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Daily Link Dump (2 Aug 05) - Experiment

The_baby_tiny by salb918 on

Hi everybody.  One thing I've noticed is that ANers love to share articles and clippings that mention the A's, however tangentially, and that these articles are being produced both by traditional media outlets (ESPN, SFGate) and by alternative baseball news outlets (Hardball Times, SBNation).

I thought today we could try a little experiment and, if it works, maybe make it a daily part of our AN routine - a Daily Link Dump.

The idea is that we can all share links to articles and websites in one diary without having to wade through several diaries, open threads, etc.  You can leave it with or without analysis, since each item will be a comment in this diary ran than a diary unto itself.

Star-divide

I'll get it started:

http://prosportsdaily.com/mlb/athletics/ - Links to local papers, both Bay Area and away (in this case, Minnesota).  Even the Orange County Register is getting in on A's bandwagon act. (For registration-required sites, use http://www.bugmenot.com)

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/in-good-standings/ - Interesting graph at Hardball Times this morning detailing the A's near-rise to the top of the West.

So, AN, drop of your links here, with or without analysis, as you find them on the web today.  If this experiment is successful, maybe we could make it regular.

0 recs | Comment 130 comments

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sounds good to me
i often spend most of my day trolling around various sites looking for a's info... one stop shopping would probably make my bosses happy...

my contribution:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/bbtn/index

by pseudokiwi on Aug 2, 2005 7:12 AM PDT   0 recs

A few excerpts from
the Orange County Register:

...Bobby Crosby, the former Long Beach State shortstop who is the West Coast version of Derek Jeter...  I don't know whether I should be upset by this.

The story now isn't about the Angels as much as it is about the finest team A's general manager Billy Beane didn't have to buy.

If it wasn't official before, it is now. Beane is the closest thing to a wizard this side of the new Harry Potter edition.

How else do you explain Oakland losing two-thirds of its Big Three in Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, as well as its second-best power hitter, Jermaine Dye, and still the A's are acting as if none of that matters? If Beane is Harry Potter, who is Dumbledore?

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 7:12 AM PDT   0 recs

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

by Sharon on Aug 2, 2005 7:32 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

crosby himself idolizes Jeter
he says Ripken and Jeter are the 2 guys he tries to emulate.

by blueconversechucks on Aug 2, 2005 2:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I quite like him, actually
But I'm one among many. <shrugs> I've liked the guy from the start.

by Squeaky on Aug 2, 2005 2:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I love the Beane veneration
Coming from an Angels area paper, that's delightful.  

Even more props for the Harry Potter comparison...that is just sweet.  

by sarajune13 on Aug 2, 2005 8:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I smell another artwork thread
along the lines of the chinese propaganda posters! hmmmmm

by tblazrdude on Aug 2, 2005 8:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll bet you...
...the OC Register felt somewhat slighted when the Angels pulled the recent name change stunt. The OC Reg tries pretty hard to differentiate itself from the LA media and the Angels were something they could claim over the larger county to the north.

I wouldn't be surprised if some local sports writers take satisfaction in the A's recent success.

by kaiser on Aug 2, 2005 8:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dumbledore is either
Bill King

Sandy Alderson (but he works for the Padres)

Bill James (but he works for the Red Sox)

or the late Bill Rigney

Actually, james makes the most sense, because he influenced Billy more than anyone.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Aug 2, 2005 12:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Crosby / Jeter
Sure, if he starts producing big hit after big hit in the playoffs, becomes a commercial darling that helps put the A's in the national consciousness -- that would be nice.
AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 2, 2005 1:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Awesome idea!
Is it okay to post quotes from the MN broadcast last night?

by Jennifer on Aug 2, 2005 7:24 AM PDT   0 recs

Heck I'm not the diary police
You can post pictures of Cupcakes if you want, although that's not the purpose of the diary.

Share any A's or baseball related items from the media for all to enjoy here.  If you think that includes quotes from last night's "win in MIN," go right ahead.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 7:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I want to know.
I chose to watch the ESPN broadcast last night.
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Aug 2, 2005 7:36 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One of the MN announcers,
I forgot which one, said that Huston needed to grow a Rollie Fingers style mustache once he's old enough to start shaving. :P

by Jennifer on Aug 2, 2005 7:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ha!
He could be like Huddy and just draw it on.
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Aug 2, 2005 7:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stadium promotion
That gives me an idea: the A's should do a clip-on facial hair giveaway promotion. They could have three models:
  • the Bill King full van dyke
  • the Rollie Fingers twirlio moustachio
  • the Kendall chai pet three-day growth
It's tough out there, Pootie. You got drugs ... crime ... gorillas ...

by monkeyball on Aug 2, 2005 11:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And for the ladies...
Bobby Crosby and Huston Street bobble-butts.
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Aug 2, 2005 11:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Lookout Landing
Member of SBNation, has this story on the A's:
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/story/2005/8/1/23426/41904#commenttop

Includes this gem of a comment: http://www.lookoutlanding.com/comments/2005/8/1/23426/41904/12#12

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 7:38 AM PDT   0 recs

Is it okay
for others to post the link dump diary? I'm usually up earlier than most here...and do most of my reading in the morning.
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Aug 2, 2005 7:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's not like I patented this idea!
Sure, go ahead.  I'm on East Coast time, usually check AN between 8-9 AM EDT.  If anyone wants to start the Daily Link Dump Diary earlier, or even on the previous night if warranted, should feel free.  As long as we agree as a community to abide by one DLDD to keep ourselves organized...
Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 7:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

cool
This is such a good idea.
"How much room do I have to cover out here?" -- Kotsay

by Sharon on Aug 2, 2005 7:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I also think this is a great idea.
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Aug 2, 2005 8:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah...this is a really great thing to have...
for some reason i get twice as frothy when i read national or non-local praise for the A's.  to wrangle everything into one place will be awesome.

by blueconversechucks on Aug 2, 2005 2:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

true
i'm on the east coast and can get the link started before 8:00est... i would imagine just add the date to the link dump title to keep things simple...

by pseudokiwi on Aug 2, 2005 7:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The last sentence of
The posts at www.lookoutlanding.com is a classic:

"Call it being vindictive, but I want nothing more than to see the tattered corpse of the rally monkey on the back bumper of Billy Beane's car."

WOW!

No the only question is does Billy try this?

by skwid on Aug 2, 2005 8:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Mariners
It's interesting how they feel about the A's. I have a similar feeling toward the Mariners. If not us, I'd much prefer the Mariners win the division than the Angels or Rangers. Even when they won 100 million games in 2001, I couldn't bring myself to hate them. I think it mostly boiled down to the fact that they let Griffey, A-Rod and Johnson go to the big money and got better as a result. That made them a kindered spirit of ours. Plus, I like the city of Seattle, so it's easier to root for one of their teams as opposed to a city like Dallas. Ick.

by peanut gallery on Aug 2, 2005 9:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And to be honest
They didn't have players who were easy to dislike on that team, except Flipper.

I've always enjoyed Edgar Martinez and John Olerud as two underrated yet awesome hitter.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 9:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Seattle's a great town.
And their stadium is awesome.

And Ichiro is just flat out the most interesting player to watch in the MLB.

For years, the only thing keeping me from calling myself a Mariners fan was the A's short season affiliate in my hometown, and the presence of Bat-Flipper Boone.

Boone's history now, but Beaneball has taken hold and won't let go. A's forever.

by Ozzz on Aug 2, 2005 10:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You're from Vancouver?
Another great town. So beautiful.

by peanut gallery on Aug 2, 2005 11:06 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The one and only.
The Northwest is seriously beautiful in general.

Except for Spokane.

And Yakima.

Okay, Abbotsford is a dump too.

by Ozzz on Aug 2, 2005 12:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Northwest
ends at the Cascades.  Spokane and Yakima don't count.

Glad to see all the Mariners love. I still like them any time they're not playing Oakland.

The Lookout Landing guy who compared Oakland 2005 to Mariners 1995 is right on target.  It's the same kind of surge, and in both cases it's not just the surge alone, but the fact that the Angels were collapsing at the same time.

by iglew on Aug 3, 2005 4:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Baseball Prospectus
(from yesterday)  Under the Knife article discussing young pitchers with increased workloads, including our very own Madman Haren, Cupcakes Joe Blanton, and Captain "Keepin' it 'Loos" Kirk.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4284
Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 7:41 AM PDT   0 recs

That's pretty ominous...
That 3 of our starting 5 face a statistical likelihood of injuries and/or performance dropoff with their innings pitched going up so dramatically.  (More dramatically than most pitchers in those lists.)

I'm all for resting those guys whenever possible.  Let's use that deep, quality bullpen.

by blueconversechucks on Aug 2, 2005 2:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chad Pennington
This is a boxscore rather than a story, but I thought that Chad Pennington's performance last night was worthy of recognition:

4 for 4 with a HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 BB, 3 SBs.

Sizzling!

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&did=milb&t=g_box&gi d=2005_08_01_qcsafx_kccafx_1

by sarajune13 on Aug 2, 2005 8:30 AM PDT   0 recs

Nice!
Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 8:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

cliff pennington
just thought i'd point that out
"He threw me a pitch I'd never seen before, Sexson said. The umpire asked me what it was, and I said, 'I don't know.' This guy throws ghost pitches.''

by Alien on Aug 2, 2005 8:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oops
I was so dazzled by his numbers I messed up his name.  Durh!  :-/

by sarajune13 on Aug 2, 2005 9:03 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

chad
is a pretty good quarterback out here for the jets. i was wondering how he managed to go 4-4 myself.

by brothersky on Aug 2, 2005 9:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL
That must have been what was confusing my thoughts!  

Plus, Pennington -- the A's one, that is -- looks more like a Chad than a Cliff to me.

Travis Buck has more of a "Cliff" appearance to him..doesn't "Cliff Buck" just have a nice ring to it?

by sarajune13 on Aug 2, 2005 10:02 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In fact, I seem to have a problem
with prospects' first names.  I still cross my eyes trying to remember whether it's Brad Sullivan and Brian Snyder or vice versa.

Speaking of which, is Sullivan officially being converted to a relief pitcher?  I noticed that his last several appearances have been out of the pen instead of starting, but I wasn't sure whether it was permanent or if they're just trying to get him back on track.

And is Snyder injured?  He's just had a lone AB with the Rookie League team in AZ, but nothing else.  I saw him in spring training and he seemed to be fine, but he's all but vanished since then.

by sarajune13 on Aug 2, 2005 9:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Snyder
you're not the only one in that boat. I think there is another prospect somewhere named Brad Snyder.

As for Brian, I've been wondering that myself. He popped up in Rookie League for a bit, but I haven't seen him recently. Unless, Ethier pans out, that 03 draft is really starting to look like a bust.

"He threw me a pitch I'd never seen before, Sexson said. The umpire asked me what it was, and I said, 'I don't know.' This guy throws ghost pitches.''

by Alien on Aug 2, 2005 9:16 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, sadly, it seems that draft was not
one of the strongest.  

Aside from Ethier (and Q -- congrats to him) I still have some hope for Vasili Spanos, though I suspect he'll contribute most as part of a trade package.  And I think that Steve Bondurant and Matt Lynch still have a shot, albeit a longish one, at being late round pleasant surprise pitchers.

Too bad Eric Macha did not pan out, though.  :)

by sarajune13 on Aug 2, 2005 9:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A's-fleet Academy
I think the A's should institute a policy of refusing all prospects the rights to their first names until they actually get called up. INstead, each shall be known as "Prospect."

"Prospect Pennington" ... "Prospect Suzuki" ... etc.

It's tough out there, Pootie. You got drugs ... crime ... gorillas ...

by monkeyball on Aug 2, 2005 11:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Funny
Anyone notice Rick Ankiel's line as a DH for the Quad Cities?  Gotta give it to him for hanging around...

by BleacherDrummer on Aug 2, 2005 8:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

this is one of the better ideas
started on this site
We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Aug 2, 2005 8:57 AM PDT   0 recs

ESPN.com
has a poll on the front page: "Which rookie is having the best second half"

Zach Duke is leading, but only because THREE of the choices are Athletics (Street, Swisher, and DJ) so they are splitting the vote. California is painted blue (Duke) with 30% of the vote, but the A's combined have well over 50% of the vote. Not the best constructed poll

"He threw me a pitch I'd never seen before, Sexson said. The umpire asked me what it was, and I said, 'I don't know.' This guy throws ghost pitches.''

by Alien on Aug 2, 2005 9:08 AM PDT   0 recs

No, it's DUKE
Zach Duke has been phenomenal.  He is having one of the best 2nd halves of any pitcher, period.
Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 9:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Duke
I was referring more to how the results are misleading, not their veracity. Duke is having an amazing second half
"He threw me a pitch I'd never seen before, Sexson said. The umpire asked me what it was, and I said, 'I don't know.' This guy throws ghost pitches.''

by Alien on Aug 2, 2005 9:21 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ESPN.com Power Rankings
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/powerranking?season=2005&week=17

In case anyone cares what ESPN has to say, our beloved A's have climbed up to 5th in the Power Rankings, just one spot behind the San Dimas Angels of Santa Ana.  Since these were posted, the A's have won 4 straight while the Halos have dropped 3 of 4.

The White Sox (whom we OWN!), Cardinals, and Braves round at the top 3.

May we continue to climb the rally monkey's tail and then step on it's bobble-head!

Missing the ol' Coliseum view.

by Plunkage on Aug 2, 2005 9:19 AM PDT   0 recs

Thanks for your
DLDD contribution
Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 9:21 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Streaking Athletics
For all the talk of the Streaking Athletics, I have not yet seen Yabu run across the field naked.  I don't know what people are talking about.
Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 9:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh cool
much earlier this morning, cnnsi had listed Bobby Crosby as "Bubba Crosby," which is a typical East Coast publication mistake.  i'm sure i wasn't the only one who emailed them to correct it, but it's a good thing they did.

by sec119 on Aug 2, 2005 4:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Angels vs O's
Game preview: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=250802103

Imagine that: Bartolo Colon vs Sidney Ponson.  The pitching mound will have its work cut out for it tonight.  That's 500 lbs worth of pitcher.  Wow!

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 9:37 AM PDT   0 recs

500 lbs?
Might be more like 550+

by rsquared on Aug 2, 2005 10:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BP's Hit List
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4289\

A's check in at #5.

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

by Sharon on Aug 2, 2005 9:44 AM PDT   0 recs

BP also has a whole lotta Rickey
In the week in quotes:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4281

"I got so many tools. Dominating on base paths and controlling a game. There's nothing I can't do. I think it's a disgrace to the game of baseball how they're doing me."
--Henderson

by ArakSOT on Aug 2, 2005 9:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I see that
Ricky has found out about pronouns.
No, I do not want to FIRE MACHA NOW, nor do I think Blanton is fat. Now leave me alone.

by pbruins92 on Aug 2, 2005 9:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One more tool
... in Rickey's toolbox. "Rickey has pronouns now. Rickey is unstoppable. We can steal bases. I can walk. He can teach young players baserunning."
It's tough out there, Pootie. You got drugs ... crime ... gorillas ...

by monkeyball on Aug 2, 2005 11:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh man, i'm cracking up...
If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 2, 2005 11:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why don't the A's give
Rickey a shot? He has to be more valuble to have than Ginter.
No, I do not want to FIRE MACHA NOW, nor do I think Blanton is fat. Now leave me alone.

by pbruins92 on Aug 2, 2005 1:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Plus...
he'd make the A's a FORTUNE in his return weekend home series. Who wouldn't come and watch?
Best Coliseum promotion of the year? 2005 Oakland A's baseball.

by baseballgirl on Aug 2, 2005 1:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You know
his OBP is .466, 63BB, 15 SB and caught only twice in 54 games. Maybe Rickey will come back, he always gets a deal with someone towards the end of the year.

WE WANT RICKEY!

No, I do not want to FIRE MACHA NOW, nor do I think Blanton is fat. Now leave me alone.

by pbruins92 on Aug 2, 2005 1:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

boggs quote
"Honing my craft was the ability to get on base, hit for high average, and score runs. It was as if I invented the word `Billyball' or `Moneyball.' ..."

--new Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, on how he played the game

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 2, 2005 11:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice of him to say that, but...
...he must not have read or understood Moneyball's actual point, which has nothing to do with OBP.

Still, a great ballplayer.  For some reason, I have this memory from when I was a kid of thinking of Carney Lansford as Wade Boggs-lite.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 2, 2005 12:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

breaking news
this just in: wade boggs has been indicted for his role in the enron scandal.
If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 2, 2005 1:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Quote from AP article
"It was Wade's idea to use computers," said former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay.  "He would also throw wild corporate parties with company money.  We spent billions of dollars on chicken, and he once drank 64 beers on a cross-country flight."
If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 2, 2005 2:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

freakin' rickey is ....
....NUMBER 1!!! LMAO!!! thanks for my "rickey dose"...i needed that.
We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Aug 2, 2005 3:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One Stop Baseball
I don't ever search around for the articles.  I use www.onestopbaseball.com.  if you scroll down a small bit there are all the recent A's articles.  i dont think hardball and sbnation articles make it though.
Baseball is like life. It's a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life. - E Harwell

by peoples27 on Aug 2, 2005 10:00 AM PDT   0 recs

A's notes from sfgate
has this gem at the end:

" ... Macha was asked before the game if he had spoken to his friend Terry Francona, the Red Sox manager, recently, given Boston's news-making week in whic