Happy Thanksgiving: Why Angel Fans Should Be Thankful

By Bruce Nye - Angelswin.com Columnist

It’s that time of the year when most Americans gather with their families to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks for the events – good and bad that occurred during the past year. In a year of political and economical turmoil like none of us have ever seen we all have sincere hope and faith that the country can pull together and solve its problems. Certainly not to diminish the task at hand, there is still plenty about which to be thankful and as Angel fans we are indeed blessed.

Here are a few reasons why we as Angel fans should be thankful:

Our Owner – Arguably Arte Moreno is one of the best, if not the best owner in baseball and of sports franchises in general. He is committed to delivering an improving quality product on and off the field every year and he wants to win. He has shown a willingness to put his resources behind his mantra and for this we are extremely grateful.

Our Front Office – never before have we as fans had so much information and access to the front office as we have now. From the minor league system and scouting to public relations and the major league organization, general management has shown a commitment of excellence. After a poor beginning for the franchise, the recent years have shown great success – 7 division titles including 4 in 5 years and, of course, a World Series Championship in 2002.

Our Stadium – Attending games at the Angels Stadium of Anaheim is a tremendous treat. The stadium is clean, bright and friendly. Issues that other communities are experiencing haven’t reared their ugly head and for that we are very grateful. The stadium is still a safe and friendly venue for families to enjoy. For the second year it was voted as the best in terms of atmosphere, in/out access, prices and quality.

Our Fans – In the 1960s and 1970s fan attendance of 10,000 to 20,000 per game was a rarity. For the sixth consecutive year, more than 3 million fans crossed through the turnstiles to enjoy the Angels. This represents selling around 95% of all tickets available.

Our Team – 2008 was a terrific year with a 100 win season (best in MLB), Frankie Rodriguez’ 60 saves record and other individual milestones achieved. To be sure, the post season was disappointing, but the year was a wonderful success and 2009 looks to be as good or even better. We don’t know what the outcome of the off-season negotiations and deals will bring in terms of new faces through free agency or trades, but we are certain to have another champion-quality team wearing red.


Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

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Angelswin.com Interview with Dino Ebel

Interview conducted by Adam Dodge - Angelswin.com Senior Writer
November 20th, 2008

Angels third base coach Dino Ebel took time out of his busy off-season to answer questions exclusively for the Angelswin.com online community.

Angelswin.com: During the regular season we hear so often from (Manager) Mike Scioscia, after a tough loss, things like “we need to turn the page.” You can’t really do that after a post-season loss. How long does a loss in the post-season stick with you into the off-season? Or is it something you get away from pretty quickly?

Dino Ebel: He’s right. In the regular season you turn the page and look forward to the next day. It was tough losing to Boston especially there late in the game. For me personally, it stuck with me for a while. When the second round finished and the World Series began I started watching the games and getting over it. What he says about turning the page I absolutely agree with. It was just a little bit tougher for myself and I know for the team they had to be thinking the same way. It had to stick a little longer than just a normal regular season game where you can turn the page and look forward to the next day because we didn’t have a next day. The season was over.

Angelswin.com: Would you accredit that to the fact that it was Boston again? Or, maybe because of the high expectations for this particular Angels club, which won 100 games for the first time in franchise history?

Dino Ebel: I think that with the season we had and the accomplishments this team went through – the hundred wins, Frankie’s 62 saves, we were expecting to compete in the playoffs. It wasn’t a matter for me who we were playing, whether it was Boston, or Tampa, or the White Sox. Not getting out of the first round was a little disappointing because we felt we had the team to go deeper into the playoffs.

Angelswin.com: And I’m sure there was a lot of confidence in the team going into game four after the tough win in game three.

Dino Ebel: Definitely. The guys were fired up in the clubhouse afterwards…winning the first game in Boston in extra innings. We felt good going into it and it just didn’t happen for us.

Angelswin.com: We typically know what’s going on with managers in the off-season and certainly with the front office. What’s an off-season like for a third base coach baseball-wise?

Dino Ebel: Like any other winter for me from when I managed in the minor leagues and coached in the minor leagues. You take time off mentally and physically. A month has already gone by for me and I’m already biting at the bit and starting to get anxious because the general managers meetings…there’s always something going on in the winter time. There’s trades. There are free agents. I like that kind of stuff.

I like to look back at our scouting reports. I keep track of all the outfielders and where they played against us. What their arms were like. So, I kind of just do a little bit of homework here and there. I’m a baseball man. I look forward to reading the paper and looking at the internet. Then, after the New Year, I start to get mentally and physically prepared to go into spring training.

Angelswin.com: Speaking of spring training, what’s a typical spring training day like for you? What do you do during camp to prepare for the regular season?

Dino Ebel: Well I get there very early in the morning. The staff gets there very early. The bench coach does the scheduling. I help Ron (Roenicke) with the scheduling early in the morning.

Then we get out on the field, and do some defense, some base running, or some fundamentals. Sometimes I’ll be with Ron on the big field to do some things with our players. Sometimes I’ll go with Alfredo Griffin. Sometimes I’ll go down to the minor league field.

So, a typical day for me – I’m there about six in the morning to help with scheduling. Then we hit the field. If there’s a game at 1:00pm, we’ll have a meeting before. Then Mike (Scioscia) will meet with the staff after games.

Angelswin.com: Moving into the regular season and speaking about preparation, as a third base coach do you prepare on a game by game basis or a series by series basis? If, for example, you’re facing a team outside the AL West, is there a bit more that goes into preparing since you don’t see that opponent as often?

Dino Ebel: Series by series. It doesn’t matter for us whether we’re playing in the AL West or a National League team in interleague, the staff meets about 2:30 in the afternoon with every player offensively. At the beginning of a series we go over strengths or scouting reports. For myself, I watch a lot of tape…try to see if they (opponent) play shallow or deep…if they have minus arms or plus arms.

Angelswin.com: Let’s say you’re playing the Royals who have Jose Guillen, who has a strong arm out in right field. Do you get a little pumped for those games? Are you looking to challenge him? How do you treat those situations?

Dino Ebel: If I got a Jose Guillen, Ichiro Suzuki or BJ Upton…guy’s we know have plus arms…depending on the situation of the game – what inning we’re in we’ll be a little more aggressive. For me it’s how hard the ball is hit, whether an outfielder has to go left or right, whether he catches the ball in the air, or is flat-footed. Those are the things I pick up. That’s why when you see me I’m really down the line a lot.

Angelswin.com: Yep.

Dino Ebel: It gives me more time to see the play develop. He (the outfielder) might get a bad hop. The ball might snake on him. He might pick it up flat-footed and depending on who our runner is and if it’s early in the game and we have a two or three run lead I might be more aggressive. If it’s the eighth inning and we’re down a run…it depends on who the runner is. If they have below or average speed… and for me, how they receive the ball, especially an Ichiro. If he’s coming in I might play it a little safe.

Angelswin.com: It has been pretty noticeable that you have gotten a lot more comfortable coaching third base in the Angels’ system in the time you’ve been here – from the first April you were here until now. You had been a manager in the minor leagues prior to joining the big club. How long had it been since you had coached third base? It seems like a position that requires a lot of experience and reps in order to grow into.

Dino Ebel: Absolutely. In the eight and half years I managed in the minor leagues I coached third base. So coming into it I had eight and half years under my belt. Now here, I have three more and you’re right it’s just getting out there…the experience…being in the playoffs in back to back seasons…been doing it now for eleven and a half years straight.

Angelswin.com: Was there ever a point when you were managing in the minor leagues, and hadn’t gotten the call to coach with the big club that you thought about putting baseball behind you and maybe look to do something else?

Dino Ebel: Never one day did I think to take the uniform off and do something else. I absolutely love putting on the uniform and just knew in my heart that if I worked hard and kept battling every day and developing players in the minor leagues - I knew that someday I’d get the opportunity to get to the big leagues. I was fortunate enough in 2005 that Joe Maddon left and Mike called me up in 2006. If I never would have gotten the call I think still today I’d be in the minor leagues and say “hey, work hard and one day I might get the call.”

Angelswin.com: Is managing in the Major Leagues the ultimate aspiration for you?

Dino Ebel: Absolutely. That is the goal that I set a long time ago. I’ve always felt as though my first goal was to get to the big leagues as a third base coach. Second, I would like to be a bench coach someday and the ultimate goal is to manage in the major leagues.

Angelswin.com: And do you feel like the Angels present that situation for you? We’ve seen Bud Black and Joe Maddon leave to become successful managers in their own right. You seem to be in a system that is producing managers right now. I’m sure Roenicke is next on the list.

Dino Ebel: Absolutely. I’m sure one day Ron’s going to get his shot and I’m blessed to be in the Angel organization and be with a baseball man like Mike Scioscia. I’ve been around Buddy Black and Joe Maddon and Ron Roenicke, Hatcher and Alfredo Griffin. No doubt, I feel like the opportunity is there someday for me.

Angelswin.com: I’d like to talk a little bit about signs. One of your duties as a third base coach is to relay the signs from the bench to the hitters at the plate. We know that other teams, trying to get any advantage that they can, will try to steal your signs. How often do you change signs during a game?

Dino Ebel: I’ve got maybe four different sets of signs for five different players. So if someone is really trying to watch me, it is going to be very difficult because I’ve got certain signs for Figgy, certain signs for Aybar…certain signs for other players. If I feel like something isn’t right…maybe they pitched out or maybe something didn’t work out right I might change those signs. But, like I said I’ve got lots of sets of signs for different players so they’re pretty complicated.

Angelswin.com: And on the other side of the coin, as the third base coach, between innings, when you’re on the bench, are you one of the guys trying to pick off signs from the opponent?

Dino Ebel: Yeah, yeah. I’ve always done that. I watch other third base coaches. If it’s something that helps your ball club…I know there are teams that watch me, and I watch them.

Angelswin.com: Do you look at video to critique yourself and make sure you’re not giving anything away? Do you try to find patterns with opposing third base coaches?

Dino Ebel: No. I’ve never watched video on coaches or myself. It happens so fast and things change.

Angelswin.com: You’re definitely one of the quicker guys at getting them out there.

Dino Ebel: I spend a lot of time – almost every day in spring training and in the regular season going over signs. Just being in the outfield, I’ll go up to Erick Aybar and give him signs and he’ll give them back to me. That’s one of things I take pride in. With a manager like Mike Scoiscia…I get the signs and give them to the player. One of my goals is to never put the blame on the player for a missed sign.

Angelswin.com: Is there a guy on the roster, who in the time you’ve been here has not missed one sign?

Dino Ebel: The guys know the signs. We spend so much time on them. That’s one of the things Mike Scioscia emphasizes. In spring training he’ll have me stand up in the clubhouse just trying to trick guys. You know, because it’s important for our ball club. If we got a hit and run and a guy gets thrown out and we lose by a run I feel like that’s my fault.

Angelswin.com: I assume if that happens there is some sort of fine in kangaroo court…are you saying that you pay the fine if that happens?

Dino Ebel: (Laughs)…Mike calls those guys into the office and, um, I don’t know what goes on there.

Angelswin.com: How would you compare the feeling you had as a player to the feeling you have as a coach in the big moments of games? Is it similar?

Dino Ebel: Yeah. Being on the bases, you’re in the game. You’re making decisions. You’re scoring guys. You see my style…if there’s going to be a play at third base I’m on the ground. I feel like I’m in that game. When I managed in the minor leagues from the bench, you’re watching the game from the dugout. I feel like for me, there’s definitely a different feeling when you’re out at third base. It feels like you’re part of this game. You’re part of this action. The heart’s beating. There are goose bumps. The crowd’s on their feet. Because you’re out there. You’re on the grass. When you send a guy and there’s a play at the plate and he’s safe, the crowd goes crazy. You feel like a player again.

Angelswin.com: Is there a team out there that plays an aggressive style that the staff watches and really respects?

Dino Ebel: One team comes to mind. It’s the Minnesota Twins. They’ve got some guys on that team that can run. Just looking through those sorts of stats around the league you see us and the Tampa Bay Rays but no one ever mentions the Minnesota Twins. They really do a good job of putting pressure on our outfielders. You see them…when the ball’s hit their secondary leads are like ours. You know they’ve got one thing on their mind and that’s to make it to third base. They don’t get the recognition that the Angels get.

Angelswin.com: Is there another third base coach in the league that you really admire and pay attention to?

Dino Ebel: I watch them all. I watch their styles. If they do things I like I’ll watch them and try to do it. I think most importantly for a third base coach is positioning yourself so that that player knows where you’re going to be at all times. So if a ball is hit to the gap or down the line he can look to a spot and know you’re going to be there.

I know I really admired Joe Amalfitano when I was with the Dodgers. Jimmy Williams is another guy. Coming up in the minor leagues I always took pride watching those two guys coach third base. Joe Amalfitano especially, coming up with the Dodgers. Every spring training, he’d spend 30-40 minutes with the minor league coaches and managers just going over how to coach third base.

Angelswin.com: As a third base coach you really get a bird’s eye view of the left side of the infield of your opponents. Who’s the best defensive third baseman is the best in your opinion? Is it Adrian Beltre? Scott Rolen, perhaps?

Dino Ebel: For me it’s Adrian Beltre. All the major league third basemen do a tremendous job, but for me Adrian Beltre is probably the best. This guy is really in the game. You notice every time I do signs with a runner on third base this guy is on the bag trying to listen to what I’m telling our players. If we’re going contact…if we’re going squeeze…or whatever play it might be, he’s in your ear. A lot of third basemen will just hang out a couple feet from the base. They might give you a look and try to pick up your signs. But if you watch Adrian Beltre over there just doing the job day in and day out…what a great set of hands and a gold glove to go with a cannon arm. Here’s a guy that takes tremendous pride in trying to be the best third baseman he can be.

Angelswin.com: Who’s the third baseman that’s maybe the best guy, who will chat it up with you…that you look forward to playing that team just for the entertainment value?

Dino Ebel: For me, every one of them are great. They’ll all say “hi.” But, for me this year was Evan Longoria. For whatever reason he and I just started talking. It was pretty cool. As a rookie he came up and in the games we played he came over and said a little more to me than just “hi, Dino.” He asked questions that were pretty cool about the game and about the players around the league. He and I have a good relationship.

Angelswin.com: Talk a little bit about the grind of the season.

Dino Ebel: It’s a grind. East Coast to West Coast for us…it takes a day to get back in a groove. You lose those three hours. As for family, you always miss your family. This is my 22nd year in the game. My wife does a great job with the kids at home. I call home 3-4 times per day and talk to them. Getting into a city early – at four or five in the morning, then playing that night. It’s kind of tough. After that, your body gets adjusted.

Angelswin.com: Do the kids watch dad on the TV every night?

Dino Ebel: Yeah. My daughter does. She’s sixteen. And I’ve got two little ones. A fifteen month and a six week-old. My wife and daughter don’t miss a game whether we’re at home or on the road.

Angelswin.com: Okay, last question for you. When you got the sign for the squeeze in game four vs. Boston, what was going through your mind? Did your heart rate jump up? Were you excited about it? Was it something where you thought “are you kidding me? Right now?”

Dino Ebel: Not at all. I thought one hundred percent when Mike put it on…that’s one thing when I’m at third base – I don’t think as a manager. My job is getting the signs from Mike. My job is to make sure those players get the sign. After I put the sign on I thought “absolutely. Aybar’s gonna get a good pitch here and put it down. You know, he missed it. But, not for one second did I think it would turn out the way it did. And you know for me I’m just thinking “I hope Aybar gets the sign.” And, I knew he would.

Angelswin.com: And, was Willits safe at third? Because, I saw the rule and I’m paraphrasing here, but it states that a defensive player must voluntarily release the ball after applying a tag, which Varitek definitely did not do.

Dino Ebel: That’s why I thought for a second…I don’t know how he explained it to Mike because when Mike got out there I backed off. Welke was the third base umpire that night and he had just started to tell me that Varitek had the ball long enough when Mike got out there and I backed off.

Angelswin.com: Dino, thank you very much for your time and we’ll see you in Tempe.

Dino Ebel: Thank you.

This concludes our interview with third base coach, Dino Ebel.

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Angelswin.com Top 10 Worst Moments in Angels’ History

Comprised by the Angelswin.com Writing Staff
November 13th, 2008

Though the Angels have had some poor and disastrous seasons, including the worst possibly in 1971 when the Angels were considered legitimate division contenders for the first time in franchise history, but Tony Conigliaro's vision loss related mid-season retirement, Alex Johnson had a meltdown and players were pulling guns on one another in the clubhouse, these bad campaigns weren't a 'moment', they were months of pain that the fans had to endure throughout the season.

Here is what we at Angelswin.com feel are the 10 worst moments in Angels Baseball since the club was established back in 1961.

10. The Mo Vaughn fall

In 1999 the Angels made a big splash in the free agent market for the first time in years, signing slugger Mo Vaughn away from the Boston Red Sox. In the very first inning of his tumultuous Angels career, Vaughn fell into the visiting dugout, occupied by the Cleveland Indians, and sprained his left ankle. After putting up decent, but not MVP-caliber numbers for two years with the Angels, Vaughn missed all of 2001 with an arm injury, demanded a trade, then bashed the organization and key players when his demand was granted.

9. Disney introduces MLB to periwinkle

The Angel players were forced to wear hideous periwinkle, pinstriped uniforms from 1997-2001. The team’s logo (Halo and A) was replaced by an Angel-Winged “A”.

8. 1968 Car Accident Leaves Minnie Rojas Paralyzed, Kills His Two Daughters

In 1967, Minnie Rojas led the American League with a then franchise record 27 saves for the Angels. But one of the game’s best relief pitchers had his career cut short when an automobile accident in 1968 left him paralyzed. The accident also tragically took the lives of his two daughters.

7. 2005 ALCS against White Sox (Controversial call, or non call)

In Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, with the Angels leading the Chicago White Sox one game to zero, and the game tied at 1-1, home plate umpire Doug Eddings called strike three after A.J. Pierzynski swung and missed at a Kelvim Escobar split finger fastball. Angel catcher Josh Paul rolled the baseball out to the mound after that third out and the Angel players began to make their way to the dugout. Pierzynski flung his bat and ran to first base. Eddings and his crew ruled Pierzynski safe, claiming that the strike three pitch hit the ground before finding Paul’s glove. Despite the fact that Eddings called Pierzynski out, rather than ruling the ball hit the dirt, and that video footage later revealed that Paul indeed caught the baseball, Pierzysnki was awarded first base.

The next hitter, Joe Crede laced a line drive off the left field wall to score pinch runner Pablo Ozuna to win the game, 2-1, and even the series. The Angels lost the next three games to the White Sox in Anaheim.

6. Nolan Ryan Leaves Angels

Following the triumphant 1979 season, the Angels failed to re-sign free agent Nolan Ryan, who instead received the first ever $1 million per year contract from the Houston Astros. Angels General Manager Buzzy Bavasi scoffed at Ryan's age (33), contract demands and 1979 record (16-14), concluding he could replace Ryan's production with "two 8-7 pitchers."

Ryan went on to pitch for 14 more seasons, winning 157 games, striking out 2,805 batters and throwing three more no-hitters.

5. Lyman Bostock's murder

On Nov. 21, 1977, the California Angels signed young, up and coming star Lymon Bostock to a free agent contract. Bostock was solid for the Angels in 1978, hitting .296 while driving in 71 runs. At 27 years old, the future was bright for the outfielder.

Tragically, on Sept. 23 of the 1978 season, Bostock was gunned down in the back seat of a car while waiting with friends at a stoplight in Gary, In. The shotgun blast to the head from Leonard Smith, the estranged husband of another passenger in the car, killed Bostock instantly. Smith was later found not guilty of murder charges by reason of insanity.

4. Angels Blow 2-0 Series Lead in 1982 ALCS

The Angels won their second American League Western Division Championship in 1982 and held a two games to zero lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the best-of-five ALCS. But when the series moved to Milwaukee, the Angels lost the final three games, blowing a golden opportunity to win the franchise's first pennant. It was the first time in league championship history a team lost the series after taking a 2-0 lead.

3. 2004, 2007 and 2008 playoff losses to Red Sox

The Angels went a combined 1-9 vs. the Boston Red Sox in 2004, 2007 and 2008, losing each series. Walk-off home runs by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, and an ill-fated squeeze play attempt will likely continue to haunt Angels fans until the team finally gets back to the World Series.

2. 1995 Angels Fall Apart

On Aug. 16, 1995, the Angels led second place Texas by 10.5 games and Seattle by 11.5. The team lost 18 of its next 21 games, but on Sept. 12 still led the division by six games over Seattle. But then they lost nine in a row, falling three games behind the Mariners with five to play. Over the stretch, the Angels record was 8-28.

Amazingly, the Angels won their last five and forced a one-game playoff with the Mariners, but lost miserably to Randy Johnson at the Kingdome. Adding insult to injury, the loss pushed the Angels a half game behind the eventual wild card winning Yankees. The rules have since been changed to prevent this from happening.

1. 1986 Team Comes Within One Strike of the World Series

It's difficult to pinpoint the worst moment of the worst game in Angels history. Is it Gene Mauch removing Mike Witt with nobody on base from a game he was one out away from winning? Or reliever Gary Lucas hitting Rich Gedman with his first pitch to put the tying run on base? Or was it later, when Doug DeCinces popped up the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth, when a lazy fly ball was all the Angels needed to score Rob Wilfong with the game winner?

The obvious choice, of course, is Donnie Moore's 3-2 pitch to Dave Henderson, with Brian Downing practically collapsing into the left field fence as the ball sailed over his head and Henderson was spinning pirouettes along the first base line. The Angels were within one strike of going to the World Series until Henderson struck, sending the franchise into a spiral that would last another 16 years.

In reality, the worst moment came two innings later, when Henderson drove in the game winning run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 11th and the Angels could not answer in the bottom half. Thus was begun the humiliating, gut-wrenching 11-game postseason losing streak to the Red Sox, stretching nearly 22 full years.

The Angels World Series title in 2002 did a lot to wipe away this pain, but there is still a great sense of unfinished business that won't truly be erased until the Angels finally defeat the Red Sox in October. That all started with this game.

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AngelsWin.com Interview with GM Tony Reagins

 

Interview conducted by Lou Garcia - Angelswin.com Representative November 12th, 2008 So it has been about a year since the last time we hooked up with the General Manager of the Los Angeles Angels, Tony Reagins opened his office for us again to answer a variety of questions ranging from his first year as GM, the Angels direction this off-season, who may contribute in '09 from within, while sharing about Obama and what it means to be just the 2nd African American General Manager in Major League Baseball. With no further ado, Angelswin.com-Lou Garcia with GM Tony Reagins talkin' Angels Baseball and more below. 

Angelswin.com: Excellent first season as the General Manager of the Angels, Tony. What was your favorite memory of the year? 

Tony Reagins: Well, it's tough because it had a lot of highs and lows. Probably the best memory was clinching the division. That was a fun time just to see the players release that energy after battling through Spring Training and the season so that was probably one of the highlights. 

Angelswin.com: Yeah, I don't think some people realize just what a long haul it is to actually get there. 

Tony Reagins: Yeah, it is, it's a very long haul and it starts right now in the off-season. This is really a 12 month operation. You don't just show up to Spring Training and roll the balls out and get it done. It's a long process. 

Angelswin.com: So what is a typical day for you right now in the off-season? 

Tony Reagins: I'm still talking to the other GM's, just kind of feeling out the process. We had a good chance to see one another face-to-face at the GM meetings last week, so that was good to speak face-to-face with some of the guys. You'll go through the process of making some phone calls and trying to prepare the club for next season. 

Angelswin.com: What is something you learned going through your first season as General Manager that you weren't really expecting? 

Tony Reagins: Just going through the process. It's a process that, having not gone through it, things happen in cycles. So understanding the cycle, understanding the different timelines and deadlines that you have to meet. All of that. I had an idea, but having to be the guy that implements that stuff was, not a challenge, but something that you just hadn't gone through. 

Angelswin.com: Do you think that was the most difficult part of the job? 

Tony Reagins: I think there's different challenges and different aspects. Relationships with different agents, players, the coaching staff ... there's different challenges. 

Angelswin.com: How difficult is it when you're dealing with agents because they have one agenda, you have another, and they do overlap at times but at times they don't. 

Tony Reagins: At the end of the day I think both parties have the best interest of the player at heart. So when you understand that, trying to understand their position, I just learned to understand the agent is going to be an advocate for the player and a fierce advocate, and I have to be an advocate for the club and this organization because at the end of the day you just try to make the best situation for both the player and the organization. 

Angelswin.com: What's the most enjoyable part of the job? 

Tony Reagins: Winning. I think that's one of the things that I have to continue to learn to manage as far as wins and losses . The losses become much more difficult and the wins, they're sweet, but they don't last very long. So just being able to be on more of an even keel.

Angelswin.com: Is it easier to turn the page after a win? 

Tony Reagins: The page gets turned quickly whether you like it or not. 

Angelswin.com: So what do you think the team's weaknesses are now and as fans, what can we expect for the off-season? 

Tony Reagins: You can expect us to, and not just this year, but for years to come, to be competitive and contending. I think the commitment that not only Arte has shown, but also this coaching staff, there's been a commitment to the fans that we're going to put a quality product on the field. As far as what the team is missing, we definitely have interest in Mark and he is very good at what he does and we think he'd be a significant piece in our lineup, but if that doesn't happen we'll go look in other areas. 

  

Angelswin.com: Would you consider him Plan A? 

Tony Reagins: I consider him a plan ... 

Angelswin.com: Is he a guy you would build a team around? 

Tony Reagins: We're not looking to build around any one player. I think you play as a team and win as a team. I think what's important is that you put the pieces together and they flow and they operate as you expect them to operate. I think building a team around any one player ... I just think that this is overstated and I think it's a team concept. 

Angelswin.com: What about the way he plays? 

Tony Reagins: I think the way he plays has an influence on our lineup. He doesn't give away many at-bats. Normally you're going to get a quality at-bat out of Mark and it's a patient at-bat and sometimes that effects what's ahead of him and what's behind him. 

Angelswin.com: Do you think other players have learned from him to perhaps take the walk when it's there? 

Tony Reagins: I don't know, in that short span, a month and a half to two months I think he may have had some influence, but I don't know how much. 

Angelswin.com: What about the organizational approach ? Seeing him take at-bats like that, do you think that'll have any influence on how it filters down to the minor leagues or even other players on the roster? 

Tony Reagins: I don't know if it's one specific player that says, " Hey, you got to take walks" because we've always been an aggressive team, but we think there is a place where seeing more pitches is more important than just the walk. Seeing more pitches and driving that opposing pitcher's pitch count up is important, so seeing more pitches is probably more important than just the "walk". 

Angelswin.com: If for some reason you aren't able to re-sign Mark, are there any regrets on the trade? 

Tony Reagins: No. You really try not to look back. You make a deal and you make a decision and you have to live with that decision whether it works out or doesn't work out. When we're in that mode, we were trying to win a World Series and again, trying to do everything for not only this organization but for our fans. But we just came up short. 

Angelswin.com: On that note, how frustrated do you think the front office and Arte Moreno is losing again not only in the 1st Round, but to the Red Sox again ? 

Tony Reagins: Whoever the opposition is, I don't think whether it's the Red Sox or anybody else, when you lose in a short series in the 1st Round it's not fun. I think we're all frustrated because we felt to a man - players and coaches and I think a lot of people in the industry felt that this team was probably one of the best teams in baseball. We didn't play well in that 1st Round and when you don't play well you don't have a long stay in the postseason. 

Angelswin.com: Does the A's acquiring Matt Holliday have any influence on the team's decision as to how far you'll go to re-sign Mark? 

Tony Reagins: What any other organization does doesn't have any bearing on what we try to do. 

Angelswin.com: What about pitching? As it stands now, it looks like you'll be looking for a 5th starter. Is it something that you think can be handled from within the organization or will you be looking outside for another starter? 

Tony Reagins: You know, that's a possibility. We have youngsters that are capable of being the 5th starter. Really what we're looking for in a 5th starter is somebody who's going to give us innings and give us a competitive outing each time out and we have pitchers internally that can do that. It remains to be seen whether that materializes in that manner, but we really pride ourselves on pitching well and catching the baseball. Historically we've pitched well and we think we have four real good young pitchers along with Lackey, who's getting a little bit older now. We should be fine in the pitching area. 

Angelswin.com: Any chance of looking at a front-line starter as far as a free agent? 

Tony Reagins: You never say no on really any opportunity . Some opportunity may present itself that we weren't expecting but makes sense for us, and if that's the case and it materializes we'll act on it. 

Angelswin.com: Is there any concern with Nick Adenhart? He struggled up here which most pitchers do when they first come up, especially at his age, but when was sent back down to Salt Lake he was walking a lot of batters. Is there any concern with his control or maybe mentally? 

Tony Reagins: I think that's an important aspect. I think most players when they get to this level physically have the tools to compete and compete at a high level. But what separates them is the mental side of it. The mental preparation and being able to execute pitches, throwing the baseball where you want to and at what time you want to in the count. I think those are areas that Nick needs to continue to work on. I like his stuff, like his ability, he's healthy, he just has to put it all together. We haven't given up on him by any means. 

Angelswin.com: You mentioned that there were pitchers within the organization that you think can actually step in and contribute. Who else would you consider in that position? 

Tony Reagins: Obviously Dustin Moseley has done it before so he could be an option. Shane Loux is an option. Adenhart's an option. Anthony Ortega is an option. Nick Green has struggled in the off-season so he's probably a longshot. Those type of guys are probably capable of doing that role. 

Angelswin.com: As far as Frankie's concerned, we really haven't heard anything as far as any kind of negotiations .. 

Tony Reagins: That's a good thing. 

Angelswin.com: That we're not hearing about it? 

Tony Reagins: Yeah 

Angelswin.com: With this organization, I guess it is! 

Tony Reagins: (laughs) Right 

Angelswin.com:... because usually when we hear something it's wrong anyway. 

Tony Reagins: (more laughter) 

Angelswin.com: Well, if he doesn't come back, do you think Mike's comfortable having Jose Arredondo close or do you think it's something where he would turn to Scot Shields and maybe give him the first crack at it since he's done it before, albeit on a limited basis and he's been here for quite a while? 

Tony Reagins: We think both players are capable of getting those last 3 outs at the end of a game, but we haven't turn the page on Francisco yet, so it's just a matter of how this whole off-season plays out as to what the roles will have in the bullpen. 

Angelswin.com: Another player we haven't heard much about is Juan Rivera. Is there any chance he comes back? I mean, he's one player we haven't heard anything about, not only from this organization but from the outside looking in. 

Tony Reagins: Good player. Healthy he's a real good player. Yeah, there's a chance that he returns. There's a chance that he goes elsewhere. He's going to have the right in a couple of days to shop his services so we'll see how that plays out. 

Angelswin.com: Speaking of that, we're reading you're waiting to give Mark Teixeira an offer until he hits the open market. Was this the strategy all along or is it something that just kind of played out that way? 

Tony Reagins: We've had discussions with Mark's people and we've just understood how this was going to take place. It's not something we did not expect. The off-season’s still very young. 

Angelswin.com: What about Brandon Wood? Is he somebody you're looking at playing the shortstop position or is he more suited to play 3B? Or is it something that you'll just wait and see what happens in the Spring? 

Tony Reagins: Well, the good thing about Brandon is that he showed last year that he could come up and play here. I think the more repetitions he gets the better he'll become, but he can play short or third and that gives you some flexibility to do things. 

Angelswin.com: So you do think he's capable of handling the shortstop position at the major-league level? 

Tony Reagins: Is he capable ? Yes. 

Angelswin.com: What about Sean Rodriguez? Where does he fit in? 

Tony Reagins: Good player. Versatile. He can move around the diamond, he can play 2nd, he can play short, he can play 3rd, he can play the outfield. In a young player you like that versatility. Again, you saw him last year and when he got a chance to play regularly he did a good job. Defensively he was fine. He struggled a little bit on the offensive side, but he got better later on and drove the ball. So there's good opportunities for him. He's playing Winter ball and doing very well so we'll see how that goes. 

Angelswin.com: Staying with the outfield, is there any concern in the organization that it hasn't produced any power-hitting outfielders in quite a while? 

Tony Reagins: Power, it doesn't grow on trees. It's like the last tool that shows up and we haven't produced a high-level impact all-star for a while. But I think if you just focus on that area you get kind of shortsighted. I think we need to get good players across the board and continue to try to develop those players that can impact our club in the major leagues in a significant way. So there are some young players that we really like. Whether they have power, that remains to be seen. But there's some that have power potential. 

Angelswin.com: What about Kendry Morales? 

Tony Reagins: There's one right there. 

Angelswin.com: Is he somebody that can maybe move to the outfield? 

Tony Reagins: It's a possibility. We know that he can go out there and play either corner. Again, he's playing Winter ball as well. 

Angelswin.com: Is that something he's working on? 

Tony Reagins: That's something he's going to work on a little bit, yeah. 

Angelswin.com: Has there been any kind of decisions made as far as players that will or will not be offered arbitration or is that something that's up in the air ? 

Tony Reagins: Yeah, I think it's a case-by-case basis that hasn't taken place yet. 

Angelswin.com: OK, that's about it on the baseball side of things. What about inner-city programs? Are the scouts, yourself, the organization involved much in that? 

Tony Reagins: Yeah, there's a couple of programs that we're involved in. We're involved in the Buck O'Neill Scouts Association which is really geared to getting not only inner-city kids but coaches an introduction into the game of baseball and giving them a venue to come and express their opinions and dialogue about their struggles. Actually, we're having our meeting this weekend along with the clinic at the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, and that's another area where we try to support and do things, but the game in the inner-cities is important so that's something we've contributed to and find value in. 

Angelswin.com: Now I know you're extremely busy, but do you get an opportunity to go out and speak to kids, schools or different organizations? Being an African-American General Manager is a top position and a very well-respected position. 

Tony Reagins: Yes, I do. I get a chance to get out in the community and do a lot of stuff back home in the desert. So, yeah, whenever I see an opportunity I like to get out there and talk about the Angels. 

Angelswin.com: Recently Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American President, last year after being named the GM of the Angels we now have 2 African-American General Managers in Major League Baseball ... what does that mean to you? 

Tony Reagins: It just shows that you can do anything and anything can happen. You just have to work hard and when the opportunity presents itself you prepare yourself for it. In very general terms, it just shows that there's opportunity out there for everyone. 

Angelswin.com: Thank you for that. A couple more questions.... What is your favorite Tempe restaurant? 

Tony Reagins: Favorite Tempe restaurant.....(laughs) if I tell you that you guys might show up there. 

Angelswin.com: Come on, we're not that crazy! 

Tony Reagins: City Hall. That's not necessarily Tempe, it's Scottsdale. Where do I go in the city of Tempe? 

Angelswin.com: Don't tell me Diablo Stadium hot dogs either. 

Tony Reagins: Hmmmm, I never really go eat in Tempe. I usually go to eat in Scottsdale or Chandler. 

Angelswin.com: OK, last question... favorite menu item at Del Taco? 

Tony Reagins: Favorite menu item? Combo burrito. 

That concludes our interview with Tony Reagins. Post your comments and engage in discussions with other Angels fans regarding this interview on our website.

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