February 2008 Archives

A day after tying the Texas Rangers, the Angels used a home run from Brandon Wood on Friday to earn a 3-2 victory. It leaves them 1-0-1 in Cactus League play thus far. Nick Adenhart looked impressive in his spring debut, getting the start and pitching two scoreless innings. In other news, John Lackey is being delayed by a sore elbow. Here is the Associated Press story on the game with a decidedly Rangers point of view.

In an effort to solve what is becoming a giant headache, the Angels have just reached an agreement with Major League Baseball to offer free live radio broadcasts of spring games at their internet site angelsbaseball.com. The free offer does not begin until tomorrow (Saturday), though.

The Angels are switching to a new flagship station this season, 830-AM, but have not been able to broadcast either of the first two spring games live because they are not allowed to bump existing shows on their own radio station. The Angels are letting all show contracts expire at the Arte Moreno-owned station and will be able to take better control of programming once that happens.

So while games will air tape-delayed at 830-AM, fans can sign up to receive the free streaming audio on the internet. Normally there is a $15 fee for one year of the MLB radio package. Once the season starts, all games will air live on 830-AM and the MLB radio package will no longer be free. Sorry all you out-of-state fans.

As for those signal-strength problems, especially at night, that will continue to be a work in progress. No updates are available on that front.

The Angels just announced that Torii Hunter will be the latest guest on Angels Tonight, the Monday-night radio show devoted entirely to the Angels. The show will air from 5-6:45 p.m. locally on the team's new flagship station 830-AM, which is owned by team owner Arte Moreno. Hosts Terry Smith and Jose Mota have moved from their studio at Angel Stadium and are now broadcasting from Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Along with Hunter, former Angel and 1979 AL MVP Don Balyor is expected to be a guest.

A good ol' sister kisser as the Angels and Texas Rangers tied 3-3 in the Angels Cactus League opener. The Rangers were playing in their second game. Torii Hunter had two hits in his Angels debut.

Just this week, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said that newly-acquired right-hander Jon Garland has the stuff to win 20 games. But sure a player's new manager wants to think the best. He wants to believe that his new player is still improving and is capable of performing even better or else why go after him in a trade? Well, perhaps a better way of looking at things is from the side that just traded the player. What do the White Sox think about a player they just shipped off to a team they might end up meeting in the playoffs? This came recently from White Sox general manager Ken Williams:

"(Garland) has really grown into a quality, classy person," Williams said from White Sox camp. "He was as classy even when I told him when he was being traded, classier than anybody has been. ... On the field he will give the Angels exactly what they are looking for."

So why trade Garland is he is such a good person and can give a team everything they would ask from a player? Well, the White Sox invested heavily in Mark Buehrle with a contract extension last season and since they keep the books as tight as possible on the South Side of Chicago, the knew knew it was not going to re-sign Garland after this season. Garland will be a free agent when this year ends.

In Orlando Cabrera, whom they recieved from the Angels for Garland, the White Sox got a quality defensive shortstop and a prototypical No. 2 hitter. The last time the White Sox had a No. 2 who knew how to move over runners and do the little things was in 2005. That was Tadahito Iguchi's first season in Major League Baseball. The White Sox went on to win the World Series.

Of course, it takes more than a No. 2 hitter to win a title, but just how valuable can a quality No. 2 hitter be? Valuable enough to trade away a pitcher who can win 20 games and has the kind of character that management respects.

Orlando Cabrera already has said he has no issue with the Angels' decision to trade him. He also is saying that the Angels are going to be just fine at shortstop and had praise for Erick Aybar, one of the candidates to take over at short.

"I think he can be a good player," Cabrera said from White Sox camp. "He just needs the opportunity. He did pretty good when they put him at second until he got hurt. He can do some special stuff. He can steal a lot of bases. They have to let him play."

Cabrera already has made an impression with his new team. In the first inning of the White Sox's first intrasquad game of the spring, Valencia resident Jerry Owens laid down a perfect bunt single. Cabrera followed with an RBI double to the gap.

If only the spring training records could be carried into the regular season. The Angels sent out an e-mail today to boast about their success during Cactus League play. Over the last four seasons, they have the best spring record in all of baseball, Arizona and Florida included. What does it all mean? Nothing. But that didn't stop me from mentioning it here.

Spring Success
Best spring training records
last four years (2004-07)
Angels 78 49 .614
Reds 75 54 .581
Cardinals 63 47 .573
Indians 70 53 .569
Twins 68 55 .553

The Angels are going back to school. It seems that a failing grade John Lackey received in his last semester of junior college has mushroomed into an all-out math war in the Angels clubhouse. The story goes like this:

Lackey had to take a college algebra final exam about five days after he was drafted as the first player selected in the second round by the Angels in 1999. Lackey was a no-show for the exam and recieved an "F" from his teacher at Grayson County College in Texas. By the way, Lackey's report card, which has been posted on the wall in the clubhouse this spring, shows that he did earn an "A" grade in Baseball, Coaching Athletics and some subject called Country, Pop and Rock.

Fast forward to the present day. In Monday's pre-workout meeting (the meeting often is used to get the day off to a lighthearted start), two members of the Arizona State academic staff brought their school's sophomore algebra exam to the Angels clubhouse. But instead of only putting Lackey on the spot, a challenge ensued. It seems that an algebra challenge will take place pitting the University of Minnesota (represented by Robb Quinlan), the University of Oaklahoma (Reggie Willits), a group of Florida players (that include Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli), and Lackey. Their grades on the test will be compared to each other.

ASU students are supposed to take the test in 30 minutes, but manager Mike Scioscia is going to allow his players to take the test in an hour. The tests are to be turned in tomorrow with the grades to come.

Another episode of Angels Tonight will hit the air waves Monday night. The weekly show is broadcasted on the Angels' new flagship station 830-AM from 6-8 p.m. each Monday. The 2/25 show will be headlined by Jered Weaver, who was supposed to be on last week's show but was replaced late by Reggie Willits. Along with Weaver, Seattle Mariners radio play-by-play man Rick Rizzs will chate about the additions made to the Angels' division rival. As always, the show will be hosted by Terry Smith and Jose Mota. This week's show will air from the Angels' spring training complex in Tempe, Ariz.

Spring training isn't all work and no play. No less than eight Angels were spotted at Friday night's Suns-Celtics game. Among the players in the crowd: John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Kelvim Escobar, Robb Quinlan, Justin Speier, Scot Shields, Jeff Mathis and Jered Weaver. And no, they didn't all sit together. Suns-Celtics tickets were obviously easier to come by than Suns-Lakers tickets earlier in the week. For that game, the Angels submitted a request for 17 tickets and only got two.

On the heels of signing five of their own players recently, the Angels got six more under contract Friday. Chris Bootcheck, Nathan Haynes, Howie Kendrick, Dustin Moseley and Brandon Wood all agreed to terms. That leaves six players on the 40-man roster that are not yet signed. Those should become official soon.

That game-ending missle Francisco Rodriguez allowed in the playoffs last season to the Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez might have gone a long way to costing the Angels' closer an extra $2.5 million in salary. Rodriguez lost his arbitration hearing to the Angels on Friday so instead of getting the $12.5 million he requested, he will make the Angels' requested salary of $10 million.

Hard to call a $10 million-man a loser, but when it comes to missing out on another $2.5 million, that's a big hit. The last time Rodriguez was in a big-league game, Ramirez hit a dramatic walk-off home run to snap a 3-3 tie as the Red Sox grabbed control of the ALDS. That is not the impression you want to leave when heading into an arbitration hearing. Rodriguez's representatives were no doubt saying that their client is one of the best in the business at closing out victories for his team. But if any of those arbitration judges are only casual baseball fans or even non-baseball fans, Rodriguez's reps will find it hard to explain how it was no big deal that he lost a game in such dramatic fashion, and a game in the playoffs to boot.

One likely Angels argument: if the team advanced in the playoffs they could have made the extra $2.5 million and then some to help pay Rodriguez, but he was part of the reason why they failed to garner any more income in the postseason. Look at it this way: If Rodriguez helps the Angels win Game 2 in the ALDS then they get to host at least one more playoff game. Assuming an average of $50 for each ticket to an ALDS game, the Angels could have made nearly $2.3 million in ticket sales alone if they got a chance to play host to a Game 4. That could have been K-Rod's money. If it wasn't for that costly home run by Ramirez.

According to an Angels representative, the team called the Phoenix Suns trying to get 17 tickets for tonight's game against the Lakers and the Suns only have two available. Usually teams have plenty in reserve to sell to VIPs, even for the good seats, but there are just too many requests to see Shaq playing for the Suns against his old team. Looks like Angels players will have to go to ebay or stubhub like the rest of us, with the only difference being that they have the money to pay for the good seats.

Just did a quick check at stubhub.com and saw that seats on the arena's lower level are selling for $306 to $945. And that price is for EACH ticket.

No, not Howie Kendrick. The Philadelphia Phillies pulled a prank on Kyle Kendrick, telling the young pitcher he had been traded to a team in another country. Sure, this isn't Angels news, but the prank was so successfully executed, we thought we'd put the link here. You'd almost think the prank could have worked on Howie Kendrick too. He was in so many trade rumors this winter he's probably surprised his Angels uniform still is hanging in his locker.

Since it started last month, the Angels Tonight radio show has had live guests that have ranged from John Lackey to Scot Shields, to Garret Anderson and Mike Scioscia. In the latest edition of the two-hour radio show that has everything you wanted to know about Angels baseball and more, Jered Weaver will be the live call-in guest as he checks in from spring training in Tempe, Ariz. The show will air Monday night (Feb. 18).

Angels Tonight airs from 6-8 p.m. every Monday night on 830-AM, the Angels new flagship station. Jose Mota and Terry Smith are the hosts. Along with Weaver, the show will also have Yahoo sport's Tim Brown, the website's national baseball writer.

This was promised in a previous post so with the first day of spring workouts upon us, here is the prime location for getting an autograph at the team's Tempe, Ariz. workout facility:

For those regulars to Tempe, you already know about this. For those who don't get to Arizona as often, the best place to nab an Angels autograph is in the west parking lot to Tempe Diablo Stadium. Go to the north end of the lot, up the hill. The lot separates the stadium from the practice fields. The players have a walkway at the north end of the lot so they can get from their locker room to the practice fields. Only a low baracade separates players from fans.

Workouts start between 8:30 and 9 a.m. so players could be passing at any time. Before games start workouts typically end before noon. When spring games begin, players pass to and from the practice fields all morning so it's possible to grab an autograph and then watch the game. There is even a chance to get a ball in this parking lot since it sits directly up against the left-field fence of one of the practice fields. Home runs fly into the lot on occasion.

Tip: The way to identify a person likely there to sell the autographs they are getting is somebody that holds baseball cards in a binder with each one in protective plastic. They also bring clean while baseballs in a plastic case and ask to have to player sign it "on the sweet spot." The other way to tell is that they use a blue Sharpie permanent marker. The blue marker apparently is the one of choice for those who buy and sell autographs.

Perhaps the best way to see what newest Angel Torii Hunter is all about is by going to his website for "The Torii Hunter Project" Hunter has been huge on community causes and spends plenty of his time and money with various projects. In fact, when Hunter was announced to the Angels community at a press conference shortly after being acquired by the team, his character was stressed as was the fact that he gives so much back to the community.

It was from humble beginnings that Hunter got his start. He had plenty of challenges to overcome, including a rough home life. Those personal struggles continue and they were documented in a USA Today story that can be accessed by going to his "Torii Hunter Project" website and clicking on "My Story."

The two Angels newcomers this season mean some uniform number changes will take place. Jon Garland will wear No. 20 as he has done throughout his big-league career with the White Sox, while Torii Hunter will stick with his regular No. 48. Juan Rivera had been wearing No. 20, but he will switch to No. 21. Nobody was wearing No. 48 since Hector Carrasco was let go by the club.

Erick Aybar also will have a new number as he changes to No. 2. He previously had been wearing No. 32. Kendry Morales switches to No. 19 after wearing No. 22. As for Reggie Willits, he will stick with his rather unconventional No. 77.

Of the non-roster invitees to big-league camp this season, six will be wearing numbers in the 90s, with PJ Phillips the highest number this spring at No. 98. The lowest number of the non-roster invitees belongs to outfielder Chad Hermansen, who has No. 18. At least he will look like he belongs once full-squad workouts begin.

The two Angels newcomers this season mean some uniform number changes will take place. Jon Garland will wear No. 20 as he has done throughout his big-league career with the White Sox, while Torii Hunter will stick with his regular No. 48. Juan Rivera had been wearing No. 20, but he will switch to No. 21. Nobody was wearing No. 48 since Hector Carrasco was let go by the club.

Erick Aybar also will have a new number as he changes to No. 2. He previously had been wearing No. 32. Kendry Morales switches to No. 19 after wearing No. 22. As for Reggie Willits, he will stick with his rather unconventional No. 77.

Of the non-roster invitees to big-league camp this season, six will be wearing numbers in the 90s, with PJ Phillips the highest number this spring at No. 98. The lowest number of the non-roster invitees belongs to outfielder Chad Hermansen, who has No. 18. At least he will look like he belongs once full-squad workouts begin.

Popular Angels and Ducks postgame hangout "The Catch" restaurant won't be around long enough to see the 2008 baseball season. The restaurant and bar, across the street from Angel Stadium, will close this Sunday, with the owner saying he has plans to one day relocate it. It wasn't a surprise to see an Angels player tending bar in the joint after games in years past. Current players still frequented the place. The Catch is a casualty of the Anaheim Platinum Triangle development that will feature retail, commercial and residential projects.

Jon Garland, he of the laid back nature, actually is a little anxious heading into his first big-league camp with the Angels. The San Fernando Valley (Granada Hills) native likes being back home, but that doesn't mean everything is just peachy with pitchers and catchers set to report Thursday.

"It's definitely going to be a lot different than most people think," Garland said recently. "Everybody thinks you're back home and things will fall into place. Well, I don't know anybody on the team or on the staff. It's a whole new situation. The thing that helps was being traded once, even though I was in the minor leagues at that time."

Garland was a former first-round pick (10th overall) by the Cubs in 1997. He was traded to the White Sox a year later for Matt Karchner. Garland said he has been around Jered Weaver a couple of times at Mike Scioscia's charity golf tournament, knows John Lackey a little bit and is comfortable with Torii Hunter, whom he knows from their battles in the AL Central.

Some quick facts on Garland:

The sinkerball specialist will use his defense plenty as his strikeouts are low but his groundballs are often. That will put added pressure on Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis or Brandon Wood, whomever the Angels use at SS this year.

Don't expect a fast start. Like most sinkerball pitchers, Garland actually prefers a slightly tired arm to increase his effectiveness. He has just 11 career victories in April with a 4.96 ERA. In May he is 18-12 with a 4.16 ERA and is 18-12 in July with a 4.60 ERA. He can get too tired though. His career mark in September is 15-21 with a 4.26 ERA.

The team Garland has the most success against actually resides in the AL West. The right-hander is 6-2 against the Seattle Mariners in his career with an impressive 3.15 ERA.

Angels Tonight, the two-hour radio show devoted exclusively to the Angels, will feature John Lackey in its latest episode. The show, which airs live every Monday from 6-8 p.m. on 830-AM, is hosted by announcers Terry Smith and Jose Mota, and is conducted in the club's new studio at Angel Stadium. The station is owned by Arte Moreno and was previously home to the Spanish-language broadcast of games. This year, the English-language broadcast will be on 830-AM, so Monday night might be a perfect time to check the station's reception in your area.

In addition to Lackey, angelsbaseball.com reporter Lyle Spencer will be a guess on the show. Spencer, a sportswriting veteran, always is a good listen as he uses his experience in the business to compare different sports eras. Another scheduled guest will be foxsports.com senior writer Ken Rosenthal.

For those wondering, the show will continue to air in its regular time slot after spring training begins. Smith and Mota have said they are trying to work a deal do the show from a sports bar in the Tempe, Ariz., area. Details still are being worked out on that one so check back for more info.

While Brandon Wood might be the fan favorite to take over the shortstop position from the departed Orlando Cabrera, it is Erick Aybar that will get the first crack at it. His showing in the Caribbean Series showed that Aybar is ready and isn't bothered by pressure.

In the deciding game of the series, played Thursday, Aybar went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI double as his Tigres del Licey team wrapped up its 10th Caribbean title. It was a much better ending for Aybar, who once had a ball hit off his head to allow the deciding run to score in the Caribbean Series title game. With Wood breathing down his neck, Aybar should be plenty inspired as his chance for his first big-league starting job approaches.

Infielder Matt Brown, catcher Ryan Budde, right-hander Jason Bulger, outfielder Terry Evans and right-hander Jeff Kennard all came to contract terms today, the Angels just announced. The move is a formality as all six are under control by the team and not yet eligible for salary arbitration. If any happen to make the big-league roster, they will earn somewhere near the league minimum. Players with big-league experience usually get a slight bump according to service time. The moves leave 14 players on the 40-man roster who still have not been signed for the 2008 season.

Just checked the mail to find the latest edition of Baseball America, the one with the top 10 prospects for teams in the American League West. So without delay, here is the mag's take on the Angels' talent:

No. 1 Brandon Wood, SS/3B, could be big league SS as early as this year if Aybar fails and Izturis stays as the utility guy.
No. 2 Nick Adenhart, RHP, went 10-8 at AA Arkansas last year but did have a 3.65 ERA.
No. 3 Jordan Walden, RHP, the 12th round pick in 2006 finally signed last year after returning to first-round form.
No. 4 Hank Conger, C, the first-round pick in 2006 gets his first taste of big-league camp this spring
No. 5 Sean O'Sullivan, RHP, has won ERA titles in each of his first two years in Angels system
No. 6 Stephen Marek, RHP, gave up just four earned runs in his final four starts at Rancho last year
No. 7 Sean Rodriguez, SS, had 17 home runs and 73 RBI at AA last year
No. 8 Nick Green, the AA all star had a 3.68 ERA at Arkansas and was added to the 40-man
No. 9 Peter Bourjos, OF, had injury cost two months last year but above-average runner is fine now
No. 10 Anel De los Santos, C, has sharp defensive skills but not yet much on offense

Note: this marks the third consecutive year Wood has been named the organization's top prospect by Baseball America. Casey Kotchman also held the honor for three years (2002, 04 and 05)

Bartolo Colon, who will not be given another contract offer from the Angels, appears to be making strides from recent injuries. Elbow and shoulder problems plagued Colon recently, but he just pitched 4 1/3 innings Wednesday for his Dominican Republic team in the Caribbean Series. Colon gave up two runs on five hits in a defeat to the Venezuela representative. The former Cy Young Award winner might not be wearing Angels red this upcoming season but it is becoming evident that somebody will take a chance on the right-hander for the 2008 season.

In today's Caribbean Series action, Colon's Aguilas Cibaenas will face the other Dominican representative, Tigres del Licey. If Licey wins, they will be the Caribbean Series champ. If Aguilas Cibaenas wins, there will be a one-game playoff to decide the champ. That game will take place Friday night. All action can be seen on ESPN Deportes.

That surplus of Angels starting pitching will come in handy about now. The Angels announced today that Kelvim Escobar already has reported to Tempe, Ariz., to rehab some should pain that he experienced while trying to get ready for the upcoming season. Escobar started his throwing routine before Christmas, stopped because of shoulder pain, resumed throwing, had more pain and made a call to the Angels. An MRI performed last month ruled out no further damage to Escobar's shoulder than he had experienced last season. The right-hander pitched last year with varying amounts of pain in the shoulder and even had an MRI last season. He is not likely to start the season in the starting rotation but is likely to return at some point in the first half.

As should be obvious by now -- with pitchers and catchers expected to report to Tempe, Ariz, in nine days -- the every-other-year pattern of Angels Fest means there will be no pre-spring event at Angel Stadium this year. Angels Fest was held last year at this time but not the year before as the club focused its attention on the World Baseball Classic. Perhaps if the team's popularity wasn't at an all-time high and ticket sales weren't as strong, the Angels might find the need to promote its product every offseason. As it were, the next chance to get multiple Angels autographs will be at spring training. Want to know where the best spot is for obtaining an Angels autograph in Tempe? Keep checking back for a future item on the subject.

Another two years was added to the player development contract between the Angels and the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, meaning that rehabbing Angels will be spending time in the Inland Empire through the 2010 season. Here is the link to the story from Pete Marshall. The Quakes have been an Angels affiliate since 2001 and a number of current Angels have played in Rancho Cucamonga, including Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli, Reggie Willits, Francisco Rodriguez, Joe Saunders and Howie Kendrick, among others.

Terry Smith and Jose Mota are currently on the air with "Angels Tonight," the two-hour radio show devoted to Angels baseball. The show, which runs from 6-8 p.m. each Monday night, is being aired on the team's new flagship station, the Arte Moreno-owned 830-AM. John Lackey is a scheduled guest, along with USA Today's Bob Nightengale and the Riverside Press Enterprise's Matt Hurst. If anything, the show can get listeners used to tuning into 830 and perhaps this is the night to mark it as a preset on the car stereo. Tune in.