Baseball lost arguably the greatest player in its history this week, Willie Mays. When considering his all around greatness, longevity, and the vastly superior, integrated, international competition he faced I’ll take Mays over Ruth every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Now, for the first time in my nearly 50 years on the planet there is a discussion to be had about who is the greatest living ballplayer. Mike Schmidt? Albert Pujols? And where does Barry Bonds fit in?
Alas, this is an Angels site so let’s get to covering the Angels. This week was yet another good week when it came to the kids. The highlight of the week is easily Logan O’Hoppe’s monster shot in the Bay.
Even the great Mays would admire that shot and as you can see that was far from the extent of Logan’s offense in SF. The kid is a stud. A full time catcher sporting a wRC+ of 121 is incredible. Well run organizations like Atlanta would probably be talking extension with the kid about now.
Logan wasn’t the only kid who made us smile this week. Zach Neto flashed some serious power this week with two bombs of his own. On the week, a nifty little .300/.318/.600 slash line. And Nolan Schanuel pitched in with a scorching .350/.519/550 line across his 20 at bats this week.
What does it all mean? This:
So if the kids are both the highlight of the present team and the likely core of future teams, why don’t they ever hit above the 5th spot in the lineup?
The Angels don’t make boneheaded managerial decisions, do they? Leave it to longtime friend Victor Rojas to tell it how it really is and absolutely roast Arte and his cronies. I might have to have him on again.
One kid is getting some rest. Jose Soriano was placed on the IL with an abdominal infection. Considering the need to limit his innings this season, I’m good with this. Maybe he gets until the All Star break off then finishes around 110 innings on the season.
I’m going to spend more time this week focusing on the world of baseball than just the Angels as there’s a lot going on.
MLB renovated Rickwood Field and played a game in honor of the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays that took on an even larger tone due to Mays passing.
I’ve always been fascinated by the Negro Leagues. I’ve read several books and watched several documentaries on the subject. When the Angels hosted the All Star Game I went to FanFest and saw the traveling Negro League exhibit. Standing there it felt so real. Both the pride the men felt wearing the uniforms and the shame the leagues needed to exist. It was moving; almost to tears.
We’re losing the last living players from the Negro Leagues. I pray we don’t forget the lessons they taught us.
The Dodgers had a brutal week losing both Mookie Betts and Yamamoto to injuries that could keep them on the shelf for quite a while. Their front office is saying those injuries won’t impact their trade plans but they are lying.
The College World Series final is set and kicks off tomorrow evening. Top seeded Tennessee squares off against Texas A&M in an all SEC final. It has been an incredible tournament and this best of three final should be no different.
Thoughts of college baseball naturally lead to the draft, which is coming up July 14th. Here’s the latest mock draft from CBS. A familiar name is mocked to the Angels. At least familiar if you follow my ramblings.
Have a great weekend and link what I missed. I get to spend time with my sister, two nieces, and a nephew I don’t see often enough. Watching my son bond with his cousins is always a joy. Hope you are happy and safe.
So the Angels wont need a fifth starter until next Friday. Silseth is making another rehab start tonight for Salt :are. Unfortunately he got completely lit up tonight 4-2/3 Innings 8 hits 5 ERs 3 BBs 2 Ks 2 HRs. He did get to 92 pitches but will the Angels ignore this disaster and activate him any way?
He is on the 60 day IL so the Angels will have to make a 40 man roster move but this was inevitable anyways.
Wash explains why he is not moving young hitters up in the lineup.
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/angels-news/ron-washington-reveals-why-angels-hottest-hitters-aren-t-moving-up-in-lineup-01j0wfn359e5
Tonight’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-dodgers/2024/06/21/746131/preview
Angels select Hans Crouse
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/863f840a-a686-493e-89ac-2363d8e0a7fc
CtPG guy after he gives up Game tying Home Run…
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/08ee618e-b16d-4648-a9a1-2ae1e326acb6
Re: Doyer injuries. They’re trading for Rengifo/Anderson. Bank on that shit.
Arte will block that. Bad blood with Dodgers over last attempted Rengifo trade.
Hans Crouse is up.
Angels PR
@LAAngelsPR
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19m
#Angels transaction:
•Selected the contract of RHP Hans Crouse (#52)
He has potential as he is only 22 years old.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/angels-select-hans-crouse.html#:~:text=Crouse%20has%20flipped%20the%20script,out%2044.7%25%20of%20batters%20faced.
He was 22 3 years ago but hopefully at 25 he still has that potential.
His Salt lake numbers are quite impressive. In 23-1/3 innings across 21 games in those PCL band boxes this year, he has 42 Strikeouts against only 7 walks those numbers will get you work all day long . Although his WHIP is still good at 1.07 he has given up 3 HRs which is kinda ok but not dominant.
Oh, I totally misread his age. Thanks.
RIP Donald Sutherland BTW. Such a unique talent that would never be able to land any roles of relevance in the Hollywood political sh*t show of today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTP_SdjD5ms
Fantastic clip. The “heartbreak” isn’t her getting exposed, it’s the fact that HE was turned.
Great Film.
The creature’s reaction to her did remind me of this pic:
Do you think its a coincidence or is Perry really an alien?
Two of my all time favorite war movies…Dirty Dozen and Kelly’s Heros.
I have different favorites but, I respect the choices.
I was eight years old on Opening Day 1961, just a few weeks from turning nine. Us kids cared more about the food and pennants and hats than the festivities than my dad. Mom was excited to see the celebrities as I remember. We were dressed up for this game in our “Good” clothes and Mom freaked out and was pissed off about the tacky paint on us kids and her and dad’s clothes. Through it all my dad started his love affair with these SoCal up starts of a team. Mom would only attend mostly Dodger games as it would be for my brothers and sisters too. What was worse is that would also mean losing Dodger Stadium later on for watching the Angels. So, in was mostly me and Tommy sometimes that would accompany dad to Angels games, he would always laugh about the money he saved too. So we saw a lot of Mantle and Maris in ’61. Mickey Mantle has a ring to it doesn’t it. Bob Costas’ hero was the same as mine, I saw a movie with Mickey and Roger in it, I saw a HR derby with Mickey too, Dad took me Tommy and sometimes Gary (Two of my brothers) to at least one game every series. Mantle was great, but best ever-nah, but those HRs were epic.
Both Neto and O’Hoppe need to walk more to move up. Their OBAs are only 25-30 points above their BA, where as Schanuel’s, is 100 points higher. My biggest complaint about the current roster is the lack of patience up and down the line up. Nice to see all 3 having a very good month, unlike almost everyone else.
All 4, “I’ll include Adell” seem to be willing to listen and learn. They all have made adjustments during the year. Adell’s swing appears to have gotten longer and loopier. He can shorten his swing and get it back, altering Neto’s leg kick, Schanuel supposedly ditching his attempt to hit more HR’s……..the base is there, I could see all 4 of these guys improving across the board in 2025. The key next year will be how much we are reliant on them? Versus them with a healthy Trout and Rendon 😀 🤣 (like those guys will be healthy) and a free agent or 2 and hopefully a productive Rengifo. And figure out if Ward’s slump is a bad back or that Ward has a nice early season, then become June Ward?
Asking a lot for the “Kars for Kids” to put this franchise on their backs and be anything close to a .500 team next year. And none of them pitch……yet.
Excellent points. I’m sold on Logan and Neto, they just need to continue to mature. Schanuel has had a good month after two abysmal months so the question for him is can he sustain this level over time. Adell is a head scratcher. I’m not convinced he’ll ever get there. Same for Mickey. Unless they are planning on extending Rengifo, he need’s to be traded this year. You have the time to wait one more year on Ward unless someone overwhelms you. But, because he’s 30 already, he really isn’t part of the plan. Especially since he’s tanking right now. The club should be thinking 2026 and 2027. If you hit on the draft, trades, and FAs, 2026 is a possibility.
I’ve forever droned on about the key for Adell was BA. Was he a .240-.260 guy or a .190-.210 guy. Sadly, he’s basically always been the later.
Nice kid, plus athlete, hole in his bat. Would love to be proven wrong.
Same here.
Learning to be selective takes work, lots of work, it can happen with the right attitude and coaching. I look for both Neto and O’Hoppe to improve. O’Hoppe higher ceiling with bat, Neto with defense. Glad both are Angels.
Great observation. Frankly, I can live with O’Hoppe’s OBP because he’s a Catcher but, for Neto to ascend to upper tier status, he must reduce his K rate and increase his BA/OBP.
Schanuel may end up being the better hitter in the long run but him leading off will ALWAYS hurt my soul. Plodders should never leadoff. Period.
Rengifo infection/virus. Soriano infection/virus. Drury infection/virus…..few others this year if I remember correctly…obviously close quarters, travel, these guys will get sick, not unusual.
But, this is the Angels. Would anyone be surprised if this is another thing that’s being ignored, paying someone to clean properly? Soriano missing a few starts is probably a good thing, limit his innings somewhat and manage is innings.
Being a Browns fan, I remember they had a huge issue with MRSA a longtime ago. One of their players almost lost a leg due to infection. They traced it back to poor conditions, lack of cleanliness at the entire facility. They finally upgraded their cleaning procedures and the problem went away. Where has Sam the Hat been? Investigate and get dirt on the dirt’yness?
On Wednesday, they said Soriano not likely to go on the IL, less than 24 hours, he goes on the IL. Abdomen infection, Stomach virus? I had to drop out of Dr. Nick Medical School, but I don’t remember having the flu/shits being referred to as an abdominal infection.
Free Cleaning Shit!
I’ve had the same thoughts. These guys use the same locker rooms, gym equipment, etc and they need to be disinfected.
Honestly I get a little scared even at my gym and I see the mats mopped with disinfectant after every class.
Dudes must have fungus on their shower shoes.
The wife of one of my friends has had a horrible intestinal infection since they went to an Angels game on Monday. On antibiotics for it. You might actually be on to something with the stadium having a sanitation issue
My dad and I were at the game on Monday and nothing to report here.
Daughters and I were there Monday as well. No shits, just giggles.
Me 2. It was one of the few Angel home games this year that I didnt get violently ill.
Shit Ju Ju = Shits for you
I doubt antibiotics would kill any Angel Virus
Only fire can cleanse us.
Incredible piece on Tyler Skaggs loved ones on The Athletic. Definitely worth a read if you have a subscription.
Crazy to think it will be 5 years on July 1st. Since Skaggs death I’ve had two friends die and one of my closest friends son died from fentanyl. Pretty much one each year from 2020 to 2022.
If that stuff was around in my youth I would’ve died.
still horrible and i feel for them, but its funny to see closest family members and teammates say that had no knowledge of Tyler’s opiod involvement … and then at the same time suing the club for millions because surely the Angels must have known.
And as they said after Kay’s sentencing, it didn’t really matter in the end because Tyler’s not coming back.
It’s certainly possible but it does beg the question. Some people are really functional and very good at hiding it. Not sure why they are so reluctant to reach out and say they need help.
Why would I want help when these drugs feel so awesome bro?
Reminds me of that great line from ‘Trainspotting’:
“Why do I do drugs? Because it feels f*cking great”.
Or something like that.
Is fentanyl what eventually took our old friend/writer at HH? Dude had such a talent for writing.
I’m not sure what exactly took Mayhood from us. I just know it was too soon and he had too much left to give.
We had a blast at a game once.
Definitely. Mayhem in the hood is missed.
Sorry to hear it. I’ve had a lot of people pass in my orbit over the past few years for all manner of reasons. I realize part of that is a function of aging but, damn, it’s been a rough run.
You think we’ve gone to the dogs?
https://www.outdoorlife.com/survival/fishermen-save-hunting-dogs-mississippi-lake/
Who was the greatest Baseball Player of all time is a frustrating exercise at best. With the not so long ago passing of Hammerin’ Hank and now of the Say Hey Kid and with both of them I saw play, I can say that they were both Greatness Personified as the term goes. But even to this day what stands out for me is how long they played. Both over twenty years! Just remarkable.
The opposing players I saw against the Dodgers from my first MLB game and through the years were Mays, Clemente and Willie McCovey and then Willie Stargell, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ken Boyer. along with Ernie Banks, Orlando Cepeda. Even prior to enshrinement in the Hall of Fame these were the players my dad would point out and tell me about. The fact is my dad never mentioned skin color ans I truthfully never noticed, I just knew that they were the guys that would and could hit Koufax, Drysdale, Padrades, Stan Williams, Claude Osteen and Don Sutton. Rumors are true, McCovey always could hit Drysdale anytime he faced him.
The Angels from opening day in ’61 became my Dad’s favorite team and as such we saw a lot of games together. Since my brothers all preferred seeing the Dodgers we saw a lot of Dodger games and in ’62 my mom loved the new stadium and Dodger Dogs. And the transistor radios were fun to take too for Vinny’s teaching us the game.
So the best opposing player I ever saw in the 1960’s against the Dodgers was the Bat of Willie McCovey. But Pops was a Mays fan as far as opposing players, and always was focused in when Mays was at bat.
Oh, sure we saw Aaron and Mathews and Spahn, but since being born and raised in upstate New York, my dad took us boys the many more Giants games than the rest of the NL teams, so the best player I ever saw play was McCovey, Stargell, Clemente, Mays, Mays in that order..
Chico Esquella gets my vote. The amazing thing about Aaron, Mays, and some others, is their ability to play at that level for so long, unlike others who can go 10-12 year and then either get hurt or can’t maintain the level any longer.
I saw Chico play and you’re right. Sheer utter heady greatness at every level, wasn’t a d-bag and was grateful for what the sport gave to him. I forget what he said, but it was something like “This sport has been very good to myself.” Anyone remember that quote?
RIP: Chico “The Schoolman” Esquella
That would be great to get another interview with Victor Rojas. Make it happen, Jeff!
SWEEP THE DODGERS
still love you, Sho
Hate that guy because he is wearing blue now and no I’m not going to get over it!!!
Who?
SWho-hei
Sharon Stone Shared a pic of her Godson Wearing a Baseball Cap
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/sharon-stone-shares-cute-snap-091831135.html
That kid looks like a Hippy!!
I would never want that little fella to know the things that went through my mind long ago while watching his Godmother on the big screen.
Yep I have to admit when I first saw the headline I thought Sharon Stone’s Godson was code for something else.
Speaking of the Negro Leagues and Rickwood Field, the Angels had a player who played there.
Willie Smith played for the Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood Field prior to his MLB debut in 1963, eventually joining the Angels in 1964.
That’s awesome.