Balk 1 - Halo Heroes

If anyone has a card of any of these Angels (preferably from their Angel playing days) I'm very interested in making a trade. The years the player was a member of the Angels is listed so you have an idea of where to look if you think you may have a card. Let me know if anyone can help me out tracking down these guys and I'll see what kind of deal we can make. If you can help leave a comment or send an email to RJWritings At Gmail Dot Com

			Jay Johnstone - (1966-1970)
			Dean Chance - (1961-1966)
			Rick Reichardt - (1964-1970)
			Bob McClure - (1989-1991)
			Mark Gubicza - (1997)
			Dan Ardell - (1961)
			Mike Fitzgerald - (1992)
			Fernando Valenzuela - to Scioscia - (1991)
			Clyde Wright - (1966-1973)
			Scott Spiezio - (2000-2003)
			Frank Tanana - (1973-1980)
			Fred Lynn - (1981-1984)
			Buck Rodgers - (1961-1969, 1991-1994)
			Bobby Knoop - (1964-1969, 1979-1996)
			Rudy Meoli - (1971, 1973-1975)
			Brendan Donnelly - (2002-2006)
			Ken Forsch - (1981-1986)
			Jeff DaVanon - (2001-2005) & Jerry DaVanon - (1973)
			Mick Keller - (1982)
			Joe Rudi - (1977-1980)
			Bill Stoneman - (1974, 1999-2008)
			Jim Eppard - (1987-1989)
			Tom Satriano - (1961-1969)

RBI (12) Some crosstown action...

A little action from the crosstown boys in blue came through the mail. Well if you saw the earlier post this week you know that I've applied for some fan pack action from a few teams. I sent an email to the Dodgers requesting a fan pack and this was the nice little package I got in return today.

First up with a Dodger Line Drives magazine. The neat little mag has a listing of different ticket plans and giveaways the Dodgers have running this season.

There was also a nice little pamphlet that had a listing of the stadium tour details. I may have to go see one on an off day.

There was a nice Hiroki Kuroda post card. Not a bad posed photo I must say.

I don't know if I bleed Dodger blue, but someone can definitely wear a little with these temporary tattoos.

The coolest little bit was this pin. "The Streak" refers to 84 consecutive saves done by Eric Gagne between August, 2002 and July, 2004 before he finally blew a save opportunity. Definitely a nice little addition to the collection of random baseball tidbits. Not as awesome as Fenway Dirt, but definitely up there.

RBI (11) Double header madness...

Well I'm just so excited I probably should keep this for tomorrow, but I won't. Today in the mail I got my very first fan pack response. Many of you are probably aware of the fan pack challenge going on at JT's blog The Writer's Journey and his great number of responses from various teams. Well I thought I'd get in on the goodness and try my hand at requesting a few packs of my own. I thought I'd start off with the best team ever, The Boston Red Sox. Here's what I got in the mail.

Yup inked right on the outside of a very large envelope was some great news from oddly enough Florida. I'll be keeping the envelope as a keepsake plus the stamp was just awesome. The envelope itself has a return to Yawkey instruction printed on it too. 

Inside tons of goodies fell out. Such as:

2 Pocket Schedules with Lester on it.

Awesome Wally the Green Monster promotional post card.

Josh Beckett about to hurl some heat post card.

Classic Sox logo sticker.

Some of the ever popular Fenway dirt to make home feel more like Fenway.

A full size 2011 wall calender?!?!?! Seeing as I'm addicted to drinking Coke (sipping one as I type) I was happy about the sponsor. This was definitely a great score!!

ANDDD a non pictured goodie because it refuses to scan very well because of it's circular nature. The fan pack included a "Live Strong"-esque rubber bracelet that was Red Sox red and says "Red Sox Nation" with the classic Sox logo on either side of the words. Needless to say I'll be proudly wearing it around starting tomorrow. 

Moral of the story. Fan packs are awesome. And the Red Sox are even awesomer.

RBI (10) The Angels could knock these Sox off...

Or at least couldn't knock them off Chicago White Sox reliever Sergio Santos. As mentioned in Weekly Rundown 3- Angels Summary 5/9-5/15 the Angels lost on May 11th to the White Sox after Santos came in for 2 shut out innings in relief.

Santos was drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a shortstop out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. He eventually worked his way up through the Diamondbacks' farm system upto Triple-A Tuscon. After reaching AAA ball in 2005 Santos stalled and was bounced around through trade and free agency before finally landing with the White Sox only to be shipped off again. However, only two weeks after being sent in a trade he was brought back to Chicago with the plan to be converted into a pitcher.

Throughout 2009 he pitched his way across the White Sox system and made the 2010 Opening Day roster as a reliever, winning the final bullpen spot in Spring Training. In 56 appearances he held batters to a .261 average and 2.96 ERA.

His 2011 campaign has built off his 2010 success and batters are only hitting at .161 clip with a 0.00 ERA in 15 games. Though not formally named the closer for the team manager Ozzie Guillen has used Santos effectively and he has collected 2 Wins and 5 Saves. If he continues to use his arsenal of off speed pitches with his 90's fastball Santos will continue to rack up the K's already having 22 against 9 Walks. So long as balls keep missing batters' bats Santos will prove to be an important part of the White Sox pen.

Sergio signed this White Sox team card after throwing a bullpen session at Angel Stadium before joining the other relievers in shagging flyballs during batting practice. It was really nice of him taking a minute to sign on his way out to join the other players even though the signature is a little tough to read since he signed in the black of the card with my sharpie.  At first I thought he wrote two numbers but realized it's three "S"s for Sergio SantoS.

Weekly Rundown 3- Angels Summary 5/9-5/15

Well it'll be an abbreviated rundown this week. The Angels won 2 games but dropped 4 between the home stand and beginning of a long road trip.

The Angels lost 2 of 3 to the Chicago White Sox, who ended the struggles they had coming into the series by thoroughly thumping the Angels twice. Edwin Jackson started the series with a 8-0 win. Joel Pineiro continued his successful 2011 campaign picking up the win over John Danks who continues to be a tough luck loser with his record now 0-6. The bullpen was put into action yet again taking another loss after Fernando Rodney and Jordan Walden combined to blow a 3 run lead in the 8th and 9th.

The blown save was Walden's second but the rookie continues to hold a solid lock on the closer position especially with Rodney continuing to be ineffective.

The Angels began a long road trip in Texas and lost 2 of 3 games to the Rangers. Jered Weaver took a shelling from the Rangers giving up 4 runs over 6 innings taking his 3rd consecutive loss. Over this time Weaver has a 5.50 ERA and 12 K's against 20 hits in 18 innings. Weaver's fastball is just failing to get the movement it needs and he is unable to use his secondary offerings. Dan Haren is also continuing his woes and sits at 4-2 still unable to get his 5th victory, not winning a game since April 17th.

The Angels also lost off season acquisition outfielder Vernon Wells to a groin strain. Wells is batting only .183 with 13 RBI's so the time on the DL could prove to give him the time he needs to find his swing. Losing wells has caused the Angels to move Howie Kendrick into left field on occasion and given a slight influx of playing time to the Angel infielders Macier Izturis and Alberto Callaspo. The return of outfielder Reggie Willits has given the Angels a solid defensive replacement for Wells though his bat has yet to register a hit.

The Angels play two games in Oakland followed by two in Seattle before returning home for the start of inter-league play against Atlanta. With a 22-19 record and tied with the Rangers for first following the two losses in Arlington the Angels will need to take advantage of the National League Braves and hope their lack of an ordinary DH will help them retake the sole lead of the AL West.

RBI (9) Since I missed a few days I better go big...

As far as I'm concerned this is one of the biggest little superstars in the game. Now announcing...the starting second baseman for the Boston Red Sox....Dustin Pedroia the Destroyahhhhhhh. Yes the cornerstone second baseman who Jason Varitek has stated as being such an influence on the Red Sox that he would be worthy of wearing the "C" on his chest after "Teks" eventual retirement.

Dustin Pedroia is a California native from a place called Woodland. After leaving Woodland Senior High he went on to Arizona State University where he played with Andre Ethier and Ian Kinsler.

2004 was a great year for the Red Sox. After a prolonged and famous streak of championshipless years the Sox finally broke the Curse of the Bambino and won their first World Series of the 2000's. Not only did they win some shiny rings, they struck gold when they took Pedroia in the 2nd round of the 2004 draft.

After working his way through the minors as a tough little second baseman/shortstop he finally made his way into the Red Sox lineup as the regular second baseman in 2007. The Sox went on to win their second World Series of the decade with Pedroia also claiming the AL Rookie of the Year award.

Pedroia continued his grab for hardware taking the 2008 AL MVP award with a .326 average, 17 home runs, 83 RBI, and 20 steals. He tied for the lead in the majors for number of hits with 213. He became just the 3rd player to take the MVP award the year after being named Rookie of the Year.

2011 has been tough for the second baseman as he currently is only batting .237 with 2 home runs. Despite his hitting woes he has continued to get on base at a solid .355 OBP and named 5 steals. He is fighting his way on base like that spark plug he is known to be.

I bought this Dustin Pedroia autographed Topps Finest moments card while at the All-Star Fan Fest in Anaheim, California. It was my main souvenir to remember the fun day and I'm glad I was able to make the purchase.

RBI (8) Plenty of action from a certain...

Edwin Jackson. Yup the Angels got a little too much action from Edwin Jackson last night. Jackson pitched 7 shut out innings giving up only 5 hits and a walk while punching out 5. The Angels went on to lose 8-0 with Ervin Santana and Trevor Bell getting shelled.

Jackson was was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2001 draft and has been consistently inconsistent throughout his career. His solid potential and promise has caused multiple teams to take a chance on him when he begins to slump causing him to have been traded from every team he's been on. The Dodgers sent him to the Tampa Bay Rays, Rays to Detroit Tigers, Tigers to Arizona Diamondbacks, and finally Diamondbacks to his current Chicago White Sox.

The various teams and leagues have had Jackson accumulate a 51-55 record, 4.60 ERA, with 692 career strikeouts.

In 2009 he was selected as an All-Star after a solid season in Detroit. After being shipped off to Arizona he went on to reach his career's biggest highlight so far, pitching the franchise's second no hitter against his former team the Rays on June 25, 2010.

2011 has been marked ups and downs for Jackson sitting at a 3-4 record with an 4.29 ERA. Despite racking up 39 Ks he has issued 19 Walks and batters are hitting .278 against him. In 8 starts he has been able to work his way out of jams giving up 3 or fewer runs 4 times but being shelled for 4, 6, and 7 runs in his other starts. Despite the flashy 39 strikeouts he racked up 13 against Tampa Bay and has only averaged about 4 strikeouts. He definitely has front of the rotation stuff, but allowing so many base runners will continue to cause him problems.

I pulled this Topps 2011 Heritage chrome out of a pack I got in one of the Topps 2011 Value packs. This is #1924/1962 and was a pretty cool pull. I'm definitely left wondering what he he's looking at.