is definitely a rip-off for our team.  We're already one of the two teams that consistently top MLB in travel miles, and now we add this on top of our 81 away games.

On the other hand, it's a no-brainer in terms of money.  Our organization wins because they'll collect more revenue (both tickets and TV) from the Japan games than they would from home games in Oakland.  The league wins because two Boston home games will make more revenue than two Oakland games would.

But it still sucks.

Huddy -- despite his physical woes -- gave some mostly full seasons to the A's. Harden really has yet to do this.

I had just read in one article that Harden currently has "biceps tendonitis" which he claims he can pitch through. This is the earliest in a year that he has an acknowledged physical ailment. Usually he feels great through spring training.

But... you know, I am an idiot  eternal optimist.

The cat we're cat-sitting broke my Harden bobblehead yesterday (left ankle and left wrist), so I will take that as a good omen.  The injury demons have turned their attention to BobbleRich, and will leave RealRich alone this year.  In fact, I think I'll leave the bobblehead broken for as long as he's healthy.

(btw, the cat's name is Richard. Yes, that's a stupid name for a cat... I didn't name it.  But now I'm sure that name has to be playing a part in the injury exorcism.)

His delivery is too violent for someone his height (5'11" or 6'). It is only going to continue to plague him with injuries, its the truth.

that significantly more than half of the voters in the poll have not given up on Harden.  Kudos to y'all for your faith, but I am not a believer.

didn't answer the cortisone shot question.  That to me is the most disturbing...a painkiller before even the pre-season workouts have begun?  Given that Harden never could quite recover fromn the injury last fall, it's hard to see him needing a shot in January as anything but ominous.

Either that or cryogenically freeze him next to Walt Disney between starts.

BBG, not to disagree with your major premise that the trip to Japan is sucky for the A's, but I don't believe that you can buy tickets for the games in Japan from the Red Sox, either. My understanding is that both A's and Red Sox season ticket holders had a limited window of opportunity to purchase them, but that most of the tickets are being sold through the Tokyo Dome box office which requires you to have a Japanese bank account and/or Japanese mobile phone.  There are some scalpers on craigslist and eBay, both here and in Boston.  

There is nothing more frustrating than [cheering for] a player with elite potential who can’t seem to stay healthy.

Try being that player with elite potential whom can't seem to stay healthy.  As a fan we aren't even feeling the tip of the frustration iceberg.

like FSU says it cuts down on how many games i can go to this season, and i surely would have gone to all four games if they were here...on the other hand, if it keeps the so-called Nation from invading our home for two games, so be it.

as far Mr. Harden, this time of year allows us to be hopeful, but am I just nurtering the hope that there is hope? I don't see how we can count on him being a factor.

That's the best word i can come up with to describe both Rich Harden and Bobby Crosby. Both of these guys have a ton of talent, but can't seem to reach their potential for whatever reason. Whether it's injuries, lack of discipline or whatever. For the time being, trying to trade either one of them would be a complete waste of time. The return just wouldn't have much upside. I feel that the team should start trying to acquire a minor league replacement for crosby. Not with the intention of playing them this year, but maybe shooting for the '09 or '10 seasons. As for Rich Harden, anything we are able to get from him as far as performance should be considered a bonus. It just seems that RELYING on him is asking to be let down. I don't know enough about Horton to make an educated opinion as to whether he could potentially be a replacement for Crosby, so i would love to hear everyone's opinion on this. There will come a time when neither Harden nor Crosby are part of this team, and that, i believe will be when they finally do realize their potential.

in Texas Hold 'em.

It's out there, it might be really good and save your ass, but you had better not depend on it...

Check out this quote from Urban's article on the official A's site:

"The tendinitis is nothing to be concerned about," Geren said. "It's a pain in the butt, that's all.

Uh, Bob, biceps tendonitis takes place in the biceps, which on most people is in the arm, not the butt. ;-)