MLB FanHouse

Bleacher Bums: This Is What Catching a Torii Hunter Home Run Looks Like

Matt Watson — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, Dodgers, AL West, MLB Fans, MLB Video, Anaheim

Bleacher Bums is MLB FanHouse's look at those oh-so-fun fan adventures.

I don't know what's more amazing: a) that this fan was in the right spot at the right time to catch a Torii Hunter batting practice home run; b) that his non-glove hand was steady enough to catch the whole thing on film; c) that he maintained the presence of mind to call "head's up!" and save that impressed Angels player from getting conked on the head ... or d) that this is the same fan who made a nearly identical video catching an Andre Ethier double back in May?

Bleacher Bums: This Is What Catching a Torii Hunter Home Run Looks Like originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: L.A. Showdown!!!

Mullet — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, Los Angeles, White Sox, Royals, Angels, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Anaheim, Kansas City, St. Louis

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

L.A. Angels of Anaheim (48-33) at L.A. Dodgers of L.A. (38-42) - 4:10 PM ET

The final day of interleague play, or as ESPN has needlessly re-branded it: "AL/NL SHOWDOWN!" (like it's a western gunfight or something) will feature a good pitching matchup between John Lackey (5-1, 1.65) and Derek Lowe (5-7, 4.05). Of course, it can't be better than the one between Chad Billingsley and Jered Weaver last night, where Weaver combined with Jose Arredondo for eight innings of no-hit baseball, but lost. After coming back from an early season injury, Lackey really hasn't had a bad outing all season. So if anyone can continue the no-hit parade for the Dodgers, it's Lackey.

St. Louis Cardinals (46-36) at Kansas City Royals (37-44) - 2:10 PM ET

Nobody is more sad to see interleague AL/NL SHOWDOWN!!! end than the Kansas City Royals, who are 13-4 against the National League this year. Should you feel sorry for them? Absolutely not. The Royals had a shot to move to the National League in 1997 and declined. Thus, they remain in the A.L. to miss the playoffs some more and wonder what might have happened if they switched leagues.

Chicago Cubs (34-46) at Chicago White Sox (44-35) - 8:05 PM ET

At 35th and Shields, they'll be ballin' after dark for the final time in 2008, and Ozzie Guillen's White Sox will be hoping to sweep the Cubs at home after they were swept at Guillen's favorite park in all the land: Wrigley Field. Two home sweeps shouldn't be a big surprise ... the Sox are 26-11 at home, while the Cubs are 33-10 at home. And as it's the last interleague game of the year, it's also the last time you'll hear the phrase: "AL/NL SHOWDOWN!!!"

Everyone else:

Rockies at Tigers 1:05 ET
Reds at Indians 1:05 ET
Braves at Blue Jays 1:07 ET
Yankees at Mets 1:10 ET
Diamondbacks at Marlins 1:10 ET
Rays at Pirates 1:35 ET
Orioles at Nationals 1:35 ET
Red Sox at Astros 2:05 ET
Brewers at Twins 2:10 ET
Giants at Athletics 4:05 ET
Mariners at Padres 4:05 ET
Phillies at Rangers 6:05 ET

On Deck: L.A. Showdown!!! originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: Angelic

Mullet — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, Rays, Angels, Athletics, Rangers, Braves, Phillies, Anaheim, Tampa Bay

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (38-24) at Oakland Athletics (33-28) - 9:05 PM ET

Not that your L.A. Angels of A. were in any real trouble anyway with Vladimir Guerrero and Scot Shields suffering nagging injuries. But even through that, the Angels have won their last six games, and did so with Guerrero back in the lineup last night (Shields seems to be on his way back soon) in their 3-1 win over Oakland, who's now four and a half games back of the Halos in the A.L. West.

Oakland's been just as hot, following up a four game losing streak by winning four in a row before last night's loss. But the way the Angels have been going, the swingin' A's had better do some swinging before the Angels make a mockery of this division.

Tampa Bay Rays (36-25) at Texas Rangers (31-32) - 8:05 PM ET

The Rays dropped a 12 spot on the Rangers last night, meaning they dramatically dropped the amount of swings and misses that they had in the previous night's brawl against the Red Sox. The next few games will tell a bit about their character as they shuffle through some suspensions, but they'll be staggered so the Rays aren't going to lose everybody at once. As for the Rangers, they've only lost Sidney Ponson, who was designated for assignment for being a general pain in the posterior.

Philadelphia Phillies (37-26) at Atlanta Braves (32-30) - 7:10 PM ET

Teams that hope to have successful seasons need wins like the Phillies had last night ... wins where they take advantage of ninth inning errors to tie the game, take the lead in the tenth inning thanks to guys like Shane Victorino, and then come up with defensive plays that may or may not be made by Victorino where the tying run gets thrown out at the plate by mere inches. Yeah, that's what potential champions do. And the Phillies who are proving themselves to be potential champions, get another crack at the Atlanta Braves tonight.

Everyone else:

Royals at Yankees 1:05 ET
Orioles at Blue Jays 1:07 ET
Cubs at Dodgers 3:55 ET
Mariners at Red Sox 3:55 ET
Indians at Tigers 3:55 ET
Diamondbacks at Pirates 7:05 ET
Cardinals at Astros 7:05 ET
Twins at White Sox 7:05 ET
Giants at Nationals 7:10 ET
Reds at Marlins 7:10 ET
Brewers at Rockies 8:05 ET
Mets at Padres 10:05 ET

On Deck: Angelic originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dugout: Send Me An Angel (Right Now)

B. Thompson Stroud — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, Anaheim, The Dugout, TV and Movies

Despite being three and a half games ahead of the competition in the American League West, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have a big problem - their players keep getting hurt, and nobody knows why. Vlad Guerrero and Scot Shields are getting check out for health issues and Chone Figgins has a hamstring made out of velcro. In unrelated stories, Kendry Morales was gored to death in a bullfight and Jose Arredondo had a bomb stuffed in his mouth, was blown up from the inside, and tumbled into a pit of lava where he was then burned to death.

So.

Today's Dugout examines the problems in Los Angeles (or Anaheim?) and using the in-depth baseball analysis Fanhouse has become famous for, blames the problem on the 1990s remake of a 1950s movie. Here's to hoping they come out with another Pirates of the Caribbean movie so we can get Pittsburgh in a few of these.

Angels inside of the Outfield, after the jump.

The Dugout

	BommansBest: God... if there is a God... if you're a man or a woman... if you're listening, I'd really, really like a family.
	BommansBest: My dad says that will only happen if the Angels win the pennant. The baseball team, I mean. So, maybe you can help them win a little. Amen.
	BommansBest: Oh, A-woman, too.
	Online Host Sometime later...
	BommansBest: You gotta believe me! I prayed to God that he'd help California of Anaheim of Los Angeles win, and he sent help!
	OpportunityKnox: kid you bout damn crazy
	OpportunityKnox: What's he gonna do? Send us a draft pick? He gonna let us trade Chris the Bootcheck for Albert Pujols?
	BommansBest: Wull I dunno!! But... but God could send angels to help us make diving catches in the outfield! To throw super fastballs! To... to slide better, I dunno!
	OpportunityKnox: you know a angel is a dead person, right
	BommansBest: whattaya mean?
	OpportunityKnox: less just wait and see what happens.
	chpwned: /takes a lead off first /stutters /takes off for second
	Online Host God has intervened.
	DeadBody: /plops out of sky
	chpwned: WHOA WHAT THE FUH /trips over corpse /collapses into second base
	chpwned: sssshhhh aaaaaaahhhh /grabs hamstring
	DeadBody: /winks, disappears
	BommansBest: Wait, that... that didn't make any sense.. .?
	OpportunityKnox: heaven is full of dead people, kid, the good lord's gotta work with what he's got. you're the one who asked for help
	BommansBest: but I-
	OpportunityKnox: next time pray that we get a whole lotta money
	Online Host The opposing team has hit a pop fly into the outfield.
	Vlad_the_ImPLAYER: /tracks ball
	BlastCorpse: /crawls out of ground ngaaaaah nnngngggaaaah
	Vlad_the_ImPLAYER: ¡Oh mi dios! ¿Por qué hay un zombi en California meridional?
	BlastCorpse: /tries to help Vlad catch the fly ball by biting him in the leg
	Vlad_the_ImPLAYER: Perdóneme, mi gama no es muy bueno cuando tengo un zombi el morder de mi pierna. ayyyyyyyyy /collapses
	BommansBest: my dad sure isn't going to love me after this
	OpportunityKnox: I said I wanted Manny Corpas, but this is ridiculous!
	Online Host Missed_a_T is trying to pitch well, but he is getting pretty old so nobody expects him to pitch well!
	Missed_a_T: /wipes brow /takes deep breath
	Missed_a_T: /winds up
	MoreLikeArgoNot: /bursts from Scot Shields' side
	Missed_a_T: AAAH AAH AAH AAH AAH AAH AAH AAH AAH AAH /slumps over /slides off mound in bloody mess
	MoreLikeArgoNot: KREEEEEE
	BommansBest: I hate you, God! I hate you! I hate you!
	OpportunityKnox: i'm gettin too ol for this shit

Photos link to player info. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) WordUpThome.com

The Dugout: Send Me An Angel (Right Now) originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Angels Are Dropping Like Flies

Mullet — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:17:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, Anaheim

The Angels are three and 1/2 games ahead of their closest competition in the A.L. West and have the best record in the American League. It there was anytime to have an injury setback that would probably be it. But who am I kidding? There's no good time to have injuries ... especially when two of the most important players on the team are the ones who are nicked up:

Vladimir Guerrero and Scot Shields left the team in Seattle and flew back to Southern California this morning to be examined by team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Guerrero has not played since suffering a hyperflexion of his right knee Sunday, jamming it into third base on a hard slide. Shields felt tightness in his left side while warming up Saturday. He pitched a scoreless inning that night but has not pitched since. (...)

"They're making progress but before we ramp them up to playing in games again ... you want to make sure there's nothing in there that will set them back," Scioscia said. "With the off day tomorrow, Ned (Bergert, Angels' head trainer) thought it'd be a good idea to send them back and get things checked out."

Especially when Guerrero is your meal ticket, Shields is one of your more dependable relievers, and Chone Figgins is already in a never-ending battle with his hamstring. Yeah, caution is always a good idea.

The Angels Are Dropping Like Flies originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chone Figgins Finally Goes On the DL

Tom Fornelli — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, Anaheim

It was back on April 11th when Chone Figgins strained his right hamstring, but it wasn't until now that the Angels finally placed Figgins on the disabled list. He's been listed as day-to-day since, which is rather annoying when you have him on your fantasy team, and the Angels had been hoping that Chone would be able to play through it.

Well, he did for a while, playing in the next 21 games before finally tweaking the hamstring sliding into home against Baltimore last weekend. Now the Angels realize he's not going to get better without rest.

"He's making progress, just not enough to be ready for next week," manager Mike Scioscia said. The skipper said the move would help take the pressure off Figgins to continually test his strained right hamstring, allowing it to heal at its own pace.

"We want to establish depth, but you can't rush this thing," Scioscia added.

Figgins is a big loss for an Angels lineup that's been struggling, as he is hitting .306/.421/.355. After initially hurting the hammy, Chone kept chugging along for a little bit, but is hitting only .200/.298/.250 the last three weeks.

Kendry Morales has been called up from Salt Lake to take Figgins' place on the roster, and will be used as an extra bat off the bench.

Chone Figgins Finally Goes On the DL originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 11 May 2008 13:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: The Willie Watch Starts in ... Now!

Mullet — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Minnesota, New York, Red Sox, Rays, Twins, Angels, Mets, Reds, Anaheim, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

Cincinnati Reds (14-21) at New York Mets (17-15) - 1:10 PM ET and 7:30 PM ET

Yesterday, we brought you the news that the Mets might be re-evaluating Willie Randolph's job status very closely over the next month. Well let the re-evaluating start today, with a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets just came from a road trip against N.L. West powerhouses Arizona and Los Angeles and broke even on the six game trip. That's impressive. But the Mets under Randolph have historically been the type of team that could break even or better against the good teams on the road, then turn around to a seemingly easier homestand and do no better than break even there too. The Mets now have seven at home against the Reds and Nationals starting today, and anything less than five wins will more than likely turn the heat up on Randolph ... especially going into the series against the Yankees immediately following, where everything is magnified to the hilt anyway. So let the Willie Watch begin.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (22-15) at Tampa Bay Rays (19-16) - 7:10 PM ET

Of course, Randolph's job would have been a lot easier had Scott Kazmir not been traded in one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history. (That's a segueway, kids). Instead, Kazmir starts for the Rays tonight against the Angels. He goes against the 6-0 Joe Saunders ... the same Joe Saunders that I demanded you give love to in one of my previous On Decks. And how did he respond? By winning, of course! Although he did give up four runs and 12 (!) hits in five innings. So I'll spin the wheel once again and implore upon you: please love Joe Saunders. But at the same time, love Evan Longoria ... who broke out of a slump with a walk-off home run on Friday night, one night after Joe Maddon benched him from the starting lineup to clear his head.

Boston Red Sox (23-15) at Minnesota Twins (18-16) - 7:10 PM ET

Speaking of walk-off hits (there he goes with the segueways again), the Twins walked off on Friday against the one and only Jonathan Papelbon. For Papelbon, that's two blown saves in three nights. Don't get me wrong, Papelbon is still an elite closer and these things happen. But I'm not used to Papelbon with an ERA over 2.00, and I'm not used to Papelbon looking distraught on the bench flipping his cap up in the air in disgust. I'm used to the screaming, fist-pumping, jig-dancing Jonathan Papelbon. It's become a warm security blanket. Anything else turns my world upside down. So please, come back to us, Pap. And show me that the world I've grown accustomed to isn't a lie.

Everyone else:

Diamondbacks at Cubs 3:40 ET
Yankees at Tigers 3:40 ET
Cardinals at Brewers 3:40 ET
Phillies at Giants 4:05 ET
Braves at Pirates 7:05 ET
Blue Jays at Indians 7:05 ET
Marlins at Nationals 7:10 ET
Orioles at Royals 7:10 ET
Athletics at Rangers 8:05 ET
Rockies at Padres 10:05 ET
Astros at Dodgers 10:10 ET
White Sox at Mariners 10:10 ET

On Deck: The Willie Watch Starts in ... Now! originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 10 May 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: A Florida Tall Tale

Mullet — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Detroit, Miami, Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Angels, Marlins, Brewers, Anaheim, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

Florida Marlins (14-9) at Milwaukee Brewers (13-10) - 7:05 PM ET

There are three matchups today that feature two teams with records over .500. Yes, the Florida Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers are one of those matchups. Milwaukee isn't so much of a surprise. Florida? Yeah, a little bit. The biggest surprise may be Mark Hendrickson, who was bombed his first start of the season but he's come back strong to post a 4-1 record. Random fun fact: Did you know that Hendrickson started six games and averaged 5.5 points a game for the New Jersey Nets for the 1998-99 season? Yeah, I think he picked the right sport too.

For the Brewers, they've been winning games with two of their big hitters in funks. Will Bill Hall continue leading the team in HR's and RBI's even though he's hitting .198? Will Rickie Weeks pull up his .195 average? Conversely, will Jason Kendall cool off? Will Eric Gagne implode again? Will Prince Fielder have Thousand Island or Russian dressing with his salad before the game since cheeseburgers are kinda no longer an option?

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (15-10) at Detroit Tigers (10-14) - 3:55 PM ET

There have been a lot of jokes at the Tigers expense about the lack of hitting coming from their supposedly hall of fame lineup they have early in the season. Well now, they're angry. And you don't want to face them when they're angry. They must be considering that going into Friday night, they had scored 37 runs in their previous three games. They're led by Carlos Guillen, his .338 average, and his king sized guts ... so much guts in fact that he's becoming Jim Leyland's favorite player (considering I have Guillen's .338 on all four of my fantasy teams, he my favorite player right now too). The Angels, meanwhile, put an end to Detroit's carnage on Friday as Ervin Santana limited the Tigers to three runs in six and 1/3 innings for a 4-3 win. With Dustin Moseley and his 7.78 ERA on the mound for the Angels today, the Tigers could possibly resume said carnage. Detroit counters with Armando Galarraga (before you ask, not related to Andres Galarraga).

Boston Red Sox (15-10) at Tampa Bay Rays (12-11) - 7:10 PM ET

Do you realize that this is the latest point in any season that both teams in the state of Florida have been over .500? And this is only the second time that the Rays have started out as good as 12-11 over their first 23 games? Could this mean a baseball revival in Florida? With most of the fans attending this game at the Trop most likely being Red Sox fans, er ... probably not. But hey, at least the Rays are on fire after winning their last four games, including Friday night's 5-4 victory over the Red Sox on Nathan Haynes' RBI single in the eleventh. Edwin Jackson will take the hill for the Rays, but which one? Will it be the Edwin Jackson that started the season giving up one run in his first 14 innings of work? Or the one which got hammered for 11 runs in his next two starts? An unforgiving Red Sox lineup might bring out the Hyde rather than the Jekyll. (Wait, which one was Jekyll again?)

Everyone Else:

Orioles at White Sox Game 1 (DH) 1:05 ET
Astros at Cardinals 1:10 ET
Braves at Mets 1:10 ET
Diamondbacks at Padres 3:55 ET
Yankees at Indians 3:55 ET
Orioles at White Sox Game 2 (DH) 7:05 ET
Phillies at Pirates 7:05 ET
Cubs at Nationals 7:10 ET
Blue Jays at Royals :10 ET
Twins at Rangers 8:05 ET
Reds at Giants 9:05 ET
Athletics at Mariners 9:10 ET
Rockies at Dodgers 10:10 ET

On Deck: A Florida Tall Tale originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I Don't Care if the Standings Don't Matter Yet...

Yankees Chick — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Red Sox, Angels, AL East, AL West, Anaheim

Much as it pains me to say it, the Red Sox have been looking gooood lately. Before today they'd won eight of their last ten games, many of them in heroic late inning come from behind fashion. Their bats have been hot, their pitching has been right on the money, and almost every team they've faced (including the Yanks... sigh...) has wound up frustrated.

Not so today, though. The Sox pulled a pulled a Not So Fast, Angels, We Will Come Back at the End of the Game and Beat You back on Tuesday, but they weren't able to hold them off this time. After jumping out to an early lead, the Angels answered back with a big seventh inning, a couple insurance runs in the eighth and ninth, and got some good innings out of their relievers to prevent another one of those obnoxious come -from-behind-ers. The Sox actually ALMOST pulled it off, with Papi hitting a 2-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, but K-Rod came out to save the game/day, getting his ninth save of the year . The final score was 7-5 Angels, with Saunders getting the win and Delcarmen credited with the loss.

Star o' the Game: Gary Matthews Jr: 3-5, 3 RBI, and no one left on base
Goat boy: Julio Lugo: 0-4, 4 left on base.

Not that the standings really mean all that much right now (sorry, Orioles ... you'll be back at the bottom of the barrel with the Rays soon enough), but a Yankees win tonight would put them just a game and a half behind the Sox.

Yeah, it doesn't mean much right now ... but try telling that to a Sox or Yanks fan!

I Don't Care if the Standings Don't Matter Yet... originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Torii Hunter Has Heard Racial Taunts At Fenway Park

Josh Alper — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Red Sox, Angels, MLB Fans, Anaheim, The Word

Reds announcer Marty Brennaman caused a stir when he called fans of the Cubs the most obnoxious in baseball for throwing balls on the field during a game at Wrigley Field last week. It's not the first time someone has complained about the behavior of fans in the ballpark and was followed by the latest fracas between Red Sox and Yankee fans and a brawl-filled weekend series between rooters of the Phillies and Mets.

All of that kind of pales in comparison to abject racism spouted from the stands at the players on the field, though. Torii Hunter spoke to the Riverside Press-Enterprise before the start of a series at Fenway Park this week and related how he'd treated during earlier trips to Boston.

"My first five or six (years), I was 'That N-word.' Some people would chant that out, some people would throw beer or whatever . . . batteries."

The Boston Herald picked up on the story today and spoke with David Ortiz, Hunter's former teammate with the Twins.

"He told me those complaints before, but what can I do about it?" said Ortiz. "You know how it is. When you play for the other team, you're going to hear some (stuff) like that - wherever you're at. He's aware of that.

"(But) he heard some stuff that I'm surprised at. One of the security guys told me it was true. They were screaming that kind of stuff at him. That's not right."

Memorable Sports Mugshots

See the most infamous mugshots in sports history

Sports and Racism

Angels star Torii Hunter says he has heard racial taunts from Red Sox fans at Fenway Park in the past. Click through this gallery to see other racially charged incidents from recent sports history.

Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images

Kosuke Fukudome has become a sensation in his first season in Chicago, but shirts emblazoned with a stereotypical caricature of Asians and the words "Horry Kow" (a play on ex-Cubs announcer Harry Caray's home run call) offended the Japanese outfielder.

Nam Y. Huh, AP

LeBron James became the first black man to appear on the cover of the fashion magazine Vogue earlier this year. Some found the image offensive because of its overt reference to the movie King Kong.

Style.com

Earlier this year Golf Channel analyst Kelly Tilghman said on air that other golfers should "lynch [Tiger Woods] in a back alley" to better compete with him. In the aftermath, Golfweek Magazine ran a cover with a hanging noose, for which editor Dave Seanor was fired.

Golfweek / AP

John Rocker's inflammatory comments in a 2000 Sports Illustrated article made him one of the most despised athletes in recent memory. Rocker described riding the New York subway as "looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS."

Matt Campbell, AFP / Getty Images

Radio host Don Imus caused a stir in 2007 when he referred to members of the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." CBS canceled his long-running show 'Imus in the Morning,' but he returned to airwaves with ABC later in the year.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

Rush Limbaugh was hired as a commentator for ESPN's NFL pre-game show Sunday Countdown, but he lasted only a few weeks after implying that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb received great praise mostly because he was black.

Getty Images

Former golfer and current CBS commentator Bobby Clampett made waves at this year's Masters when he referred to golfer Liang Wen-Chong as "the Chinaman" on air.

Mike Powell, Allsport / Getty Images

African soccer players, like Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o, are often the targets of racially charged taunts in Spain. Fans of Real Zaragoza made monkey-like chants at the Barcelona striker during a 2005 match, and he nearly walked off the pitch during a match against the club the next season.

Phillippe Desmazes, AFP / Getty Images

In an interview with HBO's Real Sports last summer, former Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield claimed that manager Joe Torre gave white players preferential during his time in New York and said that biracial shortstop Derek Jeter wasn't "all the way black."

Mark Mainz, Getty Images

It's important to note that Hunter was speaking about the past and that he said he wanted to play for the Sox at points in his career. Other black players on the Angels back up the better racial atmosphere and all of them have high praise for the passion and knowledge displayed by Red Sox fans as a whole. Still, it's disturbing to think about hearing racial slurs being tossed freely from a crowd at a baseball game at any point in recent history. And it's disturbing to think that a player as beloved in Boston as Ortiz would just shrug his shoulders and write it off as "you know how it is."

Maybe Ortiz saying something about it wouldn't have helped things at all but maybe it would have. If that's just how it is and Ortiz was subjected to the same kind of belligerence in other cities, he and Hunter should have spoken out together to try and help create a meaningful change or, at least, have attention paid to the issue. It's okay to boo players from the opposing team and be passionate about your own team but it doesn't extend to racism.

That's not specific to Boston. It wasn't okay that vendors outside Wrigley Field sold insensitive t-shirts and it wouldn't be okay if it happened in Milwaukee, Denver or Houston either. Hunter's comments have hopefully opened a door to a place where it will be more common to see players, officials or other fans saying that fans behaving badly isn't something that just is the way it is.

Latest Baseball Photos

New York Yankees starter Mike Mussina delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Wednesday, April 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

Detroit Tigers' Curtis Granderson smiles after getting a walk in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Detroit. The center fielder was activated from the disabled list after missing the first 21 games of the season. Granderson broke a finger on his right hand late in spring training when he was hit by a pitch. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Franklin Morales throws to the plate against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Denver, Wednesday, April 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer throws in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in baseball action at Pittsburgh Wednesday, April 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roy Halladay throws against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, April 23, 2008. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Toronto Blue Jays' Joe Ingletta, right, steals third base as Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria catches the ball in the fifth inning during a baseball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, April 23, 2008. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Gabe Kapler can't come up with a home run ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz and Los Angeles Angels catcher Jeff Mathis watch Ortiz' two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston Wednesday, April 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Florida Marlins pitcher Andrew Miller throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday April 23, 2008, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Torii Hunter Has Heard Racial Taunts At Fenway Park originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Injured Angels Pitcher?

Tom Fornelli — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, Anaheim

If you just look at his numbers so far on the season, you probably don't see anything wrong with Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez. In three appearances so far, K-Rod has thrown three innings and allowed only one hit and no runs as he picked up all three save opportunities.

If you look a little closer at Francisco's performances, though, you notice that he's already walked three batters, and that half of the pitches he's thrown have been for balls. The reason for it? Well, K-Rod, like many other Angels pitchers at the moment, is hurting.

Closer Francisco Rodriguez, bothered since last season by a sore left ankle, grimaced repeatedly and appeared to be hobbling during a shaky 19-pitch save Friday. And Manager Mike Scioscia said the pain is now coming from his right ankle, the one he uses to push off the mound.

"He tweaked it a couple of days ago, and we're going to look at it closely," Scioscia said. "But it is a little sore."

Rodriguez says he could have pitched on Sunday had he been needed, but fortunately for him Jon Garland decided to get rocked so Frankie could have the day off. I don't think Rodriguez's sore ankle will turn into a big deal, but considering it's the ankle he uses to push off the mound with, the Angels might be better served to give him a few days off and hope it heals.

Of course, it's a lot easier to say that then do it when they're already without Scot Shields and Chris Bootcheck in the bullpen.

Another Injured Angels Pitcher? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ODLB: Twins-Angels, Innings 7-9

Jon Bois — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:26:00 EST

Filed under: Minnesota, Twins, Angels, MLB Live Blogging, Anaheim

Top of the seventh. Twins 3, Angels 2. My raw onion bet still stands. And here are innings 4 through 6 if you need to catch up.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH

9:09PM
Kotchman, Kendrick and Napoli make outs of themselves with brutal efficiency. Meanwhile, I can't hear the name Kendrick without thinking of Kendrick Motorsports, about which I know nothing other than that it's a race car thing.

Man, I hope that Joe Nathan photo above is realized tonight. Onions taste like everything about you that you hate.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH

9:13PM
Jered Weaver is still out there, but he just threw a ball into the dirt.

9:14PM
But hey, Gomez failed to reach base for the first time in his kismet-touched life. Maybe Weaver still has something left.

9:16PM
Nope, Weaver is gone. I guess he had to go be a suspension bridge somewhere. Oliver relieved him and finished up the inning without incident.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH

9:21PM
Pat Neshek has entered the game to pitch the eighth for the Twins. His delivery looks like when a tap-dancer finishes up his routine and does that little "and therrrrrre ya have it, folks!" bit. He is striking out some fools.

9:23PM
Actually, wait. Pat Neshek looks like Stuart from MadTV imitating Pat Neshek.

9:24PM
"Any time you win a World Series or a Super Bowl, you're pretty good."
- Joseph Morgan (1943-present)

9:25PM
Delmon Young dives for a bloop hit but can't quite get to it. Boom, reach.

9:29PM
Neshek vs. Guerrero proves a good fight, but Neshek strikes him out.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH

9:32PM
Darren O'Day comes on for the Angels in relief. It's his first ever major league start. His first ever major league batter faced is Delmon Young. Debut, bitch.

9:33PM
Delmon Young gets a base hit. Boom, pitch.

9:35PM
It happened again! The Angels' shortstop, third baseman and left fielder couldn't network well enough to catch a bloop. Delmon Young makes it to third and Darren O'Day has to watch him. Boom, stretch.

9:38PM
Darren O'Day strikes out Brendan Harris for the second out. Hi and welcome to Ireland.

9:40PM
Ambivalent Adam Everett hit a homer-distance ball, but apparently decided it wasn't worth it to whack it a few feet over into fair territory. I'm going to buy a trombone so I can play it whenever he comes to the plate.

TOP OF THE NINTH

So this is it. All that stands between me and a raw onion is three outs or the forgiveness of you, the reader.

9:45PM
Gomez catches Anderson's lazy popup. One out.

9:47PM
Hunter strikes out after a good battle. Two away.

9:48PM
ohhhhhhh crapshit

9:48PM
come on kotchman you hump

9:49PM
Kotchman tipped the ball to the middle of the infield, and is on first base but for the grace of God.

9:51PM
And Kendrick strikes out. That'll do it.

Baseball makes me feel like an idiot for the thousandth time. Livan Hernandez pitched a good game, and his relievers followed him up well. I'm going to go see if Carlos Gomez is free in my fantasy league. A deal's a deal, so if anyone actually wants me to post a video of myself eating a raw onion, let me know.

Final score: Twins 3, Angels 2.

ODLB: Twins-Angels, Innings 7-9 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ODLB: Twins-Angels, Innings 4-6

Jon Bois — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: Minnesota, Twins, Angels, MLB Live Blogging, Anaheim

Picking up here from innings 1 through 3.

Score update: Twins 1, Angels 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH

8:07PM
Jon Miller and Joe Morgan are talking about the curtain installments in the Metrodome. First Miller introduces Morgan as his "Hall of Fame partner", now they're fussing over curtains. Such a pair.

8:08PM
And within a minute and a half, the inning is over. Whoever says baseball is too slow needs to be abducted by the government and forced to solve code algorithms.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH

8:11PM
Delmon Young dinks one into shallow right. Bloop, bitch.

8:13PM
Delmon Young steals second base. Boom, base.

8:15PM
Delmon Young motors to home behind a Mike Lamb rope to center. It's not a close play, but he slides into home. The umpire has to brush the dirt off the plate. Broom, bitch. Twins 2, Angels 0.

8:19PM
Now we have Adam Everett at the plate and Lamb at third. Everett's right ear is sticking out of his helmet. That would irk the hell out of me, but I guess some people just don't care much about things.

8:21PM
And he hits into a double play. Ambivalent Adam strikes again. I think this is the first time I've ever really noticed him. Good ol' Ambivalent Adam.

TOP OF THE FIFTH

8:25PM
Casey Kotchman opens up the inning by singling off Hernandez, and Howie Kendrick follows up with another single. Looks like we might have a rally going. Looks like I might not have to eat a raw cooking onion.

8:27PM
And the bases are loaded. Kotchman on third, Kendrick on second, Napoli on first. Napolion first. Napoleon first. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of this joke.

8:29PM
Maicer Izturis grounds into a double play, but a run scores. Twins 2, Angels 1.
8:32PM
Figgins fights a pitch through the hole, and another run scores. Twins 2, Angels 2.

8:37PM
I experienced a momentary technical glitch. While this was going on, baseball stuff happened but nobody scored. Inning over.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH

8:39PM
Gomez is on base for the third time. Jered Weaver attempts to pick him off for the 90th time.

8:40PM
And he steals second. Again. Good Lord.

8:41PM
And Mauer sacrifices him over to third. Again.

8:42PM
Michael Cuddyer singles, Gomez scores. Twins 3, Angels 2. Have you actually bitten into a raw onion? It's like spicy without the salt; it's like a rusty scissor blade in your mouth. No good.

8:46PM
And now Cuddyer steals. Did they update the graphics on RBI Baseball or something? Did I buy that and an Xbox 360 and not remember it? Who are you? WHO ARE YOU? I DON'T RECOGNIZE ANY OF YOU WHERE AM I

8:49PM
Delmon Young hits a fly ball into right. Unfortunately, Vladimir Guerrero is omnipresent in right field, and he lies under it in wait. Loom, bitch.

TOP OF THE SIXTH

8:52PM
Vladimir Guerrero grounds to short and doesn't look too good. He runs like a robot dog.

8:55PM
I changed my mind. Vladimir Guerrero looks like Mumia Abu-Jamal. Garret Anderson flies out.

8:56PM
Torii Hunter almost hits the ball over the tensile-strength Hefty bags, but Gomez catches it at the track for the third out.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

A remarkable occurrence. An AT&T commercial portrays an American going to Asia and encounters a language barrier, which leads to unintended consequences! In the next commercial, an American gentleman in a New Era ballcap goes to Asia and encounters a language barrier, which leads to unintended consequences! It is funny when two cultures do not speak the same language, and I for one appreciated the poignantly humorous social commentary. I am going to You-mail this to all of the people that I know.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH

9:02PM
Two quick groundouts. Brendan Harris steps up to the plate and promptly flies out to OH S*** SOMEBODY CATCH THE BASEBALL

Three players stand there as it drops at a shared equidistant point.

9:04PM
No harm, though. Ambivalent Adam comes through with a fly out to left.

Check out this YouTube video of Delmon Young punching George Will in the mouth and not regretting it.

ODLB: Twins-Angels, Innings 4-6 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ODLB: Twins-Angels, Innings 1-3

Jon Bois — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Minnesota, Twins, Angels, MLB Live Blogging, Anaheim

The Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Angels. A pretty bad team against a pretty good team. Who will survive? The Angels. If the Twins win this game, I will videotape myself eating a raw onion and YouTube it. A cooking onion, no less.

Joe Miller just called the Metrodome "depressing," which is one of the best things I've ever heard him say, which is not saying anything terribly remarkable.

So let's get this going. Onions taste terrible.

: bold; text-decoration: underline;">TOP OF THE FIRST

7:11PM
I forgot that Livan Hernandez was starting this game. Whenever I've seen this guy throw, he's been either excellent or awful. He just managed to ground out Chone Figgins. Let's see you do it 17 to 26 more times, fat man.

7:13PM
Wow, Vladimir Guerrero is getting up there in years. With every passing year, he looks less like the guy on the Red Stripe commercials, and more like the guy on the cover of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung." Inning over.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST

7:15PM
Looks like the Twins faithful aren't too upset with Torii Hunter. It's kind of like...well, what if you were going to the gas station to pick up some coffee, and a guy busts in the door with a gun? What if he takes a dozen hostages, including yourself? If he lets one of them go, would you raise a fuss? It's like that.

7:17PM
So the ball hit a speaker. Hey, remember that time Lou Gehrig hit the ball so high it hit a speaker? Wasn't that great? I hate the Metrodome.

7:19PM
Gomez is a fast little man. The double he just hit is probably a single for most.
7:21PM
And Gomez scores behind a Mauer base hit. Twins 1, Angels 0.

7:22PM
Angels starter Jered Weaver is like 45 feet tall, and yet his pants are too long for him.

7:24PM
There goes Torii Hunter, trying to showboat in front of his ex-fans. He made a nice running catch, then decided to spin around and fling it to first in an attempt to double up Mauer. The dynamic reminds me of one you might have between yourself and an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend you haven't seen in years.

7:28PM
Delmon Young's fly ball might have made it over the fence if this weren't the Twins' ballpark. Dome, bitch.

7:29PM
Hunter squeezed a fly for the third out. Ugh. He thinks he's so great. I heard the new team he's with is a skank.

TOP OF THE SECOND

7:32PM
And after Hernandez makes short work of Garret Anderson, who steps to the plate? Torii Hunter. We'll see what happens.

7:33PM
What happens is he pops out to right. I guess that's the relationship equivalent of her finding out you still work at the coffee shop and never wrote that sci-fi fantasy novel you were working on.

7:36PM
Joe Morgan just called Ted Williams "Teddy Baseball." That's the sort of thing I say intentionally to piss people off.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

7:38PM
Can someone explain to me the utilitarian function of having a "vent" on the top of your beer can? Who drinks a Coors Light out of a can and is worried in the least about how it tastes?

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND

7:40PM
Mike Lamb grounds out, then Brendan Harris whiffs at a Jered Weaver fastball. Keep it going, Jered. I don't know if you've ever eaten an onion, but they taste terrible.

7:43PM
I just made an association. What is it with people named the phonetical "Jared" and giant pants? Anyway, inning's over.

TOP OF THE THIRD

7:45PM
Nice outdoor shot of the city. Ah, Minneapolis. The place where they filmed the "we stop at pancake house" scene from Fargo. I have nothing else of consequence to say about Minneapolis.

7:47PM
Hernandez just made Mike Napoli look like an idiot. Izturis just popped out tWOOOO INTERVIEW WITH DMITRI YOUNG

I didn't really pay attention to what he said, because I usually just watch him speak and imagine him talking about out-of-production novelty candy.

7:50PM
Figgins lines to left field. Delmon Young cuts off the ball and shoots a perfect throw to second. He was out, they called him safe. Chone, bitch.

7:52PM
Gary Matthews looks like he's gained some weight. He just stood in front of the Chevy board and obscured the "C" so it looked like "hevy" was coming out of his stomach. I wish I still had my capture card.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD

7:56PM
Awesome. Gomez just bunted to open up the inning and slid headfirst into the bag. Does diving toward something help you reach it faster? It does in comic books.

7:59PM
And Gomez steals second. Joe Morgan says he got a good jump, but he is wrong. Dude behind the plate threw it to one and a halfth base.

8:01PM
Mauer sacrifices Gomez over to third, where, amazingly, Gomez is taking a pretty liberal lead. He'd better be thinking about straight up stealing home, because Michael Cuddyer doesn't look like he's a suicide squeeze sort of guy.

8:02PM
Yep, nope, he struck out.

8:03PM
Justin Morneau fails to drive Gomez home, and the inning ends. There's no, and then there's Morneau.

Now I'm over here. AND NOW I'M OVER HERE

ODLB: Twins-Angels, Innings 1-3 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fan Sent to Jail for Assaulting Mike Piazza

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:08:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Fans, MLB Police Blotter, Anaheim

Last summer Eamonn (then still known to the world only as PostmanE) shared with us the story of Mike Piazza getting hit in the head by a water bottle that a fan threw at him in a game against the Angels. This did not amuse Mike at all. In fact, after the game he made it clear to the media that he was going to press charges against the "gutless" fan. "That's a complete lower level of stupidity," Piazza told reporters after the incident.

Mike wasn't lying because he did in fact press charges against the fan, and now that fan is going to spend a month in jail for what he did.

Roland Flores, 23, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and has been ordered to stay away from the stadium for three years for the assault on Oakland Athletics designated hitter Mike Piazza on July 25.

Flores pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor counts of using force and violence while assaulting Piazza and for intentionally throwing a substance while in Angel Stadium, Anaheim police said.

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that seem a bit extreme? I completely understand where Piazza is coming from here, because after being hit in the head by a flying water bottle at a concert once, I know that it hurts like hell. Still, jail time? Really? Did Piazza die from the resulting head wound?%Gallery-5210%
Couldn't they just ban him from Angels Stadium, make him pay a fine, and then send him to clean up a freeway for a few hours? I guess the only way to avoid going to jail in Los Angeles is if you're a celebrity.

Spring Training 2008

Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco is congratulated by Magglio Ordonez after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training baseball game in Lakeland, Fla., Thursday, March 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

AP
Chicago Cubs shortstop Ronny Cedeno, left, is greeted by Milwaukee Brewers baserunner Mike Rivera, right, during a timeout for a pitching change in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

AP
Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee tosses his bat after striking out to Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sam Narron in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

AP
Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain slams into the wall as he attempts to make a play on a fly ball hit for a triple by Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa during the fourth nning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)

AP
Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, second from right, is greeted at home plate by teammates, from left, Derrek Lee, Henry Blanco and Mark DeRosa after Soriano hit a three-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sam Narron in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)

AP
Cleveland Indians pitcher Masa Kobayashi, of Japan, throws out Tampa Bay Rays' Andy Cannizaro in the seventh inning in a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Winter Haven, Fla. Kobayashi pitched one inning and gave up one hit and no runs. Tampa won 9-7. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

AP
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Burke, top, watches his throw to first after forcing out Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP
Chicago Cubs' Mark Derosa, right, dives safely back to the base before Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, left, can apply the tag in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)

AP
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Augie Ojeda can't make the catch on a single by Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren reacts after Chicago White Sox's Paul Konerko's solo home run during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

Fan Sent to Jail for Assaulting Mike Piazza originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kelvim Escobar Is Not Optimistic

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, Anaheim

Yesterday I told you about the latest setback to an Angels pitcher when Kelvim Escobar had to be shut down during his shoulder rehab, and would likely miss another month because of it. Still, Kelvim's manager Mike Scioscia remained optimistic that Escobar's latest setback wouldn't be that big of a deal, and that the Angels would be able to deal with his absence if they had to.

Well, Mike, you may have to deal with that absence for a lot longer than you thought. You might have to wait forever if you ask Kelvim.

Angels right-hander Kelvim Escobar disclosed today that he has a tear in his pitching shoulder and is concerned that it is a career-threatening injury. Surgery, he said, is a possibility.

"I'm concerned -- I don't know what's going to happen," Escobar told reporters. "I don't even know if I'll be able to pitch again."

"I'm still young," he said. "I'll be 32 in two weeks, but retirement is getting into my head, because it's hard to rehab. I want to be out there playing, and I've done everything I can do to be healthy."

For now, Escobar's plan is to continue to try and strengthen the shoulder through rehab, but he's aware that he may need surgery to repair it. If he does have to undergo surgery, I don't think the Angels will be seeing him on the mound this season.

What would really worry me though if I were the Angels, is Escobar's attitude towards the whole thing. He's already thinking of retiring because it's hard to rehab? That doesn't sound like the sentiment of somebody who's going to try his hardest to get back on the field. Considering that Kelvim just signed a $28.5 million deal before last season, the team might want to take some extra steps to "motivate" him to work through the pain.

Kelvim Escobar Is Not Optimistic originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gary Matthews May Start Season on the DL

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, Anaheim

The Angels disabled list is filling up rather quickly this spring. It seems like everyday they're having to place another player on it. So far, it's been an affliction that's only affecting their pitching staff as the Angels have four pitchers on the disabled list in John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Scot Shields, and Chris Bootcheck. Luckily for the Angels, if there's an area of the team where they have enough depth to shoulder such losses, it's the pitching staff.

The other area where the Angels are extremely deep is in the outfield where they currently have six players they can plug in. Actually, make that five at the moment, because Gary Matthews Jr. may soon be joining all those pitchers on the shelf.

Outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. left Monday's game against the San Diego Padres in the first inning after rolling his right ankle while running the bases. Matthews was helped to the clubhouse by Angels trainer Ned Bergert and then taken for X-rays. The X-rays were negative and the preliminary diagnosis is a sprained right ankle.

His status will be re-evaluated today but even before the injury he was not scheduled to play again until Thursday's one-game Freeway Series in Anaheim.

You never want to have injuries in the spring, but if you're going to have them, you don't want them to be during the final week before the season starts. As I already said, though, with Torii Hunter, Vlad Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, Juan Rivera, and Reggie Willits, there are plenty of Angels in the outfield to keep the team afloat if Matthews has to miss any times.

Gary Matthews May Start Season on the DL originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Lackey to Miss at Least a Month

Pat Lackey — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, Anaheim

It's mid-March, and that means that it's time to get out to break out the "late Spring Training injury" tally-sheet. Today, we'll be adding John Lackey (no relation, or at least no relation that I know of) of the Angels, who's out for at least a month with a triceps strain. He joins Kelvim Escobar on the DL, which actually means that Angels fans are getting kind of worried. Mike Scoscia, however, is not.

"Right now, we're being tested," Scioscia said. "I don't think anyone could have said definitively where we'd be without John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar ... We're going to be fine.

"Even without [Lackey and Escobar], we have a rotation that can go out and win on a nightly basis and a bullpen that can hold leads, and an improved offense. We can win ballgames, and we're going to go out and do that."

This, honestly, is terrible news. Of course, I'm biased because I try to pick John Lackey in fantasy league out there and then point out that we have the same last name and might possibly be distantly related (but probably not). When it comes to the Angels, though, they're probably going to be OK. Their division isn't going to be terribly competitive and Jon Garland, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, and Ervin Santana should be able to hold things together until Lackey and Escobar make it back.

John Lackey to Miss at Least a Month originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spring Dugz: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Nick Dallamora — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, AL West, Anaheim, The Dugout

The Los Angeles Angels (sigh)...of Anaheim have a very strong squad this year. In fact, it's a little too strong. They went out and got prized centerfielder Torii Hunter, who will be replacing last year's highly coveted free-agent-gone-bust Gary Matthews Jr. Oh, and "gone bust" is absolutely a euphemism for "had an HGH scare and dropped 28 points off of his OPS+". Maybe the air in Cali is just too thick for him.

The Angels host Spring Training in Tempe Arizona, which isn't nearly as cool as the Rangers who set up shop in Surprise Arizona. All their media releases come with a perfect setup, "SURPRISE, Ariz." Every article sounds so much more important and exciting. "Surprise, Arizona! Kevin Mench sucks at defense."

The Angels welcome their newest toy after the jump.

The Dugout

	Online Host Welcome to Angels Spring Training Chat!
	Tori_Misspelling: Ah, this is nice. I missed playing for a contender. I mean hell, what was I supposed to accomplish on a team with the reigning MVP and Cy Young winner?
	Lackeydaisical: Boof Bonser won the Cy Young in 2006? Huh, the more you know.
	Tori_Misspelling: No. Johan Santana did.
	Lackeydaisical: Ohhhhhhhh right right right.
	Lackeydaisical: Wait, you played for the Yankees? I thought they had Johnny Damon in center...
	Tori_Misspelling: Despite being the smartest thing I've heard you say since I've arrived, no. You're still wrong. Melky Cabrera won that spot last year.
	Lackeydaisical: If there's a guy in the league with a name that close to "Milky" how come I've never heard Chris Berman call him "The Melky Way"?
	Tori_Misspelling: Because you watch ESPN with the sound off, evidently. He calls him that incessantly.
	Lackeydaisical: Oh. Well then what's he call me?
	Tori_Misspelling: Deux-deux-deux's. I don't really get that one.
	Lackeydaisical: My middle name is Opie. That's kind of like "opiate".
	Online Host Sarge2 has entered the room
	Sarge2: well well well if it isn't torii hunter position stealer extraordinaire
	Tori_Misspelling: Didn't you take Chone Figgins' position last year?
	Sarge2: how the hell would i do that breakfast pastries dont play ball
	Sarge2: im jus messin dog you know were cool hell i still have that sick contract to wipe my tears with hahaha naw'm sayin'
	Tori_Misspelling: Oh yeah, you still have like $43 mil coming to you, right? Seems kind of odd that they'd pick up my pricetag.
	Sarge2: yeah well me an vlad kinda had a fallin out so coach had to split us up
	VladTheImPLAYER: Caer? Usted dijo a periodistas yo fui un mulo dominicano de esteroide.
	Sarge2: if i told you once i done told you twice i don't know who this ted kid is so you should probly learn to say somethin' else in english
	VladTheImPLAYER: Usted un idiota.
	Sarge2: ask me who ted is one more time one more time i swear
	Tori_Misspelling: Sweeeeet I can't wait to get swept in the first round of the playoffs.

Photos link to player info. WordUpThome.com Photo Credit: Getty Images

Spring Dugz: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MLB Video Previews: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are Prince

Jon Bois — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:39:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, MLB Video, Anaheim, The Word, FanHouse TV

Baseball is a symphony. Actually no, it isn't at all; to be correct, baseball is a sport in which people wearing hats hit a ball with a plank of wood for the amusement of other people who also wear hats. But suppose it were a symphony. With that in mind, FanHouse presents one of a series of video previews, this one likening the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to Prince.

Video link.

MLB Video Previews: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are Prince originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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