All Eyes On One Man As The Circus Limps Into Town

by Nico on May 19, 2006 8:10 AM PDT in News Comment 84 comments

Bonds forbid that anyone should talk about the A's tonight, what with the Giants in town and all eyes on the quest for #714. See what I did there? I casually replaced "God" with "Bonds" and acted like it was a normal sentence--did you like the way I did that, wasn't it great? (Say those last two sentences out loud in your best Stewie voice, and it will read as intended.)

Ethical debates aside, all sides can generally agree on one thing: In the Giants' lineup, Barry Bonds constitutes by far the biggest threat. So the A's have a legitimate dilemma, one which is faced daily by some National League team: How much to pitch to Barry Bonds in the quest to win a baseball game. A baseball game--you know, those pesky things that keep interrupting His Quest. (Say those last two words out loud, in your best "I dub thee: Excalibur!" voice, with a little echo-effect added, and it will read as intended.)

Here are my "3 reasons to pitch to Bonds," and my "3 reasons not to"...

3 reasons to pitch to Bonds:

a. Great hitter or not, Bonds is 3 for his last 21, and is batting .233 for the season.

b. If Bonds, and only Bonds, hurts you, you will probably still win the game. Solo HRs won't beat you the way walks will, so just throw quality strikes up and down the lineup and take your chances.

c. There's a part of you--the part only you and your therapist know about--that wants to see Bonds make history, even if it's against your team.

3 reasons not to pitch to Bonds:

d. With Moises Alou out, Bonds is so far and away the Giants' main threat that it makes little sense to throw him a strike when the game is close, especially when Haren or Blanton is pitching (Pedro Feliz' lifetime OBP against righties is .283, and Ray Durham's OPS the last 3 years is, "Ow, my hamstring!").

e. If Lance Niekro, or Mike Matheny, beats you, then you say, "Hey, that's baseball," but if you let Bonds beat you, that's when you wake up at 3:00am asking yourself, "Why did I let this happen? He's the one guy where `you just don't let him beat you.'"

f. "No petulant, bulked-up freak is tying Babe Ruth in our backyard."

Does one of these six possible reactions match your mindset about how the A's should handle pitching to Barry Bonds, and why? Ponder it now, because Danny Haren takes the mound at 7:05pm tonight. In his 57.1 innings so far this year, Haren has allowed 11 HRs and he has walked 7. Who knows how much longer the Babe will have to enjoy 2nd place...

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Simple

If no one on base-- no matter how many outs-- pitch to him;

If runners in scoring position, walk him...

If two outs and he's the tying run with MOB, be very careful.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on May 19, 2006 8:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

F

C is not applicable when the A's are concerned. I don't want it to be anyone on our team, and I really don't want it to be Haren.

I'm glad I won't be going to the games. I might hyperventilate. Breathing is going to be hard enough in my living room.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on May 19, 2006 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

F.

Especially important to me that Haren doesn't pitch to him -- I've got a bad feeling about tonight's game and Danny v. Bonds, so I'd like to avoid premonitions occuring.

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

by Kyli on May 19, 2006 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

B and D make the most sense to me

And "Ow, my hamstring!" is pure comic genius :-). I pitch to him with nobody on base and make him beat me, and pitch to him with a big lead--walk him if he's in any position to hurt you.

The one thing I don't do is what Oaktoon mentions above. "Pitch carefully," or as it's also sometimes called, "Don't give him anything good to hit." This is just based on reading books pitchers have written. It's their least favorite thing in the world to do, because it's a mixed message, and all it does it sets you up to fail if you make a mistake. If you're worried about a situation, just walk him and give yourself a different situation.

"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 May 19, 2006 8:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A...A....A

without the juice he only has warning track power now anyways...i just don't see him being anything other than a decent hitter with a name EVERYONE knows. i say the hell with him and i would challenge him to beat us, but thats just me.

ohio roots

by nickatt7 on May 19, 2006 8:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

F.

I'm going to this game, and I want to enjoy it.

I own too many darn shoes!

by californiagirl on May 19, 2006 8:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

b. Walks.

I get that in the 8th inning it's a tougher question - but walking Bonds just bottles the bases up. He can't run. He won't score from second on a hit, and won't tag-up from third. He won't go first to third on a hit into the gaps unless the ball rolls all the way to the fence. Having him on the bases is really of no consequence - in my not-so-humble opinion.

In the 8th inning or later, that's a tougher question since obviously the Giants would pinch-run for him. I guess if the A's are up by 1 run you pitch to him in the 8th and get him out.

Frankly, his bat looks terrible this year. He seems to be whiffing on breaking pitches so much now than 2004. It looks like his bat is slower too. He took what look like a huge cut on a pitch last week that ended up just a lazy flyball. I would have thought that was Bonds channeling Frank Menechino for a minute.

With 21 bombs in his rookie year, look for 42 jacks in '06, and 105 round trippers by 2009. - Baseball-Reference.Com

by NicksDreamy on May 19, 2006 8:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

with Haren's dinger track record

it seems almost assured that Bonds will hit one out if pitched to.

by Apricot on May 19, 2006 8:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

although, with the weather factored in,

its more likely that will happen Sat or Sun (day game) vs. tonight.

by popcornjames on May 19, 2006 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hate when we wallk someone

when one of our pitchers falls behind, i'm usually thinking to myself that he should challenge him, and make him hit it - earn his way on base. this is sort of what i was thinking in Zito's last start when he was facing rodriguez. and sure enough, a-rod hit a hr. afterwards, as the A's were trailing in that game just 1-0, and Zito looking great; i just kept thinking to myself, too bad Zito couldn't have just walked him.

"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 May 19, 2006 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where's option g & h?

g. Hit him in the back every time up.

h. Strike him out every single AB.

I like "h" myself.

Giants fans are fighting back. I'm now hearing "Let's Go Shopping!"- jeepers

by baseballgirl on May 19, 2006 9:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There's always option "i", too

i. Replace the HGH syringes with fertility drugs.

"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 May 19, 2006 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

High and Tight

Pitch Bonds inside - ALL DAY LONG

If it hits him in the back/butt, oh well.
If he takes 4 balls, oh well.
I don't think Bonds can turn on 90+ heat anymore...unless inside pitches come back over the plate.
I see us using a VLAD approach w/ Bonds. Only, Bonds will take pitches, where VLAD swings.

June 19th - June 21st, 2006 ** Oakland Athletics @ Colorado Rockies ** Lets Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on May 19, 2006 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like G.

He should be walked on every at bat this season.

Look at it this way - he can have another record! The HBP record.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 19, 2006 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

while i don't like the monster

i wonder if fans would boo him if they knew he would come to the a's next year. total rumor and speculation, but it is out there.

as for me, if bonds became an a, i would have to up my meds, as i wouldn't know what to do as a fan......

also, bonds is going to hit one at some point. as long as it isn't a game winner, i think i could stomach it in our yard. after all, it is the bay area, and not like he plays for LA or something.

it's the whole love hate thing with barry. while steroids have seemingly been in his game, there is no debate on his natural talent. that is what is so sad about this guy. he was headed for the hall no matter what, but then with his behavior, and alleged steroid usage, his legacy will be tainted forever. it's truly a shame.

so if he hits one this weekend, i won't cheer, but i'll toast to the hopefully pure sport that i love.

Governator El-Slimebag

by greendatitiz on May 19, 2006 9:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Said it before, and I'll say it again.

If he comes to the A's next year, I won't watch an inning.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 19, 2006 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is May, just pitch to the chump,

unless it is late and he is the tying or go-ahead run. 714 in Oakland is okay, 715 is not.

by southofcruiseamerica on May 19, 2006 9:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That's interesting...

How often do they show Hank Aaron's 714th homer as opposed to his 715th?

They show No. 715 off of Al Downing the most. So even if he hits 714 in Oakland, it probably won't be repeated like if he hits 715.

Dorian on Bonds: "Still, I love it when Bonds wins at the game that he plays."

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 19, 2006 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

regarding option F ...

If you replace "backyard" with "basement," I think you have a fairly accurate description of Jennifer, yes?

the bears were hungry and the monkey looked a lot like lunch @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 19, 2006 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it's just me...

But having stood and screamed my head off for the likes of Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, and Jason Giambi I have a hard time sending too much hate towards Barry for his alleged (read: impossible to ignore) steroid use.

Oh, and I say pitch to him. I'd love the chance to be on the mound against Barry Bonds.

"I'm the best you've ever seen, Fats, the best there is. Even if you beat me I'm still the best."

by Mike Gallego is my Hero on May 19, 2006 9:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Would you have cheered McGwire et al...

..had you know they were drug cheats at the time?

I think most wouldn't have. I wouldn't.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 19, 2006 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

there was just as valid "evidence" then

It just wasn't socially acceptable to believe it.

the bears were hungry and the monkey looked a lot like lunch @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 19, 2006 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

'socially acceptable'?

You're telling me there was as much evidence than as there is now, after the BALCO trial? After the positive tests? After Bonds and Giambi admitted using?

Come on, MB. You know that's not the case.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on May 19, 2006 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say "as much" ...

... you're absolutely right in that there's a lot more evidence now -- and I'll even back off my "as valid" claim -- but most of the "evidence" even today still consists of rumors, allegations, leaked testimony of uncertain provenance, non-denial denials, non-apology apologies ... and, yes, some definitive test results, mostly of crappy players.

But there were rumors and allegations floating around back in the day as well -- and I will stick 100% to my assertion that it's only relativelt recently become socially acceptable to believe them.

To not have believed or even thought that Canseco and McGwire weren't taking stuff at the time involved willfull naivete.

the bears were hungry and the monkey looked a lot like lunch @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 19, 2006 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

steroids

Fifteen years ago the issue of steroids in baseball just didn't exist. Any rumors and innuendo were simply that in those days and weren't treated seriously. It's only become "socially acceptable" to believe them these days because we have Bonds, Giambi Palmeiro, and Sheffield dead to rights as steroid cheats. The others just get piled on because we figure it's just not those four doing it. And you can choose to believe that the evidence out there in the public is "uncertain" but I sat there and watched Mark McGwire repeatedly side-step the question, "Have you ever used steroids?" during the congressional hearings and a reasonable person can only surmise that he did. It stinks and I hate to say it, but he's just big a cheat as all the others.

The 'size' comparisons I keep hearing in every discussion are just as silly. I think it was Faye Vincent the other day talking about meeting McGwire for the first time in like 89 and talking about him being 190lb. Stop it. The guy came into the league at least 225 and was probably bigger than that. Sure he bulked up over the years, but he wasn't spindly by any means.

But even after all that, calling back to McGwire and Canseco is kind of silly, really, as just about all of us just figured they worked out all day - and well, they did. They didn't gain size so much from the steroids, but were able to maintain that size during the season in a way that baseball players shouldn't be able to. Honestly - how can an mlb player HONESTLY stick to a weight training regimen during the season?

With 21 bombs in his rookie year, look for 42 jacks in '06, and 105 round trippers by 2009. - Baseball-Reference.Com

by NicksDreamy on May 19, 2006 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and you just proved my point

the bears were hungry and the monkey looked a lot like lunch @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 19, 2006 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I'll disprove it. Kinda.

Even as recently as 2003, I was yelling on messageboards that McGwire and Sosa were roidheads and was unceremoniously shouted down by all and sundry every single time. "They just work out better than ten years ago", "you don't have proof", and the age old chestnut, "Steroids don't help you hit".

Even here on AN, as recently as a year ago, people were STILL trying to defend Bonds, saying the allegations weren't proved and he's just a big guy with oodles of talent who cranks better than anyone in history, at an age most players are five years retired.

Honestly, it wasn't until Game of Shadows came out that people laid of Canseco and conceded that, hey, maybe his book wasn't BS after all.

I was a Dodgers fan back in the day when Kirk Gibson poked 'that home run' over the fence off Eck, and though I had many reasons to hate McGwire and Canseco, steroids weren't on my list.

Until it simply couldn't be denied, baseball fans, the media, the players and the owners all conspired to simply make whatever excuses they could, while raking in the coin and watching the records fall.

Now we're like the baseball equivalent of the post-WWII Germans - we rewrite history to pretend that we didn't like the bad guys all along, when in actual fact we were enablers.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on May 19, 2006 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

your point

Your point appeared to be that "we all just knew" that Canseco and McGwire were roided up from day one and that's simply not true. The very notion that these guys were on steroids simply didn't exist in those days. Sure, we all look back now and think, "DUH!" but it wasn't an issue then. It simply wasn't.

Rumor and innuendo didn't start building until 1998, with the Andro that McGwire had in his locker - out in the wide open, I might add. And really, the issue of steroids didn't take off until Canseco's book came out, and the BALCO investigation started to go public. Most of the evidence we have now is written down as a matter of fact that these players have testified to. It's no longer rumor and innuendo, and if you think it's a matter of only recently being socially acceptable to believe in grand jury testimony, you're being silly. Sure, the smoking-gun types are a bit disappointed in as much as neither they nor you or I have ever witnessed Bonds stab himself with the needle, but frankly I'm satisfied that there's enough evidence - the real kind - that players around the league were juiced, and Barry Bonds is just the biggest of that group, pardon the pun.

It's like this, you may have thought back in '86 that Canseco was juiced up. I'll give you that. You just didn't much of an audience for that discussion because the response you'd have gotten would be crickets. Nobody was talking about it then. There were no rumors.

With 21 bombs in his rookie year, look for 42 jacks in '06, and 105 round trippers by 2009. - Baseball-Reference.Com

by NicksDreamy on May 19, 2006 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oakland being considered steroids' birthplace...

...makes me glad to have not yet been a baseball fan when McGwire, Canseco et al were here. I enjoy the freedom to bash Bonds with a completely clear conscience.

"If we wanted you to be happy, we'd authorize you to be happy and we'd issue happiness to you." ~~ my boss

by Poppy on May 19, 2006 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

B

And if I were a pitcher, I would totally disagree with e. If I were to lose to someone, I'd much rather get beat by a good/great player than a mediocre one.

"I was always high on X. Obviously, that hasn't changed." -- Jake Peavy

by spal on May 19, 2006 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Will SF have the same situations with Cards?

After this series, San Francisco will have to ask these same questions when it comes to pitching to Pujols. Tonight could be great game in the history of the Bay Bridge series or the Oakland A'S, but nobody in the media will care if Bonds go 0-for-4 or hits two singles.

Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on May 19, 2006 10:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I caught a piece

of the Chisox-Devil Rays game on ESPN last night. Of course they were talking about Barry Bonds, and Chris Berman read off the A's starting rotation for the series against the Giants. Then he said, "But no Zito." Yeah, Chris, because no other A's pitcher is capable of getting Bonds out. <rolls eyes>

OH GOD
SWISH
I just had a baseballgasm. -- Chavinator

by day-to-day on May 19, 2006 10:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

a) and b)

Even when Barry Bonds was BARRY BONDS opponents hurt themselves by walking him too much in situations where pitching too him would have been worth the risk. Now that he's a mere mortal, you have to try to win the game, which means pitching to him in most situations, rather than worry about history.

Don't get me wrong, Bonds still has a great eye and a sweet swing, and can punish a mistake in his wheelhouse, but that wheelhouse no longer consists of everything over home plate. Just treat him like you would any other power hitter, and hope not to hang a pitch against him.

And besides, Pedro Feliz may suck (.200 career OBP vs. Oakland!) but he also finds a way to kill us anyway - 6 of his 16 hits against the A's have been home runs.

Ooh Ahh, Sabres on the warpath

by andeux on May 19, 2006 10:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ditto

Tho he's 3-21, he's had a boat of walks.

And more than a few times, that walk contributes to a rally, even if Bonds doesn't score.
(man on first, walk Bonds, and voila, you've got a man in scoring position.

by MobiusKlein on May 19, 2006 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adding on to andeux's point,

Feliz happens to be swinging a hot bat right now. Since Bonds will likely be on base a lot one way or another, Feliz will probably be important to the series.

by Nico on May 19, 2006 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly correct, Andeux

Forget walking him. Pitch to him and get his ass out.

I hate the argument that "you can't let so-and-so beat you." It's not about not letting Bonds beat you, it's about not letting the Giants beat you, i.e. winning the damn game. It may seem counterintuitive and it's counter to our conditioned emotional response (to fear a Bonds AB), but the evidence is that walking Bonds hurts your team's chance to win and helps the Giants.

Certainly this year teams have been badly hurt by walking Bonds. And notice that the Giants just scored 10+ runs in 3 straight games where Bonds didn't do a damn thing. I don't want to give them unearned baserunners. Bonds is helping the Giants win a lot more this year by taking the freebie than by hitting. I don't want to see the A's help the Giants by helping Bonds get on base. Bonds is still dangerous, but he doesn't have magical powers that should cause everyone to quake in their shoes and throw their rationality into the trash can.

by Faust on May 19, 2006 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A and B

This is a baseball game, first and foremost! We want to WIN the BASEBALL GAME! What a concept!

I say pitch him the best possible way we can in order to get a WIN! If we win the game and he still hits #714 or #715, I will be ok with that. The headline will be "BONDS HITS #714! Oh and the A's went on to win the game." I will be ok with that too. We win, and that is all that matters!

"Now, I'm not the guy who's in trouble, it's the guy on the mound who's in trouble.'' Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on May 19, 2006 11:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

In the words of Herm Edwards, "You play to WIN the GAME!"

It's trivial whether or not bonds hits #714 and/or #715 at Oakland. I would rather the A's sweep and bonds hit 2 dongs then the A's lose and bonds goes homerless.

by mattcschmidt on May 19, 2006 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

best point of the thread, methinks.

With 21 bombs in his rookie year, look for 42 jacks in '06, and 105 round trippers by 2009. - Baseball-Reference.Com

by NicksDreamy on May 19, 2006 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm rooting for option R.

R)Bonds hits #714 off of Haren early, only to have the skies open up. Thunder, lightning...rain out. Call it an act of God, or merely a predictable spring shower. I find erasing the HR more satisfying than an asterisk. Even better, it could happen on Saturday and Sunday as well.

According to the NWS:

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Southwest winds to 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the 60s to mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?wfo=mtr&zone=caz508&county=cac001

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

by lexdevil on May 19, 2006 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ooh, ooh, ooh

I change my vote to Option R. Watching it happen and not count would make my day.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on May 19, 2006 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That, my friend, is genius.

Option R is king.

"That quote sucked." - McFood

by Ozzz on May 19, 2006 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice one

let me offer (s)

Top of the 9th, A's up one. Runner on first, two outs. Bonds comes up. He launches a huge homer for #714! But the runner on base is so excited, he forgets to touch 2nd. He's called out on appeal, A's win, Bonds loses homer #714.

by Apricot on May 19, 2006 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

An Alameda Greg Special!

by calgbear on May 19, 2006 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just win these games...

I would prefer this not happen in our yard, but if it does, I want to be there...
bottom line is I want us to win.
GO A's!!!!

"Listen, my attitude is a whole lot better when we win..." Our favorite GM

by LongTimeFan on May 19, 2006 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Aha--given the forecast,

we should start Loaiza, let him give up 2+ HRs to Bonds, then have the game rained out and watch Bonds go backwards, past the Babe the other way, back to #713.

Loaiza and the rain: A lovely combination.

by Nico on May 19, 2006 11:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have this lovely image of...

...Bonds limping backwards around the bases.

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

by lexdevil on May 19, 2006 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Question

I say pitch to him how the situation warrants. The A's need to focus on winning the games and not make it all about Bonds. It would be nice if Harden was available to blow a few past him.

If he is going to hit #714 in Oakland let it be late in a game the A's have well in hand. Baseball Tonight can come kiss his ring and it will all be over.

by RudiFan on May 19, 2006 12:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ring? What ring?

His I-couldn't-throw-out-Sid-Bream ring?
His F-U-Scott-Spiezio ring?
His Roider-of-the-Year ring?

Or did he steal Steve Finley's 2001 World Championship ring?

by calgbear on May 19, 2006 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say

I'm sitting in the RF bleachers on Saturday, so I want him to hit it to ME. And have the A's sweep.

"I need a new signature" - Philip Christy

by Philip Christy on May 19, 2006 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just Saw Bonds inside the Coliseum Locker Room

Get ready for #714

June 19th - June 21st, 2006 ** Oakland Athletics @ Colorado Rockies ** Lets Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on May 19, 2006 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Tonight, I would like to see Bonds join Ruth...

...as the second major leaguer to hit over 700 home runs and pitch in a game.

A and F.

Dorian on Bonds: "Still, I love it when Bonds wins at the game that he plays."

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 19, 2006 1:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Screw the Giants

I hate that freakin team. Loserville over there in SF.

by GreenNGoldForMe on May 19, 2006 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One could argue

that if the A's have a 12-1 lead (or, God forbid, a 12-1 deficit), the smartest thing to do would be to lob a couple to Bonds, get the circus over with, and focus on Sat and Sun.

Or just bean him in the nuts and put him on the 15-day CL (Castrated List)

by Nico on May 19, 2006 1:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I know ya'll hate him,

But do we have to resort to castration? Isn't that going a little too nard *ahem, I mean, far?

by RenoTy on May 19, 2006 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that would be hysterical

if we actually lobbed him pitches. No walking, no challenging him, just some old fashioned mad eephus flava in yer ear.

by Apricot on May 19, 2006 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i can't believe it's raining!!!!!!!

by gotgreen on May 19, 2006 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eric Chavez's take on it:

"Hopefully, he'll do it the first game, get it out of the way, everyone will be happy and then we can just play baseball" (from Slusser's piece).

Ah, Eric, love ya and everything, but are you sure Dan Haren is OK with your plan?

Personally, I'd much rather put up with the hoopla all weekend than watch The Bloated One hit one against us.

by Faust on May 19, 2006 2:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eric Chavez is my favorite player

But i'm tired of these pro Barry comments. Especially the part about wanting him on the team next year. He probably knows that with Bonds behind him, he'll hit 60 homers and drive in 170.

Reed (to Carl Everett): Go f*ck a gay dinosaur, Bigot!-Lookout Landing

by ohad on May 19, 2006 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um ...

... so, your problem with Chavvy hitting 60 HRs and driving in 170 is ...

the bears were hungry and the monkey looked a lot like lunch @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 19, 2006 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really.

What's Standing Room Only in Oakland going to entail?

UC Davis cable lacks good sports channels.

by Hit4TheCycle on May 19, 2006 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dunno, but I have 3 reserved seats...

...you can have if you can meet me before the game. See my diary.

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

by lexdevil on May 19, 2006 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm trying to go on Sunday

totally have class at 4pm today...

UC Davis cable lacks good sports channels.

by Hit4TheCycle on May 19, 2006 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's going to be fun to....

...have the stadium packed!

Zito is so dreamy, but Chavvy would probably treat you better. ~Natto (McCovey Chron)

by baseballgirl on May 19, 2006 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Especially when we win

GO A's!!!
Are you coming up this weekend?

"Listen, my attitude is a whole lot better when we win..." Our favorite GM

by LongTimeFan on May 19, 2006 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sadly, no...

...this is the first A's/Giants series I'll miss. My dad and I always go together, but we have a standing family vacation starting on Tuesday, and it was just too much travel. :(

Zito is so dreamy, but Chavvy would probably treat you better. ~Natto (McCovey Chron)

by baseballgirl on May 19, 2006 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know, with all that standing,

I wonder if it will even seem like a vacation.

by Nico on May 19, 2006 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's hope we can get

three games in. Scattered thundershowers the 3rd week of May? My word.

by Nico on May 19, 2006 3:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Your word...

the CL list was funny.

"Listen, my attitude is a whole lot better when we win..." Our favorite GM

by LongTimeFan on May 19, 2006 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weather

Can someone near the ballpark provide a weather update please?

by signmebilly on May 19, 2006 4:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Beautiful day for baseball,

as long as you're a duck.

I'm thinking they'll get the game in, because the umps' threshhold for rain is pretty high. But it's been raining hard enough that rain delays seem possible. Could be one of those 7pm-midnight extravaganzas.

On a related note, the rain/fog probably will cause the ball not to carry very well tonight...

by Nico on May 19, 2006 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quack

Thanks.

by signmebilly on May 19, 2006 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AFLAC!!!

No problem.

Bottom of the 1st inning, Mets batting, 4-3 Yankees. Yanks got 4 in the top, Mets have 3 in, with one on, one out in the bottom against Randy Johnson. First 4 hitters: BB, single, HR, single.

by Nico on May 19, 2006 4:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jose Reyes walked?

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on May 19, 2006 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the 17th time

this year, no less. Go Mets!

by Nico on May 19, 2006 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Madre de dios

Randy Johnson is struggling again. 5 IP, 113 pitches 8 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 HR. Seasonal era is up to a Blanton-esque 5.62.

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on May 19, 2006 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Rickey.

Rickey says that Rickey's work with Reyes in spring training is why Reyes has new-found plate discipline. Rickey wants him to do the crouch, but Reyes isn't doing it--yet. Just give it time, Rickey will prevail...

"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 May 20, 2006 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have been great to have the chance...

to see Harden blow a few fastballs past him.

"I've got a pizza that I didn't finish from last night, and I've got a video game that I can't beat, but tonight, I'm going to beat that game." Greg Maddux

by Elvez on May 19, 2006 5:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Quick question for everyone

this is too silly to waste a thread on, but I needed some "clarification."
Today on ESPN Radio, Colin Cowherd was talking about "great sports conspiracy" theories.
One he "didn't want to talk about because he's pretty sure it really happened," regarded Cal Ripken and Kevin Costner.
I thought it was just a tease to get people to listen to the whole show before he revealed it, but, sure enough, he refused to discuss it even when people called in.
So the ? is this . . . was "it" Kevin Costner staying at the Ripkens and Cal caught him in bed with his wife, so the O's said the lights were broken at Camden, the game was cancelled, and Cal could play the next night? OR, was it Cal sleeping with Costner's wife??
Stupid I know, but inquiring minds need to know . . .

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on May 19, 2006 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

forget #714

Just pitch to Bonds as you would if he wasn't at #713 right now. The A's have a history of walking Bonds in close situations. If we are winning by a wide margin, pitch to him. Consider any home run as having the same significance. Even if all the sports writers and most fans are treating this like an individual accomplishment, you should play to win the game as a team.

Live forever or die trying.

by oaklandpete on May 19, 2006 5:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs