A Big FAT Hairy Link Dump for January 28, 2006

by kaweahkaweah on Jan 28, 2006 10:36 AM PST Comment 143 comments

We begin today's weekend dump with a link to a column by Ray Ratto, who proclaims that Billy Beane may "Lighten Up." Sayeth Ratto:

"In the past, Beane could always blame his non-existent bench on the A's modest payroll, because teams who squeeze a quarter usually squeeze it from the bench and the bullpen. The lack of depth killed them in more than one postseason and prevented them from getting there in each of the last two. Last year, for the first time in years, their bullpen held up, but the bench was -- well, made of wood and stretched from the bat rack to the dugout bathroom, and that's about it."

Glenn Dickey also weighs in on the Thomas acquisition. If you'll recall, Dickey suggested a few months ago that the A's try to acquire either Kornerko or Thomas. He describes the Thomas acquisition as "frosting on the cake," the cake being an already deep A's roster: the deepest in 15 years. Yesterday, Neyer described Thomas as "Sprinkles" on the cupcake. Sprinkes, frosting, whatever. At any rate, the consensus among columnists seems to be that the A's are "deep" this season.

Finally, for you milestone trackers, Dayn Perry gives a rundown of various career milestones that could be reached this season, and a guess at their likelihood of happening, including Sosa reaching 600 hrs, Rivera getting 400 saves, and Glavine getting his 300th win.

And, in case you're counting, only 65 more days until the season begins.

Enjoy Fanfest everyone! Now dump on...

0 recs | Comment 143 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I feel so alone...

everyone's probably out at FanFest and here I am, wasting time in the link dump...at least I'll be working this afternoon.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No Fanfest for me either

:-(

"Put a Milo on him." -Billy Beane

by kaweahkaweah on Jan 28, 2006 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm here.

It's cold and raining here in MO. I've been sitting around watching Season 1 of "Lost" for the 10th time. Someone stop me.

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh good

Let's start <censor>fest, or outoftownersfest, or SOMETHING.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude.

It rained the last time I was going to have a <censor>fest/party....

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 11:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and it's raining again?

Maybe some ulterior (evil) force wishes to prevent this party from happening...

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I was thinking...

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 11:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sounds pretty suspicious to me

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wet t-shirt contest?

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Too cold.

The shirts would freeze.

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's sunny here...

but cold.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's beautiful here. 70 degrees and sunny.

But windy.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

T-shirts wouldn't freeze there.

;)

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's was almost 70 here on Wednesday...

It's in the low 40s now. I think I started to go back into hibernation yesterday. I came home from work at about 6:00, sat down on my bed to take off my shoes, and ended up going to sleep. I didn't wake up until almost ten this morning.

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 11:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's been getting too cold here at night, too.

I hope it starts warming up and stays that way. If it wasn't so windy, I would go to the beach and relax there. I'm bored. I watched part of the first season of AD. I'm a lazy blob today.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh...

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm here.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

no FanFest for me either...

work sucks.

by high street on Jan 28, 2006 11:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

A part of me dies

everytime I see a diary for free fanfest tickets.

<sob>

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

what would have been nice...

would be fanfest tickets plus a roundtrip flight ticket from Colorado to Oakland.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

or from Florida to Oakland.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I was waiting to see the diary entitled:
"Free First Class, Roundtrip Airfare from Estonia to SFO, Bart Ticket for $5.80 and Free Fanfest Tickets"

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was just going to post about Ratto!

I was really taken aback today when I read his article....It's actually not bad, dare I say GOOD???

His comments about Hatteberg were most on point, in my opinion:

Hatteberg became a popular target for A's cultists because of horrendous Septembers, but in fact in 2004 and '05 he was playing too much, too hurt, against pitchers who were bad matches for him, in large part because Macha didn't have a useful alternative. Hatteberg didn't complain, much, but he caught far too much abuse for the crime of being a good soldier.

Sure, this is purely elaborating on a Beane quote, but it's an insight I hadn't come to myself, which I resepct. I also like how Ratto refers to A's cultists; IMO this is indisputable evidence that Ratto reads (or at very least is in tune with) our little website here. Where else are you going to find A's 'cultists' ??

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 11:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

but people on AN

knew that hatteberg needed a few days off and
have been making the argument ratto is making for the last two years...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

2 things

OK, so be it, people here are smarter than Ratto and understand A's baseball better than him. I knew this long ago, and generally don't see eye-to-eye with him. See this diary if you have any questions of where I usually stand on the guy's writing.
I answer your criticism of my suggestion that Ratto's article was actually on point and perhaps even momentarily good (even though "people on AN...have been making the argument Ratto is making for 2 years") with the phrase "Better late than never."

Maybe Ratto's turning a corner. Or maybe this article's just an anomaly. The point is, that his accurate observation struck me, as it wasn't something that I had considered before. I'm sorry if you took offense and felt that my observation represented all of AN. That's a nice compliment to me, so thanks, but it's not needed and by no means is what I meant.

I'm just saying that I'd rather see Ratto get it right one time and reward him for that (if indeed he does read AN, which I suspect he does), rather than continually bash him just to bash him like many people on this site do. Perhaps he's proving that he won't always be a Bay Area version of Bill Plaschke-- or worse, Bill O'Reilly.

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i took offense?

if ratto is getting smarter, it must be because he's reading AN...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ratto can be Annoying

But his column about Bill King was absolutely the best thing I saw written about the man. He described him better and more passionately than anyone else. I gained some respect for him that day.

by SportySpice on Jan 28, 2006 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ratto

I never really understood all the hate and angst directed at him here on AN. The guy is like Eric Cartman, sure he says some stupid stuff and comes across as being nasty and heartless, but in the end he's just a harmless fat kid who makes you laugh. Please don't anybody compare him to a self-serving meathead like Bill Plaschke. Ratto might not have the sabermetric skills to figure out that the 2005 A's were going to win more than 60 games, but inside he loves the A's and totally worships Billy Beane. I know it.

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 28, 2006 3:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ok, so maybe i got defensive.

My bad. You didn't take offense, I'm just moody cuz I'm 10,000 miles from FanFest..you understand, don't you? ;)

Anyways, touché about Ratto reading AN. Ha!

Hey, in other news, a while back I was trying to figure out what your username stood for...I've actually been wondering now for a fair bit of time... Are the x's on the ends the trendy ones people sometimes use, making the meaningful part "bhaskar"? Like your first initial is B and your last name is Haskar? Or are the X's part of it, standing for something... Like maybe it's an acronym I'm just not getting...like "Xtra-Base-Hits-yadayadayada"? Or maybe it stands for "X-Berkeley-High-All-Star..."? Or maybe it's "xylophones belong here as some kooks are really xeroxing"...I'd love it if you could clue me in.

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

haha

we've had this conversation before, haven't we xbox?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i should probably change it to

xbhaskarx2. maybe when the new halo comes out...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i was thinking maybe

xbhaskarx360

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking...

xsanjosexboxsharkx

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

by McFood on Jan 28, 2006 2:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

seriously though,

what's the name stand for, xbh? :)

[if you don't mind my asking...]

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's his name

"Bhaskar", flanked by crosses.

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 28, 2006 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

praise the lord!

i never knew i was so religious.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, not necessarily religious

I was thinking more along the lines of tic tac toe...

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 28, 2006 4:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And so ends another episode...

...of "The xbhaskarx-Files."

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jan 29, 2006 8:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i hope we can at least agree

that wolverine is the coolest of the xbhaskarx-men

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 29, 2006 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm working too

I can actually see the Coliseum across the Bay from the top of my street in SF. So near and yet so far.I swear I feel happiness and optimism radiating from it, and that glint must be Huston's smile.

I'm glad it's not raining on the Festers (yet). I hope they're having a ball.

by SportySpice on Jan 28, 2006 11:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

and yes,

I'm here too... :(

but at least if we're not at FanFest we're here and not somewhere, like, I don't know....HalosHeaven...

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 11:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

<shudders>

Let us pray it does not come to that.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm here.

It's a really depressing day outside. Not too cold, but very cloudy, and it's just sort of spitting rain. And it smells like crap. Oh, to be at FanFest... <sigh>

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 11:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well, hey...

...if the weather is so crappy where you guys are, we can have the party at my place. I don't have a basement though.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 11:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I have to work.

Unfortunately.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's officially a week-long party.

Come whenever.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 12:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

<snicker>

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

<snicker>

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 12:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

<milky way>

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sweet!

I'll be there after work. That'll be after FanFest, so the boys can come, too, right?

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course.

But they have to be naked.

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

lotsa ladies in the DLD!

I'm at work too. Bah, humbug. Well, I know she's not a foxy A's player, but here's a face to put a smile on yours:

My new baby, Naomi.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jan 28, 2006 12:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

awwwww

so cute!

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

those are some crazy blue eyes!

very cute. makes me miss my yellow lab back in Cali

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

awww.

I love puppies. I miss my dog... she acts like a puppy, even though she's almost 10 years old... hey wait a minute, I think it was her birthday a couple days ago, so she is 10 years old. But she still likes to hunt squirrels.

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

awwww

what a cutie.

by Apricot on Jan 28, 2006 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Grrr.

I hate being a NRAF.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 12:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Do you want some party food?

I'm eating little Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies with leftover vanilla frosting, washed down with some ice-cold water (you could substitute that with the beverage of your choice). Mmmm, sugar sugar sugar.

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 12:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

party food

I've got a box of jalapeno poppers in the oven to go with my top ramen and red bull.

death to myspace!

by malikot on Jan 28, 2006 12:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

monkeyball has jalapeno poopers...

in his oven.

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

by McFood on Jan 28, 2006 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NNRRRRAAAAAAAAAAF!

by Jennifer on Jan 28, 2006 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NNNNRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF!

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

by Sharon on Jan 28, 2006 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NRRRAAAAAAAF!

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NRRRAAAAAAFFFF!!!!!!!!!!

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NRAF

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NRAF?

http://www.astro.virginia.edu/VITA/papers/nraf2/section4.html

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if you turn your head 90 degrees to the right

this looks like a crazy ghoul, or ghost or something...

BWAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

ps- didn't your teachers always tell you to label your axes??

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i am

NOT in the

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NRAF

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If your academic

research is supported by Second Amendment activists, you would be a NRAF (National Rifle Association Fellow).

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Local chapter...

National Rifle Association of Fremont.

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

by McFood on Jan 28, 2006 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NARF?

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 28, 2006 6:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?

I think so, Brain, but me and Pippi Longstocking ... I mean, what would the children look like?

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jan 29, 2006 8:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

narf?

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 29, 2006 11:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wonder how many of us AN faithful

are stuck working? The wifey and I are both working today, and I can't remember what a "weekend" is. No fanfest for us either.

death to myspace!

by malikot on Jan 28, 2006 12:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

nraf?

interesting trade suggestion in the Oakland Tribune. Likely never gonna happen, but I am momentarily entertained: Duke and Kendall to Detroit for Pudge.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_3447192

The argument is that with Sarloos and Kennedy available for long relief and Calero a potential primary setup man, Duke is too talented for the limited role the A's have him penciled in for.

by rubin sierra on Jan 28, 2006 12:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

non-resident A's fan

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

also applicable, perhaps moreso today

NRAF = Not Representin' At FanFest"

Today I'm a NRAF^2, or as I like to call it, a NRAFNRAF.

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not representing at FF

That's awesome! :D

But not the fact that we're NRAF^2. :(

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

by AsGirl on Jan 28, 2006 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

where are you from, AsGirl?

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sacramento...

Only a 100 miles from the Coliseum, but that's not the reason why I'm not at FF.

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

by AsGirl on Jan 28, 2006 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Go RiverCats!

Better than 10,000 miles away like me... :(

But at least it's only for 5 more months!! WOO HOO!

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 2:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ahh ... nraf! <I beg your pardon>

by rubin sierra on Jan 28, 2006 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

once again proving that everyone

who works for the oakland tribune is a f*cking moron.

let's trade an expensive aging catcher PLUS a solid all star RP for an expensive aging (even older than kendall) catcher with a .290 on base percentage who has been accused of using steroids and weighs 35 pounds less than he used to before he started to suck.

these people know beane so well, i'm sure he's drooling over that k/bb ratio...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

just read it

the best part:
"I'd trade Duchscherer right now in a quantity-for-quality deal -- package him with Jason Kendall and go after Ivan Rodriguez."

kuke and kendall are quantity, pudge is quality!

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Jennifer!

What about the NRAAAAAAF party? I baked lots of Joe Blantons... er... cupcakes! And so what if it's raining? The venue is your basement, right?

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

by AsGirl on Jan 28, 2006 12:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

hooray for us

NRAF's!

"Every year I'm asked if we're buyers or sellers, and every year we're both. Just once, it would be nice to buy without selling."-Beane

by pbruins92 on Jan 28, 2006 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if that

stands for non-resident A's fans. Which I think it does...

"Every year I'm asked if we're buyers or sellers, and every year we're both. Just once, it would be nice to buy without selling."-Beane

by pbruins92 on Jan 28, 2006 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

no

we're all taking about the nevada rock art foundation. We're all trustees.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh

well thats better than my "Neon Rashes Aren't Fun" club

"Every year I'm asked if we're buyers or sellers, and every year we're both. Just once, it would be nice to buy without selling."-Beane

by pbruins92 on Jan 28, 2006 1:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But not as good

as the "Neon Rashes ARE Fun" club.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wait...

What about us RAF's who work crappy hours and therefore can't attend FanFest? Are we invited to the party or is this a NRAF ONLY thing??

by high street on Jan 28, 2006 1:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Forget it

Get a transer to Fargo if you want to be a NRAF.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

what if

I just change my billing address? Does that count?? Cuz I'd be fine with someone in Fargo paying my bills...

by high street on Jan 28, 2006 1:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

waaaaaaaah

i'm an NRAF too... though only temporarily... :P
:P :P :P :P :P :P

T Minus sixth months till i go back to Hotel California.

RIP Bill King "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Jan 28, 2006 1:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

What are you doing in

'srael again?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

strolling in meadows and hunting for deer

Actually, the real answer would be family related.

RIP Bill King "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Jan 28, 2006 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll

stick with the deer one, then. Can I have some venison?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nooooo,

not Bambi!! <sob>

Everyone psyched to see Bambi 2? I know I am.

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if Ted Nugent says

it's ok to hunt as long as you eat it, do you think the hunters ate Bambi's mom?

death to myspace!

by malikot on Jan 28, 2006 2:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

while I'm at it

do you think a vegetarian would eat a Veggie Tales character? Cause they're living, breathing, have souls, etc.?

death to myspace!

by malikot on Jan 28, 2006 2:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude,

it's dangerous! Don't you remember what happened Clint Barmes?!

Damn! Street is so imposing, he even causes the earth itself to freeze in fear! - monkeyball

by Jjjsixsix on Jan 28, 2006 10:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i feel your pain bro

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

don't sweat it

Fanfest is overrated. Who wants to run around the Coliseum, take dugout tours and talk to your favorite A's players?

by Apricot on Jan 28, 2006 1:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

<sob>

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

there there

Here's something to cheer you up.

Best friends forever:

by Apricot on Jan 28, 2006 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That helps.

Except it would be even better if that was a picture of Huston and Rich, best friends forever. Let's see, which one's the hippo and which one's the turtle...

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

booo.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and for you, young man

by Apricot on Jan 28, 2006 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey!

Where did you get that picture from my college graduation?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you graduated college?

you don't look an inch over 4' 6".

by Apricot on Jan 28, 2006 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Disappear for

weeks at a time, swing by just to aggravate me, and then disappear again. Real mature.

I think if I ever met ANers, all these jokes about my height would seem pretty silly. I'm not even 3 feet tall.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aha! No fruit in our diet!

So that's why the link dumps have lacked...um...consistency lately.

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

by McFood on Jan 28, 2006 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh, I've been here.

I've been here all along. <evil laugh>

Dispatcher: We've traced the posts... they're coming from INSIDE YOUR HOME. RUN!

by Apricot on Jan 28, 2006 2:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

from inside your home run?

So the baseballs have been tampered with. I knew it!

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 2:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

is that hair?

or are those 'stink rays' that stick-man is emitting?

"...and in Joe [Blanton]'s case, it's almost like he crammed the whole rookie year in a month, then became a veteran." --Billy Beane

by rungood on Jan 28, 2006 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In fashion news...

I just bought myself the white Bill King T-Shirt and the Green Wear it Tee off of the AN Online Store! Booyah.

by paige20 on Jan 28, 2006 1:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ellis: 2 years, $6 million

The Oakland Athletics signed Mark Ellis to a two-year, $6 million contract Saturday.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ak01eKFFgkOARJugPTvjjCUj0bYF?slug=ap-athletics-ellis&prov= ap&type=lgns

note that the slusser column said "Ellis nears 3-year, $11 million deal"...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 2:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

club option

"Ellis, expected to be Oakland's leadoff hitter after having success there last season, will earn $2.25 million this season and $3.5 million in 2007. The deal includes a $5 million club option for 2008 with a $250,000 buyout."

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh joy! Another player on the verge...

At the going rate, he should be signed by the All Star break.

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

by McFood on Jan 28, 2006 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hah

but no, ellis isn't vergeII, it clearly says that he signed.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 2:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

If I were to guess, Ellis would make 2.5 MM this year, 4-5 MM in arb next year. So this contract gives us about 1 MM in cost certainty while we take on the risk of injury or ineffectiveness. I'll take that every day of the week.

The club option is also a nice touch. The 5 MM is low enough that he's still an attractive trade target - but also low enough that he's a bargain for us if he's hitting 280/360/450 through '08. If not, we decline the option and hope Melillo or Pennington is ready or somebody becomes available via trade or FA.

Good deal.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the option

the buyout is only 250k. that's less than yabu, hatte, etc. right?

i liked the "old" deal.
with both melillo and pennington about two years away, i love this deal.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Kaweah

Garfield wanted me to tell you that techincally, it's a big FAT hairy link dump.

He also wanted me to tell you that he hates Mondays.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jan 28, 2006 2:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

why does garfield hate mondays?

he doesn't even work!

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 2:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is garfield still published?

He's fat and he likes lasagna - I think we all get it now. Was barely funny the first time.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Jan 28, 2006 2:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He also wanted me to tell you

that he hates Sal.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jan 28, 2006 2:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I heard

Monkeyball pooped on him.

"Put a Milo on him." -Billy Beane

by kaweahkaweah on Jan 28, 2006 2:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're not the first

You're not the first to ask that question.

Maddox chimes in on Garfield:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=garfield_sucks

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Jan 28, 2006 6:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I used to like Garfield...

...but it did jump the shark long ago. It was a lot funnier when Garfield usually on all fours, and showed he was a cat trying to be a human. Now he's a small human in a cat suit. Heck, he's more human now than Jon, who's been made so ridiculously dopey that he's just plain annoying. It's sad.

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jan 29, 2006 8:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Garfields talks...Kaweah listens

"Put a Milo on him." -Billy Beane

by kaweahkaweah on Jan 28, 2006 2:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Garfield loves Pookie

and Garfield loves Kaweah. But he still hates Odie.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jan 28, 2006 2:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's another A's fan

with nothing really interesting to dump, aside from being disgruntled... I would really like to be at FanFest, never mind the fact that I live several states away. :( I've been haunting the site all day, but no one's posted any darn stories/pics yet! I suppose they're all off having fun....

* mopes *

The worst thing about censorship is [deleted by censorship bureau.]

by Chavinator on Jan 28, 2006 2:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

disgruntled...

In an email, one of my profs expressed his unhappiness by saying he wasn't very gruntled. I laughed.

(Yes, this is a slow entertainment day. Bleh.)

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

by whiteshoes40 on Jan 28, 2006 2:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

depth

everyone agrees that this a's team is very deep. a few days ago, someone wrote a diary about depth being the new market inefficiency.

that's kind of silly, because depth always has been and always will be important because of the inevitable injuries and players who don't live up to expectations.
surely the real market inefficiency is defense (we have three CFs) and possibly disgruntled players (jose guillen, payton and bradley).

but maybe depth really is even more important now than it has been in the past:

"Scoring dropped 5 percent in the AL and 4 percent in the NL last year, the first season in which first-time steroid offenders drew announced suspensions. It could dip again next season if the new ban on amphetamines causes, as many baseball people speculate, the need to use bench players more often."

i didn't even read the rest of the crappy article, but here it is:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=cnnsi-thebestoffense&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 3:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

sshhh....

don't tell anyone. I'm not supposed to be here. I can't wait for stories/pics. Waiting...and waiting...and I can't even attend the NRAF party. Dangit.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 3:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Cirquegirl, darling

Aren't you supposed to be working?

I remember I have to pick you up shortly....

The worst thing about censorship is [deleted by censorship bureau.]

by Chavinator on Jan 28, 2006 4:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's slow, all right!

It's not MY fault I have nothing to do.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Jan 28, 2006 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

just got back from fanfest

best part??

getting Danny Haren's autograph in the weight room, I asked him if he heeded a spot. he was pretty cool about me just going in there while he was about to work out

"Macha's importance rates somewhere below Street's and above Ginter's" -FreeSeatUpgrade

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Jan 28, 2006 4:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 28, 2006 4:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thomas still topic with World Series champs

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AttRpSFJmE4l7WjS62b4IIsRvLYF?slug=ap-whitesox-thomas&prov= ap&type=lgns

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 28, 2006 5:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs