Down the Wrong Street

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 30, 2006 11:11 PM PDT in News Comment 130 comments

I put the blame for this loss squarely on the shoulders of Huston Street. Street had a remarkable rookie season and was heralded as the second coming of Mariano Rivera.

He hasn't been any such thing this year. He's blown three out of 11 save opportunities and he's almost blown as many saves this season as all of last year (4). But we'll come back to that.

The A's have lost a series at home to a team that had won only three games all season away from Kansas City. The truth is that this likely does make the A's the worst team in baseball right now. That doesn't mean that they're going to be the worst all season or even a week from now, but right now, this team is just pulling a May '05 routine.

On top of it all, Eric Chavez left the game with a bruised left hand, which we all know could mean anything from a bruised left hand to gout to hand, foot and mouth disease to a missing kidney. That would leave the A's offense with Nick Swisher and, uh, Nick Swisher.

All that positive energy surrounding the impending return of players like Bradley, Harden and possibly Duchscherer is now tempered with the reality that the only other consistent offensive performer this year could be down. Now there's no reason to overreact, except that this is the way the A's season has been going.

It would be foolhardy to call the season over at this juncture, but every single sign seems to be pointing to the water rolling around in the sink. Whether it makes it to the drain is another question. The fact remains that this team is just bad right now.

The offense can't score and when they do, the starting pitching or bullpen isn't there. When the starting pitching pitches well, the offense can't score. When the starting pitching struggles, the offense might score, but then the bullpen implodes.

Which brings me back to my original point...Street is suddenly hittable (nearly .300 batting average against this year - .194 batting average against last year). The A's absolutely needed this win tonight to just stop this miserable slide, and Huston couldn't step up. That doesn't mean that he won't turn things around. It's just par for the course in the life of an Oakland A's fan right now.

On the sliver of a positive side, Crosby seemed to suddenly find his stroke tonight and Gaudin was impressive in relief. He should get more opportunities now. It isn't like the other bullpen guys have earned much trust.

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Nobody f^&ks with DeJesus

Nico and I were just talking and we both thought it was a bad call to work around DeJesus. Then again, it wouldn't have mattered with the way this team is going.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 30, 2006 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude.

It's a shame that families get torn apart by something as simple as wild dogs. -Jack Handey

by JediLeroy on May 31, 2006 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What on earth is wrong with Street?

Could he be ailing ? Maybe pushed himself to come back too soon?

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's his change up

he shouldn't be throwing it. if i've been following things correctly, it his new pitch this year, and it doesn't seem to be a good one. tonights hit looked like a change. the blown save in texas on the dinger was a change. i guess he looked good coming out of spring, but it seems like it gets hit a lot.

Zito: You ever think about the space time continuum?
Huddy: Uh... no.

by mendelbob on May 31, 2006 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Street said it was a fastball

that Nevin hit for the blown game HR. he even said that Nevin later commented to him that Street shouldn't throw his fastball to Nevin. In the game the A's won Street said he got Nevin out throwing nothing but sliders.

by OaklandSi on May 31, 2006 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

we're both right (sort of)

nevin's dinger was a fastball. the blown save in chicago a few days earlier was a change-up:

"First-pitch changeup, I definitely didn't think he'd hit a homer," Street said. "I was just trying to get ahead, 0-1. He was coming off the bench, and I figured he'd be sitting on a fastball the first pitch. Credit him for whacking it."
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20060522&content_id=14665 23&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

and i'm pretty sure the one last night was a change also.

Zito: You ever think about the space time continuum?
Huddy: Uh... no.

by mendelbob on May 31, 2006 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's relying too much on the slider

He's got to throw the fastball to set up the slider and change. I don't know why, but he didn't throw fastballs last night.

by Brian in 317 on May 31, 2006 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fear not if Chavez is out...

Ginter to the rescue!

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 30, 2006 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ginter...

is not even on the 40 man roster. I wouldn't mind him coming up. Maybe send down Perez. If they bring up Ginter someone has to get knocked off the 40 man roster. I think Ginter can play first base too.

by What Would Rickey Do on May 31, 2006 5:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

based on his experience playing first?

believe it or not it does take some skill to play there.

by OaklandSi on May 31, 2006 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not optimistic re: Harden

if he can stay healthy longer than one start it will be a miracle

hey it's not 17-32 like last season

but then again I don't think the A's are gonna go 49-16 in the next 65, one of the best stretches in baseball history.

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just how is Roney better than Casilla?

I realize the front office is facing a tough situation, but this merry-go-round approach to relievers is somewhat ridiculous. None of them look like they can handle pitching in a game in ANY circumstance - blow out or not.

Meanwhile, unless Bradley hits a HR every at bat, it's difficult to see how he's going to make such a dramatic impact. Crosby's return last year was NOT the same situation, because that coincided with Chavez heating up and good offense from Kendall, Kotsay, and Ellis. Any combination of Scoot/Perez/DJ/Kielty/Payton/Melhuse on any given day is just terrible.

HOW can the front office think this team can just HANG IN THERE? Obviously, we don't know what they're doing, but it would be really effing nice to see them do something rather than shuffle pieces on the sinking ship.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hold your breath for news on Chavy's injury

report. That could define what happens the rest of this season.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 30, 2006 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't notice the severity

when it happened. He did come out again for a few innings, so I'm desperately hoping that it was precautionary.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think they'd take him out

for precautionary reasons. Judging from past times, it takes a lot for Chavy to come out of a game.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 30, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have FSN Bay Area

so I wasn't able to hear any updates - if there were any - that Fosse might have given. Did they say anything in particular about it?

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I said this in my diary

I felt tonight like I felt last May when Dotel blew that game in Boston after Byrnes hit a homer to put the A's ahead. Sure a win would have been nice, but it wouldn't have made our team any better, and if anything, it would only have masked the changes that needed to be made.

I felt this way then and I feel this way now. Just pile it on, boys. The lower we sink, the greater the chance for rebound, for shakeup in the ranks. A win against another bad team would have done little for us. Yet another demoralizing loss, on the other hand, may prove beneficial in the long run, if you catch my drift.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The only way I agree with you

is if this loss shakes the management into doing something about this team.

Other than that runs like last year don't grow on trees. They happen when you have opponents who are really weak ...and I don't think we can get easy wins from the Texans like last year do you ? So I don't think we will go on some winning rampage.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

But at the same time, this team is playing FAR below expectations. Even a return to the lowest expectations we had for them in March would put them in much better shape than they are now.

The bottom line is injuries. If Chavez is hurt, we might just be screwed. We don't have the pitching to win a bunch of 2-1 games.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the most dysfunctional relationship

I've ever been in.

I keep telling myself that they can change, that they won't hurt me, that the good times certainly outweigh the bad and I end up emotionally drained after each horrible loss. I think the A's and I need a break - Ross and Rachel style. And yet, I know that I will be spending tomorrow afternoon with my ear next to the radio.

Surely it can't get worse from here.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on May 30, 2006 11:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ginter is only a Vegas plane flight away

and could concievably play tomorrow while we promote Perez to a paying customer. How did that guy ever get the pre-season cred he had? He looks terrible, on a really bad team!

by groversson on May 30, 2006 11:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't disagree with you

But isn't it funny how quickly Ginter's become the savior? This is the guy who we couldn't wait to run out of town last year! He's only on our AAA team because he didn't want to forfeit his plum salary for this year. If he had, he wouldn't even be in the conversation.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on

Gaudin was impressive in relief? We're hanging our hat on that?? We've got multiple guys in the pen that belong in AAA...at best, and maybe not even a good AAA team. Gaudin? Roney? Flores? Karsay? Not to mention at least two guys in the rotation who are long relievers / mop-up types. The pitching is pathetic. You score 7 runs at home against the FREAKING KANSAS CITY ROYALS and you have to win that game.

Don't even get me started about the offense. I'll refrain for tonight because at least they put some runs on the board and didn't pack it in after one of the aforementioned mop-up guys gave up 4 in the 1st.

by bigthree17 on May 30, 2006 11:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gaudin and Halsey are NOT

mop up guys. Yes, Halsey should have made better pitches, but he was also royally (sob) screwed by some poor plays by Crosby and Chavez. Gaudin has really good stuff and for the most part Halsey has been an adequate starter, if not sometimes much better than adequate.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

...when I said long-relievers / mop-guys in the rotation I was talking about Halsey and Saarloos. Gaudin doesn't belong up here. What's his WHIP? 1.6? 1.7? Horrendous. This is supposed to be a playoff-caliber club.

Neither Halsey nor Saarloos can get through a lineup a third time with any effectiveness. Thus, they can't be effective starters.

by bigthree17 on May 30, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

After the performances of some of the

other relievers lately, Gaudin looked like Rollie Fingers out there tonight.

Then again, that's expectations.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 30, 2006 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Gaudin having a decent few innings against one of the worst teams ever to play ball and that's the silver lining

BAH

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Graph.

I don't want to go over it.

Sorry, it's big. I need to start homework.
This took a while, between the long KC names, and the fact that this game had 100 plays in it.

Damn! Street is so imposing, he even causes the earth itself to freeze in fear! - monkeyball

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2006 11:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Certaintly

This will ring true, another 1-run loss, that is a result of a less than stellar bullpen.

"Talk about impressive. My point is this: Break's over."- Josiah Bartlet

by doublehustle22 on May 30, 2006 11:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Crosby

Suddenly, he's 9 for his last 16. I've been critical of him too, but he "appears" to be turning the corner. We'll see how it progresses.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why doesn't it EVER happen at once?

That's the heartbreaking thing about this team. At any given moment it feels like we have guys who are really stepping it up, but never more than 1-3 at a time. We go through stretches where we see flashes of what this team COULD be, but they never seem able to piece it together.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It DOES happen all at once

See June/July/August 2001-2005.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm actually hoping for a full SEASON

and not just two or three month stretches, after which we come up short.

Also, it's unfair to compare this team to teams we've had since 2001. We had superior offense on those teams and during certain stretches much better pitching. Those were just better teams. Last season we just died out and fell apart in the last month.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but

THEY MISSED THE PLAYOFFS IN '04 & '05. So who cares how good the second half was. The first halves were a bit too lousy.

by robsf on May 30, 2006 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

robsf...

I agree with your post completely. People seem to think a miracle run would get us in the playoffs. It's like reading AN gives a person amnesia.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amnesia?

All I know is that I've never ever seen a game as bad as tonight's!

FIRE LARRY DAVIS NOW

by GreenNGoldSooner on May 31, 2006 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

I have. How about a game where you're absolutely BURIED?

This is a game that was about as frustrating as they come, but it had some positive elements:

The A's came back
Crosby looked comfortable at the plate
Gaudin was very impressive. The Royals were going to try to steal on him, and with two throws over he totally had the guy on a leash. I thought after Halsey, Gaudin looked like a pro.
Calero looked terrific. I think automatically going to your closer is not always the smartest move (unless he's been lights out). I know it goes against normal baseball logic, but I would have left Kiko out there for the ninth.

Most frustrating game ever? Maybe. Worst? Not even close.

by Brian in 317 on May 31, 2006 6:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should have added a /snark tag...

I was kidding...hence the subject "Amnesia?"

FIRE LARRY DAVIS NOW

by GreenNGoldSooner on May 31, 2006 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

doing better but against lesser pitchers

by OaklandSi on May 31, 2006 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby

Nice to see him change his approach at the plate. Let's hope he can keep it up. His defense is still horrible though. He arguable cost the A's at least 2 runs tonight.

I am totally mystified by the offensive suckness of everyone not name Chavez or Swisher.

by Bearcat on May 30, 2006 11:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Tomorrow's bright spots

Dough boy Blanton gets his ERA below 6

Perez raises his batting average to .037

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL!!

by bigthree17 on May 30, 2006 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as I said earlier and it bears repeating

this team is just a shameful excuse for an allegedly professional sports franchise, period. If any one thing is to blame it's the conditioning and training staff... what kind of example is it when your trainer looks like a beached whale in sunglasses anyway? Injury after injury, pulled muscle after pulled muscle, when you can't keep a single lat or oblique functioning that means something is pitifully, horrifically WRONG. These "trainers" or whatever they claim to be should be FIRED LAST FRIDAY, just like I would be if I crapped my job to the extent that these clowns have done for 2 years now.

And I believe not for a Canadian Minute that Harden won't land himself right back into the Dugout Sunflower Seed Olympics on the DL after a couple of starts, I'll believe that guy can stay healthy for even 15 minutes 47 seconds when I see him do it. Clearly he doesn't listen to them when they tell him to lay off the goddamned weights, so they need to hire somebody that will scream it in his face until he wipes the post-adolescent smirk off his face and does what they tell him, period. Either that or he can pitch in the Vancouver League, if there is such a thing.

Speaking of oblique muscles last seen attached to 98 year old men, where's Bradley already? Do we need to manufacture some milk cartons with his face on there? Back in the day when this beautiful, sacred game was played by working class guys and not pathetic bourgeouis billionaires, dudes would play until their limbs fell off. Mickey Mantle couldn't WALK after like 1960 and he played and played and played until they carried him off on 12 separate stretchers. Now they stub their toe and you don't see them again until 3 months later.

I've just had it with this crap, just done with it. They should refund the people's money that paid to see this sh*t these last 2 nights... I won't go to $2 Wednesday tomorrow because this team should have to pay ME $2 to sit through mortifying displays like these.

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

by emperor nobody on May 30, 2006 11:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems mildly ridiculous

to blame trainers like Larry Davis for chronic injuries, freak accidents, or day to day game accidents that occur during the course of the season.

Let's not forget, Larry Davis has been around for a while. If the A's haven't had this kind of injury problems before, it's safe to say it isn't his fault that we have relatively fragile players - Bradley, Duke, Kotsay (back), and Harden.

Shameless excuse for a sports franchise? That just doesn't even warrant a response.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Larry Davis

has been around long enough that he clearly has gotten too comfortable and needs to be replaced. And the conditioning coaches, whoever they are? Come on, when you see the same muscles being pulled and tweaked over and over and over again that means they don't enforce a cohesive, strict policy around weightlifting and that means they are delinquent in one of the most important facets of their jobs and they should be kicked through the goalposts of Hell yesterday.

In Harden's case in particular, it's as obvious as blueberry pie with whipped cream that he is off the reservation when it comes to conditioning, particularly in the offseason, and he's the one domino in the whole enchilada that guarantees us an extended stay in the toilet when (not if) he goes down for some interminable period of time. If these coaches can't impress upon a 23 year old kid the reality that he is the cornerstone of this franchise and needs to start acting accordingly, then a team that continues to employ such people in the critical position of mentoring to someone that has the potential for Nolan Ryan-caliber greatness and keeping him on the rails is itself squandering their future and that qualifies as pathetic, whether it's May, August, or December on Neptune.

What I wanna see is people in positions of critical import in glitzy shows like pro sports held to the same standard of performance that working people who get canned for taking the day off to go to an immigration protest get held to.

Clown time, and the laughable excuses that accompany it, needs to be OVER.

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

by emperor nobody on May 30, 2006 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I don't think that he

is to blame, Larry Davis needs to understand that this is MLB, not Rock Med.

by southofcruiseamerica on May 30, 2006 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simile when you say that, podner

Wow. A single sentence takes us from blueberry pie with whipped cream, off the reservation, to a domino in the enchilada on the way to the toilet. You've churned my stomach in more ways than I can count. Needless to say, I'm going easy on the dollar dogs tomorrow.

Better luck is just a standard deviation away.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on May 30, 2006 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on...

So, it's come to this? Attacks on the appearance of the head trainer? Please. The A's were phenomenally lucky with regards to injures for almost their entire run of success over the last six or seven years. This year...this one freakin' year...they've been phenomenally unlucky. As with most things in baseball, injuries tend to even out over the course of a season or several seasons.

by Aaron C on May 30, 2006 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so if you wanna get and stay in shape

you gonna hire a morbidly obese dude to take you there?

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

by emperor nobody on May 30, 2006 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and how soon you forget that

Harden's "mystery obliques" cost us the division LAST year.

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

by emperor nobody on May 30, 2006 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

Well, it's obviously that there's nothing I can say that's going to change your mind, so I'll leave it at this: Davis has been the A's assisstant or head trainer since 1984. His record speaks for itself and it's wrong to use his physical appearance as one of the basis of your argument. Carry on.

by Aaron C on May 30, 2006 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very dynamic argument

I do agree with how many ball players (i.e. Bradley) are quick to shut it down with minor injuries. Of course, this may also be due to over-protective management. Bottom line is that we have two parties with a great deal of investment in the financial aspect of the game. Bradley needs to confer with his agent before he can "gut out" an oblique injury. The A's brass needs to DL their players for precautionary measures just in case the injury becomes more serious. In sum, this isn't the same sport that Mantle played, unfortunately...

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 30, 2006 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

this isn't baseball, it's, well, MONEYball. Dudes have to call their broker now before they can decide whether to swing 3-0 or make the pitcher throw a strike. Now a guy strains a lat and all he can see when he closes his eyes is the zeroes on the bank account s-h-r-i-n-k-i-n-g.

All part of the way quantitative judgement has wiped out qualitative judgement, apparently forever.

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

by emperor nobody on May 30, 2006 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

best post Ive seen in awhile...

totally agree about these guys being "trained" or whatever..they pull up lame when tripping over a coin...

tdwclark

by tdwclark on May 31, 2006 5:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the meantime...

the Halos are winning their games ...while finding out that they have a good farm team.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm feeling great

Gutsy comeback, summer is here, and you know what, Nyquil tastes GREAT right out of the bottle.

5 games under .500 at the end of May with our AAA team, with our big league club slowly coming off the DL. It's a hideous streak, losing 10 out of 11, but it's more painful because we should have won 5 of them and screwed them up in gawd-awful ways.

I don't know what people were expecting, but you can't throw a AAA team out there and expect to win. We're doing better than I expected, and only bad luck and bad Street is keeping this from being a hanging-in-there stretch. And you know what, it's going to get worse before it gets better. The Twins always give us trouble, then we visit the excellent Indians and Yankees, then host the revitalized Mariners. We have to just hope to not lose too much ground during that stretch. But then... we get the NL West this year for interleague and maybe they haven't scouted us as well as the AL has. The end of June will make or break this season.

Luckily, I remember how to survive May from last May's experience. Lower your expectations. Hang in the race. Check the DL every day. And when our guns are finally reloaded... make our big run with no apologies.

See you in the DLD.

by Apricot on May 30, 2006 11:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

is there any hope for tommorows

game? Any at all.

"Talk about impressive. My point is this: Break's over."- Josiah Bartlet

by doublehustle22 on May 30, 2006 11:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

NO

one word

Blanton

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least

the A's didn't spend over a hundred million to have a shitty team like the Angels did... :) :) :)

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who cares ?

It's not our money. I would be delighted to see them loosen the purse strings ... no matter the result.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way

only if it results in a championship

I'd rather the A's go 0-162 with the lowest payroll than lose in the playoffs with the highest

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well ...

can't change your mind. But I have to say I envy teams that can go buy some help when they get in a fix. Would love to see some money buy us a Roger Clemens.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so true

ya gotta spend money to make money...ask Wally Haas. Some fans might show up if the team got a couple of great players. the new owners are spending more and took some gambles. remind me to see what Andre is doing doing in LA. That my be the one big mistake Billy has made.

MY big beef is the lack of small ball fundamentals. To remember what that looks like, watch a St Louis game. Leadoff gets on, steals second and eventually scores. At the Giants game last week, they scored on a walk, steal, and two ground outs. That's coaching at its best.

by robsf on May 30, 2006 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good points Rob.

I am proud of the fact that we have a great farm system...but it's nice to dream of having owners who will do what it takes to win.

by IM4Oakgal on May 30, 2006 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but with a lineup

that includes Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, Eckstein, Taguchi, etc. Hell, Macha could just not show up to the game and we would win more games with a lineup like that.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

even the Royals

took over the lead for good last night by sacrificing the leadoff runner into scoring position, then singling him in. I have no doubt that had they gotten that lead runner to third with less than two outs that they would have attempted a sac fly.

If the Royals can do it the A's should be able to do it.

by OaklandSi on May 31, 2006 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen, sista

by rubin sierra on May 31, 2006 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not a shitty team

they were really underperforming - like we are (I hope) - but they have great prospects and key players injured. We have key players injured, but unfortunately it doesn't seem like we have the young talent to infuse us with a little life.

FREE KEITH GINTER! <dies>

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

their prospects

all HYPE

McPherson, Kochman, buncha stiffs

lol they signed Jeff Weaver

he makes Loazia look like Cy Young!

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vent thread up.

Have fun.

Damn! Street is so imposing, he even causes the earth itself to freeze in fear! - monkeyball

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2006 11:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When things go awry

There's too much wrong with this team. I'll assume that Chavez isn't seriously hurt, but it doesn't matter. The offense is not very good even with him in the lineup.

Street was almost ridiculously good last year. He saved everything; shoot, his "blown saves" ended up as victories. This year, he gives up two dunks and then Matt Stairs... well, I didn't like the sight of him in the 9th inning. Street is struggling, as young players often do, but you can't place too much blame on him for tonight's loss. It takes a village to lose to the Royals twice. That 10th inning first-pitch swinging was really, really annoying - the sign of a bad team pressing against a team that wants to beat itself. The A's didn't give them the chance.

The depressing part about the season is that it may turn out to be hopelessly dreary. The A's were built, to a large extent, to win this year. But they're not winning, and even if they can hang around in the crummy AL West, are simply no match for the better teams in the league.

Shoot, the Angels actually have more of an angle. They may suck too, but they're playing their promising farmhands and finding out what they have. The A's don't have much in the minors, and what they do have isn't ready for The Show.

There's no reason to just assume that the sight of "June" on their calendars is going to transform the A's into a good team. If Harden comes back healthy and able to pitch effectively for more than a few innings, that will certainly help.

Some of the injury problems aren't so easily fixed. Duchscherer has arm trouble. He could be out all season, or ineffective when he tries to come back. Who knows about Kennedy? Loaiza may never find his fastball. Milton Bradley is injury-prone, and Frank Thomas - finally hitting - is due to go down sometime.

Some of the underperforming players - Johnson, Blanton, Crosby - may continue to struggle.

Meanwhile, the players Beane traded - in Rheinecker's case, for essentially nothing - are performing well for their new teams. He may have outsmarted himself with a few of these deals. We'll see.

I don't want to go overboard with the negativity, because we've seen the A's turn things around before. And the only team ahead of Oakland is Texas, which has vulnerabilities of its own. But it's hard to get excited about this season anymore. The realistic best case scenerio looks to be a first round exit.

Meanwhile, the Zito trade chatter will start. Oh, goody.

by bear88 on May 30, 2006 11:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post

But there is hope:

Thomas, assuming he remains healthy, might be able to carry our offense for a while. He certainly has the talent.

Swisher is still awesome, showing no signs of slowing down.

Crosby has been really good of late.

Zito and Haren have been very good.

And ... that's all I got. But it's something!

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Counterpoint

Thomas can't carry the offense, because unless he hits a bomb, he'll clog up the bases. He can't score from 2nd on a single, and he can't tag and score on a fly ball. Don't get me wrong, I still like him in the lineup, but his limitations prevent him from carrying the offense. Plus, HRs are only worth so much if the guys in front of you can't get on base with any consistency.

Swisher: agreed. He has been sweet all year. But that first-pitch pop out tonight was a sign that he still has a long way to go in the maturation process.

Crosby: let's see if he can keep it going for more than two games before we call the slump over.

Zito and Haren: Zito has been great, but Haren has been a bit up and down. I think he can get it together, though. But that still leaves 3 holes in the rotation. We need both a healthy Harden and the June-September 2005 Blanton.

by bigthree17 on May 30, 2006 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the Mulder trade was bad

I understand that billy had to trade him but that was a lousy deal, who'd the A's get

Danny Boy-LOUSY, a few good starts BAH, just wait guys, next start he gets lit up, mark it down, his ERA is over 4 anyway, that's not very good

Kiko-HORRIBLE, what happened to him? Wasn't he one of the best set up men?

Barton?-the catcher, is that who? isn't he hurt?

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a joke right?

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no sir

ERA's over 4 don't cut it

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't Mulder have an ERA over 4?

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 30, 2006 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Mulder: 4.52
Haren: 4.04

And don't even talk about the K/BB ratios. Haren is far better and WILL CONTINUE TO BE far better.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

rather pay a lot less for basically the same pitcher

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a joke

Haren is very, very good. Our second best starter, and would be on almost any other team.

Calero is overworked. The dude shows up every day, which is more than you can say for Duke and Kennedy. Calero is our rock right now in the pen.

Barton is a solid prospect. Got hurt for the next 2 months. Freak thing.

Don't speak about things you don't understand.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

joke

is saying Haren would the 2 starter on almost any other team

the only teams in the AL where you could make the claim that Haren is the 2 guy is Texas and Kansas City

when the A's are healthy, he's not even second best on his own team! A distant third...

I won't get started on the NL where the pitching is better.

Calero hasn't been that great, the A's still have the worst bullpen in the game,

Barton is a wait and see.

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 30, 2006 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guarantee

That Haren would be AT LEAST the #2 on many other teams. I'm not even going to engage in the discussion. He's solid. Jump off his bandwagon at your own risk. He's already better than Mulder at a fraction of the price ... this already makes this trade a huge steal. NOBODY debates that point, except you, apparently.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was never on the Haren bandwagon

never liked him in college or with St Louis

and if you'll see above, I did point out that it's nice the much cheaper guy who's about as effective as Mulder's been with the Cards.

here's the top 2 in the AL for each team Haren has no business being named the #2 starter (your words)

Oakland-Zito, Harden
Seattle-Moyer, Washburn
Anaheim-Colon, Lackey
Chicago-Buehrle, Contreras
Detroit-Verlander, Robertson
Tampa Bay-Kazmir, Hendrickson
New York-Mussina, Randy
Boston-Schilling, Beckett
Toronto-Halladay, Janssen

he'd be the second best on KC, Texas and I'll add Cleveland, Minnesota, and Baltimore. Hardly MOST of the other team's #2 starter as you said. In fact MOST of the time he'd be 3rd starter at best (usually not even that)

I won't get into the NL because it would be even worse.

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 31, 2006 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts

Haren is better than:

Moyer AND Washburn
Probably Lackey (at least on the same level)
Contreras
Verlander, Robertson
Hendrickson
Janssen

probably also better than Beckett. You don't think the Red Sox would trade Beckett for Haren straight up? You better believe they would. Beckett is now their Rich Harden. Lots of talent, but never is healthy.

by Crosbino on May 31, 2006 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BHAHAHAHA!

yeah Boston would trade Haren straight up for Josh Beckett. Ummmm maybe when hell freezes over. Lemme know when Danny boy earns World Series MVP.

Contreras? His era is only 1.83, yeah Danny boy and his OVER FOUR really matches up well there. 1.83, that's disgusting

Lackey? Think again. His ERA is much better and his K/9 better too.

Verlander/Roberton? V's ERA is 2.55, waaay better than Haren, Robertson's is also much better at 3.02

Janssen? 3.25

Hendrickson...okay! Fair enough, he's on equal footing with Tampa Bay's 2 guy.

Seriously thought Beckett for Danny Boy???? And Beckett isn't injured, hard to compare the guy to Rich Harden when's not even injured.

I gotta rock, I gotta rock, good sweet Christ do I gotta rock

by Lloyd Bonafide on May 31, 2006 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Offense, your name is Frank Thomas ...

May
.274/.459/.532

Not bad ...

Devo's newest project And his blog

by devo on May 30, 2006 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude

I'd take that for the rest of the year. And I'm tired of adding the caveat: "if he stays healthy." He's BEEN healthy so far (knock on wood).

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

at this point, on this team, you would expect to see his (exceptionally large) limbs lying all over the field, but he even seems to be more comfortable with his health/the state of his foot, which may lead to greater comfort at the plate.

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Assume for a second

That Chavez is not hurt ...

Swisher, Chavez, and Thomas could soon become a feared middle of the order. That is, assuming Macha hits Swisher 3rd.

Add a resurgent Crosby + Kotsay/Kendall/AAA callup to replace DJ, and suddenly things might turn around. One or two dead spots in the lineup won't kill us. It's the 7 we currently have that kills us.

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's what preseason predictions saw

I think the problem is that Crosby may not be mature enough to put together a consistent season and other teams simply have a much better offense than any combination of Swish/Chavez/Thomas/Bradley + 5/6 other inconsistent or unreliable hitters.

However, I do hope you're right that this is a sign of Crosby turning the corner and not just another good but brief streak.

Man, to have 4 or 5 guys who are hitting above .250....

by nycfan on May 30, 2006 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually..

wasn't he on the day-to-day a few weeks ago? sore hip? his numbers are good, but i will forever and ever hold my breath and fear a snap-crackle-pop anytime he steps up to bat.

"Statistics are about as interesting as first base coaches." - Jim Bouton

by digsthelongball on May 30, 2006 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Racing home...

to catch the end of the game to see yet another A's reliever that you've never heard of, both teams wearing softball jerseys, Melhuse in catcher's gear straight out of the Jetsons, less people in the stands than registered AN users, losing a home series to the worst team in baseball, fresh scars from the White Sox and Rangers, ROY and broach fiend closer giving it up to Matt Stairs...ugh.

At this point the marketing folks should line the East Side Club with couches for Therapy Day. Ethan Allen could sponsor it and Lorraine Bracco will throw out the first pitch.

by southofcruiseamerica on May 30, 2006 11:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

With Ellis' injury supposedly

more serious than Chavez's, I really DON'T want to see Scutaro playing for any extended period of time. Scutaro has suddenly become Ray Sanchez. Give me some Ginter action, especially considering that the A's are paying this guy $3 million for headlining the Rivercats lineup.

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 31, 2006 12:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where did you hear that?

by nycfan on May 31, 2006 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From...

Macha's monotone post-game press conference

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 31, 2006 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, hate to be demanding

but us non-Bay Area folks aren't (un)fortunate enough to hear the monotone doom and gloom routine. What did he say about each of them?

by nycfan on May 31, 2006 12:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No problem at all fellow ANer

Chavez couldn't hold the bat, which prompted Larry Davis to suggest that it may be a "nerve thing". Regarding Ellis, he likely jammed his thumb and for some reason Macha deemed it to be more serious that Chavez's neurological disorder...

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 31, 2006 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A "NERVE thing"?

<dies>

I hate you Macha. I really don't, but somehow this is your fault, even if it's not.

by nycfan on May 31, 2006 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure Chavy will be fine by tomorrow

Ellis, on the other hand (no pun intended), was taken for X-rays immediately -- so that doesn't sound good. :(

Putting the "fun" in "perfunctory"

by Poppy on May 31, 2006 6:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

AN needs to get over its collective crush on Scutaro. Ginter's not perfect, but at his worst, he's likely better than Scutaro's best. He MIGHT even be a spark. I have no doubt he'll be called up ASAP. Either Ellis is hurt, Scutaro's gone, or Perez is gone. Too many dead spots there.

by Crosbino on May 31, 2006 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that cruh is long over...

No one around here believes he is the answer for any kind of long term starting role

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on May 31, 2006 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crush over; Contracts now out

Some humble solutions:

Kill Marco
Kill Perez
Kill Roney (who is better that Casilla how?)

That's just a start. But if we never see them again--or at least for a couple of months in Perez's case--that would be okay with me.

by RLangford on May 31, 2006 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perez has a Ron Gant-like stance

But of course, he lacks the muscle and upper body strength to compensate for a swing that is completely devoid of any lower momentum. Being that he rarely sees anything faster than a batting practice fastball (including those seen in the simulated games thrown by "Fat Cat" Loaiza), there is no way that he will be effective coming off the bench. He is a wasted spot kept in the majors just as a pinch running option for a late inning Thomas walk.

And Matt Roney? I rather see Casilla just because he has more upside, which may dwindle a year from now when we find that he is actually a 32 year old named Juan Valdez.

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 31, 2006 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see more hope than the rest of you

You're all--most of you--stuck in the moment. This isn't like last May when we truly stunk and there were few reasons to think we'd get better.

This current funk is the result of losing every close game--7 by my count. That's an average team--which we currently are--combined with crappy luck (Kendall's line drive, Mochoviak's HR, Kinsler's broken bat, Stair's single, etc.). I recognize we're not that good, but we've also been unlucky.

Last year we didn't have this many key players hurt. If we can get two starters, two key set-up men, and a middle of the order hitter back, we'll be better than anybody else in the division. The key for the A's is health. A five-game lead isn't much to make up over the course of four months, is it?

And there are genuinely good signs with the offense. Thomas and Crosby--two keys--are much better than they were. I think this offense isn't going to frustrate us the way last year's did in the final 6 weeks of the season.

And enough talk about how even if we win, we can't compete with the powerhouse teams. Of course we can. Harden, Zito, Haren. A lineup with Swisher, Chavez, Thomas, and Bradley. Yes, we will be able to compete.

Really, beyond injuries, the one real concern for this team is Street. If he is bad the rest of the year, yes, that would be a killer to our hopes. Even he'd not given away three games this week, we'd be tied for first right now and playing .500 ball.

by RLangford on May 31, 2006 12:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good post

I'm with you on this. There IS hope, mostly because this team just CAN'T be this bad. This is a team that was widely predicted to win 90 games, and they're currently on pace to win, what, 70? Too many injuries, combined with some untimely poor performance and luck, equals a really bad stretch. There may not be a 40-10 stretch in them, but they're not going to roll over and die.

And if they do, then we have the biggest disappointment in recent baseball history on our hands. And that's something!

by Crosbino on May 31, 2006 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hadn't thought of the disappoinment angle

It works for me, actually. Look, I'm sure when the White Sox had that long stretch where they stunk it up last here and blew most of their 15 game lead, they went 23-29 at one point, or something close to that. And I'm sure they weren't playing without six of their regulars (Harden, Bloaiza, Duke, Kennedy, Witasick, and Bradley).

And they ended up being world champs. You can have a crappy 11 game stretch and still end up okay.

by RLangford on May 31, 2006 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On paper, you are correct

Emotionally, not so much. The A's should be over 'competing' and aiming to crush and demoralize their opponents. The worm turned last week against the White Sox, they are the champs and the A's had been their nemesis for years...couple that with the Arlington House of Horrors and the hurdles grow taller. That's not even counting the Bronx, Fenway and 0 for 9 in clinchers.

by southofcruiseamerica on May 31, 2006 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Living in the moment

Of course I am.

I just watched my team lose to the worst team in baseball, at home, twice.

That said, I think you're being too optimistic based on what we've seen. Yes, the bullpen is ravaged and currently manned by guys who, in most cases, don't belong in the major leagues. How much will that change? When is Duchscherer coming back? Nobody knows. When is Kennedy coming back? Nobody knows.

Crosby has had a few good offensive games. But he's facing the Rangers and Royals. Let's hold the hosannas until he starts hitting some decent pitching.

Frank Thomas: I do enjoy watching him hit, but you can see the man's frustration. He's hitting a lot better, but still misses pitches he never used to miss. Maybe he will start hitting those pitches too, as he logs more playing time. But maybe he won't. And as others have noted, he's just a logjam on the bases.

The A's, if reasonably healthy, can compete, but only if the Rangers don't run away with the division. Don't laugh. It could happen. And you're assuming terrific health from a team that has often barely been able to field a roster.

The playoffs, if the A's can somehow get there, are a bit about getting hot and healthy at the right time. So the team can toss out Harden (if healthy), Zito and Haren and take their chances.

But the team won't even get there, much less have a chance in the playoffs, unless they start hitting a lot better and get better performances from their bullpen. Street, as you note, could ruin everything even if all else falls into place. And I'm starting to have serious doubts that all else is going to fall into place.

by bear88 on May 31, 2006 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blez: Really well said.

Great read and 100% on the mark in my opinion.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on May 31, 2006 12:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Swisher

Mr. Macha: Has Swisher earned the #3 slot in the lineup, yet?

Stick him in the 3-Hole. He's the leader of this team, and I'm stoked to see him having great success.

As for Chavvy, Royals announcers said it was a bruise during the game. I'm sure they took him in for precautionary x-rays. I hope they come back negative, or this team is DUNZO.

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

by Colorado Fan on May 31, 2006 12:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Expect to see...

Kotsay batting third tomorrow just because that's a common Macha-ism.

I like Mickey Morabito's hair.

by franks a lot on May 31, 2006 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

Crosby was in the 3-Hole this time last year.

Macha still doesn't trust Swisher. You can just tell that Macha considers Swish to be the "team clown" and a non-leader.

You must be stoic, even-keel, with the driest-of-dry sense of humor, to be a leader...Typical Macha-ism.

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

by Colorado Fan on May 31, 2006 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"You can just tell"

Like you, sir, for your trenchant analysis of the situation.

by RLangford on May 31, 2006 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Macha's attitude towards Swisher

My guess, and it's only a guess, is that Macha regards Swisher as a very talented but sometimes undisciplined player who needs to be kept on a short leash.

He knows Swisher is a big leaguer's son, and believes Swisher can handle a few pointed comments. So Macha makes it known when Swisher didn't hustle to second on that double play, or when he starts falling in love with hitting home runs.

Swisher doesn't seem to lack self-confidence, and Macha's comments do not seem to faze him. It's easy to be unfazed, of course, when you've hit 16 home runs and it's not even June.

Given Swisher's performance, it's hard to fault Macha. At the very least, the manager isn't screwing the kid up.

by bear88 on May 31, 2006 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two losses to KC in May is almost worth it...

...just to see the confused wonderment in the faces of the half-dozen or so Royals fans at the Coliseum.

Plus, they don't make asses of themselves on the BART ride home like Yankee fans.

by Mission1929 on May 31, 2006 12:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well, they don't have many opportunities

to make asses of themselves

seriously, I also saw a Royals fan on Monday night on BART, a little bit arrogant and obnoxious, but I think it was a rare opportunity which was being indulged. the A's fans were pretty tolerant.

by OaklandSi on May 31, 2006 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Street needs to stop throwing his change-up

ok, here's some uninformed analysis, based only on minimal observation:

last year street was dominant.

this year he is not.

last year he had no change-up

this year he "developed" one and likes to use it in tense game situations.

the change-up gets rocked. it was the pitch that stairs hit tonight and it was the pitch that turned into the dinger in the last blown save.

stop throwing the change-up!!!

let's also be fair. it's almost june. he's blown 3 saves. if he makes it through june without blowing another, he will have blown 1 save per month. that's acceptable. it just hurts now cause he's blown two recently in the midst of a horrid streak.

Zito: You ever think about the space time continuum?
Huddy: Uh... no.

by mendelbob on May 31, 2006 1:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

For the record,

Stairs hit a backdoor slider. The changeup isn't the problem; the problem is that his slider never used to be mistakable for a changeup!

by Nico on May 31, 2006 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

okay, okay

stairs hit a slider (although fosse did refer to it as an "offspeed" pitch - i thought street's slider was supposed to be of the "hard" type), nevin hit a fastball, and Mackowiak hit a change-up.

conclusion: my theory sucks and so have all three of street's pitches for the last week.

Zito: You ever think about the space time continuum?
Huddy: Uh... no.

by mendelbob on May 31, 2006 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

also for the record

Street struck Bonds out with a changeup last week (how soon we forget)to end the game.

The problem is not the change or the slider, it's not using the fastball to set those pitches up. For some reason, Street didn't throw fastballs last night.

by Brian in 317 on May 31, 2006 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Street

will be fine, I cut him a lot of slack he may not be fully recovered from his injury. Just continue to heap all the blame on Macha, 4 appearences in 5 days, GG closer.

by redruin on May 31, 2006 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ethier in the 5 Spot

Wouldn't it have been nice to see A. Ethier hitting for the A's in the number 5 spot? Of all the past year's transactions, this one is really biting the A's in the arse. I know it's easy to compare a trade at this point in time, but Ethier's .300 average would rank second on the A's roster. Of course there's no way of knowing what Ethier would have done, but at the league minimum, giving Ethier a chance even in a so called go for broke pennant year would have been worth it.
Every heartwrenching loss in May, will compound itself in late September, when the A's find themselves back by 2 games. Lets hope our injured players can come back & play their hearts out. We need to play .575 ball or better in June, or we can plan on another 3rd place finish.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball".-Jacques Barzun

by bambikiller on May 31, 2006 1:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Street one strike away...

to save an A's win. Time to give Duke the ball when he comes off the DL. Street looks lost out there. But Halsey open the door for these Royals in the first inning. That's when we lost...at the begining of the game not at the end. But it just was not a day for two former Longhorns.

by What Would Rickey Do on May 31, 2006 5:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well.

Putting the "fun" in "perfunctory"

by Poppy on May 31, 2006 6:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Overreacting? Who's overreacting?

ducks to avoid flying chair

by JLeverenz on May 31, 2006 6:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, please

I'm actually going to inflict an A's game on myself again tomorrow night, and I don't want the traffic on 92 to be tied up for some jumper... ;)

Putting the "fun" in "perfunctory"

by Poppy on May 31, 2006 6:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a problem

Since I'm in South Carolina, there is only a 5% chance that I will disrupt traffic in the Bay Area (roughly the same chance that the A's put a player with a broken hand straight onto the DL rather than listing him as day-to-day)

ducks to avoid flying chair

by JLeverenz on May 31, 2006 7:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOBODY HAS A BROKEN HAND

I insist. Do not tempt bad x-rays.

Putting the "fun" in "perfunctory"

by Poppy on May 31, 2006 7:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, i am going to

be a little later getting to work this morning after reading this post mortem thread.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006, the Royals dugout chanted gabba-gabba, One of us, one of us!

by ak_A on May 31, 2006 7:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gerald Perry sucks.

Why dont more of us focus on this guy sucking, rather than Anchor Man, err, I mean Larry Davis. By the way, how do Glen Kuiper and Ray Fosse stay positive?

by nfadil4 on May 31, 2006 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs