AngelsWin.com

Join hosts Adam Dodge and Geoff Stoddart as they welcome in AngelsWin.com Founder and Executive Editor, Chuck Richter.
Tonight the gang discussed their thoughts on the Angels Opening Day extra innings win over the Reds. What should we take away from the victory?  Are the Halos on their way to a 162-0 season?
They also went out on the limb to make their 2013 fearless predictions. Is Mike Trout going to sweep through all of the offensive categories or do the guys see other people rising up to lead the way?  
Listen in and find out below!

Listen to internet radio with AngelsWin on Blog Talk Radio View the full article

The Boys Are Back In Town!      
By Geoff Stoddart, Director of Social Media   “The Jukebox in the corner blasting out my favorite song The nights are gettin' warmer it won’t be long Won’t be long ‘til summer comes Now that the boys are here again   The boys are back in town, the boys are back in town!!! The boys are back in town, the boys are back in town!!!”   You’re like a modern day Paul Revere.   You throw the top down on your convertible roll your windows down all the way and/or slide back your sunroof.  You hit play on your CD player and drive through Southern California with this Thin Lizzy song blasting through your crackling speakers.  Just as Paul Revere announced that, “the British are coming,” you’re telling the world, “The boys are back in town!  Angels baseball is back!”    It’s time to “play ball!”  And it’s time to gather up Angels fans from around the southland to celebrate baseball’s glorious return!   You are cordially invited to join your fellow Halo fans on Tuesday April 9th at the OC Sports Grill for the Angels Home Opener Pregame and Watch Party!  If you've got tickets to the game, stop in for some in-bar tailgating!  If you don’t have tickets, come in and watch the action on one of the 50 HDTVs or 3 thirteen foot projector screens!  Join us starting at 5pm and take advantage of specials on food and drinks:  $3 tequila shots, $4 margaritas, $4 imperial imports and 2 tacos for $3!  We’ll also be auctioning off Angels items throughout the evening!   “The boys are back in town!  Angels baseball is back!”  Let’s celebrate!   RSVP HERE

The Boys Are Back In Town!      
By Geoff Stoddart, Director of Social Media   “The Jukebox in the corner blasting out my favorite song The nights are gettin' warmer it won’t be long Won’t be long ‘til summer comes Now that the boys are here again   The boys are back in town, the boys are back in town!!! The boys are back in town, the boys are back in town!!!”   You’re like a modern day Paul Revere.   You throw the top down on your convertible roll your windows down all the way and/or slide back your sunroof.  You hit play on your CD player and drive through Southern California with this Thin Lizzy song blasting through your crackling speakers.  Just as Paul Revere announced that, “the British are coming,” you’re telling the world, “The boys are back in town!  Angels baseball is back!”    It’s time to “play ball!”  And it’s time to gather up Angels fans from around the southland to celebrate baseball’s glorious return!   You are cordially invited to join your fellow Halo fans on Tuesday April 9th at the OC Sports Grill for the Angels Home Opener Pregame and Watch Party!  If you've got tickets to the game, stop in for some in-bar tailgating!  If you don’t have tickets, come in and watch the action on one of the 50 HDTVs or 3 thirteen foot projector screens!  Join us starting at 5pm and take advantage of specials on food and drinks:  $3 tequila shots, $4 margaritas, $4 imperial imports and 2 tacos for $3!  We’ll also be auctioning off Angels items throughout the evening!   “The boys are back in town!  Angels baseball is back!”  Let’s celebrate!   RSVP HERE

If you could make one move as the Angels GM, what would it be? Would you start planning a budget to sign Verlander or Kershaw? Would you make a big trade at the deadline? Would you micro-manage the lineup, like in the movie "Moneyball"? Would you start teaching all of your pitchers to throw the knuckle ball to try and produce the next R. A. Dickey?
As much as fans may want to the be the GM, the inner workings of a Major League front office are known to only a very few people in the world. And, most of the time, when a GM speaks, the message is very guarded, and often filtered by the media.
But, at the 2013 AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest the fans were given a very rare treat--the opportunity to ask their questions directly to Jerry Dipoto, the General Manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In a very candid, humorous, honest, and direct interview, Mr. Dipoto delved into all of the above issues and many more. 
Mr. Dipoto did not shy away from the tough questions from the fans and gave insights into the man who has come to be known on the internet as "JeDi". Talking with over 200 fans at the event, Mr. Dipoto answered the questions that the fans wanted answered and then stayed to sign autographs and take pictures with all who were present.
In what was the highlight to an incredible evening, the Board of Directors want to thank everyone involved from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and especially Mr. Jerry Dipoto, for taking the time to interact with  the fans. It was truly an incredible opportunity for everyone to learn and be entertained by one of the game's best GM's.
Click below to watch Jerry Dipoto talk with the fans at the 2013 AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest.

View the full article

By Rob Goldman - AngelsWin.com Staff Writer

In eight seasons with the Angels Nolan Ryan had helped lead the team from obscurity to serious contention. And he had conducted himself with the utmost class, professionalism and dignity. The fans, press and ownership loved him unconditionally, so even though Ryan was without a contract heading into the 1979 off-season, there was little speculation that the ace would not be back with the Angels in 1980. Ryan would have been content to play out the rest of his career in Anaheim, which he proved by purchasing a new home in nearby Villa Park, California.
But GM Buzzie Bavasi ruined all that in the off season by not dealing with Ryan’s agent and making some disparaging remarks about Ryan to the press, the worse of which was his off hand suggestion that Ryan could easily be replaced by a couple of 8-7 pitchers. That was the final straw for Ryan. He put a “for sale” sign in front of his new Villa Park house, and told his agent Dick Moss to file for free agency.  Later that winter after he signed a contract with the Houston Astros for 1 million a year for three years, Ryan took out a full-page ad in the Orange County Register thanking Angels fans for their support and kindness. 
Many in the Angels organization wondered how the Angels organization could have ever let this happen. How could owner Gene Autry lose his star player, a once in a lifetime pitcher and someone he admired and admired? 
The Times Ross Newhan later admitted it was the franchises, “Biggest Mistake” 
“Gene had put a lot of faith in the people in the people he had working for him,” recalls Newhan. Should he have stepped in? Probably, because Nolan was one of his favorites and maybe he should have told Buzzie, ‘Lets not lose him. Go to any length that is reasonable.’ It was unfortunate. Up to that point he was probably the biggest attraction in Angels history.”
It’s easy for an Angels fan to look back and wonder, “What if…?”  In both 1982 and ’86, the Angels came within one game of winning the pennant. Would Ryan’s arm have made the difference? Nobody knows for sure, but obviously his presence would have been huge.
Don Baylor was among the many Angels saddened to see Ryan leave. 
“I remember Bavasi saying, ‘We can get two players to go 8-7 and we wouldn't miss Nolan Ryan."
“Well, we missed him. We missed him a lot. It took us a long time to get back to the playoffs. 
“Every time he pitched, 5,000-10,000 or more fans came to the ball game to watch him and that adds up,” Baylor adds. “The people he drew when he pitched would have taken care of his salary right here in Anaheim.”
Bavasi admits that if he had to do it over again, he would have dealt with Ryan directly and not through his agent. He still maintains however, that contracts negotiations should be based on record, pure and simple. Ryan won 138 games for the Angels and lost 121. On a team with a competent offense, his win total would have been significantly higher.
Eventually the Ryan’s came to see the move was for the best.
“He didn't want to leave,” recalls Ruth Ryan,” but it became a matter of principle. He really wanted to be with an organization he felt appreciated him. It was unfortunate but Buzzie was doing his job, and I don’t know if he handled things the right way or the wrong way. But once it happened, it happened. You just have to look ahead. You don’t look back.”
Ryan himself is characteristically gracious and to the point.
“I don’t have any hard feelings or animosity towards anyone,” he says, “because I’m a believer everything works out for the best and it did for me.”
Ryan pitched 14 more seasons, recording three more no hitters and 157 victories. Autry tried in vain to get Ryan back when he became a free agent in 1988, but Ryan opted to stay in Texas, mainly because he didn't want to uproot his family again. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1999 with kind words for Autry, the Angels organization and it’s fans.
© Rob Goldman, Once They Were Angels, 2006, 2013

View the full article

By Ellen Bell - AngelsWin.com Staff Writer
Spring Training is a time of renewal and recommitment to your team. It’s the one time of the year when all baseball fans have the luxury of believing that this could be their year. In those precious, optimistic weeks of March, before a single pitch has been thrown on Opening Day, anything is possible. 

That’s exactly why I buy my ticket to AngelsWin.com's Fanfest each year. It’s not only a chance to reconnect and share baseball optimism with online fan friends. It’s also a weekend of events and experiences that remind me of why I became a Angels fan in the first place.
At the 8th annual Fanfest Dinner on Saturday night, the ever expanding group of AngelsWin faithful gathered to see Tim Salmon. He spent an hour sharing stories and answering questions from grown adults who seemed more like giddy kids who were meeting their childhood hero.
Salmon didn’t come to boast about his many accomplishments or to bask in the glow of fan appreciation. He simply came to share his gratitude for a blessed career and to  honor the people and players who have helped him along the way. And then Big Tim Salmon, all-time Angel Great, left to watch his son perform in a school play, which simply confirms that he is the perfect man after all. 
Speaker after speaker spoke with humble eloquence of what Angels baseball means to them. General Manager Jerry Dipoto shared his belief that, even though statistical analysis is important, players are human beings and much more than numbers on a sabermetrics stat sheet. Broadcaster Victor Rojas spoke with reverence and respect for the game he has grown up with, and demonstrated the value of giving back with his #LTBU campaign for the Miracle League of Orange County. 
But the highlight for me every year is the Sunday morning, State of the Team Talk with Tim Mead, VP of Communications. If Angels Baseball is the gospel, Tim Mead is its preacher. Every year he speaks from the heart, sharing his personal convictions and memories of a team that he has served for more than 30 years. 
Honesty. Credibility. Character.
These are rare words in the world of professional sports today. When they appear, they shine like the Halo after a victory. 
#AWFanfest13 reminded me of why I’m an Angels fan. 
What happens on the field makes me a fan for the day. But it’s the franchise, the people and the players whose character I admire, that make me an Angels fan for life. 

View the full article

By Ellen Bell - AngelsWin.com Staff Writer
Spring Training is a time of renewal and recommitment to your team. It’s the one time of the year when all baseball fans have the luxury of believing that this could be their year. In those precious, optimistic weeks of March, before a single pitch has been thrown on Opening Day, anything is possible. 

That’s exactly why I buy my ticket to AngelsWin.com's Fanfest each year. It’s not only a chance to reconnect and share baseball optimism with online fan friends. It’s also a weekend of events and experiences that remind me of why I became a Angels fan in the first place.
At the 8th annual Fanfest Dinner on Saturday night, the ever expanding group of AngelsWin faithful gathered to see Tim Salmon. He spent an hour sharing stories and answering questions from grown adults who seemed more like giddy kids who were meeting their childhood hero.
Salmon didn’t come to boast about his many accomplishments or to bask in the glow of fan appreciation. He simply came to share his gratitude for a blessed career and to  honor the people and players who have helped him along the way. And then Big Tim Salmon, all-time Angel Great, left to watch his son perform in a school play, which simply confirms that he is the perfect man after all. 
Speaker after speaker spoke with humble eloquence of what Angels baseball means to them. General Manager Jerry Dipoto shared his belief that, even though statistical analysis is important, players are human beings and much more than numbers on a sabermetrics stat sheet. Broadcaster Victor Rojas spoke with reverence and respect for the game he has grown up with, and demonstrated the value of giving back with his #LTBU campaign for the Miracle League of Orange County. 
But the highlight for me every year is the Sunday morning, State of the Team Talk with Tim Mead, VP of Communications. If Angels Baseball is the gospel, Tim Mead is its preacher. Every year he speaks from the heart, sharing his personal convictions and memories of a team that he has served for more than 30 years. 
Honesty. Credibility. Character.
These are rare words in the world of professional sports today. When they appear, they shine like the Halo after a victory. 
#AWFanfest13 reminded me of why I’m an Angels fan. 
What happens on the field makes me a fan for the day. But it’s the franchise, the people and the players whose character I admire, that make me an Angels fan for life. 

View the full article

By Brian Waller,  AngelsWin.com Columnist --    This is the time of year all baseball fans look forward to. The weather is warming up, spring training games have started and each of us, no matter which team we support, have at least a glimmer of hope that this could be the season our favorite ballclub makes the post season. As fans look forward to the upcoming season, managers and coaches sift through dozens and dozens of players to put together their opening-day 25-man roster. So many different aspects go in to building a contending ballclub; the rotation, offense, bench, bullpen, minor league systems, etc. With so much information to follow from each team it may get a little overwhelming for the common fan. Fortunately, the MLB Network has an annual series called “30 Clubs / 30 Days”, the one stop shop for baseball fans wanting to scope out the competition or learn more about their team going into the season.   AngelsWin.com was provided an opportunity to discuss the upcoming 2013 season with MLB Network analyst Eric Byrnes. Many of you will remember Byrnes from his playing days with the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Seattle Mariners. Byrnes has hung up the cleats for a position on MLB Network where he shares his baseball expertise and experience with viewers around the country.   Waller: First and foremost, on behalf of AngelsWin.com I just wanted to thank you for your time today, I know you have been roaming all over the Cactus League for the 30 Clubs / 30 Days feature on the MLB Network.   Byrnes: It’s my pleasure Brian. It has been a little crazy with visiting each club in the Cactus League; I have so many ERA’s, WHIPS, and WAR stats floating around in my head its crazy. It’s been enjoyable though catching up with the teams.   Waller: Now, jumping right into it, what are your thoughts on the moves the Angels made this past offseason, was it enough to shift the balance in the AL West?   Byrnes: You know, there is a lot of talent in the AL West. The A’s are for real and aren’t going anywhere. The Rangers still have the talent to compete and win the division so they are in the mix as well. The Angels definitely improved their offense. The addition of Hamilton gives them, in my opinion, potentially the best offense in baseball however; their rotation took a hit in the offseason and has some question marks.   Waller: Speaking of the A’s, do you feel they have improved going into 2013?   Byrnes: Actually yeah. The A’s have great depth and I really think they will again compete in 2013.    Waller: You bring up the rotation; can you give me your thoughts on the additions the Angels made to their pitching staff in the offseason?   Byrnes: Tommy Hanson, Joe Blanton and Vargas will be interesting to watch this season.  Blanton will eat innings and give the Angels anywhere from 190-200 innings. Vargas will eat up some innings as well; it will be interesting to see how he pitches this season away from Safeco Field. Hanson will be a wild card in my opinion. If he can stay healthy he is capable of putting up solid numbers. I think if two out of three of those pitchers perform well then it will result in a successful season for the Angels. On the other hand, if two out of those three pitchers falter for the Angels it will hurt their chances in the AL West.   The addition of Madsen and Burnett should really help the bullpen out; the Angels blew quite a few saves last season and I don’t think that happens again this year. The improved bullpen is definitely a positive going into the season.   Waller: What are your thoughts on Mike Trout; will there be a drop off from 2012?   Byrnes: Mike Trout is a special player. There may be a drop off because the numbers he put up last year were just crazy. I think he will have another really good season. Again, this Angels offense has the potential to be the best in baseball. They will be a fun team to watch this season.   Waller: Many fans remember you from your playing days. You played with the A’s for six seasons and faced the Angels numerous times through the years; can you share some of your experiences facing the Halos?   Byrnes: You know it’s funny; the Big A is a great place to play baseball. The fans are tremendous and get really into the games. In my opinion Angel Stadium can be as noisy as Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium. I always enjoyed playing in Anaheim because I grew up in the area. It would be great to have family and friends from the area come to the game to watch me play. It was also great to play against Troy Glaus who I played with at UCLA. We would catch up on the field and then go grab a bite and a few drinks after the game. I have a lot of good memories playing at the Big A.   Waller: Who was the toughest Angels pitcher you faced?   Byrnes: Oh man, no doubt about it…K-Rod. Frankie Rodriguez was always tough to hit. He had a good fastball and a hard, heavy curve ball. It was always tough facing him; his stuff was just plain nasty.   Waller: its common knowledge that good natured “ribbing” or jokes are played amongst players during the course of the season; thinking back to your playing days, what would you say was the best prank you were involved in?   Byrnes: Wow, good question. There are always the typical pranks like “hot foot” and stuff like that but I think the best happened when I played with the A’s. I won’t use the player’s name but there was a time we got a guy pretty good with an Icy/Hot type burning cream. In the past people have put it in someone’s jock strap but this time the cream was put in someone’s suit for the plane ride home. Needless to say, it was a long trip back home for the prank victim. No harm was done and we all had a good laugh out of it. Gags and pranks like that really help break up the monotony of traveling and the long season and help build team chemistry.    Waller: Eric, I know you are getting ready to cover another Cactus League team  for 30 Clubs / 30 Days, on behalf of AngelsWin.com I wanted to thank you for your time today. We really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us on the upcoming season.   Byrnes: No problem at all Brian, it was my pleasure. It will be a fun season and the Angels are going to be an exciting team to watch. I plan on following AngelsWin.com on Twitter and maybe catching up down the road.   Waller: Sounds great Eric thanks again.   30 Clubs / 30 days will roll into Tempe, Arizona THIS COMING FRIDAY (March 1st). The content covering the Halos will air on MLB Tonight Live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Pacific.

How do you sum up an evening with Mr. Angel? As the first ofour guest speakers, Tim Salmon got the party rolling at the 2013 AngelsWin.comSpring Training Fanfest as our first of many guests in the evening.

The AngelsWin.com Board of Directors started off the talkwith a few questions that they had prepared for the Kingfish. Emceed by ChuckRichter, the founder of AngelsWin.com, he asked how Tim's relationship withMike Scioscia has evolved from being a player on the team to an analyst in thebroadcast booth. In one of the most interesting and challenging questions, Chuck asked him which outfield was the best onein which he played; Anderson/Edmonds/Salmon or Anderson/Erstad/Salmon. Thecomparison between the two made Tim think quite a bit, andled to an interesting comparison of the style of play between Edmonds and Erstad.  

Click below to listen watch part 1 of the AngelsWin.com 2013Spring Training Fanfest talk with Tim Salmon.

Tim Salmon 2013 AngelsWin Spring Training Fanfest Part 1 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.

After finishing up with the Board of Directors questions,Tim then opened up the questions to the audience. And, as he put it, he “didn’tdrive all the way out [there] for nothing.” He answered questions about whatholes he has seen in Mike Trout’s swing to which was his favorite stadium tovisit as a player.


Tim was very gracious with the fans, answering questions forover a half hour, posing for photographs with fans, and signing autographs.Fans could not have gotten a better experience with the 2002 World Series Hero!He spoke for so long that we had to divide the interview in half in order tofit it all on the internet!

Click below to listen to part 2 of the AngelsWin.com 2013Spring Training Fanfest talk with Tim Salmon. It’s an interview that any Angelsfan won’t want to miss.

Tim Salmon 2013 AngelsWin Spring Training Fanfest Part 2 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.
View the full article

Behind the two-hit pitching of journeyman right-hander Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rico defeated Team USA, 4-3, on Friday night at Marlins Park, knocking the Americans -- the only team replete with Major Leaguers -- out of the World Baseball Classic.
View the full article

Sabermetrics!  The new lens with which many view the game of baseball!  
So ummm … what is it?  What are all these new stats and measurements that GMs and commentators are using to evaluate the players we love (and hate)?  Does it sometimes seem like you need to be a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out?  Well, it feels that way to us too sometimes.  So we decided to bring in Robert Cunningham, AngelsWin.com member and real life rocket scientist, to help us make sense of this stuff.  
Join host Geoff Stoddart and AngelsWin.com founder Chuck Richter as they talk with Robert about how pitching stats like WHIP, FIP and xFIP apply to the the Angels staff.  Do the changes that Jerry Dipoto made to our starting rotation during the offseason make sense?  Is the marine layer actually going to be our friend this year?

Listen to internet radio with AngelsWin on Blog Talk Radio View the full article

Tonight on the AngelsWin.com Internet Podcast, hosts Adam Dodge and Geoff Stoddart welcome AngelsWin.com Founder, Chuck Richter, and Director of Marketing, Brian Ilten. Tonight's topics of discussion included …

* Angels horrible Spring Training start. Something the fans should worry about? * Mike Trout's new contract. Was he jobbed, or was it a good move by the team? * Update on the new website  * Update on the Spring Training Fanfest
We also took your questions from Twitter this evening and answered them. 
Tune in below! 


Listen to internet radio with AngelsWin on Blog Talk Radio View the full article

Love it. And without the evil aftertaste! 

By Gregory Bird - AngelsWin.com Columnist 
 
Welcome to the new Inside The Numbers Feature. I'm Greg and I'll be taking over this AngelsWin.com feature for the 2013 season. I hope to provide the same high quality analysis that AngelsWin.com is known for. My articles will be focused on the current Angels roster through the lens of sabermetrics. I also hope to give insight into how the Angels' front office might be thinking when they make their decisions. I'm sorry, up front, that I may sound like a JeDi apologist (to be fair I really like his moves so far.) But what I really want to do is to dig a little deeper and understand better the game and team we all love. I don't claim to be an expert but I do want to spark intelligent, thoughtful conversation based on the facts of the game.
 
So, why did JeDi let Torii go and sign Hamilton to a 5 year deal? This question has been kicked around this offseason. It is a fair question. Much of the analysis I've read says that Josh isn't really an upgrade over Torii and that the only possible reason could be age. The articles tend to include, as support, the sabermetric stat of WAR (Wins Above Replacement.) They'll say, Well Hunter produced a 5.3 WAR in 2012 while Hamilton only produced a 4.4 WAR (according to FanGraphs.) This means that at best they were equal but that most likely Josh won't be as good for the Halos in 2013 as Torii was in 2012.
 
Don't get me wrong here, WAR is an excellent stat and very useful, BUT it isn't the end all and be all of sabermetrics. We cannot reduce performance to one number. One reason is our current lack of understanding of defensive metrics, a key component. WAR seems best used to help start an intelligent conversation, not to end one. 
 
WAR is often misunderstood. It is a comprehensive counting stat that combines the value of: a player's defense (using either UZR/150 or Defensive Runs Saved,) a player's bases running, and a player's hitting. Their performance is then adjusted for their fielding position and finally distilled to how many wins they added to their team. The generally accepted formula is 10 runs equals approximately 1 win.
 
The problem with comparing Hamilton and Hunter's WAR in 2012 lies in the defensive positions they played throughout the year. Hunter played 134 games in Right Field, an easier defensive position, where he excelled in saving 13 runs according to UZR/150. Hamilton played 95 games in Center Field and cost his team -26.3 runs according to UZR/150. He also played 86 games in Left and Right Field combined where he basically broke even with -0.1 UZR/150. 
 
Defensive stats are the least accurate and understood at this time and are best looked at over three seasons to improve accuracy. Over the past three years Hamilton has a positive 8.5 UZR/150 in Left Field and a positive 6 UZR/150 in Right Field. Additionally, Torii's last year in Center Field was less than stellar as he posted a -6.4 UZR/150 in 98 games in 2010. So, for the purpose of comparing these two players last year I propose it is best to leave defense out of it for now. I am going to just look at their offensive production. I assume Josh in Right Field is going to be almost as good as Hunter in Right, not absolutely but close enough.
 
Much of what I'm going to be talking about includes references to a baseball statistical field known as linear weights. No, this has nothing to do with chemistry nor how heavy something is. It is a system developed to replace the basic stats we've grown up using (BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS) with a set of statistics that better represent the value of each action on the diamond. Every possible action has a weight or approximate run value it adds to an inning. The idea was conceived by trusting if we accurately value each possible offensive event than we can get the correct value of an individual player's offensive contributions.
 
You may wonder why linear weights are needed. The reason is really rather simple. In slugging percentage, a homerun is 4 times as valuable as a single. In on base percentage a walk is as valuable as a homerun. In batting average a single is the same as a triple and walks don't matter. It has become obvious that none of this is true. 
 
Sabermetricians embarked to find out the actual value of each baseball event and found out some very interesting things. First, the value of events change slightly year to year based on the overall environment of the game. Second, there are some basic relationships that are fairly constant like: a HR adds about 1.4 runs to an inning, a single about .47 runs, an unintentional walk adds .32 runs, a strikeout subtracts -.29, a groundout subtracts -.27, a stolen base adds .25 runs, and a caught stealing subtracts -.50 runs. There are more events and numbers but this gives you an idea of how linear weights work and how differing events are relatively important to each other. 
 
My first comparison between Hunter and Hamilton has nothing to do with linear weights, it is simply who possess the most power? To determine this let's look at a stat called ISO or isolated power. It is derived by simply subtracting batting average from slugging percentage. This removes singles and lets us know who is likely to produce more extra base hits. Hunter's ISO last year was .139, the average for 2012 was .151. Hamilton's ISO was .292. Hamilton was more than twice as likely last year to have his hit go for extra bases. This isn't a big surprise but it is significant. Because of his power Josh is more of a run producer than Torii and this is my first reason to like this Hamilton guy.
 
Next let's look at a stat called wOBA. Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) is a good measure of a player's offensive value. Weighted On-Base Average attempts to package a player's entire offensive output into one statistic using a form of the run values in linear weights.  It takes these run values and converts them into a familiar usage to all baseball fans, that of OBP. When looking at wOBA values an average hitter is around 0.340 or so, a great hitter is 0.400 or higher, and a poor hitter would be under 0.300. 
 
Last year Hunter had a wOBA of .356. He was well above the league average of .315. Hamilton, in 2012, had a wOBA of .387. He was 72 points higher than the league and still considerably higher than Torii. Talking in terms of OBP a 31 point improvement is significant to a player or team. Josh was also only 13 points shy of hitting the threshold of having an all-time great year. He finished the season ranked 10th overall in terms of wOBA among qualifying hitters. But you may be asking but how much of this is related to his hitting in Arlington? Let's dig some more.
 
How many more runs could Hamilton produce for us in 2013 than Hunter did in 2012? What about our park, it isn't hitter friendly, how will Hamilton compare here? Here are two stats that will help us solve these problems. They are Weighted Runs Created (wRC) and Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+.) Weighted Runs Created is a counting stat based off of wOBA that gives us the raw number of runs a player created in a season. Weighted Runs Created Plus measures a player against league average (100) and tells us how much better or worse they were in terms of percentages than the league. wRC+ is also league and park adjusted so we can compare players accurately apart from their seasons or environment. Remember wRC+ is a percentage comparison so a few points different can be significant unlike wRC and other counting stats (i.e. HR, RBIs, or even WAR.) 
 
Let's dig into these numbers. Hunter created 86 runs in 2012 and Hamilton created 109 runs according to wRC. That means the 31 point difference in wOBA amounted to 23 more runs being created, a significant amount. If 10 runs equal a win then it is about 2.3 more wins in Hamilton's offensive output than in Torii's. 
 
But how did their parks affect them? In 2012, Torii posted a 130 wRC+; he was 30% better than the average major leaguer after adjusting for Angel Stadium and the AL. Josh posted a 140 wRC+; he was 40% better than the average major leaguer and was tied for 13th overall among qualified hitters. This means Josh was 10% better than Torii once we adjust for the parks they hit in. This isn't a lot but once we start looking at elite hitters it very hard to find a 10% improvement over someone who is already very good. 
 
Why do I think JeDi choose this Hamilton guy over Torii? First, he is a more powerful hitter who can do more damage in the lineup. Second, he provides more offensive value than Torii did last year and still delivers top notch defense. Third, he'll most likely create more runs for the team, even hitting in our park. Fourth, he is younger and while Torii is aging well nobody knows how his next two years will turn out. Look at the first year of Abreu as an Angel compared to his final two years. 
 
While it may or may not work out like JeDi envisions I think it is always wiser to let go of a player one year to early than one year too late. For this I think our GM made a difficult but smart decision. I think this Hamilton guy will be more valuable to us in 2013 than Torii was in 2012. That's all I need to know to be happy with the decision.

By Brian Waller,  AngelsWin.com Columnist --    This is the time of year all baseball fans look forward to. The weather is warming up, spring training games have started and each of us, no matter which team we support, have at least a glimmer of hope that this could be the season our favorite ballclub makes the post season. As fans look forward to the upcoming season, managers and coaches sift through dozens and dozens of players to put together their opening-day 25-man roster. So many different aspects go in to building a contending ballclub; the rotation, offense, bench, bullpen, minor league systems, etc. With so much information to follow from each team it may get a little overwhelming for the common fan. Fortunately, the MLB Network has an annual series called “30 Clubs / 30 Days”, the one stop shop for baseball fans wanting to scope out the competition or learn more about their team going into the season.   AngelsWin.com was provided an opportunity to discuss the upcoming 2013 season with MLB Network analyst Eric Byrnes. Many of you will remember Byrnes from his playing days with the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Seattle Mariners. Byrnes has hung up the cleats for a position on MLB Network where he shares his baseball expertise and experience with viewers around the country.   Waller: First and foremost, on behalf of AngelsWin.com I just wanted to thank you for your time today, I know you have been roaming all over the Cactus League for the 30 Clubs / 30 Days feature on the MLB Network.   Byrnes: It’s my pleasure Brian. It has been a little crazy with visiting each club in the Cactus League; I have so many ERA’s, WHIPS, and WAR stats floating around in my head its crazy. It’s been enjoyable though catching up with the teams.   Waller: Now, jumping right into it, what are your thoughts on the moves the Angels made this past offseason, was it enough to shift the balance in the AL West?   Byrnes: You know, there is a lot of talent in the AL West. The A’s are for real and aren’t going anywhere. The Rangers still have the talent to compete and win the division so they are in the mix as well. The Angels definitely improved their offense. The addition of Hamilton gives them, in my opinion, potentially the best offense in baseball however; their rotation took a hit in the offseason and has some question marks.   Waller: Speaking of the A’s, do you feel they have improved going into 2013?   Byrnes: Actually yeah. The A’s have great depth and I really think they will again compete in 2013.    Waller: You bring up the rotation; can you give me your thoughts on the additions the Angels made to their pitching staff in the offseason?   Byrnes: Tommy Hanson, Joe Blanton and Vargas will be interesting to watch this season.  Blanton will eat innings and give the Angels anywhere from 190-200 innings. Vargas will eat up some innings as well; it will be interesting to see how he pitches this season away from Safeco Field. Hanson will be a wild card in my opinion. If he can stay healthy he is capable of putting up solid numbers. I think if two out of three of those pitchers perform well then it will result in a successful season for the Angels. On the other hand, if two out of those three pitchers falter for the Angels it will hurt their chances in the AL West.   The addition of Madsen and Burnett should really help the bullpen out; the Angels blew quite a few saves last season and I don’t think that happens again this year. The improved bullpen is definitely a positive going into the season.   Waller: What are your thoughts on Mike Trout; will there be a drop off from 2012?   Byrnes: Mike Trout is a special player. There may be a drop off because the numbers he put up last year were just crazy. I think he will have another really good season. Again, this Angels offense has the potential to be the best in baseball. They will be a fun team to watch this season.   Waller: Many fans remember you from your playing days. You played with the A’s for six seasons and faced the Angels numerous times through the years; can you share some of your experiences facing the Halos?   Byrnes: You know it’s funny; the Big A is a great place to play baseball. The fans are tremendous and get really into the games. In my opinion Angel Stadium can be as noisy as Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium. I always enjoyed playing in Anaheim because I grew up in the area. It would be great to have family and friends from the area come to the game to watch me play. It was also great to play against Troy Glaus who I played with at UCLA. We would catch up on the field and then go grab a bite and a few drinks after the game. I have a lot of good memories playing at the Big A.   Waller: Who was the toughest Angels pitcher you faced?   Byrnes: Oh man, no doubt about it…K-Rod. Frankie Rodriguez was always tough to hit. He had a good fastball and a hard, heavy curve ball. It was always tough facing him; his stuff was just plain nasty.   Waller: its common knowledge that good natured “ribbing” or jokes are played amongst players during the course of the season; thinking back to your playing days, what would you say was the best prank you were involved in?   Byrnes: Wow, good question. There are always the typical pranks like “hot foot” and stuff like that but I think the best happened when I played with the A’s. I won’t use the player’s name but there was a time we got a guy pretty good with an Icy/Hot type burning cream. In the past people have put it in someone’s jock strap but this time the cream was put in someone’s suit for the plane ride home. Needless to say, it was a long trip back home for the prank victim. No harm was done and we all had a good laugh out of it. Gags and pranks like that really help break up the monotony of traveling and the long season and help build team chemistry.    Waller: Eric, I know you are getting ready to cover another Cactus League team  for 30 Clubs / 30 Days, on behalf of AngelsWin.com I wanted to thank you for your time today. We really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us on the upcoming season.   Byrnes: No problem at all Brian, it was my pleasure. It will be a fun season and the Angels are going to be an exciting team to watch. I plan on following AngelsWin.com on Twitter and maybe catching up down the road.   Waller: Sounds great Eric thanks again.   30 Clubs / 30 days will roll into Tempe, Arizona THIS COMING FRIDAY (March 1st). The content covering the Halos will air on MLB Tonight Live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Pacific.

By Geoff Stoddart, AngelsWin.com Director of Social Media -- 

Over the years, AngelsWin.com has been honored to welcome such guests as Arte Moreno, Terry Smith, Jose Mota, Rex Hudler, Jerome Williams and Victor Rojas to their Spring Training Fanfest.  These guests took the time to speak with the fans, answer questions and even pose for pictures.  They have made each year's Fanfest more memorable than the last.  
This year we're excited to welcome be welcoming back Arte Moreno and Victor Rojas.  We're also thrilled to welcoming Angels GM, Jerry Dipoto, to this year's event!  Jerry's passion for discussing baseball is sure to be a treat for everyone in attendance!  
So … there you have it!  What a line-up!  Put a bow on it and call it a night … right?  
Well, not so fast.  How about if we welcome just one more guest?  You know … just for fun!
AngelsWin.com is thrilled to announce that Mr. Angel … the King Fish … Tim Salmon will be joining us for this year's Spring Training Fanfest on March 16th!  
During a playing career that stretch from August 21, 1992 to October 1, 2006, Tim amassed 299 home runs, 983 runs scored, 965 walks, a slugging percentage of .499 and a World Series title in 2002.  And this was all done wearing the uniform of only one team … the Angels!
While Tim was a middle of the order bat during his playing career, he will be batting leading off at our Fanfest.  Tim will be joining us from 5-6 pm.
March 1, 2013 is the last day to purchase tickets to the Fanfest (no exceptions!).  Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children.  Event tickets include adult dinner options of Blackened Fish Tacos or Chicken Enchiladas complete with salad and desert (vegetarian meals on request).  The children’s meal is chicken tenders, salad and dessert.  To reserve a seat for this event, please send payments via PayPal to: angelswinevents@gmail.com.
We would like to remind everyone that we have secured a special guest room rate at the Fiesta Resort of $129.00 plus tax for AngelsWin.com Fanfest attendees.  Each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling our toll-free number 800-528-6481 by Friday, March 1, 2013 (today).
Finally, don't forget to order your Spring Training Fanfest gear soon so you have it in time for Fanfest weekend!  All Fanfest gear can be purchased here: http://www.cafepress.com/angelswin/9749569 
This is the last call … don’t miss out!
*Attendance by all special guests is subject to change based upon potential last minute conflicts in their personal or professional schedules

View the full article

By Geoff Stoddart, AngelsWin.com Director of Social Media -- 

Over the years, AngelsWin.com has been honored to welcome such guests as Arte Moreno, Terry Smith, Jose Mota, Rex Hudler, Jerome Williams and Victor Rojas to their Spring Training Fanfest.  These guests took the time to speak with the fans, answer questions and even pose for pictures.  They have made each year's Fanfest more memorable than the last.  
This year we're excited to welcome be welcoming back Arte Moreno and Victor Rojas.  We're also thrilled to welcoming Angels GM, Jerry Dipoto, to this year's event!  Jerry's passion for discussing baseball is sure to be a treat for everyone in attendance!  
So … there you have it!  What a line-up!  Put a bow on it and call it a night … right?  
Well, not so fast.  How about if we welcome just one more guest?  You know … just for fun!
AngelsWin.com is thrilled to announce that Mr. Angel … the King Fish … Tim Salmon will be joining us for this year's Spring Training Fanfest on March 16th!  
During a playing career that stretch from August 21, 1992 to October 1, 2006, Tim amassed 299 home runs, 983 runs scored, 965 walks, a slugging percentage of .499 and a World Series title in 2002.  And this was all done wearing the uniform of only one team … the Angels!
While Tim was a middle of the order bat during his playing career, he will be batting leading off at our Fanfest.  Tim will be joining us from 5-6 pm.
March 1, 2013 is the last day to purchase tickets to the Fanfest (no exceptions!).  Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children.  Event tickets include adult dinner options of Blackened Fish Tacos or Chicken Enchiladas complete with salad and desert (vegetarian meals on request).  The children’s meal is chicken tenders, salad and dessert.  To reserve a seat for this event, please send payments via PayPal to: angelswinevents@gmail.com.
We would like to remind everyone that we have secured a special guest room rate at the Fiesta Resort of $129.00 plus tax for AngelsWin.com Fanfest attendees.  Each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling our toll-free number 800-528-6481 by Friday, March 1, 2013 (today).
Finally, don't forget to order your Spring Training Fanfest gear soon so you have it in time for Fanfest weekend!  All Fanfest gear can be purchased here: http://www.cafepress.com/angelswin/9749569 
This is the last call … don’t miss out!
*Attendance by all special guests is subject to change based upon potential last minute conflicts in their personal or professional schedules

View the full article

By Brian Waller,  AngelsWin.com Columnist --    This is the time of year all baseball fans look forward to. The weather is warming up, spring training games have started and each of us, no matter which team we support, have at least a glimmer of hope that this could be the season our favorite ballclub makes the post season. As fans look forward to the upcoming season, managers and coaches sift through dozens and dozens of players to put together their opening-day 25-man roster. So many different aspects go in to building a contending ballclub; the rotation, offense, bench, bullpen, minor league systems, etc. With so much information to follow from each team it may get a little overwhelming for the common fan. Fortunately, the MLB Network has an annual series called “30 Clubs / 30 Days”, the one stop shop for baseball fans wanting to scope out the competition or learn more about their team going into the season.   AngelsWin.com was provided an opportunity to discuss the upcoming 2013 season with MLB Network analyst Eric Byrnes. Many of you will remember Byrnes from his playing days with the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Seattle Mariners. Byrnes has hung up the cleats for a position on MLB Network where he shares his baseball expertise and experience with viewers around the country.   Waller: First and foremost, on behalf of AngelsWin.com I just wanted to thank you for your time today, I know you have been roaming all over the Cactus League for the 30 Clubs / 30 Days feature on the MLB Network.   Byrnes: It’s my pleasure Brian. It has been a little crazy with visiting each club in the Cactus League; I have so many ERA’s, WHIPS, and WAR stats floating around in my head its crazy. It’s been enjoyable though catching up with the teams.   Waller: Now, jumping right into it, what are your thoughts on the moves the Angels made this past offseason, was it enough to shift the balance in the AL West?   Byrnes: You know, there is a lot of talent in the AL West. The A’s are for real and aren’t going anywhere. The Rangers still have the talent to compete and win the division so they are in the mix as well. The Angels definitely improved their offense. The addition of Hamilton gives them, in my opinion, potentially the best offense in baseball however; their rotation took a hit in the offseason and has some question marks.   Waller: Speaking of the A’s, do you feel they have improved going into 2013?   Byrnes: Actually yeah. The A’s have great depth and I really think they will again compete in 2013.    Waller: You bring up the rotation; can you give me your thoughts on the additions the Angels made to their pitching staff in the offseason?   Byrnes: Tommy Hanson, Joe Blanton and Vargas will be interesting to watch this season.  Blanton will eat innings and give the Angels anywhere from 190-200 innings. Vargas will eat up some innings as well; it will be interesting to see how he pitches this season away from Safeco Field. Hanson will be a wild card in my opinion. If he can stay healthy he is capable of putting up solid numbers. I think if two out of three of those pitchers perform well then it will result in a successful season for the Angels. On the other hand, if two out of those three pitchers falter for the Angels it will hurt their chances in the AL West.   The addition of Madsen and Burnett should really help the bullpen out; the Angels blew quite a few saves last season and I don’t think that happens again this year. The improved bullpen is definitely a positive going into the season.   Waller: What are your thoughts on Mike Trout; will there be a drop off from 2012?   Byrnes: Mike Trout is a special player. There may be a drop off because the numbers he put up last year were just crazy. I think he will have another really good season. Again, this Angels offense has the potential to be the best in baseball. They will be a fun team to watch this season.   Waller: Many fans remember you from your playing days. You played with the A’s for six seasons and faced the Angels numerous times through the years; can you share some of your experiences facing the Halos?   Byrnes: You know it’s funny; the Big A is a great place to play baseball. The fans are tremendous and get really into the games. In my opinion Angel Stadium can be as noisy as Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium. I always enjoyed playing in Anaheim because I grew up in the area. It would be great to have family and friends from the area come to the game to watch me play. It was also great to play against Troy Glaus who I played with at UCLA. We would catch up on the field and then go grab a bite and a few drinks after the game. I have a lot of good memories playing at the Big A.   Waller: Who was the toughest Angels pitcher you faced?   Byrnes: Oh man, no doubt about it…K-Rod. Frankie Rodriguez was always tough to hit. He had a good fastball and a hard, heavy curve ball. It was always tough facing him; his stuff was just plain nasty.   Waller: its common knowledge that good natured “ribbing” or jokes are played amongst players during the course of the season; thinking back to your playing days, what would you say was the best prank you were involved in?   Byrnes: Wow, good question. There are always the typical pranks like “hot foot” and stuff like that but I think the best happened when I played with the A’s. I won’t use the player’s name but there was a time we got a guy pretty good with an Icy/Hot type burning cream. In the past people have put it in someone’s jock strap but this time the cream was put in someone’s suit for the plane ride home. Needless to say, it was a long trip back home for the prank victim. No harm was done and we all had a good laugh out of it. Gags and pranks like that really help break up the monotony of traveling and the long season and help build team chemistry.    Waller: Eric, I know you are getting ready to cover another Cactus League team  for 30 Clubs / 30 Days, on behalf of AngelsWin.com I wanted to thank you for your time today. We really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us on the upcoming season.   Byrnes: No problem at all Brian, it was my pleasure. It will be a fun season and the Angels are going to be an exciting team to watch. I plan on following AngelsWin.com on Twitter and maybe catching up down the road.   Waller: Sounds great Eric thanks again.   30 Clubs / 30 days will roll into Tempe, Arizona THIS COMING FRIDAY (March 1st). The content covering the Halos will air on MLB Tonight Live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Pacific.

I have updated the Mobile App to reflect our color scheme on the full version of the website!
 

No more blue!

The Los Angeles Angels 2013 Spring Training season is underway, and now so is the 2013 AngelsWin.com Internet Podcast season!
Listen in as hosts Adam Dodge and Geoff Stoddart welcome AngelsWin.com Founder, Chuck Richter, to discuss …

* The new AngelsWin.com site

* The 2013 AngelsWin Spring Training Fanfest

* Their thoughts on the 2013 Los Angels Angels team

AngelsWin.com … Unraveling Angels Baseball, One Thread (and Podcast) at a Time!
Click HERE to listen or download our first podcast of the 2013 season!

By Geoff Stoddart, AngelsWin.com Director of Social Media --

The AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest is now less than 3 weeks away!

This year’s event is going to be absolutely amazing! Our scheduled* special guest include Angels owner Arte Moreno, GM Jerry Dipoto, TV announcer Victor Rojas, Tim Mead, Kole Calhoun, Randal Grichuk, Travis Witherspoon and more. You won’t want to miss it!

The final deadline for purchasing event tickets is this Friday, March 1, 2013. The rate is now $40 for adults and $20 for children. Event tickets include adult dinner options of Blackened Fish Tacos or Chicken Enchiladas complete with salad and desert (vegetarian meals on request). The children’s meal is chicken tenders, salad and dessert.

To reserve a seat for this event, please send payments via PayPal to: angelswinevents@gmail.com.

Still haven’t booked a hotel for the weekend? We would like to remind everyone that we have secured a special guest room rate at the Fiesta
Resort of $129.00 plus tax for AngelsWin.com Fanfest attendees. Each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling our
toll-free number 800-528-6481 by Friday, March 1, 2013. When calling to make your reservation, you must identify yourself as part of the
AngelsWin.com Group. All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.

The discounted rate is subject to availability.

Finally, don't forget to order your Spring Training Fanfest gear soon so you have it in time for Fanfest weekend! All Fanfest gear can be purchased here: http://www.cafepress...gelswin/9749569

This is the last call … don’t miss out!


*Attendance by special guests is subject to change based upon potential last minute conflicts in their personal or professional schedules

By Geoff Stoddart, AngelsWin.com Director of Social Media --

The AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest is now less than 3 weeks away!

This year’s event is going to be absolutely amazing! Our scheduled* special guest include Angels owner Arte Moreno, GM Jerry Dipoto, TV announcer Victor Rojas, Tim Mead, Kole Calhoun, Randal Grichuk, Travis Witherspoon and more. You won’t want to miss it!

The final deadline for purchasing event tickets is this Friday, March 1, 2013. The rate is now $40 for adults and $20 for children. Event tickets include adult dinner options of Blackened Fish Tacos or Chicken Enchiladas complete with salad and desert (vegetarian meals on request). The children’s meal is chicken tenders, salad and dessert.

To reserve a seat for this event, please send payments via PayPal to: angelswinevents@gmail.com.

Still haven’t booked a hotel for the weekend? We would like to remind everyone that we have secured a special guest room rate at the Fiesta
Resort of $129.00 plus tax for AngelsWin.com Fanfest attendees. Each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling our
toll-free number 800-528-6481 by Friday, March 1, 2013. When calling to make your reservation, you must identify yourself as part of the
AngelsWin.com Group. All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.

The discounted rate is subject to availability.

Finally, don't forget to order your Spring Training Fanfest gear soon so you have it in time for Fanfest weekend! All Fanfest gear can be purchased here: http://www.cafepress...gelswin/9749569

This is the last call … don’t miss out!


*Attendance by special guests is subject to change based upon potential last minute conflicts in their personal or professional schedules

Angels ace Jered Weaver walked away from extra millions in 2011 when he signed five-year, $85-million extension, a 'hometown discount.' He's not losing sleep over it.<br/><br/>TEMPE, Ariz. — The words "free agency" had barely left a reporter's mouth before Jered Weaver shot back.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/latimes/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/~4/iQ4MjVpvfWU" height="1" width="1"/>
View the full article

They fall to the Cubs, 11-2, and the Giants, 4-1, in split-squad spring-training games.<br/><br/>Chicago Cubs 11, Angels 2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/latimes/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/~4/QS_odvTXCRo" height="1" width="1"/>
View the full article

This is my first post! How do you guys like it?