Observations from A's Camp

by brodiebrazil on Feb 28, 2007 5:16 PM PST

Hello AN,

After a couple days of doing interviews and working A's Spring Training at the Papago Park Complex, I thought you all might enjoy some very early observations.

All the guys are elated to have Geren as manager. Bobby Crosby told me something to the effect of: "We all really liked his personality before, and were hoping as Manager it wouldn't change. And so far it hasn't". Chavez, Ellis, Swisher, Harden... right on down the roster, everyone is excited for Geren, and happy to have him.
Alan Embree has velocity. Hard to describe the sound his fastball makes here in a post... but lets just say it has extra zip. He should be a benefit not only in the bullpen but also in the clubhouse... a genuinely nice guy who fits the A's reputation.
Mike Piazza is doing overtime, with great work ethic. It would be easy to just complete the workouts, grab a bat, take some cuts, and call it a day. But we've seen him in full gear working out with the catchers, trading tips with Kendall, and passing along knowlege to Brown and Suzuki. I might add he was a genuinely nice guy to interview.
Milton is the man. Hard to believe this time last year his personality was in question. With his play in the second half and playoffs of last season and his leadership and work ethic since day one... it's clear to see Milton has become one of the many backbones in the clubhouse.
Of course there are many other positives: Shannon Stewart is healthy and hungry, a beefed-up Bobby Kielty was hitting 420 foot moonshots during batting practice, and the virtually revamped coaching staff says it's coming together just fine.

We'll have an hour of pregame coverage on March 31 before the A's/Giants preseason broadcast on Action 36 Cable 6, and we'll be back with another pregame On Deck Show for the home opener April 9th on Action 36 Cable 6.

Once again we'll be posting all our television features online at OnDeckShow.com

Brodie Brazil
Action 36 Cable 6

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thanks Brodie

hard to know, but it's ironic that "beefed up Kielty" has hurt his knee already...perhaps it's just bad luck.

I've been a Bradley fan since he was in Cleveland, so nothing makes me happier than hearing he is becoming a real team leader.

by OaklandSi on Feb 28, 2007 5:30 PM PST reply actions

not necessarily ironic, nor bad luck

He could simply be carrying too much mass and have neglected his flexibility training.

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 28, 2007 6:15 PM PST up reply actions

no....who on the A's

would do such a thing?

by OaklandSi on Feb 28, 2007 6:46 PM PST up reply actions

hooray!

glad you're back, brodie! looking forward to your posts again this season!

thank you for always coming back to AN to share your stories or video clips with us!!

by gotgreen on Feb 28, 2007 6:03 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, what she said... :)

"Rich was throwing some cheese; firm to quite firm." ~ Adam Melhuse

by Poppy on Feb 28, 2007 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

uh-huh, what she said she said

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

by batgirl on Mar 1, 2007 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

BRODIE!!

Love those ties man! Great job reporting on them A's! See you on the tube!

Let's GO OAKLAND!!!

by OaktownRajah on Feb 28, 2007 6:53 PM PST reply actions

Yeah

Thanks for stopping by and sharing Brodie. I'm really sorry I won't get to see you this year at spring training.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 28, 2007 7:27 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for checking in!

I hope that we'll see "Swisher Unscripted 2.0" this year!

by anomaly_kat on Feb 28, 2007 7:30 PM PST reply actions

Bah-row-dee! is back

rip 2006, it was nice while it lasted.

by ak_A on Feb 28, 2007 8:11 PM PST reply actions

To think that Suzuki is getting tips from...

..a pair of guys like Kendall and Piazza...

If he doesn't become a star, it sure ain't because he didn't have good information.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Feb 28, 2007 10:04 PM PST reply actions

lets all hope

he isn't getting hitting tips from kendall and feilding tips from piazza.

Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!

by Satchmo22 on Mar 1, 2007 5:29 AM PST up reply actions

Or throwing tips from either

by boilerdan on Mar 1, 2007 6:07 AM PST up reply actions

or shaving tips, for that mater

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 9:26 AM PST up reply actions

Yay! Brodie's Back!!

We missed you!

Thanks for checking in and giving us an insider update. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say, We TOTALLY appreciate it!

Thanks a bunch!

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load."

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Feb 28, 2007 10:58 PM PST reply actions

Hi Brodie. Thanks for posting...

it's always nice to hear your perspective on things.

"Okay, now I know who drank the rest of my six-pack of Bitchy McSnarky's Snarkalicious Snarkade..." -Poppy

by McFood on Mar 1, 2007 8:02 AM PST reply actions

Thanks Brodie...Milton IS the man!

ESPN analyst Peter Gammons mentioned in an interview with the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal that when he was recovering from a brain aneurysm last year, he got a stream of cards from Milton Bradley. "Just notes to encourage me,'' Gammons said. Asked about that Wednesday, Bradley said, "I see Peter every spring and he always comes up and says, 'Hey, man, you're going to have a great year.' That sticks with me. He's so respected around baseball, and he had to go through something pretty major.'' Gammons let Bradley know how much he appreciated the support. Bradley received an e-mail from the broadcaster that said, among other things, "You helped me with your strength.''

This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings. ~Bill Veeck

by Steve in Napa on Mar 1, 2007 12:28 PM PST reply actions

Easy to get typecast

It is sad how easy it is to get typecast in today's media. Politics, Sports, Celebrities, and so on.

Anybody who's had a job knows how you can be a 'bad apple' to one manager, and a 'hero and a gentleman' to another.

So here's to moving beyond stereotypes!

by MobiusKlein on Mar 2, 2007 7:10 PM PST up reply actions

Swisher Unscripted

Will our favorite Swisher segment return again this season Brodie?

"That dude's out of his tree." -Zito

by SacTownAthletic on Mar 1, 2007 5:13 PM PST reply actions

Indeed it will...

We taped the first installment in Arizona. Swish was laughing because I said it was "back by popular demand..."

by brodiebrazil on Mar 2, 2007 10:12 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks Brodie

Shannon Stewart is healthy and hungry, a beefed-up Bobby Kielty...

My first thought was Stewart is going to eat Kielty. Maybe Kielty hurt his knee running away.

"Thank you New Manager." -- baseballgirl

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Mar 1, 2007 5:33 PM PST reply actions

If Kielty thought

he could outrun Shannon Stewart then he was not just beefed up, he was also delusional.

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 Mar 1, 2007 7:31 PM PST up reply actions