LA Angels Weekend News Crash: Final Four

Watching the events in Israel and Gaza unfold really makes writing about baseball seem trivial. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. Hopefully this is the darkness before the dawn and millions of families can live in peace soon.

I do believe in the blessings of distraction and baseball is a great one; particularly in October.

The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Blue Crew out of the playoffs. It was glorious and highlighted by four, yes four, home runs in one inning.

And the moment we pretty much all rejoiced. The end.

And I like a well managed Twitter account. A little shade but nothing overboard. AZ’s crew nailed it.

Which NL East foe the Snakes will face in the NLCS is still up in the air at noon on this fine Thursday afternoon.

In the meantime Clayton Kershaw is unsure about his future. When he begins his 5 year clock for the Hall of Fame is up to him.

Bryce Harper is powering Philly through the playoffs and had a little stare down with Orlando Arcia during the other night. Arcia was overheard saying “atta boy” after Harper was doubled up to end game two. This was a really good play and I don’t blame Harper for trying to tie up the game one bit. He gambled, he lost. If he waits before second there’s no way he scores if the ball is a hit.

The ALCS match up is set as the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros will play the first all Texas postseason series in history.

The other day I posted this Rangers team is missing the douche factor Hamilton, Cruz, Odor, and others brought to the old guard. But this new batch listens to Creed in the clubhouse before games, which is pretty bad.

Still, they are led by Bruce Bochy who is a sure fire HOF manager in my eyes. Although he did get caught asking about numbers on his catchers backside.

Meanwhile the Houston Asterisks are in the ALCS for the 7th consecutive year. Good players, cheating with video tape, tainted legacies…they really are the Patriots of baseball.

There’s really not much news out of Angels land. MLB prefers to keep major announcements out of October so fans can concentrate strictly on the games.

Chris Okey and Cesar Valdez elected free agency. We’re down 2 more of the 66 players we used this year.

The managerial search is preparing to start getting ready to prepare or something like that. Benji Gil managed Team Mexico in this year’s World Baseball Classic and is expected to get an interview. Gil believes he has earned a shot at managing, and I do think his resume is solid.

Enjoy your weekend and please link what I missed. The head coach for my boy’s team is out this weekend so guess who is stepping up? 10 boys between the ages of 4 and 6. It is like herding cats. And the best thing ever.

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Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Hey my fellow crAshers while getting gas at the Paso Robles Arco for our long travel home to HB after a weekend of wine tasting and fun, I ran into a local Angel fan who was defending our honor at the pumps with an inexplicably boisterous Doyer fan. After introducing myself , I learned to my pleasant surprise it was halofansince1978. https://imgur.com/a/Rx2HfM7

CtPGers are everywhere. Go Halos!

Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26
FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Small world, that’s a cool story. Go Halos!

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

It was a complete random pleasure!!
Cowboy26…we’ll have to do it again!!
Let me know when you will be back.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

It was a pleasure ’78.I’ll definitely let you know next time . some timenext season (maybe even in Arizona?) we need to all crash the Big A gates.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

BTW: Great picture of you and I look like a hobo.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

From now on whenever I find an Angel fan I’m bringing up CtPG.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

IIW ARTURO……..10/15

*hire a experienced FO guy………Theo Epstein
either bye to Perry or say hello to your new boss and don’t forget to fill the coffee brewer.

*Get away from a HR hitting team which is starting to happen already (Cincinnati Reds and TB) and put the emphasis on disciplined hitters and speed (yes run manufacturing) HR’s mostly come off mistake pitches anyway, especially in the post season.

*hire a younger field manager for less a $1M a yr……..Jayce Tingler

*hire a new pitching coach.  💪  💪 

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

comment image
Old managers belong on high payroll established winning teams (Braves, Astros, Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies) not on teams trying to desperately climb out of darkness. Go for a manager who’s young enough to your older brother not old enough to be your grandfather……+ Rams HC Sean McVay 💪  💪 

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
Brent
Super Member
1 year ago

Screw it, let’s get the Savannah Banana manager.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Brent

We’ve had three 3 Savannah Banana managers in a row since Sosh.

Ausmus = 🍌
Maddon = 🍌
Nevin = 🍌

Let’s get a real professional like Buck this time

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Brent

“The Bananas are coached by Tyler Gillum and Adam Virant while 2022 Banana Ball Head Coach Eric Byrnes is returning in 2023 as the Director of Chaos.”

The “Director of Chaos” on the Angels is clearly Arte. I’d prefer Eric Brynes.

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

Younger guys are crushing old guys in sports all across the sports scene
Sean McVay, Kevin Cash, Kirby Smart, Mike McDaniel, Eric Spoestra was only 41 when he coached Lebron James. The reason, older expensive players only respect a old guy like Bill Belichick, Brian Snitker, Andy Reid, and Dusty Baker.
 💪  💪 

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

How do you explain the continued success of Bruce Bochy & Dusty Baker then Twofus?

Torey Lovullo is 58 years old managing in his 7th season. Rob Thomson is 60 years old. He is only his second years as a ML manager but has been a major league coach for decades. Kind like Phil Nevin wouldn’t you say?

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Old managers belong on high payroll established winning teams (Braves, Astros, Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies) did you read the can’t miss comment with Kevin Cash’s image? No don’t want another grandpa managing this team anymore.
In April 2008, Spoelstra became the head coach of the Miami Heat after Pat Riley’s decision to step down. Spoelstra was Riley’s hand-picked successor.[23] In naming Spoelstra as head coach, Riley said: “This game is now about younger coaches who are technologically skilled, innovative, and bring fresh new ideas. That’s what we feel we are getting with Erik Spoelstra.
Wikepedia……. 💪  💪  Not just Basketball but football and hopefully soon MLB will catch up with these other sports and get out of the Dark Ages.
BYE!!!

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

Remind me again how many NBA championships Spoelstra’s teams have won since the Dream team broke up?

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago

comment image
Get him!!! 💪  💪 
Only gonna be 43 yrs old next month and previously experienced and BTW didn’t collapse in 2023 with the biggest payroll in MLB history

Last edited 1 year ago by 2002heaven
FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  2002heaven

HARD pass

2002heaven
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Hard Resounding YES FOR ME!!
I don’t believe in another $2M+ old guy who’s team collapsed around him (Melvin, Girardi, La Russa, Showalter step forward).

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

So sad that Bob Costas was able to save his friend’s life but was unable to save the choking Doyers.

https://www.wate.com/sports/sports-illustrated/2183ac27/report-bob-costas-saves-friends-life-with-heimlich-maneuver/

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago

Dino for Manager? Yep I’d be happy.

3rd base coach for a team with no offense sounds boring 😴

First choice would be Buck still. Or Sosh of course.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Love Dino but I’m not sure he will ever be a manager .

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Dino would be windmilling from the dugout, I think I would like to see that

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago

Eclipse tomorrow………if you share this with a Doyer fan remind them they need eye protection, can’t stare directly at it. 😀

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/rare-ring-fire-solar-eclipse-will-cross-us-saturday-see-rcna108104

steelgolf
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Just so happens that I have a welding hood in my garage that can be used to view it.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Same here!

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

I forgot my eye protection and stared for about 45-seconds, I feel like Ray Milland

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Next one is a full eclipse on April 8th 2024.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 year ago

Adenhart Day.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Since I am already blind in my right eye.

Using welding goggles, glasses, & hood.

I can see it plain as day, weird shadows!

angelslogic
Super Member
1 year ago

If nothing else, Erstad would be a great bench coach. He’d add the leadership/motivation that is sorely missing right now with the old cronies in charge.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  angelslogic

Source?

angelslogic
Super Member
1 year ago

My very simple and slightly-educated mind.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  angelslogic

Maybe Erstad as our new 3rd base coach…..What ever we do we need to get rid of Horshack, or whatever his name is.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

This would be a fantastic stupid idea. And, speaking of stupid, did this guy just pull this out of his ass, if not, who among the FO is considering Erstad? Does this ass that is stupid have a CtPG account and keen for their lost Ersty balls regularly? Mayhaps.

Though, if Ersty gets hired, maybe I can fixate on himin true CtPG Guy style.

“Uh mah gird! Erstard got rice instead of noodles with his Broccoli Beef? What a moron! This tehm is a johk! As long as this raccoon is allowed to mak stoopid durhsicions in game but also he is Arte’s tool.”

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago

Too inexperienced at MLB level- needs to be a coach for awhile

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Aaron Boone and Davis Ross says hi

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

They had been around MLB -the preceding years – big difference

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Thought we were comparing to Erstad, my mistake

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  RexFregosi

Too intelligent to work for Arte.

Last edited 1 year ago by Senator_John_Blutarsky
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Well Ersty was the runner up to Dave Roberts for the Doyer Job way back when so maybe it’s finally time for the Angels gig

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Interesting…learn something every day.

clover_black
Super Member
1 year ago

Let’s hire *insert beloved Angel from recent past* so we can all hate him by May because his 2002 voodoo didn’t turn Mike stefanic into a Major League Baseball player.

DMAGZ13
Trusted Member
1 year ago

I went to Game 2 of the LAD AZ series because even though my son now likes the Dodgers, he’s starting to play baseball and seeing him truly follow the plays like a ball player for the first time was priceless on my eyes.
That being said, watching the DBacks, I was not at all amazed by their lineup, but pitching yes. Gallen is a hard thrower that finished on top of the batters. Even though he’s not hitting 100 on the gun he just over powers the batters and none of them had good contact. I’d even argue that the HR hit by JD Martinez wasn’t fully barreled. The pitchers threw a lot of strikes confidently and that was punctuated by the curve ball right down the pipe to Freddie. Then when the bullpen came in , they just pitched to their strengths and even after a bit of bloop hits, they stayed calm to their game plan. Only one guy, Sallfrank had trouble hitting g the zone so the Torey took him out quick. I also watched the pitching coach and what he did. I enjoyed and he went out and out his arm around the battery and gave them positive coaching in a tough moment. It’s opposite to some pitching coaches who come on die trodden like Wise.

DMAGZ13
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  DMAGZ13

So my conclusion is that the offensive talent wasn’t amazing but they had some timely hits and just kept up positive at bats. But there’s no fearsome slugger on their team. I didn’t realize Corbin Carrol reminds me of Kole Calhoun , and everyone is else is just a major leaguer but not these long imposing sluggers. Defensively though their infield is was confident. When I watch these teams I just see that the Angels had plenty of talent but lack so much coaching. I’ve coached high school sports for a long time (not baseball) but I’d argue that the Angels big leaguers just look like they don’t touch a bat or glove during the off-season . They’re just adjusting to a new day rather than really focused on what they’re good at.

Jim Atkins
Super Member
1 year ago

Pulled the trigger on Game 5 at Chase Field. Hotel room right down Jefferson from the park, walking distance. Just hoping against a Phillies sweep.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

Living large, I like it

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

I keep thinking about getting to a game- it’s enticing for sure

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 year ago

I’m interested in what the smart people here think is different about Philly, Arizona, Texas, and Houston as there was a comment about Perry’s model of Atlanta maybe not being the one to follow. They’re not all the same, but what is different about them from the Angels. And I don’t mean organizationally right now, but regarding their major league roster and the way they play. What do you think the Angels should do differently. In recent Years, Houston has just had more talent. This year was a little different for me in that the position player injuries killed them whereas in previous years, I felt they lacked talent. This is not a bad club going forward but they don’t really have much in the organization that is going to help them that was not already on the major league roster this year. For all who want the youth movement, I don’t see anything significantly different in 2 years. By the time the organization has any kind of pipeline, the current players will be free agents.

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

Post season is a crap shoot the fewer games you play in a series. Remember the difference between the great teams and the poor teams is usually about 2 wins in 10 games. In the standings, look at the last 10 throughout the season and you’ll see even the great teams can go 2-8 a few times. That’s why the same teams make the playoffs, but we don’t see consecutive championships.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikeal1st

the more teams that are let into the playoffs, the more likely it is there’ll be upsets. That’s why they call them “wild cards”.

h27kim
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

I’ve always thought teams with high upside (but also potentially low downside) are better than just “good” teams in a short series. The overall result is probably crapshoot, but I’d expect a “worse” (on average) team with high upside has good chance of upsets. In my view, AZ and Phi are those teams: I think the AL team will probably win, but if I were a betting person, I’d bet on the NL team.

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago

I used to laugh at the comparison between Trout and Harper. After watching Harper in the post-season I see Harper is a team leader and winner, while Mike Trout had great baseball skills early on, but now is aging, injury prone, and a great guy but not a team leader. I’d rather have Harper.

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

I thought the same thing… Mike Trout great, but not the fighter that Harper is.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikeal1st

Don’t you think we’d see some fight in Mike K. Trout if he was in a position to fight?

His only fight is to not get embarrassed, get to .500, and now, just stay healthy. There is no fight when your team consists of AAAA, AAA, AA scrubs, either young and dumb or the washed up 29 year old guys lucky to be collecting a check in baseball.

We’d see a feisty Mike K. if his shitty organization could ever develop a 25 man roster worth making the playoffs.

Harper only got his love after his team made the playoffs, and won. Something Trout will not experience if he stays an Angel….trAdition.

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

I disagree. Harper has always been a fighter. Rolling through videos on social media he’s comes by often as a fighter and Trout… never. Trout is the guy I’d want my daughter to marry and Harper is the guy I’d want to have on my side in a fight. Trout is the better overall career player but Harper has more fight in him.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Mikeal1st

Truth

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

You said better what I’m trying to say. It pains me to think that because I truly love Mike. I just think it’s easier to build a winning team around him. I’ve grown to have tremendous respect for him.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

I think the Angels could use a “Sal Bando” type guy. Nothing wrong with Trout, he’s just not a loud mouth and that’s fine. We need a guy that’s a little more proactive is all.

Marcotor
Trusted Member
1 year ago

But if Erstad was the Manager, his gritty manliness would turn to fire and singe Trout with some of it and straighten him out.

Last edited 1 year ago by Marcotor
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

A Paul O’Neill type would work for me.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Mike was hungrier when he was young and played the game with aggressiveness. He’s lost the burst both physically and mentally.

YOUknowulovetheIE
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

He’s played 19 more games and is injury prone just as much as trout. He’s not even the better player. Pujols seemed like a “leader” and his stats were shit as an angel

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago

Harper came back early from an injury that was supposed to keep him out until the All Star break, after playing through the same injury last year. Trout was supposed to be back in around seven weeks at worst, but ended up missing the entire season. Not that my argument is much about injuries, it’s about vocal leadership which has been lacking.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago

True, but you’re omitting a key point:

They’re trending in opposite directions injury & productivity wise. Also, Harper seems to have that “it factor” in big moments. Dare I say he’s….clutch….

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Fuck yeah and it’s not close.

cookmeister
Trusted Member
1 year ago

I’m going to disagree with the notion that Gil has a solid resume.
He coached the WBC team that went to the semis, but that’s an all star team (and they were going to make it out of the group stage regardless)
He’s coached winter league and done well, but he’s also had teams do poorly.
He’s coached for the Angels, but that does not say anything since we have been a losing team for years.
If we go the assistant coach route, I’d much rather have someone from a winning place

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

I think one manager versus another is a bit like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. The real solutions to improving the franchise lie elsewhere, which have been exhaustively discussed here.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Bullshit. I have the solution. Anthony Rendon. Player/Manager. Champion.

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago

Or DFAd, so he can be comeback player of the year elsewhere, or just collect a big paycheck.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

When it comes to bringing on Benji Gil, agree. I don’t hate it but not the inspiring hire the organization needs. Angels could benefit from stability and with Perry coming up on his last year, makes this years manager choice less consequential.

Next year, the new GM can start afresh. The last two GMs that were hired, had to take the manager with the signing.

**Play the kids and trade the veteran assets** is my mantra for next season.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

New manager Selected? White Smoke Pours from the top of Big A, Bells Ring in Anaheim City……….Just do the ritual for the new Pope search.

We need to start a new trAdition. 4 managers since 2018. I’m sure whoever gets the nod won’t last long. Maybe instead of the white smoke from a fancy chimney, we just go full urban ghetto, a “Green Waste Managment XL Dumpster” by the front gate under the giant hats. Announce the new hire with a robust burning tire fire when we find a new sucker.…….just leave it there year-round, use it for trash pick up too, save some money, Arte will like that.

https://youtu.be/PmiSZiPN0FQ?si=TkJptBBg1vRTyAKx

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago

Lance Lynn is now probably hoping he would have gotten bunts instead in that glorious inning.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

CWS knew knew exactly what they were doing when both LAA & LAD got hornswoggled.

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago

Lynn pitched well except for that 4-home run barrage. Dodgers got more out of Lynn that what Perry-boy traded for his ex-teammate Giolitto. Hard for me to laugh on Lynn blowing up when Perry pooped his pants.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 year ago

Is the 5-day layoff a bit much? To much off time lapse between games? I can understand why the local Blue Team went down, injuries. Atlanta was healthy though. Baltimore healthy, but young could be an issue. Twins, similar to Braves – cold bats syndrome. The lay off of 5 days does not take place during the season, so possibly it may affect the players with the bats. Cold bats for 100 games won during the season teams was prevalent as Acuna, Betts, Freeman – possibly the top 3 vote getters in the NL MVP vote were like Foreigner – Cold as Ice.

Rob Manfraud is not concerned, lamenting we need to give this format time to see if it works. As a MLB fan I do see this in 3 ways. First is that it is cool that it is possible for Wild Card teams to go to the World Series. Second is that I would rather see the two best teams from the 162 game schedule match up in the Big Show, not the hottest teams in just October. Third is that the playoffs will loose it’s overall appeal when it most counts.

Arizona showcases some bright new talent, Philly and Texas showcase how to build winners with checkbooks (Angels can watch and learn) and Houston just keeps on battling the forces of good.

If layoffs are not good, then the Phillies will romp over the last two series.

It is tough being an Anti Asstros fan, they really do disappoint.

Diamondbacks over Phillies and Texas over Houston would be kool, but it could be a repeat of last year’s WS.

Angelstan
Trusted Member
1 year ago

With the Rangers and Astros in the ALCS plus having watched the D Backs destroy the Dodgers, the AL West and NL West both had strong years. That didn’t help the Angels record. Not much easy sledding during the heart of the season playing those teams.

BTW Perry’s model franchise — Braves — lost handily because they didn’t score much in the playoffs. Apparently having a bunch of power hitters who often don’t make contact isn’t a panacea for offense. Imagine that.

Let’s hope the Angels find ways to pull things together in 2024.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago

Was out and about most of the day yesterday.

Did my best to troll dodger fan but saw none!

The day before saw blue hats every 5 seconds.

I was wearing red looking to give the choke sign.

But alas not a single dodger fan to fuck (Oct) with.