makepeac

Little known fun fact. Apparently AO and I overlapped one year in high school as Tustin Tillers along with Mrs Rod Carew.
AO was a senior, but obviously at least 22 and held back multiple times as his attention was more focused on baseball trivia,  professional wrestling and giving every teacher a worthy nickname. 

Little known fun fact. Apparently AO and I overlapped one year in high school as Tustin Tillers along with Mrs Rod Carew.
AO was a senior, but obviously at least 22 and held back multiple times as his attention was more focused on baseball trivia,  professional wrestling and giving every teacher a worthy nickname. 

I still chuckle at AO so adroitly tagging C.J. Wilson “Nibs Nibbler.”
Bluto anointing Flounder and Pinto into Delta House pales in comparison.

I still chuckle at AO so adroitly tagging C.J. Wilson “Nibs Nibbler.”
Bluto anointing Flounder and Pinto into Delta House pales in comparison.

I still chuckle at AO so adroitly tagging C.J. Wilson “Nibs Nibbler.”
Bluto anointing Flounder and Pinto into Delta House pales in comparison.

He was good at it.
Here’s the king though.

Three true outcome players. They slow down the pace of play.
Pitchers that take longer than 15 seconds between pitches. Throw the effing ball. 
Hitters that step out of the box between every pitch to fidget with their gloves, equipment, take four practice swings, look on to receive signals from the third base coach in a situation that clearly doesn't warrant any special plays, then step into the box with their hand back at the ump, keeping a time out while they take a depth breath, adjust their meat and veg, and then are ready to hit. 
Basically, everything that took a 9 inning game from a two hour endeavor to a four hour commitment.
 

Previously after my Dad’s own and thankfully very early ‘64 Vietnam tour ended we had been stationed and lived off base just outside of Detroit down near Metro Airport from ‘65-‘70, where I gained my love of Motown, Daves Bing and Debuscherre on the Pistons, saw smoke 12 miles off in the distance and National Guard personnel carriers drive through our neighborhood as the city burned during the July ‘67 riots, and more importantly, fell in love with the great Tiger team of that era culminating in the come from behind ‘68 WS championship. Al Kaline soon became my new boyhood idol joining Jerry West and Vince Lombardi’s great Packer teams of the era. Those Tiger teams had the Mickeys Lolich & Stanley, Denny McLain’s 31 win season, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Northrop, Earl Wilson, all illuminated nightly through my transistor radio by the remarkable radio play by play calls of the legendary Ernie Harwell on 50K watt clear channel blowtorch WJR AM.
Following that, Hawaii and the PCL were quite quaint, though I was lucky enough to get to listen nightly to a young Al Michaels doing the Islander radio broadcasts with future Pirate manager Chuck Tanner the Islanders skipper.
Then finally on to OC and SoCal and more nightly radio magic from legends Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Dick Enberg.
And now, 34 years as an Angel season ticket holder who can’t wait to get back  into the stadium for live baseball.

Previously after my Dad’s own and thankfully very early ‘64 Vietnam tour ended we had been stationed and lived off base just outside of Detroit down near Metro Airport from ‘65-‘70, where I gained my love of Motown, Daves Bing and Debuscherre on the Pistons, saw smoke 12 miles off in the distance and National Guard personnel carriers drive through our neighborhood as the city burned during the July ‘67 riots, and more importantly, fell in love with the great Tiger team of that era culminating in the come from behind ‘68 WS championship. Al Kaline soon became my new boyhood idol joining Jerry West and Vince Lombardi’s great Packer teams of the era. Those Tiger teams had the Mickeys Lolich & Stanley, Denny McLain’s 31 win season, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Northrop, Earl Wilson, all illuminated nightly through my transistor radio by the remarkable radio play by play calls of the legendary Ernie Harwell on 50K watt clear channel blowtorch WJR AM.
Following that, Hawaii and the PCL were quite quaint, though I was lucky enough to get to listen nightly to a young Al Michaels doing the Islander radio broadcasts with future Pirate manager Chuck Tanner the Islanders skipper.
Then finally on to OC and SoCal and more nightly radio magic from legends Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Dick Enberg.
And now, 34 years as an Angel season ticket holder who can’t wait to get back  into the stadium for live baseball.

Previously after my Dad’s own and thankfully very early ‘64 Vietnam tour ended we had been stationed and lived off base just outside of Detroit down near Metro Airport from ‘65-‘70, where I gained my love of Motown, Daves Bing and Debuscherre on the Pistons, saw smoke 12 miles off in the distance and National Guard personnel carriers drive through our neighborhood as the city burned during the July ‘67 riots, and more importantly, fell in love with the great Tiger team of that era culminating in the come from behind ‘68 WS championship. Al Kaline soon became my new boyhood idol joining Jerry West and Vince Lombardi’s great Packer teams of the era. Those Tiger teams had the Mickeys Lolich & Stanley, Denny McLain’s 31 win season, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Northrop, Earl Wilson, all illuminated nightly through my transistor radio by the remarkable radio play by play calls of the legendary Ernie Harwell on 50K watt clear channel blowtorch WJR AM.
Following that, Hawaii and the PCL were quite quaint, though I was lucky enough to get to listen nightly to a young Al Michaels doing the Islander radio broadcasts with future Pirate manager Chuck Tanner the Islanders skipper.
Then finally on to OC and SoCal and more nightly radio magic from legends Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Dick Enberg.
And now, 34 years as an Angel season ticket holder who can’t wait to get back  into the stadium for live baseball.

Previously after my Dad’s own and thankfully very early ‘64 Vietnam tour ended we had been stationed and lived off base just outside of Detroit down near Metro Airport from ‘65-‘70, where I gained my love of Motown, Daves Bing and Debuscherre on the Pistons, saw smoke 12 miles off in the distance and National Guard personnel carriers drive through our neighborhood as the city burned during the July ‘67 riots, and more importantly, fell in love with the great Tiger team of that era culminating in the come from behind ‘68 WS championship. Al Kaline soon became my new boyhood idol joining Jerry West and Vince Lombardi’s great Packer teams of the era. Those Tiger teams had the Mickeys Lolich & Stanley, Denny McLain’s 31 win season, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Northrop, Earl Wilson, all illuminated nightly through my transistor radio by the remarkable radio play by play calls of the legendary Ernie Harwell on 50K watt clear channel blowtorch WJR AM.
Following that, Hawaii and the PCL were quite quaint, though I was lucky enough to get to listen nightly to a young Al Michaels doing the Islander radio broadcasts with future Pirate manager Chuck Tanner the Islanders skipper.
Then finally on to OC and SoCal and more nightly radio magic from legends Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Dick Enberg.
And now, 34 years as an Angel season ticket holder who can’t wait to get back  into the stadium for live baseball.

Previously after my Dad’s own and thankfully very early ‘64 Vietnam tour ended we had been stationed and lived off base just outside of Detroit down near Metro Airport from ‘65-‘70, where I gained my love of Motown, Daves Bing and Debuscherre on the Pistons, saw smoke 12 miles off in the distance and National Guard personnel carriers drive through our neighborhood as the city burned during the July ‘67 riots, and more importantly, fell in love with the great Tiger team of that era culminating in the come from behind ‘68 WS championship. Al Kaline soon became my new boyhood idol joining Jerry West and Vince Lombardi’s great Packer teams of the era. Those Tiger teams had the Mickeys Lolich & Stanley, Denny McLain’s 31 win season, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Northrop, Earl Wilson, all illuminated nightly through my transistor radio by the remarkable radio play by play calls of the legendary Ernie Harwell on 50K watt clear channel blowtorch WJR AM.
Following that, Hawaii and the PCL were quite quaint, though I was lucky enough to get to listen nightly to a young Al Michaels doing the Islander radio broadcasts with future Pirate manager Chuck Tanner the Islanders skipper.
Then finally on to OC and SoCal and more nightly radio magic from legends Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Dick Enberg.
And now, 34 years as an Angel season ticket holder who can’t wait to get back  into the stadium for live baseball.

In 1970 my career Marine Air Wing Msgt father and family were assigned to Kaneohe Bay, Oahu at the height of the Vietnam war. The Hawaii Islanders were in their final year of being the Angels PCL affiliate before becoming the Padres Triple A team the following season. The Islanders were led by Winston Llenas and won their PCL division and in the league playoffs faced faced their big PCL rival the Spokane Indians who were the Dodgers Triple A team, managed by Tommy Lasorda and featuring league MVP SS Bobby Valentine as well as future Dodgers Garvey, Lopes, Cey, Yeager, Paciorek, Buckner, Hough, Rau, etc. After the war ended we were sent to El Toro where I continued to watch these same players on the Dodgers.

In 1970 my career Marine Air Wing Msgt father and family were assigned to Kaneohe Bay, Oahu at the height of the Vietnam war. The Hawaii Islanders were in their final year of being the Angels PCL affiliate before becoming the Padres Triple A team the following season. The Islanders were led by Winston Llenas and won their PCL division and in the league playoffs faced faced their big PCL rival the Spokane Indians who were the Dodgers Triple A team, managed by Tommy Lasorda and featuring league MVP SS Bobby Valentine as well as future Dodgers Garvey, Lopes, Cey, Yeager, Paciorek, Buckner, Hough, Rau, etc. After the war ended we were sent to El Toro where I continued to watch these same players on the Dodgers.

I miss ya pal. Hopefully we can connect again in person soon. 
Back in the day here's Blarg and I at Safeco Field when I drank way too much beer. lol  Our old member Chonito gets a mention too. She used to run our GDT's before @jsnpritchett and Vicky took over here and there. 
 

Previously after my Dad’s own and thankfully very early ‘64 Vietnam tour ended we had been stationed and lived off base just outside of Detroit down near Metro Airport from ‘65-‘70, where I gained my love of Motown, Daves Bing and Debuscherre on the Pistons, saw smoke 12 miles off in the distance and National Guard personnel carriers drive through our neighborhood as the city burned during the July ‘67 riots, and more importantly, fell in love with the great Tiger team of that era culminating in the come from behind ‘68 WS championship. Al Kaline soon became my new boyhood idol joining Jerry West and Vince Lombardi’s great Packer teams of the era. Those Tiger teams had the Mickeys Lolich & Stanley, Denny McLain’s 31 win season, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Norm Cash, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Northrop, Earl Wilson, all illuminated nightly through my transistor radio by the remarkable radio play by play calls of the legendary Ernie Harwell on 50K watt clear channel blowtorch WJR AM.
Following that, Hawaii and the PCL were quite quaint, though I was lucky enough to get to listen nightly to a young Al Michaels doing the Islander radio broadcasts with future Pirate manager Chuck Tanner the Islanders skipper.
Then finally on to OC and SoCal and more nightly radio magic from legends Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, and Dick Enberg.
And now, 34 years as an Angel season ticket holder who can’t wait to get back  into the stadium for live baseball.

In 1970 my career Marine Air Wing Msgt father and family were assigned to Kaneohe Bay, Oahu at the height of the Vietnam war. The Hawaii Islanders were in their final year of being the Angels PCL affiliate before becoming the Padres Triple A team the following season. The Islanders were led by Winston Llenas and won their PCL division and in the league playoffs faced faced their big PCL rival the Spokane Indians who were the Dodgers Triple A team, managed by Tommy Lasorda and featuring league MVP SS Bobby Valentine as well as future Dodgers Garvey, Lopes, Cey, Yeager, Paciorek, Buckner, Hough, Rau, etc. After the war ended we were sent to El Toro where I continued to watch these same players on the Dodgers.

This is probably just the Angels trying to improve their AAA depth.
They brought in Mayfield and DFA'd Garcia, hoping that Garcia can clear waivers and they can stash him in AAA and outside of their 40-man roster. Then, in a couple weeks, they may even DFA Mayfield and hope he clears waivers in order to stash him in AAA and off the 40-man roster.
You're seeing lots of teams do this right now.

We used to regularly play the old Riverview course in Mesa which closed when they built the Cubs new Sloan Park Stadium on part of that land. Now we just do Top Golf and call it even.

They're building a Top Golf in Ontario.

Ward was moved away from catcher, not because of physical ability, but because of a lack of ability to guide a pitching staff. And because Eppler thought that removing the burden of catching from plate would help Taylor develop better as a hitter. 
It turns out Billy was right on both accounts. 
Now that he won't be expected to guide a staff, but fill multiple roles, Taylor Ward moving back to catcher is exactly the right move to make. It makes him extremely valuable to this team. Backup catcher, 1B, 3B and corner OF.  In the event of injury, it offers Minasian options on who to promote. 

During the 1997 remodel with the OF grandstands removed, Ken Griffey hit a ball center which seemed to clear the construction and leave the stadium but I never heard or read any confirmation of what I thought I saw. 
 
Last summer we were golfing with my friend who used to share our piece of season tickets and his now 33 year old son. In the middle of the round we got to talking old games we saw and the son innocently and out of the blue asked if Ken Griffey actually did clear the park that day. He was 10 when it happened and like me still wondered if our eyes deceived us that day.

During the 1997 remodel with the OF grandstands removed, Ken Griffey hit a ball center which seemed to clear the construction and leave the stadium but I never heard or read any confirmation of what I thought I saw. 
 
Last summer we were golfing with my friend who used to share our piece of season tickets and his now 33 year old son. In the middle of the round we got to talking old games we saw and the son innocently and out of the blue asked if Ken Griffey actually did clear the park that day. He was 10 when it happened and like me still wondered if our eyes deceived us that day.

AO, how were your seats that day?

?? Everything I’ve read says both Suzuki and Victorino were born and grew up in Wailuku Maui.