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Welcome to Gary Goodman's
Baseball Page |
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| GRIPES |
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
- OK I hate it.
I don’t like LA; I am anti-Dodger because in the 35+ years I have
been in Southern California - they always got all the press.
I don’t even like going past the Orange curtain into any part of LA County.
Having said all of that, I also hate the Yankees and the way they can always just
buy who ever they need. So if this helps Arte make the Angels a major market team I am all for it.
Last year was the first year we could see almost every game on TV.
If this helps Arte get the Angels more TV and Radio exposure, I am all for it.
If Arte can get more revenue, keep our star players and sign top
free agents that help make the Angels contenders - I’m for it. But how about the
“Southern California Angels of Anaheim” Or the California Angels again, isn’t that more palatable?
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Anaheim City Council
What are they thinking?
Are they trying to send the Angels packing to another city or
worse another state?
Anaheim gets notoriety at every home game and every Angel’s news story will have the tag
line - Anaheim CA. Arte is right - the Angels need to be associated with the entire Southern California market, not
just Anaheim.
This is politically motivated at the tax payer’s expense and will just make
more lawyers rich. If Anaheim wins this suite it will just convince Arte to move or sell the team. It is a
business and it needs to be profitable
By the way, isn’t it better to be associated with a winner who gets exposure by going to the playoffs, than to be associated, as we have for so many
years, with a team that choked in big games, and hadn’t been in the play-offs since 1986.
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Eckstein, Glaus and Percy gone!
It was inevitable but still sad.
I think we are better off at Short Stop, but David will be missed.
He was one of the most inspirational and popular players the Angels ever had.
Although Percy showed some real pitching late last season, every time he closed it was an adventure,
we will miss his grit and leadership.
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Glaus, finally got his eyes fixed
He was my personal favorite Angel.
I believe that was the main thing that made him so streaky at the plate, baring injury last year
I think he could have easily won the HR title and he should do very well in Phoenix.
Glaus will have to stay healthy and good defensively at third. There is no DH at Phoenix.
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| GOOD THINGS |
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Orlando Cabrera at Short
Our pitching staff should love him; their overall ERAs should drop.
As much as I like Eckstein, Cabrera gives the Angels better range and a stronger arm.
David just had no range up the middle; many of the balls that went for base hits will now be routine outs or even double plays.
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Steve Finley - Great pickup
Finley is an all around player.
He has great defensive skills; hits with power and for average. Steve allows Anderson to go back and play left field where he is much better suited.
He will add experience, stability and leadership to a position that was by committee last year, do to injury.
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Depth
This team has the most depth than I have ever seen on any Angel’s team.
With the starting line-up and pitching rotation pretty well set baring injury, the only positions that appear to be up for grabs is DH and the bull pen.
Dallas McPherson sure to at least get a chance to be the everyday 3rd baseman and Rob Quinlan there if he falters or at least to platoon with.
Jeff DaVanon has nothing more to prove, but is unlikely to find a starting role baring injury.
Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales also looking to be on the 25 man roster and find playing time and Maicer Izturis the slick fielding infielder who may get a shot as a back-up until Kennedy returns.
Mike and his staff will have some tough decisions to make during the spring, but that is a good problem.
Let the Season Begin, I can’t wait.
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Hammerin' Hank, George Almighty and the Say Hey Kid