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Murphy's Law: Play Me!

Oakland_tiny by Blez on

Note from baseballgirl: Bonus double-recap day, as we thought we'd reward the AN faithful with not just one look at the game, but TWO! Enjoy!!!!

Blez says:

The day was all about Frank Thomas returning to the green and gold, and the A's seemed invigorated by having the Big Hurt back where he belongs, spanking Francisco Liriano and the Minnesota Twins 11-2, taking the series two games to one.  Donnie Murphy smacked two home runs despite some swirling winds at the Coliseum.

It was bliss to see number 35 on a huge, hulking human being again.  Actually, scratch that.  It was great to see it on a guy who saunters up to the batter's box after wielding a giant metal pole in the on-deck circle.  The A's won this one today, fairly easily.  The jumped all over the not-all-the-way back Francisco Liriano.  Liriano couldn't seem to hit the strike zone and when he did, it was usually a cookie right down the middle and the A's hitters capitalized repeatedly.

Donnie Murphy hit two home runs and now is tied for the team lead with three.  Ken Korach made a very interesting observation during the game basically saying that the A's have an almost National League lineup because Bob Geren has so many different options off the bench. 

Today, for the first time I can remember, the A's sent out an all right-handed lineup.  The A's have become known in recent seasons for having plenty of left-handed options, but always lacking the right-handed sticks.  Yet, up and down the lineup, the A's featured righties.  And it benefited them big-time.  Mike Sweeney announced that he isn't ready to relinquish his roster spot just yet, having a really good day at the plate and just barely missing another home run (six inches to the right of where he hit it and it was gone).  Rajai Davis made a very impressive debut by going three for four and making an outstanding catch in center field that I didn't think he had any chance at whatsoever.  Mike Sweeney even played first base and didn't look horrid doing it.

I am liking the A's set up because they can put in guys like Barton and Hannahan and Ryan Sweeney to face right-handed pitchers.  Course I think Barton needs to be in there every day.  I would love to get his OBP in front of Frank's OPS which would hopefully lead to many, many W's.  As for me, given all of AN's issues lately and the new gray hairs I have from it, I'm going to go get some Z's, K?

Welcome back, Big Hurt.  It's damn nice to see you in those white shoes again.

baseballgirl says:

It's hard to remember the last time A's fans, the A's players, and the broadcast team experienced the feeling of real, genuine baseball electricity pumping out in waves as the A's take the field, but it was certainly there in spades today.

The whole game simply felt different today, as A's fans at the ballpark found an amazing surprise when the lineups were announced, revealing the clean-up hitter, newly-signed Frank Thomas. The announcers described the ear-to-ear smile he wore on his face, a smile that no doubt only increased as the game wore on.

With Francisco Liriano starting, the A's chose to play both Frank Thomas and Mike Sweeney (first base), and they never struggled for offense. After Smith gave up a first-inning homerun to put the A's behind 1-0, the A's offense returned the favor in spades, knocking Liriano out after only 2/3 of an inning, with five hits, three walks and six runs.

Taking the 6-1 lead into the second, the A's made Greg Smith's 7 strong innings (7 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER) stand up, as Donnie Murphy hit two homeruns, and all of the starters except Thomas collected at least one hit; Murphy with three. Also with three hits was the A's new speed-demon and MUCH IMPROVED upgrade at center field, Rajai Davis, who also legged out a triple.

The A's ended up with 11 runs, knocked in by Suzuki, Sweeney, Brown, Denorfia, and Murphy, and after Andrew Brown and Joey Devine slammed the door on the Twins, the A's find themselves with another series win, in electric fashion, as they head to Seattle for the weekend still tied atop the American League West.

This is as good as I've felt about the A's since the last time Thomas worn the green and gold, and for maybe the first time, I'm wondering if the 2008 Oakland Athletics may continue to be full of surprises.

So to sum up: Pitching = great, hitting = awesome, Thomas = wearing the white shoes, AN = working again, day so far = A+.

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Since my main source of a's news

has been…erratic, the first i knew of frank thomas’s return was seeing him walk out onto the on deck circle in that crazy first inning – definitely a moment!

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 24, 2008 3:55 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Now THAT must have been awesome.

I would have freaked out, not knowing, and I seriously doubt a lot of the fans did know. Most people would have been on the way to the ballpark.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You're right

it was really: “Hey, that’s Frank Thomas!”

Youda thought Bart would have made an announcement….

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 24, 2008 4:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

When I saw him stretching, I thought

wow, emil brown is bigger than I remember!

by phastphill on Apr 24, 2008 4:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

He didn't. I was looking for it in the on-deck circle... LOL

Also, Roy Steele announced him in the lineup as “Surprise, surprise! Frank Thomas!”

I have [null set] to say.

by Poppy on Apr 24, 2008 5:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I love it!

too bad I had to work today!

by OaklandSi on Apr 24, 2008 5:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

and this is from an atheist

GOD BLESS ROY STEELE!

did he really announce FT like that?

the front office has had fun with the fans on this one.

by greendatitiz on Apr 24, 2008 6:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Welcome back, Frank

I heard he didn’t have his re-bar today.

Hope he gets it soon, because I love that metal bar.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Apr 24, 2008 3:56 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

No bar

but that dude is one muscular-lookin’ oakland a.

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 24, 2008 4:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I loved when he went to bat in that 06' season

and the played that bass-filled music complete with thundering drum “footsteps”

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Apr 24, 2008 4:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Apologizes for the deleted comments in first game thread

Can you repost here?

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

You know what...

...this is getting a little interesting.

It was something like that. Only less profound.

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 24, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hahaha...it IS getting interesting

I’m excited, really trying to temper it, going into Seattle, who has OWNED us, but excited none the less.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Kinda wish it was like 2006...

...when the Frank was the A’s and they dominated the Mari—HEY!!! :)

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 24, 2008 4:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hahahaha!!!! I WISH!!!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Seriously though...

...we won that season BECAUSE we owned the Mariners, and we played them like 10,001 times.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I totally agree with this part:

The day was all about Frank Thomas returning to the green and gold, and the A’s seemed invigorated by having the Big Hurt back where he belongs

I’m not the only one who thought it was really weird seeing him in a Blue Jay uniform, am I?

I mean, yeah he’s wearing a Chisox lid in the HOF, but I don’t really remember many (if any?) guys who played on the team for one year that fit in so well and had such an impact.

Like meeting somebody for the first time and feeling like you’ve known them forever, I guess.

by mikev on Apr 24, 2008 4:02 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Not really weird.

OK, maybe this version.

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 24, 2008 4:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

glad for the win....

Lets hope they can keep it going, cuz i got tix for tommorrows game. first one since ‘01, when ichiro nailed terrence from the bleachers.

Go A’s!

by jtleroy on Apr 24, 2008 4:05 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Nice!!!! Cheer extra loud for all of us!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'm sorry...you've used up your quota of non-A's man crushes

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Haha...just said it was a good throw....

No man-crush on Ichiro….My OF is full, sorry.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 24, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Donnie Murphy

Donnie Murphy – OAK
Donnie Murphy went 3-for-5 with two homers and four RBI as the A’s took down the Twins 11-2 on Thursday.
The two homers would have tied him for Oakland’s club lead, but Frank Thomas tops everyone on the roster with three. Maybe this will earn Murphy some additional starts at third base. Jack Hannahan hasn’t done much at all since Opening Day.

by Trainman on Apr 24, 2008 4:06 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I'm clueless about Davis

Thomas was a very nice addition, but who is Davis? I’ll find out, of course, and they raved about his speed on the radio…I should pay more attention to the league and I don’t, if it’s not the A’s I don’t care much.

by paradox on Apr 24, 2008 4:07 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

He was playing for the Giants Aprill 11th

I was sick, I must have missed the migration. High-sox guy, turbojet speed.

by paradox on Apr 24, 2008 4:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

He's an outfielder, was trapped for years in the miserable Pirates org

They naturally burned through his options fruitlessly. He was eventually liberated by the indescribable Matt Morris trade, played well for the Giants last year, started in a slump this year, and was DFAed because they had too many outfielders.

He’s a lot like your typical Beane guy (mediocre average, good on-base skills, good D) but with speed instead of power.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 24, 2008 4:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

So...leadoff?

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

9th

aka “second leadoff”

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 24, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I thought that was invented to make Jason Kendall feel better?

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   1 recs

Actually, according to Tango et al

“second leadoff” only works in the NL.

The ideal spot for Davis in the A’s lineup is actually about 6th or 7th, in that his utility is maximized if he hits in front of guys whose offense mostly consists of singles.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 24, 2008 4:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

tnx for the correction

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 24, 2008 5:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

lol

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 Apr 24, 2008 8:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well, no

Most of the team draws some walks.

I should have clarified that I meant singles and not walks, which is of course why they’re at the bottom of your lineup.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 24, 2008 11:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I loved this pickup.

I remember Ralph “Mr. SF Miopia” Barbieri was fawning over this guy as the future of the Giants.

I hope he gets his Conan the Barbarian-esque revenge on the Giants when we play them this year.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Apr 24, 2008 4:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

He made a point of showing his

defensive chops today – peeled one off the wall and took charge of everything from left center to right center to second base. He wants to play! He looks like a…gamer!!

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 24, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What a ridiculously fun game this was

I usually don’t have the opportunity to weigh in from work (hence my absence from the game thread), but I was following along with the action via Yahoo! all the same. And to say that this game had me grinning from ear to ear is a definite understatement. Whether we stay as good as our current record is, in some ways, not even an issue for me. This team is just a heck of a lot of fun to watch, far more fun than I could have expected when the season started. To add Big Frank to that mix just adds to the fun.

Needless to say, I too hope we can keep this going this coming weekend. Make us proud, jtleyroy.

In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data

by Wes7 on Apr 24, 2008 4:10 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Make us proud, jtleyroy.

You talkin’ to me?

Chiba Lotte lost simultaneously in the fighter plane of the Japanese ham.

by JediLeroy on Apr 24, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Oddly enough....

No, actually, no I was not. :-) If you scroll up, you’ll see a jtleroy talking about going to tomorrow’s game in Seattle. I merely meant to join the bandwagon of folks hoping that Athletics Nation is well-represented at the game.

Although it is strange that AN is now home to both a JediLeroy as well as a jtleroy. (Nor does my butchering of the latter’s screenname in my first post help.)

In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data

by Wes7 on Apr 24, 2008 7:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Glad to see some enthusiasm around here

I got so used to being told that this team will eventually fall back that I forgot what it was like to be in a really damn fun game thread. Good stuff today. Now, hopefully we can get this Seattle gorilla off our back. Go A’s!

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on Apr 24, 2008 4:11 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Your sig is legen-wait for it-

-and I hope you’re not lactose intolerant because the last part of that word is-dary. Legendary!

Then again, maybe I just never got over being ribbed a few years ago, on AN 2.0, when (in praising a magnificent effort from Harden) I said that to say he pitched well was akin to saying Eddie Van Halen is kind of a good guitarist. So props to ya, for whatever they’re worth.

In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data

by Wes7 on Apr 24, 2008 4:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah

Saying Edward is a good guitar player is like saying water is kind of wet.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on Apr 24, 2008 4:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Aint that the truth

I don’t have a car now, but whenever I’m driving, wherever I am, I make a point to put “Eruption” on.

In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data

by Wes7 on Apr 24, 2008 4:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I heart Barney.

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 24, 2008 5:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

As do I. Quite a bit actually.

In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data

by Wes7 on Apr 24, 2008 7:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

This team is so much fun.

But what happens when Duke, Harden, Buck, and Chavy come off the DL??? Who goes? I never thought I’d say this, but dang, this team has some depth. Guess it will be a while before we see Cargon or Linden get a shot.

What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.

by KMoAsFan on Apr 24, 2008 4:12 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

But what happens when Duke, Harden, Buck, and Chavy come off the DL?

Our AAA team will get very good then. Make those guys rehab in AAA for 2-3 weeks to prove that they are completely healthy and can play well every day, before we even worry about having too many good players.

by asfansince1989 on Apr 24, 2008 5:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Chavez rehabs in AAA

To make sure he’s healthy before making a roster move.
Harden & Duke will move a pitcher, whoever is not pitching well / injured.

Hanahnanahan will go out when Chavez get back to the 25.

Somebody else’s wheels will fall off for Buck’s re-debut.

by MobiusKlein on Apr 24, 2008 5:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I was planning on not even worrying about a bad record this year

But goddamn, Frank Thomas in an A’s uniform really has me feeling like maybe we could do something. The only thing that could excite me more from a Thursday untelevised day game would be if I heard we were gonna replace LF Brown with LF Bonds. I mean we can’t get any worse defensively, can we?

Just look at what our lineup could be come late in the year (because I have no idea when Chavvy and Buck will be healthy at the same time if it ever happens):
Buck CF
Ellis 2b
Bonds LF
Thomas DH
Cust RF
Chavez 3b
Suzuki C
Barton 1b
Crosby/Murphy SS
Sure the defense wouldn’t be pretty but that team could HIT.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Apr 24, 2008 4:18 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

AND could pitch!!!!

Weird, we usually do the defense/pitching thing really well. I wonder if the hitting/pitching part could replace excellent defense.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

V.. I love your lineup!

I hope that it comes to pass. But even if it doesn’t Having Hurt back in the green and gold rocks!

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 24, 2008 6:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

< drool >

(i’m not a big defense guy, ellis is enough)

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 Apr 24, 2008 8:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Can't get worse defensively?

Oh contraire. Consider the following lineup:

Barton, 3B (note position shift)
Ellis, 2B
Cust, RF
Thomas, DH
Bonds, LF
M Sweeney, 1B
Buck, CF
Crosby, SS
Suzuki, C

Swap Buck and Barton if Buck ever starts getting on base at a decent clip (or play Davis instead of Buck if you think Davis will actually turn out to be an improvement). If you don’t want Bonds, then put Emil Brown in LF (or swap Brown and Cust, I don’t care).

That would be a terrible defensive lineup (maybe the worst in the Majors), but I think it would score a ton of runs if Big Frank gets his mojo back and the guys hitting behind Cust forced pitchers to throw him more fastballs.

Of course, you wouldn’t ask Barton to learn 3B at the Major League level and M Sweeney wouldn’t stay healthy if he played 1B every day, but it’s fun to picture for a moment.

by LoveDemAs on Apr 25, 2008 10:51 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Just back from the game

The candy and the baseball all night long :)

by Englishmajor on Apr 24, 2008 4:20 PM PDT reply reply   1 recs

NICE!!!

Good timing on that sign!!!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 24, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You might want to put a basket under the target

I’m missing long range baskets since the warriors stalled on their way to the playoffs :(

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Apr 24, 2008 4:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It's not mine and it's not new, I just took the picture

It’s from the 2006 season, and whoever had it obviously has good storage space. Many people also had found their THOMAS jerseys and shirts in time for the game. (It was nice of Dana Eveland to give #35 up without a fight.)
A lot of people arrived in the second, third, or fourth inning, having managed to skip out on work early.
There were some nice Twins fans in the bleachers, and one idiot in head-to-toe Red Sox gear who made a complete ass of himself , even though it was repeatedly pointed out to him that a) he was not in Fenway b) the Red Sox were not playing here today and c) the Red Sox were losing the game that they were playing.

The candy and the baseball all night long :)

by Englishmajor on Apr 24, 2008 5:06 PM PDT