After waiting through what seems like a lifetime of “it’s still early in the season”, it looks like the Angels may finally be turning the corner and the bandwagon is in beginning to take on more passengers. When you think about it, the blind acceptance and party atmosphere of the bandwagon is kind of beautiful. It accepts all fans regardless of race, religion or creed. Given its complete lack of prejudice, the bandwagon may be considered one of the purest icons in sports

However, this will mark the second appearance of the Halos bandwagon this year. The signings of Pujols and Wilson brought more "tags-on" jerseys to the seats than ever before. Those same jerseys were conspicuously absent during Pujols homerun drought and the incubatory period of the bullpen. It can be said that the bandwagon is like a woman. You can leave her, but if you decide to come back, she's going to set some ground rules the second time around.

Here then are the FIVE conditions that will bar you from returning to the bandwagon.

The June 8th, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Iannetta to begin a rehab stint this weekend, Trumbo unlikely to play third base again in the near future, Downs making a case for the All-Star team and much more...

The Story: Chris Iannetta is going to start a rehab stint with the Inland Empire 66ers this weekend.

The Monkey Says: That BP session must've gone well.  If the Angels are true to form, Iannetta will likely play two or three games with the 66ers this weekend and then move to Salt Lake for a few games, putting him on schedule to be activated from the DL some time next weekend when they return home.  When that happens, it will be interesting to see if the Halos keep Hank Conger on the roster as a reserve who could potentially share time with Iannetta or send him back down so he can keep refining his defensive skills.  Hopefully it is the former, but that may only last so long because they will have to make another tougher decision whenever Bobby Wilson, who is out of options, recovers from his concussion.

The Story: Mike Scioscia made it sound as if he isn't giving much thought to giving Mark Trumbo playing time at third base anytime soon.

The Monkey Says: I still think it is something worth trying, but as I said before the season, his slow recovery from a fractured foot gave him no time to learn the position.  I wouldn't be shocked if he makes a handful more starts at the hot corner this season, but the Angels are playing better right now and Trumbo is crushing the ball, so I don't blame Scioscia for not wanting to mess around with that experiment at this point.

It’s hard to think about the Angels without considering Mark Trumbo, nowadays.  He’s pretty much put himself front and center, although he belongs in right and has carved out that territory.  Sorry, Torii, we still love you. 

Recently, I was listening in on some audio as Trumbo tried to explain how one day he could have the worst professional day of his life and then go 4-for-4 the next day, which could have made him a little crazy.  Of course, it is baseball.  He must have tried to explain this so many times and in so many ways:  to media, to friends, to a life partner.  You can’t be a hitter and hide a day like he had, ESPN and all that.  Of course, 4-for-4 yesterday means nothing tomorrow.

So what is running through Mark's head as he peers out there, good day or bad, at a guy that has a state of the art arm and a rock the shape he's been throwing since he was 3-years old?  He's thinking, I'm gonna keep my eyes open because if I piss this guy off he'll decide he's Juan Marichal and will trim my sideburns way up around my ears.  He's thinking, I could end up with little red marks on the side of my face or a seam imprint on my forehead.  Jered, Dan, CJ, you guys are behind me, right? 

To be fair, the pitcher is wondering what happens if Trumbo relaxes on his back heel back and goes up the middle.   He about what, 6'4"?  220 or so?  If you were pitching you might start wondering how quickly you can throw those rocks, and be storing an extra one somewhere on your person because this guy standing at the plate is not a middle infielder.  It's Mr. Trumbo standing there looking gentle but not quite sure what he wants to do with that stick.  A bit fearsome in my eyes.

And Trumbo is not confused, that's not what I meant.  Someone has whispered in his ear, and I'm thinking Mickey Hatcher.  Keep it simple, he says.  Let's make it easy: watch the ball, can you see the spin?  When the ball looks big hit it as far as you can.  Pitchers like to get ahead in the count, you might see a fat pitch early.  We're getting paid for this, so there's no rush but don't get cheated.  You are a hitter, swing the bat.

If it was me in the batters box I'd know the pitcher had the edge.  But Mr. Trumbo is different.  I pulled up the video of his 4-for-4, and standing there looking at the pitcher, Trumbo was smiling.  Not a bullshit smile, a real one.  He wasn't worried where his feet were, or if his hips were square.  He was just looking out there at the rock thrower.  Like, dude you're cool but I'm not caring what comes out of your hand.  I'm going to hit it.

I'm not sure who it was but someone turned him loose and said have fun, and it shows in that smile.

I listened to his audio description about that game.  The wonder came through in his voice.  "How did I do that?" he seemed to ask.  He was a pitcher to begin with, which could help in the long run.  He's thrown a rock here and there.  Meanwhile, he’s learning to hit.  His joy has made me remember how it felt to play the game, but the point is he knows every day changes and you play if you can, not for the numbers.

Any GM would be standing in line to hire Mark Trumbo, he’s just the guy you want working for you.  As a fan I may have overlooked the fact the Angels have developed some exceptional players talent-wise and person-wise.  I overlooked Trumbo as he was coming up but that was more about forgetting that good people can learn; that’s what life is about.  Who is he about to become?

I get it that the organization will produce some players that will make the major-league roster, and some really good players.  Progress is expected, but somehow the Angels are now back to where young players may get shuffled off because there’s no spot for them.  That's a good thing.

Trumbo was not meant as the right-fielder of the future, but there he is.  My take is give him a chance to play and he’ll stand on the rocks or wherever he’s penciled in, smiling.  He’ll drop in on a helicopter.  I like that player on the team.  I'll so laugh when next spring Trumbo is moved to catcher, but Mark won't blink.  Wilson and Conger must have that thought swirling in the back of their heads and will be dropping dual loads if Scioscia just wonders how quick Trumbo could throw down to second.  

I don't think it matters what position he's playing.  Trumbo will show up, spit in his hands and reach for the lumber.  A pro and still growing, it's pretty cool to have him around.

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The June 7th, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels draft Mickey Hatcher's nephew, Weaver on pace to return from DL as soon as possible, Scioscia gives Santana the dreaded "vote of confidence" and much more...

The Story: The Angels finished up the draft by drafting 23 of 25 players out of college, including the nephew of Mickey Hatcher.

The Monkey Says: SLEEPER AGENT!!!!!!  Boy, are those contract negotiations going to be awkward.

The Story: Jered Weaver is playing long toss and on pace to be activated as soon as his 15 days on the DL are up.

The Monkey Says: That's terrific news.  If true, that should mean Weaver will start either the last game of the Freeway Series or the first game of the following homestand.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Mariners 8, Angels 6 

 This was the series that the Angels were supposed to use in order keep up with Texas. I know it. You know it. They know it. Everyone knows it.

The Halos are toying with a .500 record and lacking in anything resembling capitalization. 

Seattle and Oakland decided to put the smack-down on their fellow AL West teams (and by smack-down, I mean they just flat out won) this week and thankfully, the Angels and Rangers suffered the same amount of losses.

The line up didn't have the temporary consistency that showed up during that miraculous win streak. But, I don't want to blame the line up for this loss. I have something else in mind. 

Mike Scioscia is not handling the bullpen the right way and it is affecting the ball club in the most negative ways...as in...they lose the lead and then lose the game. 

The Angels found themselves in a similar situation tonight when Mike Scioscia decided to bring Bobby Cassevah in to finish off the top of the 6th inning (and when I oh-so conveniently decided to take my dog for walk). Cassevah isn't ready. Plain and simple. It takes a lot more than physical ability to maintain a one run lead for your team. Not only is Cassevah not ready in terms of skill (losing a game of hide and seek with the strike zone), he isn't ready mentally. That's the case for a lot of younger ball players. It takes some getting used to, but he just isn't ready yet. Scioscia is testing Cassevah's limits and throwing him in high pressure situations. A pitcher may gain confidence from that if they get lucky and go lights out. Not the case for Cassevah...at all. 

Scioscia's bullpen choices of late have left me begging for Hisanori Takahashi and that's saying a lot.

On a more positive note: Kendrys Morales is finding a rhythm. After going yard for the fourth time this month, we may be seeing a glimpse of the old Kendrys. He's set to get some time in at first base as the Angels head to Colorado to play the Rockies, and back to southern California to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time this year. Interleague play will give him the opportunity to play defense for the first time in two years. 

If Morales would like to lead by example, I think the Angels would benefit from their teammate. The game of baseball is about finding a rhythm. If the Angels can mimic Morales in finding a rhythm (more home runs would be nice, too), they can go take care of business during interleague play.

Off to the Mile High City they go. 

Mike Trout was called up a little over a month ago and it is already clear that he has become the hero of the Angels' season.  He's done superhuman things at the plate, on the bases and in the field.  He is just so amazing that I cannot believe he is just a 20-year old human being.  The more I think about, the more I have come to realize that Mike Trout is Superman.

Like, for real, actually Superman.

I know that sounds like crazy hyperbole, but I'm dead serious.  Mike Trout is the last son of Krypton and I can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Exhibit A: Mike Trout is "faster than a speeding bullet"

For those of you without a stopwatch handy, that's Mike Trout busting down the line and getting from home to first in 3.53 seconds, which is arguably the fastest such time since the great Mickey Mantle did it in 3.5 seconds back in the day.  That, my friends, is super speed.

                                                        @

                                                 Seattle Mariners (25-33) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (29-28)

                           Pitching Probables: SEA – Hector Noesi  (2-6, 5.51 ERA)  LAA – Jerome Williams  (6-2, 3.68 ERA)

                                               Game Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830

If the Angels are going to avoid sweeping teams at all costs, I'd prefer they at least win the series.

When the Angels took on New York and Texas, I honestly wasn't expecting a sweep from of the 2012 Halos (and I'm sure I speak for more than one person, here). The mere fact that they pulled off two wins against each of those teams was a little shocking, but hey, they ran into a hot ball club on a streak no one could break. 

But they should finish what they've started.

The Angels have set themselves up to take yet another series against a team we should sweep every single time. But hey, what is Angels' baseball without a curveball or sixteen?

With Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo swinging hot bats (welcome back to that, Trumbo), the Halos still have enough positive evergy to tough out the rest of the first half of the season. 

Let's begin by finishing off Seattle. It's not that difficult...right? Right.