SmallSampleSize

2 runs...over both games? My gut tells me we rake today and take both. New seasons starts right after I click the 'Post' button. Oh yeah someone please forward this to Ghost and Hambone pls. Thnx!

Damn. Walk-off wild pitch. Was hoping Uribe would see 1 more ball and then Puig with bases loaded and 1 out in a 1-1 extra inning game. Why baseball gods, why?

Exaaccctly. In my last post here I wanted to add: 4) Saved each coach's respective job But the sad fact is even if the Angel's team didn't have that surge last year thanks to Trout, Scioscia would still have a job including with this year's start. *mantears*

You'd have to quantify what a "bonafide" leadoff hitter means since you quantified (12 wins) what the replacement pitcher would bring. Otherwise, not sure CNN or DrudgeReport will pay attention to this poll. Edit: Crap, didn't realize others already said same thing as didn't read responses yet. So yeah... Edit #2: I didn't answer the question so... In a vacuum not knowing anything else: I might take the leadoff hitter depending on his numbers, age, and track record On this team: ANY !*&@# PITCHER THAT CAN DELIVER 12 WINS AND REPLACE BLANTON; please

I think most people here know comparing them is full retard. Even after a few years I don't think you can compare players - but fans always will. What I can tell you they are identical in is: 1) Turning around a team (so far with the Doyers) 2) Generating $$$ 3) Getting casual baseball fans to care I've watched every Doyer game since he started. Can't remember the last time I did that. And the only game so far in a SmallSampleSize that he wasn't productive in was a game he was looking at a no hitter through 6 (or was it 7)? Who the heck cares if he ends up better or worse than Trout or vice-versa. If you are a baseball fan, you should (hopefully) be having fun with it for what it's worth and not disecting everything into some numerical compartment. Just enjoy it

Thank you, and respectfully, I'll acknowledge both points as very valid in potential - and reality - but are the exception not the norm. 1) Yes, it's intuitive to think that chemistry occurs when you overcome adversity. That is true. 100%. The fallacy (at least where we disagree) is that most teams don't overcome the "suck" adversity while keeping the same unit. Teams start changing resources until they start to win. That isn't the same as all the players stay the same on the team, then just magically become very good. IF the latter happens, then your point is correct. You see NFL teams re-tool every offseason and go from "suck" to playoffs year in and year out. And those teams indeed have chemistry. But it's because of new people that allow the team to win as clearly they are clicking and that winning by playing well is what forms chemistry. But yes, if my team at work of 8 people had nothing but problems for half a year, overcame them with no personell changes, and improved...then clearly we have developed chemistry. I just don't think that form happens as much in sports. 2) I'm not sure what panic has to do with the number of games in a season or that teams panic (fans sure do - see me). In the NFL every game is extremely important but teams don't panic from week to week (ok, ok exclude the Jets - that grease fire always glows brightly). And what would Oakland "panicking" have looked like anyway? They remove a tarp and put blow-up dolls in said section to market "singles night"? Ha. At first I'm thinking "damn, he's calling that guy out a'right" and then I saws eet. Superfan Joking aside, I really am not sure that playing some of the elite teams will do it for these guys... ...but then I think what will? The players we have the most issues with are set for life. The potential $$$ in terms of other revenue streams means little. So what causes their pride to kick in at some point - at least if you believe they aren't trying hard enough or not focused enough ATM? I'd hope it's looking into the dugout or across the field and seeing those they identify with in terms of greatness, team-play, etc. and want everyone to know they can deliver at least at that level like they have in the past. There are some well documented Laker teams that clearly exhibited this. I realize in the NBA, one key star can make or break a team so it's different than the MLB. I'm just throwing this out there for discussion is all. I don't really think it's our cure, but I'll know more after a few upcoming series.

With the $$$ they've thrown around and learned the results, I really don't see us not locking up pitching at this point. Obviously player agents know our desperation and will likely pinch a bit but it's all good. NEED. I just hate the wait.

More pitching please. I know nothing of this young man but I'm rooting for him. Please more pitching. I'm ok with front-loaded risk.

Warning to realists: I'm really reaching here but work with me for a second... So far, this team has had a soft schedule all things considered. Outside of playing Texas, Detroit, and Baltimore, we've really not hit the upper echelon of teams. A lot of games against KC, Sawks, Seattle, Houston, etc. Even during our 8 game win streak, I didn't think we excelled but we won and that is what mattered. Our best "looking" series of the year IMHO was against Detroit. That 3 game sweep gave me a lot of confidence (at the time). Not because of the 3 wins, but how they looked in doing it. Right after that they dropped 2 of 3 to Texas and the rest of the games have been mostly against mediocre teams. So what if...just what if...they have now built some chemistry [editorial note: I think chemistry comes through winning, not the other way around], but they don't have the manager to inspire them for whatever reason. In the way Phil Jackson could push the right buttons and get the most out of his stars, Scioscia can't do that...and arguable does the reverse (again, work with me here). Some Laker teams really only played at their best against the very best (i.e. rise to challenge, etc. etc.), maybe...just maybe...now that their schedule focuses on some great teams, the stars on this team will have their ego's challenged against some of the other best players and teams and will rise to challenge as they did against Detroit. They don't have a manager to do it but maybe the upcoming teams can bring the best out. Ok, if the last couple seasons didn't exist, I might believe this myself. There are some new faces so maybe, just maybe...hell this is my only hope and prayer. I don't really believe it but we will find out soon. Crazy to think they've not played a series yet against Boston, New York, etc. tl;dr - Pray that this team plays up to the level of their competition now that they have settled in, despite Scioscia.

Impossible. Otherwise Scioscia (Managing) would have been expelled and received no grade.

Ha! The "3"'s is a very curious statistical anomaly. I was too young to truely measure the "worst" attribute of some those seasons in the 60's and 70's because I was young and the way we evaluated baseball and expectations was so radically different back then. Plus it was nearly impossible to follow other teams in a meaningful way like we can today, so our expectation setting is much more normalized today as well. But I have little doubt that if you polled many critics or baseball historians, if the season trajectory continues as it is...this will undoubtedly be the biggest failure if you consider expectations/roster/salary vs. total wins and losses. Wins and losses in a vacuum don't do much for me.

Hall of Shame and Trophy Room are creepy. I was curious as to the relevance of "419" and read "...The name 419 comes from "419 fraud", another name for advance fee fraud, and itself derived from the relevant section of the Nigerian criminal code. The website founder, Michael Berry, goes by the alias Shiver Metimbers..."

I got great inspiration from reading some comment (changed their post around) about the elderly lady that won the zillion dollar lottery. So the credit really goes to them. While not related to baseball, I hope she spends EVERY single cent with whatever time she has left (limited by age of course) and doesn't let all the newly found family members, greedy pigs, etc. convince her why they need to be in her will or suddenly need help. Hopefully her mental strength is all there and I also hope that the reason it took so long for her to come forward is because one or more trusted family members made sure attorneys and financial experts put an ironclad plan in place so she can't be taken advantage of. That said, I picture Arte as being so desperate this JUST might work. After all, if he spent over one third of a BILLION dollars on two players who are literally hurting the team ATM, why can't I get a few million from him in return for some "players". Arte, have your people call my people. Much love.

Dear Mr. Moreno, Sir. Arte. REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and "Top Secret". You have been recommended by an associate who assured me in confidence of your ability and reliability to prosecute a pending business transaction of great magnitude, large dollars for many years, and requiring maximum confidence. We are top officials of the Federal Government Baseball Contracts and New Baseball Superstars panel who are interested in the importation of goods into your country with future hall of fame players which are presently confined in Nigeria. In order to commence this business, we solicit your assistance to enable us to transfer to your team many players to win World Series immediately, even with your manager. Please, do not worry any more about relief pitchers, incorrect birth certificates, performance giant drugs, or bad management. We have players like Puig everywhere. You will not needing manager to win. We need your help moving funds and will deliver many championships. Thank you. Please contact me at your earliest convenience, Toshebo "Vladdy" Mabumba Abuja, Nigeria

Shit Conger was up with the last-out potential in the first game of the series.

I know some of you are rooting for Hamilton to get injured but can't admit it. Don't lie.

No biggie, Texas and Oakland lost. Oh wait.

INB4 Scioscia white knights attack. Remember, there is never a reason to blame or replace a manager. Ever. He deserves credit for the brilliant victories but it's not his fault we lose - after all, he doesn't hit or pitch.

I feel so helpless with this crap that I dropped my pants and took a sh|t in protest. It felt good. I don't care that the waiter asked me to leave the bar area.

Woah. After I posted and my screen refreshed, Nod32 ran a scan of the page and red alert popped up in the bottom right... Object: BINGOCARD.png Threat: Malicious trojan Information: "Clutch Hit" only tested in labs; not confirmed to exist in the wild

This isn't fair. You lose at the game if you get the middle square.

Implying he'd actually start.

Jesus. I don't know what to say. Yeah, it's two games but this shit isn't a fluke or accidental. Like with Trout, who knows where his norms will end up but I can't lie, I'm watching the Doyer game just to see what happens. In the end of the day, I like to be entertained and I like good baseball. This Angels team is giving me neither. Well, with a little bit of Ben Gay and a hot bath, I think Pujols and Hamilton will eventually hit a home run as well. Just pray please.

GODDAMIT! If I'm a Jagoff, does that mean I need to root for the Jaguars? I CAN'T STAND GABBERT! Ok, ok, I should add something constructive and break with trAdition. Just like the post someone made yesterday about getting swept 4 in a row to the worst team in baseball (still never found out if it's ever happened before to the Angels), I swear I was thinking along the same lines of the OP but mostly for one purpose... ...I'll NEVER EVER EVER again wish we pay top dollar for a FA star, at least not under Arte's watch. Mostly because we simply find the worst way to spend the $$$ vs. what we get in return. It doesn't help what is happening to the Doyers with Puig and the excitement fans have with young stars (i.e Trout for us). These large contracts kill teams and unlike the NFL, we can't just cut a player. So when they suck moaky, vinegary balls like Hamilton, Pujols at times, etc. we can't bench the player. They keep getting wheeled out and young guys (even if we had them) won't get their chance. I regret ever asking for big-time FA's with this ownership. Give me a farm full of young players who will play like their life is on the line for a chance at the bigs - and if one isn't working out, I can bench him for another until we find some chemistry and excitement...win or lose. I'm sorry for being a Jagoff. Please don't buy any more Mexicans (or equivalent) in the future. Get more Mexicans in the farm and bring 'em up young please.

Don't be a retard. Scioscia isn't holding Trout back. He's holding everyone back. (the first line was for dramatic effect only and in no way implies that the OP is actually a retard)