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Around SBN: Steve McNair Found Shot to Death


A History of Closing the Deal

  The A's pull out a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.  The story of the day belongs to the guys at the end of the game.  
  A recently-turned 22 rookie closer is establashing himself as a person that knows how to handle himself in any situation.  After giving up a walk and a double to open the 9th inning with a 3-run lead, Huston Street shut down the inning with three straight strikeouts.  Painting the corners no less with his fastball.
  On a day when Eck's jersey was retired, it was only befitting that the A's pull out a come-from-behind win that is saved in a tight situation.  Huston Street is quickly establishing himself as our decade's closer, coming after Eck and Rollie. And that is a very tough act to follow.

  The Angels trounced the Mariners 9-1 today and no one has expected them to rollover.  With 7 games left to play, and a 3 game series in Anaheim later this month this is sure an exciting to be an A's fan.  With the two teams winning, the A's and the Angels are still in a flat foot tie for first place, with 2 game lead in the head-to-head.

  One more note:  Today was the much ballyhooed AN-Day.  There were special guests, the smell of a fine barbeque, an exciting game, and a chance to put a face to a handle.  Left in the dark were the out-of-staters, the hungover, the poor, the shy, and the forgetful.  However, when it was all said and done, the game threaders had a big blast, was the true mojo for the comeback kids, and took over AN.  Word to the wise: Don't leave us alone.

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Word.
Great wrapup, WEG. You're my hero.

Our mojo worked! Long live the GAMEDAY THREADERS!

Damn. I love how many days we've had where pitching has been the extraordinary story of the afternoon. Coming into the season, it didn't look that way -- it's always nice to end the day able to say that the pitching needs to get some props. Saarloos is a hell of a number five guy, I'm proud to have him as an A.

The refusal of this team to lose back-to-back games is refreshing and wonderful.

"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 Aug 13, 2005 4:26 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Go game-day threaders!
Are you saying there was some special AN event happening at the Colliseum?  Couldn't prove it by the traffic on AN!

Highlights of the game for me:

-- Kirk Saarloos: best 5th starter in MLB
-- Bobby Crosby: this kid is about to break out all over the place
-- Jay Payton: this year's John Mabry
-- Mark Kotsay: drives in the final nail, welcome back to CF!
-- Huston Street: I think he was just trying to make it interesting for himself

by LoveDemAs on Aug 13, 2005 4:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sarloos
that guy gets so much credit, so much that its forgotten what he does day in day out.

Then again, theres so many guys that really deserves recognition everyday for the little things.  Melhuse, also definetely needs big props.  

In fact, when I attended the game yesterday, I saw him play bullpen catcher.  Whats wrong with buck?  Melhuse has been providing pop for the catcher role, he's been more than gracious in a very inconsistent position of DH/C/Backup something.

Another guy is Ellis who keeps doing his thing no matter where he is in the lineup.  He quietly has the second highest batting average on the team providing near-gold glove caliber defense!  All this after what happened last year.

And with so much love to our bullpen, Guys not named Streetcherer deserves some love too, they ALL have been lights out.  

People like to say the A's are balanced, and thats why they are different.  I like to think that we're not balanced, which seems to mean that we have no weaknesses, but that we have a strength in EVERY one of our clogs.  Thats better than being balanced, thats being unbeatable.  

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 13, 2005 4:33 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ellis is insane.
He's performing far beyond what I expected, he's definitely the Comeback Player of the Year in my mind. Also, I think he, Scutaro, and Ginter should get props for dealing so well with the three-man 2B situation they've had. It's nice that we have guys that can cope with playing time problems. It's a team game, and our guys definitely seem to work for that.
"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 Aug 13, 2005 4:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Buckley broke a toe
yesterday which is why Melhuse was catching in the pen.
PT-42

by norcaldevilasu on Aug 13, 2005 4:35 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

doing what?
"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 13, 2005 4:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Took a ball off the foot
That must have been one heavy sinker...

by LoveDemAs on Aug 13, 2005 4:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Go Devils!!! '96-'00
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Aug 14, 2005 12:30 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great post, WEG
This is OUR version of the post gamme recap.  Who needs Blez or Nico?  :P
"(Jason) Kendall is the master of the improbable." ~ Ken Korach

by AsGirl on Aug 13, 2005 4:46 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hell yeah!
WEG is our new leader.
"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 Aug 13, 2005 4:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hahaha
i'm not sure I'm qualified.  I do love the A's though.  We need to form an AN-posters union.  I'll be the representative.

Strike strike strike!
Blez and Nico unfair!
Mutiny!

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 13, 2005 4:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Extra Innings
Huston street is on right now.

Question:  After tough game last night the a's offense shut down, important to even things up?
Huston:  Last night was a great pitching duel, Haren did evewrything he could do.  Today, we had a little momentum with Ecks jersey retired, fed off that, give credit to bullpen and sarloos.  Great team win.

Question: Kirk undefeated in daytime now.  He's pitching so well now.

Huston:  Our whole starting staff is pitching well right now.  Stay focus and continue down the road

Question:  The 9th inning put guys on 2nd and third.  Kendall came and talk to you what did you guys talk about?

Huston:  Just on being not tentative.  Which I was, he calmed me down, we got the tying runner on the plate just get them out and don't worry about anything else.  If the guy on the plate doesn't score we win and thats all that matters.  Ellis ssaid the same.

Question:  With Eck Day, was it easy to put things in perspective as a closer?

Huston:  That was the most nervous thing, being in his presence.  I could have sat there and ask him a million questions.  Today is just one of the most exciting days to meet him.  I want him to autograph my save ball.

Question: With meeting a guy of that magnitude what was it like?

Huston: All I could do is let him do all the talking because I have all the learning to do from him.  

Question: great crowd, nice win.

Huston: thank you.

[NOTE: A lot of ad libbing.  I can't type THAT fast.]

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 13, 2005 4:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

very cool
thank you! LOVE the Eck!

by LLawbug on Aug 13, 2005 4:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love that he wants Eck
to sign his save ball, 'cuz I was thinking after that last strikeout that he should get Eck to autograph it.

Also liked his comment about the things Eck said to him, and that he was told that they'd talk again in Boston. Damn. Can we kidnap Eck back to the bay? Our broadcasts need him more than those damn Sox!

"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 Aug 13, 2005 4:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BTW, JayPay is only 3-19
during the 5 games on this homestand, but he has hit 2 HR and has 4RBI.  He started the 7th inning rally on Thursday (Walk off Sulk day), and hit a 3 run shot today to give the A's the lead that they never relinquished.
Oh, and his other it was a leadoff triple in the Wednesday game, in the 7th inning against Shields.  We all remember what happened after that.

GO JAY PAY!!!  :D

"(Jason) Kendall is the master of the improbable." ~ Ken Korach

by AsGirl on Aug 13, 2005 4:55 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yikes!
You can't get much more "clutch" than that! way to go JayPay! I'm so glad we have this guy on the team right now.
"huston would look so hot in a miniskirt. he has great legs." - leslie (the female barry zito)

by drmmerchk on Aug 13, 2005 5:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Power Bat
Gee, do you think he counts as a right handed power bat???

by my2centsworth on Aug 13, 2005 5:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tampa Bay
is beating cleveland 4-0 in the third.  Seems like Indians are hitting a bump in the road right now.  They're behind the Yankees in the WC race and everyone picks them to be there down the stretch cuz of their easy schedule.  So its good to get a few losses in their record right now to give breathing room to us in the strech run if we need it.
"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 13, 2005 4:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Huston Street
I dunno about you guys, but I really wish Huston Street would grow a moustache just like Eck... the girls might not like it, but I think it would kick ass!

by OaktownTribesman on Aug 13, 2005 4:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah
and a mullet.  and he should be 35 too.
"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 13, 2005 5:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love Eck even with his 'stache
With Huston I would undoubtedly feel the same <3

by LLawbug on Aug 13, 2005 5:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Artist's rendition
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Apologies to Melody for the photo...

by OaktownTribesman on Aug 13, 2005 5:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Apologies to everyone.
Here it is 'con mullet.'





"We were all in the dugout yelling, 'Run, Forrest, run!'" outfielder Nick Swisher said.

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 5:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OMG, that's AWESOME.
"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 Aug 13, 2005 5:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow
That's much better. I confess I gave up trying to draw a mullet on him.

by OaktownTribesman on Aug 13, 2005 5:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There's no hair tool in Photoshop
So that's a pretty suck mullet. When he grows one for real we can really compare.
"Meanwhile, Kurt Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 6:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL
EVERYBODY looks like a porn star to you.
"(Jason) Kendall is the master of the improbable." ~ Ken Korach

by AsGirl on Aug 13, 2005 6:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's that Swedish Porn Moustache
Plus the baseball pants.
"Meanwhile, Kurt Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 6:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh, man.
I can totally see him as a milkman with a bad accent.

by Jennifer on Aug 13, 2005 6:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I brought der milk......
and der sausage.

(Waits for the and banishment)

For all you groupies looking to get pregnant by an NBA player, good news. Shawn Kemp is planning a comeback-Jim Rome

by gatling on Aug 13, 2005 6:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LMAO
that's classic dialog.

"Where do want I should put it?"

"Meanwhile, Kurt Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 6:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mrs. Johnson, you don't having the money?
That is ok, we can work on plan of payment, yes?
For all you groupies looking to get pregnant by an NBA player, good news. Shawn Kemp is planning a comeback-Jim Rome

by gatling on Aug 13, 2005 6:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mrs. Johnson,
usually I leaving this at the front door.  This is very, how you say, different?
For all you groupies looking to get pregnant by an NBA player, good news. Shawn Kemp is planning a comeback-Jim Rome

by gatling on Aug 13, 2005 6:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OK, that might do it.
Hilarious.
"Meanwhile, Kurt Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 6:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OH MY GOD.
I'm laughing so hard I think I hurt myself.

I may puke.

LOL!

by Jennifer on Aug 13, 2005 6:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cable guy, pool boy, pizza delivery dude.
It writes itself.
"Meanwhile, Kurt Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 6:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

By the way,
love the sig.
For all you groupies looking to get pregnant by an NBA player, good news. Shawn Kemp is planning a comeback-Jim Rome

by gatling on Aug 13, 2005 6:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks-
Or rather, thanks to Eck - it's from today's press conference. I got such a kick out of it, 'cause I was a kid from LA who hated the Dodgers, and wanted the A's to win that series SO badly.
"Meanwhile, Kurt Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 13, 2005 6:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He actually said that in his speech.
That is so awesome, way to go Eck!
For all you groupies looking to get pregnant by an NBA player, good news. Shawn Kemp is planning a comeback-Jim Rome

by gatling on Aug 13, 2005 6:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was such a GREAT quote.
Nice choice for a sig. :-)
"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 Aug 13, 2005 6:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey...
If the condos at the new park really DO have a pool on the roof, they'll need to have a pool boy...
"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 Aug 13, 2005 6:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe for a promotion...
they could have "Buy a Pool Boy for a Day" contest. You could auction off the players.

<scrambles for change>

by Jennifer on Aug 13, 2005 6:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh maaan.
Now THAT would be a killer way to raise money for the A's! Having Haren as a pool boy would cause my college tuition to disappear pretty fast.
"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 Aug 13, 2005 6:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hell yeah.
"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 Aug 13, 2005 7:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know if Huston could pull it off.
It's hard to pull off that Eck 'stache. Man. Eck had the greatest look, definitely terrifying to batters. Plus? HOT.
"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 Aug 13, 2005 5:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Awww.
That's adorable. Matching smiles!
"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 Aug 13, 2005 5:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

1989
I believe Eck is wearing his 1989 WS ring on his finger. SWEEP!
Celebrate good times, come on!

by gojohn10 on Aug 13, 2005 7:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great wrap!
Great start by Cap'n Kirk!
Great win!
Great threads, Non-AN Dayers!

<sends love>

by Jennifer on Aug 13, 2005 5:24 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm watching the MLB.TV feed
Of Eck's ceremony... I'm getting all choked up!

by OaktownTribesman on Aug 13, 2005 5:34 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Someone needs to find out
what the heck was in that gift they gave Eck!
"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 Aug 13, 2005 5:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And where the heck I can
get some of that Athletics wrapping paper!

ASAP!

by Jennifer on Aug 13, 2005 6:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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