Beware the Ides of March

The Ides of March seem like an appropriate day to start writing about the Angels. They're a little past the half way point of Spring Training and roster spots are starting to fall into place. So here I go with the surprises and disappointments of the Spring.

Biggest Surprises

3. Howie Kendrick - He's hitting .464 (13 for 28) and might help the fans forget about Kennedy quicker than we forgot about Glaus, Eckstein, Spiezio, etc. He stole home against the Giants and Bengie Molina on Wednesday. I'd mention that it was the back end of a double steal involving Jose Molina but that diminishes the accomplishment.

2. Erick Aybar - The do-everything Figgins wannabe is hitting .367 (11 for 30) while playing center field and second base as well as his natural position, shortstop. He also had a walk off single Wednesday against the Giants.

1. Garret Anderson - He stole a base against the A's on March 11th. That alone garners him the top spot. He's also hitting .467 in 15 at-bats.

Biggest Disappointments

3. Juan Rivera - I know it's an old story, but we need his bat. In case you haven't checked, he's hitting .000 (0 for 0) this spring. I don't like Winter Ball.

2. Catchers not named Napoli - I know that we don't count on our catchers to hit, but.... Jose is hitting .211 (4 for 19) and Mathis is hitting .200 (5 for 25). And these are spring training numbers. They will be lucky to be hitting Maicer's weight (165) during the regular season.

1. Gary Matthews Jr. - I believe him. He didn't take HGH. That's why he hired Robert Shapiro to defend him. I also believe that the Holocaust didn't occur, the moon landing was staged in Hollywood and the Loch Ness Monster is currently teamed with OJ Simpson looking for the "Real Killer". Sarge 2 is also hitting a paltry .269.