We’re driving to Arizona today in advance of spring training. Perhaps it’s the calm before the storm, but there wasn’t much Angels news over the weekend, though Bill Hall did make an Illuminati joke. In Phoenix, it’s 57 and cloudy. No haboobs lie on the horizon (yet).
If I could sum up the sentiment using emoticons, I’d quote C.J. Wilson. Now, some links to tide you over until Indio:
• If you’re hoping to attend spring training but are worried about the cost, Tempe Diablo Stadium is hiring seasonal workers for its grounds crew.
• Which would you prefer, Angels question marks or A’s question marks?
• Happy birthday to the late “Wonderful Willie” Smith. Who is Willie Smith, and what makes him so wonderful? During his three seasons in an Angels uniform (1964-66), Smith was the rarest of rare slashes, a pitcher/outfielder. He batted .301 in ’64 while posting a 2.81 ERA in 15 games. More about Smith via Baseball-Reference.com’s Bullpen page.
• SportsIllustrated.com gives the Angels a B-minus for their offseason maneuvers. What say you?
• One scout’s assessment of the Southern California Invitational showcase in Compton: “There was no star power, other than (Carlos) Salazar—that was it.”
• Remember this logo? The Atlanta Braves aren’t bringing it back on their hats after all.
• The first team to exceed its international signing allotment: The Rays, per BaseballAmerica.com.
• The Angels have two of the majors’ 15 most un-tradeable contracts, writes Jonah Keri on Grantland.
• Vintage Trouble is a band from L.A., but I’ve regrettably never crossed paths with one of their live shows. And this song, courtesy of the Late Show With David Letterman, was born to be consumed live. (H/t to @BizBallMaury via Twitter):
