The future is now

I don’t know how appropriate it is for men of a certain age to be overly excited about the major league debut of a 19 year old; however, in the case of myself and the debut of Mike Trout I’m practically drunk with anticipation and excitement.

Now, I have tried to best of my abilities to temper my expectations on Mike Trout over the past two years. It hasn’t been easy. I have resisted the urge to jump on the wagon of those calling for his arrival sooner rather than later. I have not let the idea that many consider him to be the best prospect in the game today cloud my judgment and I have remained patient.

But when I got the news today that Trout was called up last night and would likely be starting in center field (for an injured Peter Bourjos) I could not contain my emotions. I called my wife Cheryl right away; I emailed fellow Angel fans, 514 Fanatics, and even my ticket representative Arthur. I ran to the office of co-workers and if I thought anyone would have listened, I would have gone to the roof of my office building and screamed “Mike Trout is coming! Mike Trout is coming!”

Yes, I’m excited. In fact, I’m beyond excited.

I didn’t honestly believe it would happen so soon and I didn’t actually know I would be this enthusiastic; but I am.

If the Angels have any kind of tradition or legacy surrounding its players – it would have to be with who has played center field for them over the years. There is a long list of tremendous defensive players who have roamed that spot in the outfielder over the years. Names like Mickey Rivers, Gary Pettis, Chad Curtis, Devon White, Darin Erstad, Torii Hunter and most recently Peter Bourjos among others.

There has also been one - Jim Edmonds, who just happens to be the man throwing out the ceremonial first pitch tonight as part of the Angels’ 50th Anniversary celebration. How fitting and appropriate is that?

Like Edmonds, Trout is much more than a tremendous defender; he’s the whole package and if his career ends up being anywhere near that of Edmonds – tonight will be the beginning of an incredible journey.

Where will Mike Trout rank among Angels’ centerfielders? The more appropriate question might be to ask where Trout will rank among the all-time Angels when all is said and done and while that’s a huge question – this moment feels that large.

My wish is that tonight be a special night for all the right reasons and that when all is said and done, the young Mr. Trout has fun. He’s 19 years old and I can’t imagine what is going through his mind right now. I’d be willing to be that he’s been preparing for this moment his whole life, as young as that life might be. He’s about to achieve the first of his many goals in life and he’s going to do it before he even reaches his 20th birthday.

I love baseball and being a part of night’s like tonight are special. I feel very blessed and fortunate that I can there to see it happen and to watch the story unfold. I can’t wait to watch Trout run on to the field and make his debut as a big leaguer.

As a fan, it’s all about being there in person.

If you have the choice of being there or watching it on T.V. – my suggestion is that you make your way to the stadium.

I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight or how his debut will go; however, I do know that if you want a chance at being a part of something special – you need to find your way to Angels Stadium tonight. The potential for a special memory has presented itself to us all. We might witness the start of something great and opportunities like this don’t happen every day; they are simply priceless.

I can’t wait.

Faster than a speeding bullet

Tradition. That’s the word that’s been used as the theme for the 2010 season... Well, if there’s one tradition the Angels can point to more than any other, it’s having a history of fast, athletic center fielders; guys who can really get after a baseball.

Names like Jose Cardenal, Mickey Rivers, Gary Pettis, and Chad Curtis have covered center field like white on rice. Others such as Devon White, Jim Edmonds, Darin Erstad and Torii Hunter have approached legendary status for their abilities to rob hitters of homeruns, haul in sinking line drives to deny hitters of extra bases, and collect Gold Gloves.

The latest in this long line of center fielders is none other than Peter Bourjos. Bourjos’ name became known to many Angel fans for the first time last season when he was mentioned as a possible trade piece in the Angels attempt to acquire Roy Halladay. It’s no wonder. The kid plays a mean center field.

Bourjos is a 23 year old out of Park Ridge, Illinois where he was a 10th round draft pick by the Angels in 2005.

Last night, Angel fans got their first “official” look at Bourjos in Angels stadium (he made an appearance during the pre-season freeway series as well).

So, how fast is young Peter? Let me break it down for you…

Bourjos is so fast, the FAA has declared center field a “no fly zone” and the United States Air Force has issued a stern warning that any fly balls in the PB (Peter Bourjos) Zone will be terminated with extreme prejudice.

That’s right – Bourjos is that kind of fast.

He’s so fast, that he’s a threat to make it to second base on a walk. He’s so fast, that runners trying to tag up from third base on fly balls hit to him are often stunned to find him waiting for them at home plate for the tag.

If the Coyote had his kind of speed, the Road Runner would be toast.... err, lunch.

Let me put it to you another way. What does it say when Torii Hunter a nine time Gold Glover volunteers to move over to right field? It says that Peter Bourjos is the real deal and you'd better believe it.

Bourjos is so fast that once he gets on first base, he’s a threat to score from there on a squeeze play. Once a ball is in the air, he can run into the stands, sell some popcorn and then run back on to the field to wait for the fly ball to land softly in his glove.

He’s fast enough that he can catch fly balls in front of Juan Rivera. Okay, that’s not saying much,but this has actually happened since his call up. Let's just say I breathe a little easier knowing he’s patrolling center field.

Last night as we were watching young Peter’s Angels Stadium debut, 514 Fanatic Bo (also known as HaloBo from his comments on this blog) commented that” he’s faster than a rat running down a high wire.” I say “you can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.”

Imagine an outfield with both Mike Trout (see the post prior to this one) and Peter Bourjos. That will be one high octane duo.

Yes Angel fans the future is looking bright. We have the kind of player in Bourjos that baseball fans just love. The kind of guy who only has one gear and that’s full bore. We love players that hustle and play great defense and it’s clear that Bourjos is going to be a fan favorite.

Speaking of fan favorites; Garret Anderson was designated for assignment by the Dodgers yesterday. Okay, I know many Angel fans have had kind of love/hate relationship with Garret over the years, but let’s be clear about one thing… Anderson owns virtually every significant statistical record for the Angels.

Even though I’ve never been a huge Anderson fan myself, I fully recognize his contributions and accomplishments as an Angel. Why am I bringing this all up? Well, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Angels sign Anderson for the rest of the season to let him retire as an Angel.

I think it would be a fitting way to pay tribute to Anderson for all he has meant to the Angels franchise. The rosters will be expanding in September anyway and wouldn’t it be nice to have the opportunity to thank and recognize Anderson as he moves on to the next phase in his life?

Moving on is something Don Wakamatsu the manager of the Seattle Mariners is doing today after the being fired by the Mariners yesterday. You know who really should be fired? All those so-called experts who picked the Mariners to win the AL West. I’m just saying.

Photos of Bourjos in this post were taken at spring training this year.

Random and not so random thoughts...

So… Vladimir Guerrero was actually quoted in the news media after the ALCS. How often does that happen (more on this in an upcoming blog)? According to Vlad, he wants to stay in Anaheim because his mom is very comfortable there. It’s too bad Mark Teixeira’s wife didn’t hang out with Vlad’s mom. Things might have turned out differently. I’m really not bitter… I’m just saying.

Speaking of women who wear the pants in their relationships, I have to ask; if Alex Rodriguez and Kate Hudson get married, will A-Rod change his name to Alex Hudson? I’m just asking. This would be his chance to ditch the whole A-Roid moniker, right? A-Hud anyone? If anyone needs a persona-make-over, it’s A-Fraud.

Then again, maybe it would be easier if Kate Hudson married either Orlando Hudson or Tim Hudson. Then no one would have to change their name. Or maybe she’d like to become Kate Hudson-Hudson. Hmmm. Wait, I’m not done. How about Kate Hudson marrying ex-Angel Mickey Rivers? She could change her name to Kate Hudson-River(s). Or how about Kate and Jason Bay… How does Kate Hudson-Bay sound? Before anyone tells me to go jump in a lake; relax, I’m done (but this might be a blog for the off season).

I know I’m late on this, but I have to comment on the whole “Shower Gate” with Manny Ramirez. I know some people were all over him for not staying in the dugout with his teammates and instead heading off for an early shower. Perhaps those folks were being a little harsh. Now, I don’t know for sure, but perhaps it was time for him to wash his hair. Can you imagine how long that would take? Can you really blame him for heading to the showers early? After all, that’s just Manny being all about Manny. Oh wait… that’s not how the saying goes now, is it? Perhaps the whole Mannywood campaign should be changed to Manny Would Not (as in NOT stand by his team).

About those Dodgers; word on the street is that the real reason the McCourts are divorcing is because Jamie would have rather had Juan Pierre in left field over Manny. Maybe she has a point. Should Dodger fans be hoping she’s the one who takes control of the team? Again, I’m just asking. On the other hand, this could be a ploy to expand the Dodger brand by getting extra media coverage on outlets like TMZ. This is better than any reality TV show out there. The McPeople’s McCourt anyone? Somebody get Judge Judy on the line. It appears the Dodgers ad campaign “This is my town” is about to be changed to “This is my team.”

Speaking of nasty relationships, I’d just like to state for the record ESPN fired Steve Phillips a year too late. Not only is he a scum bag for having an affair with a member of his staff, but he should have been fired last year when he picked the Seattle Mariners to win the American League West. Yes, the same Mariners who ended up losing 101 games in 2008. The guy clearly hasn’t got a clue.

By the way, I’m really tired of the Angels losing to teams who have players named A.J. on their roster. First there was A.J. Pierzynski of the White Sox in 2005. This year there was A.J. Burnett. If some team signs A.J. Foyt next year, I’m not watching and if the Angels end up playing the Diamondbacks in the World Series; beware, A.J. Hinch is their manager.

On a serious note, I have to wonder… if you are a Cleveland Indians fan, what are you going to be feeling when Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia face off in game one of the World Series (for those who might not know, both played in Cleveland a short time ago)? I feel for you Indian fans and that’s no joke.

One last thing, Michael Becker who writes a blog for the Press Enterprise breaks the news that Gary Matthews, Jr. won’t be back in 2010. Becker reports that Matthews will either be traded or released from his contract. We wish GMJ well.

Good luck Gary!