Thank You, Bud Black

As is all over the internet by now, Bud Black has been hired as the San Diego Padres manager, replacing Bruce Bochy.

You have a good club in San Diego, and I'm glad we're not in the same league, as it would be quite bittersweet to root against you. I'm sure you'll be a success down there, and it'll be much easier to find an excuse to see a game at Petco this year.

Thank you, Bud. Thanks for taking a group of pitchers nobody had heard of and turning them into one of the greatest rotations in baseball. Thank you for making Francisco Rodriguez the best young closer I've ever seen. Thank you for making Bartolo Colon a Cy Young Award winner. Thank you for making John Lackey an ace. Thank you for everything.

But especially, thank you for your part in the 2002 World Series Championship. It couldn't have happened without you.

Thank you for making this such an amazing time to be an Angels fan.