Thanks to Yorke for filling in for me last week. I spent 9 amazing days in Japan. Essentially 3 each in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and I loved every minute of it. Although I think I loved the minutes the most in Kyoto. The country is so gorgeous. The food is so incredible. The temples and shrines are not only beautiful but they resonate with your soul in a way that must be felt. Oh, and I caught an Orix Buffaloes game and that atmosphere was incredible.
That’s me and my good friend Hanson inside the Osaka Dome. We got lucky and caught Miyagi on the hill. Absolutely loving that name, I picked up a shirt with his name and number. I also went by the Seibu Lions stadium and grabbed some merch there.
On to what is important, the links…
Mike Trout is the man. Again. He crushed the Yankees this week.
His slugging percentage was essentially 1.5 and his OPS was essentially 2. That is beyond video game numbers.
Unfortunately the Angels had to settle for a split in the series because Jordan Romano sucks and should not be a closer. It is easy to be mad at Romano, but let’s be real. Angels fans should be mad at Perry Minasian for his continued failures to build a bullpen.
Suzuki has proven not to be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s now non-committal on Romano as closer. The issue is the lack of a good option anywhere on the roster.
Fortunately, Kirby Yates is facing live hitters and should start his rehab games soon. So hopefully this nightmare is almost over.
You know it had to feel good for Oswald Peraza to go to New York and torch the team that gave up on him. Kudos to the kid for a huge series.
While in NY, Jo Adell gave his glove from his epic 3 home run robbery night to the Hall of Fame. He also crushed a gorgeous grand slam to seal the win on Thursday.
There were a lot of takeaways from the series in the Bronx. I think Silent C is a story that is easy to overlook but deserves mention. Could the kid actually be good?
Now on to the Padres. They won in crazy fashion yesterday and feature a stout lineup.
The good news is the Angels start the series with Jose Soriano on the mound and he’s been fantastic this year. Yusei Kikuchi is on tap for game 2 and has not been good. I did a deep dive on Kikuchi and it looks like he could be good again soon, though.
I’m trying not to turn this column into a series of all my pieces, but time is limited. This week is about 50/50 and that should continue from here on out. I do really appreciate the readership this site brings and I love the crew here.
So come hang out with us Sunday in section 205 Row F. I’ll be the tall, balding guy with an amazing family sitting next to some of the posters here. And if you can’t make this one, we will do another later in the year.
Lastly, thank you Jackie Robinson for paving the way for so many people I love. My childhood best friend’s dad became a father figure to me and that probably doesn’t happen without Jackie and MLK. So when I get a little emotional about those two figures, that is why. Genuinely loved that man and miss him every day.
I do think Jackie’s social impact, as great as it was, overshadows his playing career. He was a heck of a ballplayer and I love this highlight reel.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. I will be at the meetup on Sunday with my son and wife so try to say hello if you can.
