R.I.P Steve McNair 1973-2009

I was looking to get something at my favorite place near the ballpark in Anaheim, when I saw on the TV - former NFL quarterback Steve McNair had suffered a fatal gunshot wound along with a 20-year old companion.

I cringed just a little - what else could I do? Fatal means the guy is dead. Not injured, not paralyzed, but dead.

I consider myself a casual NFL fan, whose closest city with an NFL team, to be about 90 miles away but if I had to throw a name out there - McNair was probably my favorite 'guy.'

There was the Super Bowl play in 1999 with seconds left to go - a co-MVP award in 2003.

I don't think McNair was ever as convincingly dominant [in any particular game or season perhaps as an individual player] or as lucky [to win a Super Bowl or two perhaps] as some of his peers - but in his professional football career, he kept on taking a beating and kept on ticking.

Maybe I'd only seen spurts of his play during a random TV broadcast or in a highlight - but there was an innate toughness McNair showed, that made him a fun guy to watch.

Maybe there were two or three guys coming down on him - but he had the ability to fight through for just a bit and constantly keep plays alive.

He had an ability to makes plays with his legs - but unlike the stereotyped mobile quarterback however, also had the ability to throw the ball a long way.

Up to when he retired, McNair represented the 'alternative' taste to his well-decorated, highly-regarded peers - guys like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

The end for McNair seemed a little strange, but not within the realm of the life for the professional athlete - he had an apartment he rented with his friend. Oh, I'm just making a guess here, but the apartment was likely a place used to entertain particular other friends, not of the family.

McNair's SUV was co-owned by the 20-year old woman who was shot to death - who was likely not a babysitter-type for his family.

It kind of sucks that when there is tragedy - the people [that are not in our immediate families] we tend to mourn are the ones in the spotlight, like Nick Adenhart, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays and McNair among others.

However, when we do that, we go from really mourning someone we think we kind of know - to finding out, things are a little more complicated, than just throwing out random tributes to particular notables.

R.I.P. Steve

Garret Anderson - happy 37th birthday

As Garret Anderson celebrates his 37th birthday as an Atlanta Brave and not an Angel- he is in the middle of his 16th year in Major League Baseball, having played in 2068 games.

While his on-base percentage sits at only .327 and his slugging percentage at .467 - GA has stuck around long enough to rack up 2423 hits, 501 doubles, 276 home runs and 1319 RBIs.

There plenty of moments when GA was considered a disappointment during his Angels’ career – and he was playing every day, putting up some solid numbers, et al. Back in the late 1990s, he was viewed as a complimentary player who was not as good [maybe rightfully so] as Tim Salmon or Jim Edmonds [perhaps].

Angels fans can say how much GA was loved by the Anaheim faithful and give him a token nod of our appreciation now - but if you asked Angels’ fans [not just the bandwagon types who came along after 2002] about GA’s Angel career, the knee jerk reaction was to label him a lazy player [regardless of whether the perception was reality or not].

GA was a guy indicted for his style of play - which seem to border in-between passive and lazy, even to longtime Angels' fans. It appeared, GA never showed the grit of a Darin Erstad or the desire of an David Eckstein.

It wasn’t until after 2002 did GA get any sort of respect from Angels’ fans - and post championship season, GA was still sort of an ‘acquired taste,’ especially when he started to break down and his numbers started to dip in his last several years with the organization.

In 2009, GA is still doing his thing, even though it seemed like he was done early in the season - hopefully he heats up in the second half and if he decides to hang them up after this years, goes out with a bang.

Featured autograph - Sean O' Sullivan

I was there for Sean O'Sullivan's first career start at Angel Stadium[second overall in the bigs] - he was pitched a solid game, but was looking for a point where he would kind of crack.

Former Long Beach State star Troy Tulowitzki hit two home runs off O' Sullivan and overall - O'Sullivan he gave up three earned runs in five innings pitched, allowing six hits, while walking three and striking out three.

Fiddling with camera [batteries were dying] as key moments were happening - the crowd got electric when the Angels were mounting a comeback Tuesday night.

Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was dominant for most of the game [seems like a young, athletic horse out there] - the Angels broke through and Bobby Abreu had a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie and give the Angels the lead.

Thankfully former Rockies closer Brian Fuentes was able to come in an close the game out - as the Angels won 3-2.

This 2008 Donruss Threads was signed in-person during spring training - O'Sullivan and Freddy Sandoval signed autographs at a card show last off-season, but I didn't think too much of him, then.

2009 Upper Deck O-Pee-Chee baseball rips

I finally got my hands on some O-Pee-Chee packs [$1.59] - off a gravity feed at the Tarjay 10 minutes from my house.

There is some grumbling that since 2009 O-Pee-Chee is a 'set-collector' product - there are not enough base cards per pack and six 'measly' cards is just not going to cut it for the price point.

However a 600 card product with a packs going for $2 or less - isn't bad if you are a casual baseball card collector looking for something other than base brand Topps or Upper Deck to bust.

One gripe is there are too many studio shots and mug shots - need more action shots or cheesy posed on-the-field shots with the stadium's features visible in the background.

The wrinkles Upper Deck have thrown into this product [black bordered parallels, non-shortprint SPs, inserts] make opening packs a little fun for the younger collectors -I'm totally obvious, are there anymore of those or are they all into gaming cards?

The old-school card stock was a junky, but retro feel to it - which I suppose is the point.

Let me grab maybe 10-15 more packs [maybe a blaster] to see if this is a product I like - I'm thinking this is the type of product that can be $25 at the end of the year, maybe less because each box isn't guaranteed any token hits.

Pack #1
#264 Mike Adams

#65 Alexei Ramirez

#HM 3 Melvin Mora - 2008 Highlights and Milestones insert

#390 C.C. Sabathia - black parallel
#529 Los Angeles Angels team card - sorta mojo
#433 Adam Lind

Pack #2
#274 Scott Feldman

#75 Chase Utley

#MM2 Hank Blalock - Midsummer Memories insert

#68 Phil Hughes - black parallel

#548 Adrian Gonzalez - Moments subset
#286 Carlos Ruiz

Pack #3
#344 Mike Napoli
#9 John Grabow

#536 NL RBI Leaders featuring Ryan Howard, David Wright and Adrian Gonzalez - black parallel
#540 NL Wins Leaders featuring Brandon Webb, Tim Lincecum and Ryan Dempster
#447 Kelly Shoppach
#248 Willy Taveras

Pack #4
#100 Albert Pujols
#297 Luis Castillo
#202 Brett Gardner

#FF4 Roy Halladay - Face of the Franchise insert
#339 Garret Anderson - black parallel
#565 Josh Geer

2009 Topps II Fat Pack

A Tarjay stop to look for 2009 Upper Deck O-Pee-Chee proved to be unsuccessful and a waste of money - as I spent $4.99 for a Topps Series II Fat Pack and $2.99 for a pack of 2009 Bowman. The Bowman pack was useless since the corners on all the cards were dinged.

I need to stick to singles - retail is a trap!

2009 Topps Fat Pack, blister one
#439 Spilborghs
#347 Ruiz
#353 Jeter
#527 Isringhausen
#629 Overbay

#415 Beckett - one can spend hours thinking up a caption for this card.
#463 Wilson
#417 Marquis
#431 Hernandez
#430 K-Rod
#TTT 40 McLouth
#591 Andrus

#479 Nelson - he's a guy who was absolutely buried by guys like Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart, yet was in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization until earlier this season when they had to designate him for assignment. The Seattle Mariners then picked him up to play in AAA.

#631 Rasmus - it would basically be nice if this was a true rookie card.
#495 Chavez
#645 Maholm
#372 Weeks

#422 Blalock - though he is more of a designated hitter these days, on his 2009 Topps card, he is shown trying to make a 'do-or-die' play on the field.

#491 Bako - what symbolizes the common card more than a longtime journeyman catcher's card.

2009 Topps Fat Pack, blister two
#607 Washburn
#636 Galarraga
#609 Rivera
#573 Wainwright
#490 Chamberlain
#628 Upton/Young
#351 Snyder
#LG-MR Rivera
#637 Veal
#499 Moreno
#593 Kawakami
#580 Kazmir
#492 Ethier ?
#394 Zito
#366 Casilla
#635 Soria
#559 German

Alex Rodriguez may never be a true Yankee dandy

As a fan of Major League Baseball in general - I still care about A-Rod the player and would pay to watch him because the drama never ends with the guy.

After he finally decided on surgery on his ailing hip and was out out six to nine weeks - he came back in May and is having a wonderful June with a .153 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage and a .288 slugging percentage in 18 games.

It seems like after years of being a rock, it has gone downhill fast and he is facing baseball mortality for the first time - he is 34 years old and may literally need to find a new way to juice up his career.

So, through his rough season so far, can A-Rod ever be considered a true Yankee [?] - what does his season of discontent do for his legacy in New York and as a national star?

Yankees' fans pick and choose who they annoint as true Yankees - there is no real talk of Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina not being able to win a championship in their time in New York, but then it irks people when a 'carpetbagger' like A-Rod has come in, but hasn't been part of any championship run.

I doubt A-Rod or A-Fraud will ever be considered a true Yankee, unless he wins at least one, two or three championships in a way where he puts the franchise on his back - leading the way from Game 1 of the regular season to the World Series championship clinching game.

On the other hand, players in pinstripes who don't win championships can be true Yankees - if their name is Don Mattingly for example. There is a sentiment that if you don't win, you fell short. Still, even without a championship, people wonder if a particular player was the face of the franchise during his time as a Yankee. Did he grow up in the organization? Did he put up the numbers? Did he go about things the right way on the field?

It is an arbitrary label to be considered a 'true Yankee' and the label doesn't matter for rank-and-file players who wore the Yankees uniform - was current Angel Bobby Abreu, a true Yankee? What about Jaret Wright or Carl Pavano? Jose Canseco, Ed Whitson or Cody Ransom?

No one really cares about Alvaro Espinoza - but it weighs in as far judging particular star players legacy in their time with the New York.

Guys who really had so-so playing careers [basically rank-and-file guys] - but did something like star in the pennant race and/or postseason can be accorded the label of being a 'true Yankee.'

Aaron Boone
Scott Brosius
Bucky Dent
Luis Sojo
Shane Spencer
Jose Vizcaino

Becoming a true Yankee doesn't mean you have to start your career in the Yankees' organization - otherwise Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Paul O'Neill, Goose Gossage, Roger Maris, David Cone and countless others are excluded from the discussion almost immediately.

On the other hand, with all things considered, strong consideration is given to a player developed in the Yankees' system and became franchise/national legends/icons - like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Derek Jeter, et al.

World Series championships won are obviously the most important aspect to consider - how many rings did a particular star player earn during their time with the franchise?

Will C.C. Sabathia be a true Yankee [?] - time will tell.
Will A.J. Burnett be a true Yankee [?] - time will tell.
Will Mark Teixeira be a true Yankee [?] - time will tell.

Is A-Rod a true Yankee [?] - no way in hell.

Sammy Sosa - no one really cares

1990 Leaf rookie card #220 - I bought one just like the one pictured for $30.

So Slamming, Corking Sammy Sosa tested for a performance enhancing drug back in 2003 and really no one really cares anymore - it is like Michael Jackson supposedly accused of molesting another kid.

All sorts of home run hitting sluggers juiced and Major League baseball fans are sort of desensitized to it - it is kind of sad that the people [outside of probably the Dominican Republic] who have strong feelings and care to talk about him, blog about him or Tweet about him are the only ones left to really care about his legacy.

As far as his Hall of Fame chances now, he is probably going to have to wait a year longer than Jim Rice did and I think Rice was voted in his last year - so I'm implying he may not ever make it in.

However, I'm not here to pass judgement - I was on the bandwagon, just as I was on the A-Rod's, Manny's, Barry's and Big Mac's among other prominent Steroid Era sluggers.

I would have thought I'd won the lottery back in the spring of 2002 at HoHoKam Park - when I was able to toss my ball over to some lady by Sosa's car and have her get Sosa's autograph for me among the 50-100 people who'd gathered to wait for him to leave during a spring training game.

Sosa was an exciting figure to watch and follow the exploits of - no matter how much you thought of his 'baseball has been berry, berry good to me' crap.

There was a point Sosa got too big [maybe literally] for his own good - where he couldn't be touched or approached, signed for just the cameras [basically signing when everyone is taking your picture to show you are 'fan friendly' when you could care less] and his image was nothing more than a crummy act.

In his latter years as a 'superstar,' Sosa still put up dominant numbers, but also corked a bat and also left a Cubs game early, during a regular season game - maybe if he didn't become such a douche in the years following the 1998 season, maybe wouldn't have such a big target on his back.

While I still kind of think it was a classless move when Rick Reilly challenged Sosa to pee in a cup - it seems Reilly's middle-age angst over this one particular Major League player and the particular era he played seems more than justified now and it is kind of sad if you think about it.

Jose Canseco was right again - Major League Baseball is a mafia that works to glorify players in their prime and tosses them out when the league has no need for them. Leak all the names now if you must.

I think if Major League Baseball outs A-Rod and Sosa as having tested positive for PEDS - then the rest of the names of the other players should come out. Let the hammer fall.

Fan reaction at Bleed Cubbie Blue - where those interested in the Cubs gather online.

Angel down in the outfield and in the bullpen

A three-game sweep of the AAA Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres over the weekend and a win against the San Francisco Giants Monday night doesn't necessarily inspire confidence - the Angels are far from a good team, despite a record over .500[33-29].

Now, Angels' centerfielder Torii Hunter will likely be out a several games - he bruised his ribs after slamming into a wall Monday night in San Francisco.

If he is out for a prolonged period of time - it will be a major blow to the team.

'Spiderman' has earned his keep as the face of the Halos franchise in 2009 - making spectacular catches and it looks like he is having a career year at the plate.


I tend to think participating in the World Baseball Classic maybe a curse for pitchers in the Major Leagues - just look at Jake Peavy [out for a month], Roy Oswalt [down year], Joel Hanrahan [lost his job as a closer], Matt Lindstrom [not very good so far], J.J. Putz [out with an injury], et al.

Now set-up ace and WBC participant Scot Shields is out for the year and with his prolonged struggles two years ago, his implosion this year and the number of innings he has pitched – it isn’t unreasonable to think he may done as the lights-out set-up guy Angels fans expect to see on a regular basis.