B.C. There Was No Wild Card

its so much nicer to hear him say "Hey, I saw the A's won again".

Nothing made me smile more today than that Crosby catch. So clutch, I definitely didn't think he was going to get it. And what about Rich, who battled through the heat, and not having his best stuff--and still got the win.

Someone commented on Payton's smiles on the bench today in the A's dugout---he's going to be great down the stretch, he really wants to be here. And Dan Johnson has ALWAYS got a big smile on his face. What an awesome team.

I have so many positive things to say about today, I don't know where to start.

-Harden sucking = 3 runs = we'll take it! He battled, with what seemed like none of his pitches working? lol
-Crosby's play!!
-The announcers making this game so fun to watch. Fosse is endlessly amusing. I am convinced they are in love with Huston, too. Has anyone EVER said a bad thing about that kid? He's too good to be true sometimes.
-Hatte getting it done.
-Elly continuing to play well.
-Kotsay laughing after that catch he almost had to run into the infield for ;)

Obviously I could continue on for a long time. Lots of good hitting, great plays, great attitude, awesome announcing, etc.

I was worried about Rich and then worried about Chavy, but we won so no worries for today. :D

I'm really excited because I think our team is more balanced and potent in a variety of ways then it has been since the 2001 team.  The offense is very good with weapons up and down the lineup.  I love our 6-7-8 hitters almost as much as our 1-4.  Anyhow, I definetely envision a playoff berth for this team.  Top three reasons:

   1.  Zito and Harden are as good a 1-2 punch as exist in the majors right now. Harden is the "super ace" that we've never had, and zito is a very good big game pitcher who is an ace in his own right.
   2. An offense that has the ability to cover for starters or bullpen.  Something we haven't had since 2001.

   3.  a deep though not spectacular bullpen will get the job done 85% of the time.

Believe folks. Blez does. I do. Are numbers are growing. believe. this could be the year we will never forget. For the rest of our lives. believe.

1.  Permanently moving Kendall to the lead off spot.
2.  Chavez is hitting.
3.  Swisher's improvement.
4.  Putting Johnson at first base (or Durazo getting hurt).
5.  The great success of the Duke and Street (or other relievers getting hurt).
6.  Zito's ability to get ground ball outs and his renewed confidence.
7.  Being able to say "what can you say about Harden?"
8.  Blanton and Sarloos pitching better than expected.
9.  Macha's patience.
   

I just think we should be rooting against the Red Sox, Yankees, Twins, and Orioles...if we win the division great, but that's still a stretch at this point.

ESPNews had a graphic yesterday that showed the top records in MLB since June 13th.

1. Athletics
   
2. Braves
   
3. Angels

It will be a reversal of 2002...I hope!

He induces Niekro to ground into a 5-4-3 DP on one pitch.

5 1/2 back, baby!

Baseball is a great game but also a very, very crazy one. So unpredictable. Just as I thought that the ANers who were saying that we were fielding a Triple-A team in May were grossly overreacting, I think right now we should just savor this joyous run and hope it leads us as far as possible.

If we finish the year at .500, I will still raise a glass to the A's and celebrate a successful season, given my expectations before the season started.

Those two used to be roommates, BTW.

but after "The Tag" and hearing the excitement in the voices of Korach and Fosse, i was like," lets sweep these posers"

so proud of my A's..

Then we went out for coffee.

"I don't think it is "official", but I think that on an emotional level we are very close to being "done". The players seem to not have the "desire" or whatever it is that is needed. I don't blame the players or Buck right now (although - I beleive they do have to accept some responsiblitlity). There does not seem to be a "Winning Environment" in Texas - I want to blame Buck, but it's not totally his doing. There is no doubt about it the "Great Teams" seem to always find ways to win the close games - Texas does not show this skill. Someone or something needs to light a fire under this team - A team leader? - A team manager? - A team President? - An Owner? - SOMEBODY PLEASE!!!!! Or we might as well start planning for next year - AGAIN!!!! I'm tired of "wait for next year" - Somebody do something - Michael Young - Tex - Buck - John - Tom? Somebody!!!!"

Four innings earlier, shortstop Bobby Crosby had made a spectacular diving catch even deeper into the outfield than the spot where Kotsay made his catch. But this time, Crosby was nowhere to be found.

Before trotting back out to center field, Kotsay turned and gave Crosby a playful earful.

"I said, 'Dude, don't be afraid to make an effort,'" Kotsay said.

"It was pretty funny," said Crosby. "I thought it was a routine fly ball to center, so I did what I always do -- cover second base. But the wind must have brought it back, and all of a sudden, he's flying in to get it.

"He told me, 'How much room do I have to cover out here?' ... He and the umpire got a chuckle out of it."

So did second baseman Mark Ellis.

"I thought it was routine, too, but Kotsay had to run a long way to get it," he said. "Hilarious."

"Everybody was a dumbass in May, and now everybody's a genius," said Macha, taking a subtle shot at critics. "I'm not going to ride that roller- coaster. I'm even keel. In May, the effort was there, and we were shorthanded. If there would've been panic, we could've lost the club. We didn't panic."

Kendall's play was right up there, but only ranked #5 this week behind a woman jumping over a bar, a brilliant Pirates doubles play, and TWO GIANTS plays!!!! ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? What an insult! Not that those two plays weren't amazing, but neither had the clutch element that Kendall's play produced. On top of that, the Giant's double play they featured was a blown call. The guy was safe by a foot! Goddamn conspiracy.

The best part about Kendall's play was the angle they showed of the desperate Ranger's fans, showing off the safe sign, even though replays clearly showed he was out. Priceless. Then again, I would have done the same thing in their shoes.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this run by the A's. If they make the playoffs this year, this to me would clearly be the BEST accomplishment by Moneyball yet! During the previous four playoff runs, the A's at least had some expectations to accomplish what they did. Prior to 2005, the 2002 team with their 20 game winning streak post-Giambi was clearly their best accomplishment. But this season, no one could have expected them to play with this much confidence and success so soon. It's a tribute to Billy Beane's vision and I know every other team is jealous that he's on our side.

I just worry that we are peaking too early. But I will continue to have faith in what our team is doing and making of our low-budget situation. This is even more sweet, especially after going through the pains of May and friends of mine saying "what's up with your A's?" Thank you, A's! Thank you for not ruining my summer. I will continue to wear my A's cap with pride.