COMMENTARY

Angels won’t win pennant in winter

— The winter meetings have ended, the Los Angeles Angels’ big move being the addition of a pitcher whose most memorable start for the Dodgers last season featured him, in order: Allowing approximately 1,200 feet of home runs. Being removed in the middle of the fifth inning. Being ejected before he could reach the dugout.

But enough about Joe Blanton for now. We have an entire summer to make fun of a pitcher who should fit in nicely around here, seeing how he once gave up nine earned runs in a loss at Fenway Park.

Our objective today isn’t to bash the Angels and their off season to date, even if their moves so far have been as memorable as a pitchout in spring training.

Seriously, the reaction to A.J. Burnett (Central Arkansas Christian) would have been cautious enough but Sean Burnett? That announcement must have lit up the club’s season-ticket switchboard like a Christmas tree - an Amish one.

No, our objective, believe it or not, is to support the Angels and their generally uninspired retooling, to calm the team’s fans and remind everyone that this franchise won the 2011 winter meetings and absolutely nothing of consequence thereafter.

Folks, baseball is still played on a diamond, by human beings. The results have nothing to do with computers, tendencies or projections. No matter how committed some people are to making the game as fun as doing algebra, baseball is not a math problem. There isn’t just one correct answer.

You can help your chances in December and January, certainly, but you can’t win a game until opening day. And then after that, the pursuit becomes about collective performance, timing and chemistry, in the lineup and the clubhouse.

Good luck trying to quantify any of that.

It was exactly one year ago that the Angels staged a pep rally in front of their ballpark to introduce Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. That day, Torii Hunter (Pine Bluff) called the additions “something I’ve dreamed about.” Pujols said he felt called to Anaheim by God himself, never mind Arte Moreno and his 10-year, $254 million contract offer.

Everyone thought General Manager Jerry Dipoto had put together a World Series contender. Turns out, he had built only the most overpaid, underachieving team in franchise history.

The 2012 Angels could have finished third in the American League West with a $59 million payroll. The fact they did it with a $159 million payroll underscores the significance of what happens in-season compared to out-season.

Sure, we’re like everyone else. We still think the Angels should resign Zack Greinke. Moreno overextended his financial commitment comically for Pujols. Why wouldn’t he do it now for this guy? Come on, Arte. It’s not our money. What do we care?

The reality, though, is that even if the Angels brought back Greinke, they’re guaranteed nothing but a day of headlines and sports-talk buzz. This business can be that fleeting.

Winning in December and January is a must - if you’re in the NFL. In baseball, winning in September and October is all that matters. And this Angels’ roster, as is, can - no, should - win.

So save the real angst for the season, Angels boosters, because if this team fails again in 2013, the fan unrest will serve a purpose.

Sports, Pages 16 on 12/10/2012

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