Almost Ready to Go

My shoulder has been a little sore. I had something similar two years ago in spring training. It's like a knot in my shoulder and it's tough to get loose. I got a shot in there the day after I pitched and it feels pretty good now. I'll probably move back just one day, that's it. So instead of starting Sunday I should be ready to go Monday. It's been different, I'm not going to lie. This is the first time I've moved back since I was drafted in '99, but I don't think it's a big deal. We had a day off so I get two extra days rest. After the cortizone shot it's loosened up and I've just been doing some shoulder exercises every other day to get the strength back. They asked me to take it easy on the upper body lifting this week so I've slowed that down this time through. It's been tougher to get loose. The first thing that goes is a little arm speed, then the command is a little off. My breaking ball wasn't as good as it has been. The shoulder might have had something to do with it, but I won't use that as an excuse. I just didn't pitch well, it happens, but it was pretty awesome how the boys picked me up. I don't take it real well when I'm the reason for losing. When you win everything else is forgotten. The guys have been asking how I'm doing. They want to know the deal and they want me out there. I think they get a little concerned because it has never happened with me. They know it must be something, but once I tell them it's alright they know I'll be there.

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• Harvey_Bars said June 23, 2007

  If every one of my roto starters could simply take the time to tell me directly how bad they are injured and whether or not I should be concerned, things would run much smoother. There's no doubt in my mind I'm drafting Cletis Gordon in August for this very reason.

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  • General_Zod replied June 23, 2007

    Now that's what I'm talking about...injury news from the horse's mouth. Does it get any better than this?
• bloodbrother said June 23, 2007

  Good to hear that you are feeling better, John. It's great to see the team coming back from early deficits, lately. This week has been amazing. Another great comeback tonight. Willits and OC have just been incredible at the top of the lineup, and now with Figgy on absolute fire the offense is downright lethal

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  • John_Lackey replied June 24, 2007

    I saw a stat the other day, the trio of those guys are hitting .400 this month with like 50 runs scored. Unreal, they are the table setters.
• Fyinraptr said June 23, 2007

  Glad to hear you're doing better and that its not too serious.
  
  BTW - what was up with the ump in your last start? I thought he was rather unprofessional especially when he went out to the mound to chastise the Houston pitcher. Tell the truth - did you have to use the punching bag in the clubhouse after that one?
  
  My wife and I taking a road trip to see the Halos play NY in a couple weeks ..... want to see the "House that Ruth built" before its torn down - any reccomendations on places to eat?

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  • LovefromCA replied June 24, 2007

    Fyinraptr - I lived in New York for about six months last year and I can give you a whole list of great restaurants... most in Manhattan. But Amy Ruth's in Harlem has really amazing southern food - chicken & waffles, sweet tea, grits, macaroni & cheese, etc. It's right near the Spanish Harlem area on 116th street, near the 2, 3 and 6 trains.
    • Fyinraptr replied June 24, 2007

      Great - we are staying in or near Times Square ..... we also have to figure out the best way to get to the ballpark from there.
  • John_Lackey replied June 24, 2007

    Thanks for the support. I actually let my emotions get to me that start so the blame rests with me. As far as NYC, just walk out of your hotel and you'll find something. It's crazy! I'd recommend looking for some Italian in that city.
  • the14thjoey replied June 24, 2007

    You're going to take the 4 train up right to Yankee Stadium. From 42nd st, that's 5 stops all the way up to the bronx. Places to eat? Well, there is plenty of bad food in NYC, so you can go wrong, but there are some gems. If you have a hankering for roasted garlic pizza, try Adrienne's downtown. The best!
    • Fyinraptr replied June 26, 2007

      Sounds pretty straightforward - thanks!!!
• GoHalos said June 23, 2007

  Glad you are feeling better. Just wanted to say team looks great no matter who is in everybody is coming up with big hits and great defense! The games have been very exciting!!!!

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• jjackflash said June 23, 2007

  John, please be sure you're ready to go. It's better to miss a couple starts in June, if it means you'll be there in September and October. I was at the game on Monday, and I gotta admit, at least from Section 239, something seemed amiss. You've got to love how the team came back. You can't retire 27 consecutive hitters every time!

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  • John_Lackey replied June 24, 2007

    We have been showing some fight, playing all nine innings. The tenacity of this team has been great, comeback wins are proving that.
• abovebullpen said June 24, 2007

  I hope you get well soon! I'm looking forward to hearing good news about you.(^o^)

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  • John_Lackey replied June 24, 2007

    thanks, I am scheduled to pitch Monday.
• the14thjoey said June 24, 2007

  It looks like Kelvim is catching up to you in few statistical categories and he's even passed you in some. Do you guys have a sort of friendly competition going on?
  
  By the way, have a good time up in San Fran in a couple of weeks.

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  • John_Lackey replied July 01, 2007

    We aren't really too concerned with that stuff. We just want to see the "W's" for this team. We give each other encouragement each time out.
• jesda01 said June 25, 2007

  Hey John: I am so glad you are feeling better, can't wait to see you pitch tonight. I have to say, it sure is fun to see you guys at Spring Training, lots of interaction with the players. Went down to Tucson this year to see you pitch against the D-Back, was a great game and a lot of fun (a bit of a drive though), but worth it. Have a Great Game tonight - see you at the park.

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• chonito said June 25, 2007

  Good luck tonight John upon your return! I have no fear that you will come out the winner you have proven to be all year thus far! The team is absolutely magical of late and is providing us fans with alot of cherished and unforgotten memories. Let's hope we continue the outstanding play and really distance ourselves from the rest of the division! GO ANGELS!

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• BrianC6234 said June 26, 2007

  I have to say this game is a big disappointment so far. I thought you'd be really good but maybe you came back too soon.
  
  This pitcher the Royals have is tough to hit too. Hopefully Vlad will knock a line drive over his head and tweak his back. Get him out of the game already so the offense can get something going. I hate all these weak groundball outs.

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• BrianC6234 said June 26, 2007

  Lackey - At least you made it through eight innings. This loss disgusts me though. I have to say the ump was terrible. I hated seeing the Angels hack away at so many bad pitches but if you look at the Gameday data you'll see he had a terrible strikezone. I gues you can't win them all but I really hate seeing you lose to the lousy Royals.
  
  Here's a link to Gameday to show you how terrible this ump was. He might need to be talked to,. In the 6th Casey Kotchman had a great at-bat ruined. The third pitch was far from the strikezone but called a strike.
  
  http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2007/gd.html?2007_06_25_kcamlb_anamlb_1&env=prod

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• thdrmtngrl said June 27, 2007

  the loss last night sucks but when it comes down to it you did an awesome job. not many pitchers will go 8 innings most least of all after having a sore shoulder. don't take it too hard, besides you said yourself you are usually a better second half pitcher, if thats so you're gonna blow alot of people away. have fun on the road trip.

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• BrianC6234 said June 27, 2007

  This isn't good. Getting blown out by the lowly Royals. Just great. Just what the best team in baseball needs. I think this should be a big wakeup call for the Angels. The pitching has been terrible lately. Time to wake up pitchers. The offense has been doing enough now. Get on the same page. The offense can't be expected to score 13 runs in one game. What a disappointing series.

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• BoulderBrian said June 27, 2007

  all great teams have a bad series here and there, look back to 2002 when the angels went all the way and they got swept by the texas rangers (10 games below .500 and 13.5 games out of first) on almost these exact same days, June 23-25. Don't get too worked up these things happen and the angels will rebound. Also yea not the same sport but the Anaheim Ducks lost 9 of their 11 games going into the all star break against horrible teams like columbus, st. louis, carolina, and edmenton but you can see how their season bounced back, they won the stanley cup.

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