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When the baseball season finally starts – and Joe Maddon is confident that it will eventually – he sees this truncated season as an opportunity.
The Angels manager said Major League Baseball could try all manner of experiments or enhancements to the game once it returns from the COVID-19 virus shutdown.
“I think it’s a perfect time for MLB to incorporate different methods that traditionalists such as myself have been banging against,” Maddon said on a conference call Wednesday morning.
For example, Maddon said the 20-second clock between pitches could be installed, or the international extra-inning rule of starting an inning with a runner at second base. He said players could be mic’d up during games, just as they have been during the All-Star Game or exhibition games.
“Everybody would be champing at the bit so much that nobody is going to complain about anything,” Maddon said.
Maddon said he’d also be in favor of the sport returning with games in empty stadiums if it got baseball back more quickly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that no events with at least 50 people take place through at least May 10 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Considering the teams would need some time to prepare, the likely beginning of regular season games is even later.
“I believe this season’s gonna be played,” Maddon said. “I believe that it may not incorporate a full 162, but I believe will play a pretty full major-league season.”
For now, though, the baseball world remains dark. Maddon remained in Arizona after the spring-training shutdown, but he has had scant contact with any Angels players. He said the ones who live in Arizona remain there, and the ones who live in Southern California have returned there. The rest, he said, have scattered around the country to their offseason homes. Shohei Ohtani, who continues to rehab as a pitcher, remains in Arizona, but he will be traveling back to Southern California soon.
Maddon said he has heard nothing about any Angels players or staff coming down with any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.
Although the Angels’ spring-training complex in Tempe and Angel Stadium are open for players to work out individually, Maddon said he doesn’t think there has been much of any baseball activity.
“Pitchers will grab a catcher and throw their 60 feet, 6 inches, which definitely falls within the barriers (of social distancing),” Maddon said. “They’ll do their running on their own. There’s a lot you can do on your own. It’s all there. Even to the point of having guys throw against the wall.”
While players are on their own, Maddon has essentially quarantined himself with his wife, Jaye, in their luxury recreational vehicle.
Maddon said he’s been taking two-mile bike rides around the RV park, cooking in his crock pot and watching replays of old games on MLB Network. Maddon said he got a kick out of a recently replay of the iconic George Brett “pine tar game” in 1983, and shot Bud Black a text when he saw him playing for the Kansas City Royals in that game.
Maddon said he’s gotten out to the grocery store a few times.
“In and out,” he said. “I’ve been able to get what I need. I hope folks get over the hoarding and realize there is plenty for everybody.”
Maddon, 66, also delivered a message that he hopes that people will take serious precautions to prevent the spread of this virus, which most seriously affects the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions.
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Angels contribute $1 million for employees who miss work because of coronavirus shutdown Reviewing our 5 Angels questions before the coronavirus shutdown Angels Q&A: Would the Angels benefit from a shortened season? Angels make roster moves as coronavirus shutdown lengthens New CDC coronavirus guidelines could mean no sports for much longer “Why would you not want to listen to health experts right now?” Maddon said. “I’ve got an 87-year-old mother. A lot of us have people that are a little bit older that are at higher risk. Why would you not want to be a benefit to those people by adhering to the rules?”
Maddon also said that people should try to take advantage of the opportunity they have to “take this respite” and “figure out some things about themselves.” He said people can use technology to keep in touch with each other, even while not being physically together.
“There’s gonna be some positives extrapolated from this,” Maddon said. “I hope that we’re going to come together, unity wise, as a group of people because of this.”
View the full article

The Angels, like the other 29 teams in the majors, will contribute $1 million to support their gameday employees who are missing paychecks during the sport’s shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced that the 30 clubs would contribute $30 million to support the ushers, vendors, security guards, ticket-takers and other seasonal workers who will be affected by the sport’s hiatus.
The season will be delayed at least until mid-May, and most likely longer, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that no gatherings of 50 people or more take place for at least eight more weeks.
Between the Angels and Legends, the company that handles the concessions, there are about 3,000 employees who work in various capacities during Angels home games, according to a team spokesman. The Angels and Legends are currently working on how the $1 million will be divided among those workers, the team said.
“I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in the statement released by MLB.
Many ballpark employees are paid by the game and will not have that income during the delay. If the schedule is cut, their income likely would be reduced.
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The Angels, like the other 29 teams in the majors, will contribute $1 million to support their gameday employees who are missing paychecks during the sport’s shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced that the 30 clubs would contribute $30 million to support the ushers, vendors, security guards, ticket-takers and other seasonal workers who will be affected by the sport’s hiatus.
The season will be delayed at least until mid-May, and most likely longer, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that no gatherings of 50 people or more take place for at least eight more weeks.
Between the Angels and Legends, the company that handles the concessions, there are about 3,000 employees who work in various capacities during Angels home games, according to a team spokesman. The Angels and Legends are currently working on how the $1 million will be divided among those workers, the team said.
“I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in the statement released by MLB.
Many ballpark employees are paid by the game and will not have that income during the delay. If the schedule is cut, their income likely would be reduced.
Related Articles
Reviewing our 5 Angels questions before the coronavirus shutdown Angels Q&A: Would the Angels benefit from a shortened season? Angels make roster moves as coronavirus shutdown lengthens New CDC coronavirus guidelines could mean no sports for much longer Angels’ Andrew Heaney is riding out the coronavirus delay in Arizona … for now View the full article

While Major League Baseball is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, we took some questions on Twitter and our Facebook page about the Angels and other baseball topics.
Q: Staying positive. How would a complete season or even short season benefit the Halos? – @catfishmcfly
A: The Angels definitely could benefit if the season is shortened, which at this point looks like a certainty. Shohei Ohtani, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, was going to have his innings limited this season, so they would have him at the end of the 162-game season instead of the beginning. But if the season starts in late May or early June, and only goes 100 games or so, Ohtani could be available the entire time. The Angels were also going to be without Griffin Canning for at least the first month as he recovers after having a platelet-rich plasma injection, so now he could possibly be ready by the new Opening Day. Finally, in general, the shorter the season, the less the advantage for the better teams. That means the Houston Astros won’t have as big an advantage over the Angels, or any team, for a 100-game season as they would for a 162-game season.
Q: Who should start at first base on Opening Day: Pujols or La Stella? Seconde base: La Stella or Fletcher? Right field: Goodwin, Fletcher, Adell? – @shandy92606
A: As of a couple of days before the shutdown, Tommy La Stella told me he had not put on a first baseman’s glove at all during spring training. I think a lot of fans had the idea that La Stella would play that position, but the Angels clearly never considered it a serious option. Albert Pujols figures to get most of the time at first base, with probably Matt Thaiss playing the games he doesn’t. At second, it will probably be La Stella against righties and David Fletcher against lefties. In right field, I expect some combination of Fletcher and Brian Goodwin until Jo Adell is ready. As for who plays on Opening Day, that’s hard to say. It might depend upon whether they’re facing a righty or lefty.
Q: Did Michael Hermosillo make a case for starting in right field? He had a good spring until it got shut down. – Mario Molina
A: Hermosillo had just missed some time with a hip injury before the shutdown. I think he was a pretty safe bet to make the team as the fourth outfielder (or fifth if you count David Fletcher), but I didn’t see him getting a lot of starts ahead of Brian Goodwin or Fletcher in right.
Q: What happens with the players’ salaries. Are they still paid while on shutdown? – Sean Cronkite
A: The question of salaries is still being negotiated. All we know right now is that players on 40-man rosters will continue to get living allowances for a few more weeks. Players are never paid until the start of the regular season, so no one has missed a paycheck yet.
Q: Any word on what would happen to contracts if the season never happens? (That one-year Mookie rental isn’t looking good right now …) – @TheSlickrock
A: Obviously this is also still to be negotiated. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Q: If the mid-May start comes off, and there is a desire to try to squeeze in a full season, will we see some scheduled doubleheaders on the weekends? – @trivialnunz
A: I can’t see them even coming close to a full season. I understand they want to play “as many games as possible,” so I suppose one way to do that would be to add some doubleheaders. I think that’s more reasonable than extending the season and ending up with the World Series at a neutral site in November or something. So, yes, I think doubleheaders are the simplest way to add more games without messing up the schedule too much. I’d expect them to mostly be within your division, though.
Q: Is Tempe Diablo going to be shutting down? In an article yesterday it said facilities were able to be used Tuesday or Wednesday. Looks like that is going to change. – Travis Brewer
A: As of Sunday night, the facilities in Tempe were supposed to be open Monday for players to work out informally, either individually or in very small groups. The facilities at Angel Stadium are expected to be ready for the same type of workouts, starting Tuesday or Wednesday. MLB has said they won’t flat-out close spring training facilities, although they do want teams to be strict about keeping the groups small and practice social distancing.
Q: Jeff, do you see a lot of time in the office since you’re a beat writer? Was just curious about what a beat writer journalist’s life is like compared to maybe a columnist (for context, I was a journalism major, so i’m just curious!) – Job Ang
A: I am almost never in the office. I go in about once a year for meetings. When I’m not at the ballpark, I am always working at home, so this unexpected shutdown is not that much different from a normal January to me.
Q: Favorite Arizona eating spots during Spring Training? – @f2fguy
A: I have plenty of them. My No. 1 restaurant is Carlsbad Tavern, in Scottsdale. I also really like North Italia, Richardson’s and Kuka Sushi.
Q: Favorite moment in your career so far? – @LUEVANO23
A: That is a tough one. I saw Barry Bonds hit his 756th homer, breaking Hank Aaron’s all-time record. I think perhaps the most memorable thing I’ve ever seen was last year’s Angels game when they pitched a combined no-hitter wearing Tyler Skaggs jerseys. I actually wasn’t even working that night, but I was at the game with my son and father. I suppose that makes it ineligible for a moment in my “career,” technically speaking.
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While Major League Baseball is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, we took some questions on Twitter and our Facebook page about the Angels and other baseball topics.
Q: Staying positive. How would a complete season or even short season benefit the Halos? – @catfishmcfly
A: The Angels definitely could benefit if the season is shortened, which at this point looks like a certainty. Shohei Ohtani, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, was going to have his innings limited this season, so they would have him at the end of the 162-game season instead of the beginning. But if the season starts in late May or early June, and only goes 100 games or so, Ohtani could be available the entire time. The Angels were also going to be without Griffin Canning for at least the first month as he recovers after having a platelet-rich plasma injection, so now he could possibly be ready by the new Opening Day. Finally, in general, the shorter the season, the less the advantage for the better teams. That means the Houston Astros won’t have as big an advantage over the Angels, or any team, for a 100-game season as they would for a 162-game season.
Q: Who should start at first base on Opening Day: Pujols or La Stella? Seconde base: La Stella or Fletcher? Right field: Goodwin, Fletcher, Adell? – @shandy92606
A: As of a couple of days before the shutdown, Tommy La Stella told me he had not put on a first baseman’s glove at all during spring training. I think a lot of fans had the idea that La Stella would play that position, but the Angels clearly never considered it a serious option. Albert Pujols figures to get most of the time at first base, with probably Matt Thaiss playing the games he doesn’t. At second, it will probably be La Stella against righties and David Fletcher against lefties. In right field, I expect some combination of Fletcher and Brian Goodwin until Jo Adell is ready. As for who plays on Opening Day, that’s hard to say. It might depend upon whether they’re facing a righty or lefty.
Q: Did Michael Hermosillo make a case for starting in right field? He had a good spring until it got shut down. – Mario Molina
A: Hermosillo had just missed some time with a hip injury before the shutdown. I think he was a pretty safe bet to make the team as the fourth outfielder (or fifth if you count David Fletcher), but I didn’t see him getting a lot of starts ahead of Brian Goodwin or Fletcher in right.
Q: What happens with the players’ salaries. Are they still paid while on shutdown? – Sean Cronkite
A: The question of salaries is still being negotiated. All we know right now is that players on 40-man rosters will continue to get living allowances for a few more weeks. Players are never paid until the start of the regular season, so no one has missed a paycheck yet.
Q: Any word on what would happen to contracts if the season never happens? (That one-year Mookie rental isn’t looking good right now …) – @TheSlickrock
A: Obviously this is also still to be negotiated. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Q: If the mid-May start comes off, and there is a desire to try to squeeze in a full season, will we see some scheduled doubleheaders on the weekends? – @trivialnunz
A: I can’t see them even coming close to a full season. I understand they want to play “as many games as possible,” so I suppose one way to do that would be to add some doubleheaders. I think that’s more reasonable than extending the season and ending up with the World Series at a neutral site in November or something. So, yes, I think doubleheaders are the simplest way to add more games without messing up the schedule too much. I’d expect them to mostly be within your division, though.
Q: Is Tempe Diablo going to be shutting down? In an article yesterday it said facilities were able to be used Tuesday or Wednesday. Looks like that is going to change. – Travis Brewer
A: As of Sunday night, the facilities in Tempe were supposed to be open Monday for players to work out informally, either individually or in very small groups. The facilities at Angel Stadium are expected to be ready for the same type of workouts, starting Tuesday or Wednesday. MLB has said they won’t flat-out close spring training facilities, although they do want teams to be strict about keeping the groups small and practice social distancing.
Q: Jeff, do you see a lot of time in the office since you’re a beat writer? Was just curious about what a beat writer journalist’s life is like compared to maybe a columnist (for context, I was a journalism major, so i’m just curious!) – Job Ang
A: I am almost never in the office. I go in about once a year for meetings. When I’m not at the ballpark, I am always working at home, so this unexpected shutdown is not that much different from a normal January to me.
Q: Favorite Arizona eating spots during Spring Training? – @f2fguy
A: I have plenty of them. My No. 1 restaurant is Carlsbad Tavern, in Scottsdale. I also really like North Italia, Richardson’s and Kuka Sushi.
Q: Favorite moment in your career so far? – @LUEVANO23
A: That is a tough one. I saw Barry Bonds hit his 756th homer, breaking Hank Aaron’s all-time record. I think perhaps the most memorable thing I’ve ever seen was last year’s Angels game when they pitched a combined no-hitter wearing Tyler Skaggs jerseys. I actually wasn’t even working that night, but I was at the game with my son and father. I suppose that makes it ineligible for a moment in my “career,” technically speaking.
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TEMPE, Ariz. — When Kole Calhoun played the final game of the 2019 season in an Angels uniform, he suspected that it would be his last time.
The subsequent winter didn’t change that, up until the moment he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Never really a moment I though I’d be back,” Calhoun said Saturday, just before playing a spring training game against his former team. “There was some talk, but nothing very serious, which was fine. Don’t get me wrong. I know what’s coming in the minor leagues. I know what they got. And Goody. Like I said before I left, right field in the Angels organization is in pretty good hands with what they’ve got coming.”
The presence of Brian Goodwin, and the looming presence of top prospect Jo Adell, made it a fairly straightforward decision for the Angels to decline Calhoun’s $14 million option for 2020. Calhoun had spent parts of eight seasons with the Angels, who drafted him out of Arizona State in the eighth round of the 2010 draft.
Calhoun said he was excited to sign with the Diamondbacks, a team he cheered for as a kid growing up in Arizona. He still lives in the Phoenix area, so it has made the transition easy.
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“Driving up and seeing all the old stuff, some old faces and stuff, it’s cool,” Calhoun said. “After so many years over here, getting to come back and see so many people and friendly people, it was really cool.”
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THE GAMES: The Angels gave up five runs in the eighth inning of a 7-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday at American Family Fields in Maryvale. The other Angels’ split-squad overcame an early six-run deficit to tie the Cincinnati Reds 8-8 at Goodyear Ballpark. It is the third day in a row the Angels have had at least one tie.
PITCHING REPORT: In Maryvale, RHP Matt Andriese pitched four scoreless innings against most of the Brewers’ regular lineup. Andriese needed just 37 pitches to get through his innings, so he threw another 30 in the bullpen after he came out of the game. Andriese, who is in the running for a spot in the Angels rotation, has allowed one run in nine innings this spring. “I feel great,” Andriese said. “I’m ready for the season to start, honestly.” Andriese also said he’s been working to add a slider as his fourth pitch this spring. … RHP Keynan Middleton gave up a pair of homers, to Logan Morrison and Orlando Arcia, in his inning of work. Middleton has allowed four homers in five innings this spring. … LHP Ryan Buchter worked a scoreless inning. He has not allowed a run in five innings this spring… RHP Mike Mayers pitched a scoreless inning, hitting 98 mph on the scoreboard radar gun. … RHP Kyle Keller entered in the eighth with a 3-2 lead and the bases loaded and no outs. He struck out two straight hitters but then gave up three straight hits, allowing five runs. Three of the runs were charged to RHP Taylor Cole, who had walked the bases loaded. … In Goodyear, JC Ramirez gave up four runs in two innings.
HITTING REPORT: In Maryvale, Taylor Ward had a pair of singles, one of them a push bunt. Ward scored the Angels’ first run on a Matt Thaiss hit. … In Goodyear, Arismendy Alcantara hit his second homer of the spring, this one against Trevor Bauer. Alcantara became the first Angels player to hit multiple homers this spring. Alcantara is 10 for 22 this spring. … A few innings later, Michael Hermosillo hit his second homer of the spring. Hermosillo was returning from missing nearly a week with a sore hip. … Jordyn Adams, one of the Angels’ top prospects, had a two-run double. … Jeremiah Jackson was 2 for 2 with an RBI. Jackson, 19, has played in four big league exhibitions but those were his first two hits. … The Angels scored four runs in the ninth to tie the game.
DEFENSE REPORT: In Maryvale, 3B Anthony Rendon charged a slow roller and made a barehand pickup to throw out the runner at first. … C Jason Castro had a passed ball. … In Goodyear, Ramirez fielded a comebacker between his legs and got the out at first.
UP NEXT: Angels (LHP Andrew Heaney) vs. Mariners (LHP Logan Allen), 1 p.m. PT, Tempe Diablo Stadium.
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TEMPE, Ariz. — When Kole Calhoun played the final game of the 2019 season in an Angels uniform, he suspected that it would be his last time.
The subsequent winter didn’t change that, up until the moment he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Never really a moment I though I’d be back,” Calhoun said Saturday, just before playing a spring training game against his former team. “There was some talk, but nothing very serious, which was fine. Don’t get me wrong. I know what’s coming in the minor leagues. I know what they got. And Goody. Like I said before I left, right field in the Angels organization is in pretty good hands with what they’ve got coming.”
The presence of Brian Goodwin, and the looming presence of top prospect Jo Adell, made it a fairly straightforward decision for the Angels to decline Calhoun’s $14 million option for 2020. Calhoun had spent parts of eight seasons with the Angels, who drafted him out of Arizona State in the eighth round of the 2010 draft.
Calhoun said he was excited to sign with the Diamondbacks, a team he cheered for as a kid growing up in Arizona. He still lives in the Phoenix area, so it has made the transition easy.
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“Driving up and seeing all the old stuff, some old faces and stuff, it’s cool,” Calhoun said. “After so many years over here, getting to come back and see so many people and friendly people, it was really cool.”
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TEMPE, Ariz. — Eric Chavez had only been around Anthony Rendon for a few days when he realized he was seeing something special.
“Honestly,” Chavez said, “I just shake my head. It’s unbelievable.”
Chavez, a special assistant to Angels general manager Billy Eppler and a former Gold Glove third baseman, was so impressed that he told his 14-year-old son, Diego, he needed to come watch the Angels’ new third baseman work out.
“You have to come out here, and just see the way he works,” Chavez said. “There are some guys who in the cage are completely different than on the field and vice versa. He’s the same. Everything he does looks really easy and calm. If you look at him, he’s kind of just cool.”
Which is exactly the same scouting report you’d get on Rendon, 29, from the man who coached him 18 years ago, or the current teammate who has been tight with him since the day nine years ago when they signed their first pro contracts together.
The Angels, looking to plug their hole at third base and get a middle-of-the-order slugger to complement Mike Trout, ponied up $245 million in December to ink Rendon to a seven-year deal. Angels fans knew they were getting an MVP-caliber talent, a player who had just led the Washington Nationals to the franchise’s first World Series title.
Rendon hit .319 with 34 homers, 126 RBIs and a 1.010 OPS in 2019, amassing a WAR of 6.3, according to Baseball-Reference. He and Trout are two of just nine players in the majors who have produced at least 4.0 WAR each of the past three years.
“Anthony is probably one of the top five players in the game,” Albert Pujols said.
What those who have looked beyond the numbers would add, though, is that the Angels are also getting a guy who doesn’t merely perform, but does so in an impeccable manner, off the field as well as on it.
“He’s a kid who you say, ‘If I had a daughter, I’d want my daughter to marry that guy,’” said Willie Ansley, a former top prospect who became a youth coach in the Houston area and to this day remains close with Rendon. “He’s always been down to earth. He never got caught up in the hype or anything. He’s the same guy from the time he was little to high school. Even now, he hasn’t changed.”
Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin first met Rendon when they were brought to Nationals Park in 2011 to sign. The Nationals took Rendon with the sixth overall pick in the draft, and they grabbed Goodwin 28 picks later, in the supplemental first round. The two had never met, but by the end of that day, they were making arrangements to live together while playing in the instructional league.
“He brings great energy to the clubhouse,” Goodwin said. “He’s loose. You want to keep everybody loose, keep everybody smiling and comfortable and relaxed. It’s to make people feel at home.”
Rendon is comfortable with just about everyone, with the notable exception of reporters who come bearing questions about him. It’s clear that he enjoys his privacy and also that he is uncomfortable talking about himself.
After submitting to a recent interview, he conceded that it’s not his favorite part of the job.
“Oh man,” he said with a smile, “I just don’t like boasting about myself. I don’t want to be the center of attention. I’m just here to play baseball. I’m not going to be on social media or doing any commercials. I’m just here to do my job.”
EARLY INDICATORS
Baseball didn’t seem like Rendon’s future job when he was growing up in the Houston area. When he was young, he says he played much more basketball.
“It’s easier to go outside and play basketball,” Rendon said. “You can shoot around by yourself. Play pick-up. Whereas with baseball, no one likes putting a ball on a tee, hitting it, chasing it and putting it back on a tee. You need more than a few guys. So I was always in the neighborhood playing basketball with my friends.”
Rendon was small for his age, though, so he realized quickly that basketball wasn’t going to take him far. In his early years on the basketball court, “all I did was shoot threes,” he said. Even though he was still a productive player, coaches didn’t play him as much as he felt his skills warranted, so after his sophomore year of high school he ditched basketball.
Of course, he’d always been good at baseball too, as Ansley could attest. The Houston Astros’ first-round pick in 1988, Ansley topped out at Triple-A before embarking on a career coaching kids in Houston. One of them was a pint-sized 11-year-old with overflowing talent.
“He was a little bit different,” Ansley said. “He just had different things than the other kids, as far as instincts on the baseball field. A lot of stuff you can’t teach. He was really small at 11, but he had really good wrists and could hit the ball further than the bigger kids.”
Ansley, who coached Rendon on a travel team, spun stories about homers he’d hit and leaping bare-hand plays he’d made at third, leaving the adults in awe. Ansley tried to play Rendon at second, because of his size, but eventually realized that he was still the best athlete, so he forced his way to shortstop.
Ansley also was an assistant coach for a year with Rendon’s team at Lamar High. Ansley at one point got on Rendon because he felt like the kid was just swinging for the fences. Rendon proceeded to go 12 for 12 in a tournament, Ansley recalled.
“He hit line drive after line drive, just trying to prove that he wasn’t trying to hit a home run,” Ansley said.
It wasn’t just his physical tools, but his baseball intellect. Ansley said Rendon had an advanced idea of how to determine what pitchers were trying to do with him.
Despite hitting .570 his senior year and being the first-team all-state shortstop in his division, Rendon didn’t get picked in the 2008 draft until the Atlanta Braves selected him in the 27th round. Part of that was certainly that he was simply underrated, but scouts also knew that he had a full scholarship offer to Rice.
Rice coach Wayne Graham, a legend who helped the Owls become one of the nation’s preeminent programs during his 27 seasons there, saw something in Rendon. Graham, now 83, recalled a conversation he had with his assistant coaches the first time they watched Rendon take batting practice.
“You are looking at wrists that are similar to Hank Aaron,” Graham said. “You leave him alone and let him hit.”
Graham also invoked the name of Brooks Robinson when describing Rendon’s play at third.
“He has reflexes that are off the scale,” Graham said. “He’s not like other people.”
Rendon would be named the nation’s top freshman, on his way to a three-year torching of college pitchers. He hit .371 with a 1.189 OPS at Rice, good enough for the Nationals to select him with their first pick in 2011.
While Rendon was starring at Rice, Goodwin was doing the same at North Carolina. The two had never crossed paths in college, so their first meeting was that summer day in 2011 when the Nationals invited both – along with fellow draft pick Alex Meyer – to the ballpark to sign their deals.
After a night of waving to the fans, soaking up the atmosphere and getting to know each other, Rendon and Goodwin headed off together to work out with a Nationals’ short-season team in Auburn, N.Y. They moved through the farm system together, living together at several stops, and continually being catch partners during warm-ups. Reunited with the Angels, Rendon and Goodwin still throw together each day, even though infielders typically throw with other infielders.
Goodwin was impressed immediately with what he saw from Rendon on the field as well.
“Super quiet at the plate and super quick,” Goodwin said. “I’ve never seen him go through a swing change or anything like that. He just always had a professional approach, since Day One. He’s not afraid to let the ball get deep. He will shoot you the other way. They don’t call him Tony Two Bags for nothing.”
Actually, Rendon has changed since he earned that moniker early in his career. During Rendon’s first three seasons in the majors, he hit 33 homers in 1,432 plate appearances, which added up to a slugging percentage of .425.
Around the start of the 2016 season, though, he was encouraged to swing a little more aggressively to try to pull the ball early in the count. Initially, he said he over-corrected and just swung too hard. He realized that “less is more,” he said. He still took an aggressive approach early in the count, but under control, and Tony Two Bags became Tony Four Bags.
“I can take my chances earlier in the count and be aggressive and try to do some damage instead of just, you know, trying to flick the ball the other way,” Rendon said.
Since 2016, Rendon has a .528 slugging percentage, including a career-best .598 to go with his career-high 34 homers in 2019.
Those numbers helped the Nationals famously rally from a 19-31 start to make the playoffs, and then storm to a World Series title. Rendon went from popping champagne bottles to hitting the free agent market as the best position player available.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE, COMFORTABLE
He and agent Scott Boras had categorized the potential suitors, and Rendon admitted shortly after signing that the Angels weren’t initially on the short list of favorites. Rendon admitted after he signed that he was leery of “the Hollywood lifestyle” in California.
The Angels were able to convince Rendon that that wouldn’t be an issue playing in Anaheim. Goodwin also subtly suggested the Angels.
Related Articles
Angels blank Mariners behind solid work from Dylan Bundy, Jaime Barria Angels closer Hansel Robles more comfortable in reunion with Mickey Callaway Michael Hermosillo homers as Angels rally to beat Indians Matt Thaiss is quietly making the Angels take notice Angels’ Mike Trout, wife expecting a baby boy in August “I thought he was going to play in Texas,” Goodwin said. “He didn’t ask me but I put some things out there that he should know this is the place for him.”
Rendon said he prefers to keep things simple, spending time with his family – he and his wife just welcomed their second daughter – and playing a little golf. He’s also an aficionado of muscle cars, with two Camaros to start his collection.
“If I kept buying cars, my wife would kill me,” he said. “We’re actually in the middle of building the house to fit my cars.”
When he’s at the park, he’s consumed with getting another taste of the championship champagne he just sipped with the Nationals. Asked if the Angels have the components to get him another ring, Rendon said they do have what he considered the most significant element that the 2019 Nationals brought to the table.
“The one thing that struck me most was the guys jelling,” Rendon said. “We had each other’s backs and we had this camaraderie. Here I feel comfortable already. From what I can see, the core guys that we have here, they’ve opened up their doors and allowed me to come in without skipping a beat.”

View the full article

TEMPE, Ariz. — Eric Chavez had only been around Anthony Rendon for a few days when he realized he was seeing something special.
“Honestly,” Chavez said, “I just shake my head. It’s unbelievable.”
Chavez, a special assistant to Angels general manager Billy Eppler and a former Gold Glove third baseman, was so impressed that he told his 14-year-old son, Diego, he needed to come watch the Angels’ new third baseman work out.
“You have to come out here, and just see the way he works,” Chavez said. “There are some guys who in the cage are completely different than on the field and vice versa. He’s the same. Everything he does looks really easy and calm. If you look at him, he’s kind of just cool.”
Which is exactly the same scouting report you’d get on Rendon, 29, from the man who coached him 18 years ago, or the current teammate who has been tight with him since the day nine years ago when they signed their first pro contracts together.
The Angels, looking to plug their hole at third base and get a middle-of-the-order slugger to complement Mike Trout, ponied up $245 million in December to ink Rendon to a seven-year deal. Angels fans knew they were getting an MVP-caliber talent, a player who had just led the Washington Nationals to the franchise’s first World Series title.
Rendon hit .319 with 34 homers, 126 RBIs and a 1.010 OPS in 2019, amassing a WAR of 6.3, according to Baseball-Reference. He and Trout are two of just nine players in the majors who have produced at least 4.0 WAR each of the past three years.
“Anthony is probably one of the top five players in the game,” Albert Pujols said.
What those who have looked beyond the numbers would add, though, is that the Angels are also getting a guy who doesn’t merely perform, but does so in an impeccable manner, off the field as well as on it.
“He’s a kid who you say, ‘If I had a daughter, I’d want my daughter to marry that guy,’” said Willie Ansley, a former top prospect who became a youth coach in the Houston area and to this day remains close with Rendon. “He’s always been down to earth. He never got caught up in the hype or anything. He’s the same guy from the time he was little to high school. Even now, he hasn’t changed.”
Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin first met Rendon when they were brought to Nationals Park in 2011 to sign. The Nationals took Rendon with the sixth overall pick in the draft, and they grabbed Goodwin 28 picks later, in the supplemental first round. The two had never met, but by the end of that day, they were making arrangements to live together while playing in the instructional league.
“He brings great energy to the clubhouse,” Goodwin said. “He’s loose. You want to keep everybody loose, keep everybody smiling and comfortable and relaxed. It’s to make people feel at home.”
Rendon is comfortable with just about everyone, with the notable exception of reporters who come bearing questions about him. It’s clear that he enjoys his privacy and also that he is uncomfortable talking about himself.
After submitting to a recent interview, he conceded that it’s not his favorite part of the job.
“Oh man,” he said with a smile, “I just don’t like boasting about myself. I don’t want to be the center of attention. I’m just here to play baseball. I’m not going to be on social media or doing any commercials. I’m just here to do my job.”
EARLY INDICATORS
Baseball didn’t seem like Rendon’s future job when he was growing up in the Houston area. When he was young, he says he played much more basketball.
“It’s easier to go outside and play basketball,” Rendon said. “You can shoot around by yourself. Play pick-up. Whereas with baseball, no one likes putting a ball on a tee, hitting it, chasing it and putting it back on a tee. You need more than a few guys. So I was always in the neighborhood playing basketball with my friends.”
Rendon was small for his age, though, so he realized quickly that basketball wasn’t going to take him far. In his early years on the basketball court, “all I did was shoot threes,” he said. Even though he was still a productive player, coaches didn’t play him as much as he felt his skills warranted, so after his sophomore year of high school he ditched basketball.
Of course, he’d always been good at baseball too, as Ansley could attest. The Houston Astros’ first-round pick in 1988, Ansley topped out at Triple-A before embarking on a career coaching kids in Houston. One of them was a pint-sized 11-year-old with overflowing talent.
“He was a little bit different,” Ansley said. “He just had different things than the other kids, as far as instincts on the baseball field. A lot of stuff you can’t teach. He was really small at 11, but he had really good wrists and could hit the ball further than the bigger kids.”
Ansley, who coached Rendon on a travel team, spun stories about homers he’d hit and leaping bare-hand plays he’d made at third, leaving the adults in awe. Ansley tried to play Rendon at second, because of his size, but eventually realized that he was still the best athlete, so he forced his way to shortstop.
Ansley also was an assistant coach for a year with Rendon’s team at Lamar High. Ansley at one point got on Rendon because he felt like the kid was just swinging for the fences. Rendon proceeded to go 12 for 12 in a tournament, Ansley recalled.
“He hit line drive after line drive, just trying to prove that he wasn’t trying to hit a home run,” Ansley said.
It wasn’t just his physical tools, but his baseball intellect. Ansley said Rendon had an advanced idea of how to determine what pitchers were trying to do with him.
Despite hitting .570 his senior year and being the first-team all-state shortstop in his division, Rendon didn’t get picked in the 2008 draft until the Atlanta Braves selected him in the 27th round. Part of that was certainly that he was simply underrated, but scouts also knew that he had a full scholarship offer to Rice.
Rice coach Wayne Graham, a legend who helped the Owls become one of the nation’s preeminent programs during his 27 seasons there, saw something in Rendon. Graham, now 83, recalled a conversation he had with his assistant coaches the first time they watched Rendon take batting practice.
“You are looking at wrists that are similar to Hank Aaron,” Graham said. “You leave him alone and let him hit.”
Graham also invoked the name of Brooks Robinson when describing Rendon’s play at third.
“He has reflexes that are off the scale,” Graham said. “He’s not like other people.”
Rendon would be named the nation’s top freshman, on his way to a three-year torching of college pitchers. He hit .371 with a 1.189 OPS at Rice, good enough for the Nationals to select him with their first pick in 2011.
While Rendon was starring at Rice, Goodwin was doing the same at North Carolina. The two had never crossed paths in college, so their first meeting was that summer day in 2011 when the Nationals invited both – along with fellow draft pick Alex Meyer – to the ballpark to sign their deals.
After a night of waving to the fans, soaking up the atmosphere and getting to know each other, Rendon and Goodwin headed off together to work out with a Nationals’ short-season team in Auburn, N.Y. They moved through the farm system together, living together at several stops, and continually being catch partners during warm-ups. Reunited with the Angels, Rendon and Goodwin still throw together each day, even though infielders typically throw with other infielders.
Goodwin was impressed immediately with what he saw from Rendon on the field as well.
“Super quiet at the plate and super quick,” Goodwin said. “I’ve never seen him go through a swing change or anything like that. He just always had a professional approach, since Day One. He’s not afraid to let the ball get deep. He will shoot you the other way. They don’t call him Tony Two Bags for nothing.”
Actually, Rendon has changed since he earned that moniker early in his career. During Rendon’s first three seasons in the majors, he hit 33 homers in 1,432 plate appearances, which added up to a slugging percentage of .425.
Around the start of the 2016 season, though, he was encouraged to swing a little more aggressively to try to pull the ball early in the count. Initially, he said he over-corrected and just swung too hard. He realized that “less is more,” he said. He still took an aggressive approach early in the count, but under control, and Tony Two Bags became Tony Four Bags.
“I can take my chances earlier in the count and be aggressive and try to do some damage instead of just, you know, trying to flick the ball the other way,” Rendon said.
Since 2016, Rendon has a .528 slugging percentage, including a career-best .598 to go with his career-high 34 homers in 2019.
Those numbers helped the Nationals famously rally from a 19-31 start to make the playoffs, and then storm to a World Series title. Rendon went from popping champagne bottles to hitting the free agent market as the best position player available.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE, COMFORTABLE
He and agent Scott Boras had categorized the potential suitors, and Rendon admitted shortly after signing that the Angels weren’t initially on the short list of favorites. Rendon admitted after he signed that he was leery of “the Hollywood lifestyle” in California.
The Angels were able to convince Rendon that that wouldn’t be an issue playing in Anaheim. Goodwin also subtly suggested the Angels.
Related Articles
Angels blank Mariners behind solid work from Dylan Bundy, Jaime Barria Angels closer Hansel Robles more comfortable in reunion with Mickey Callaway Michael Hermosillo homers as Angels rally to beat Indians Matt Thaiss is quietly making the Angels take notice Angels’ Mike Trout, wife expecting a baby boy in August “I thought he was going to play in Texas,” Goodwin said. “He didn’t ask me but I put some things out there that he should know this is the place for him.”
Rendon said he prefers to keep things simple, spending time with his family – he and his wife just welcomed their second daughter – and playing a little golf. He’s also an aficionado of muscle cars, with two Camaros to start his collection.
“If I kept buying cars, my wife would kill me,” he said. “We’re actually in the middle of building the house to fit my cars.”
When he’s at the park, he’s consumed with getting another taste of the championship champagne he just sipped with the Nationals. Asked if the Angels have the components to get him another ring, Rendon said they do have what he considered the most significant element that the 2019 Nationals brought to the table.
“The one thing that struck me most was the guys jelling,” Rendon said. “We had each other’s backs and we had this camaraderie. Here I feel comfortable already. From what I can see, the core guys that we have here, they’ve opened up their doors and allowed me to come in without skipping a beat.”

View the full article

TEMPE, Ariz. — Eric Chavez had only been around Anthony Rendon for a few days when he realized he was seeing something special.
“Honestly,” Chavez said, “I just shake my head. It’s unbelievable.”
Chavez, a special assistant to Angels general manager Billy Eppler and a former Gold Glove third baseman, was so impressed that he told his 14-year-old son, Diego, he needed to come watch the Angels’ new third baseman work out.
“You have to come out here, and just see the way he works,” Chavez said. “There are some guys who in the cage are completely different than on the field and vice versa. He’s the same. Everything he does looks really easy and calm. If you look at him, he’s kind of just cool.”
Which is exactly the same scouting report you’d get on Rendon, 29, from the man who coached him 18 years ago, or the current teammate who has been tight with him since the day nine years ago when they signed their first pro contracts together.
The Angels, looking to plug their hole at third base and get a middle-of-the-order slugger to complement Mike Trout, ponied up $245 million in December to ink Rendon to a seven-year deal. Angels fans knew they were getting an MVP-caliber talent, a player who had just led the Washington Nationals to the franchise’s first World Series title.
Rendon hit .319 with 34 homers, 126 RBIs and a 1.010 OPS in 2019, amassing a WAR of 6.3, according to Baseball-Reference. He and Trout are two of just nine players in the majors who have produced at least 4.0 WAR each of the past three years.
“Anthony is probably one of the top five players in the game,” Albert Pujols said.
What those who have looked beyond the numbers would add, though, is that the Angels are also getting a guy who doesn’t merely perform, but does so in an impeccable manner, off the field as well as on it.
“He’s a kid who you say, ‘If I had a daughter, I’d want my daughter to marry that guy,’” said Willie Ansley, a former top prospect who became a youth coach in the Houston area and to this day remains close with Rendon. “He’s always been down to earth. He never got caught up in the hype or anything. He’s the same guy from the time he was little to high school. Even now, he hasn’t changed.”
Angels outfielder Brian Goodwin first met Rendon when they were brought to Nationals Park in 2011 to sign. The Nationals took Rendon with the sixth overall pick in the draft, and they grabbed Goodwin 28 picks later, in the supplemental first round. The two had never met, but by the end of that day, they were making arrangements to live together while playing in the instructional league.
“He brings great energy to the clubhouse,” Goodwin said. “He’s loose. You want to keep everybody loose, keep everybody smiling and comfortable and relaxed. It’s to make people feel at home.”
Rendon is comfortable with just about everyone, with the notable exception of reporters who come bearing questions about him. It’s clear that he enjoys his privacy and also that he is uncomfortable talking about himself.
After submitting to a recent interview, he conceded that it’s not his favorite part of the job.
“Oh man,” he said with a smile, “I just don’t like boasting about myself. I don’t want to be the center of attention. I’m just here to play baseball. I’m not going to be on social media or doing any commercials. I’m just here to do my job.”
EARLY INDICATORS
Baseball didn’t seem like Rendon’s future job when he was growing up in the Houston area. When he was young, he says he played much more basketball.
“It’s easier to go outside and play basketball,” Rendon said. “You can shoot around by yourself. Play pick-up. Whereas with baseball, no one likes putting a ball on a tee, hitting it, chasing it and putting it back on a tee. You need more than a few guys. So I was always in the neighborhood playing basketball with my friends.”
Rendon was small for his age, though, so he realized quickly that basketball wasn’t going to take him far. In his early years on the basketball court, “all I did was shoot threes,” he said. Even though he was still a productive player, coaches didn’t play him as much as he felt his skills warranted, so after his sophomore year of high school he ditched basketball.
Of course, he’d always been good at baseball too, as Ansley could attest. The Houston Astros’ first-round pick in 1988, Ansley topped out at Triple-A before embarking on a career coaching kids in Houston. One of them was a pint-sized 11-year-old with overflowing talent.
“He was a little bit different,” Ansley said. “He just had different things than the other kids, as far as instincts on the baseball field. A lot of stuff you can’t teach. He was really small at 11, but he had really good wrists and could hit the ball further than the bigger kids.”
Ansley, who coached Rendon on a travel team, spun stories about homers he’d hit and leaping bare-hand plays he’d made at third, leaving the adults in awe. Ansley tried to play Rendon at second, because of his size, but eventually realized that he was still the best athlete, so he forced his way to shortstop.
Ansley also was an assistant coach for a year with Rendon’s team at Lamar High. Ansley at one point got on Rendon because he felt like the kid was just swinging for the fences. Rendon proceeded to go 12 for 12 in a tournament, Ansley recalled.
“He hit line drive after line drive, just trying to prove that he wasn’t trying to hit a home run,” Ansley said.
It wasn’t just his physical tools, but his baseball intellect. Ansley said Rendon had an advanced idea of how to determine what pitchers were trying to do with him.
Despite hitting .570 his senior year and being the first-team all-state shortstop in his division, Rendon didn’t get picked in the 2008 draft until the Atlanta Braves selected him in the 27th round. Part of that was certainly that he was simply underrated, but scouts also knew that he had a full scholarship offer to Rice.
Rice coach Wayne Graham, a legend who helped the Owls become one of the nation’s preeminent programs during his 27 seasons there, saw something in Rendon. Graham, now 83, recalled a conversation he had with his assistant coaches the first time they watched Rendon take batting practice.
“You are looking at wrists that are similar to Hank Aaron,” Graham said. “You leave him alone and let him hit.”
Graham also invoked the name of Brooks Robinson when describing Rendon’s play at third.
“He has reflexes that are off the scale,” Graham said. “He’s not like other people.”
Rendon would be named the nation’s top freshman, on his way to a three-year torching of college pitchers. He hit .371 with a 1.189 OPS at Rice, good enough for the Nationals to select him with their first pick in 2011.
While Rendon was starring at Rice, Goodwin was doing the same at North Carolina. The two had never crossed paths in college, so their first meeting was that summer day in 2011 when the Nationals invited both – along with fellow draft pick Alex Meyer – to the ballpark to sign their deals.
After a night of waving to the fans, soaking up the atmosphere and getting to know each other, Rendon and Goodwin headed off together to work out with a Nationals’ short-season team in Auburn, N.Y. They moved through the farm system together, living together at several stops, and continually being catch partners during warm-ups. Reunited with the Angels, Rendon and Goodwin still throw together each day, even though infielders typically throw with other infielders.
Goodwin was impressed immediately with what he saw from Rendon on the field as well.
“Super quiet at the plate and super quick,” Goodwin said. “I’ve never seen him go through a swing change or anything like that. He just always had a professional approach, since Day One. He’s not afraid to let the ball get deep. He will shoot you the other way. They don’t call him Tony Two Bags for nothing.”
Actually, Rendon has changed since he earned that moniker early in his career. During Rendon’s first three seasons in the majors, he hit 33 homers in 1,432 plate appearances, which added up to a slugging percentage of .425.
Around the start of the 2016 season, though, he was encouraged to swing a little more aggressively to try to pull the ball early in the count. Initially, he said he over-corrected and just swung too hard. He realized that “less is more,” he said. He still took an aggressive approach early in the count, but under control, and Tony Two Bags became Tony Four Bags.
“I can take my chances earlier in the count and be aggressive and try to do some damage instead of just, you know, trying to flick the ball the other way,” Rendon said.
Since 2016, Rendon has a .528 slugging percentage, including a career-best .598 to go with his career-high 34 homers in 2019.
Those numbers helped the Nationals famously rally from a 19-31 start to make the playoffs, and then storm to a World Series title. Rendon went from popping champagne bottles to hitting the free agent market as the best position player available.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE, COMFORTABLE
He and agent Scott Boras had categorized the potential suitors, and Rendon admitted shortly after signing that the Angels weren’t initially on the short list of favorites. Rendon admitted after he signed that he was leery of “the Hollywood lifestyle” in California.
The Angels were able to convince Rendon that that wouldn’t be an issue playing in Anaheim. Goodwin also subtly suggested the Angels.
Related Articles
Angels blank Mariners behind solid work from Dylan Bundy, Jaime Barria Angels closer Hansel Robles more comfortable in reunion with Mickey Callaway Michael Hermosillo homers as Angels rally to beat Indians Matt Thaiss is quietly making the Angels take notice Angels’ Mike Trout, wife expecting a baby boy in August “I thought he was going to play in Texas,” Goodwin said. “He didn’t ask me but I put some things out there that he should know this is the place for him.”
Rendon said he prefers to keep things simple, spending time with his family – he and his wife just welcomed their second daughter – and playing a little golf. He’s also an aficionado of muscle cars, with two Camaros to start his collection.
“If I kept buying cars, my wife would kill me,” he said. “We’re actually in the middle of building the house to fit my cars.”
When he’s at the park, he’s consumed with getting another taste of the championship champagne he just sipped with the Nationals. Asked if the Angels have the components to get him another ring, Rendon said they do have what he considered the most significant element that the 2019 Nationals brought to the table.
“The one thing that struck me most was the guys jelling,” Rendon said. “We had each other’s backs and we had this camaraderie. Here I feel comfortable already. From what I can see, the core guys that we have here, they’ve opened up their doors and allowed me to come in without skipping a beat.”

View the full article

Angels center fielder Mike Trout throws the ball into second base after making a play on a line drive hit by the Indians’ Franmil Reyes during the fourth inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the first inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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The Indians’ Franmil Reyes hits a two-run home run against the during the second inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the first inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Mike Trout gets ready to step into the batters box against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Taylor Ward makes a sliding catch on a fly ball hit by Oscar Mercado #35 of the Cleveland Indians during the second inning of a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 03: Matt Thaiss #23 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a single during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Matt Thaiss celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring of a single by Michael Hermosillo #21 during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Michael Hermosillo hits an RBI single during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Angels Manager Joe Maddontalks with his players in the dugout prior to a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Jahmai Jones hits an RBI single during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians of a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Taylor Ward makes a leaping catch on a fly ball hit by Domingo Santana #24 of the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning of a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Show Caption of
Expand THE GAME: Andrew Heaney made his second start of the spring and Michael Hermosillo hit a home run as the Angels rallied for an 11-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday at Goodyear, Ariz.
PITCHING REPORT: Heaney reached three innings, giving up two runs and three hits, including a two-run home run by Franmil Reyes with the wind in the second inning. Heaney is in the mix to be the Opening Day starter on March 26 at Houston. “If it’s me, that would be awesome,” said the left-hander, who has never made a start before April 13 in his career. “… If I make the first start of the year, or the fifth start of the year, that, to me, is a win. I just haven’t been able to do that.” … Relievers Keynan Middleton, Mike Mayers and Jose Rodriguez all gave up at least one run, but Maddon was satisfied with the performances. … Left-handers Jose Quijada and Hector Yan each pitched a scoreless inning.
HITTING REPORT: Hermosillo hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, his first of the spring, and had four RBIs. He also had a stolen base, giving the Angels eight in 11 spring games. … Matt Thaiss had a hit in his fourth consecutive spring game going back to Friday. … Mike Trout went 0 for 2 but is still hitting .364 this spring. … Victor Acosta gave the Angels the lead in the eighth inning when he scored on a wild pitch, while Connor Justis added another run on a wild pitch in the inning.
DEFENSIVE REPORT: It’s hard to catch Trout off guard, even in spring training. Reyes tried to stretch a base hit into a double in the fourth inning, but Trout threw him out from left-center field, with Jahmai Jones applying the tag at second base.
UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Dylan Bundy) vs. Mariners (LHP Nestor Cortes), Wednesday, noon, Tempe Diablo Stadium




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GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Matt Thaiss is getting a good run with the Angels’ A-team of late, something he definitely recognizes but is not eager to make a big deal about.
Thaiss is OK with this becoming his new normal, it’s just that basking in the glow won’t make the playing-time opportunities last longer. Only hard work will.
It is an attitude that has been noticed. Asked if anybody has opened his eyes in camp so far, new Angels run producer Anthony Rendon did not hesitate to say who he is excited about.
“Matty Thaiss. I love the way he goes about his business over there at third base,” Rendon said. “And he has some big sock in that bat too. He’s in the clubhouse, he’s quiet, he’s listening a lot. It’s awesome to see.”
New manager Joe Maddon has been quick to compliment Thaiss as well, and the recognition has been rewarding for the young slugger.
“It’s awesome, obviously, if you can ever gain the respect of your peers and guys of (Rendon’s) caliber,” Thaiss said. “But I’m just lucky to be able to watch a guy like him do his work and be able to emulate what he does.
“I have also been lucky to follow Albert (Pujols) for three years and to emulate what he does. For me to have those two as examples, and the other guys in this locker room, that really helps me in my process.”
Tuesday’s road game against the Cleveland Indians was Thaiss’ fourth Cactus League game in the past five days. He had a hit in all four and an RBI in each of the previous three, including a towering home run Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
“I think this kid is really good,” Maddon said. “I might have mentioned that I didn’t even realize he was a first-round draft choice. I’m watching him and he has power, but he also has a really good approach at the plate. He knows how to hit, and having been a catcher in college, he’s adapted well to the infield.”
Figuring out where to get the 24-year old some playing time is the trick now. Thaiss could give Pujols some breaks at first base, and could also give Rendon a break or two at third. He played 43 games at third in his rookie season last year and 13 at first.
Thaiss doesn’t want to think about that aspect right now. He had eight home runs with 23 RBIs in his 53 games with the Angels last season, but his main takeaway from his first taste of the American League is that everything will sort itself out with a strong work ethic.
“It’s just day by day and I will do whatever I can, wherever I am, to help the team in whatever capacity that is,” Thaiss said.
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Mike Trout, who was in high spirits in the Angels’ clubhouse Tuesday morning, said the social media announcement Monday of the upcoming birth of his son was a joint production between him and his wife. “Just a special moment in our life and that’s how we showed it,” Trout said. As a baseball man, manager Joe Maddon was thinking even further down the road. “We’ll be timing (the baby’s) first steps,” Maddon joked. …
Maddon and pitching coach Mickey Callaway seem to be set on an Opening Day starter, but an announcement on who gets the honor won’t be made until later this week. Left-hander Andrew Heaney is a possibility after extending himself to three innings against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Julio Teheran, who made six consecutive Opening Day starts with the Atlanta Braves, also is a possibility.
View the full article

Angels center fielder Mike Trout throws the ball into second base after making a play on a line drive hit by the Indians’ Franmil Reyes during the fourth inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the first inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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The Indians’ Franmil Reyes hits a two-run home run against the during the second inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the first inning of Tuesday’s Cactus League game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Mike Trout gets ready to step into the batters box against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Taylor Ward makes a sliding catch on a fly ball hit by Oscar Mercado #35 of the Cleveland Indians during the second inning of a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 03: Matt Thaiss #23 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a single during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Matt Thaiss celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring of a single by Michael Hermosillo #21 during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Michael Hermosillo hits an RBI single during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Angels Manager Joe Maddontalks with his players in the dugout prior to a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Jahmai Jones hits an RBI single during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians of a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Taylor Ward makes a leaping catch on a fly ball hit by Domingo Santana #24 of the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning of a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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Expand THE GAME: Andrew Heaney made his second start of the spring and Michael Hermosillo hit a home run as the Angels rallied for an 11-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday at Goodyear, Ariz.
PITCHING REPORT: Heaney reached three innings, giving up two runs and three hits, including a two-run home run by Franmil Reyes with the wind in the second inning. Heaney is in the mix to be the Opening Day starter on March 26 at Houston. “If it’s me, that would be awesome,” said the left-hander, who has never made a start before April 13 in his career. “… If I make the first start of the year, or the fifth start of the year, that, to me, is a win. I just haven’t been able to do that.” … Relievers Keynan Middleton, Mike Mayers and Jose Rodriguez all gave up at least one run, but Maddon was satisfied with the performances. … Left-handers Jose Quijada and Hector Yan each pitched a scoreless inning.
HITTING REPORT: Hermosillo hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, his first of the spring, and had four RBIs. He also had a stolen base, giving the Angels eight in 11 spring games. … Matt Thaiss had a hit in his fourth consecutive spring game going back to Friday. … Mike Trout went 0 for 2 but is still hitting .364 this spring. … Victor Acosta gave the Angels the lead in the eighth inning when he scored on a wild pitch, while Connor Justis added another run on a wild pitch in the inning.
DEFENSIVE REPORT: It’s hard to catch Trout off guard, even in spring training. Reyes tried to stretch a base hit into a double in the fourth inning, but Trout threw him out from left-center field, with Jahmai Jones applying the tag at second base.
UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Dylan Bundy) vs. Mariners (LHP Nestor Cortes), Wednesday, noon, Tempe Diablo Stadium




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GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Matt Thaiss is getting a good run with the Angels’ A-team of late, something he definitely recognizes but is not eager to make a big deal about.
Thaiss is OK with this becoming his new normal, it’s just that basking in the glow won’t make the playing-time opportunities last longer. Only hard work will.
It is an attitude that has been noticed. Asked if anybody has opened his eyes in camp so far, new Angels run producer Anthony Rendon did not hesitate to say who he is excited about.
“Matty Thaiss. I love the way he goes about his business over there at third base,” Rendon said. “And he has some big sock in that bat too. He’s in the clubhouse, he’s quiet, he’s listening a lot. It’s awesome to see.”
New manager Joe Maddon has been quick to compliment Thaiss as well, and the recognition has been rewarding for the young slugger.
“It’s awesome, obviously, if you can ever gain the respect of your peers and guys of (Rendon’s) caliber,” Thaiss said. “But I’m just lucky to be able to watch a guy like him do his work and be able to emulate what he does.
“I have also been lucky to follow Albert (Pujols) for three years and to emulate what he does. For me to have those two as examples, and the other guys in this locker room, that really helps me in my process.”
Tuesday’s road game against the Cleveland Indians was Thaiss’ fourth Cactus League game in the past five days. He had a hit in all four and an RBI in each of the previous three, including a towering home run Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
“I think this kid is really good,” Maddon said. “I might have mentioned that I didn’t even realize he was a first-round draft choice. I’m watching him and he has power, but he also has a really good approach at the plate. He knows how to hit, and having been a catcher in college, he’s adapted well to the infield.”
Figuring out where to get the 24-year old some playing time is the trick now. Thaiss could give Pujols some breaks at first base, and could also give Rendon a break or two at third. He played 43 games at third in his rookie season last year and 13 at first.
Thaiss doesn’t want to think about that aspect right now. He had eight home runs with 23 RBIs in his 53 games with the Angels last season, but his main takeaway from his first taste of the American League is that everything will sort itself out with a strong work ethic.
“It’s just day by day and I will do whatever I can, wherever I am, to help the team in whatever capacity that is,” Thaiss said.
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Mike Trout, who was in high spirits in the Angels’ clubhouse Tuesday morning, said the social media announcement Monday of the upcoming birth of his son was a joint production between him and his wife. “Just a special moment in our life and that’s how we showed it,” Trout said. As a baseball man, manager Joe Maddon was thinking even further down the road. “We’ll be timing (the baby’s) first steps,” Maddon joked. …
Maddon and pitching coach Mickey Callaway seem to be set on an Opening Day starter, but an announcement on who gets the honor won’t be made until later this week. Left-hander Andrew Heaney is a possibility after extending himself to three innings against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Julio Teheran, who made six consecutive Opening Day starts with the Atlanta Braves, also is a possibility.
View the full article

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Matt Thaiss is getting a good run with the Angels’ A-team of late, something he definitely recognizes but is not eager to make a big deal about.
Thaiss is OK with this becoming his new normal, it’s just that basking in the glow won’t make the playing-time opportunities last longer. Only hard work will.
It is an attitude that has been noticed. Asked if anybody has opened his eyes in camp so far, new Angels run producer Anthony Rendon did not hesitate to say who he is excited about.
“Matty Thaiss. I love the way he goes about his business over there at third base,” Rendon said. “And he has some big sock in that bat too. He’s in the clubhouse, he’s quiet, he’s listening a lot. It’s awesome to see.”
New manager Joe Maddon has been quick to compliment Thaiss as well, and the recognition has been rewarding for the young slugger.
“It’s awesome, obviously, if you can ever gain the respect of your peers and guys of (Rendon’s) caliber,” Thaiss said. “But I’m just lucky to be able to watch a guy like him do his work and be able to emulate what he does.
“I have also been lucky to follow Albert (Pujols) for three years and to emulate what he does. For me to have those two as examples, and the other guys in this locker room, that really helps me in my process.”
Tuesday’s road game against the Cleveland Indians was Thaiss’ fourth Cactus League game in the past five days. He had a hit in all four and an RBI in each of the previous three, including a towering home run Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
“I think this kid is really good,” Maddon said. “I might have mentioned that I didn’t even realize he was a first-round draft choice. I’m watching him and he has power, but he also has a really good approach at the plate. He knows how to hit, and having been a catcher in college, he’s adapted well to the infield.”
Figuring out where to get the 24-year old some playing time is the trick now. Thaiss could give Pujols some breaks at first base, and could also give Rendon a break or two at third. He played 43 games at third in his rookie season last year and 13 at first.
Thaiss doesn’t want to think about that aspect right now. He had eight home runs with 23 RBIs in his 53 games with the Angels last season, but his main takeaway from his first taste of the American League is that everything will sort itself out with a strong work ethic.
“It’s just day by day and I will do whatever I can, wherever I am, to help the team in whatever capacity that is,” Thaiss said.
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Mike Trout, who was in high spirits in the Angels’ clubhouse Tuesday morning, said the social media announcement Monday of the upcoming birth of his son was a joint production between him and his wife. “Just a special moment in our life and that’s how we showed it,” Trout said. As a baseball man, manager Joe Maddon was thinking even further down the road. “We’ll be timing (the baby’s) first steps,” Maddon joked. …
Maddon and pitching coach Mickey Callaway seem to be set on an Opening Day starter, but an announcement on who gets the honor won’t be made until later this week. Left-hander Andrew Heaney is a possibility after extending himself to three innings against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Julio Teheran, who made six consecutive Opening Day starts with the Atlanta Braves, also is a possibility.
View the full article

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Matt Thaiss is getting a good run with the Angels’ A-team of late, something he definitely recognizes but is not eager to make a big deal about.
Thaiss is OK with this becoming his new normal, it’s just that basking in the glow won’t make the playing-time opportunities last longer. Only hard work will.
It is an attitude that has been noticed. Asked if anybody has opened his eyes in camp so far, new Angels run producer Anthony Rendon did not hesitate to say who he is excited about.
“Matty Thaiss. I love the way he goes about his business over there at third base,” Rendon said. “And he has some big sock in that bat too. He’s in the clubhouse, he’s quiet, he’s listening a lot. It’s awesome to see.”
New manager Joe Maddon has been quick to compliment Thaiss as well, and the recognition has been rewarding for the young slugger.
“It’s awesome, obviously, if you can ever gain the respect of your peers and guys of (Rendon’s) caliber,” Thaiss said. “But I’m just lucky to be able to watch a guy like him do his work and be able to emulate what he does.
“I have also been lucky to follow Albert (Pujols) for three years and to emulate what he does. For me to have those two as examples, and the other guys in this locker room, that really helps me in my process.”
Tuesday’s road game against the Cleveland Indians was Thaiss’ fourth Cactus League game in the past five days. He had a hit in all four and an RBI in each of the previous three, including a towering home run Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
“I think this kid is really good,” Maddon said. “I might have mentioned that I didn’t even realize he was a first-round draft choice. I’m watching him and he has power, but he also has a really good approach at the plate. He knows how to hit, and having been a catcher in college, he’s adapted well to the infield.”
Figuring out where to get the 24-year old some playing time is the trick now. Thaiss could give Pujols some breaks at first base, and could also give Rendon a break or two at third. He played 43 games at third in his rookie season last year and 13 at first.
Thaiss doesn’t want to think about that aspect right now. He had eight home runs with 23 RBIs in his 53 games with the Angels last season, but his main takeaway from his first taste of the American League is that everything will sort itself out with a strong work ethic.
“It’s just day by day and I will do whatever I can, wherever I am, to help the team in whatever capacity that is,” Thaiss said.
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Mike Trout, who was in high spirits in the Angels’ clubhouse Tuesday morning, said the social media announcement Monday of the upcoming birth of his son was a joint production between him and his wife. “Just a special moment in our life and that’s how we showed it,” Trout said. As a baseball man, manager Joe Maddon was thinking even further down the road. “We’ll be timing (the baby’s) first steps,” Maddon joked. …
Maddon and pitching coach Mickey Callaway seem to be set on an Opening Day starter, but an announcement on who gets the honor won’t be made until later this week. Left-hander Andrew Heaney is a possibility after extending himself to three innings against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Julio Teheran, who made six consecutive Opening Day starts with the Atlanta Braves, also is a possibility.
View the full article

MESA, Ariz. — It was an eventful Monday morning for the Angels, who had a visitor from the basketball world, who was more than willing to talk baseball when he wasn’t taking swings with a golf club.
Charles Barkley was invited to the Angels’ clubhouse on Monday morning to shake hands, take pictures and tell stories. Barkley even joined the team’s morning meeting on the field and participated in a quick chip shot shootout in the outfield, showing off something of a revision to his often-ridiculed, choppy golf swing.
Known for bringing in visitors and select sideshows when he managed the Chicago Cubs, new Angels skipper Joe Maddon thought a visit from Barkley would help with the monotony of spring training. The midway point is when the days start to run into each other, when sometimes the only way to realize it’s the weekend is because the morning traffic is light.
“It’s energy and enthusiasm,” Maddon said. “If we can do something daily that increases or adds to our energy or enthusiasm, I’ll take it. I think that’s overlooked.
“You know what it’s like when you walk in the clubhouse. You feel the vibe, you feel the energy in the clubhouse or you don’t. And you can’t tell me one time that you did not feel energy when you were around a good team. So guys like Charles coming in is outstanding.”
Barkley lives in the Phoenix area in the winter and in Philadelphia in the summer, meeting Maddon and his Cubs’ players a few years ago at a Phillies game. Barkley was asked about Maddon’s approach to management.
“I like his leadership style, I like his personality more … and we both hate analytics,” Barkley said.
Perhaps “hate” was a strong word. Barkley moved to clarify.
“When I say I hate analytics, I think there’s a place for those, but you can’t measure your heart,” Barkley said. “Nothing can measure your heart or your toughness. I’ll just use a guy like (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher) Madison Bumgarner. There’s nothing analytical about that man. He’s just a stud. If you look at Mike Trout or Albert Pujols, they are two of the best ever to do it. I don’t know what they would figure into the analytics if they were coming up today.
“… It’s like in the NBA. Everyone is trying to do what the (Golden State) Warriors do. And it works if you have Kevin Durant, Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson). And not Manny, Moe and Jack.”
At that, Barkley surveyed his audience before he was assured that his reference was well received and that Pep Boys commercials were indeed national.
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“That was a shocker to our system,” Barkley said, speaking for all Phillies fans. “Like I say, I’m just hearing (expletive) and when Bryce came to town, that’s all he talked about. I’m glad (Trout) is going to spend his whole career (with the Angels), though. I really am.”
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Catcher Jason Castro switched from uniform No. 15 to No. 16 this week, saying his wife and a couple of friends reminded him about Angels’ history. “Just a sign of respect to Tim Salmon,” the Stanford alum said. “I didn’t want to be the first one to wear (the number) since and break the streak. No. 16 is a good number too.” Castro used a Sharpie marker to change the 15 on his game shoes to a 16. …
After a few members of the Chicago media came to Angels camp over the weekend, Maddon again met with Chicago writers before Monday’s game, with the gathering taking place near the Cubs’ dugout. Maddon, who was the Cubs manager for five seasons, was well received by the large crowd at Sloan Park before, during and after the game. “(Manager) David (Ross) and I have been in touch, and a couple of their coaches. I’m pretty much in contact with these guys. It’s not even one year removed and I have a lot of respect for all of that.”



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Angels fans and beloved long time AngelsWin.com members, we did it! We reached and broke the TEN MILLION comments mark at AngelsWin.com during our 10th anniversary year. 10,000,024 to be exact as of 5:38 pm PST. Though by the time you've read this, we'll be well into the hundreds digit for sure.    That my friends is amazing if you think about it. Back on January 1st we announced our 10 year anniversary as a website so naturally Chuck Richter being a tech guy went to dig up the numbers from our old forum databases on previous AngelsWin.com message board platforms over the years and has been calculating the numbers ever since. Earlier this afternoon Chuck notified us that we both hit and broke the 10 million post mark.    
Thank you for being a valued AngelsWin.com member, supporter and follower over the years Angels fans and friends! Thank you for calling AngelsWin.com your internet home for Angels community and talk 24/7. Thank you for celebrating our 10th anniversary with us this season.    Ten years. That’s a long time. In internet years, that’s almost an eternity.   Think back: where were you 10 years ago? What were you doing? Where did you go to talk Angels baseball?   They say that all it takes for good things to happen is that someone stands up and says I’ll do it. And that’s how AngelsWin.com started— Chuck Richter looked around the internet at the limited options for Angels fans and decided that Angels fans needed and deserved an internet site to call their own. He created AngelsWin.com: a website by Angels fans for Angels fans.   When AngelsWin.com started, it was a small group of friends who got together to talk Angels baseball. There was a lot to talk about: The memories of the 2002 Championship Team were still strong. Arte Moreno made a big splash by signing Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, and Kelvim Escobar. The team seemed poised for a spectacular run.   Not one to be complacent, Chuck wanted to do more than just talk about the Angels. He wanted to help shape the conversation. So, he started reaching out to members on the site and leveraging contacts with the Angels to give Angels fans their own unique perspective where they would drive the course of the conversation.   By doing that, AngelsWin.com became dubbed the “Voice of the Fans” by KNX 1070 AM Radio. Whenever they, or for that matter any media outlet, needed an Angels fan’s perspective, they contacted AngelsWin.com. Whether it was providing commentary for USA Today during the playoffs, commenting on the Dan Haren trade on XM Radio, or giving a perspective on the ongoing negotiations between the team and the City on CNN Latino, AngelsWin.com has been there to be the voice of the fans.   As the website grew, Chuck wanted to branch out into all things related to Angels baseball. For hardcore fans, that meant branching out into all levels of the organization. AngelsWin.com started providing prospect lists, bios, and updates. As the connections between the website and the players grew, we got them to write blogs on our site to give fans a unique perspective into their lives. Over time, we began to advertise with Angels affiliates.   As the collection of writers grew, more possibilities opened for the website. At first it was a few interviews, almost all of which were audio recorded. Hours were spent transcribing them for fans to make them useful for fans. In time, it grew to video interviews and holiday greetings.   Through the steady and professional work put forth by the website, the Angels front office began to pay attention to AngelsWin.com. They became more receptive to our interview requests giving us the chance to truly shape the conversation. AngelsWin.com arranged for online chat interviews with Eddie Bane, the Director of Scouting for the Angels. He gave fans true insights into the development of players who would go on to become staples of the team. Soon, doors opened with Abe Flores, Tony Reagins and Jerry Dipoto.   With content like that, more fans kept coming. Soon AngelsWin.com was busting at the seams and the website needed to be redesigned to handle the volume of traffic. Shortly thereafter, a second redesign had to be done. And by 2013, we had already done our 4th expansion to handle all the Angels traffic. What had once been a little chatboard had become mainstream.   AngelsWin.com has always been about the community. And, there’s no better way to build community than to get people together in person. So, in 2006, a group from AngelsWin.com decided to meet up in Spring Training. At a bar called Hail Marys they met, ate food, drank suds, and relished in Angels’ stories. And thus, the Spring Training Fanfest was born.   But, as with the website itself, the Spring Training Fanfests grew until they too burst at the seams. Within a few years, the crowd could no longer fit into Hail Mary’s—a new location had to be found. Soon, getting together just once a year as a community wasn’t enough; a summer Fanfest at the Big A was added including charity events dedicated to raising funds for the O.C. Miracle League. Even that has grown in just a few short years to include a charity golf tournament, a golf tournament, and a whole weekend of fun.   In 2012, Arte Moreno, the Angel’s owner attended our Spring Training Fanfest to take questions directly from the fans. Since then, Jerry Dipoto, the Angels General Manager, Tim Salmon, Angels regulars, top prospects and all the Angels reporters have come to speak with our ever growing community.   Along the way, AngelsWin.com got credentialed to sit in the press box. Then, we got credentialed to be in the clubhouse and conduct interviews. And, finally, we were invited to the press conferences where we were allowed to ask a question on live national TV!   But really, AngelsWin.com is all about you, the fans. It’s about the community that comes here daily, follows us on Twitter and Facebook, and engages with one another.   So, how shall celebrate our 10-year anniversary? By honoring you, our fans. Over the next year, we will be interviewing members of our community to tell their stories, to share their favorite memories, to relive their greatest moments.   Of course we will continue to do all that makes AngelsWin.com THE internet home for Angels fans. We will continue to debate all things that are Angels baseball. We will continue the Fanfests. We will continue to provide content, news, and prospect lists. We will have our game day chats and our interviews.   As we begin the second decade of our existence, we want to thank you, our fans for making it all possible. What started as an idea 10 years ago has grown into so much more. As each of you has joined our site and encouraged others to come, we have continued to grow and expand our offerings to make AngelsWin.com truly a 24/7 community by Angels fans, for Angels fans.   Be sure to check out our latest amazing interviews with Tim Mead, Jerry Dipoto, Kole Calhoun, Hector Santiago and the media from our #AWFanfest14 Spring event earlier this month -- and tune into our Podcast this Sunday night at 7pm, on the eve of the Angels season opener at home against the Seattle Mariners. Our special guest is Jose Mota.    The true highlight for our staff was that we raised nearly $2500 for each of our two favorite charities in the OC Miracle League and the Angels RBI Foundation. That was a HUGE win for us and for them!    More importantly, we want you to be more involved this season on the Internet Home for Angels fans. As we celebrate 10 years, we have some incredible contests this season that will offer some amazing prizes. We're also delivering what we've called "The New Angels Fan Experience" for all of our members and daily viewers, so be sure to login to the forum and exchange opinion on topics, read the latest news and get some incredible statistical insight from some of the brightest fans and writers on the net.     Finally, save the dates guys and gals. Our Summer Fanfest will be held the weekend of June 20-22nd this summer when the Texas Rangers will be in town. We will have a Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, June 20th our Softball Tournament on the 21st, followed by a massive tailgater under the Big A and a surprise later that weekend.      Best Regards,   AngelsWin.com Staff  

TEMPE, Ariz. — Joe Maddon was acclimating himself with all the Angels players who are new to him when he happened upon No. 90 in the cage.
“I’m telling you, man, the first day I saw him, I asked ‘Who’s that?’” the Angels manager said. “The kid could really swing. He could really swing the bat.”
Meet Jose Rojas.
“He’s got a great way about him,” Maddon said. “He’s another guy that nobody talks about.”
That’s where Maddon is wrong. He clearly was not aware that Rojas is something of a hero among Angels fans who are enamored with his big numbers at Triple-A and the underdog story of how he rose from being a 36th-round pick to being on the cusp of the majors.
“If he gets an opportunity to get to the big leagues, he’ll hit in the big leagues,” Maddon said. “No doubt in my mind.”
Rojas, who just turned 27, so far hasn’t gotten that shot, despite hitting .293 with 31 homers and a .938 OPS at Salt Lake last season. The Angels did not call the left-handed hitter up, even when rosters expanded in September.
“It hurt,” Rojas said. “But maybe there wasn’t a fit or the need to call me up then. We’re here now in spring training with a new opportunity in hand. I’m going to keep doing what I have been and hopefully get a chance this year.”
One of the issues is that Rojas doesn’t have a position. The Angels have bounced him around at first, second, third and left field. He said he’s working this spring about equally at the three infield spots, without much work so far in the outfield.
“I love it,” he said of moving around. “It can be tough touching base at every position. Managing the workload can be a grind… I am just going to go wherever they ask me to go and give it my best.”
Rojas is in his first big league camp, after having been called up from minor league camp frequently to play in big league exhibitions last spring. He’s now sharing a clubhouse with Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon and Albert Pujols, who worked with him over the winter and has become one of his mentors.
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While it’s easy to assume Rojas has used the draft snub as inspiration to prove the baseball world wrong, he takes a different view.
“I know what I believe in,” he said. “I believe in myself. I am proving myself right, not proving other people wrong. I had motivation within myself. From when I first started playing baseball, this was always a goal of mine. I’m not one of the top prospects, but just going out and doing my job and making noise with my play on the field, that should make something happen.”
If Rojas does finally reach the majors, it will certainly be a moment of celebration for all the Angels fans who have campaigned for him via social media. Rojas smiled at the mention of his cult-like following, saying that he doesn’t do much on social media but his family keeps him apprised.
“They hear more than I do,” Rojas said. “But it’s fun. I appreciate it. Having support from people I don’t even know feels good.”
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Angels fans and beloved long time AngelsWin.com members, we did it! We reached and broke the TEN MILLION comments mark at AngelsWin.com during our 10th anniversary year. 10,000,024 to be exact as of 5:38 pm PST. Though by the time you've read this, we'll be well into the hundreds digit for sure.    That my friends is amazing if you think about it. Back on January 1st we announced our 10 year anniversary as a website so naturally Chuck Richter being a tech guy went to dig up the numbers from our old forum databases on previous AngelsWin.com message board platforms over the years and has been calculating the numbers ever since. Earlier this afternoon Chuck notified us that we both hit and broke the 10 million post mark.    
Thank you for being a valued AngelsWin.com member, supporter and follower over the years Angels fans and friends! Thank you for calling AngelsWin.com your internet home for Angels community and talk 24/7. Thank you for celebrating our 10th anniversary with us this season.    Ten years. That’s a long time. In internet years, that’s almost an eternity.   Think back: where were you 10 years ago? What were you doing? Where did you go to talk Angels baseball?   They say that all it takes for good things to happen is that someone stands up and says I’ll do it. And that’s how AngelsWin.com started— Chuck Richter looked around the internet at the limited options for Angels fans and decided that Angels fans needed and deserved an internet site to call their own. He created AngelsWin.com: a website by Angels fans for Angels fans.   When AngelsWin.com started, it was a small group of friends who got together to talk Angels baseball. There was a lot to talk about: The memories of the 2002 Championship Team were still strong. Arte Moreno made a big splash by signing Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, and Kelvim Escobar. The team seemed poised for a spectacular run.   Not one to be complacent, Chuck wanted to do more than just talk about the Angels. He wanted to help shape the conversation. So, he started reaching out to members on the site and leveraging contacts with the Angels to give Angels fans their own unique perspective where they would drive the course of the conversation.   By doing that, AngelsWin.com became dubbed the “Voice of the Fans” by KNX 1070 AM Radio. Whenever they, or for that matter any media outlet, needed an Angels fan’s perspective, they contacted AngelsWin.com. Whether it was providing commentary for USA Today during the playoffs, commenting on the Dan Haren trade on XM Radio, or giving a perspective on the ongoing negotiations between the team and the City on CNN Latino, AngelsWin.com has been there to be the voice of the fans.   As the website grew, Chuck wanted to branch out into all things related to Angels baseball. For hardcore fans, that meant branching out into all levels of the organization. AngelsWin.com started providing prospect lists, bios, and updates. As the connections between the website and the players grew, we got them to write blogs on our site to give fans a unique perspective into their lives. Over time, we began to advertise with Angels affiliates.   As the collection of writers grew, more possibilities opened for the website. At first it was a few interviews, almost all of which were audio recorded. Hours were spent transcribing them for fans to make them useful for fans. In time, it grew to video interviews and holiday greetings.   Through the steady and professional work put forth by the website, the Angels front office began to pay attention to AngelsWin.com. They became more receptive to our interview requests giving us the chance to truly shape the conversation. AngelsWin.com arranged for online chat interviews with Eddie Bane, the Director of Scouting for the Angels. He gave fans true insights into the development of players who would go on to become staples of the team. Soon, doors opened with Abe Flores, Tony Reagins and Jerry Dipoto.   With content like that, more fans kept coming. Soon AngelsWin.com was busting at the seams and the website needed to be redesigned to handle the volume of traffic. Shortly thereafter, a second redesign had to be done. And by 2013, we had already done our 4th expansion to handle all the Angels traffic. What had once been a little chatboard had become mainstream.   AngelsWin.com has always been about the community. And, there’s no better way to build community than to get people together in person. So, in 2006, a group from AngelsWin.com decided to meet up in Spring Training. At a bar called Hail Marys they met, ate food, drank suds, and relished in Angels’ stories. And thus, the Spring Training Fanfest was born.   But, as with the website itself, the Spring Training Fanfests grew until they too burst at the seams. Within a few years, the crowd could no longer fit into Hail Mary’s—a new location had to be found. Soon, getting together just once a year as a community wasn’t enough; a summer Fanfest at the Big A was added including charity events dedicated to raising funds for the O.C. Miracle League. Even that has grown in just a few short years to include a charity golf tournament, a golf tournament, and a whole weekend of fun.   In 2012, Arte Moreno, the Angel’s owner attended our Spring Training Fanfest to take questions directly from the fans. Since then, Jerry Dipoto, the Angels General Manager, Tim Salmon, Angels regulars, top prospects and all the Angels reporters have come to speak with our ever growing community.   Along the way, AngelsWin.com got credentialed to sit in the press box. Then, we got credentialed to be in the clubhouse and conduct interviews. And, finally, we were invited to the press conferences where we were allowed to ask a question on live national TV!   But really, AngelsWin.com is all about you, the fans. It’s about the community that comes here daily, follows us on Twitter and Facebook, and engages with one another.   So, how shall celebrate our 10-year anniversary? By honoring you, our fans. Over the next year, we will be interviewing members of our community to tell their stories, to share their favorite memories, to relive their greatest moments.   Of course we will continue to do all that makes AngelsWin.com THE internet home for Angels fans. We will continue to debate all things that are Angels baseball. We will continue the Fanfests. We will continue to provide content, news, and prospect lists. We will have our game day chats and our interviews.   As we begin the second decade of our existence, we want to thank you, our fans for making it all possible. What started as an idea 10 years ago has grown into so much more. As each of you has joined our site and encouraged others to come, we have continued to grow and expand our offerings to make AngelsWin.com truly a 24/7 community by Angels fans, for Angels fans.   Be sure to check out our latest amazing interviews with Tim Mead, Jerry Dipoto, Kole Calhoun, Hector Santiago and the media from our #AWFanfest14 Spring event earlier this month -- and tune into our Podcast this Sunday night at 7pm, on the eve of the Angels season opener at home against the Seattle Mariners. Our special guest is Jose Mota.    The true highlight for our staff was that we raised nearly $2500 for each of our two favorite charities in the OC Miracle League and the Angels RBI Foundation. That was a HUGE win for us and for them!    More importantly, we want you to be more involved this season on the Internet Home for Angels fans. As we celebrate 10 years, we have some incredible contests this season that will offer some amazing prizes. We're also delivering what we've called "The New Angels Fan Experience" for all of our members and daily viewers, so be sure to login to the forum and exchange opinion on topics, read the latest news and get some incredible statistical insight from some of the brightest fans and writers on the net.     Finally, save the dates guys and gals. Our Summer Fanfest will be held the weekend of June 20-22nd this summer when the Texas Rangers will be in town. We will have a Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, June 20th our Softball Tournament on the 21st, followed by a massive tailgater under the Big A and a surprise later that weekend.      Best Regards,   AngelsWin.com Staff  

TEMPE, Ariz. >> One of the Angels most impactful additions this season may end up being a pitcher they have had all along.
Keynan Middleton essentially missed all of last year, coming back for just 7-2/3 innings after completing his Tommy John surgery rehab. Now he’s in camp following a healthy winter and he’s excited to return to the back of the Angels bullpen.
“I feel like a completely different person,” Middleton said on Tuesday morning. “I’m healthy. I feel really good now.”
Middleton, 26, has a 3.23 ERA in 91 big league games, including an ascent to the closer role at the start of the 2018 season. He had a 2.04 ERA through his first 16 games before suffering the elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery.
By the time he returned in late August 2019, he wasn’t quite the same.
His fastball, which had averaged 96.0 mph before surgery, was at 94.1 mph. Before Middleton made his first appearance of the spring on Tuesday afternoon, Manager Joe Maddon said the reports from workouts had been encouraging.
“I know it’s been up there,” Maddon said. “I’ve been hearing 95-plus, so it sounds like everything is in order. Not rushing it, not pushing it too quickly. I don’t want him to throw to the gun right now. I just want him to throw. If everything is in order, everything is going to show up. So far so good.”
Besides the diminished fastball, Middleton said he also didn’t have his usual slider when he came back last year.
However, he still managed to allow just one run in 7-2/3 innings because he started throwing a changeup more effectively than he had before surgery.
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“(The changeup) saved me last year, because I couldn’t throw my slider. But now I have them both, and the velo will be there.”
If the Angels can get consistent work out of Middleton along the lines of what he did in 2017 and 2018, they could have a formidable back-end trio, along with closer Hansel Robles and Ty Buttrey.
“There is so much potential in this group and he’s right there,” Maddon said. “Big impact. I want to get to the point where you like so many guys and how do you fit them all in. … I have no idea of how this is going to play, but (Middleton) does have a big arm and he’s done good work in the past. Everything will be considered as we get closer to the end.”
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TEMPE, Ariz. — When the Angels don Orange Coast College caps for their game on Tuesday, it is going to have a little extra meaning for Jack Kruger.
Kruger, a 25-year-old catcher who finished last season at Double-A, played for coach John Altobelli at OCC in 2015, and he credited him for helping to get his baseball career going.
“He was amazing,” Kruger said of Altobelli, who died with his wife and daughter in the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and five others last month. “He helped a lot of people, including me and my family. He was beloved by everyone. He was a legend in the junior college community and the Southern California community.”
Kruger played at Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, and then he began his college career at Oregon. Kruger said Oregon “was just not a great fit for me,” so he returned to Southern California and played for Altobelli at OCC in 2015.
After a season there, he transferred to Mississippi State for a season before getting drafted by the Angels.
Angels minor league prospect Jack Kruger played for Coach John Altobelli at Orange Coast College. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)Kruger said that Altobelli was instrumental in him getting back on track after the Oregon experience.
“He was all about the players,” Kruger said. “It was all about their development, their enjoyment of the game. Our careers, our futures, our families. It was never about him. That’s pretty uncommon in our world. I think he left a mark on a lot of people.”
The Angels were supposed to wear the OCC caps on Saturday, but the game was rained out. Then they waited until Tuesday, because that’s the day that most of the Angels regulars will make their spring debuts.
“It’s awesome,” Kruger said of the tributes with the caps. “When I heard we were doing this, I was stoked.”
RELIEVERS TO WATCH
Joe Maddon went out of his way on Monday morning to endorse two of the lesser known relievers in camp: Mike Mayers and Jacob Barnes.
Maddon said he was impressed with them while managing the Chicago Cubs in their division. Mayers had been with the St. Louis Cardinals and Barnes with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I’ve seen these guys pitch and they’re good, really good,” Maddon said. “Those two guys could be very impactful, based on what I’ve seen in the past.”
Barnes, who is on a minor league deal, has pitched in 182 games over parts of four years. He has a career 4.25 ERA, but in 2018 he had a 3.33 ERA in 48-2/3 innings with the Brewers.
Mayers, who was claimed on waivers, has pitched in 73 games with the Cardinals over the past four seasons, with a 7.03 ERA. Despite the numbers, Maddon saw more.
“I really thought, from an opposing manager’s perspective, that he could have gotten more reps,” Maddon said.
ALSO
Félix Peña was scheduled to throw his second bullpen session of the spring on Monday morning. He said he’s also been fully participating in fielding drills. Peña is not sure yet if he’ll be ready for Opening Day, but Maddon said if he is on the Opening Day roster it would be as a reliever, because they won’t have time to build him up as a starter. Peña has options, so he could start in the minors until he’s build up to be a candidate to start in the majors.
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THE GAME: The Angels gave up single runs in the eighth and ninth to drop a 2-1 game to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in Maryvale, Ariz. Jake Thompson gave up both runs, including issuing three straight walks to push home the winning run.
PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Dillon Peters pitched two scoreless innings, working out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the first inning. He struck out three, including two in a perfect second inning. Peters said he has added a slider this season, but he isn’t ready to throw it in a game. … Left-hander Ryan Buchter pitched a perfect third inning, including two strikeouts of right-handed hitters. He hit 94 mph. Buchter had been used mostly as a situational lefty, but the new three-batter rule will force him to also be effective against righties if he is going to have a role with the Angels. “He looked really good,” Manager Joe Maddon said. “I thought he looked really sharp, and he came off the mound kind of impressed with himself that he had that good of a first outing.” … Right-handers Neil Ramirez, Luke Bard, Taylor Cole and Jose Rodriguez also pitched a scoreless inning apiece.
HITTING REPORT: Jared Walsh doubled and scored the Angels’ only run, coming home on a groundout by Anthony Bemboom. … Jordyn Adams, generally considered the Angels’ No. 3 prospect, got the start in center field and struck out in both of his plate appearances. … The game ended with 19-year-olds Jeremiah Jackson and D’Shawn Knowles in the game. “I don’t think I’ve ever worked a spring training game with that many young players,” Maddon said.
DEFENSE REPORT: David Fletcher played the first four innings in right field without incident. He did not have a fly ball hit to him, and he cleanly fielded a ground ball single. Fletcher, who has played infield for most of his time in the big leagues, is going to see more time in the outfield this season. … Second baseman Tommy La Stella made an error trying to backhand a ball in the first inning.
UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Dylan Bundy) vs. Cincinnati Reds (RHP Jose De Leon), Tuesday, noon PT, Tempe, Ariz.
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Angels’ Andrelton Simmons tries to bounce back in the final year of his contract Angels prospect Jack Kruger has fond memories of John Altobelli Angels defeat Rockies in spring opener, with two hits from Jo Adell Angels top prospect Jo Adell is on the doorstep of the big leagues Rain delays Angels’ Cactus League opener View the full article

TEMPE, Ariz. — When the Angels don Orange Coast College caps for their game on Tuesday, it is going to have a little extra meaning for Jack Kruger.
Kruger, a 25-year-old catcher who finished last season at Double-A, played for coach John Altobelli at OCC in 2015, and he credited him for helping to get his baseball career going.
“He was amazing,” Kruger said of Altobelli, who died with his wife and daughter in the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and five others last month. “He helped a lot of people, including me and my family. He was beloved by everyone. He was a legend in the junior college community and the Southern California community.”
Kruger played at Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, and then he began his college career at Oregon. Kruger said Oregon “was just not a great fit for me,” so he returned to Southern California and played for Altobelli at OCC in 2015.
After a season there, he transferred to Mississippi State for a season before getting drafted by the Angels.
Angels minor league prospect Jack Kruger played for Coach John Altobelli at Orange Coast College. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)Kruger said that Altobelli was instrumental in him getting back on track after the Oregon experience.
“He was all about the players,” Kruger said. “It was all about their development, their enjoyment of the game. Our careers, our futures, our families. It was never about him. That’s pretty uncommon in our world. I think he left a mark on a lot of people.”
The Angels were supposed to wear the OCC caps on Saturday, but the game was rained out. Then they waited until Tuesday, because that’s the day that most of the Angels regulars will make their spring debuts.
“It’s awesome,” Kruger said of the tributes with the caps. “When I heard we were doing this, I was stoked.”
RELIEVERS TO WATCH
Joe Maddon went out of his way on Monday morning to endorse two of the lesser known relievers in camp: Mike Mayers and Jacob Barnes.
Maddon said he was impressed with them while managing the Chicago Cubs in their division. Mayers had been with the St. Louis Cardinals and Barnes with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I’ve seen these guys pitch and they’re good, really good,” Maddon said. “Those two guys could be very impactful, based on what I’ve seen in the past.”
Barnes, who is on a minor league deal, has pitched in 182 games over parts of four years. He has a career 4.25 ERA, but in 2018 he had a 3.33 ERA in 48-2/3 innings with the Brewers.
Mayers, who was claimed on waivers, has pitched in 73 games with the Cardinals over the past four seasons, with a 7.03 ERA. Despite the numbers, Maddon saw more.
“I really thought, from an opposing manager’s perspective, that he could have gotten more reps,” Maddon said.
ALSO
Félix Peña was scheduled to throw his second bullpen session of the spring on Monday morning. He said he’s also been fully participating in fielding drills. Peña is not sure yet if he’ll be ready for Opening Day, but Maddon said if he is on the Opening Day roster it would be as a reliever, because they won’t have time to build him up as a starter. Peña has options, so he could start in the minors until he’s build up to be a candidate to start in the majors.
Related Articles
Angels defeat Rockies in spring opener, with two hits from Jo Adell Angels top prospect Jo Adell is on the doorstep of the big leagues Rain delays Angels’ Cactus League opener Mike Trout and Justin Upton help Vegas couple with gender reveal Angels’ Mickey Callaway brings a simple emphasis to improving pitching: throw strikes View the full article