DLD 01/11/2006 -- Oakland Ham Fighter?

by rfloh on Nov 1, 2006 7:07 AM PST Comment 102 comments

According to Ken Rosenthal, Billy Beane has good things to say about Trey Hillman.

"I've heard nothing but great things about him," A's general manager Billy Beane says. "And I've heard it from a lot of people I really respect, all coming from different angles, none of whom are connected to each other."

Rosenthal also says Beane is confident that Frank Thomas will return.

Beane remains confident of re-signing designated hitter Frank Thomas to a two-year deal; he said he has been in contact with Thomas' agent, Arn Tellem, over the last few days. "Each time we talk there is some type of progress toward resolution," Beane says. "Something like this, given his year, does not get done right away. I don't think they're being unreasonable. I don't think they think we're being unreasonable. The desire for both of us is to get something done."

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Fun with euphemisms.

Heyman

Regarding Gary Sheffield:

Maybe someone reminded him that this is his deal, the one he was so proud to make. Because this week he's been oddly silent. Yankees people are hoping that maybe the recent silence will help their chances to get what they want, which is a fair deal. As one Yankees person said, hopefully, "He's shot his [bullets]. There's nothing more he can do."

"Shot his [bullets]" is hereby nominated for a spot in the AN euphemism hierarchy.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 7:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

<snerk>

"[bullets]"

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 1, 2006 7:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Silly Heyman

Silence from Sheffield does not equal resignation. Shut-down Sheff lives on.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 8:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A silent Sheffield is a deadly Sheffield.

That should be his new nickname... Silent But Deadly.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 1, 2006 8:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops.

Forget to Hat Tip BTF for that link. More discussion here.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 8:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, what bugs me about that ...

... is that the euphemism is utterly unnecessary: "shot his wad," while it does have sexual connotations, is an actual technical term from a muzzle-loaded gun.

The dip[bullet] editor who Bowdlerized that quote would probably have a problem with "bunghole" appearing in a family newspaper. Sheesh! Have these people never been to Colonial Williamsburg?

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

by monkeyball on Nov 1, 2006 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

I have never seen a ham fight.

by billyball1981 on Nov 1, 2006 7:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The team is called

The Fighters.

They are owned by Nippon Ham, a meatpacking concern.

In Japan, the Oakland Athletics would probably be called the Levi's Athletics, or the Fisher-Wolff-Beane Athletics.

The Mariners would be the Nintendo Mariners...

You get the drift...

"Every time I look at a Yankees hat, I see a swastika turned slightly off kilter."- Bill "The Spaceman" Lee

by K56 on Nov 2, 2006 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

While Trick or Treating last night

did anyone get any "Venezuelan man candy" in their bag?

by Amnesiac727 on Nov 1, 2006 8:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just some bullets

by Zonis on Nov 1, 2006 8:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also known as

Free Swinging Dominican Shortstop Man Candy.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 8:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

QOTM! nominee!

by Amnesiac727 on Nov 1, 2006 8:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

clutch it as hard as you can

you don't want it to get away from you.

by Zonis on Nov 1, 2006 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Keep it away from SUVs too

The candy develops a mind of its own at that point.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 8:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

But I did see a fair number of A's players at the Club Mallard Halloween Party.....including one guy who looked incredibly similar to Esteban Loiaza....

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Nov 1, 2006 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

was he dressed as a ferrari

and going 120?

by Zonis on Nov 1, 2006 8:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not me.

I ended up going as a Dominican who eats men and candy, but that's not the same thing.

Now THAT'S a Bartolo Colon costume - that's what I'm talking 'bout.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Nov 1, 2006 8:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

VOTE FOR BILL KING!

click here.

by gotgreen on Nov 1, 2006 8:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oakland's own fighting ham

Located near Jack London Square. I think there's a sponsorship deal waiting to happen here.

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 8:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can see it now.

Vince: Harden goes into the windup, here's the pitch...swung on and missed, strike three! And that 97 mph fastball that smoked Giambi was brought to you by Prime Smoked Meats, inc.

Ken: Watching Giambi go back to the dugout, he looks like a piece of smoked meat himself.

Bill: <rolls over>

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 9:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Bill was OK with the sponsors

His enthusiastic "Gas with VROOOOOOOM" delivery made me think he was at peace with the pitchman aspect of his chosen profession. I can imagine this:

"Ray Fosse has gone to the media lounge to make me up a tub of my favorite ballgame snack, popcorn with jalapenos, relish, and Prime Smoke Meat products! Don't settle for composites...make sure you choose only PRIIIIIIME Smoked Meats!"

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 9:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe if Denny Neagle

comes out of retirement...

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 9:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone want a job?

MLB.com is hiring for the 2007 season....

http://jobsearch.mlb.careers.monster.com/

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Nov 1, 2006 9:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

I think I might apply for the Padres sports reporter opening. Wish me luck :-)

BigLeagueChoo: rerish noooo

by JLaff on Nov 1, 2006 9:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

good luck!!

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Nov 1, 2006 5:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hmm the pitch f/x operator one is interesting...

In the list of responsibilities it has: Size the strike zone for each batter during the game.

K-Zone don't lie!

"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 Nov 1, 2006 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does that mean...

...measuring them while they're in the on-deck circle? "Excuse me, now I need to check your inseam..."

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 1, 2006 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ooh, Chic Euro Dating!

Or was my Halloween so wild that I've gone and slept until January?

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 9:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The A's

kindly yet slow neighbors open tonight at "The O."

I will begin my annual two weeks of pretending the Warriors might be goo.

by mikeA on Nov 1, 2006 9:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

d

by mikeA on Nov 1, 2006 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It was better

the first way.

Some are sabermetricians.

by andeux on Nov 1, 2006 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the extra d Foyles the more precise meaning

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want the Warriors

to get caught up in a firestorm of euphemism.

by mikeA on Nov 1, 2006 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Too late.

by mikeA on Nov 1, 2006 9:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the Warriors might be [bullets]

"Having a vote for 'most clutch' baseball player is like having a vote for 'most real' monster." - Ken Tremendous

by ArakSOT on Nov 1, 2006 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a goo one!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 9:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of the Letterman joke:

Did you hear the Washington Bullets are going to change their name to remove associations with violence? Yeah, now they're just going to call them the Bullets.

by DavidA on Nov 1, 2006 10:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also reminds me of Letterman

Remember when he used to refer to Terry Forster as a fat tub of goo?

This was a ways back...

by easyraider on Nov 1, 2006 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Astros cut ties to Bagwell

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2645544

I assume he's calling it a career, too.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 9:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

would the As have any interest in Piazza?

he was let go

Hi, I am closetasfan, and I am a NRAF, and an ANA

by closetasfan on Nov 1, 2006 10:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm interested

in laughing as he tries to throw out runners for a team that is not the A's.

by mikeA on Nov 1, 2006 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

only if we don't re-sign Frank

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

by monkeyball on Nov 1, 2006 10:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

More Matsuzaka matters

Jim Caple opines that Daisuke Matsuzaka won't be worth the money it'll take to sign him. As an aside, the column recalls that Matsuzaka "threw 250 pitches in a 17-inning victory during the national high school tournament, which is considered the world record for a pitcher not managed by Dusty Baker."

Caple also gets off a good line about the posting to negotiate process: "Paying money for the right to negotiate with (Scott) Boras is...like paying for the right to be audited by the IRS."

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 10:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's nothing

Last month, they finished something in Japan called the Koshien. It's a tournament that starts with 2,500 high school baseball teams and ran all summer. High school baseball in Japan is "Friday Night Lights" on steroids. The 2,500 are whittled down to a final 48 and August Madness ensues.

The star righthander for Komadai Tomakomai, the 2006 runner-up team, is named Masahiro Tanaka, recent No. 1 pick in the Japan amateur draft. He throws in the mid-90s and has broken all of Matsuzaka's high school strikeout records. As the Koshien moved toward the championship round, Tanaka pitched four complete-game victories in as many days, including a nationally televised 15-inning classic. Over the span of a week, the kid threw more than 800 pitches. Nobody moaned about his pitch counts, however.

link (via BTF)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

good lord

when he's 26 he can look at his arm(which will be stuffed and hanging on his wall) and say, "boy, we had some good times you and i."

800 pitches in 4 days. that is crazy. no one should let that happen.

by Backspin on Nov 1, 2006 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Holy smokes!

So it sounds like this kind of crazy pitching workload is not uncommon in the Koshien. Has anyone studied the impact on the health and careers of these teen prodigies a few years down the road?

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 10:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes me wonder

if the US practice of limiting workloads so severely actually makes those players MORE prone to arm injury.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 10:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder similarly

when I hear about all of the complete games people used to throw. It wasn't even that long ago.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Nov 1, 2006 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Workloads

The issue when calculating workloads is that you can't just regulate volume. You need to account for intensity too.

Regulating pitch counts only regulates a pitcher's workload. Whereas, how hard a pitcher throws and what pitches he throws affect the intensity variable. For example, let's say you have a pitcher say, JV who can throw a 100 mph fastball. It would be easier for JV to throw 100 fastballs at 90 mph, than 100 fastballs at 98 mph. This doesn't even take into account the different stresses of throwing off speed and breaking pitches.

Another example. Lets say you can lift a 100 pound weight and press it over your head for 1 time. Hence your 1 rep max is 100 pounds. Now lets say you lift 80 pounds 2 times, stop and rest for 2 minutes, and repeat this for 4 more sets. That is 80 pounds for 5 sets of 2. Now lets say you lift the 100 pounds for 10 sets of 1. In both cases, you would be lifting a weight 10 times. However, everyone and anyone would say that you would be working much harder in the 2nd (100 pounds) case.

Regulating volume (pitches) without making any attempt to regulate intensity is misguided.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Nov 1, 2006 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bah. I can't type

Regulating pitch counts only regulates a pitcher's workload. should be

Regulating pitch counts only regulates the volume of a pitcher's workload.

Regulating volume (pitches) without making any attempt to regulate intensity is misguided. should be

Regulating volume (# of pitches) without making any attempt to regulate intensity is misguided.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Nov 1, 2006 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

An interesting distinction

I think I was after whether or not limiting pitch counts so vociferously, as is done in the US, is really that valuable.

I guess the question is whether or not those who throw pitches with abandon (such as MLB pitchers of old, or these Japanese pitchers) rarely throw max effort, and that's why they're able to do it.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 4:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Going into the final beween Tanaka's

team and the team from Waseda, Yuuki Saitoh, the starting pitcher for Waseda had thrown 830 pitches, while Tanaka had thrown 658 pitches.

I'm surprised the writer focused on Tanaka, instead of Saitoh, especially given the team Saitoh played for.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Nov 1, 2006 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's exactly what I was going to point out

That article's pretty inaccurate. Komazawa didn't even start Tanaka in every game OR have him throw complete games, either... they'd usually have someone else start the game but he'd come in after 2-3 innings because the other pitchers mostly sucked.

Also, what they're not mentioning is that the 15-inning classic was a TIED GAME and that the two teams had to replay it from the start the next day. (I know, because I actually watched it.) Saitoh pitched complete-game victories in all of those. That kid is nuts.

Marinerds - a different daily dose of baseblog.

by Deanna on Nov 1, 2006 4:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

America's getting soft, patron

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

by monkeyball on Nov 1, 2006 11:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Little offseason comic altering...

(View the original here)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 11:28 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

lol!

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." -- Connie Mack

by GreenSocks on Nov 1, 2006 4:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mulder interested in Angelos' wallet.

Under the guise of interest in Leo Mazzone's tutelage:

"One of the things Mark has really benefited from is having a good pitching coach," Clifton said Tuesday. "People don't realize the draw of Leo Mazzone. Mark is a veteran guy who at least would consider Leo as a mentor."

The article contains conflicting views on when Mulder will be ready to pitch:

When asked that question during the World Series, Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty said, "I would think June." Clifton disputes that estimate.

"They told me, worst-case situation, he'd be 100 percent in 5 1/2 months," Clifton said. "Ten to 11 months was never uttered."

Clifton's estimate puts Mulder's return right around the start of spring training.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 11:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

From BCB, the SB nation ROY

awards

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Nov 1, 2006 11:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Esteban German???

BigLeagueChoo: rerish noooo

by JLaff on Nov 1, 2006 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mota suspended

50 games for violating drug policy. Does that mean steroids?

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 11:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No more mota for Mota.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

<snerk>

"Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program"

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

by monkeyball on Nov 1, 2006 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

To add the serious answer

to the obligatory joke, this is steroids. Drugs of abuse are treated very differently, both in testing and in punishment. Players are only tested for drugs of abuse on the basis of reasonable cause, and the penalties are different:

Conviction for use of prohibited substances:

First offense: 15 to 30-day suspension or up to a $10,000 fine

Second offense: 30 to 90-day suspension or up to $50,000 fine

Third offense: One year suspension or up to $100,000 fine

Fourth offense: Two year suspension
Any subsequent offense(s): The level of the discipline will be determined by the Office of the Commissioner, consistent with the concept of progressive discipline.

Participation in sale of prohibited substances:

First offense: 60 to 90-day suspension and up to a $100,000 fine

Second offense: Two-year suspension

Any subsequent offense: The level of the discipline will be determined by the Office of the Commissioner, consistent with the concept of progressive discipline.

(link)

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So only steroids are prohibited?

What are the punishments for amphetamines?

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Nov 1, 2006 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I didn't make that clear.

The above penalties are for "drugs of abuse" ONLY. Amphetamines are an entirely different category, separate from drugs of abuse, and are treated thusly:

The new agreement also will provide for random amphetamine testing in Major League Baseball. Players who test positive for amphetamines for the first time will be subject to mandatory evaluation and follow-up testing. Subsequent positive tests for amphetamines will carry suspensions of 25 games, 80 games and up to a lifetime ban.

Steroids are also a different category with different (stronger) penalties: 50 games for first violation, 100 games for the second, and a lifetime ban for the third.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 1, 2006 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

reasonable cause

Anyone got some clean pee for Danny Haren?

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

by monkeyball on Nov 1, 2006 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Look out!

Pirates!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 1, 2006 1:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKFqJdhRaIM

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 Nov 1, 2006 1:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tell me you people have seen this...

the muffin video, that is. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll shudder... it's a must-see.

Baseball muffin?

"He's the heart and soul of the green and gold."

by whiteshoes40 on Nov 1, 2006 5:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Did we go back in time?

Or is the DLD title using the non-American day/month/year date format? :)

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

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Nov 1, 2006 5:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

<switches DLD metric back to 'corn dogs'>

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

by monkeyball on Nov 1, 2006 5:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OT- Did anyone just see Lost?

AHHHHHHHH!!!

<sob>

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 1, 2006 7:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lost?

What's that?

I threw that horseshoe into the weeds to see what luck can bring

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 1, 2006 7:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

God that makes me mad

He did the same thing in the previous show he was my favorite character too...

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Nov 1, 2006 10:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ignore everything I'm saying to you.

Juliet's trying to trick Jack...

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 2, 2006 7:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally.

She's the evil one.... something terrible is going to happen.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 8:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i disagree

but i don't know how to do white text so i can't explain myself.

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 Nov 2, 2006 8:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Please explain.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

what do i take out of that to make it work?

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

by xbhaskarx on Nov 2, 2006 8:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing.

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 2, 2006 8:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

okay

warning: this may be slightly incoherent because i didn't get much sleep.

i guess it's possible that she's trying to trick him, but that would just be dumb.
what would be the point? it's just too easy.
on one side you have gale, who was involved in killing like three of his friends, has pretty much been a jerk the whole time, has lied, and seems to be in charge (and therefore responsible).
on the other side you have juliet, who has been nice to him, brings him food, and seems to be his only hope for eventual freedom.
obviously jack would side with her over him, i'm sure the others realize that. and even if they wanted to test his loyalty, i doubt they'd do it while he's performing a serious surgical procedure. also, they (aside from juliet) haven't really done much to expect any loyalty from him. what would be the point? they could just go in there and shoot him whenever they want.

i guess it's possible that juliet is trying to trick him but gale isn't in on it, but then how is it a trick?

i think jack is going to perform the operation and not try to kill gale (b/c of the whole doctor thing). i'm sure it'll be successful because it's lost and he's jack. i think juliet will switch sides and help them escape, but she'll probably die soon after because she can't reveal too much about what's really going on.

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 Nov 2, 2006 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What I think...

It's really all just taking place inside an autistic child's snow globe, but without the snow.

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 2, 2006 9:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So...

Juliet wants Ben dead because the Others want to change the way they live? That's it? WTF is going on here that we don't know about? I thought this was a great island to be on. I didn't understand that, and that's why I think something is up... unless I missed a part of her explanation.

I thought she might be trying to convince Jack to kill Ben so she could have Ben out of the way (she would then be the leader, I guess) and be able to tell the other Others that she didn't kill him. Her hands are clean, she points the finger at Jack, the Others kill him, and their life will go on with Ben and the Losties out of the way.

Is it possible to have a spoiler within a spoiler?

*Spoiler*

BTW, Entertainment Weekly has an article about Elizabeth Mitchell in the current issue. They say the 7th ep, the first after the break, is a Juliet flashback. The author of the article mentions while he was on set, they were filming a scene in which Juliet shoots someone... "Cameras rolling, she expertly wields a Sig Sauer and pumps two bullets into someone shocking; the still-standing are left gasping as she coldly lowers the gun."

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 9:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

but...

if her plan is to be rid of Ben, why not just wait for the tumor to kill him?

"Having a vote for 'most clutch' baseball player is like having a vote for 'most real' monster." - Ken Tremendous

by ArakSOT on Nov 2, 2006 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That could take years.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 10:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

without an operation?

i don't think so.

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 Nov 2, 2006 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really know.

I was just going by personal experience.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i was just assuming

that it was just juliet and not all of the other others who were in on the jack killing ben idea.
i'm still sticking by my previous post.
as far as theh entertainment weekly thing: i really doubt it's jack. is that what you were thinking?
what if this person wasn't aware of juliet's plan from this week's episode, so the "someone shocking" is ben/gale or another one of the others?
if she's getting flashbacks, i think that supports the idea of her joining up with the losties. the bearded guy and gale didn't get flashbacks...
also, what kind of sig are we talking here? 220? 226?

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 Nov 2, 2006 10:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: your first point

I agree with you on Juliet being the only Other to be in on the idea of Jack killing Ben. If this place is a cult or something, Ben could have some loyal followers that might not like one of their own killing the leader.

But what if Ben is just fucking with Jack and Ben actually had Juliet play that tape? Like a mind game.

And why would Juliet need to join up with the Losties?

The EW thing: Jack that gets shot? I don't think so either. The article mentioned Kate, Sawyer, Juliet, and some Others as being in the scene. It's possible she shoot Ben.

<sigh>

My head is going to explode.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 11:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Crap

About the sig: It was the same as the Marshal's, whatever that was.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

All right, but

why are we having this conversation in two different DLDs?

btw, I think it's a test of Jack, but am not sure if Ben and Juliet are working together on it

"Having a vote for 'most clutch' baseball player is like having a vote for 'most real' monster." - Ken Tremendous

by ArakSOT on Nov 2, 2006 11:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Because the show is that awesome.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 12:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

because

this is the top secret cool kids lost discussion. no one else will ever think to look here.

i don't get this test theory.
are we talking about the others testing his loyalty? because as i said above, i think they have no reason to imagine that he could possibly be loyal to gale over juliet.
all this would test would be his loyalty to his own doctorness, and i really can't see him killing a patient on purpose during an operation either way.

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 Nov 2, 2006 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I must have stumbled into the wrong thread.

"...and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone."

by Jennifer on Nov 2, 2006 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

He's pretty quick to pick up a gun and raise an army etc. when losties are threatened...

"Having a vote for 'most clutch' baseball player is like having a vote for 'most real' monster." - Ken Tremendous

by ArakSOT on Nov 2, 2006 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

but he's not acting as a doctor then

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 Nov 2, 2006 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

need / want

i don't think juliet needs to join up with the losties, but maybe she wants to because

she's sick of all the stuff they've been doing
she's in love with jack

if by shoot we mean kill, no way she's killing kate or sawyer, i just don't see either of them being killed off.

i say she shoots ben, while helping kate/sawyer/jack escape.

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 Nov 2, 2006 12:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

whoa

the 1) and 2) are totally invisible

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 Nov 2, 2006 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate all of you guys.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 2, 2006 12:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

Don't hate on me, my computer died a couple of hours ago and I just got caught up... ;)

<hugs spork, kisses slide rule> ~ salb918

by Poppy on Nov 2, 2006 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Best Article of the offseason

not about the A's, but hillarious and very well put.

http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/2006/11/lets-heat-this-stove-up.html

by OaktownIn06 on Nov 1, 2006 8:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

BB & the A's are interested in Japan's F.A.s

BB has already dabbled: Yabu; but obviously came up short. A's have checked out this year's FA pitchers and perhaps position players as well. West Coast teams in particular seem keen on Japanese imports right now.

Macha had some experience in Japan and the A's may see some market advantages with such players, or recognize superior play in areas such as defense? footwork? accuracy? Speed? Longevity? work habits? other advantages at certain positions? (Speculating here folks).

Having "In House" current knowledge may appeal to the A's since a certain amount of continuity can be expected with all other coaches returning.

Then again there is the simple possibilty the A's owners are interested in researching of doing some business in Japan?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/11/01/sports/s134952S07.DTL

A few excerpts:

Hillman last week led the Fighters to their first Japan Series title since 1962, completing his second two-year contract with the club. Hillman left a job as Texas' director of player development for Japan just before the Rangers fired former manager Jerry Narron and hired Buck Showalter after the 2002 season.

Before his year in the Rangers organization, Hillman spent 12 seasons as a minor league manager in the New York Yankees organization.

Oakland would have only a seven-day window after interviews to negotiate with any of the candidates already under contract with other clubs.

One day Yogi Berra was approached by a baseball fan: "You look like Yogi Berra," the man declared. "Yeah," Berra replied, "a lotta people tell me that."

by A s Eh on Nov 1, 2006 9:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs