Really cool on Kendall from Page 2 of ESPN

by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2005 10:28 AM PDT

Note: This is not a full article, nor from a pay site.

Really cool take on Kendall from a national web site....although Murphy is obviously a West Coast guy....still, very cool take a lot of people will read. Thought you guys would enjoy.
Play of the year in any sport? Wow.

Edit: Link Added: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=murphy/050725

3. The Play Of The Year
All of you wrapped up in $800 Million Payroll Yankeedom, or Red Sox Navel-Gazing, or Cubbie Self-Flagellation ... come and listen to the story about a team with no Q-rating, no trendy ballyard and no national profile.

In other words, listen to the story of the Oakland A's.

On Friday night, when the A's were in the midst of piecing together a season-changing four-game sweep at Texas, Jason Kendall did something that should raise the hair on the neck of every American ball fan.

In an 11-10 game the A's were leading, with a Texas runner at third base and two out in the bottom of the ninth, Kendall fielded a wild pitch, and seeing a body barreling toward home plate, scooped up the loose pearl, dove headfirst toward the dish and planted the tag, letting steel spikes sink into his forearm, accepting this badge of pain and blood merely as the price of competition.

Jason Kendall laid it all on the line for Oakland.

It was nothing short of the Play of the Year. Maybe in any sport.

A's broadcaster Ray Fosse, a former All-Star catcher, was so moved by Kendall's brass he reportedly shot out of his seat in the broadcast booth and roared his approval, pumping his fists.

Kendall walked off the diamond, accepting victory congratulations as if he had gone to the grocery store and bought a carton of milk and nothing more, and wondered what the fuss was about.

This from a guy who, years back in Pittsburgh, suffered a Theismann-esque break of his foot on first base, and took the time to argue the call, even though his foot flopped off his ankle loosely, like a flag snapping in the breeze.

And Friday night in Texas, Kendall did it again. He introduced a couch potato nation to the concept of country hardball. For that, we thank him.

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Linkage?

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 25, 2005 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

Link

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=murphy/050725&num=0

by ArakSOT on Jul 25, 2005 10:36 AM PDT reply actions

Sorry..just forgot it.....

I added it to the diary.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2005 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

I wish there

was a video clip of Fosse cheering. I can't imagine him with that much emotion but it would have been nice to see...

Also that blip about Kendall arguing a call with his foot dangling? Gross and what a freakin' gamer. When Hudson called Kendall that after he was traded to the A's, he was dead right about it.

Change is for the better. For both the A's and in life.

by WhiteElephantGuy on Jul 25, 2005 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

Yea, that injury was so disgusting...

One of the nastiest.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2005 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Fosse a bit too much of a homer for my taste

But I'll cut him some slack for his celebration of the Kendall play, due to his perfectly understadable pro-catcher bias.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 25, 2005 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Eh

TV former-player broadcasters are all homers. As long as Fosse stays away from Hawk Harrelson territory, he's fine.

And yea, I can definitely sympathize with his roaring in the booth. That was just amazing play, I can't imagine having seen it live.

by dchu on Jul 25, 2005 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Ahem

There are many things that are horrifyingly wrong in this world.

There's a lot that could be better. Then there's the stuff we should be working on.

In this vast human realm of relevance criticism of Ray Fosse, certainly one of the finest baseball humans I have ever had the honor to listen and watch, is perhaps missing the mark on the daily objective list in life. Possibly.

by paradox on Jul 25, 2005 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

i can sympathize

of course i was listening to the game on the radio, since it wasn't on tv. i was driving while listening to the game, and was already quite disappointed about the events that already took place earlier in the inning during this incredibly crazy stress inducing game....and then for a play like that to end it all. well, as for me, while i was just listening to it - and i heard the call that he made the tag, i almost went crazy myself. i was of course sitting while driving w/both hands tightly squeezing the steering wheel b/c of nervousness, and then the out call was made and i jumped out of my seat and nearly crashed. it was a time to go uncontrollably crazy - i have no idea how any sort of person would be able to keep it in in that situation

by F171615 on Jul 25, 2005 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

BB listens to the games in his car

He's also known for his "emotional outbursts"..
It is all just a coincidence I'm sure.

Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Jul 25, 2005 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm telling you, 2003 Marlins!!!

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jul 25, 2005 10:41 AM PDT reply actions

This is why

BB went out and got Kendall. Many ANers wrote him off in May, but now we are seeing why billy was right (again!!). He hasnt let his early struggles at the plate deter him, and while his throwing our runners still isnt where it should be, he is giving the A's everything they need.

President of the Brent Gates Fan Club

by SoCal As Fan on Jul 25, 2005 11:17 AM PDT reply actions

I loved the Kendall acquisition...

and I still do. This guy knows how to play the game all out, and is a beast behind the plate. He wants to get to the postseason more than anyone else on the team b/c he was stuck in Pittsburgh for so long. He'll do anything in his power to get there. It will be fun to watch!

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." ~Ted Williams

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 25, 2005 11:26 AM PDT reply actions

I hate to mention

the dread "p" word (p--ts----n). But let's just say that in any Really Important Games we may see, Kendall is one guy I think we can count not to forget to touch home plate, forget to cover a throw, fail to execute on a hit and run or bunt, or other dumb mistakes like the ones that have cost us in the past.

Some sportswriter last season wrote something like "the A's need more guys like Kotsay who can actually play baseball." Kendall is a guy who can play baseball. I like him.

by matthias on Jul 25, 2005 11:36 AM PDT reply actions

Heh

I couldn't believe that Sportscenter only had this as #5 in plays of the week. Other than maybe that Russian chick breaking the women's polevaulting record, there wasn't any single play better that that one, not even Crosby's catch or Pittsburgh's middle infielder duo put-out. Those plays were nice, but they didn't come with a man on third in a tight ball game in the late innings.

by dchu on Jul 25, 2005 11:44 AM PDT reply actions

True on the situation...

But that Pittsburgh play was amazing....Maybe the best Ive seen all year.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2005 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions

indeed

The kendall play was great but the pirates' play was better by a hair.

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 25, 2005 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions

can you describe it?

or give me a video link? I missed the pirates play.

Change is for the better. For both the A's and in life.

by WhiteElephantGuy on Jul 25, 2005 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

no link

it was a well hit grounder to center, the SS dove for the ball and flipped it to the 2B while on the ground with his glove, who then turned around and threw it to an outstretched 1B for the out.

the situation was not as intense as the Kendall play, but it was the play of the year. IMO

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 25, 2005 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Jack Wilson is beautiful.

by Jennifer on Jul 25, 2005 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Please

no Wilson butt links. :-P

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 25, 2005 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I think his butt is the best thing about him.

Look at the cute Pirates promotion they have!

by Jennifer on Jul 25, 2005 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay, that's pretty cool!

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 25, 2005 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

LINK

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/multimedia/tp_archive.jsp?c_id=pit

It's the July 22nd game
Wilson, Castillo flash leather.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Jul 25, 2005 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't Brian Murphy Used to Cover The A's ...

... for the Chronicle? He was a really fun read. Great writer. Good anecdotes. Lots of color. He was able to relay the emotions from the field into his stories.

by Eck on Jul 25, 2005 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

He's Murph

of Tim and Murph from the morning drive time on KNBR.

Used to do baseball for the Chron (both A's & Giants?) and then was doing Golf before he switched to radio.

pretty funny/interesting guy. I've started listening occasionally in the morning. He's a lot better (fairer to the A's) than everyone else on that station other than Larry Kruger.

by david32 on Jul 25, 2005 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

That article gave me chills...

...THE PLAY was awesome. Truly awesome.

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 25, 2005 11:54 AM PDT reply actions

he did walk off

pretty ho-hum-ish. I would have run off like I'd just scored a goal in the world cup!

The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.

by JJ on Jul 25, 2005 12:02 PM PDT reply actions

and his classic comment:

"I should have blocked the pitch."

by ArakSOT on Jul 25, 2005 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Does anyone have a link

to one of those great AP photos or something similar?

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 25, 2005 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

here

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/ARL106072300_640x480.jpg

"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Jul 25, 2005 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

beautiful, thank you so much

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 25, 2005 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Sweet...new wallpaper...

Thanks.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2005 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

btw

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/ARL106072300_1280x960.jpg

will give you the hi-res version

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 25, 2005 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

check that

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/ARL106072300_1024x768.jpg

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 25, 2005 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Fosse, of course...

...was just reacting as any lunch money victim does when a bully/extortioner finally has the tables (plates and all) on him by a fellow fed up LMV. Fosse was just acting like the frustrated gardener who trims his Rose bushes after getting a sharp thorn jammed into him while scattering some Peat on the deck.

http://www.cafehayek.com ~ a blog for classical liberals

by LowcountryJoe on Jul 25, 2005 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

re

How can you possibly say the Pittsburgh play was better? Is Pittsburgh in a playoff chase? Were they playing against an arch rival? Did Wilson risk a cleat to the face? Did it end the game? Did it stop a rally? No

Kendalls play was much much better.

http://as-future.blogspot.com/

by blee1134 on Jul 25, 2005 1:49 PM PDT reply actions

Taking out the situation...

It was a much better play......Absolutely amazing pure play.

But the Kendall play ended the game, everyone knows that and realizes that makes it huge.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2005 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

actually

I thought Kendall's play was better. I've seen multiple (great) plays of the glove-shuffling type, but never seen a huge diving in-my-face tag like that.

And the situation has to matter. If someone hits a grand slam during a blowout, who cares? If it wins a game in the ninth, that's a Top 10.

by Apricot on Jul 25, 2005 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree.... sorta...

Kendall's play meant more (in terms of the game and divisional standings), and was more impressive in a gamer/gritty sort of way. The pittsburgh play? Very slick, very jaw dropping. Despite the fact that it meant nothing, the play was a beauty to watch...

by spiffyjwc on Jul 25, 2005 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

yes

Kendall's play was the type of play you watch and say "thats a eral ballplayer" or "that guy is a gamer." Not trying to take anything away from the guy, he knew a slide was coming in, cleats first and still put his body out there.

Where as the Pirates play was pure talent and showed great teamwork.

Regardless of which was better, I'm just glad as a baseball fan that I was able to see 2 great plays take place in the same week.

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 25, 2005 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions