The Enlightened Halo

Relievers

2010-12-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

If you've been paying attention to the free agent market this off season, you've probably noticed the trend. More and more relievers are becoming more and more desirable. This is a trend that has changed the game over the past 30 years.

Name you favorite pitcher from before 1975. I guarantee you that he didn't consider 6 innings and 3 runs or less a quality start. Power arms weren't loading up bullpens like they do today. Complete games used to be the norm, not the extraordinary. Guys like Rollie Fingers, Dennis Ecksersly, Mariano Rivera, and Trevor Hoffman have made it that way.

I'm all for letting more guys play and have their shot in baseball, but I still long for the day when we see a 30 win pitcher again.

Autographs

2010-12-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

Since it's winter, and baseball is slow, I want to take this opportunity to talk about something I love about baseball: autographs. Sure, other sports have athletes that sign autographs too, but you rarely see multiple players interacting with fans before every game to sign autographs.

I started collecting autographs during spring training of 2003 and it has become one of my most enjoyable hobbies. There's always that "Star" player who everyone wants to sign an autograph. Sure, it's a great feeling to get an autograph from Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero, or other superstars, but I enjoy getting autographs of upcoming players. At the All Star Futures game, every SINGLE player signs autographs. Not only do they sign, but both teams sign on both sides of the field. This year, I was lucky enough to get Jeremy Hellickson (Rays), Domonic Brown (Phillies), and a bunch of other upcoming stars. I missed out on the Angels' Mike Trout, but I'm hoping to get his autograph in the future.

Whether you like to get baseballs, pictures, baseball cards, or just your baseball mitt signed, there's no better way to connect to the stars of baseball.

Angels Moments: Tim Salmon's Last Game

2010-12-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

When you think of great moments in Angels history, you probably think World Series, No Hitters, playoffs, walk off home runs, and other "highlight reel" moments. One of the most memorable moments that I have ever witnessed at an Angels Game was October 1, 2006: Tim Salmon's last game.

After coming off an injury and not playing in 2005, everyone knew before he announced it that Salmon would be retiring.I knew the whole season that I wanted to be at his last game, and I was. I, along with hundreds of other adoring fans, brought my homemade poster paying tribute to "The Kingfish." I was hoping, beyond hope, that Tim would pull through and hit his 300th home run, as was every screaming fan when he stepped up to the plate for the last time. Needless to say, he didn't hit it. In a way, I think that is more memorable. He only made the playoffs twice in his 13 years, why should his last at bat be anything remarkable or exciting. I don't think a single one of those fans chanting "Let's Go Salmon" were yelling because he had a chance to hit #300. They were cheering because he was there. He worked through an injury to comeback and give it one last shot. In a time of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts, Salmon was always an Angel. He was there through the good and the bad, and I think that's what made fans love him so much.

I don't think there has been, or ever will be, an Angel more loved by fans than Tim Salmon. He was there when the Angels were the Disney joke of a team, and he was the leader of the World Series Champion Angels in 2002. He will never be in the Hall of Fame and most non-Angel fans will soon forget his name, but the impact he made on the team will be long lasting. When I got the chance to get Salmon's autograph at the All Star Fanfest this year, I also asked him if I could shake his hand. The handshake was just as important to me as the autograph. Everyone has a hero. For some, it's a superhero, a parent, a teacher, or a celebrity. My hero is Tim Salmon.

All I want for Christmas is Arte to start spending....

2010-12-21T16:04:00.001-08:00

Don't get me wrong...Arte Moreno is the best owner that the Angels have ever had. I think that we can all agree that Disney did nothing but trade away Jimmy Edmonds and get lucky with a bunch of misfits in 2002. Sure, good ol' Gene Autry gave the team life and all, but he wasn't one of those "go-getters." He did some good things (Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, etc.), but he also missed some big opportunities.

With Arte at the head of the organization, the Angels have gone from a joke to a annual serious competitor for the playoffs. Sometimes though, it feels like Arte doesn't have what it takes to win.

Two years ago, Moreno refused to beat the Yankees offer on Mark Teixeira, and that's understandable. As much is it hurt watching him win the World Series in 2009, tying that much money up probably wasn't something the Angels could do. Plus, if Kendry Morales hadn't broken his leg celebrating this year, he probably would have been an MVP candidate. What really bothered me was Arte's failure to re-sign John Lackey. Anyone that watched the Angels this year could see what the problem was: Pitching!!! I know Lackey didn't have a career year in 2010, but Jered Weaver just isn't a number 1 guy.

A bunch of fans complained about not re-signing Chone Figgins. I'll be the first one to say that 3rd base was a problem this year, but Figgins wasn't worth the $13 Million, or whatever it was that Seattle gave him.

Now, however, it's time to start spending. After promising to do what ever it takes to get to the playoffs next year, Moreno let Carl Crawford slide right by and the Red Sox got him (remember Lackey?) The Angels signed two left handers to help the bullpen that was terrible in 2010, but Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi aren't going to provide the offense that the team needs. With Matsui gone and Kendry Morales questionable after his leg injury, the Angels need a bat. The most obvious option would be Adrian Beltre. Beltre is one of the best defensive 3rd basemen around and he is coming off his most productive year at the plate. But guess what? Arte doesn't want to spend the money. Negotiations have stalled after Beltre didn't accept the first offer on the table. It looks like another winter without a big move and another long season. Hey...why not just bring back Bill Stoneman.

The Long Winter

2010-12-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Angels Fans. Something that's been bothering me for quite a while is the lack of attention that the media (especially ESPN) gives to the Angels. I know that we're on the west coast and our games start late, but we proven year after year that we are one of the top teams in the league. So, after years of putting this off, I decided to start a place where we, the fans, can talk about games, players, club decisions, and everything Angels.

A little background on myself:

My name is Warren and I/My dad have been season ticket holders since I was born. I was there when we were bad, which makes being good all the much sweeter. Sure, I wasn't born yet when we blew it in 1986, but I've seen plenty of highlights to feel the pain. I was there, however, when we traded away Edmonds, when Mo Vaughn fell into the visitor's dugout the night the Edison field opened, when Mickey Mouse led cheers on the Jumbo-tron, and finally when the Angels won the World Series. I've created this blog to provide a die-hard fan's insight into what's happening with the team and to get your views and input on what they're doing too.