Mychael Urban's best work

by nickolai on Jul 25, 2005 6:01 PM PDT

I came across this page, and had to share it with you all. It's a piece that Mychael Urban wrote about A's player fashion for the official A's site back in 2002.

Click here.

I loved reading Aces, but this has to be the best work I've seen from Mychael Urban, even though it's essentially just transcribing quotes.

My favorite quote was from Billy Koch, when asked who's the worst dresser on the 2002 team:
"...I'm gonna say Eric Byrnes. He might need to add a little extra room in his jeans. Nobody wants to look at that."

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lol

Thanks, I needed a laugh just about now...

Is it gametime yet???

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jul 25, 2005 6:14 PM PDT reply actions

haha ...

favorite:

Olmedo Saenz, infielder: "Someone said I'm the worst? For the New York outfit, right? One outfit and I'm the worst? No. The worst is Miguel Tejada. He tries to be too [freakin'] shiny, and it doesn't work. And he's ugly, so it doesn't matter what he wears."

by JyL3aN85 on Jul 25, 2005 6:18 PM PDT reply actions

LMAO!

And where does Olmedo Saenz get off calling MIGGY "ugly"? :P~~~

by Poppy on Jul 26, 2005 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

hahahaha!

Look. I've seen Blez's pic of Zito. I've seen the 'Zito Designed Tie'. Hands down, its Zito.

Athletics Nation Chatroom! Join us at #AthleticsNation @ irc.zirc.org

by Zonis on Jul 25, 2005 6:30 PM PDT reply actions

They're so mean!!

Too bad I agree.

Dude. Click here. NOW. :) I *love* The High Socks, oh yes I do! :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 25, 2005 6:54 PM PDT reply actions

OMG, that's awesome.

Thank you so much for posting that, that was AWESOME.

"and then he combs his hair with a rock."

"While I was there, it didn't always seem perfect, but when I look back on it I just might think it was perfect." --Eric Byrnes

by Kyli on Jul 25, 2005 7:16 PM PDT reply actions

Very nice

I nice picture of the '02 clubhouse personality. Saenz' comment was short and sweet. Made me burst into laughter

by H3liCat on Jul 25, 2005 9:25 PM PDT reply actions

Oh MAN that was funny

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

by baseballgirl on Jul 25, 2005 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

love it!!!

that was hilarious!!! thanks so much for posting it.

"...the plate won't move. The mound is going to feel the same. The strike zone, with slight variations, is going to be right where it has always been." -Huston

by sabriel on Jul 25, 2005 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

I can just imagine

Chavy saying his shot at Z in his deadpan voice.

"...I'm all for being individual, but he crosses the line."

Good times.

by Apricot on Jul 25, 2005 10:34 PM PDT reply actions

ROFL

That was the best laugh of the week. We need to tell Mychael Urban to bring back the Question of the Week!!

by Melody on Jul 25, 2005 11:14 PM PDT reply actions

I remember reading that column...

it was funny then and it's even better now. I agree, great stuff from Urban. Here's a 2nd to Melody's suggestion to bring back QOTW.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by lansfords1 on Jul 26, 2005 7:22 AM PDT reply actions

Truly hilarious

Urban needs to do this thing with this year's team, just to see how things have changed.

Jonathon

"This is supposed to be a happy occasion! Lets's not bicker and argue about who killed who.... "

by JLeverenz on Jul 26, 2005 7:31 AM PDT reply actions

Piatt on Byrnes:

" ...and then he combs his hair with a rock."

by ArakSOT on Jul 26, 2005 7:58 AM PDT reply actions

i always thought that was the comment about zito

but it definitely applies to byrnes too

"...the plate won't move. The mound is going to feel the same. The strike zone, with slight variations, is going to be right where it has always been." -Huston

by sabriel on Jul 26, 2005 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Team changes

That article was funny, but it also really brings home the turnaround on the team in terms of personnel. Talk about blasts from the past. I guess being an A's fan you get used to the turnover (and to winning), but I've already completely forgotten that Velarde played 2nd in 2002. I can't believe only Zito and Chavez remain from those "early" teams.

by EastBayTeam on Jul 26, 2005 9:53 AM PDT reply actions

Speaking of 2002 articles

I've referred to it here before, but just in case any newcomers haven't seen it, this 2002 East Bay Express article about Eric Chavez is a real classic. Gets far more into the player's head than your typical piece of sports journalism.

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

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 26, 2005 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks for the link

by Larry E on Jul 26, 2005 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

East Bay Express

Speaking of the East Bay Express, I seem to remember reading a long article in there about Beane. It was sometime around 1999, when the A's resurgence started, and long before Moneyball was published. Does anyone else remember this, or better yet, have a copy?

Rock and roll around my head like a 6 string belief

by andeux on Jul 26, 2005 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

EBE online archive only goes back to 2001

So it looks like you're outta luck, unless there are hidden features in the East Bay Express Archive Search that I missed.
But you can still read this cool article about Scott Hatteberg's musical tastes.

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

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 27, 2005 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Beane is a punk rock oficianado?

I like him more and more...
That also explains this pic with the late great Johnny Ramone
http://baseballtonight.blogspot.com/2005/06/bookclub-long-balls-no-strike-by-joe.html

Stop calling Joe Blanton fat!

by pbruins92 on Jul 27, 2005 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

HAHA

Chavez' girlfriend squinted. "Is he wearing an earring?"

"That's his trademark," said Chavez.

"His trademark?"

"Yeah, his trademark. Something he's known for."

Street is a friggin physical marvel... -Mychael Urban

by rookieoftheyear on Jul 26, 2005 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions

What about what Zito wore last night?

Got this from the CBS sportsline article:

He acknowledges this is the most consistent he has been since 2002, and he's certainly dressing the part. Kooky as ever, Zito's postgame outfit featured cutoff camouflage cargo shorts, brown socks pulled up to mid-calf, black indoor soccer shoes and a furry V-neck earth-green button-up sweater with no shirt underneath.

by eebie on Jul 26, 2005 10:54 AM PDT reply actions