After a long absence

Ok, so its been a few weeks. And my absence has corresponded with the Angels current nose dive. So, like a good fan, I have returned after a slew of mid-term papers and now have the ability to write again. So. . . .a few notes.

I believe Barry has been stuck on 713 since my last post. I just wish he'd just hurry up and hit 714 and 715 so we can get out of this Bonds induced purgatory that is taking away from so much of the game. Of course not that Bonds cares of course, because in his mind , he's bigger than the game.  In a related topic. I'm thinking for starting the Russ Springer fund to pay any fines that might be levied against the pitcher in the wake his plinking of Barry. In another related topic, thumbs down to ESPN radio for covering each and every Barry Bonds plate appearance, when their own radio hosts are saying that -they- don't care, its time to re-evaluate their definition of a 'historical moment' or a 'significant moment' Because Bonds passing the Babe is obviously not in the fans average eyes. Big Mac's 62nd homerun was a historical moment. Dale Earnhardt's death was a significant moment.  Bonds passing Ruth hasn't the feel. Next year, I'm not going to remember where exactly I was when it happened or when I heard about it.

The Yankees came back from a 9-run deficit. AGAINST TEXAS PITCHING. Let's remember all facets of the situation before we consecrate this moment into baseball lore. I'm not sure of what to make of the Yankees this year. All I know is that if I had to choose between the Red Sox and the Yankees to win the division, I choose the Blue Jays. And don't think they can't do it either. I don't want to hear the 'no experience' argument. They've got 4 rings on their team so they have to personnel to lead them in the latter stages of the year.

Is it me? Or do the Tigers have the best record in baseball right now? And I wouldn't be too quick to say that they might fade down the stretch either, they've got just enough of a veteran presence to keep them in line for an entire year too.

Meanwhile, my team the Angels. Are having hitting woes. Major hitting woes. Their lineup is alot like the Cubs lineup. Guys who have ok averages with absolutely no on base capability that are put around one upper echelon hitter. The difference is that the Cubs have lost that hitter in Derrek Lee, and the Angels still have him in Vladimir Guerrero. The Angels problem, in my mind, is Mickey Hatcher. Teams around the league have adapted to the Angels style of hitting by not throwing strikes. Hatcher, who was not exactly a patient hitter during his days as a utility man with the Dodgers, hasn't preached to his guys the necessity of taking pitches and taking walks. Consequently, the Angels have gone out and picked up guys that aren't patient hitters added to the fact that they're stunting the growth of some hitters that have had better pitch selection in the minors. Kotchman is the big one. Kotchman was a contact hitter who could take walks. This year, he's swinging at anything and everything, because the 'aggressive' hitting approach the coaches have instilled as 'Angel baseball'. Well, it doesn't work for everyone, this year is the perfect example. The staff needs to just let their hitters be themselves.