Category — Albert Pujols

Even Bartolo Colon strong-armed the Angels this week, as the A’s took 3 of 4 in Anaheim.
It’s early, but the Angels already are 7 back of the Rangers, who are off to a sizzling start, winning 11 of their 13 games. The Angels, who are residing in the basement in the AL West, have dropped 3 in a row and 9 of their 13 contest after the A’s beat them again tonight. Maybe Albert Pujols is regretting that move from St. Louis? Didn’t think so.
The Angels will try end their woes when the East-leading O’s visit for a 3-game set, beginning Friday.

The Angels’ bullpen is catching heat for the club’s 2-5 start, including Friday’s 5-0 defeat by the Yankees. Losing to the Yankees is no shame. But dropping consecutive series to the Twins and the Royals, who also had the Angels’ number last season, is another matter.
O.C. Register

Bouncing around the sports world as we play a little hard ball.
Police State: Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is usually a thing of beauty. It will be again today, but the festivities will be a bit tamer this year. Unfortunately, a heavy presence by the popo, much of it in response to the tragic beating of Giants’ fan Bryan Stow last year, will take some of the fun out of going to the old ballpark. Still, fans will be able to enjoy the beauty of Clayton Kershaw, who will receive his Cy Young award on Wednesday, opens on the mound for the Dodgers against the Pirates.
L.A. Times
Vin Scully to miss Opening Day: Even worst, the Dodger legend and Hall of Fame broadcaster won’t be in the lineup today because he’s home nursing a severe cold. Get well soon, Vinny.
ESPN LA
“Pop” goes the Spurs’ run: Are you reading this Mike Brown? Maybe 1 day you could take another page out your daddy Gregg Popovich’s playbook. The San Antonio coach gave Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker the night off as the Jazz ended the club’s 11-game winning streak in Utah last night. The Spurs dropped a game back of the Thunder, who hammered the Bucks. The Lakers visit the well-rested Spurs in the season’s 1st meeting between the 2 club on Wednesday.
San Antonio Express-News
Sorry doesn’t cut it: The Marlins show a little backbone by suspending Manager Ozzie Guillen for 5 games.
Miami Herald

Football players smoking weed and engaging in bad behavior at Florida under Urban Meyer?: This is news? Last time we checked, Florida, Miami and Florida State (see a pattern here?) have all been among the country’s top renegade programs. When Randy Shannon tried to clean up Miami, he got fired. So…
Sporting News
Can Derrick Rose stay healthy?: Word out of Chicago is the Bulls point guard tweaked an ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Knicks and will be a game-time decision when the 2 clubs meet again tonight.
Chicago Tribune
What do the Cards need with Albert Pujols when they have Mr. Freese?: The St. Louis third baseman and World Series hero continues to rake it as the club is off to a strong start.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Speaking of the real deal…: Oakland’s Yoenis Cespedes appears to be all of that.
San Jose Mercury News
It’s still Tiger’s world: Bubba Watson won the Masters, but the neighbors are still talking about the temper tantrums of Tiger Woods.
N.Y. Daily News

The Albert Pujols era opens tonight in Anaheim, where the Halos host the Kansas City Royals in their home opener.
MLB.com

Just an “honest” mistake, Mr. Hunter. We’re sure you understand.
So an alarm goes off at the Newport Coast home of Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, who isn’t aware of it until he sees cops in his backyard. WTF? He comes out to see what the fuss is all about and they draw their guns. He pleads he is the owner of the home, which is located in a ritzy area of Orange County. No way he lives there, they say. After all, Kobe Bryant was the only brother allowed in the neighborhood, but that changed when his ex took the keys to his castle.
The cops march Hunter upstairs at gunpoint to fetch his ID and prove he is who he says he is. Turns out that Hunter does indeed live there. Who knew?
To his credit, Hunter downplays the incident. So does the L.A. Times, which leads off a baseball notes column with the info.
It could have been worst, though. The neighborhood watch commander could have showed up and we all know what goes down when that happens.
ESPN LA

At least 1 writer is already picking the Angels to win it all. We’re convinced there will be more. In this case, though, Tom Verducci is picking the Angels to defeat the Giants in the World Series.
SI.com

The Phillies (7-2) are the favorite to capture the World Series, according to the odds at Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas. The Cardinals, who shocked the world and the Phillies in last season’s playoffs, are 16-1, down from 18-1. Among the others: Yankees (9-2); Red Sox (7-1); Angels (5-1); Dodgers (28-1); Rangers (4-1); Tigers (5-1); Giants (12-1); Braves (16-1); punk-ass Cubs (35-1); White Sox (50-1); Padres (155-1); and A’s (100-1).

So who’s the blond?
This select group of former Major Leaguers and Hall of Famers gathered for dinner Sunday at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms Casino Resort in Vegas. How about this lineup: Reggie Jackson; Randy Johnson; Bo Jackson; John Smoltz; Ozzie Smith; Wade Boggs; Gary Sheffield; David Wells; Trevor Hoffman; Joe Carter; Rob Dibble; and Harold Reynolds.
Image courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

Maybe Prince Fielder’s buddy Matt Kemp is a better recruiter than we know.
ESPN LA

If Texas signs Prince Fielder, the Rangers-Angels rivalry will be as compelling as any rivalry in Major League Baseball, including the frequently overhyped Yankees-Red Sox matchup.
Yahoo Sports