Well, not really. I, too, have pretty much given up on injury-plagued Rich....but I must admit to a tiny glimmer of hope? excitement? I mean, the guy has multiple pitches and speed. When he's cooking, he's Cy Young material.

But I think putting too much pressure on the young man isn't a good thing. Still....I'll be there in spring training, watching him bring it. And for that moment, I'll have hope.

but in sum, a healthy Harden not only gives the A's a legitmate #1 starter but also allows Blanton to slot where he belongs (#2), and...suddenly the outlook isn't quite as grim as all that.

spring trainings...so I think I'll wait to get excited until he gets through at least a couple of months of regular and healthy starts during the season.

I really hope he can get over the hump. And would love to see him sign a nice long term deal after a healthy season too.

When was Harden's first hurrah?

Now that is a bleak foreshadowing of Harden's outlook for the season. I hope that he can stay healthy for the whole season, but I'm not holding my breath.

Last year during spring training when he was "throwing hard, and feeling well?" I remember watching a game against the Rockies in mid march, where he was making opposing hitters look absolutely foolish. It was almost comical, but we all know how that campaign ended. Im just going to avoid holding my breath when it comes to Harden, until I see him string 9 or 10 starts in a row without a trip to the D.L. I still don't see a 90 loss season in our future, I think we are at least a .500 club, even with all of our current unknowns. If nothing else, I predict that the 2008 team will be a hell of a lot healthier than last year's team, that HAS to be the high water mark for injuries.... Well hopefully.

I'm not sure how we can expect this guy to make it through a season when he can't even reach for his alarm clock without getting hurt..

Prior pain-free after first workout

when you see the words "Harden" and "DL" in the same sentence.

If he had any upside other than a pocketful of belly button lint and potential, he would have been traded by now. Reality and pessimism seem to be the only constants that surround Harden. Shame, really, because as a fan I have wanted, just as we all have, to see and entire season of this guy mowing down batters. But it is as unlikely as a Beatles Reunion.

there you go making me have hope that THIS is the year Harden stays healthy, when I'm trying so hard not to get suckered in.

and by the way, not to sound all Bill Simmons here, what would be the life equivalent of this annual ritual that some of us A's fans still have when it comes to Harden's health, only to be disappointed by May?

Harden's health this season makes exercising his 7M option a no brainer for the A's.

Hopefully Harden's body has finally matured and it can at last take the punishment of pitching every 5 days. If he can get a decent run of appearances and groove his smoothest action his injury problems may be behind him. At least I can hope!

Long time no post. I am temporarily Athletics Fan in Los Angeles now (renewing my visa), can't wait to get back to old Blighty. Had to respond to the babe know as Baseballgirl's post. If the A's have any shot at being .500 or better it will because of a healthy Harden. It has to happen sooner or later. I think Murphy's law will come in play this season. Of course Harden will do well and so will Haren. It will be the universes way of sticking it to us A's fans and Billy Beane. The universe loves sticking it to people...lol

I just don't get my hopes too high when it comes to Harden. However, shockers happen in baseball sometimes so I hope it happens for Harden and the A's. Because I do feel if he is healthy anything could happen in our division.

I’m sure I’ll get over it.

I am programed to be already over it.

...this being his last hurrah and all.

Hey, when is a 90-loss season coveted? Oh, yeah...Tampa.

harden goes 11-2 the first half, and starts the all star game..

Every summer, I remind myself that Harden is a non-factor and that you should just consider it a bonus every time he does actually pitch.

Every winter I think about the rotation and think of 5 names that are not his.

But every March I see an article about him, here something good from AZ, and my first thought is "I should pick him up in the last round of the fantasy draft, it cant hurt."

If things stay the same, I will have a bookmarked page with an authentic Harden jersey ready to buy within the next week or two so that I can finally order it after he throws the 2 hitter and I feel like "he's earned it".

Ahhh.. the rites of spring.

Why do I feel like Michelle Williams, waiting at home for Rich to come home from a fishing trip?

(Flashbacks to last ST with his amazing control and performance...and my dashed hopes.....)

Being an A's fan means always hoping, always scraping by with guile and duct tape. I'm not sure what I'd do with myself if Harden actually pitched to the ASB without landing on the DL.