Touch 'Em All: This Angel is taking 4 Aces' names in vain
Here is proof that the Los Angeles Angels actually play in nearby Anaheim, home of Disneyland and other dreamers, like Mike Butcher.
Here is proof that the Los Angeles Angels actually play in nearby Anaheim, home of Disneyland and other dreamers, like Mike Butcher.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the Angels pitching coach said he would take Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana "over anybody's top three starters."
Even over the Phillies' aces?
"Absolutely," Butcher replied. "We're not pitching to a pitcher. I obviously respect what they do in Philadelphia. Those four guys are all very good. You can't deny their stuff. But I love our three guys."
Admittedly, the Angels are good: Weaver is 17-7 with a 2.40 ERA, Haren (who was to start Friday) is 15-8 with a 3.06 ERA, and Santana is 11-11 with a 3.30 ERA. And the Angels have a team ERA of 3.55, good for fourth in the majors.
But the Phillies have a team ERA of 3.00 (to lead the majors), the best record in baseball, and two pitchers who are bona fide candidates for the Cy Young Award.
Time to wake up, Angel fans.
Trouble in L.A.
The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Dodgers, 6-2, in Los Angeles on Thursday, eliminating them from the playoffs. From here on the only questions about this troubled season that remain are: whether Clayton Kershaw wins the Cy Young, if Matt Kemp is named league MVP, and who owns the Dodgers?
The first two will be answered at the end of the season. Who owns the team will likely be decided next year.
The Los Angeles Times has reported that Frank and Jamie McCourt expect to settle their divorce - and with it the question of who owns the team - in a trial during the 2012 baseball season. The trial is to last 30-45 days, according to a timetable set forth by lawyers for both sides.
Of course there's still the issue of a bankruptcy filing in Delaware and Major League Baseball's displeasure with the McCourts and their ruining an honored franchise.
Case in point: With ballpark attendance way down, the Dodgers have begun asking season-ticket holders whether they were likely to renew.
If a fan indicates renewal is unlikely, the Dodgers then ask why, offering a list of possible factors that include "team performance," "pricing," and "ownership."