DLD 10/1/08: there's only one october

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 1, 2008 6:18 AM PDT Comment 70 comments

Ha, got up nice and early so I can beat Jennifer's QOTM and bbg's Playoff Thread.

What's that you say?

Hmm, anyways, let’s start with the only playoff storyline that matters before we dip into a bunch that don’t: for the second straight year, the A’s will not be contestants at the Big Crapshoot.

But, um, yeah, I guess I'm a little late with that news, too.

That's right Dane; there are no A's in October.

Quite a motley crew we have left, huh? Both Chicago teams are here; last time that happened, folks in the Bay Area were still recovering from the Great Quake. Not 1989. Try 1906. The LA clubs are well represented, which is doubly disturbing if you ask me. Milwaukee is back after a 26-year hiatus. Tampa Bay is this year’s Charlie Bucket- kind of just happy to be here, but could find itself walking away with all the chocolate. The Philadelphia Phillies are hoping for a longer stay this October than last (swept by Colorado in the first round), while Boston looks for a repeat performance. Rounding out the list are the New York Yank…oops, some habits are hard to break. Shockingly, this guy got a new contract.

Why isn't this man smiling? Oh...

In the American League you have three teams that have captured four World Series titles in this decade alone, and a Rays’ team that before this season had spent exactly eighteen days in first place in the previous ten years combined.

It's been that kind of year for the Tampa Bay Rays.

If hoisting trophies is nothing new to the American League entries (save for Tampa), any one of the Senior Circuit quartet could be forgiven if their celebration dances are a little rusty. The Brewers have never won a World Series; falling to St. Louis in seven games in their only appearance in 1982. Philadelphia has done Milwaukee just one better, and that came in 1980. The Dodgers last won it all in 1988, but we’re not going to talk about that, are we? And then there are the Cubs, whose Series-less plight has been well-documented; but as they say in Chicago, any team can have a bad century.

Last time Milwaukee was here? Yeah, that long.

Hey, speaking of familiar faces in weird places, how about Joe Torre and Man-Ram in LA? And of course our old friends Blanton, Swisher, Harden, and Kotsay, to name a few. You know how it goes: If at first you fail to win a ring in Oakland, try somewhere else. Hey, it’s worked wonders for guys like Terry Francona, Scott Brosius, Jermaine Dye, Scott Spiezio, and good old Bobby Kielty. Jason, Miggy, and the Big Three? Not so much. (And no, Mulder’s doesn’t count).

So there you have it, AN. Whether you love them or loathe them, these are the October Ocho. Some intriguing scenarios to be sure.

But first, to the links!

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Swish on funnyordie.com

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cf84d400b7

by lerei on Oct 1, 2008 7:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

WTF did I just watch?

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Oct 1, 2008 7:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was weird.

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 1, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, i might actually have to root for the white sox now

just so that i can see swish try to hit anything with that “bat”, lol

"I talked to Paul this morning and asked if he could acquire some chemistry from another GM whose team is out of the race. But I'm concerned chemistry might not clear waivers."
--Beane

by DyeLongJustice on Oct 1, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

funny or DIE?

live free or die, vote or die, why does everthing have to be “or die”?

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 Oct 1, 2008 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Use "or die" ... or die!

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!! or die

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Oct 1, 2008 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

use it or lose it?

by OaklandSi on Oct 2, 2008 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prince

OK, this just looks wrong.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 1, 2008 7:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ummm...

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Oct 1, 2008 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like the Brewers had one hellava victory celebration!

Is that Embry warming up?....... NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

by iljackb on Oct 3, 2008 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Classic

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Oct 1, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That needs to be submitted to that magazine that has all the "Accidental Porn" pictures.

Maxim, I think?

by mikev on Oct 1, 2008 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

right town, wrong sport

Looks like he’s a member of the Milwaukee Bukks.

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BFF!

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Oct 1, 2008 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And here I thought he was a vegetarian

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Oct 1, 2008 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

QOTM

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Facials!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Oct 1, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My wife saw Eck on TV yesterday and asked, "Is that Jeff Foxworthy?"

Divorce papers to be filed shortly.

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Oct 1, 2008 7:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

different Ummm...

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Oct 1, 2008 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To be fair, in the late eighties she was living in New York City, where baseball pretty much sucked.

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Oct 1, 2008 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but you only need ONE syllable...

…to know that he is NOT Jeff Foxworthy.

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 1, 2008 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know you're a redneck when

your wife thinks your 0.60 ERA is a pretty fucking weak engine compression ratio.

I'm a street walkin cheetah with a heart full of napalm.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 1, 2008 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's... pretty much tragic.

"Ryan [Sweeney] has got the perfect baseball body..." -Mike Sweeney

by Christine on Oct 1, 2008 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Many Al Davis comparisons, but only one fundamental truth

I'm a street walkin cheetah with a heart full of napalm.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 1, 2008 9:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eeeeeeexxxxxxcellent

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Oct 1, 2008 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smithers!

by oakinboston on Oct 1, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al looks like Larry Flynt after 12 hours of liposuction

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His letter to Lane

by lynnzgal on Oct 1, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

New pictures at Michael Zagaris's blog

The A’s relax by playing S-C-A-T-T-E-G-O-R-I-E-S before the game….Daric Barton, Greg Smith, Ryan Sweeney, Dallas Braden and Justin Duchscherer intently study the board, pondering their word-choice, while Keith Foulke and Dan Meyer look on.

SCATTEGORIES? That’s interesting. And more pictures here.

by Kimberly on Oct 1, 2008 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

back in '05, they used to play Hattegories

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Around this time in '00 they were playing Al-e-Gore-ies

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 1, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL @ the look on Ryan's face

And with his folder on the table…. I think he gave up.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Oct 1, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

or maybe he answered them all

super quickly and set it down all “HA! HA! I RULE!” because… otherwise he sucks as much as me at that game and gives up. which I don’t want to believe because that’s just sad.

"Ryan [Sweeney] has got the perfect baseball body..." -Mike Sweeney

by Christine on Oct 1, 2008 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

UGH!

I hate that game. the second the timer starts I suddenly forget every single word I’ve ever known. it’s like “cold dessert” and the letter is I and I’m like “cupcakes! pie! cookies!” and it’s like… dude, ice cream. ice cream. ice cream, idiot. that game makes me ridiculously stupid and look bad in front of people. much like most board or card games or trivia of any kind. the only way I ever scrape by is by getting credit for my “creative” answers. I don’t know why my mind just goes blank when I play it :( stupid, stupid Scattegories.

"Ryan [Sweeney] has got the perfect baseball body..." -Mike Sweeney

by Christine on Oct 1, 2008 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

QUOTE. OF. THE. MONTH.

by mikev on Oct 1, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They play Scattergories? That's hilarious.

Doesn’t really seem like their kind of game, but I guess you can only play so much poker.

The pics of Ellis make me sad. :(

Daric Barton frantically texts a friend on his cellphone.

Something like… “ryan i miss u come back 2 me”

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 1, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't see the updated blog

The link takes me back to the blog as it has been for the past month or so.

by lerei on Oct 1, 2008 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

where are Duke's pants?

by OaklandSi on Oct 2, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait. I'm confused.

Does this mean that there’s such thing as a tasteful Nazi prank?

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 9:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also, aim for the monkey parts.

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 1, 2008 9:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha!

There’s a chair for every ass.

by lynnzgal on Oct 1, 2008 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

xbhaskarx

Sandy Beaches!

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Oct 1, 2008 10:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

you behave like you never been on top of the beach before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ0KahfpoMo

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 Oct 1, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

clockwerks gives up fanposts updates!

http://blog.sbnation.com/2008/10/1/625857/a-new-perspective-on-fanpo

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Oct 1, 2008 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"Blog Huddle Discussing the state of the SB Nation"

how very meta

"The Athletics at Fremont" is soooooooo bad

by ArakSOT on Oct 1, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty freaking cool.

If I don't comment on your comment how will you know you are completely wrong? -Rocktopus

by pam5981 on Oct 1, 2008 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is there any way to change the default view?

I checked the settings menu, but didn’t see anything there that indicates whether I can default to full view instead of list view.

au contra ire

by JediLeroy on Oct 1, 2008 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In case you missed it,

David Letterman’s Tribute to Paul Newman

I laughed, I cried, I choked on my grape.

by lynnzgal on Oct 1, 2008 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I loved this photo

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Oct 1, 2008 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too!

Look how young they were!

by lynnzgal on Oct 1, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that Ray Fosse?

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Oct 1, 2008 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It does look like him!

They could have been brothers back then. Now, not so much.

by lynnzgal on Oct 1, 2008 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

John Shea has the audacity to pick the Slegna as World Series winners. Blasphemy!

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 1, 2008 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Grant at McCovey Chronicles

has his Giants-centric rooting guide for the playoffs. Awesome, as always.

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 1, 2008 1:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

VOTE: Ziegler for DHL Delivery Man of the Year

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080930&content_id=3576653&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak (Top of the Page)

Sounds like Duchsherer is optimistic about his hip: “Everything went well,” wrote Duchscherer. “I just had some torn cartilage cleaned out. I’ll be fine in two months.”

2008-2009 Offseason: So Far, So Good (Positive Thoughts this Offseason)

by Colorado Fan on Oct 1, 2008 3:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy Toledo!

Reds fans really get after it!

Of more than 122,000 online ballots cast by fans, Nuxhall received an astounding 82,304 votes. King was a distant second with 7,659 votes. When he also was a finalist last year, Nuxhall received more than 8,000 votes of the approximately 75,000 ballots cast.

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

by batgirl on Oct 1, 2008 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gah!

Joe Nuxhall (82,304 fan votes), Bill King (7,659) and Joe Morgan (6,065) earned spots on the ballot through the online vote

Joe Morgan?! Heavens, no! But seriously, Bill better win it this time.

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 1, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's last year's

Results from this year are supposed to be posted monday (10/6)

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Oct 1, 2008 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wierd

That’s what pops up when you pull up the voting page that has been used since voting started.

OK, well good then, maybe Bill will be tops this year. Crossing fingers.

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

by batgirl on Oct 2, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is there some Rollie-Bill animosity backstory of which I'm unaware?

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Oct 4, 2008 6:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the unfortunate mustache wax mix-up in the 70s involving Bill, Rollie and ...

… this Oakland Raider.

Butter Brickle

by Ice Cream on Oct 4, 2008 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like someone used a bot.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Oct 1, 2008 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phillies weren't swept by Arizona

Colorado swept the Phillies while Arizona took down the Cubs.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 1, 2008 5:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

See when you point out errors on a DLD

You’re supposed to do it with a link.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 1, 2008 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad

I’m not link-tastic like you guys so I don’t even think about it.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 1, 2008 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No sweat

I’m hardly link-tastic though ;)

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 2, 2008 5:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude-

you’re link-a-licious!

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Oct 2, 2008 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dale get a postseason award!

Granted, it’s only second place on Jayson Stark’s Injuries of the Year, but it’s something.

Second prize: A’s first baseman Daric Barton managed to get hurt during the All-Star break. How? By diving into the shallow end of a friend’s swimming pool and clanking his head and neck on the bottom. He did get two not-so-prestigious trips out of it: (1) to the emergency room and (2) to the disabled list.

He didn’t even mention the staples.

In the same column: A’s-O’s walkathon gets named as one of the five craziest games of the year.

Don’t Walk This Way — Sept. 5: A’s 11, Orioles 2. Last year, on the day the Orioles announced they were bringing back interim manager Dave Trembley, they lost a 30-3 game. This year, the day they announced they were extending Trembley’s contract, they allowed an eight-run inning — on one hit. How’d that happen? How ‘bout six walks, including four with the bases loaded, plus a hit batter and a grand slam — by a guy (Rajai Davis) who had entered the game as a pinch runner. So the Orioles became the first team since the 1959 A’s to give up eight runs in an inning on one lousy hit, and the first since the 2004 Dodgers to issue four bases-loaded walks in an inning. And loyal reader Eric Orns reports that Davis was the first guy to hit a slam in an inning he started as a pinch runner since Gene Stephens did it for the Red Sox on July 13, 1959 (after running for Ted Williams). “I’ve never seen an inning like that,” Trembley told the Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly. “Ever.”

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 1, 2008 6:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that was a crazy game

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 Oct 1, 2008 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs