Spirit

Stellar job by the dude interviewing Jerry.

Jerry Dipoto session...
 

Yahoo Sports now reporting that UCLA recruits are being called and told to prepare for the announcement that Ben's going bye bye.

Man, Mancini rolls into Floatfest like the Stoddart's roll into ST Fanfest! 

I just kill hookers and do blow in real life now

As many of you know, I host a party at my house every summer that we call "The Riverfloat Party". Why do we call it a riverfloat party? Well I'm blessed to say I live right on the Snoqualmie River, 25 miles east of Seattle in a small town called North Bend. The river is just 10 steps down from my backyard, with the backdeck overlooking the raging river (though much calmer in July).
 
We all float down in our innertubes, personal or duo rafts, floating devices and then head back to my place for the foodfest portion of the festivities. Locals bring their signature dishes, those visiting from other states just bring beer and maybe some meat to throw on the BBQ, appetizers or dessert. 
 
After the Riverfloat and Foodfest, I have a live band play on the backdeck. They play cover stuff, but some original songs as well. The music is great. Stuff from the 60's all the way to current, like Radiohead, AWOL Nation, Kings of Leon, Muse etc. 
 
The band plays into the wee hours of the night and is a ton of fun. Last year we had about 85 people show up, that's 15 more than the year before. Like our AngelsWin.com fanfests, the party grows every year as the word gets out and if you've been once, you're coming back. That's how much fun it is. 
 
Oh yeah, bring a tent if you want to really experience the outdoors. We have about 5-10 tents pitched every summer for this event on my property. We also have some areas to sleep in the basement as well, but there's local hotels you can get for the night for about $60-70 that are close by if you're not into camping out.
 
Anyhow, every summer it really never lined up where the Angels would play during the time of month that I hold the riverfloat party, until this summer.
 
July 12th, 13th and 14th (Fri-Sun) the Angels are playing the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. On Saturday the 13th, we will have our Riverfloat Party. 
 
This way you get in an Angels game on Friday and Sunday at the beautiful Safeco Field in Seattle and spend the day in paradise at the basin of Mount Si in North Bend, WA with a bunch of really cool people, good friends. 
 
From AngelsWin.com, mrwicked and Mancini (and his lovely wife Laina) have attended. Mancini brought friends of his who live in Seattle last summer and they too had a blast -- I'm sure they'll be back as well. 
 
All of that to say this... block off that weekend NOW, secure some tickets to the games on Friday and/or Sunday and get your plane tickets earlier than later (cheaper if you do). 
 
BTW, this will not interfere with our AngelsWin.com Summer Fanfest in Orange County. Two different events! 
 
 

I'm lubed up and ready to go

Good show Geoff and Bruce!

If you could make one move as the Angels GM, what would it be? Would you start planning a budget to sign Verlander or Kershaw? Would you make a big trade at the deadline? Would you micro-manage the lineup, like in the movie "Moneyball"? Would you start teaching all of your pitchers to throw the knuckle ball to try and produce the next R. A. Dickey?
As much as fans may want to the be the GM, the inner workings of a Major League front office are known to only a very few people in the world. And, most of the time, when a GM speaks, the message is very guarded, and often filtered by the media.
But, at the 2013 AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest the fans were given a very rare treat--the opportunity to ask their questions directly to Jerry Dipoto, the General Manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In a very candid, humorous, honest, and direct interview, Mr. Dipoto delved into all of the above issues and many more. 
Mr. Dipoto did not shy away from the tough questions from the fans and gave insights into the man who has come to be known on the internet as "JeDi". Talking with over 200 fans at the event, Mr. Dipoto answered the questions that the fans wanted answered and then stayed to sign autographs and take pictures with all who were present.
In what was the highlight to an incredible evening, the Board of Directors want to thank everyone involved from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and especially Mr. Jerry Dipoto, for taking the time to interact with  the fans. It was truly an incredible opportunity for everyone to learn and be entertained by one of the game's best GM's.
Click below to watch Jerry Dipoto talk with the fans at the 2013 AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest.

View the full article

By Rob Goldman - AngelsWin.com Staff Writer

In eight seasons with the Angels Nolan Ryan had helped lead the team from obscurity to serious contention. And he had conducted himself with the utmost class, professionalism and dignity. The fans, press and ownership loved him unconditionally, so even though Ryan was without a contract heading into the 1979 off-season, there was little speculation that the ace would not be back with the Angels in 1980. Ryan would have been content to play out the rest of his career in Anaheim, which he proved by purchasing a new home in nearby Villa Park, California.
But GM Buzzie Bavasi ruined all that in the off season by not dealing with Ryan’s agent and making some disparaging remarks about Ryan to the press, the worse of which was his off hand suggestion that Ryan could easily be replaced by a couple of 8-7 pitchers. That was the final straw for Ryan. He put a “for sale” sign in front of his new Villa Park house, and told his agent Dick Moss to file for free agency.  Later that winter after he signed a contract with the Houston Astros for 1 million a year for three years, Ryan took out a full-page ad in the Orange County Register thanking Angels fans for their support and kindness. 
Many in the Angels organization wondered how the Angels organization could have ever let this happen. How could owner Gene Autry lose his star player, a once in a lifetime pitcher and someone he admired and admired? 
The Times Ross Newhan later admitted it was the franchises, “Biggest Mistake” 
“Gene had put a lot of faith in the people in the people he had working for him,” recalls Newhan. Should he have stepped in? Probably, because Nolan was one of his favorites and maybe he should have told Buzzie, ‘Lets not lose him. Go to any length that is reasonable.’ It was unfortunate. Up to that point he was probably the biggest attraction in Angels history.”
It’s easy for an Angels fan to look back and wonder, “What if…?”  In both 1982 and ’86, the Angels came within one game of winning the pennant. Would Ryan’s arm have made the difference? Nobody knows for sure, but obviously his presence would have been huge.
Don Baylor was among the many Angels saddened to see Ryan leave. 
“I remember Bavasi saying, ‘We can get two players to go 8-7 and we wouldn't miss Nolan Ryan."
“Well, we missed him. We missed him a lot. It took us a long time to get back to the playoffs. 
“Every time he pitched, 5,000-10,000 or more fans came to the ball game to watch him and that adds up,” Baylor adds. “The people he drew when he pitched would have taken care of his salary right here in Anaheim.”
Bavasi admits that if he had to do it over again, he would have dealt with Ryan directly and not through his agent. He still maintains however, that contracts negotiations should be based on record, pure and simple. Ryan won 138 games for the Angels and lost 121. On a team with a competent offense, his win total would have been significantly higher.
Eventually the Ryan’s came to see the move was for the best.
“He didn't want to leave,” recalls Ruth Ryan,” but it became a matter of principle. He really wanted to be with an organization he felt appreciated him. It was unfortunate but Buzzie was doing his job, and I don’t know if he handled things the right way or the wrong way. But once it happened, it happened. You just have to look ahead. You don’t look back.”
Ryan himself is characteristically gracious and to the point.
“I don’t have any hard feelings or animosity towards anyone,” he says, “because I’m a believer everything works out for the best and it did for me.”
Ryan pitched 14 more seasons, recording three more no hitters and 157 victories. Autry tried in vain to get Ryan back when he became a free agent in 1988, but Ryan opted to stay in Texas, mainly because he didn't want to uproot his family again. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1999 with kind words for Autry, the Angels organization and it’s fans.
© Rob Goldman, Once They Were Angels, 2006, 2013

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I agree. Really nice guy. I'm going to miss his emails to me about his off-print opinions on the Angels.

Yeah, we don't need Conger.

NOTE: I have suspended angelduck's account for 5 days. We will review his account in 3-5 days to determine if we want to give him another chance or just say Good Riddance forever. 
 
This kid just doesn't get it. I'm about done with him. 

I already submitted my survey, Brian, but I forgot to mention something you guys didn't even try to address or handle at all- AWFanfest withdrawals. This "posting our memories" thing is only making it worse. You can't just throw this type of event without some sort of debriefing and group therapy after. I don't even know what to do with my life anymore. My therapist doesn't even understand.

Here's a link to my Angels Spring Training/FanFest wrap-up post over at Rally Monkey Mom for OCFamily.com
 
 
http://blogs.ocfamily.com/fun-in-the-sun-angels-spring-training/
 
 

Wait ... you mean Lou used to go to these things?

Great job on the slideshow.  And Jeremy, wonderful job on the pictures! 

Great job on the slideshow.  And Jeremy, wonderful job on the pictures! 

By Ellen Bell - AngelsWin.com Staff Writer
Spring Training is a time of renewal and recommitment to your team. It’s the one time of the year when all baseball fans have the luxury of believing that this could be their year. In those precious, optimistic weeks of March, before a single pitch has been thrown on Opening Day, anything is possible. 

That’s exactly why I buy my ticket to AngelsWin.com's Fanfest each year. It’s not only a chance to reconnect and share baseball optimism with online fan friends. It’s also a weekend of events and experiences that remind me of why I became a Angels fan in the first place.
At the 8th annual Fanfest Dinner on Saturday night, the ever expanding group of AngelsWin faithful gathered to see Tim Salmon. He spent an hour sharing stories and answering questions from grown adults who seemed more like giddy kids who were meeting their childhood hero.
Salmon didn’t come to boast about his many accomplishments or to bask in the glow of fan appreciation. He simply came to share his gratitude for a blessed career and to  honor the people and players who have helped him along the way. And then Big Tim Salmon, all-time Angel Great, left to watch his son perform in a school play, which simply confirms that he is the perfect man after all. 
Speaker after speaker spoke with humble eloquence of what Angels baseball means to them. General Manager Jerry Dipoto shared his belief that, even though statistical analysis is important, players are human beings and much more than numbers on a sabermetrics stat sheet. Broadcaster Victor Rojas spoke with reverence and respect for the game he has grown up with, and demonstrated the value of giving back with his #LTBU campaign for the Miracle League of Orange County. 
But the highlight for me every year is the Sunday morning, State of the Team Talk with Tim Mead, VP of Communications. If Angels Baseball is the gospel, Tim Mead is its preacher. Every year he speaks from the heart, sharing his personal convictions and memories of a team that he has served for more than 30 years. 
Honesty. Credibility. Character.
These are rare words in the world of professional sports today. When they appear, they shine like the Halo after a victory. 
#AWFanfest13 reminded me of why I’m an Angels fan. 
What happens on the field makes me a fan for the day. But it’s the franchise, the people and the players whose character I admire, that make me an Angels fan for life. 

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How do you sum up an evening with Mr. Angel? As the first ofour guest speakers, Tim Salmon got the party rolling at the 2013 AngelsWin.comSpring Training Fanfest as our first of many guests in the evening.

The AngelsWin.com Board of Directors started off the talkwith a few questions that they had prepared for the Kingfish. Emceed by ChuckRichter, the founder of AngelsWin.com, he asked how Tim's relationship withMike Scioscia has evolved from being a player on the team to an analyst in thebroadcast booth. In one of the most interesting and challenging questions, Chuck asked him which outfield was the best onein which he played; Anderson/Edmonds/Salmon or Anderson/Erstad/Salmon. Thecomparison between the two made Tim think quite a bit, andled to an interesting comparison of the style of play between Edmonds and Erstad.  

Click below to listen watch part 1 of the AngelsWin.com 2013Spring Training Fanfest talk with Tim Salmon.

Tim Salmon 2013 AngelsWin Spring Training Fanfest Part 1 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.

After finishing up with the Board of Directors questions,Tim then opened up the questions to the audience. And, as he put it, he “didn’tdrive all the way out [there] for nothing.” He answered questions about whatholes he has seen in Mike Trout’s swing to which was his favorite stadium tovisit as a player.


Tim was very gracious with the fans, answering questions forover a half hour, posing for photographs with fans, and signing autographs.Fans could not have gotten a better experience with the 2002 World Series Hero!He spoke for so long that we had to divide the interview in half in order tofit it all on the internet!

Click below to listen to part 2 of the AngelsWin.com 2013Spring Training Fanfest talk with Tim Salmon. It’s an interview that any Angelsfan won’t want to miss.

Tim Salmon 2013 AngelsWin Spring Training Fanfest Part 2 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.
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Check it out guys and gals. Some pictures of Tim Salmon at our event.
 

 
Plenty more to come... 
 
Compliments of our own Jeremy Long.

Dude...32 windshield hours!? You need an award or something named after you!! With what 3 kids n wife to boot. On top of everything else you did for the event. ..wow. thanks for all you and the BOD do. Being a local here if I can ever help in any way in the planning or research for the next springs event just say the word. It would be my pleasure.

Once again....awesome job Chuck and crew!
Love hearing the insights of former players (Fish,) current players (Kole, Mike, Matt and Spoons...all great kids) and yes, even the 'media.' Rojas was freakin' hilarious! 
March is my Halo's season now. Since moving here to Az, I need to get in as much as I can....and I have.
I believe this is my 14th ST (PercySquint....is that correct? I have lost track...it's that age thing again!) and this truly has been the most insane. Thats not to say they haven't been insane in the past....(Confidentiality issues here)
I have been blessed to house a couple of minor leaguers for the entire ST....six+ weeks of live, front row, in my face BASEBALL!! I have learned more about my team and the sport then I ever thought I would.....and somethings I didn't really want/need to know! LOL!
This April will be the first Opening Night I have missed on the Holy Grounds of Halo Stadium in.....at least a decade and a half. If it wasn't on a damn Tuesday night, I'd be there!! (Damn job keeps getting in the way!)
 
Anyways, WELL DONE AW,COM! Proud to be a member of such an amazing crew of Angels fans.
Really wish my door prize donation was given away though. Would have made a fan very, very happy.
Let me know where/when ya'll give it away. I'll have something even cooler for Fan Fest 14! YEA!!!
 
Here's to a season full of Halo Victories!!
 
Jim