Junkballer

Oh wait there's my right arm.
 

This is why we can't have nice things!
 
 
 

I'm curious as to how much of the Angels philosophies are implemented at that level, especially with pitching.  What practices and approaches are emphasized at that level that is particular to this organization?  Obviously this is putting it too bluntly but I'm sure you can phrase it with more finesse.  While I'll take any insight I can get, I'd be pleased to hear it from the coaches perspective.  And thanks in advance.  Looking forward to your piece.

Then we will be blessed with your new profile pic:

Cool, you played with Orel Hershiser, Jack Black, Stephen Baldwin and Greg Maddux (bottom row).

Cool, you played with Orel Hershiser, Jack Black, Stephen Baldwin and Greg Maddux (bottom row).

So many people ask me how the hell I became an Angels fan, living in northern New Jersey, in the middle of Yankee country. Growing up, all my friends were Mets or Yankees fans.
Step 1: I got an Angels plastic batting helmet as a little kid. This was only because by the time my parents took me to get one, (they were all the rave at the time)  they were sold out of Yankees and Mets. So as a little kid, I cried and took the first one (alphabetically) that was available. Not happy, but the seed was planted.
Step 2: Joined little league baseball, and get drafted by the Angels. It was a sign. An old friend of mine shared this on Facebook, in honor of opening day, so I thought I would share it here. My first team picture.
 
 

You get the saddest boners ever.

I commend my boardmates for waiting until opening day before posting a thread like this. Remarkable restraint.

That post earned you a wiretap.

For your first one, try it out before buying.  Not slamming glocks, they are great, I own them, but they have peculiarities that some people don't care for such as grip angle and trigger feel (even when lightened).  It's something you may not notice until you shoot another gun that is more ergonomic or has a smoother trigger action and then the difference becomes quite noticeable.  I like the legacy HKs that are still available in CA.  They'll run you several hundred dollars more new than a glock but they are more ergonomic, accurate and can be easily home-smithed into several configurations, left/right safety, decock, DA/SA or LEM double action only.  In short, you can buy it in basic format and conform it to fit your evolving needs.  You should flag Calguns Handgun Marketplace because you can get off-roster items from time to time through face to face private party transfers through a single ffl but you'll pay a premium due to rarity.  Also, you can find used USPs there for just a bit more that a new glock.  My last thought is, and others may disagree, never consider a gun to be all-in-one because in my experience they never are.  They'll either suit your needs for target or action shooting or for self defense but each of those have their own particular characteristics.  I would buy the best gun you can in the classification you most want it for and realize you will probably not be satisfied with it using it for the other categories.  And really lastly, kick your shooting friends in the sack for not helping you through the single shot exemption process 16 months ago because you could have bypassed the roster and had that awesome ppq.

For your first one, try it out before buying.  Not slamming glocks, they are great, I own them, but they have peculiarities that some people don't care for such as grip angle and trigger feel (even when lightened).  It's something you may not notice until you shoot another gun that is more ergonomic or has a smoother trigger action and then the difference becomes quite noticeable.  I like the legacy HKs that are still available in CA.  They'll run you several hundred dollars more new than a glock but they are more ergonomic, accurate and can be easily home-smithed into several configurations, left/right safety, decock, DA/SA or LEM double action only.  In short, you can buy it in basic format and conform it to fit your evolving needs.  You should flag Calguns Handgun Marketplace because you can get off-roster items from time to time through face to face private party transfers through a single ffl but you'll pay a premium due to rarity.  Also, you can find used USPs there for just a bit more that a new glock.  My last thought is, and others may disagree, never consider a gun to be all-in-one because in my experience they never are.  They'll either suit your needs for target or action shooting or for self defense but each of those have their own particular characteristics.  I would buy the best gun you can in the classification you most want it for and realize you will probably not be satisfied with it using it for the other categories.  And really lastly, kick your shooting friends in the sack for not helping you through the single shot exemption process 16 months ago because you could have bypassed the roster and had that awesome ppq.

If it is enacted we will see a massive transportation infrastructure/mass transit subsidy initiative within 4 years.  If it is not, we will see one in the next election.  Actually, if the state would start to "pay as we go" and disallow bond measures for infrastructure/subsidies, I'd be in favor of increased gas taxes, but that's not what is going to happen. 

It's definitely a strange move, but I get it.  Richards is going to be limited this year and they aren't going to place him as the number 1 rotation guy. Shoe got hit in the head and they don't want to put any more pressure on him right now.  There is a lot of pressure that can come with opening day and Nolasco is a vet that has already done it.  Richards and Shoe both are still question marks to a degree.  Why put the extra pressure off telling them they are the ace before they have had the chance to put it together again on the field in meaningful games? Scioscia has made a LOT of moves I don't agree with throughout the years, but keeping the pressure off of two guys that are still working their way back isn't one of them.
 
 

That combo is going to light the halo at least 20 times this year. 
We will win the west.....i know it is not true but there is a part of me that thinks it will happen. I love being a halo fan.
Can't wait for the season to start! 

Blake Parker is the best thing since Shaquille O'Neil starting acting in the General insurance commercials.

California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys
I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles and never frowns
Soon I will be president   California Über Alles
  Now it is nineteen eighty-four
Knock-knock at your front door
It's the suede denim secret police
They have come for your uncool niece...  

Prospect: Alex Meyer                             Rank: 3
2015/16: UR                                             Position(s): Right Handed Pitcher
Level: AAA Salt Lake/ LA Angels             Age: Entering Age 27 season in 2017.
Height: 6’9”                                              Weight: 220 lb.
   Present – Future
Fastball          70  70
Slider             65  65
Change          50  50
Mechanics    40  50
Command    40  50
Control         45  50
Overall         50  60   Floor: A power reliever/closer in major leagues. Ceiling: Ace starting pitcher.
Likely Outcome: An inconsistent but extremely dynamic #3/4 starter.
Summary: Meyer is a former first round draft pick out of the University of Kentucky and consensus Top 50 MLB prospect.  With his long, lean, 6’9” frame, Meyer delivers power fastballs clocking in at over 100 mph, but typically sitting around 96-97.   Because of his abnormally large frame, mechanics have always been an issue with Meyer, but it didn’t truly begin leading to control problems until he reached the high minors.  Meyer’s slider has always been a true “out” pitch, as it comes in with high 80’s velocity and a big break.  What’s more impressive is that Meyer has never had any trouble throwing this pitch for a strike.  Even as a kid just learning the ropes, Meyer’s slider has left major league hitters with buckled knees.
Upon being traded to the Angels, Meyer began sacrificing velocity for control.  What was once a 98 mph unguided fastball is now a 95 mph semi-guided fastball.  His ability to command this pitch is key to Meyer’s future.  After moving to the bullpen in the Twins organization, the Angels believed in Meyer’s arm, and have placed him in the rotation, and fully intend to allow him to develop as a starter. Though it’s a bit abnormal for a prospect of Meyer’s age to be so well regarded, it should be noted that at age 24, Meyer had breezed through AAA and was ready for the majors.  The Twins kept him down to manage her service clock.  In his age 25 season, shoulder injuries and fatigue robbed him of effectiveness.  At age 26 this past season, injuries again struck, though in his brief time in AAA, Meyer was again dominant.
The Angels have tinkered with Meyer’s delivery a bit to try and save his shoulder from becoming completely detached.  Typically, I’m opposed to altering any elite pitcher’s delivery, but in Meyer’s case it’s a completely worthwhile gamble.  If the Angels can harness his frame, reach, torque/whipping motion and strength while take the pressure off his shoulder, Meyer could very well join Garrett Richards atop the Angels rotation.  And if the new motion saves his shoulder, yet Alex is still unable to fully command his pitches, then he still would make for an Andrew Miller-level reliever.  You know the type, tall lanky, former starting pitcher that throws in the high 90’s and can go multiple innings.
The early results are pretty much exactly what you would expect.  His first outing was shaky, but he got through it.  Meyer’s second outing was a disaster, walking four batters and sacrificing velocity in an attempt at control.  His third outing was about as good as it gets.  Two scoreless innings, velocity back up at 96-99.  Scioscia described him as throwing “BB’s” (not base on balls, but the smaller metal projectiles).  And that’s how good Meyer can be.  He can be completely, and utterly dominant when it’s going right.
What to expect next season: Meyer appears to be destined for AAA Salt Lake to begin the season.  This is a shame, because Meyer has never been challenged at AAA, and sending him there as a 27 year old is just silly.  But other factors have played a part in this assignment.  For one, Jesse Chavez, his primary competition for the 5th starter spot has looked very good this Spring, and there are indicators that suggest that Chavez may be in line for a career year in Anaheim.  There’s also Meyer’s new throwing motion that he’s ironing out and getting more comfortable with.  It’s better to get this under control in AAA than the majors.  Inevitably, Meyer will be up with the Angels at some point this season.
Estimated Time of Arrival: He has arrived.
Grade as a prospect: B   Grades are given from the 20-80 scouting scale.  20-being non-existent ability, 80-being the best I’ve ever seen.  MLB average is 50.

View the full article

FacesOfMeth.com

Hopefully not the looks, Colby is an ugly mofo, he wins the award for worst neck beard of the decade.
 

California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys
I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles and never frowns
Soon I will be president   California Über Alles
  Now it is nineteen eighty-four
Knock-knock at your front door
It's the suede denim secret police
They have come for your uncool niece...  

California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys
I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles and never frowns
Soon I will be president   California Über Alles
  Now it is nineteen eighty-four
Knock-knock at your front door
It's the suede denim secret police
They have come for your uncool niece...  

Pages stop getting turned and no caps are tipped.

That would mean we'd have to endure 3 national anthems before the ASG.
F that.