AngelsWin.com Exclusive Interview: Chris Bourjos (Peter Bourjos' Father)

Interview conducted by David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer

One of the few bright spots for the Angels in 2010 was the emergence of a gifted centerfielder, Peter Bourjos. His arrival had an immediate impact on the team. Not only did Torii Hunter move from centerfield (where he had won 9 Gold Glove Awards) to right field to accommodate the rookie, but the overall defense and pitching improved dramatically. In just 49 starts, Peter finished with 149 put outs and 10 assists. Projecting those numbers to a full season, Peter would have easily led all American League centerfielders in both defensive statistics if he had played for a full season. His aggressive and impressive defense quickly made him a fan favorite, as did his speed on the basepaths.

AngelsWin.com recorded this interview with Chris Bourjos on August 30th, 2010, right after Chris just watched his son play a series against Baltimore in Anaheim. Chris is a Major League scout for the Baltimore Orioles, and former Major League outfielder for the Giants. Chris took the time to speak with AngelsWin.com to give the fans his impressions as a dad and as a scout on seeing his son play. Chris is easy to talk to and a class act. He is a proud father and an expert on the game, and has a unique perspective on seeing his son succeed at the Major League level.

AngelsWin.com: What was it like seeing your son this weekend playing in Anaheim?

Chris Bourjos: It’s always exciting to watch Pete play. Obviously we’re a lot more excited at this level than at any other level that he’s played at since he’s played Little League or soccer or football. Me and my wife and my daughter, we’ve always looked forward to that day to watch, whether it’s soccer, football or baseball, whatever it is. Playing at home in Angels stadium is hard to describe. It’s pretty special.

AngelsWin.com: What would your scouting report be on Peter?

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Eddie Bane looks forward to next adventure

I sent Eddie Bane a note congratulating him on his new job shortly after I head he was hired by the Detroit Tigers and thanked him again for all that he's provided for all the Angels' fans on the net for the last 5 years at AngelsWin.com.

This was Eddie's response to me, the Angels fans on the net and members and contributors of AngelsWin.com.

Chuck. Thanks so much for the kind words and I hope you can convey to all the Angels fans my sincere appreciation for the wonderful hospitality they showed me for the past 7 drafts. God has a plan for all of us and it is up to us to follow that plan. I love the game of baseball as I found that all of your loyal readers do also and I am looking forward to my next adventure in the game.

Good luck to you and all the people that are involved with your site, both readers and workers.

Regards,

Eddie Bane

Eddie was able to scout and lure the Angels' top slugger Kendry Morales and draft and sign the Halos best starting pitcher in Jered Weaver. Among other notable youngsters that could have a significant impact with the Angels from Bane's drafts are the likes of Hank Conger, Peter Bourjos, Mark Trumbo, Jordan Walden, Tyler Chatwood, Garrett Richards, Mike Trout, Randal Grichuk, Michael Kohn, Trevor Reckling, Jeremy Moore, Daniel Tillman, Kaleb Cowart and through international scouting Jean Segura and Alexi Amarista to name a few. You can also throw in Pat Corbin and Tyler Skaggs who netted the Angels Dan Haren before the trade deadline in 2010.

Eddie also drafted Nick Adenhart who had all the makings of being a start pitcher in the big leagues until he was tragically killed by a drunk driver in April of 2009.

Eddie Bane's last live chat at AngelsWin.com as the scouting director of the Angels was on August 31st, and can be read here -- as well as all of the rest of Bane's chats with us which are archived here.

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Rising Rangers & Falling Angels: The End of an Era?

By Jonathan Northrop - AngelsWin.com Contributor

The 2000s were quite a decade for the Angels, from the World Series championship of 2002 to five division winners in the next seven years; they have been by far the dominant team in the AL West and one of the most successful franchises in baseball. But in 2010 the Rangers surprised them and took the division quite handily, finishing 10 games ahead of the struggling Angels who, at 80-82, finished with their worst record since 2003.

Obviously a lot went wrong for the Angels in 2010: from the early season injury of Kendry Morales, to the absolute disasters that were Brandon Wood, Jeff Mathis, and Scott Kazmir, to the stagnation and/or decline of Juan Rivera, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, and Mike Napoli, to the slow first halves of Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu, to the disappointing trade acquisition in Alberto Callaspo, to the unstable bullpen, and so on.

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Why I'm Rooting for the Rangers To Win It All

By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer

In a typical year, it’s hard to care much about who’s playing in the post season if it doesn’t involve the Angels. But this year hasn’t been typical, and I’m finding myself wanting to see the Rangers win it all more and more.

While it would be easy for me to say that I want the Rangers to win because I’d rather see the Yankees lose (much like voting for the lesser of two evils on a ballot), that’s not the case here. I want the Rangers to win because if they do win, it will make the Angels a better team.

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Mark Trumbo, Tyler Chatwood and Gabe Jacobo your 2010 Organizational Players of the Year

The Angels Monday announced their 2010 Organizational Players of the Year

Ryan Cavinder - Media Relations Representative
Angels Baseball

Mark Trumbo (INF) was named the Angels Minor League Player of the Year. Trumbo, a 2010 PCL All-Star, batted .301 with 36 home runs, 122 RBI and 103 runs scored in 139 games with the Salt Lake Bees. The Anaheim native’s 36 home runs set a Bees franchise record and led all of the minor leagues while his 122 RBI and 103 runs scored led the Pacific Coast League. Trumbo spent final month of season with the Angels, collecting his first big league hit on October 3rd at Texas.

Tyler Chatwood (RHP) was named Angels Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Chatwood finished the season with a combined 13-9 record with one shutout and a 2.84 ERA (155.1 IP – 49 ER) in 27 games (26 starts) between Rancho Cucamonga, Arkansas and Salt Lake.

Gabriel Jacobo (INF) was named Angels Minor League Defensive Player of the Year. Jacobo posted a .998 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 118 games (1,151 total chances). The first baseman had 1,073 putouts and 76 assists along with 90 double plays. He owns a career .997 fielding percentage in three professional seasons.

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AngelsWin.com Exclusive Interview: Dennis Kuhl

Interview Conducted by David Saltzer - AngelsWin.com Senior Writer
October 4, 2010

When Chuck Richter interviewed Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl in 2009, he wrote “This concludes our interview with Dennis Kuhl, to which now after our chat is known by me as Dennis ‘Cool’". Now I know why Chuck would say that; Dennis Kuhl is 'Mr. Cool.'” When I first emailed him to arrange for an interview, I addressed him formally as “Mr. Kuhl.” His response to me was “First of all, it’s Dennis. How about grabbing a sandwich on Monday the 4th?” How cool was that—lunch and insistence on a first-name basis!

Dennis is a people-person. And, he pays attention to details, especially the important little details. At lunch, he knew the waitress’ and hostess’ names. He told me how much he stresses that with the people in the organization; he said “it’s the little touches that count the most.” He keeps hats and spare souvenirs in his car trunk just because he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to share the joy of Angels baseball with a child.

That care and attention to detail is evident in all that Dennis does for the Angels. Whether it’s getting the stadium and team ready for the All-Star Game or preparing for the upcoming 50th Anniversary Season, Dennis makes sure that the little touches aren’t missed. Dennis and the rest of the Angels worked for years to make the All-Star Game celebration as wonderful as it was for the fans, and are working just as hard to make the 50th Anniversary season a year-long celebration of the team’s history.

At the same time, Dennis is a passionate baseball fan. Talking baseball with him is fun. He cares deeply about the Angels; today was hard for him because the team didn’t make the post season. He talked about his first game as a kid (a Yankees game) and how he admired the color of the grass and wondered why the stadium’s PA announcer didn’t call all the plays like they did on the TV and radio. He’s the kind of guy with whom you’d love to meet at a bar or have sit next to you at the ballpark. He loves his job, and it shows.

Dennis isn’t shy about displeasure that the team had with their performance on the field. That displeasure was felt from the players all the way up to the owner. He expects the Angels to have a busy offseason and that it will be a full hot stove season for the Angels. Likewise, he knows that Mr. Moreno wants to win and has been very open with the team about his willingness to do what it takes to get back to the championship level.

While 2010 is over for the Angels, 2011 is already on the horizon. Angels fans have a lot to look forward to this offseason and next year. With a busy offseason, a fan cruise, and the 50th Anniversary Season all upcoming, I’m already looking forward to next year!

Click below to listen to the interview.

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