Rex Hudler, Steve Physioc no longer Angels broadcasters

According to a statement from Fox Sports and sent, it says, on behalf of Fox Sports West and the Angels, Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc will no longer cover Angels games for the local sports network.

The statement read:

"We are going in a different direction next season and will use single announcing teams on TV and radio that will include Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza on Fox Sports West and KCOP and Terry Smith and Jose Mota calling the action on radio (KLAA AM 830). We believe this approach will create greater consistency on our telecasts, as well as a deeper familiarity with fans and viewers. We would like to thank Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc for their contributions through the years and we wish each of them well."

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Rex Hudler in 2004. Credit: Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times

Pujols wins MVP; Ethier, Kemp in top 10

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous winner of the National League Most Valuable Player award. Pujols won NL MVP honors for the second consecutive season and third time in his career.

He is the sixth NL player to win the award on a unanimous vote, the first since Barry Bonds in 2002.

Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins finished second, followed by Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Andre Ethier of the Dodgers finished sixth, and he got two second-place votes. Matt Kemp of the Dodgers finished 10th, and he got two fourth-place votes.

The complete voting is here.

--  Bill Shaikin

Photo: Albert Pujols hits a single during Game 3 of the National League division series on Oct. 10. Credit: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

Monday's poll: Should the Dodgers trade Chad Billingsley for Roy Halladay?

One of the big rumors of the off-season has the Dodgers acquiring ace Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays for Chad Billingsley and two other players (whose names change depending on which rumor you listen to).

Our own Jon Weisman makes an excellent case here as to why trading Billingsley in any sort of deal for Halladay could be a bad idea.

But what do you think? Good trade or bad? Vote in today's poll, then leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

-- Houston Mitchell

Giants' Tim Lincecum wins NL Cy Young Award

The Giants' ace Tim Lincecum, who led the National League with 261 strikeouts, won the Cy Young Award today to become the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson won it four consecutive times 1999-2002.

Among other back-to-back winners: Pedro Martinez (1999-2000), Roger Clemens (1997-98 and 1986-87), Greg Maddux (1992-95), Jim Palmer (1975-76)  and Sandy Koufax (1965-66).

But Lincecum's second Cy Young came in one of the closest ballots in years, with only 10 points separating the top three.

Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine thirds for 100 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America. Coming in second and third were the Cardinals duo that tied up Dodgers hitters during the regular season: Chris Carpenter had 94 points and Adam Wainwright finished with 90 despite getting the most first-place votes with 12.

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Tim Lincecum. Credit: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

Angels: Peter Bourjos added to roster; new number for Kendry Morales

The Angels added outfielder Peter Bourjos to the 40-man roster, preventing him from being selected by another club in next month's Rule 5 draft. Bourjos, considered the fastest player in the Angels' organization, batted .281 at double-A Arkansas last season, with 16 doubles, 14 triples, six home runs, 32 stolen bases and a .354 on-base percentage.

The Angels also announced that first baseman Kendry Morales would switch his uniform number from 19 to 8 and outfielder Terry Evans would switch from No. 64 to No. 17.

-- Bill Shaikin

Arte Moreno: No to Matt Holliday, maybe to Jason Bay

Angels owner Arte Moreno spoke on a number of topics after the owners' meetings concluded today in Chicago. Among the highlights:

On Matt Holliday: "He is not going to be an Angel. We are not looking at Holliday at all."

On Jason Bay: "You have to look at Bay."

On the Angels' player payroll: "We're going to invest what we invested last year. We're not looking to reduce payroll."

On John Lackey and Chone Figgins: "We're at $101 million now. We were at $113 million last year. If you look at what they're asking, you can't bring both of them back."

On all free agents: "A lot of people are looking for five- and six-year contracts. I'm not interested in making what I would consider a long-term contract unless we feel it's for a franchise player. There are very few franchise players out there."

On Vladimir Guerrero: "We've talked to his agent just recently. We talked to his agent two years ago. We could never get close enough. It's very emotional for us. He's been unbelievable for our franchise. He should be a future Hall of Famer." (Moreno did not flatly say that Guerrero would not return.)

Selig vows to tighten postseason schedule

Commissioner Bud Selig pledged today to tighten baseball's lengthy postseason schedule, but he declined to say how he would do so.

"I'm going to make the postseason schedule this year," he said as baseball's owners concluded a day of meetings in Chicago. "If you're mad, you can blame me."

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia was mad during the playoffs, calling the postseason schedule "ridiculous." The Philadelphia Phillies played nine games in 23 days between the end of the regular season and the start of the World Series. The New York Yankees took advantage of the schedule, using just three starting pitchers en route to the World Series championship.

Selig acknowledged that clubs want to end the season on a weekend and Fox wants to start the World Series during the week, leaving it unclear exactly how he would condense the postseason schedule. He did not indicate any desire to expand the first round from a best-of-five series to a best-of-seven series.

He said the solution did not involve asking Fox to return the World Series start to Saturday, when ratings generally are lower than on weeknights.

"We should put the games on when the most people can watch them," he said. "It's a very simple premise."

Scioscia made his comments during the American League championship series, and Selig said he had "a lengthy conversation" with Scioscia after the Angels were eliminated.

"I don't disagree with Mike Scioscia," Selig said. "I think he was right."

Selig also said he remains opposed to the expansion of instant replay but said he has invited general managers to the next owners' meeting in January. The general managers could propose an expansion of replay at that time.

-- Bill Shaikin in Chicago

Photo: Bud Selig. Credit: Matt York, AP.

Angels' Mike Scioscia named AL manager of the year

 Mike Scioscia, who helped navigate the Angels through the tragic April 9 death of pitcher Nick Adenhart and a flurry of injuries to key players to win another division title, was named American League manager of the year today.

It marked the second time in 10 years with the Angels that Scioscia has won the award, which is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America. Scioscia last won the award in 2002.

The Angels went 97-65 this season, winning their fifth AL West championship in six years, and defeated the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the playoffs. The Angels were eliminated by the eventual World Series-champion New York Yankees in the AL championship series.

The longest-tenured manager in the AL, Scioscia has guided the Angels to a 900-720 record in 10 years with the club.

Jim Tracy, the ex-Dodgers skipper who took over the Colorado Rockies in mideason and guided them to the playoffs, was named NL manager of the year,  

For more information go to latimes.com/sports later today. 

-- Mike DiGiovanna

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Photo: Mike Scioscia before Game 5 of the ALCS. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel / U.S. Presswire

Angels' Hunter, Dodgers' Ethier and Kemp win Silver Sluggers

Days after picking up Gold Gloves as the best fielding center fielders in their respective leagues, the Angels' Torii Hunter and the Dodgers' Matt Kemp won Silver Sluggers on Thursday as the best hitters at their position.

The Silver Sluggers, presented by Louisville Slugger, are voted on by the managers and coaches in each league. The awards for Kemp and Hunter were their first, as was the Silver Slugger won by Dodgers' right fielder Andre Ethier. Those three were among eight first-time winners honored Thursday.

Other first-time winners include Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria. Two other former Southern California high school standouts repeated at their positions: Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers in left field and Philadelphia Chase Utley at second base.

The full teams for both leagues:

National League

1B -- Albert Pujols (St. Louis)

2B -- Chase Utley (Philadelphia)

SS - Hanley Ramirez (Florida)

3B -- Ryan Zimmerman (Washington)

LF -- Ryan Braun (Milwaukee)

CF -- Matt Kemp (Dodgers)

RF -- Andre Ethier (Dodgers)

C -- Brian McCann (Atlanta)

P -- Carlos Zambrano (Chicago)

American League

1B -- Mark Teixeira (New York)

2B -- Aaron Hill (Toronto)

SS -- Derek Jeter (New York)

3B -- Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay)

LF -- Jason Bay (Boston)

CF -- Torii Hunter (Angels)

RF -- Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle)

C -- Joe Mauer (Minnesota)

DH -- Adam Lind (Toronto)

-- Kevin Baxter

Vin Scully on McCourts and other things

 

During the question-and-answer portion of the Newsmaker Luncheon, hosted by the Hollywood Radio & Television Society at the Beverly Wilshire hotel, Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully addressed the situation between Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie McCourt.  "On the present incident taking place, as someone who holds in gravest sanctity the issue of marriage, it breaks my heart," Scully said. "That's all I have to say on that." Before the lunch, Scully noted that today was his wedding anniversary, the 36th, Scully said.

Scully was also asked who was the greatest player he ever saw. Scully said he was emphasizing "saw" because he had done the National League. "It would be Willie Mays," Scully said. "He would have been an All-Star at almost every position on the field.

"One player who always amazed me was Joe DiMaggio. One year he had 30 strikeouts. We've got guys who strike out 30 times during the national anthem."

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Broadcasting legend Vin Scully takes time to do an interview during the Hollywood Radio and Television Society's Newsmaker Luncheon on Tuesday. Credit: Nick Ut / Associated Press