Welcome to the StratoKings News page. Updates throughout the year will include anything of interest, or boredom, it's only 75 games, but it can get tedious, so we need something to entertain us before the mid-year and Spring Drafts.

Game 1

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Lee pitches his limit of 7 innings, leaves with a 3-2 lead which stands up as Bell's key trade deadline pickup (Bucholtz) gets the save. Final score 3-2 Mets HRs: Gutierrez, Jeter

Game 2

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Hamels pitches his limit of 7 innings, leaves with a 6-1 lead which stands up as the Mets pound Doc as they have each of the last 3 series they have faced him. Final score 6-1 Mets HRs: Ramirez, Joyce, Monroe

Game 3

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Greinke pitches 6 innings of his 7 limit vs his ex teammate and leaves trailing 2-0. Bell scores 2 off of Sheets in his final inning (the 7th) as he tries to turn the tide for the Angels in order to claim his 3rd W/S in as many years but the game goes to the 12th inning when the Met's score 2 runs and hold off the Angels for a 4-2 victory. Final score 4-2 Mets HRs: ARod

Game 4

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Lee is dominant once again, this justifying his being the Met's call-out pick. He leaves after his 7 inning limit with a 6-0 lead which holds up as the final. Final score 6-0

The Mets sweep the World Series for the second year in a row although a very improbable outcome vs last year when the Mets were a frontrunner most of the year vs this year's late surge after trading away some key players in an attempt to bail. Lee is named the MVP of the 2008 W/S after winning 2 of the 4 games played while giving up 2 runs over his 14 innings pitched.

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The StratoKings want to welcome two great ballplayers into the Hall of Fame! One now, Andre "the Hawk" Dawson, to be inducted in July 2010, and Randy Johnson who recently just retired and will no doubt be a first time ballot member of the MLB Hall of Fame! Well done gentlemen!!

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Game 1

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Let me first say this: there must have been a record set for the # of times the e-rating allowed an inning to continue. You will see...2-2 after 1 thanks to a couple doubles, and then 3 more for Scott in the bottom of 3rd, with an E-single followed by a double, walk, single, sac-fly. Pete gets 2 in the 7th but Scott gets a double, steals third and scores later on a single to get 1 back, then rips a grand pastrami in the 8th by Berkman the 'jew'eler and I'm coasting, right? Well, Cardinals fans know what's coming. Bennett on the mound in the 9th with a 10-4 lead and gives up a Griffey lead-off HR, another 2 runs and (pitching himself into a "save" - statistically for my t-ball-like team) finally closes it out. Final score 10-7 Angels HRs: Ramirez, Griffey, Berkman Note: my record in the last inning of games that I lose, not very good.

Game 2

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..and here's an example. I shouldn't get mad that I lost this one. I mean crap, the only person who did anything was AstroBoy A-to the R- O- D, who hit a solo shot after two quick outs in the 6th, which Pete promptly took back with a Ramirez smack in the top of the 7th. Saunders pitched 6 innings of 3-hit ball, and Angels only got 1 more in the game. What's the story here? The 9th of course: Halladay left on the mound (why not, right?) and Baker hits a HR and a tired single scores the 3rd run - but at this point, F it. Why change. I knew where this was heading... Final score 4-1 D'Rays HRs: Ramirez, Baker, ARuD

Game 3

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Now this one Gord knows ALL about. Single runs chipped here and there for the first segment of the match. Incidentally Slowey pitching a perfect game until I yelled that to him from my dugout while holding his old jersey up to remind him of his roots, and a two-out single, stolen base, and two singles later, Angels get their first run in the bottom of the 4th. Pete chirps a couple more times, and he is heading the bottom of the 6th with a 4-1 lead. I get all 3 runs back in the inning thanks to 8 players and 5 singles to scatter them across the board, one by one by one. But look out, its the latter half of the game - and although I get (FINALLY) a 1-5 Teagarden HR to take the lead in the 7th, David Wright ties it in the top of the 8th (thank you Wheeler). And then after securing 1 out in the top of the 9th, Carlos Marshmallow feeds Hanley Ramirez his 2nd shot of the game, and a grand ham-n-cheese to boot (THANK YOU CARLOS). So a game that was 2-0, 4-1, 4-4, 4-5, 5-5, now sits 9-5 for Pete in the bottom of 9th. Hairston Jr leads off with a double, and the clubber, big-hurt Jeff Mathis (and all 160lbs of him) hits a pinch-hit HR, bringing the top of the order up (Matt-Alexa-Lance) and the Angels down only 2. Well, that was wishful thinking, out out out. Shucks. Final score 9-7 D'Rays HRs: Wright, Ramirez (2), Teagarden, Mathis

Game 4

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A relatively quiet game - Sizemore hits a 1st inning HR blah blah. Jeter hits a Triple in the 6th though to be fair, where-in-the-world-is-Alex-Rodriguez first ran himself out trying to stretch a single, so we all know if he had stayed put on 1st, Jeter would have wound up in a double-play. Kuroda pitches 6.1 innings and leaves after allowing one run; his second run allowed was on base when he leaves the game, but otherwise Scott hangs on. Final score 4-2 Angels HRs: Sizemore

Game 5

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And HERE'S the big one! Sir Babo was in no danger of coming in, though a 6th inning injury to Jerry's-Kid-Jerry (Hairston) and I am forced to get Fontenot in there, knowing full well that's a potentially bad move. This game was a goddam fiasco - in all sense of the phrase. Here's an indication: Angels' 1st inning, I lead off with an E-double followed by a walk. So...I double steal - HEY, why not? It's 15 to make it....HAH! Holliday nailed with an 18. But Berkman makes it to 2nd base, gives me that Tom Berenger I-have-an-idea look, and Pete gives me that same look from the other dugout, and I'm like "oh ya, let's do it again"...HAH! Made it (phew). An E-single at 3rd base scores that run. THAT LONLEY RUN. After Pete scores 2 in the 3rd and Scott leads off (no crap) 4 of the first 5 innings with Errors to get on-base, and NO BODY scored (with that 1st inning exception) - thank-God-for-ARod hits a solo shot in the 8th following 2 quick outs (deja vu?) to tie. Oh oh, it's the 9th. Marshmallow on the mound as I already wasted my better pitcher (Wheeler) and promptly feeds Griffey and Pujols HRs and can't escape the 9th before giving the D'Rays the lead. So Paplebon on to take the series with a 3 run lead. Sizemore out, Dye out, Teagarden's last at-bat is a double, Sir Cliff Pennigton (fresh from crapping his pants) is hitting for the pitcher to save the season, ahem, the series - and smacks a single (ballpark on Pap's card). Holliday walks, and Berkman rolls a Triple 1-4 or a double. Triple will tie, Pete graciously leans back giving me space to roll, and boy did that die f'n roll! A 3!! Tied game! ARod is next and is the 3rd out of the inning. In the 11th, vs Nolasco Pete scores 1 to take the lead with Hanrahan (your wife's a dyyk) on the mound. Dye walks, Davis and Hernandez both pinch-hitting are out, and Holliday singles. Berkman reaches 2nd on a double, scoring the tying run and later scores the winner on a ARod 1-15 single (9). INSANE!!!!! Final score 7-6 Angels (11) HRs: Griffey, Pujols, ARuD

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[Game 1 Gord wins 8-2] ARod returns for his sabbatical to hit a 2-run bomb in the 3rd, but of course that doesn't hold up, Gord ties it in the 6th and thus begins the extra-inning-like sweat on the brows....pitching jams escaped here and there, and then Gord rips 6 runs on 3 HRs in the 9th, all with no outs, as he finally busts loose. [Game 2 Scott wins 7-5] Scott returns the favour, scoring 4 runs in the first, sending up 10 batters, and only 1 double so lots of small ball. He gets 1 back but in the 4th more small ball (or Gord-getting-angry ball) and Halladay has a 7-1 walking to the mound in the 5th...1 run in the 8th and a tired Roy gives up 3 more in the 9th, before Scott get Marmol to close out the final two outs with men on base. [Game 3 Gord wins 9-7] Every week one game stings a little. This week there were more than one. Scott scores 3 in the 4th to take a 3-1 lead which does not hold up as Gord gets a 2-run HR from Morneau to tie it in the top of the 5th. Then single runs in the 6th and 7th, and Gord leads heading into the bottom of the 8th 5-3. Berkman crushes the hearts of small St. Louis children everywhere with a 3-run laser beam which hits a bunch of nacho-eating m*therf**kers, and a run scoring double has Scott up 7-5 and Jenks on the mound in the 9th. First two batters get on, and Marmol is called onto to close the deal, prompting a balk, a homerun from Granderson (in no particular order), and Gord gets his 4 runs back. Ouch. [Game 4 Scott wins 5-4] Scott gets 1 in 1st, Gord gets 1 in 2nd, Scott gets 1 in 3rd....back and forth, until Gord beats up on Meche for 3 in the 5th inning. Not his fault, the old man pitched well, but was pulled as the bullpen had the arms to help. Scott gets the 3rd run with two outs in the bottom of the 5th, and trails 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 8th. Davis "leads off" pinch-hitting for the pitcher, and walks, scoring on Fontenot's triple. Holliday "leads off" the 9th with a single and scores on Luis (yes, LUIS) "the real deal" GONZOalez, pinch-hitting for the pitcher and hits a 2-6 single to win the game. [Game 5 Gord wins 4-3] Gord gets 2 in the 1st, another in the 3rd. Scott gets 2 back in the bottom of the 2nd, and the tying run with Holliday "leading off" the 5th with a homerun. For the next 4 and a half innings we scape as close as either team can to putting a run across the plate. Bullpens are getting depleted, bench is almost all used up, with Bennett pitching his 3rd inning of relief, not tired and with no power, handles the 9th as both teams are preparing for extra innings, and Babo (for Gord) seen buying a hotdog walking towards the S. Louis 'pen. BAM - just like that, 2 outs and Scott cannot get ANYONE to close the damn door, there's a draft as Bennett (through no real fault of his own) allows a single** with a force-out standing on 2nd to score. Ouch. Again.

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In a surprising series, St. Louis defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. Final scores were 14-7 Pit., 9-4 StL., 10-9 Pit, 5-1 StL., 3-2 StL. In Game 1, the Cards scored 4 runs before the Pirates could record the first out of their inaugural season. After clawing back for 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st, Pittsburgh starter Shaun Marcum was in danger of becoming tired in the second inning. Catcher-X on Soto (and a die roll ‘1’on the 2-rated catcher) resulted in a foulout with no passed ball leaving the score Cards 5 Pirates 2, and Marcum still good to go. The bottom of the second proved much worse for Card’s starter Ervin Santana who allowed 5 runs and the lead. Pirates went on to win 14-7. The second inning of Game 2 proved the undoing for Pirates starter Jake Peavy when he allowed 7 runs and the Cards coasted to a 9-4 final. The big blow of the inning was a run scoring single to St. Louis starter Ryan Dempster when he rolled 2-4 on his pitcher’s #2 hitting card. Game 3 saw St. Louis get out to a fast start once again when they put up 2 runs against Pirate starter James Shields in the 1st inning. The bottom of the second was once again the undoing of a Cards starter – this time Roy Oswalt – when every player in the Pirates lineup scored a run and made the score Pittsburgh 9 St. Louis 2. To their credit, the Cards kept battling and scored a run in the 3rd, 3 in the 5th, 2 more in the 7th and 1 more to tie the game in the top of the 8th. Elijah Dukes scored in the bottom of the 8th and J.J. Putz pitched a perfect top of the 9th to secure the Pirates second win of the season 10-9. Game 4 was a much tighter defensive struggle which saw Pittsburgh take a 1-0 lead into the 5th inning when the Cards pinch hit for starter Brandon Webb and tied the score 1-1. 3 runs in the 6th and 1 more in the top of the 9th made the final 5-1 St. Louis. Pittsburgh’s big off-season pitching acquisition, Johan Santana, took the ball in the final game and pitched 8 shutout innings and left with the Pirates leading 1-0. Unfortunately the Cards scored 3 times in the top of the 9th while Pittsburgh could only respond with 1 in the bottom and ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 final score. Asked to comment Pirate’s manager Pup said "At least Fielder was 0-3 in pinch hitting roles in that last game. I swear he came up 3 times and Carlson came into the game in the 5th, 7th and 9th innings". Perhaps the 1:00am start time for that final inning was getting to the beleaguered Pirates manager.

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The 2008 season got of to huge start for the Angels, outscoring the NY Mets 28-17 behind nine homeruns to take the opening series 3 games to 2. After opening his first game as an Angel with an 0 for 3 performance, ARod smashed six homeruns, drove in 13, scored 9 while batting 11 for 19 (.579) the rest of the way. In losing Game 3 8-3, he provided the only run support with two shots to deep left. His first of two in Game 4 helped the Angels take the lead in the 6th after the pitcher fell behind and Rodriguez roped a 2-run blast to straightaway centerfield. Later in the 9th, another 2-run homerun that cleared the left field fence sealed the victory. And in the finale, ARod was part of the "Yankee" might, as a 2-out solo shot in the 8th brought them to within 1 run. After Derek Jeter hit the 3rd pitch of his 1-out 9th inning homerun off Matt Capps to tie it, Rodriguez returned in the 12th inning and hit the first pitch he saw over the rightfield sign for a 3-run homerun. Angels fans will get the chance to see the one they call 'power' - something Angels' fans have not seen in a couple years, when they open up at home to the Braves in Week 2.

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Piñata Pinto – Del Fuego y Mañana

Rumors of another potential blockbuster between the Pirates and Angels' organizations which surfaced early last week, has now just been announced, and Del Fuego y Mañana has the exclusive. Alex Rodriguez spent the better part of this weekend at the home of Pirates' GM Pup, in talks about his possible movement out of town, before any chance the city of Pittsburgh was to see him in uniform. Together they waived a mutual no-trade distinction in Rodriguez' contract and after a formal transfer notice was released to GM Kid's office, Alex Rodriguez along with SP Darrell Rasner became LACALIANA Angels. In return the Angels sent to Pittsburgh young SP James Shields, along with third basemen Troy Glaus and Michael Young (who has the chance to see some time playing SS here in '08 with the Pirates). The GM for the Angels did express sadness over the departure of Michael Young who was pegged to anchor the 2009 team and along with Jeter, be a leader at the plate and in the field. Young said his goodbye to teammates and began packing as early as Friday, knowing that it was almost imminent he was going to be dealt. "I had a great off-season in preparation for becoming an Angel, but now I move forward and will do everything I can for the new franchise in Pittsburgh. I can't say I'm not disappointed, but to be given the chance to start that organization off on the right foot, both this year and next, that gives me satisfaction of something grand ahead. Something we can look forward to building, together, as a team." ARod had been a member of the Twins championship franchise for some years. He rejoins good friends Roy Halladay and Jermaine Dye, the latter Alex is said to be happier to see again, after Dye left that one dinner and never came back, "I always wondered where he got to" Rodriguez later stated. GM Pup was busy fielding questions from local media after they reported that he was abandoning his goal of bringing a championship to Pittsburgh. "Look" he was quick to point out, "you want an omelet? I have to break a few eggs. ARod is like a carton, so just think of it as getting a bigger omelet. "I understand how people feel here, but we are re-shaping the team from top to bottom and the only way I can execute my mandate is see things through a clear lens. Its harder to do that when I feel so many of these great players are mainstays. I am looking to put together a squad that can compete this year and I think with our scouts we have done a good job of that. This is only the beginning." And with that the window to his office/trailer was closed. The start of the 2008 Strat-o-Matic season is mere weeks away. It looks as though most are ready to roll!

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Federin Sanchez – Registro Del Ángel

Amidst the enjoyment of a season so full of promise, the curtain finally closed on the 2007 Angels of LACALIANA. After finishing 2006 one win shy of a World Series berth, the stakes were no doubt raised for this proud team, and looking ahead to ’07, anything short of a repeat performance would be a disappointment for fans, and management, alike. All began well enough – a decent draft produced the best team defense and improved speed from seasons past; while no true power emerged, the overall on-base statistics did – and thoughts were high that an evolving coach would be able to bring the best out of these players. Now as they get set for the Spring 2008 Draft, some surprise names have been left off the protected top ten; most notably Robinson Cano, Billy Wagner, Rich Hill and perhaps if rumours abound, Chone Figgins. Manager Kid was quick to point to a necessity of circumstance when discussion of players left to the Rule 5, and ultimately Free Agency, came up. “It was not our intention to have had these decisions made for us,” said the GM/Manager – “but the fact so many of the players we felt would be fighting for a spot had simply run themselves out early became apparent many times over.” No word was given what prompted the switch from Cano to Figgins with the final roster spot, nor with any speculation on whom the Angels have marked as a possible Rule 5 draft pick. The Angels finished in 5th Place in 2007, so they will have the second overall pick in both the Rule 5 and subsequent Spring Drafts. However 2007 had its fair share of uplifting moments, and some bittersweet ones. Jorge Posada captured the second-highest batting title in team history (hitting .342) and won the All-Around Player award, having played the most consistent baseball all season long. Josh Beckett the ’07 Call-Out Pick set a team record by recording decisions in 14 out of 15 starts, and also became the first Angels’ pitcher to notch 10 victories. He took with him the All-Around Pitcher award. Chone Figgns set a team record with 24 Stolen Bases (from 31 attempts, also a team high); Posada’s 104 hits broke Grady Sizemore’s record of 99 from 2007, as well he set the mark for RBIs with 49. He will be sorely missed as the backstop for the last two seasons; a season-long injury and age are factors why he will not be returning with the club. Jeter led the team (and set a season high total) with 313 At-Bats and the club’s 26 Triples and 68 Stolen Bases (from 87 attempts) – are vast improvements from last year’s previous highs of 16 and 32 (from 38 attempts), respectively. Following the Spring 2008 Draft, the new look Angels had a few holes to fill, and were considerably matched with less power for a second season in a row, and lower on-base then last year. However there were some bright spots – starting pitchers Ricky Nolasco, James Shields and Paul Maholm help to bolster the club on the mound; Hairston Jr has been moved to second base alongside Call-Out Pick Mike Fontenot; the outfield already possessing Holliday and Sizemore, got a jolt of more talent from Rule 5 Pick Justin Upton and Elijah Dukes, who will platoon in RF – overall this team is optimistic for a repeat of past success, and ultimately a more positive outcome. When we last spoke with Manager Kid, prior to the doors being closed for the off-season, he left us with remarks about the upcoming trade fair that may have little impact on this Angels club. “There have been lots of talk amongst the GMs, but so little room to move players – the draft itself producing an abundance in some areas for teams – yet with no real piece that we can acquire from another club without trading a big piece of ourselves away, we may be forced to look at other alternatives. “I like this club, we have certain limitations, but the past seasons have taught us how to overcome injury and a limited bench, so I feel we’re better prepared to stretch the abilities of these players to their full potential. We’ll just have to be a bit more creative in doing it then in previous seasons.” Prior to going to print, we have learned of a blockbuster deal involving 6 players (rumours had it much higher), between the Angels and the new “old” boys, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The city of Pittsburgh happy to have acquired the rights to the old Minnesota franchise, the Twins disbanding following GM Daren’s self-proposed dismissal, and following a draft brimming with optimism GM Pup now has no choice but to table deals in light of the holes his coaching staff will have to endure. “We make nothing easy for ourselves” Jason Kubel was heard in referring to his new teammates. “There will be a lot of heads looking up and for every steal we make versus an opponent each week, that confidence will only help the younger players”. The deal itself saw thoroughbreds Roy Halladay and Johan Santana trade places atop their respective pitching staffs, with Johan becoming a member of the Pirates along with the aforementioned Kubel, and power-hitting outfielder Elijah Dukes. Traveling to the West coast as teammates of Halladay’s still, are bullpen/3rd string backstop Taylor Teagarden and RF Jermaine Dye – the latter of which proving already to be a favourite amongst the coaches for his work ethic. When reached for comment, Dye’s agent said that Jermaine was “so excited about the trip out West, he had dinner with his former manager (Pup) then watched Forrest Gump before deciding to jog to California. We all wish him a safe trip.” This will certainly plug some much needed holes in what looks to be a “team-bonding” exercise with regards to the Angels’ pitching staff, one still very much in need of a backend reliever to take the pressure of both Marmol and Wheeler. There will be much to watch for this coming season, but also much to celebrate and this team is about as prepared as they can be in looking towards another plentiful Strat-o-Matic season.

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While it is still early, New York fans are more eager then ever to get Week 4 started, as their Mets currently own a 1st Place spot atop the standings, and will host last season's champion D'Rays in a surprising bid to remain the best team in the league. After dispatching the Angels in the league's first sweep, the Mets didn't help their cause when all three of their starting outfielders were hurt in Game 5 of Week 3. However BJ Upton will be back soon into the series and Manager Bell surely has a trick or two in store to keep things interesting against Pete's power club.

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Following a six-player deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, not including two additional future draft picks, the Angels welcome back Pat Neshek, in a move destined to provide much relief to the pitching staff. Also California-bound is utility infield specialist Nick Punto, power-hitting outfielder David Murphy and starter Chien-Ming Wang. Leaving the Angels along with two picks in next Spring's draft are Jarrod Washburn and Jacoby Ellsbury - the latter highly expected to have been traded all season, although perhaps not so soon [prior to Week 3]. Quoting the GM "this being the club's best shot at bolstering the back-end of our rotation with a strong right-handed arm, so to part with Elly a bit early, and know he could be traded off again to a competing playoff contender, was an acceptable off-shoot for us". A scout inside the organization feels that Murphy compliments the team in many ways Ellsbury did, "that to have picked up starting and relief pitching, and plugged holes defensively, not to mention getting rid of that albatross in the 5-spot [Washburn], who wouldn't think this was worth it?" Neshek was last season's mid-year pick and was sent to the Cardinals at the trading deadline for starter Rich Hill.

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In what can only be considered as the fastest fire-sale to date, the St. Louis Cardinals have let their talented players find new homes in only two weeks! The biggest of these deals, saw GM Baker trade franchise first-baseman Albert Pujols and John Smoltz to the defending champion D'Rays, in exchange to a younger Justin Morneau and Roy Oswalt. It is youth and compiling talent for 2008 rather than draft picks (as was the plan last season) that have the Cards trying valiantly to hold their heads up with so much season left to play in 2007.

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Well I found a new stat for my records. I place an “F” beside a pitcher who blows a save, as in “F^&*K Wagner, you piece of s^&*t!” I will say that I wouldn’t mind bailing every week if games went like this. No stress, fun games, tough losses, but no complaints, there were enough horseshoes and triples on 1-2 rolls (like 71 of them), to make this series fun. Game 1 Scott wins 9-6 – HR: Ortiz Lew’s home field advantage gets him on the board early, but a big 6 run 5th for Scott and I’m sitting pretty with a 9-1 lead. Pete, you know the drill...5 runs for Lew next inning, and it almost happened again to me, but I hang on for the victory...this time. Game 2 Lew wins 7-6 – HR: Easley, Glaus, Posada, Holliday In one of the best boxscores I’ve seen, Lew takes a 2-0 lead in the 1st. Scott ties it at 2 top of 3rd, and Lew gets those two runs back bottom of 3rd. Scott gets 1 in 4th, and both trade a run in the 5th. With the score 5-4 for Lew in the 9th, Scott begs for, and gets a 1-4 ballpark HR from Posada to take the lead (the first hit since the 5th). But wait, bottom of the 9th and Lew ties it up (F for Wagner), and in the 12th wins it in not-so fantastic fashion. Of note, Scott is aware he needs to address his Tiger Woods-like backspin on 20-siders, as his “wished-for” 3-8 Glaus clearcut HR, is wasted when the 20-sider rolls off the kitchen island....I swear I heard Lew say he had shaved a few inches off his countertop... Game 3 Scott wins 12-6 – HR: Bonds, Jeter I know. 18 runs and only two HRs, and none from Easley, yet....This game had all the makings of a true match up from hell, if not for Lew’s zen-like attitude. For the record, before you read this please note, I was driving and Lew was sober (which means no weed), thus far, so what you are about to read is simply just pure stupidity, no excuse. After 2 innings, a 4-0 lead for Scott, and Lew making fun of Gallardo’s name twice, he(and I) then realize that Santana was the intended starter, and Yovani found his way on the mound by the grace of idiocy on my part, and ignorance on Lew’s. I accepted whatever ruling he decided on, and after we got rolling a late surge was not enough as this game had far too many stories to tell, and let’s just say when you hit that only walk or hit in the bad column, and you feel bad??? Well you don’t really, but you should?? Ok I’m trying to feel guilty.... Game 4 Lew wins 7-6 – HR: Bonds, Easley (there you are!) The Leaf game came and went, triples are looking like doubles, Lew keeps rolling a 3 on a 2 SS or 2B, so that’s insulting, and Game 3 was a washout...basically things are going a bit nutty. Lew then takes a 5-0 lead and a 1-hitter into the 5th, Scott chips away and gets 3, then some more lucky rolling gets me 2 more to tie it in the 8th. In the 9th, a lead off triple (1-2...) for Figgins and Sizemore brings him home to take a come from behind lead 6-5. But wait, bottom of the 9th and Wagner is on the mound. 1st and 3rd with 1 out, and I call infield in. A 2B e-rating and we get a GB-A.....yah! Wagner taking his shirt off on the mound, Matsui perplexed while Scott starts drawing a goose-egg in the boxscore, wondering why Lew is just flipping his card over.....OH, no double play, and in fact man on 1st moves up to 2nd. Pinch hitting Lowell off the bench to smack a game winning single (F for Wagner...you seeing a pattern?) and Lew explains to Scott what “pre-mature” means... Game 5 Lew wins 9-3 Are you tired yet? Feels like it...Washburn coming off a 16 run performance in Week 1, had everyone licking their chops, for different reasons. And Scott sets a record with three (3) consecutive innings leading off with a TRIPLE, only one scores, and Washboard is holding a 1-0 lead into the 5th. It of course falls apart, and nothing Scott can do to hold onto this game helps. A 2-run 7th for Scott to tie it up at 3, then Wagner, scared of pitching the 9th, faces Lew’s hitters in the bottom half of 7, and gives up 6 runs – note, with innings a factor, all relievers had to finish up their set, and Wagner was forced to pitch his 2/3rds. Nuff said...game over....it’s midnight?! Have fun on your trip Lew! Need a ride to the airport, I’m still here...........

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Herbert Von Plesac - LA Herald

The off-season was a long one for the Angels. Coming off an exhilarating yet ultimately deflating 2006 — in the Pennant they clawed their way down three games to none to force Game 7 against the would-be champ D’Rays — hopes were high that a new mix of speed, defense and contact would make 2007 a more successful year. They got out of the gates a bit slow, and their weakness in pitching was certainly evident, as was their lack of run support when they were not able to utilize their speed on the base paths. Still, with so many ways to generate runs, and a return by the unexpected Troy Glaus (as the team’s lone power source), surprises are certainly in store for fans, and coaches, of the 2007 Angels.

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With the long off-season winding to a close, its time to take a look at the upcoming year, at who has the best chance for a comeback, and perhaps who may surprise the rest of the league. The fact that the 2007 Spring Draft did more to solidify a select few, it cannot be certain there was any clear loser. A team like the Twins who are arguably one of the clubs who trade the least among the big six, yet they carried over on their protected list some great talent. The Angels drafted consistently only to turn around and trade one of their coveted pitchers to the reigning World Series Tampa Bay D'Rays. The Braves could surprise most. After taking the league title in 2006 after finishing last in 2005, there are question marks as to how Manager Lew plans to utilize a team built around power hitting, defense and aging pitching. For the Cardinals and Mets, despite the draft and an off-season of players changing dugouts, there could another year of disappointment for fans in those respective cities. The D'Rays are in top form, and look to build upon a championship season with another big 2007.

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