I’m sorry this is so terse. I had a busy day yesterday.
Ron Washington is the new Angels skipper. The return of Chili Davis? I did not see that one coming.
Craig Counsell will be managing the Cubs. Somebody is pretty upset about that. Mark Kotsay will still manage the Athletics. The Diamondbacks extended Torey Lovullo. Carlos Mendoza will manage the Mets.
The Angels roster this off season got ranked 24th in this MLB.com article. Meanwhile, no Angels made this list of the top catchers in 2023.
Trevor Bauer has his agent checking in with major league teams to see if he can find a landing spot back here in the states.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
When it’s all said & done, I have no issue with the Ron Washington hire. He’s apparently a respected “teacher of the game”, etc. Fine, whatever & moving on.
….but, can he pitch?
I’m in the minority here, but the Angles should consider Trevor Bauer.
He’s been an effective pitcher lately. He would give Anthony Rendon a run for his money for the biggest tool on the team, though.
We have bigger tools in the world that profit off of a war. I can stomach Trevor Bauer.
Pass, not with our young players, Bauer is a misfit. Dodger players were happy he was gone. I might consider it if the Angels were 1-arm away from contending.
No Torii Hunter apparently. Sorry.
RU2GA2 Source?
podcast with Aj Pierzinski (however you spell it)
No actual evidence, just a reporter saying that Hunter won’t take the job
POS AJ was Torii’s teammate in Minnehaha so I guess he would know.
This was all I found.
Using an all caps “NOT “is pretty darn definitive.
Thanks Charles.
Tim Salmon or Darin Erstadt
What about Troy Percival? And Dolph Lundgren? I thought he was pretty tough and gritty and shit was I was a child.
Why not Brian Downing or Chuck Norris?
Dude. I love Brian Downing so much. He’s so cool my dad wishes he was my dad.
But notice how I have never started simping for him as a manager?
You lack “grit”, obviously.
Why would Ersty agree to be the 1B coach ? He is sort of in the same boat as Torii but of course with a bunch of managerial experience behind him … Perry wanted somebody who is flawed so there would not be a backlash if he gets rid of them in a pinch. Washington fits the bill …
And you can bet that neither Torii nor Ersty would sit back quietly and let Perry makeout the lineup card or stick his nose in on the field game day decisions… At his age and with his history Washington very well may allow that kind of intrusion …
Which candidate was not flawed cuz I ain’t seeing one
Chuck Norris
On our new Manager here’s my read on things that have probably already have been said (I know that many have lost sleep anticipating my take on things :).
Truth #1:
Washington is likely the best guy for this who is also open to being hired by the Angels.
Truth #2:
He isn’t going to single handedly slay the demons that plague this organization until Arte and his frat boys are gone.
Truth #3:
This team is a long way from relevance regardless of whomever they hired to manage.
I think Ron got a two year contract cause PTP has two years to make it work or go win with another team. Ooooorrrr… it also makes it easier to sell the team if Arte gets that whim again.
A two year deal makes logical sense for everyone involved when the manager in question is almost old enough to run for president. Haha
These jobs are incredibly finite. This notion that people don’t want to manage the Angels is incredibly wrongheaded.
He’s fine. We’re fine with him, blah, blah, blah. Now, about that roster….
Yup. There may be 2 or 3 very “in demand” manager candidates who will turn down a team just cause they don’t like them. Or for location. But most guys are at least taking an interview if called.
But saying that doesn’t let me vent all the daddy issues I project onto Arte. I hate him. Hate him hate him hate him.
Lulz, Good sh*t.
BTW, those 2 or 3 MF’ers have a short shelf life because the bell of the ball today, is the washed out bar fly quite quickly in real life.
Let’s deal in reality. I get to manage a professional sports franchise for a high six figure salary and live in Laguna Beach? Naw, that sucks because of.:..:reasons…I’ll pass to be the 1B coach in Minneapolis and await my dream job.
Try low to mid 7 figure salary
I am happy Arte went the veteran manager route. I’m warming up to the hire. This team is going nowhere so a veteran mentor with managerial experience might be the best thing. I was ok with Show as well for those very reasons.
From Fletcher’s article today about the hiring of Washington:
So…. we still should have hired Ersty. That’s what this is telling me. He’s no Ersty. I mean, can Washington remain red faced and angry while failing at a middling college program? Did he make the final catch of a world series and also slide into a guy at home plate once? No? See, he’s no Ersty.
But Wash can’t punt !! You just don’t get it, do you ?!?!?
Farhan blowing smoke out of the 5-hole. Evidently, he had more praise for Melvin
Clearly Washington is universally loved and has proven to “those in the know” his baseball and leadership acumen. It’s impossible to fathom how this man has gone 10+ years without ascending to a manager position given all the turnover in MLB.
As Senator I’m calling for an immediate judicial investigation into this situation. We will have justice!
This has been a paid political message.
The most important question all Halo fans are asking about are:
After that flame job editorial by CJ (Shutterbug) Wilson, are the Halos going to get a Peloton bike for Christmas?
BTW-You ever notice that IL is in his last name?
Clever trivia bit.
Thanks, occasionally I break with my status quo and go highbrow.
I always felt sorry for CJ. All that pesky baseball and play offs and strike zone nibbles and stuff got in the way of his actual interests. Why Arte wouldn’t just build a statue of him and give him a pile of money for being really good looking we may never know. Cheap Arte.
Whatever. Dude bangs some top shelf tail. He’s the man.
This just in. It has been reported that a suspicious character dressed in a black duster with a black vaquero hat pulled down low and wearing black boots was seen by a Mexican busboy spraying some odd colored mist into the air recycling system and when asked by the busboy what was he doing, the suspicious man in black said he was really the General Manager of the Angels and that a guy named Minasian was a poor actor. The man in black offered the Mexican busboy a couple of pesos to be quiet, but the busboy told the black varmint to go to the bank and exchange it for dollars and to return with plenty of those dollars. When the police asked the busboy who do you think you saw the busboy said he will not talk until he see’s how many dollars he may receive. The cop chuckled, he knew who the man in black was and knew soon the busboy would squeal, because there is only one person who will claim to make the decisions for the Angels and it isn’t Perry.
Meanwhile the conference has been cancelled as there are not enough Docters locally to treat 30 sick people and appointments are 3 weeks out.
Something to watch in few months….help numb us to the eventual 72-90-2024-Angels.
This looks fantastic
https://youtu.be/2RWohylGm3c?si=OsBwdpVzP2vTcn9s
That does look really good and your prediction feels right.
I was disappointed in The Pacific, so I am cautiously pessimistic on this offering.
Really? I thought it was excellent and I have spent far more time reading about the European theatre of that war.
The trailer wreaks of a propaganda series viewed thru the prism of contemporary politics.
Little known fact: Churchill and the Brits initiated the bombing campaign against Germany prior to the “Battle Of Britain” in the late Summer to 1940.
Indiscriminate bombing of civilians is odious no matter who does it.
Source ?
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/hitler-didn-t-start-indiscriminate-bombings-churchill-did/
Carmen San Diego has been waived by the Padres.
Night at the opera in SD sounds fun
Jackin’ It in San Diego
https://youtu.be/LKwW8PNZpOQ?si=_SHKvHE1ukwSTzDk
There’s a funny stand up routine about how Carmen San Diego is really about a coyote smuggling folks over the border.
Any rumors on a new pitching coach?
I heard Dan Haren
Paging 5thStarter! Paging 5thStarter!
Now that doesn’t stir my bile (Neither does Washington for that matter).
from where?
Pepperdine.
Beyond the halo
did they say that there was actual interest by either side, or just speculating because he played for the Angels and had an articles written about him last week
Ohhhhhhh….. that would be fun…..
Scott Schoeneweis
He was in the majors for 12 years, he must be premium….
Too many letters in his name for Arte to hire him, too many letters on his uniform (Cost control).
Plus he has the required warm feelings from the 2002 Championship Team for the Lifetime movie reunion event of the year!
Yes rumor has it we desperately need one who doesn’t always sleep like a baby and who just advocates to throw MOAR SLIDERZ
Ask Arte. His vision is unfolding before our eyes.
Let find someone who can teach them to throw F’ing strike’s.
https://x.com/Super70sSports/status/1719817415058473151?s=20
This Washington hire feels reminiscent of when Arte directed Eppler to fire Ausmus to bring on Maddon. Eppler just had to eat it and listen to the owner call the shots. Same thing here in 2023 and Perry’s was not calling the shots.
Find it a bit odd how fast this announcement was when he just got interviewed. Feels like the Angles had a list of coaches they required the manager to agree with and Washington was the first one and only one that said yes. Have a hard time to see the Washington connection to Clint Hurdle.
Transcript of Ron Washington Interview
Arte: I see you haven’t managed in 10 years – do you think that this might mean the game has passed you by a bit?
Ron Washington: Nope
Arte: Will you accept $500,000 per year
Ron Washington: Yep
Arte: Okay, I think we’ve heard all we need to hear. We will get back to you in the next few days.
…lol, I’m guessing something like this was wedged in there too:
Arte: We’ve down selected your coaching staff, any objections?
Ron Washington: Nope
Arte: Perry, we have our next manager
Man this is going to be a looong off season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqtb6XBBBRc
This is absolutely the complete opposite.
This signals that Perry has Arte’s ear, and Arte is listening to him
I dunno…. PTP’s connected to those old Rangers teams…. he may have like The Ron
Have we all fully vented yet?
I know the answer, just wanted to say g’morning Halo faithful.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
jap.wav – Jerome Brown at the pre-bowl banquet: “Did the Japanese, go and sit down and have dinner with Pearl Harbor, before they bombed them?”
On the 38th parallel on the Ides of March, that is correct.
But did they cross the Rubicon?
MLB baseball cancelled the remainder of the GM Meetings in Arizona this morning after more than 30 people came down with a stomach ailment initially thought to be a reaction to the announcement that the Angels signed Ron Washington as their new manager.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10096681-report-mlb-cancels-remainder-of-gm-meetings-after-virus-impacts-more-than-30-execs
Nice, I was going to post another Coke joke, but I think we beat that white pony to death.
Yes, it’s probably best to hold the “white powder” jokes until the first losing streak… 😂
I swear I was going to type horse, then……well it popped in my head and overruled all the usually much louder unruly voices and well……I went there…..
Man…. I wish Mike Trout would do some blow…. and pretty much the rest of the team too….
White pony is a great deftones album
I may incur the wrath of Pineapple, but here’s my entry:
35 emergency plumbers are on standby with one quoted as saying: “ I told them that I thought serving the pork salad at the buffet, under a heat lamp, was a bad idea.”
Also heard in the kitchen: “I forgot, is it chicken or beef that can be red in the middle? If no one knows, I’m going with chicken.”
I’m a yes on Bauer as long as his teammate check is fine. I know Garrett Cole isn’t a fan, but I heard a lot are not a fan of Cole too. We shall see, but I’m betting someone brings him in this year especially how more of the story came out.
Bauer is a guy that is a distraction wherever he goes. He even carps from the bench when he’s not even pitching (Source: Myself watching a game a few years ago). He’ll get a contract, IMHO had he been a LH pitcher he would’ve been in MLB already. Historically, LHPs seem to get away with a lot of shenanigans, IMHO.
I think he desires to show up the Doyers, so I presume he will opt for any team in National League West, but any team in National League would be ok with him.
I have to disagree with you on “a distraction wherever he goes.” He was a model citizen in Yokohama. Extremely popular and endearing, he definitely impressed many Japanese including his coaches and manager of Yokohama DeNA.
Smoke and mirrors. On his best behavior.
With you here K.
People speak of “grace” and “forgiveness” but somehow Bauer is regarded as the second coming of Mao. Moreover, it seems quite likely that he got railroaded to some
degree with the “Me Too” inquisition.
Sure, why not. Just think of the irony: a team named the “Angels” extends offers of employment to the perpetrators of crime and/or societal disorders. The franchise could become of the “Oakland-Las Vegas Raiders” of MLB.
Can’t do it. There are four allegations on top of all the cyber bullying of women.
Consensual or not dude gets off on violence against women. One of these days he’ll probably go too far and seriously hurt or kill one.
I hope not, but I definitely don’t want him in an Angels uniform if he does.
To me it’s more than that. Even before the physical allegations there were plenty of cyber bullying stories when someone engaged him.
I have no idea what his teammates think of him but, IMHO Bauer just doesn’t understand concepts human interaction and empathy to others.
This is an extremely hard pass for me.
Good morning, it is 5:24 am west coast time. Waking up in early morning is one of the perks of old age.
I will not comment on Ron Washington hire because I don’t think that will affect Shohei’s decision one way or another. However, how Perry construct the roster is going to influence his thinking.
Just the facts again, ladies and gentlemen.
Nikkan Sports reported that Shohei donated 60,000 baseball mitts to Japanese elementary schools all over Japan with a message, “Let’s play baseball”. It looks like New Balance announced it the same time, so I believe they are all New Balance brands. The cost/value is estimated to be $333K (with current Yen/Dollar rate); it will be interesting if Shohei’s accountant or New Balance will deduct that as donation item. Any IRS agent on CtPG participants to answer my inquiry?
As mentioned, there are two Trevor Bauer’s agents talking with multiple MLB teams. Yokohama DeNA will be very disappointed to have him leave since he was quite popular and was one of the reasons why DeNA did draw much more people to their stadium last season. Should the Angels consider him?
Japan series was won by Hanshin Tigers. I have always considered Hanshin Tigers as NPB version of Boston Redsux. This was their second Japan series title, last one being 38 years ago. They were always a bridesmaid, never the bride, kind of team. I am happy to report that Colonel Saunders statue was not destroyed this time.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto declared that he would be posted for MLB team, only one hour after the conclusion of the Japan Series. His agent will be from Wasserman group; same as that of Kodai Senga.
So there no secret handshake, unknown to us connection between Ohtani and Wash?
NPB teams have used many American born managers, such as Terry Collins and Bobby Valentine, who were considered success. There were many who played in Japan and became successful MLB manager such as Torey Lovullo (played for Yakult Swallows) and Davey Johnson (played for Tokyo Giants).
Has there been any Asia nation born manager in MLB? The former Nippon Ham manager, also the current championship manager of WBC Team Japan, Kuriyama is available.
Ozzie Guillen comes to mind.
(Not from Asia, though)
Yes . Current Doyer manager Dave Roberts was born in Nawa, Okinawa.
You are right. His mother is Japanese. But one can argue that he was born in American military base, so he was technically born in the US. Let’s agree that we are both right.
The gloves have a value of $5.50 each? Are they made of plastic?
Ron Washington- 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮.
Wash ain’t messing around.
Liking Chili at hitting coach.
Chili Davis, hitting coach
Torii Hunter, 1B
Eric Young Sr., 3B
Clint Hurdle, bench coach
Ryan Goins, infield coach
Let’s wait for the final list since that group ain’t coaching for scraps . But I cannot stress enough how impactful Wash’s hiring will be on young Zach Neto , Rengifo or even Schanuel. ( it’s incredibly hard to play first base ) and don’t discount having Torii to work with Moniak and Adell or even Blake or Rengifo to improve their outfield defense . Pitching is still the key but having a great defense behind our pitchers won’t hurt
I agree. I expect improved defense and less mental errors (and simply being out of position). Also, I think bringing Torii back is really good for Trouty.
As for pitching, having better defense should at least help Sandoval – both to reduce his really high unearned runs rate, but also because he will get less annoyed when things like that happen (hope we bring in someone to work on that with him – maybe Ted Lasso’s Dr. Fieldstone).
I agree Wash was a great coach of defense, but what makes you think he will do that coaching from the managerial position? Doesn’t he delegate that to his coaching staff. At 71 years old, I just don’t see him as hands-on coaching with all the other responsibilities he will have as manager.
I think that viewpoint is putting a rose in a stinky poo pile.
What makes you think he wont? Your argument would have some scintilla of validity if Wash has never managed successfully before or if he had been resting on his laurels like Maddon had. Yet that is not the case. And unlike Maddon he still has been coaching full tilt through this last season. Yonder Alonso talked about just a couple of years ago Wash was coming in early at 8 AM to work (and probably still was this past season) with the infielders to put in extra work. https://www.mlb.com/video/the-angels-hire-ron-washington
What I understand is Wash has developed his own proprietary fielding system . You can see it on display in the embedded MLB video in this story. And relative to delegation I believe thats Atlanta’s longtime 1B coach ‘ EY Sr in that video with him helping out who is rumored to come over here to coach 3B. https://www.mlb.com/news/ron-washington-angels-manager
So even if Wash is getting long in the tooth and maybe not as spry as he once why cant he delegate to his the coaches he trusts the tried and true systems that have worked time and time again?
I think that stench you keep smelling might be emanating from a paper asshole this time.
Are you excited about this hire?. If you are looking for positives in an otherwise head-scratching situation then I think that’s great. But I personally am having a tough time spinning this as anything other than an inexpensive hire with an Atlanta Braves connection.
For me, this is going to be just like 2 years of Yoko Ono music running on a continuous loop, being blasted into my ears. I absolutely hate this hire and cannot overlook his past. I don’t care how much the players like him or if he has trained the last 50 gold glove winners. I will boo him, and if he came to sign my kids ball , I would pull the ball away and tell my son to ignore him. Yes, it may seem silly and over the top, but I don’t reward people who do completely immoral acts in their 50s and 60s.
Someone’s not voting at all next fall…..
“Yoko’s voice has the same effect on people that a high pitch whistle has on a dog.” – Eric Clapton
But Is it head scratching? I get the trends and the ever changing Baseball management philosophy but I dont think this move is that shocking.
The Angels led the majors with 91 Unearned runs . And considering the inconsistencies in official scoring their defense may have contributed to another percentage of those 738 earned runs the pitching staff coughed up last year
Considering how quickly the Angels have been rushing players to the majors , why wouldn’t you hire an experienced extreme fundamentals oriented coach that by all accounts is revered by his players?
This is isn’t the classic fish out of water fundamental coach hire like the Angels did when they lured Bobby Winkles away from ASU . Wash has had much success as a manager on the big stage before. And considering what Bochy and Dusty have accomplished the last 2 years why can’t Wash?
I would say the probability of success is higher than say Showalter or Roenicke who have never taken a team to a World Series or any of the other options of Gil, Erstad, Salmon or Hunter who have never managed in the majors before (or in some cases never managed anything above T Ball)
He was coaching on the Braves lately. Which is like coaching in the 1950s. Everyone knows that, the Braves are so stupid.
It’s not really head scratching at all. I kinda preferred Buck, but not by a ton. Who was out there that you were squeezing your thighs together to get? Cause I wasn’t all that excited about anybody, even Craig Counsel if we’d had a shot at him. Maybe Joe Espada?
It’s not like the Angels turned away from hiring some incredible manager to hire a washed up former player from the team’s glory days or something…. Jeff Saturday….
Free Washington!!!!
I remember there was an Angel that went to Ron Washington for help in the offseason (can’t seem to remember the name, nor find it on the internet with all the new hire noise).
I did find an article in which Marcus Semien gives him credit for his defensive prowess from his tenure on the A’s.
If adell can’t figure out how to play outfield by now, torii isn’t gonna change that.
Be prepared for the resurrection of Fletch! 😀
Having good pitching is significantly helped by having good pitchers.
Sign Bauer. If the Angels catch lightning in a bottle and soar, he’s a part of the mix. If they suck, he’s a deadline trade chip.
He’s a valuable buy low with big upside acquisition. Do it.
Washington has been a very good manager, a very good coach, and it looks like he intends to hire some “real” baseball men for his staff. But even if these guys make the play offs next year f*** them cause Arte hired them and Arte is the sand in many a mangina around here.
Are they under contract with the Angels as the 2024 coaching staff?
Nope, not yet.
So you’re saying there’s still a chance Arte and The Platypus will screw this up. 🤔
That should be the largest concern regarding this hire.
Has Arte ever shied away from screwing things up? Hell, he just hired older Josh Hamilton to be the manager!!
Just about anything has to be an improvement over last years coaching staff
Quote heard when Soth was let go: “Just about anything has to be an improvement.”
Quote heard when Maddon was let go: “Just about anything has to be an improvement.”
Quote heard when Arte was going to sell the franchise: “Just about anything has to be an improvement.”
Quote heard when Nevin was let go: “Just about anything has to be an improvement.”
I very well could be wrong, but I’m thinking this is what some folks consider to be “a trend”….
Haha
😂
The one we needed the most didn’t happen.
Maddon? He totally happened. Did you miss all the 3D chess and shit?
You forgot about Ausmus. Someone said once that he was smart. It made my smooth brain and loose crotch feel sad. That made me mad. So he sucked soooo much all the time he ever thoughts. Anything was better.