OPENING DAY: BRING ON THE RALLY MONKEY!

A few days ago I posted about making the final cut for another baseball web-journal.  I received a follow-up email from the admin just yesterday morning saying that I'd been chosen to write for the Angels! I'm very excited about this one!

A few minutes ago I sent them a picture of me, a short bio, and my Opening Day article.  I posted here the other day that I would have it up the next day, but because of school and work I got distracted.  So here it is, a bit late, but better late than never, right?

 

(for the future: I will probably continue to post my articles for the journal on this site, because I'll update this more informally every day after games like I did previously.  Right now I do not yet have the link to the new journal, but when I get it, I hope that you will check it out as well!)

So here goes!

Article: Opening Day: Bring on the Rally Monkey!

 It seems like every year the off-season feels longer and longer to me.  But really, it’s probably just my own sense of anticipation, and my unwillingness to practice patience.  This is, however, the first year I’ve really paid a lot of attention to Spring Training, listening to games on the radio, watching the few broadcasted on television, and waiting anxiously for the final stats via box scores online. 

- I even downloaded a widget for my mac that gives me day-to-day scores. I know, ridiculous. I love my mac!

Needless to say, I am completely obsessed with this 2008 season, and it hasn’t even begun yet.  A friend of mine coaxed me into playing fantasy this year, my first time ever playing, and I ended up drafting six Angels, the ones I could get before the others were snatched by the other nine teams in my fantasy league. 

However, let me just start by saying that it is my personal philosophy that baseball is never to be about stats.  I care very little for how many home runs a player hits.  The power bat has meant very little to me from a young age, and still continues in how I watch the game today.  I have a huge passion for the running game – for base stealing, hitting singles and doubles one after another, watching the players put pressure on the defense – and that’s what led me to the Angels in the first place.  The only stats I will watch for this year are those of my fantasy team, and I’ll watch the Angels simply to watch them win, which of course, they will do.

Spring training this year has shown tremendous hope for the Angels 2008 season.  Even without aces John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, our pitching staff has looked strong throughout Spring Training.  Jered Weaver seems to be returning to his 11-2, 2006 season form, while Joe Saunders continues to prove his worth, John Garland shows that the trade with Chicago for Orlando Cabrera may not be the big mistake it seemed to be at the moment, and even Ervin Santana seems to be making strides towards a better year.  As far as in the field and in the batter’s box, the Angels have a plethora of options.  Never was there such a team with the depth and possibilities.  With the addition of Torii Hunter, also not such a bad winter acquisition, the lineup has a bit more power in the middle, while we continue to have running game in Chone Figgins, Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis, and Reggie Willits throughout.  The defense seems solid this year, proving that they can handle losing one of their team leaders, and still maintain a level of team chemistry necessary to clinch the Western Division for the second season in a row.  And with the combination of all elements, the Angels have a serious chance of making it further into October, if they continue to show the promise they have so far this Spring.

Opening Day is only mere hours from right now.  Never in my life have I been more excited for the season to start.  The only downside is that the Angels will be away to begin, in cold Minnesota, at the Metrodome.  Jered Weaver will square off against Livan Hernandez, while Torii Hunter will see his teammates from the other side of the field for the first time.  It will definitely be interesting. As for me, I will be sitting here on my couch in my red Angels shirt and Reggie Willits Jersey, with my Angels blanket, hat, and rally monkey for company.  The anticipation of four o’clock will kill me all day, and when the moment comes, I’ll be ready – stocked with my beer in hand, a bbq hot dog, chips, soda, peanuts, the works – anything to make it feel like I’m actually there. 

Here’s to Another Halo win, and another division title! Angels in 08!