The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been one of the most consistent franchises in all of baseball over the past decade. After undergoing a bit of a roster overhaul this winter, many counted Mike Scioscia’s out of the AL West race. Two weeks into the season, the doubters looked smart, as the Angels struggled mightily out of the gate. Since then, the Angels have gotten back on track as they have climbed above .500 after 15 games. While the club did lose franchise icon Vladimir Guerrero, the parting seems like a good decision for both parties. Guerrero is a shell of his former self as he now hits for limited power and his unable to play in the field due to a bad knee. The Angels replaced Guerrero with reigning World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, who has been a good fit into the Angels lineup. Matsui is a good, professional hitter who excels at working the count and feasting on pitchers mistakes. While Matsui has been good, the Angels have to be worried about former top prospect Brandon Wood, who has yet to figure out how to hit big league pitching. Wood was once thought to be a perennial contender for the batting title, but has struggled to hit in several stints at the major league level.

by Josh Weiner at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Vladimir Guerrero “ran great today,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before Sunday’s game against the Twins. Torii Hunter, also eager to get off the disabled list and get his Rawlings Gold Glove back in center field, “ran very well,” Scioscia added. “We’ll wait and see how they come out of it. Vlad’s probably a couple of days ahead of Torii now.”

Guerrero, if all goes well, could be back in the designated hitter role by the time the Angels leave Chicago on Thursday night. Because he won’t be playing in right field for a while, if at all, the big bopper won’t need any Minor League rehab games, Scioscia said. Hunter, on the other hand, figures to play a few games next weekend with one of the Angels’ Minor League affiliates – perhaps in his native Arkansas with the Double-A Travelers. Triple-A Salt Lake and high Class A Rancho Cucamonga are also possibilities. “I’m dying to get off the DL,” Hunter said, frustrated by his inability to play this weekend in what would have been his farewell to the Metrodome, where his career started with the Twins.

Click here to read the full article – By Lyle Spencer of MLBlog Network

Anaheim Angels Sports Memorabilia
and other Anaheim Angels Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Vladimir Guerrero.

The Angels, trying to win three straight division titles for the first time in the franchise’s 49-year history, remained tied with Texas for the AL West lead after falling a season-worst 5 1/2 games off the pace on May 13. Joe Saunders (8-4) allowed a run and four hits in six-plus innings, including a solo homer to Garrett Atkins leading off the seventh. He struck out six and walked one and improved to 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in eight interleague starts. Chone Figgins was 3 for 4 and scored four runs, helping hand the Rockies their second straight loss after a stretch where they won 17 of 18.

Article by the Associated Press on June 25, 2009
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Anaheim Angels Sports Memorabilia
and other Anaheim Angels Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Vladimir Guerrero.