A Grand Victory

by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 10, 2007 10:22 PM PDT in News Comment 60 comments

I'm going to say that if you aren't excited about 2008 after tonight, you don't have a pulse. I know, I'm probably jumping overboard, but a few seasons ago, I interviewed both Kurt Suzuki and Daric Barton on the same day at Stockton. I remember thinking at one point, I bet one of them goes onto a successful big league career, but probably not both of them. The odds are usually against that kind of thing.

But I couldn't help and smile tonight when Daric Barton had two walks, two hits (including a double) and took every single at-bat he had to at least five pitches. Barton is amazingly discerning in what he wants to hit and will spit on anything that he feels like he can't do something with. For his age, he has one of the best eyes I've ever seen. Kind of funny that he'd choose Scott Hatteberg's old number because the two definitely share that trait in common and they're also former catchers converted to first basemen.

Anyway, Suzuki only had one hit, but it was a huge one because it gave the A's four runs and it was Barton's walk that allowed it to happen. Dan Johnson, perhaps feeling a little Barton heat, smacked another grand slam late to make it a much more definite conclusion.

I know things have been tough around AN lately with the A's falling into a last place tie with the Rangers, but with a healthy Buck, Barton with a little seasoning and some luck in getting a healthy Harden (a lot of ifs), you can't help but be excited about what's ahead for this team. I just hope that Beane and company really do address the injury problem and make whatever changes necessary because I would really like to see what a healthy team can do.

By the way, in case you missed it, the A's could possibly wind up opening next season in Japan against the Red Sox, who have not one, but two huge Japanese stars. OK, not to be picky or anything, but I really hope that these don't count as "home games" for the A's. I mean, the crowd will clearly be Red Sox partisan. Not only that, but the fatigue that the players will feel from a trip like that could have a lasting effect and I don't really want a team that has a tendency to get injured fatigued. Why don't they send the Yankees or Mariners where the crowd could see Dice-K facing down Matsui or Ichiro? Any way, I just don't like the idea.

Oh and Barton's start tonight means that he is the 53rd player the A's have used this season. I'd say they could possibly reach the all-time franchise record of 56 players but I don't think there's anyone left in the system who hasn't seen the field this year (I'm just kidding - but not really).

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A fun game all around

Good to see Joe pitch well. The grand slams were a kick, and Barton was just about everything we expected. Discipline, quick hands, and good power to the gap. If I were Dan Johnson, I'd be very concerned about my long-term standing with the club after seeing that debut.

The team's struggles have certainly opened up opportunities to cheer on some new names: Cust, Barton, Suzuki, Hannahan and Buck. That's why I'm looking forward to 2008 in a big way. We just had a sneak preview tonight.

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

by louismg on Sep 10, 2007 10:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, there are a couple who could...

The guy we got from Chicago from the Kendall Trade, Blevens, is supposed to be up once the Rivercats playoff's end. Thats 54.

And there's always a chance Piedra and Ziggy might get called up. Ok, probably not, but still.

by Zonis on Sep 10, 2007 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

55 could be Melillo

I expect they'll bring him up after the Rivercats playoffs are over, and it wouldn't be too surprising if they put him in as a replacement late in a game just for the experience.

"Ten times thy self were better than ten Hattebergs" -- Monkeyball, channeling Shakespeare

by iglew on Sep 10, 2007 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Melillo was already up...

Already included in the 50+.

(I hope that's what you're talking about... I'm a little out of it.)

by Jennifer on Sep 11, 2007 6:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops, my bad

Did he actually play? Or does it count just being on the team?

"Ten times thy self were better than ten Hattebergs" -- Monkeyball, channeling Shakespeare

by iglew on Sep 11, 2007 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

0-0, 1BB

by mikeA on Sep 11, 2007 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The recent talk/speculation

that Barton could be off-season trade bait for a right-handed bat scares the bejeebers out of me. The guy can hit. He sees the ball so long he can tell a ball from a strike and his bat is so quick he can hit the ball hard from line to line. What more do you want? This is the real deal. In Buck and Barton, the A's have two real hitters. I don't care that they're left-handed - KEEP THEM!!!

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 Sep 10, 2007 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I've seen Barton in the minors enough to know that both he and Buck have a very similar plate approach. Buck seemed to have a bit more pop, but they reall are good hitters and I can't remember the last time I felt that way about an A's guy coming up. I love Swisher, but he seems to want to hit the bomb more often than not whereas Buck and Barton will take the double or the single.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 10, 2007 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The recent talk/speculation

Beane HAVE TO trade for a RH bat, or sign him in Free Agency but he HAVE TO GET this RH Bat but I think Barton isn't going anywhere, those kind of hitters do not grow in trees...and Beane knows that....This team needs a middle of the order RH OF/DH type and if he can play CF would be perfect. (Cameron?, Beane already tried to sign him)

by Olijerez77 on Sep 10, 2007 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

barton stays

the prospect is KING here on the oakland athletics.

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 Sep 10, 2007 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say, trade Barton ... or Swisher

At this point, Barton may bring in a better haul.

habitually tragicomic approach @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 11, 2007 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What are we going to get

for Barton besides some other 22ish prospect of similar quality? Trying to trade him makes no sense. Swapping top prospects just never happens, and there's no reason we would trade him for an established MLer.

by mikeA on Sep 11, 2007 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're nuts, simian one

Seriously, why on earth are you beating this particular drum? Barton's already pretty solid, and he's just barely 22, which leaves him a lot of room for growth as a hitter. Way more than there is for Swisher, for example, or even Buck. We're looking at six years of Barton at a reasonable price, with "solid" as the absolute minimum projected performance, and possibly several all-star caliber years as his upside. Why be so eager to trade that? Because our offense is so potent as it is, we don't need a guy who would likely become our best offensive player?

Presumably you wouldn't do this without getting a premium prospect in return, but that's unrealistic. Sure, I'd trade Barton (and more) if Justin Upton were coming back the other way. But the past couple years makes clear no one is trading hot prospects these days. No one wants to get burned in a Jeff Bagwell deal, no one is dealing a prospect unless they get a clear surplus of talent in return. That's a market to stay the hell out of, not dive into.

Barton is a core player. We should be thinking about ways to build around him, not waste time in futile thinking about dumping him in order to reinvent the core.

Sorry if I sound cranky. But I want to keep the good players, not send them packing. Trading in a good young player for an even better young player (even as part of a package) isn't going to happen in the market today. And Beane isn't going to trade Barton anyway, so we're both wasting our breath. But stop trying to trade one of the few guys on this team who actually looks like he'll be a lot of fun to watch hit! Let's keep the guy with the Wade Boggs vibe to him, OK?

by Faust on Sep 11, 2007 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're halfway onto my nefarious plan

I actually want Beane to trade Swisher.

habitually tragicomic approach @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 11, 2007 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Chavez is healthy

and the A's want to keep Hanahan in the lineup anyways, there is always the possibility that they could stick Hanahan in Left Field. Hey, it worked for the Royals with Teahen.

That could give the A's a 2008 starting lineup of;

CF Travis Buck
1B Daric Barton
RF Nick Swisher
DH Jack Cust
3B Eric Chavez
LF Jack Hanahan
C1 Kurt Suzuki
2B Mark Ellis
SS Bobby Crosby

by Zonis on Sep 10, 2007 10:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Isn't Swisher the second coming of Bobby Crosby?

I get the feeling that with most posters on this site that Swisher's glass is still half-full. Though I am unable to see the A's on a regular basis, the times I have watched Swisher this year, he seems lost as a hitter. My gut feeling is any team with Swisher batting third is a lousy offensive team.

by socaloaktownfan on Sep 11, 2007 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

A quick look at the facts says Swisher is 2nd in the AL in BB and non IBB, which says the exact opposite of being lost as a hitter.

by Dusty Baker on Sep 11, 2007 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A quick look also says

someone sucked all the power out of his bat.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Sep 11, 2007 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know how this refutes my statement, but

a more in-depth look shows that his FB% is down, his GB% is up, and his HR/FB% is down, which explains perfectly his drop in HR power (he has hit like 10 more doubles so far though).

The important part is trying to figure out which is the real Swisher regarding power, and my guess is somewhere in between. I'd be thrilled if he came back next year and basically turned into a better defensive Adam Dunn, but I find that pretty unlikely. I also think he'll break 25 HR next year if he gets the AB.

by Dusty Baker on Sep 11, 2007 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tautology

So, you're saying that what explains his power being down is ... his power being down?

habitually tragicomic approach @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 11, 2007 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swisher Heart Uncle Milty

Dusty - perhaps I should have posted that Swisher looks lost without his Uncle Milty. In any case, when I watch Swisher bat I have little faith that he will get a hit - just like watching Crosby. I recognize that this view is not based on stats, but on personal opinion. Also, maybe Swisher needs to grow his unwieldy hair back, as it appears he has long lost his mojo IMHO.

What if Napoleon had a B-52, Miggy kept running, Byrnesy stepped on the fricking plate, and Little G slid?

by socaloaktownfan on Sep 11, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a pretty good idea.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Sep 11, 2007 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i said to my friend after this game

"i am soooo excited about the 2008 team! buck, suzuki, and barton!"

GO 2008 A's!!

let's catch the M's before the end of this season though!!

by gotgreen on Sep 10, 2007 10:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Screw the farm system

Sign Ricky!

by MobiusKlein on Sep 10, 2007 10:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you

For such an optimistic post.. just what I needed, feeling good about the win, excited about next season, horrified at Lew Wolff's attempt at a joke in the article you posted.

by Shut it Down on Sep 10, 2007 10:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good game

In the game thread, we were having some speculation about the age and/or origins of the term "grand salami". I promised to look it up in my recently acquired copy of "High & Inside: The Complete Guide to Baseball Slang". This is the 1980 original and not the 1997 revision. There is no mention of "grand salami" in this book -- which made me think that it was not in general circulation in 1980 -- until I noticed that there is no mention of "grand slam" either, so for whatever reason the author left it out.

Wikipedia says

Word-playing sportscasters have also coined the popular (and etymologically unrelated) variation, "grand salami".

A cursory Googling shows that Dave Niehaus is credited as being the original word-playing sportscaster in question, but only by a couple of Mariners partisans. It is more likely that he invented "Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it's a grand salami!". I don't think anyone is going to fight him for that one.

Thought shall be harder, heart the keener, mood shall be more, as our might lessens.

by Englishmajor on Sep 10, 2007 10:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Many thanks English!

I knew it was recent, because no one said that when I was growing up playing ball...

"Fremont is basically a parking lot with a mayor"

by BruceBochte on Sep 11, 2007 5:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm an old guy

We were saying "Grand Salami" (actually not me but other youngsters back in the day) back in the seventies in Little League, so it's not a neologism. It's just a play on words- about on an insipid level with "Mike Pizza".

Did you hear Ken and Foss reminiscing (in the last Rangers game) about how Bill King absolutely hated to hear "Grand Slam Home Run" in an announcement? Apparently he abhored the redundancy.

by Brian in 317 on Sep 11, 2007 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about the origins of "tater"?

When I played little league many many years ago, the last name of the league's biggest and best player was Tate - and when he (and others) would hit a long home run, we said they hit a "tater". But I have heard the "tater" reference elsewhere many times since - any clues to the origin? Or am I completely mistaken?

by socaloaktownfan on Sep 11, 2007 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

funny you should ask

But that wasn't all the fans were talking about in the A's first season in Oakland. All across the country, fans were hearing about 'taters'. Reggie Jackson first heard it in Modesto in 1966 when he and Dave Duncan were helping the A's farm team there demolish all California League home run records.
The called homers 'long potatoes'.
'What do you think would happen if we all got to the majors?' Jackson asked Duncan one evening before a game.
'There definitely would be some long taters hit' replied Duncan, changing the terminology permanently.
A simultaneous discovery was being made in Boston where a large rookie from Greenville, Miss. named George Scott also called long home runs taters.
'George is a good friend of mine', said Jackson. 'you've got to realize that George can't say "potato"'.

the above about the '69 A's from "The Mustache Gang" by Ron Bergman

by Brian in 317 on Sep 11, 2007 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow - very impressed

Thanks Brian - I appreciate the background. Our use of "tater" was in the mid-to-late 70's, so it must have come from the same source you cite. Adding to the confusion at the time, was the simultaneous popularity of Tater Tots.

What if Napoleon had a B-52, Miggy kept running, Byrnesy stepped on the fricking plate, and Little G slid?

by socaloaktownfan on Sep 11, 2007 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When did tater tots stop being popular?

"Ten times thy self were better than ten Hattebergs" -- Monkeyball, channeling Shakespeare

by iglew on Sep 11, 2007 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when they became Tater Teens

habitually tragicomic approach @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 11, 2007 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if the A's open the season in Tokyo

I'm going there instead of spring training. I would much rather go to Tokyo than Phoenix any day -- the superior weather and food would make up for the horrible long flight.

Thought shall be harder, heart the keener, mood shall be more, as our might lessens.

by Englishmajor on Sep 10, 2007 10:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There's a new Suzuki in town, caffeine crew.

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

by The Dogfather on Sep 10, 2007 11:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Niehaus

I missed the game thread, so maybe this has been covered.

I don't think there's any doubt Dave Niehaus is the broadcaster that the phrase "grand salami" is most closely associated with. He uses it a lot and has been doing so for decades.

I doubt Niehaus invented the phrase, but that's not the point. I'm sure Bill King didn't invent "Holy Toledo" either, but he's the guy who popularized it.

By the way, I caught the last three innings on my car radio -- Seattle radio, that is -- and Niehaus was great tonight. There are days when you can really tell he's past his prime, but when he's on he's still got it.

"Ten times thy self were better than ten Hattebergs" -- Monkeyball, channeling Shakespeare

by iglew on Sep 10, 2007 11:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

NINERS BABY!!!!!!

WOOHOO!

by BuckleyFan on Sep 10, 2007 11:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Have to say it

Not a niner's blog.

Go over to ninersnation.com for that.

This weekend wasn't great for me.

1.) Raiders lose, confirming that Culpepper should have started.

2.) Niners win, despite being having the game lost to the Cards.

Yes, I am a citizen of the Raider Nation and a Niner Hater rolled into one.

At least the A's won against the M's.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Sep 10, 2007 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mention the Raiders

So...all's fair. WhooooooooooooHooooooooooooo NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by IM4Oakgal on Sep 11, 2007 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Steelers!

Sorry couldn't resist

by Brian in 317 on Sep 11, 2007 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's what i'm talkin about

steeeeeeeeeeeelllleeeeerrrrrsssssss...

"He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Sep 11, 2007 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really? That game was unwatchable. Smith is a ...

... complete

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

by The Dogfather on Sep 11, 2007 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't find that bust unwatchable

by Faust on Sep 11, 2007 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh!

It's a bust! Duh! I thought it was a boob.

by Jennifer on Sep 11, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

about Japan

I know this doesn't mean a whole lot, but I went to Japan about a month ago, and it took me two weeks to recover from the jetlag. I know that's unusually long, but I'd still rather that our A's don't have to deal with that while playing baseball...

"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau

by King Richard on Sep 10, 2007 11:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

still...

i just moved to japan two weeks ago, this is FUCKING AWESOME news. yes jetlag is awful but man i would be excited if that happened. i've never seen an a's game live :(.

by simbiant on Sep 11, 2007 1:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm EXCITED 4 next SPRING!!!

I cant wait to tell my son about the possible series in Japan...

by Carlos1118 on Sep 10, 2007 11:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope Barton can be

an answer for us. But it was one game in the bigs. Let's give him a few more games before we start hanging our hopes around his neck.

by IM4Oakgal on Sep 11, 2007 12:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's pour amber over him

retire his number now, and enshrine him in the A's HOFame with this game, those numbers frozen forever....lets not risk another game or two....he may strikeout or hit into a double play.

The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with monotonous languor.

by ak_A on Sep 11, 2007 6:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or he might .....

No, I'm not even going to write it.

Thought shall be harder, heart the keener, mood shall be more, as our might lessens.

by Englishmajor on Sep 11, 2007 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How did they decide on the A's

for Japan? Flying that far to play a game seems unfair.

by IM4Oakgal on Sep 11, 2007 12:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Barton's Debut

Before more of you go ga-ga over Barton, remember Ben Grieve? I was at Grieve's first game against the Giants. Ben went 3 for 5, all three were doubles hit to different parts of the outfield. And 1 salami by Johnson can't erase a season where his "eyesight has been corrected."

by HowardBeckerman on Sep 11, 2007 1:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaah - Ben Grieve

Somewhere, perhaps in a field of dreams, a young, but slow Ben Grieve trudges along yet again trying to beat out a GIDP in vain.

What if Napoleon had a B-52, Miggy kept running, Byrnesy stepped on the fricking plate, and Little G slid?

by socaloaktownfan on Sep 11, 2007 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

great to have such a game

the night after one of the worse ballgames in memory.

I'm as excited by good young ballplayers as anybody. I also know that the A's may have to trade one or more in order to field a complete and competitive team.

by OaklandSi on Sep 11, 2007 6:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

blogger awards

hey I noticed that AN only has one vote for best sports blog on blogger choice awards

http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/...

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Sep 11, 2007 6:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

let's crash the party!

by Brian in 317 on Sep 11, 2007 7:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to the "brief recap"?

Great game. Barton's debut certainly auspicious.

The other night against the Rangers the A's were getting the pitcher's count up around 20 in the first inning. So what does Piazza do? swings at the first pitch, makes an easy out. Leading off the next inning, DJ does the same thing. So much for working the pitch count. I like Barton's approach... I love it that he sees a lot of pitches and is patient. He had a great debut last night at the plate.

by Brian in 317 on Sep 11, 2007 7:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That double Barton hit was AWESOME.

Kept his weight way back because he recognized the slider, and did something with it. Finally, a guy who can hit a pitcher's pitch with authority. I'm sure some hole will start to develop once guys get a book at him, but he seems highly able to hit the ball where it's pitched.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Sep 11, 2007 7:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I recognized a bit, just a bit

of a Giambi like presence at the plate with Barton...(giambi circa 2000)

The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with monotonous languor.

by ak_A on Sep 11, 2007 8:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I Want Them to Go To Japan

Is that succinct enough? Japan has a long and rich baseball tradition, almost as deep as the United States. The future of baseball depends on its worldwide appeal, and this trip to Japan helps cement that. Also, I wish that they would add an opener in Latin America where baseball also has deep roots. While we're at it, why not Australia and a country in southeast Asia where baseball is an emerging sport. I, for one, was a big fan of the World Baseball Classic and I wish that was our true World Series.

by may7 on Sep 11, 2007 3:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs