Give em Halo

Based on past performance, there is no reason to believe that either Kendrick or Aybar will be suitable for batting #2. And for that reason alone, I have every expectation that one of them will wind up filling the slot.

Please, oh please, oh please Mike... do NOT let Howie bat 2nd this year.

Chuck & Co... you guys oudid yourselves this time! Very professionally done -- good venue, staff was on point, terrific guest speakers and so on. I especially enjoyed just hanging out with so many old friends and other passionate fellow Angels fans. This event just keeps on getting bigger and bigger, better and better. But I have to say that it does feel as though we may have hit critical mass in terms of turnout. Would much rather see AW focus now on refining future events while maintaining a workable scale. This is not a criticism but an observation -- you know me, Chuck -- pull no punches guy, but in a (mostly) constructive kind of way. One thing I'd look at is the seemingly ubiquitous failure of hotel/banquet hall people to get the food service planned and executed right. Even though Eric and staff did an admirable job planning this event, the hotel service do need some micro-managing in order to be sure you get what you want from them. I see the same deficiencies at almost every event I attend. Things like what to put on the table (and when), two baskets of chips/ bread instead of one per table -- little stuff like that. Maybe expanded food options for vegetarians, food allergies and so on. I know you can't always please everyone, but these are details worth considering. I believe that whatever the cost differential, your AW faithful will be happier for the level of detail. Another item to consider: I would have encouraged people to send their interview questions in to you in advance of the event, instead of calling people up and taking your chances -- so as to help avoid momentum killers like troutgasms and technical issues like wireless mics vs wlans, etc. Just thinking about smoothing out the flow of the evening. One last item: Kicking up the raffle with "free advertising" swag from companies with something to gain from the exposure. MLB licensed gear, sunglasses, restaurants/pub gift cards (TK?), donated game tickets, clothing and so on -- all present some opportunities for businesses large and small to get front and center with our crowd at a very low entry cost. And our attendees win by giving them a greater chance to win something. Just another reason to get excited about ST Fan Fest! Again, I enjoy our annual pilgrimage to Tempe and am already looking forward to the next one. Thank you Chuck and everyone who helped make this event the barn-burner that it was! Your entire staff honor us all with their dedication and determination to ever exceed themselves. I, in true Scioscian fashion, tip my cap to you! Give em Halo!