Welcome to another edition of Weekend Links, folks. Normally I pick a theme and title for this column right off the bat and proceed to write a feature that weaves a narrative throughout. This week, I got nothing. There’s a whole lot of happenings but I can’t find a single thread that holds it all together.
So let’s just kick this thing off and see if it takes us somewhere.
There’s been much angst and wrangling of hands over the prospect of Albert Pujols as the next Angels manager. Turns out the Angels might have competition. Albert is apparently interviewing with Baltimore for their managerial spot.
Baltimore has a real GM and an owner who doesn’t make all the big decisions. They are, like, a real organization and everything with more recent success and a better roster than the Angels. It is like seeing the girl you thought you could always date if you wanted to talking to a cooler guy than you.
But, don’t be worried. There are other debutantes at this ball. The Angels will interview Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki for the gig. It looks like Arte really wants a former Angel at the helm. Preferably one with no managerial experience who might sell some tickets but not cost a ton of money.
Of course, the biggest story involving the Angels comes not from the playing field but from the courtroom.
Yes, the Skaggs family lawsuit is finally being heard. Opening statements were tough to hear and honestly brought out just how ugly this entire situation is. Under direct attack were Tyler’s character, the Angels organization, and despite the fact a jury will deliver a verdict, there will be no winner here. Ultimately, a young man with a common addiction is dead. Even if the Skaggs family wins, every dollar spent will remind them Tyler is no longer still here. The Angels dirty laundry will be aired, showing the true depravity of the clubhouse, and that’s their best case scenario.
Tim Mead kicked off the testimony on Wednesday with some candid takes. That’s a link that is not behind a paywall. Jeff Fletcher is doing great work with the Register as is Sam Blum over at The Athletic but I know not everybody has subscriptions so I try to find links everyone can enjoy.
It is important to note that Mead was originally named as a co-defendant in this case. As Kay’s direct superior he had a ton of interaction with and was responsible for the convicted pill peddler. A good portion of the article reads like this: ““I have no recollection of that, sir,” Mead said on the stand Wednesday.
I don’t know where we’ll be as fans and where the Angels organization will be on many levels in another month or two. I think this trial has the chance of really laying bare some dark truths we preferred stay in the dark. And I’m also willing to bet 29 other teams are thankful it isn’t happening to them but knowing it could,
Opiate abuse is rampant nationally. You throw young men who think they are indestructible vying for unimaginable fortunes in the mix and I’m confident an MLB clubhouse is as full of pain pills as possible.
If you or someone you know needs help with this crap, get it immediately. I’ve known 3 people who died from it and it is brutal. One day you have a friend, the next day you don’t.
Ok, from around baseball:
A lot of folks were wondering why Mad Max made Toronto’s ALCS roster. For moments like last night. The old man kept the Mariners off his lawn with a mix of rage and magic that can only come in October. This is a full stat line.
Anthony Volpe played almost the entire season with a labrum tear in his non throwing shoulder. Yanks fans booed him repeatedly as he struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. He had shoulder surgery and is expected to miss Opening Day 2026.
Phillies POBO Dave Dombrowski basically said his start player is no longer elite. But he could be again next year.
I’m not linking any Dodgers stuff. They are on top of the world. Everybody knows it.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. I’m so happy to be spending my weekend with my Uncle Chris and his family. He’s the guy who took me to my first MLB game and has had a huge influence on my life. Really wish we lived closer together.
Until next week, I’ll leave you with this highlight of our maybe future manager. It always puts a smile on my face.
So, I guess I didn’t come up with a theme this week. I guess baseball is a great distraction from life when you look on the surface level. But it is full of people and people have flaws, just like in the real world.
