Category — A’s

Our daily thread.
We understand the NBA suspending Rajon Rondo for 1 game for bumping official Marc Davis. There is no excuse for it despite Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce and Charles Barkley, among others, offering them. He tripped? No shit Sherlock?
But shouldn’t Davis receive a time out or 2 for his awful officiating and missing calls, particularly the 1 that lead to the incident?
Boston Globe
Timing seems suspicious to us: Laker reserve Jordan Hill was charged with choking his ex-girlfriend, an alleged incident that occurred 2 months ago. Surely the DA’s office in Houston wouldn’t be guilty of a little grandstanding, no? Didn’t think so.
ESPN LA
Addition by subtraction: No offense to Caron, but with Butler out with a broken hand, Nick Young, who was instrumental in the Clip Joint’s huge rally Sunday night and 1 of its top performers the past month, will see an increase in minutes.
ESPN.com
What about Paul?: Who would have guessed this? Paul Silas not returning to the Bobcats as head coach? What’s the problem?
Charlotte Observer
Panic? Not Albert: Any and almost everyone connected with the Angels these days are tight under the collar. But just because Albert Pujols hasn’t hit a homer this month (don’t panic Albert, but today is the last day) doesn’t mean anything to him. Pujols and the Angels host the Twinkies tonight.
Fox Sports

Our daily thread.
The Dodgers lost their 2nd in a row to the Braves, but Matt Kemp homered for the 10th time this month, tying Gary Sheffield (remember him?) for the most home runs in April. Kemp leads the major in homers and has 23 RBI.
Tough night for Dodgers reliever Javy Guerra, who took 1 in the face and might be knocked out of the closer role.
AP
They’re just funking with us, no?: The Rays handed the Angels their 3rd straight setback. We suspect they’re trying to find out who their real fans are before they go on a roll and blow everyone away. No?
Albert Pujols is 0 for 19 and still looking for his 1st homer as an Angel. This wouldn’t be happening if he was in St. Louis.
O.C. Register
Star of Texas: The Rangers pounded the Yankees again to take 2 of 3 in their series. Bob Nightengale, 1 of the best writers in baseball, tweeted that the Rangers are the greatest of all time. Some of us Cardinal fans are a little offended. Didn’t we beat that ass last October?
Oh, and did we mention that the Angels are 8 1/2 games back of the Rangers? Didn’t think so.
Star-Telegram
Mr. 400: Tip of the cap to Paul Konerko, who slugged, and we mean slugged, his 400th homer Wednesday in a 14-inning loss to the A’s. Konerko hit a bomb to force extra innings in the 9th.
Did we mention the A’s are playing better ball than the Angels? Didn’t think so.
Sun-Times
There is no crying is hockey: This bud’s for you my man Timothy Schnupp. Caps 2, Bruins 1. Series over.
Boston Herald
Riding off into the Sun set: So where does Steve Nash play next year?
Pro Basketball Talk

Is that you Barry?
It’s been only 5 years since my daughter had to explain to me what 420 meant. “Seriously Dad? You don’t know?” I can still hearing her saying.
Lots of athletes will be celebrating today. We hate to bust anyone, but 1 of our favorite stories is a bud of ours sitting in a Mercedes and smoking a fatty back in the day with Chili Davis.
We’ll just indulge in a glass or 2 of wine to celebrate.
Cheers!

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.

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

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

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

Well if this doesn’t buy the Angels a World Series title we’re not sure what will.
L.A. Times