Monkeyball what are you waiting for?

It’s not even over a free agent signing, it’s over rumors of some discussions as reported by a free agent’s agent.

"Real A’s fans "

Who are YOU to determine who is a real A’s fan and who isn’t?

Who appointed you A’satollah?

I don’t recall ever taking a loyalty oath before becoming a fan.

Mr. Cat, your accusation that monkeyball isn’t a “real” A’s fan is unfounded and it flies in the face all the passion he has shown on this very website. Its a ridiculous charge and you’re in danger of painting several people with your brush stroke. I’ve often criticized the A’s, does that mean I’m not an A’s fan? I’m pretty sure Blez himself has had a negative comment or two regarding the A’s, are you going to come into his home and call him on it? Because if you honestly believe that it is unacceptable for a “real fan” to criticize his team the you have no concept of what being a real fan is.

There are acts a team can do that can completely alienate its fans, or in this case, one particular fan. Monkeyball’s point (and its one that most of AN agrees with) is that signing Garret Anderson will not help the A’s win more games in 2009 and his presence will likely hinder the development of younger players that could help the A’s win games down the road. It would be signing a player not for his baseball skills but for his name value, which would be a complete betrayal of the themes espoused in Moneyball and in Beane’s actions over the years.

And if the team is going to betray itself like that then its fans have the right to question whether or not they want to follow the team anymore. Monkeyball has made his decision and any anger you feel in that regard is misguided.

half of us think that blind allegiance to anything is dangerous, and the other half think that any allegiance other than blind allegiance is fraudulent.

I appointed myself the A’satollah.

“True fans” are what people who disagree with you aren’t.

Though I would say that signing one player really shouldn’t be enough. Not because a “true fan” wouldn’t stop rooting for a team because of a stupid player acquisition (Carl Everett, twice, killed my love of the White Sox), but because I believe the A’s organization has earned everybody’s trust and respect. That’s why I’m here. And while I think signing Garret Anderson would be all kinds of stupid, part of me wonders if Beane knows something we do. Another part of me says it doesn’t even matter, since I know that in the long run, the A’s are gonna be ok.

A’s fans more than any other fan base in baseball should feel safe in knowing the guys running the team are going to make the right moves, and if they make the wrong moves at least they’ll do so with a logical, defensible reason. For me, that’s all I can ask.

maybe halfway, but come on… he was kidding. someone who goes to games regularly and visits team blogs like AN is a fan. you don’t have to submit an application to earn that title. “true fan,” either. i don’t know Monkeyball… but i like his posts, and any fan has the right to hate players, coaches, cities, mangement, fellow fans, stadiums, pathetic football teams who sahre their team’s satdium’s etc…

As an Oakland born and bred lifelong fan who has been going to games since i was 3… i say “thanks for converting… and we’re glad to have you”.

don’t hate.

Wow, having read both threads, I must admit, for my few years here this tenor from both is harsh. All over a rumor. Sure there are those who can’t stand the fact of bringing GA here, but one should ask themselves. Why do I not like him? Is it because he is past his prime, or does it go to a great disliking of a player from our nemisis. If someone can profess his anger towards the A’s for a potential deal, well OK, thats one’s opinion. All I can say I lived and died with this team since 1968. I was angry at Finley when he gutted the team after the 1976 season, but I stayed a fan. It was difficult to go to 55 games and see 11 wins in one season. And through the years I saw some moves that made no sense, and some that were suprisingly good. If they do sign him I, for one will make the best of it. If he did do well, would you be unhappy?

I never believed that Monkeyball really would abandon the team if we sign Garret Anderson. I just figured he was using that as a colorful way of expressing his outrage at the idea.

Given how many people took it seriously, I guess the rhetoric misfired.

Acronyms to “No! A Santa Red Herring! Sog!”

Make of that what you will.

I would not watch one A’s game on TV or listen on to one game on radio if Rex Hudler became the A’s announcer. Rex alone could single handedly make me reconsider my A’s fandom.