Baseball Journal 4-6-13

I was having such a good day. It started going downhill as I had a positively gag-inducing moment watching a commercial during MLB Fan Poll. Yes, just what I wanted to see: two ex-Rangers/current Angels pitching for shampoo. I have to question the product’s choice in celebrity endorsers. CJ Wilson is certainly handsome and charismatic, but is more famous for losing in each round of the playoffs two years ago, rather than any on-field success. And there’s Josh Hamilton. I can’t imagine having any misgivings about tying my product to a guy that’s one misstep away from rehab. Grumble, grumble, sour grapes.

My condition worsened shortly after the Angels/Rangers game started. There’s my other least favorite player, Albert Pujols, hitting a two-run home run. Gotta love the ballhawk on the hill behind the fence, catching the home run ball in flight, and immediately flinging it back, allowing the crowd a small reason to cheer. Al went on to have a great game. Josh picked up right where he left last season, sucking and being boo’ed by the Ranger crowd.

There’s a reason why Mike Trout isn’t getting the business that Al, Josh, and CJ are, even though he’s just as a potent as they are. Certainly Josh put the Rangers on the map and would theoretically deserve applause upon his return. Whenever Michael Young gets back in town with the Philies or somebody else, he’ll get a cheer. (The team has even left his locker open and empty this season as a tribute.) I believe the animus is two-pronged.

One, there’s the (correct) perception that the Angels are trying to buy a championship. That’s a Yankee attitude towards baseball management. They may be the most popular team, but everybody who isn’t their fan, hates them. I don’t think the MLB can tolerate too many of these kind of big-spending teams, especially if they succeed. Two, there’s a personal dislike for these guys. Al came off as a mercenary in his deal. Josh and CJ had failed badly enough in their last years with the Rangers that the organization was willing to let them walk. Then they both got big contracts with the Angels anyway. Then Josh disses his former fans, something Al has been smart enough not to do. This group is just not going to be loved or admired outside of LA if they win, even with Mike Trout leading them.

The Rangers looked bad today. Matt Harrison is having problems and for a team built with pitching this season, they’re going to have problems in that stadium. Can’t really say too much about the game itself, as it was mostly decided about halfway through and I ended up changing stations to watch Bubba Hotep, and see Bruce Campbell in the role he was born to play, Elvis. One observation, Lance Berkman, great hitter, could he qualify as disabled, running-wise? Him and David Ortiz should be allowed to use Segways to get around the bases. Well, why not? The Designed Hitter is the cripple position to begin with.