AngelsSurfer

The districts that make up LA are not the same as boros. The five boros are actually each individual counties with their own boro president and courts, etc. All part of NYC, but far more complicated and autonomous than districts that make up LA as a city.

This. LA has a tremendous amount of wonderful things to offer -- amazing art and literary scenes, lots of diversity, beautiful landmarks and natural areas like Griffith Park, Palos Verdes and so much more. I'd challenge anyone here to spend some time tidepooling in Palos Verdes, surfing in Malibu or hiking at Vasquez Rocks (which is actually in LA County), and then tell me it's a smoggy cesspool. And the various areas in the Greater LA area are so different from each other that in some ways, going from one to another is like going to completely different counties. And in terms of crime, as per the FBI's crime rankings and other rankings, Los Angeles doesn't even place in the top 10 most dangerous cities. Places like Detroit, Oakland, St Louis, Baltimore, Newark, etc. are way ahead of it. http://lawstreetmedia.com/crime-america-2015-top-10-dangerous-cities-200000-2/

The LA metro area does have Angels fans who are NOT Dodgers fans, as well -- I am one of them. The Angels originally started out in LA; there's the argument about keeping the name to recognize that heritage. There's the point that LA is more well known than Anaheim and thus easier for non-local viewers to grasp -- the same way the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Rangers don't use the name of the cities they're actually in, but use the more recognizable state names. Or the way the NY Jets and Giants in football don't actually play in NY. I like having LA in the name, but quite honestly I don't care if the team is officially called the California West Coast Angels of Anaheim Which is in Orange County but Near Los Angeles or whatever. They're just going to be called the Angels regardless. I would rather worry about what they do on the field than the city name.

He took out Nieuwenhuis and left in Joyce. Well done, Sosh. It isn't as though you would want to keep the guy who doubled. And why, Featherston, WHY did you try to steal?!

It's not intimidating. It just looks like he has jock itch.

In terms of Disneyland, I've heard from numerous people who work there that they have amazing security...but it's not in the bag check area. They've got all sorts of cameras and plainclothes officers and surveillance techniques and such that the average guest will never see, notice or know about. Even on the rides they are actively monitoring every single inch of the track, and there have been cases where people have vandalized or done other stupid things on the ride, and have been shocked to find security and the police waiting for them at the ride exit. Bag check is the superfluous "look, we're doing something, and yes, we just might catch something dangerous every once in a while" security theater. However, I've also heard that there are a number of ex-police officers, etc. who are employed at the gates and bag check, so while they look like friendly seniors, they're actually sharp as a tack and looking out for things you don't even know about. And the real deal heavy security is out of sight. Sad but true, though, that if someone really wanted to get a weapon into a major tourist area or sports arena, they'd probably be able to do so.

I like Gia's attitude and drive -- as someone else mentioned he's scrappy. The only thing I could do without is the way he grabs himself like four times before every AB. I could be wrong but I don't think that particular area of his anatomy is going to help him with his ABs.

*shrug* This was coming sooner or later. He's starting early this year.

I am relieved he's not pitching for the Angels anymore because, well, blown saves and all. Still, as a person he seems like a really nice guy, so I feel bad for him.

This. As I recall Gia made some boneheaded plays at 2B in the first few weeks of the season. Green's getting bounced all over the place. Give him a decent chance to find his sea legs and he might. Sosh really doesn't seem to like him, and that can't be helping matters.

This. The talent is there. The execution is not. These players have shown flashes of the brilliance they're capable of. Even this year we've had a few epic catches from Trout and Calhoun, and some amazing plays, and some good hitting, and some great pitching. It's just not gelling for them and they're not playing to their potential. A closed door meeting is probably going to happen soon, if it hasn't already - but at this point IMHO they need to look at a new batting coach, or co-coach. I love Baylor, but he's not helping them get over their blocks right now. A fresh perspective from someone, even if they're just brought in temporarily to help Baylor, might help them figure out what's going wrong.

Yep. He was one of those Mets players like Ike Davis, Justin Turner or Josh Satin who was brought up quickly through the minors, did well for the Mets for a stretch, hit a roadblock and was basically written off. Davis and Turner are both doing significantly better away from the Mets; hope Niewenhuis will follow suit.

I saw him play with the Cyclones years ago. He was pretty good at that point. IIRC the name is pronounced NEW-When-Heiss. I wouldn't write this guy off yet. The Mets give up on a lot of players that still have potential; Niewenhuis may be one of them. The same way Ike Davis got back to form when he got away from the Mets and healed up from Valley Fever, Niewenhuis might really be a nice surprise when he's on a team that gives him a shot, doesn't turn on him, and lets him play. However, I'm hoping that Green won't get hosed again because of this roster addition.

Silver lining: Shoemaker turning it around and doing so amazingly well. Salas and Street turning in great performances. Calhoun. Pujols' two hits. The rest of it? I can't even.

That's that, then.

That's how it was with my cat. I got him when I was 15 and he died when I was 32. He'd been there for me through high school, college, all of my 20s, my first "real" job and all sorts of heartbreak and triumphs. When he had to be put to sleep due to advanced cancer, I was beyond bereft and I grieved for a very long time. You're right, they really are family and they mean so much.

Many condolences. Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking. I've been there too with my cat and dog, and I know it is really rough. Hopefully those memories will bring smiles and not tears eventually. All the best.

Grant Green, come on up! Hopefully...

It happens. He owned it. He apologized to everyone. It was a different time zone and an unusual time for a game. He's also only been on the team since Spring Training so perhaps he's not BFFs with anyone yet. C'est la vie. What's a question for me: for away games, isn't there usually a team bus? AFAIK aren't the players are supposed to be downstairs at a certain time to get driven to the stadium together? It's interesting that nobody took a head count or noticed he was missing at that point. Although if the philosophy is (as it should be) "we leave at ___ time and we don't wait" it wouldn't have mattered if they knew he was missing.

Didnt he have a death in the family and go on bereavement leave recently? Could be that it was a major loss and he's still distracted by that.

I don't think he's been bad defensively, though. He's certainly stronger than Cron there. He's very versatile in the positions he can play. Every time the Angels have brought him up he's done well. He's done well in AAA. So it's confusing that they wouldn't give him a chance and would give up on him. If they don't give him an extended chance to play, there's really no way for him to fully show what he can do. And if the Angels intend to keep him in Salt Lake Limbo indefinitely and never plan to use his talents, they should trade him to a team that WILL give him a shot to play.

I'm honestly wondering about this. This guy has done everything he can possibly do. In addition to what you've mentioned, he's played well during the brief periods he's been up and he seems to have a really great, positive attitude and is a team player. There's no Earthly reason why he should still be in AAA and should be getting passed over again and again. Someone doesn't like this guy personally. It makes no sense that he hasn't been brought up and apparently isn't even being considered. And frankly if that's actually the reason -- that he somehow pissed someone off -- it's a poor reason to keep him down in AAA. The team could use him right now.

Totally agree. Not to mention that Tropeano might already be needed to replace Shoemaker if he's still tanking later this spring, and Heaney is still an unknown entity. Trade Santiago away, and if even one more pitcher goes down with an injury, they will be left having the bullpen start games again.

I might not like this guy as a player, but he has a lot of integrity as a person. Other players could learn from this...

I don't think they *should* give other players slack for not getting there on time. They're big boys and they're getting paid a lot of money, no reason for them to be late. What I was saying is that it's depressing that Sosh would have had him in the lineup if he'd been on time, ie, Sosh keeps playing him.