Great Honor

What's happenin' Yard? Walked into the clubhouse today and the PR guys told me that I was named Pitcher of the Month. Pretty cool news to get when you first roll in. Then the rest of the guys congratulated me. Honestly, it means a lot because it shows we are winning as a team. For me to go 5-0 in a month, we must be playing pretty well. I know we haven't been scoring as many runs as we'd like, but we are still winning with our pitching. One major contributor to the success is that I have command of my pitches. I have been spotting the ball well in critical pitch counts and that usually leads to success. Getting ahead early in the strike zone and not allowing walks has been key as well. The guys behind the plate have been key too. Mathis or Nap, both of those guys are a great asset for this team. I did receive the same award in July of 2006 but I think this five-game win streak matches a career-high. There have been some stretches that were similar. This one is special because I just came back from the DL and I was chomping at the bit to help out the team while I was out. It feels great to come out and contribute.

Add Comment

• FSUx407 said July 02, 2008

  Congrats, you and the Angels are looking solid!

  Reply

  
• suzendonut said July 03, 2008

  congrats.

  Reply

  
• bzr034 said July 03, 2008

  Way to go, man. I love watching you pitch. It's a thing of beauty. Tell Torii what up from Minnesota.

  Reply

  
  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    Torii has nothing but good things to say about Minnesota. He's lovin' he life in California right now for sure though
• lightitup said July 03, 2008

  Good job... well deserved!

  Reply

  
• calejordan said July 03, 2008

  Mr. Lackey,
  Thank you for making me look like a genius. I have been telling my friends that you are the most solid pitcher in the game for a couple of years now. However, my best friend still says your a top 15 pitcher....maybe. Go out and make him eat those words so I can rap, "Hey dude, tell me how your words taste."
  Go Get 'Em Lackey,
  Cale H.
  Lacey, WA

  Reply

  
• AngelMonkey said July 03, 2008

  You totally deserve it John - Great Job - Go Angels!

  Reply

  
• Harvey_Bars said July 03, 2008

  I also named you pitcher of the month for my fantasy team. Just as prestigious of an honor.

  Reply

  
  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    Sweet - who else do you have on your squad? Thanks for reading
• æBLAKEæ said July 03, 2008

  Great job John. I liked seing Kotchman hitting 2nd the other day. He does'nt strike out and his ability to see pitches outweighs his speed deficiencies IMO. I thnk Scioscia should either put him there or start bustin the other guy's balls for not stealing bases.

  Reply

  
  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    You make a good point. Kotch seems like a natural #2 hitter. He really has some of the best plate discipline on our team. I trust Scioscia when it come to the lineup, he mixes it up pretty good as to confuse the other team.
• dsiano6447 said July 03, 2008

  Way to go John!!!

  Reply

  
• Reneeskates said July 03, 2008

  glad you are back pitching! i wish curt schilling was back too but he's not going to make it. i really like both of you as pitchers and you are inspiring to watch.

  Reply

  
• jjackflash said July 03, 2008

  John, kudos on the honor. It might even get you another trip to the All Star game, although I suppose you could probably benefit from the extra few days' rest since you had the triceps issue. I lucked into a seat right behind your dugout on Tuesday night and was calling out "yardbarker" to get your attention (most of the game, you were standing almost directly in front of me), but I guess I wasn't quite loud enough...or maybe you know better than to pay attention to crazy fans yelling during the game. In any event, just wanted to say thanks again for maintaining this blog.

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 04, 2008

  Congratulations on the award. Now ask Scioscia to let Juan Rivera be the DH. I keep reading all these silly rumors about the Angels maybe trading for a big bat. Why do that? Juan Rivera is as good as anyone the Angels can trade for. And he won't cost anything. I think the offense can get going but Juan needs to be a big part of it.
  
  It was great to see the offense help Joe get his 12th win Wednesday. Perfect timing for Juan and Erick Aybar both to hit homers.

  Reply

  
• lizmoses said July 04, 2008

  congrats and happy 4th!!

  Reply

  
• lizmoses said July 05, 2008

  good luck manana.

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 05, 2008

  Good luck Saturday Lackey. Hopefully the offense will do for you what they did for Jered this evenig. It would be great to see Garret get hot like he did the second half last year. He is so far. Halladay is a great pitcher but he's beatable so hopefully they'll get a few runs off of him.

  Reply

  
• lizmoses said July 05, 2008

  I was just up late thinking about how far you've come from rehab, that's really awesome John, I'm gonna be at the game Monday in Texas. I just love baseball; I may not really understand the graphs and lingo, but I enjoy the game alot. I remember when I got the ball from your almost shutout in Texas last year, that was pretty awesome. I was just thankful to watch you pitch. Your whole baseball career has really been enjoyable to follow, and I really think you're a great leader.

  Reply

  
• lizmoses said July 05, 2008

  I'm really sorry if I ever made a person such as yourself mad, becuase you're really amazing, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to hear your blogs, and see your accomplishments. You've come so far from when I first saw you, far from Texas anyway. I remember how cool you were then.....and can only imagine now.....stay cool. Do you still have the Lincoln? I still miss the beat from the A-high games and fish 60. Yall are a great group of folks you Abilene people. I sure did have a good time in that town. I remember you were always out playing baseball even in the early morning hours, cause I would have to teach aerobics. and would always see you at the field. I just have only good things to say about you, and hoping only good things to come your way........

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 05, 2008

  Everyone needs to go to pepsiclutch.mlb.com and vote for John Lackey for Clutch performer of the month. He definitely deserves that award too. Nobody was better in June.

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 05, 2008

  Lackey - I can't believe how much your game is being ruined by bad umpiring. First you got squeezed really bad in the first bad inning. The one you gave up three runs. Now Vernon Wells just hit a two run homer but he should have been out. He had an 0-2 count and Wells went around for sure but a horrible ump at first base said no. Is he one of the minor league umps filling in? If so he should never be allowed back to the majors. I hate when a pitcher's game is ruined like this by bad umpires.

  Reply

  
• Eddog44 said July 05, 2008

  So far this year you have been amazing, better than last year. Not your best start today but still a great season. How about throwing that cutter like you have in mlb 08? Just a thought. Good luck next start.

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 06, 2008

  This 7-5 loss is hard to take. That's because the umps actually gave the Blue jays three runs. Vernon Wells did go around on 0-2 before hitting a two run homer. Then there was a blown call at the plate. The runner was called safe but it looks like the runner never touched home. So if you take those three runs away the final score should be 5-4 Angels. This is why umpires need to do a better job. I heard two of the umps were fill-ins from the minors. the umps who cost this win were at home and first.
  
  I guess maybe the Angels will get lucky tomorrow and be given a gift like that. I hope. The defense was way too sloppy anyway. I like how the offense is coming around at least. To almost make a comeback in the 9th was great.

  Reply

  
• lizmoses said July 06, 2008

  I cannot believe I did that. I actually ripped this guys Boston Red Sox hat off, threw it into the lake, and it sank into the deep...........should of said "Angels."

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 06, 2008

  I just heard K-Rod, Saunders and Santana all made the All-Star game. Congratulations to all of them. They deserve it. Too bad no John Lackey though. I guess when you miss six weeks it hurts your chances. And having so many other Angels pitchers make it hurt too. I wonder if Saunders or Santana will get to pitch though?

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 07, 2008

  I can't believe the garbage I just read from Keith Law on ESPN's site. I like half of it. He thinks John Lackey got snubbed. Maybe so but he says Lackey should be going to the All-Star game and not Joe Saunders. Saunders only has 12 wins because of the defense. What an idiot. Joe still has to make the pitches to get the outs.

  Reply

  
• johnlackeyfan said July 07, 2008

  congrats! so glad that you and the angels are having such a successful season!

  Reply

  
• BrianC6234 said July 11, 2008

  Lackey - Will the Angels ever get everything going well at once? This just stinks. Jon Garland did a horrible job in Oakland. way for him to step up and pitch deep when the bullpen needed a rest. Not. Did anyone even notice how poorly he does against the A's?
  
  I think the Angels need to look into a trade for a good young starting pitcher. Garland isn't enough help and he'll be gone soon anyway. Escobar looks like he'll miss most of next season on the DL again. Adenhart is nowhere near close to being ready for the majors. Hopefully Tony Reagins ignores all this talk about getting a big bat and gets a starting pitcher.

  Reply

  
• marshgr said July 13, 2008

  Big John! Whaddup man? It's great when you are on the mound man... my blood pressure goes way down because I can relax knowing we only need a couple of runs to win. You deserve this award and should be on the All-Star team. It's great to see Saunders and Santana there though.
  
  Santana should be the comeback player of the year. I am very proud of that dude! Tell Ervin we all love him and wish him the best. I almost went to blows in the stands last year when some guy was jumping down Ervin's throat. I know he heard and it's a bunch of BS. Know that this Angel/Raider fan has all of your backs up in the stands.

  Reply