Link Dump 8/4: Chavy hearts Bradley...

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:03 AM PDT Comment 141 comments

"I said when the trade happened that Milton is an MVP-type player, and I still mean it,'' A's third baseman Eric Chavez said. "I'd go to bat with him any day.'' He took some heat for his temper on that trip in a July 20 column in the Examiner that called Bradley "a tired act'' and asserted that he has "about seven screws loose.'' Bradley's teammates took notice of the criticism, and after his game-winning homer against Toronto, "tired act'' was scribbled on the team message board in a show of support for him.

"He's like a family member, like everyone in here, and when someone takes a shot at a family member, you're going to defend him,'' Kotsay said.

"I thought that was great,'' Chavez said of the message. "We were all aware (of the column). With the kind of stuff he goes through, there's some satisfaction, some pride that we all feel about his accomplishments. Everyone is happy to see him do well. We love him as a teammate. He's a big part of what we're going to do.''

"Sure, he's intense, but it never goes too far. Kotsay is pretty intense, and so is (Jason) Kendall, but Milton takes it to another level, and I think that's great. You take it all when you have a player who's that's intense a person. He's already one of my favorite teammates all time.''

Clearly, this is a sinking ship.

I'm still waiting for the article that refutes this:

They're also tired of Macha playing the role of enabler. And I'm dead serious. That was the most shocking line in the entire column. Enabler of what?!

Bunnies is going on the DL. Blame Jennifer.

I apologize for the short link dump. I wanted to get one up as soon as possible.

0 recs | Comment 141 comments

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Comments

Facials!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 9:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BOOOO!!!!

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can I come?

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

<speechless>

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

by ArakSOT on Aug 4, 2006 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. Blame Poppy.

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HEY!

You started it!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, monkeyball started it.

Blame monkeyball!

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blame Macha!!

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I AM Ken Macha!

Mwahahahahaha!!!

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm innocent as a little lamb

Shall I bleat for you? <bbaaaa>

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If somebody takes you up on your offer...

By the time they get out of jail, you'll be cirquegirl36.

"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 4, 2006 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um...

Hey, on the risk of sounding like a total idiot, and I already have, I actually had no idea what I was saying because I haven't heard the expression. So...yeah. I'm a total idiot.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're not an idiot.

You're just a better person than some of the rest of us... ;)

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I still feel stupid.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, we still love you...

And people are easily distracted. Watch:

OMG! Billy Beane just walked into my office to tell me he's DFA'd Frank Thomas!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ahhhhh!!!!!!!

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BB....

That was a dumb idea.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shiny!

"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 4, 2006 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used glitter glue last night

I was mailing some birthday and anniversary cards, and went a little crazy with the glitter glue. Cingular is going to be *very* confused to see my payment.... :)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Aug 4, 2006 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glittery!

"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 4, 2006 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oooh, look! A squirrel!

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

by ArakSOT on Aug 4, 2006 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oooh look, roadkill!!!

Someone bring it to the next Chez Nico! :)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Aug 4, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mmmm... tasty skwirl...

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

bAnNeD!

by Jennifer on Aug 4, 2006 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa

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

by JLaff on Aug 4, 2006 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone should email that story to Dickey

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

by ArakSOT on Aug 4, 2006 9:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay, Dickey made a huge boo-boo

I think if they scribbled it after the game winning homer, it's pretty obvious they are doing it to support him. Based on his tone I had assumed it must have been written before. Lame.

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Aug 4, 2006 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's simply not baseball...

Kevin Pietersen rode his luck on the way to 82 not out
as England rebuilt their innings on the first day of the third Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

Sorry, I get a little stir crazy on off days.

"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 4, 2006 9:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The rules of cricket in a nutshell

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in, goes out, and when he's out, he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out. When both sides have been in and out including the not-outs, that's the end of the game.

"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 4, 2006 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And then they do the hokey-pokey and they

turn themselves around. That's what it's all about.

by Rickeyfan on Aug 4, 2006 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've missed you.

<sob>

by Jennifer on Aug 4, 2006 9:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

<hugs>

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, get a room you two

What do you think this is a Howard Stern-sponsored Web site?

by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 4, 2006 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

<kicks Blez>

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just bitter that we didn't see you

at AN Day 3.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 4, 2006 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jennifer and I are planning for AN Day 12.

We figure Poppy will fill up the cuss jar by then.

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SHIT!

If the cuss jar was real, I'd have bought you guys a nice Bay Area condo already.

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mean Galveston Bay?

Otherwise, that must have been a HUGE cuss jar.

"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 4, 2006 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give it another few years

and buy 'em a condo in the new ballpark.

Party at Jennifer and Sharon's place!

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

by Kyli on Aug 4, 2006 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make sure someone tells Lew Wolff

that one of the new ballpark condos has to have a basement.

"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 4, 2006 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bitch.

by Jennifer on Aug 4, 2006 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Sharon and Jennifer need to

kiss and makeup.

by Rickeyfan on Aug 4, 2006 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Sharon and Jennifer need to

... wear Kiss makeup.

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where is that Mychael Urban guy?

When was his last Oakland A's article? It has been a little while.
Mailbag? Haven't seen that either.
Maybe he is on vacation?
Can anyone shed some light on this....July 20?

Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Aug 4, 2006 9:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

a nice long vacation

in the most crucial time of the baseball season...

by OaklandSi on Aug 4, 2006 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the name of accuracy ...

My column didn't include the words "tired act" ... the line to which Susan's article today is referring was "it was clear that they (teammates) have tired of Bradley's act" ... btw, not on vacation. In Seattle with the A's.

by MychaelUrban on Aug 4, 2006 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see how the connotations are any different

for what it's worth, especially since you also referred to him as a guy with "seven screws loose." I'm not surprised to see some of the other guys sticking up for Milton after that, in marked contrast to your claims, which you apparently still stand by.

by LD on Aug 4, 2006 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think

that the connotations are completely different. a "tired act" and "tired of an act" are two TOTALLY different things - the former being much MUCH worse, in my opinion.

i've been meaning to comment of the whole urban article from the get-go, but never got around to it. i honestly don't see what the huge deal is about. the guy saw something that was being commented on in the media (and rightfully so) and wrote an article about it! he's a JOURNALIST - so obviously his personal opinions on the matter come into play. as i said in a different comment, i don't think he'd do anything to jeopardize his relationship with the team - and i don't think he did in his article. i even went back and re-read it after all the hoopla it raised.

he gave his opinion, and he's sticking to it - which is something i admire. i would have a hard time having any respect for him if he took back what he said in all the backlash that followed the article - both in the media and on AN. we all have different opinions on what went on with bradley, and all of the opinions are valid. maybe urban just said something we didn't really want to hear...

"One time I climbed a fence to get a baseball that had been run over by a lawn mower. I thought it was beautiful" *Scott

by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 4, 2006 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe Urban just said something we didn't really

want to hear"

I don't think so. Many ANers were initially uncomfortable with this trade. Bradley had to prove himself to many fans, and I think he did. His teammates also seem to be quite supportive of him. It certainly helps when he's a productive member of the team...but there are players who seem to genuinely like him.

Urban is certainly entitled to his opinion, as well to his likes and dislikes of players. But I think much of the criticism that he got for the article was very well thought out.

by OaklandSi on Aug 4, 2006 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i didn't mean to imply

that the criticism wasn't well thought out, or even that it wasn't understandable. i definitely understand why some people thought what they did. i was merely trying to say that for ME some people possibly over-reacted... that was MY reaction to the article, and to people's reactions.

"One time I climbed a fence to get a baseball that had been run over by a lawn mower. I thought it was beautiful" *Scott

by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 4, 2006 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To each their own.

I happen to disagree with you completely. Making a mistake and overstating the case, and being willing to admit it when facts seem to prove you wrong, is a quality that I greatly admire. In fact, I disrespect people who are incapable of that. No one is perfect, and humility is sexy.

by LD on Aug 4, 2006 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the name of accuracy...

...Urban stated that Bradley had "about seven screws loose." (Emphasis mine.)

Clearly, the full and complete quote with the additional word added gives it a completely different meaning. Urban wasn't sure exactly how many screws Milton had loose, so he deftly add the "about" qualifier. ;)

(The above all stated with tongue planted firmly in cheek.)

`I think every morning I wake up I'm a little dazed. For some reason, I'm used to hitting things with my head.' - Eric Byrnes - 6/25/05

by nodaclu on Aug 4, 2006 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

Better tongue in cheek than foot in mouth, I suppose.

by LD on Aug 4, 2006 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A's doll that does not bobble

My kid got his Haren bobblehead on Sunday and he is in love with it. He sleeps with it, talks to it, and pretends to play catch with it ("you want to play baseball to-nite?"). The problem is a bobblehead doesn't last long with a 2 year old. Anyone know where I could get a durable A's doll?

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Aug 4, 2006 9:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, probably not the roster.

"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 4, 2006 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it can be generic

Maybe I'll just buy a GI Joe doll and make him an A's uniform.

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Aug 4, 2006 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

thats genius.

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Aug 4, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My kids have Stomper plush dolls

Which I was delighted to learn have now re-appeared at the in-stadium souvenier stores (the larger ones on the first level near the corner exits). Stomper toys had been totally absent all year long until recently. My kids are obsessed with Stomper.

You could also get Kielty troll dolls from last year cheap on eBay. They're durable and fun.

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

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 4, 2006 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"durable and fun"?

FSU, do we want to know just what, exactly, you've been doing with those troll dolls?

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just say

Jennifer and gigglingone don't have a monopoly on glitter glue. Or KISS makeup.

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

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 4, 2006 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stomper should do the Job

He loves stomer. Thanks FSU

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on Aug 4, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heaven knows...

...the real players don't seem all that durable either. :(

by GlassHeart on Aug 4, 2006 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bill James' sabermetric all-star team

and despite his fear and loathing of numbers, Joe Morgan makes the cut.

http://science.discovery.com/convergence/baseball/photo/photo.html

"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 4, 2006 9:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

New Conspiracy Theory

Urban wrote that article knowing it would cause the team to rally around Milton Bradley, because he could tell that Bradley was the kind of guy who feeds off criticism. If he's angry, he performs. If he's happy, he's hurt.

You see, my inside sources tell me that Urban bet his friends Bradley would be the AL MVP of the second half, and he took matters into his own hands to make sure it happened. He's been busy concocting a flu cure for the last few weeks, because he anticipated that Milton was going to be exposed and wanted to minimize the amount of time he was out of the lineup. Don't even ask about his work with a BJ Ryan voodoo doll. That was pure genius.

Smart guy, that Mychael Urban.

by Dog Days on Aug 4, 2006 9:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's our Rally Writer

I'm sure he's penning an article saying Swisher is perennially enebriated and beats up puppies. Yeah, that'll get Swish fired up.

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

by JLaff on Aug 4, 2006 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not beating them up...

he's tenderizing them.

"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 4, 2006 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

For Loaiza to grill, right?

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

by JLaff on Aug 4, 2006 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Power Rankings...just in

Dayn is back!!!!
With a new picture!!!
Nice specs!!

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

Oakland in at #8

Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Aug 4, 2006 9:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

INTERESTING...

Dayn about the A's -

"Also, points for having played the second-toughest schedule in the game."

I presume that means points for the schedule already played.

"ET TU, DAMON?" 4/4

by FireballerHARDEN on Aug 4, 2006 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it play over for Beckett?

Typical apocalyptic Boston sports hack piece on Josh Beckett's implosion against the Indians. The absence of this kind of attitude in the Bay area makes me happy I'm an A's fan, and not a Red Sox fan. Sure, once a YEAR Urban might write something like the Bradley piece...but the world ends every day Boston loses.

And that's when it got really nasty for this supposed ace, this pitcher who needs to step up and shoulder some of the load while more than half of the Opening Day rotation languishes on the disabled list, along with its captain catcher and its veteran right fielder.

With the bases loaded, Beckett was left to face Shin-Soo Choo, a 24-year-old right fielder who had logged but 23 total at-bats against big league righthanders this season. Two of those at-bats were in this game. His batting average at the exact moment he faced Beckett was .173 . Did we mention Choo was playing in his 19th major league game of his young life?

Choo jumped on the first pitch -- a fastball down the middle of the plate -- and launched it to the center-field diamond for his first career grand slam, breaking open the game by providing Cleveland with a swift -- and stunning -- 7-3 lead.

Also, Beckett is unlikely to win the team's "Best Contribution to Sensitivity Training Program" Award:

``I didn't execute pitches," Beckett said. ``With a good-hitting team like that, you can't leave balls down the middle of the plate. Looking back at Hafner, and at Choos or Cho or whatever his name is, that's what I did."

It's Shin Soo-Choo, Josh. Pronounced just like it looks.

"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 4, 2006 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Edit

Naturally, I crush Beckett for not bothering to know the name of the guy who hits a granny off him, and I get it wrong myself. Shin-Soo Choo, for those scoring at home.

"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 4, 2006 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

geepers, you fool!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't really want me to misspell Poppy

do you? Maybe sal does.

"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 4, 2006 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or maybe I'm really David Ortiz.

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not possible!

You were at AN Day...allegedly...

"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 4, 2006 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I was there, all right.

You can't even recognize me... McFood does wonders with PhotoShop...

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was ...

... Shin-Soo "Chip" O'Tootle.

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sox still don't have Javy Lopez

Instead of Boston taking the Orioles overpriced, underproductive C, why couldn't we convince them to take ours?

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 10:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Somebody smart

over at Primer had the same idea (comment 7).

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mate grinds ink the like

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the players are really making urban look

like an idiot for writing that column.

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Especially MB

Good for him, too. I'm glad Urban stands by what he wrote, cause the team sure doesn't seem to buy it.

by LD on Aug 4, 2006 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Conspiracy?

MB has said himself he's better when he's mad. Urban's column ticks MB off.

Thank you, Mychael!

Day to day

by oblique on Aug 4, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NPR's media correspondent seems to read AN

Although David Folkenflik describes himself as an Angels fan. See last line of his blog entry:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5617201

"Throwing up doesn't matter." -- Ken Macha, June 8, 2006

by Englishmajor on Aug 4, 2006 10:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

For the love of the game

This is probably too off topic to put in a diary, but on wednesday night I went to the Brewers/Rockies game with chavinator. It was...really amazing. She's leaving for college exactly three weeks from today, and we've been best friends for the better part of sixteen years. It's going to be really weird without her and I'm REALLY going to miss her.

Anyway, earlier in April, I auditioned for this but I didn't get in. In case you are wondering, I do this as a hobby. (That's not me in the picture...soon I will have my own pics, however). I was highly disappointed, but it turns out that it was a blessing in disguise, because of...BASEBALL.

Chavinator and I went to seven games this summer. We saw the A's (!!!), the Cards (!!), the Giants (ugh...). But the best game was the Brewers. Yeah, I know, the BREWERS?! But it was special because it was our last game together before she goes away, because I'm taking off for the next two weeks for the Annual Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder and I won' have time in the evenings to go to games. So, it was really bittersweet for us, but the Rockies won (they are actually really fun to watch) and the game was just really amazing. We were appreciating the beauty of baseball without obsessing over the outcome, a wonderful and refreshing change after living and dying with each pitch in the A's series.

I actually started tearing up in the eighth because I was realizing the reality of her leaving and the summer coming to a close. We saw so much baseball and it was a really amazing summer. We learned to just appreciate baseball as it is, which was a really cool gift. Also, we learned that if you go on wednesday nights, they'll give all the ladies vouchers for free tickets. We did not pay for very many games because of that...

I love baseball.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was never all that close

to my sister, but I started sobbing like a baby when we dropped her off at the airport as she left for college.

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She's leaving really early in the morning

and then I have to go to school. I have this feeling I'm going to be a mess that day.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You will be.

My sister and I grew far apart when she was in college but we're much closer now as adults. I like that.

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's wonderful...

to have your best friend as your sister. :) Especially when you go to baseball games together.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big sisters...

I actually wasn't close to my older sisters UNTIL I was about your age, because there's a big age difference between me and them (I was a surprise baby... okay, a mistake... LOL). So even though you're going to miss Chavinator, I really envy you having that great connection for your whole life... :)

As for the aerial dance... <shudder> I hate heights, I don't envy you that...

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a surprise, not a mistake.

A miracle from God. Right?

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

No, fortunately, my mom was never that bad. She actually likes science!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mean she's a cold, evil technocrat?

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She's building a droid army as we speak.

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

much like masaryk

i've been wondering where urban has been. i saw him every single day in boston AND baltimore, but haven't seen him since then (meaning just at the Angels series basically)

i have to admit that i've been wondering if they have been giving urban the cold-shoulder, or even kicked him out of the clubhouse for awhile to teach him a lesson. i can't honestly believe that would happen tho - especially after reading Aces I can't believe urban would do anything to jeopardize his relationship with the team, but i just don't know.

i DO like the theory that he was just trying to fire up MB and have the team rally behind him...

"One time I climbed a fence to get a baseball that had been run over by a lawn mower. I thought it was beautiful" *Scott

by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 4, 2006 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Last we heard

he said it was businss as usual.

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

by ArakSOT on Aug 4, 2006 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they're giving him the cold shoulder.

That article certainly merits it. Hell, if I were a guy in that dugout, I wouldn't want to be seen talking to a reporter who relies on "unnamed sources on the club" to trash my teammates.

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

by Kyli on Aug 4, 2006 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lopez to Sox official

for cash and the elusive "player to be named later." I think "player to be named later" and "Professor Staff," the guy who usually teaches intro classes at colleges, must be drinking buddies.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2539511

"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 4, 2006 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

... and Trad Arr ...

... the well-known composer of old sea chanteys ...

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Andruw Jones claimed on waivers

Unclear who claimed him. Jones becomes a 10-5 guy on August 15th. (It's only been 10 years?)

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the braves aren't going to trade him

i don't know why people are making a big deal out of this.

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

whaaaaaat??

the braves placed andruw on waivers?!

by gotgreen on Aug 4, 2006 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

most players get put on waivers. it just never

gets out to the public. it's supposed to be confidential.

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct.

The only reasons people are making a big deal out of it are that 1) he'll be a FA in 2008 and 2) he was mentioned in trade rumors all summer long.

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly. the redsox called the braves right before

the deadline to talk about andruw. JS asked for lester, hansen, and coco crisp, a deal he knew the redsox would never do. people are just making a big deal about it because it's andruw jones.

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is, until a bigmouth like sal gets a hold of it

"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 4, 2006 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought of a 'new' term to use here...

"bloggerazzi". Clever, eh? So I did a google search on it to see if it's been used before: 587 references, feh.

So much for originality.

"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 4, 2006 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you're impecunious ...

... you could be a pauperazzi (only about 30 hits)

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you like fielding drills

pepperazzi.

[Is it a weakness that we feel the need to do this every time?] :o)

A's 2006 record when I attend: 7-6

by peanut gallery on Aug 4, 2006 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you like fielding what I fling

pooperazzi

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Want to play a dice game with me?

Poppyahtzee!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's a crap shoot!

poopyyahtzee!

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

I always thought Andruw was born in a Braves uniform.

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

by Kyli on Aug 4, 2006 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was.

He's only 10 years old.

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 4, 2006 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i heard he was a mistake

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 4, 2006 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't talk like that about my little brother!

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the economist has an article on

economists with blogs:

The invisible hand on the keyboard
Why do economists spend valuable time blogging?
http://www.economist.com/finance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7258939

"CLEARLY there is here a problem of the division of knowledge, which is quite analogous to, and at least as important as, the problem of the division of labour," Friedrich Hayek told the London Economic Club in 1936. What Mr Hayek could not have known about knowledge was that 70 years later weblogs, or blogs, would be pooling it into a vast, virtual conversation. That economists are typing as prolifically as anyone speaks both to the value of the medium and to the worth they put on their time.

Like millions of others, economists from circles of academia and public policy spend hours each day writing for nothing. The concept seems at odds with the notion of economists as intellectual instruments trained in the maximisation of utility or profit. Yet the demand is there: some of their blogs get thousands of visitors daily, often from people at influential institutions like the IMF and the Federal Reserve.

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 4, 2006 12:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good piece

But I have to add, of course, that maximization of utility is not necessarily the maximization of profit. Utility is equated with satisfaction and varies in every individual. Individuals all have their own different motives, tastes, and preferences. However, in the end, individuals will generally have needs and wants that correspond to where they are, emotionally, on Maslow's Need's Hierarchy. That said, most people are at the stage of need where they seek acceptance and try to fit in.

Economist probably like to post their blogs in order to, not just part knowledge, but to effect governmental policy/legislation (build or maintain influence) or even to have their 'brilliance' talked about in geeky circles. This is like some people who give -- with much publicity -- to charity or that champion for altruistic causes in order to gain recognition and acceptance from their peers and others.

It just so happens that many of "us" post to blogs like this one for the same reason -- fulfilling one of Maslow's identified needs. The word "us" is in quotes because I'm above the fray and I've reached and maintained my self-aggrandizing state (or is that self-actualization...I can't be sure). I feel it my duty to point these things out to you common people ;)

4 8 15 16 23 42

by LowcountryJoe on Aug 4, 2006 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still miss Byrnes

Nobody's more fun to watch in the NL West. Nobody.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/john_donovan/08/01/power.rankings2/index.html

by Just Me on Aug 4, 2006 12:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And Byrnes still misses you...

if you're a line drive hit in his direction, that is.

"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 4, 2006 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

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

by Sharon on Aug 4, 2006 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not if you run onto the field, though

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

EFQ snub

I just got the latest copy of Elysian Fields Quarterly which contained their "All Incendiary Lineup" without Eric Byrnes. What a snub!

by LoveDemAs on Aug 4, 2006 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From AlbertaOakFan

re Bengie Molina and Andruw Jones (moved from diary to DLD):

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060803&content_id=1591135&vkey=news_mlb &fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 12:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i don't see anything about andruw in that link

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't, either.

But... you know... I'm me.

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 4, 2006 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought you were Big Papi or somebody

unimportant like that.

by Squeaky on Aug 4, 2006 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN link about Jones

Here

Says multiple teams put in claims. IIRC, the team with the worst record gets the claim. The article specifically mentions the Red Sox and Angels as teams that were interested in Jones.

by calgbear on Aug 4, 2006 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the redsox called about him before the deadline

but JS asked for the farm so i don't think he's actually interested in trading him.

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

by larrysgurl on Aug 4, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think NL teams also get preference

by OaklandSi on Aug 4, 2006 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's Official!

My Boy is broken! And I don't even get to see Rouse to make up for it a little. I don't know anything about Jimenez, but I was kinda looking forward to seeing Rouse again! I miss that guy.

I hope Bobby feels better soon! I also hope this is the break he needed to get his stroke back, and he will come back nice and strong when his time on the DL is over.

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

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 4, 2006 4:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I assume you've already volunteered

to give him back massages

by calgbear on Aug 4, 2006 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um...

Duh!

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

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 5, 2006 2:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's almost as shocking

as when my 87 yugo turned out to be a lemon...

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 4, 2006 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

<snerk>

Red Sox lineup tonight:

Crisp
Loretta
Ortiz
ManRam
Youkilis
Pena
Cora
Mireballi
Gonzalez

... and, to add insult to injuries, Dave Hollins homered off Red-Light Curt to lead off the game for TB.

You've got some clever folks, Blez. Mean as hell, but clever. -- Mychael Urban @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 4, 2006 4:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Loud promotion at Da Trop' tonight

Yikes!

"YA-freaking-WHOOOOO!" ~ alaska A

by eamb on Aug 4, 2006 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Furthermore

What in the name that is all things Rays is the backdrop for those cow bells? Crusty interior of the PR assistants car?

"YA-freaking-WHOOOOO!" ~ alaska A

by eamb on Aug 4, 2006 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

That's the Tampa skyline.

"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 5, 2006 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unruly Giants fans?????????

And I thought an unruly Giants fans was one who didn't use a cheese knife for the brie, or drank Chardonnay straight out of the bottle. Shows you what I know.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260804126

"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 5, 2006 7:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs