Open Thread: Spring Training Game 28

by baseballgirl on Mar 28, 2007 10:09 AM PDT in News

Good morning! baseballgirl here. Due to Blez’s move to Southern California, I will be your host for the next couple of games. Together we will cheer, and hope, and wish, and cry...what?! The games still don’t count?!

Anyway, today at 1:05, Danny Haren makes his last Spring Training start against the Angels in preparation for Opening Day (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!). Just think... Haren’s next start kicks off the A’s season!! And if that isn’t something to get excited about, well then, I can’t help you. You’re made of stone.

Here are some necessary game-thread phrases to practice before the big day:

"mAgIcK gAmE tHrEaD bAnNiNg wAnD"
"Another DP?!"
"Fire Geren now!"
"Game over."
"Is Crosby/Harden/Bradley/Kotsay/Piazza/Stewart/Kielty/Loaiza/Chavez/Ellis okay?!"
"Oh no! The bases are loaded for the A’s with nobody out!"
"Free Melhuse!!!"
"regression to the mean"
"Remember when we used to pitch with five starters?"
"What is WRONG with you people?!"
"Call up Travis Buck!"
"JFK!!!!"
"We’re all going to die!!!!!!!!!!!"

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Comments

i know thats all in fun, but you

bring up something interesting with the "Fire XXXX"

When Howe was in there everyone couldn't wait for him to leave and the all thought Macha would be a fine replacement. Then once Macha actually started to speak to the public, everyone wanted him replaced. Seeing as how many wanted Washington as the replacement, I wonder how soon the tides will turn on Geren, and will he really deserve any of the blame?

This A's team surely isn't as talented as ones from just a few years ago, and the Rangers seem to be heading in the right direction. If the A's stumble out of the gate (again) and the Rangers charge with a full head of steam, how many are going to say "See, I told you we should have gone with Wash"?

by fadedash on Mar 28, 2007 10:31 AM PDT reply actions

I think this is a given

especially since the A's almost always have a slow start.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 28, 2007 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Ah, but...

will people be ranting about wanting to lie in wait for Geren with weapons when the team returns from a road trip?

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 28, 2007 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I made a promise...

...that when the A's got rid of Macha, I would NEVER complain about the next manager.

I intend to stick to that.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Mar 28, 2007 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Uh-oh

Now you have it in writing. Lucky for you, you have admin privileges ;-)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 28, 2007 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm totally bookmarking this comment.

I'll put it in an "AN ammo" folder along with the one where Nico offers to buy Robb a hooker... ;)

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 28, 2007 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Ron Washington:

Wonton Garnish - (on some shrimp)
Honoring Wants - (on some shrimp)
Ingrowths Anon - (on some shrimp)
Nooning Wraths - (on some shrimp)
Shown Ignorant - (on some shrimp)
A Sworn Nothing - (on some shrimp)
An Ingrown Host - (on some shrimp)
Angst Rhino Won - (on some shrimp)
Ant Shown Groin - (on some shrimp)
Arson Thong Win - (on some shrimp)
Gain North Snow - (on some shrimp)
Gator Shown Inn - (on some shrimp)
Grain Not Shown - (on some shrimp)
Giant Snow Horn - (on some shrimp)

by Philip Christy on Mar 28, 2007 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

How does one get banninated on a game thread?

Grammatical commentary?

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Mar 28, 2007 10:53 AM PDT reply actions

You forgot

Small sample size. And I think the Travis Buck line is going to be "Free Travis Buck" and we're going to hear it sooner than you think.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 28, 2007 10:57 AM PDT reply actions

Free Travis Buck

I hope it has a better following, and shorter lifeline than the "Free Matt Watson" slogan.

by Colorado Fan on Mar 28, 2007 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions

11:11:11

cool!

by bringbackgallego on Mar 28, 2007 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I Hope DJ is OK

I Googled for hip flexor and it doesn't sound too serious ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 11:12 AM PDT reply actions

I don't know why when I think of hip flexing I

picture DJ with a Hula Hoop.

by theblackpearl on Mar 28, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 28, 2007 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

As Shakira would say...

the hips don't lie.

With the Oakland A's, the intravenous drip is always half full!

by OaktownRajah on Mar 28, 2007 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

BBG, you crack me up!

I know those phrases have all crossed my lips from time to time!

"and, really... i have to say this in the most hetero way... buck is hot" - JLaff 3-26-07

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Mar 28, 2007 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

Who is starting for the Angels?

MEOW

by smith1051 on Mar 28, 2007 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

Adenhart...

same as the last game?

With the Oakland A's, the intravenous drip is always half full!

by OaktownRajah on Mar 28, 2007 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

wish it was on tv

would love to see what the hype is all about

by fadedash on Mar 28, 2007 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

What pitchers are suppsed to go for us today...

other than Haren?

I assume Haren might pitch 6IP

MEOW

by smith1051 on Mar 28, 2007 12:34 PM PDT reply actions

duke, i'm guessing

since street and kiko pitched yesterday. maybe some gaudin and marshall.

by fadedash on Mar 28, 2007 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Cool I'm leaning towards...

placing a bet on us

MEOW

by smith1051 on Mar 28, 2007 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Today's Lineups:

LA Angels Lineup:

Willits, CF
Aybar, E, SS
Kendrick, 2B
Hillenbrand, 1B
Quinlan, 3B
Molina, J, C
Gorneault, LF
Murphy, RF
Pride, DH

Adenhart, SP

----------------

Oakland Lineup:

Kendall, C
Kielty, RF
Swisher, CF
Piazza, DH
Durazo, 1B
Ellis, 2B
Scutaro, SS
Buck, T, LF
Perez, A, 3B

Haren, SP

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

anybody have the Gameday link handy?

I can never find that thing.

by popcornjames on Mar 28, 2007 12:42 PM PDT reply actions

Chip thy lip, sir.

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 28, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Philip Christy:

Chirps Pithily
Rich Hippy List

There's not much to go on with my name.

by Philip Christy on Mar 28, 2007 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Chirps Pithily?

Well, that one's accurate, at any rate. ;)

Sparks of Dementia A's, Cards, and Rockies coverage by an amateur if very enthusiastic blogmistress, myself.

by Chavinator on Mar 28, 2007 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I have to say

I am the pithiest chirper I know.

by Philip Christy on Mar 28, 2007 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks!

I <3 AN!</p>

by popcornjames on Mar 28, 2007 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Did Street just say . . .

That if he had the opportunity to play in the WBC again, he would. And then go on to say that having a regular spring training better prepares him for the regular season? Ugh.

Let's hope that opportunity never presents itself again.

"Good or bad, I don't know. This is awesome." ~Nick Swisher

by humdinger on Mar 28, 2007 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

you know

to some players the WBC actually maters

ALLEZ LES A'S!!!

by J Rod @ Athletics Nation on Mar 28, 2007 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Any idea

on the pitchers tomorrow in Sac?

Just call me Waddy Lad, cattle rustler.

by LawDaddy on Mar 28, 2007 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

buck starting again

maybe just wishful thinking,but are they seriously considering him to be with the team on opening day?

ALLEZ LES A'S!!!

by J Rod @ Athletics Nation on Mar 28, 2007 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

Willits K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

Aybar flies out to swisher

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

Kendrick grounds out to Scut

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:10 PM PDT reply actions

No Score 0-0 after 0.5 frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:11 PM PDT reply actions

Kendall singles up the middle

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:13 PM PDT reply actions

Kielty GIDP 6-4-3

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:14 PM PDT reply actions

Correction 4-6-3 DP

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Midseason form.

With the Oakland A's, the intravenous drip is always half full!

by OaktownRajah on Mar 28, 2007 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Kielty's not that DP prone

In 2006 he only coverted 14.3% of his DP opportunities. Our worst offenders with > 5 GIDP? Of course it's the catching crew, Melheuse with 22.2% and Kendall with 21.3% -- best on the A's were Swish and DJ, with 8.8% and 9.0% respectively.

by CrunchyFrog83 on Mar 28, 2007 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

RHP

So Kielty's batting from the left, I assume. Hopefully Geren's just getting this out of his system so that he can focus on putting Kielty in the most strict platoon ever once the season starts.

by colin on Mar 28, 2007 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Swisher walks

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:17 PM PDT reply actions

Piazza singles

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:17 PM PDT reply actions

Double play:

Alloyed Pub
Doubly Pale
A Dope Bully
All Buy Dope
Bay Doe Pull
Dull Ape-Boy

There are tons for this one.

by Philip Christy on Mar 28, 2007 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

Durazo grounds out to SS

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

No Score 0-0 after ONE full frame

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:21 PM PDT reply actions

has anyone mentioned Goleski sent back to CLE?

did a quick little scan, maybe too quick.

by fadedash on Mar 28, 2007 1:22 PM PDT reply actions

nm, see it

by fadedash on Mar 28, 2007 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

see the DLD

salb posted about it in the DLD. Sounds like Goleski got a pretty raw deal. Of course, complaining to the papers about it probably won't help him make AAA.

by colin on Mar 28, 2007 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Hillenbrand grounds out 5-3 to perez

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:23 PM PDT reply actions

Quinlan grounds out 5-3 to perez

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:23 PM PDT reply actions

Molina walks

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:25 PM PDT reply actions

Gorneault grounds out to SS (scut)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:27 PM PDT reply actions

Still No Score 0-0 after 1.5 frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:28 PM PDT reply actions

i think buan said it will be ..

.. Kennedy vs Lowry this Sunday

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

i think he also indicated ..

.. A's might keep Jay Marshall on 25-man roster ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Ellis singles

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

Scut grounds out 5-3 to quinlan

ellis advances to 2nd

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:31 PM PDT reply actions

Buck grounds out 3-1 to hillenbrand

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

Perez K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:35 PM PDT reply actions

Still No Score 0-0 after TWO full frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:35 PM PDT reply actions

Murphy gets infield single

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

Curtis Pride - doubles, Murphy to 3rd

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:39 PM PDT reply actions

goleski sent back to the indians

couldn't work out a deal

ALLEZ LES A'S!!!

by J Rod @ Athletics Nation on Mar 28, 2007 1:40 PM PDT reply actions

maybe as bad as he looked, they didn't want to.

by theblackpearl on Mar 28, 2007 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Goleski

If he was, they would.

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Mar 28, 2007 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Willits sacfly, Murphy scores

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:40 PM PDT reply actions

Aybar grounds out to Durazo

pride advances to 3rd

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:42 PM PDT reply actions

Kendrick flies out to kielty

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:43 PM PDT reply actions

Angels lead 1-0 after 2.5 frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:44 PM PDT reply actions

Kendall flies out to RF (murphy)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

Kielty flies out to LF (gorneault)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:47 PM PDT reply actions

Swisher flies out to CF (willits)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:49 PM PDT reply actions

Angels lead 1-0 after THREE full frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:49 PM PDT reply actions

Hillenbrand singles

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:52 PM PDT reply actions

Quinlan K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:54 PM PDT reply actions

LOL

Have actually been working for a little while... come back to this diary and the little Autorefresh tab at the bottom of the screen says "17 new comments: from Randy Bell, Randy Bell, Randy Bell, Randy Bell, Randy Bell, Randy Bell..."

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 28, 2007 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

PxP baby! {g}

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Molina singles to CF

hillenbrand to 3rd

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

Gorneault K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 1:58 PM PDT reply actions

Tommy Murphy - flies out to swish in CF

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:01 PM PDT reply actions

Angels lead 1-0 after 3.5 frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:01 PM PDT reply actions

Piazza flies out to deep CF (willits)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:04 PM PDT reply actions

Durazzo flies out to gorneault in LF

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions

Ellis flies out to willits in CF

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

Angels lead 1-0 after FOUR full frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:08 PM PDT reply actions

Curtis Pride singles past Scut

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

pride caught stealing 2-6 putout

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Willits doubles over kielty's head in RF

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:12 PM PDT reply actions

Danny Haren is done - Street in to relieve

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

seeming like regular season A's against Halos ..

.. no offense from the Green&Gold against Angels pitching ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Aybar flies out to Swish in RF

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

Kendrick K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

Angels lead 1-0 after 4.5 frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:18 PM PDT reply actions

Scutaro walks

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

T-Buck K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:22 PM PDT reply actions

Perez hit by pitch

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

Kendall GIDP 4-6-3

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

Angels lead 1-0 after FIVE full frames

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

Oh Kendall.

Don't make me wring your little GIDPy neck.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Mar 28, 2007 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

Jay Marshall pitching to Eylward

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:30 PM PDT reply actions

Eylward flies out to kielty in RF

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Quinlan grounds out to scut at SS

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

Molina K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

Angels still lead 1-0 after 5.5 frames

.. going into bottom of the sixth now ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

Justin Speier in to pitch for the Halos

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions

adenhart

So who was that Nick Adenhart guy? The angels website says he's a non-roster invite. Can he be our 5th starter?

by colin on Mar 28, 2007 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

he's their top pitching prospect

by fadedash on Mar 28, 2007 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

good to know

thanks

by colin on Mar 28, 2007 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

kielty K's

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

or was it murphy?

buan has me confused here ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 28, 2007 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions

gameday

says that it is kielty. Murphy came in for Buck but switched to 3B. Perez moved from 3B to CF. Perry came in for Swish and moved from CF to LF. Kielty still in RF and batting 2nd.

by colin on Mar 28, 2007 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions