Nowani

Did anyone notice the riots in HB started about the time the Angels lost yesterday. This thread feels like a continuation of that.

If interested in preferred parking for August send me a PM. I have most dates available. I mail you the passes and you send me a check or funds to my paypal. Thanks, Tom

In baseball it's rare to be able to point to one player as having such a large impact on your team as to either be the sole reason for being a first place team or last place team. Blanton comes close to being this type player. With Blanton, I was thinking what if he had simply been able to picth to a .500 record this season to this point. How would this affect our overall view of the team and the feeling of being a contender this year. We obviously wouldnt be in first place but we would be right in the thick of things. On the flip side what if he was lights out this year. Not Cy Young candidate or anything but lets say was like 9-4. NOw we are knocking on the door of first place. In Blanton's defense, he has not pitched as bad as his record shows but he has not displayed consistency to pitch to the game situation. He consistently seems to pitch his team to a run deficit and in cases where his team gets him a lead he gives up the lead quick.

So after the financial crisis several years back it was interesting to read articles on people who were crying wolf about the impending real estate collapse and subsequent banking crisis. Somewhere there is always a naysayer that gets it right. In checking on Hamilton's contract I just came across such an article regarding the Hamilton Signing. Many on this forum I'm sure had some doomsday prophecies on Hamilton but this article was just dead on. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1446701-josh-hamilton-signing-will-prove-to-be-bad-move-for-desperate-angels

I think we finish 4 games below .500. If Downs pitches well the next month I can see him going somewhere in return for a minor league arm. I don't see us trading any other pieces at the trade deadline especially on offense. We don't really have any tradable impact players. Howie is tradeable but I don't think he is an impact player even as well as he is playing. On the starting pitching side we have Jerome Williams as possible trade bait but anyone looking for that quality pitching probably is barely on the cusp of making the playoffs. Jerome might help them get there as some team's 4th or 5th starter but probably wouldnt be a playoff starting pitcher. I don't think we make any significant trades. It would be interesting to see after the trade deadline if the Angels would put Hamilton on Waivers to see if anyone is interested in taking over his contract. If he got hot he could be an impact bat for someone and has plenty of playoff/WS experience. It would be an expensive experiment for someone. How does a no trade clause work with waivers?

To me just another bad loss. We will probably see many more. To me the season defining loss was losing the 4th game to the Astros in that 4 game sweep at Anaheim. When we couldn't figure out a way to win that game I knew we were really as bad as we had played and is wasn't just an aberration.

I did check with our guy at StubHub and he confirmed what Patti said but this was for only one game. He said that a whole bunch of tickets were sold by 714 tickets (using stubhub) and they had incorrectly coded the PDF tickets. I guess they have a way of creating PDF's from hard tickets. They had left off one digit on a whole bunch of tickets and this caused around 150-200 people to have issues. He indicated that was the only major issue they have had this year and it was from 714 tickets (seller) not stubhub.

I also posted my rebuild comments in that Dipoto thread. This seems like a better place. I don't thinks the Angels need to rebuild as much as they just need to retool. They are very close right now to being a championship caliber team. It starts with pitching and that is where all the effort needs to go for 2014. We need smart choices not expenses ones. Here is what I posted yesterday in the Dipoto thread........ I don't think we necessarily need to shred a lot of payroll to win. We just need to make smarter choices instead of thinking the best all around player (historically) on the free agent market is going to help us win. There are a fair number of teams right now that are winning with considerably lower payroll. In preparing this team for next year Dipotto (and Arte) need to take a step back and look at some other organizations that are very successful using players that are not expensive (Rays, A's, Giants, Pirates) and understand what it really takes to build a winning team. Arte is going to have to bite the bullet on those contracts but don't for a minute thing that getting rid of payroll so we can go out and try another expensive player is going to make any difference. There are lots of deals to be had if our GM will really do his homework and stop looking at the higher tier FA. We can probably have a really good team with the current pieces plus some really smart low cost choices. Hamilton may end up like Wells as a part time player. Pujols will always be in there but don't expect the world from him.

I think there are more issues with the bigger games such as Opening day, Yankees, Dodgers, etc because those are the games that crooks will make the most money on a ticket. I suspect you would not see this issue for games such as last weeks Monday night game versus Mariners where there was no promotion and ticket prices were low. I am curious about 200 people for one game all with PDF ticket issues, all bought from StubHub. That is a huge number of problems. If this is accurate I would be worried too. I am going to check with our guy over at the StubHub office and see what he may know on this. By the way I hope the Angels are not voiding PDF tickets just because they were bought on StubHub. I don't think they would do that but they certainly could have someone within the organization check and see who is selling on StubHub and even the exact seats. If they took that approach they could just as easily void hard tickets as they could PDF. I suspect any issue with a PDF ticket is because someone had created a fake PDF ticket or has oversold it and the only person who gets in is the first one who enters.

Patti, how do the Angels know if you bought PDF tickets through StubHub? StubHub has no way to create electronic tickets so if they are selling PDF tickets they have to have been originally created either from an Angels online website sale or via a Season seat holder ticket forward. I think what happens sometimes is someone will buy an online ticket at Angels.com, Print out many copies, and then sell it over and over either via Craigslist or maybe in front of the stadium. The point I was trying to make was although it's possible to have this happen on StubHub, there is no financial gain for the person attempting to defraud (the seller) since they would never get reimbursed from Stubhub. If someone did do this they would be identified and removed from being a seller as well. Too much work for the crooks in my opinion. I did buy 11 PDF tickets for last Wednesday's game and they all worked. I understand what your saying and it's probably better to take hard tickets over PDF's but overall I think the indicence of problem PDF's bought at StubHub is low. One advantage of PDF's, especially when close to gametime, is that you don't have to stop by StubHub to pick up. The StubHub pickup is quick but getting into the parking lot has taken awhile when close to game time becasue of everyone trying to get in and park at the parking structure there. I know there are a lot of people who buy off stubhub here. Has anyone ever had an issue with a PDF ticket bought on stubhub and if so how did StubHub resolve it?

I don't think we necessarily need to shred a lot of payroll to win. We just need to make smarter choices instead of thinking the best all around player (historically) on the free agent market is going to help us win. There are a fair number of teams right now that are winning with considerably lower payroll. In preparing this team for next year Dipotto (and Arte) need to take a step back and look at some other organizations that are very successful using players that are not expensive (Rays, A's, Giants, Pirates) and understand what it really takes to build a winning team. Arte is going to have to bite the bullet on those contracts but don't for a minute thing that getting rid of payroll so we can go out and try another expensive player is going to make any difference. There are lots of deals to be had if our GM will really do his homework and stop looking at the higher tier FA. We can probably have a really good team with the current pieces plus some really smart low cost choices. Hamilton may end up like Wells as a part time player. Pujols will always be in there but don't expect the world from him.

On stubHub tickets listed as instant download or electronic were either bought online at the Angels website or were forwarded tickets by a season ticket holder. These are good as they are issued by the Angels. There are some scams out there that use scanned tickets (that were printed from PDF's). These are more common on craigslist or even outside the stadium so buyer beware. Note that any ticket you buy on StubHub is guaranteed so if there were a problem they would either refund you or purchase equivalent tickets with the seller bearing responsibility for reinbursment (their office is close off Katella and they will resolve issues quickly there). Sellers are required to have a valid credit card on file so while it's not impossible to perpetuate fraud on Stubhub, it's nearly impossible because if someone did sell fake or bad tickets on StubHub they would not benefit financially since StubHub would never transfer funds to them. Even if they unintentionally sold bad tickets they would still bear financial responsibility. My recommendations for buying off StubHub is very simple. Always wait until game day and in particluar within 4 hours of gametime. The lowest prices are always found at this time and so far I have never seen StubHub sold out. You may have to be a little flexible as far as where you want to sit but I would not be surprised to find tickets for $10 or less on 4th of July. If you want to pump out $20 per ticket you may even get a really nice location.

He is not staring, he is talking to it. Trumbo and his bat have the mental telepathy thing going. (reposting from a different thread today) By the way I am actually in the small camp that one of the primary reason's for Trumbo's continued development and success is Pujols. Trumbo is now attending Harvard for MLB right handed power hitters. He already has the tools to be great and I think having Pujols around him 24/7 is helping him to develop those tools to the point that this guy is definitely a potential American league MVP someday. Trumbo has increased his ability to lay off the crap pitches that often got him out on 2 strike counts last year. Also, in many cases he has learned to take some of those crap pitches and use his strength and the opposite field to his advantage. If he can continue to develop that, pitchers will have no clue how to pitch him.

In my opinion Konerko is done and Dunn is Done (sorry for that :-) ) Also, Trumbo has versatility in OF and I still think he can play 3B despite last years debacle. He plays the 1B hot corner just fine and it's in his head at 3B which in many ways is just the mirror image. throw him out there and suffer for 80 games and he will be fine after that. He is still versatile even if not at 3B. If the Angels are out of it by early August I think they should get Trumbo some 3B experience.

I would never trade Trumbo but what about a deal like Trumbo for Chris Sale? Just want to get opinions. To me this is tempting but I wouldn't do it unless you also threw in some significant minor league talent and made it a no brainer. By the way I am actually in the small camp that one of the primary reason's for Trumbo's continued development and success is Pujols. Trumbo is now attending Harvard for MLB right handed power hitters. He already has the tools to be great and I think having Pujols around him 24/7 is helping him to develop those tools to the point that this guy is definitely a potential American league MVP someday. Trumbo has increased his ability to lay off the crap pitches that often got him out on 2 strike counts last year. Also, in many cases he has learned to take some of those crap pitches and use his strength and the opposite field to his advantage. If he can continue to develop that, pitchers will have no clue how to pitch him.

I have to credit the Angels with the saturday post game concerts the last several years. This is a worth while effort and I hope they continue to do this in the future. I have heard real good things about both tribute bands. I prefer to hear original artists but if your going to see a tribute band these are possibly two of the best. I hear the Journey tribute band is very good too. That would have been a good one to see as well.

8/10 but I happen to have a facination with obscure MLB rules. #6 I had direct experience with. We had a game winning hit nullified in my sons litte league because the umpire called the runner out when he got nicked by a ball even though the infielders were all in front of him. That is the key rule on that. If fielders are behind runner he is out.

In this case don't call him Jered Blanton, call him Jeff Weaver.

Club MVP row A i think are the best seats in the stadium. You have an unobstructed view of the field due to the low railing, a really nice perspective ( a little height but not too much), and lots of fouls balls. Also, in first row, I don't know why this is fun but I love watching the scramble for the foul balls that land below us in field sections. You can't do this unless your in the first row. The one complaint I have about the club level is that the food is the worst in the stadium. You can get much better food in terrace and in the view level. the knothole restaurant is good but that is not something I could afford to do every game plus they don't deliver to your seat.

You might want to read my post again. Yes I am a scalper but my rewards are free Angel Games, some of my beer covered. I provide a ton of free tickets for our local little league. I also provide low prices to friends who buy from me. I also provide low prices for StubHub buyers (lower than Angels pricing). Have not seen anyone hurt by this. This is my argument. Rather than troll why don't use offer some intelligent commentary on why you think stubhub is bad. I know you haven't said that Stubhub is bad but what little you posted in your commentary suggests you don't approve of what I do which is really what Stubhub facilitates. What I do is done by thousands and thousands of people all across the United States in all venues (sports, concerts). I would like to hear some intelligent insight come back on why you have a problem with the resale ticket market and with what I do. If your trolling that's fine . I will know by your reply if that's the case.

StubHub was a mess when they changed over from TicketExchange. They have steadily improved their service since then and in particular their website. The 15% commission they charge was more frustrating back then because it did not seem like you got much in return. I get a lot more in return from StubHub now but still wish they could work on getting their commissions lower.

I will make around $3500 profit on my 427 seats. However I am looking at a loss of around $3000 on my club seats which includes all the games I go to. The $500 profit will help cover beer and food since every time I go I run up a tab of $50 or so. All this effort is worth it to have ClubMVP seats as this great location is really only for the very Wealthy or Corporations. What family can afford $10,000 a year for two seats? Not mine. The subsidization of tickets in LV 427 allows me to do this and I love being close to the action and in the first row of Club MVP. Club MVP Row A to me are the best seats in the stadium. I have not sold many tickets on the Ticket Exchange. Everything on StubHub. Stubhub has worked exceeding hard to continue helping Angels Season seat holders sell tickets which included opening an office near the Train Station in Center Field. Opening that office saved me this year as It allows we to sell all the way up to game time. Without that office I would have been giving up my seats next year as I would have been losing too much money due to the inability to distribute tickets.

Is there anything wrong with being a scalper? Since I sell all my tickets lower than the Angels box office price I would like to know what you have against scalpers? Do you prefer to pay the Angels Box office price? Have you even bought a ticket anywhere else other than the Angels Box office? Do you work for the Angels?

I was hoping they would allow a switch in order to accommodate this disabled person in our group. They didn't have to and some people on this forum are happy they didn't help me but according to Angels policy they will turn away anyone with that request. That includes those who don't resell. No exchanges are allowed period with the exception of a ticket for a disabled guest. I should add that my SSH did offer to exchange one of my 14 tickets so our disable guest could go sit by himself in left field. Nice. Next time I am going to see Patti instead of asking my SSH. By the way this disabled father goes to games all the time and gets tickets swapped out. Not just one but however many tickets he has with him. Two weeks ago I gave him 5 of my seats and he went to the front (probably where Patti is) and they swapped them no problem. That is the right thing to do. StubHub has unbelievable great customer service. Many, Many times this year I have sent people to the stubhub office when my tickets did not sell for a game. I give them away and the people go pick them up. I can call or email and put the tickets in their name. Stubhub knows that they didn't sell them and for all they know I could have sold them to someone else yet they still help me distribute these. They don't refuse service to one of my guests just because the ticket was not sold through them. Does it create more work for them? Yes? Does it make me want to continue to do business with them when they offer such great service? Yes? A lesson upper Angels management should learn. In fact, I herby promote Patti to VP of sales. She gets great customer service. Back to our issue. We actually found a solution. We are all going to meet in the Knothole for dinner. I bought 10 tickets in Club Loge for $10 each on Stubhub. This will get our group in to the restaurant and we can enjoy dinner there then send the boys to the 427 seats. So originally I was trying to exchange my seats and buy 11 more from the Angels at their price. Instead I had to come up with a solution that involved stubhub. Not a big deal for the Angels because I don't think they care about my extra $150. It will add up though if they continue to turn away customers with simple requests.

I still have floor pricing which means a lot of games would never sell.