First off, let’s remember this is a game and supposedly a distraction from reality. Between the tropical storm, earthquake, and senseless shooting at Cook’s Corner this week the plight of a baseball team looks like the trivial exercise it truly is.
But what a brutal week it was for the Angels. Last Friday Ohtani hit a grand slam and the team pulled off a triple play and they still lost that game. The triple play was sweet, though.
On Saturday the team would split a double header to lose the series to Tampa Bay 2 games to 1. That on the heels of predictably losing series to both Texas and Houston 2 games to 1. The Angels haven’t beaten good teams all year and a 3-6 stretch against three of the best team in the American League was expected.
But then there was good news. Mike Trout was activated and back in center field for Tuesday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. Finally some good news!
But, alas, that brief moment of hope was dashed thoroughly and completely in a torrent of bad news that was worse than the rain downpour last Sunday.
Rough night for the sport and brutal night for Angels fans. Those two represent the best of the team, the best of baseball, and the favorite players of 99% of the folks in the stands. We probably won’t see 27 until next March. We might never see 17 pitch for the Angels again.
The sports news cycle must go on and now the articles are about how this latest injury will reshape the free agent market.
This season is a bigger disappointment than the last several. We had depth, we made moves, but with 17 players on the IL at one point there just wasn’t ever really a chance to see what it could do.
So now we look to the future and I think there are some good young pieces here. Let’s start with the emergence of Logan O’Hoppe.
And while I don’t expect to see much power from Nolan Shanuel, he’s good at taking walks and making contact. I’m really interested to see how the league adjusts to him.
Really, he couldn’t have had a better week. He’s the one ray of light in these links.
From around the league:
Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave with no timetable to return. No bueno.
While the Angels year has been disappointing, the only way to describe what is taking place in San Diego is perplexing.
Speaking of disappointing seasons, how about BOTH teams in New York. The Yanks snapped a 9 game skid on Wednesday night thanks to the heroics of Aaron Judge.
Meanwhile the Mets disaster is already looking forward to next year. They will retire the numbers of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry in 2024. Apparently they weren’t able to lure the two back to finish the 2023 season with them. Even at this age, they would’ve helped.
Stephen Strasburg is going to retire due to repeated injuries. The San Diego State alum was the number 1 overall pick and a World Series MVP. Interestingly, the Nationals do not have insurance on the contract. As of now no word on the exact financial ramifications as of yet.
I’ll definitely check in on the Angels playing the Mets this weekend. But the Little League World Series is the brand of baseball putting a smile on my face. California is still in this thing.
Enjoy your weekend. Link what I missed. And let’s go El Segundo!