Palomar

I wasn't even able to call to complain...it was like a black hole. But, I actually got a paper today on which would have been day 7! And we have had two special deliveries since....knocks on the door and another paper arriving and then all the missing papers. I guess they finally read my daily emails. I was also able to get through on Live Chat to stop my auto payments since I'm pretty sure I am cancelling.

Still no paper....day 6.

The bottom line is Josh is never going to get the benefit of the doubt for saying something like that (regardless of HOW he meant it) until the fans connect with him and that is not going to happen until he starts hitting consistently. He didn't even hit ONE HR at home this year...it's not like we have fond memories. (Disclaimer: still don't like the booing and definitely don't think it helps the situation)

It's been day 5 for me without delivery, but the most aggravating thing is that their customer service phone line just says to go to their website for delivery problems. You just get an automated message when you send an email and no one ever contacts you. So, you can't really even report it. I would officially cancel but can't even contact anyone to do so.

Especially the wild card game!

The Dodgers aren't much better in that regard.

The fans of every team that loses a series in the playoffs wants to fire the manager.

There will be no personal interaction or connection with the fans until Josh starts hitting. He MAY be trying and he may care but he sure doesn't make it look like it. I also don't think booing does anything but make it worse but there is only one way to stop the booing. I think the booing would be far worse in other stadiums since we are such mellow fans.

The first catch off of Calhoun's bat set the tone. Their defense, our lack of hitting. Their buzzsaw was more of a defensive buzzsaw than an offensive buzzsaw.

The thing about being a douche to his wife...very possible, but it is also possible SHE left him...it is hard to judge not knowing. I judge him more for being a douche to his teammates. That is just plain embarassing for everyone involved and wrong. Players that go to new teams should realize that everything they say is going to be known....Hamilton said something equally stupid upon leaving Texas. Bottom line IS that he was a big part of 2002 and that can't be erased. Love his intensity but hate his intensity.

Even though Hamilton has been a HUGE disappointment, I think people are pulling for him enough for what he is attempting to overcome in his personal life (and that is always ongoing) that he does not get booed as much as someone else would with the same performance...he gets a bit of a pass. (Disclaimer: I never boo Angel players anyway, as it certainly does nothing to help the situation and in fact could make it worse)

So only postseason statistics should be looked at when acquiring or signing a player? You do have to GET to the postseason.

Not too much you can say...they outpitched, outhit, and outplayed the Angels for the three games this year that counted the most up to this point. I did think at times they were gloating a little too much and a little show-boaty. Maybe that was just my interpretation. It will be interesting to see how they react if things don't go perfectly for them in the next series but who knows maybe they are that team this year.

It still comes down to everything again being a level playing field once the playoffs start. Obviously even though the Angels were able to get by with 4 starters the rest of the season after Richards went down, it was a huge factor in a short series, We got great pitching in two games when the Angels could not hit. Then, Shields was hittable but we did not get the pitching to be competitive. Wilson and Santiago could not get the job done and the overuse of the bullpen finally came back to haunt. But when a team like the Royals have a series where everything goes right, they make unbelievable plays, and get HRs when they are not a HR team, it's almost like running into a buzz saw. Even with all this, the Angels could have won 1 or both of the first two games and made a series of it. Hopefully the experience will help hext year.

But confidence has everything to do with the way Kansas City is playing.

The difference right now is confidence. The Royals and their fans looked pretty down before their comeback in the wild card game. Their come from behind win (I am assuming that they have not had too many) made them feel like a team of destiny and they are playing like it. While the Angels are going through two games where they can't do anything right. They can't hit, but for the most part are getting good pitching with the Royals taking advantage of the few mistakes they make. But, they could have won either one of those games with an extra hit or two. It is truely remarkable how well Shoemaker pitched after his injury and it has barely been mentioned because the lack of hitting that has been behing the losses. I still think things can turn around in a hurry...even in a win or go home game.

Not to mention on the flip side that the Royals scored twice indirectly because of misplayed balls. If the KC Royals "always" find a way to win (which is what I heard several times last night on the broadcast), why were they battling for a wild card the last week of the season and not winning their division with ease. Someone was beating them. Yeah they are a good team but are human just like all the other playoff teams. And back to the fan thing...their crowd was pretty silent when Medium Game James and less than perfect reliever gave up all those runs in the wild card game.

As depressing as the outcome to this game was, reading the comments that so many have already written the Angels off are much worse. Many of the same people complaining about the Angel crowd?

If Sheffield had watched the Angels at ALL this year, he would have realized this is not exactly new behavior. Just like the TBS team that assumed that Howie had been our clean up hitter all season.

Seriously, the problem with last night's game was the crowd? Crowd > complainers at home blaming the crowd for the loss and the Angels offense.

This is actually the first play off game I WON'T be at since attending all the home playoff games since '86 through '09. Just the uncertainty of the time of game vs work obligations. I know from watching away play off games that I am much more nervous watching at home. It is SUCH a rush to watch in person and somehow less nerve-wracking. Envy all you guys....Go Angels!!

Definitely remember it, but after '86 nothing before that is really grudge or heartbreak-worthy.

There's no denying what Jeter has accomplised...his numbers speak for themselves. I'm sure even Jeter would say the coverage of his final year is over the top. It's not like he asked for it. Happy for him that last night's game was so special and not just a tribute game.

He's just being honest. Not sure how involved his family is in the team. That could make a huge difference down the line.

It is amazing how terrible Oakland has played but they will still most likely make the playoffs and possibly end up playing the Angels if they can beat KC.