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Ok it’s hard to gripe when the Angels have a 7 game lead with 23 to play, are 25 games over 500 and have clinched at the very least a winning season. So I haven’t taken the time to update my Gripes and my fans have been really on my case so let me try:
GRIPES

Stoneman and Scioscia

Scioscia baseball, what is it really?

To me it is just a bunch of clichés for his obsession with middle infielders who can run. He is so predictable with his running game that most teams are ready for it, which takes away the advantage and leads to wasting outs.  Early in the year two games were ended in the ninth with two outs and I believe both times it was Aybar getting thrown out at 2nd base that is stupid.

Bill Stoneman is totally useless.

The Angels are very lucky that guys like Willits and Figgins for that matter have stepped up and over achieved.  They have needed a bat to protect Vlad ever since Glaus left and every year it is the same thing. He could have gotten a guy like Teixteira for Shields, Kotchman and maybe another good prospect or even Santana.  Instead we wait until they screw up and demote them or let them go and get nothing in return.  I still can’t believe they let Jenks go by not keeping him on the 40 man roster.  What does he do?

Set up men and closer.

What happened to the strength of the Angels?  Speier, Shields and Rodriquez were suppose to be automatic with a lead after 6 innings instead they have been an E-ticket rollercoaster ride, blowing leads, saves and making no lead a sure thing.  Now Shields is out of the equation with Oliver doing a good job, but Frankie again taking it down to the last strike with the go ahead run at the plate.  Hey! Scioscia might have to think instead of being so predictable. OH that is a scary thought.

 Chone Figgins

This team still has no leader.

Guerrero can’t communicate and that is a major gripe to me on it’s own. Anderson has no fire, way too laid back. Mathews Jr. is still trying to prove himself and struggling with consistent at bats. Cabrera could be he has the fire and the ability but almost seems to fun loving to try and take charge.

Besides having no field leader the Angels don’t seem to be a very smart team.

Even though they have a 7 game lead and are 25 games over 500 every win comes with pain, even some of the blow outs. Vlad’s defense and base running have cost several games and his lack of effort to learn and speak English is a poor example to all the Hispanic kids.  Vlad needs to be able to communicate to all his fans and not thru an interpreter.  He is wealthy enough to be able to afford a tutor.  Not just for the baseball community but he could make even more money in endorsements and commercials if he would learn to speak English better.  Figgins for as great as he has played part of this year going for under a .130 average to .340+ has made some real bone head plays in the field and on the bases.  You very seldom hear and announcer say “that was a smart play” when referring to the Angels.


Fan Parking

And about people backing into parking spaces and how annoying that is especially when they are trying to back a Hummer into a compact space and tie up others who are trying to get parked and make the first pitch.

GOOD STUFF


Starting Pitching

MLB Playoffs

What can you say the Angels should win the West and will probably face the Yankees in the first round, you got to love it!

Starting Pitching

Weaver, Lackey, Escobar looking pretty good in the front of the rotation and Saunders doing a good job filling in for Colon.

Baseball at Angel Stadium

Great record at home 47-22, now 35-35 on the road. 23 game remaining as of 9-5-07 with 11 home and 12 on the road so if we keep up the present stat we should be playoff bound. Magic number is 18.

Garrett Anderson

Anderson has 21 RBIs in the past 11 games, which began five games after he set another team record with 10 RBIs in an 18-9 victory over the Yankees on Aug. 21. He leads the majors with 56 RBIs since the All-Star break.
Kendrick, Mathis and Morales

Howie Kendrick

This guy is going to be great. He is hitting 323, solid defense and now showing some power and I like him at the top or in the middle of the line up. With more experience he could become the field leader we need, he is articulate and smart. As much as I hate to give him credit Anderson is hot and we need him to stay hot not only to win the west but to get to the Series.

Jeff Mathis

He is really starting to come on his defense has been good but now he is hitting for power and average. I would love to see this guy emerge as the star everyone was predicting he would be. Now if we can just get Brandon Wood to come though as our everyday 3rd baseman wouldn’t that be great.

Kendry Morales

He is looking pretty good right now hitting .322 with some pop, with Stoneman not coming thru the Angels will need him at least off the bench in the playoffs.

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