"Any Given Friday"

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:07 PM PDT in News

No offense to the once and future King Felix, but it seems to me that there was a dominant pitching performance tonight...and that it wasn't from Felix Hernandez. As excellent as Hernandez was tonight, Blanton was more excellenter, getting 8 innings out of his 99 pitches, allowing all of two singles, deciding that having runners in scoring position really wasn't his thing, and making it look easy from his first pitch to his last. I've been luke-warm on Blanton so far this career, but I think tonight was the night he sold me. Along with his signature command, Blanton's fastball looks livelier, and his breaking sharper, than I saw this time last year--or even last August when he was putting up outstanding numbers. The way he pitched tonight, it seemed like the A's were flaunting their rotation by letting Blanton pitch as the #5.

Also, the next time you want to fire Ken Macha, remember what really bad managing looks like. You don't walk Dan Johnson when he's 0-for-2006, when he's dragging the bat through the zone to pop up 3-1 cookies, when his luck is such that the only line drive he hits all season results in a diving catch. You don't walk him to pitch to Scutaro, a .321 lifetime hitter in April who is one of the only A's hitters going well right now. You don't walk Kendall, when you could bring the infield in and hope (gee, here's a stretch) that he might hit a weak ground ball or a short fly ball, so you can roll the batting order over to Kotsay, the other guy who is hitting well right now. I'm not saying Hargrove is a bad manager, I'm saying he managed really badly in that inning. Really, really badly. And not well.

Finally, a couple stray thoughts about the Bradley blunder. First of all, do you realize how hard it is to hit a ball off the center-field wall with two out and the bases loaded, and not drive in more than one run? It's really difficult (if you don't have Bengie Molina), but when Joe Blanton is pitching, the A's really commit to not scoring. Second of all, Kendall's speed cost the A's on that play. If it had been Thomas at first when the ball was hit, Bradley would have been able to return to third base (or at least stop at the nearest gas station to ask directions). Crazy, crazy, crazy. Luckily, it didn't matter.

EDITOR'S NOTE
For those who may not be aware, Saturday's game is a 6:05pm start. Frankly, I hadn't even checked, so I thought maybe others--especially those outside the Bay Area--might also be caught off guard. See you around 5:30pm with the game thread...

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Comments

MAN! Blanton was terrific!

Sorry, I'm a broken record stuck on "I Love Smokin' Joe Cupcakes!"

"This is the show. Do it right."

by baseballgirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:09 PM PDT reply actions

Blanton is a Stud!

I didn't quite understand the luke warm feelings many on AN showed towards Blanton during the spring. I mean the guy was awesome last summer and if he would have gotten some decent run support he could/should have won 16 last year. This year if he gets some okay run support I think he's on his way to 20!

Cheers, -Dave The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. --Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

by strivan21 on Apr 8, 2006 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

And Nico, you're right

That was one crappy piece of managing.

Who intentionally walks Kendall? You're supposed to intentionally walk to GET to Kendall.

"This is the show. Do it right."

by baseballgirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:12 PM PDT reply actions

I only had one eye on the game,

but I know Hargrove is absolutely nuts about R-on-R and L-on-L matchups, and that's why he made Mateo walk DJ to get to Scooper Pro. Ditto for walking Kendall so Sherrill wouldn't have to face a righty.

These kinds of maneuvers also backfired against Hargrove in last year's last series v. the A's.

"Great guys, great teams, great fans, great organization. No matter where I go, if I go, it's going to be hard to compare to what I've experienced here." - Zito

by Checkswing HR on Apr 7, 2006 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I know, but even so...

Then bring in Sherrill to face DJ!

And you would think a LOOGY like Sherrill would make a manager less wild about the whole lefty-lefty thing.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

FIRE HARGROVE NOW!!!

My Preemptive Kendall HR post: *OH MY GODDDD!!!* JASON KENDALL HIT A HOMER!!! Wooooooo!!1
My Blog.

by rungood on Apr 8, 2006 4:31 AM PDT up reply actions

you're right about the managing

the worst managerial decisions I witnessed this week were made by Torre and Hargrove, and the best i witnessed were made by Macha.

credit where credit it due

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh, Nico...

I'm most smartest here :] Cupcakes looked awesome tonight. Even my mother said he did, and you all know about my mother. In the 8th inning, she said, "He's getting tired. His pitches are going all over the place." I turned around and gave her this incredulous look and she said, "What? He is. He's been pitching really well, but it's time to take him out."

It was a once in a lifetime moment :]

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:12 PM PDT reply actions

I think your mom

just wanted Blanton out of there because she was worried he might grape someone.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Blanton? Grape someone?

I think she's more worried about him the seductive Doughboy giggle on me.

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions

What?!

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Apr 7, 2006 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Awww

I totally ruined that. "pulling the seductive doughboy giggle on me".

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I've notice...

that you and you're partner in crime haven't been around here as much as usual. What's up?

Ps. You're as good as GrnNGld to get into USC...if that's where you really want to go.

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Apr 7, 2006 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude.

I had been so insanely busy these past few months. It's horrible. Being a sophomore in high school SUCKS. And I, being Ms. Overacheiver, am in a choir after school that requires 8 hours a week extra rehearsal, I'm stat girl for the LHS baseball team (2-0!!!) and I'm keeping up a 4.1 GPA (with two honors classes) while I'm doing all that other stuff. It barely leaves me enough time to sleep, let alone go online! :] I've got a lot more time now, though, so hopefully, I'll be on AN more :] A part of me is smiling to know I've been missed!

And USC. I'm... having second thoughts. I'm thinking ASU/USC as my priorities. I've got two years to think about it :]

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Those 2 dont compare...

Both fun..but USC is the much better school. ASU is one big rager

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I've heard ASU is the better journalism school

But USC what I've wanted for as long as I can remember. I think I'm taking journalism at the community college for my junior year, so I'll be asking for all the advice I can get from anyone and everyone who is willing to give it to me.

Besides... which is the better party school? That's what matters! (Kidding....)

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know...

Maybe you're set on a warm climate, but if your grades are really that good and you're set on going to a great journalism school, consider Northwestern. I've had a few friends that have gone there and said it's quite good (plus it has the national reputation in journalism).

But even with all this being said, I agree with the posters below (I believe it was SportySpice and Bear88) who suggest going to the best school for you. You can definitely write for your school's paper, and who knows, once you get to college and take some other classes, your interests might change-- this happened to me.

You still have a long way to go, so sure, continue to work hard, but make sure you enjoy high school along the way. I feel like it was just yesterday I was in high school, and now I'm out of college in the "real world." Time flies whether you're having fun or not.

My Preemptive Kendall HR post: *OH MY GODDDD!!!* JASON KENDALL HIT A HOMER!!! Wooooooo!!1
My Blog.

by rungood on Apr 8, 2006 2:41 AM PDT up reply actions

J-schools

If you're looking into journalism schools - and willing to travel - St. Bonaventure is the way to go. It's by Buffalo, but it's rated as one of the best journalism programs in the East. Excellent profs, good job/internship placement, great atmosphere.
Five Pulitzer winners, including one of my profs, have gone to Bona's. Writers for ESPN, NY Post, etc. I graduated in December.

by RyanFromBonas on Apr 8, 2006 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

ASU....

I went there for undergrad, so I am very flattered that you would consider it..but people with 4.1gpa don't go to ASU. Made the trip up to Berkeley for a football game and the signs said it all:

"ASU-Another Shitty University"

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Apr 7, 2006 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

If you've got all that going on... with that GPA

...ASU/USC would be settling...

There are much, much better schools just in the Pac-10 alone...

But you're right, you have plenty of time to think about it...

by RickeySteals on Apr 7, 2006 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Settling?

Really? I'm worried about getting into USC because my GPA isn't good enough. Ha. I haven't really researched into anything else, so I wouldn't know what a really good school to go to would be.

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

You're right.

USC has gotten much more competitive over the past few years.

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Apr 7, 2006 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, it depends...

You can get a good education at almost any school...

When I was applying to colleges (and this was almost 10 years ago) USC was sort of a low-middle tier school, academically speaking.

In California alone, a lot of the UC's would probably be better, as would Stanford. A 4.1 GPA would warrant strong consideration from any school, especially if you have extra-curriculars to back it up

But, you really do have time - I wouldn't start worrying too much about it until next year at this time, just keep doing what you're doing - that should set you up to have several options open when you do apply.

by RickeySteals on Apr 7, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions

8 hour/week choir?

Not with the school? Do they teach music theory and sightsinging or something? I've never been in an 8hr/week community chorus.

"It was an incredible catch, but I didn't really like his footwork." - Ken Macha

by secret ASian man on Apr 7, 2006 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

It's with the school.

It's the chamber choir. I had to try out to get in, so I was pretty stoked I got accepted =]]] It takes TONSSSS of time, though. In the end, it's all worth it. We sing all different categories of music and my teacher also teaches theory and sight singing within that period. It's a freakin' amazing class :]

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

My Advice for GNGirl

Go to the very best school that you like, even if they don't have a journalism program. Instead, get a great education, have fun, and write your heart out for the school newspaper. Lots of great journalists didn't get undergrad degrees in journalism. You'll learn a lot more by writing for a school paper than you will in a classroom. (I'm a journalist and never went to j-school.)

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Apr 7, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I second that

I'm also a journalist and agree wholeheartedly with SportySpice's advice. You learn by doing, not by taking classes. I'm a history major from UC Berkeley, and spent a great deal of time working for the Daily Cal during my college years. I covered huge campus demonstrations, interviewed Eldridge Cleaver (the former Black Panther), and learned a lot about politics of all kinds - including the on the job variety. And that was all during my freshman year.

Meanwhile, try to enjoy high school.

by bear88 on Apr 8, 2006 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Me too

Another journalist who has no formal education in journalism, and neither did most of my colleagues.
But why not go to USC (or ASU) for your BA, then come back to Berkeley (and the A's) for a graduate degree in journalism? Berkeley and Columbia are the best places if you want to learn how to work in a newsroom, not be a journalism professor.

"We're pretty damn good". -- Jason Kendall, January 28, 2006.

by Englishmajor on Apr 8, 2006 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

as an education professional

i agree with sporty

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

And don't forget internships

I learned so much more from my internships and the school paper than I ever did from my classes.

Nobody Girl

by day-to-day on Apr 8, 2006 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

wha...what?!

Are you serious? I'm literally thinking the EXACT. SAME. THING.

I like USC, and ever since i was at ST i wanted to go to ASU (I love Arizona). I heard ASU has a good journalism class. And i'm thinking of taking journalism/sports journalism. UCLA is also in the running, because my bro is really enjoying it there.

I have no idea what i'm on pace for and what chances i have for these colleges though. My GPA is something like 3.9-4.0, but i'm also taking different classes (i'm takign Physics which i should bet credits for, as well as pre-calculus honors). So i think i'm in good shape, but i have no real way of knowing until i come back to Berkeley (t minus 3 months) and take all the necessary tests and stuff that determine my 2007 classes.

I just saw "V for Vendetta" yesterday (which was an excellent movie) and discovered i enjoy all the sayings and expressions "V" uses and am now thinking of a shakespearian literature class or something in college.

who knows.

go A's.

www.hasidicreggae.com Check out Matisyahu. "I wanna be close to you, yes i'm so hungry. You're like water for my soul when it gets thirsty."

by ohad on Apr 8, 2006 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions

[[glares at ohad]]

I want to see V For Vendetta sooooooo badly. My boyfriend and I are both gaga over Natalie Portman (I swear, she still looks amazing with her head shaved!!) and those types of movies are my favorite :] You would reccomend it then?

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 8, 2006 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions

V for Vendetta was awesome...

and that's coming from someone who doesn't like those kinds of movies. I resisted seeing it with my wife because I thought it would be boring but I loved every second of it.

by breedingewoks on Apr 8, 2006 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

What a freaking gem by Joe....

THAT was a joy to watch

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:14 PM PDT reply actions

Blanton Ace?

Remember when Rich Harden was the A's best pitcher down the stretch in 2004 and came back in 2005 for what would've been a CY Young season were it not for two injuries. Well Joe Blanton seems to be on that path, this kid can flat out pitch and should've silenced all doubters last year, you just don't go into the twinkie dome and beat Santana and a few weeks later goes to LA with the season on the line and pitches a gem. Blanton can deal and deserves the respect his numbers and big game performances warrant.

by CyberFT on Apr 7, 2006 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

Completely unrelated...

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is a scary movie! I never realized that as a little kid.

I need to go out now.

"This is the show. Do it right."

by baseballgirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:16 PM PDT reply actions

that movie scared the crap outta me!!!

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions

That was my movie

Long before I can remember, I used to watch that all the time. I must have seen it a thousand times, my dad says.

"Sometimes Joe [Morgan] doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions." - Billy Beane

by Roscoe Parrish on Apr 7, 2006 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Since the end of May 2005

Blanton has been one of the 5 most effective starting pitchers in baseball.

That is not a misprint.

And he's our #5 starter??!!!

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Apr 7, 2006 10:17 PM PDT reply actions

Unfortunately,

one can also say, "since 1994 Loaiza has been wildly inconsistent with an ERA around 5.00--and he's our #4 starter?" But yeah, gooood rotation.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

HAHAHAHA!

"This is the show. Do it right."

by baseballgirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Or how about our "ace"...

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 7, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Zito, Loaiza

The difference is that I'm not really worried about Zito. The worst outcome, barring an injury, is that Zito pitches as he did for much of 2004. That's respectable, albeit not worth the money and below expectations. I suspect he will be better than that, but he's gone at the season regardless.

We're stuck with Loaiza for three seasons. He better be respectable, but he looked like a bad pitcher with serious mechanical issues or an injury.

by bear88 on Apr 8, 2006 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Don't be so disheartened

If we could trade Redman AND Rhodes than we can surely trade Loaiza at the end of the season.

The only question is whether Billy loses his mind again and brings in another Kendall-like contract.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Apr 8, 2006 2:09 AM PDT up reply actions

A's worked the count

...exactly what the Mariners are not good at.

Remember Harden's first start back last year after his early bout with sore lat syndrome? Macha had basically said that he wouldn't throw more than 80 pitches. It was like the Mariners hadn't read that---they didn't work the count.

The A's did tonight, and exposed the M's biggest weakness. It doesn't matter how great their starters are if the bullpen can't hold it.

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Apr 7, 2006 10:21 PM PDT reply actions

Speaking of not reading,

how about the Mariners looking bunt from Dan Johnson in the 3rd inning. Who's their advance scout, and did he meet Angel Hernandez at the School of the Blind?

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Pathetic wrapup blunder by announcers.....

as soon as they finish raving about Blanton's pitching and Scutaro's hitting, the announcer's (I forget which clown said it) final comment was....."Great news, Bobby Crosby will be back at shortstop tomorrow night". Now what that has to do with this game and another night of Scutaro's outstanding performance is beyond comprehension. Why not wait until the "great" Crosby plays tomorrow night, see how he does and then decide if he really plays better or worse than Scutaro to make the statement "Great news"...Crosby is back on the field and Scutaro is back on the bench. Go figure.

by Vegas Ace on Apr 7, 2006 10:23 PM PDT reply actions

I could have swore

they said that Scoot was moving over to second and MaEl was sitting out. Then again, I have had wayyy too many drinks tonight.

"If you ever get tired, you just look at Kendall."- Bobby Crosby

by KendallGurl18 on Apr 7, 2006 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Correct, Ellis sitting tomorrow.

Croz SS and Scott 2B

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions

You really dont think Croz back is great news?

Thats beyond ridiculous.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh my gosh.

Don't tell me this picture does NOT scream Cupcakes.

I love it. Absolutely freakin' love it =]]]

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:26 PM PDT reply actions

Crosby is the Man

Crosby is the man, sure Scoot is cluth and playing great ball right now, but let's not get down on Crosby because he is ready to be a star in this league and the sooner he gets going the better. Maybe Ellis should sit some and think about why he keeps getting moved down in the order.

by CyberFT on Apr 7, 2006 10:28 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think

going from #1 to #3 was "moving down" in the order. When you're 3 for your last 20, nobody really notices. When it's your first 20 ABs, people notice. That's all that's going on.

Remember, Kielty started last season with a big o'fer and then carried the team for a few weeks soon after.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I remember.

He carried the team in May. Fat lot of good it did us, huh? We'd lose 6-2 instead of 6-0.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 7, 2006 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

He cant hear you...

Something about a World Series ring in his ear.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:32 PM PDT reply actions

He wears his ring in his ear?

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I dont know..ask Patrick Roy.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, now I get it.

Well, in that case, he would need more than one.

Seriously, I don't like to criticize GM's for one draft pick. But being able to pick up Blanton when it seemed, at the time, he was going to be unavailable, was awesome. Swish got all the hype in that draft, but Blanton has been a pleasant surprise because people have been trying to knock him down a peg ever since his season with the Rivercats.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Cool! A World Series ring...

...that doubles as an MP3 player!

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 8, 2006 6:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I can see Ellis sitting for Scoot tomorrow

I also think they should give Kotsay a rest on Sunday, to help hold his back up for later in the season. But Kotsay has crushed Moyer in the past, so I'd like to see him out there tomorrow.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 7, 2006 10:34 PM PDT reply actions

Crosby is over rated and first needs to prove

that he is a "superstar" before AN annoints him one. For the moment, he is a mere mortal like everyone else on the team and he should be judged by his actual performance. Accordingly, Macha should not award him permanent status as #3 hitter in the batting order just because he was annointed Rookie of the Year.

by Vegas Ace on Apr 7, 2006 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

It sounds like Croz

has left you a bit disannointed.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

ROY .238

"This is the show. Do it right."

by baseballgirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey, that's not as easy

as it seems. Swisher tried it last year with no luck.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

.239 if you're counting :)

"ET TU, DAMON?" 4/4

by FireballerHARDEN on Apr 7, 2006 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think Crosby should bat third either,

but he's flat out better than Scoot at the plate and on the field. It's nice that Scoot is doing so well, and maybe he can still get some playing time if Ellis takes a day off here and there, but there's no way he stays on his current pace.

Marco Scutaro. Of course it's great news that Crosby is coming back. I only hope that his finger has healed enough to let him play well.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Scooter's career April average

is .321, yet his career OBP is barely .300. Which suggests two things:

he doesn't get on base a whole lot after May 1st.
his April success should be kept in perspective

That all being said, what a great back-up middle infielder to have.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Crosby is a Superstar!

I have annointed him as such and that is all there is to it!

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Lineup

The way the players are going, I'd like to see Milton Bradley bat #2 or #3, since he sees so many pitches and gets on base any way he can. I'd like to see a low-strike out, contact hitter behind Thomas, and I say that guy right now is Kotsay. Odds are he'd be coming up to bat with men on base, and the pitchers would tend to throw him early strikes, which plays to his strength. Though it's true Kotsay's speed would be somewhat wasted batting behind Thomas. If only DJ and Ellis didn't look so bad right now...

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 7, 2006 10:48 PM PDT reply actions

Ditto that

You couldn't draw in the lab a better model Oakland Two Hitter than the current Milton Bradley.

Defeat d'Anaheim!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 8, 2006 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

How about a little love Swisher's way!

People keep focusing on the fact that Bradley missed the base. Sure, it sucks, but my first thought was "Thank god it wasn't the play-offs!" My second thought was "Way to go SWISH!" After struggling a bit yesterday, he turned it around tonight and had a great hit. I was very proud of him. That hit was such that had Bradley run correctly we all would be singing Swisher's praises right now. But all we are seeing is the mistake.

Another nice moment was watching Swish and Bradley talk after the play and everything was hunky-doory! A lesser man would have railed into him for costing him an RBI or two. It was very nice to see.

I just thought someone needed to give Swish some love.

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:52 PM PDT reply actions

That was a phenomenal swing...

and ahould have broke the gamwide open..I agree...Swish deserves some props for tonight's win.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 7, 2006 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah,

Especially after the golden sombrero last night. Way to go Swish!

Good pitching beats good hitting. And vice versa.

by TheBigO on Apr 7, 2006 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

It's funny, later in the broadcast

Ken and Vince mentioned that the A's have 4 HR so far this year and they're all solo HRs, but they didn't mention that the A's have missed a grand slam by inches...twice.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

So Close!!

Yet... So... Far...

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 7, 2006 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

"If you ever get tired, you just look at Kendall."- Bobby Crosby

by KendallGurl18 on Apr 7, 2006 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Crosby's Coming back it seems

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060407&content_id=1388758& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

Down at the bottom.

2006 Oakland A's: Making history, one game at a time.

by OaktownRajah on Apr 7, 2006 11:00 PM PDT reply actions

WOO!!!

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 7, 2006 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions

did anyone else think of eric byrnes?

while listening to mb's baserunning error?
how's byrnes doing this year?

by danh on Apr 7, 2006 11:06 PM PDT reply actions

I did.

I was like, "Ha. How ironic. He wears 22 and makes baserunning errors."

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 7, 2006 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

HA!

Same here! Great minds!

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 7, 2006 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Giants walking a bunch in now.

heh, heh.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 but BB's got the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 7, 2006 11:12 PM PDT reply actions

It's fun to watch.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Its amazing !

walk
walk
walk
single
walk
hbp
walk
single
error
ground out
ground out
walk
ground out

8 runs on 2 hits !

by green star oakland on Apr 7, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions

At least they didn't walk Francoeur.

They just hit him.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions

6 walks

Ouch!

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

They scored more runs than hits. Never seen that before.

2006 Oakland A's: Making history, one game at a time.

by OaktownRajah on Apr 7, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Ouch...

...again.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 7, 2006 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Taschner's ERA

after his impressive walk/hbp/walk outing is now 135 even ... even Barry hasn't reached these giddy heights.

by green star oakland on Apr 7, 2006 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I am going to ...

watch the Giants on Sat and Sunday . MY youngest daughter is a Braves lover. Go figure.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 7, 2006 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

GET OFF JOE BLANT.ON

Seriously, is he a #5 starter?? I feel like off all the oakland pitcher besides Harden, he can have a seriously sleeper run at the Cy Young

by Deveneleven on Apr 7, 2006 11:16 PM PDT reply actions

Blanton was awesome!

BTW...is excellenter a word? LOL

by antigiants618 on Apr 7, 2006 11:17 PM PDT reply actions

Only when

prefaced with the word "more". I mean, you have to know just how excellenter or it could mean merely excellent.

by Nico on Apr 7, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions

And the superlative

is "most excellentest"

by green star oakland on Apr 7, 2006 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Uh hem

I do believe I was the one who said Blanton should have been higher in the pitching rotation.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 7, 2006 11:43 PM PDT reply actions

Me too... :)

MMMM... gotta love the "new season" smell ~~ jlaff

by Poppy on Apr 8, 2006 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Blanton, Bradley

Blanton was right up there with Mark Ellis before the season in the "Most Likely to Get Worse" category. I didn't see it then and, for once, I might be right. His control was excellent. That's what everybody forgets. Blanton was putting the ball exactly where he and Kendall wanted it. It seemed like every pitch was tailing in, or away, at the knees. What is a hitter going to do with that?

I understand the skepticism about Blanton. He didn't have good K totals last year and he doesn't have the sort of eye-popping stuff that Zito and Haren do. But there are a lot of pitchers who have very good careers by keeping the ball down and away, down and in. Over and over. In or near the strike zone. Those last few innings, with less 10 pitches an inning, were beautiful. And while the Mariners were a bit too eager to swing, Blanton was also throwing strike after strike.

As for Bradley, he's going to be fascinating to watch. There's always something interesting happening with him. He's like some A's Test Model. He takes pitches. He gets on base. He fields and throws very well. He can't seem to run the bases without a near-accident or an incredibly bonehead move. How do you miss third, when you start at second, on a line drive to the fence? How? The Ghost of Byrnes possesses that uniform, apparently.

by bear88 on Apr 8, 2006 12:30 AM PDT reply actions

actually his baserunning is much smarter

when he made the mistake of not touchng third he went back and touched it...otherwise not even Thomas' run would have scored. Has Byrnes ever done anything like that?

...and so far that's the only baserunning mistake I've seen Bradley make

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Blanton started slow last year...

and lacked run support (as did all of the pitchers early in the season) but he was on the money from July on. Dependable was his name . Consistency is so valuable.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 8, 2006 12:34 AM PDT reply actions

blanton

was flat dealing. nailing the corners with great movement on the heater, droping curves over at will.

but the best part was how he worked so quick and how he stayed so calm. he didn't give a damn if the a's were scoring or not, getting 4 walks off felix and stranding them all. it was like he just said i don't care what happens i'm just here to get these guys out. great job joe!

by Backspin on Apr 8, 2006 12:51 AM PDT reply actions

Someone had mentioned firing Alameda Greg ...

for his scenarios come to life ...
http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2005/10/14/1777/9157

I was reminded of the quiz when I read today's (Saturday's) Chron artical ...
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/08/AS.TMP&type=as
'Macha said that Bradley did the correct thing in going back, or the one run they did score would have been disallowed.'

One of his scenarios almost came true, I think, sort of ... I was very bad at Alameda Greg's quizzes, so I can't be sure ... Maybe he can pop on this thread to untangle what would've happened.

by Rickeyfan on Apr 8, 2006 1:36 AM PDT reply actions

What's the rule?

Frank Thomas scored from third base, but Milton Bradley missed third base as he sprinted from second. He stopped, retraced his steps, and was soon joined there by Kendall, who had been on first. The inning ended with Bradley being tagged out in a rundown between third and home.

"I'm glad he went back and touched it," Macha said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have scored the run we did."

by BleacherDave on Apr 8, 2006 5:48 AM PDT reply actions

Force play

If Bradley hadn't gone back and touched 3rd then all the Mmariners would have had to do was throw the ball in and touch third for a force out. Had that happened no runs would have counted because of the force out.

by Larry E on Apr 8, 2006 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Hunh?

I don't know that I'm buying that. Wouldn't they have had to make an appeal to get the out?

by BleacherDave on Apr 8, 2006 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Bleacher Dave: Macha's right

Swisher hit a ground ball, albeit one that traveled very far. You know that on a ground ball with 2-out and the bases loaded, the defensive team can get a force at any base, and that if they do no runs can score and no appeal is necessary.

Imagine that Swisher hit a one-hopper to shortstop. If they throw to third before Bradley touches third, does it matter if Thomas has touched home already? Do they need to appeal? You know the rule; it's just hard to think of a 400 foot blast off the center field wall as a "ground ball".

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

The veteran Blanton...

...showing the young pup Felix how it's done. :)

Hey, Jennifer:

It's Scooter! Short for Scooter Pie.

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 8, 2006 7:08 AM PDT reply actions

I hate Scooter Pies.

Greatest conversation ever.

by Jennifer on Apr 8, 2006 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I hate Felix pies

Mom..! Meatloaf! ..F@#$!!

by JediLeroy on Apr 8, 2006 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions

What did highly touted Cub prospects

ever do to you?

"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 Apr 8, 2006 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions

What about Scutaro pies?

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 8, 2006 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Scutaro pies are tasty.

Made with TONS of grit, heart, and guts.

Greatest conversation ever.

by Jennifer on Apr 8, 2006 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions

ugh

sorry...makes for a terrific player but a horrible sounding pie

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah...

It sounds like haggas...

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 8, 2006 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Good Scottish players don't have "guts"

They have "haggis."

"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 Apr 8, 2006 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions

<barf>

Greatest conversation ever.

by Jennifer on Apr 8, 2006 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

"Cupcakes Frosts Mariners"

The thing that was impressing me about Blanton was not only his control (up until the 8th when I thought he was starting to lose it a little bit) but the way his pitches exploded out of his hand at the point of release. Talk about pop!

Toasted Almond

by Ice Cream on Apr 8, 2006 7:29 AM PDT reply actions

Blanton

Yeah, the thing that was amazing about it was that he was blowing guys away with 88mph heat. Of course it's easier to do that when you are spotting the ball perfectly and have all your off speed stuff working.

by Chavez4Prez on Apr 8, 2006 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Paging Mr. Zito

If you were curious as to what FITZ (Fearless In The Zone) looks like, please see one Blanton, Joe.

"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 Apr 8, 2006 8:05 AM PDT reply actions

Cupcakes is in the Zone?

Even with all that sugar?

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

by Nick on Apr 8, 2006 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions

First you get the sugar

Then you get the power, then you...'re in the zone.

"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 Apr 8, 2006 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Great wrapup

over at LookoutLanding, including a WinExp graph: http://www.lookoutlanding.com/story/2006/4/8/21032/99475

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 8, 2006 9:45 AM PDT reply actions

I heart Jeff.

But shhhhh...don't tell him.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 8, 2006 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree, salb,

better written and more interesting to read than mine, frankly. But I have to give props to AN for far more interesting user comments than a bunch of posts making fun of Blanton's face and body as being outside the conventional standard for attractiveness. Come on, M's fans. You just read an excellent writeup; you're better than that. We would never do stuff like that.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Seattle Marinerds

Deanna's summary at the Marinerds web site is pretty good too (http://marinerds.blogspot.com/). Deanna's site is quickly becoming my second favorite baseball blog.

by LoveDemAs on Apr 8, 2006 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

she's really a good writer

thanks for clue-ing me in to her blog

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

At last nites game

Was at the game last nite.... awesome to see our boys come thru.... a few random thoughts...

Tough to explain to M's fans the difference between Oakland, Fremont and San Jose...
It took them 5 innings to ask me who the heck "Cupcakes" was and why I was always yelling it at the pitcher.
They were perplexed at why I was harping on one of my own guys (Bradley) for the baserunning blunder. So they tried to get on him his next AB (yet another walk) and he proceeds to steal 2b and move to 3b on the error...
MARCO!!!!
SCUTARO!!!! - they didn't understand that either....

OK... gotta go get pics taken with the Easter Bunny.... 6:05 start today... yet another Dan Wilson tribute night....

LET'S GO A's!!!

Still haven't forgiven my dad for not letting me storm the field in 1974, but, in his defence, I was only 5.

by Ludawg6 on Apr 8, 2006 10:49 AM PDT reply actions

i loved the unreal stat they showed on tv

blanton was 12-1 last year when he got at least one run of support.

RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Apr 8, 2006 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

blanton

i had to go back and check for myself because that just sounds absolutely ridiculous.

actually, it's that blanton was 12-1 last year when he got more than one run of support.
in his other 11 losses, the offense got him zero to one runs.

the lone loss was 9/26 against anaheim, when he gave up 2 earned runs over 8 innings but also gave up 2 unearned runs. not exactly a terrible performance...

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 Apr 8, 2006 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

...I cry for Joe at that stat.

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

by Kyli on Apr 8, 2006 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Cupcakes' reply:

"Don't cry for me, Largentina."

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Cupcakes gooooood, and other observationlets

I wasn't impressed with Felix.
Bradley's "oopsie" baserunning didn't piss me off nearly as much as Perez's non-covering of 2nd base did on Monday night. Maybe because he made up for it later with the steal and then advancement-on-error.
Glen's Kuipcasting on TV is still better than Buancasting, but how many times did he refer to "this pitchers' duel," even later in the game with Mateo in there? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it's a duel when one side is running up high pitch counts & issuing walks, and the other side is throwing strike after strike, walking (nearly) no one and inducing plays the defense can manage. That was the Blanton Show (with a Duke chaser), no dueling involved. I think the fact that we didn't have more than 5 runs was a result of Oakland's mostly sleepy offense, not a testament to Seattle's "phenomenal" pitching.

MMMM... gotta love the "new season" smell ~~ jlaff

by Poppy on Apr 8, 2006 11:58 AM PDT reply actions

To back up your point, Poppy,

touch the next base when you're not in a hurry and the A's score 7.

My only disagreement with your observations is that I was duly impressed with Felix. He was injured in spring training, he was making his first start after getting little work in March, and he is too young to buy alcohol. In that context, he did a fine job, IMO.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Too young to buy it

Not too young to drink it.

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 8, 2006 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

how true

I think I did most of my drinking before it was legal for me to do so.

Once I was of legal age I also felt more comfortable admitting that I don't really like alcohol that much, aside from the occasional good dark draft brew and an even more occasional glass of red wine...

yeah, I'm no fun! ;-)

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I've tried almost everything

My uncle and aunt say they'd rather I get it from them than from anyone else. I mean, I didn't get drunk or anything; it was just a taste of the stuff. Truthfully, I don't like the taste that much. It's.... eww. Beer is really, really gross. The hard liquur burns. I don't think drinking is ever gonna be my thing. :]

"I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that." --Barry Zito

by GreenNGoldGirl on Apr 8, 2006 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

A good, mixed drink will eventually be your friend

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

by Kyli on Apr 8, 2006 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

There's a reason

I phrased it that way. Unfortunately, "too young to drink" implies he's about 8.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

"the boy King"

pitched well...but Cupcakes outpitched him

(even leaving aside the Mariners' bullpen troubles, without that the A's still win last night)

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Too young to buy alcohol

His control last night begs to differ :-).

I think you're right, though. It takes young kids a while to figure out how to pitch. The stuff is unquestionably there.

"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 Apr 8, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

The poise is there, too

Remember, in Harden's first stint he was a year older than Felix is, and he had BB/9IP and ERA numbers around 4.50.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

AH... I didn't realize Felix had been hurt...

...and had little spring work. Okay then, judgment reserved! Let's see about next time.

MMMM... gotta love the "new season" smell ~~ jlaff

by Poppy on Apr 8, 2006 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

He's a young pitcher on the Mariners.

Of course he's been hurt! ;-)

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

by Kyli on Apr 8, 2006 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

shin splints in spring training

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Felix and Bradley

Felix can pitch on my team anytime. He wasn't perfect but the bottom line is 1 run in 5 innings. He didn't have great control but then again the A's only hit a couple of balls hard against him.

I still have no idea how Bradley could have missed the bag in that situation. He only has to run half speed. Must've turned to watch the play.
How come no journalist has asked him what happened?

by Larry E on Apr 8, 2006 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions