I'm leaving for Italy on Monday, so there will be no IPNO until, at least, January 7th.
While I'm gone, please entertain yourself with Halos Heaven, 6-4-2, Let's Go Kings, Silver Screen and Roll, and, of course, Battle of California, which happens to be featuring an awesome story about hockey (and why we love hockey) on the front page.
While I'm abroad, incoming texts are free, so feel free to send me amusing tidbits, sports-related or not. I'll have email access once a day or so, since I've only got 50 megs of iPhone data transfer before AT&T starts charging me $20 (yes, twenty dollars) per megabyte.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Lackey loses a number, a fanbase
John Lackey has gone from #41 to #40, from the west coast to the east coast, and from rich to very rich.
I've always been a Lackey fan. From my faint memories of 2002 to his 7.1 shutout innings to start the 2009 ALDS, he's been one of the few players on the Angels with the competitive spirit we, as fans, always seek from our players.
So it's without much surprise that I've watched Angels fans turn on John Lackey like he just burned down the stadium and danced on the rubble. I understand their opposition to his signing with Boston, and I understand that his game 7 in 2002 was nearly 8 years ago. Already, you can find countless Lackey Angels jerseys on eBay (though not mine, yet), and there's lots of "traitor" and other name calling going on.
I have to agree with Seitz, who claims, "I think he was a warrior who happened to pitch for the Angels, but I don't think he had much, if any, loyalty towards the franchise." That's probably true. But I've given up on hating athletes for being athletes. Lackey's accomplishments with the franchise are not diminished by his being an asshole, much like Tiger Woods doesn't lose a Major for every mistress he's had. I don't believe that John ever, ever quit on the team, or that he didn't go out there and give it his best effort every night. His last pitch as an Angel was followed by him yelling at his manager to keep him out there, saying "This is mine." Thus, I don't think it's fair to hate John Lackey just because the Red Sox gave him an overpriced spite contract.*
Maybe the man didn't didn't leak Angels spirit all over the mound, but that's not his job. His job was to pitch brilliantly, as he did throughout his Angels career. I do believe there will come a day when the fans forgive him and recognize his immense contributions to the team.
*Spite contract - the awarding of an above market-value contract to a player to prevent him from signing with a rival team. Generally adds time, rather than money, to the contract.
I've always been a Lackey fan. From my faint memories of 2002 to his 7.1 shutout innings to start the 2009 ALDS, he's been one of the few players on the Angels with the competitive spirit we, as fans, always seek from our players.
So it's without much surprise that I've watched Angels fans turn on John Lackey like he just burned down the stadium and danced on the rubble. I understand their opposition to his signing with Boston, and I understand that his game 7 in 2002 was nearly 8 years ago. Already, you can find countless Lackey Angels jerseys on eBay (though not mine, yet), and there's lots of "traitor" and other name calling going on.
I have to agree with Seitz, who claims, "I think he was a warrior who happened to pitch for the Angels, but I don't think he had much, if any, loyalty towards the franchise." That's probably true. But I've given up on hating athletes for being athletes. Lackey's accomplishments with the franchise are not diminished by his being an asshole, much like Tiger Woods doesn't lose a Major for every mistress he's had. I don't believe that John ever, ever quit on the team, or that he didn't go out there and give it his best effort every night. His last pitch as an Angel was followed by him yelling at his manager to keep him out there, saying "This is mine." Thus, I don't think it's fair to hate John Lackey just because the Red Sox gave him an overpriced spite contract.*
Maybe the man didn't didn't leak Angels spirit all over the mound, but that's not his job. His job was to pitch brilliantly, as he did throughout his Angels career. I do believe there will come a day when the fans forgive him and recognize his immense contributions to the team.
*Spite contract - the awarding of an above market-value contract to a player to prevent him from signing with a rival team. Generally adds time, rather than money, to the contract.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Do. Not. Panic.
With Halladay likely heading to Philadelphia in a trade that will send Lee to Seattle, and with news from Boston suggesting that John Lackey is likely to sign with the Red Sox on some massively overpriced deal, the Angels front office is in their "danger zone."
This "danger zone" is where they start throwing money at aging, mediocre players in the hopes that this somehow gets them over the hump and back into the playoffs. Hideki Matsui is one of these aging, mediocre players. So is Jason Bay. So is Joel Piniero.
Instead of freaking out because everyone else seems to be improving, the Angels need to look at WHY everyone else is improving, and how they can parlay a year of missing the playoffs into another 5 years of contention.
Seattle brought in new management and offloaded terrible contracts, signed top-notch defensive players, and converted a couple players who had seen only part time duty into major league regulars. They succeeded with this approach.
Texas has been bringing up young talent acquired through years of losing following the A-Rod contract debacle that destroyed a once-proud franchise. They slowed down or ceased their terrible contract signings and allowed some of their talented kids to earn regular playing time. They are succeeding with this approach.
The Red Sox have a lot of money, and spend it on players who are usually worth it. They have succeeded with this approach.
My point is that the Angels are better off sitting on their hands if they can't get Halladay or Lackey. Bay is not a great player, and he's very average if forced to play the field. This sounds a lot like another old outfielder on the Angels, Abreu, and it's incredibly dumb to lock up a DH spot with an old Matsui when Abreu should be sitting in the dugout when the Angels are on defense.
The fans will forgive a bad year if it means the team has the payroll flexibility to pick up WORTHWHILE free agents at the end of next season, combined with solid performances from graduates of a relatively weak farm system.
Put down the phone, Reagins, and relax. If you can't get Lackey or Halladay, then your winter is over. Concentrate on scouting and let some of our miserable contracts expire. You'll have your turn to pick up legitimate stars next year.
This "danger zone" is where they start throwing money at aging, mediocre players in the hopes that this somehow gets them over the hump and back into the playoffs. Hideki Matsui is one of these aging, mediocre players. So is Jason Bay. So is Joel Piniero.
Instead of freaking out because everyone else seems to be improving, the Angels need to look at WHY everyone else is improving, and how they can parlay a year of missing the playoffs into another 5 years of contention.
Seattle brought in new management and offloaded terrible contracts, signed top-notch defensive players, and converted a couple players who had seen only part time duty into major league regulars. They succeeded with this approach.
Texas has been bringing up young talent acquired through years of losing following the A-Rod contract debacle that destroyed a once-proud franchise. They slowed down or ceased their terrible contract signings and allowed some of their talented kids to earn regular playing time. They are succeeding with this approach.
The Red Sox have a lot of money, and spend it on players who are usually worth it. They have succeeded with this approach.
My point is that the Angels are better off sitting on their hands if they can't get Halladay or Lackey. Bay is not a great player, and he's very average if forced to play the field. This sounds a lot like another old outfielder on the Angels, Abreu, and it's incredibly dumb to lock up a DH spot with an old Matsui when Abreu should be sitting in the dugout when the Angels are on defense.
The fans will forgive a bad year if it means the team has the payroll flexibility to pick up WORTHWHILE free agents at the end of next season, combined with solid performances from graduates of a relatively weak farm system.
Put down the phone, Reagins, and relax. If you can't get Lackey or Halladay, then your winter is over. Concentrate on scouting and let some of our miserable contracts expire. You'll have your turn to pick up legitimate stars next year.
At least former Huskies know how to win
...since the current ones are having huge parties the night after losing to Maine. That's right, guys, I can hear you downstairs. Maybe you should consider spending some of your social time learning how to score goals.
If I were coaching this team, they'd be skating suicides until their blades went dull. And the goalies would be wearing their masks to bed every night.
Anyways, here's Jose:
Click to make Jose slightly taller.
Memo to Roby: Retire his damn number, already.
If I were coaching this team, they'd be skating suicides until their blades went dull. And the goalies would be wearing their masks to bed every night.
Anyways, here's Jose:
Click to make Jose slightly taller.Memo to Roby: Retire his damn number, already.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Whatever parallel universe I'm living in, I love it
Click for a larger version of the source of my wonderment. The Kings are in first place. Not just in the Pacific division, which is impressive enough in its own right, but in the Western Conference, which is something that feels like it hasn't happened since before I was born, or at least since Gretzky left.
After losing like a million consecutive shootouts, Los Angeles has managed six straight shootout wins, largely courtesy of a stellar Jon Quick, who has played well after having sucked for large portions of the early season.
I just want them to make the playoffs, but I'll be okay with a first place finish.
After losing like a million consecutive shootouts, Los Angeles has managed six straight shootout wins, largely courtesy of a stellar Jon Quick, who has played well after having sucked for large portions of the early season.
I just want them to make the playoffs, but I'll be okay with a first place finish.
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