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January 31, 2007
Angels: Jered Weaver looks back, ahead
Better late than never in bringing attention to this item from the Long Beach Press Telegram's Bob Keisser, who caught up with Jered Weaver at a Long Beach State alumni game this weekend.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 07:14 PM | Comments (1001)
January 30, 2007
Angels: report dates
The Angels made it official this morning what already had been reported here weeks ago.
Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 14. The first workout for pitchers and catchers is Feb. 15. Position players are scheduled to report Feb. 19. The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 20.
That means the pitching staff will be getting to work in just 16 days.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:19 AM | Comments (1)
January 29, 2007
Angels: Mark of the Molinas
The Molina family has earned its huge spot in Angels history as brothers Bengie and Jose earned World Series rings on the 2002 team. The youngest brother, Yadier, earned his ring this past season with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jose Molina will fight it out with Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis this spring for the Angels' starting spot.
What makes these guys click? The New York Times' Jack Curry explored the catching Molina family and how they all ended up masking their talents, so to speak. The article is cleverly headlined "3 weeks to pitchers and Molinas."
(Note: the above link might require registration to the website.)
Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:21 PM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2007
Angels: More Erstad
As a final farewell to Darin Erstad - well, until the White Sox meet the Angels in spring training and then again in the regular season - Chicago newspapers weighed in on his introduction to White Sox fans Friday at the team's annual fan convention.
Most of the information was covered here but the Chicago Tribune's Dave van Dyck was able to get Erstad's Super Bowl prediction. It's not hard to guess who he picked.
The Daily Herald of Arlington Hights, Ill., also had this entry on Erstad's introduction from good friend and beat writer Scot Gregor.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2007
Another Hall?
They're caling this one the California Sports Hall of Fame, and the first class of 20 inductees -- all of which will be feted on Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton -- includes Dodgers legends Jackie Robinson and Tommy Lasorda.
Robinson and Lasorda were long ago inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown For Lasorda, who wll turn 80 later this year, this makes eight inductions into various Halls of Fame, a list that also includes, in chronological order, the Louisiana Italian-American Hall of Fame, the National Italian American Hall of Fame, the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame, the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame, the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, to which Lasorda was inducted just last summer.
The California Sports Hall of Fame, according to a Dodger press release issued Friday, serves to capture the passion children and young adults have for sports and direct that energy to enhance their educational and personal goals. The CSHOF will try to draw at-risk and underpriveleged youth by hosting free athletic clinics.
The CSHOF's motto is, "Achieve your goals through sports and education."
Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:34 PM | Comments (0)
Angels: Erstad meets White Sox fans
The transition is complete as Darin Erstad was greeted by Chicago White Sox fans Friday on the first day of the team’s fan convention.
Erstad officially became a former Angel on Thursday once he passed his physical and completed his one-year, $1 million contract with the White Sox. He gets a base salary of $750,000 in 2007 with a $250,000 buyout.
The team option in 2008 would be worth $3.5 million if activated.
For Erstad, though, the money was secondary. He chose the White Sox over the Florida Marlins because the 2005 World Series champions have a better chance of winning now. The two teams were the only ones offering Erstad the chance to play center field.
“It came down to opportunity,� Erstad said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, when asked why he signed with the White Sox. “I didn’t want any promises made. I just wanted to go where I would have the best opportunity to win games and help a team.�
Unsure of how Erstad’s ankle would heal from arthroscopic surgery at the conclusion of the season, the Angels were not willing to offer their veteran a guaranteed contract. Instead, they signed free agent Gary Matthews to a five-year, $50 million deal.
As of now, though, Erstad’s ankle is just fine.
“I got clearance last week to run at full speed and I’m not limited to do anything,� he said.
There is no guarantee, though, that Erstad would remain healthy in the upcoming season and he certainly isn’t going to play cautious at this point of his career.
“I’m sure I would have remained healthier throughout my career if I played a different way, but that’s the way I play,� he said. “That’s all I know.’’
The Angels would have made Erstad a non-roster invitee to spring training, but even if he won a spot on the roster there was no certainty he would play on a regular basis. And he certainly would not play in center over Matthews.
“I’m not (with the White Sox) to sit on the bench and not play,� Erstad said. “With that said, however, I’m ready to play anywhere and any time. It will come down to how (White Sox manager) Ozzie (Guillen) wants to use me. The bottom line is I’m here to win baseball games.’’
Posted by Doug Padilla at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2007
Lidle memorial and fund raiser all in one
The late Cory Lidle, who died this fall in a private plane crash in New York, will have a poker tournament that bears his name. The Cory Lidle Poker Tournament will take place Sunday at Hollywood Park's casino. The tournament is a benefit for the Make A Wish Foundation, which was a charity Lidle supported.
Bary Zito is supposed to be in attendance as are new Dodgers Mike Lieberthal and Randy Wolf. All three were former teammates of Lidle.
The buy-in is $300 but a discount is available for early entries. For more information go to www.corylidle.org.
More information will also be available on the San Gabriel Valley Tribune's website on Friday and in Friday's sports editions of the Whittier Daily News, Pasadena Star News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The story was written by Brian Baiotto.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)
Fire up the hot stove
Yes, there will be a Dodgers Winter Caravan this year. Plans were finally announced earlier this week, and the event will take place on Feb. 6-7. While it will include the usual array of visits to local schools, three of the stops will be open to the public.
On Feb. 6, fans are invited to attend to Pasadena City College at noon (autographs limited to the first 100 wristbanded fans) and the SpeedZon at 17871 Castleton Street in the City of Industry at 5 p.m., (autographs limited to the first 150 wristbanded fans).
The two-day event concludes with a public appearance at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Feb. 7 at 4:30, again with autographs limited to the first 150 wristbands. Fans attending that event can receive free admission to the aquarium, but only by printing out the caravan schedule from Dodgers.com. The code for the free admission appears on that schedule, and each person in your party must have a separate printout. Those printouts will be good for admission beginning at 2:30 p.m., with guests then free to take in the aquarium exhibits until the Dodgers arrive.
On Feb. 6, newcomers Luis Gonzalez and Randy Wolf are expected to join manager Grady Little, catcher Russell Martin, outfielder Andre Ethier and Dodgers greats Steve Garvey and Willie Davis for the caravan. On Feb. 7, newcomers Mike Lieberthal and Juan Pierre are scheduled to join Nomar Garciaparra, James Loney, general manager Ned Colletti, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and former Dodgers pitcher Bobby Castillo.
For more information, see dodgers.com.
Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2007
Impersonating a sports reporter? Are you kidding?
This little news nugget out of New York is simply startling. Somebody would actually risk 7 1/2 years in prison just to experience a couple of moments as a sports reporter? Where to begin with this one?
If somebody would get that much time for impersonating a sports reporter for one day, what would my sentence be for doing it for 15 years?
To give Ryan Leli some credit, being a reporter was just the end to his means. He wanted to get a moment with Mike Piazza and in that sense it was mission accomplished. But to go about it by being a reporter is laughable. Let us count the ways that Leli already is over qualified to report sports for a newspaper.
At 18, Leli already has the know how to forge an official document that got him past a number of security checkpoints. Dude, find a graphics design job. Create movie posters. Design album covers. Wait, are there still album covers?
Leli showed composure beyond his years to have the confidence to pull off his stunt. Getting past stadium security isn't like getting into Fort Knox but many of those security guys have been doing their job for a long time so at least one of them had to do a double take on a new face.
The entire incident reminded me of a story from school. Somebody spent hours upon hours making cheat sheets, designing devices with test answers and putting fine print on inconspicuous places just to pass a final exam. When somebody asked why he didn't just spend the time studying, he said his way was just more exciting.
Leli probably could have met Piazza at a autograph signing but that certainly wasn't exciting as the route he took. The $1,000 probably was a small price to pay for the stories he can tell now. And to have to stay away from Mets games for a year? It seems like the Oakland Athletics are the ones who should have a policy about Leli attending games, since Piazza will play in the Bay Area this season.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 06:24 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2007
Angels: Erstad signs with White Sox
A source has confirmed that Darin Erstad is headed to the South Side of Chicago after the veteran agreed to a one-year deal with the White Sox.
The White Sox have a history of taking gambles on players either coming off injuries, had an inability to meet expectations or who have a checkered past. Erstad, of course, only fits the injury category. The White Sox won a World Series two seasons ago with guys like Jermaine Dye, Jose Contreras, Carl Everett, A.J. Pierzynski and Bobby Jenks.
Erstad's Angels career ends with a .286 career average, 114 home runs and 625 RBI.
Although nothing is officially planned now, the Angels are sure to recognize Erstad when the White Sox come into town for a three-game series May 4-6.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:53 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2007
Angels: McPherson to have surgery
A further update on Angels heath matters revealed that Dallas McPherson will indeed have surgery on his lower back and could be lost for the upcoming season.
McPherson elected to have surgery based on advice from doctors in Dallas. That surgery will take place Tuesday.
An optimistic time table would have McPherson back for the last month of the season.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 08:52 PM | Comments (0)
Angels: New medical exam update
The results of Kendry Morales knee exam Monday have been announced.
Morales' left knee discomfort that appeared before a winter league game earlier this month was deemed to have been from some old scar tissue from a previous injury. Team orthopedist Lewis Yocum, who performed a contrast MRI, decided that no surgery will be required and Morales will report to Arizona next week to begin a rehabilitation program in advance of spring training.
Pitchers and catchers report to Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 14, with the first full-squad workout to take place Feb. 20.
There was no news Monday on Dallas McPherson's back exam, which took place in Dallas. Results of McPherson's exam are expected to be announced Tuesday.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)
Angels: medical exam update
As of 4 p.m. Monday, the Angels still had no official word on the medical examinations of Kendry Morales and Dallas McPherson. Morales' left knee was being examined in Los Angeles. McPherson's back was being examined in Dallas. An update on at least one of the players is due shortly. The second update is due tomorrow (Tuesday). Stay tuned.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2007
Angels: Kendrick's added focus
Howie Kendrick now has more reason to be focused for the upcoming season after an event that took place earlier this month.
Kendrick was married on Jan. 6. While the union won't directly affect Kendrick on the field, being the provider for somebody else sometimes sparks an even deeper focus and desire for success.
It isn't like Kendrick looked like a guy who needed an additional spark. During his stint with the Angels last year, he seemed mature and focused beyond his years. The most promising aspect of Kendrick's off-field demeanor last season was the fact that he didn't pout, become depressed or start to press when he faced adversity.
Marriage might be an additional positive as it adds to his maturity level.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2007
Angels: Medical exams coming
The Angels announced today that Kendry Morales and Dallas McPherson each will be examined by doctors on Monday (Jan. 22).
Morales injured his right knee toward the end of the winter league season in the Dominican Republic. The Angels seem reassured because Morales deemed himself fit enough to play two days later but he was still held out of the lineup. Morales batted .263 with 11 home runs in 46 games this winter.
Morales will be examined in Los Angeles by team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum.
McPherson had another bout of back trouble last season, going on the disabled list June 24. He will be seen by orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Andrew Dossett at the Carrell Memorial Clinic in Dallas, Texas.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:14 PM | Comments (0)
Angels: We're No. 4
The Angels wasted little time patting themselves on the back today, getting out a press release before noon to announce that Baseball America likes their minor-league system ... again.
For the fifth consecutive year, the publication has ranked the Angels' minor-league talent in the top five. The Angels are No. 4 this year after coming in at No. 4 last year, No. 1 in 2005, No. 3 in 2004 and No. 5 in 2003.
"It's really a testament to the hard work of our scouts and player development people," Angels scouting director Eddie Bane said in the release. "We appreciated the recognition from Baseball America and their commitment to the minor leagues."
According to the Angels, Baseball America's comment was: "For the better part of the new millennium, the Angels have accrued talent as effectively as any organization in baseball."
Not only have they done the job of accruing that talent, but they have developed a pattern of refusing to trade it away, which certainly has been a factor in keeping their top-five status.
As was listed previously, the Angels' top 10 Baseball America prospects for 2007 are as follows:
1. Brandon Wood, ss
2. Nick Adenhart, rhp
3. Erick Aybar, ss
4. Young-Il Jung, rhp
5. Stephen Marek, rhp
6. Hank Conger, c
7. Jeff Mathis, c
8. Sean Rodriguez, ss/2b
9. Sean O'Sullivan, rhp
10. Tommy Mendoza, rhp
Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2007
Angels: Spring is coming
Spring training is less than a month away as pitchers and catchers will report to Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 14, with the first workout to take place the following day.
The first full-squad workout is expected to take place Feb. 20. The Angels’ first Cactus League game takes place March 1 at Tempe against the Kansas City Royals.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:42 AM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2007
Angels: Getting hot in winter
It was a productive offseason for two infielders in the Angels organization as Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar both put up impressive numbers in their respective winter leagues.
In 34 games, Izturis had a .320 batting average (40-for-125) with two home runs, 13 RBI, five doubles and 18 runs scored in 34 games in the Venezuelan winter league.
In 27 games, Aybar batted .321 (35-for-109) with no home runs, 12 RBI, three triples and six doubles in 27 games in the Dominican Republic winter league.
The two are expected to battle it out this spring for a utility role on the major-league club. One interesting sideline to watch in regard to Aybar is what happens with promising shortstop Brandon Wood. If Wood is deemed ready to play on the Triple-A level, it is possible he could be moved to third base. If he retains his shortstop position, Aybar could be headed for some significant playing time at second base.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2007
Angels' All-Star Game bid
With the 2008 All-Star Game reportedly to be played at Yankee Stadium, and the 2009 game just announced for St. Louis, the Angels will focus their energies toward landing the 2010 contest.
Angels spokesman Tim Mead said the Angels have told the league in each of the past two seasons that they are interested in hosting the game. Mead said they will continue to do so until the announcement of the 2010 site is made.
The announcement of the 2009 site was recently made so the Angels could be looking at another year before they know if they will get the 2010 game.
The Angels had been in the running for the 2008 game, but since the current Yankee Stadium will be in its final season, the game was awarded to the Yankees. No official announcement has been made. The Cardinals got the 2009 game as the contest typically rotates from one league to the other on a yearly basis.
The San Francisco Giants will play host to this year’s All-Star Game on July 10.
Posted by Doug Padilla at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)