What is it about Number 15?

by Blez on May 14, 2007 10:08 PM PDT in News

Come here little boys and girls and let me tell you a story about a pitcher that once wore number 15 for the Oakland Athletics. He was a smallish pitcher from the South who had a wicked sinker. He also had several years with the Oakland A's where he would pitch beautifully, yet for some reason the guys who wore green and gold refused to score runs whenever he took the mound. Either that or the bullpen would wind up giving away his wins.

Apparently Danny Haren didn't ever hear that story when he decided to switch his number before the season began from 24 to 15. Haren has been cursed by the same issues that Tim Hudson once was. Either the A's refuse to score or the bullpen gives it up.

Regardless, the A's got Bucked tonight in more ways that one. The home plate umpire clearly missed strike three on Justin Duchscherer's pitch to John Buck and the next pitch, Buck parked over the left center field wall. Duke's cutter still isn't working the way it has in the past because in years gone by, there's no chance that Buck does that on a solid Duke cutter. It seems like the only pitch Duke has working for him right now is that curveball and when Ron Kulpa decided that several curves that were strikes weren't, Duke switched back to the cutter and began getting pounded all over the field.

I did think that the A's had some more magic in them tonight. I thought for a brief moment that Joakim Soria would join Rivera, Papelbon and Borowski as pitchers who've blown saves to the A's this year. But alas, it wasn't mean to be and the pitcher who now sports the best ERA in the American League and the third best in all of baseball still sits at a paltry three wins and two losses. Poor, poor Danny.

As for Duke, you've got to think that there is something wrong with him because that key pitch, the cutter, sets everything else up for him. If he doesn't have it, he becomes an average pitcher. Even the outs tonight were loud ones. I'm wondering if all the innings over the past couple of years (I believe he's second in usage out of the pen behind only Scot Shields who has also given up really crushing hits this year) has taken its toll on him. Is he hurting or just experiencing some arm fatigue? I'm not sure, but I might've gone to Street in this one early because the A's had a good chance to score some runs off the Royals bullpen. It's easy to say that in hindsight, but I did say it aloud when I saw that Duke had come into the game. Don't get me wrong, I love Duke, but he just doesn't seem like himself yet this year. In seasons past, a situation like tonight was automatic.

Oh and kudos to Bobby Crosby for starting to look a little more major league every day. It's good to see him have good games on a consistent basis. Now if he could just string at least a couple of weeks like that together, the A's offense would get a huge boost.

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Totally agree with you Blez

Duke is off. Haren is unbelievably similar to Hudson. Crosby looking better every game. It's time to give the Duke a rest. Overuse. And getting squeezed by the home plate ump. What an ass. Go A's tomorrow! C'mon offense!

by A'sfansince1970 on May 14, 2007 10:08 PM PDT 0 recs

I don't see how Geren can keep allowing

Duke to go out there and lose games for the A's. he either needs to be sent to the minors and get things straightened out, or geren needs to stop using him in close games until he can prove that he's reliable.

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on May 14, 2007 10:09 PM PDT 0 recs

And so it goes...

Losing the close ones hurts. Losing in a blowout hurts. Really, losing hurts.

Truth is, losing 2-1 counts just as much against us as the 10-7 dramatic victory did yesterday. Funny how that works.

Dan Haren has really stepped up his game this year. I'm very impressed every time he takes the mound. Sure, he didn't get the W, but that's certainly not his fault. The A's offense has got to be capable of producing more than a single run against the Royals (Meche or no Meche).

And we've got to get it as fans that Cust can and will strike out, and Buck will too. They're great to root for, but they're not going to bat 1.000. And yes, props to Bobby for getting his act together. It's very promising.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 14, 2007 10:09 PM PDT 0 recs

True

But losing games that you really ought to have won hurts even more.

by lenscrafters on May 14, 2007 10:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

My dos pesos...

* I don't understand why Street wasn't the pitcher of choice to work the 9th. Usually at home you throw your closer and work backwards from there. Especially given that Duke and Calero have struggled, you would think Street would have gotten the nod. Why didn't he? That's the decision I take issue with, assuming Street was available as he should have been.

* My guess: I don't think anything is "wrong" with Duke--I think he's just pitching badly. He gets to have a bad month every three years. I say keep throwing him out there in the set-up role as long as he's healthy.

* I do think Chavy should have bunted the runners over in the 8th. I know he doesn't bunt much, but my recollection is that he's perfectly skilled at it. Against a righty I'd say absolutely swing away, but in that lefty/lefty matchup, with Johnson as hot as he's been, I'd say go ahead and bunt. Not a "bad" decision by Geren, IMO, just not the one I wanted.

* The 2-2 pitch to John Buck was a strike. Personally, I thought Kulpa's strike zone was outstanding tonight, but that was the one call I thought he really missed. Bad one to miss.

* Danny Haren is not a #2 starter. Yow!

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 May 14, 2007 10:14 PM PDT 0 recs

no way should Duke stay the set up man. that's

not a role that you let someone work on their issues in.

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on May 14, 2007 10:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Here are your choices:

1. Calero. Has struggled just as much as Duchscherer has and wasn't as good to begin with.

2. Witasick. He may have had a good week in low leverage situations, but he has never done well in pressure situations and I'm going to go with his career track record over his performance in the last seven days.

3. Embree. Are you serious?

4. Duchscherer.

I'll take Duke.

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 May 14, 2007 10:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

I understand that the choices suck

but at this point I don't see the harm in letting someone else be the setup man. the worst that can happen is that they are just as bad as duke. if that happens then put duke back in the role. right now Duke is doing nothing but hurt the A's.

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on May 14, 2007 10:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

No, the worst that could happen

is what would probably happen: that they would be worse than Duke. Don't forget that prior to the outing at KC, Duke had a string of very effective outings. Heck, just look at what Calero and Embree have been doing lately--they would have to step UP in an unfamiliar role not to be worse than Duke just doing what they've been doing.

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 May 14, 2007 10:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

well I think that tells you how bad the bullpen

is, and maybe it's time for Billy to make a trade because at this point Duke is just as bad to me as the other guys.

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on May 14, 2007 10:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sheesh. There's a difference

between a bad bullpen and a bullpen that's pitching badly. A lot of teams would love to have the problem of Street, Duchscherer, and Calero. If he's healthy, Duke will come around.

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 May 14, 2007 10:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

We should call up McBeth

Oh, never mind.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on May 14, 2007 10:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

so how long do they have to pitch badly

before they become a bad bullpen? and how many games is Duke going to cost the A's while they wait for him to come around?

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on May 14, 2007 10:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

Here's a good basic formula:

Take the average fan's patience and multiply by three.

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 May 14, 2007 10:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

so...

three games, right?

"The future's like, who cares?" ~Eric Chavez

by rebus on May 14, 2007 10:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not if he says his own pitching is

"unacceptable".

He says himself he is not spotting his pitches correctly. Take him at his word.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA, and avoid the unnecessary headscratching!

by One won lost won on May 14, 2007 10:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Right--Duke says his pitches

are "unacceptable" and Witasick doesn't say that his pitches are unacceptable. But I do. :-)

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 May 14, 2007 10:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Good overview

now can we find a 5th option?

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on May 14, 2007 10:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Kennedy

get Harden back & put Kennedy in the pen?

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

by batgirl on May 15, 2007 10:50 AM PDT up 0 recs

Harden

He's never going to be strong enough to be a starter, so move the china doll to the pen and use him sparingly.

"Billy Beane's got to be a genius -- picking up Jack Cust and signing me" -- Milton Bradley

by Mossback on May 15, 2007 12:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

I don't think we want to see

Chavez try to remember how to bunt after not having been asked to bunt in...years. He may have been skilled at it at one point in his career, but the eighth inning of a tie game is not the time for us to find out that Chavez's bunting skills are rusty from years of non-use.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on May 14, 2007 10:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

In fact...

...looking through Chavez's stats, the number of sac hits he has in his career is...

...zero.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on May 14, 2007 10:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Chavy is asked to bunt

every single day. What I don't want him to try to figure out in the 8th inning of a tie game is how to read a lefty's slider!

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 May 14, 2007 10:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

If Chavez bunts...

...in the 8th with two on and none out - and hear me say bunt and not find an antidote for the AIDS virus - the A's likely win the game. We don't have a great offensive club. So we need to manufacture runs. Even an offensive juggernaut probably bunts in that situation when all you likely need to win the game is a single run. Absolutely inexcusable.

by willcmatthews on May 15, 2007 4:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agree, go with Street

He was fresh...could gone two innings if necessary.

Duchscherer himself says he's up with everything.
Take him at his word; DON'T USE HIM!

Agree with Chavez bunting. Every ML player should practice bunting and be skilled at it. No excuse, unless winning and losing don't matter much.

Just like in golf you use different clubs for different approaches to the hole, why wouldn't you use a longer, lighter bat just to make contact? Just get it past the infield if it's the 7th... swing away for the bomb in the 2nd, 3rd.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA, and avoid the unnecessary headscratching!

by One won lost won on May 14, 2007 10:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agree with Nico, Street should have been in

Geren screwed this one up, and his decision probably cost us the game. Once you've reached the 9th inning at home, there's no point bringing in your set-up man, as there's no save situation to set up. You pitch Street for an inning (maybe two), then your next most trusted reliever, eventually bringing in your long guy if it becomes a marathon. KC's bullpen was in the game, so the A's would have an excellent chance to score in any given half inning, and you just have to do everything possible to keep them from scoring first. Street was well rested, so that doesn't enter into it.

If Street winds up pitching two innings, don't you lose your closer for the next game? Possibly, but protecting a 1-run lead tomorrow is not one iota more critical than preserving a dead-even score tonight, and it's considerably less likely (save situations for will arise in well under 50% of games). This was an outright mistake by Geren unless he thought Duchscherer was just as likely as Street to preserve the scoreless tie. And if that's what he thought, then that was a mistake.

by Faust on May 15, 2007 5:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

I have a question about the #15

Does Haren's jersey number referrence the number of runs he expects the a's to score for him this year?

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on May 14, 2007 10:17 PM PDT 0 recs

Correctomundo!

He's gonna draw number one starters... that was Hudson's problem too.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA, and avoid the unnecessary headscratching!

by One won lost won on May 14, 2007 10:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

LOL!

by Blez on May 14, 2007 10:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Let's start the compaign

to have Haren change is number to 99, Blanton to 98, Gaudin to 97, Kennedy to 96, Rookie of the week to 95. Let's maximize our ability to score runs.

Free of Elderberry smell since 12:20PM 4/19/07

by DMOAS on May 14, 2007 10:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Crosby / Chavvy

Crosby saved a run w/ his defense after Chavvy's "semi-bad" defense play by not going for the double-play in the 4th Inning (I think). He dove for the ball, keeping it from going to the outfield. Good stuff.

Crosby is actually looking like an MLB Player. I saw him lay off a couple outside sliders from Meche. Dude needs to learn how to slide feet first, though. Head first slides are things that Crosby should not be doing...EVER!

Chavvy, Chavvy, Chavvy??? Milton and Swisher are the team leaders, and they need to tell Chavvy to "Shake Himself". Dude needs a Sports psychologist in the worst way.

by Colorado Fan on May 14, 2007 10:22 PM PDT 0 recs

I think Chavy actually made

the right and smart play. Until I saw the replay I thought, "He HAD the DP!" But if you see how he caught the short hop off balance, look at where he was (on the grass), and realize how awkwardly he would have had to turn to throw to second, it had "failed DP attempt" written all over it. And with Peña on deck, you had to like Haren's chances to get out of the inning if they just cut off the run and got the second out.

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 May 14, 2007 10:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

word

Get the run at the plate.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA, and avoid the unnecessary headscratching!

by One won lost won on May 14, 2007 10:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

What I love about Chavy

on defense is that he actually appears to think ahead--I wouldn't be at all surprised if he knew Pena was on deck and had already decided that if he didn't have a sure DP he was going to throw home.

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 May 14, 2007 10:32 PM PDT up 0 recs

Doesn't it suck...

...knowing that if you don't turn that double play in the 4th inning (Chavvy), you will be down 0-1 with little chance for a comeback?

Part of Chavvy's decision to go home is because he knows it will be tough to score a run vs. Gil Meche. That kind of sucks, doesn't it?

by Colorado Fan on May 15, 2007 7:37 AM PDT up 0 recs

That play was in the 7th inning, not the 4th.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on May 15, 2007 9:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

Really?

I thought it was much earlier in the game.???

by Colorado Fan on May 16, 2007 10:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Don't wanna burst your bubble

but every half decent third baseman thinks ahead like that. Going home was the right play, and it was what most third basemen would do.

by Rollo Tomasi on May 15, 2007 2:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

What? Every ballplayer!

...thinks like that.

"If the ball is hit to me, where am I going to throw it???"

That was the question you were required to ask yourself, as a fielder, in my "How to Play Baseball" book published in the 1950s. They emphasized knowing what you would do -before- the ball was hit, so you would do it quickly and not hesitate.

You don't get to the Major League level being "surprised" in the field!

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA, and avoid the unnecessary headscratching!

by One won lost won on May 16, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Jeebus, 2-1.

read the yahoo sports recap. sigh. and yep, i would have gone with street. a hr off of street would be at least somewhat less surprising than one off duke---- lately.

subject to revision pending next issue

by ak_A on May 14, 2007 10:31 PM PDT 0 recs

And by "less," of course,

you mean "more". You less-on.

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 May 14, 2007 10:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

i am going to fork over the bucks

to get my resume done-over professionally....my grammar, spelling, and general writing skills have gone to hell from three years on AN....and i really want to get out of here.

subject to revision pending next issue

by ak_A on May 14, 2007 10:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

gawd, this is the 4th year.

subject to revision pending next issue

by ak_A on May 14, 2007 10:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

so your math skills

are in the toilet too.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on May 14, 2007 10:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

1-5 for me so far

after I think 17-5 or so last year. Damn.

Fun game, though. I loved tonight's lineup. I could use some more of that.

Sigs cause injuries.

by mikeA on May 14, 2007 10:54 PM PDT 0 recs

It all evens out, doesn't it?

Don't go to any more games this year! ;-)

by Blez on May 14, 2007 11:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

Didn't attend tonight

And I don't live in Oakland, but I think I've achieved something kinda remarkable.

The A's have won the last 7 games that I've attended in person! That dates back to June of 2004. I live in SoCal, so that's a lot of games that I've seen the A's win in Anaheim. Nothing like leaving that place after a victory.

1-0 so far in 2007!

by Crosbino on May 14, 2007 11:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

And I thought Chavy made the right play

He was off balance, so it was 50-50 for the DP, whereas the out at home was a sure thing.

As for bunting; since he never ever bunts it seems like your asking to spot the other team an 0-2 count.

Duke has looked bad for awhile. Same with Kiko...

Sigs cause injuries.

by mikeA on May 14, 2007 11:00 PM PDT 0 recs

Chavvy Didn't Bunt

Mr. Pez Man (or whatever he calls himself) and I were at the game tonight. Okay. Runners on first and second, no one out, bottom of the 8th --- Haren's shot to win the game. Chavez at the plate.

The third baseman, our old pal Estaban German, is playing back. The score is 0-0.

This is the PERFECT time to bunt the runner over, Pez sez. If Chavvy can just lay one down along the third base line, not only will it get Buck to third and Swish to second, but it could turn into an infield hit for Chavvy (what with German playing back and all). Then, when Bradley comes up, a deep fly puts the A's up 1-0, and Street can come in to try to save it.

Instead, Chavvy buckles and groans and strikes out. Then true to form, Bradley hits the deep fly which would have put the A's ahead.

I agree with Pez --- why the hell was Chavvy swinging away?

by richwol on May 14, 2007 11:13 PM PDT 0 recs

Because he has never had a sacrifice bunt

in his entire career. I sure as hell like his odds more to hit a fly ball than I do to try and get his first sac in 10 years in the Majors.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on May 14, 2007 11:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

His Offensive Fundamentals are Unsound

If, after ten years in the majors, Chavez is incapable of laying down a bunt, then he shouldn't be receiving the kind of salary he's receiving. Okay, if the guy is Barry Bonds in his prime juiced days, or Dan Johnson on a 14-game hitting streak, laying down a bunt at that point may not be appropriate. But he's not. Eric Chavez has a .271 lifetime batting average, is hitting .255 today with his power numbers dwindling year by year. This is a guy who needs to do the basics at the plate. I mean, are you saying he never bunts in practice, that he doesn't know how? I would assume (I don't know for a fact) that even Mario Mendoza, he of the famed Mendoza Line, knew how to bunt. Hell, all National League pitchers are taught to lay down a bunt, and most can do it successfully at least some of the time. Even, I'd presume, Barry Zito, nobody's idea of a major league hitter.

by richwol on May 15, 2007 11:16 AM PDT up 0 recs

It didn't even need to be a good bunt...

All that Chavez needed to do was get the ball on the ground to the left side and the sacrifice would've been successful. Then, Bradley's fly would've done the job.

And damn, it was cold out there last night.

by Dr Pez on May 15, 2007 8:53 AM PDT up 0 recs

That would be funny...

if Hudson missed making the Hall of Fame because he wore the wrong number.
Actually, that would suck...
As much as this loss...

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

by Oaktownmagical07 on May 15, 2007 12:27 AM PDT 0 recs

Kendall is done...

teams have figured him out entirely. They are not pitching him inside so that he can try to step into pitches. They are letting him make contact and ground out. They know he has no power so the outfielders play him totally shallow so that any hits that may have dunked in before are very easy to catch now. Plus he couldn't throw a turtle out at second base. There's got to be other guys who can call a great game. Kendall is finished! If Cust takes over at DH, I say Piazza catches. That would be a great lineup without a liability in the C position.

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

by Oaktownmagical07 on May 15, 2007 12:33 AM PDT 0 recs

Piazza isn't exactly great at throwing people

out either.

"Very nice day in the Oakland A... Oakland A's? What's this stadium called again?" Nick Swisher on TWIB.

by larrysgurl on May 15, 2007 4:44 AM PDT up 0 recs

Piazza would give up so many SB

It would be comical. People would run WILD on him. He cannot be the Catcher and I don't get why people keep posting for him to the be the catcher.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on May 15, 2007 9:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

Amen

''Certain types of players are born for the dramatic, and Marco Scutaro is one,'' teammate Nick Swisher said.

by fridaynightfan on May 15, 2007 11:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

Rubber Arm Scot Shields ..

.. {Setup man for the Halos} - Hasn't been lights out either this year. He gave up a three run bomb to Travis Hafner to lose a game in Milwaukee {where they played that series due to the weather in Cleveland}; he gave up a grand slam to Ben Broussard which didn't lose the game but could easily have if the score had been closer; he gave up a winning walkoff homer to Nelson Cruz in Texas; maybe more that I can't remember but you get the picture, he has almost been as shaky as Duke at times this year ..

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

by Randy Bell on May 15, 2007 12:35 AM PDT 0 recs

Was thinking the same thing with #15

I told my wife....Haren needs to take that #15 and burn it. It's cursed with no run support. As for Duke, he just ain't right. I had a feeling he would give up a dinger. But I don't blame him, we didn't score and got give hats off to Meche too. The Blue Jays are in need of a closer, maybe Duke can go back to Canada, and maybe there is something the Jays have that we need.

by What Would Rickey Do on May 15, 2007 5:36 AM PDT 0 recs

Chavez made the right play

It's just amazing to me that he can be so very astute and smart and brilliant and "heads up" defensively ... and so clueless, inept, and downright AAish offensively.
I just can't figure him out, and I'd save myself a lot of angst if I stopped trying.
Rarely takes the outside pitch the other way -- every pitcher knows he'll try to pull it and probably miss it or roll over in the process ... the times he does go to left, I think it's by accident. He'll hit a two-run bomb in a 7-3 game regularly ... need him to come through in a tight one? Forget it. Repeatedly fails to even move runners over when you need it most.
Seriously, one of the most fundamentally unsound hitters I've ever seen. Weird. Great talent. No results.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on May 15, 2007 9:10 AM PDT 0 recs

I'm still upset about the bottem of the 8th

1st and 2nd nobody out, 8th inning tie ball game. You bunt the runners over. We didn't need a big inning, we just needed 1 run. If it was the 4th inning then sure, let Chavez hit and hope for a big inning. But it was the 8th inning in a tie ball game. Bunt the runners, get a sacrafice fly, Street pitches the ninth, game over 1-0.

by bolt on May 15, 2007 11:35 AM PDT 0 recs