Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Four games into the Angels' season, there is a clamoring among fans for Fernando Rodney to be taken out of the closer role. Rodney struggled to record the save during Thursday's opener after allowing one hit, one walk and two strikeouts on 26 pitches in the ninth inning.

This hurts.

Born and raised in Madison, WI, I've been a Milwaukee Brewers fan my entire life. I remember my dad taking me to games at old County Stadium to see Robin Yount and Paul Molitor play, and it was so easy and "available" to stand outside after the game to fetch autographs from your favorite players or even to just see the team.

Since his debut in 2006 at the age of 23, Jered Weaver has emerged as one of the games elite starters.

Last season, Weaver earned his first All Star selection and finished fifth in Cy Young voting while leading the majors with 233 strikeouts.

Somehow, Weaver has managed to stay under the radar outside of Anaheim. His success and talents are no secret to Angels fans however.

The spring training struggles for Scott Kazmir translated into an awful performance in his first regular season start. 

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are looking at 2011 as a rebirth of sorts. The former dominant team in the American League West has a pretty solid lineup anchored by Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells and a solid rotation led by Jered Weaver. 

Also known as ODOs.

Well, I call them ODOs and some day, you will too. Until then, see if you noticed what I noticed:

Albert Pujols goes 0-for-5

He also grounded into three double plays—cue the overreaction random radio show sports talk guy.

That's right, Pujols is washed up; can't handle the contract-year pressure; forgot how to hit; only tips 10 percent.

Actually, he'll be fine.

Jered Weaver pitched 6.1 strong innings, Torii Hunter and Jeff Mathis provided solo home runs, and the Los Angeles Angels won their seventh Opening Day game in the last eight seasons, defeating the Kansas City Royals, 4-2.

When Weaver left the game with one out in the seventh, he had a 4-0 lead. However Hisanori Takahashi, pitching in his first game for the Angels, gave up a home run to Jeff Francoeur, ruining the shutout bid.

The bleak and dreary days are over. The cheery holiday well-wishers, festive New Year celebrations, and visions of frozen landscapes are behind us now. At least, out west.

They've given way to overflowing stadiums of roaring fans, thunderous ovations for late-game heroics, and fields of lush green grass.

Spring Training, too, has come and gone. Like the blustery winter before it, the exhibition season has melted away to reveal an exciting new year in our nation's oldest pastime. 

Baseball is here, in all its glory. 

When Los Angeles Angels' manager Mike Scioscia announced last Thursday that starting pitcher Scott Kazmir would open the season as a member of the starting rotation, he was asked by reporters whether or not Kazmir had earned the spot.

“Earned?” Scioscia said. “Define ‘earned.’”

Not exactly a stirring vote of confidence.

However, Kazmir, who struggled last season with a 9-15 record and a 5.94 ERA, is owed $14.5 million this season.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS 

Last Year: 80-82, 3rd in AL West  

Manager: Mike Scioscia 

PROJECTED LINEUP 

C- Jeff Mathis (R) 

1B- Kendry Morales (S) (Will start season on DL)

2B- Howie Kendrick (R)

3B- Maicer Izturis (S) or Alberto Callaspo (S)

SS- Erick Aybar (S)

LF- Vernon Wells (R)

CF- Peter Bourjos (R)

RF- Torii Hunter (R)

DH- Bobby Abreu (L)

Los Angeles Angels (2010 record: 80-82)

The Angels had a rough offseason. It pales in comparison to the one suffered by the NY Mets (the Madoff effects, a lawsuit, a loan from MLB, cleaning house in the front office, etc.), but it was bad nonetheless.