FanFest Eve (aka: Happy Birthday, Mozart)

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 8:45 AM PST in News

Cindi's all excited about FanFest because she's "hoping that Thomas Franks will be there!" and I've given up on correcting her. Regarding FanFest, I don't think there is any sort of official plan for members of AN to meet up, but...If AN members identify themselves by wearing their AN t-shirt (if they have one and if aren't wearing their Bill King t-shirt instead), the odds of AN users spotting or meeting one another will go up. I'm a definite probably; hope to see some of you there (unless I don't make it, in which case I hope I don't see you there because that would be weird, wouldn't it?).

Meanwhile, on the heels--ooh, bad choice of words--of the Frank Thomas signing, here are my personal "Top 5 reasons to be confident" and "Top 5 reasons to be worried" about the 2006 Oakland A's (unless, of course, they age two years overnight and become the 2008 Oakland A's):

1. The A's could easily field a lineup in which the #8 hitter (Swisher/Payton) has 20+ HRs and the #9 hitter has a career batting average over .300.

But...The #8 hitter has yet to prove he can hit .240, and Ken Macha has yet to prove he is willing to bat Kendall 9th.

2. The A's could easily field a starting rotation in which our #5 starter would be in running as the #2 starter for several teams.

But...The A's have a #2 starter who is in the running for the Tim Hudson award for "best pitcher you can't hit--because he's hurt right now".

3. The A's depth is such that players as key as Calero, Duke, Swisher, Kotsay, Harden, Bradley, and Thomas could go down with the A's arguably remaining favorites in the division.

But...They all did go down, in 2005 no less.

4. Between Zito and Harden's BAA and Haren, Blanton, and Loaiza's BB/9IP, the opposing team will not have a lot of baserunners.

But...Those who do reach base will run at will (actually at Mark or Bobby).

5. So far, the Angels appear committed to a youth movement, with more of an eye on reloading for 2007.

But...It's only January.

Got any cute "opposite pairs" to add? OK, boys: Let's win FanFest and go from there!

Tweet Comment 86 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

speaking of aging a couple of years overnight...

The young reliever we've come to know and love as Jairo Garcia is actually an older man of 25 named Santiago Casilla. Oh, and Dan Haren, who hasn't aged, is apparently no longer Dutch, and therefore will not be pitching for the Netherlands in the WBC.

link: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/01/27/SPG55GTKVG1.DTL&type=as

by vishal on Jan 27, 2006 8:56 AM PST reply actions

oh, nevermind.

there's already a diary. or two. there's almost no point in posting any news here. someone always beats you to it.

by vishal on Jan 27, 2006 8:57 AM PST up reply actions

and then SCOLDS you for it! ;)

good move scolding yourself first... LOL

"You don't look up truthiness in a book, you look it up in your gut." ~ Stephen Colbert

by Poppy on Jan 27, 2006 9:04 AM PST up reply actions

YES!

Thank God Haren is not playing because he was going to be their #1 and that could have taken its toll on him down the stretch for the A's. woo hoo!

But if your life is such a big joke, then why should I care?

by johnspaz7 on Jan 27, 2006 3:46 PM PST up reply actions

anybody know

why he ISN'T playing for them now?

by LLawbug on Jan 27, 2006 4:19 PM PST up reply actions

That whole

not being Dutch thing ....

He's half Irish, half Mexican.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Jan 27, 2006 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

ohhhhhh

confusion!

by LLawbug on Jan 27, 2006 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

I get it!

White + Native American = Mestizo
White + African = Mulatto
Irish + Mexican = Dutch

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Jan 27, 2006 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

"OK, boys: Let's win FanFest..."

I think we all know the girls are the real winners at Fanfest.

"Keep the juices going by jangling around gently as you move." - Satchel Paige

by McFood on Jan 27, 2006 9:10 AM PST reply actions

OK...how about this?

6. The A's have a third baseman who has won five straight gold gloves and came remarkably close to another 30 home run/100 RBI season.

But...his shoulder should've been fixed this offseason and he'll enter the year with nothing but some Elmer's Glue and construction paper keeping his right arm in tact.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jan 27, 2006 9:24 AM PST reply actions

Maybe Chavy has been practicing his Jim Abott toss

he is going to catch and throw with his left hand. That is still one of the coolest things I have ever seen. When he was in college, at Michigan wasn't it, I thought there was no way he could play pro ball.

by theblackpearl on Jan 27, 2006 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

By the way, does anyone want to write

a FanFest report? Since I will be preparing to have Maya's party on Sunday, I can't go. But it would be great if we go a report with photos and whatnot.

The interview sessions will be your opportunity to ask all the questions you think I missed too ;-)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jan 27, 2006 9:27 AM PST reply actions

I'm sure there will be a few threads

Photos of A's players have never been lacking on this site... :)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jan 27, 2006 10:17 AM PST up reply actions

Maybe someone can take a laptop...

...and make it like a game thread. :P

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jan 27, 2006 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, and we can make smart

ass replies and ask for clarification....what is zito doing now?

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 with no more hex in 2006.

by ak_A on Jan 27, 2006 4:56 PM PST up reply actions

I fully intend

To post my pictures from Fan Fest! So if I am the first, I will make it a Fan Fest Recap Diary. =)

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 27, 2006 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

Oooh, cool!

I'm looking forward to reading that! I'm sure it'll be great as usual! :)

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Jan 27, 2006 2:34 PM PST up reply actions

I can

I probably won't be the FIRST to post pictures since I have things to do after FanFest, but I can post my pictures and a recap. Since no one is gonna go to the exact same things, I'm sure we'll all have different stories to tell!

"Try getting drunk 4 nights a week and going out to pitch 9 innings. That's an athlete to me." - David Cone

by JLaff on Jan 27, 2006 4:56 PM PST up reply actions

and maybe

7. Possibly the best OF defense in baseball (some people have said on message boards the best in history)

But...too much range can lead to face collisions like the Mets Cameron and Beltran last year

"If you throw at someone's head, it's very dangerous, because in the head is the brain." -- Pudge Rodriguez

by niallmack on Jan 27, 2006 9:50 AM PST reply actions

that's exactly what I think of...

...every time I hear someone get excited about us having three centerfielders... :(

"You don't look up truthiness in a book, you look it up in your gut." ~ Stephen Colbert

by Poppy on Jan 27, 2006 10:00 AM PST up reply actions

OW!

I get a headache just looking at that!

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 27, 2006 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

picture title

Brokeback Outfield

works on several levels

by MrIncognito on Jan 27, 2006 5:52 PM PST up reply actions

Happy Birthday, Wolfie!

I was wondering why KDFC played Mozart's Requiem last night. They never play any vocal/choral music outside of Christmas season and the Sacred Concert program every Sunday morning fro 7-9 AM.

Now I understand.

How do you say "Happy Birthday" in german?

I know "Birthday" is geburtstag so according to my very rudimentary knowledge of german would it be "Gute geburtstag?"

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Jan 27, 2006 9:56 AM PST reply actions

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Wolfie

by green star oakland on Jan 27, 2006 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

close enough for a guy who never too german

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Jan 27, 2006 10:11 AM PST up reply actions

took german, I mean

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Jan 27, 2006 10:11 AM PST up reply actions

LOL

"That secret ASian man, he's never too German..."

"You don't look up truthiness in a book, you look it up in your gut." ~ Stephen Colbert

by Poppy on Jan 27, 2006 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

Corrected

Hey, I'm Asian and took German, and I'm pretty sure it's "Herzlichen Geburtstag zum Wolfie."

by achiappanza on Jan 27, 2006 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

Saw it posted above an exit sign

in a bathroom in Germany:
"Have a nice fart"

by Alon on Jan 27, 2006 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

Das ist ganz richtig...

Herzliche Geburtstag! Wie alt bist du heute?

Immerin, Go As!

"HOLY TOLEDO!" Bill King

by 510inDenver on Jan 27, 2006 10:00 PM PST up reply actions

Danke!

Good pitching beats good hitting. And vice versa.

by TheBigO on Jan 27, 2006 11:44 AM PST up reply actions

About Thomas' attendance...

I can't verify the validity of this report, but over on the scout.com a's board, a guy named "Toddy" who apparently works for the organization says Frank has actually been in town for more than a week doing tests and will STILL be in town this weekend for Fanfest, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I'm jealous of you guys :\

by noava22 on Jan 27, 2006 10:22 AM PST reply actions

AN Meetup?

Where and When should we meet up, if we do?

Knowledge is Power, Ignorance is Bliss. But I have Blissful Power, because I have a lot of knowledge, I just forgot it all!

by Zonis on Jan 27, 2006 10:25 AM PST reply actions

I'll likely be hanging out in the Q&A sessions

if anyone sees me there, come say hi! :)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jan 27, 2006 1:46 PM PST up reply actions

What's the weather looking like for tomorrow in

Oakland? My 3 year old is starting to come down with something, and i don't want to have him out in the rain, but we want to go.

by theblackpearl on Jan 27, 2006 10:47 AM PST reply actions

I am sorry to report

That it is looking like rain in the morning. =(

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 27, 2006 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

I read the rain is in the afternoon ...

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Jan 27, 2006 11:47 AM PST up reply actions

As long as

It doesn't rain on me while I am waiting in line for autographs, I don't care when it rains!

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 27, 2006 1:55 PM PST up reply actions

looks like it'll be icky

even if not actively raining...

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USCA0791.html

"You don't look up truthiness in a book, you look it up in your gut." ~ Stephen Colbert

by Poppy on Jan 27, 2006 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

Ford's Theater was wonderful, except...

Continuing on Nico's reasons to feel good, but riff:

Good: The A's legendary clubhouse cavalcade of fun and games guarantees "good chemistry," and will clean up any bad vibes from difficult personas and the losers of playing time battles.

Except: Cleaning up could pose a tricky chemistry problem when Milton "Ammonia" Bradley meets Jay "Bleach" Payton.

They're not booing...they're saying Leeewwwwwww!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 27, 2006 10:54 AM PST reply actions

Macha

He doesn't have the balls to bat Kendall ninth, even though he switches up the rest of the order all the time. Beane & Macha both intend to bat Kendall at the top of the order all season, IMHO.

Also, it'll be interesting to see how Macha deals with Thomas, a full-fledged star & Hall of Famer. Pretty much all Macha had to do last year was be patient, now he's got some immensely talented players in Thomas & Bradley. This year should definitely be a challenge for Macha personnel-wise, more so than last year, even though expectations are deservedly much higher.

I get the feeling Macha's better at dealing with younguns than with players with huge egos.

I need a cigarette

by As Man on Jan 27, 2006 11:23 AM PST reply actions

If not #9, then where?

Mach already said Ellis and Kots is 1 and 2 in the order.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King

by sf drift king on Jan 27, 2006 11:57 AM PST reply actions

#3

Where else would macha put kendall, with thomas hittin HRs in the 9 spot

by WWBBD on Jan 27, 2006 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

That would be funny,

except Kendall actually did bat #3 last year, so it's tragic.

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 1:02 PM PST up reply actions

Just tell Kendall...

He can bad leadoff again just as soon as he figures out how to hit a ball harder than my 2 year old son.

"HOLY TOLEDO!" Bill King

by 510inDenver on Jan 27, 2006 10:02 PM PST up reply actions

1 free ticket to fanfest

email me if you want it.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King

by sf drift king on Jan 27, 2006 12:10 PM PST reply actions

Here's one

2. A's are likely to attract more fans on the strength of an exciting team

But... the extra demand convinces Wolff that he should shut down the Plaza Level.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 27, 2006 12:59 PM PST reply actions

Good one, Sal.

Heck, if they closed all the decks wouldn't there be more demand for the parking lot?

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

Eureka!

I've got it! Beane's courting of the financial-services sector all these years has had one ultimate target: to turn Warren Buffett into an A's fan. If Beane succeeds, then Wolff can eliminate all seats but one in the stadium, and sell Buffett a season ticket for $1 billion.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 27, 2006 1:06 PM PST up reply actions

I heard the food is good...

at the Warren Buffet, except the price fluctuate every month or so.

"Keep the juices going by jangling around gently as you move." - Satchel Paige

by McFood on Jan 27, 2006 8:35 PM PST up reply actions

Much better at the Jimmy Buffet...

But watch the brownies if your company does random testing

"HOLY TOLEDO!" Bill King

by 510inDenver on Jan 27, 2006 10:03 PM PST up reply actions

Last year

we had a lot of things work against us as far as injuries and such. I honestly don't think that will be as much of a factor for us as it was last year. It's just a feeling I get.

I expect Harden and Crosby to be fine this year.

I expect Bradley to have an above average year. I expect Thomas to stay healthy as he seems really dedicated and motivated to prove people wrong.

I expect Kendall to bounce back as much as he could be expected, too.

I expect Swish and Johnson to continue to develop into solid, producing players.

I expect Chavez to have a huge year.

I expect the pitching to be even better than last year.

I expect the offense to be more consistent.

I expect the A's to contend.

I'll stop short of saying I expect them to make the playoffs, win the division, or win the World Series. I think they can, but it's too early to tell and all the other stuff I expect needs to happen for the rest to happen.

But if your life is such a big joke, then why should I care?

by johnspaz7 on Jan 27, 2006 3:51 PM PST reply actions

Is ...

Cindy Nico's wife or his daughter?

by IM4Oakgal on Jan 27, 2006 3:53 PM PST reply actions

It's Cindi

and she's neither ...

she's his teenage suburban princess alter ego.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Jan 27, 2006 4:01 PM PST up reply actions

You didn't hear it from me...

...but Cindi (heart over the first i) is Nico's alterego. Shhhh.

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 27, 2006 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

I thought it was the second i

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Jan 27, 2006 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

Ha, maybe the hearts

depend on the day/mood. ;)

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 27, 2006 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

Omigod!

You totally understand! :----}

-Cindi

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

Dude, Cindi,

what, like, happened to your nose?!?! I thought the nose job was supposed to make it, like, smaller!

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 27, 2006 5:20 PM PST up reply actions

Oops, that was me

and it's not my nose.

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 5:24 PM PST up reply actions

WHAT???

That's just mean. Telling other people that someone doesn't even exist has got to be one of those VCGs, or I don't know what is.

OK fine, I admit it, I don't know what is--but I'm just saying. Don't be a meanie because I have trouble passing whatever I have first period; I think it's either Science or Spanish...I can't understand what the teacher's saying so it's probably Spanish.

No wait, I remember--it's Silent Reading. Byeeee for now!!!

-Cindi

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

you mean ...

... one of these?

Now, Cindi, what did we agree during our last session about calling strangers "vegans" without justification?

Billy Beane has hairy fingers. -- FireballerHARDEN @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 27, 2006 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

What do people

from Las Vegas have to do with anything?

-Cindi

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 5:14 PM PST up reply actions

she's...

"You don't look up truthiness in a book, you look it up in your gut." ~ Stephen Colbert

by Poppy on Jan 27, 2006 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

She's my sister! <slap>

My daughter! <slap>

My sister! <slap>

My daughter! <slap>

Billy Beane has hairy fingers. -- FireballerHARDEN @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 27, 2006 4:11 PM PST up reply actions

Forget it Jake...

...it's Oaklandtown.

They're not booing...they're saying Leeewwwwwww!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 27, 2006 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

what strikes me every time ...

... I watch that film is how utterly ape-like John Huston's paw is at the end, trying to shield his <spoiler alert> daughter/granddaughter's eyes.

Billy Beane has hairy fingers. -- FireballerHARDEN @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 27, 2006 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

Ape-like indeed

...and in the role he was born to play,

monkeyball IS Noah Cross

OaklANdtown

They're not booing...they're saying Leeewwwwwww!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 27, 2006 6:11 PM PST up reply actions

Forget about it, Jake ...

... it's Monkeytown!

(I really want to write a remake called HONKEYTOWN, where all of the peripheral characters are crude caricatures of Caucasian stereotypes. I'm picturing the gardener as a British or Boston Brahmin butler type: "Baaahhhd fowuh the graaahhhss.")

Billy Beane has hairy fingers. -- FireballerHARDEN @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 30, 2006 10:20 AM PST up reply actions

It's CINDI

Heart over the second i.

"I like Band Camp. He hits things." ~ Kyli (9/24/05)

by AsGirl on Jan 27, 2006 4:20 PM PST up reply actions

THANK you, AsGirl

And duh, since it's never over the first i on a Friday. Ever.

-Cindi

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 4:24 PM PST reply actions

My bad.

Guess I need to retake my course in Cindi-ology.

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 27, 2006 5:17 PM PST up reply actions

If you take it

with Darci, it's always an inter-course...but you didn't hear that from me!

Now we're even, Darci. *cough Slut cough *

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 5:21 PM PST up reply actions

Oooh,

Darci's gonna be out to get you. She has spies everywhere, you know. <cough> monkeyball </cough>

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 27, 2006 5:33 PM PST up reply actions

<waggles finger at camera>

I never had sex with that woman -- Darci.

Billy Beane has hairy fingers. -- FireballerHARDEN @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 27, 2006 5:53 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks for ...

The explanation Nico and Cindi with an i. It was as clear as mud lol. I am having visions of the movie Total Recall and the mutant living inside .

by IM4Oakgal on Jan 27, 2006 10:37 PM PST up reply actions

Quick question:

If we're going to do game threads from a laptop at tomorrow's event, can we assign someone the role of posting "FanFest over" as soon as something disappointing happens?

by Nico on Jan 27, 2006 5:17 PM PST reply actions

WHY IS MACHA

BRINGING WITASICK IN FOR Q&A NOW????!!!?!!

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 27, 2006 5:39 PM PST up reply actions

No, no, no ...

... bringing in Witasick is the right move -- the questions are about to come from the reporters from the Nation and Mother Jones.

Billy Beane has hairy fingers. -- FireballerHARDEN @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 27, 2006 5:52 PM PST up reply actions

Don't you know!

Macha doesn't write the Q&A lineup, the players do. What's this? I.P. Freeley will be on the panel with Zito, Haren and Kendall? Real mature, Swish.

"Try getting drunk 4 nights a week and going out to pitch 9 innings. That's an athlete to me." - David Cone

by JLaff on Jan 27, 2006 6:59 PM PST up reply actions

camcorders

I know this is a stupid question but, since I have never been to fanfest I need to ask, does anyone know if its ok to take a video camcorder to fanfest, I know u can take cameras and all that, but a lot of place's wont allow camcorders, so if u can help me out thank you

by ahh duhh on Jan 27, 2006 9:50 PM PST reply actions