A's First Dice-d, Then Smeared By Paps
by Nico on Apr 1, 2008 10:03 PM PDT
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PrintJason Varitek’s 6th inning double – which should have been ruled a two-run HR – broke a 1-1 tie and lifted the Red Sox to a 2-1 win behind an outstanding pitching performance by Dice-K Matsusaka.
It’s not often you can see a batter break a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer and the final score is 2-1, but there you have it. Blanton was good, Dice-K was better and the only way the A’s could have won is if the umps got all the calls wrong. A few thoughts during these early days of the season…
* Buck and Barton’s bats look very slow. But that does not mean they need to be sent down to the minor leagues; it means their bat speed needs to pick up, which it will. As will David Ortiz’ – his bat has looked slow and his batting average matched Buck’s and Barton’s exactly. Remember that on April Fool’s Day, we are usually enjoying game three of the Bay Bridge Series, not the regular season. The pitchers are ahead of the hitters-who-aren’t-Kevin-Youkilis. Patience, my friends.
* I really hope the first three games don’t indicate a trend in regards to starting CFers. If the A’s go with a platoon, it means that Ryan Sweeney will get 3/4 of the starts, which I think would be a big mistake. I want to see Chris Denorfia get the lion’s share of the starts, and I’d be lion if I didn’t say that should be somewhere between 75%-100% of them.
* I also want to see Cust in LF, defense be damned, and Mike Sweeney at DH, against right-handed starters. This team needs to put offense first or it is liable to put up – I don’t know, say – three hits/game. Mike Sweeney is too good of a hitter to be on the bench for this team, and I hope he won’t be sitting against right-handers as a rule.
I’m not a big Dice-K fan, but you have to tip your hat to him tonight. He was outstanding, and earned at least 283 of the 312 shots of him in the dugout last week.
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Agree about
Putting Cust in the field to get Sweeney in the lineup...it is too hard to watch guys pitch as well as Joe did and then come away with an L because the players can't put some hits together.
I'm still floored by the bunt out in the 8th
Crikey, do it if the 3rd baseman is playing back, but that was just unforgivable.
I thought the bunt was a terrible play
Partly because Hannahan is one of the A's better hitters and you can't take the bat out of his hands, partly because it was runner at first nobody out - with two on and nobody out I think the play is great, and if your team has Ortiz and Manny you can bunt with Hannahan. As is, bad move, IMO.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
And also, Lowell was way in
No reason to bunt 1-1 when then 3rd baseman can touch the pitcher. It's not spring training, so you don't have to practice the bunts for their own sake. Win, damit.
My take?
The team bunting and hit-and-running in an early-season game is a ploy to plant the concept that the A's might do it in the heads of the opposing team.
It's like Mike Caro coming into a poker game and deliberately playing like a fool for a number of hands-- make them think you're a fool and they'll ignore the later evidence that you actually aren't one.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
In the late innings
future game game theory stuff is outweighed by the game situation. And I hate 0-out runner on first sac-bunting always. Not even a tie game! Runner on second 0-out is fine, and 1st and 2nd 0-out is good, but I hated that play. But I don't think it would have mattered so I'm not going to sweat it.
The A's colors are green and gold.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE
(eventually).
by green star oakland on Apr 1, 2008 10:11 PM PDT reply actions
Josh hamilton should be your fantasy player
..he's pretty good...only guy in MLB to outhit Linden in ST...that remark is meant for humor...no, he really hit around .600 in spring an mashed a bunch of extra base hits...its no fluke he took JJ deep.
I had Hamilton last year.;;for awhile.
He was hot and cold. But as for this closing business...second time it's happened to one of my fantasy pitchers this season. I also have Rauch ...who blew a save.
If only, only, only we had drafted Hamilton
instead of Goleski last year - heck, we were stockpiling reformed drug addicts, why not "Hammy"?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
There's some kind of joke here
playing on the "Hammy/hamstring" double meaning, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
We had enough recovering Hammys?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Apr 2, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Buck and Barton looking bad + reports of injuries=bad
very bad. I am sick of injuries.
The A's colors are green and gold.
Are there such reports on Buck, or just Barton?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Will Carrol reported shin splints yesterday. No local reporting on that...
The A's colors are green and gold.
There were rumours of shin splints (I'm looking at you, Will Carroll)
by green star oakland on Apr 1, 2008 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
So we can expect the A's medical staff to break it out
some time in August.
by green star oakland on Apr 1, 2008 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
No, they'll break it in July,
then break the news out in August.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Doesn't BB hire his medical staff
from the Heyward community clinic?
he has a budget to manage, correct?
Barton's bat looks slow
I agree with Nico on Barton -- his bat will likely start coming around more quickly.
But Buck looks awful in every aspect of his game. There's something wrong with him, either physically or timing-wise. And his tap-and-a-half front foot timing mechanism, with a collapsing right ankle on follow-through, looks really bad.
As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@
Maybe it's that mouthguard. It's real relaxin' in 'ere.
I actually couldn't tell if it was being worn. Anybody?
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Count my vote for Cust in LF
and Offense in CF...shoot put MIKE Sweeney in CF
Offense is needed....also, more offense gives the pitchers more confidence. If the pitchers go out there thinking they have to hold the opposition to one or zero runs they start squeezing the ball and it gets real ugly.
I think there were three plays Brown made in left that Cust wouldn't have.
I hope I never see a repeat of the Outfield Adventure. I'd sooner have him learn first base. His fly ball skills seem similar to those of the new kid.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions
You think someone hasn't tried that already?
As bad as Cust's flyball skills are, imagine how bad his ground ball skills would have to be for him to be even worse as a first baseman.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I wish calling him an outfileder would make it so.
Say, maybe he can pitch. ;-)
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, he does keep getting referred to as the Babe
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
Brown looks terrible in LF
Lousy routes, lousy jumps, lousy reads, lousy jumps.
The corner OF positions (especially with a Rally Pimpernel in CF) just don't matter that much defensively.
As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@
Well, let's be fair
That play was weird because Ortiz hit to the opposite of the shift. Hannahan was the only guy who was even close to where that ball was hit to.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
boy, was Brown loafing after that
Yes, he was positioned near CF, but he was taking his time getting over.
As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@
Do you Yabu?
Yabuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
On a boneheaded play by Durham,
making an unnecessary throw to first to allow Furcal to score from second on an infield hit. Eat the ball and it's just bases loaded. See - defense matters!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Masterfully aided and abetted by Aurelia's 7th inning GIDP with the bases loaded.
by green star oakland on Apr 1, 2008 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That was bat control -
A rookie would have hit into a triple play. Jeter would have tripled and saved a cat from committing suicide.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Just watched the end of that game
Somehow, I don't feel so badly now.
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
...unless it "be damned."
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions
"Tallies Not Rallies!"
It's my new slogan.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
A seemingly magical chemical reaction would take place
turning the A's record from red to black.
The A's colors are green and gold.
Rangers win
and into the basement we go.
by green star oakland on Apr 1, 2008 10:35 PM PDT reply actions
I was happy to see that
.5 back ain't nothin'. Harden will fuck some Sox shit up tomorrow.
The A's colors are green and gold.
I can't wait
hopefully he'll perform like he did last week and/or better! I really hate the red sox, it's so refreshing watching the games on CSN Bay Area because those ESPN announcers were really getting on my freakin nerves! ONe more thing, why did they change the time on Wed. game? I was hoping it was a late game again so i can watch it fully! Darn!
oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
Spaceballs
Dark Helmet: Before you die there is something you should know about us, Lone Star.
Lone Starr: What?
Dark Helmet: I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate.
Lone Starr: What's that make us?
Dark Helmet: Absolutely nothing! Which is what you are about to become.
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Apr 2, 2008 6:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
just saw that, it's to ONCE AGAIN accomodate the freakin Sox!
oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
Spaceballs
Dark Helmet: Before you die there is something you should know about us, Lone Star.
Lone Starr: What?
Dark Helmet: I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate.
Lone Starr: What's that make us?
Dark Helmet: Absolutely nothing! Which is what you are about to become.
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Apr 2, 2008 6:44 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree!
Not sure why Suzuki chose to set up inside on Varitek when they could've gone outside with some junk for at least a couple pitches.
Kendall would've done that due to his sheer GRIT.
I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.
Free field level ticket for tomorrow
I'm hi-jacking this thread cuz I don't know how to do a fanshot and am not interested in learning how this late at night and don't want to get yelled at for starting a short post,
Section 128, row 9 seat 2. E-mail me and I'll send the ticket ( one ticket) back to you.
"We get two outs, and I was sure, and I had a plan, and I shook Tek off," Schilling said. "And I get a big 'What if?' for the rest of my life."
by Imaseasonticketholder on Apr 1, 2008 10:45 PM PDT reply actions
OOps, forgot my e-mail address
"We get two outs, and I was sure, and I had a plan, and I shook Tek off," Schilling said. "And I get a big 'What if?' for the rest of my life."
by Imaseasonticketholder on Apr 1, 2008 10:46 PM PDT reply actions
Your parents had some extra vowels lying around when you were born?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Dammit!
I hate it when my computer eats my comments!!!!!! Basically, I was gonns say our offense was puke terrible and the pitching was really good.
Buck looks like garbage at the moment but who on the A's offense, besides Cust, didn't??????
Go Harden tomorrow!
Does anyone else see a contradiction here?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
i love how the two comments are just a minute apart...
maybe it's a joke account? nah, i doubt it.
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
Anyone think that
Barton said, "April Fool's" to Blanton in the dugout after he let that foul ball bang off his shoulder, Canseco-esque.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 1, 2008 10:55 PM PDT reply actions
just got back from the game
first, I must say how wonderful it felt to see the beautiful field, to watch a bit of the twins-angels game in the westside club and talk A's baseball with the bartender and other fans, and to see familiar faces in section 225 (we all migrated from 226). I also got to meet Poppy and Mr. Poppy!
Matsuzaka was dealing tonight. Blanton was good, although in the sixth I wondered why Geren didn't warm up somebody sooner as Blanton appeared to tire and the Sux hitters were getting to him.
They may have talked alot about practicing being aggressive on the bases, and playing "small ball' -- but let's be real, this is the A's and its not spring training. The attempted hit and run ended with Buck not making contact, and Suzuki being out by a lot. Hannahan's attempted bunt went up the third base side instead of first in the eighth inning, thus dooming Crosby to be out at first (too bad, since Suzuki's long fly ball might have helped move Crosby to third...but maybe it didn't matter).
I can't wait til Friday -- that's the next game I can go to.
I wish I'd known you all were there
I was in section 228 (solo! yeah, I'm a loser, er, a lone wolf), surrounded by insufferable Red Sox fans. Hideous, hideous night.
0-4 with 4 K's
I wonder how long the O-fer needs to continue for Buck to drop from the leadoff spot. Even a blind squirrel finds a few nuts now and then. He better be outta there against the lefty tomorrow.
12 K's! ridiculous! Then again, what did we expect...
Well, speaking on a personal level here...
I was not expecting Buck to strike out in like his first 15 at bats.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Buck is not keeping his bat through
the zone the way he did last year. He's late on almost everything fast and early on everything soft. In other words, he's very out-of-sorts and the first time in his young career I've seen him look lost with a bat in his hands.
Part of the learning process and part of rebuilding, I suppose.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 2, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Here's hoping he has an average by Buck Bobblehead Day.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents
Sat right behind the Sox dugout tonight ... can't remember the last time I saw two hitters as overmatched as Buck and R. Sweeney. Really, really .... really, really, really bad.
VacaAsFan
I ask the question again:
Why, exactly, is Ryan Sweeney playing in the big leagues?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
and starting over chris denorfia
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
So, did replays show him out at home?
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
It looked like he missed the tag
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
Vermin! By which I mean the Angels.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Can I just say
I wish we had Josh Hamilton in CF. That dude is a monster.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
Buck does look terrible at the plate.
So I'll say something nice about his defense: He didn't do that dive-and-miss thing he has a bad habit of doing. And nice catch at the wall.
"There is an HR in Hanrahan." ~ mikeA
Just got back from the game.
I saw a few AN'ers out in LF but didn't say much. I have the flu and couldn't really talk...but I still got my fair share of yelling (grunting?) out there.
I was wearing an A's hat full of autographs (if anybody saw me).
"You're just jealous. You wish you had a rally animal..." -CardinalWraith
What I learned:
Your team winning != cure for your douchebaggery.
Sad, but true.
stat-addled alien overlord
Dick Williams was impressive
How old is Dick Williams? 80? 90? He still doesn't miss a thing on the field. From the TV booth, he IMMEDIATELY called out the umpires for being badly positioned on Varitek's non-homer homerun. Can we get HIM to do the color commentary on the broadcasts?
"I think that I think, therefore I think that I am." -Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
That was the one thing I regretted
about being at the game. They kept showing Williams talking away to Fosse on the TV screen, and I was dying to hear what he had to say.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Saw your niece on Channel2 news last night
(or at least another young lady by the name of Marquez)
Did a nice job of standing up to the Massholes.
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
Hire Dick Williams now!
He can even pick his position... :)
"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 2, 2008 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Guys who should be on the bench today:
Buck and Ryan Sweeney. They both look really, really bad at the plate.
Today's outfield should be Cust/Denorfia/Brown from left to right, with Mike Sweeney getting to DH.
With Harden pitching they can go for offense.
You don't need defensive specialists when you strike out 9. Cust in RF.
On the outfield
It's all pretty much been said already, but I have to agree with the prevailing sentiment about last night's starting outfield: we just have to get more offense from those positions, and I can't believe that there isn't a better solution. Specifically:
Buck - Looks awful. If there's something physically wrong, he needs to be on the DL. If not, then at least bench him against left-handers and let him play (for lack of better options) but move him down in the order against right-handers until he finds his form.
Ryan Sweeney - There doesn't seem to be any indication at all that he can hit big league pitching, either from his past stints in the majors or from spring training. Even his AAA numbers aren't that good, and he's still young enough that he could develop with more time in the minors. So why is he starting every day in the majors?
Emil Brown - A sensible, though uninspiring, acquisition as the short half of a platoon, but not someone who should ever start against a right-handed pitcher.
The other options?
Denorfia - I'd like to see what he could do playing regularly. If the team has already given up on him as a potential every day player, it's a really bad sign.
Cust in the OF, with Mike Sweeney or Dan Johnson (yes, Dan Johnson) at DH - Yes, Cust's defense is terrible, but this would still be a net improvement. And if DJ isn't playing under these circumstances, why is he even on the roster? I know that the team doesn't want to give him away for nothing, but his trade value isn't going up while he's sitting on the bench. Either give him an occasional start or use his roster spot on someone else, such as...
Linden - I'm still not a believer that Linden would be good, but I'm coming around to the idea that he would be better than Sweeney or Brown against righties.
Gonzalez - Might well be an immediate improvement, but all things considered letting him develop in AAA is probably the wisest course.
"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher
agreed all the way 'round
As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@
I agree on Denorfia
I'm not sure that Cust + Sweeney/DJ is actually a net improvement. Wouldn't mind seeing Linden replace Sweeney and get some starts for Brown.
The A's colors are green and gold.
+ a million
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
Another agreement
Denorfia should be the starting CF at this point. I'm still holding out for Fiorentino rather than Linden at the fourth outfielder spot but otherwise I can't see much wrong with this. The problem with Linden is the same as before-- who gets cut? DJ is already out the door when Gaudin returns.
Brown's not THAT bad against righties, but he's not a middle-of-the-order guy, either. Certainly shouldn't be in a "starting role."
I'm still awaiting the official word that Buck is injured again, because he's totally ineffectual right now.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
to doctork
since I can't "reply" for some reason, that must have been another Marquez letting the Massholes have it.
Not that my niece would not have done the same, if given the chance.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Oh well, I just assumed she was your niece
I realized after seeing your opening night diary that they weren't the same person.
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
what is the deal with the small ball, bunts, steals
geren has done a decent job with the pitching staff, but this small ball nonsense is pissing me off and it's not even working.
i hope you're happy, nico.
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
I do find it kind of sardonically amusing
that the A's managed to botch both of the "small ball" plays yesterday so badly that they didn't even attain the putatively "desired" result.
That said, I still think it's essentially "for consumption." I'd bet the number of bunts, etc in games which are not televised will be much lower, if not zero.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
iirc, we did the same thing early last season -- likely for similar purposes.
Except I think Kendall was actually, grittily safe at second.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Apr 2, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Am I the only person who hates
The "Dice-K" nonsense? Dude's name is Daisuke. Nobody writes Kose-K or anything like that.
Also, yeah, the small ball is stupid. Ruined what could have been a fine inning last night.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
I, for one,
will never refer to that pitcher by other than 'Matsuzaka'. Same as for the Mariner's fine CF, Suzuki.
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
Um
No.
He goes by his first name because he's an international superstar who can go by whatever frigging name he wants to. Like Ronaldo.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
and Nico
As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@
totally different
i'll say ichiro, i will never say "dice-K" EVER.
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
Given that it's Boston,
with all the attendant racial stereotypes, what if they started calling him Andrew Dice-K?
There is an A in Whimsy.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 2, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't like the Dice-K nonsense either
and I don't like that I called him that in one of my own posts.
I'm here to talk about the past.
OK, Blez/Clockwerks
This is frigging killing me.
I'm trying to write a fanpost, right? The window that I'm writing it in keeps automatically popping up to the top of my screen.
This is profoundly irritating. For one thing, if I'm typing in another window, suddenly I'm typing in the fanpost. For another, it makes looking stuff up nearly impossible. It's not exactly conducive to keeping a low profile, either. It's so random. I cannot believe that this is a feature. Is it just a bug?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
this, combined with the impossibility of C&Ping from Word ...
... renders it very difficult for anyone with a FT job to do a fanpost during the day.
As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@
I thought that problem was fixed
It got fixed when I re-tried it, when composing the last DLD I did.
There is an A in Whimsy.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 2, 2008 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
A lot
of pitches to get through 5 innings for Harden. Looks like Epstein's taken on Beane's money ball approach of taking pitches to get into another team's pen's. When the Yanks-Red Sox are scheduled for TV, TV schedulers got to block out a 4 hour window rather thanthe normal 3 hour window, because of all the pitches they will be looking at.
Opening Night
O.K....I am a virgin here so, I'll just jump right in.
We attended Opening Night at the Coliseum and decided to give the "All you can Eat" section a try. I mean, why not? Opening Night, A's vs. Sox, behind home plate (albeit Section 316) and food.
First the food. After going through 3 different re-routings to finally get to section 316, we went to see the food before the seats. Food available was: Nachos, small hot dogs, small 1/2 bag of peanuts, popcorn(no butter or salt available...It's theater popcorn with the butter already cooked in...uh...yeah) usual variety of sodas in 8oz. paper cups, ice cream sandwiches. Other beverages are available for purchase (beer & additional sodas in bottles). You can get in line, not usually very long, and are allowed to take 4 items per trip.
The seats were decent. Gave me a good platform to cheer/heckle and be heard. (Yes, especially the first base umpire was listening)
The game. I continue to believe that Dice-Ks motion is illegal and each pitch he throws should be called a ball, because it's an illegal pitch. But the umpires will not "nut it up" and call it. You know, that little "humping" motion in the middle of his windup. It's meant to deceive and disrupt the hitters timing when I believe, the rule book states that the pitching motion, once started, should be one continuous, non-stop, motion to deliver the ball. Never the less, the A's hitters could not seem to make contact. Is it because he throws 150 mph and they can't see it? Hardly. They need to hit the ball where it's pitched. Just make contact. Put the ball in play. The hitting coach needs some help here on the TOTAL approach for the hitters. We are not getting quality at-bats and/or contact.
That brings me to bunting. This team needs to work on both bunting, and, bunt defense. Mike Lowell should have been eating the ball that was "bunted" right to him. For cripes sake, pull the bat back a tad and slash it right at him when he's already on top of you like that. Don't get me wrong, I have long been a proponent of the A's bunting more, just in the right situation. As an example, let's say, 8th inning, we're down by a run. Runners on first and third with one out or less. (I can't remember how many times we were in this situation a few years ago, and invariably, Jermaine Dye, or whomever, would hit into an inning ending double play.) For the love of Mike! What the heck is wrong with a "Run & Bunt-Safety Squeeze?" I know. It's not the way the A's play but, reality says it would work but the staff's arrogance (and threat of Billy Beane anger) keeps it from being considered.
Another peeve of mine is the lack of base stealing. Let Suzuki run...You do NOT have to have Jose Reyes speed to steal all the time. Getting bigger primary leads, with secondary extension will at least make the opposing team "think" about our baserunners. I mean look at what other teams do to Street. They could steal him blind (and do).
O.K...Thank you for reading this far. Even though the A's lost, we enjoyed just being there for the experience. The fans were great and we'll go again.
by 2old2coachnemore on Apr 4, 2008 6:43 AM PDT reply actions
Also....
I do have JJ Putz on my fantasy team, but, I also have Josh Hamilton. So, how am I supposed to feel after all that? Sheesh.
by 2old2coachnemore on Apr 4, 2008 4:05 PM PDT reply actions
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