Posted 12:36 PM by Sean
A couple of Angels-related columns at ESPN.com.

First, Peter Gammons says that Eckstein and Barry Bonds became mutual fans during their tour of Japan with the MLB All-Stars last fall; Eck apparently helped Barry with his swing. Thanks, Eck. Bonds is quoted as saying some pretty nice things, including "He's special. I watched him make one great play, and it brought a tear to my eye to think that someone could will himself to be a winning major league player. We can all learn something from him."
Good grief.

Second, Tim Kurkjian has a pretty funny column about the various ways in which the team "stays loose." They must be the only team in the majors that hands out research assignments, including making presentations on restraints in stock cars and covering a local ostrich festival. I couldn't make that up if I tried. Considering that I do research for a living, I wonder if they'd hire me as a consultant?