Lou Spirito

The worst performance by a professional baseball team I've ever seen in my 35+ years of watching the game was a game between the Angels and Blue Jays. The Angels were dreadful in every respect — from poor at bats to abysmal defense. I recall saying to a friend of mine, "Perhaps they just need a new manager. The pieces seem to be there, but it's not working." That game was in May, 2002. I love having baseball back. You never if the season just might surprise you.

Sciosia's job is to make decisions that give his team the best possible chance to win. He has to work with what's in front of him and Cano's reputation as a premier hitter dictates walking him in that situation. Cano driving in two or more runs in that situation are far greater than Smoak delivering a bases clearing gapper.

Accountability for what? You do realize that there are is another team on the field trying to stop your team from winning. I will never understand the hypocrisy of those who are critical of others who do something they themselves could never do.

This is on you, Chuck. You built it. They came.

I score every game I attend. It's really not that hard to keep up if you keep it simple. My method is a hybrid of several styles I've encountered over 30 years. My mom taught me her method, then I lifted some of the bits from more complex methods. What I love is it keeps engaged and I can see how the game develops — how runners move around the bases, momentum within an inning, etc.

File Name: Gameday Scorecard Key File Submitter: Lou Spirito File Submitted: 01 Apr 2014 File Category: AngelsWin Downloads Download this PDF if you need to interpret the markings and abbreviations on the Gameday Scorecard. It is an annotated version of the Opening Day scorecard to help bring you up to speed! Click here to download this file Perhaps one of the mods can merge this with the other thread?

File Name: Gameday Scorecard - Angels vs. Mariners (3/31/2014) File Submitter: Lou Spirito File Submitted: 01 Apr 2014 File Category: AngelsWin Downloads Gameday Scorecard — Angels vs Mariners — Season Opener, March 31, 2014 Click here to download this file Oh wow! Had no idea it would create a new topic . . . Well, as Chuck mentioned I'm going to be creating these for every game this season — at least that's the plan. A bit more useful than a standard box score since you can see the game literally unravel before your eyes. I welcome suggestions and comments. This is a very organic project and will likely evolve during the season. And I totally understand if everyone wants to wait to relive a more enjoyable game. Last night was ugly . . . Also, I will try to post some historic games using play by play data from Baseball Reference. If you have any specific games in mind, kindly let me know. Thanks!

A competitive team that plays to it's potential, has heart, grit and provides some great moments — that's all I ever expect. If another beats you at your best, well, that's baseball.

I've been noticing the angst here on the forums regarding the upcoming season. Given the last few years I'll admit it's warranted. During a break between projects, I threw this together so you all can proudly proclaim your anxiety. This desktop wallpaper is available is 16 native screen formats. Just head to the link below and click of the file that's most suitable: http://louspirito.com/baseball/angels/KeepCalm/ Cheers, Lou

Since no one else will say it: Thank you Mark Texeria and the New York Yankees! And . . . the Nationals, Mariners, Padres, Pirates, Orioles, Giants, Braves, Reds, Tigers, Rockies, Royals, A's, Rangers, Indians, Dbacks, Marlins, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Astros, Twins, and White Sox.

Arte did move the press box down the right line. However, contrary to what Simers would like us to believe, it had nothing to do with a grudge vs. the press. It was driven by simple economics. The old press box was prime real estate and the Angels are converting the space into premium seating/dining. If fact, this is not the first time it's been done. The White Sox moved their press box down the right field in 2008, converting their old press box into the 'Jim Beam Club' where seats go for over $250 a game. Other ballparks have increasingly been shifting the press to less desirable locations in recent years. Simers has a steady habit of twisting reality into his own version of the truth.

Here's the shtick. Simmers writes his diatribe. Fans read it, get pissed, share the link. They all head over to post comments condemning his credentials and his character. That equals page views which then equals advertising dollars which is what keeps Simmers employed. What him to go away? Stop reading his bilge. But I'm as guilty as the rest. He's like a horrific accident and I can't resist taking a peek.

Mark Saxon, writer for ESPN Los Angeles tweeted: "The wind is howling in from left field. That ball would have been long gone most places." Perhaps Trumbo read it off the bat expecting the worse, only to have the ball die and change direction on him. Kinda reminds of Trout's catch in Baltimore against J. J. Hardy. Except Trout was a little closer to the ball in that one.

I see Chuck has jumped the gun! This isn't the final design. I'm in the process of trying to cram an entire game onto one 8.5 x 11 sheet so you all can print and binder them if you like. Oracle, yes, the dots are RBIs. The little numbers above the base paths refer to the hitter who advanced the runner. For example, in the first inning, Wells singled (1B), then stole second (SB), then the 4th batter in the lineup, Morales, advanced him to third and home (4). I do this so you can clearly see how the runners were moved around bases. My scoring method is a hybrid I've developed over 30 years. There's no one perfect system, but I think this has a nice balance. I'll create an explainer for the markings once this gets going. More to come . . .

I'm grateful to be able to participate. I don't agree with half the stuff I read in the forums, but the AngelsWin group is a tremendous asset to the community. What you folks did for Miracle League a few months ago to get them new computers was EPIC. And you do it all under the radar. That's genuine community leadership. So, thank you!

Hi everyone, This topic came up in a Twitter conversation last night and prompted me to break out my copy of a 1966 Anaheim Stadium Inaugural season program. I scanned a selection of 15 pages to share and thought you all might enjoy it too. I particularly get of kick out of the 'Space Age' Organ — some of us here are old enough to remember Shay Torrent! Available as a PDF at my site. http://thirty81project.com/blogs/news/12920073-anaheim-stadium-1966 Cheers, Lou

Fair? There is absolutely no excuse to report someone's death without being 100% sure. His source should have been an official press release or family spokesperson. Sloppy 'get it first' journalism.

Hi All, Sorry for the delay. Life has been throwing curves — cutters, actually — and I've been dealing with some family matters that will keep me occupied off and on for the foreseeable future. I still plan to make this happen and I'm working with the printer on some changes (may be dropping the luminescent ink — after all, who looks at a poster in the dark!) I'll post again when I get more info. Thanks for the interest. And THANK YOU Chuck for all of your efforts.

UPDATE: It was mentioned to me that the Orioles will travel the fewest miles in the AL at 24,354 — nearly half that of the Angels (source did not have NL figures yet). Attached is a second PDF that compares the Angels and O's 2014 travel routes. It's all about geography . . . Angles_Os_2014_Travel.pdf

Here's a visualization of the team's 2014 travel itinerary. PDF attached. UPDATE POSTED BELOW (sorry, had a problem uploading a second file here). AI_Angels_Road_2014.pdf

My wife asked me this. Seriously. "If conjoined twins go to bobble head night, do they get one bobble head or two?"

I've only followed the team closely the past couple of years after moving back to OC. But it seems to me that Soch was much more involved with player acquisition when Reagins was GM. Since Dipoto took the GM role, the decline has clearly sharpened over the past two seasons. I think Sosh has a genuine feel for team chemistry that Dipoto will never have. There are some things sabermetrics simply can't quantify and in the end this a game played on the field, not a spreadsheet.

Greetings again everyone. I've been talking to Chuck about this project and finally decided to just post it. Here's the deal . . . I've created a 24" x 36" serigraph print to celebrate the 40th Anniversary (Sept. 27, 1973) of Nolan Ryan setting the modern single season strikeout record. The poster is based on a photo taken shortly after Ryan achieved the record (see below). It features the Big A with the all scoreboard details. Additionally, the poster will feature a special photo-luminescent ink that will cause the scoreboard, pillar lights and halo to glow as it once did back in the day. This edition is going to be strictly limited to 100 prints. I will personally sign and number each one and provide a custom designed certificate with each. This poster has been personally approved by the Angels (though not endorsed or affiliated in any way). Because of the physical size, limited run and serigraph process (each poster is printed one color at a time by hand) the cost will be $80 (plus tax if you live in CA) shipped anywhere in the contiguous U.S. After some discussion with Chuck, it has been agreed that $5.00 from the sale of each poster will go to the Miracle League. I want Angels fans to have a chance to get hold of this first, so this is exclusive to AngelsWin for as long as interest remains or they sell out. In order to start the print run, I need to get a solid commitment for 35 posters to cover the bulk of the printing costs. If you are committed to obtaining one of these, please reply to this thread. I will set up a payment link (likely through PayPal) once we have enough commitments and the posters are printed. You can also reserve a specific edition number. However, a few have already been reserved and are unavailable: 1, 3, 30, 61, 80 are taken. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thanks! Lou Larger 'watermarked' images available here: http://louspirito.com/383/

Hello fellow dejected fans, This is a blatant self-serving post (Chuck approved) to share with you a baseball related project I've been working on — a 31-poster serigraph series of all 30 MLB ballparks plus one 'index' print. The project is hosted on Kickstarter seeking backers. Kindly have look and please share with everyone you know. I truly appreciate it! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/louspirito/thirty81-the-ballpark-poster-series

Short memory? Ernesto wouldn't fit in on this board. Not at all.