Michifan

Whatever happened with Donaldson and the ump, it screwed up Morin

Think Donaldson really needs that Red Bull he's chugging?

God pity them both! and pity us all, Who vainly the dreams of youth recall. For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!

If it was Iannetta, it would have either sailed over his head or hit 3 feet in front of him.

But now Scioscia will get to screw with Perez and mess him up. Let's see how he's doing in a few months of micromanagement.

You know it's bad when the pitcher hits better than the catcher

How bout them Spurs!

How is it they go from being a hot, exciting spring training offense to so pathetic?

Here's how I imagine things. Hamilton's marriage hits the skids. Hamilton looks down the bottle of scotch and says )(%^*&%&( it. He hits the bottle, calls up a supplier he still knows and gets blasted on coke, binges for a bit. He then gets sober enough to realize he's screwed up. Calls his agent. The agent executes the escape plan he has devised knowing this day may or likely would come. He calls the lawyer and their first question to Josh is. When is your next drug test? Josh isn't sure what day it is but figures it's soon. Then here is the conversation. "Legally, we think we can get you out of this under the following loophole. If you self-report your relapse, you can avoid a drug test. Doing so means you have not ACTUALLY failed a drug test. That means, baseball can't punish you. That's the only hope." "Oh and Josh, let's try to make it look like you're the repentant sinner confessing to the priest of MLB. And don't talk to the Angels." I'm sorry but I just don't buy this whole, I was weak and had a relapse, but I didn't mean to and came forward out of the goodness of my soul routine. I think it was a staged ploy, and give his team credit, it worked. MLB will make sure it's the last time it works, but it got the MLBPA behind him and got the arbitrator to hit that legal technicality button. But I have yet to see any real remorse from Josh. NO ONE has. He's not made any public statements that I've seen.

Hey, if it's something the whole team does that helps bind them together, I don't care what stupid gesture it is. They need something to feel like a team.

Yes, I agree. But my concern is that he abandons that aggressiveness he had in spring training and resorts to taking the first pitch all the time.

That's saying something when you're hitting worse than Butera.

Yes, I know it is one week, but after what had been a productive spring, it was a tough week to swallow. But here is what I see as good and bad FWIW Good Trout leading off with a home run against King Felix AGAIN Of Pujols' only 4 hits, two are doubles and two are home runs Freese already has 1/5 of the home runs he hit last year. CJ did have one really good outing Rucinski looks good--see how he does tonight. Bullpen generally has looked good sans Salas Bad Okay, this is a longer list. Trout already has 6 strike outs Pujols ONLY has four hits Cron who was hitting everything in spring looks awful at the plate, and Joyce hasn't looked much better nor Cowgill. Mr Hyde version of CJ pitched yesterday. Weave isn't sharp. Salas Most surprisingly, Iannetta has been Ianawful in every way at the plate. 10 strikeouts already to lead the team, no walks, and only 1 hit. On the plus side, he did actually throw out a base stealer. Angels have yet to swipe a base AND have a SB attempt from Pujols. I hope the team "turns the page" on this week, gives the Royals a "tip of the cap" and finds a groove.

As I recall, Weav is prone to deadarm around the end of spring training. My guess is he's been fighting that.

Besides this great human interest story, I have to say how impressed I've been with him this spring, hitting the ball hard, hitting all over the field, turning his quick hands on the ball--that grand slam was AWESOME, he looks leaner, more comfortable, and I love that he's happy and messing around with the other players. He just looks comfortable for the first time. It might all mean nothing, but I'm looking forward to this season and him in the lineup.

What a great article. Why he's the real deal too is because Pujols did this on his own without the publicity. He didn't do it to create the story. He's a real sports hero.

Back to the article, love the story. Love to hear Pujols and Trout are buds, that he's clearly happier, and he looks great right now. I know its ST, but 4 home runs in 6 games plus hard hit balls to all parts of the field. I've upgraded from cautiously optimistic to measured excitement.

Because he shouldn't embrace the team the Angels sent him to?

I have no problem with Iannetta at the plate, but I cringe every time he tries to throw to second on a steal attempt. Rarely is it thrown close to the bag or close to getting the runner. He has a bad throwing arm.

Well, I started out--blush--as a Dodgers fan as a kid until they let Steve Garvey walk, but I was too young to marry, so while the Dodgers were puppy love, a crush long since abandoned, the Angels have my vow.

I seem to recall drama with Kendys AKA Kendry Morales and getting him to Spring Training. I don't think that was Haiti but similar bizarre holdups that left one wondering: 1. Was there actually a real player 2. Was he actually out of Cuba 3. Might he ever actually be an Angel 4. Was he really any good and worth the drama. Fortunately the answer to all of those were--yes (until the fateful home run trot and jump on home plate). Let's hope it works out as well in the short term and better in the long.

Are we talking true sports polygamy or just having a mistress on the side? Since I no longer live in So Cal (grew up in San Dimas--San Dimas High School rules), I've flirted with many different teams in my time in Florida and now Michigan, but I still am loyal to the Angels. I can't quite embrace the Tigers--kind of like the Indians, can't stand the White Sox, could like the Cubs if they ever get their act together, and have liked the Cards for years since Edmonds. But if there ever was a playoff series or World Series, it'd be the Angels, no question.

I think the Angels pitching successes have a lot more to do with JD and others than they do with Butcher.

Wish I could. I'd have to watch it on TV, and I would.

Rose didn't have strikes called below the knees either. Just saying, not like those are the ones Trout has trouble with, but . . .