NER: Four more years

On the latest New Era Radio...America votes! How do you evaluate the James Harden trade so far (or can you)? A visit from a loyal listener; and rappers who can fight.

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New Era Radio: In Rememberance

On the newest New Era Radio ... Cacique has a front-row seat to see a top high school football program catch an historic beatdown; a Week 1 NFL recap; baseball pennant race updates and the guys remember where they were on 9/11.

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New Era Radio: to Live In Die In LA

New Era Radio: to Live In Die In LA

The fellas get into it over how to put a Band Aide on the Lakers and Clippers seasons. Pasqual wants to go toe to toe with Manny Pacquaio over his opinion over gay marriage Also, Larry Brown from www.larrybrownsports.com stops on by to help us figure out this whole debacle called the L.A. sports scene including what the hell is wrong Fat Albert and the Angels.

Radio host sues L.A. Angels for racial discrimination

Looks like lawsuits aren't just for the Dodgers.

Dave Smith, a radio host who previously worked for the Los Angeles Angels is now suing his former employer for discrimination, saying he was dismissed for racial reasons.

In a complaint filed in California Superior Court earlier this month, David Smith alleged that the Angels Baseball Foundation rigged a singles promotion to ensure a black woman did not win and that Angels employees regularly made racist remarks. 

Smith claimed that the Angels did not allow another employee on a radio show because he sounded "too black" and "too ghetto" for an Orange County audience. His complaint also stated that co-workers said negative results were to be "expected when a Jew is hired as baseball's commissioner."

Smith was a show host and handled duties on the Angels' pre-game show until he was let go in 2009. If the case goes forward, it will be interesting to see what evidence is brought forth, but it's worth noting that the Angels are owned by Arte Moreno, who became the first Hispanic to own a major sports franchise in the United States. They also employ Tony Reagins, who is black, as their general manager. That doesn't mean that it's impossible that there were instances of racial discrimination within the organization. But as Elgin Baylor recently learned, proving it can be an uphill climb.

Angels Fans Set Record !

(Credit: Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

There is being creative and then there is being very creative. The marketing staff for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is one of the most creative in the business, with the Thunder stick and the ever so famous Rally Monkey.

This time the people of Anaheim have taken it a step forward to become infamous,it is not like the Angels are starving for fans as their cross-town rivals are literately begging for butts in the seats and who can blame them, I don't want to get my ass kicked either.

Back to the subject at hand and we are talking breaking records as the Angels searched for their inner "Nacho Libre" and set a new Guinness world record for most costume masks worn at one gathering. It is a fantastic sight to see all those soon to be Mexican Wrestlers everywhere.
This is the reason why the Angels are 4Th best in attendance and will continue to climb those records.

Angels' Unveil Tallest Player in Baseball History

Courtesy: Orange County Register (Bill Plunkett)

Prospects are always looking to stand out in Spring Training. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have one that will do just that - even if he doesn't play well.

Meet Loek (pronounced "Luke") van Mil, a 7-foot-1 Dutch right-hander looking to make a splash in his first full season with a new organization. After being signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2005, he was sent to the Angels as the player to be named later in the Brian Fuentes deal.

Right now, van Mil's biggest claim to fame is being the tallest player in professional baseball history - two inches taller than Jon Rauch, who previously held that distinction.

In actuality, Loek is just a shortened version of his name. His full name is Ludovicus Jacobus Maria van Mil...because a big man should have a big name.

So far, neither the length of his limbs nor his name did much to slow down opposing hitters last season. He split time between High-A and Double-A, posting a 1-3 record with a 5.97 ERA. He'll likely begin this year at Double-A Arkansas.

Dodgers Take A Shot Across Angels' Bow

For decades, the Dodgers were the undisputed kings of Southern California baseball. They played in one of the most picturesque parks in the entire league, had a farm system that was the envy of most other organizations and were consistent winners.

Then came 2002. The Angels finally broke through and won a World Series and that started a tilt in the balance of power in the Southland.

Although neither team was all that memorable in 2010, the Angels still appear more likely to trend upward. Unless Carole Moreno decides to file divorce papers on her husband soon.

So what do you do if you're the Dodgers? You take the third grade route and make fun of the Angels' name. With Nike's help of course. The almighty Swoosh has helped print a series of t-shirts touting "The Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles".

Granted, most fans and media people have been chuckling about "The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" for years now. It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. And people in SoCal have a difficult time calling them "Los Angeles" for the simple fact that they don't play there. In fact, they don't even play in Los Angeles County.

The Boys in Blue have previously taken the high road, but apparently after losing five of six to their southern rivals in interleague play last year, the batting gloves have come off.

(H/T Orange County Register)

Today's Birthday: Spying On David Eckstein

Not all that long ago, David Eckstein was a World Series MVP, picking up his second ring playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. But as "Just Enough" turns 36 today, we take a look back to his younger days. Back when a fresh-faced young shortstop had just won his first World Series trophy patrolling the middle infield for the Anaheim Angels.

So what does one do after helping lead a perpetually star-crossed franchise to its first ever World Series title? Make a cameo appearance on She Spies, of course. While the acting chops of teammates Scott Spiezio and Adam Kennedy are hard to deny, it's Eckstein's deft use of props that puts the piece over the top.

It's really no surprise that Eckstein would choose being an EMT as a side hustle. I mean, we're talking about a guy voted "Most Helpful" in his high school graduating class.

Looking back, it's hard to tell what the best part of that epic 40-episode series was. The cameos by acting legends like Stuart Scott and local LA news personalities Fritz Coleman and Fred Roggin. Or the totally believable fight scenes.

Ch-ch-ch-chia!

Yesterday, I mentioned that the Oakland A's are giving away MC Hammer bobblehead dolls as part of an '80s Night promotion. Today comes word that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have upped the ante with a Rally Monkey Chia Pet giveaway.

August 23rd against the Chicago White Sox, the Angels will combine lazy man's horticulture with what could be America's most annoying mascot (you're not totally off the hook, Stanford Tree). Considering Chia Pets have been made in the likenesses of Scooby Doo and Barack Obama, it shouldn't really be a surprise that a Major League team would jump on the bandwagon.

After watching so many players slip during last night's BCS Championship game in Glendale, I'm waiting for the introduction of the Chia Football Field.

MC Hammer Bobblehead Night Coming To Oakland

As we close in on the start of Spring Training (34 days and counting!) we start to see teams around the league unveiling their promotional schedules for the year.

While few Major League teams can match the greatness of "Nobody Night" or Pre-Planned Funeral Night, the Oakland A's have come up with an idea that might be legit.

Too legit to quit, in fact.

MC Hammer Bobblehead Night.

Sunday, July 17th against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the A's are celebrating the 1980s by giving away springy-necked miniatures of the former A's ballboy-turned-rapper-turned-pop culture punchline.

Not to be picky or anything, but good ol' Stanley Burrell was a batboy from 1973 until 1980. And while he did have his first two major album releases in the late '80s, the bulk of his fame came in the early '90s with Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em and Too Legit To Quit. Not exactly an '80s staple.

And since the game is still six months away, there's still time for British Knights to jump in as a sponsor.