throwing 100 pitches by the end of 5 IP?…. Would you start Barria tonight vs the Red Sux? (Yup, so would I partner)….While wearing my trench coat as I walk away, I stop and turn and say “Just one more question”, “Why do we use a 6 man rotation when we can’t seemly find 4 proven very good, starter’s?

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jco

16 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

I have many similar questions and one possible answer. Trout was diagnosed with a chronic back issue last year. He’s been managing it well, but I’m betting they’re resting him more frequently to manage the back.

Moniak should definitely be starting against all RHP at least for now.

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

You and I are on the same side, when it comes to Rengifo’s defense. We have been hurt with multiple bouts of PTSD by his defensive miscues, which have cost Angels at least three games this season. Our eye tests (and probably analytics) tell us that he is just ok defender at best. Phil should have subbed Druly in the late innings yesterday.

But, this season he has had two positives, fast legs (4 stolen bases as opposed to 6 whole last year) and willingness to take ball four (16 compared to 17 for whole last year) thereby lowering strikeout rate this season. His power is down in terms of extra base hits and home runs, but he has had one sacrifice fly and two HBP (0 last year). Therefore, I think he will stick at the Major level for a while.

I would like to give credit where credit is due. Do you notice Angels are running more? Yesterday, Urshela (not fast legs) stole second with Rengifo at bat but was able to advance to third when Twins catcher threw errantly, and while Rengifo failed to score Urshela from third with less than two outs (trAdition), Thaiss picked up Rengifo with his hit and scored ever important insurance run. Also noted were Neto’s steal with Trout at bat, and having Rengifo attempt a steal with Wallach’s at bat when Chad struck out and double steal attempt by Neto at 2nd and Shohei at 1st (while he was still pitching) with Renfroe at bat. Neto and Ohtani would have easily stolen if it weren’t for Renfroe’s foul. I wholeheartedly approve this change in strategy. Who should get the credit, Nevin or Minasian?

Last edited 15 days ago by Kiyotchan

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Fleckstein

15 days ago

Reply to Kiyotchan

Yeah, surprised Soto wasn’t in for Rengifo

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to Fleckstein

That would have been another excellent alternative.

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GhostGuest

16 days ago

The Foundation Building Materials keystone of the game for the Angels tonight against the Bosox is “It’s a Sunshine Day” by The Brady Kids.

Breaking the W/L/L curse and doing it against the first place MinnesotaTwins has everyone in AngelLand feeling like a Brady kid.

Everybody’s smilin’
Sunshine day
Everybody’s laughin’
Sunshine day
Everybody seems so happy today
It’s a sunshine day

https://youtu.be/NaCCG7QkM_c

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Cowboy26

16 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Was that the Brady Bunch “Jump the Shark” moment or was it when they added that annoying 7th kid Cousin Oliver?

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rosstrade

16 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

Wow, I never thought that I’d see the Brady Bunch on this board….!

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to rosstrade

If only Gubi was this bold.

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to rosstrade

And he shouldn’t……this hits to close to home with all the bad luck this team has.
The show was jinxed by that evil Tiki Doll that Greg and Peter found on the Hawaii episode. And now this site, this team, is further jinxed. Thanks ~~2002~~ GhoastJinx.

Last edited 15 days ago by Twebur

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

After the sunshine of optimism come the dark clouds of doom?

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Ah, another post about bad luck or bad Juju. I hasten to protect my dear evil twin brother GhostGuest by pointing out that he posted Techtronic-Pump up The Jam clip two days in a row, thereby leading to successful cessation of win first game followed by two loss pattern of futility

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GrandpaBaseball

16 days ago

Good morning my friends as we start the week off with decent weather and a winning series in the rear view.

Who is hot; Everyone got a hit in the starting lineup except Wallach, but does not exclude that a catcher didn’t get a hit as Thaiss was nice when it counted. Moniak is a “Maniak”, yesterday coming up this short of catching the impossible HR to the LF seats. Neato is hot with the glove too, and mimics Simba very well I might add.

Cold as Ice (Foreigner) is Renfroe at the number 4 hole, but still retains his cannon. Rengifo has not changed his play in the field as also retains a suspect bat. Trout is having issues with his swing up at the plate. Walsh looks rusty with the bat.

But winning cures what ails you. 😎

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

AL West — Ken Griffey, Jr. (SEA) 417 HRs

AL Central — Jim Thome (CLE / CHW) 458 HRs

AL East — David Ortiz (BOS) 483 HRs

NL West — Barry Bonds (SFG) 586 HRs

NL Central — Sammy Sosa (CHC) 504

NL East — Mike Schmidt (PHI) 548 HRs

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

I’ll take Roided up (yes or no) MLB’ers for $1000 Alex.

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Dogface1956

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

I don’t think Thome or Schmidt were are roids were they. Schmidt did not look very bulked up to me and Thome was a big dude as I remember?

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Twebur

15 days ago

Reply to Dogface1956

Not Schmidt, we were told Griffey was clean, sure I’ll believe it. Thome I never heard anything…..the other 3, did them 24/7/365.

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red floyd

15 days ago

Reply to Twebur

Same here. I’m going with Thome, Junior, and Schmidt as the clean guys.

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

If Trout hits two home runs tonight, he will be tied with Reggie for #4 on the ALW Leaderboard. If he hits three tonight, he’ll be tied with McGwire for #3 on the leaderboard.

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jco

15 days ago

Reply to GhostGuest

I think Jim Thome’s number should be 498.

Cleveland- 327 HR in AL Central (his first 10 HR came for Cleveland in the AL East.
Chicago White Sox: 134
Minnesota Twins: 37

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Kiyotchan

15 days ago

Reply to jco

I saw those numbers in Baseball Reference, and I attest that the total is 498. I was a math major in college, so you can trust me.

Last edited 15 days ago by Kiyotchan

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GhostGuest

15 days ago

Reply to jco

You are correct sir! Thank you for catching that!

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red floyd

15 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

Walsh is rusty, yes. But he was out all season. I think he should have had a few more rehab games for his timing, but he improved in each PA yesterday. I think he’ll have his timing back late this week.

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