Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Scott Kazmir has become somewhat of a punching bag for Angels fans (and a batting tee for hitters) over the past few seasons. Kazmir is still just 28-years-old and not that far removed from being a pretty good pitcher. Plus he’s a lefty. Of course, his velocity has abandoned him and he couldn’t make it out of the second inning in his last start for the Angels or out of the first in his start in the Dominican League. Nevertheless, Kazmir says he’s feeling good and will throw for scouts on Friday according to a Buster Olney tweet.

In an act of sheer masochism, I decided to take a stroll down Kazmir lowlight lane. Join me. Don’t worry, I’ll just keep it to five or more earned run games. Let’s start in 2010 when things just fell apart…

3/31/2010: 15 Day DL
Kazmir started the season on the disabled list for shoulder soreness. His pair of DL stints in 2010 would later be know as “the good times.”

4/15/2010: 4IP, 8H, 6R, 6ER, 3BB, 2K, 3HR at New York Yankees
The first inning was clean aside from a four pitch walk to Mark Teixeira. Robinson Cano homered to lead off the second inning and Derek Jeter homered to lead off the third. Cano would add a two run homer in the fifth to end Kazmir’s day. Not a good start to the season.

5/6/2010: 4.1IP, 6H, 7R, 7ER, 5BB, 3K, 1HR at Boston Red Sox
Kazmir actually won two games and had his best outing (no decision) before taking another beating. Brian Stokes got the assist though. Aside from a two run homer from Victor Martinez, the real trouble didn’t start for Kaz until the fifth. He gave up a two run double to Martinez but left the bases loaded for Stokes who made sure to get those runs charged to Kazmir. What a jerk.

6/24/2010: 3.2IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 2K, 0HR vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Talk about a meltdown. The fourth inning was a single, hit by pitch, flyout, walk, one run single, two run double, one run single, one run fielder’s choice, handing the ball over and some gentle sobbing in the shower.

6/30/2010: 4.2IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 4K, 1HR vs. Texas Rangers
The fourth inning strikes back. HBP, double, walk and then a Vladimir Guerrero grand slam did most of the damage. Kazmir would stick around to give up one more run in 2/3 of the fifth or what I like to call an un-victory lap.

7/5/2010: 6.1IP, 6H, 7R, 7ER, 5BB, 3K, 3HR at Chicago White Sox
Alexie Ramirez, Carlos Quentin, and Dayan Viciedo homered. All in different innings. There wasn’t a big meltdown inning. *cough*foreshadowing*cough*

7/10/2010: 5IP, 11H, 13R, 13ER, 3BB, 2K, 3HR at Oakland A’s
The third inning featured eight earned runs with a little bit of everything. In order, Kazmir’s inning went double, stolen base, wild pitch, triple, single, groundout, single, popfly, single, intentional walk, bases loaded walk, grandslam and a popfly to mercifully end the third. He’d give up the other five runs in the fifth.

7/11/2010: 15 Day DL
The following day Kazmir hit the disabled list for shoulder fatigue. *wink-wink* He missed 27 days.

9/25/2010: 3.0IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 0K, 1HR vs. Chicago White Sox
Kazmir gave up four runs in the third but at least the passed ball wasn’t called a wild pitch. Ramon Castro hit a home run to lead off the fourth and end Kazmir’s day. Kazmir made one more start, a two earned run no decision, during the 2010 season.

4/3/2011: 1.2IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 0K, 1HR at Kansas City Royals
The new season did not bring better results. He also hit two batters to fill out that line. And the steak he had for dinner was overcooked.[citation needed]

4/4/2011: 15 Day DL
Lower back stiffness would keep him on the disabled list for 72 days. He started five games for Triple-A Salt Lake and his 17.02 ERA was less than inspiring.

6/15/2011: Released
The Angels decided to release Kazmir and eat the rest of the $14.5 he was owed for 2011. I ate a chicken club.

12/7/2011: 0.1IP, 2H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 0K vs. TOROS DEL ESTE (I think)
Another poor outing unless the Scott Kasmir listed is someone else.

I also heard that Kazmir has been clocked at 84 MPH this winter. I’m rooting for Kazmir though. I’m also rooting for Jose Canseco to make it back to MLB so I might not have the best judgement.

( Photo Credit: SI.COM)

Scott Kazmir has presumably thrown his last pitch as an Angel. You kinda knew when Kaz walked off that mound after his lone disastrous start in the bigs this season that Kazmir likely would not be back  with the Halos this year but the end is always just so final. Its like when Puffy and J Lo  broke up -   even though you saw it coming – you were still a little surprised.

Kazmir’s recent struggles in Triple A where he posted a 17.02 ERA in five starts for Salt Lake were the final straw. The emergence of rookie pitcher Tyler Chatwood has given the Angels a fairly solid 5th starter and Kazmir’s control issues do not make for an effective reliever.

The Angels will pick up about $9.5 million dollars that remains on Kazmirs’ contract including the $2 million dollar buyout clause. Look for Kazmir to be signed to a minor league deal by a team near you, but his days as a Halo are over.

Its been real Scott.

(Photo Credit : MLB.COM)

The Angels flexed some rare muscle Monday on their way to a 10 – 8 come from behind win in Kansas City. Torii Hunter hit a two run big fly that gave the halos a 9-8 lead in the ninth. Hunters game winning shot was setup by solo homers from Peter Bourjos and Mark Trumbo in the 8th. Hunter also homered earlier in the game giving the Halos a rare 4 home run day.

Onto the Monday Links:

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