Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Adell And Lorenzen Impress As The First Game Of Spring Goes Off Without A Hitch In the Valley Of The Sun It’s been 166 days since the last Angels game (October 3 @ Seattle) and having baseball return to Arizona for Spring Training could not feel anymore perfect. With the assortment of moves made in the bullpen of the past few days, much anticipation has gone into this Angels team and what to expect during this 20-game Spring Training schedule.
Kicking thing...
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The second bullpen upgrade of the day is a big one After bringing in Archie Bradley earlier in the day, the Angels made another significant upgrade to their bullpen on Thursday afternoon, as they reportedly reached an agreement on a contract with free agent reliever Ryan Tepera. According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the deal is for two years and $14 million.
Right-hander Ryan Tepera has agreed to terms with the #Angels . Two years and $14MM...
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
More reinforcements for a much improved bullpen A day after general manager Perry Minasian said that he was still looking to further improve the Angels’ pitching staff, the club made a move to do just that, reportedly reaching an agreement with free agent reliever Archie Bradley on Thursday morning. According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, the deal and its terms are not final just yet, but Bradley is on his way to Arizona in hopes of getting it done soon.
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Image via @Angels
The veteran last played for the Cubs in 2021 The Angels added some infield depth to their roster on Wednesday afternoon, bringing in veteran infielder Matt Duffy on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.
OFFICIAL: The #Angels have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with INF Matt Duffy. Welcome to the Halos, Matt! pic.twitter.com/PJ4s4IwdE1 — Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) March 16, 2022
Duffy played in 97 games for the Cubs in 2021, hitting .287/.357/.381 with e...
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Their first move post-lockout is to bring back a familiar face The Angels reportedly made their first move post-lockout on Saturday afternoon, as according to Robert Murray of Fansided.com, they brought back catcher Kurt Suzuki to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million.
Free-agent catcher Kurt Suzuki and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $1.75 million contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the situation. — Ro...
Tempe Diablo Stadium - Tempe, AZ | Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK
March 18 Will Be The Magical Day The Angels Hit The Field Once Again Following yesterday’s MLB & MLBPA new CBA Agreement to end the 99-day lockout, Major League Baseball this afternoon released the revised 2022 Spring Training schedule for all teams in the Cactus and Grapefruit League.
With the revised schedule now in place, the Angels will play 18 games in a 20-day period with off days on Thursday, March 17 and Wednesd...
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Manager determined to get team back on track. The pieces were in place for a special night on Saturday for the San Jose Earthquakes , but it wasn’t meant to be.
A six-game winless run coming in, including a battering midweek on the road, came up against a resurgent LA Galaxy team in the Cali Clasico at PayPal Park, but even with a full crowd and hope that the Quakes would turn it on in the derby once again, it didn’t break that way, as San Jose lost 3-1...
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Cali Clasico at home does not go at all to plan. The San Jose Earthquakes ’ winless run has extended to seven games, after they lost the Cali Clasico against the LA Galaxy 3-1 on Saturday at PayPal Park.
While the margin of defeat was smaller than the Quakes’ last match, that comes as scant consolation for a team that did score late, but after the game was already decided.
Matias Almeyda opted for a three-man midfield in this game, with Eric Remedi returni...
Hey baseball fans! We are officially in Spring Training, which means the 2021 regular season is less than a month away! Because of this, as is customary on Baseball with Matt, it's time for some of my bold predictions for the upcoming campaign, five of them to be exact. Although they have catchy-sounding nicknames, Belli and Yelli will not escape their season-long slumps at the plate from last year . Yes, Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich have won two of the last three NL MV...
As one of the teams most ravaged by COVID-19 protocols, you can’t blame the Heat for being thankful that they’ll get to face a Clippers team dealing with its own big absences.
With only four wins on the year, the Pistons will need to lock things down defensively if they want a shot at getting win number five.
Hey baseball fans! The 2020 season is officially over and the Dodgers are world champions! This is their first championship since 1988, a championship I'd like to discuss this, because of how interesting a team it was. The 1988 Dodgers didn't have a star-studded lineup. Only three hitters in their lineup had double-digit home runs that year and only one hitter had more than 20. One might call it a coincidence, however, that the hitter with 20+ homers for the '88 Dodgers was the Nat...
Hey baseball fans! The 2020 World Series is here, which means that it's time for me to give you a historical look on the matchup, which pits the Rays against the Dodgers! The Tampa Bay Rays are making their second World Series appearance in franchise history and their first since 2008. This marks the second time that a 1990s expansion team is making its second World Series appearance, joining only the Marlins. Having lost that 2008 World Series to the Phillies, the Rays are one of ...
I missed this recent release from Topps yesterday. Featured here is a Topps 2020 Turn Back the Clock online exclusive card made available yesterday, and it celebrates Clayton Kershaw's complete game shutout ten-years ago. Per the description on the reverse:
September 14, 2010 -- In a game where the Dodgers only mustered one run, 22-year-old Clayton Kershaw gave the team a much needed dominant performance. The left-hander fired a complete-game shutout. allowing just four hits and leading the...
Is this the turning point to Gavin's season?
Lux has had a poor start to 2020 -- first, not making the teams roster and batting below the Mendoza Line when he finally came up to Los Angeles. But last night he put up the kind an results that can lead to something good.
Prior to yesterdays game he was slashing a woeful .148/.258/.222/.480 in just eight games played. Now, after last nights three hit effort he is slashing a much improved .219/.324/.469/.793 while also walloping his first two...
I think we all knew this day was going to come.
Yesterday afternoon came word that the Dodgers had dealt right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling to the Toronto Blue Jays for two players to be named later -- one of which we now know is 20-year old right-handed pitching prospect Kendall Williams (more on him later).
As you'll recall, Stripling had seemingly been traded to the crosstown Angels (along with Joc Pederson) over the winter, but that was thwarted by the Anaheim ownership -...
You knew this card was coming.
On Sunday the Dodgers set a new National League record for home runs as a team for the month of August, so Topps issued a new Topps Now card to celebrate the achievement. Check it out above and below. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider :
“It’s just a byproduct of swinging at good pitches,” manager Dave Roberts said after his team’s 7–2 win and another series victory. “I don’t know how well the ball’s carrying compared to the last couple years, but it’s amaz...
It was Jackie Robinson weekend. As you know, ballplayers throughout the league wore #42 to honor the great Dodger. Take a look at the cap the Dodgers wore on the right, via Chris Creamer at Sportslogos.net .
BTW, this weekend was not entirely celebratory. Chadwick Boseman, the fantastic actor who played Jackie in the 2013 film ‘42,’ died of colon cancer at the age of 43 on Friday -- on Jackie Robinson Day.
Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter . Below are more links to check out:
This ...
I am playing catch-up with some recently released Topps Now cards. First, there are two Dodger cards available right now, following their sweep of the Giants yesterday. After that, three additional cards had been released by Topps over the past week -- that I failed to write about -- so I'll share those at the bottom of this post.
First, Mookie Betts recorded his 1,000th career hit during the first game of yesterdays doubleheader. Check out the Topps Now card created by Topps above and bel...
As you surely know by now, Vin Scully has consigned a whole bunch of his personal memorabilia to Hunt Auctions, and frankly it's overwhelming. There's a ton of stuff, and bids are starting to reach lofty heights -- after being open for just a day or two.
I have yet to go through the entire catalog, but so far I think the cream of the crop might be his 1955 World Series ring. That's right folks! His championship ring is on the block and right now it sits at $13,750.00 -- with the possibly it...
On Sunday the Dodgers honored the memories of Gianna and Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 42nd birthday. In addition to the pregame ceremony, Gianna and Kobe’s uniform numbers were painted on the pitchers mound for today’s game against the Rockies. See it above. Pic via @Dodgers on twitter :
Below are more links to check out:
This Day in Dodgers History : In 1960 Vin Scully famously had fans at Dodger Stadium wish third base umpire Frank Secory a happy birthday durin...
Just another Dodger victory.
Last nights win was brought to you by Clayton Kershaw. He went seven strong innings, struck out a season high eleven batters and allowed just one run to lead the Dodgers in their 6-1 ( boxscore ) victory over the Mariners. On top of that, Clayton now has the second most strikeouts in Dodger franchise history -- leaping over Don Drysdale's mark of 2,486. Kershaw's 2,493 strikeouts is just 203 short of Don Sutton's record as a Dodger. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodg...
Here is a look at all of the Dodgers found in packs of Topps 2020 Bowman Sterling brand. Go here for a complete checklist .
Many of the Dodgers top prospects are a part of this set; including Dustin May and Gavin Lux. It is also notable that Andy Pages, the ballplayers who had been traded to the Angels as part of the Joc Pederson trade that was cancelled, also has an autographed card available here.
As you know, this is a mid to high-end product that will cost you about $300 for a box of...
A couple of weeks back Topps released their Topps Chrome brand of Baseball cards, and I now have pics of all the Dodgers available in packs. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.
Base
#13 Max Muncy #77 Cody Bellinger
#91 Brusdar Graterol #95 Edwin Rios
#100 Mookie Betts #104 Walker Buehler
#114 Tony Go...
Seven in-a-row, Baby!
Last night Tony Gonsolin not only extended his scoreless innings streak (14.2), he also helped the Dodgers win their seventh consecutive game. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider :
“I think I’m just feeling a lot more comfortable up here,” Gonsolin said. “I’m trying to go out there and take advantage of every opportunity that I get.”
Photo above via Tony Gonsolin on twitter . Below are more links to check out:
This Day in Dodgers History : In 1983 t...