So long Vernon Wells… and so ends another chapter in the
legacy of Tony Reagins. Slowly, but
surely, Jerry Dipoto – the General Manager of the Angels who was hired to
replace Reagins is reshaping the Angels to become the team they’re supposed to
be. It hasn’t been easy; although,
Dipoto seems to be making it look that way.
Granted, there is much to prove on the field – but it all starts on
paper and so far, so good.
The best thing about Vernon Wells going to the Yankees is
the simple fact that Peter Bourjos can take a deep breath and just play
baseball. Personally, I’m looking
forward to seeing Bourjos have his breakout season. Mark my words – it’s going to happen.
And since I’m in the mood for predictions, I have a few
other nuggets of observation to lob your way…
Don’t be surprised if Josh Hamilton struggles a tad this
season. If it can happen to Albert
Pujols, it can happen to anyone. It’s
not something I hope happens, but it’s something I’m prepared for. Even though I am monumentally excited about
the fact that Hamilton will be the Angels’ clean-up hitter, I won’t be
surprised if his stats dip a bit.
On the other side of the coin – don’t be surprised if Mike
Trout has an even better season in 2013 than he did in 2012. I know, I know – that would be amazing, but I’ve
come to expect amazing from Trout. It
seems like every analyst and expert is saying that there’s no way Trout can
replicate what he did last year. Something
in my gut says otherwise… I truly
believe we are seeing a once-in-a-generation type of player and he’s going to
be fun to watch.
People, people, people.. Mike Trout’s power is real. While most are predicting less than 30
homeruns for him, I won’t be surprised if he hits more than 40. I say that while fully acknowledging the fact
that the only Angel in team history to do that is Troy Glaus who hit 47 in 2000
and 41 in 2001.
Speaking of homeruns – we might see something really amazing
in 2013. In 2000 Glaus, Mo Vaughn,
Garret Anderson and Tim Salmon combined to hit 152 homeruns. Could Albert Pujols, Mark Trumbo, Hamilton
and Trout surpass that? They would have
to average 38 between them. That 2000 team hit a total of 236. I venture to say the 236 is safe, but the 152
is definitely in play.
The long ball is not a big part of Angel history – but this
year, it could be. There have only been
34 or more homeruns hit in a season by an Angel just 11 times in 50+
years. And no one has done that since
2001. Make that number 35 homeruns and
the list goes down to just 7 times. All
that could change this year.
From a fan’s point of view – this is exciting. Think about it, Angel fans have rarely had
the opportunity to think about homeruns as such a big part of the team’s
offense. In fact, most years under Mike
Scioscia it’s all about the pitching. We’re
entering un-chartered waters….
As we head into the 2013 season, the American League West
landscape has changed dramatically. The
Texas Rangers don’t look to be the favorites, the “hated” Oakland A’s are
(according to many of the “experts”) and the Seattle Mariners are much
improved. This might be one of the most
competitive seasons for the AL West in a long time. Welcome to the American League West, Houston
Astros – be prepared for a beating.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the
Angels will open 2013 in Cincinnati. I
love the fact that the AL West now has five teams, but I’m not thrilled with
inter-league games taking place so regularly.
I’m wondering what the opening day lineup is going to look like and whether
or not Mark Trumbo will be in the lineup when the team heads to the NL.
Catch phrases for 2013… courtesy of True Grich…
“Prodigious power.” Don’t
you love saying “prodigious power?” I love that phrase. Who does that make you think of? If you’re a Marlins fan you probably think of
Giancarlo Stanton, but as an Angels fan – the name Mark Trumbo comes to mind
immediately. Not only is he “country
strong” as ESPN’s Stuart Scott would say – but he definitely has prodigious
power.
“Trout-a-here.” That’s
the phrase Cheryl and I will be using whenever Mike Trout goes yard. With a hat tip to the stellar Angel radio
announcer -Terry Smith who uses the call “that ball’s outta here” – we’ll be
doing our own version.
“No Fly Zone.” Yes,
the United States Air Force and even NASA has declared the Angels outfield as a
place where fly balls go to die… with
Trout, Bourjos and Hamilton patrolling the outfield – no fly ball is safe and
each one will be terminated with extreme prejudice.
Things Cheryl and I are looking forward to…
Booing A.J. Pierzynski in a Ranger uniform. A match made in heaven if you ask us… oh and
if A.J. ever has a son who makes it to the major leagues – well boo him too.
April 19, 20, and 21, 2013 - Torii Hunter’s homecoming. We miss Hunter and we’ll continue to miss
this great ambassador of the game, but we look forward to seeing him back in
Anaheim –even though he’ll be wearing another uniform.
The return of Joe Saunders to the AL West. Our appreciation for Joe is well documented
in this blog and we look forward to seeing the ever-classy, under-appreciated,
ultra-competitive, all-around nice guy when the Mariners come to town.
The Mariano Rivera good-bye tour. If ever there was a Yankee that I admired and
respected – it’s Mariano Rivera (Bernie Williams too). It will be nice to say farewell to a man who
has had an unbelievable career. We just
hope he doesn’t get in any games while in Anaheim for obvious reasons.
So there you have it… a few predictions and
observations. My apologies for the lack
of posting in the off season. It was a
long one and quite frankly, I needed the break.
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