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Hurtin' the Twinkies

Maya_papi_tiny by Tyler Bleszinski on in News

I really, really love Frank Thomas.  The A's won this game on the shoulders of Frank Thomas.  And I won't speculate that Big Hurt was motivated a bit by Cuddyer trying to throw him out at first when he singled to right.  You could see Hurt's annoyance all over his face.

In the past, a gaffe like Bradley's in the ninth might've cost the A's, but the A's have never had a player like Frank Thomas.

But it didn't.  Zito went eight strong innings and was helped by the Twins being really aggressive.  It wasn't like he was missing bats (only one strikeout in eight innings).  I still think it was a mistake leaving Zito out there for the eighth inning unless Duchscherer wasn't 100 percent healthy.  I mean you have one of the best bullpens in the majors, why not take advantage of it?  To me, that was a managerial mistake that the A's survived.  The good news is that the A's were able to work through it.

So the A's now won game one against the best pitcher in baseball.  Zito was good and worked through a game in which he didn't have his best stuff.  The Twins didn't look like an experienced team, especially Bartlett who had an error and had a baserunning mistake.

The lingering question I have is, should the Twins have pitched to Frank Thomas?  Especially in the ninth like that with no one on base?  If I'm the manager, I might take my chances with the rest of the A's order today who largely looked clueless (especially Chavez and Kendall).  Well, everyone except Scoot who also doubled home a huge run.  I think both the managers made mistakes today.  Yes, you pitch to Thomas with Santana, but I think you give him the old unintentional intentional if you need to.

The series now sets up very nicely, and the luxury the A's have is that even if Loaiza can't get something done tomorrow, the A's then have Haren and Harden looming large in Oakland.

The A's have been here before.  1-0 should be a big advantage especially with the Santana game out of the way.  We'll see if 2006 truly is a different team than in seasons past.

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YESSSSSSSSSS
What a beautiful, beautiful win. I skipped all my classes today to watch it and it was so, so worth it. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
there's simply no club like the white elephant club

by walk off bunt on Oct 3, 2006 12:49 PM PDT reply actions  

I quit my crappy job to watch the game today!
And boy, I am sure glad they won.

Thank God I have another job lined up!

I would hate to quit that one too just to see Zito win another!

I wonder what people think of my diary blog post now....

GO A'S!!!

I knew that they would be ok..

by Sheldon72 on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

same here
i also ditched classes to watch the a's, and i'm very happy with what they saw, talk about being in the driver's seat!

by raulhukilledu on Oct 3, 2006 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Don't expect Gardenhire to pitch
to Frank in Game 2.  He may want to watch out for Marco's (bloop) hits as well.
"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live" --Charles Bukowski

by eshock on Oct 3, 2006 12:49 PM PDT reply actions  

The "Bonds treatment" starts tomorrow.
We will need Bradley, Chavy, Swisher or someone else step up for the rest of the series to keep it going.
"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 3, 2006 12:49 PM PDT reply actions  

absosmurfly, jeepers
Especially Bradley -- and, I'd add, K&K. It's really important that the guys in front of Frank get on.
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

but
but the A's have never had a player like Frank Thomas.

How quickly we forget Reggie Jackson :-)

by matthias on Oct 3, 2006 12:50 PM PDT reply actions  

My sentiments, EXACTLY!
Reggie was exactly that sort of player. But you have to forgive Blez, that was a bit before his time as an A's fan.

The line drive that Scutaro hit straight to CF with the bases loaded that would have blown it open, plus the ball that Uncle Milty lost in the 9th, had me fearing we'd again be victims of bad/weird luck. Maybe it's our turn to benefit this year.

Also, the last out from Zito, the line drive to right that Payton caught, would have fallen in on Kielty, thus allowing the Twins to tie the game. We were fortunate on that one.

"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

scoot had made up for
that earlier plus he was hitting ball against santana

by smasfan on Oct 3, 2006 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

well, most of us were too hopped up
on amyl and disco music to remember the 70s...

</tobias>

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 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

More Hendrix than Beegees
And more acid than amyls.  Studio 54 wasn't even a twinkle on Steve Rubbell's nose when Reggie and the Swinging A's were ruling the land.
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 3, 2006 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

just looking for an excuse to quote AD, jeez...
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 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Play that Funke music,
__ boy.  I missed the ref first time around.
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 3, 2006 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

i disagree slightly
if we don't win tomorrow's game, then today's win means less.  we must win tomorrow and let haren/harden bring us home in game 3 or game 4.  we must keep the pedal down and hammer the Twins.

by stm72 on Oct 3, 2006 12:50 PM PDT reply actions  

Twins are against the ropes!
Gotta keep the pressure on.  Let's hope that the A's offense can put up early runs and Loaiza and the bullpen can shut down the Twins offense again.  That will not be an easy task!

Go Oakland!!!!!

by NorthDakotaOaklandFan on Oct 3, 2006 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Unreal...
I gotta say I have never held my breath more than this game. Pure insanity. Loving it and loving that I took a half day to watch this spectacular.
"Christ, evidentally I played against Swisher in '02 when he was at OSU and Granderson when he was at Illinois-Chicago."

by compy75 on Oct 3, 2006 12:50 PM PDT reply actions  

I'm remembering
how good we felt after Game 1 earlier this decade.  We really need to win the clinching game.  If we take this series, I will consider the season a resounding success.
"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live" --Charles Bukowski

by eshock on Oct 3, 2006 12:50 PM PDT reply actions  

I'd feel better with a 2-0 lead
Minnesoter is good enough to work a split in Oakland, and I still want no part of going back to the dome.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 3, 2006 12:51 PM PDT reply actions  

we've only played 1 game
how can we have a 2-0 lead?  and i'd feel better with a 3-0 lead.

by methodrampage on Oct 3, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

Seriously...
Can't get anything done while the A's are playing.  The only time the A's didn't have my entire focus was when I was on the phone.  I hurried through all the calls.  Felt like screaming at the callers.  "Dude!  I'm trying to listen to the A's game, here!  Shut up already!"

by AsGirl on Oct 3, 2006 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

I did that too.
I think I had three calls on hold when the A's had the bases loaded.  Too bad, don't call me when they're playing!  Geesh!
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." -- Connie Mack

by GreenSocks on Oct 3, 2006 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

Back in the '90s
I took a phone call from a sales guy - he asked if life insurance was important to me. I told him at that moment the baseball playoffs were important, and then asked why he was calling in the middle of the game.

It was a brief conversation.

"I realize that I'm generalizing here, but as is often the case when I generalize, I don't care." -Dave Barry

by tmail on Oct 3, 2006 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
  • I think Z deserved to start the 8th, it being his last season in the G&G
  • My heart sank when Bradley lost the ball. Was anyone else thinking, "OMG, here we go again!"
  • We beat Santana
  • I'm exhausted
Squeak!

by ArakSOT on Oct 3, 2006 12:52 PM PDT reply actions  

actually I'm grateful
the metrodome ceiling wasn't more of a factor in this game

by OaklandSi on Oct 3, 2006 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not I
BUT, as I saw Milton seemingly settle under it for a routine catch, I was thinking to myself, "thankfully we didn't lose any balls in the roof today."
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 Oct 3, 2006 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

and just think
Poppy DOESN'T KNOW!!
Nothing says fun like Premium Meat!

by lurkerD on Oct 3, 2006 12:52 PM PDT reply actions  

haha
Poppy = distantsun7@gmail.com

Or, should we make him suffer like the rest of us.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

HER!
NO! She will kill you.
AN apeshit!

by Jennifer on Oct 3, 2006 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

There's no way I do it
no friggin' way.
COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

LOL! I heart Hep Cat scratching records...
C'mon party people
Wave your paws in the air
C'mon party people
Wave 'em like you don't care
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wow.
What a rush!
AN apeshit!

by Jennifer on Oct 3, 2006 12:52 PM PDT reply actions  

My next child........
boy or girl, doesn't matter, will be named Frank Thomas.

by whyareyou on Oct 3, 2006 12:52 PM PDT reply actions  

nickname him
"the Oakland A's problem now"

by matthias on Oct 3, 2006 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Awesome
I almost forgot about poetic justice being doled out to AJ, Kenny, Ozzie, and Juicy Thome right now.
"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live" --Charles Bukowski

by eshock on Oct 3, 2006 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think that many women
consider naming their babies the Big Hurt.
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 3, 2006 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

that was what I named my gallstone
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

lol
"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Oct 3, 2006 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great game Z
if that's your last game on an A's jersey, it was a beautiful remembrance. Awesome!

by arch on Oct 3, 2006 12:53 PM PDT reply actions  

it'll only be his last game if..
the twins take the next 3, so it better not be!

by danh on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Z was far better than that Fat Head Joe Morgan
gave him credit for.  To me it was kinda like a jujitsu master using their opponents strengths against them.  The guy had a 4 hitter in the hankie dome!
I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan.

by guyn216 on Oct 3, 2006 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

it was pure tao, zen, wax on, wax off
and joe morgan is a baseball genius
and I am totally fucking lying
"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 3, 2006 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

about joe morgan, that is
Zito was Barry being Barry. The uncarved block. The yang to the twinkies' yin, and whatever other buddhist clich?s i can't remember right now...
"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 3, 2006 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

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

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

And Tim is the McCarver blockhead
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

And the other Joe is the flithering buckhead
"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 3, 2006 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

Swish looks
"money" to me. Great draft pick.

by Salvatore on Oct 3, 2006 12:53 PM PDT reply actions  

Can we give some props to Macha
for starting Kotsay in CF?  I don't think there's any way Payton runs down that drive to the wall in left-center, and he even had a hit and made Santana throw a lot of pitches in his other ABs.

This was just a terrific baseball game.  Both teams played well, and each missed a chance or two, but in the end the A's made fewer mistakes and hit 1 more homer.

Let me ask everyone this: when was the last game in which the A's looked this ready, focused, and all-around solid?  I'm tempted to say the Friday Scoot walkoff against the Angels, but the A's did blow a lead in the 9th, and the play that scored Aybar was really, really sloppy.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 12:53 PM PDT reply actions  

i second this
go Frank go...500 > 756*

by money baller on Oct 3, 2006 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree
FIRE MACHA LATER!!! haha.

by Jonny Oklnd on Oct 3, 2006 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

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

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's golden, baby.
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

hey Foodhead
that sig quote is Sal, not me!  He was rambling on in some sloppy drunk way about Hatte's HR in Win 20.  The next sentence was "I love you man I love you guys". The sentence after that was a series of retching noises.

by Apricot on Oct 3, 2006 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

HAHAHA!
beautiful!
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

amen
Defense was huge today
I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Oct 3, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I hate to be the downer here
But if Zito gives up a couple more (but still looks sharp all around), we're talking about the A's offense not stepping up.
The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Oct 3, 2006 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

And if Scoot's liner is in the gap
we're talking about a 3 or 4-run victory.

Remember how Beane says the playoffs are a crapshoot?  This is what he's talking about.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

exactly
We won today, but one or two plays could have changed anything.  That's what makes the playoffs so great and so "crapshooty."  It feels good to be the team winning a tight game and watching the other team shoot itself in the foot with mental errors.
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Repeating an earlier poster...
That puts Payton in left field to run down balls also.

by Donner on Oct 3, 2006 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

What was the Bradley mistake?
I couldn't watch the game.
"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 3, 2006 12:55 PM PDT reply actions  

Lost a ball in the roof of the Dome
"The theme of the day is murky." -- Ken Macha, August 11, 2006

by Englishmajor on Oct 3, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

Cuddyer led of the bottom of the 9th
with a fly ball to medium deep right-center, and Bradley lost it in the Dome roof and never saw it.  Kotsay saw it but it was too far for him to come over and catch it, so it fell for a triple.

Next three batters went Mauer -- HARD lineout to RF (throw home on the fly by Bradley); Morneau grounded 4-3 (run scoring -- I think it was to Ellis); Bradley lined out right to Kotsay in CF, caught it in his tracks.

Street never panicked, just kept making pitches and getting outs.  Should be a very big confidence-builder for him to close that one out.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks
Sounds like it wasn't really MB's or Street's fault, then.  Just one of those Metrodome things?
"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 3, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

Correctamundo
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's what I think, definitely
In fact, Cuddyer really busted it around 2nd on his way to 3rd.  In that situation, if he has a 1% chance of getting thrown out stretching to a triple, he needs to stay at 2nd.  There was no play on him, but as long as he's not at 1st (with the possibility of a DP), whether he's at 2nd or 3rd is completely irrelevant to whether the Twins win.  Hustle, but not that smart in my book.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

You're right, more like .1% or something
basically, if he trips over 2nd or pulls a cramp halfway between bases, or something.  Even if he turns it into an inside-the-park homer, though, it doesn't improve their chances of winning compared to a double.

Here's an interesting question:  if he'd stayed at 2nd, would Street have pitched from a windup?  There's really no reason to bother keeping him at 2nd there.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Actually..
"Next three batters went Mauer -- HARD lineout to RF (throw home on the fly by Bradley); Morneau grounded 4-3 (run scoring -- I think it was to Ellis); Bradley lined out right to Kotsay in CF, caught it in his tracks."

The next three batters were Morneau with the lineout, Hunter with the grounder and Rondell White withthe fly ball.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

FIRE ME NOW!!!
Though I'd like to suggest that if Bradley can figure out a way to put on a Twins uni and make the last out of any other games in this series against Huston, I'll be fine with that!
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

PLEASE
don't BLAME Bradley for the triple. Everyone knows it's difficult to follow fly balls at the dome, especially in the day, so he is just a victim here (really).

But thank [insert your god here] for Frank Thomas! No mere mortal could do that, it had to be Frank. He's a real difference-maker, and he gives the A's a good chance for runs 4 times a game.

And thank whoever for Barry Zito. Zito had a bunch of starts like this this year, and this is basically the very best of Zito. He really came out and showed the world (and all potential offseason suitors) what he can do. He is truly an ace, and this makes him a leader.

Before this I was hoping just to win one game at the dome, but at this rate, why lose any games at all? If we can beat Santana, we can do anything! Come on Loaiza, turn your calender back a couple months.

LET'S GO A'S!!!

by Philip Christy on Oct 3, 2006 12:55 PM PDT reply actions  

Sure, it is tough....
But he has to make that play.....Maybe 2 more games here....Cant happen again.  It happens tho and the rest of the team picks him up....No harm done...just not again
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

It won't happen again
If anything, it's a wake up call for Milt.  

Hey Wash:  Extra fungo's to RF, please.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don't think you can blame an outfielder
for losing a ball against the roof in the Dome.  It just happens, no matter how good you are, like a grounder hitting a seam and taking a crazy hop.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

yep
That's why that fuckin' dome should have been imploded long ago.  Ridiculous that major league games are played in a place with a white roof.
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

The roof is an explanation
but not an excuse.  He's played there before, other fielders make that play.  He needs to be one of those guys who can make the play.  I'm glad that ESPN exposed just how stupid it is to have a roof like that in an MLB park and how stupid it is to be playing on a sunny afternoon.
"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live" --Charles Bukowski

by eshock on Oct 3, 2006 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sure other outfielders make that play
but not 100% of the time. And, sure, MB missed that play, but he doesn't do that 100% of the time either.

by hunter on Oct 3, 2006 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Torii Hunter, one of the best CF ever
plays there 81 games a year and lost one today as well, it just came right to him and he found it at the last moment.
1972...1973...1974...1989...2006

by emperor nobody on Oct 3, 2006 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Haha..cmon
That was an obvious attempt to deek the runner.....He does it all the time..He didnt lose and it and just find it in time.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

i don't know how
you guys say that he HAS to make that play and that other outfielders make that play.  we're you standing in right field?  you have no idea how hard it was to pick that ball up off the dome.  its not like he let a fly ball hit off his head for a homerun.

by methodrampage on Oct 3, 2006 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

I have been to games there...
It is freaking hard as hell to find the ball.....It happens, no biggie today...but cant let it happen again.  Concentration has to be peaked.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

Kotsay saw it
He may have been just running to back up the play, but they should have communicated a little better.  Milton should have warned Kotsay the moment it left the bat and maybe he could have picked it up.
"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live" --Charles Bukowski

by eshock on Oct 3, 2006 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

No way to hear in that place.....
It is so loud.....part of what makes it harder...OF's cant communicate
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

if theres anything to complain about Bradley
on that play,

its that when he did turn around and see Kotsay picking up the ball, he should have at least crouched down to get out of the way of the throw.

He just looked like he couldn't believe he lost the ball, then when Kotsay plays it back, I'm thinking "Milton, DUCK!"

The last thing I want is Bradley to take a Kotsay throw to the back of the skull.

by popcornjames on Oct 3, 2006 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

and he made a great catch
on the very next batter. Listening to XM, I had the Twins broadcasters, and that catch really took the air out of them. If he doesn't make it, it's 3-2 with 1 out and a runner on.
Squeak!

by ArakSOT on Oct 3, 2006 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Now if we can just take the air out of the dome...
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Very nice play...
on a ball that was hit real hard
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

ya know...
when i was seeing replays of it, it seemed like it would have probably been a triple anyway. it hit SO high up on that wall, and kotsay was there backing it up. even if it was a double and not a triple, he probably would've advanced without a throw.

i felt really bad for bradley when it happened. sucks to lose a ball there anyway, especially in a playoff game. but at least it didn't drop 2 feet to the right of him or something.

"I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere." - The Asphalt Jungle

by drmmerchk on Oct 3, 2006 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

Zito / Thomas
  • I leave Zito in for the 8th inning.  80+ pitches at that point.  He's earned the 8th inning to that point.
  • Santana will never pitch around anyone.  Bonser/Silva/Garza?  They will be ordered to pitch around HURT.
  • When will Karl Ravech take off his toupee?  30-Somethin', and needs to fake the lid.  WEAK.
One Pitch at a Time.
One At-Bat at a Time.
One Inning at a Time.
One Game at a Time.

Go A's!

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 12:55 PM PDT reply actions  

Ummm...
He did leave Zito in....
"Christ, evidentally I played against Swisher in '02 when he was at OSU and Granderson when he was at Illinois-Chicago."

by compy75 on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Blez said...
He would have preferred Duke.  

I responded with my preference.  

Thus, blogness.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

I didn't think it was a mistake to leave Zito in
He hadn't thrown a ton of pitches and seemed to be in a good rhythm. I would be hesitant to take him out for someone who might need a pitch or two to get his feel for the game.

Woo-hoo! I scheduled my lunch break so I could catch the eighth and ninth innings. What a rush!

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Oct 3, 2006 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

I avoided the game thread all day
I just sat back and watched the game for once, and WOW!  F. F. T.!  Is this guy real?  What a great day for the A's.  I don't want a split now.  I want both games.  It's greedy, but who cares.  GO A'S!!!

by sprtsnwyn on Oct 3, 2006 12:55 PM PDT reply actions  

Also... all we kept hearing about
(and rightfully so) about Santana's dominance at the Metrodome.  He hadn't lost there in his last 24 starts.  Nobody mentioned until now that the last team to beat him there was... <Drum roll please> ... OUR OAKLAND ATHLETICS!!!

WHEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!  :D

by AsGirl on Oct 3, 2006 12:56 PM PDT reply actions  

someone did mention it before the game, but
it was buried somewhere in the 792,112 posts in the last 24 hours
"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 3, 2006 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

I feel like a kid
I wore my 8 year old daughter's kid sized Frank Thomas jersey back to the office after seeing the end of the game at home on my lunch break.

I grabbed her Frank Thomas bobblehead on the way out the door too.

Donning the jersey, my A's cap and a ridiculous smile I paraded around the office like the fool for the A's that I am.

WHOOOOOyeahhhhhh!!!

Was that fun or what?

2nd favorite team: WHOEVER IS PLAYING THE GIANTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ConcordFanSince1968 on Oct 3, 2006 12:59 PM PDT reply actions  

We didn't need to beat Santana
But we did!

We DO need to beat the young guys they are throwing in there the rest of the series, if it gets beck to Santana look out.

"E-Lo pitched a whale of a ballgame," A's manager Ken Macha said.

by niallmack on Oct 3, 2006 12:59 PM PDT reply actions  

Brilliant Win
Zito & Thomas carried the a's today.  I also thought that Macha was sharp.

I will be at hobson's after work.

by DKNJ on Oct 3, 2006 12:59 PM PDT reply actions  

Awesome...
Hopefully we will be in high spirits!!
"Christ, evidentally I played against Swisher in '02 when he was at OSU and Granderson when he was at Illinois-Chicago."

by compy75 on Oct 3, 2006 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hobson's rules!
Have yourself a punch bowl, and kick back!

by RickeySteals on Oct 3, 2006 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thomas is awesome but..
How about some love for Barry Zito?  He should have pitched the ninth inning as well.  This guy has been a stud for the A's his entire career.  You want players like that in the game during big situations.

by Bearcat on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM PDT reply actions  

baby winexp say YEAAAAAAAAAAH!
  • YEAAAAAAAAAAAH!
  • Frank Thomas has had 16 years of experience in the Crapdome, and it showed.
  • Twins: 6 game home losing streak in postseason.
  • Zito looked mellow and high in the postgame interview. I have to hand it to him, that was the best playoff game he's pitched since the "no slide" game.
  • I don't believe in clutch, but Frank is clutch.
  • TVU ROCKS. Actually, the quality was quite poor, with weird color and the signal fading during crucial moments. And no Mac version (it worked great with Parallels). But it still rocked to be able to see it with only a small time delay (it was behind AN commentary). http://www.tvunetworks.com/downloads/index.htm
And here is Baby Winexp's commentary.  Players of the game: Zito, Zito and Zito, trailed distantly by Frank and Santana.  The biggest plays of the game were NOT the Thomas homers (which of course were important), but in fact were the entire Twins 8th inning. A leadoff double in the bottom of the 8th, one run down, is HUGE. That team should win almost half the time. But Zito got out of it with no damage. If you go to the game thread, you can see the angst when Macha left Zito in. There's pretty much no right answer there. If you give up the run, the manager looks wrong, if you don't, he looks like a genius. You can make a solid argument for yanking or leaving Z.  


TOP PLAYS

2006-10-03. Bot 8.0. R:-1. B:. P: Barry Zito. Jason Bartlett doubled to deep left (0.488, +0.165)
2006-10-03. Bot 7.2. R:-2. B:. P: Barry Zito. Rondell White homered to left (0.290, +0.128)
2006-10-03.  Top 2.0. R: 0. B:. P: Johan Santana. Frank Thomas homered to left (0.591, +0.126)
2006-10-03. Bot 8.0. R:-1. B:2. P: Barry Zito. Luis Castillo grounded out to third (0.372, -0.116)
2006-10-03. Bot 9.0. R:-2. B:. P: Huston Street. Michael Cuddyer tripled to deep right (0.216, +0.115)
2006-10-03. Bot 8.2. R:-1. B:3. P: Barry Zito. Joe Mauer lined out to left (0.173, -0.112)
2006-10-03.  Top 2.2. R:+1. B:1. P: Johan Santana. Marco Scutaro doubled to deep left, Payton scored (0.670, +0.107)
2006-10-03.  Top 9.0. R:+1. B:. P: Jesse Crain. Frank Thomas homered to left (0.919, +0.092)
2006-10-03. Bot 9.0. R:-2. B:3. P: Huston Street. Justin Morneau lined out to right (0.126, -0.090)
2006-10-03. Bot 8.1. R:-1. B:2. P: Barry Zito. Nick Punto grounded out to second, Bartlett to third (0.285, -0.087)

Date                Name            WXC     Events

2006-10-03  MIN     Johan_Santana*  +0.161  29
2006-10-03  MIN     Jason_Bartlett  +0.115  3
2006-10-03  MIN     Rondell_White   +0.076  4
2006-10-03  MIN     Pat_Neshek*     +0.014  1
2006-10-03  MIN     Cuddyer_Error   -0.009  1
2006-10-03  MIN     Michael_Cuddyer -0.021  4
2006-10-03  MIN     Bartlett_Error  -0.035  1
2006-10-03  MIN     Luis_Castillo   -0.053  5
2006-10-03  MIN     Jesse_Crain*    -0.077  3
2006-10-03  MIN     Phil_Nevin      -0.087  3
2006-10-03  MIN     Joe_Mauer       -0.129  4
2006-10-03  MIN     Torii_Hunter    -0.139  4
2006-10-03  MIN     Nick_Punto      -0.171  4
2006-10-03  MIN     Justin_Morneau  -0.185  4

Date                Name            WXC     Events

2006-10-03  OAK     Barry_Zito*     +0.493  31
2006-10-03  OAK     Frank_Thomas    +0.222  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Huston_Street*  +0.101  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Marco_Scutaro   +0.030  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Nick_Swisher    -0.009  3
2006-10-03  OAK     Jay_Payton      -0.028  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Mark_Kotsay     -0.032  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Eric_Chavez     -0.046  3
2006-10-03  OAK     Jason_Kendall   -0.070  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Milton_Bradley  -0.077  4
2006-10-03  OAK     Mark_Ellis      -0.088  3

by Apricot on Oct 3, 2006 1:01 PM PDT reply actions  

Where's Mickey Tettleton?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

graphic of the month!
Frankenberry! Love it.
"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 3, 2006 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

love to see
those middle of the order bats for the twins way down at the bottom of WXC list:  morneau bottom, hunter, two above him, mauer just one above him, and if i'm not mistaken cuddyer would be lower than hunter if Milt doesn't loose the ball in the roof.
"Apparently there's a rule that you have to be old enough to drive yourself to the induction ceremony. So obviously that's not gonna work."

by F171615 on Oct 3, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Frank makes the highlights
But Zito was HUGE...
"I realize that I'm generalizing here, but as is often the case when I generalize, I don't care." -Dave Barry

by tmail on Oct 3, 2006 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hooray!
Watching all those ESPN guys who didn't give the A's a chance against Santana was priceless.

This was one of those games that I didn't really enjoy until it was over:)

Anyway, this team absolutely has to keep its focus and see if they can get out of the Dome with two wins...and not take Bonser, et al lightly.

I just can't stop giggling...we beat SANTANA!

"A base hit would have been better, but the ground ball was just as good", Ray Fosse

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Oct 3, 2006 1:02 PM PDT reply actions  

Hiiii Alien! :)
It's been a while since I've "seen" you here.

by AsGirl on Oct 3, 2006 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

Huge win!
Zito wasn't as sharp as we've seen him, but he managed to get out of innings. Thank goodness for A's defense. I hope Kotsay's cranky back doesn't get right down curmudgeonly after this game, but he was fricking brilliant.

And Frank Thomas... what more needs to be said about the man? Frank Thomas. Whoo!

I managed to laugh at the fly ball comedy in right field, but only after Huston got the last out.

Now if y'all will excuse me, I'm going to lie down on the floor and wait until my heart rate comes down to something resembling normal. I'm such a playoff wuss.

by gawker on Oct 3, 2006 1:02 PM PDT reply actions  

someone posted this last night:
[new] Hopefully this means something

The last team to beat Santana at the Metrodome was the A's. Mighty Joe Blanton was the winner, 2-1, on Aug. 1, 2005.

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE! FUCK YEAH.

Barry Zito is my secret mancrush. There. I said it.

by interior decor on Oct 3, 2006 1:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Vernon Wells, analyst supreme, concludes
that neither Bonser nor Loaiza has the advantage tomorrow: "As long as you have a ball in your hand, you're dangerous."
"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Oct 3, 2006 1:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Dude.
F. F. T.
AN apeshit!

by Jennifer on Oct 3, 2006 1:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Hell yeah!!
Fast Fourier Transforms rule!
Frank Thomas is good too.
Some are sabermetricians.

by andeux on Oct 3, 2006 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

DCT!
Discrete Cosine Transforms too!

FIR anybody?

by MobiusKlein on Oct 3, 2006 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

You guys gotta love Frank...
First AB of Spring Training: Home Run
First AB of Season: Home Run
First AB against White Sox: Home Run
First AB of postseason: Home Run
"Christ, evidentally I played against Swisher in '02 when he was at OSU and Granderson when he was at Illinois-Chicago."

by compy75 on Oct 3, 2006 1:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Not to be technical, but...
It was Frank's 2nd AB in Spring Training.
COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Does anyone still think...
we should have "thrown" this game by saving Zito for game two?
Like Lazarus, the A's offense has awakened from the dead!!- Bill King

by Floridafan on Oct 3, 2006 1:04 PM PDT reply actions  

sure i'm an idiot
but as someone posted above the last guy to beat santana in the metrodome was blanton.  and you hardly throw a game by not putting zito on the mound for game 1.  i'll say it again i'm an idiot for doubting zito.

by methodrampage on Oct 3, 2006 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

You arent an idiot....
Cmon, I disagreed with you all night, but that was your opinion.  You presented it well, I just disagreed.

You arent an idiot for having an opinion that turned out wrong...we ALL do that.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Never Said Throw
Just didn't want to waste a quality Zito start. Thanks to Frank and some bad fielding, we took it! I've never been happier to be wrong...

by Dann on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

I never called anyone an idiot...
My point was just we put out our best, most playoff experienced pitcher in game one because it wasn't like Santana couldn't be beat.. we just had to have our best out there.  

That's all... no malice intended.

Like Lazarus, the A's offense has awakened from the dead!!- Bill King

by Floridafan on Oct 3, 2006 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

come on guys
i was light heartedly calling myself an idiot.  but thanks for the reassurance guys.  it seems  almost too reassuring, like when a fat chick asks, "do i look fat in this?" and her friends say "no, you look hot" even though they're thinking "damn she should have laid off on those 3 1/4 pounders with cheese, big mac, and that 16 piece chickens mcnuggets".

by methodrampage on Oct 3, 2006 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

Christ, what an asshole.
"so... I'll take that as 'none of your business'" ~ ArakSOT

by eamb on Oct 3, 2006 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

You are not an idiot
I also did not agree with your idea/opinion yesterday, but it did make me think.  Thanks.

by baseballfob on Oct 3, 2006 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

<crickets chirping>
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

Icing on the Cake
What could be better than taking a cruise to Mexico?  How bout watching the A's beat Minnesota as the cruise ship passes Cabo San Lucas in route to Puerta Vallarta.  What could make it even better?   Watching the game along side a Minnesota Twins fan who tried every kind of sitting position from floor to bar, with his Minnesota twins towel, his Minnesota twins jersey (which he routinely switched from front to back in an effort to create a new mojo for his team), and his not so friendly wife who shot me dirty looks every time I cheered on the A's.  It was an awesome game and an awesome win.  And for me, let's just say it was icing on the cake.  

LET'S GO OAKLAND!!!!!!

Hug it out bitches!

by A s Fan In Training on Oct 3, 2006 1:05 PM PDT reply actions  

can only smile
because I don't know what to say.
there is a void...
"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Oct 3, 2006 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's beautiful, man.
I remember watching a Shark's playoff game in Vegas with a fan of the opposing team and the Sharks winning. Su-weeet!
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

AHHHH!!!!
THAT'S THE GREATEST NEWS EVER!!! I'm on a boat next weekend!!!
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 3, 2006 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

Huge
Love it. 12-0 this season in the dome and we beat him.  We all expect Frank to be huge, but how about a little love for Miracle Marco?  He is like Mark Lemke revisited.  Clutch, clutch, clutch.  Time to throttle down now and finish this out quickly and get Santana home to Venezuala.

by titaniumaardvark on Oct 3, 2006 1:06 PM PDT reply actions  

Yep, that was a big hit.
And props to Payton for the hustle.

But I think the cool thing about this game was that while Zito and Thomas were playing well, the other guys were contributing in so many ways. It was essentially the A's game, no?

by gawker on Oct 3, 2006 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

This was huge
you could tell by the Twins body language, and the comments by Gardenhire, they're "insulted" the A's had the audacity to beat their ace.
If that ball by Scutaro isn't smoked directly at Hunter we get a few more right there -- big game!
The Twins kinda look like the A's circa 2000 -- I'm wonderin if they're wonderin what to do in this kind of setting.
VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Oct 3, 2006 1:07 PM PDT reply actions  

Barry was magniicent
out there today. All heart, guts and artistry. I simply can't imagine the A's without him next season, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. He is so damn good with runners on base, just doesn't seem to get rattled.

by Peter in Montreal on Oct 3, 2006 1:08 PM PDT reply actions  

Sort of . . .
Barry's results were magnificent, but he threw more than a few hittable pitches that ended up not being hit.  That pitch to Cuddyer with two runs was very hittable.  That's the beautiful and terrifying thing about the playoffs, a pitch here or there is everything.  We took advantage of the few hittable pitches Santana threw, and Minnesota did not do the same.  
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Changeup
That was a 74-76 MPH Changeup.  Cuddyer swung at it thinking "fastball".  Thus, end of the bat, lazy flyball to JayPay.

Great Pitch.  

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Oct 3, 2006 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

ok . . .
in hindsight it worked out OK, but the location begged to be smashed.  I was sitting in a room full of people and everyone gasped as Cuddyer swung thinking he could destroy it.  Glad it worked out, but I wouldn't call it a great pitch.
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

Can I blame blamechannel53
for channelling Joe Morgan? Naahhh!
"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 3, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

winning this game was huge!!
"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Oct 3, 2006 1:11 PM PDT reply actions  

Get ready to make room AN faithful...
Here come all the bandwagon punks including all National media, sports talk radio, ESPN honks; they're all going to be jumping on our bandwagon.

Tell them to get BENT!!

I'm climbing the foul pole and not coming down until Ron comes out to LF with a batting helmet full of cottage cheese.- Christopher Reid Turner

by ronismyhero on Oct 3, 2006 1:12 PM PDT reply actions  

bandwagon will wait until next round
no one is going to believe in us until we make it to the next round...

by Apricot on Oct 3, 2006 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

OK
But... you watch ESPN tonite and tell me tommorrow if they're not all singing a different tune then they were yesterday.
I'm climbing the foul pole and not coming down until Ron comes out to LF with a batting helmet full of cottage cheese.- Christopher Reid Turner

by ronismyhero on Oct 3, 2006 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Why would they?
We still havent won anything....and we beat Clemens in game 1 in 01 and Pedro in game 1 in 03.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

in 01 and 03
we didn't have the BIG HURT. Plus in the beginning of the season we were the SEXY pick; but a few rough  outings by our starters and some injuries and everyone jumped off. Now they're going to be scurrying to point out that they had them picked from the gates. Agreed, until we win a clinch game we don't have anything to be too hapy about, but TV and Radio hacks will start firing it up. Mark my words...
I'm climbing the foul pole and not coming down until Ron comes out to LF with a batting helmet full of cottage cheese.- Christopher Reid Turner

by ronismyhero on Oct 3, 2006 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

I disagree
Liriano is out and Santana was their sure shot at a win.

Those were the top two bullets for the Twins and we move to their number 3 guy.  

Plus Thomas hit two jacks in game 1.

That seems to be enough for stupid national pundits, right?

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Oct 3, 2006 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yea, you are prob right....
But my point is they shouldnt have anything to get excited about yet.  Huge win, but a long ways to go.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

maybe we loyal fans...
shouldn't get too ahead of ourselves; especially considering the painful experiences of 01 and 03; but national media idiots will be all over it. Especially funny will be John Kruk trying to change his take without eating too much crow...that fat bastard needs to stay away from cheeseburgers let alone eating shit on his claim that Santana would shut us down.
I'm climbing the foul pole and not coming down until Ron comes out to LF with a batting helmet full of cottage cheese.- Christopher Reid Turner

by ronismyhero on Oct 3, 2006 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

Pay Frank whatever
he wants!!
This is SO awesome!

Go A's!

"Maybe if I lay here in the dirt, nobody will notice I've forgotten how to hit" ~Crosby in ANtics

by streetfan on Oct 3, 2006 1:14 PM PDT reply actions  

And now with the early start time done with...
...we can all go back to sleep.  : )
Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Oct 3, 2006 1:14 PM PDT reply actions  

I don't blame Bradley for loosing the ball
in the dome.  Tori Hunter is one of the better center fielders in the game and he loose's balls against that roof.  I am so amped up from watching this game....I have had 2 hours of sleep in the last 36 hours, and right now I couldn't even begin to relax enough to sleep.  I had to step outside a couple of times during todays game because the stress was killing me.  THIS my friends is terrorism American style...or at least American league style.  I'm still trying to swallow my heart.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Oct 3, 2006 1:14 PM PDT reply actions  

*losing
and *loses

Sorry -- It's my one spelling pet peeve.

I'm not really thrilled with the use of the word "terrorism" either.

"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 3, 2006 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

this is a magnificent day
Big Hurt = 1st ballot, Cooperstown, NY, period.
Barry Zito = Another game added to his legend, on the big stage to boot.  He has given us so many years of class and excellence.  Very rich this offseason, Mr. Wolff please open the pocketbook and keep him here where he belongs.
Marco Scutaro = middle name: "f*ckin'"
Huston Street = balls of steel, not letting the ball Milton lost in the roof bother him.  I'll say it again, Huston became a man today.

Today is a magnificent, incredible day, when our guys won a game that no one on Earth, including many of us, gave them half a chance to win.

This is an amazing day, but in order to get what we want, our boys have to stay razor-sharp focused and do it to Bonser tomorrow.

One. Game. At. A. Time.

Eyes on the prize, hold on.

1972...1973...1974...1989...2006

by emperor nobody on Oct 3, 2006 1:15 PM PDT reply actions  

"Huston became a man today"
You said it again, so I'm posting the pic again!

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

that's Toriffic!
"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 3, 2006 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

"Alright, Huston
good job.  I'm going to Duke for the maftir."

[takes yad]

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

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

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great reflection of
your 2006 Oakland A's...

Excellent pitching...solid defense
timely hitting and no hits with runners in scoring position.

I thought Zito could have started the 9th, but Street looked calm enough to do his job and he did...
I think he put some hairs on his chest after the celebration in Seatown.

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Oct 3, 2006 1:15 PM PDT reply actions  

timely hitting =
HRs by Frank, not timely when ducks were on the pond
"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Oct 3, 2006 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

I headed out for my lunch break
in the middle of the 8th and caught the end of the game at the Bear's Lair on UCB campus.  So, since I wasn't here on the game thread at the appropriate moment, allow me to mention something that I would have mentioned in the ninth had I still been stuck in front of the computer:

MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!

by DavidA on Oct 3, 2006 1:16 PM PDT reply actions  

Agree about Ducscherer
but not Thomas. It is never a good idea to walk a hitter leading off an inning, especially one that makes outs 60% of the time. If Thomas was walked, everything else being equal, he (or, more likely, Hiram Bocachica) would have still scored.

by Nick86 on Oct 3, 2006 1:16 PM PDT reply actions  

Also, although of course hindsight is 20-20
as I was walking down to the bar I was hoping Macha wouldn't take 90% of AN's advice and pull Barry for the bottom of the 8th.  Dude was pitching a 3 hitter with only 1 run allowed and had a very low pitch count.  Despite some roughness this year, he has been one of the best pitchers in the majors the last 5 years.  How could you pull him in a situation like that.  I think Macha made the right call and everyone should spend their time debating Duke v. Street instead.

by DavidA on Oct 3, 2006 1:17 PM PDT reply actions  

I agree, I think Macha played it just right...
THIS time!
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - apricot

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

ideally
zito carries us to a world series win, and then signs with the angels for $200 million / 8 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 Oct 3, 2006 1:18 PM PDT reply actions  

where is the joke?
we win the world series, the angels pay him way more money than he's worth.
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 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree
Let's get our use out of Barry this year, get our World Series, and then watch him be a bust for someone else.  Barry has been healthy for a long time and he's going to get a huge contract, and is very likely to be horrificly overpaid over the life of his contract.  Zito has a very small margin for success given the fact that his fastball is so incredibly hittable already and he is likely to lose a couple of miles per hour in the next coulple of years.  Some team is going to be sorry for signing him, and it wouldn't hurt my feelings if it was the Angels or Rangers.  I think San Diego is Zito's only real hope for a successful future, and Boras will never let that happen.
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

AL West?
I'm not so comfortable at the prospect of the A's facing Zito 6-7 times per year -- every game vs the A's, Zito's line would be 7 IP, 1 R, 8 BB, 2 H, 7 K.
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe
Zito relies upon hitters swinging at balls outside the strike zone, and as his stuff continues to diminish that will become more pronounced.  It's all speculation given that we have never faced Zito, but I think we could hit him around pretty well.  
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well, to me,
it would not be ideal for Zito to go to the Angels in any sense. At all. No matter if they overpay, this is our Barry Zito, on the Angels. Not a good scenario in my eyes.

by Philip Christy on Oct 4, 2006 2:09 AM PDT up reply actions  

Macha Did It Right and The A's Seem Very Focused
FANTASTIC game.

The A's won and Macha managed the game.

The A's seem really focused. After the win, no huge celebrations. After the game interviews with Thomas and Zito, they both said exactly the right things.

Enjoy the huge win AN. You've been with them all year. No better fans or blog than all of you.

by TahoeDon on Oct 3, 2006 1:22 PM PDT reply actions  

We beat Johan Santana in the Terrordome?
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

The rally baby works!

"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 3, 2006 1:23 PM PDT reply actions  

If we keep winning
It has to stay.  Jennifer posted it in the DLD, and it clearly brought good luck.
"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 3, 2006 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
When you're right, you're right
Squeak!

by ArakSOT on Oct 3, 2006 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hey,
If there's a Link-free DLD tomorrow, I'm all over it.
AN apeshit!

by Jennifer on Oct 3, 2006 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Another 2006 first for Big Frank...
I may be wrong here, but hasn't Frank Thomas hit a homerun in:
  1. His first at bat of the season
  2. His first at bat returning to Chicago
  3. And now, his first at bat in the playoffs
I'm probably missing other clutch performances, but least I say Frank Thomas is the David Ortiz to our playoff run.

P.S. What's Chavez's career playoff batting average now? My guess is it's not to good.

I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!

by FlagsFlyForever on Oct 3, 2006 1:24 PM PDT reply actions  

Re: Frank's homeruns...
He also homered in his first ST AB, as well as on his bobblehead day and Frank Thomas mask day.

by AsGirl on Oct 3, 2006 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

ST AB
No, that's this.
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Don't forget that Swish
Swish hit a laser shot double right after Frank hit the big HR. I'm not sure I would ever walk anyone except 2003-4 bonds to lead off an inning when I'm down by 1.

by MrIncognito on Oct 3, 2006 1:24 PM PDT reply actions  

i thought macha did a good job today
not pinch running for thomas, and keeping zito in there.  
i would have had zito start the ninth as mauer, cuddyer, and morneau were 0-9 against him today, but street did a decent job.
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 1:24 PM PDT reply actions  

Agreed...
Dan Patrick mentioned on his radio show that he noticed the closer Street had allowed a run, but I don't think he realized that Cuddyer getting to third wasn't all his fault, the run was meaningless and the Twins went down 1-2-3 right afterward.
"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 3, 2006 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

TRENDY STAT OF THE MOMENT:
6 playoff losses in a row at the Metrodome for the Twins
The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Oct 3, 2006 1:24 PM PDT reply actions  

L-R Marco, Frank 'n Barry
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Oct 3, 2006 1:25 PM PDT reply actions  

Frolicing in the Pachydome.
"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 3, 2006 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

please no niemans
I hate that pseudo artist
"The future's like, who cares?" ~Eric Chavez

by rebus on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

sheesh

Happy now?

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Oct 3, 2006 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Frank, Marco & Barry
"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 3, 2006 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

You down with VPC?
Yeah! You know me!
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

The Stampede marches on!!!
Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on Oct 3, 2006 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

Bullpen Strategy
I think you need to leave Zito in to pitch the 8th. He had only made 81 pitches through seven which is way below his average pitches per inning. He had only given up three hits. He was sharp in this last outing at Annaheim. The last time Macha took Zito out for the 8th inning in a big game, October 2004 game 161, the results were disasterous. I would rather have Zito out of the eighth than the Duke.

The Twins should never have given Thomas anything to hit in the 9th inning. Bad managing. I doubt he will get anything to hit the rest of the series now. We need production from Chavez and Bradley to mitigate this.

by scarr1 on Oct 3, 2006 1:26 PM PDT reply actions  

jeep:

W00t!

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 PM PDT reply actions  

Kitties say
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 3, 2006 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

A Phish website I visit occasionally.
For some reason, they're all over it.  Don't know how or why, but they amuse me.
"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 3, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

haha
The grey one is Toonces, the driving cat, the cat who could drive a car, he drives around, all over the town, Toonces, the driving cat, yeah!
I think the other one is Skippy.
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 Oct 3, 2006 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

Jeep! Jeep!
"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 3, 2006 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

I know it worked out with Zito
but I still think he didn't have his best stuff and every ball in the inning when White homered was clobbered.  I think if you've got a weapon like the A's pen, you use it in a five-game series to every advantage.

I know I'm in the minority on this, but you have to do whatever you can in a short series to win.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 3, 2006 1:29 PM PDT reply actions  

I'm not sure you are in the minority
even now, and I'm sure as hell you weren't at the time !
"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 3, 2006 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd have pulled him.
May not have been the right decision, but I was screaming at the TV to pull him.
Certum est quod certum reddi potest.

by oblique on Oct 3, 2006 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

I thought his stuff was great:
He had the hitters set up all game.

I do like going to Street to get game one in the books.

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

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Oct 3, 2006 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

Why I disagree
Once upon a time, a bullpen was never a weapon in baseball. Starters played all 9 innings, or more, if they weren't stinking up the joint. The bullpen stars came into play much later, and a while after that starters stopped pitching complete games regularly, so a number of bullpen stars were needed to have a winning team. Thus, setup men like Duke were created out of necessity: the necessity to fill innings after the starter couldn't finish his start.

But Zito pretty obviously COULD finish his start today, if fact if the A's had scored a run or two more he would have. He was kicking ass, the Twins weren't doing squat. But my point is, if you don't need a setup man, why use him?

by Philip Christy on Oct 3, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think Zito had a lot of luck late.
But it's ABOUT FRIGGING TIME we had a little luck in the playoffs.  
"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 3, 2006 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thomas, Scutaro, Zito Came Up BIG
Great job, A's! Great job, AN! Wish the 9-5 job didn't take me away from the game, but we saw the ESPN highlights at lunch.

Frank Thomas is amazing. What a pickup!

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Oct 3, 2006 1:32 PM PDT reply actions  

Frank F'n Thomas drives a pick up truck?
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Absolutely gigantic.
wow, i am absolutely drained.  

i got to work at 8:30am EST and just read articles, checked lineups, talked with my zito bobblehead, etc for 4 1/2 hours till gametime.  i think i had 6 cups of coffee and then 4 cokes. then following the game on gamecast/AN and running in and out of meetings.
i honestly think im going to fall asleep in my cube right now.

i love the a's.  keep the pressure on tomorrow stebby.  and uncle milty is going to CARRY us tomorrow.  i can feel it.

by the stare on Oct 3, 2006 1:32 PM PDT reply actions  

If we're playing the Tigers after a W in game 1
We see tougher pitching from here on out.  Maybe the Royals were a blessing in disguise?
The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Oct 3, 2006 1:36 PM PDT reply actions  

Zito in the 8th...
was baseball before Tony LaRussa became a genius. (I hope the Cards go down in 3 if you want to know what I think of TLR.) I would have like to have seen Zito go for a CG. Watch a tape of Koufax pitching a 2 hitter on 2 days rest in game 7, 1965 and then tell me how much you like modern relief pitcher strategy.

Who made a better salary drive today, Thomas or Zito?  

by NoeValley on Oct 3, 2006 1:36 PM PDT reply actions  

Koufax also flamed out
long before his time because of arm issues.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 3, 2006 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

Probably Thomas
Zito is going to get paid no matter what he does in the playoffs because he is considered an "ace" in a free agent market that doesn't have one besides Schmidt and he is left-handed.  Thomas, if he ever hit the open market, probably just got a few GMs thinking with his show of force today.  
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree that mgrs overuse bullpens
but Koufax was pitching in the lowest-run environment since the end of the deadball era.  Dodger stadium was cavernous, the mound was 18 inches high, the strike zone went up to the armpits, hitters still tried to slap the ball and not too many teams had gotten the "speed bug", and there was no DH.

Santana in 1965 in Dodger Stadium would have had an e.r.a of about 1.50.  And Koufax's arm fell off because he was overworked.

So I think we need to look or a middle ground, here.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Oct 3, 2006 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

good points
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 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

i agree about LaRussa
i was always annoyed by his blowhardness.  too full of himself and his ego.  i'd rather have a manager like howe (don't kill me) or macha who can keep things in perspective and not look like they're going to implode at any second.  i moved out here while he was still with the A's and couldn't become a fan until he left.

by danh on Oct 3, 2006 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

His tendency to retaliate for unintentional...
HBP's and engage in beanball wars is something I don't like about him.
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Baseball during work time.
I can go back to work happy now...And that TV on the computer thing that was sent out a couple of threads ago is freakin' awesome!

by Locknload on Oct 3, 2006 1:38 PM PDT reply actions  

Great Win!
The A's looked focused and ready to play today. I think it helped clinching a week early and having guys fresh. Plus, Frank Thomas is ready to give the A's a clutch hitter they've lacked in the past recent playoff failures. But it's not over til it's over, two more wins guys!

by SanJoseRon on Oct 3, 2006 1:39 PM PDT reply actions  

Aside from the question of
whether or not you pitch to Frank at all, I cannot BELIEVE that anyone would throw him an inside pitch.  He announced to the whole world about a month ago that he'd narrowed his focus this year to trying to drive inside pitches out of the park, recognizing that as he gets older he can't cover the whole plate like he used to.  Throw him outside pitches and he either does a nice piece of hitting to right and gets a SINGLE (barely, in today's case) or you get him out.  If you throw him inside, he WILL hit a HR and beat you.  Its crazy!  Shhhhh, don't tell the Twins, Tigers, or Yanks.

by DavidA on Oct 3, 2006 1:40 PM PDT reply actions  

Don't forget...
Frank's mini slump was because they were pitching him inside.

When they pitch outside, Frank has such a great eye that he leaves it alone unless it's over the plate which means the margin for error is very low.

He's just such a great hitter that he's made the adjustment to nail them on the inside pitches too.  

by As Exile in Atlanta on Oct 3, 2006 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

can anyone explain the Bradley mistake?
I thought it was against the wall so he had no chance to make a catch anyway.

Did it actually bounce in the outfield and then hit the wall??

It's a beautiful day for baseball.

by As Man on Oct 3, 2006 1:41 PM PDT reply actions  

Landed on the track, I think.
Had he not lost it in the ceiling, he would have been there in plenty of time and caught it.  But that happens all the time at that idiot stadium, so I don't blame him.

by DavidA on Oct 3, 2006 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

it hit the wall
it was way high, and kotsay was over to catch it off the wall. i don't think bradley could've gotten it any faster, though it might have been a double and not a triple (though i still think he would've moved to third the next batter)
"I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere." - The Asphalt Jungle

by drmmerchk on Oct 3, 2006 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

so you disagree with DavidA?
It's a beautiful day for baseball.

by As Man on Oct 3, 2006 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

i could always be wrong
but i could have sworn it hit about 15 feet up the wall.
"I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere." - The Asphalt Jungle

by drmmerchk on Oct 3, 2006 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

It did
And I think even if Milton had seen the ball, Cuddyer still would have had a triple.
"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Oct 3, 2006 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not so
It bounced on the edge of the warning track, and then high up off the outfield wall.  Little doubt in my mind that it would've been a routine flyout had MB seen it the whole way.
The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 3, 2006 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

From AP
"The Big Hurt now has 50 homers ... against Minnesota ... the second-most hit by one player against the Twins behind Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson (51)."

Nice company to be keeping - and hopefully overtaking before the week is out.

"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 3, 2006 1:42 PM PDT reply actions  

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

by baseballgirl on Oct 3, 2006 1:44 PM PDT reply actions  

I love hearing ESPN try to
figuere out how on earth Frank Thomas could hit a home run against the amazing Santana! Bumbeling idiots.

by asfan777 on Oct 3, 2006 1:44 PM PDT reply actions  

Here's what I'm nervous about now:
this feels great!  Very exciting.  Huge win.  Team looked very good.  But.  We STILL pretty much need to win 2 out 3 here.  I would not like our chances at all going back into the Dome for Game 5.  Especially since there's a decent chance Santana will be pitching in that game (vs. Game 4).  Beating Santana twice in one week in that dome?  That's a huge longshot.  A's need to close this out in 3 or 4.  A win tomorrow would be huge.

by DavidA on Oct 3, 2006 1:45 PM PDT reply actions  

High pitch strategy?
An observation.  Zito and Street pitched high in the strike zone all game.  The Twins are not a homerun hitting team.  The result was that most of the Twins outs were fly balls.  The A's gave up no turf hits.  One home run and a dome triple was the only damage.  I did not see the 1-0 Haren win the last time the A's were in the dome.  Did he do the same thing?  Was this the A's Stradegy?
Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Oct 3, 2006 1:49 PM PDT reply actions  

Don't Overlook Kendall Throwing Out Castillo ...
... in the first.

It ... was ... HUGE!!!

I didn't see the 8th inning ... damn work day ... but I thought Zito should have gone out for the 9th. Low pitch count and, let's face it, Street has been pretty shaky recently.

Let's hope his solid outing today is the start of a solid run by our closer.

by Eck on Oct 3, 2006 1:50 PM PDT reply actions  

I disagree on Zito
His pitch count was low and he was pitching well heading into the 8th.  Castillo is far worse from the right side of the plate opposed to the left [although the reverse is true for Punto which would argue for bringing in The Duke].  Watching the game I thought Zito pitched great and was in control, even with runners on base, and he handled the pressure real well.  Which was great to see because I am sure we all can remember games were he gets flustered with runners on base in games where he is lacking his best stuff.  

Kotsay had some real nice plays in center today too.  The one against the wall in left center and he cut off a ball nicely to keep a hit to a single.  Great game.

Must remember we haven't won anything yet and the A's, and us as fans, need to keep focus.  We need to close a series out this time!  Go A's.

by migueltejada on Oct 3, 2006 1:51 PM PDT reply actions  

4 observations
  1. the worm has maybe turned for this crew in the playoffs. in the last 4 plyoff tries that FB in the 9th comes back to haunt the a's and they lose. but not today. today was a huge win against one the best pitcher in the AL and now the boys face some dipshit named boof and a late 30 something dude with a torn "roto-cuff"...sweet.
  2. big frank is the bomb. now with 2 righties going for minny chavez MUST STEP UP!!!
  3. i curse MLB for scheduling a day game in the shit hole. what a disgrace.
  4. street scares the hell outta me. usually every year there is a closer that wears the horns..i hope it ain't street. i give him credit though for not losing his shit after milt's screw up.
"The Matt Watson/Chiba Lotte Marines Fan Club"-Through Sept 13th: GMS:61,AVG:.282,OBP:.366,SLG:.429, doubles:11, homers:5, RBI:20

by bigelephant on Oct 3, 2006 1:51 PM PDT reply actions  

one minor disagreement
Santana is the best pitcher in either league.
1972...1973...1974...1989...2006

by emperor nobody on Oct 3, 2006 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

probably, but not today
thank god.
"The Matt Watson/Chiba Lotte Marines Fan Club"-Through Sept 13th: GMS:61,AVG:.282,OBP:.366,SLG:.429, doubles:11, homers:5, RBI:20

by bigelephant on Oct 3, 2006 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

WHAT?!
Santana's line:

8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K's, 107 pitches

That's a great day! Zito was just BETTER.

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

by baseballgirl on Oct 3, 2006 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

well,
i think that's what i said.

santana IS the best pitcher in ML, just not today. thank god.

come on people, i gotta be right here somewhere!?!?!?

"The Matt Watson/Chiba Lotte Marines Fan Club"-Through Sept 13th: GMS:61,AVG:.282,OBP:.366,SLG:.429, doubles:11, homers:5, RBI:20

by bigelephant on Oct 3, 2006 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

Surprise
Who was the last team to beat Santana at home? That's right the Oakland A's. Zito looked good in his audition for his possible new team and plus he used the notion of getting flyouts instead of getting that inside pitch on hitters, Frank Thomas, just keep doing your thing.
"Talk about impressive. My point is this: Break's over."- Josiah Bartlet

by doublehustle22 on Oct 3, 2006 1:51 PM PDT reply actions  

A few things:
  1. Gardenhire should have known better than to go with Crain in the ninth inning.  Crain is sporting the Billy Koch Memorial Facial Hair, which -- as we saw in 2002 - results in allowing a team to extend a lead it would otherwise have relinquished given the events of the ninth.  For shame, Gardenhire.  For shame.
  2. Check out SFGate.com.  The A's are the main story and their linescore is at the top of the page.  Second team in a two-team town, indeed.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 3, 2006 2:01 PM PDT reply actions  

Love it.
Billy Koch Memorial Facial Hair.  Love it.

by sslinger on Oct 3, 2006 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

BKMFH, bravo! Was that Frazier or Niles, btw?
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

re 2
Its October, so its a one-team town :-)
"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 3, 2006 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

exactly
although maybe bonds will give another press conference with his son later this afternoon and push the a's off the front page of tomorrow's sports section.
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 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

pujols just homered to give the cardinals a
2-0 lead.
"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Oct 3, 2006 2:04 PM PDT reply actions  

pitching beats hitting once again today
as pujols hits a two run jack against peavy
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 2:05 PM PDT reply actions  

uh, vice versa
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 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Peavy hit a 2-run jack off of Pujols?
"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 3, 2006 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

TLR really outsmarted
himself by naming Pujols the game one starter.  Just got too cute/
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 3, 2006 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

On the other hand,
I'm not convinced that Pujols would be a worse pitcher than Mulder, Marquis, or Ponson.
Some are sabermetricians.

by andeux on Oct 3, 2006 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

but using rolen as a one inning only closer
is genius.
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 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

I say we just concede Game 1
and move on to Game 2.

Oops! That was supposed to be in yesterday's thread.

"The A's are boring because all they do is win."

by Checkswing HR on Oct 3, 2006 2:06 PM PDT reply actions  

TVU
is there a trick to getting this thing to work.  I'm trying to set it up so i can use it tomorrow during class.

by raulhukilledu on Oct 3, 2006 2:08 PM PDT reply actions  

It worked perfectly.
Just download and pick ESPN.
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 3, 2006 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

what is tvu?
Do you have a link to the download?  Thanks!

by bringbackgallego on Oct 3, 2006 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Go here and download to watch TV on your PC
http://www.tvunetworks.com

You need a fast connection though.

"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thankyou-Thankyou-Thankyou
This is just what I needed.
Thomas Walker

by Thomas Walker on Oct 4, 2006 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

win game 2...
then win game 3 and get out of trouble

its time to vindicate alot of pent up bad luck

boof go the twins

the A's haters need to eat a little crow for the first time

http://www.royalsreview.com

www.royalsreview.com

by Freneau on Oct 3, 2006 2:10 PM PDT reply actions  

Zito's 8th
According to the press (I work out East and din't get to see it live), "Zito retired Luis Castillo, Nick Punto, and Joe Mauer on three pitches"

Not much effort for an 8th inning.

by NovA'sFan on Oct 3, 2006 2:12 PM PDT reply actions  

You guys had 3000 posts during the game?
That's impressive.  

I can imagine it was the single best game thread of all time. Glad you all had each other to live through it with.

by RLangford on Oct 3, 2006 2:15 PM PDT reply actions  

Not that impressive...
2000 of them were "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" ;)
"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 3, 2006 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Sorry. Clearly, it's not out of my system yet.
Squeak!

by ArakSOT on Oct 3, 2006 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

As I wrote yesterday
the pressure was on the Twins today, everyone assumed they would win the series and with Santana win today.  The A's are playing with house money tomorrow, they should be loose whereas the Twins will be tight.  Loiza doesn't walk guys, and throws a lot of off speed stuff which should be effective.  
The young Twins pitcher has a lot of pressure, I like our chances.  It appears to  me that FT is a little pissed that the A's are given no chance in this series judging by his comments after the game.  I like that very much.

by china bob on Oct 3, 2006 2:16 PM PDT reply actions  

Chavez should give Frank a couple
million off his contract next year as an incentive to stay.  

Frank is doing all the heavy lifting that was expected from Chavez and he has yet to deliver on...

Friends don't let friends read HalosHeaven

by BruceBochte on Oct 3, 2006 2:18 PM PDT reply actions  

Pulols reminds me of a young Frank Thomas
Friends don't let friends read HalosHeaven

by BruceBochte on Oct 3, 2006 2:20 PM PDT reply actions  

Just read your write up
No offense, Blez--I mean you're one of my heroes because of this site.

But that's your write up for this game. Are you kidding me?

It should have been about 100 times more celebratory. Macha, Bradley, Kendall, Chavez--even Zito--all to some degree criticized.

This was likely the A's most impressive victory in the five year's Beane's teams have been in the playoffs. There have been better games. But there has never been a more unexpected victory--both nationally and by us.

And they didn't just ride on Thomas' shoulders.

Barry Zito went face to face with Santana in the Dome. Santana gave up two; Zito, one. Barry Zito was heroic today.

by RLangford on Oct 3, 2006 2:22 PM PDT reply actions  

i agree with this
biggest victory of the beane era.  
i don't think even the most optimistic diehard a's fan could have expected this team to beat santana at the dome.
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 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

I dont think it should be celebratory....
One win..and a huge one at that..but we have been here before.  Long ways to go.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

yes
If we go on and lose this series, the win won't seem as huge.  Biggest win in the Beane era for now, but two more wins have to come before it is celebration time.
Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 3, 2006 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

ONE down. TEN to go.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Oct 3, 2006 2:24 PM PDT reply actions  

he's at 70 pitches already though.
"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Oct 3, 2006 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yea, not gonna go long....
But amazing pitches on 3-2 to Branyan and Gonzalez
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

peavy is struggling.
"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on Oct 3, 2006 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wow..
Frank = Oldest player with a multi-HR game in playoff history
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 3, 2006 2:35 PM PDT reply actions  

lol
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Oct 3, 2006 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, so now you're back, eh?
It's not like you were missed or anything.

<dials suicide prevention hotline for Jennifer>

"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

I hate you.
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Oct 3, 2006 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

<hugs>
We hate you, too.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 3, 2006 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

:D
"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Oct 3, 2006 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

<pours another glass of celebratory H8RADE>
"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic." - sappy drunk salb918

by McFood on Oct 3, 2006 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

<aims with eyes closed>
I missed you.
but jesus--rhyming is a pain in the ass! -- Rubin Sierra @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

As Rep. Foley said to the intern
"The theme of the day is murky." -- Ken Macha, August 11, 2006

by Englishmajor on Oct 3, 2006 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

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

by monkeyball on Oct 3, 2006 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

it's "page"
everybody knows that, duh.
It's a beautiful day for baseball.

by As Man on Oct 3, 2006 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Looks like the happy dance!
"Maybe if I lay here in the dirt, nobody will notice I've forgotten how to hit" ~Crosby in ANtics

by streetfan on Oct 3, 2006 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

we gots to remember, though...
that despite our passion and loyalty, Macha and his staff know what to do in these games better than anyone!!! second guessing is too easy, especiially at this point.  I was 2nd guessing Macha as to not letting Zito stay in for the complete game!!...but then Morgan said the same thing and I vomitted.
We got to trust...and this tam just seems better equipped to execute than the past playoff teams.  
tdwclark

by tdwclark on Oct 3, 2006 4:48 PM PDT reply actions  

unreal
I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING THERE TODAY!  AWESOME!  YET THEY STILL NEED TO TAKE IT ONE GAME AT A TIME.  

by gelenz on Oct 3, 2006 5:07 PM PDT reply actions  

Wow...YOU are SO lucky!!!
"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 3, 2006 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

You were there?
Actually, there?  Tell us more.  I demand a recap.
"so... I'll take that as 'none of your business'" ~ ArakSOT

by eamb on Oct 3, 2006 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

A's fan in Minnesota
Here is an A's fan originally from Oakland but now living in MN.  I thought work was going to be tough today with SAnTANa pitching but it turned out to be just fine.

by SwisherMan on Oct 3, 2006 6:40 PM PDT reply actions  

Oakland is for lovers.
So how is it that Brian Sabean signs every freakin' old guy in the world, but he neglected to get the living action figure, Frank F'ing Thomas (destroyer of worlds)?

I hope Kenny Williams cries into his cereal tomorrow. And uses vodka instead of milk because he hates himself. Yeah, bitch. That's what happens when you don't call Frank. He calls YOU... by launching a HR that leaves the Dome THROUGH the roof and heads to Chicago just to break the window on KW's car. Bitch.

What gets me about today's game was the Bradley play... Not in a bad way, I can't blame the guy for not seeing a white ball against a white roof (damn you, DOME!). It's the fact that it felt like, "It's happening again." That this would be like every other year, that one bad moment would snowball.

And then... it wasn't. To me, that was the ultimate sign that these A's are a different brand of baseball. In the past, that play would have been easily pinpointed as the downfall in a crushing comeback for the Twins. This year... it was just a bloop. A minor moment. A moment of stress that just made the end sweeter.

Frank Thomas is so damn big he could carry this whole team and half the 'Cats on his back.

But this is a team of guys that can do it when they need to. Man Candy Scutaro. Zito....

I love Zito. I love that man, I love him, we need to make the ALCS for a lot of reasons, but the one that rings in my head is that he earned another start after tonight. He earned everything. That was a #1 starter, that was an ace moment, and I will carry sweet memories of today in my heart forever. Because that was Barry Zito being Barry Zito, the Cy Young shine that we love.

These boys just look so focused, they look so READY -- even when Santana kicked their ass around a little, they got the job done. They did enough to win, and that is some goddamn A's baseball right there.

I just hope Kendall gets a big hit tomorrow because the sappy side of me wants to see him have his chance to shine in his first postseason. There are some guys on this team with something to prove, and I wanna see it.

Oh, and watching the game at an on-campus restaurant? Fabulous f'ing plan. This was a game that was only made better by being in the company of fellow fans.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Oct 3, 2006 7:24 PM PDT reply actions  

Today's game was typical A's...
Great pitching, Thomas slugging, plus Street Save.
This is exactly the formula needed. One game at a time, treat everyday as the same. We are still the underdogs until we make it to the next round!
Nice job Zito, go Loaiza in Game 2!!

Let's GO OAKLAND!!!

Underdog Revolution!!

by OaktownRajah on Oct 3, 2006 9:39 PM PDT reply actions  

Game 2
We MUST win it. If we go to the Coliseum at 1-1, they steal a game there (e.g. Morneau, Mauer and Cuddyer wake up and they shell us for 6 in one inning), we then face Cy Santana again in Game 5. Not appetising. Today's game is a must, not just a should.

BTW: I am an A's fan in London, UK, and the game started at 6 PM our time, so I was not complaining about the time!

by IvanMilat on Oct 4, 2006 12:59 AM PDT reply actions  

What about Ginter?
I'm still (at least partly) convinced that his poor numbers at the plate last year were because of lack of AB's.

But he's not on the 40-man roster, right?

"The A's are boring because all they do is win."

by Checkswing HR on Oct 4, 2006 4:41 PM PDT reply actions  

Opps! Wrong thread.
"The A's are boring because all they do is win."

by Checkswing HR on Oct 4, 2006 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

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