The end of the beginning

by Crosbino on May 30, 2006 11:03 PM PDT

We had grown too complacent.

This was finally the year.

The stars were going to align in 06.

What fools we were. Not to believe that the A's could win this year, but to think it would be easy. You see, I've finally figured out the madness of this team.

To win and win easily would do nothing for our souls. The A's know that. To win without struggle may give us immediate happiness, but it would not build character. We would learn nothing from easy wins.

We haven't been thoroughly cleansed yet, though it's getting closer by the day. We must be completely broken down, so much so that we no longer think we can ever root for the A's again, only to watch them rise from the ashes, to make us appreciate wins, to appreciate their greatness.

Only when we are at our collective lowest point can we begin to move forward, to grow, to accept each win as a gift and to embrace those wins. Anyone see "V for Vendetta?" Same thing here. Break us down, tear us apart, leave us for dead. Only when we can live without fear: without fear of another blown save, without fear of another injury, without fear of another DP, can we truly be reborn.

This, my friends, is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. It is the end of the beginning. (Churchill)

Go A's. I'll see you all in June.

I feel better already.

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To quote TS Eliot

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

We're all whimpering right now.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 30, 2006 11:12 PM PDT reply actions

Royal-ly screwed

We have really reached the Marinas Trench of
baseball failure.

Too much expectation was placed on this team from
the get go. That is the problem. The A's have never been built for the World Series in Billy Beane's tenure.

We expected 4 sophomores to play key roles this year. The stats tell the story. Apart from Swisher
(who's been outstanding) the other 3 havent produced.

DJ - First base, power position, hitting well below the Mendoza line
Street - ROY, Closer, Has blown half his save situations since being hurt.
Blanton - 12-12, 3.53 ERA. His W-L and ERA this
year tell the story. Command problems, lack of focus, his spot in the rotation is now under question.

Lets look at the new acquisitions:

MB - hurt most of the time, didnt produce to expectations for the first 21 games either. He was better than many others in the lineup but that's not saying much for our lineup is it?
FT - Expeceted to be a big right handed bat of the bench. May be beginning to heat up but his plate appearances with runners in scoring position arent
what youd expect from a future HoF.
Loaiza - Dont get me started here. No velocity, no command, nothing. He's been warming the bench and losing some games for us and has really contributed absolutely zilch. zero.
Perez - the throw-in the Bradley deal. 1 hit in 38 ABs. Great going.

The bull-pen
5 guys who are legitimately AAA/AAAA level. A closer who cant close close games. Our key setup guy MIA (who knows when he returns and how long he'll stay healthy), a key lefty longman missing with who knows what ailment. This is probably the worst bull-pen in the league right now (KC - proved that over the past two games).

Hitters
Cant get a hit with runners in scoring position to save anyone let alone the fate of AN. Key guys are swinging for the fences when the opposing pitcher clearly shows lack of command. No patience or plate discipline that used to be the hallmark of the A's. You can define the word 'disgusting' without looking up the dictionary.

Starters
Apart from BZ and Haren we have a tail in the rotation that's longer than a blue whale. Nobody goes deep and throws good games consistently. We're up there in walks allowed, ERA, etc. etc.

Bottomline
Dont place much hopes on the A's. The burden of expectation weighs too heavily and they play well only when there's nothing on the line. That explains the bad starts, losing in the playoffs and the whole lot.

This is now officially the worst team in the league, period.

by oak1 on May 31, 2006 1:17 AM PDT reply actions

Pretty Much Sums It Up

Last night's loss was really the most painful of any of the last 10. To lose a series to the Royals regardless of the injuries is not good. Another one run loss to boot.

I wouldn't go so far to say the A's are the worst team in baseball right now though. They are working hard to get that lable though. Watching them play is tougher than Chinese Water Torture.

What is starting to bother me is outsay of Kotsay I don't see any players getting pissed about what is happening. They make an out and calmly walk back to the dugout. It would be nice to see someone at least slam a bat back in the rack.

by RudiFan on May 31, 2006 7:12 AM PDT up reply actions