BadDog

12 hours ago, Angel Oracle said:

There was another Skanks weekend series that the Halos also swept 3 years later (1982).

Grich homered off Gossage to complete that sweep.   I went to the Saturday night game where Reggie hit two HRs by the 3rd inning to lead the Halos rout. 

1982 Angels v Yankees box score.docx

Not sure if you can see the box score I tried to attach.  That was my first ever live professional sport to witness (9 years old).  We were there for a church group activity with my grandmother.  I didn't have a favorite team at the time but I did when we left.  Reggie's two homers and Fred Lynn added one too.  Took down the mighty Yankees and Ron Guidry.  Angels fan ever since!

sign K. Gibson

trade for Boyd

hire Maddon

Was super stoked when I saw him walking down to the back fields.  He's signing a ball for my son here.  Even had a conversation with my son.  Great guy.  Wishing him the best and crossing my fingers that it is with us!  

I have two tickets for the Friday night game IN Seattle (19th).  Section 323, row 1, seats 11 & 12.  Just looking to get back what I paid for them.  Thanks!

I loved Wrigley.  Grew up watching only the Cubs on WGN or the Braves on TNT.  I went a few years back and it was HOT.  Sat in the left field bleacher seats and drank way too many frozen margaritas.  Roy Halladay was on the bump for the Phillies that day and was taken out early due to the 'heat'.  They should've taken me out for the 'heat' too.  It was all about the nostalgia for me.  I wasn't looking for all the amenities, just a day game in a historical stadium that I grew up watching Cubs baseball and listening to Harry Carey.  It was a bucket-list item for me.  Glad you hated it Nate!  haha.  

Here we go...

1 hour ago, Lou said:

has Maitan lost weight or is just the angle? 

He is big but didn't look soft to me.  This one might show better?

Here's a couple spring training pics of Maitan at 3rd, Soto at short, and Deveaux in center.  At second is Jackson, I believe.  And Jam with Cozart (maybe he shoulda stayed away as they are experiencing the same start).  I have a few more (like 1000) pictures.  Let me know if you want to see them.  I don't want to bog down this site with pictures that nobody wants to see.  Or, @Lou, is it too late.    

18 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

I suspect Duensing was done-singing awhile ago.

Speaking of Duensing - how does he project?  I watched him do a bullpen while in Tempe.  He was on the closest mound and was bringing it.  I actually mumbled 'wow' under my breath on one and this guy standing next to me turned and said "right!?".  Turns out it was Cole's Uncle.  I had a nice visit with him.  Wishing him the best!

Dare I say, "They Are Who We Thought They Were!".  

Even before the toe injury, I was worried about JUp.  Knee tendinitis is no joke.  He had all off season to 'rest' it and comes into camp needing more rest.  How can a guy play every day after a couple weeks of resting his knee tendinitis?  @Dochalo maybe you can shed some light here but I have a bad feeling about this.  And now the toe?  Damn...

This makes me so happy.  We actually pulled the trigger and went to spring training this year instead of talking about how we 'need to' due to the questions surrounding Trout.  I told my 11 year old son that we need to go now because the best player in baseball may not be an Angel much longer.  When the news broke about him signing the extension my son was pumped.  "So, we can go watch him in spring training for the next 12 years!".  I told him I was on board with that, haha.  Then my 15 year old daughter, who is not a baseball fan said, "So, we didn't need to go this year?  Nice..."  

So Strad, which month is the best to get a burger?

Thanks @Lou  I wasn't expecting much from Cam but he stopped and looked over the flag my son was having everyone sign.  Gave him a fist bump and walked over to sign for others.  They asked to take a pic with him and my son says he wants a picture with him.  I told him we missed our chance.  Next thing I know, Cam is standing there ready to take the picture.  We held up the flag and took some pics.  I'll upload them when I get them off the camera.  It was surprising and cool.  BTW, I always look forward to reading your comments.  

@mtangelsfan  C'mon man!  I know the snow has you down but it's spring and baseball is just around the corner.  MT is a big state but not many people, we probably know each other.  haha.  Plus, I'm in the Bakken too.  Might have to meet up and watch the Angels and throw back some beers.  What do you say?  

On 3/13/2019 at 10:06 AM, Chuckster70 said:

Here's Baseball America's top 30 Angels prospects. 

 

Ok, first post.  I just returned from Tempe with my family.  Our first spring training experience.  Thanks to all the info on here, we had a great time.  We spent Friday at the minor league fields and were fortunate enough to watch Skaggs pitch and Cozart & Upton hit.  It was a great atmosphere to watch them all up close and personal.  They all stayed after and signed multiple items.  Awesome.  My 11 y.o. son LOVED it.  I had printed off this list  so I could try to identify as many as I could.  It did help that over their lunch break I took pictures of the lineups hanging in the dugouts, haha.  I'm sure we missed/didn't recognize many of them but we did get autographs from Marsh (was awesome), Thaiss (at the big league camp, he was reluctant to sign - after three times he finally signed for my son.  I pumped him up and thanked him and then he was cool), Buttrey (super great), Jackson, Sandoval (was also pitching, watched him warm-up in the pen, and he was great after the game), Maitan (talked to him, shook his hand, was great with my son, he's a big dude!), Deveaux (funny, I asked him a question while he was signing and he stopped, looked at me, then started laughing saying he forgot how to spell his name), Soto (he's tiny), and Rojas. 

My son didn't really know these guys, but I geeked out pretty hard.  Being from MT, we don't get to see much of any pro sports so this was amazing.  We stood in line as players walked to and from practice before heading down to the minor league fields (Friday's game was sold out).  Met some Angelswin dudes (Hey Ryan!).  Many of the guys stopped to sign but the 'stars' took a cart and didn't 'walk the line'.  Bummer.  Ohtani walked by both times but didn't stop and sign.  Just smiled and waved.  Got some pretty up close pictures though.  Again, my son loved it.  I know what we all think of Cam B. as a player but, he was the best with my son.  Stopped - signed - talked to him - and came back to take pictures.  Just all-around great!  I wish him the best.  Bour is a GIANT of a man - super cool dude, too.  Hope he mashes. 

Kole stood right beside my son to talk to family during Thursday's hitting practice in the stadium.  Got some pics - but as he was leaving he wouldn't even look at my son and didn't sign for him.  He was the only one there too.  Kinda bummed out by that.  Never was in the right spot to get MR. ANGEL's autograph.  I didn't see Albert sign for anyone.  Never got close to Simba either.  

We ended up getting 3 baseballs, too.  One on Wednesday night, I caught a foul ball down the right field line.  I recorded the game on MLB and watched when we got home and we made the TV.  haha.  One at the minor league fields, a player threw it to my son.  And one on Saturday afternoon game, Perez threw it in the stands and it bounced of my hand into my wife's lap.  She wasn't even paying attention but was pretty excited when she got it.

All-in-all, it was a GREAT experience.  I thank the people on here that give great details on how to enjoy spring training.  I give a shout out to @Jeff Fletcher for his insight as well as tweeting about Skaggs, Cozart, and Upton being on the minor league fields.  Thanks @angelswin.com for being my go to place for #Angels info.  Just so you know, I have been lurking on this site since its inception.  I was on the other boards looking for Angels info when the migration happened.  I just followed it over.  I feel like I 'know' most of you.  I don't post because I don't have much to offer.  I just love reading what everyone thinks, the analytics are top notch, and the bantering makes me laugh.  Stradling may remember that I bought game tickets from him on the ticket exchange about 10 years ago to attend Angels v Yankees series for my 10 year anniversary.  

Anyway, long post but I thought I actually had something to share.  Love the Angels, love this site.