A half-hour before batting practice on Saturday, center fielder Mike Trout, sporting a U.S. national soccer team jersey, and reserve infielder Brendan Ryan grabbed a couple of golf clubs and started chipping balls all over the Angels clubhouse, much to the delight and encouragement of their teammates.
The Angels have plenty of issues. Their rotation has been ravaged by injuries, their bullpen work has been spotty, their lineup drops off after the first four spots, and they entered Saturday night’s game against Cleveland, with a five-game losing streak.
They do not, however, seem uptight.