Billy Beane Visits Athletics Nation May 2008 Edition Part I
Happy Memorial Day!! What better to top off a sweep of the Red Sox than a visit with A's General Manager Billy Beane.
It's been quite a while since I had the opportunity to have one of my lengthy interviews with Beane. In the time between he and I last spoke, he's kick-started a rebuilding process with the green and gold, trading away Nick Swisher and Danny Haren. His rebuilt team got off to a surprisingly good start and he also made the decision to bring back 2006 A's MVP Frank Thomas. AND his team is sporting one of the most surprising pitching staffs in all of baseball right now.
So, as you could imagine, there was plenty to discuss when he and I sat down last week. This was one of our longer interviews, yet I'm going to try and get it down to three parts. Without further ado, here is my most recent interview with Billy Beane:
Blez: It’s been a long time since we chatted and the last time we did, you shied away from the word “rebuilding” and called it “retooling” instead. Since then you’ve gone through the rebuilding process and you yourself referred to it in the media as that. What was the impetus behind that rebuilding?
Billy Beane: The impetus for it was where I thought we were headed. That to me is as important as anything with a franchise: not where you are but where you are going. I really thought our best-case scenario for the next year or two was really mediocrity. Ultimately there was no chance to be a really, really good team and I just felt we were going to just be in that middle area there. I also knew at some point we were going to have to, so to delay it was really just wasting time. We were at the FanFest and a few people were upset. Actually every year there are a few people upset (laughs). I remember asking the question back to a gentleman in the audience who was upset and it‘s good that he was upset because he cares about the team and he was there spending a Saturday which is why we have those events. But I asked him the question of how many games he thought we would win if we stood pat and he said something like 75 or 80. He was upset and I said, “Are you OK with that?” That was essentially trying to stimulate what was going through our minds and get him thinking the same way. Winning 75 or 80 games is nothing to get excited about, particularly if that’s what you’re going to do over the next several years.
Blez: Especially when the fan base is used to success.
Beane: Exactly. I’ve always said you’re either building something that’s special or you have something that’s special. In between is just no man’s land. That was really it. I felt like as good as the players were that we traded, we need a lot of good players to create something long-term.
Blez: How did you approach the process? Did you basically just put a lot of calls out there to other GMs and say, “Everyone’s available, come make me an offer.” Was it like that or did you even target certain players on your roster that you felt might have the most value?
Beane: No, very rarely when it’s one of our high profile guys is it a situation where we’ll solicit a deal. If you start doing that, whether someone admits it or not, it’s going to diminish value by you being the aggressor. In Danny’s (Haren) case, and to Arizona’s credit, he was someone they always wanted. And (Arizona GM) Josh (Byrnes) started poking around a little bit at the end of the year last year. In truth, the process hadn’t been decided. I wasn’t completely convinced that if we had come back completely healthy that sticking with the current roster and seeing what we had was an option. You know if Rich (Harden) was healthy and Duke (Justin Duchscherer) was relatively healthy and Chavy was going to be ready to go. I wasn’t completely convinced yet that it was time to do it so there was hope for a healthy club, but we hadn’t really decided. That being said, we actually waited for clubs to come to us figuring that the clubs who came to us would understand the value of the player and would be serious about doing business. We weren’t out there soliciting things at all. The clubs that were serious, we would talk to them. In Arizona’s case and to their credit, they had done their homework and checked in early so we were pretty far along in the process once we decided to go ahead and make the move.
Blez: Arizona had been poking around before you decided to go this route? They had initiated the discussions last year?
Beane: Yes. We had also made it known that we weren’t sure what direction we were going to go yet.
Blez: Did you do that on purpose? You know, saying it publicly that you didn’t know where you wanted to go yet to try and get some interest going.
Beane: Yeah, you do it for two reasons. First, it can lead to people calling you on some guys. What you don’t want to do is to go out there and be making calls on your own players. If you are, then it can diminish their value a little bit and you don’t want to be doing that. It also gives you some options without committing yourselves. We literally hadn’t decided until we touched down from coming back from the winter meetings what we were going to do. That’s when we decided that we needed to do something. When we were at the winter meetings, we had talked about Dan with the Diamondbacks, but at that point it was unclear if that was what we were going to do. And it was literally when the wheels touched down was when we decided to do something here. That’s when we got the injury report on Gaudin. Chavy was still battling through his problems and we felt like we were kidding ourselves thinking we could patch this thing together.
Blez: How different was this process compared to the (Tim) Hudson and (Mark) Mulder process of a few years ago?
Beane: I think when we did trade Tim and Mark we quietly felt like we were going to be a lot better than people thought especially when you took into account the fact that we had some significant injuries that past year and we had a terrible injury month of May. Then Croz (Bobby Crosby) came back and we had a great run. But I think prior to that year, everyone (in the front office) thought we’d be better than people thought. So it wasn’t really a rebuilding, but more of a shifting around of assets. The difference this time is that we anticipate this being a longer-term situation and I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what we had.
Blez: You mean what you got from the deals?
Beane: Not so much what we got from the deals, but I didn’t know where we would be in the process until the season started. So every now and then people would ask, “How good do you think you’re going to be?” and some people would ask, “How bad do you think you’re going to be?” and I don’t think we had any expectations for either. At the same time, I don’t think we have limitations either. We sort of kept an open book. We wanted to create an atmosphere that was somewhat forgiving, which I think we did. When you’re a contending team every year, people start filling up their stories (in the news media) about who is going to fill out the roster as the 25th man and who is going to fill the role of a left-handed bat off the bench. There is such intensity every day and every article. Our spring training articles were, “Getting to Know Ryan Sweeney” and “What is Kurt Suzuki’s Favorite Color” and things like that. So an environment was created that we wanted to encourage.
Blez: Low to no pressure?
Beane: Yeah, low pressure and kind of an open book and I think it helped. People have said it, but I also think the Japan trip helped too.
Blez: I think it did help because the team got off to one of its best April starts in a few seasons. Are you surprised at how the team shot out of the gate?
Beane: Not after the spring training that we had. The spring training we had was really good. So yes and no. I wasn’t shocked. A couple of individual performances surprised me. We liked Greg Smith, but him coming up as soon as he did and performing as well as he did-- we found out that he’s a little further down the road in terms of development that we thought. There were also some disappointing surprises too. Travis (Buck) getting hurt and struggling like he did. He’s the last guy I thought would’ve ever slumped out of the gate. All he’s ever done since we drafted him is hit. And so that was a surprise. We had a blip when Duke and Harden went out. But that allowed Greg Smith to come in and Chad (Gaudin) did a really good job in the rotation. I don’t really know whether I’m surprised or not surprised. I really don’t know. It’s still a short-term situation where I’ve stayed away from making predictions and I’ve been reasonably happy. I just think there is so much more room for improvement which is really the encouraging thing. When you start off and have the best pitching in the league and you have that as your foundation then you’re more than halfway there.
Blez: Was the goal in making the Haren and Swisher deals to make sure you were building the best possible team towards moving into the Fremont Stadium in 2011 or 2012? Was there any thought given to that rather than worrying about now?
Beane: In the background, but even if we’d stayed here for the next 10 years, it was going to have to happen. The benefit of this time around is that maybe these players we got and are grooming will stay around a little longer than years past. If we develop a young player and he’s going to be a free agent at 26, maybe we can sign him to a long-term deal. But if we’d stayed here, we’d still have to do this and probably more so because with the revenue situation it would’ve been a short-term constant similar to what we’ve had to do the last few years.
Blez: You and I have talked about this in the past, but there have been articles written about how this team is perceived as being soulless and having a revolving door of players. The Athletics constantly have that carousel of players every year and the fan base has to get reacquainted with their players. My wife was watching a game with me the other day and basically said, “Who‘s he and who‘s he? They really did get rid of everyone.” Are you afraid of how that’s viewed in the community?
Beane: Not really. We really don’t have any other choice to do this.
Blez: I’m not really talking about the hard core fans who live and breathe and die with the team like the Athletics Nation people do. I’m talking more about the casual fan who comes on occasion because the team has an interesting player they want to see.
Beane: I don’t think people come out on a regular basis to see individuals. I think people come out to see a team. We have no other way to operate. We could operate where we have a whole generation of players well beyond its prime but there would be even less people here. For every one we lose because we don’t keep their favorite player, we’re going to keep two if we win. And the reverse is true. The thing that’s always been interesting about being here is that there is always excuses about why people don’t come out. The fact is that we don’t draw. The blame has always been on this thing or that thing. There is always something new. I mean we went to the ALCS in 2006 and in an era when baseball attendance was shooting up 26 percent or something, we wound up drawing less people the next year. Explain that. Over the last decade, we’ve put a pretty good product on the field. We have a group (of fans) here that’s been here since the first year we came here. The fact remains is that we’re still well behind the curve when it comes to attendance and some of it is probably the organization’s fault. Not everyone is completely blameless. You can understand that when you’re having that kind of turnover you’re going to lose some of that loyalty. Again the flip side for us, given everything that we have to balance, is that we’re going to maintain that loyalty with the hardcore people by putting the best product we can on the field and having to err on the side of making good business decisions instead of making emotional decisions. Believe me, my life would be a lot easier if we could just stamp a team down for the next six or seven seasons.
Blez: Obviously bringing someone on board like Frank Thomas doesn’t really jive with what people think of when they think of the term “rebuilding”. What were some of your thoughts about why to bring someone like Big Hurt back to the green and gold? And are you afraid that it might take some valuable playing time, especially when you made such an effort to rebuild, from a great young talent like Daric Barton where he‘s sitting on the bench instead of gaining experience?
Beane: That’s a fair point. I think I saw someone on your site say, “Why did you sign Emil Brown?” Someone was afraid he was going to take at bats away from others.
Blez: Man, you’re jumping ahead on me here.
Beane: Well, we’re nothing if not efficient at these things now (laughing). In Mike Sweeney’s case even before Frank got here, we were thinking we didn’t really have a young DH. We wanted Jack Cust in the outfield for part of the time. Not on a full-time basis, but part-time. Jack will be the first to tell you that he isn’t going to win a gold glove, but we wanted it as an option. It’s nice having a guy who can go out there when you need him. But getting back to Frank, those points are fair, but in Daric’s case, when we signed Frank, Mike’s knee was barking a little bit. Daric is still going to get the bulk of the at bats and his history, even in the minor leagues, suggests that he hasn’t played a full season. This is an opportunity to give him some rest that’s needed. We have a 162-game schedule and the idea that we’re just going to run him out there for 162 games when his past history suggests that he couldn’t do it in the minor leagues is probably a little unrealistic. The other thing too is that we’re always going to look for opportunities. If we find something that we perceive as a great value, we’re going to jump at it. You always try to do both. It’s not a zero sum game where you’re either this or that. You can accomplish this while still trying to do that. You can try to get young players and rebuild and create a good situation and also try to be competitive. Quite frankly, Frank was such a positive influence when he was here. The thing I like about having Frank around the younger players is how he prepares himself. He prepares himself similar to how Barry Zito used to prepare himself to pitch in a game. That’s good for young guys to watch. And I have such a soft spot for Frank. He had such a great year (when he was here). And you can’t beat the price for a guy who brings all he does.
Blez: Would you had made the decision to bring Frank back if the team hadn’t gotten off to a pretty good start?
Beane: Yeah, I think so. Our history suggests that if you can make incremental improvements, you should. Yeah, it’s hard to imagine not being interested in Frank.
Blez: You guys basically got back nine players in the Haren and Swisher deals. You got nine players for three. What made the nine guys you got back so appealing?
Beane: It was well-laden in pitching. A lot of the success we had the last 10 years was due to the fact that we had some great pitchers here. A good deal of them were home grown and started with us. We needed to get back to a point where our pitching was coming through the system because we had no other way of getting it. It’s hard to sign it. It’s too expensive. It’s hard to trade for it once it’s established.
Blez: Well that makes sense especially considering that you got six players back for an established pitcher.
Beane: Yeah, exactly. The Arizona deal and the Chicago deal help out greatly and we have a few guys in our system that we like quite a bit who are pitchers. When we did the Hudson and Mulder deal, Meyer got hurt and Danny turned into what we thought he would, but in a perfect world you don’t struggle with injuries and you don’t lose half the value of the deals right there. So we knew we needed a lot of guys to get this done, especially pitching because even drafting pitching in the first round is risky. The biggest thing from our end is to know we have some good potential starters down the road knowing that things are going to happen over the next couple of years.
Blez: How tough was it for you to trade a guy like Swisher knowing that he has a couple of the traits the A’s covet the most in a hitter: power and patience? He’s also one of your favorite personalities.
Beane: It was a tough phone call. I remember exactly where I was when I called him and he was shocked. It was tough. We had a long conversation. I did like Nick. He’s a good kid that had a lot of personality that fans saw and we saw. How he is on the field is exactly how he is in the clubhouse. He always had a smile and a lot of energy. From a playing standpoint, he had the power and the patience. We knew we were giving that up, but the thing about this winter is that there were never any illusions that we weren’t giving up good players. We were essentially giving up a couple of good players to get a lot of really good young players. These guys are both in the prime of their careers. But in short, it was one of the most difficult calls I’ve ever had to make from a trade standpoint, if not the most difficult call.
Coming Tomorrow: Beane discusses Rich Harden, the A's lack of a consistent offense and the first base, left field, DH shuffle.
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144 comments
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And the Legend grows.
Thanks Blez. And thanks Mr. Beane.
You are the best, and we are all lucky to have you on board. Pure genius. Thank you so much for caring as much as we do. WWBD?
"My boyfriend drinks ALOT, you know, because he's a rebel."-Reyna
by tresselfan on
May 26, 2008 7:18 AM PDT
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Good interview.
Nice job, Blez.
Taking the risk to trade major, known talent like Haren to produce new, young talent like Smith, Eveland, etc. requires courage and foresight. Fans need to understand that no organization can thrive without taking risks, making changes and constantly regenerating itself. This is one of the characteristics that make the A’s such an intriguing team and much of the credit belongs to Beane and the owners who support his decisions.
by Vegas Ace on
May 26, 2008 8:06 AM PDT
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Thanks, Blez
An interesting and intriguing interview—you’ve provided some great insights into how our team’s management thinks of things. I like the comment about “either building something that’s special or you have something that’s special.” That goes beyond baseball, and into life in general. Can’t wait for the next part of the interview.
by Dan_Honolulu on
May 26, 2008 8:22 AM PDT
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Have to agree with dakine brah . . .
. . . here, and add the last part of that quote (from memory but I think I’ve got it mostly right): “everything else is just no man’s land.” That leapt out at me, too, including the applicability to many things outside baseball. Makes me think of my department at work. When I start to get depressed about it, I’ll try to look at it like we’re just in the process (albeit a slow one) of “building something special.”
"Life without geometry has no point"
by camperdog on
May 26, 2008 9:18 PM PDT
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Which is true, especially if your company specializes in
making developmentally disabled robots.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:20 PM PDT
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Well, for someone who hits a lot of the time . . .
. . . I guess I can forgive a miss now and then. Good try, though.
"Life without geometry has no point"
by camperdog on
May 26, 2008 9:23 PM PDT
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He is AN's Jack Cust, when he misses, he normally misses dramatically
by theblackpearl on
May 26, 2008 9:45 PM PDT
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Good comparison - since often I also
just watch the thread go by.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:45 PM PDT
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Great interview Blez.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on
May 26, 2008 9:22 AM PDT
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Ditto
Indeed… those are some great questions.
by achiappanza on
May 29, 2008 7:36 AM PDT
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My seasonal appreciation
It really is shocking how I find my appreciation for Billy shifting from winter to summer. In February, I hate him with the fire of a thousand suns. This time of year, I love him unconditionally and would gladly adopt him as my child if I could. And yet come next February, I’ll be waiting outside his office window with a knife. The cycle is eternal.
www.curveballcity.com
by CurveballKing on
May 26, 2008 9:29 AM PDT
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“given everything that we have to balance, is that we’re going to maintain that loyalty with the hardcore people by putting the best product we can on the field and having to err on the side of making good business decisions instead of making emotional decisions.”
and thank you for that. (sorry mrs blez and other casuals who care about name recognition)
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
May 26, 2008 9:37 AM PDT
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Actually she doesn't really care
She was just stating it as a matter of fact. She’s just happy if I’m happy and that means the A’s winning.
by Blez on
May 26, 2008 9:41 AM PDT
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sorry, no offense meant
the anecdote about your wife kind of blended together with the “perceived as a soulless revolving door” part.
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
May 26, 2008 9:47 AM PDT
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I don't consider myself a casual fan of the TEAM,
but I do get emotionally attached to particular players, and I’m not much of a business student. I understand and respect what Billy’s doing, and I have a cyclical love-hate relationship with him, similar to what CurveballKing described above—even though I’m more emotionally attached to the team than I am to any individual player, I still hate to see some of them go. And then to get just as attached to some of the players we got in return for my departed favorites, while knowing that I’m doomed to see those guys go at some point, too.
The business is soulless, because that’s the only way it can work.
AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!
by Poppy on
May 26, 2008 10:48 AM PDT
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You're setting up a false dichotomy
Being only interested in laundry that wins, is not the only valid type of fandom. Just because a fan gets attached to a player doesn’t mean that that fan is a “casual”.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
May 26, 2008 12:05 PM PDT
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wtf, how am *i* setting up?
blez and beane make characterizations of hardcore and casual fans, if you read the interview.
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
May 26, 2008 1:13 PM PDT
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blez, you missed the big follow-up question...
Blez: Would you had made the decision to bring Frank back if the team hadn’t gotten off to a pretty good start?Beane: Yeah, I think so. Our history suggests that if you can make incremental improvements, you should. Yeah, it’s hard to imagine not being interested in Frank.
Blez: Then why not sign Barry Bonds?
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
May 26, 2008 9:45 AM PDT
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Beane's philosophy is to not talk
about free agents. He’s told me that before. I try and avoid topics that I know he won’t give me an answer on…or at least he’ll evade.
by Blez on
May 26, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
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yeah i know, but i still want someone to ask him!
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
May 26, 2008 9:57 AM PDT
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I would imagine his answer would probably discuss
the fact that the A’s kind of already have the DH/LF rotation covered AND that Bonds likely wouldn’t be nearly the bargain Thomas wound up being. But that’s just a guess.
by Blez on
May 26, 2008 10:16 AM PDT
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I don't imagine he would be to enthused
about jumping into the middle of a “collusion” argument between MBL and the PA. Better that you didn’t ask in my opinion.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
by alox on
May 26, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
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but the a's went into and came out of spring training
with jack cust as the primary dh, even though beane says they wanted him in the OF part time (and is fine with him being a full time OF now).
mike sweeney was far from a “sure thing” contributor, and wasn’t even on the roster until the end of spring training.
frank thomas didn’t join the team until much later, under completely unforeseeable circumstances.
yet the a’s never made bonds an offer, even though last year bonds was a better hitter than cust, thomas, and sweeney.
even now it’s tough to make the “not a bargain” argument, when no team has even made him an offer!
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
May 26, 2008 10:24 AM PDT
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'Then why not sign Barry Bonds?'
I think he answered that just fine in the Frank Thomas question:
Quite frankly, Frank was such a positive influence when he was here. [...] And I have such a soft spot for Frank. He had such a great year (when he was here). And you can’t beat the price for a guy who brings all he does.
There’s four reasons for you right there. Four reasons that don’t apply to Bonds:
1. Positive influence in the clubhouse.
2. Personal likeability
3. Already had a great year with the team once before.
4. Bargain basement price.
What more answer do you need?
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on
May 26, 2008 11:27 AM PDT
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Bonds is a positive influence,
if you just mean “testing positive”.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 12:23 PM PDT
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Great first half of the interview, thanks Blez....
I really wish that this team had more support, 8,000-10,000 fans on any given day just doesn’t cut it…I don’t buy the argument that it is because of the stadium either, as even before Mt davis was built we struggled mightily with attendance. I wish I had an answer, but I guess that if I did I would probably be a millionare!! I have lived in Atlanta for 2 years but I am from the Bay Area and I used to go to every A’s home game. I understand that beacuse I am such a huge fan that I look at this differently, I mean I went to all 81 home games and 3 road trips in 1998, remember 1998 (Not Good). So for me it really is very difficult to understand the lack of support.
Living in Atlanta I get to experience truly pathetic sports fans. Yes, the Braves draw well 25,000-40,000 each game, but the difference is that there are 20,000-30,000 at every game who could care less about the game. There is zero passion here for sports, I see it at Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, and Braves games. I would love for us to draw crowds of 25,000-40,000 (35,000) each game but I am definately not advocating the same sterile environment that they have here in Atlanta and even in SF to some extent. I guess that I can’t have my cake and eat it too. Do you have to trade off great atmosphere and great fans for more attendance? is it a tradeoff that we are wiling to accept as die hard A’s fans?
Lastly, why do the A’s have a day off on Memorial Day???? I am very confused, I thought that Memorial Day was always a basdeball day? Nothing is more American than celebrating our Heroes and going to Baseball. Maybe my memory does not serve me correctly but I cannot remember a Memorial day without A’s baseball.
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
by wacchampions on
May 26, 2008 9:47 AM PDT
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It's weird - not just the A's but
no ESPN / ESPN2 game on, nothing. Boo-o-o-ooo.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
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Totally agree
the only baseball game I can find on TV is the Dodgers / Cubs game on WGN
by drink409 on
May 26, 2008 11:12 AM PDT
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Plenty of baseball on TV today
DirecTV’s Extra Innings has games on all day and night. Still, I’m disappointed the A’s aren’t playing on a holiday.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 11:35 AM PDT
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i haven't seen fridaynightfan post in a while
But now there is a Monday Fan instead. I think the A’s want to find people that are a little more consistent in their fandom
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:25 AM PDT
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I do think it's a tradeoff, yes
But it’s not because having a larger attendance makes everyone less enthusiastic and vice versa.
It’s because there are only so many passionate fans in any city. Those are the ones that are going to attend regardless, and those are the ones attending in Oakland right now.
If you want to increase your attendance beyond that number, the only way to do it is to bring in the non-passionate fans, too.
I’m sure Atlanta has as many passionate fans as Oakland does. It’s just that in Atlanta when you see them, their influence is diluted by all the casuals who are there with them.
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on
May 26, 2008 11:34 AM PDT
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Agree somewhat
It’s true there’s a finite numer of fans but the A’s are paying a price for a history of ownership that’s hostile to its fan base. Except for a couple of brief periods, there has been a threat of moving the team, complaints about the ballpark and in one instance a lawsuit against Oakland/Alamda County (the primary fan base).
When you have a longstanding message to your fans that reads, This is an awful ballpark and we’re thinking of moving it’s no wonder a large part of the population isn’t willing to make emotional and monetary investments in the team. When the Haas family owned the team, they said they loved Oakland and they thought the Coliseum was a good place to watch a ballgame. They put a high quality team on the field and fans came out in record numbers. The Haas family put their own money into sprucing up the Coliseum instead of whining for handouts from the taxpayers.
I’m not saying the Coliseum is a great ballpark. It’s okay at best. But if the owners would quit being so negative and promote the team instead of sabotaging it, the fans will come.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 11:51 AM PDT
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I think this owner is more out of his field than hostile
Wolff is not an experienced baseball guy and has not been successful in negotiating the relationship with city hall. The lack of interest in helping retain the team on the part of ALL the candidates in the recent mayoral race was well covered on AN. Wolff et al seem not to have any ideas about turning this around. I don’t have any inside info but i can understand why they feel that they might do better in a different municipality. Meanwhile, seems to me that the continuing erosion of the stadium infrastructure – crappy signboards, dot race with the wrong colors, not enough cops, slow service at the beer counters – is an inevitable result of the short-timer mentality.
I doubt BB really fails to see that an enduring cadre of fan favorites would be a plus for attendance – that’s obvious – he’s just doing the best he can with the situation as it exists.
by Hot Cup Joe on
May 26, 2008 12:40 PM PDT
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City Hall should steer clear
I am quite glad the people at City Hall are keeping their noses out of it. I wasn’t a big Jerry Brown fan but this was one thing he got right. If the A’s don’t want to play at the Coliseum, let them finance and build their own ballpark. It’s not the taxpayers’ place to buld a new playground for these billionaires.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 12:49 PM PDT
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Perfectly legitimate opinion, shared by most of us
But it does mean that the a’s are short-timing it til they put a new deal together. (Check eastbayjim’s comment below for a great idea – new stadium as centerpiece for redevelopment of alameda NAS. I’m sure there would be a million problems, but it could work, too!)
by Hot Cup Joe on
May 26, 2008 12:54 PM PDT
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I like the idea of having the location on the water, with a view.
Also it would create walking traffic from Alameda to Jack London Sq area and back even when the games are on.
I grew up in Alameda and spent a lot of time on the NAS and to me it could work.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on
May 26, 2008 1:00 PM PDT
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Seems so obvious
Has anyone looked at the possibility seriously?
by Hot Cup Joe on
May 26, 2008 1:05 PM PDT
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JL Square was considered
Jack London Square was investiaged as a potential site for a new ballpark but dismissed. The lack of freeway and BART access were at the top of the list (which would be an even bigger problem for an Alameda NAS site). There were also problems with space limitations and land acquisition.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 1:32 PM PDT
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Meanwhile, seems to me that the continuing erosion of the stadium infrastructure
What erosion of the stadium infrastructure? I haven’t heard or read about any such problems.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
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I hadn't heard or read about dot racing with the wrong colors
I want and expect a full investigation.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 1:20 PM PDT
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Ah, sorry - missed that phanpost somehow
I’m in favor of replacing “dot racing” with “apostrophe racing” with a race between:
it’s
its
its’
The colors should be taupe, puce, and off-puce, and the winners should receive a $20.00 gift certificate to the Angels’ concession stands. Runners up receive a $40.00 gift certificate.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 5:08 PM PDT
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Sheesh.
—The Dogphather
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
May 26, 2008 5:56 PM PDT
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Never disgrace the phamily
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 5:57 PM PDT
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I guess that makes me:
The Phan Tom 
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
May 26, 2008 8:31 PM PDT
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It would not make sense for a mayoral candidate to make keeping the A's a campaign priority
That’s not a good excuse for Wolff et al. to give up on Oakland.
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on
May 26, 2008 1:08 PM PDT
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I think the biggest problem is the A's haven't been here for a century.
I was thinking about teams like Boston and New York and why they always sell out games. Hell, even our games this past weekend had alot of Boston fans.
The thing is that in those two cities, as well as some other eastern cities your baseball team has been there for a century. That is when people didn’t have T.V or Internet or as many movies to go to. Their entertainment was also part of their ego. It was their Yankees or their Red Sox.. It was a family thing. You grew up with that as a big part of not only your life and culture but that of the entire city.
Here in the west coast we don’t have that. So with more T.V/Cable and internet access there are more things to do other than see a game. It is not a family thing here for most people like it is back east.
So, All Wolfe needs to do is to time travel back a century and move the A’s to Oakland (Downtown) in 1910. We would have a wonderful fan base then.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on
May 26, 2008 1:51 PM PDT
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Another option is to promote the A's in those other venues
Have Wolfe get someone to design and online family game about baseball and the A’s. Especially one that interacts with the games at the ballpark. Let the people who are watching at home pay a little to experience more from home.
Also, promote more family outings. Actually create the tailgate parties for families.. Maybe work out a package with the comcast and others so that A’s fans can buy season tickets for the A’s games at a great price. But other incentives out there for them. Such as with a certain package they get preferred treatment at the Fan events at the ballpark. I am sure there are a ton of extras to give that actually would be beneficial to both the club and the fan. This would move the fanbase out to the internet and television so that the A’s would benefit and the fans would benefit all around.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on
May 26, 2008 1:58 PM PDT
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How about if they quit treating baseball like a gimick and the Coliseum like it’s an airport or a courthouse? It’s supposed to be a day in the park, not Dick Cheney’s bunker. Baseball is a game that produces moments of high drama and excitement at a reasonable price. Make it convenient for fans to come out to the ballpark and enjoy the greatest game ever conceived. Open up all of the ballpark’s entrances so we can get in and out easily. Lose the Homeland Security screening procedures. If you’re going make people stand in long lines for everything short of a cavity search and metal detection, a lot of people will stay home and watch the game on TV or go to the movies. It’s absurd that you’re going to turn someone away because his backback is two inches too big while at the same time, you allow people in with drums and flags on flagpoles. (These aren’t safety and security issues. Their thinly veiled attempts to discourage people from bringing their own food and drinks to the game.) And stop blaring music at Iron Maiden concert levels throughout every moment of the evening so we can actually talk to each other about the game.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 2:28 PM PDT
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+1 for every point I agree with
So plus about 10.
At home, I’m subjected to less unnecessary noise and fewer cavity searches. Well in theory, anyway.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 5:11 PM PDT
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I love going to games...
but at home you don’t miss 2 innings going to the fridge to grab a beer
by drink409 on
May 26, 2008 6:08 PM PDT
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After about 23 beers you do -
Takes hundreds of tries to grab the handle.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 6:17 PM PDT
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Sorry, but
if I’m the A’s, there’s no way I risk the horrible PR of someone getting murdered or a bomb going off or whatever at a ballgame. I personally think that virtually all of these “security screening” checkpoints are utterly comical as actual means of preventing disasters. But they look really impressive and they make it seem like people are “serious” about security. It’s a massive, unnecessary waste of people’s time and money, but apparently it’s necessary to create the illusion of safety.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
May 26, 2008 6:12 PM PDT
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Can't they at least give fans like me
the “Clear card”?
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 6:18 PM PDT
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on the other hand ...
... a nice, well-timed murder or explosion would do wonders for Billewwolffisher’s “Oakland and the Coliseum SUXXXXORZ!1!!” campaign.
Frankly, I’m kinda surprised they haven’t had Stomper shank a fan yet.
Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
May 27, 2008 9:21 AM PDT
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Perhaps.
What of the Angels, and what Arte Moreno has done? The Angels are not a 100 year team either. They are also, or at least started, as the 2nd team in their home area.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
May 27, 2008 6:04 AM PDT
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Seattle as well.
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:32 AM PDT
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The A's have always struggled with attendance...
...with the exception of the late 80’s dynasty team. They were drawing 3 million fans a year. A ton of my friends and I would go to about 40 games a year at the Coliseum back in those days.
Reasons:
1. Best team ever assembled in all of Baseball since the 70’s A’s dynasties.
2. Very affordable for all. Could get cheap bleacher seats with a great view of the field for $3.00! (Pre-Mount Davis)
3. Was always a good party vibe tailgating before games.
4. Was easy enough to get to and from the park.
There was never been a problem in Oakland with the quality of fans but the quantity of fans. Many people in the city of Oakland itself simply can’t afford to go to games. Therefore, the 80’s A’s somehow effectively marketed to the surrounding areas. Strong numbers of people were drawn from the North Bay Area, the rest of the East Bay Area, and stragglers from the South Bay as well. It seems to me the current marketing team needs to figure out how to effectively reach those areas again (especially the North Bay). The new stadium will for sure help but can’t be relied on as the the sole reason for increased attendance – they need more effective advertising as well.
Fantastic interview so far. Billy Beane got back in my favor when he brought back Thomas. To me it showed he has the willingness to make adjustments in his master plan. Maybe in the future he can introduce some speed to the team and let a running game unfold.
by jdub69 on
May 26, 2008 11:39 AM PDT
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I like Thomas for what he gives to the TEAM
Two years ago he helped Swisher get a lot better. With Thomas there this year and hopefully next year he could help Buck, Cargon and Swooney (Already he and Old Sweeney have helped him alot) become an excellent offensive outfield.
For now, once they A’s said they were moving that had to affect alot of the fans.
I am sure if the team started working with highschool and lower baseball coaches in the area it could help with the PR and bring alot of the younger crowd in. I know the 49ers do that and I like that type of community work.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on
May 26, 2008 1:07 PM PDT
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Or they could run cute commercials
that make the average fan smile and go on with life without being inspired to attend an actual game.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 1:21 PM PDT
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What the Millionaires Know
I wish I had an answer, but I guess that if I did I would probably be a millionaire!
The millionaires know that attendance is irrelevant. What matters is revenues. If you’re worried about attendance numbers, you don’t cut the number of available seats with the tarps and you don’t raise prices, either, two moves that will clearly cut attendance.
What they lose in attendance, they gain in margins. They got rid of their lowest-margin product (upper deck seats), and they increased the margins on their higher-end product by charging more for them. The high-end season ticket holders are a very loyal bunch, and you can milk them pretty hard before they give up and run away.
They may have crossed over that line this year, however. I think they lost a good chunk of season ticket revenue by (apparently) reducing the quality of the product by selling off Haren and Swisher, and at the nearly same time sending out season ticket invoices with yet another price hike. The two people I shared season tickets with bailed on the package altogether, and I ended up buying the minimum package with half the number of seats. The tarps were probably a revenue-neutral move for them, but I think this year’s price increase was counterproductive. The season ticket sections have been very empty this year.
But then again, they cut their spending by $30 million this year, so the bottom line-profits-might be as good or even better than ever.
by kenarneson on
May 26, 2008 1:31 PM PDT
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$30 million spending cut and the team is better than in 2007
everybody wins!
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
May 26, 2008 1:40 PM PDT
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plus, we hardcore fans have fewer casuals with whom we have to deal ...
... and enables us to do the SU more Freely.
Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
May 26, 2008 4:55 PM PDT
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Great interview, Blez -
I am a “BB-interview skeptic” in that I generally feel he can’t/won’t answer the very things one is most interested in learning, but in this segment I actually found most of it unpredictable and enlightening. Well done!
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
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you're right about the answers one is *most interested* in learning
but still, in every beane interview including this one, he makes a few statements that really do explain a lot about how the a’s front office looks at things.
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
May 26, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
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By far and away....
these interviews with Beane and other A’s organizational leaders are my favorite feature on AN. Thanks for the effort you put into this site Blez. There must be little doubt that Beane is the shrewdest GM in the game by now. Even when he rebuilds he contends. Almost everything turns to Green and Gold with his midas touch.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
by alox on
May 26, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
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"favorite feature on AN"
I presume that is understood to mean “favorite feature on AN outside of Cindi’s Hair Salon reviews”.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 10:25 AM PDT
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Damn. I forgot about those.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
by alox on
May 26, 2008 10:31 AM PDT
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Glad they're appreciated
My hands were killing me by the end of the week last week from transcribing. I never learned how to type the real way so my ring fingers and pinky fingers aren’t involved at all. I wound up all claw-handed by the end of the week.
I feel so lucky to be involved in this site and get the chance to sit down and interview Billy. I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
by Blez on
May 26, 2008 10:46 AM PDT
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I'm sure you could get volunteers
to transcribe for you.
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on
May 26, 2008 11:36 AM PDT
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I'm guessing people would at least want an AN coffee mug.
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:37 AM PDT
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Get the Mavis Bacon tutorial...well worth it.
alaska A
by ak_A on
May 26, 2008 1:05 PM PDT
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I meant to try that
about 1982…seems a little late now.
by Hot Cup Joe on
May 26, 2008 9:00 PM PDT
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lol
I am in the same boat with typing—luckily I don’t have interviews of this length to transcribe. Well, actually, it would probably be worth it
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:36 AM PDT
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Thanks, Blez!
Looking forward to the rest of the interview! :)
AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!
by Poppy on
May 26, 2008 10:52 AM PDT
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You both spoil us all
This is the equivalent of MacRumors sitting down with Steve Jobs twice a year. Incredible access and openness.
More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/
by louismg on
May 26, 2008 11:23 AM PDT
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Excellent Interview, Blez!!
Looking forward to the Rich Harden part. Hoping to read that he is reluctant to entertain trading Harden.
IMO you don’t trade someone that talented, no matter the injury history just to watch some other team benefit unless you get the “FARM” back and then no one is that stupid to give up the farm with the injury risk.
Anyway, we are privileged and grateful that you have access to Billy and look forward to reading the remaining parts.
Thank You
by Trainman on
May 26, 2008 11:39 AM PDT
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He better say he's reluctant!
Even if he wants to trade Harden, BB’s not going to say, “Yeah, we suspect that his shoulder is really unstable—once he’s pitched 5 starts in a row without his arm falling off, we’re dumping him!” ;)
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on
May 26, 2008 12:43 PM PDT
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Maybe it would help if he added,
“5 starts in a row – don’t get too jazzed, we think it’s a fluke!” Or he could shop him as “future lefty Rich Harden”.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 1:22 PM PDT
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Very nice work
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
May 26, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
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great interview so far, blez!
thanks you so much!
and thanks to billy for being so willing to talk to the fans!
""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's
by gotgreen on
May 26, 2008 12:03 PM PDT
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I wonder if Beane or Wolfe has thought about this instead of the relocation to Fremont
My choice for the new ballpark would have been around Jack London Sq. But there just isn’t room there. I looked at a view and thought what about Alameda, in the old NAS area right across from Jack London Sq. ?
If Wolfe could make a deal to develop that area in Alameda and put the new stadium across from JL that would work for me. They could put a new bridge with a walking bridge from the end of Broadway in Oakland right over to the ballpark. There is already a Ferry site there.
Plenty of available land there and a great location. just have to work with two cities to get things done..
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on
May 26, 2008 12:22 PM PDT
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Yuk!
Environmental clean-up would take years and cost billions.
by bamaA'sfan on
May 26, 2008 12:25 PM PDT
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Yes I agree with the opposite side of the base. But on the side facing Jack London Sq. It wouldn't be a problem.
I am sure that the Feds would also pitch in to clean it up since it was their problem to begin with.
I am sure there is enough good land there on that side that would be perfect for Wolfe to develop. The location itself is worth alot.
It is just a thought and a possible way to keep the A’s up here. I really don’t like the idea of them being somewhere that I can’t take BART to.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on
May 26, 2008 12:57 PM PDT
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Exagerate much?
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on
May 26, 2008 1:11 PM PDT
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cost yes, time no
For comparison, the Concord Naval Weapons Station cleanup has been going on in earnest for about four years now with at least four years to go. Total cost estimate is somewhere around $200 million, I think.
Not sure how the Alamada station would compare to that. It would depend a lot on the weapons usage, I should think. Most of the cleanup cost is metal contamination.
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on
May 26, 2008 3:07 PM PDT
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Well, for one Alameda wasn't used for storing chemical weapons
The worst area would be ranges and you could probably steer clear of that. Concord is comparatively a mess
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on
May 26, 2008 7:25 PM PDT
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At Alameda NAS
all the ships which watched the above-ground nuclear tests at Bikini were brought in and hosed down. Virtually every ship in the Pacific came in every seven years or so for a brand new coat of classic battleship gray paint, chock-full o’ tasty lead and toxins, for like 50 years. Alameda NAS takes a back seat to few in the scope of toxic problems.
This is all beside the point, though…there’s neither easy freeway nor public transit access to Alameda, and Lew ain’t building no bridges.
There is an A in Whimsy.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on
May 26, 2008 7:34 PM PDT
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ewwww
I did not know that. That probably means the Navy dumped alot of that stuff in the bay.
I don’t imagine the nuclear stuff is an issue at this point. It’s spread everywhere. But the lead and such…
Is there not a distillery out there? Hangar One?
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on
May 26, 2008 10:31 PM PDT
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Before the Fremont thing happened...
I brought up this very same idea, back in 2003.
The site would be beautiful, but it wouldn’t have the advantage Fremont has, of attracting all that Silicon Valley money.
by kenarneson on
May 26, 2008 1:45 PM PDT
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Most excellent. Thanks so much Blez (and mr. billy)
alaska A
by ak_A on
May 26, 2008 1:04 PM PDT
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heh
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:39 AM PDT
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Well this blogging stuff is fine, but nobody really has access to the clubhou...er
Nice Blez. Nobody else would get this interview (Urban, Ratto). Awesome.
I was also hoping you would broach the Bonds topic, but I understand why you didn’t. You obviously have a solid relationship with Billy, and I appreciate that you show your process. Very transparent for the Nation.
Big Ups Blez
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on
May 26, 2008 1:15 PM PDT
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Thank you Blez and Billy
God Blez you Billy for stopping by our little fansite.
Go A’s!
2008 Oakland Athletics...more than meets the eye!
by OptimistPrime on
May 26, 2008 1:21 PM PDT
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"God Blez" is redundant -
Blez For Prez!!! (Slogan: “Tip a Cano, and Tyler toe!”)
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 1:24 PM PDT
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Fascinating stuff......
...particularly when Beane says he didn’t really have a clue how the team would perform this year. Here they are, nearly one-third into the season, and the Athletics lead the league in pitching and are fourth in runs scored. He’s probably as surprised as anybody. Makes you wonder what Beane’s thinking will be at trade deadline if this team is still in contention. I hope he’ll address that in the last 2 parts of the interview.
"Make 'em ALL free agents." – Charlie Finley
by Legs on
May 26, 2008 2:06 PM PDT
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As good as advertised
Nice to see that Billy checks in to read our whining every once in a while. I hope he directly addresses Emil Brown in the coming parts, even though he sort of indirectly talked about the thought process already.
Few fans around baseball get this kind of opportunity for answers and a little accountability. Thanks, Blez.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
by Joey C. on
May 26, 2008 2:13 PM PDT
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Thanks Blez and Billy!
very nice read for the off day.
by easyraider on
May 26, 2008 4:31 PM PDT
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It was indeed a good interview. I don’t expect to have Billy Beane justify every decision he’s ever made. I just like to know some of his opinions and these interviews certainly satisfy that.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 4:56 PM PDT
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A touchy subject
Billy probably isn’t the one to ask but what can we do to get an upgrade in the TV play-by-play department? I’m new here so I apologize if this territory has been covered before but Glen Kuiper is totally unacceptable. Though I’m not big on Ray Fosse, I can deal with a rambling homer. Kuiper is bad in every regard except that he has a pleasant voice.
Let’s start with the problem of him being from the enemy camp. His loyalties are so obviously with the Giants. He brings up the Giants when there’s no need for it and he won’t say anything critical of them for his life. He calls a game like a Giants broadcaster, with emphasis on individual rather than team achievement. And he complains about the ball/strike calls in perfect Mike Krukow fashion.
Then we have his speech impediment. I certainly don’t mean to pick on someone for something like this but there’s a reason why blind people are not school crossing guards and why people who have difficulty speaking clearly aren’t broadcasters. We deserve to have a play-by-play man who doesn’t say shtrike, Shwisher, and shtolen base. After awhile, it gets to be quite annoying.
Finally, is there anyone in the busisness who prattles on so much without describing the game? I really don’t care to hear about how the hot/wet/cold weather is affecting him. I want to know how it’s affecting the game. I don’t care about the food in the press box or how difficult it was for him to get from the hotel to the ballpark. I want to know about the game and the players, not the broadcasters.
When Kuiper was replaced by Vince for a couple of games recently, it was so refreshing. We had a guy calling the game who is passionate about the game and really into what he was doing. I’ve reached the point where I’d rather have Ken and Vince simulcast on radio and TV than listen to another inning of Kuiper. The primary reason I want to keep Ray Fosse around is that he’s so loyal to the A’s, there’s a decent chance he might reach over and strangle Kuiper the next time he starts showing his true (orange and black) colors. In my opinion, the decision to hire Kuiper amounts to a stick in the eye to A’s fans.
by Monday Fan on
May 26, 2008 5:55 PM PDT
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On behalf of my blind grade-school crossing guard,
and the estates of the ten elementary school children who lost their lives to unfortunate car accidents, I fail to see the problem. Which is, of course, the problem.
A simulcast with Ken and Vince would be terrific. I loved Bill King’s Warriors simulcasts, and having the radio play-by-play account on TV was far from a problem – it is the way baseball is supposed to sound, IMO. And thanks to Delay Play (thanks to Soaker), it is how I listen to every game I watch on TV.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 6:05 PM PDT
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I actually miss Greg Papa. He was better than Kuiper.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?"
by ohtobe21likehuston on
May 26, 2008 6:16 PM PDT
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From the I want to be cool like my brother department
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on
May 26, 2008 7:33 PM PDT
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Thank you for the interview Blez.
I know that it’s probably redundant by this point but your access to BB is very impressive. I always say that people in high positions are not doing their job if everyone likes or agrees with them all of the time. A good leader doesn’t worry about what others think but instead goes with his own intuition.
Thank goodness he doesn’t listen to the fans because it’s undeniable that he has great intuition while working with a limited budget.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?"
by ohtobe21likehuston on
May 26, 2008 6:35 PM PDT
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I think he'd probably benefit if he listened to some of the fans here...
maybe not that guy at FanFest he referred to, but I don’t think that was, say, notsellingjeans making that complaint.
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:43 AM PDT
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Redundant post #200
Thank you Blez, thank you Billy. The best part of AN is the access you provide us.
I was a little disappointed that you didn’t ask about when we are going to sign Rickey to a one day contract, but what’evs. Kidding.
"RIP: UserID: 517"
by Masaryk on
May 26, 2008 8:55 PM PDT
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hey, there are two more parts upcoming...
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:41 AM PDT
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How about this question for Billy:
“With Casilla and A. Brown both on the DL, Brad Zeigler lowered his ERA to 0.39 tonight – just what exactly does he need to do to earn a promotion to the major leagues over Dallas Braden and Lenny DiNardo?”
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:08 PM PDT
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You'll hear about Ziggy in the last part of the interview on Wednesday
Course, I didn’t exactly put it THAT way ;-)
by Blez on
May 26, 2008 9:32 PM PDT
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That's probably wise -
I’m just a bit disappointed that neither Ziggy NOR baseballgirl has been given a shot over Braden so far this year.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:34 PM PDT
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aside from that they're both on the 40 man roster and ziggy is not...
dallas braden has pitched really well this year, both in sacramento and oakland:
sac: 2.14era 21ip 7bb 21k
oak: 3.48era 10ip 3bb 11k
it’s time to give braden some credit, he may actually be a useful pitcher at the major league level.
but there is no reason for dinardo to be in oakland unless multiple starting pitchers are injured, or he’s here to eat up garbage time innings. of course that’s exactly why he’s here, and why he hasn’t pitched yet.
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
May 26, 2008 9:39 PM PDT
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Thing is, we currently have both Braden and Gaudin
in our bullpen – what need do we have for DiNardo as a 3rd innings eater in a bullpen that is backing a top performing rotation?
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:45 PM PDT
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need for dinardo right now: none
but it made sense to call up a pitcher from the 40 man roster because andrew brown isn’t really injured, he’ll be back in a few days. as much as i like ziggy, it makes sense.
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
May 26, 2008 10:01 PM PDT
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But Gaudin could/should be more than just an innings eater out of the pen, no?
I would be fine with him and Duke essentially switching roles from last year.
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:45 AM PDT
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Thanks Blez, terrific interview
But what IS Kurt Suzuki’s favorite color?
Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream
by Englishmajor on
May 26, 2008 9:23 PM PDT
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What color is a routine fly ball to left-center?
Naw, me loves Kurt!
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:35 PM PDT
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lol
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:45 AM PDT
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You know what would be way cool?
If the Detroit Tigers could score a fricking run. 0-0 in the 11th with LAA.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:35 PM PDT
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you forgot "in the 27th inning"
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
May 26, 2008 9:43 PM PDT
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Tigers go 1-2-3 in the 12th
Sigh.
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
by Nico on
May 26, 2008 9:48 PM PDT
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so you’re saying they’re not on pace to score 1200 runs like that espn analyst predicted?
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
May 26, 2008 10:04 PM PDT
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they either score 20 or 0
so take the average…1620, they’ll actually far surpass that projection.
Looks like it may be time for Sheff to call it quits.
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:46 AM PDT
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Blez,
This was a good interview. I found it to be really interesting and I too, loved the quote about having something special or building something special. I regret expressing my anger towards Beane when he traded Haren. He knows what he’s doing that’s for sure. Kudos to you Blez for asking interesting questions and TY for bringing this to us…and thanks to Mr. Beane for agreeing to the interview.
by IM4Oakgal on
May 27, 2008 12:21 AM PDT
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ASK BILLY TO WRITE ANOTHER BOOK
or at least have someone else write moneyball 2
"But if he's swinging at real flies, well, in that case there are two definite solutions: 1) Fresno 2) Ritalin." - howtheyscored
by CPGiant756 on
May 27, 2008 12:25 AM PDT
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Thanks to people like Joe Morgan...
... I can’t tell if this is supposed to be funny.
President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium
by Joey C. on
May 27, 2008 9:15 AM PDT
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I hear it's in the works...
and Canseco’s writing it for him
the city dumps fill
the junkyards fill
the madhouses fill
the hospitals fill
the graveyards fill
nothing else
fills.
by Cutthemullet on
May 27, 2008 11:48 AM PDT
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As a Mariners fan this makes me sad
“I’ve always said you’re either building something that’s special or you have something that’s special. In between is just no man’s land.”
Wish we could have one person in our front office who understands that… >:(
by Nick S on
May 27, 2008 12:46 AM PDT
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try being a Giants fan
i am sad
"But if he's swinging at real flies, well, in that case there are two definite solutions: 1) Fresno 2) Ritalin." - howtheyscored
by CPGiant756 on
May 27, 2008 12:57 AM PDT
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I guess it depends on your definition of "special".
If by “special” you mean a regular 95 win team, that’s easy to talk about, and much much harder to actually realise.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
May 27, 2008 7:38 AM PDT
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You have no idea how jealous I am of y'all's front office.
by Graham on
May 27, 2008 2:45 AM PDT
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no, no, no
“How awesome is it to have such a forward-thinking and online-engaged front office?”
Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
May 27, 2008 9:25 AM PDT
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