Raise your hand if you thought the Angels would go 4 and 2 on that road trip. Keep them up if you thought the Angels would be in first place in the AL West at any point this season. But that is exactly what happened.
Yes, it is April but let’s enjoy this for the brief time I expect it to last.
I’m starting a new feature called Highlight of the Week. And it is a very easy call this week. Mike Trout for 473 feet. Good lawd.
Highlights for the Angels were common in South Beach. Florida native Zach Neto had a lot of family and friends in the stands and played a great series on both sides of the ball.
I think many of us had high hopes for Trout and Neto this season. Not so much for Tyler Anderson. But he looked a lot better in Spring Training and was dominant on Tuesday. If he steps up as a veteran leader on this young pitching staff, we just might have a fun summer.
And now it is time for the home opener. Great news, the Angels are at home with all the pomp and circumstance. The huge flag covering the outfield, the military flyover, and that first look at the greenest grass and best players.
Unfortunately the home opener will be against the bahstun roid sux. A recent survey found roid sux fans to be among the most annoying and arrogant in the nation. Hard to argue the 1-2 at the top of the ratings, but I’d switch the order.
Boston is fresh off a sweep of the hapless A’s who drew a pathetic 45,000 people over the course of a 7 game homestand.
That lack of fans might change soon as the A’s are officially heading to Sacramento for the 2025-2027 seasons. I lived in Sacramento for a few years and can attest it is a great sports town. It is also a mid major city that desperately wants to be considered a major city. Often the AAA RiverCats would outdraw the big club in Oakland when I lived there.
Take a look at the ballpark and attendance for an exhibition game a few weeks ago.
This move is temporary but there’s a chance it lasts longer than expected. Las Vegas teachers are suing to stop the donation of hundreds of millions of tax dollars to fund a billionaire’s baseball stadium. If they prevail, the A’s will need to find another home as we all know A’s owner John Fisher refuses to open his own wallet to pay for anything.
From around the league:
Mike Clevinger signed a one year deal to return to the White Sox.
The Orioles are good at both the MLB and minor league level.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. It is Little League Day at the Big A on Sunday. It is a lot of fun but you watch very little of the game when surrounded by 6 year olds.
It’s Sunday morning and everything is looking up and bright. In Cleveland the Guardians are 7-2 after the first full week plus, and it has been all on the road leaving their record at 7-2-not to bad there for the boys from Lake Erie area. Oh, by the way-they lead the league in runs scored.
The Halos don’t exactly look as awful as I thought they would be, but we are still runs scored challenged as we are the only team in MLB with a winning record and have scored less than we have given up. By the way, isn’t it time to reevaluate the lineup card now? Rendone is no Urshela with the bat in his hands at the plate now is he. Schanuel needs to get dropped down too and give some thought to moving Renny and Ward to 1 & 2 and O’Hoppe to #4 slot, just thing out loud. Rendone to the bench or maybe even released.
So now take a look at the NL Central, boy is that a tough place to play as no team with a losing record and the on eyed patch players are leading the whole shebang with a
‘Atta hoy matety und ova the side wit ya now” to the rest of the division which includes the Reds, Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers.
That Texas line up is a tough lot of batters to pitch to for sure and that’s without their 3b who is out for 10 weeks. And for now the Astros pretty much look weak, except for the cheating Altuve.
Kudos to Detmers and Anderson for showing us that they know how to pitch and it still implies, that old saying of it is better to be lucky than good and last night proved that point.
Got to get ready for church now, so everyone have a great Sunday.
The bottom line is we only had 6 hits along with 10 Ks and just 3 walks. We’re not a very good offensive team. We’re going to need good pitching in order to win. We hit too many routine fly balls. We needed back to back errors followed by a grand slam to make the game even look close. Trout, Ward, and O’Hoppe are the only 3 players who are hitting much. It’s going to be a year of development and evaluation. I like the enthusiasm and effort. Hopefully, we’re not just waiting for Rendon to go off the books. It says a lot about where were at that were celebrating an infield hit by Rendon because it’s his only hit in 7 games.
This is how it’s going to be against good teams this year…get used to it.
The fire of my hate
Warm though buffeted by storm
Fk those fking chowds
a classy haiku…. selah
Anyone going tonight? I’m headed out in a few minutes.
No, but enjoy.
That’s right… you, Turk and a three letter handle only go to doyer games 😉
Winner Winner chicken Dinner
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1776357099926397036
Rendon 2-3, 2 walks and an RBI tonight.
probably!
Well . . .
Rendon 0-4 with a walk to start season 0-23.
Let’s hope so, put the doomers in a panic
If he actually does that I think you should get the credit cause that’s some serious power juju there….
If that happened I’d be pretty lit up on hopium for the year
Thank you. I am so torn between which player has more issues – Rendon or Rengifo. Rendon doesn’t care, doesn’t hit and plays just above mediocre third base. Rengifo thinks he’s better than he is, hits ok, but scares me every time the ball is hit towards him.
In Wash I trust.
I’d put Rengifo in for Sano. Just to get another left-handed bat in the line-up. Rendon is going to play consistently, no two ways about it. Wash’s pet project.
“AHR MAH GIRD AH MUZ SAY SOME THINGS STUPID AH SEE RENDON!”
#FREEIPPEI
Ippei better run, Dodgers are slimy and have significant power. In a town with some of the most high-powered Fixer’s, I’d say he has less than a year to live. Just watch. Nobody is allowed to endanger the Checkbook Dodgers assets.
Kyotsukete Ippei-san, totemo abunai
Where do I get this
Coming off the first sweep since july of last year, let’s keep it going. Moarrrr shuffle bot 🤘
Here’s a look at where the Angels’ top prospects will open the 2024 season:
https://links.mlb.mlbemail.com/e/evib?_t=c632e003a756446c956a8e0347d00d08&_m=29f42e93e8c141f89db459442518001d&_e=4Nwg3mdV6J73i8bI7hb-ov2byRV4537L2GVI1bK5Xza2IrPQQSvZhn3vrurThF7kqVhKn_7x3-2IIwxWClzybA%3D%3D
I really hate seeing people talk about Ohtani as if he’s the anti-christ since he made baseball watchable for the last several years, and I also really hate seeing the situations he’s found himself in. This seems to be a minority opinion, but it actually gives me indigestion seeing the discourse surrounding him everywhere online anymore :/ I wish I could go back to stressing about whether he’d be staying or not.
I take no pleasure in his situation BUT I am grateful we don’t have to deal with it.
The current online discourse:
1. Paying Ippei’s gambling debts – unforced error of his own, even if his intentions were noble.
2. Turning around and totally changing his story that he’s a victim of massive theft – unforced error of his own and Doyers lawyers (btw, have charges against Ippei been filed by Ohtani yet?)
3. Treating the fan who caught his “historic” HR ball like garbage and lying about meeting them to get the ball – unforced error of his own and Doyers employees.
It’s not like the current online discourse around him is totally made up just to shade him. These are all his unforced errors that either he unintentionally walked into, and/or could have been avoided altogether had they just done the simple thing and told the truth. I mean seriously, why lie about meeting the fan?! What’s that lie even worth anyway?!
Plus, fair or not, this is the territory that comes with signing with the popular, “premier” team of MLB. Everything gets magnified x1,000,000. He was an FA, he had his pick of the litter, and there wasn’t a lack of multiple suitors trying to entice him to sign with their team. I get it, he wants to be with the team that gives him the best chance to win (just like LeBron did when he took his talents to Miami, but he was the evil incarnate, while Shohei is just fulfilling his “destiny” 🤷♀️), but he has to take the good with the bad.
Say what you want about Ippei, there was absolutely no “Lost in Translation” in Ohtani’s 6 years here.
That’s all he said…Is that everything, seems like he said quite a bit more than that?
Suntory Time! Shohei Gambling Time! Free Epp! Free Shohei’s Mom!
https://youtu.be/FiQnH450hPM?si=SSJfVvYTd-m4MCOm
This is one of my favorite scenes of all-time!
Love the understated way that Murray played it.
That scene is Peak Murray.
Bruh, well thought out opinions aren’t allowed here 🤣
If you can’t do the time (in this case online scrutiny) don’t do the crime (trying to be Mr Perfect Baseball, even Tom Selleck couldn’t pull that off).
I honestly feel so bad for him.
And until someone presents me with evidence that he’s been fooling all of us that’s where I’ll stand.
I hope it encourages him to work on his English so he can use his own words.
I can think of $700M reasons why we dont need to worry about Shohei having some softball controversies where Ippei and the Dodgers PR staff are the ones at fault.
I was sick of him when he was here. It’s not his fault, but he’s gone full Jeter. When you think about it, what did Jeter ever REALLY do that was so bad? Sure, he was a little bit of a douche, but most jocks are. The unnecessary jump throws? But really, he himself’s not a horrible guy. But having him around was horrible.
Remember when he got dragged for handing out gift baskets to his one night stands?
I’d love a gift basket tbh
By implication. the one stand is attached.
I’m actually pulling for him too. My test is simple. If he presses charges, then it wasn’t him. If he doesn’t, then I see this….
I’m getting jazzed for today’s opener!
Go Halos!!
I went to a Red Sox game last summer and thought it was the best place to see a game that I’d been too. The fans were fine and I loved how they sang every song (they play more than Sweet Caroline throughout the game) and who doesn’t love a “Yankees Suck” chant?
45k over seven games? That seems like a lot fo the A’s. When I went there was about 3k. Very good fans who deserve a lot better. Am I the only one who thinks it’s amazing that an MLB team needs to play in a small stadium for three years? I think it makes a good argument for relegation.
Why can’t we have nice things like the Orioles minor league system. If poor teams can do it why can’t the Angels? Stupid Arte.
Thank you for your support.
I have always wanted to see a game at Fenway, though I think those Big Green Monster seats are an abomination.
I’ve been there twice including during Mark Teixeira’s first Game as an Angel back in 2008. The Fans booed Teixeira every time he came to the plate because I guess the Red Sox had drafted him out of high school but re fused to sign with them. We sat out in right field just above the Angels bullpen. You are so close to the players that my young son was able to high-five Scot Shields as he ran in from Angels Dugout as part of his warmup rituals in the later innings. K Rod was also teasing my son during the game because his lips turn blue from drinking an Icee.
Generally, The fans there were very nice at Fenway unlike the obnoxious bastards that invade the Big A every time the Chowds come to town. I did sit next to a nun who was a longtime diehard Red Sox fan. She was not too happy to have sit right next to a bunch of Angel fans but we still got along despite the fact that the seats were so old and oddly constructed that are Knees knocked together every time We sat down.
I did a tour of Fenway back in 2009 without incident. Granted I’m a pretty nice sized white guy. I also found the actual bahstun folks to be better behaved than their fans on the road.
“I’m a pretty nice sized white guy.”
I think that had alot to do with it.
count me in for this someday
Pack up, hit the road and take in a game at these MiLB stadiums
https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-ballparks-to-visit-in-2024
Earthquake in NY City.
That’s will show them, after all those horrible review calls that have gone against us. Cheaters.
First an earthquake, then I predict an eclipse within the next 3 days, and finally my connection with the beyond sees Bronny declaring for the NBA draft.
It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.
If the Angels make the playoffs, I’m getting in my doomsday bunker.
If Rendon gets a hit, the final seal will be broken releasing the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
They were released years ago, known as Carpino, Kuhl, and Moreno.
Your predictions are Nostradamus like…..
Any feel for MLB baseball scores? I’d like to get a little action with Shohei’s Bookie tonight.
I predict the Angels will win some games. You can take that to Ippei…I mean the bank.
Bronny already entered the transfer portal, so that’s a no go… However, if the transfer portal is something like a wormhole in space-time then maybe your apolcalyptic visions could be true …
So if Bronny follows his coach to Texas does that mean King James will also go with him?
Per his daddy, “Bronny wants to play with winners.”
Just like daddy, Bronny needs help to win he doesn’t want to have a team built around him.
A rhetorical question: then why did he go to USC? If he wanted to play with winners, the schools with the best records over the past 10 years include Villanova, Kansas, UNC, Duke, and Gonzaga.
We all know that Bronny wanted to play at a school where he would be the center of attention. If he goes to a school that wins, he’d just be another 4 or 5-star kid fighting for playing time.
He needs to go to a school like San Diego State or Memphis.
He wants to be the center of attention while his teammates ensure he wins.
He wants to be like Dad.
Just my opinion but I’m thinking it was a big deal for the family that his old man could go see him easily at games since same town. And guessing UCLA wanted no part of the extra attention especially relative to his actual contribution.
He was honestly never guaranteed to start at USC – they had Ellis returning, Collier who was a projected one and done lottery pick, and Johnson (who UCLA did like since he just transferred to them).
I think you are spot on that from a true basketball development sense and his actual talent a mid major was the best spot for him.
Except Bronny won’t be his teams head coach, like his dad, for a few years anyway.
That is a big break for new USC coach Eric Musselman. The James clan is…toxic.
Yeah, apparently the NBA doesn’t test for steroids.
Twebur is really Dr Miguelito loveless!
100 year event there.
Happens about as often as a big fall championship parade in Anaheim.
Earthquake? Juan Soto or Aaron Judge just dropped his wallet.
Or Cole he’s got nothing else to do right now except count his money
Yeah, he could’ve reinjured his arm.
Pacing the floor anticipating Wash’s lineup card for tonight….
I’ll predict:
3B – Rendon
1B – Schanuel
CF – Trout
LF – Ward
DH – Drury
2B – Rengifo
C – O’Hoppe
RF – Moniak
SS – Neto
Sanó at DH
And Drury at second . Rengifo probably still lightheaded
Victory Lap received.
We’ll see. There are many possible iterations so it’s challenging to predict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPwrodxghrw
In case you were wondering, here’s an interesting spray chart. The more you study this game, the more you learn.
Probably play him straight away.
One manager should remove all 7 non-battery fielders.
The consistency and strike zone discipline are uncanny.
I would pay good money for someone to tape this to his locker.
🤣🤣🤣
That’s so enlightening, thanks HFFL!
Current odds are -220 that Rendone will be starting at 3B and hitting leadoff tonight.
Nolan Schanuel was an undrafted college student the last time Rendon got a hit
Schanuel may not have been drinking age either….
I know they need to allow owners to be asshats to give future threats by other owners more weight in negotiations but MAN I’m surprised the league is just letting Fisher implode the A’s in such a sloppy way.
They probably spend years in that minor league park only for Vegas to fall flat on its face if they ever even make it there.
That minor league stadium is better than the Coliseum. The field is virtually the same size (same in LF, 3 ft deeper in CF, 5 ft shorter in RF), the bathrooms are nicer, and the stadium is kid friendly.
True, it can’t hold nearly as many people, but it’s capacity of 14,014 exceeds the average attendance of A’s games. I’ll wager attendance actually increases for the A’s while they are in Sacramento.
I don’t doubt its nicer for the fan experience. The Colisseum is trash but I had just read there are several facilities for the players that are either missing or worse than what is in Oakland.
Oh, yeah, that’s probably true.
But they will have need for a giant “Green Beam” that will rival the “Purple Beam” used by the Kings.
Now of course the “Green Beam” will rarely, if ever be lit. But they will have it because….it’s Sacramento and there’s nothing else for the politicians to do.
Been living with this situation for the Az Coyotes for a couple years. (They play in ASU’s Mullet Arena and it sits 4600.)
its a great fan experience. And yeah some grumpy players buts it’s one of the best ice surfaces in the NHL.
and they do sell out and they say they make more money in the smaller temporary arena than their old place.
its kind of like why I enjoy seeing live sports – up close without the crowds and fanfare
A little more on the move to Sacramento. When a fan found out that they will not have the name of Sacramento attached during their stay in the city, that they will only be called the A’s or Athletics, a fan pointed out another way they are being wronged.
I too am surprised and pisses me off. Oakland had a such great legacy there for so many years and the league and fellow owners just watched it implode.
Vegas does not want them, especially with Fisher running the show.
Owners patience isn’t unlimited.
my guess we are in the 3rd inning here – at this point, it’s a coin toss
Who’s excited for the opening home series against Bawstahhhn ???
For anyone going to tonight’s game, have a great time !!!
Jeff is really excited – he made a gamethread that is open NOW.
I fixed it. Jeff missed the AM/PM toggle. See you at 6:30 P.M.
I wish the game thread could open before 6:30 on opening day.
Then I’ll bump it up to 6 PM.
What Lana wants, Lana gets.
Thank you. ❤️
Can never be too early.
Honestly, if I was that Doyer fan and I was treated that way, I would gladly walk off with the unauthenticated ball. To whom is the ball more valuable anyway? Me as lucky fan who caught it, and was shown on TV, or to the player who hit it?! Let them explain it to their golden goose that ooopsie, the fan called our bluff and she went home because we couldn’t even give her some tickets and the chance to give it directly to you.
And it’s doubly crass of them to not even authenticate the items they gave the fan in exchange of the ball. So she’ll have to spend her own money to get those authenticated if she wants to. Classy org, eh?!
“We loved the Doyers all our lives. We’re just asking them to love us back a little.” Doyers ain’t Notting Hill, sorry.
As for the liar, hey, if something was really “lost in translation” with his new interpreter, how hard it is to tap him, lean over and whisper “actually, that’s not what I said….” and let his interpreter clarify it again. His English is supposed to be amazing by now, isn’t it?! Now what’s supposed to be a non-issue and a happy event is full of unnecessary drama of their own unforced error. But hey, he wanted the spotlight 🤷♀️. This is the spotlight, baby!
I’m keeping that ball until they give me $250k.
I love Sho, but business is business.
They’d give you 250k Italian Lira.
Looks like I’m keeping the ball then 😂
Incidentally, I was at the game where Josh Hamilton hit his first HR as an Angel. We were seated at the first row in the right field pavillion, with the tall wall. The wife of the couple seating beside us teased Trout all game long about how he had such a nice butt. And Trout playfully responded by tapping his butt 😂
Then Hamilton hit that home run. It was surreal seeing the ball travel to our area, but it eventually went a little to our right and in the middle seats, and a Houston fan got the ball! (This was back when the cheaters still sucked!). During that half-inning, Angels employees went to the guy to retrieve the ball, but obviously being a fan of the other team he really wasn’t in the mood to trade for anything. After a couple more negotiations during half-innings, he finally went with them. What he got in exchange of that ball, who knows.
The only game I’ve attended at Wrigley Field was also Hamilton’s best game as an Angel in which he hit 2 homers. I recall thinking at the time that “Josh is back”. Not.
Free Ippei
Did you expect Redone to reinvent himself at the plate by leading off? Wasted days and wasted nights, just give him his walking papers and hope he resigns with the Rangers for 900k and tanks with then for 2.5 months.
Push me over with a feather, the Angels are in 1st place, Sandy pitch a decent game and the Bullpen rocks, as Dick would say “Oh My”.