R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me

I’m an old fashioned guy. When I was growing up I always addressed my parents’ friends as Mr. and Mrs. (insert last name here). It didn’t matter if their kids called my parents by their first names, I just didn’t do that. It’s how I was raised and throughout my life I have always maintained that decorum.

For me it’s a matter of respect and I think that’s something that is severely lacking in society today. A lot of people don’t seem to respect a whole heck of a lot these days and it bothers me.

The world has changed so much during my lifetime and while some people may say it has “evolved” – I’m not so sure that’s the right description. It seems to me we’ve become world of “getting” and not “giving” and this even true when it comes to respect.

Even in the world of sports that’s become painfully obvious in my opinion.

I grew up in an era when sports were filled with classy individuals; athletes I respected and admired like Bart Starr, Jerry West, and Nolan Ryan. I always liked tough, no-nonsense guys and if they their game had a bit of a flare to it; even better. Guys like Barry Sanders, Pete Maravich, and Ozzie Smith caught my attention because their game was exciting and their play did all the talking for them.

Now-a-days they call that being “old school.” Well, that’s me.

So why do I bring any of this up in an Angels baseball blog? Good question.

As soon as the season ended and quite frankly probably even a little before that – I started thinking about the off-season and what the Angels should/might/could (take your pick) do. Like most fans, my mind has gone a million different directions.

Inevitably names start to pop up in all the usual places – message boards, columns, blogs, sports talk shows, etc. Most of the talk about players, center around their statistics; both old school stuff and sabermetrics.

While all of that is interesting and important, I don’t think enough time is spent talking about a player’s character or “make-up” if you will. Some will argue that stuff like that doesn’t matter and yet – “character” probably had something to do with the demise we witnessed in Boston this year.

I would imagine a player’s character is something front office personnel and baseball managers actually do consider, but I also get the impression that if the statistics are good enough, the “intangibles” don’t seem to matter as much. I mean how else can you explain why guys like Milton Bradley and Jose Guillen received multiple opportunities at the major league level?

I started thinking about all of this (at least more than usual) after I read something (and unfortunately, I can’t remember where) about the way the Texas Rangers front office goes about their business. I can’t remember if it was an interview with Jon Daniels or Thad Levine, but what I read got my attention.

I read something to the effect of how much a player’s “make-up” goes into their decision process. I don’t remember the specifics, but I know that I liked what I read. In fact – I’ve read a lot of stuff about these two that I found to be impressive and even refreshing.

Obviously, I don’t know Jon Daniels or Thad Levine. All I have are impressions of who they are and what they’re like based on what I’ve read, heard or seen. Never-the-less I’ve seen enough to draw my own conclusions.

It seems to me that these two respect the game of baseball a great deal and they want to surround themselves with people who do the same.

Which brings me to the Angels front office; after all, this is an Angels' blog.

I like what I’ve seen so far from Jerry Dipoto; in fact, I like it a lot. From the moment Dipoto spoke to the media as the Angels new GM, he has come across as a professional in every sense of the word. I like the fact that he sounds like a man with a strategy for getting the Angels back to where they should be.

A lot has been said and written about the Angels former GM Tony Reagins. I’ve often heard the phrase “over-matched” or “in over his head” when he’s being described or evaluated. Reagins came through the Angels’ organization as an intern and for better or worse; he was never really given any respect. At the same time, I always thought that Reagins didn’t give any respect either. Funny how that works.

The way he answered questions and generally communicated with the media made me think he didn’t have much respect for others. He didn’t respect the fans and tried to sell us the idea that the Angels made their big splash with the signings of Hisanori Takahasi and Scott Downs.

Most everything he did – seemed unprofessional. I’ve ranted about how he has handled things on this blog many times and rather than rehash all of it; let’s just say; I’m glad it’s a new day.

With Jerry Dipoto, I have a newfound confidence in the future of the Angels. There’s a new, fresh attitude that’s apparent. I have no doubt that he and his staff will be able to clearly evaluate what needs to be done and then go about the business of making it happen.

Like Daniels and Levine – I don’t know Dipoto. However, watching, listening, and reading about these folks gives me a sense of things. I never got the sense that Reagins knew what he was doing. I get the opposite impression with Dipoto.

Whether I’m right or wrong is anyone’s guess.

You see I want to like everything and everyone associated with the Angels. I find being a fan much more enjoyable when I actually like the people associated with my favorite team. I never cared much for Frankie Rodriguez and I was happy to see Jose Guillen leave town.

At the same time, I know that I have no control over who the Angels will acquire, but it’s my hope that this doesn’t include players I would rather not cheer for.

In case you’re wonder, that means that I’m less than enthusiastic about the team going after someone like C.J. Wilson – whose mouth grabs a lot more headlines than his arm does.

Maybe I have it all wrong and Wilson is just funny and not the jerk I’ve made him out to be in my mind. Maybe I’m just jealous because his team has had the kind of success I am used to seeing in Anaheim and have now missed for two years.

I mean here I am talking about how great Daniels and Levine are and yet I’m bashing one of their players, right? Well, Wilson was in the Rangers’ organization before Daniels and Levine arrived and if they don’t resign him, I’ll make note of it and think back to what I’ve written here.

I know I took the long way to tell you that my hope is the Angels don’t sign C.J. Wilson, but it was a journey I really wanted to share with you.

Oh and for the record – if and when Ian Kinlser becomes a free-agent, I hope the Angels pass on him too.

As for whom I hope the Angels do sign… I haven’t made up my mind yet. As to whom I think they will sign – I really have no idea. There’s this new guy in charge named Dipoto and I’m just going to respect the idea that he’s going to make the moves that puts the Angels back where they belong – a top of the AL West.

Three Guillen's walk into a blog and the author ends up praising Mike Scioscia

I have had a few days to digest the events surrounding the Angels/Tigers game that took place this past Sunday. I’ve listen to some commentary, read some comments (including a great piece by one of my favorites Joe Posnanski) and I’ve come to some conclusions and opinions of my own; some of which may surprise you.

I write this as a huge Jered Weaver fan and an even bigger Angels fan.

That being said, in my personal opinion Jered Weaver acted in a manner that was detrimental to the team. I’m not condemning Weaver and I’m not saying that I would have done anything different myself, but upon a great deal of reflection I think Weaver was absolutely wrong in the choices he made Sunday.

What Jered Weaver did was act in his own best interest. If you want to take it a step further, you could say he was simply selfish.

I’ve been saying for some time now that I believe the Angels margin for error in winning the west is very slim. Losing Weaver for even one start could prove to be the difference between making the play-offs and an early off season. You see Weaver was suspended by major league baseball for six games (he’s appealing) which could equate to one less start.

I understand why he acted as he did and I’m not angry with Weaver. I even empathize with him to a certain degree. I guess you could say I don’t expect baseball players to be perfect (which might tell you something about why I’m probably a little more tolerant of blown saves than most fans), but I would like to think that they put their team first on a regular basis.

As I watched the events unfold Sunday and Weaver threw over the head of Alex Avila something struck me. I knew for certain that this was Weaver taking matters into his own hands. If I know anything about the way Mike Scioscia manages his ball club, I know that he does not seek out retaliatory actions in the course of a game. It’s just not his style and more importantly, it’s something he simply doesn’t believe in.

It’s also something that probably makes a lot of fans crazy and I imagine it may even bother some of his players (this was one of the problems Jose Guillen had when he was an Angel).

I believe that Scioscia knows every win is precious and I’m guessing that he doesn’t like to give opposing teams any kind of advantage (like not being able to put in his best players). He wants to win as much as anyone – but he also wants to win playing baseball the “right” way. I believe he wants to attack games in a respectful fashion and stay clear of any “one-ups-man-ship” that is so prevalent in today’s sports and society as a whole.

Baseball is rich in unwritten rules, codes and the like; however, I believe Scioscia answers to a higher code. Scioscia is as traditional and “old school” as they get, but I think he differs in the area of “gamesmanship” from most. He doesn't let tradition or secret codes get in the way of winning.

When I listened to Scioscia talk to the media on Tuesday prior to the game, it was clear in my mind that Scioscia was focused on the big picture. It wasn’t about whether or not Weaver should have done what he did – it was about how his actions could impact the team and influence the course of the season.

He never came out and spoke out against Weaver (not his style), but when I read between the lines, I concluded that he wasn’t pleased (again, my interpretation) because he was focused on winning a division.

Mike Scioscia get’s it. Scioscia is the guy who is always going to take the high road and his primary focus is to get his team to think, work and act like a team. Getting 25 individuals to focus on being a team is a difficult task. John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach knew how to do this better than anyone and his results speak for themselves.

Mike Scioscia swims upstream and against the tide every day. He’s not Ozzie Guillen (who openly talks about retaliatory actions) and holds himself to a higher standard than most of us. His view isn’t a “world view” per say and it reminds me that I too must rise above that kind of thinking as well. Perhaps his way is a direct reflection of his faith; perhaps it’s a reflection of his character. Perhaps it’s both because the two are intertwined. In any case, it makes me respect and admire him all the more.

You see, Scioscia’s take on baseball often helps put life in the proper perspective for me.

I have to believe that Scioscia is disappointed in Weaver because Weaver strayed from the agenda at hand and that’s to win the American League West. Remember John Lackey’s last game as an Angel (it was game 5 of the 2009 ALCS)? Remember how Lackey reacted when Scioscia came to remove him from the game against the Yankees? Lackey uttered something along the lines of “C’mon Sosh, this game is mine.”

I’ll never forget it.

Like just about every other Angel fan at or watching the game I wanted Lackey to finish that game. I was rooting for Lackey more than I was rooting for the team.

I was wrong; and dare I say - we were all wrong and Scioscia was right. It wasn’t “Lackey’s game” at all – that game and the decision to pull him was about what was best for the team. Regardless of the outcome (the Angels did win that one) – Scioscia’s decision was based on what he believed needed to be done to win the game and not necessarily appease Lackey.

Most fans think that particular moment sealed the Angels’ fait and there was no way Lackey would resign with the Angels. I have come to believe perhaps that’s only half true and that it was actually Lackey’s fait that was sealed because Scioscia saw someone who continually went against the agenda.

It’s the kind of stuff that sent Jose Guillen packing. Guillen hated the fact that whenever an opposing pitcher hit him his teammates (the pitching staff) didn’t retaliate. He didn’t understand. Guillen made things about him. Lackey made game of 5 of the 2009 ALCS about him and this past Sunday – Weaver did the same.

There’s a great book written by Rick Warren called “The Purpose Driven Life.” The first line in the book hits you like a ton of bricks. It simply reads “It’s not about you.” That idea goes against the grain of just about every “world view” and yet – success really does come when we understand it’s not about us.

Jered Weaver made the wrong choice on Sunday. I don’t hate him or condemn him for it. Like I said earlier, I probably would have done the same thing. I simply want to acknowledge that I believe he made the wrong decision.

It’s like driving. Ever been behind a “slow poke” when you were in a hurry? Ever tail gate that person or pass them and shoot them a glare or worse? Ever have the tables turned on you – where you were driving along minding your own business and someone came up on you like a bat out of hell? You didn’t like it much did you? And yet – we often do things to others that we don’t want done to us.

We know better; however, sometimes we do the wrong thing anyway. I have to believe Weaver knows better and I’m certain his manager does. I just hope that when all is said and done it doesn’t cost the Angels a pennant.

On a personal note – writing this post was an enjoyable process for me. I have to admit, when the events unfolded Sunday, I felt a certain amount of obligation and/or pressure to post something in a timely manner; however, I had a problem. Every time I tried to put my thoughts into words, something was wrong.

My original goal was to focus my wrath on Carlos Guillen and rant about the pathetic and “bush league” behavior he demonstrated. Now we both know that’s something I can really sink my teeth into and yet – it just wasn’t coming together like I wanted.

I kept putting the post aside and continued to think about what I saw and what I had heard and read in the aftermath. I knew there was something at the core of all of this that struck me and it just took a couple days for it to surface. I know enough about myself that my immediate reaction to things is often different than what comes to light with time and reflection.

Weaver was in the moment. If he had more time to reflect and consider the consequences he might have made a better decision. He didn’t have that luxury.

I know the natural reaction to what happened to Weaver via Carlos Guillen is to do exactly what Weaver did. I also acknowledge that would most likely be my own natural reaction as well. I also understand that it not ought to be because I am "not of this world” and in his own way Mike Scioscia reminds me of that “code” every now and then.

It’s funny - this post started out being about Jered Weaver and somehow ended up being a tribute of sorts to Mike Scioscia. You know what? I’m okay with that.

To say the Angels are blessed to have Mike Scioscia as their manager is an understatement on so many levels and I admire the way he stays true to his beliefs and doesn’t waiver in the course of what others think or more to the point - of what others want him to do. He takes his responsibility to actually manage the team seriously and he owns it. It’s a beautiful thing.

Like Weaver, I’m not perfect and that’s not to say Scioscia is. Even though Scioscia is a terrific manager, he doesn’t always make the right decisions on the field (no manager does). However, I am confident the reasoning behind the decisions he makes is based on a core set of values that represents exactly who he is. What we see is what we get and I appreciate that very much.

The amazing thing is that Scioscia is probably even a better person than he is a manager.

On a somewhat funny note... did I just reference three different Guillen's in this post (Carlos, Jose, Ozzie)? I guess I did.