Dave Saltzer

If seeing the prospects out there isn't enough to convince you to make the drive out to see the 66ers, this definitely should make it all that much better!

Folks, if you have not yet watched this video, make a point to do so. Tim's candor and thoughtful responses are well worth recording. As I am growing older and watching my own boys grow up, many of Tim's words ring true. This was by far his best Dugout Talk with us, and we are all very lucky that he spoke for so long to our group.

Yes, but the kids table was still right next to the reporters.

If you have not yet listened to this/watched this interview, it is an absolute must for any sports fan. The one comment that ALL of the members of the media made to me coming off the stage was that "these were some GREAT questions!" They loved it and they loved being able to put their pen and paper down and remember why they became sports fans in the first place. I've already spoken with some of the media guys that were not there that night and they are planning on coming next year. This is going to become a great staple for all our future Fanfests.

Ellen,

I was about to write a summary of the weekend, but your article summarized it perfectly. For all of us there, it was an incredible weekend. We had almost as many people to the Tim Mead conversation early Sunday morning as we did to the dinner last year--about 120 by my count! Everyone in the Front Office and in the media that I talked to on Sunday was buzzing about the turnout and how impressed they were with it. Your article captured it perfectly.

Thanks!

If it is your first time, do it right, do the buffet. Get an EARLY reservation for the restauarant so that you can be in your seats for the Opening Day festivities. Reservations are usually accepted on a first-come basis 5 days before the game. Odds of getting outside seating on Opening Day are SLIM! The buffet is nice, but not great if you are looking for a ton of selection. It usually includes a few salads, soup, cheeses, fruits, hors-d'oevres, two sides (potatoes and things), hot veggies, a chicken dish, a fish dish, a carved meat, and either a second carved meat or a pasta type creation. You can also order steaks and other meals instead of the buffet in the Diamond Club restaurant.

If it's not your first time there, enjoy the outside air and service. If you want, try and get an outside table later in the game for desert instead.

Good luck Michael and to all those who tried out for the position. It will be a bit different hearing a new voice in the stadium, but hopefully we will all adjust quickly to it.

Looking forward to reading the whole series!

I am glad that I will be able to watch this game today!

This is great news and a great pairing. Welcome Halos Nation fans!

I really like Calhoun a lot. He brings so much to the table. He doesn't have any one skill that dominates, but is so good at all aspects of the game. I agree with Scott that as a starter he could post a 270 avg with 15-20 HRs and SBs. As a left-handed bat off the bench he would be good, but I think that he can be much more. Sadly, I could see him traded because of that. Another team in need might value the overall consistency that he brings to the game.

As for Grichuk, I think he will still develop. He is young, but made big strides in his first full and healthy season. He is a very hard worker, and has a good head on his shoulders. He has the skills to be a Major Leaguer. The power will still develop, and if the plate discipline continues to develop, he will.

Great job Greg! I really enjoyed the analysis. I am looking forward to more articles from you.

I agree that the defensive end can't be compared because they played different spots. I would also add that adding a left handed bat and giving the lineup balance was a big factor in signing him. And, lastly, the effect of pairing two power hitters in a row will have a bigger effect on Pujols compared to what Hunter would give. Looking at Aybar's second half, I think that he will flourish there. He may not give as much power as Hunter did there, but will get Trout into plenty of scoring opportunities for Pujols and Hunter. So, the Angels will be better off overall compared to last year.

Welcome aboard, and keep up the good analysis!

The Kingfish is truly an awesome person to meet. I'm sure he'll have some great stories to share, and fans won't want to miss this opportunity. DO NOT BE LATE to FANFEST!!!!

I love how you did a great job and got him to commit to coming back to us. I can see a mid-season interview in the works already.

GREAT WORK!!!

@mancini, it was pretty refreshing to hear an unfiltered view of the team, he was pretty upfront, he thinks the rotation may have taken a step back but he acknowledged the rotation has a "sleeper" or two and it might work out great for us.

Byrnes seems like a cool guy. We spent a good 10 talking about east coast bias and if he thinks its legit or not...he agreed but we had to leave it out. the adjectives he tended to use typically consisted of 4-letter words lol. He seems like he'd be a blast to have a few beers with and watch a ballgame with.

regarding the format of 30/30 this year...I'm not a fan of it either. I asked them why they werent dedicating a show specifically to the previews and they said with the WBC, WBC Tonight (recap show), Spring Training games, Intentional Talk and Clubhouse Confidential they just didnt have any time slots left so they decided to combine MLB Tonight and 30/30. Next year it will apparently revert to the old format.

Great job on the interview Waller!  Way to represent AW!

It's definitely easy to root for Grichuk. He's a great kid, has a great attitude, works VERY hard, and has all the tools. I think 2013 is a year where he can really open some eyes, I know that the ballpark in Double-A is not an easy place for hitters, but, the coaches and everyone will notice just how good a kid he is. And, I think he can still post solid numbers even  in that league, especially if fans focus on XBH totals, rather than specific things like dingers. He's making the improvements, and hopefully does have a breakout year.

Long-term, I don't think 15-20 HRs in the Majors is out of the question, along with 12-15 SBs.

Like I tweeted today, the approach from Jimenez thus far this spring is awesome.  I hear he really worked on plate recognition and having a plan at the plate.

 

Grichuk is a personal favorite of mine.  Plus D, Plus-plus arm, good wheels.  The bat is the mystery, and the only thing that will keep him from being a productive major leaguer.  The potential is there, but he needs to simplify his approach.

If only people knew how much money was "made" by non-profits for so-called charity, but really do NOT go to charitable activities, they'd demand and end to the exempt status for all charities. The last time I looked, less than about 100 of the over 1 million charities had over 80% of their proceeds go to charitable activities. Most charities are lucky if more than 10% actually do. The rest go to employ people fundraising and to pay for wonderful promo items that make the donors feel good, but don't do good work.

Victor,

Once again you are proving what a class act is, IMHO. I don't know if you saw my interview with Eddie Guardado (it's posted on the site), but as a fan, I really enjoy seeing players and celebrities using their fame to help good causes. It would be a lot harder for any one person without the celebrity status to achieve the level of support that a celebrity can generate by getting behind a cause.

Thanks for showing that there is a lot more to baseball than just the game on the field.

I like Jimenez a lot, but, he is a very streaky hitter, which goes along with lack of plate discipline. He can carry a team for a week or so, then disappear for a while. If he can cut that bit down, he would be a Major Leaguer. I think he can have a future at a bench spot, but will need to expand his defensive skill set. He's a good insurance policy on Callaspo in the event something happens, but I still see Cowart as the future at 3B for the Angels.

I would like to see (and believe that this could happen) Calhoun making the team. He is a left-handed bat, has some pop, has some speed, and can play all the OF positions (although nowhere near as good as PB or Trout in CF). He's a great kid who brings a lot of intangibles to the game and has nothing left to prove in the Minors.

I always love seeing athletes still involved in the community and doing good. Eddie is truly a class act, and deserves to be recognized as such by baseball fans, regardless if he played for our team or not.

I guess I'm technically new since I never really posted on the old site. It's hard to get into posting all the time when nobody is awake when it's day time in Japan. Anyways, I'm 24, married for 3 years to my beautiful wife and have been following the Angels since 1999 (little league team name was the Angels), have been stationed in Japan for the past 2 years (Air Force since 2009). I follow most of you on twitter (@Kody_Mac) and I look forward to an awesome season posting with all of you.

Also, I'm working on my minor in journalism (major in Political Science) so you may see some articles from me.

Kody Mac,

We would always welcome new submissions. If you have a topic or something to say, go for it!

I'm glad that Langston will be joining the radio broadcast team full time. It would be nice if they would also bring in a hitter from time to time to give that perspective on the game.

Getting very excited. A new look to the website, a great Fanfest planned, all sorts of things. I can hardly wait.

Oh yeah, this is my first post in here!