Trip to Angels Spring Training (Part 4)

I concluded my last entry by mentioning the easy-going lifestyle of the Angels clubhouse. The chemistry between players is unlike other locker rooms that I've been in. The Angels really get along with each other. I anticipated a big league clubhouse to be a lot more professional and more like a job because of big egos and big paychecks. However, that wasn't the case. This year's Angels clubhouse is very similar to the Kernels clubhouse, or a high school or college locker room. There was a lot of banter back and forth and a lot of laughter, even though it was early in the morning during the grueling and monotonous Spring Training schedule.

I think a major reason for this is because so many of these current Angels made the journey through the minor leagues together. They've played together at each level in the organization, including Cedar Rapids. Current Angel Mark Trumbo said one of his best memories is that he was able to make it to the Major Leagues with guys he came up with, like Peter Bourjos and Hank Conger.

This concludes my Trip to Spring Training series. It was a great experience, and I'll definitely be making another trip to Tempe in the future.

The 2012 Kernels and future Angels arrived in town today! We open up at Wisconsin on Thursday evening. Our Home Opener is April 9th vs. Clinton!

By: Morgan Hawk, Kernels radio broadcaster