Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Mar 2, 2011, 11:24 pm
Garret Anderson, one of the most consistent, underrated and quietly productive players in Los Angeles Angels history has decided to hang up his cleats at 38 years of age after 17 Major League seasons. Anderson joins Gary Sheffield and Jody Gerut in retiring prior to the beginning of the 2011 season...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Feb 11, 2011, 12:47 am
The Lakers played the third game of seven on their road trip tonight against the Boston Celtics and we’re able to extend they’re winning streak to 3.  Although they didn’t dominate from the start to finish they definitely played together as a team much better then in previous games.  Kobe ha...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Feb 8, 2011, 7:43 pm
If you thought that the trade the Lakers made for Pau Gasol back in 2008 with the Memphis Grizzlies was big you’ll drop a jaw on this possible trade, Andrew Bynum for Carmelo Anthony. Sources are conflicted on this one saying that the deal is dead, but other sources are saying that the deal is no...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Jan 8, 2011, 3:47 pm
It’s an easy pitfall when following sports leagues closely. The temptation to generalize, exaggerate, and overreact is subtle. When a player comes out of nowhere to hit nine home runs in 13 games, he’s an All-Star and MVP candidate suddenly. When a backup center averages 12.5 points and 6.8 reb...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Jan 1, 2011, 4:26 pm
December 31.  We’ve reached the end of another calendar, and in a few short hours (depending on your time zone), 2010 will give way to 2011.  As we reflect on what the last year means to us–the things we expected, the surprises, the highs and lows–there’s yet another chance to start fresh ...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Dec 26, 2010, 6:56 pm
The much anticipated Christmas Day matchup between the Heat and Lakers has come and gone, happily for LeBron, Wade, and Co., unceremoniously for the Lakers. I previewed the game a few days before Christmas and noted that this game would be something of a litmus test for the Lakers, who have played ...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Dec 22, 2010, 5:42 pm
Everyone is going to have an opinion on this subject.  Your opinion could be religious, family, financial you name it but you’ll have an opinion.  For me I say take the day off. No not because I’m religious, also not because I think the league has enough money already but rather because it wo...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Dec 22, 2010, 12:26 pm
Only one game for either team separates the world from one of the most hyped regular season games in recent memory: Heat vs. Lakers on Christmas Day.  The Lakers finished up their schedule with a trap game loss to Milwaukee tonight at STAPLES Center, while the Heat have a Thursday matchup against t...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Dec 21, 2010, 9:12 pm
Adrian Beltre hit 28 home runs and batted .321 in 2010 for the Red Sox The L.A. Times published a story today stating that the Angels have pulled their offer off the table for Adrian Beltre, yet remain interested in having him play third base for them next year.  The offer was believed to be in th...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Dec 18, 2010, 9:56 pm
The baseball offseason is in full gear and the Hot Stove is on. There is a rush every November/December to woo the best free agents in the league in hopes of locking down an impact player. A team’s ability to do so can change the complexion of the roster overnight, renew hope in success, sell ti...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Dec 18, 2010, 9:51 pm
Mitch Kupchak, the longtime Laker General Manager, has a near perfect personnel record over the last handful of years.  In 2008, he paid about 40 cents on the dollar for Pau Gasol, which immediately transformed the Lakers into a title favorite.  Earlier that season, he stole the limitless potentia...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Dec 16, 2010, 7:36 pm
If you haven’t seen the Domingo Ayala video series on YouTube yet check it out, I warn you now though you won’t be able to stop laughing.  The most recent video to the series features Angels Top Prospect Hank Conger catching with Domingo Ayala.  Hank has been tearing it up in the minor leagues...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Dec 14, 2010, 11:14 pm
Lakers picked up another win tonight in Washington with a strong victory over the Wizards 103-89.  Today marked the return of Andrew Bynum to the lineup and brought news that Sasha “The Machine” Vujacic will be part of a three way trade with the Rockets and Nets.  The result of the trade for t...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Cavaliers Basketball - Dec 3, 2010, 2:04 am
Well tonight was the moment all Cavalier fans have been waiting for, granted we all would have liked for Lebron to be wearing a different jersey say a Cav’s one, but at least he is back.  Not everyone was happy to see him with his new team though.  CBSSports.com has put together a great post wit...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Nov 29, 2010, 2:04 pm
The Miami Heat are “closing in” on signing veteran center Erick Dampier, according to Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. (Question: why are they closing in? Why can’t they just sign him?  Is Dampier entertaining several offers and weighing each of them? Does he know about some deal w...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Nov 16, 2010, 12:35 pm
With the Lakers’ first loss of 2010-11 on Thursday night against Denver, the hope of Laker fans for the undefeated 82-0 season was dashed. After playing fantastic in 6 of their first eight games and blowing out a couple decent teams, the Lakers started to make me think they were unbeatable and mi...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Oct 30, 2010, 10:18 pm
I’m new here, so allow me to introduce myself. I’m Jason Heim, the newest Gear Up for Sports Laker writer. Wow! (waiting for applause to die down) Thank you for that! You’re too kind, especially for an audience so accustomed to unparalleled excellence and success.   In all seriousness, I h...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Oct 1, 2010, 6:44 pm
I’ve chronicled how this was a lost season for the Angels and how it cannot end soon enough for all of us who care. I’ve beaten that point like a dead horse, so to speak. Well, now that we’ve arrived at the end, its time to take a deep breath, mourn (or celebrate) the end of the schedule, and ...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Sep 15, 2010, 11:20 pm
Don’t get me wrong: this Angels team was headed for an early vacation all year long. The theme of my last post was that the Angels just didn’t have “it” this year. However, even as I’ve watched the games gradually less frequently, I’ve noticed a new level of ineptitude since July 22. Tha...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Sep 6, 2010, 9:29 pm
  Let’s face it Angel fans, our team just didn’t have it this year. That’s not a just a hindsight statement; I felt from the beginning that there was something different (read: bad) about this year’s version of the Halos. True, the AL West is a little better than in times past, but nothing...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Jul 30, 2010, 3:26 pm
The 2010 Major League Baseball trade deadline is quickly approaching with the deadline being its customary date of July 31st on a yearly basis. I will try and tackle every Major League team as the deadline approaches to see if they will be buyers, sellers or stick to their current roster. I will b...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Jun 26, 2010, 8:26 pm
While Brandon Wood appears anything but the real deal, another Angels newcomer has appeared to take his position away. Wood will apparently be relegated to utility duty after his return from the disabled list, relinquishing the five-spot on the infield to Kevin Frandsen. The rehab stint in Salt Lake...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Jun 10, 2010, 4:20 pm
Mike Trout As the Angels sort through their picks from the latest player draft, I’m reminded of all the recent draftees I’ve seen perform in the Arizona Rookie League over the last few years.  Of these, the most impressive by far has been Mike Trout, who was drafted in the first round last yea...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 31, 2010, 6:51 pm
A day after Kendry Morales broke his leg celebrating a game-winning grand slam, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim second baseman Howie Kendrick clubbed his second homer of the game with two outs and two on in the ninth to give the Halos  a 9-7 victory over the slumping Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Man...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 31, 2010, 2:52 pm
Kendry Morales was my pick to win this year’s American League Most Valuable Player award and he was well on his way to reproducing the big numbers of his breakout 2009 season.  Unfortunately, he’s become the latest victim of the strange curse that follows the Angels around like something that y...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 24, 2010, 7:31 pm
Halos catcher Mike Napoli has kept the Angels home run streak of ten straight games alive going into their current homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Fifteen of the hot hitting Napoli’s 22 hits have gone for extra bases, and his slugging percentage is over .700 since April 30th(ranking 5...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 16, 2010, 2:23 pm
The Angels’ hitters certainly haven’t been lighting it up so far this season but their middle of the pack performance isn’t the primary issue right now. It’s pitching, or lack thereof.  The starters have shown signs of coming around recently but the relievers are still stuck in the mud.  A...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 12, 2010, 7:42 pm
Enough already?  Many of the Halo faithful have thrown in the towel when it comes down to Angels closer Brian Fuentes.  Watching Monday’s debacle against Tampa Bay in the ninth was painful as the left-handed relief specialist marked up his second blown save of the season.  Fuentes was simpl...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 8, 2010, 8:20 pm
Jered Weaver fulfilled his role as the Angels ace last night by hurling 6 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball and combining with Scott Shields on a two hit shutout to end the team’s longest losing streak in eight years.  Seven losses in a row, one for each day of the week, takes its toll on a team...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 4, 2010, 8:57 pm
What many general managers consider to be a nightmare on Gene Autry Way has come to the Big A.  Since taking the Disney out of the neighboring Magic Kingdom and becoming the happiest place on earth, Matsuiland has become the new home for Godzilla.  Supporters have had to defend their iconic hero s...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 2, 2010, 4:11 pm
In no particular order… Erick Aybar        C Erick plays well with others but needs to focus more on the immediate moment and make the routine plays as well as the spectacular.  His dramatically increased plate discipline and additional walks in the leadoff spot are appreciated but he...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - May 1, 2010, 8:30 pm
Named set-up man of the decade by Sports Illustrated for his durability and dependability, Angels reliever Scot Shields is a champion! The only remaining player from the Halos’ 2002 World Series team, the veteran right-hander became the lone active roster holdover when fellow pitcher John Lac...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Apr 26, 2010, 6:02 pm
Well what can you say about this year’s team? The starting pitching has been at best mediocre, the bats have inconsistent and the bullpen, well to say it nicely has been horrible. The best thing to happen to this Angel squad is that the worst free-agent acquisition they have made in quite a few ...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Apr 26, 2010, 12:42 am
Matsui and Morales on deck during Spring Training 2010 The Angels finally broke through with a winning week on their third try.  After a 2-6 start they’ve managed to gain on the pack and trail only the A’s by any significant margin, which shouldn’t be a problem going forward.  Not that ther...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Apr 17, 2010, 7:40 pm
As the Angels attempt to claw their way back to respectability at the onset of this young season, it is obvious that the biggest obstacle they face right now is with pitching.  Only two of their six starters have shown up, performance-wise,  so far and Jered Weaver and Joel Pineiro aren’t goi...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Apr 10, 2010, 3:27 pm
As Mike Scioscia told the LA Times, “We could have played a triple-A team the last couple of nights and lost.”  Unfortunately for the Angels they were playing the Twins and A’s instead, and these aren’t exhibitions anymore.  They gave up ten runs on consecutive nights for t...
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Chris P. posted an article on Los Angeles Angels Blog of Anaheim - Mar 10, 2010, 10:42 am
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Mar 8, 2010, 3:09 pm
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Mar 8, 2010, 3:09 pm
There are any number of reasons the Lakers have come up short in their last couple of games, but the main point is that they’ve come up short. This year’s team has a surprisingly scary tendency to come up short in big games, or not even show up at all. Granted, the win over Denver last week help...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Mar 3, 2010, 1:55 pm
As has become the norm for this Lakers squad, last night’s game was the tale of two halves. In the first, the Lakers played the same relaxed defense that has led to a lackluster record against good competition. In the second, the Lakers bench put on a show and the defense clamped down like a vice ...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Mar 3, 2010, 1:55 pm
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Feb 18, 2010, 11:44 am
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Feb 18, 2010, 11:44 am
It was Shannon Brown’s night, to be certain, but the latest Kobe-less Laker win could also be attributed to Lamar’s massive rebounding effort as well as Bynum’s relatively successful return from a bruised hip. I like to joke that every time someone beats the Lakers, there’s an individual on ...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Cavaliers Basketball - Feb 11, 2010, 4:11 pm
WANTED:  Any single person in (your current city) who believes they can defend LeBron James when the Cleveland Cavaliers come into town.  This statement should be stapled to every telephone pole in your neighborhood if you live out of the state of Ohio.  James is playing out of his mind right now...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Cavaliers Basketball - Feb 11, 2010, 4:11 pm
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Cavaliers Basketball - Feb 4, 2010, 2:36 pm
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Cavaliers Basketball - Feb 4, 2010, 2:36 pm
LeBron James has been dishing out assists as the Cavs have been serving up win after win.  This is exactly the type of unselfish play that contributed to the team’s success last year and the year before. I must admit, at the start of the season I was concerned with the way the team didn’t seem...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Feb 1, 2010, 2:07 pm
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Lakers Basketball - Feb 1, 2010, 2:07 pm
Ah, the ups and downs of an LA Lakers season. Since the last post our beloved basketball gods have stumbled a few times and lost that top spot in the league, although few would argue they are not still contenders. Rather, these last 6 weeks or so have shown that the Lakers are more mortal than god-l...
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Chris P. posted an article on Gear Up For Cavaliers Basketball - Jan 24, 2010, 10:34 pm
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