I know I speak for many Angels’ fans in saying, “About Time, Guys.”   For what seems an eternity in baseball years (3 seasons) the Angels have needed an additional bat (Sorry Gary Matthews Jr., you don’t count).  Mark “Big Tex” Teixeira was delivered to the Angels lineup just a day before the trade deadline in what seems like the best move any team made at the break.

Sure Manny Ramirez gives the bums up the 405 a mighty stick and a shot in the arm in a very winnable NL West division.  However, given his penchant for disastrous, albeit hilarious, outfield defense the runs he drives in will be somewhat countered by the runs he gives up.  But “Manny being Manny” will put even more butts in seats and I’m sure his antics will go over well with Dodger fans.

Mark Teixeira, on the other hand, should fit in extremely well with his new team.  The consummate professional, Teixeira is all business on the field and take his defense (two gold gloves) as seriously as his offense (.317/.404/1.020 with 17HR’s in 208 at-bats after being traded to the Braves from Texas in 07’).  The Angels have what I would describe as a “loose” clubhouse and it’s already apparent that Teixeira presence hasn’t caused it to tighten up.

Teixeira’s influence has already been felt, individually with his 4 hits and 5 RBI’s as well as his patience at the plate which seems to have rubbed off on the rest of the lineup (26 team BB’s in Teixeira’s first 6 games including 8 on Monday Night).  For a team with speed on the base paths and one of the most aggressive 3rd base coaches in the game, a more patient Angel lineup can mean serious trouble for any pitcher.

–     As happy as I am to have Teixeira in Angels’ red, I was sad to see Casey Kotchman go.  Kotchman is a solid defender who could have been the gold glove winner at 1B this year in the AL.  Kotchman is also the son of Tom Kotchman, an Angels Minor League coach and a consultant to the Big League Club.  Casey grew up an Angels fan learning the game as a teenager from his father and team legends, Garrett Anderson and Troy Percival.  In fact, Casey’s back up first baseman’s mitt was a gift from GA when Casey was just a teen.  It must be difficult for him to leave the only team he has ever known (and a team that he helped propel to having the best record in baseball) to a National League roster that is injury-ridden and already playing for the 2009 season.  Kotchman handled the trade like the professional he is and he’s got a permanent fan in me.

–    Vlad Guerrero’s 2008 statistical line (.282/.346/.825) is still quite a bit off from his career average (.322/.388/.962), but he’s been looking much more comfortable at the plate with Teixeira batting in front of him.  On Monday Night (after a Mark Teixeira walk) Vlad took a Dennis Sarfate fastball and hit a screamer out of the park for this 19th HR of the season.

–    Hunter rejoined the team after his grandmother’s funeral in Arkansas and extended his hitting streak to 15 games.  Hunter may be the key to the Angels lineup as he should now be an RBI machine hitting the five-hole after Tex and Big Daddy Vladdy.

–    IF Maicer Izturis jammed his left thumb while making a diving play on Robinson Cano’s drive up the middle off RHP Ervin Santana on Friday. X-rays were normal and the preliminary diagnosis is a sprain. But Izturis did not play Saturday or Sunday and will have an MRI Monday when the team returns to California.  He is not expected to be placed on the DL.

–    C Mike Napoli (sore right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list July 6. An MRI on July 7 revealed merely shoulder irritation, and Napoli has begun a rehabilitation program to treat the inflammation and rebuild strength in the shoulder.  He went 2-for-4 in his first rehab start.

–    Hey Justin Speier, why don’t you spend some time working on your pitching instead of your Mike Tyson impression?  Both are equally bad.  At least his Terminator was a little better.