Pujols administration makes first major move: Angels' hitting coach fired

So, because 12-year-vet Albert Pujols is batting .212 with just one home run, it must be the fault of his new hitting coach, who he has known for approximately four months, right?

Well, that’s what the Los Angeles Angels seem to think.

The organization inexplicably fired long-time hitting coach Mickey Hatcher late Tuesday night amid the team’s 16-21 start. The Angels are collectively batting .250, good for 14th in the bigs. This doesn’t seem dismal enough to justify cutting ties with a cornerstone of the franchise just a month and a half into the season.

“Offensively we have underachieved, and everyone shares in the responsibility of what has transpired thus far,” Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said.

The firing has caused a backlash with players and beat writers.

https://twitter.com/#!/Mtrumbo44/status/202607206363971584

https://twitter.com/#!/Porkchop995/status/202609706169151489

https://twitter.com/#!/MikeDiGiovanna/status/202612816836968448

https://twitter.com/#!/TMeadAngels/status/202641637636194304

https://twitter.com/#!/karlravechespn/status/202595334633947136

https://twitter.com/#!/jperrotto/status/202598581318852608

https://twitter.com/#!/KevinCooney/status/202601962506690561

But then there’s always this guy.

https://twitter.com/#!/tweetgrubes/status/202614363687886848