Los Angeles Squad 51 joined the TBA in 2010, with “subterranean hopes” according to GM/Manager Matt Foster.
“We’re a dispersal team, and we were drafting without a home park, so we can only hope we drafted a team from the available player pool that’ll work somewhere. I think we did pretty good, when you add in the trade for Josh [Beckett],” he continued.
TBA Blog met with Mr. Foster over a number of beers in his basement south of Boston, Massachusetts the first weekend in January. We drank, and talked SOM, drank, watched a thrilling Bruins game, and drank, and in the course of the weekend, learned about the team, the philosophy of the organization, and the players of the organization.
Why LA, when the homebase is in New England?
“I’ve always loved California, but hated LA,” Foster said. “We’re actually the Los Angeles Squad 51 of the Greater Anaheim/Irvine Area, but that was too long for the uniform company to put on the shirts, so we simplified. Besides, there are few West Coast teams, and I didn’t want to add yet another East Coast organization.”
And the nickname?
“Squad 51, man! Johnny and Roy! The first television show to prominently feature paramedics! What’s WRONG with you?”
So…
“Yes, I was a paramedic before retiring to manage SOM baseball teams. My wife hates that I retired to pick up an unpaid hobby full-time almost as much as she hates the fact that I retired before I was 30…”
What about the team?
“We’re a lose first, whine about it later, sort of team… No, just kidding. We’re in this for the fun, and hoping that we can put some [expletive deleted] in the seats using this philosophy.”
What’s the lineup look like?
“We lucked out, picking 4th of 5 teams in the dispersal draft. We snagged a very talented player at a scarce position early, but missed out on all of the number one starters because of that, and grabbing Ryan [Braun, LF] second. So until the trade for Josh [Beckett], we had Scottie Baker as our number one starter, and I’m sure he would’ve been fine, but throwing some experience ahead of him will really help his development. We sure did [expletive deleted] up picking up Baek so early, or at all, but I blame my illiteracy on that one. ESPN.com told me he hadn’t pitched since 2008, but he had such a good year in ’08, that I ignored the year, and grabbed him. His agent’s gonna be pissed when we release him.”
All in all, it was an interesting weekend. Mr. Foster is already undergoing sensitivity training, as requested by the investment group that co-owns the team. He’s also slated to appear in a number of “Adult Illiteracy Program” PSA’s to air in both the Boston and Los Angeles area, due to the public relations hit the team took following the initial airing of this interview on ESPN.
Los Angeles predicted defensive arrangement:
Catcher: A platoon of: Yorvit Torrealba, Ramon Hernandez, and Ryan Doumit, or whomever survives cuts.
1st Base: Daric Barton/Garrett Atkins
2nd Base: Dustin Pedroia
3rd Base: Chipper Jones/ Garrett Atkins
Short Stop: Orlando Cabrera
Outfield: Ryan Braun, Vernon Wells, Hunter Pence, Vlad Guerrero, Carlos Gomez, Clete Thomas
Starting Rotation: Josh Beckett, Scott Baker, John Lannan, David Bush
Bullpen: Grant Balfour, Tim Byrdak, Ryan Franklin, Lance Cormier, Brad Thompson
*Pre cuts*
I loved this. Very well written, humorous, and informative. Good luck this year, and welcome to the league!
ReplyDeleteWould your team be able to put the services of Aubrey Huff ro use at 1B? I could use some pitching/picks/defense.
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