DLD 12.8.08: It's Monday.

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 11:50 AM PST Comment 69 comments

So I guess I should put some links in this here link dump.

John Shea on the Winter Meetings.

Visit the Hot Stove Blog if you're craving rumors.

"But, Officer, my wife's in labor!" No joke.

Ah, the joys of family. Who hasn't wanted to throw a Christmas tree at his dad?

Okay, that's enough of that. On to the Caravan!

Just a few pictures to share from Travis and Ryan's signing at Stoneridge on Saturday.

Ryan sez: "You want me to do what?"

Pretty.

The A's site has recaps of each day, along with photo galleries, but I can't figure out how to post those photos here, so you'll just have to do the leg work yourself. I especially like the one of Travis and Ryan sitting on Santa's lap.

But wait! There's more. The Caravan isn't really over. Dallas Braden superfans, rejoice:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
A's Pitcher Dallas Braden will make several appearances in Stockton.

12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. Dallas Braden autograph session at The Graduate
2207 Country Club Blvd, Stockton

3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Dallas Braden autograph session at Les Schwab
3554 E Hammer Lane, Stockton

4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Dallas Braden autograph session at Fleet Feet Stockton
Warm Coat Drive, 6541 Pacific, Stockton

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Dallas Braden autograph session at WalMart
1205 South Main, Manteca

Happy Monday! Let the dumpage commence.

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Dallas Braden as Oakland A's Goodwill Ambassador for the Central Valley

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

by franks a lot on Dec 8, 2008 11:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

NRIs

The A’s announced their non-roster invites to spring training:

The Oakland A’s announced 17 non-roster invitees to Spring Training today. The list features 14 players from the A’s Minor League system including pitchers Brett Anderson, Drew Bailey, Trevor Cahill, Andrew Carignan, Brett Hunter, Jared Lansford, Vin Mazzaro, Tyson Ross and James Simmons; catcher Josh Donaldson; and infielders Adrian Cardenas, Chris Carter, Sean Doolittle and Jemile Weeks. The A’s also agreed to terms with pitcher Jerome Williams on a Minor League contract and will invite two players from Mexican League teams: pitcher Arnold Leon from Saltillo and catcher Joel Galarraga from Minatitlan.

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Dec 8, 2008 12:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Joel Galarraga looks like a interesting signing.

He’s a 26 year old catcher who hit .318/.416/.440 in the Mexican League last year, with 55 BB and 34 Ks in 368 AB. That’s an MLE of .249/.336/.380, which was better than any catcher in the A’s organization not named Suzuki.

According to Melissa Lockard’s article, he’s a Cuban defector who was a Mexican League All-Star in 2007, and he will split the 2009 season between the Oakland organization and his Mexican League team.

by Danny on Dec 8, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

should I add Galarraga to the Prospect list?

At first I was like “Who’s Drew Bailey?”, then I realized it was Anthony Bailey. Maybe I should change his name on the prospect list as well…

And Jerome Williams is back? He gunna fight for that 7th Bullpen spot, or are they seeing him as AAA Rotation Fallback for our injury prone starters?

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 8, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fallllllll back likely.

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

by DMOAS on Dec 8, 2008 2:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fall-off-a-cliff-back

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 8, 2008 2:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's Kotsay/Furcal

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 8, 2008 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've always liked Jerome Williams

and when he’s healthy, he’s a halfway decent pitcher.

He may just surprise some people this year.

"I have more questions after these."-WaddellCanseco

by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 8, 2008 3:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As in, he'll be cut sooner this time

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

by Helloooo 1st on Dec 8, 2008 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Really hard to say

But from my brief “research” this morning, he seems like at least as much of a prospect as Powell.

As for WIlliams, at least he seems to be healthy, but it doesn’t look like he’s pitching all that well in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

by Danny on Dec 8, 2008 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

at first i was like “who’s anthony bailey?”

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 Dec 8, 2008 5:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Missing half the season is much more of a problem for a 26-year-old than for someone like Leon

who wasn’t going to be playing in the majors anyway this season.

He might be worth something, but it wouldn’t stop me from Rule 5ing James Skelton if he’s still available when the A’s pick.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 8, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think of it as missing half the season

The Mexican League is a AAA quality league.

by Danny on Dec 8, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He's 26... he should be playing in the majors...

The A’s can’t use him as Suzuki’s backup if he’s down Mexico way.

Also, while the Mexican summer league is technically classified as AAA I think the consensus is that it’s closer to a AA competition level.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 8, 2008 3:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does Andrew Bailey, go by Drew?

by theblackpearl on Dec 8, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

:gasp: RY! Thanks!!

You should’ve seen my face drop when I read “I especially like the one of Travis and Ryan sitting on Santa’s lap”. Wow. I couldn’t find it for a while because Ry and Travis’s largeness blocks Santa. I thought you were sending me on a wild goose chase.

Travis is looking extra caveman-y.

Ry is looking pretty as usual.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 12:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lookit - Ry is totally taking over Richie's old role as "overly large wrist accessories guy"

Aw, they grow up so fast.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 12:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I never noticed that Rich was "overly large wrist accessories guy",

but I’m sure you have photos to document this phenomenon…

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You've got that right!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z266/schmifty/obnoxiouswrists32005.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z266/schmifty/obnoxiouswrists42005.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z266/schmifty/obnoxiouswrists1.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z266/schmifty/obnoxiouswrists22005.jpg

and there’s more where that came from.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

nice picture titling “obnoxiouswrists.” Do you have all your photos sub and cross categorized by accessories, hair, etc?

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

by batgirl on Dec 8, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh, mostly no

but I do have all my other Rich pictures categorized by date. Everything else is like “richharden.2008.07.04.jpg”. That way, when I go through my pics and think “when did he have thighs like THAT?!”, I’ll know. Then I can look at other pics from that era and see if he really DID have thighs like THAT, or if it was just a good angle.

I’m a… student of anatomy.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You scare me.

by OldhamA on Dec 8, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I love her!

That and all the RyRy and Richie love.

39 remarkable innings.

by ZigFan31 on Dec 9, 2008 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol. Awesome.

Oh, Rich. I miss him.

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 1:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Awwww, Rich

I miss him…

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Dec 8, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

!!!!

So do I! Very very much! I cant wait until baseball is back. so he can kick butt!

by missyoyoyolanda on Jan 2, 2009 1:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't Travis ALWAYS look like a caveman.

If the A’s get in a brawl with another team, Travis should punch like a caveman.

Dude. This.

by Blicks on Dec 8, 2008 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So easy, a caveman can do it!

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"Ryan, could you use your LASER EYEBALLS to etch your signature on my baseball?"

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 8, 2008 12:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Here are a couple from the San Jose parade on Sunday

Apparently during their signing, Ryan and Travis were having a little contest to see who would get the most people to say they were hot. Some lady pushed herself towards the table and yelled, “Ryan – you’re hot!” while he was signing my hat. Then, he turns to Travis and laughs, “I’m two for two.” Poor Travis.

by Kimberly on Dec 8, 2008 1:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

!!!!

Kimberly, you are amazing!
LOVE the first one. Ry’s serious-face is the best.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Correction: serious-slash-wistful.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Slash badass

Poor baby has a bruise-looking thing by his eye.

by Kimberly on Dec 8, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

schmifty--seriously, he's not worth slashing your wist over.

Peppermint

by Ice Cream on Dec 8, 2008 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Great photos!

Ryan looks like he has a little bit of stubble. Too busy to shave… although I can’t imagine him actually growing a beard or anything.

Aw, Trav, don’t worry. You’re pretty too.

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan should grow a beard.

Dude. This.

by Blicks on Dec 8, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

minus eleventy!

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whyyyyyy not?

Dude. This.

by Blicks on Dec 8, 2008 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Blonde beards are weird, and covering up his jaw would be a crime.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't you think Ryan looks prettier without hair on his chin?

I do.

by Kimberly on Dec 8, 2008 1:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can stand the tiny bit he's got going on in your first pic

but any more would be too much. Like how Rich’s face gets all fluffy between starts. Ay.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 1:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

AHHHHHHH!!!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Dec 8, 2008 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Great photos!

I like the fourth one the best.

Now I feel kinda bad for Travis. It’s not his fault Ryan’s better looking than he is.

by walkoff baltimore chop on Dec 8, 2008 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

After viewing that top picture of Ry at full-size on flickr

I am sending him a bottle of moisturizer. With SPF 250.

Does he have some kind of burst blood vessel in his eye? That in combination with the bruise, poor thing. He looks like he got punched in the eyeball!

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Dec 8, 2008 8:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I see this is going to be another female droolfest thread.

I’ll stay out.

by mikev on Dec 8, 2008 1:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Screw that

I don’t give up so easily.

Some oldies but goodies from the wives’ softball game:

http://www.athleticsnation.com/2006/6/25/205350/450

"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."

-Charles Manson

by kaweahkaweah on Dec 8, 2008 1:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Now that's a photo layout that I can ahem get behind.

by mikev on Dec 8, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok so girls drooling over the players is borderline.

Guys drooling over the wives of the players though is a little much.

Maybe that’s just me though.

by OldhamA on Dec 8, 2008 2:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Eye for an eye. If they can, we can.

by mikev on Dec 8, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's an entertaining thread.

And there are also some great high socks photos. I heart high socks.

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 2:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There were socks in those pictures?

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 8, 2008 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes plz.

Dude. This.

by Blicks on Dec 8, 2008 3:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dan Johnson's wife is the hottest of the bunch IMO.

Dude. This.

by Blicks on Dec 8, 2008 5:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And, not coincidentally,

the only non-blonde.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Dec 8, 2008 11:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, the photo gallery you linked is my favoritest EVAR!!

1. SANTA! with TRAVIS! and RYAN!
2. Ry Bear and Travis. COOKING. Thud.
3. BABIES! with TRAVIS! and RYAN!
4. STOMPER!!
5. BASEBALL!!

AHHHHHH!!!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Dec 8, 2008 3:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I know, right?

It’s pretty much awesome. Cooking, babies, Santa…

Apparently I didn’t stick around the signing long enough. I didn’t see Stomper or Trav and Ry sitting on Santa’s lap. I did see them take the pic with the kids on the table. Precious. We left pretty soon after we made it through the line… I could have just stayed there and stared at them for another hour, but I don’t think my friend would’ve found it as amusing as I would have.

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 8, 2008 4:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

anti-drool...

For the most part, baseball players don’t have any fashion or style sense. They’re boring conformists and marry for looks.

Even the guy who I used to root for because he dyed his hair blue ended up selling out and modeling mainstream clothes.

"I have more questions after these."-WaddellCanseco

by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 8, 2008 3:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Someone needs to post Zito blue hair pics.

I just loved his hair. Of course, I have weird hair as well, but yeah.

Dude. This.

by Blicks on Dec 8, 2008 3:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oddly enough, when you google Zito blue hair, you get this

I’ll keep looking for more….

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Dec 8, 2008 3:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I had no idea

that pouring (this looks to be more than "sprinkling") powder in your underpants requires supervision from a trained staff member. I hope it worked, though worked on what I’m not sure.

by Mark H on Dec 8, 2008 4:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Everything requires supervision when it comes to Byrnes

its like letting a little kid run around with safety-scissors. Even though you know there shouldn’t be a way they can hurt themselves, you have to watch anyways just because they always seem to find a way.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 8, 2008 4:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs