This quote from Joe Posnanski describes it all - he seems to capture what I've thought about the game, particularly with the four teams chasing for the Wild Card on the final night of the season.
I was able to pick up this Orange refractor of the Angels closer from Brian at Play at the Plate - in exchange for a Mason Tobin X-Fractor from this pack break.
Walden was thrown into the fire in 2011 and his season went from being impressive as a rookie closer making the All-Star team - to a guy who has some things to work on after two rough outings to end the year.
Unlike the last two great Angels closers [Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez] - I don't know if Walden has had a 'mentor' to allow him to develop, like Percival did when Lee Smith was a closer for the Angels back in 1995 and like 'K-Rod' who watched Percival close out games, before taking over closing duties for the Angels in the mid 2000s.Walden is still a young guy and perhaps the Angels can go out and sign at end of the game reliever that sort of helps Walden out - if not really as a 'mentor' type, someone who can close out games as Walden figures things out.As much talent as Walden has, I don't want to see the Angels burn him out because they don't have any other closing options - instead of hitting his prime in his mid 20s, you might find a guy like Walden bottoming out like the seemingly sad case of Jonathan Broxton, circa 2010-2011.
I don't think Mike Napoli was ever going to be the solution at catcher for the team he once played for - but obviously it is his power bat that plays on, not his ability to catch and throw.
After going ape-sheet on the Angels in the last two regular season games in 2011 - he has finished off his season in style and looks to carry his hot hitting into the American League Division Series.
I'd been hoping the Angels would still have some life in them but after losing 6-5 to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday - their opportunity to sneak into the playoffs through the Wild Card seems to have been obliterated.
Even if they sweep the Texas Rangers in their last three games - the Angels would still have to hope Tampa Bay and Boston lose the rest of their games to make things interesting.
The team to beat in the American League West is obviously the Texas Rangers - they are the ones who ended up with former Halos fan favorite Mike Napoli, while the Angels got a broken down VW.
I was able to get a 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter Bobby Abreu card autographed for an acquaintance and from his list of extras - I picked out a 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter autographed card of Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval, which I received after I'd mailed out the Abreu card.
Generic Fairfield black jumbo pack of 100 cards [$4.99 each at Target] - these repacks guarantee three 'vintage' cards from [either] the 50's, 60's and 70s.
I didn't think it was unreasonable to hope for one or two cards at least 40 years old - but all I got was four s[crap] cards from the late 1970s, cards I really would throw away otherwise, but are my supposed 'prizes' from repacks like these.
Top section
1988 Donruss Will Clark #21 - Diamond King subset
1987 Topps Bob Grich #677
1987 Topps Ted Power #437
1987 Topps Keith Hernandez #350 - I've stumbled upon this card a few times.
1987 Topps Sid Bream #35
1987 Topps Mario Soto #517
1987 Topps Reds Leaders #281 - features Pete Rose
1987 Topps Bip Roberts #637
1987 Topps Randy Myers #213
1987 Topps Mike LaValliere #162
1987 Topps Pete O' Brien #17
1986 Topps Bob Grich #155
1994 Leaf Pat Listach #420
1990 Donruss Damon Berryhill #167
1990 Donruss Jeff Russell #284
1995 Score Jeff Frye #269
1990 Donruss Jose Gonzalez #314
1988 Topps Cal Ripken Sr. #444
2000 Fleer Tradition Jason Kendall #OD 14 of 32 - Opening Day insert
1989 Fleer Steve Jeltz #573
2002 Fleer Showcase Luis Gonzalez #20 - Baseball's Best jersey card insert
1989 Donruss Rick Honeycutt #328
1989 Donruss Scott Sanderson #629
1989 Donruss Marvin Freeman #631
1989 Donruss Mike Henneman #327
1989 Donruss Nelson Liriano #627
1988 Topps Bob James #232
1988 Topps Steve Ontiveros #272
1990 K-Mart Superstars Mark McGwire #32
1991 Topps Herm Winningham #204
1991 Topps Mike Perez #205
1991 Donruss Mike Morgan #182
1990 Classic Draft Picks Donovan Osborne #13
1991 Donruss Bill Sampen #351
1991 Donruss Brian Barnes #415
1991 Donruss Terry Steinbach #329
1988 Topps Jose DeLeon #634
1988 Topps Kal Daniels #622
1990 Score Dave Schmidt #30
1991 Topps Stadium Club Dome Shawn Curran #30
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Jeff Kent #153
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Conor Jackson #304
1990 K-Mart Superstars Bret Saberhagen #26
1990 K-Mart Superstars Jeff Ballard #27
1990 K-Mart Superstars Mark Davis #14
1990 K-Mart Superstars Tony Gwynn #5
1984 Fleer Chris Bando #534
1985 Topps Tony Gwynn #717 - All Star subset
1977 Topps Freddie Patek #422
1977 Topps Tony Solaita #482
1979 Topps Checklist #241
1989 Cap'n Crunch Roger Clemens #18 of 22
Bottom section
1989 Topps Glossy '1988 Rookies' Brady Anderson #2 of 22
1989 Topps Mark Gubicza #430
1989 Topps Gary Sheffield #343
1989 Topps Bob Welch #605
1989 Topps Kevin McReynolds #7 - Record Breakers subset
1989 Topps Jim Adduci #338
1989 Topps Scott Bankhead #79
1989 Topps Dave Palmer #67
1989 Topps Jose Canseco #500
1989 Topps Dave Johnson #684
1989 Topps Dwight Gooden #661 - Turn Back the Clock subset
1988 Topps Ed Romero #37
1987 Topps Ron Roenicke #329
1987 Topps Bob Grich #677
1987 Topps Hal McRae #573
1988 Topps Terry Francona #686
1987 Topps Joe Sambito #451
1988 Donruss Marvell Wynne #237
1988 Donruss Storm Davis #595
1989 Topps Joe Price #217
1987 Donruss Jim Adduci #495
1989 Fleer Greg Harris #570
1989 Upper Deck #448
1983 Donruss Gary Woods #631
1988 Donruss Jose Guzman #136
1987 Topps Tiffany Ted Power #437
1987 Topps Tiffany Terry Kennedy #540
1994 Leaf Jose Valentin #50
1991 Leaf Dave Henderson #232
1991 Leaf Carmelo Martinez #160
1991 Leaf Jerald Clark #265
1979 Topps Enos Cabell #515
1993 Donruss Bret Boone #188
1991 Donruss Studio Juan Samuel #188
1996 Donruss Studio Carlos Delgado #57
1994 Donruss Jeff Reboulet #85
1988 Topps Donell Nixon #146
1988 Topps Bert Blyleven #295
1992 Leaf Jim Eisenreich #295
1989 Score Benito Santiago #4
1982 Topps Wayne Krenchicki #107
1981 Topps Lenn Sakata #287
1980 Topps Bob Apodaca #633
1988 Score Herm Winningham #142
1990 Fleer Dave Magadan #210
1991 Line Drive Bobby Rose #169
1992 Topps Stadium Club Ron Gant #730
1991 Toys R' Us Rookies Frank Thomas #27 of 33
Torii Hunter has had a fine season despite a midseason slump dragging his overall numbers a little bit - it is tough to say whether or not the Angels will catch the Texas Rangers, though I hope Hunter finishes the 2011 season strong with the bat and the glove.
After their 'dud' game against the Baltimore Orioles Friday night - the Halos need a swift collective kick in the butt.
2011 Topps Chrome Value Pack #2
Pack one
#71 Colby Rasmus
#VC 25 Josh Hamilton - Vintage 1996 Topps Chrome insert
#205 Chris Sale
#195 Craig Kimbrel
Pack two
#80 Joe Mauer
#89 Gaby Sanchez
#99 Kendrys Morales - refractor; with the emergence of some Angels rookie at first base, Morales has been a 'non-factor' for the Angels since the middle of the 2010 season.
#179 Marcos Mateo
Pack three
#97 Ubaldo Jimenez
#37 Mike Leake - x-fractor
#172 Brandon Belt
#164 Jered Weaver
Orange refractor pack
#49 Jonathan Papelbon
#36 Billy Butler
#199 Pedro Beato
#C152 Jay Bruce - Heritage Chrome insert / parallel, serial #'d 0946/1962 #138 Jose Reyes - refractor #194 Mason Tobin - x-fractor
2011 Topps Chrome value pack [$8.99 each x2 at Target] - comes with three packs of 2011 Topps Chrome and a three card pack of Orange refractors.
Pack one
#25 Adrian Gonzalez
#139 Clayton Richard - Purple refractor serial #'d 266/499
#137 Chris Young
Pack two
#36 Rafael Soriano
#121 Chris Carpenter
#114 Carlos Beltran
Checklist 1 of 2
Pack three
#44 David Price
#56 Gio Gonzalez
#159 Paul Konerko
Orange refractor pack
#37 Mike Leake
#190 Ivan DeJesus Jr.
#220 Aaron Crow
I was sort of scheming around on Labor Day, thinking all the gates at Angel Stadium might open at the same time for a 6:05 p.m. Angel game - if I can go in through the back, I could probably beat the rush for the autographs wristbands passed out for Darin Erstad, who was throwing out the first pitch.
A couple of buddies were already in line at the Home Plate Gate, so I decided to walk to the back and explore - I saw Ichiro dropped off down the tunnel where visitors go through and I think I got a faint wave from the bottom as I called out to him.
I didn't see any security or anyone by the gate at the back of the stadium - as I was standing around, I actually saw Erstad carrying his son as he walked to the Angels' offices.
I'm flipping through my autograph book, digging out my Erstad cards [I figure he'd do two and even if he did more, I'd get the ones that were my priorities at this point] - I approach him to ask him to sign and he put his boy down and nods towards me.
Erstad signed a 2005 Topps Turkey Red and a 1997 Upper Deck Rock Solid Foundation insert - signed; the Upper Deck insert maybe worth a dime today but it is my favorite Erstad card because it is shiny and I probably pulled it when Erstad was still considered a rising star.
I go back to buddies to see what is up and head to the back a second time - I'm still trying to use some chicanery here and there was just a group of about four or five people waiting at the back of the stadium.
It looks like they had stuff to get signed for Erstad too, but they found out the gates in the back were opening at 4:30 p.m. - Home Plate gate was the only one opening at 4 p.m., so it was off to the front, again.
After heading into the line where my buddies were, it was off to the races once the gates opened - I don't know what compelled me to nearly kill myself trying to get a wristband for another Erstad autograph.
I crumpled my ticket as I straggled towards the line just because I was going to collapse - I'D GOTTEN ERSTAD TWICE ALREADY, DID I REALLY HAVE TO DO WHAT I DID, JUST TO END UP WITH A THIRD ONE?
I got my wristband, but ended up stumbling around to sit in a couple of places out in the right field concourse to try and chill out - this was all unbelievable, if only because I got caught up in the rush and was paying for it.
For about 40 minutes during the early part of batting practice, I threw up a little and struggled to regain my composure - I was gassed and didn't feel any better until towards the start of the game.
During the game, I made my way to the line for Erstad - the card I was going to get signed was a 1995 Signature Rookies B-1 Bomber card; it pictures Erstad in his Nebraska uniform and I think it is a cool card, even though it was probably another way for an unknown trading card company to cash in on 1995's No. 1 overall pick.
As intense as Erstad was as a baseball player, he seems to give off an even-keeled vibe - I would think with his reputation, he'd sort of have more of a gruff personality.
I asked Erstad to use my Sharpie when I approached him and the Angels handler [for the first pitch signers] mumbled, "now he is going to want you put his number..."
What a good idea, so that is exactly what I had him do- he did it without a problem and I was fortunate to end up with three Erstads in one day.
Angels shortstop Erick Aybar was 4-for-5 with run scored in the Angels 6-5 loss against the New York Yankees this past Sunday - it looks like his up-and-down offensive season is back on the upswing this final month of the regular MLB season and despite his offensive shortcomings, the Angels are going to need a spark from him either hitting at the top or at the bottom of the lineup.
When I got Jeremy Moore to sign a couple of his cards [same ones] on Monday, I didn't realized he had already logged a Major League at-bat with the Angels - the September call-up has seen little action so far, but did score the go-ahead run in the Angels 3-1 win against the Mariners last night.
The Halos lack of pop is particularly grating in the heat of a pennant race - but everyone would rather be watching a team still playing for something in September, rather just playing out the schedule.
This Los Angeles Dodgers mini-helmet was signed in-person by Russell Martin, the New York Yankees All-Star catcher in 2007 - back when he was among a group of young Dodgers prospects that was part of the future, including Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Tony Abreu, et al.
After enduring a rough couple years leading to his depature in L.A., it looks like Martin is having a bounce back season at the plate - he was one of three Yankees to hit a grand slam against the Oakland Athletics last Thursday in a 22-9 win.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is probably the best pitcher in Major League Baseball and will gain all sorts of postseason awards for his dominance on the mound in 2011 - however, this season isn't the time to be a front runner and jump on his bandwagon, particularly he wasn't too happy after Angels shortstop Erick Aybar tried to break up his no hitter in a 3-2 win against the Angels on July 31.
I got the officially licensed Photofile 8x10 photo signed in-person by Verlander back in April 2007 - his autograph isn't all that great, but at least I can say I ran into him and actually had something signed.
I got this card by Florida Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton when the Marlins came and played the San Diego Padres in San Diego - this is one of the three cards I got signed [two by Marlins backup catcher Brett Hayes] during batting practice before security on the field told me not to throw my clipboard over the dugout.
The trading card set of choice for me to get autographed are cards from the 2006-present Topps Allen and Ginter's sets - sometimes, I do like getting retro cards like Topps Heritage signed, though it is on a 'card-by-card' basis instead of an 'all-out' effort.
I didn't have time to throw a Sharpie to Stanton - so he signed my card with the blue ballpoint pen he had signed a couple of baseballs with.
I got this Sports Illustrated page signed in-person by Jerome Williams when he still had some 'top prospect' status with the San Francisco Giants back in 2003 or 2004 - I had to dig it out when he picked up his first MLB win in five years for the Angels.
By virtue of being a journeyman, he might not stick around too long with the Angels [or even in the Major Leagues] - but perhaps at 29, now possesses the knowledge and still has the stuff to make something of his opportunity.
So Jered Weaver and the Angels have agreed to a contract paying him around $85 million for the next five seasons - with the way he has been pitching over the last few seasons, it is nice to see Angels general manager Tony Reagins get something done to lock him up for the long haul.
A professional athlete in his prime, looking for that next long-term contract that is going to take his relative wealth to a whole new level is understandable - but sometimes the athlete doesn't experience the same level of success and despite being paid more than he has ever had before, alters the course of his professional career in a downward spiral.
As a potential free agent, Weaver may have gotten a minimum of $120 million or more as a starting point - it maybe refreshing to assume he has had it good in Anaheim and didn't want to drastically change his lifestyle.
It seems like Weaver has really built up an ardent fan base and while he may not come across as being having a superstar persona - he gets fans interested by his performances as the ace pitcher of the Angels staff.
My friend and stopped at a card shop I haven't been at in about two years and I spent $4.75 on 24 cards - what does someone think when I spend an hour lingering at their 'card shoppe' and spend just about $5 on random cards?
I'm not a big box breaker or a guy who usually picks up various singles but there is a seemingly a higher premium for both at this shop - so there has never been a real incentive to make an impulsive purchase.
However, there is a good selection of monster boxes [mainly sorted by year / brand] to dig through, including the '5 for $1' boxes featuring rookies / prospects - so maybe I could take home a little 'grab bag' of cards.
I actually started with what looks to be a 3,200 box with a row of common baseball inserts - I want to look for various inserts just for the possibility there maybe some nice, if not particularly valuable keepers.
Inserts
1.) 2008 Bowman Chrome Garret Anderson #125 Gold refractor serial #'d 24/50
2.) 2008 Topps Chrome Torii Hunter #114 Copper parallel serial #'d 115/599
3.) 2005 Topps Updates and Highlights Bobby Cox #UH 172 Gold parallel serial #'d 1513/2005
4.) 2009 Topps Dusty Baker #154 Gold parallel serial #'d 0507/2009
5.) 2007 Bowman Chrome Michael Young #72 refractor parallel
6.) 1998 Upper Deck Rookie Edition Preview Todd Helton #4 of 10
Various rookies / prospects box
1.) 2000 Topps Gold Label Scott Downs RC #99 - I thought this was a nice find since I wouldn't go out of my way to look for any of his cards to be autographed. Even though he maybe the Angels most effective reliever, he may have hurt himself again...
2.) 2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Jake Marisnick #39 - I have this 'draft pick' card already, but Marisnick has enjoyed a breakout year in the minors.
3.) 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Luis Jimenez #BCP 22 x2 - not a super prospect but someone who has steadily battled up the minor league ranks and may earn a September call-up.
4.) 2009 Bowman Prospects Michael Stutes #BP 62, 2009 Bowman Draft Gold D.J. Le Mahieu #BDPP27 and 2010 Bowman Platinum Trevor Plouffe #77 - random cards of three players who have been 2011 MLB rookies.
5.) 2011 Upper Deck World of Sports Stephen Fife #153 - he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox and this unlicensed card is another I maybe able to get signed, if he gets to the Major Leagues.
6.) 1988 Topps Traded Robin Ventura RC #124T - this card is probably worth a nickel these days, but sometimes the nostalgia of growing up as a baseball fan through the 1990s kicks in and Ventura was one of the better players at the time. About 20 years ago, this card may have been known as an 'XRC' in a Beckett though various trading card designations in a price guide have faded away over time.
7.) 1989 Upper Deck Roberto Alomar #471 - I prefer this second year card of the Hall of Fame second baseman, over his various 'rookie issues' released in 1988, though it is probably worth a nickel like the Ventura card.
8.) 2006 Topps Allen and Ginter Josh Willingham #256, 2006 Topps Allen and Ginter Anderson Hernandez #263 and 2006 Topps Turkey Red Melky Cabrera #627 - random 'setters' I probably didn't have and probably wouldn't have bothered looking for unless I stumbled upon them.
9.) 1996 Fleer Update Tony Batista RC #U70, 1996 Fleer Flair Tony Batista RC #141 and 1996 Fleer Update Chris Singleton RC #209 - an old friend of mine 10-12 years ago used to hoard all sorts of cards and maybe I'd be a little jealous he would dig out these types of cards. I actually remember when these Batista [and his goofy stance] and Singleton [now an 'analyst' for ESPN] had their breakout seasons in the late 1990s-early 2000s and just maybe their rookie cards were something to chase for maybe half a season or so.
10.) 2009 Bowman Prospects Wilin Rosario #BP 58 and 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Maikel Cleto #BCP 155 - a couple of prospects working their way through the minors.
This isn't another in-person autograph failure like what happened with Dodgers' ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw - but probably a story about getting a couple of autographs at a public appearance that turned out not to be one of my better in-person autograph experiences.
Rising Angel star Mark Trumbo did a signing at a Dave and Buster's restaurant in Orange, California a couple of weeks ago - I think I waited about five hours to get through the line from when I got there and since there were a couple of signings going on, it wasn't too congested.
I think groups of about 15 people were led inside the restaurant and to the banquet hall - where Trumbo was sitting by himself at a table with an Angels handler standing at the 'stage area.'
I was really hoping I'd get a nicer autograph as Trumbo has done a bunch of signings in 2011 - perhaps he has had some opportunity to 'refine' his penmanship.
I finally was able to approach him on stage to get my 8x10 print signed and perhaps his autograph would have been fine - if I'd just let him sign the white border that I still needed to cut off the print, but I tried telling him to sign it "big" and across the image.
He ends up signing my 8x10 print to the side and the autograph is literally 'MT 44' and it wasn't like I expected a 'letter for letter' autograph - but I felt like he didn't want to deal with me and gave me a chicken scratch autograph on purpose.
More awkwardness ensues when I get back in line for a second autograph - I overhead a conversation Trumbo and the Angels handler were having about rubbing down the 2011 Bowman cards people having them signed because they were too glossy.
The handler then grabs my 2011 Bowman gold parallel, rubs it against his shirt furtively and accidently drops it - as Trumbo grabs for my card, he says something like, "back again, two for today huh..."
The Angels handler mumbles something towards me, but Trumbo does sign another 'MT' autograph on my card - as I thank him and walk away he responds, "yeah, I'll see that on eBay."
As he said that, I wanted to go crawl under a rock somewhere - I kept thinking I probably should have started up at one of the other Angels signings that morning.
2011 Topps Lineage value pack [$4.99 each at a Target] - all I can say is busting a lone value pack isn't as much fun as ripping through a blaster of Lineage.
Top section
#90 Tris Speaker
#97 Aaron Hill
#103 Joey Votto
#163 Jered Weaver - Diamond Anniversary shiny parallel
#181 Frank Thomas
#197 Andre Dawson
#23 Carlos Zambrano
Bottom section
#4 Buster Posey
#60 Reggie Jackson
#69 Jayson Werth
#78 Dan Uggla
#108 Hank Aaron
#164 Brandon Beachy
#177 Phil Hughes
#2 of 4 Checklist