Baseball Toaster: Dodger Thoughts : Humbled Angels

Humbled Angels

2006-05-26 11:09

by Jon Weisman

With the Angels at Dodger Stadium last weekend, I turned my focus to them for my latest SI.com column:

... The Angels pride themselves on small-ball execution, but with the rare scoring opportunities provided by the team's AL-worst on-base and slugging percentages, mistakes have been magnified. The Angels pride themselves on clubhouse chemistry, but a shouting match between players broke out in full earshot of reporters after that frustrating May 18 loss. The Angels pride themselves as the ascending team in Los Angeles but got hammered 31-7 over three games last weekend by their I-5 rivals, the Dodgers.

Finally, the Angels pride themselves on a blossoming farm system, but their rookies have been a net negative this season.

If it all sounds bleak, it should. But if it all sounds bleak beyond repair, it shouldn't. ...

Meanwhile, allow me to recommend Ken Arneson's thought-provoking piece at Catfish Stew, "A Good Haymaker." I'm still thinking about things he said in it.

Update: The Angels have called up Jered Weaver to pitch Saturday, according to Mark Saxon of the Register. He will take Kevin Gregg's rotation spot. Jeff Weaver's six-inning, three-run victory this week in Texas saved the Angels from a difficult decision about him.

Update 2: For more on Jered Weaver, check out Baseball Analysts.

Comments (58)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2006-05-26 11:32:03

1. blue22

Second-guessed yourself on the original post title? I thought it was a tad violent for you.

At least you avoided the obvious "Fallen Angels". :-)

2006-05-26 11:36:44

2. Bob Timmermann

Carlos Zambrano has walked in a run to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead.

He walked Jeff Francouer!

It was his fourth walk of the inning.

2006-05-26 11:38:00

3. Jon Weisman

The second I put it up (really, just a second - I'm amazed you even saw it), it just seemed wrong.

2006-05-26 11:40:13

4. Bob Timmermann

Even I didn't see it. I usually notice these things.

It will go down as one of those collectors' items. Sort of like the "butcher cover" Beatles album.

2006-05-26 11:43:25

5. blue22

3 - Impeccable timing on my part, I guess. It did seem a bit weird.

4 - If I'd known it would be taken down so quickly, I would've screen grabbed it and posted on eBay. Such is life...

2006-05-26 11:44:51

6. gpellamjr

Someone's going to have to repeat it... just once.

2006-05-26 11:46:36

7. Jon Weisman

It was "Strangels." Mainly because they were having a strange season. I didn't think it was "violent," but it just didn't work.

2006-05-26 11:47:17

8. blue22

6 - I wouldn't feel right about it. Besides there's no money to be made from it now.

2006-05-26 11:48:22

9. blue22

7 - I first saw "Strangles", and then noticed the spelling and the obvious allusion to the Angels.

Sorry for making such a big deal out of it.

2006-05-26 11:48:47

10. D4P

7
I suppose its violent content depends upon whether "strangels" is a conjunction of "strange" and "angels" or "strangle" and "angels."

I'm guessing you meant the former.

2006-05-26 11:50:20

11. Bob Timmermann

Didn't the Strangels do the less popular song "Sardonic Saturday"?

2006-05-26 11:50:33

12. bhsportsguy

Jon, stop snickering, I'm surprised that you didn't say that the thus far the biggest win they have had all year is that they get to continue calling themselves the L.A. Angels of Anaheim.

An aside to fairness, from 2003-2005, the Dodgers record in games where they led after 7 innings was 189-11. While they only have 3 losses in games where they have led after 7 this year, the 2 losses after the 8th inning (interestingly both with 3+ runs) are more than they had in 2003 and 2004 combined.

This year, a quick look tells me that big trouble inning is the 8th because 5 losses have occurred when the game was either tied or led after 7, the lead changed over for good after the fateful 8th (ode to Vin).

That is why the goggled guy pitching tonight in Vegas may have the biggest impact on the NL West. If he can settle down the bullpen, we may be able to hold on to some of those leads.

2006-05-26 11:54:23

13. Jon Weisman

12 - I'm not snickering. I'm on record with the Angels being my third-favorite team, behind the Dodgers and my Dad's Cubs. (Baltimore supplanted them briefly when I lived in D.C. and Camden Yards opened.)

2006-05-26 11:57:35

14. Jon Weisman

Pat Borders has retired, according to the Dodger press notes.

2006-05-26 11:57:40

15. D4P

13
These aren't your father's Cubs.

2006-05-26 11:59:54

16. blue22

14 - One down, one to go.

2006-05-26 12:04:45

17. bhsportsguy

13-Okay, not snickering but I love the usage of "pride" in that lead paragraph.

The Angels unfortunately have become a team that I like watching them lose only to hear their fans complain about their GM and the moves he made or didn't make. I was listening to XM last night and heard the first part of an interview with Terry Smith, Angel radio broadcaster, he must have said "we" 12-15 times in his first set of comments. Maybe I will never get past my upbringing with Vin, but that bugs me too.

2006-05-26 12:05:38

18. bhsportsguy

14 - So that's where Izzy is going play in Vero Beach.

2006-05-26 12:09:13

19. Jon Weisman

17 - Yes, there was an occasional holier-than-thou quality coming from the Angels last year - raised exponentially by many in the media - which I think got to be a bit much. Doesn't mean I wasn't rooting for them to do well. I kept rooting for the Dodgers during the Malone era, even though he was insufferable.

2006-05-26 12:11:43

20. Penarol1916

15. How are they not his Father's Cubs, don't they still stink?

2006-05-26 12:19:38

21. D4P

20
It was a rhetorical claim.

2006-05-26 12:19:38

22. D4P

20
It was a rhetorical claim.

2006-05-26 12:19:58

23. D4P

Sorry, finger spasm.

2006-05-26 12:47:09

24. Sam DC

So, that's how you get invited to the luxury suite, huh?

--------

From a local weather website (www.capitalweather.com):

"NatCast
Dodgers at Nationals
May 26, 2006 -- 7:05pm -- RFK Stadium
First Pitch 77F
9th 70F
Weather Muggy and Overcast
Chance of Rain 20%

Dress lightly for this summer-like evening, but also prepare for wet seats. Showers will have just barely passed our region by gametime; breezes should also be dying down."

2006-05-26 13:01:31

25. Jon Weisman

News: Jered Weaver called up to start Saturday.

2006-05-26 13:01:59

26. Marty

I have the Beatles' "butcher" album tucked away somewhere. It was my sister's and when we heard that the original cover may be underneath the "suitcase" cover, we carefully rubbed off the new one.

2006-05-26 13:04:24

27. Jon Weisman

Zambrano ... 105 pitches through six innings.

2006-05-26 13:13:32

28. Bob Timmermann

This still remains the most recent no-hitter:

http://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/385685.html

Sort of.

2006-05-26 13:15:21

29. blue22

and finally a hit to match the number of runs he had given up...oops, now two and another run.

2006-05-26 13:32:09

30. Sam DC

I have a friend from Chicago who is in the military and I am pretty sure if I emailed him this quote from Bronx Banter it would violate the Geneva Conventions: "Amazingly, the Royals, who are scoring an average of 3.78 runs per game, do not have the most inept offense in baseball. That distinction is held by the Cubs, who may soon add Tony Womack to the mix."

2006-05-26 13:35:24

31. Daniel Zappala

"When you consider owner Arte Moreno's passion and deep pockets, there is no doubt the Angels will be back," Lederer said. "Short of a miracle, it just won't be this year."

This has to be the most depressing sentence I have read this year.

I am still hoping for a McPherson-Morales-Kotchman-led revival.

2006-05-26 13:43:43

32. blue22

30 - The Chicago media, apparently calling it a season, seems to be pushing for a trade of Maddux. Two newspapers mentioned this yesterday, one pondering if Maddux would lift his no trade clause to be shipped to the Dodgers.

Chicago would obviously want back some hitting (presumably outfield help).

2006-05-26 13:49:56

33. ToyCannon

They are only 5 games out, I don't see why they can't turn it around this year. Once Colon comes back and if either Weaver can contribute they could still have a solid rotation of Colon, Lackey, Escobar, Weaver, Weaver. The hitting is a mess but I think they have enough pitching that they will still be in the race. Stoneman can't afford a down year and he has plenty of trading chips to get this team back on track. I expect come Sept that Oak/Angels will still be fighting for 1st place, the difference will be that neither team is as good as they have been in the past.

2006-05-26 13:54:24

34. Sam DC

pouring rain outside right now.

2006-05-26 13:59:40

35. ToyCannon

Do the gnats still follow you around like an umbrella during July & August? I loved Alexandria except for the gnats.

2006-05-26 14:04:40

36. Sam DC

35 Well, we call them The Nats now. [rimshot]. Yes, buggy indeed in late summer around these parts. Most don't bite. It's rare that a small child gets carried away.

2006-05-26 14:10:53

37. Sam DC

getting pretty crazy in Chicago. Chicago up 5-3, ATL has loaded the bases against Dempster with no outs in the top of the ninth.

2006-05-26 14:12:18

38. Jon Weisman

Meltdown about to happen in Chicago.

2006-05-26 14:12:37

39. Xeifrank

yeah, major meltdown in progress at Wrigley.
vr, Xei

2006-05-26 14:17:35

40. D4P

Meltdown in pro...oh, never mind.

2006-05-26 14:18:34

41. Jon Weisman

Looks like a humdinger of a play by Neifi. I believe the official scorer gave him the dreaded Timmermann.

2006-05-26 14:18:58

42. Nagman

Neifi can't handle the cutoff, Braves score two runs on a sac fly. Neifi charged with two errors on the play.

2006-05-26 14:19:50

43. Sam DC

Two errors for Neifi! on one play to put the Braves ahead in the top of the ninth: "Andruw Jones out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jacque Jones. Brayan Pena scores. Marcus Giles scores. Edgar Renteria to 3rd. Missed catch error by second baseman Neifi Perez. Throwing error by second baseman Neifi Perez."

[ducks]

2006-05-26 14:21:25

44. natepurcell

in minnesota tonight, its felix hernandez vs francisco liriano. nice matchup.

2006-05-26 14:22:57

45. mikethinksblue

Then Neifi strikes out to lead off the 9th

2006-05-26 14:22:58

46. D4P

Two errors on Nei...oh, never mind.

2006-05-26 14:23:20

47. Jon Weisman

D4P is cracking me up.

2006-05-26 14:24:00

48. Bob Timmermann

I have given up my quixotic battle against the double error.

It has been replaced by one to stop people from calling American bison "buffaloes" and to stop people from calling the frieze around Yankee Stadium a "facade".

2006-05-26 14:28:21

49. Marty

D4P is crack...oh, nevermind.

2006-05-26 14:28:55

50. D4P

48
I'll be making my first career trip to Yankee Stadium next month. I'll be sure to think "frieze" when I'm looking at the facade.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2006-05-26 14:33:26

51. Bob Timmermann

The facade of Yankee Stadium:
http://www.small-parks.com/YankeeFront.JPG

The frieze of Yankee Stadium:
http://greyflannelauctions.com/lotimages/1531_a.jpg

In Google, you have to put in "facade" to find the frieze.

2006-05-26 14:37:37

52. mikethinksblue

Just went to Dictionary.com and typed in frieze.

"A plain or decorated horizontal part of an entablature between the architrave and cornice."

That clears it up nicely.

2006-05-26 14:40:22

53. D4P

52
Yeah. That seems straightforward. The only part that usually throws me off is remembering that the horizontal part of the entablature between the architrave and cornice can be either plain or decorated. I always assume it has to be decorated.

2006-05-26 14:41:01

54. Inside Baseball

I'm feeling pretty good about my pick-up last week of Kenny Ray in my NL only fbb league. Pretty darn good.

2006-05-26 14:43:40

55. Linkmeister

35 36, That's what I remember about summers in Annandale, too. We had a 3/4 acre lot, mostly lawn, and when I mowed that thing I needed a chador or khaffiyeh, even though I didn't know either word then.

2006-05-26 14:45:47

56. gcrl

44
nate, i thought about heading over the dome tonight to see the matchup. the governor is going to be there, and they are having a big pat-on-the-back ceremony, including the actual signing of the new stadium funding bill. oliva, killer, rodney cline (along with announcer bert "be home" blyleven) will all be there. will kirby's ashes make an appearance?
unfortunately, the game is played inside, and it's supposed to be a nice night, so i will probably pass.

2006-05-26 14:47:38

57. Jon Weisman

Game thread is open up top.

2006-05-26 14:57:02

58. natepurcell

I think its ridiculous that the twins got a new stadium and the vikings didnt. bah, oh well.