Link Dump 8/17: Early morning edition

too bad...

Chan Ho Park isn't on the Rangers anymore, or else we'd see some fools getting dropkicked! haha.

by ConditionOakland on Aug 17, 2006 12:17 AM PDT reply actions

yea

that was a classic!

Lets go Oakland! Check out my blog:http://sportsrus33.blogspot.com/

by bballfanr33 on Aug 17, 2006 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions

And don't forget...

"Swisher Unscripted". Wow...seriously laughing so hard, I'm crying.

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/8/17/3846/44364

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 17, 2006 12:17 AM PDT reply actions

I think it must be a lot funnier

when you have been drinking at the bar all night.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 17, 2006 12:27 AM PDT reply actions

The haircut?! The haircut?!?!?!?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!!!!

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 17, 2006 12:45 AM PDT up reply actions

And in other news...

Canseco Walks 5, Hits 4, in Pitching Debut
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2552112

Red Sox Acquire Hinske from Blue Jays
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2552135

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Aug 17, 2006 12:30 AM PDT reply actions

Canseco hit 4

... and immediately received contract offers from Soscia, Showalter and Guillen.

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Aug 17, 2006 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Dentist Puts Gold Teeth on Pet Cat

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2006/08/16/national/a175640D43.DTL

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 1:28 AM PDT reply actions

i think i'm going to retire from posting links

i wanna go out on top like elway, not hang around like MJ.

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 1:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Finally.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions

rumor has it

they'll skip the waiting period and immediately enshrine me in the DLD HoF for being the first to type "raison d'être" where the e has a little hat.

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Wasn't that the post game wrap up?

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Everyone's a diacritic

"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 17, 2006 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I thought a diacritic was ...

... oaktoon on Beane's decisions to extend and then not re-sign a certain RF ...

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

I miss oaktoon

And where's HollywoodOz been? I feel like a Montel episode: posters who can't stop loving the posters who piss them off.

"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 17, 2006 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

does that include reztips?

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

speaking of reztips...

and another banished ANer, do these comment sound familiar?

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Aug 17, 2006 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions

HollywoodOz update:

Trip home to Australia for three weeks to introduce grandma to her grandson.

And get wildly drunk.

Nice to know you care.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Aug 25, 2006 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Angels LOSE

Because it feels so good...

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2006 2:20 AM PDT reply actions

Question...

how does one get those proxy.espn things to work?

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Devyn on Aug 17, 2006 2:57 AM PDT reply actions

Urban calls Ellie

"Resurgent"

"We don't even talk about [their current tear] in here," said Ellis, who also bunted for a single. "Nobody wants to jinx it."

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 17, 2006 6:41 AM PDT reply actions

What up ROBB!

Nice link dump dude!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 6:56 AM PDT reply actions

Carlos Pena gets a new job

From the Evil Empire to the Redsox

by Playball on Aug 17, 2006 7:25 AM PDT reply actions

I was so pissed he was not a star and that he had to leave oakland. I wish him the best. I also was hoping that he would get called up to the Yankees and his bat would slip and maim Johnny Damon, so I am not all warm fuzzies, but I do like Carlos.

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Aug 17, 2006 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Watching Sportscenter last night

And one of the anchors commented that Lackey, during the brawl, displayed the same psychotic look that Private Pile did in "Full Metal Jacket". Good stuff...

"Hate the Angels, yeahhhhh!" -Sandfrog

by franks a lot on Aug 17, 2006 7:28 AM PDT reply actions

IMO it's not just the psychotic look either

See for yourself (linked because my image tagging is suspect not to mention the fact that "I am in a world of shit."):

D'Onofrio and Lackey.

4 8 15 16 23 42

by LowcountryJoe on Aug 17, 2006 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Lackey! what is your major malfunction?

Get off of my pitchers mound!

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 17, 2006 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Brawl

Scioscia is either a liar or has lost control of his team:

Scioscia has said repeatedly that he doesn't condone retaliating with beanballs, but it appeared players took matters into their own hands Wednesday night.

"You've got to do things for the respect of your teammates, above all else," Angels pitcher John Lackey said. "Vladdy is our best player. He's one of the best players on the planet. We're going to protect him. We can't afford to lose any offense, especially our biggest part."

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 7:45 AM PDT reply actions

Well, not that Kennedy is much offense

but you're gonna lost the shit out of him for 3 or 4 games. And you might lose Rivera for a couple for mouthing off so much.

by hunter on Aug 17, 2006 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Sure.

Scioscia is widely considered to be a good clubhouse manager (almost to a fault). But if he ordered no retaliations, and his men always follow orders, then why was Santiago is such grave danger? Whoops, I mean, why were extra beanballs thrown?

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions

nice

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 17, 2006 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

You're genius

"Tired Act" - Mychael Urban

by Masaryk on Aug 17, 2006 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions

give that man a DVD!

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

The Mac named the #5 hardest place to play

as voted on by the players

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0608/gallery.MLB.toughest.stadiums/content .5.html

I'd heard a few stories that the away bullpen is pretty daunting to warm up in because the home fans are basically lurking right on top of you. Frankie Francisco might not be the best example, but it's definitely one that applies.

http://westcoastmediabias.blogspot.com

by blasefaire on Aug 17, 2006 8:07 AM PDT reply actions

Pitchers' park

Our foul territory is a significant homefield advantage. Not only does it steal a ton of ABs from from hitters (yes, that includes you, Johnny Damon), but also our guys (particularly Chavez) now how to get after foul pops that other teams miss.

And it's really hard to get a ball out of our yard at night-- particularly at the beginning and the end of the season when the air is colder/heavier.

by LoveDemAs on Aug 17, 2006 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm scared for myself.

I can't stop watching that brawl. I think I've pressed rewind five or six times just to watch Kennedy get taken down.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 17, 2006 8:29 AM PDT reply actions

That ESPN Short Hops page is wierd, man.

There's all kinds of strange content there. The picture of the day is Barry Bonds hitting a home run. The quote of the day is Kevin Millar saying, "We're in a dogfight." about the pennant race.

They mention how good the A's are doing, but don't mention that they have the best record since the all star break. And then John Krok has a little essay on how it's easier to play in August and September if your team is winning.

The tidbit about David Wells? Apparently he's the first Red Sox pitcher to get the W in two consecutive starts while allowing 9 or more hits in each in 10 years.

The number of times Red Sox pitchers have given up more than 9 hits in two consecutive starts in the last 10 years probably isn't that big a list, so David Wells being the first to get 2 W's out of it isn't exactly a big deal. Though, that's maybe why that paragraph is at the end.

by hunter on Aug 17, 2006 8:38 AM PDT reply actions

Brady linked to BALCO

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/444205p-374095c.html

A's fans unknowingly pass scientists' sniff test
Baseball games site of chemical detection security experiments
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_4188974?source=rss

a good summary of the last seven years of second half playingwellness:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/athletics/2006-08-17-oakland-2nd-half_x.htm

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 8:47 AM PDT reply actions

Phew!

I thought it said "Bradley" linked to Balco...

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Chemical enginneers?

That's it. I want to work for the lab group tha does experiments at the Coliseum.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

how do the garlic fries not get a mention?

and this paragraph isn't going to improve attendance:
Sandia's chemical engineers had feared worse, especially for a stadium in the heart of an industrial neighborhood with Interstate 880 next-door. Enough ambient odors and chemicals could swamp or confuse detectors tuned to sniff out sarin and VX gas at concentrations down to the parts per trillion. As molecules, garden pesticides are near twins to deadly poisons.

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions

12 Straight in Kaufmann Stadium

- The A's have won 12 straight games at Kauffman Stadium

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/recap/MLB_20060430_OAK@KC

Keep the Streak Alive!

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 17, 2006 8:56 AM PDT reply actions

JINX!

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions

I was actually at

the last game the A's lost at Kauffman. <barf> Anyway, I think that was the last loss.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=230530107

Photos:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c9/an235/hatte.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c9/an235/lillymulderpeterson.jpg

Notice the trend?

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Why is there a half circle of baseballs...

in the outfield behind them in the last picture. Is there some sort of Blair Witch Project thing going on?

<holds flashlight up to face>
I'm so scared!
<snot runs out of nose>

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 17, 2006 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

And isn't that

Eric Byrnes (no longer with the A's) sporting the high socks in the background?

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 17, 2006 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Nope

This is Eric Byrnes:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c9/an235/byrnes.jpg

This is the person in the background:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c9/an235/Zito.jpg

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

LIAR!

Yes, I think that is Byrnes.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

No, it isnt...

The background has a glove on his left hand and it is black...Zito is a lefty and has a brown glove.

Definitely not Zito.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Byrnes' imaginary friend...

...was put on waivers. The A's re-acquired her yesterday.

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

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 17, 2006 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Crosby update

A's notebook

For what it's worth, trainer Larry Davis said Crosby probably -- but not definitely -- will be activated Friday when the A's begin a 10-game road trip in Kansas City. And manager Ken Macha said Crosby probably won't play every day once he does return to the lineup.

Entering Wednesday's game against Seattle, the A's were 12-2 since Crosby went on the DL on July 31. With a .229 average and only nine home runs, Crosby knows this season won't be one for him to relish his statistics.

"At this point, who cares? We're up 51/2 games," he said. "And as along as I help us win the next six weeks, who cares?

"We've got six weeks and I'm not gonna hit .800 and raise my average to .280. It's not gonna happen. ... But if I'm doing the right things to help us win, then, fine."

The A's have suggested to Crosby that he take a less-aggressive swing to ease the wear and tear on his back. Give him more points for honesty in that regard.

"I wish I could swing nice and easy," he said. "I'll probably be able to tell you better after my first at-bat if that's gonna work or not.

"I would guess no."

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

so basically he has no desire to change his swing.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 17, 2006 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Thre is no major leaguer who could possibly change

a swing that they have had all of there life, in 2 weeks of DL. He didn't say he didn't want to. If he does it will have to be during the offseason.

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

that makes me feel real confident about the rest

of the season then. i mean i get what you're saying, but the swing he has now is literally going to hurt him and hurt this team.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 17, 2006 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Having Marco Scutaro

as the full-time SS doesn't make me real confident about the rest of the season, either. I know I said this last night, but I think the A's have been damn lucky Scoot's defense hasn't cost them.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions

i agree that crosby is the better SS, but

i think scoot's defense is good enough. plus he at least looks like he knows what he's doing. i just don't want crosby to disrupt what the A's are doing right now. this is one of those things IMO that "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 17, 2006 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

that should say he looks like he knows

what he's doing at the plate.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 17, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

His defense is passable

but watching him make long throws is pretty painful. He definitely has a second baseman's arm.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

can ellis play SS, or is he strictly a second

baseman.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 17, 2006 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions

He's played a little short

and he was a shortstop in college and the minors. However, he basically has the same arm limitation that Scoot does, especially since the shoulder injury (albeit with better range).

"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 Aug 17, 2006 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

oh ok. i remember him mentioning

he's played third before, i just didn't know if he's played SS. so basically he would probably only be used at SS if there was no one else

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 17, 2006 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Exactly.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think it's desire.

I think it's ability. My guess is that changing your swing is like a left handed person suddenly being forced to write with his or her right hand. Sure, it can be done. But it won't be pretty and it won't happen over night.

And suddenly trying to change the swing he's had his entire life could do more harm than good.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

True.

While he can't change his swing, maybe he can figure out how to not use it on sliders 12 inches off the plate.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions

he can/needs to alter it

hopefully in the offseason, he can work on a more compact swing. however, macha has said that crosby just swinging w/ a little less force, even w/ the same form he has now, was better. he can do that the rest of this season...just use his wrists more, etc. i hope his pessimism about the swing change was regarding a wholesale change, not this one slight modification. if not, man, i'm really starting to not like crosby...

"welcome to ME, motherf*^*er!" - tim hudson

by guy incognito on Aug 17, 2006 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Last season,

the first time he came off the DL, he had that sweet little shortened-up swing when he had two strikes on him. I want to know where the HELL it went, since it seemed a heck of a lot more effective than this long, loopy, HR-aiming, down-and-away-slider-missing-crap that he's doing this year with 2 strikes.

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

by Kyli on Aug 18, 2006 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

That's it. I'm done.

I am finally clambering off the rickety Crosby bandwagon.

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Really?

Here you were starting to convince me.

Nothing says fun like Premium Meat!

by lurkerD on Aug 17, 2006 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

well, to clarify ...

... I still think he's far superior defensively to Scutaro -- and for that reason alone, I think Cros should be the starting SS (as long as his back and whatever else he happens to break allow).

But as for medium-term to long-term development as a player, if this is his attitude, he's never gonna amount to much.

I'm off the long-term, Crosby-will-develop bandwagon.

But he's still a much, much better option, this year and beyond, than Scutaro.

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Ah well

I did think of this when Scooter made that error last night. Of course I also noticed that hit he made last night.

Mostly though I'll admit that I am mostly just afraid of any change at all when the team is rolling along so successfully right now. But I am coming around to the it-will-be-good-to-have-cros-back-for-the-d view, and trying not to worry about change being bad.

As for medium-term, long-term I say: meh.

Nothing says fun like Premium Meat!

by lurkerD on Aug 17, 2006 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

What?

What is that "For what it's worth" supposed to mean? Davis may well be full of sh** but this is what he's saying?

Nothing says fun like Premium Meat!

by lurkerD on Aug 17, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Not going to work?

Dude, your current swing is not working now. You have nothing to lose by trying something that your employer has suggested that you do.

I'd be fired for this attitude. If my employer came to me and suggested (oh, for example) that I would be more efficient at work if I stopped reading AN during business hours, and I said, "well, I wish I could do that, and I'll try it for an hour, but I don't think it's going to make any difference."

Can we make him a tape of Will Clark and embed it in his brain?

Day to day

by oblique on Aug 17, 2006 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Crosby said

"I wish I could swing nice and easy," but he doesn't think he's capable of doing it.

He didn't say that he didn't WANT to change his swing.

I miss Bill King.

by Checkswing HR on Aug 17, 2006 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions

True

just as I don't think I'm capable of staying off of AN all day :-)

Day to day

by oblique on Aug 17, 2006 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I know this ain't little league,

but damn, it's tempting to give brownie points to Mr. "I will do whatever the team needs me to do" over this kind of apparent apathy.

I mean, I'm pretty sure he could go out there with Frank's rebar and do the same sort of job that he's been pulling with his poor selectivity. :-/

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

by Kyli on Aug 18, 2006 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Now there's an idea!

At least he'd be some kind of threat at the plate!

It isn't little league, but I think there are some truths that carry across team sports at every level. One is that if you give preferential treatment to some players, it builds up resentment in the others, even if they're mature enough not to admit it.

And it's not even necessarily about results, completely, just about effort and willingness to do what the team needs you to do.

Arg.

Day to day

by oblique on Aug 18, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I propose the "Major League solution"

Crosby should have to do 20 push ups at the plate every time he swings at a breaking pitch off the plate.

"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 Aug 18, 2006 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

No intent

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5876940

Gregg, working his fifth inning of the night, said he did not mean to hit Young.

"I was 90 pitches deep on a bum knee," Gregg said. "I was amped up and I just threw one that got awaay from me."

"There was no intent," said Scioscia, who closed the clubhouse for 25 minutes after the game to calm his team and get his players refocused on the AL West race.

Brendan Donnelly relieved and he was thrown out after four pitches when he plunked Freddy Guzman. Bench coach Ron Roenicke, who took over for Scioscia, also was ejected.

"Baseball is baseball," Donnelly said. "Things have a way of working themselves out."

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 9:34 AM PDT reply actions

So silly, but he HAS to say that

100% no choice. If he says it was on purpose, his suspension gets longer. Zero choice.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Donnelly is not effective at communicating

anything. "Things have a way of working themselves out".

Yeah, and this one's not going to get worked out in your favor buddy.

by hunter on Aug 17, 2006 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions

How can you say that?

That dude is deep. "Baseball is baseball." Pure, poetic genius. He must have been a Rhodes scholar.

A's 2006 record when I attend: 8-7

by peanut gallery on Aug 17, 2006 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions

You mean he studied with Arthur. Wow, and to

think we wasted his talents as a closer.

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions

No, he studies at the John Lackey

Distance Learning School of Communication. Visit their website at http://communications.slingblade.usc.edu/info.html.

by hunter on Aug 17, 2006 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Zito must be thinking...

..."Damn, why didn't I think of that!"

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

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 17, 2006 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Thinking is a product of

one that does not think.

"I think every memeber of AN should send every memeber of LL 20 bucks." ~ Goose on LL

by AsGirl on Aug 17, 2006 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Also

I had a very weird dream last night. The angels won the division and Rev Halofan was dancing on the field. That sucked

Lets go Oakland! Check out my blog:http://sportsrus33.blogspot.com/

by bballfanr33 on Aug 17, 2006 9:41 AM PDT reply actions

Those kind of weird dreams

They're called "nightmares"

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 17, 2006 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Baseball dreams

The night before last I had a dream that the A's re-signed Zito and held the press conference in a Jamba Juice. I got pissed off because the line was out the door and Billy Beane told me there were no more cups.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 17, 2006 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

stupid earth

I'm tired today because I was awakened at 5:58 this morning by the ground shaking. Sure, it was only a 2.9, but did it have to wake me up? <sigh>

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Aug 17, 2006 9:59 AM PDT reply actions

I didn't feel it even though it was right under me

Though I did wake up thinking about Earthquakes and what would happen if one hit just then.... maybe I did feel it?

by Zonis on Aug 17, 2006 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Only one game this weekend on TV?

Anyone notice that only ONE game this weekend (tomorrow's second game) is on TV locally?

And - Friday from Texas is also not on TV.

The ream is peaking, and the interest level is rising, these games need to be available.

by Dr Pez on Aug 17, 2006 10:05 AM PDT reply actions

You expected any differently. We are not the

Yanks/Sox for national attention, and we aren't Dodgers/Giants for local attention. We are just the best bay area team with the small fanbase.

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

The Saturday game isnt a day game

so why would that matter? Fox has no rights to it as a regional/national game....it is on Saturday night

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Really?

I see Friday and Saturday on TV

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Where?

What channel? I know Friday's second game will be on TV, but I don't see Saturday's game anywhere!

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2006 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions

MLB Extra Innings (Colorado)

The game is on Friday and Saturday. I'm thinking we'll get the KC broadcast on saturday night.

Local TV (Bay Area) might only be getting Friday?

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 17, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Bummer!

Again, "In Market" is a totally lame concept!

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2006 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Ahh...ok

I thought he meant overall, didnt see the local....my bad.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah I noticed

And I am only a little ticked off about it!! How stupid! Weekend games not on TV. What are they trying to do to us? Can't even watch it on MLB.tv due to being "in market!!" So dumb!

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2006 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Neyer

Ray (San Francisco): Okay Rob, now that I've booked Texas into the playoffs, per your instructions, lets be realistic: The A's are going to win the West. It's pretty clear, run-differentials be damned. I like stats as much as the next guy, but in this instance I don't think RD tells the whole story. Agree?

Rob Neyer: (1:12 PM ET ) Of course it's true that run differentials don't tell the whole story, particularly regarding the final standings. Obviously I must have been in some sort of drug-induced haze Tuesday -- prescription drugs, I swear! -- when I said the Rangers were going to be in the playoffs. Because at this point the A's are close to being a lock in the West, and the Rangers aren't winning the Water Closet.

by Zonis on Aug 17, 2006 10:14 AM PDT reply actions

Close to a lock...

Ugh...jinx

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions

More

Moosenasty: What do you do all day?

Rob Neyer: (1:17 PM ET ) This. But mostly with the dog instead of you.

by Zonis on Aug 17, 2006 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I know...

The Rangers are so winning the Water Closet now. Dang!

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

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 17, 2006 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey that's my question!!

A kitten bats around a ball of yarn but what he's really saying is, "You know I can't knit, motherf'er." That is one foul mouthed kitten. - Mitch Hedberg

by RayRay59 on Aug 17, 2006 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

good work

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

did someone say Pork Chops?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2313243

the home run that Eric Chavez did was tight. Sprots4Kids quote

by Satchmo22 on Aug 17, 2006 10:15 AM PDT reply actions

If You Ever See This guy Point and Laugh:

Show him to me!!!

http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2006/8/17/04018/2847#commenttop

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 10:28 AM PDT reply actions

Judging from his MySpace page

You would have been assaulting a minor at the game in question--he's 19 years old right now :-).

http://www.halosheaven.com/user/uid:353

Methinks the noble Internet embiggens the smallest man...

"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 Aug 17, 2006 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Check out that myspace page

Someone called Arte Moreno is one of his friends.

by hunter on Aug 17, 2006 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Hah..

PS- that was fun last night!

RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I had a blast!!!

By the 7th, though, the homestand and all of the drumming and cheering had me worn down!!!

I am glad that Justin got to play my drum for the last three innings. It is a fitting way for him to go out this year!!!

It was trippy that as soon as I went into the "Let's Go A's" chant, Ellis was 2-2 and Kendall 2-2.

I think that chant will stcik around again this year!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Ellis has litterally hit the first pitch each time

Kendall too!!!

That is a 4-4 for those two. Including the 3 run Jimmie Jack!!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Well I'm going away for a week

and I think I'll miss Boston, so I'll probably head back the series after. By Sept. 1 if they're home.

RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

That would be:

Baltimore!!!

I'll be there Fri and Sat!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Oops, I mean, Sunday!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

ok, lol

RIP MAC DRE, BILL KING, AND 2006 FIELD

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I was horrible :-(

I have absolutely no rhythm whatsoever. But it was a total blast to do.

Stephen Colbert: "Kids who look up to athletes become athletes themselves."
The Word: Or bitter sports journalists.

by JLaff on Aug 17, 2006 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Nah it was all good!

RIP MAC DRE, BILL KING, AND 2006 FIELD

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Confusion in Daly City...

Was this Dog asking a Giants fan for directions to the Coliseum?

Big mistake.

"Hey, what are you doing?" the 6-foot-5 Lutu said on film, easily pushing away Leland Chapman, who is much smaller. Lutu added, "Y'all about to see Dog f -- up."

Wild Mountain Blackberry

by Ice Cream on Aug 17, 2006 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

Oh I love those guys at LL

I knew that the A's were basically holding the Mariners' face in the mud, but I didn't realize that they were also kicking them in the ass, ripping off their clothes, slathering them in stegosaurus meat, and sicking a tyrannosaur on them all at the same time.

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/story/2006/8/16/12755/2309

"I almost threw up in my mouth when I heard this this weekend...I literally almost threw up in my mouth"Eric Chavez

by 510inDenver on Aug 17, 2006 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

RIP outfield grass

<sobs>

by calgbear on Aug 17, 2006 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

SO TRUE.

RIP I GOTTA CHANGE MY SIG

RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Maybe...

if the dead grass spelled "Oakland A's" or "Fire Macha!", I could possibly tolerate it : )

"Hate the Angels, yeahhhhh!" -Sandfrog

by franks a lot on Aug 17, 2006 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions

THERE

RIP MAC DRE, BILL KING, AND 2006 FIELD

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

From ESPN Chat:

DJ (Minneapolis): You need to have an idiot blocker. Some of these questions and comments are embarresing. SportsNation Rob Neyer: I'm the one choosing the questions and comments, so if there's an idiot who needs to be blocked it's me.

RIP MAC DRE, BILL KING, AND 2006 FIELD

by jme on Aug 17, 2006 11:19 AM PDT reply actions

Idiot blocker?

"embarresing"

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 17, 2006 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Tape Leg?

by Zonis on Aug 17, 2006 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Haven't seen it posted anywhere else, but Daric

Barton lives.

Top prospect Daric Barton, who suffered a fractured elbow at Triple-A Sacramento on May 23, started at first base for the Arizona A's of the Rookie League on Tuesday and went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. ...

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060816&content_id=1613392& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

WOOHOO!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Lidle to Bereavement List

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2552489

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 12:14 PM PDT reply actions

Yankees getting asses handed to them

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/scoreboard
Which is always nice.

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2006 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

Dotel's day:

Ground out, single, SB, single, strikeout, double.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously?

Or were you just having flashbacks to 2004?

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Seroiusly.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting poll question on ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/index

scroll towards the bottom of the page...

Should MLB institute automatic suspensions for players leaving the bench or bullpen during a fight (like they do in the NBA)?

What do you think, AN? My feeling is that the baseball fight, which is usually more like aggressive hugging than a real fight, is part of its lore. You should be suspended for throwing punches and/or for starting a fight (throwing at people/charging the mound), but not for going out on the field. Discuss.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 12:34 PM PDT reply actions

Players often leave the bench to break

up a fight. I wouldn't want to discourage players from doing that.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Wouldnt that leave the offensive guy in HUGE

trouble?.....Him against everyone on the field for the other team.

In hoops it is at least the same amount of people on the field. No way can you stop guys from coming out of the dugout

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Well... he'd have a bat...

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 17, 2006 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Haha...

That certainly would take it to a different level.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 17, 2006 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions

In that case, players can't leave there position,

it is one on one, Pitcher and batter, then umps break it up as quick as possible.

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Someone is getting to the joke a little late

"What more can the A's do for attention? Sign Terrell Owens to roam center field? Have one of their players photographed leaving Paris Hilton's house? Bring reptiles to games and rename themselves Snakes on a Diamond?"

An Ann Killion article from the Mercury about the A's flying under the publicity radar.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/15292450.htm

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 17, 2006 12:57 PM PDT reply actions

i'm going to my first rivercats game this sat!

SO EXCITED!!!

by gotgreen on Aug 17, 2006 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

Bad time for Junior Griffey

His mother is undergoing surgery for colon cancer and his father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/SPT04/608170391/1071

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 17, 2006 1:39 PM PDT reply actions

Reminds me of HH

but with more dung shots.

"And Guardado deals. It's a drive to left field deep. Jones going back. Looking up! It is GONE! IT'S GONE! TEJADA WINS IT! DO YOU BELIEVE IT! 18 WINS IN A ROW!"

by Plunkage @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

i love your sig

that has to be KenKo's greatest call ever. the honest excitement and enthusiasm he put into that call, and then letting the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd just take over in the background was great. by any chance do you have a copy of that call?

"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 Aug 17, 2006 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey

Is there anywhere to find rad radio calls like this on the internet? I wanna hear a lot of Bill King's old calls I remember ("Jason Giambi is the man!"), or Korach's (sp?), are there any A's sites where I can find them?

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2006 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions

link

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/oak/news/oak_win_streak_2002.jsp

This is the link to the A's 20-game winning streak in 2002. You can find Korach's call in the link to Win 18. I love this call and listen to it almost on a daily basis to get me fired up about the A's.

I don't know where to find old Bill King clips. The link I provided does provide some calls by Bill King, like the Hatterberg homer for Win 20 of The Streak. He does an audio recap of Game 20 which is over 10 minutes long. It's just nice to hear Bill talk on and on about anything. Almost as if he's still with us. tear sniff

I think I'll put up a diary about Bill King audio clips.

"And Guardado deals. It's a drive to left field deep. Jones going back. Looking up! It is GONE! IT'S GONE! TEJADA WINS IT! DO YOU BELIEVE IT! 18 WINS IN A ROW!"

by Plunkage @ Athletics Nation on Aug 21, 2006 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Ah...

the Anti-Blez. Good times, good times.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Is this beyond my time

or does my memory just suck that much?

"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 Aug 17, 2006 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Well,

Blez went nuclear on his comments, so I can't really link you to any of those gems. Anti-Blez used to be Tokyoak.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

ugh

I remember.

"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Aug 17, 2006 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions

See?

I'm a bundle of joy!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions

<slits wrists>

Yeah, they're lame.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

At least until you sent us all there

Man, I'd never seen that site before. Makes Halos Heaven sound like the Algonquin Roundtable.

My favorite part is where they decribe themselves as a witty, intelligent parody.

"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 17, 2006 1:59 PM PDT reply actions

What????!!!!!

You mean you don't think Scatalogical humor is witty???? It must be witty, look at all (4) comments! =)

"I almost threw up in my mouth when I heard this this weekend...I literally almost threw up in my mouth"Eric Chavez

by 510inDenver on Aug 17, 2006 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

It gives me great pride to announce

That the above post was my 1000th on Athletics Nation. There's something that's just plain right about the milestone post being in the DLD, citing the Algonquin Roundtable, and inspired by someone's weird coprophagic obsession. Nowhere else but AN.

"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 17, 2006 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Cop rop hag, I C.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 17, 2006 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

co-pro PH a G, IC

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Holy shit!

Listen to Meche's comments on the Mariners website wrap-up [HT LL]

With Swisher on base along with Eric Chavez -- who singled to start the inning -- Meche fell behind Ellis, 2-0, and tried to hurl a fastball past the Oakland second baseman.

"I tried to groove one and let him hit it," Meche said.

Ellis did just that, turning on the belt-high fastball and sending it into the seats in left field for all the runs the A's would need with Dan Haren (11-9) on the mound.

Holy shit. That is just unreal.

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 17, 2006 2:02 PM PDT reply actions

that strategy may explain the

15 straight losses to us

"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 Aug 17, 2006 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

It was simply him saying...

"no, no, no! THIS is a moneyball!" <crack><someone gets a souvenier>"see?"

"I almost threw up in my mouth when I heard this this weekend...I literally almost threw up in my mouth"Eric Chavez

by 510inDenver on Aug 17, 2006 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Tell him next time

save your arm - just set up a tee

by AndreafromNJ on Aug 17, 2006 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

BPro reviews the A's

This isn't a particularly good team aside from their terrific run prevention. The A's have good plate discipline, but when they do swing the bat it's to little end. They don't hit for average or for the kind of a power you might expect from a high-walk team, nor do they have any kind of team speed. Few teams get worse results from making contact; the A's are 13th in batting average, last in slugging, 11th in isolated power, third in GIDPs and last in batting average when not striking out. If any team could use a Dante Bichette/Garret Anderson type of hitter, a .300 guy who never walks and knocks 75 extra-base hits, it's the A's. What the A's have are junior versions of that in guys like Payton and Kotsay.

link

Sheehan is wrong about one thing: we don't need a .300 hitter who never walks and knocks out 75 XBH. What we need is a guy who knocks out 75 XBH; whether or not he walks. In fact, I'd prefer him to have a good OBP.

Where he really misses the point, I think, is that XBH-guys with good averages and middling walk rates are common. They don't. Guys who hit for power and average usually have good walk rates.

Here are all the guys who have seasons of OBPs less than 350 but more than 70 extra-base hits:

PLAYER YEAR AVG XBH OBP Garret Anderson 2003 .315 82 .345 Garret Anderson 2002 .306 88 .332 Miguel Tejada 2005 .304 81 .349 Nomar Garciaparra 2003 .301 78 .345 Alfonso Soriano 2002 .300 92 .332 Alfonso Soriano 2003 .290 79 .338 Grady Sizemore 2005 .289 70 .348 Torii Hunter 2002 .289 70 .334 Eric Chavez 2001 .288 75 .338 Garret Anderson 2000 .286 78 .307 Preston Wilson 2003 .282 80 .343 Craig Biggio 2004 .281 71 .337 Jose Cruz Jr. 2001 .274 76 .326 Carlos Beltran 2002 .273 80 .346 Vinny Castilla 2004 .271 81 .332 Richie Sexson 2001 .271 72 .342 Alfonso Soriano 2005 .268 81 .309 Ray Durham 2001 .267 72 .337 Carlos Lee 2005 .265 73 .324 Tony Batista 2000 .263 75 .307 Andruw Jones 2005 .263 78 .347 Jeromy Burnitz 2001 .251 70 .347

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 3:02 PM PDT reply actions

(that list is post-2000)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I am shocked. Shocked!

Are you telling me there are two teams out there that have more GIDPs than the A's? SHOCKED!!!

A's 2006 record when I attend: 8-7

by peanut gallery on Aug 17, 2006 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

That lack of team speed is also rather incorrect,

Kendall runs better than almost every catcher, Ellis, Crosby and Chavvy are at least average, Milton, Payton and Kotsay have above average speed, and Frank, well Frank hit ball hard. We just don't steal bases, we have gone from first to 3rd, scored on shallow singles from second, score from first on gappers.

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Question for Sal

Of all the different play-off odds on BP, which do you think is the most credible? That is, if you only had time to look at one, which would it be?

by Larry E on Aug 17, 2006 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Pecota adjusted

With a big grain of salt.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

by Larry E on Aug 17, 2006 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I've been busy today:

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Reading these Angel Fans Comments may cause your IQ to slip!!!

http://forums.espn.go.com/espn/thread?forumID=16&threadID=4128210&lastPostID=26922847

http://forums.espn.go.com/espn/thread?forumID=16&threadID=4126466&lastPostID=26922806

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 3:04 PM PDT reply actions

Wow

Is it something in the water down there? Why are these people so angry all the time?

Nevermind, I've just been re-watching some "highlights" of Anaheim's defense this year. I understand why their fans are so pissed off...

by LoveDemAs on Aug 17, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok, now I am PISSED OFF!!

How rude of this person, using MY picture to insult some of my favorite people! OMG I am very unhappy right now, I don't even know what to say!!

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2006 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions

You should feel complimented:

What he is doing is Angel Fan for:

Look at this A-Mazing photo that was taken by an A-Mazing photographer...Now let's discuss it's merit!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 17, 2006 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Well in that case...

GREAT! =D

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 17, 2006 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

funny

i can't decide who i hate more as a team - it's between the Angels and the Red Sox, but watching these guys post is ridiculous.

I ran across this post on some other random site, and it made me laugh, though i'm afraid it might offend some. if that's the case, please forgive me - i just thought it was a funny response to a bunch of a-holes who were arguing..

"Arguing on the Internet is like running in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded"

Zito - my favorite.

by catfish hunter on Aug 17, 2006 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I admire your determination to

engage in reasoned discourse with those wretches. Their comments were wrong on so many levels, especially the absolutely witless personal attacks.

I especially love the digs at Oakland -- lobbed from ANAHEIM! Strip malls, industrial parks, and the Cheesiest, er, I mean, Happiest, Place on Earth. Screw Angels "fans." Even "Dancing With the Stars" has a longer and richer tradition than Angel fandom.

by Ray of Lite on Aug 17, 2006 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

that guy is really crazy

blez mentioned that mr. nutbag had once threatened blez' family.

stay away from that site.

by rockit on Aug 17, 2006 3:06 PM PDT reply actions

I was surprised by this

from the espn game wrap:

...the first-place A's, who increased their AL West lead to a season-best 6½ games over Los Angeles after the Angels lost 9-3 at Texas. It's Oakland's biggest advantage in the division since having a seven-game lead on Sept. 30, 1992.

I realize that a lot of that time was in the 90's and we were horrible, but no big division leads in '02 or '03?

by colin on Aug 17, 2006 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

NOpe....

...we won all of those in the last week.

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 17, 2006 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting BALCO reporter/grand jury take

Randy Shaw, late of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic and prominent SF lefty, offers an insightful view on the SF Chron reporters and grand jury testimony. He suggests, while he's all for reporters not going to jail in the pursuit of their jobs, that they should have a special burden when it comes to grand jury testimony. Since there's no cross-examination, the procedings are secret, and falsehoods are routine, reporters need to be more vigilent about the agendas of the witnesses they cite.

Please also read the first comment, which is as pure and classic a wild-eyed anti-sports anti-corporate left wing rant as I've read in a long time (and I'm a connoisseur).

Randy Shaw on BALCO reporters

"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 17, 2006 3:27 PM PDT reply actions

I, for one, can no longer tolerate ...

... Barry Bonds' repeated provocations of the state of Israel.

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the straw that broke the camel's back

Was when AT&T Park, eager as always to stage outside events to defray debt service costs, booked that Hezbollahpalooza concert.

"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 17, 2006 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Sposored by Jostens!

GOOOOOOOO Jostens!

Well done, BTW.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL!

A's 2006 record when I attend: 8-7

by peanut gallery on Aug 17, 2006 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Hezbollahpalooza

aka "Tha Par-tay of God"

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

suspensions handed to rangers

vincente padilla: 5 games
buck showalter: 4 games
scott feldman: 6 games

source

by gotgreen on Aug 17, 2006 3:40 PM PDT reply actions

Crap.

Four days with no Buck probably improves the Rangers.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

You forgot:

Corey Feldman: Career over
Corey Haim: Likewise, I'm sure.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 17, 2006 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Angels

Donnelly 4
Gregg 4
Kennedy 4
Roenicke 1 (bench coach)
Scoscia 3

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

WOW.

This, on the other hand, helps us greatly.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

does it, though?

If the Rangers benefit strategically by losing Showalter, the Angels benefit even more by losing Scioscia. And Kennedy's been a drag on their offense all year, Gregg flat-out stinks, and Donnelly hasn't exactly been lights-out. This seems to me to be more a case of addition-by-subtraction for the Angels.

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

It is.

Unlikely that anybody serves the suspension until rosters expand; the Angels will slot Kendrick (the superior player) to second base and play Morales or MacPherson at first. If they serve the suspension prior to roster expansion, then Quinlan plays first. Still better than Kennedy.

As for the bullpen, Gregg seems to pitch in blowouts and Donnelly has been OK-but-not-great.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

None of the suspended are that great

But they have a lot of holes to plug for a few days. Kennedy isn't a bad hitter, and moving Kendrick just opens up the black hole they have at first again, since Morales and McPherson are both injured.

"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 Aug 17, 2006 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions

oops forgot the link to that

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060817&c ontent_id=1615391&vkey=pr_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't wait to hear Scioscia whine about this.

Should we get a pool going on whether or not he gets an additional fine or suspension for his reaction to this?

"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 Aug 17, 2006 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Tokyoak started up the site

in the dark days of May '05.

It must feel awkward to post commentary on a site called "Pathetics Nation" when the team is on a 17-of-20 tear.

I miss Bill King.

by Checkswing HR on Aug 17, 2006 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

I can't believe he's kept it up this long.

How bitter do you have to be to keep actively perpetrating a grudge for fourteen months?

"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 Aug 17, 2006 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

the strangest part

until one angry anti-a's diary last spring, tokyoak was a relatively sane ANer.

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes.

Very normal. It was like the guy stopped taking his medication one day. Just flew off the f'in handle. Hated Blez, AN, the A's, Billy Beane, you name it.

He still posts here on occasion under different usernames.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Really?

How can you tell he posts here? What did I miss? :)

"I think every memeber of AN should send every memeber of LL 20 bucks." ~ Goose on LL

by AsGirl on Aug 17, 2006 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions

tokyoak is Jennifer, McFood, and Robb

aka Baron Monkey Von Ballheimer -- FormerHuntsvilleStar @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 17, 2006 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions

monkeyball is yeswecan

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 17, 2006 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions

salb918 us son of sam horn.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 17, 2006 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

monkeyball is reztips and oaktoon's version...

of a love-child.

Which is, of course, a hate-child.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 17, 2006 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Well,

if any username has Blez' name in it, and it's not spelled correctly, it's probably him.

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh.... Ok.

But I don't think I've ever seen those sn here...

"I think every memeber of AN should send every memeber of LL 20 bucks." ~ Goose on LL

by AsGirl on Aug 17, 2006 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I think this is one

http://www.athleticsnation.com/user/blezphan/comments

"The student is trying to keep up with the teacher," Swisher said. "It ain't easy chasing a dang Hall of Famer, though."

by Jennifer on Aug 17, 2006 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm.

Yeah, I don't remember that user name. Thanks for the link, though!

"I think every memeber of AN should send every memeber of LL 20 bucks." ~ Goose on LL

by AsGirl on Aug 17, 2006 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I tried trolling there from time to time

(as AuntieBlez), but the charm quickly wore off

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 18, 2006 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions

It's official!

A's fans bat 1.000 in scientists' sniff exam

We don't smell bad!!

by anomaly_kat on Aug 17, 2006 4:11 PM PDT reply actions

Never mind...

I didn't see it up there the first time I looked. <:P

by anomaly_kat on Aug 17, 2006 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Dayn Perry says Feldman punches like a f=girl in

his power rankings. The A's by the way are #7

Texas continues to keep its head above water, but the A's' recent hot streak has all but buried the Rangers in the standings. They'll play Oakland six times over the next three weeks, and it'll take a real thumping -- say, winning five of the six -- to get them back in the race. Oh, and Scott Feldman punches like a girl.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/powerRankings

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2006 4:12 PM PDT reply actions

One of the Texas announcers

seemed really excited that Feldman was also punching with a sidearm motion. It was pretty funny.

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 17, 2006 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting book I heard about today.

I was listening to Insight on the Sacramento NPR and heard an interview with sportswriter Marcos Breton from the Sac Bee.

"Away Games : The Life and Times of a Latin Ballplayer" profiles Miggy, but also latin players who never made it to the big leagues, all the way from their barrios to a professional orginization.

Seems like the book's kind of old now, but there seems to be a "new" release of it in the form of a photo essay here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0938317709/sr=8-1/qid=1155859859/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1938831-5338417?i e=UTF8

Hope it's not way old news, and that someone could provide their thoughts if they've read it. It seems like a very interesting topic covered in more depth than I've really read before.

by RenoTy on Aug 17, 2006 5:18 PM PDT reply actions

thanks for posting

I'd heard about this book, but did not know the title--now I can go get it--thanks!!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Aug 17, 2006 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

awww

there's an article about brandon buckley, the A's bullpen catcher, on the A's site!

Buckley a big aid to pitching staff

by gotgreen on Aug 17, 2006 5:53 PM PDT reply actions

That guy is a cancer in the clubhouse

j/k

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 17, 2006 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions

sort of random, but

Does anyone have any idea who will go down when Halsey is called up for his Aug. 22 start?

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Aug 17, 2006 6:55 PM PDT reply actions

Jimenez is the lowest

on the totem pole, not sure about when Crosby comes back though...

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 17, 2006 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I was assuming Jiminez will be

sent down after Crosby comes back.

Right now the bullpen includes

Street
Duke
Kiko
Witasick
Gaudin
Sauerback
Kennedy

Not sure who goes away in that group...

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Aug 17, 2006 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Could be Saarloos

After the 22nd they only need a 5th starter once more (29th) before the rosters expand on Sept 1. If they use Halsey for that start too then they wouldn't need Saarloos to make any more starts. If he is sent out on the 22nd he would have to stay down for 10 days ... basically Sept 1.

by Larry E on Aug 17, 2006 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions

crosby

discussion on bbtf. crosby's a mormon?

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/as_notebook_crosby_tells_it_like_it_i s_when_he_sees_fit/

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 10:09 PM PDT reply actions

crosby's a moron?

Oh. Sorry.

It's late.

Wild Mountain Blackberry

by Ice Cream on Aug 17, 2006 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure his family's mormon

but I don't think he is...

by alamedagirl on Aug 18, 2006 1:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Croatian fans form human swastika in Italy

with photo
http://www.farenet.org/news_article.asp?intNewsID=723

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 17, 2006 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

this is the most depressing non-harden-related

news of the year:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060817.wdolph0817/BNStory/Science/home

Dolphins and whales are dumber than goldfish and don't have the know-how to match a rat, new research from South Africa has revealed.

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

by xbhaskarx on Aug 18, 2006 12:25 AM PDT reply actions