Dear Anaheim Angels:

by RLangford on Aug 28, 2006 11:58 PM PDT

You are no threat.

Can we just stop pretending that a team that's 6 games over .500, a team that hasn't been much better than that all season, a team that could only split at home against the Boston B-team and the Yankees' 5/6/7 starters, a team that can't field, a team that can't take a walk, a team that pitches poor Scott Shields two innings in any game it has a chance of winning, a team that hasn't put together a meaningful stretch of good baseball, a team...

I could go on, but please can we stop pretending that that completely average and uninspiring team is any threat to us. Can we stop with the "If the A's play .500 the rest of the way" scenarios, as if there is any chance that the Angels will possibly play 10 games over .500 the rest of the way.

I, for one, am sick and tired of pretending that the Angels are worth a shit. I'm sick of being afraid of Jared Weaver and whoever else they're tossing out there. I'm sick of pretending I'm threatened by their sorry-ass lineup of Chone Figgins and a bunch of other slap-happy dink hitters. I'm sick of hearing about their youth that's amounted to one pitcher and one hitter this year--the rest has been crap. Saunders, Napoli, Morales...who cares about these guys?

They'll be good next year, you say. So what? I don't give a crap about next year right now.

The Angels haven't done a damn thing the whole season. Haren put them in their place a month ago and they haven't been heard from since. Their big moment was when the Royals swept us 10 days ago. Well, I hope they enjoyed it because that's a distant memory now.

So to the Angels and their fans I say this:

Go away, you don't matter any more.

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Comments

The sun is setting on the Big A --

(Except they no longer have the big A)
Yes, I'm thinking maybe we don't have to keep our eyes on the rear view mirror as much as start sharpening our swords for the battle ahead.

Fix problem areas and make sure we don't execute double plays when we have two outs.

Kennedy is looking really good and I'm anxious to see if Harden can join the bullpen at all by late Sept. or early Oct. It's great to see Loiza and Blanton both come back at the right time.

I think tonight was a wake up call to the Central and East: guess what guys... we're not fading!!!

by Carlos1118 on Aug 29, 2006 12:11 AM PDT reply actions

The BIg A is still there

It is in the east parking lot.

by RevHalofan on Aug 29, 2006 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions

and still

posting on the AN forums hahaha.

BRING BACK MIGGY!

by Ionnes on Aug 29, 2006 2:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Although Angels fans

know all to well that no lead is safe until the magic number iz zero (1995), I have to agree. Jason Kendall put an end years of Scioscia's Psy-Ops approach when Lackey tried to take that act to the mound. Stoneman's mid-summer Ambien binge didn't hurt either.

by southofcruiseamerica on Aug 29, 2006 12:43 AM PDT reply actions

Gonna have to go ahead and disagree with ya

Personally, I'll only stop worrying about the Angels when there are n games left in the season and our lead is (n-1). Until then, the Angels are a pretty good team, and assuming that they're "no longer a threat" could be dangerous.

Plus, threads like this just give the Rev and the rest of his slackjawed mouthbreathers over at HH something to whine about.

by limecat on Aug 29, 2006 12:59 AM PDT reply actions

let them whine...

the Rev is even Wearing It tonight: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Bitches Okay, he's doesn't Wear It because the A's are pulling away from Anaheim, but it is a step in the right direction.

Being an Angel fan, no doubt, he'll soon be on the A's bandwagon.

by FoolshGame22 on Aug 29, 2006 1:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Now they're trying to steal the Bitch karma?

What a Mickey Mouse site they run over there. Always two steps behind us.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 29, 2006 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

two steps

and 6.5 games

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 29, 2006 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions

ooooooh burn

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 29, 2006 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions

nicely done

thats a 3rd degree burn

by methodrampage on Aug 29, 2006 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

woof, woof...

Stake through the heart

Followed by decapitation and burning of the body.

Then I'll believe the Angels are dead.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Aug 29, 2006 1:11 AM PDT reply actions

But... but...

...what if they bring out the Rally Monkey? (gasp!)

In all honesty, they can still turn things around... they just won't.

I fear Texas more than Anaslime.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Aug 29, 2006 1:17 AM PDT reply actions

As the good folks at Lookout Landing pointed out

the Angels are as close to first place - 6.5 games back - as they are to last. Therefore, they are only half as good as the difference between the A's and the M's - get it? However much better the A's are than the Mariners, the Angels are only half that good.

At the moment.

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 29, 2006 1:18 AM PDT reply actions

The M's...

Would be beating the Angels if they had split the season series with US, instead of the wipeout.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Aug 29, 2006 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I LOVE THIS DIARY

The rivalry between the A's and Angels will never be noticed on a national level until this level of bravado is the norm between us.

Except you spelled Jered Weaver's name wrong.

by RevHalofan on Aug 29, 2006 1:30 AM PDT reply actions

No, Jered Weaver's

parents spelled his name wrong.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 29, 2006 6:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

the correct spelling is "Jered Loser."

Day to day

by oblique on Aug 29, 2006 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions

QOM nominee

Simple yet effective.

"A's Brand Baseball: The worst best baseball you've ever seen!" -Chavvy

by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 29, 2006 7:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Someone give that man a DVD

by hunter on Aug 29, 2006 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

I think you have great point there.

We really should ramp it up. I think most of the great rivalries are between the fans anyway. Let's go with it.

by Duke of left field on Aug 29, 2006 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

8_%

BP projected the A's to win the West 82% of the time before tonight. After tonight, it's probably aroud 88-89%, which sounds about right.

by Nick86 on Aug 29, 2006 1:31 AM PDT reply actions

I usually hate arrogant talk

It always leads me to believe karma will somehow come back and bite us in the ass.

But if you've ever read a single post at HH, you can only have one response for Mr. Langford here:

Bravo. Bravo.

there's simply no club like the white elephant club

by walk off bunt on Aug 29, 2006 1:31 AM PDT reply actions

what really gets me

about the guys at HH isn't that they talk shit, which is par for the course, but how they never, ever give any respect to any of their opponents. When the A's were beating Texas, it wasn't because they were a better team, but because Showalter was laying down for the A's just to spite the Angels. Whenever they lose, it's never, ever because they were outplayed by a better team, it's always because someone on their side screwed up, or at most bad timing.

It's natural to feel that way sometimes, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone at HH (in admittedly a small sample) show any respect to any other team. I think that's why they seem to get on the nerves people here, and what's at the heart of what makes them so annoying to ANers.

by sardonic on Aug 29, 2006 1:59 AM PDT reply actions

Yup

So basically, to recap here, for the Rev and/or any other Angels fans that might be reading: your team SUCKS, and ours is WAY BETTER. You guys CAN'T FIELD WORTH SHIT, and ARE RETARDED RUNNING THE BASES. Your offense is EVEN WORSE THAN OURS, and you only have TWO PITCHERS WORTH SHIT IN THE BULLPEN. Your general manager WILL NEVER MAKE A GOOD TRADE, and of all the youngsters you guys have brought up in the last few years, ONLY WEAVER IS WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN DONKEY COLON. You guys ARE SIX AND A HALF GAMES BEHIND US, and are AS CLOSE TO THE MARINERS AS YOU ARE TO US. You got BITCH-SLAPPED BY THE MARINERS LAST NIGHT, and have NO HOPE THIS YEAR.

I hope that makes everything clear.

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 29, 2006 3:06 AM PDT up reply actions

And Red's a Stupid Color, Too!

"Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies pieced together from the moneyball scrap yard." -- Halos Heaven 7/31/06

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Aug 29, 2006 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Complaints about Texas

I remember last year, some here accused the Rangers not playing as well vs the Angles for some similar reason.

Dunno - sounds like garden variety paranoia to me.

by MobiusKlein on Aug 29, 2006 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

it ain't over...

..until the fat bitch sings.

Go A's!

"The Matt Watson/Chiba Lotte Marines Fan Club"-Through Aug 27th: GMS-53,AVG-.285,OBP-.367, SLG-.418, 9 doubles, 4 homers, 17 RBI

by bigelephant on Aug 29, 2006 5:17 AM PDT reply actions

3 games behind....

the Yankees. Get 'em.

by BleacherDave on Aug 29, 2006 7:04 AM PDT reply actions

I hate this diary

If we blow it, I blame all of you!

Chicks dig Moneyball.

by Kelly on Aug 29, 2006 7:45 AM PDT reply actions

...and the WS Lineup diary... :\

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 29, 2006 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions

uh-huh, i couldn't believe that!

looks like we can draw a line between camps of our AN brothers and sisters somewhat.... those more sober, and perhaps more experienced (or thrice bitten thrice shy) and the those on drunken binge over the first place lead.....out in the streets, looting, hollering, harrassing angel fans, 6ft-6 and bullet proof.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...and in 2006 don't make me sick.

by ak_A on Aug 29, 2006 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions

LOL... well, at least he changed the diary title

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 29, 2006 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions

I missed the looting?

When? Where? How come I never get the good memo's? Just TPS report standards...

A's 2006 record when I attend: 9-7

by peanut gallery on Aug 29, 2006 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions

I wish you'd stop cc'ing me

on things that do not concern me.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Aug 29, 2006 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Gee, I wonder what side

your characterization favors? Your sober; we're drunks.

by RLangford on Aug 29, 2006 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

figure of speech

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...and in 2006 don't make me sick.

by ak_A on Aug 29, 2006 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Blame me all you want

But I won't have blown it. And neither will the A's.

What the hell is wrong with saying what I honestly think of the Angels. I'm tired of how many people tiptoe around this sight out of some unwarranted fear of affecting the standings.

by RLangford on Aug 29, 2006 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't diss them until

they're eliminated. I still wince over how we blew a three-game lead with a week left in 2004. And they still have Vlad Guerrero and K-Rod

Still, the biggest difference between these two teams is that the Angels can't catch the ball. Last time I looked, they led the Majors in errors. Meanwhile, Chavy, Ellis et al keep sucking up ground balls like shop vacs.

IMO, 92 wins will be enough to take the division and the Angels can't get there from here.

by Peter in Montreal on Aug 29, 2006 8:31 AM PDT reply actions

With 7 head to head games left.....

No way are they dead.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 29, 2006 9:16 AM PDT reply actions

Not dead

But, the reality of a 6.5 game lead with 31 left (32 for the Angels) is if we go just 16-15 they need a 22-8 record to catch us. If we go 18-13, they need 24-6!

This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings. ~Bill Veeck

by Steve in Napa on Aug 29, 2006 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Well yes, Im rather be up 6.5 of course....

But it is far from over. 22-8 is very doable....but in your example, if we go 18-13, yea it is done....but say we go 14-17??.....A lot can happen in a month.

Let's just enjoy the games and hope it doesnt come down to the last weekend....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 29, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't be like HH

This whole diary sinks to HH level...sorry sight on AN

Bill James on Duane Kuiper: "It's absolutely incredible that a player this bad could be given 3000 at bats in the major leagues." -- Baseball Abstract, 1982

by blueconversechucks on Aug 29, 2006 10:58 AM PDT reply actions

That's nonsense

I'm usually plenty sober in my remarks.

The Angels aren't very good and that I'm sick of the way so many here feel this compulsive need to never, ever dare call them what they are: a mediocre team not worth fearing.

by RLangford on Aug 29, 2006 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I just have to say

I think you are dead wrong to say that this diary "sinks to HH level". RLangford may not always post things I agree with (although I often do), but they are always thought out and do not leave you wondering which side of the fence he is on.

This particular diary just says -- in words that are much less inflamitory then HH -- that the Angels are just not good enough this year to be a threat to overtake the A's at this point. Agree with it or not, but either way it is still a very interesting and viable diary topic for AN.

Besides, if this was HH and one of the Rev's diaries, your post would have probably already been deleted by the Rev.

The good ones learn from their mistakes. The great ones learn from everyone's mistakes. -- James Street

by AsFanInLA on Aug 29, 2006 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

While I am surrounded by Halo fans down here

and hate them with a passion, I respect them too.
While our lead is getting to that comfortable spot, I am no where near that cocky level yet. They have the talent, if their pitching gets hot again, to go on a run.
Sorry, '04 is still a little too fresh in my mind.

by easyraider on Aug 29, 2006 11:08 AM PDT reply actions

I guess August has been weak....

August
LAA Pitching 4.4 ERA
Oak Pitching 3.4 ERA

But, taking a larger sample size, like since the All-Star break the Angles pitching has a 4.17 ERA and their offense has a .302 AVG .358 OBP .458 SLG.

A's have a 4.02 ERA
OBP .360 SLG .425 AVG.276

What worries me is that with the stats that close since the All-Star break there is a bit of luck involved. Although, it looks like the pitching in August is pulling away. Definitely do not want to see any reversal of those pitching stats.

by Donner on Aug 29, 2006 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions

one game at a time please

we need to be far enough ahead of them down at the end so they can't catch us. And we can set our rotation for a first round series, so maybe we can actually win one.

I'd say focus on catching the Yankees, but I don't think I want the pirahna Twins in the first round, and that is more than likely the Wild Card winner in the AL. I think I'd rather play Detroit.

That said... one game at a time, please.

1972...1973...1974...1989...2006

by emperor nobody on Aug 29, 2006 11:41 AM PDT reply actions

Exactly...

The first round setup is Sooooo important.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 29, 2006 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

If we win the West and the Yankees have the 2nd

best record in the AL, then we play the Tigers, and the Yankees play the Twins. If we catch the Yankees, and the Wild Card comes out of the central, then we play the Wild Card team. So if you want to play the Tigers and not the Twins, then root for the Tigers to hold on to the Central, and for the A's not to end up with a better record than the Yankees.

by hunter on Aug 29, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd take either.

People underestimate the Twinkies at their peril.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Aug 29, 2006 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I don't have a problem with either, to tell

you the truth. I just wanted to clarify.

by hunter on Aug 29, 2006 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh no kidding

I think I said something about my irrational fear of twinkies yesterday.... the woofing Gods follow them like groupies..

"I don't make speeches. I just let my bat speak for me in the summertime." Honus Wagner

by 510inDenver on Aug 30, 2006 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Diary Hijack

But not because I want to change the tone. Rather, because I really want to do what you asked me not to do.

The reason I don't feel it's too early to begin boasting is because of the way the numbers look in contaxt. The only way to show them is by playing the what if card. Here it goes:

Athletics are 75-56 with 31 left to play.
Angels are 69-63 with 30 left to play.
Magic number for the Athletics? 25.
Magic number for the Angels? 38.
The two teams have seven games remaining to play against one another.

Which means that if:

The Athletics play .500 ball (13-13) in their remaining games against teams other than the Angels.
And if the Angels went an unlikely 18-5 against teams other than the Athletics.
And if the Angels could somehow win four of seven games against our Green & Gold.

The the two teams would still have a one game 'playoff' to determine the winner of the AL West.

Since it is highly probable that the Athletics will play better than .500 ball against teams other than the Angels; that the Angels will likely not go 18-5 against teams other than the Athletics; and uncertain as to whether or not the Halos could take four of seven from the Geen & Gold; I have determined that the Woolfing Gods have already spoken up for us and they have determined that they have other fish -- perhaps bigger fish -- to fry, elsewhere, in the sports world.

4 8 15 16 23 42

by LowcountryJoe on Aug 29, 2006 12:10 PM PDT reply actions

the chances

of the a's playing .500 ball: not likely, but it's possible.
the chances of the angels going 18-5: it's not happening.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 30, 2006 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Seven of those of other Angel games

are against Texas and six are against Detroit and the Chisox. Tough sledding for them

by Peter in Montreal on Aug 29, 2006 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

What I love...

..is that, after a half season of yelling about how Loaiza can't pitch and Billy Beane can't make good trades, and Frank Thomas would be hurt in a few days and blah blah blah, almost all the stuff the Rev had as stock Oakland insults has now become unusable.

Addmitedly, there were plenty around here saying the same stuff, but at HH, it was almost the site's entire reason for existing.

Me likey Loaizey.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Aug 29, 2006 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

Dude,

I will eat those words and am first in line to express shock over Loaiza's pitching this month. Shock.

by RevHalofan on Aug 29, 2006 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah - me too...

But I think our level of shock is different - I am exuberantly shocked with smiles abound - I bet that your's lies more on the opposite spectrum...

by SD Erik on Aug 29, 2006 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, shut up and go back to that Kinder-care blog

of yours. The adults are talking now. You spew so much B.S. on that crap-log of yours, you should be embarassed to come trolling around here, talking nice out of the other side of your face.

Do your lackeys know what a hypocrite you are?

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 29, 2006 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Take that, bitch!!!

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 29, 2006 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

In fairness...

..should we really be hating on a contrite Rev actually admitting he was wrong?

I'm thinking we should take a screen cap and put it on the front page.

Of Halo's Heaven.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Aug 29, 2006 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

do his lackeys know ...

... and, what's more, do his colons know?

A lonely monkey is a spiritually dead monkey. -- tankerraid @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 29, 2006 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Lang?

Ever hear the of the phrase "Pride goeth before a fall"?????????

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 29, 2006 4:12 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, definitely not turning the other cheek here

Just thought it was time to dispense with the dignified pretending about the Angels.

Look, they are not in good shape right now. Lackey has been scuffling. Saunders has gotten lit up lately. The offense and defense are the same as ever. When they only took 1 of 3 from Boston's B-team I thought they were toast. You can't do that when you're trailing by 5-6 games. If we do it; well, we do it with a 5-6 game lead.

Look at the Angels schedule and tell me they're going to bust off a 20-10 run. How the hell does that happen? I mean, if it does, it's not something we should have seen coming at all. They are not better than many of the teams that are on their schedule. So why should I expect them to win?

by RLangford on Aug 29, 2006 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

RLangford

I like this diary, as it's not an "in-your-face-Angels-suck" invitation to the woofing gods. It's a well thought out opinion. People are disagreeing with you, I guess, because they don't want to jinx anything. I can be a tad superstitious, so I won't explicitly say anything, but I don't think that now is the wrong time to start counting the Angels out.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 29, 2006 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow

You guys get hot for a month and suddenly you're talking like you're the friggin' Yankees. Let's wait and see what happens.

by npcody on Aug 29, 2006 10:06 PM PDT reply actions

C'mon Cody

Don't be a bitter bitch.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 29, 2006 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Whatever

I guess when you guys are so used to being Anaheim's bitches over these last couple of seasons you have the right to rub it in our faces when you finally do good. Go right ahead, but the season ain't over.

by npcody on Aug 29, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Um, yeah it is

Don't feel bad. There's always next year.

by baseb3383 on Aug 29, 2006 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions

What happened

Is that we're up by 7 1/2 games. Book it, good night, thanks for playing, the fat lady has sung, game over, warm up the bus. And frankly, I don't really care about the Yankees, any team that does well gets a license to talk trash.

by baseb3383 on Aug 29, 2006 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Did you read the diary, dude?

It said, "Go away. You don't matter anymore."

All year you've been thinking that the division was your own private little summer home that you were renting out. It wasn't.

Enjoy your month of meaningless .500 baseball.

by RLangford on Aug 29, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Standing by my story

by RLangford on Aug 29, 2006 10:13 PM PDT reply actions

karma-begging?

i understand your enthusiasm, and certainly there's much for A's fans to be excited about (7.5 games up and all), but wow -- a bold statement for August 29.

as your colleagues here have said, you might want to wait a while to rub it in so much. it's not even September -- the A's most dreaded month.

by yeswecan @ Athletics Nation on Aug 29, 2006 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Our most dreaded month

is May, thank you very much.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 29, 2006 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

perhaps

but as an A's fan, at the end of which month do you feel the best: at the end of May, or at the end of September?

by yeswecan @ Athletics Nation on Aug 29, 2006 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

September.

Division titles from 88-90 made those Septembers pretty sweet. Playoff berths from 00-03 made for some more fun Septembers. Even September 05 left me feeling hopeful.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 29, 2006 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions

good luck, then

i remember '95, so i would be very careful not to be so confident on August 29 with a 7.5-game lead. oakland's on fire, though. you never know...

by yeswecan @ Athletics Nation on Aug 29, 2006 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions

If the Angel catch the A's, then

the A's deserve to play golf in October.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 30, 2006 6:26 AM PDT up reply actions

They can still play golf...

on the off days during the playoffs and World Series. Might give them some nice "down time".

by princemilo on Aug 30, 2006 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions

How are they going to catch us ...

When they're about to get swept by a team that we have won what, 15 straight against. Seattle isn't exactly one of the best teams remaining on their scedule. And I'd much rather face CHI or the Yanks in the play offs than DET or MIN.

by methodrampage on Aug 30, 2006 7:38 AM PDT reply actions

I am eagerly waiting for the rebuttal post from...

...grover titled, "Positive Vibes and Boasting Flowing Because the Team is in First!" This, of course, would be in response to last month's diary from louismg.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 30, 2006 10:55 AM PDT reply actions

The A's have won the West

It's a done deal. Now let's gear up for some playoff baseball.

by calvin @ Athletics Nation on Aug 30, 2006 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

Still standing by my story

Two days later.

by RLangford on Aug 30, 2006 3:58 PM PDT reply actions

I believe your story stands by itself by now

You may be seated.

As for gloating this early...hmm, it's something I see both sides of. I understand the desire to rub it in the face of a hated opponent, but I also understand the karmic nature of things. The thing people often miss about Karma is it's long reach. It may or may not be direct or even in near future, but nature can't help but balance itself, that's simply how it is designed.

So, to take the "high" road and allow those who would dive down dirty karmic paths (alliterate with me, friends!) would seem to be the path to my highest good.

Competition, in my mind, is not just about winning, but about performing to one's personal best. Over time, it's really rather boring to not have challenging counterparts (nothing the A's have to worry about).

by princemilo on Aug 30, 2006 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I just hate this type of diary.

It embarrasses me. Gloating (especially with a month to go ) is so classless IMO.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 30, 2006 6:11 PM PDT reply actions

You embarrass me

because you misread so badly.

If you'd bother to use your head instead of immediately responding with, "Oh no, someone said something bad about the other team. What will we do?" you might have realized that what I was trying to do was honestly point out that I disagreed with much of AN and their worry over and fear of the Angels.

What, I'm not entitled to that?

But you go ahead and be the site monitor. Get out your ruler and slap my wrist for daring to say to that I didn't think the Angels were a threat.

by RLangford on Aug 30, 2006 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I see that you are addressing AN .

and of course you are entitled to write any diary that you like. However, even if it is directed to AN it attracts the HH crowd as proven by the response and I personally don't see any need for lines like "So to the Angels and their fans I say this:

Go away, you don't matter any more. " You may have meant it in a different way but It smacks of gloating and I have a right to tell you that I hate diaries like that. So when is that setting myself up as the board monitor? It's an OPINION.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 30, 2006 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I like your posts IM4Oak,

but I don't think that post is a great example of class. RLang was not gloating, but merely pointing out that we are in great shape and are unlikely to be challenged by the Angels.

What is wrong with saying "The A's are going to win the division"? Must every poster be literally correct and say "It's not over 'til we've clinched?"

You may be more wary as to the possibility of a collapse than others, but if that is the case I think you should just express that opinion rather than call someone classless for expressing the opinion that this race is all but over.

by mikeA on Aug 30, 2006 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe I was wrong...

It sure wouldn't be the first time. I like Lang and I should have been more careful not to sound so bitchy. So Lang sorry if I stepped over the line.

However, I do think that the title and the tone could have been done a little better.

HH often has diaries that are meant more to insult the A's than to stir discussion on their site...even though I do see(now with his and your help lol) that Lang was not intending that..it could seem like that to them and I really hope that we can avoid being like that on here.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 30, 2006 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, actually

I did want a little of that tone. But again, for my fellow A's fans here. Yes, to all these fans in this community that I've come to love I just felt like saying, "To hell with it. I refuse to any longer bow down before the ominous threat that is the Anaheim of LA Angels. I refuse to keep saying the right things." On Monday night, I stepped back, thought about the race, and wanted to say, "What the hell exactly are we afraid of?"

It felt good to say it.

And, of course, no hard feelings. Sorry for my chippy reply. It's just that I kind of took what you were saying as a version of, "Yeah, stick that thing out there," or something like that.

Go A's.

by RLangford on Aug 31, 2006 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions

This diary is different

Is not just a pollyanna the A's are great and the Angels suck diary. I think RLangford makes a great case for why we shouldn't be fearing the Angels (because, frankly, they're not that good). Just because the AL West is always close doesn't mean it will be this year.

by baseb3383 on Aug 31, 2006 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions