I believe there is a direct correlation to Maddon's "Fun" that he wants to cultivate & the success that follows..

[Chuck]

Obviously, winning ball games is fun! When the Angels started off 6-14 in 2002, it wasn't very fun until they swept the Mariners in Seattle in late April. 

That said, I believe when Joe Maddon said in his press conference yesterday "To me, you need to be in the fun part of the game" it's a direct correlation to the culture that is established first, which often results in success later. 

The Nationals season kind of resembles that of the Angels in '02, not in terms of the talent on the roster, but how their respective seasons unfolded. 

Until May 24th, when they were swept in four-straight by the New York Mets as part of a five-game losing streak which left them 12 games under .500 and 10.0 out of first in the National League East, the Washington Nationals have put up the best record in baseball. But with a 28-11 mark in the last 39, the Nationals were just 6.0 games out in the division and atop the Wild Card race at the All-Star Break. There was talk in late May and before their run, that they were considering selling at the deadline. 

The Angels had some fun with the birth of the Rally Monkey in '02, while the Nationals discovered their own Rally Monkey in the person of Gerardo Parra, who has been a huge asset in the clubhouse, creating a lite, fun atmosphere -- which has even inspired the calm, cool and collective Howie Kendrick to loosen up and get involved in the fun. 

Yes fun is a result of winning, but when the pieces are there to build off of, once the wins pile up in W column it's full steam of ahead of momentum that is tough to stop... like a locomotive going max speed with no brakes. 

Here's hoping that fun, goofy culture that Maddon had success creating in Tampa and Chicago is planted, watered and brings forth fruit sooner than later in Anaheim. 

Cheers! 

 

 

[Claude]

Bringing the fun back is the single most important component that Maddon can bring to the team. After last season, this team needed a completely new manager with a new direction. It’s going to be a positive transformation. The players are going to respond to him immediately in a good way. 

[tdawg87]

So we gettin a clown for bench coach?

[Docwaukee]

Ausmus:

Maddon:

[Chuck]

26 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

Ausmus:

Maddon:

Seriously. 

 

[angelsnationtalk]

I’m excited for post game interviews to have more than 3 words. Ausmus was like a silent fart.

[Jay]

If only Maddon's "fun" comment translates to wins.

Wouldn't that be great?

 

[Chuck]

3 minutes ago, Jay said:

If only Maddon's "fun" comment translates to wins.

Wouldn't that be great?

 

He's only done it in both orgs that he's managed with, so yeah, I cannot wait. 

[Stradling]

I will laugh when Maddon decides its fun to start Albert most nights.  

[kevinb]

The Angels will be better next year if they stay healthy and have better talent than they had this year. If they have the same talent and same injuries doesn’t matter how much “fun” the manager has with the guys they’ll still lose 90 games. They can play all the hide and go seek they want in the club house but if the talent on the field isn’t significantly better next year the wins won’t be there. The manager doesn’t pitch hit or field. 

[Chuck]

2 minutes ago, Stradling said:

I will laugh when Maddon decides its fun to start Albert most nights.  

Why? As long as we're winning I don't think anyone will give a crap if he starts every game. 

As much as I like Walsh and Thaiss, I think Pujols is a better option at this point at 1B unless one of the two, if not both light the cactus league on fire this spring and Pujols looks all gimpy and fat. 

[Stradling]

Just now, Chuckster70 said:

Why? As long as we're winning I don't think anyone will give a crap if he starts every game. 

As much as I like Walsh and Thaiss, I think Pujols is a better option at this point at 1B unless one of the two, if not both light the cactus league on fire this spring and Pujols looks all gimpy and fat. 

With all due respect of course people on here will have a problem with Albert starting even if they are winning.  You may not care, but i can guarantee you people on here will care.  I personally would start Thaiss at first, but I don’t believe that will happen.

[Chuck]

1 minute ago, Stradling said:

With all due respect of course people on here will have a problem with Albert starting even if they are winning.  You may not care, but i can guarantee you people on here will care.  I personally would start Thaiss at first, but I don’t believe that will happen.

Oh I see, I thought you were directing that toward me. 

Yeah, if I had to pick I would let Thaiss and Walsh battle it out for the 1B spot, giving Pujols 3-4 starts a week between 1B and DH (when Ohtani has his 3 days in a row not DH'n).

[Jay]

16 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

The Angels will be better next year if they stay healthy and have better talent than they had this year. If they have the same talent and same injuries doesn’t matter how much “fun” the manager has with the guys they’ll still lose 90 games. They can play all the hide and go seek they want in the club house but if the talent on the field isn’t significantly better next year the wins won’t be there. The manager doesn’t pitch hit or field. 

The Angels are so bad right now, that any change is positive.

[kevinb]

1 minute ago, Jay said:

The Angels are so bad right now, that any change is positive.

I get it and Maddon is a better manager. But the Angels will have better players next year so they’ll be better which in turn will be more fun. There’s not a lot of fun u can have when you’re losing. 

[Tank]

4 hours ago, tdawg87 said:

So we gettin a clown for bench coach?

Depends on how much money Mickey Hatcher demands.

[Troll Daddy]

It’s a kids game ... if you’re not having fun then you shouldn’t be playing. Win or Lose Trouty is always smiling and having fun. 

[Docwaukee]

2 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Oh I see, I thought you were directing that toward me. 

Yeah, if I had to pick I would let Thaiss and Walsh battle it out for the 1B spot, giving Pujols 3-4 starts a week between 1B and DH (when Ohtani has his 3 days in a row not DH'n).

you're putting a lot of stock in spring training Chuck.  Remember when LaStella broke camp after his terrible spring and then made the all-star team?

yah I know.  he broke his leg.  never mind.  

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

2 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Oh I see, I thought you were directing that toward me. 

Yeah, if I had to pick I would let Thaiss and Walsh battle it out for the 1B spot, giving Pujols 3-4 starts a week between 1B and DH (when Ohtani has his 3 days in a row not DH'n).

l hope before long Ohtani will only sit on the day before he pitches, and will DH after his starts on the mound...

[Docwaukee]

I think Maddon will have a positive impact, but whoever they choose for their new pitching coach and whatever direction they take that both physically and philosophically could have an even greater impact.  

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

They need to lure the Astros' hitting pitching coach away...

l misspoke earlier...

Edited November 20, 2019 by Ace-Of-Diamonds

[ten ocho recon scout]

5 hours ago, Dochalo said:

Ausmus:

Maddon:

Arte, and angelswin

 

[ten ocho recon scout]

3 hours ago, Stradling said:

I will laugh when Maddon decides its fun to start Albert most nights.  

But at leadoff, and playing 2cd.

[ten ocho recon scout]

30 minutes ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

They need to lure the Astros' hitting coach away...

This guy you mean?

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

Pujols had his best season in years last season, as a platoon 1B/DH... why change now..