http://www.sportsnipe.com Los Angeles Angels, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933286/angels-need-16-innings-to-knock-off-indians-tsn.html Angels need 16 innings to knock off IndiansTSNAnaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Jeff Mathis' sacrifice fly in the 16th inning won it, as the Los Angeles Angels outlasted the Cleveland Indians, 4-3, ... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933285/angelsathletics-preview-cbssportscom.html Kansas City StarAngels-Athletics PreviewCBSSports.comOffensive shortcomings have the Los Angeles Angels in position to get swept in a three-game set by the Oakland Athletics for the first time in over six ...LA Angels of Anaheim (65-71) at Oakland Athletics (67-68), 4:05 pmMiamiHerald.comMazzaro still winless since July 24 as Angels knock A's around to win, 7-4Examiner.comA's beat Angels behind Cahill's 15th winThe Associated PressKansas City Star -CBSSports.com -San Jose Mercury Newsall 622 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933284/crowd-boos-la-police-chief-msnbccom.html New York TimesCrowd boos L.A. police chiefmsnbc.com"She referred to the officers as her angels who had descended from heaven ... and saved her life and that of the pregnant lady," Beck said. ...LAPD officers disperse violent protesters with shooting of non-lethal projectilesistockAnalyst.com (press release)all 1,190 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933283/mathis-sacrifice-fly-in-16th-inning-gives-angels-43-win-over-indians-canadian-press.html The Canadian PressMathis' sacrifice fly in 16th inning gives Angels 4-3 win over IndiansThe Canadian PressJeff Mathis drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 16th inning and the Los Angeles Angels got home runs from Mike Napoli and rookie Peter ... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933282/shields-future-to-be-determined.html ANAHEIM -- Scot Shields surfs the web on his iPad so he read some of the internet chatter that followed after he left Tuesday's game with tightness in his pitching elbow.The twinge in his elbow set off speculation that the 35-year-old Shields had... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933281/best-places-to-catch-los-angeles-angels-anaheim-games-in-around-associated-content.html The City of Anaheim is a big city with a common bond. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bring every resident of the city together during baseball season and into the postseason. The streets are lined with Angels banners and the bars are filled with Angels fans that either could not make it to Angel Stadium or did not want to fight the crowds. The following four sports bars are all relatively close to Angel Stadium, which leads to a more enjoyable experience before and after the game. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2933280/matt-palmer-gets-w-in-16-inning-angels-win.html More photos » Gus Ruelas - AP about 1 year ago: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Matt Palmer avoid a bee during the start of the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 24, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas) Browse more photos » Final Score in Anaheim in 16 Innings: Indians 3, Angels 4 Torii Hunter scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Mathis in the bottom of the 16th inning to make a winner out of a deserving Matt Palmer whose return to the team from an extended rehab from the disabled list. If you like extra inning games, be sure to visit the FACEBOOK PAGE advocating that Fernando Rodney be our closer. Closer Fernando Rodney blew a save and what would have been Scott Kazmir's 9th win of the season. Kaz threw 88 pitches in 6 IP, striking out six Indians and allowing only one ER on two hits. Jordan Walden struck out the side in the 7th but allowed a solo homer that let the Tribe closer. With the score tied at 3 in the bottom of the 9th, Alberto Callaspo was tagged out at home for the final out running from 3B on a Wild Pitch. Home Plate Umpire Joe West called him out on a tag from Pitcher Joe Smith after Lou Marson chased down the ball at the backstop and tossed it to Smith. In the 11th inning, the Angels loaded the bases with one out. The Indians intentionally walked Callaspo to get to Jeff Mathis, who popped out a squeeze with the bases loaded. Then Erick Aybar struck out on 3 pitches. Mathis was a defensive substitution for Mike Napoli. Are we as predictable as a sunrise? The Angels had 6 hits in 16 innings and it was no surprise that Bill McDonald and Jose Mota had a team sponsor for CarM@x shilling for his product on the postgame airwaves. Poll Panther of the Game Scott Kazmir Matt Palmer   41 votes | Results Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932298/top-heap-how-los-angeles-angels-starting-rotation-stacks-up-in-2011-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportTop of the Heap: How the Los Angeles Angels' Starting Rotation Stacks Up in 2011Bleacher ReportThe 2010 season for the Los Angeles Angels could best be described in five words: Nightmare on Gene Autry Way. Coming out of the gates in April, ... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932297/angels-joel-pineiro-throws-tuesday-kffl-blog.html Angels | Joel Pineiro throws TuesdayKFFL (blog)Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Joel Pineiro (shoulder) threw roughly 60 pitches in a four-inning simulated game Tuesday, Sept. 7, and everything went well ...and more » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932296/hot-corner-angel-fans-9810.html Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2932295/extrainningsgamethread.html More photos » Stephen Dunn - Getty Images about 2 hours ago: ANAHEIM CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Reality telelvision personality Holly Madison throws out the first pitch of the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on September 8 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) Browse more photos » Gotta Laugh or I just might cry... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931090/jamie-oliver-tackles-la-in-second-season-calorielab-calorie-counter-news.html Jamie Oliver Tackles LA in Second SeasonCalorieLab Calorie Counter NewsABC has picked up Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution for a second season, and this time he is taking on the City of Angels. The ?Naked Chef? recently won an ...and more » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931089/opening-im-still-here-5-most-explosive-music-documentaries-canadian-press.html The Canadian PressWith the opening of 'I'm Still Here,' the 5 most explosive music documentariesThe Canadian PressLOS ANGELES, Calif. ? There are music documentaries that are all about the music ? concert films that focus solely on the artistry and thrill of live ...and more » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931088/angels-mark-trumbo-asked-to-play-outfield-kffl-blog.html SB Nation Los Angeles (blog)Angels | Mark Trumbo asked to play outfieldKFFL (blog)Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Mark Trumbo was asked to play some outfield while with Triple-A Salt Lake this year, according to The Orange County ...Angels release longtime utilityman QuinlanMiamiHerald.comMark Trumbo, Hank Conger Called Up to Los Angeles AngelsBleacher ReportFuture is now for Conger, hero of Futures game promoted by Angels; Stokes cutThe Canadian PressExaminer.com -ESPNall 109 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931086/important-september-evaluations-for-veteran-angels.html Important September Evaluations for Veteran Angels Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2931085/time-to-play-kids.html I'm glad I went to bed last night before Marson hit the grand slam.  If I had seen that I would have been angry all night instead of just this morning.  The Angels played the best offensive lineup they could muster last night:  Napoli catching, no Mathis, Rivera at first, and Willits instead of Bourjos.  They still could only manage a single run. The season is lost, there is almost no chance of even finishing .500, and worst of all, we've got a bunch of veteran players who are worn out, frustrated, and listless from the futile struggle that 2010 has been.  We have an opportunity to see 20 games of major league experience for some young players who might never amount to anything, but might be able to help the 2011 team.  It's time we take the opportunity to see what we have.  I suggest playing time be distributed as follows: Catcher: Conger gets the majority of starts.  Mix in a few for Wilson.  Keep Mathis on the bench, I'd be happy if I never saw Brian Downing's number soiled by his person again. 1B: Mark Trumbo 2B: Kevin Frandsen - Howie Kendrick has not played well, and he's not going to be cheap anymore.  He's not playing much better than what you expect from a generic 2B pulled from the waiver wire.  Play Frandsen for now, and consider letting him start next year, even if just as a placeholder for Amarista or Segura. 3B/SS: Brandon Wood plays everyday at one of the spots, Callaspo and Aybar play whichever spot he doesn't.  He's been working with Hatcher everyday and they talk about progress.  One last chance to see that progress on the field before we are probably forced to let him go. DH: Napoli, every day CF: Bourjos RF: Hunter is the one vet who hasn't gone to sleep, and the leader of the team.  He gets to keep playing.  Stop the dumb baserunning though. LF: Willits/Abreu/Matsui/Rivera - don't really care who plays there right now, none of them are going to be there if we sign Crawford. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930428/mlb-los-angeles-angels-7-oakland-4-upicom.html Kansas City StarMLB: Los Angeles Angels 7, Oakland 4UPI.com5 (UPI) -- Bobby Abreu homered and drove in three runs Sunday and the Los Angeles Angels posted a 7-4 decision over Oakland. Abreu scored three times and ...Friday's Angels ? Athletics box scoreKansas City StarAthletics shut out Angels, 8-0: Kazmir struggles continueExaminer.comOakland A's report for series vs. Los Angeles AngelsSan Jose Mercury NewsOffshore Insiders -Sports Chat Place -The Associated Pressall 622 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930427/org-watch-red-sox-angels-dodgers-espn.html Org Watch: Red Sox, Angels, DodgersESPNThe Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers all entered 2010 -- and this summer as well -- as contenders in their ... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930426/best-second-basemen-in-angels-history.html Would you rather have the great defender whose bat came up big in October, or the All-Star slugger whose bat disappeared in the playoffs? And who has really been more valuable to the Angels, Maicer Izturis or Howie Kendrick? To celebrate the Angels'... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930425/angels-score-just-one-run-for-20th-time-halolinks.html More photos » Christine Cotter - AP Yeah. We know how you feel. Browse more photos » Marson's grand slam leads Tribe over Angels - The Columbus DispatchTravis Hafner hit a go-ahead homer that was upheld by video replay and No. 9 batter Lou Marson broke the game open later in the sixth inning with his first career grand slam, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 6-1 victory over the fast-fading Los Angeles Angels last night. The Angels lost for the 11th time in 15 games, keeping the three-time defending AL West champions 9 1 / 2 games behind division-leading Texas with 23 remaining. The Angels, who have spent one day alone in first place all season, have lost five straight home games for the first time since 2006 - the last time they failed to reach the playoffs. The only thing offensive about the Angels is their lack of anything offensive.  It's pretty sad when the opposing team's number 9 hitter drives in more runs than your team has scores in 4 of the last five games.  There was some good news from last night's game...Reggie Willtis went 3-for-3 and got on base 4 times, Torii Hunter belted another home run (Hunter belts his 21st homer of the season), Rich Thompson is looking good, and Trevor Bell has allowed only two home runs in 61 innings.  For all you masochists out there, Marson crushes a grand slam to left-center - Lou Marson puts the Indians ahead by a wide margin when he deposits a pitch over the fence with the sacks packed in the sixth. Indians-Angels Preview - FOX Sports on MSNThe Angels try to prevent their longest home losing streak in eight years and avoid being swept by the Cleveland Indians in Wednesday's series finale. Los Angeles (66-73) has won each of the last three West crowns, thanks in part to a 153-90 home record from 2007-09 - third-best in baseball. The Angels also don't appear to have the right person taking the mound in the series finale to give them the best chance of ending their home slide. Scott Kazmir (8-13, 6.19 ERA) has lost his last seven home starts since defeating the Yankees on April 25, recording a 6.81 ERA in those outings. He's also been frustrated regularly by the Indians (57-82), going 0-1 with an 11.20 ERA in his last three starts against them. Trying to sweep their first series since taking four in a row from Detroit from July 16-18, the Indians will counter with Josh Tomlin (3-3, 4.14), who tries to win his third consecutive start. Tomlin allowed three runs - all in the third inning - and seven hits while striking out five and walking none in six innings of a 6-3 win over Seattle on Thursday. Okay, we get it.  Scott Kazmir's awful.  Move on.   MANY MORE LINKS AFTER THE BREAK... Six All-Stars among candidates for Roberto Clemente Award -  USATODAY.comThe award in Clemente's name is given to players who best exemplify his combination of community involvement and performance on the field. Fans can help select the winner by voting at www.chevy.com/clemente, with their choice counting as one vote along with those cast by a panel of 17 that includes Commissioner Bud Selig. The winner will be announced during the World Series. From the email sent out by MLB:  I’m reaching out to let you know that Torii Hunter was nominated as a finalist for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given every year to a baseball player to recognize his community service efforts.Torii created "The Torii Hunter Project," which is a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact youth in need in various parts of the United States. The project has four areas of focus related to youth: Sports, Community, Education, and Wellness.   We’re hoping you could ask your readers to support Torii by voting at http://www.chevy.com/Clemente, which begins today and runs until October 8.  You can read his full bio at the site, as well.   A really cool aspect is that any fan who votes is automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2010 World Series, where the national Clemente winner will be announced. Trumbo eager to contribute - The Orange County Registerthe Angels asked their top power prospect (Trumbo) to play some outfield for Triple-A Salt Lake this season. He played 23 games in the outfield, handling 59 chances without an error. Trumbo will continue to work out there this month with the Angels and then head to Venezuela for winter ball with the expectation that he will be a full-time outfielder there. "I’m going to go down to Venezuela and play winter ball for two months and my understanding is first base won’t be part of the equation there. The whole off-season, I’m going to be working as hard as I can to grasp everything – the nuances of playing out there. I think this is important.  The Angels love having depth, but if Trumbo can prove he can handle the outfield, the Angels may decide signing a high-cost free agent (Carl Crawford) might not be necessary.  How would an outfield of Trumbo-Bourjos-Trout look in 2012?  At the league minimum salary. Quinlan era comes to an end - The Orange County RegisterRobb Quinlan has been released. A moment of silence as we reflect on the loss of Amanda Quinlan. Latos strikes out 10, leads Padres past Dodgers -  CBSSports.comMat Latos bounced back from stomach flu to strike out 10 for the third time in four starts, pitching the NL West leaders to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The Padres, also known as the "Unofficial Halos Heaven Playoff Team" beat that Los Angeles team.  Oh, and by the way, what's up with the missing "t" in "Matt"?  Geez. Angels " Win Probability " Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - FanGraphs Baseball The Top 100 K/100P Leaders - The Baseball AnalystsWhile the Angels' ace lacks the gaudy win totals and winning percentages of CC Sabathia and David Price (and others), he has clearly been one of the five most effective starting pitchers in the league this season. Weaver can take the next step by pitching deeper into games as he is without a complete game and has only worked more than seven innings three times, primarily due to the fact that he leads the majors in pitches per plate appearance (4.17). Call the Hall: Hoffman gets 600th save - MLB.comMajor League Baseball's all-time saves leader notched No. 600 on Tuesday night at Miller Park, working around a leadoff single to close out a 4-2 win over the Cardinals.Hoffman, a light-hitting shortstop who converted to pitching in 1991 and finds himself bound for Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame when he finally calls it quits, stands 45 saves ahead of the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who is No. 2 all-time with 555. Lee Smith (478), John Franco (424) and Atlanta's Billy Wagner (417) round out the top five. Congratulations to Trevor Hoffman for reaching another milestone. 2010 Scouting Report - By the Fans, For the Fans - Tangotiger.netI want you to tell me what your eyes see. I want you to tell me how good or bad a fielder is. Go down, and start selecting the team(s) that you watch all the time. For any player that you've seen play in at least 10 games in 2010, I want you to judge his performance in 7 specific fielding categories. Aaron 'saddened' by Bonds, Clemens steroid stories - FOX Sports on MSNAaron said he hasn't given any thought to whether Bonds' or Clemens' numbers should stand, be wiped away or accompanied by asterisk. ''I have too much to worry about to worry about Clemens and Bonds,'' he said. Don't we all, Hank.  Don't we all. From Dodgers to 'Los Doyers,' Frank McCourt expands - USATODAY.comThe team recently trademarked "Los Doyers" and is selling T-shirts with the phrase on it for $30. "Los Doyers" has grown in popularity in recent years into a popular nickname that makes light at how some Mexican-American fans purposefully mispronounciate the team's name. He's got attorneys to pay!  (someone better trademark "Ayuls" before Frank thinks of it). The Rays foul-ball lady hits New York for her media moment -  Yahoo! SportsMeet Amelia Lamoscatella. You might remember her from last Wednesday's Tampa Bay Rays game in which not one, not two, but three foul balls were hit to her in the eighth inning. The first rocketed off her chin, but she was able to corral the final two for an unlikely souvenir grab that quickly went viral. I couldn't get the video to embed, so you'll have to follow the above link to see how cool this lady is.  Especially when you see these "winners"... Milwaukee Fans Are, Surprise Surprise, Drunk And Disorderly - Deadspin.comSean Ottow was ejected by umpire Bob Davidson for heckling Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, and was cited for disorderly conduct. via cache.gawkerassets.com Guy Grabbing A Gal's Boob, Because Why Not - Deadspin.comBy morning, someone's going to have identified this broad, and her sh%$'s going to be plastered all over the Internet. That's life. via cache.gawkerassets.com By the way, there's video of the boob grab.  Just in case you're into that sort of thing.  You know...boobs and stuff.  Yeah, boobs. Boobs. Fifteen: American League West Team W L Pct. GB Texas 75 63 .543 - Oakland 68 70 .493 7 L.A. Angels 66 73 .475 9½ Seattle 55 84 .396 20½   September 8 - BR BullpenEvents, births and deaths that occurred on September 8. 1901: The Players Protective Association instructs members to sign one-year contracts only, and not recognize the reserve clause.  Yeah, how'd that work out?1914 - Bill James allows just three hits in beat the Giants, 8 - 3, and dropping New York to the 2nd spot.  Is there anything this guy can't do??1916 - In front the smallest crowd in American League history, A's catcher/outfielder Wally Schang, with 23 fans attending the game, becomes the first switch-hitter in major league history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.  And almost a hundred years later the A's are still threatening to beat that record.1965 - Against the Angels, A's Bert Campaneris becomes the first major leaguer to play all nine positions in a single game. 1969 - The Braves acquire veteran pitchers [Hoyt Wilhelm] and Bob Priddy from the Angels in exchange for minor league prospects Mickey Rivers and Clint Compton. Hoyt will only stay for a little while as the Braves will waive the knuckleballer to the Cubs in September 1970. 1998 - Mark McGwire breaks Roger Maris' single-season home run mark by clouting his 62nd of the year off Steve Trachsel in the 4th inning of the Cardinals' 6 - 3 win over the Cubs in St. Louis. Happy b-day: 1946 - Ken Forsch, pitcher; All-Star and Angels assistant GM1954 - Don Aase, pitcher; All-Star Reggie, Reggie, Reggie: Cleveland Indians Hitters AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Michael Brantley, CF 4 1 2 0 1 0 0 .232 Jayson Nix, 3B 5 0 0 0 0 3 3 .242 Shin-Soo Choo, RF 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .293 Travis Hafner, DH 4 1 2 1 0 1 1 .274    a- Andy Marte, PH-DH 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .215 Matt LaPorta, 1B 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 .226 Jordan Brown, LF 3 0 2 0 0 0 2 .234     Trevor Crowe, PR-LF 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 .241 Jason Donald, SS 3 1 0 0 1 1 2 .254 Luis Valbuena, 2B 2 1 0 0 2 0 2 .174 Lou Marson, C 4 1 1 4 0 0 2 .190 Totals 33 6 8 6 8 7     a-struck out for Hafner in the 9th Batting 2B - Travis Hafner (25, Bell) HR - Travis Hafner (11, Bell), Lou Marson (3, Fr. Rodriguez) SF - Shin-Soo Choo (2) RBI - Shin-Soo Choo (71), Travis Hafner (43), Lou Marson 4 (18) SB - Michael Brantley (8, 3rd base off Bell/Napoli) Team LOB - 9 Fielding DP - Valbuena-LaPorta, Nix-Valbuena-LaPorta Los Angeles Angels Hitters AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Reggie Willits, CF 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 .288 Alberto Callaspo, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 .283 Bobby Abreu, LF 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .251 Torii Hunter, RF 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .293 Hideki Matsui, DH 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .266 Mike Napoli, C 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .246 Howard Kendrick, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .274 Juan Rivera, 1B 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .245 Erick Aybar, SS 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .259 Totals 30 1 7 1 3 7     Batting HR - Torii Hunter (21, Masterson) RBI - Torii Hunter (74) CS - Bobby Abreu (10, 2nd base by Masterson/Marson), Torii Hunter (12, 3rd base by Masterson/Marson) Team LOB - 5 Fielding DP - Kendrick-Aybar-J. Rivera E - Erick Aybar (20, Missed catch of throw), Trevor Bell (1, Throwing) Cleveland Indians Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Justin Masterson (W,6-12) 7 6 1 1 2 5 1 4.88 Justin Germano 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1.31 Rafael Perez 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.69 Pitches-Strikes - Justin Masterson 100-65, Justin Germano 19-12, Rafael Perez 15-12 Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Justin Masterson 6-6, Rafael Perez 2-0 Batters Faced - Justin Masterson 25, Justin Germano 4, Rafael Perez 4 Los Angeles Angels Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Trevor Bell (L,2-5) 5.1 4 2 2 3 4 1 4.72 Francisco Rodriguez 0 2 4 4 2 0 1 4.54 Bobby Cassevah 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.25 Scot Shields 0.1 0 0 0 2 1 0 5.28 Michael Kohn 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.92 Rich Thompson 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.32 Pitches-Strikes - Trevor Bell 88-50, Francisco Rodriguez 18-7, Bobby Cassevah 12-9, Scot Shields 21-10, Michael Kohn 6-6, Rich Thompson 24-13 Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Trevor Bell 5-7, Michael Kohn 1-1, Rich Thompson 3-1 Batters Faced - Trevor Bell 23, Francisco Rodriguez 4, Bobby Cassevah 3, Scot Shields 3, Michael Kohn 2, Rich Thompson 7 Poll Who plays Robb Quinlan in the movie? Tom Hanks Mark Wahlberg Hugh Laurie Denzel Washington   39 votes | Results Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2930073/indians-vs-angels-baseball-handicapping-offshore-insiders.html Los Angeles TimesIndians vs Angels Baseball HandicappingOffshore InsidersThe Cleveland Indians will be trying to extend a winning streak on Wednesday when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. ...Indians-Angels PreviewCBSSports.comLou Marson and Indians slam Angels, 6-1The Associated PressIndians pitchers getting it togetherPhiladelphia InquirerIndians.com -SB Nation Cleveland (blog) -UPI.comall 419 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2927204/angels-notebook-conger-trumbo-receive-call-home.html ANAHEIM - Mark Trumbo and Hank Conger put on major-league uniforms for the first time Tuesday afternoon, getting the call to join the Angels after their season at Triple-A Salt Lake ended. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2927203/angels-remain-hit-miss.html The Angels have been waiting and waiting for the hits to come, and on Tuesday night those hits arrived - 3,053 to be exact. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2927202/indians-6-angels-1-newsday-subscription.html Indians 6, Angels 1Newsday (subscription)LOB_Cleveland 9, Los Angeles 5. 2B_Hafner (25). HR_Hafner (11), off T.Bell; Marson (3), off F.Rodriguez; Tor.Hunter (21), off Masterson. ... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2927201/lapd-officers-disperse-violent-protesters-shooting-nonlethal-projectiles-istockanalystcom-press-release.html LAPD officers disperse violent protesters with shooting of non-lethal projectilesistockAnalyst.com (press release)LOS ANGELES, Sep. 7, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Riot gear-clad Los Angels Police Department officers fired at least two volleys of non-lethal projectiles ...and more » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2927200/angels-turn-in-another-terrible-performance.html ANAHEIM -- In a season the Angels will just want to forget, they are making lasting memories for some.It was Lou Marson's turn Tuesday night. The rookie catcher (part of the package the Cleveland Indians received from the Phillies in exchange for... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2927199/pregame-picks-big-chance.html Well, clearly Rev has lost his marbles because today's pregame picks has a chance to throw everything around... For 100 : 1 odds, you need to guess how many pitches the Angels starting pitcher will throw. (Kazmir is scheduled) That's right, a multiplier of 100 for this game. But you need to get that pitch count EXACTLY right. Here's the link to make your picks!! You have until 4 PM to make those picks. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2926894/mlb-cleveland-6-los-angeles-angels-1-upicom.html Kansas City StarMLB: Cleveland 6, Los Angeles Angels 1UPI.com8 (UPI) -- Lou Marson's grand slam was the big blow Tuesday in the Cleveland Indians' 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. ...Indians-Angels PreviewCBSSports.comRecap: LA Angels vs. ClevelandMiamiHerald.comChoo delivers in 9th, drives Indians past AngelsThe Associated PressPlain Dealer -SBR Forum -Offshore Insidersall 347 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2926893/trumbo-eager-to-contribute.html ANAHEIM ? Some time this week, Mark Trumbo could make his major league debut and start at first base for the Angels.When he does, he will become the 11th player to play first base for the Angels this season, tying a club record. Playing time at the... Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920809/angels-notebook-morales-getting-past-his-injury.html ANAHEIM - First baseman Kendry Morales is healing on schedule from a broken bone in his leg suffered May29 after a winning grand slam against Seattle. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920808/angels-stuck-in-their-tracks.html ANAHEIM - Never let it be said the Angels didn't have a chance in this race. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920807/angels-lose-another-chance.html While the first-place Texas Rangers stumble toward the finish line, the Angels seem to have stopped dead in their tracks, the latest missed opportunity coming with Monday night's 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians before 39,107 at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920805/angels-athletics-sunday-box-score-kansas-city-star.html Mainichi Daily NewsAngels ? Athletics Sunday box scoreKansas City StarRunners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 6 (Willits 2, Napoli, Callaspo, E.Aybar, H.Kendrick); Oakland 7 (Kouzmanoff, Pennington, Larish 4, Crisp). ...Matsui 3-for-5 in Angels' win over A'sJapan TodayAngels turn power back on, defeat Athletics 7-4Examiner.comall 32 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920804/californias-union-jobs-take-hit-from-recession-los-angeles-times.html Los Angeles TimesCalifornia's union jobs take hit from recessionLos Angeles TimesWorkers gather at Los Angeles' Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the annual Labor Day Mass. (Kirk McKoy, Los Angeles Times / September 7, ...Study: SoCal union jobs are disappearingabc7.comall 14 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920803/democrats-rally-faithful-as-fall-campaign-gets-underway-los-angeles-times.html LifeNews.comDemocrats rally the faithful as fall campaign gets underwayLos Angeles TimesJerry Brown chats with Marvin Kropke, business manager for the IBEW Local 11, at a rally at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Monday. ...LA rally kicks off campaigning for Calif DemocratsSan Jose Mercury Newsall 92 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920802/mondays-indians-angels-box-score-kansas-city-star.html Monday's Indians ? Angels box scoreKansas City StarCS: Callaspo (3). SF: Duncan. Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland 7 (A.Cabrera 2, Marson 2, LaPorta, Hafner 2); Los Angeles 4 (Napoli 2, E.Aybar 2).and more » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920801/rangers-harden-resigned-to-bullpen-role-montreal-gazette.html Rangers' Harden resigned to bullpen roleMontreal GazetteRich Harden of the Texas Rangers pitches during the game against the Los Angeles Angels of ...and more » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920800/mazzaro-still-winless-since-july-24-as-angels-knock-around-to-win-74-examinercom.html Kansas City StarMazzaro still winless since July 24 as Angels knock A's around to win, 7-4Examiner.comAfter today's 7-4 shellacking at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels, Mazzaro has now lost six straight decisions and is winless since late July. ...LA Angels of Anaheim (65-71) at Oakland Athletics (67-68), 4:05 pmMiamiHerald.comAngels-Athletics PreviewCBSSports.comA's beat Angels behind Cahill's 15th winThe Associated PressKansas City Star -San Jose Mercury News -TSNall 622 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920799/as-beat-vin-mazzaro-sent-to-triplea-san-francisco-chronicle.html TSNA's Beat: Vin Mazzaro sent to Triple-ASan Francisco ChronicleBen Margot / AP Oakland Athletics' Vin Mazzzaro works against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. ...Vin Mazzaro hurt by home run ball again as Oakland A's lose to Los Angeles ...San Jose Mercury NewsOakland's Mazzaro optioned to triple-A Sacramento, will pitch in playoffs thereThe Canadian Pressall 76 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920798/memo-to-jerry-brown-tell-like-los-angeles-times.html Los Angeles TimesMemo to Jerry Brown: Tell it like it isLos Angeles Times... promising a "significant announcement," and Brown himself was going to be at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles to make it. ...Brown criticizes Whitman at Labor Day union eventsContra Costa Timesall 125 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920797/indiansangels-preview-cbssportscom.html Los Angeles TimesIndians-Angels PreviewCBSSports.comWhile the Los Angeles Angels still have a winning record in Anaheim, they haven't enjoyed many victories there lately. The Angels look to avoid their first ...Recap: LA Angels vs. ClevelandMiamiHerald.comChoo delivers in 9th, drives Indians past AngelsThe Associated PressField of terrors: Tribe errs repeatedlyPlain DealerSBR Forum -Offshore Insiders -SB Nation Cleveland (blog)all 238 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920796/angels-release-longtime-utilityman-quinlan-miamiheraldcom.html Angels release longtime utilityman QuinlanMiamiHerald.comBy Sports Network The Los Angeles Angels cut ties with utilityman Robb Quinlan, who has been with the team since 2003. Quinlan has played sparingly this ...Mark Trumbo, Hank Conger Called Up to Los Angeles AngelsBleacher ReportFuture is now for Conger, hero of Futures game promoted by Angels; Stokes cutThe Canadian PressHalos call up five from Salt Lake, show Stokes the doorExaminer.comESPNall 87 news articles » Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920795/al-cy-young-race-quotexpected-winsquot.html I know you all missed my daily update yesterday.  Well, I'm back.  This time around, I'm looking at the American League Cy Young race for 2007.  Listed below are the top six candidates as I perceive them currently (Josh Beckett, Erik Bedard, C.C. Sabathia, Dan Haren, Kelvim Escobar, and John Lackey), as of the morning of August 16th, 2007.  I've included the following stats in this order: wins, losses, ERA, ERA+, Ks, K/9, WHIP, and one special category that I created myself.  I call it the "expected wins" category.  It works like this: for every start in which the starter went 5 or more innings with an ERA of 4.00 or below, he got a win.  For every start in which his ERA was higher than 4.99, he got a loss.  Every start, regardless of innings pitched, in which the ERA fell between or on 4.00 or 4.99, he was given a no decision.  If the pitcher failed to complete 5 innings, but had an ERA under 4.40 for the innings he did pitch, he received a no decision.  If the pitcher allows 3 earned runs, and two or more unearned runs per game, he is given a loss.  This adjustment is meant to be reflective of a pitcher's ability to pitch around errors when they occur and work their ways out of jams.  The method was a bit arbitrary admittedly, but its basis lies in the statistic of "quality starts".  In the last few years, "quality starts" have been used to define the number of times that a starting pitcher has had a start good enough to keep the team in the game.  It is defined as any start in which the pitcher gives up 3 or fewer runs in 6 or more innings pitched.  That sets the maximum possible ERA for a quality start at 4.50 (although the quality start stat for some reason is not quite forgiving to pitchers who go 8 or 9 innings and give up 4 earned runs, for a 4.50 and 4.00ERA respectively).  From this 'maximum quality start ERA', I have a half-run cushion on both sides to encompass a moderate range outside of 4.50, thus 4.00-4.99.  This allows for minor fluctuations in run support from one game to the next.  The 'quality start' is not so much a measure of a pitcher deserving to win as it is an indicator of whether or not they kept their team in the game.  The broader range I have created is to allow for starts in which the starter reasonably kept his offense in the game.  Over all, the end product should be far more indicative of how much a starting pitcher did to keep his offense in a game than the current wins and losses do.  I fully acknowledge the system is flawed, but I do it in order to be fair to all pitchers concerned.  In a perfect world, with more time on my hands and more statistics to easily work into the system, I would make a few adjustments.  For now, behold my six Cy Young candidates.Josh Beckett: 15W-5L, 3.24ERA, 139ERA+, 140Ks, 8.55K/9, 1.11WHIP, 14XW-5XLErik Bedard: 12W-4L, 2.98ERA, 148ERA+, 207Ks, 11.02K/9, 1.08WHIP, 18XW-5XLC.C. Sabathia: 14W-6L, 3.48ERA, 126ERA+, 162Ks, 8.06K/9, 1.20WHIP, 16XW-6XLDan Haren: 13W-4L, 2.54ERA, 170ERA+, 138Ks, 7.17K/9, 1.13WHIP, 17XW-4XLKelvim Escobar: 13W-6L, 2.68ERA, 160ERA+, 124Ks, 7.06K/9, 1.18WHIP, 18XW-3XLJohn Lackey: 15W-6L, 3.07ERA, 140ERA+, 126Ks, 7.03K/9, 1.24WHIP, 16XW-3XLThere you have it.  The six Cy Young candidates broken down statistically, using the essential indicators along with a new, adjusted indicator that I am using for myself.Looking at the numbers, I find it hard to vote right now for anyone other than Erik Bedard.  Not only has his W-L record been cheated significantly (second only to Kelvim Escobar on this list), but his ERA+ 3rd out of the list, while he completely dominates Ks, and K/9 while holding a slight edge in WHIP over everyone else.   Notice that, of the six, Josh Beckett is the only pitcher to have gained wins from his offense's production, while all others lost at least one win.  Escobar and Lackey, both Angels have received the most undue losses (surprise, surprise) of the pitchers on the list, whereas most of the others simply ended up with no decisions when their offense failed them.  If I had to draw up a ballot today, Bedard's got my vote.  The six would go as follows:1) Erik Bedard2) Dan Haren3) Kelvim Escobar4) John Lackey5) Josh Beckett6) C.C. SabathiaTune in next time for the National League, folks! Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920794/this-angels-domination-against-yankees.html Has gone on forever now, and I'm loving every minute of it.  Check back tomorrow afternoon for a breakdown of their success against the Pinstripes in the Joe Torre era.  It'll be a stat-filled mess, I assure you. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920793/angels-vs-yankees-1996present.html As we all know from hearing it roughly 9,000 times over the last 11 years, the Angels are the only team in Major League Baseball to have a winning record against the Joe Torre managed Yankees.During this period of time, the Angels own a 60-54 (.524) record.  If you include the two playoff match-ups, the record goes up to 66-57 (.537).  Not exactly dominating, but a modest edge on a team that has otherwise not known defeat.  I ran some numbers using baseball-reference.com, and retrosheet.org, and have compiled the meaningful stats of all 114 games between these teams since 1996.  A special thanks to Robb Wolf for helping me accumulate all the stats.  It wasn't easy, and it took a ton of time to go through each box score.  Here we go, through last night's game:*Note that none of the following stats include post-season play*Total Runs ScoredAngels: 553Yankees: 57710+ Run GamesAngels: 12Yankees: 10Blowout Wins (6 runs or more)Angels: 10Yankees: 13Shutouts ThrownAngels: 7Yankees: 3Average Runs/GameAngels: 4.85Yankees: 5.06Extra Inning WinsAngels: 7Yankees: 71-Run WinsAngels: 16Yankees: 8I think the most interesting stat here is the number of one-run wins for the Angels.  Considering how heavily vaunted the Yankees bullpen (particularly Mariano Rivera) has been for a long time, it's definitely worthy of note that the Yankees have gone 8-16 in these one run contests.  Of course, as any Angels fan knows well, the Angels' bullpen has been one of the most unheralded units in baseball, consistently protecting leads, or holding deficits to small margins until the Angels could come back.And now some numbers, just on behalf of the Angels.  From 1996-2007, the Angels have compiled the following stats:All Non-Yankee Opponents:Batting Average: .273ERA: 4.36Runs Scored/Game: 4.84Runs Allowed/Game: 4.71Hits/Game: 9.44Against the YankeesBatting Average: .274ERA: 4.56Runs Scored/Game: 4.85Runs Allowed/Game: 5.06Hits/Game: 9.61So, for all of the Angels' success against the Yankees in the 11 years Joe Torre has managed them, there has been very little discrepancy between their numbers against the Yankees and their numbers against other opponents.  Although the Yankees have outscored the Angels over this period of time, the evidence shows that the Yankees have an "all or nothing" tendency against the Angels; that is they have blown out the Angels on several occasions, but also have been prone to complete shut-downs of their offense.  The Angels have had a marginal step-up in both hits per game (up 1.8%), but also in runs allowed per game (up 7.4%).  This, of course, is to be expected: the Yankees have had some of the most potent offenses over the last decade or more, while having roughly average pitching during that same stretch (going back and forth between some seasons in which they were near the top of the league, and seasons where they were below average).PlayoffsOf course, you can't have a conversation about the Angels and Yankees match-up over the last several years without mentioning the playoffs.  The two teams have met twice (2002 and 2005) in the division series, with the Angels winning both times (the first 3 games to 1, the second 3 games to 2).  In 2002, the Angels went on to win the World Series against the San Francisco Giants.  In 2005, they lost to the Chicago White Sox (the eventual World Series Champions) in the American League Championship Series.  For the sake of my blood-pressure, we won't go into why they lost that series.The Numbers (9 total games, Angels lead series 6-3):Total RunsAngels: 56Yankees 45Runs/GameAngels: 6.22Yankees: 5.00Batting AverageAngels: .323Yankees: .266Earned Run AverageAngels: 4.90Yankees: 6.12Hits/GameAngels: 11.33Yankees: 8.89Well, as you can see, the two teams are pretty offense-oriented once playoff time comes around.  Offensive numbers are way up across the board, and pitching numbers become rather high as a result.That's a wrap for now on this Angels vs. Yankees entry.  Seeing as it is one of the most talked about match-ups for Angels fans over the last decade, I hope you enjoyed the breakdown.  It's certainly been a lively and exciting series to watch, and should continue to be so for years to come.Small Ball: 1Mashers: 0 Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920792/i-apologize.html As little sense as this makes, it's actually going to become easier to update this blog once summer is over and I am back in school for my last year of college.  Starting September 3rd (I go back the 2nd), be ready to expect daily updates on the Angels.  The next week will be hectic in preparation, but rest assured we'll have a 5 or 6 game lead on the Mariners by then and most of my September posts will be about all the rookies we get to test out in September as we burn away games until the postseason.In the meantime, I have to whore out this amazing video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=WGoi1MSGu64-S.K. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920791/what-huge-fuck-up-i-am.html After my last post, I got locked out of my own account for some unknown reason (hacked?, password changed?).  Rather than fix the problem, I forgot about it, and never updated until...well, now.  Today, someone out there sent me a nudge advising me to update this thing, and I'm happy to say that I shall now be able to do so on a fairly regular basis once more.  Seeing my blog end up in the Halos Heaven graveyard of blogs was certainly not nice.  It's been a hectic semester (graduation in May), so I've fallen way behind on everything.  Later on today, or early Sunday, there will be an update coming, Re: The Top Ten Reasons You Need to Shut Your Mouth and Start Being Optimistic About the Angels in '08.Because, frankly, there's too much whining going on for a team poised to win their 4th division title in four years...especially when said team wasn't winning anything for the FOUR DECADES prior. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920790/top-10-reason-angels-win-in-08.html *Assuming the status quo is maintained in the American League10) The Angels have the best rotation in baseball. - That's right.  The best.  Not the Red Sox.  Not the Indians.  Not the Tigers.  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Last year, John Lackey won the American League ERA title.  Kelvim Escobar spent almost the entire year as a top Cy Young Candidate.  Jered Weaver, entering his third big league season, is healthy and poised to take the next step forward into becoming a potential staff ace.  Jon Garland is a 4+ ERA innings eater, who many teams would take as their #2 starter.  Some desperate franchise may slide him in at #1.  He's our #4, arguably our #5.  Santana can't possibly be as bad as he was last year, and even if he is, the reliable Joe Saunders slides in as a more than adequate 5th starter.The Tigers?  Lots of question marks.  Verlander is an ace in the making, but Bonderman is still all about potential, with very little in the way of results.  Rogers is getting too old to be a sure thing, Robertson has had one season in his career with an ERA+ at or above 100, and Willis is coming from the National League East to the American League Central...bringing his 5+ ERA from 2007 with him.  They could be a solid bunch.  More than likely, they'll wish they had Andrew Miller back along with their entire farm system when their rotation proves vulnerable.Red Sox are more of the same.  Assuming they don't end up with Santana, they have Beckett at the front as an ace.  They have an aging, injury prone, and now inconsistent Schilling behind him. Then Matsuzaka, who I firmly believe we've seen the MLB ceiling of.  Wakefield is the king of the 7IP, 2ER start...and the 2IP, 7ER start.  Buchholz has the make up of a future ace, but is much too young to rush to judgment on.  Lester has the ceiling of a #3 or #4, but really not much more.  Am I missing someone?The Indians rely heavily on Carmona and Sabathia.  Beyond that, I'm really just very unsure of what they offer.  Byrd is a perennial #4 starter.  Westbrook is one of the biggest question marks among starters on American League contenders.  More than likely, he throws up another mediocre dud.  Sowers and Laffey have the talent to become #2/#3 starters, but does it come together in 2008, or does Sowers struggle on the big stage once more?9) Injuries- I don't think I can overstate this point.  Going into the playoffs, Kotchman, Vlad, Matthews, and Anderson were all hit with various ailments.  Regardless of what happened in the playoffs with our offensive production compared to Boston, it can't be ignored that we suffered greatly with these injuries.  If the same caliber of players go down on the other side, we'd walk into the ALCS.  During the season, Kendrick and Kotchman suffered once more from freak injuries.  Don't count on it happening again.  Guerrero and Anderson can produce very well when healthy.  Their time split at DH this year will make sure that that continues to happen.  Jered Weaver, Mike Napoli, and Justin Speier also figure to be due for more healthy seasons than in the past.8) Torii Hunter- It's not your $90 million, so toss that out the window right now.  Not only does Hunter bring a more-than-solid bat with him, but he gives us depth that allows both Anderson and Guerrero to spend more time at DH.  But look at his numbers.  Six full seasons in the Majors, 5 of them with 90+ RBIs, and in a lesser lineup than the one he will be in now.  Every full season, he's hit at least 23 home runs.  He's even stolen 18 or more bases in 5 of the last 6 years.  He's a virtual lock to bat at least .270.  His stats actually compare across the board very favorably with a prime-era Garret Anderson.  Basically, subtract 25 points from Hunter's batting average, add them back to the OBP courtesy of his increase in walks over G.A., and you have the same offensive caliber.  Interesting to note: Hunter's OPS+ has climbed every year for four straight years.  Pencil him in for a .275/.330/.480 season.  Minimum.  Oh, and don't forget the glove love.  Statisticians will tell you he's overrated with the glove.  I'll remember that when he and Matthews routinely turn home runs in to outs.  He's certainly not below average.7) The right side of the infield- Kotchman, Kendrick, and the Kennedy's (not Adam).  Perhaps the three unluckiest K-names in the world.  That has to end, and will end.  We've seen what the two of them do when healthy: Kotchman was hitting .333/.411/.556 before Russell Martin's errant throw knocked him back to earth.  And no, that wasn't an aberration.  He was a career .325/.407/.493 hitter in the minors.  His 37 doubles in 443 at-bats in 2007 put him on a 50 double clip in a 600 at-bat season.  Did I mention that he plays gold glove defense?  Howie Kendrick, who we were oh-so-willing to part with in exchange for Miguel Cabrera, is not a bad piece to be holding on to himself.  When he was healthy last year, he was raking.  He batted .322 in 338 at-bats.  He'd do well for himself to draw a few more walks, but I'll take the 43 doubles-pace, and the certain-to-improve power numbers from a healthy 24 year old.  And between the two of them, they'll be earning about half of one Angels' stadium sell-out for the entire season.  Not bad.6) Fewer wasted roster spots.- This was actually on my list last year, too.  Then Shea Hillenbrand happened to us.  But every year, we've had fewer and fewer duds added to the roster for no apparent reason.  1-25, there isn't a Hillenbrand, Finley, Alfonzo, Halter, or Merloni to be seen.  In fact, I don't see a regular in our lineup incapable of reaching a 100 OPS+.  Yes, even Matthews.  We're losing excess wasted at-bats every year.5) Garret Anderson- I've had a man-crush on Garret for a long, long time.  It's always sort of hurt to be stuck defending him against hostility amongst Angels fans who seem to forget what he once was.  This man was on his way to the Hall of Fame before arthritis and God-knows-what-else caught up with him.  This is a man who, if you added nothing more than WALKS to his career resumé, would stack up right alongside the hero-worshipped Derek Jeter (Don't believe me?  Stats don't lie: http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/anderga01.shtml and http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jeterde01.shtml).  That's right.  If Garret added the walk to his career stats, he's right alongside the so-called "first balloter."But that's not the point in discussing his '08 impact.  Last year, Garret made a ton of Angels fans eat crow.  A healthy serving of it, too.  That it took an end-season slump brought on by fatigue to bring his OPS+ DOWN to 114 speaks volumes.  In his last 282 at-bats (312 plate appearances), Garret had an .053 BA/OBP differential.  His career average is .030.  That's more than a 70% increase in walks-drawn.  During that time, he also knocked in 65 runs and slugged .532.  All because he was healthy and drawing more walks than usual.  If he had swung a little harder on his grounder-up-the-middle in a certain August game, he'd be the single-game record holder for RBIs in a game.  If you think he's incapable of doing it again...stop being a contrarian and get on board.  Garret, for all the flaws you may love to find in his game (despite a decade of amazing performance), has found his rhythm and his late-career stride by turning around his approach to the game, and it's working.  If he stays healthy in 2008, even to a marginal degree, he's going to produce like he did in his prime.4) Defense- Reagins giveth, and Reagins taketh away.  We lost the glove of Orlando Cabrera at shortstop, but we gained Torii Hunter in Centerfield.  Not only that, but our defense gets better by subtraction.  That's right...the subtraction of Vladimir Guerrero's glove.  Defensively, Hunter, Matthews, and Anderson/Rivera is arguable the best defensive outfield in baseball, and will save countless runs over the course of a season.  And we all know Aybar and Izturis could use some polish on their game, but their defensive work is still slick enough to hold down the fort.  Casey is a gold glover, Mathis is a wiz behind the dish, and Kendrick is learning fast in the field.  Figgins will always be a defensive liability, but when he is spelled by Wood, Izturis, or dare I even say...McPherson...the defense at the corner will improve.3) The power is back on- Nope, we didn't get Miguel Cabrera.  But that doesn't mean the power will be in short supply again this year.  Let's take a look at what they did in regards to the long ball in 2007, versus some educated guesses for 2008.2007Actual/2008 EstimateCatchersMike Napoli: 10 / 16Jeff Mathis: 4 / 6OutfieldVladimir Guerrero: 27 / 28Gary Matthews Jr.: 18 / 16Garret Anderson: 16 / 13Juan Rivera: 2 / 6Reggie Willits: 0 / 0Torri Hunter: NA / 26InfieldCasey Kotchman: 11 / 18Howie Kendrick: 5 / 12Orlando Cabrera: 8 / NAChone Figgins: 3 / 6Erick Aybar: 1 / 2Maicer Izturis: 6 / 6DH/BenchBrandon Wood: 1 / 4Terry Evans: 1 / 2Shea Hillenbrand: 3 / NAKendry Morales: 4 / 9Robb Quinlan: 3 / 0Dallas McPherson: NA / 72007 Total: 1232008 Estimate: 177Biggest Contributions over last year: Kotchman adds 7, Kendrick adds 7, Hunter adds 26 (over Willits), Napoli adds 6.2) The Bullpen- Last year, Justin Speier missed a considerable amount of time early on...to what I can only assume was the result of inappropriate post-game festivities with Casey Kotchman.  This illness resulted in an increased work load for both Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez.  Without the injury, both work less time and are in better shape to pitch later in the season.  This would work perfectly for the Angels, because the two of them, particularly Shields, have rough patches in the second half.  Darren Oliver proved to be a more-than-capable reliever and was, in fact, probably the biggest pitching surprise of 2007 for the team.  He was nearly lights-out in the second half, when he put up a 2.23 ERA and a .177 BAA against in 36 1/3 innings, striking out 29.  If we even get a glimpse of that for the year, the bullpen will be better.  Ervin Santana could see time in the bullpen, which could have mixed results.  I would be optimistic about such a movie, however.  Ervin has a great fastball and could be dominant in a late-inning role if he doesn't work out in the rotation.1) The Depth- This sort of goes along with everything I've said earlier, and is so, so important to the depth of this team.  If Howie Kendrick goes down, super-subs Maicer Izturtis and Chone Figgins step-in and superb tools.  If third base doesn't work out for us, Brandon Wood, Dallas McPherson, and Figgins can again fill in...the former two offering an unlimited upside in the power department.  If Casey continues to be plagued by bad luck, Kendry Morales and his sky-high ceiling are waiting for a chance to produce.  Our rotation is deep.  Lackey, Escobar, Weaver, Saunders, Garland, Santana, Moseley, and Nick Adenhart all have the ability to fill in at a moment's notice.  Even Darren Oliver is capable of spot-starts.  And not a single one of them is worse than the average #4 starter in the league.Piece it all together, and we're in great shape in 2008.  And for all the talk of us being wiped out in the playoffs once more?  It's all meaningless.  This team can compete with the Red Sox, Indians, or Yankees with ease.  We have the talent, the depth, and the well-roundedness of one of the best teams of the decade. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920789/christmas-mr-mitchell.html *Cross-posted at Halos Heaven (halosheaven.com)In the coming weeks, many of us will be celebrating the Christmas holiday.  We will also be receiving the Mitchell report which, according to our beloved owner, will name names. Putting together the two, I have to ask: which names would you like to see on the list as an early Christmas present.  Granted, none of us want the game destroyed by the revelations that so-and-so did 'roids, but given that we already have reason to believe that names will be given, who do you want there?  What names on the list would brighten your holiday season, as you watch their career, reputation, and, possibly hall-of-fame career destroyed?So, drop in and just give me a name, and maybe a short reason.  I'm interested to see who is on your wish list. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/2920788/angels-represented-in-mitchell-report.html In total, there are 16 former or current Angels named in the Mitchell Report.  All though this sounds quite bad, I thought I'd take a moment to give you a name by name breakdown of who was named and what it means.Part One: The "Who Gives a Shit?"s1) Jason Christiansen: He pitched 3 2/3 innings in his Angels' career.  I actually remember the acquisition for him, and was even at a game for one of his appearances.  His tenure was basically just a long-delayed layover flight between clubs.  Whoop-de-fucking-doo.2) Bart Miadich: Anyone who remembers who this is or recalls his 12 career innings pitched with the Angels aside from Bart himself, or his immediate family is just a fucking liar.  Next.3) Adam Riggs: The highlight of his career with the Angels was getting his name misspelled on his jersey.  Yawn.4) Glenallen Hill: I sorta liked him during his days as a Giants player.  Still sorta do.  Thanks for the .318 OPS in 66 at-bats though, man.  We couldn't have been the same 2001 team without it.5) Jason Grimsley: Everyone already knew he'd be in this report before it even surfaced.  Thankfully this abortion of a pitcher only spent 1996 with us, in which time he still managed to single-handedly bring a franchise to its knees with his 6.84ERA.  God knows what he would have done without 'roids.6) Derrick Turnbow: We all knew he'd be here after his positive test ages ago.  He's not our problem, nor has he ever really been.  He pitched less than 60 career innings for the franchise, before deciding to not suck for about a season with the Brewers.  I sorta miss his goofy face.7) Kent Mercker:  Really?  Him?  I could have hit his stuff at age 14...when he was throwing 48 1/3 innings of 6.52ERA ball for the 2000 Angels.  Irrelevant.8) Ismael Valdez: Hey Dodgers, thanks for your leftovers.  Next time you can keep them.  His inclusion in the list, like so many others, means nothing to our franchise.  The Angels were just a pit-stop on his road trip of a career through mediocrity.Part Two:  They stayed in the fridge a couple weeks past expiration9) Brendan Donnelly: We all liked him for a while when he was a lights-out set-up man for the '02 Angels.  Remember that time that Bernie Williams called him "Donaldson" after a game?  He took his performance enhancers after the '02 series, so he's really just a footnote.  Especially since we've all come to hate him and his pine-tar bullshit, along with the fact that he was just sort of a horrible human being.10) Scott Schoenweis: Jack of all trades, master of none.  And by 'jack of all trades', I mean he could stand on the mound in either relief or as a starter and manage to not cause your team to fall into a twelve run deficit.  And by 'master of none', I mean he damn well might try his hardest to make it an eleven run deficit.  He was with the Angels for the '02 run, but again was not linked to anything that makes that title even marginally tainted...which would have required him to be relevant for that team in the first place.11) Mo Vaughn: Oh boy.  I'm not gonna even touch this one.  Needless to say, Vaughn's inclusion in the report was likely a mix-up.  I'm sure Vaughn simply thought HGH was a new type of Krispy Kreme filling.  Thanks for the dugout tumble, buddy.12) Paul Byrd: Actually, he was pretty decent as an Angel.  He was quiet, unassuming, had a small built-in fanbase, and kept you in games almost every time out.  It's a little sad to see him on the list, but we all already knew he was going to be there.13) Randy Velarde: Boy, that's a hell of a name-drop.  I remember rooting for him as a kid and being sad to see him shipped off right as I thought he was coming around.  Then we traded him for Jeff DaVanon...who hit for the cycle at a game I went to.  Oh, how easily one memory is replaced with another.  Another name you're sort of disappointed to see, and then quickly realize it doesn't mean a thing.Part Three: I guess, if you squint real hard, you can sorta see how that's relevant14) Troy Glaus: Used post 2002.  Following injury troubles.  Shortly before he found himself on someone else's team.  This really couldn't be much less of a problem for the Angels.  But he was a franchise cornerstone for a while, and did win the World Series MVP, so it's certainly a big name to see coming from this investigation.15) Gary Matthews Jr.: We all already knew it.  We all already have the garbage name picked out for him, and have been using it for a year now.  He used HGH.  When it wasn't illegal in the game.  And he's likely not using anymore.  And he's been a decent player for us...post-juicing.  The relevance is solely found in the money he's being paid, and the fact that he's actually with us right now.  His mention on this list changes nothing in the minds of the millions of Americans who watch baseball, compared to what they were thinking last year.16) Wally Joyner: He used.  After he left the Angels.  Long after.  Then he felt so freakin' bad about it, that he flushed the rest of his pills down the toilet.  He took three pills in all, he said.  During spring training.  He comes out of this looking like a boy scout.And what goes for Joyner, a franchise icon, goes for the whole franchise as well.  This team has come out of the Mitchell report without a real scratch.  They are untarnished, and look about ready to stay as such.  And I'm sure we all couldn't be happier that that's the case.  We can all breathe easier knowing now that the Angels of past and present have set an example for all of baseball to follow.That is, after we apologize for being a pit-stop to a bunch of second-tier nobodies who happened to find a home here for about a week at a time.  I think this sentence here is apology enough for that.  But really, Grimsley should be the one apologizing...for offending all of the pitchers out there who know how to throw a clean 6.84ERA. Los Angeles Angels - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates