Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Sounder At Heart for Seattle Sounders Fans!

DLD 10/02/06: Minnesoter

This is the Daily Link Dump.  
Your 2006 AL West Champion Oakland A's are going to Minnesota to play Johan Santana and the Twins.  Be afraid, be very afraid.

There are no links yet, maybe people will post some below.  Or maybe they'll just make inside jokes and post slightly amusing photoshopped images.

Star-divide

Finally, some links...
Fill out this sports census:
http://www.commoncensus.org/sports.php

Only 460 A's fans have participated so far.

This is what the baseball map currently looks like:
http://www.commoncensus.org/maps/mlb_1280.gif


Some old links:

Salary vs. Performance
The A's finish with the fifth best record.

Baseball Race
SPOILER: we win.

0 recs  |  Comment 257 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Christ, what an asshole.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:01 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

More reasons to hate ESPN
More annoying commentary.  Who is this guy anyway?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2006/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=2609911

Repeatedly referring to the A's "weak offense", ignoring that they've had one of the best offenses for the past 3 months.  He also, stupidly, refers to Minnesota as "Cinderella".  They have a better record than the A's, the home field advantage, and by his own account "the three best players in the series".  So what makes them Cinderealla?  How do these guys get jobs writing when their stuff is such nonsense?

by boilerdan on Oct 2, 2006 9:03 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Cinderella = rags to riches
Seems to me the Twinkies overcame a big deficit to pull ahead of Los Tigres and the World Champion White Sox, so I don't see the problem with this metaphor...
It's a beautiful day for baseball.

by As Man on Oct 2, 2006 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cinderella
A description of the soon-to-be-lit pyre that is the Twins' hopes of beating the A's.  Wear it, Twinkies.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't blame you,
Cinderella is pretty obscure stuff.
It's a beautiful day for baseball.

by As Man on Oct 2, 2006 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Olney blog
He doesn't provide a link or anything to substantiate his claim, but he does say that Gardenhire has already said that if the Twins are down 2 games to 1, Santana will start Game 4.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 9:04 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

If there's no link, you're lying.
That's all there is to it.  Sorry.  Next!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, what the hell kind of link dump is this?
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 Oct 2, 2006 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You really need to keep tighter control here.
YOU started it.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tough crowd.
Here's the link, although it's Insider content, so you have to pay for it.  Further, since it's ESPN content, and you live in Oakland, you can only view it from 10AM-1PM.  So you'll need to wait a bit.

Anyway, here's the important part:

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has already made it clear that if the Twins fall behind in the AL Division Series 2 games to 1, he will bring back Johan Santana to pitch Game 4.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the link
Plenty of good stuff in there (I thought). Some team's offense isn't getting ANY respect.  Not saying which one...

by dmcewan on Oct 2, 2006 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

SEE!!!! Gardenhire is AFRAID!!!
Very AFRAID!!!

The Twinks are gonna fry in the Big Hurts Kettle!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 2, 2006 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

LET'S GO OAKLAND!
WOO HOO!!! It's Monday!! And not just any Monday, it's RALLY MONDAY!!!!  

And no, I haven't had any caffeine this morning....

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Oct 2, 2006 9:05 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Fine, I'll say it here, too.
So...the revolution won't be televised?
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:06 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Susan Slusser hearts Mark Ellis...
(oh yeah, and Marco Scutaro, too... but he's on my poop list, so I'm not going to give him any love...)
Ellis is on the verge of setting a record for the best season fielding percentage by a second baseman in major-league history, with a .99680 mark, surpassing Bret Boone's .99671 with Cincinnati in 1997. Ellis has made only two errors all season.

Link.

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:06 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

On the verge?
That means he's dead, doesn't it...  <sob>

By the way, postseason stats don't count towards this record, right? so hasn't it now been set?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Oct 2, 2006 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You must have missed his six-error game
on Sunday.  A real disaster.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

#$^# you!!!!
I just went rushing over to the box score to see if I had somehow missed a bunch of errors...don't do that to me!!!!
There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Oct 2, 2006 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep. :-D
I love MaEl.  Have I ever mentioned that?
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

LMAO
No, he attempted to snub a cute & polite little kid with a mega-autographed ball (kid already had about 20 players on it, and was trying to finish his "autograph roster") -- Marco did sign, but grudgingly.  And he totally ignored the apparently-not-hot-or-young-enough woman who was telling him "congratulations."  Whereas Mark Ellis is very sweet to kids AND to not-hot-or-young-enough women.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

MaEl refused to sign my ball.
Does that mean MaEl just hates me?
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yup.
He signed my ball, but I gotta admit, sharpie comes right off after a few showers.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kruk?
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He REFUSED?!
Don't tell me that.  Was he wasted, too, and cheating on his wife?  And with a ginormous hunk of chew in his lip, as he spat at you and called you names before kicking Mark Kotsay in the nuts?  You might as well disillusion me all at once...  :(
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...
he was on the field playing when I asked him. That could've had something to do with it. :)
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a very poor excuse.
He should have signed the ball before taking it out of his glove, and then flipped it to Swish with instructions to toss it to you as soon as the DP was finished.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He wouldn't take it off for her...
thus Poppy got no HLPoVMC love.

Btw, yesterday I saw what I thought was the final score of the Tiger's game, with the Tiger's winning, and went to bed last night thinking we were going to play the Tigers. I even discovered that my post-season tix had arrived days earlier and were sitting in a pile of old newspapers on the coffee table that my wife was about to throw out. So I joyfully perused my tickets while envisioning how we were going to beat the Tiger's ass. Imagine my horror as I logged on minutes ago to find out we're going to play the Twins in the Shitty Dome. So I've got a little open letter/rant I like send to the Tigers:

Dear Motor City Kitties,

You SUCK! Ass. Please pound the Skanks.

Love, McFood

 

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah.
We were driving home from SoCal, and stopped for lunch while the Tigers & Royals were in about the 10 inning.  Came out of the restaurant, started the car just in time to hear Ken Korach say "So it'll be Zito vs. Santana on Tuesday..."

Mr. Poppy goes, "Santana?  But he's...  isn't he..."

Me:  "The TWINS' ace?  YES! YES, HE IS, DAMN IT!"

{cries}

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nothing he did.
I just hate Swedes.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

we are the definite underdogs
every article i've read about the A's/ twins matchup says the twins are going to win the series! =P

by gotgreen on Oct 2, 2006 9:18 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Woo hoo!
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure.
But I know if RNA interference occurs, you move on to DNA at your own peril.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

bwahahahaha!!!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, lord.
It must be October!
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

controversial, i hear
apparently it was discovered in plants like fifteen years ago, and in worms by some dude at harvard.  there are a lot of unhappy nerds out there right now...
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 Oct 2, 2006 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting.
My take on is that Mello is only about +2 Armor, so I don't think he would have been able to take the damage of not winning.  Fire has a lot HPs, so he woulda been ok...
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

cool
Fire only joined Stanford recently. I think he was at Carnegie Melon before. He kind of looks like the guy from those Apple commercials and the Daily Show
I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Oct 2, 2006 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mello & Fire
My uncle Gus played marimbas for them in the '70s.
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

interesting
by intercepting genes, it silences expression of it, thus it doesn't produce undesired results.  i think it's great for viruses because a virus is just DNA that infects a host, hijacks it's ability to reproduce/produce DNA/proteins.  which in turns affects your body to unnormal level.  basically, you can't build a car unless you got the engine for it to run.
"my swagger is mick jagger" - ghostface

by ucla kid on Oct 2, 2006 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Better living through small sample size
Or perhaps "bettor" living.  Billy Beane once again turns to the gambling tables for this year's playoff analogy.  From Suchon's piece in today's Trib:  "It becomes five hands of blackjack," Beane said of the best-of-5 division series..."There's no sense counting cards. You're at the mercy (of the cards). A great blackjack player wants to play a lot of hands. If you only play five, you won't find out who is the best player."

He's wrong about counting cards...you should always do it, because even a tiny edge is better than none at all.  Making the mathematically correct bet and play decisions always helps, whether five hands or five hundred thousand.  It just doesn't guarantee you anything, and the fewer hands you play, the more variance trumps skill.  Perhaps this time it'll be our Aces that carry the day.

The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 9:24 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe the gambling metaphors...
...are just Billy's cry for help.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe trading for Kendall
was Billy's cry for help.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, you're just in top form today...
Have you also had too much caffeine?
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

from that article
about not panicking even when the A's were at their rock-bottom point:
"We won the division, and we got to go to Germany," Beane said. "I don't even know if I raised my voice this year. Now if this was my first year as GM, when I wasn't Gandhi, it would be different. Now that I'm Gandhi, I just fast."

haha.

by gotgreen on Oct 2, 2006 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

strange coincidence
october 2 is gandhi's birthday.  i only know this because it's also my dad's birthday.  

other birthdays: sting, groucho marx, and richard III.  my kingdom for a playoff win.

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 Oct 2, 2006 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Notable October 1st Birthdays:
Jimmy Carter.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well then, it's a good thing the revolution
will not be televised, because the revolution is unnecessary:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6281085/

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 Oct 2, 2006 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gandhi?
Wasn't he the bullpen catcher for the Indians?
the home run that Eric Chavez did was tight. Sprots4Kids quote

by Satchmo22 on Oct 2, 2006 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Um... wow.
I had no idea Gandhi had been such a hardcore baseball fan.  Is that what that was all about?!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That kinda pissed off a couple of readers, eh?
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I, for one, would love to see
a film about Abraham Lincoln playing kabbadi.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, it would be more entertaining...
...if played by F.D. Roosevelt.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Excellent!
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well-
The article says:

"But, as a person with a great sense of humour, he probably would also have enjoyed the spoof."

I think he would have been more confused than amused.

by mikeA on Oct 2, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Minnesoter?
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 9:42 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

LMAO
That baby is the best! Here we come Twinkies!

by Amnesiac727 on Oct 2, 2006 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Howard Dean is kind of like Reggie
On "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" George Will compared the fighting among Howard Dean and some of the Democratic leadership about how to distribute money for the upcoming election to the A's:

"Back in the 1970's when the Oakland A's were a dynasty they used to punch each other out on the team bus, but it was on the field that mattered...and they were good."

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Oct 2, 2006 9:43 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Our quarter is cooler than their quarter
But not by much...I'm not a big fan of the kitchen sink approach (most heinously practiced by Florida).  I prefer the simple elegance of Iowa or Connecticut.


The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 9:44 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

seconds later
john muir was decapitated by that bird.
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 Oct 2, 2006 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoa!
Half Dome has grown a lot since then!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

so has minnesota
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 Oct 2, 2006 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks to the comic stylings of Garrison Keillor
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who's sort of an A's fan, BTW
"The theme of the day is murky." -- Ken Macha, August 11, 2006

by Englishmajor on Oct 2, 2006 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, no, no.
John Muir was a GIANT.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

(actually, seeing as how he's
a free agent well over a hundred years old, he might be a Giant again soon.)
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

<paroxysms of suppressed FSU laughter
shake cubical walls.>
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

John Muir was Paul Bunyan!
Where's Babe?  Is there a giant blue casserole somewhere?
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's it!
To gain the confidence needed to win this series the A's should stick the Minnesota state quarter up their ass.
I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Oct 2, 2006 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

OT- Sad.
NICKEL MINES, Pa. - A gunman killed "a number" of people at a one-room Amish schoolhouse Monday in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, state police said. The shooter was among the dead, state police Cpl. Ralph Striebig said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15105327/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061002/ap_on_re_us/amish_school_shooting

"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 9:55 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Booo!
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gee...
What did the Amish do to you?
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amish ... Swedish ...
That bigot Sal can't tell the difference.
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

it seems like they
were raising a ruckus, no wait it seems to have been a barn.
the home run that Eric Chavez did was tight. Sprots4Kids quote

by Satchmo22 on Oct 2, 2006 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whee!
I just bought tickets to Game 2 or 4 of the ALCS. We better be in it.

I'm so happy right now, I won't even complain about the fact that MLB charged me five bucks to use my own paper and ink to print out the tickets.

Woo-hoo!

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Oct 2, 2006 10:00 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I've got 2 each
For games 1 (or 3) & 2 (or 4).  Hope we make it and face the Tigers!
We can be considered David, David knocks out Goliath. -Eric Chavez PT-42

by norcaldevilasu on Oct 2, 2006 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did anybody else notice that
"casey at the bat" bears more than a passing resemblance to our erstwhile flip-flopper?
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 10:01 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Re-emerging like a phoenix?
And will our Joy:Mudville ratio improve or decline as a result?
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is great science:
I was sad to see Oaktoon go, but my real feelings are reflected in the fact that phoenix and "casey-at-the-bat" both quickly got on my nerves.

by mikeA on Oct 2, 2006 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

aah, so it's sauerbeck!
there's always one guy every season that talks to the media about some kind of issue with macha.
Sauerbeck sour: Reliever Scott Sauerbeck was not happy with the way the news that he won't be traveling for the postseason was delivered Saturday and he was still fuming about it Sunday.

"I was sitting in the locker room, in front of other players, and instead of asking me to come into his office or talking to me in private, (manager Ken Macha) just blurted it out, 'Hey, here's a head's-up, you're not on the roster, you're not traveling,' '' Sauerbeck said. "After (playing in the majors) seven years, you'd think I deserved a little better than that. Not even a 'Thanks for everything.' I thought that was unprofessional.''

When Sauerbeck was asked to warm up to come into the game Saturday, he declined, citing the fact that he hadn't pitched in a week. He said he wouldn't be available to pitch Sunday, either.

As far as Sauerbeck's feelings being ruffled, Macha said, "Frankly, right now, that's not an issue as far as I'm concerned.''

link

by gotgreen on Oct 2, 2006 10:02 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Was it professional when...
the cops found him hiding in the bushes with a woman who wasn't his wife?
Like Lazarus, the A's offense has awakened from the dead!!- Bill King

by Floridafan on Oct 2, 2006 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dumbass.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

<snerk>
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow.
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously.
Maybe if you combed your hair once in a while and wiped that creepy smile off your face, players would sign autographs for you.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't help the hair thing.
I straightened it before I left! It was humid... a little rainy. That stuff cannot be controlled in those conditions.
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He refused to warm up?
"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Oct 2, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

warm up?
would it have mattered?
the home run that Eric Chavez did was tight. Sprots4Kids quote

by Satchmo22 on Oct 2, 2006 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The breakfast of champions!
Or of guys who are being left behind while their teammates go on to become champions, or something.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unprofessional, yes..
I agree - if things in fact went down as they did, it was unprofessional for Macha.  Then again, his public reaction to it is probably just as unprofessional as well.

by spiffyjwc on Oct 2, 2006 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree completely.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is your 2nd warning, jeepers.
You need to include a link that demonstrates your agreement.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does this count?
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

NO, and it's creepy as hell!
Make it go away!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't look at the baby
without laughing hysterically.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had the same problem with my son.
That might explain a few things...
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure.
It does kind of look like him.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Looks like Jimmy Fallon to me.
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, here's a head's-up, jeepers
Blez isn't going to let you post during the playoffs.

If you want, you can get some Anaheim Fall League work in over at HH.

but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought it was a back issue?
Reliever Justin Duchscherer has had stomach trouble, probably the result of something he ate, he said. He was feeling a little better Sunday.

And this little beauty:

Huston Street blew his third save opportunity in four chances, but like Harden, Street was mainly concerned about preparing for the playoffs, throwing his fastball more than usual. The closer was unavailable the previous night because of muscle aches, but, he said, "It wasn't a big deal. Just some dehydration, some sort of flu thing."

(Emphasis mine)

Yeah, bottle flu, ya lush.

"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aw Crap!
If Duke and Street have what I have, then this is bad.

by Zonis on Oct 2, 2006 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chronic insanity?
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Colonic insanity ?
"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 2, 2006 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cotronic inanity?
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Catatonic Intensity?
"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 2, 2006 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quit bragging.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Caloric Insatiability?
"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 2, 2006 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

so that means
we're relying on joe k and halsey to essentially win the series for us, since there is going to come a 2 out situation with morneau up and men on where a rbi double gives the twins the game and an out saves us a win.  now, sauerbeck is obviously an asshat, but he does make some potent lefties look like fools at the plate.

by Backspin on Oct 2, 2006 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

no halsey either
Beane confirmed that some of the relievers who won't be on the Division Series roster will go to Arizona to get work in instructional-league games so they can be sharp if needed for the second round. It was reliever Jay Witasick's idea; he's heading to Arizona, as is left-hander Brad Halsey.

by gotgreen on Oct 2, 2006 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thats it
sauerbeck...zing! gone this off season!

by Amnesiac727 on Oct 2, 2006 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He makes other ones
look like fools as they circle the bases.
Certum est quod certum reddi potest.

by oblique on Oct 2, 2006 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

what exactly was macha supposed
to thank sauerbeck for?
"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Oct 2, 2006 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Making Halsey
look like Johan Santana.

by sslinger on Oct 2, 2006 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How many flies does it take to screw in a litebulb
Two.  The question is, how'd they get in there?
Certum est quod certum reddi potest.

by oblique on Oct 2, 2006 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a
light bulb?

Just one, but the light bulb has to want to change.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

A's are the sleepr pick,
according to Mark Simon at ESPN.  What they don't mention is that their fans are also "sleepers," in the sense that they'll be asleep when the games start.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 10:13 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

sleepers
Given his yoyo-riffic mood swings, could oaktoon/phoenix be considered a "sleeper"?
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This morning's conspiracy theory
Is anyone else worried that the Marge Gunderson sound-alike who does the AAAAA Rent-A-Space voiceovers is a mole in the employ of the Twins?
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 10:15 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

It's part of a nefarious scheme
My sources tell me that a deal has been struck to turn the Metrodome into a AAAAA storage facility when the Twins' new park opens in a few years.  Unlikely perhaps, but look at the place...it was built to be a storage locker from day one.
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

1st time.
this is the first series since the '00 gil heredia series that im really not expecting to win.  not being negative, just agree with everything blez stated on the front page in the breakdown.

but, seeing as how we didnt win any of those series, maybe the tables will turn now that the pressure is ALL on minnesota to win.

by the stare on Oct 2, 2006 10:35 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

pressure
It's certainly on the Twins to win Game 1.

I'm with you on the expectations, but I also think that if we can somehow steal Game 1, the Twins may just collapse entirely.

but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Twins' fans are not overconfident
At least some of those commenting on this blog (which seems to be the best of the Twins blogs, more highly trafficked than the SB Nation one alas)

http://www.bat-girl.com/archives/001726.php#more

"The theme of the day is murky." -- Ken Macha, August 11, 2006

by Englishmajor on Oct 2, 2006 11:18 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I do like the batgirl
"I know we have a postseason to play now, I know it all starts again, I know Johan is tired and Boof is slightly less on fire and Radke may have to pitch with his left arm and you never know which Silva you're going to get, I know all of that, and no matter what happens, I don't want anyone to forget this moment. We could win the World Series, we could be knocked out in three games, but nothing can take this away."
Squeak!

by ArakSOT on Oct 2, 2006 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bat Girl
rocks.
Nothing says fun like Premium Meat!

by lurkerD on Oct 2, 2006 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Our batgirl > their bat girl.
Bu theirs is good too.
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

aw shucks!
You're making me blush.  We're special in our own ways.
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

{sends up a flare}
Did you get my email last week?
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sign her up
Blez may have to bump up the word count payola to a dime a word though.
"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live" --Charles Bukowski

by eshock on Oct 2, 2006 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They get paid?
Man, I would do it for free! <hint hint, wink wink>

by Amnesiac727 on Oct 2, 2006 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyone else....
Wearing that ugly Zito tie to work tomorrow?
"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch." - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Oct 2, 2006 11:25 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

...or as a headband?
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Oct 2, 2006 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

tourniquet
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So...
...my boss just told me to stay home tomorrow morning, but I'm having second thoughts. It's a little creepy to stay home to watch daytime TV, isn't it, unless, of course, you're sick.

I associate staying home and watching TV on a weekday with being sick. I don't want to be sick during the game, at least, not unless things go horribly awry.

I'm thinking it might be better mojo to go to work, not be able to see it, follow with AN, and then be sorry later about what an AWESOME game I missed.

I need more sleep.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 11:25 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Well, I am sick
so I can watch the game for you.

by Zonis on Oct 2, 2006 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't stay home...
Go to a SPORTS BAR to watch the game!!!
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

zackly
This morning I gave my boss my playoff hours.
the home run that Eric Chavez did was tight. Sprots4Kids quote

by Satchmo22 on Oct 2, 2006 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Break into one!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, bars aren't open.
Only strip clubs are...and if I think it's creepy to stay home and watch...
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

LMAO
Oh, come on.  Ask them to put a TV on a pole, and you can tape some dollar bills to it...
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It would be apropos.
We're playing the Twins, after all.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, BBG...
Here's a couple ideas:
  1. Try the bar at a really nice hotel. They might be open early.
  2. Try the sports bars at Santa Anita or Hollywood Park. (Call to make sure they're open first.)
Caramel Apple

by Ice Cream on Oct 2, 2006 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There you go with actual *suggestions*.
Thanks a lot.  Can't you tell we're trying joke around uselessly here?  Geez.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just watch it, sister.
I know where you're sittin' Friday!

(Mrs. Ice Cream and I will stop by to say HI. :))

Caramel Apple

by Ice Cream on Oct 2, 2006 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yay! :-D
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You got tix? Great!
Now who's going to watch our kids?
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Too bad the kids don't have any aunts or uncles
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The bar near my house opens at 6:00 AM
And it has customers at that time! Gotta love Park Street.
"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Oct 2, 2006 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There are a few of those in Oakland.
Especially near the waterfront--they cater to people who work the night shift.  So, their 6AM is like most peoples' 6PM.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Like the Aloha Club on Fruitvale
Which seems to be doing a roaring business at 6:00 AM. They have a sign that proclaims "The longest bar and the coldest beer in town." The longest-bar part sounds fine, but there's a limit to how cold beer oughta be; I picture slabs of frozen beer being chopped off a block with a Trotsky-style ice pick.

However, the Alameda bar to which I was referring does not cater to the working-the-night-shift crowd at 6:00 AM. It's more the recently-paroled/up-all-night crowd.

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

by AlamedaAphid on Oct 2, 2006 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

"recently-paroled/up-all-night crowd."
WhoooHoo!  I'm in!  -Kruk
"so... I'll take that as 'none of your business'" ~ ArakSOT

by eamb on Oct 2, 2006 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who's wearing A's gear all this week?
I know I am!
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Oct 2, 2006 11:27 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

None, but...
I'll be wearing my lucky Mighty Mouse underwear!
"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 2, 2006 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oooh good idea.
I think I'll wear underwear this week, too.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

are you trying to say
that Salb is really the Hentai Kamen?

by Zonis on Oct 2, 2006 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How's it hanging, bra'?
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why mess with a good thing now?
If your going commando has gotten us to the playoffs, I must insist that you not tamper with any positive luck.
Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Oct 2, 2006 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

after what I've done to his pants ...
... I would think that Sal would have learned by now to never go commando in his own pants ...
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Poppy, how is it that you have season tix in 217
yet your playoff tix are 213? I just put down a deposit for season tix next year in Plaza Infield, requested something in 215-217 and got 217 playoff tix. I would think you had priority.

Anybody else going to be in 217?

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 12:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

214
hmm..i normally sit in 219 during the season.  i bought my playoff tickets a few days after they went on sale to season ticket holders and was told 214 was the best they had available in the plaza section..

by beijing on Oct 2, 2006 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm 215, actually...
213 row 12 is what they automatically offered me.  Maybe they analyze buying patterns?  I'm incredibly, incredibly, incredibly picky when I trade my regular tickets or buy tickets for non-plan games... I specifically want row 12 in Plaza Infield sections, preferably between 211-224 (especially preferably on the 1st base side) and excluding 210, 217 and 221 -- row 12 is the very back row in all but those three; and on the 1B side, most of the sections are in front of the West Side Club, whose windows don't open (unlike suites).  Because I hate listening to people yammering right behind my head for 3 hours about their gallstones or whatever.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

BY THE WAY, McFood...
Do you still want my extra poker set, or did you end up getting one yourself?
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me no get, me want. Me thankee you and Mr. Pop Pee
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, come find us on Friday... :)
I'll just look weird carrying a giveaway item INTO the stadium...  LOL

Then again, I discovered after getting home on 9/23 that I still had an exacto knife right at the top of my purse (after Security had "checked"), which I had meant to leave in my car after the card-making party.  So, if anyone ever wants to take an exacto knife into the ballpark for no apparent reason, now you know you can.

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okely dokely, neighbor. Thanks!
So, we're in 217 row 15, does that mean we're in front of an open window? Because if I have to listen to gall stone talk all night, I just might need to borrow your exacto knife and do a little 'surgery' myself.
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, 217 row 15 means...
...you're in front of about five other rows of people.  Which is a lot like being in front of a suite with an open window, plus getting periodically kneed in the back.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

errrrr, back of the HEAD, I mean.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rally?
Anyone going to the Rally? I looked for a mention in other links but couldn't find anything.

by McBricks on Oct 2, 2006 12:22 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope they spoke loudly into his good ear...
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quotes from Baseball Prospectus
Swisher likes wholesome women!

"I'm going to say L.A., but Kansas City is up there. Good, wholesome women. After that, probably New York."
--A's OF Nick Swisher, on where the best "talent" in the majors is (ESPN The Magazine)

Zito will stick with his sweetheart.

"I don't change things for the playoffs. That's like taking your sweetheart to the prom--knowing you're going to get lucky--then taking a run at the hot chick. Chances are, it won't work."
--A's pitcher Barry Zito (ESPN The Magazine)

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5575&PHPSESSID=4c5aa1993d06dd07671cf8313 b87ea51

by Philip Christy on Oct 2, 2006 12:37 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

hot chicks are a crapshoot
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe if you didn't shoot all that crap at them
you'd have better luck.
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It works much better
if your sweetheart is the hot chick.

As for Swish ... I'd tell him that the 'I like you, you're wholesome' line doesn't work very well with women ...

unless you're Swish, in which case, you can probably say things like 'you're cute, you remind me of monkeyball' and the women will still swoon over you.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 2, 2006 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How does he define "wholesome"
"wholesome" = a good, nice girl
"wholesome" = corn-fed
"wholesome" = <wink, wink> wholesome <this image has been censored>
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

"She bakes great cookies."
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You mean like Paul "Cornfed" Schnieder?
"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Oct 2, 2006 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's hawt.
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Christ, what an asshole.
I love that Firefox now auto-completes that for me.
Certum est quod certum reddi potest.

by oblique on Oct 2, 2006 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

fill out the survey at the top of the page
come on people, we're at 482, that means only 22 of you have filled it 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 Oct 2, 2006 12:48 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

congress passes online gaming law

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=akHqMtqYNtcI&refer=europe

this better not apply to tradesports, which is a "prediction trading exchange"...

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 Oct 2, 2006 1:25 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

MLB.com's Jim Molony, however...
...does not heart Mark Ellis.  Or much else about the A's.

Fine.

Let him make bad comparisons, see if I care.

SECOND BASE   EDGE: TWINS

Mark Ellis has the range and defensive skills one would expect from a converted shortstop, and while a broken thumb limited Ellis to one game in June, he has come back strong and was one of Oakland's hottest hitters in September. Ellis has a little power and gets on base often enough to make the bottom of the Oakland lineup better than most.

Luis Castillo has been a very nice addition for the Twins, both in the lineup and in the field. He's regained his edge on the basepath and has shown why he was such a dangerous hitter with the Marlins.

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 1:42 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Jim Molony neglected to rate starting pitching.
But if he had, he'd probably assume up to 5 starts in a row out of Santana, and rate them as better. Also, what does it mean that "this is a typically alert, agressive Twins team"? Makes no sense...

by hunter on Oct 2, 2006 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oakland HF Advantage:
"The noise factors at Oakland include the drum beaters in the left-field bleachers and a banjo player that roams through the upper deck with an A's cape chanting, "We're No. 1." The stadium has a lot of open area, but it can still get loud. Many fans in the left-field and right-field bleachers also wave Oakland flags throughout the game."

From MLB.Com!!! Holy Tish!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 2, 2006 1:44 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

"drum beaters"
I'm sorry, putting it that way makes it sound like you guys are just making any old random drummy noise.  They should put up a pic of Duke's drum, and some mp3's...
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

HAHAHA!!!
Now that would be pretty crazy!!
"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 2, 2006 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Saw you guys - twice - on TWIB
It's funny to be watching national TV and saying to yourself "Oh, look. Duke and Saint."
Squeak!

by ArakSOT on Oct 2, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I saw that on TWIB as well:
Being that I've been watching that show since I was a kid...I just smiled.. :)

I am waiting for the download to be available so that I can save it in my archives.

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 2, 2006 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's really, really funny...
to be hiding in the bushes across the street from Saint's place and be looking through the window with nightscope binoculars and say to yourself "Oh, look. Duke and Saint."
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Was that YOU!!!???
The Future Mrs. Saint made me turn off the lights the other night because, "People were watching"!!!

man, living in a bubble stinks!!! ;)

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 2, 2006 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Try to cut back on the nachos...
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But those super nachos with beef:
Are second only to the BIG chili Cheese Dog!!!
"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 2, 2006 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

RIGHT FIELD SUCKS!!!!!!!! :-)
Man, I miss the Coliseum. Wish you could've made it down last weekend.
Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"
*Magic #: ZERO!*

by JLaff on Oct 2, 2006 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you guys haven't already
Check out Blez's analysis over at deadspin.

http://www.deadspin.com/sports/baseball/where-my-team-stands-oakland-as-204539.php

I'd say he represents us quite well on what is quite likely sports blogging's premiere forum. At least in terms of visibility/notoriety.

there's simply no club like the white elephant club

by walk off bunt on Oct 2, 2006 1:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

And conversely
the ehcanap of the Cardinal's representative

http://www.deadspin.com/sports/baseball/where-my-team-stands-st-louis-cardinals-204527.php

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 2, 2006 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

A 34-cent stamp?
This DLD might be returned due to insufficient postage...
Rap Cat!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 2, 2006 1:52 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

mallard
-Hautman's blue-winged teal got the 29-cent. People don't much use the three-cent.
-Oh, for Pete's sake. Of course they do. Whenever they raise the postage, people need the little stamps.
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 Oct 2, 2006 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sitting ducks
I see Boof Bonser in the Steve Buscemi role, fed into the wood chipper of A's bats.  Ron Gardenhire is Jerry Lundegaard, of course, destined to be hauled out in his underwear from the depressed seclusion of his anonymous South Dakota hotel room (read: Coliseum visiting manager's office).  Cold and scary Johan Santana gets the Gaear Grimsrud role, a presence so terrifying it can only be thwarted by the unabashed sweetness of Marge Gunderson...played in this series by Ken Macha.
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and Face-Lick Girl plays both Brainerd sluts
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

scott saurbeck
can play the bratty son.
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 Oct 2, 2006 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

monkeyball as the parking lot attendent.
McFood as Jerry Lundergaarde's ice scraper.

Salb918 as Francis McDermot's character's unborn baby.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The ones who dropped?
From White Bear Lake?
"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Oct 2, 2006 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tony Gwynn not as lenient as Blez
Big Padre gives the Twins a 5-1 edge in various categories, but still thinks our gritty A's will stretch it to 5 games. Also, he likes our depth vs. the probably best pitcher on this planet.
Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"
*Magic #: ZERO!*

by JLaff on Oct 2, 2006 1:58 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Gary Gillette likes us
SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:59 PM ET ) Okay. Since so many have asked for my picks, I'll give them before signing off.

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (5:00 PM ET ) SD over STL.
NY over LA.
NY over DET.
OAK over MIN.

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (5:00 PM ET ) Then OAK over NY in the AL and NY over SD in the NL.

Chicks dig Moneyball.

by Kelly on Oct 2, 2006 2:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

He also agrees that what we all know sucks...
...does indeed suck.

Keith (New York): Why are the Twins A's games all scheduled for the middle of the day? Surely Yankee's fans can't have that much of an influence, can they?

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:02 PM ET ) Keith, that is the choice of the networks, who love to feature the glamor teams from New York, Boston, and LA and would gladly ignore half of MLB.

SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:03 PM ET ) I think it stinks, but when you're paying someone hundreds of millions of dollars per year, you call the shots. That's the way it works, which basically allows TV to bury any Divisional Series it thinks won't draw good ratings.

Chicks dig Moneyball.

by Kelly on Oct 2, 2006 2:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

On principle, if I were a Nielson household
I'd boycott the NY series in a feeble attempt to make a point.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 2, 2006 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even the computers hate us!
Diamond Mind ran 100 simulations to make its own predictions. DMB's Tippett noted that 100 simulations would help smooth out any unusual results that might emerge if only a few runs were done, thus revealing the team that truly looks best, at least on paper. My predictions and DMB's were made completely independently of each other. The result? Turns out they picked all three series exactly the way I did, with the Twins eventually knocking off the Yankees to claim the pennant.

That kind of consensus scares me more than a little. Still, here's what Diamond Mind found.

In the Oakland-Minnesota division series, the Twins won 75 times, the A's 25 times. The most common result was Minnesota in 5 (33 times). In the Detroit-New York division series, the Yankees won 67 times, the Tigers 33 times. The most common result was a New York series win in 4.

Overall, Minnesota won the ALCS 43 times, followed by New York with 36, Detroit 14 and Oakland 7. When the Twins faced the Yankees, Minnesota won 27 times, New York 26. Minnesota over New York in a hotly-contested seven-game series was the most common occurrence.

link  (HT: Primer)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 2, 2006 2:11 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's all boycott them!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No!
Let's crush the Twins, taunt the computers, and then create a crippling virus that makes them predict the Brewers!

by mikeA on Oct 2, 2006 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

what if the games were played
at enron field instead of the metrodome?
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 Oct 2, 2006 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We don't need another hero...
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond the Shittydome
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I miss Sharon.
"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 2:37 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

work on your aim
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 2, 2006 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

QOTM...yawn.
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's see...
...if our boys can give everyone a nice big shit sandwich.

I'm tired of hearing all the "experts" saying we don't have a chance.  

The Twins may be, and probably are better, but baseball has got to even out at some point.  And no team has gotten douched with the frequency of our A's.  Let's make this the year when someone else has the fluke-ridden collapse.  We've paid our dues and can't witness another A's flame out.  Simly can't happen.

by the stare on Oct 2, 2006 2:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

100 reasons
Here are the ESPN Page 2 editors' 100 reasons you'll love these playoffs.

Notable Oakland mentions include Zito's curve, Chavvy's D, Kielty's hair, and the A's Game 5 Agonistes.  

The best line?  #61:  Coming to the conclusion that if Nick Swisher were an adult film star his stage name would be ... Nick Swisher.

(somehow these "editors" neglected to hattip AN for that one).

The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 2, 2006 4:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

HA!
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another good one
46. Tim McCarver talking about David Eckstein's "grit, hustle, heart, determination and hustle."
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That reminds me...
I really need to slap some grit between my some of the tiles in my bathroom.  They're coming undone.
"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 2, 2006 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rub some grit on it!
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ha! That is Awesome!
Yay PORN!
"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 2, 2006 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This Link Dump is now CLOSED
Please exit in an orderly fashion and go to the 10/03/06 Link Dump...

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/10/3/105832/535

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 Oct 3, 2006 8:17 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

And go recommend it!
And unrecommend this one!
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 3, 2006 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Christ, what an xassholex!
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Oakland Athletics.

Community Guidelines ANcillary Terms
Start posting about the Athletics »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Ph3spec_small
Having fun with Pythagoras, or, who got lucky during 2009
Dsc00764_small
DLD - 11/07/2009 - How to Keep Yourself Occupied in the Off-Season
527918550406_0_bg_small
2010 Off-Season Blueprint
Depaulbluedemons_small
Community Prospect List #15
Super_grover_small
2010 Offseason Primer

Recent FanPosts

Bill_king_small
AFL Rising Stars Showcase Tonight on MLBN @ 5PM
Me_at_att_park_small
Greener Grass, Episode 4: The Biggest Off Season (Potential) Decision Doesn't Involve Free Agents
Oaklandathletics_small
Hardy to Minnesota. What's with the early offseason trades?
Tyler_at_maya_school_small
Happy 6th Birthday, AN!
Oaklandathletics_small
facebook Members: Keep the A's in OAKLAND
Bill_king_small
Organizational Statistics: Winter Leagues

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS


Managers

Tyler_at_maya_school_small Tyler Bleszinski

08-_the_author_small 67MARQUEZ

Baseball_small baseballgirl

Poochini-butt_in_box_2_small Nico

As_kings_cal_small louismg

Editors

Countdown_small Taj Adib

Ziegler160px_small Flashfire

527918550406_0_bg_small notsellingjeans