gurn67

There's quite a list of super stars who were great players elsewhere and either got injured or struggled their first month here. I can remember as far back as Bostock and Reggie. If Hamilton is still sucking like this by mid-June, then I'll worry.

I'm sure we can get Kazmir cheap.

Not that I'm comparing the two, because Erstad was a much better all around player, but the only thing that kept Erstad from becoming a truly great player was he couldn't lay off that low inside slider from righties. The only year he was able to do it was 2000 and the results were obvious.

Lately it seems that almost all of the Angels major free agent signings or trade acquisitions start the season flat. I looked up some of the more recent ones to see if Sosh had moved them down in the lineup through 17 games. 2005 Steve Finley. Still batting 5th with a .175 average 2007 GMJ Still batting leadoff with a .234 average 2007 Shea Hillenbrand Still batting 5th with a .182 average 2011 Vernon Wells Still batting 5th with a .186 average 2012 Albert Pujols Still batting 3rd with a .232 average 2013 Josh Hamilton Still batting 4th with a .176 average About the only hitter that I could find who started strong, since Vlad in 2004, was Matsui and he began to suck soon after. Hopefully, Hamilton's 2013 follows Pujols' 2012 path and nobody else on that list.

I'd have to go with Vernon during his time here. Man is scoring position = pop up or strike out. Team ahead or behind by five or more runs with nobody on base = Solo Home Run!!!

Actually, he came to Halos at the end of the 2009 season and was their most consistent starter during the stretch run. 6 for 6 in Quality Starts and a WHIP of 1.046. After that he got shelled in almost every other start he made for the club. Got rocked against the Red Sox in game 3 (2nd greatest post-season comeback game in team history). Then got shelled by the Yankees at home in the ALCS and pretty much every start the rest of his Angels' career.

I don't know if he's a giant douche or a turd sandwich. I just hope Trout and Harper can stay injury free and fulfill their potential. The NBA had Magic VS. Bird but I can't think of a similar duo in MLB. Two guys with unbelievable talent, coming up at the same time, playing on opposite coasts and, hopefully, playing in a few World Series against each other.

Until they're at .500, there's no point in ever looking at the standings.

Keep Trout in front of Pujols and Hamilton. Since Sosh never runs him with Albert up, he might be good for 4 or 5 stolen bases this year.

I have to go with Arte because all of the other people on this list were ultimately hired or had their contracts renewed by him. The buck stops there.

The Braves are 12-2 with Uggla, B.J. Upton and Heyward hitting .163, .140 & .128.

If Angels miraculously turn things around and win the World Series this year, I'm sure at least two of those guys would be watching from their living room...and no, the usher would not be one of them.

I don't have to watch hamilton swing at any 2 strike pitches a foot and a half outside.

"Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!"

I think he needs to go to Kobe's "doctor" in Germany during the off-season.

Also, someone please tell me what percentage of guys in the American League score from first base with no outs versus score from second base with 1 out? I read one book that said the difference is only a 2 percent increase. Why does this guy continue to give away outs early in the game and on the road??? The way I look at it, depending on who's up, you've got a 30-40% chance of having at least 1st and 2nd with no outs versus maybe a 10% chance of a double play (unless Kendrick or Pujols are up). 2012 Angels' numbers with runner on first and nobody out: 36% reached base 13% grounded into a double play That 36% doesn't factor in errors or guys who moved up on a ground ball. The only time I can ever see sacrificing is if it's late in the game and you're at home and you have a really crappy hitter up and you're going for the tie. I don't know if the statistics back me up on that or not, but whoever they get. No more sacrifice bunts in the early and middle innings!!!

I've wanted the guy gone for several years, but I don't want a tired old retread to take over this team. The most promising guys out there right now are coaches for other teams and it doesn't seem like those types of hires are made in-season. This team need it's ass kicked. I'm not saying that's the long term answer, but someone who's Kirk Gibson-like and gets this f'n "oh well, we'll get them tomorrow" attitude out of here. A pitching coach who expects his pitchers to throw strikes and back hitters off the plate once in a while would be nice as well.

I wish they would find someone who's knowledgeable about Angels' baseball and doesn't travel with the players and coaches to do Angel Talk. Bob Rowe was the best they've had in the 35 years I've been a fan.

We got our first hit with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs. 28 previous plate appearances before Trout finally broke through. By the way, the opposition, going into today's game, had an OPS of 1.259 in those situations.

I know Blanton and the bullpen are todays pinatas, but going into today, the team was hitting .136 with RISP. After an 0-5 today .129.

Major league hitters can hit fastballs over the middle of the plate. Well, Major leaguers other than Angels with RISP.

I don't know about "rock bottom" but the organizational depth appears to be non-existent.

You mean insulting a 21 year old who saved your season and who most experts had as the best player in baseball last year is not supposed to affect him? I would ask Bryce Harper, but he's getting $2,000,000 this season.

With the moves today, calling up Schuck and Roth, they're starting to remind me of the current Lakers situation. When you overpay a bunch of stars, there's no money left to build a decent bench.

He gave up 4 earned runs in 3.1 innings pitching for Great Britain in a World Baseball Classic qualifier. Sounds like he'll fit right in.