Happy Birthday Kevin, From Your LA Angels

Ironicly, on Thursday, December 8th, 1988, I, Kevin Kline was born in the Waynesboro Hospital.  Exactly 23 years later, I received one of the best birthday presents I could have ever asked for, Albert Pujols.  Oh wait, not even an hour later, they sign left handed pitcher C.J. Wilson too!  I have been a Los Angeles Angels fan since approximately 2004ish when the Angels signed Vladimir Guerrero, who at the time was my favorite baseball player of all time. 

With childhood memories growing up of playing baseball myself and always enjoying the movie 'Angels in the Outfield', the Angels have been my team.  After winning the AL West three straight years (07-09) the Angels have struggled to make a solid run at the AL West title that has been stormed upon by the Texas Rangers.  When the Angels came to a deal with Torii Hunter in 2008, my eyes lit up and I became a bigger fan than before.  Nowadays, everyone who knows me as a person knows I rock my Angels gear at least two-three times a week and try to catch the Angels when they play at Camden Yards in Baltimore. 

Although, my future dream is to see the Halos play out in Los Angeles, how much better is it now to be an Angels fan now that they just signed arguably the best player in baseball history, Albert Pujols to a 10 year, $250 million dollar contract.  An hour after signing the #1 bat/player in free agency, the Angels turn around and snab dominant left hander CJ Wilson from the rival Rangers for 5 years, 75 million.  The Halos have the best pitching staffs in baseball by far now with the Wilson addition locked up yearly Cy-Young candidate Jered Weaver to a long term deal and now with Pujols, the sky is the limit for this team.

Is it a lot of money, yes.  Does Pujols' contract look absolutely insane with him being almost 32 years old, yes.  Was it worth the risk to pay the best player in baseball that type of money in hopes he brings World Series Championships back to Los Angeles, absolutely!  This is a high risk, high reward move and the Angels decided to make it.
 

It's only December but man, am I ready for some baseball.  The Angels have the big man in the line-up they needed.  The young and upcoming stars Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo provide this team with weapons for years to come.  The starting pitching is the best, the bullpen needs help and with the addition of vetern Latroy Hawkins can help that young group to where they need to be in order to make the Halos a World Series contender once again.  Thank you Angels for the best birthday present your team could have given me on my birthday with the additions of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, now reward me with a World Series Championship!!

Article Written by Kevin Kline