By Ruben Ayala III
The 2020 MLB season was going to be one of the most anticipated and interesting seasons in years and due to an unfortunate virus the season probably won’t be played or at the most it would be a much deteriorated version of what was expected. The 2019 season ended with the Washington Nationals winning their first championship in franchise history and immediately following their victory word came out about the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox having cheated in their championship winning seasons as well in 2018 and 2017. The entire offs eason was filled with players’ and fans resentment toward those two teams and the fans that wouldn’t accept what their teams did. The 2019 off season also had one of the best free agent classes in recent years and there were many high profile players on the trade block and that would be traded. We saw stars like Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon leave their respective teams and join new ones and probably the biggest shock of the 2019 off season was the Dodgers trading for Mookie Betts one of the brightest stars today.
The 2019 season ended on what could be considered a David and Goliath scenario as the Washington Nationals came into the 2019 postseason as not particular favorites in most peoples mind as the NL boasted teams like the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Braves. Many would say those teams were a better bet to go far into the playoffs and have a chance of winning a championship. The Nationals had entered the last week of May with a record of 19–31 and after getting healthy and playing good baseball from May 24th on they found themselves in the N.L. Wild Card game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers had kept control of the game early and entering the 8th inning held a 3–1 lead, even with only a two run lead it all looked to be in the Brewers favor. Brewers closer, Josh Hader, was put in to get the last several outs, but after a hit by pitch, a hit, and a walk, Juan Soto would come up to the plate and begin his playoff legend and put the Nationals on top 4–3 to ultimately win the game!
The Dodgers came into the postseason once again cruising to their seventh straight N.L. West title and having posted the best record in franchise history with an 106 win season. Even with the Nationals boasting a formidable team of their own many thought the Dodgers would still be too much to bare. Despite doubts from the beginning the Nationals battled with the Dodgers and got it to a loser goes home game 5. Game 5 started off great for the Dodgers who were able to get on Stephen Strasburg for three runs and Buehler threw 7 innings of one run ball. Dave Roberts would remove Buehler with two outs in the 7th and bring in Clayton Kershaw a man with a widely known reputation for his postseason struggles.
Kershaw got the left handed hitting Adam Eaton easily to end the 7th, but then the problem arose when he was left in to face Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto who took him back to back on consecutive pitches to tie the game at 3–3. The game would go an extra inning and in the 10th inning with the bases loaded Howie Kendrick would come to the plate vs. Joe Kelly. Kendrick had an ugly series defensively speaking with a few errors in the series. With one swing he could erase all that and with an 0–1 pitch he did three things: became a Nationals legend, put a smile on every Angel fans face that once watched him, and simultaneously ripped out the hearts of every Dodger fan. The Nationals would slay the giant that was the Dodgers by a score of 7–3 and would go on to handle the Cardinals in the NLCS and beat the Astros in a back and fourth World Series.
If losing a World Series wasn’t bad enough for the Astros, word immediately came out that they used a sophisticated system to steal signs during the championship winning season in 2017. That sophisticated system was banging on a trash can and using a center field camera to let hitters know what pitches were coming, particularly off-speed pitches. Once this news broke the Astros immediately became the new villain among the league and among the fans. Everybody immediately couldn’t wait for the upcoming season to participate in the booing tour that the Astros would go on, especially after most of the baseball fanbase wasn’t happy with their punishments and their forced apologies that weren’t good to begin with. Many also were going to tune in to see if any teams would take it into their own hands especially since multiple teams spoke out against them and many of the biggest stars didn’t hold back on how they felt, among them included the best player in the game in Mike Trout, who doesn’t say anything controversial.
Among all the chaos with the Astros and Red Sox who were also in their own cheating scandal there was nothing but action when it came to free agent signings and multiple trades among teams. The 2019 offseason had some of the best talent available on the open market in years and while not every free agent went somewhere a majority of them did. The three biggest targets this offseason were Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, and Anthony Rendon and multiple teams were in the running for their services throughout the offseason. Strasburg eventually joined back up with the world champion Nationals and Gerrit Cole seemingly shocked everybody in the baseball community as he signed a 9 yr. deal with the New York Yankees worth 324 million dollars, making him the richest pitcher ever in the game. Another particularly surprising signing was that of Anthony Rendon’s who chose to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for 7 yrs and 245 million dollars.
Other deals like Zack Wheeler going to the Phillies as well as teams like the Reds and the Chicago White Sox bolstering their rosters by making multiple moves made many fandoms around the league very excited and just itching to have some baseball already. Arguably the biggest move in the 2019 offseason wasn’t even a free agent signing or anything. It was the huge three team deal that moved Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers. Talks about Mookie Betts being moved was going around all throughout the offseason and it looked like he’d at least stay at least one more year in Boston as he agreed on his arbitration clause and signed the richest arbitration number in history. The MLB offseason seemingly had every fanbase excited for the direct future and or more having more hope for the future when it came to teams like the Orioles and Royals.
At last, baseball was beginning to be played in late February and everybody got a glimpse of all the new free agent gets and new faces all around the league. Fans got to see Gerrit Cole for the first time as a Yankee and Angel fans were enjoying having a brand new 3rd baseman that basically picked up where he left off by making a great first impression on all fronts. We saw Mookie Betts in a Dodger uniform for the first time. The Astros were already getting a baragge of boos. Baseball was officially back and fans couldn’t be any happier.
Sadly, it wasn’t meant to last as a virus came and not only stopped baseball from being played, but stopped everybody from living their daily normal lives which for many included keeping up with and watching sports. It doesn’t seem like a season will be played this season, and that’s unfortunate, but people will definitely appreciate the game and other sports a little more when they return as during its absence people have realized what impact they have on us. It’s unfortunate that we will lose what would have been one of the most anticipated seasons ever, but its important to get rid of this virus first and once we do that we will once again be able to enjoy the greatest game in the world. Till then we should take the precautions necessary and protect one another so we can get back to normal as quick as possible. Baseball as well as other sports will be back and when they do fans will cherish it that much more.
By Ruben Ayala III
The 2020 MLB season was going to be one of the most anticipated and interesting seasons in years and due to an unfortunate virus the season probably won’t be played or at the most it would be a much deteriorated version of what was expected. The 2019 season ended with the Washington Nationals winning their first championship in franchise history and immediately following their victory word came out about the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox having cheated in their championship winning seasons as well in 2018 and 2017. The entire offs eason was filled with players’ and fans resentment toward those two teams and the fans that wouldn’t accept what their teams did. The 2019 off season also had one of the best free agent classes in recent years and there were many high profile players on the trade block and that would be traded. We saw stars like Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon leave their respective teams and join new ones and probably the biggest shock of the 2019 off season was the Dodgers trading for Mookie Betts one of the brightest stars today.
The 2019 season ended on what could be considered a David and Goliath scenario as the Washington Nationals came into the 2019 postseason as not particular favorites in most peoples mind as the NL boasted teams like the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Braves. Many would say those teams were a better bet to go far into the playoffs and have a chance of winning a championship. The Nationals had entered the last week of May with a record of 19–31 and after getting healthy and playing good baseball from May 24th on they found themselves in the N.L. Wild Card game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers had kept control of the game early and entering the 8th inning held a 3–1 lead, even with only a two run lead it all looked to be in the Brewers favor. Brewers closer, Josh Hader, was put in to get the last several outs, but after a hit by pitch, a hit, and a walk, Juan Soto would come up to the plate and begin his playoff legend and put the Nationals on top 4–3 to ultimately win the game!
The Dodgers came into the postseason once again cruising to their seventh straight N.L. West title and having posted the best record in franchise history with an 106 win season. Even with the Nationals boasting a formidable team of their own many thought the Dodgers would still be too much to bare. Despite doubts from the beginning the Nationals battled with the Dodgers and got it to a loser goes home game 5. Game 5 started off great for the Dodgers who were able to get on Stephen Strasburg for three runs and Buehler threw 7 innings of one run ball. Dave Roberts would remove Buehler with two outs in the 7th and bring in Clayton Kershaw a man with a widely known reputation for his postseason struggles.
Kershaw got the left handed hitting Adam Eaton easily to end the 7th, but then the problem arose when he was left in to face Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto who took him back to back on consecutive pitches to tie the game at 3–3. The game would go an extra inning and in the 10th inning with the bases loaded Howie Kendrick would come to the plate vs. Joe Kelly. Kendrick had an ugly series defensively speaking with a few errors in the series. With one swing he could erase all that and with an 0–1 pitch he did three things: became a Nationals legend, put a smile on every Angel fans face that once watched him, and simultaneously ripped out the hearts of every Dodger fan. The Nationals would slay the giant that was the Dodgers by a score of 7–3 and would go on to handle the Cardinals in the NLCS and beat the Astros in a back and fourth World Series.
If losing a World Series wasn’t bad enough for the Astros, word immediately came out that they used a sophisticated system to steal signs during the championship winning season in 2017. That sophisticated system was banging on a trash can and using a center field camera to let hitters know what pitches were coming, particularly off-speed pitches. Once this news broke the Astros immediately became the new villain among the league and among the fans. Everybody immediately couldn’t wait for the upcoming season to participate in the booing tour that the Astros would go on, especially after most of the baseball fanbase wasn’t happy with their punishments and their forced apologies that weren’t good to begin with. Many also were going to tune in to see if any teams would take it into their own hands especially since multiple teams spoke out against them and many of the biggest stars didn’t hold back on how they felt, among them included the best player in the game in Mike Trout, who doesn’t say anything controversial.
Among all the chaos with the Astros and Red Sox who were also in their own cheating scandal there was nothing but action when it came to free agent signings and multiple trades among teams. The 2019 offseason had some of the best talent available on the open market in years and while not every free agent went somewhere a majority of them did. The three biggest targets this offseason were Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, and Anthony Rendon and multiple teams were in the running for their services throughout the offseason. Strasburg eventually joined back up with the world champion Nationals and Gerrit Cole seemingly shocked everybody in the baseball community as he signed a 9 yr. deal with the New York Yankees worth 324 million dollars, making him the richest pitcher ever in the game. Another particularly surprising signing was that of Anthony Rendon’s who chose to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for 7 yrs and 245 million dollars.
Other deals like Zack Wheeler going to the Phillies as well as teams like the Reds and the Chicago White Sox bolstering their rosters by making multiple moves made many fandoms around the league very excited and just itching to have some baseball already. Arguably the biggest move in the 2019 offseason wasn’t even a free agent signing or anything. It was the huge three team deal that moved Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers. Talks about Mookie Betts being moved was going around all throughout the offseason and it looked like he’d at least stay at least one more year in Boston as he agreed on his arbitration clause and signed the richest arbitration number in history. The MLB offseason seemingly had every fanbase excited for the direct future and or more having more hope for the future when it came to teams like the Orioles and Royals.
At last, baseball was beginning to be played in late February and everybody got a glimpse of all the new free agent gets and new faces all around the league. Fans got to see Gerrit Cole for the first time as a Yankee and Angel fans were enjoying having a brand new 3rd baseman that basically picked up where he left off by making a great first impression on all fronts. We saw Mookie Betts in a Dodger uniform for the first time. The Astros were already getting a baragge of boos. Baseball was officially back and fans couldn’t be any happier.
Sadly, it wasn’t meant to last as a virus came and not only stopped baseball from being played, but stopped everybody from living their daily normal lives which for many included keeping up with and watching sports. It doesn’t seem like a season will be played this season, and that’s unfortunate, but people will definitely appreciate the game and other sports a little more when they return as during its absence people have realized what impact they have on us. It’s unfortunate that we will lose what would have been one of the most anticipated seasons ever, but its important to get rid of this virus first and once we do that we will once again be able to enjoy the greatest game in the world. Till then we should take the precautions necessary and protect one another so we can get back to normal as quick as possible. Baseball as well as other sports will be back and when they do fans will cherish it that much more.
Who knew the 2002 Angels would be a hotbed of future college head coaches?
UC Riverside announced Troy Percival as its new head coach on Tuesday, taking over for the retired Doug Smith. Percival becomes the second ’02 Angel to land a head job at a D-I program, joining Darin Erstad of Nebraska. Like Erstad, Percival is returning to his alma mater, where he’s the most prominent baseball alumnus. The 44-year-old played 14 seasons in the majors, 10 with the Angels, racking up 358 career saves to rank ninth all-time. Percival was a four-time all-star and had 40 saves with a 1.92 ERA for the Angels’ 2002 World Series-winning team. He last pitched in the majors with the Rays in 2009. Since retiring, Percival has worked as a high school coach and spent one season as a roving instructor in the Angels’ system.
Orange Crest Pony League
College
Highschool
Youth
California Interscholastic Federation
(CIF) River Valley League
Riverside Poly Highschool "Bears"
J.W.North Highschool "Huskies"
Arlington "Lions"
King Highschool "Wolves"
Notre Dame
Ramona Highschool "Rams"
La Sierra Highschool
Jurupa Valley High School, La Sierra High School, Norte Vista High School, Patriot High School and Hillcrest Highschool