Hey Mr. DJ, Put on a Record
by Tyler Bleszinski on May 10, 2007 2:28 PM PDT
in News
103 comments
Uh, so maybe I was wrong about Dan Johnson. I was thoroughly convinced that he would wind up being a AAAA player because he never seemed to know how to go the other way when he was pitched away with a slider. But there can be no argument that DJ is the best A's hitter right now. And it isn't even really close. Course you're helped when you have a day like today where you have 4 official ABs, 4 hits, 4 runs and 4 RBIs as well as two long balls and two walks. It's not the kind of day that Johnson will likely ever forget. You rarely get a game like this. DJ now has a 1.223 OPS for the season and a 1.464 OPS for May.
As for Jack Cust, he can obviously hit a fastball with the best of them, taking two inside fastballs into the drink a long way away from home plate. If I'm the opposition, I would throw basically nothing but sliders to the outside corner to DJ and change ups and other offspeed pitches to Cust. But I'm pretty sure they're going to figure that out soon enough.
I view today's game as kind of like a wedding ritual. The A's had something old...a player go down with an injury (supposedly Snelling is day-to-day with a knee contusion, but you know that means that he's going to have to have his leg amputated), something new in that they scored a lot of runs, something borrowed in basically that they borrowed the Yankees bats for the day and something blue in Jason Kendall's mood as I'm pretty sure that he's gotta be angry that he wasn't in the lineup when the A's bats finally woke up.
Kennedy pitched well in basically no-hitting the Royals for the first four innings until he seemed to hit a wall and got whacked around. The A's ended the road trip 5-3, going 1-1 in Boston, 2-1 in Tampa Bay and 2-1 in Kansas City. Given that the team is a team of mostly substitute players right now, you've got to think that it's a huge success. The A's now come home to take on a prolific offense in the Cleveland Indians. The A's starting pitching gets one of their toughest tests of the season.
Oh and in case people haven't realized it, Shannon Stewart has actually been a good leadoff hitter in May. And it's understandable that he needed some time to recover given his injury issues last year. I just hope that the team can springboard off this to feel good about themselves. Granted, a lot of today was because Hudson and company were centering pitches right in the middle of the plate, but it'd be nice if it gave the A's some confidence going forward. Six home runs should help in that department (congrats to Putnam on his first!).
And just do me a favor and pray for Doyle! tonight. It would be a shame if he finally was being given a regular shot and he went down to the injury plague that's following the A's. But knowing the A's luck this year, that's probably what's going to happen.
Until then though, Hey Mr. DJ, put on a record, I want to dance with my baby after 17 runs today.
UPDATE: The A's announced that they've completed the land part of the deal for Cisco Field. That's a pretty big step in the process.
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OMG! THEY EDITED VINCE'S CHAVY HR CALL
ON THE RECAP!
They edited it to him calling a 3 run homerun instead of a "ITS A GRANDSLAM.. TWO RUN HOMERUN!... THREE RUN HOMERUN!"
by Zonis on May 10, 2007 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn't hear it
I was watching MLB.TV. Cust's home runs were some of the longest I've seen.
by Tyler Bleszinski on May 10, 2007 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard it
I repeated each one of them as he called them. My wife thought I was nuts!
by since72 on May 10, 2007 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Back into the Water spectacular!
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
RUN DOYLE RUN!!!
Don't let Larry near you...we NEED you to much!
by since72 on May 10, 2007 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Robert Buan commented recently that ..
.. the A's had expected DJ to produce offensively ..
by Randy Bell on May 10, 2007 2:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Another A's-Royals Football Score
Back on June 18th, 2000, the A's clubbed the Royals 21-3 at Kauffman Stadium. At the time, I remember ESPN.com citing research that it was the first Oakland-K.C. game in baseball or football to end with that score.
Was today's football score also attained by the Raiders and Chiefs? We'll find out.
by muscatel on May 10, 2007 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Zonis
Nice call on the run prediction today. You were wrong of course (lol) Why did you think we would tee off today>
by since72 on May 10, 2007 2:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
well a few things...
- It was Luke Hudson
- Snelling was batting 2nd (not that it really did a whole lot today)
- Kendall and Crosby were out of the lineup
- Cust was moved up in the lineup, combined with Snelling, to have our weaker hitters in the bottom of the lineup and our good ones finally at the top, for one of the first times this year.
- Dumb luck
But hey! Since they didn't score 16 runs, I guess there is a chance Cust isn't DFA'd!
by Zonis on May 10, 2007 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
6. Day game
A's seem to sit better in the afternoon. (That's part of why it's not just a coincidence that they seem to hit well on games that aren't broadcast on TV.)
by iglew on May 10, 2007 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very interesting
Oakland line-up - Kendall - Crosby = 17 runs.
Coincidence?
Yeah, probably.
by grover on May 10, 2007 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sure, no doubt (lights cigar, feels smug)
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
does anyone know how much
the shirts off their back have gone for in past years?
by smasfan on May 10, 2007 2:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think this is a new promotion
I've never seen them do it this way before. They have auctioned off game-used jersey's in the past, but not where the players actually take them off and hand them to you...
by gigglingone on May 10, 2007 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They'd get higher bids...
...if auction winners were allowed to go into the clubhouse and undress the players themselves...
by Poppy on May 10, 2007 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
true
I'd definitely bid on that opportunity!! :)
how many fans do you think will be standing around with their cameras at the end of the game for when the players take their shirts off on the field.....
by gigglingone on May 10, 2007 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ask the Players Union.
They've been taking the shirts off our backs for a good decade now.
by Ozzz on May 10, 2007 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You misspelled "owners"
by andeux on May 10, 2007 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
QOTM, funny-because-it's-true division
by monkeyball on May 10, 2007 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I said 'decade'. If I'd meant owners...
by Ozzz on May 10, 2007 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
by Jennifer on May 10, 2007 2:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you have fun?
by Poppy on May 10, 2007 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except for the sunburn...
it was great!
by Jennifer on May 10, 2007 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the flooding may begin
by ArakSOT on May 11, 2007 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too late.
I had to stay in a hotel all week because I couldn't get home. Well, I guess I technically could, but it takes twice as long as it normally would.... and I can barely make it to work on time as it is.
by Jennifer on May 11, 2007 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Duke is struggling....
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/new...
Maybe this will open the door for Rich Harden to takeover the setup role in the bullpen. This is a viable option for the A's.
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 3:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
7 runs in 14 innings from your setup man...
is not good.
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He will be more than fine...
He had 6 straight scoreless appearances before last night..He will come around fine.
by OaktownPower on May 10, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always miss the good games.
by larrysgurl on May 10, 2007 3:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
after watching DJ for a long time...
at the Rivercats, I was always convinced he'd come around and be a good player for the A's. I'm so glad he seems to be getting treatment on his eyes and getting a chance to play again this season.
by Christine on May 10, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
DJ
I'm wrong about him SO Far year, for sure. He's in a serious groove right now. He always seems to be ahead in the count, and when that's the case, the pitcher has to come with a fastball.
It's still only 47 AB's. Pitchers will start getting ahead in the count, and working DJ with offspead stuff. Let's see if he can adjust accordinly. I certainly hope he can.
I still think Swisher should play 1B everyday. The outfield might be too crowded very soon - Swisher/Bradley/Kotsay/Stewart/Kielty/ Snelling/Cust/Buck/Putnam - Obviously, Putnam will be sent back to Sacto or Midland.
BTW: DJ & Halsey might look like a great package to some team (Orioles)
by Colorado Fan on May 10, 2007 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
but they've seen him before
Did they, all of a sudden, lose the tape of him hitting last year or the year before?
I'm not sure. I think he'll come back down to earth, but this may be a new DJ...
by eastbayexpat on May 10, 2007 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Bay Alarm Winner WAS ME!
I wrote them back, and asked if Vince thought it was a grand slam, could it just be one? :-)
by baseballgirl on May 10, 2007 3:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Congrats BBG
by Randy Bell on May 10, 2007 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah!! New car!!!!
:-)
by oblique on May 10, 2007 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congratulations!!!!
by LongTimeFan on May 10, 2007 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
(head hung low) i never win anthing
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you win the letter "y"
by Nico on May 10, 2007 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your lyrics are wrong
They should be "Hey Mr. DJ, put a record on"
by senork on May 10, 2007 3:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
but what about Kendall?
I was sucking air through my teeth in April when DJ was brought up from AAA, but DAMN! Now if we can only have a turnaround with Kendall. He had his opportunity on Tuesday with everyone else hitting, so I don't think he was "blue" today...
by BaseballDiva on May 10, 2007 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kendall's blues
Kendall was in the lineup when the bats came alive. On Tuesday. Even though we scored only six runs that day (which for us is plenty...), the hitting was nearly as good as today's ... and spread around better. On Tuesday eight of the nine starters had at least one hit. Everyone but ... um, who was it? Oh yeah, everyone but Kendall.
by iglew on May 10, 2007 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A's score 17 runs, get 18 hits.
Adam Melhuse: 0-6, 2 K. Kendall woulda gone 0-6, 0 K.
by salb918 on May 10, 2007 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm eating crow because of DJ
but it is delicious, well-seasoned, rotisserie crow with a side of slaw and an ice cold beer.
A's Homers are never hard to digest.
by oaklandSMASH on May 10, 2007 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sweet slaw...
or vinegar based?
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on May 11, 2007 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Potential Logjam at DH
When Piazza returns will there be enough ABs to go around. DJ is a butcher at 1B + Swisher's legs would probably benefit from playing more 1B than OF. Cust may also prove than he deserves plate appearances and he is a notoriously terrible fielder. Do we look for Piazza catching twice per week or pray that a contending team will see him as a mid-season catching upgrade and trade a legit SS prospect for him?
by NoeValley on May 10, 2007 4:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
didn't realize
the Raiders and Chiefs were playing today.
by sf drift king on May 10, 2007 4:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a silly mistake,
considering Oakland won.
by senork on May 10, 2007 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I needed this
Just got back from the Court of Appeal, where I got my ass handed to me. Click on the box score, and it's 17-3 A's. You rock, A's! You suck, Court of Appeal!
by BlameChannel53 on May 10, 2007 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
client was unimpressed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9zy3...
by xbhaskarx on May 10, 2007 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent Game Today!
I guess the A's got tired of us telling them their offense sucked.
...I wish they'd get tired of us more often.
by ZeroIndulgence on May 10, 2007 5:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
OMIGOD!!!!!!
-Cindi
(with dots over both i's today in honor of an incredible performance by our Hotties!)
by Nico on May 10, 2007 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great...
if Toronto does not score in this game, Wakefield will be the new ERA leader in the AL. Bah!
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 5:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
it was 10-0 and his hamstring still isn't
100% is my guess.
by larrysgurl on May 10, 2007 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DJ....
....made a comment in a post game interview last week that stunned me.
He said his first game back in Seattle after the injury, he swung at a curveball. It was the first curveball he'd swung at in a regular season game in over a YEAR.
His eye problem was apparently so bad last year, that he gave up trying to pick up the spin on curveballs and just focused on trying to find one fastball to hit per at bat.
If that's true, then he did well to even hit .234 last year!!
He's hit at every level. He hit in 2005 with the big club. He obviously won't keep this pace, but there is nothing in his stats, career, or makeup to suggest that last year's struggles were caused by anything but a pretty severe, and (as always) misdiagnosed eye injury.
If anything, fighting so hard last year to pick up pitches may end up helping him in the long run, if he's taking that increased focus and concentration that was required to even survive last year, and applying it to this season.
by nodaclu on May 10, 2007 5:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm a great scout:
by Nico on May 10, 2007 5:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There's always one good surprise
In Spring of 2006, a lot of experts picked Swish as the most likely to experience a sophomore slump because he's perceived to have a bigger hole in his swing than DJ's. He proved them wrong.
This year, it's DJ's turn.
Wonder when this reverse expectation trick will start working for Crosby and Kendall. Maybe when all of us can start expecting them to suck or get hurt, things will magically turn around for them.
by asfansince1989 on May 10, 2007 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, I flip, (pardon the word) on the tv
just a while ago before shortly heading out and about.....the screen lights up on FSNW and I see the "Derek Jeters Flip Play" appear before my eyes as one of the 50 best plays in mlb. F' me.
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 5:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That's funny--I have that play
by Nico on May 10, 2007 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah, the ol' "Nickenflecker's Flip Play"
by monkeyball on May 10, 2007 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And, the "Nickenflecker's Clap Play"
by JediLeroy on May 10, 2007 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not really a "date"
when you lead a pony to the trough. But the way she kicked up in the groin, spat in the face and walked away does make for one of the worst moments in history. But hang tough buddy, you'll find the
pony you were meant for someday.
by DMOAS on May 10, 2007 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is if she drinks, baby,
it is if she drinks.
by oblique on May 10, 2007 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope...
He was bucked from every attempt to ride her and she neighed every time he tried to speak to her. He didn't so much walk her to trough so much as stalk her to the trough. From what I heard from a cat who knew a squirrel who knew a calf who knew the pony, he was following her around like a lost puppy and it was most assuredly, not a date. On the bright side, he met Cindi only a few weeks later, so it turned out alright.
by DMOAS on May 10, 2007 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bucked?
by Nico on May 10, 2007 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What a Travisty.
by oblique on May 10, 2007 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Woah--that came
by Nico on May 10, 2007 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Such an off the wall response!
by oblique on May 10, 2007 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i am still trying to get a grip on these posts
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You and Travis Buck actually
by Nico on May 10, 2007 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
kicked out
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My story was a little different--
by Nico on May 10, 2007 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lets keep things in tow
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No problem--
by Nico on May 10, 2007 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A similar story
My car stalled and I was called up to AAA only to find myself being driven back to AA, luckily I was storing my good stuff at AAAA rent a space.
by DMOAS on May 10, 2007 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If anyone needs more info
by Nico on May 10, 2007 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who better to deliver a sales pitch?
by oblique on May 10, 2007 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You should just work on getting a grip, period.
by salb918 on May 10, 2007 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually, he should get a grip ON his periods ...
... before you seize them.
by monkeyball on May 11, 2007 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A's hitters to Danny Haren:
HA HA HA HA HA HA YOU HAIRY BASTARD!!!! WE CAN SCORE ANYTIME WE WANT!!!! HA HA HA!
by danh on May 10, 2007 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Danny Haren to A's hitters:
by Nico on May 10, 2007 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ROFL
QOTM
by baseballgirl on May 10, 2007 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB.TV archived games
anyone experienced problems watching archived games? I click on the link and get a looping feed of the pregame show.
by skutch on May 10, 2007 8:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't get anything...
the condensed game works, but I try to watch the whole thing and it tells me I am blacked out. That should not happen for archived games!
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for that
I'm out of area so don't have the blackout issue. Just can't get any archived game to run. I'm trying to avoid hours on MLB's user support line, waiting for some surly rep to tell me archived games don't actually exist...
by skutch on May 10, 2007 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
10 game hitting streak for DJ...
I think this weekend is gonna be tough for the A's as they have a lot of left handed batters, most of whom homered today. They are gonna be facing tough lefties in Sabathia and Cliff Lee this weekend. Thank god A's killer Jake Westbrook is on the DL or this might just be the first time the A's are swept in three games this season. Can the A's carry the offense over this weekend against superb left-handed pitching?
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 9:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Also, right handed batters...
Stewart, Crosby, Kendall, and Swish are gonna have to come up huge this weekend.
by OaktownRajah on May 10, 2007 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jack Cust and DJ have said in interview that ..
.. they like to face lefties .. Cust said in post-game interview that he actually prefers facing a lefty .. and DJ has said similar things in the past .. so we'll see how they do ..
by Randy Bell on May 11, 2007 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This weekend...
The A's will definitely win one...
They'll definitely lose one...
It's that third game that counts...
Then 3 out of 4 from KC and see what happens against the Giants... It should be a pretty decent 10 days... Maybe even a 7-3 or 6-4 kind of 10 days, which is just fine with me...
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on May 11, 2007 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No prob--because we have
<dies of irony>
by Nico on May 10, 2007 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
got a cleveland fan in my building
about the only time he wears his Indians cap is when they play the A's or Yankees......we have a wager as of today....so, i am counting on our righ handed batters to come through.
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i need to buy a "t"
by ak_A on May 10, 2007 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry you can only buy vowels
Unforunately you're going to have to spin the wheel. And remember, on the A's Wheel of Fortune, all the panels read "Go to DL"
by DMOAS on May 10, 2007 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
what has gotten into Dj
by 3Chavy3 on May 10, 2007 10:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
the take-home lesson w/ DJ
if you can actually see the baseball, you're probably going to hit better. hopefully the vision issue doesn't come up again this year. i doubt he'll hit like this all season, but DJ is totally capable of .280/.400/.500.
by guy incognito on May 11, 2007 8:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
As the thread winds down...
I have to say that maybe I'm a bit naive, but I really think that Dan Johnson can hit lefties. He can hit righties. He can hit people who throw with their pr!@ks as far as I'm concerned, as long as he's healthy and as long as he can see. And apparently, he's seeing the ball just fine this year. I would be surprised if a healthy DJ didn't hit .285 with 20 dingers this year, with a chance to better that next year.
In the long run, I wouldn't be upset to see DJ take over as the 3/4 time DH and Swisher take over as the 3/4 time 1st baseman, and stop spending so much money for over-the-hill DH's...
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on May 11, 2007 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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