Luis Rengifo was an unequivocal improve on the high of the order for the Angels on Wednesday in Miami, starting the sport with a double. It marked the primary hit by an Angels leadoff hitter this season, and it triggered a 10-2 victory.
Anthony Rendon batted leadoff the primary 5 video games and went 0 for 19. The oft-criticized, oft-injured third baseman had batted first solely 35 instances in 1,116 earlier main league video games, however new supervisor Ron Washington figured it was value a shot.
Sticking with the plan can be a take a look at of Washington’s persistence. Earlier, he didn’t sound utterly offered on his personal thought.
“This sport is all about changes. … If it really works out, it really works out,” he mentioned. “If not, then we will change it up once more.”
Rendon, a 12-year veteran who loved a scheduled time without work Wednesday, is famously unexcitable. He was lauded for his seeming gradual coronary heart fee and composure in 2019 when he led the Washington Nationals to a World Sequence title.
But his coronary heart has been questioned in Anaheim as a result of he’s performed in simply 148 of a doable 486 video games after signing a seven-year, $245-million contract with the Angels after that championship season.
Sure, he’s had accidents, however his motivation appears to ebb and stream. Rendon was excoriated six weeks in the past for saying on a podcast that baseball has “by no means been a high precedence for me. This can be a job. I do that to make a residing. My religion, my household come first earlier than this job. So if these issues come earlier than it, I’m leaving.”
His gradual begin this season hasn’t precisely quieted critics, particularly on social media. Rendon’s final hit got here 9 months in the past, on July 3 in opposition to the San Diego Padres. His is the most recent in a string of unhealthy contracts doled out by the Angels, who haven’t gained a playoff sport since 2009 regardless of spending greater than $1 billion on free brokers, together with $240 million to Albert Pujols, $125 million to Josh Hamilton, one other half a billion in two contracts to Mike Trout and, in fact, the $245 million to Rendon.
Batting leadoff gave the impression to be Washington’s means of getting Rendon engaged early in video games and within the season. Rendon appeared on board.
“I adore it,” he mentioned earlier than the second sport of the season. “I’m up for something. I belief Wash. I belief this entire workers and something that places us in one of the best place to win. I’m all for it. I feel all of us are on the identical web page, all of our guys up and down the order.”
Others have delivered, the Angels successful 4 in a row after opening with two losses. They start a homestand Friday evening in opposition to the Boston Purple Sox.
Some followers have urged Rendon take a cue from the Philadelphia Phillies for incentive. Bryce Harper, a participant whose motivation is rarely questioned, snapped a season-opening 0-for-11 skid by hitting three residence runs in a single sport.
And Phillies followers recall that final season they gave a morale enhance to high-salaried however slumping shortstop Trea Turner by giving him an sudden standing ovation.
Turner promptly went on a tear and helped the Phillies to the brink of the World Sequence. Might Angels followers shock Rendon with an ovation throughout his first at-bat in entrance of a house crowd this season?
The Angels-centric X account “Not Mickey Moniak” is giving it a attempt, posting: “Be a part of us Friday, April 5, in giving Rendon a standing ovation throughout his first at-bat. Assist us present our help for Rendon, and let him know we’re behind him this season!”
Possibly Rendon would reply to a present of help — if one happens. It’s incumbent upon him to point out Angels followers he cares about performing and about successful.
Followers throughout city should be grateful Rendon made it clear as a free agent in 2019 that he didn’t wish to play for the Dodgers. A workforce contingent traveled to Houston, Rendon’s hometown, for a gathering with him and emerged satisfied they’d no probability to signal him.
Why? Rendon didn’t need consideration. In his thoughts, Dodger Stadium is simply too near Hollywood. Anaheim was far sufficient away.
“By way of simply the way in which that we’ve heard about how the group is, whether or not it’s the Hollywood life-style or whatnot, it simply didn’t seem to be it could be a match for us as a household,” he mentioned on the time. “Nothing in opposition to them as a company. … However ultimately it was what we thought was greatest for our household.
“When individuals take into consideration California, they consider the straight Hollywood, that glamour life-style, entire bunch of flashes and a lot paparazzi. However everybody simply mentioned it’s the exact opposite” in Orange County.
And Rendon has been the exact opposite of the participant the Angels believed they signed. His contract runs by means of the 2026 season, ample time for him to flip the narrative once more, leadoff or no leadoff.
