DLD 8-27-06: Hire Macha Now!!! (And Frank, too.)

by Elvez on Aug 27, 2006 4:52 PM PDT Comment 66 comments

Didn't see a link dump for today and I stumbled upon a weird link that seemed worth sharing, just for entertainment's sake...

baseballrace.com is a site where you can pick the year and the division and watch a visual representation of the race to the post season. (It's fun watching OAK catch and pass SEA towards the end of '03)

Also, Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News has a big crush on Macha: " Oakland started the trip that ends today by dropping a doubleheader at lowly Kansas City, but Macha remained unflappable. The Athletics, following the tone set by their manager, are 6-1 since being swept.

"Remaining calm is a Macha strength. He keeps a looser [loser?] hold on his team than Showalter does.

"Oakland general manager Billy Beane does not put a high premium on the manager. His job, Beane believes, is to implement the front office's plan. Macha has distinguished himself by creating an atmosphere in which the club improves during the season."

Also also, the A's have begun negotiations with Frank Thomas' agent.

"We've talked to the A's," said Thomas, adding that agent Arn Tellem has been negotiating with the team for about a week.

"Hopefully we'll get something going soon. We're not close yet. I would love to come back here. Like I said, I'm just going to be patient. I would like to get a couple of years, but I don't know what their interests are in that."

Your turn to dump.

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Marshawn Lynch wears it!

At Cal's Fan Appreciation Day:

by calgbear on Aug 27, 2006 5:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No Cal Blog???

As I peruse the ever-growing list of blogs in the Sports Blog nation, I continue to wonder:

Where the hell is the Cal Blog?

Bay Area Sports Fans, get on it, people!

by Crosbino on Aug 27, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you thought AN was a roller coaster

As a Cal alum, a Cal blog would be nuts but

I really don't want to jinx this year ... we saw what happened two years ago
Cal fans have a level of frustration that's probably on par with pre-'04 Boston. The old Cal alums are hopeful but ready for the other shoe to drop ... the newer Cal fans haven't felt the same gut-wrenching letdowns.

I'd be more than happy to see a Cal blog next year, after a New Year's celebration in Pasadena.

by Rickeyfan on Aug 28, 2006 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say no to Thomas for a couple of years

I don't know how much longer he can go for.

I think at Thomas' age, and with his health, he has to accept the fact that he'll likely be on a Year to Year contract basis.

Besides, even if we keep Daric Barton in the Minors for 2007, he'd still be back in 2008.

Though I think its possible that the A's could send Barton to WinterLeague to have him ready for 2007 1B Duties.

of course, that means that DJ is screwed.

by Zonis on Aug 27, 2006 5:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

but seriously

who cares about DJ? This is the phenom Daric Barton!

by flipper33 on Aug 27, 2006 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I care...

but Barton is a stud, and a priority. I'd like to see Barton get a full healthy year's equivalent at AAA, then get called up, since he's just 20, though.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Aug 27, 2006 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"20"

Think about that for a moment. He's 20 years old and no one should be freaking out about his progress YET. Keep the level head Aksarben.

Did you run the bases on Sunday in KC? Didn't see you at all that day. Take care until we all plan our WS trip.

"A's Brand Baseball: The worst best baseball you've ever seen!" -Chavvy

by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 28, 2006 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was too humiliated.

dropping a foul ball and being beat out to it by a 3 year old girl!

I'm not a big wine guy... Where do you grow the BEER?

by str8tarrow on Aug 28, 2006 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cow-a-OUCHO-bunga

"A's Brand Baseball: The worst best baseball you've ever seen!" -Chavvy

by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 29, 2006 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem with a multi-year deal

for big Frank. I think he'll stay around 30 HR's for the next couple years. After all, he only needs to worry about hitting.

When Barton is ready we send Swish back to the OF and send Payton or Kielty packing, if theyre not gone already.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 27, 2006 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now we know why Frank...

got run out of Chicago on a raillll

by BleacherDave on Aug 27, 2006 6:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope Frank signs next year

He's been awesome this year and it'll be awesome if he hits his 500th HR in the Green and Gold!

by teenster on Aug 27, 2006 6:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ah

I wouldn't mind seeing Big Frank around for another year . . . if he doesnt demand an appalling amount of money, of course

"It's never 'just a game' if you're winning" - George Carlin

by bluelightrain84 on Aug 28, 2006 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heart Kurt Suzuki

Walk off for Team USA today!

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060827&content_id=1632629& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

Can't wait til Kurt Clutch is behind the dish for the green and gold.

Chicks dig Moneyball.

by Kelly on Aug 27, 2006 7:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Me too!

"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 28, 2006 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way

ANYONE gives Frank a multiyear deal. Okay, Jim Bowden, maybe.

by Nick86 on Aug 27, 2006 9:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Omar Minaya might...

he did sign the cretaceous-era Julio Franco to a multi-year deal last winter...

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Aug 27, 2006 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Julio Franco

can play 1st base; and can actually run.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Aug 27, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grammar police? I'd like to report a crime.

Manager Ken Macha said Kirk Saarloos will start Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. Saarloos got the nod over Brad Halsey because of more better past matchups.

From the notes section.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Aug 27, 2006 9:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Aug 27, 2006 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But what's the most bestest past matchup?

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 28, 2006 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dunno, but Halsey was sheerly worster.

"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 28, 2006 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know either, but...

Donnie vs. Tim was Most-Birtsas matchup.

"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 28, 2006 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no necessarily wrong

If, say, Saarloos and Halsey both had the same number of previous starts vs the Sox, and Saarloos had consistently outperformed Halsey, he would simply have "better" past matchups.

If, however, Saarloos had outperformed Halsey vs the Sox and had faced the Sox more often, then he'd indeed have "more better" past matchups. (There should definitely be a comma or "and" btw "more" and "better," but it's not entirely awful as-is.)

A lonely monkey is a spiritually dead monkey. -- tankerraid @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 28, 2006 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spike Lee should make a movie about it.

"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 28, 2006 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 28, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whats even better about baseball race 03...

Is that the KC Royals lead their weak central division a lot of the year and lost it in the very end, with a 'get this'... winning record?!?

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Aug 27, 2006 10:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, Byrnesie

In the sixth inning of a one-run game Sunday, center fielder Eric Byrnes and right fielder Carlos Quentin each leaped to scale the fence by the pool area in hopes of catching Wilson Betemit's long fly ball.

Instead of saving a game-turning home run - and maybe the season - neither outfielder came close. Byrnes, however, came away with an armful of a pool partier's trash, bringing back onto the field a white plastic bag and a bunch of empty water bottles, which he kicked in frustration.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0828dbgame0828.html

"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Aug 27, 2006 11:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised.

Based on past behavior, I thought Byrnes always felt pretty strongly about keeping trash off the field.

"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 28, 2006 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember that game!

lol!

by popcornjames on Aug 28, 2006 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angels play the M's for 3 games

so we'll have to sweep the RedSox to hold our lead.

by Zonis on Aug 28, 2006 9:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny you mention it

I was just IMing a friend about how nervous this series makes me. As put it, this has "last throes of the regime" written all over it for Boston. And I doubt the M's will retain their new-found immortality against the Halos.

Tonight's our best matchup on paper (Loaiza v. Kason Gabbard)--tomorrow looks bad (Saars v. Beckett), and Weds could go either way (Zito/Schilling). LET'S GO OAKLAND!

"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 28, 2006 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I played against Kason Gabbard in high school

which in no way makes me an authoritative source on the guy, but he sure had good stuff in 1998 and 1999.

(But I still got a 2-1 CG win against him)

by hunter on Aug 28, 2006 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gabbard...Gabbard...Gabbard!!!

Does he still have the weird motion and goofy teeth?

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

by Nick on Aug 28, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's

a bad widdle boy.

We hold these truths to be self-evident / We drink beer in bars and act irreverent - Lambchop

by andeux on Aug 28, 2006 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is way better

than the last time Gabbo made an appearance on AN

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 28, 2006 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe the mariners will suprise us.

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 28, 2006 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we can win 2 of 3 against Boston, we will be

good to go.

"I hate the Angels"

by Vegas A's Fan on Aug 28, 2006 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

a former teammate of cupcakes killed

in plane crash

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=As.hJ8msSkmDT6oKaqJ57o85nYcB?slug=ap-kentuckycrash-baseball&am p;prov=ap&type=lgns

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 28, 2006 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that's sad stuff.

"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 28, 2006 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Question

Anyone know the precise location of "The Field?" I intend to meet a friend there tonight, and think it's around 119 or so, but am not sure.

"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 28, 2006 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Field

You got it, 119...

by dmac13 on Aug 28, 2006 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

"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 28, 2006 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

{freaks out}

Why are we still using this link dump?! Where's the new one?!

{hyperventilates}

On a side note, would someone like to come here and do my job on Wednesday so I can go to the game? We're not allowed to take any days off during the last week of the month. :(

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 28, 2006 11:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mondays...

The Dump seems to have as much trouble getting started as I do after the weekend

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

by ArakSOT on Aug 28, 2006 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try more fiber in your diet.

"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 28, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought about that

Turns out, there isn't a Scotch made that has any fiber in it

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

by ArakSOT on Aug 28, 2006 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've never had Metamorangie?

"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 28, 2006 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try Angus McRotgut Highland Brand Scotch

It's kilt-filtered, meaning there's plenty of fibers in each bottle.

"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 28, 2006 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm.

I could use the check. What's in it for me?

"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 28, 2006 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's in it for you:

Eyestrain, boredom, possibly tears, cerebral shriveling, then the utter demise of your very soul.

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 28, 2006 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I take it you're not in sales?

"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 28, 2006 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would starve to death if I were in sales.

They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid.

by Poppy on Aug 28, 2006 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Souls

are overrated anyway.

"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Aug 28, 2006 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering the same thing!

Your first comment... not the latter. ;)

For a weekday, it's strangely quiet here in the link dump. And it's a recycled one! Eek.

Where are the DLDers? Have they been kidnapped?! Aaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

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

by AsGirl on Aug 28, 2006 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My boss thanks you all

for not starting a link dump. I've been forced to work all morning. Now that he knows I'm capable of being productive, he might start expecting it. I blame you all.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 28, 2006 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We missed Diego's first birthday.

We are horrible, horrible people.

We'll have to buy him a pony to make up for it.

by Jennifer on Aug 28, 2006 12:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Daddy can afford a pony.

"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 28, 2006 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Daddy doesn't care.

He's heartless, remember?

by Jennifer on Aug 28, 2006 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was gutless...

oh well, what do I know?

by hunter on Aug 28, 2006 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heartless, ponyless...but not penniless.

"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 28, 2006 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy birthday, Diego!!!

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

by AsGirl on Aug 28, 2006 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That kid better start learning to 'Wear It' early

"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 28, 2006 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice article on Macha

I'd have to say that I like that Macha is not one of those guys who runs out and screams at the umpire and gets in players faces all the time. Players play better when they're loose and not pressing all the time. Nobody likes a loose cannon for a boss.

by SA on Aug 28, 2006 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Larry Young montage

This picture (click for big version) shows the location and aftermath of Larry Young punching out Swisher with the sacs full yesterday. Somehow I doubt Jeter would have gotten rung up on that pitch...

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

by eamb on Aug 28, 2006 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN article

I have no idea how to link an article, but on ESPN's MLB frontpage they have an article ("Grade A") on how the A's continue to baffle people by having a winning record while being out scored. It's towards the bottom of the page, and from Friday, but I didn't see a link to it in Friday's link dump. Nothing in the article that we didn't know already, but at least it's some coverage from ESPN.

by twinkle toes on Aug 28, 2006 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs