A's lose 3-1
by notsellingjeans on May 30, 2008 7:47 PM PDT
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PrintIt could practically write itself at this point: Great starting pitching and a meek offensive effort.
I'll leave most of the discussion for you guys in the comments, but a few quick notes:
1. Hannahan was set to pinch-hit for Barton if Mark Ellis didn't ground into a game-ending double play.
2. Missing three of our best relievers to the Disabled List really shows, considering how many close games the A's play.
3. Emil Brown made a few bad throws tonight in left field.
4. Carlos Gonzalez had an outstanding major league debut, with two doubles and a couple of good defensive efforts.
I know we're only one game in, but it's easy to visualize him to him staying up here for good. And if that's the case, he was called up late enough in the year that he won't be a Super 2 arbitration case down the road.
Please do bring up other key issues from the game in the comments below.
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i'm not one of the emil brown h8ers
but when the sweeneys are healthy again, he needs to go.
i’m sick of watching him swing at pitches above his head and not being able to throw a baseball with any accuracy.
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
He really has outlived his usefulness
At 33, he’s close to being done.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
To be fair he never really got started. He's a good guy but not someone
you want as anything more than a #5 OF’er.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
He's a #5 OF on a team with a poor OF
He can’t really play center, his arm isn’t accurate, and he doesn’t have any on base skills or a whole lot of power. The only thing that’s kept him on the roster has been his timely (aka lucky) hitting.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
no "and" it was already covered.
The only thing that’s kept him on the roster has been his timely (aka lucky) hitting.
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
i'm sorry but nothing you say makes any sense!
like even this, what does that even mean?
he’ll be nervous tomorrow from not pitching the day before? as opposed to today, having just joined the team?
i just try to avoid interaction with certain elements i have no use for, but you replied to my comment with a totally nonsensical question that no one here could possibly answer, and certainly not with the “no” you were apparently looking for…
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
Which elements do you not have any use for?
I’m guessing strontium and nobelium.
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 30, 2008 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
-random people who join up and only participate in game threads, almost exclusively to post negative and useless “we suck at scoring runs” type comments.
-people who for some reason find it necessary to mention that hannahan is an alcoholic every freaking time his name gets mentioned.
-people who have absolutely nothing of interest to say, yet post fifty comments anyways.
etc.
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
To me it's people who put things meanly
when they could put things more neutrally or not at all. And europium.
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
yeah
i’m just in a bad mood because the freaking royals lost again…
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
It is pretty upsetting -
I was in a much better mood two weeks ago when they last won a 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
They are trying to match our 20-game streak
in reverse fashion. I think they can do it!
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Again? Don't they need to sign T-Long first?
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
But this time we don't play them in time
to derail their efforts.
Plus, they can’t rely on the inspirational efforts of Jose Lima any longer.
x...
I responded to Nico not you, and when I said that Brad will be jittery tomorrow I meant this… sometimes it’s easier to just get in there and do it rather than thinking about it for another day. and BTW? If someone bothers you try ignoring them…that’s a lot more mature. You aren’t the thread monitor and your behavior does you no credit. Now to please your childish ass I am going to drop it and my participation in this thread . The reason I can do that is because I have the maturity to be tolerant of others and I want to show you how that’s done.
I responded to Nico not you
“Is Mike Sweeney really so hurt that he needs to be on the DL?” was a response to my comment about emil brown…
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
I'm so popular!
Two people are fighting who have only been responding to me and are only conversing with each other by accident!
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
(street cred is rising)
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Last I checked....
Calling someone a “childish ass” and then crowing about then making a big show of how mature you are were not leading examples of maturity… Of course xbx was being pretty rude too… And sticking my nose into this is probably also rude….
Really I and everyone should just only respond to Nico.
The A's colors are green and gold.
LOL - definitely
As everyone knows, I am so perfect I would never crow about how perfect I am and I am so tactful that I have never upset anyone in any way.
I should note that this comment is in response to myself.
Good point, me.
Thanks!
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
No doubt. I just think that historical stats will eventually work
their way to the top. No reason to expect something out of him that he has never done in the past.
His defense has also contributed to us losing a few games this year.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
i don't understand the point of that question
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
I think the answer is,
“Unless you think the A’s would rather hit Hannahan for Barton instead of Mike Sweeney for Barton, yes.”
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
do you not understand how to properly use quotation marks?
and if that’s your point, why did you respond to my comment? i see no connection.
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
Come on xbh. We are all on the same side even if we have
different opinions.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not - I'm against xbh
Go Rangers!!!!
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
Ya know... Cindi is a real bitch.
I don’t mind you, Nico, but Cindi… ohmuhgod.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
HOW DARE YOU????
Did Geri put you up to this? Grrrrr….. She did, didn’t she? :-(
-Cindi
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
Rangers Suck! Go Islanders!
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
people say guys not on the DL should be on the DL
now apparently we’re questioning whether guys on the DL should really be there?
i’ll save my opinion for after i get a MD… and hack into their confidential medical files…
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
I saw him run to first base as if
he was running on hot coals with bare feet. I thought, “Why is he playing, if that is how he’s running?”
Overdue for DL, IMHO.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on May 30, 2008 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, the whole "he sucks" thing
isn’t doing much for me.
A key part of the game was failing to score after Gonzalez’ leadoff double. Give the A’s a 2-1 lead instead a 1-1 tie, and the rest of the game looks very different with front line relievers at the ready. You can’t take 7 called third strikes (and I refuse to blame the ump for that many – you have to protect the plate on borderline pitches) and fail to advance runners if you want to compete.
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
This guy was terrible though
I can’t even begin to describe how poor that call was on Barton in the late innings. It was in the other batter’s box. The curveball called on Emil wasn’t a strike either. It was a high and in curveball; a good umpire doesn’t call that a strike. I can understand calling a pitch that hits the inside corner or is a little above the K zone tracker, but both? Those were two notable bad calls, and I just started watching the game in the 7th.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
Didn't see the Barton call but the one to Emil was a strike.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know what kind of stats anyone keeps on umps
but there’s a pretty well-documented effect on players from expansion: basically, a divergence of results as you add formerly AAA players to the league. Already great players get to fatten up on the crappy competition; lousy players put up sucky numbers in the majors, instead of good numbers in the minors.
Why would it be any different for umps? Guys who used to be “not good enough” have regular jobs. The guys who serve as vacation fill-ins - like the dude who called Cros out on that SB, just utterly blowing the call - wouldn’t have even had a sniff at the majors before.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
True, but this was Paul Emmel
who I believe is a veteran ump. He did have an overly wide strike zone, but I think that accounts for 20% of the problem, with the A’s hitters having to take responsibility for 80%. Borderline calls are unpredictable, but you are allowed to foul some of them off.
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
Unpredictability is its own problem
MLB has been trying to enforce a uniform strike zone, but that’s obviously harder with 200 umps or so than with 80. And in the past, the AL and NL had separate crews, so players really got to know how individual umps called balls and strikes.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
+1
I remember the days when most umpires were known by name in the league. Now it seems like we get the guy who just got called up from the minors or the veterans that we have never heard of.
This uniform strike zone idea has really been a poor one. It used to be the strike zones in each league were clear cut and the umpires were somewhat consistent in their pitch calling. Now, it seems like the strike zone gets less and less consistent every year.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
Part of the AL/NL difference was due to the chest protectors
AL umps used the outside “balloon” chest protector, which made it hard to crouch down really low—so they saw the high pitch better than the low pitch and called a higher strike zone. NL umps used the inside protector, which is what they all use now, so it was easier to crouch down and see low strikes.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Well, why do people =still= oppose the
electronic strike zone? Just another example of (1) knowing your own strike zone doesn’t help (2) umps giving up on pitches.
Just a buzzer in the ump’s pocket. Strike, it buzzes, he calls it. Not a strike, no buzz, watch for catcher’s interference, stay away from foul tips, etc.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on May 30, 2008 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I will always oppose it because
I believe it’s a game played by people and that the arbiters are part of that “human fallibility”.
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
In that case
let’s have bats made by hand (sorta round…it looks round!) and balls wound by hand, stitched by hand, all with “human variation”. Home plate? Sorta like what my human mind and eye recall it to be….
Sixty feet, six….or seven…or fifty-nine feet, four inches. Ninety feet, or ninety-point- something.
It is a good game when you’re a kid, and a t-shirt is first base, a hand-towel is second, balls hit to right field are an out (that is the street).
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on May 30, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Personally, I think Mark Ellis
is the best hand-towel-baseman in the league.
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
I'm not happy about the game but "40 years of A's baseball"
is on FSN. I’ll try to enjoy the program.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 7:55 PM PDT reply actions
Missing points
Ks
Lots of them.
Was the ump strike happy, the pitchers on target, or a bit of both?
3-1 Blue Jays over LAA in the 3rd,
and Jered Weaver has thrown 78 pitches through 3 IP (7 hits).
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
Boooooo! I love LAA.
Sincerely,
Raymond Newman (Randy’s brother)
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Not that it mattered
but did Foulke really need to come out for a 2nd inning?
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King
In April, Foulke looked like he was
succeeding with his usual pinpoint location and more use of his slider to offset the loss in velocity. Now it just looks like he’s “running on fumes” – a slump, or he had one more good month left in him and it was April, 2008?
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
Funny thing is I think his velocity on the fastball is actually up
He’s hitting 88-89 mph now, and was topping out at 84-86 in April. I think in the long run, he’ll be a fine bullpen option, it’s just that, with the injuries to Casilla, Brown, and now Devine, we have no proven late inning options besides Embree and Foulke. And that’s a scary thought.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
I'm perplexed as to why he's not throwing his changeup more
Seems like he is actually throwing the slider more then the changeup.
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
Well that's just great. Boston Red Sox. New England Patriots
and now the Boston Celtics. I hate everything that is Boston.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:19 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
+ a million
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
I hate when people exaggerate. Just kidding man.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I hate being called THAT.
I’m such a whimp and an incredibly big pussy. Please call me one or the other and don’t water it down so much.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the Lakers are a lot better than the Celtics.
They didn’t play with Pau Gasol so you can throw out the 0-2 record. Jim Morrisson said it best “the West is THE best.”
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions
well...
at least the Bruins failed to escape the first round, and their fans haven’t seen the Cup since ‘72.
by SwisherThresher on May 30, 2008 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Hallelujah!
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions
although...
Boston College won this year’s NCAA hockey championship
by SwisherThresher on May 30, 2008 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Hopefully the Bluebird do us one solid against the Halos
Duke deserved a better fate today.
I missed out on watching the rest of the game today because I was vacuuming the inside my moms pathfinder. Someone had smashed her passenger side window and took her radio, leaving bits of broken glass strewn everywhere.
I guess it sucks all around.
Green Hulk Fists
Man, sorry about the stolen radio
I had my Pathfinder hammered a while ago; I was pissed. Car thieves need to be castrated.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
Thanks
The thing that sucks the most is that this is the third time a car from my immediate family got broken into.
The first time, someone stole our Toyota minivan, joyriding it to Oakland and smashing the back of it into a post, and rendering it undriveable.
The second time, my parents came back to our Camry parked in the Emeryville Ikea parking lot, only to find the door broken open. The thieves stole our radio and a leather jacket.
My only comfort comes knowing this time that the thief was injured because there was a small trace of blood on the door.
Still, I could hear the weariness in my father’s voice when he recalled these times.
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on May 30, 2008 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Wouldn't a DNA test of the blood
identify the thief? Or would it just confirm that “someone with Type A blood is dishonest!”
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
No police station would go through the trouble
just for a car radio.
This isn’t like Law and Order.
And yes, your blood does make you dishonest!
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on May 31, 2008 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Our local weekly paper just published a front page strory today
about how locking your car doors can help deter thieves.
Next: when it’s cold, try wearing a sweater.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Gulp.
I say don’t lock your car door. Then you have a stolen radio but no broken window.
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
You are giving way too much credit to the thieves.
I doubt they would even check.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions
And if you're hungry, try some soup
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
With this new sweater on? Fat chance.
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
Better alarm systems would be nice
I heard in Europe they were experimenting with one that shot out flames from the side if someone hammered the window, causing 3rd degree burns. That would be something I would like to invest in.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
This "40 years" show is pretty damn good.
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:40 PM PDT reply actions
until it ended and they put on some story about the red sox
what the heck are the red sox doing on my tv??
There's no crying in baseball!
It started 10 minutes early so it's already over.
I am too lazy to change the channel so I saw it :-(
Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 30, 2008 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions
7-3 Blue Jays, still batting in the 5th,
4 runs in with a rally started by…
Marco…
...SCUTARO!!!!
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
The last game I can watch for almost three weeks...
and they can’t win. Shoot.
There's no crying in baseball!
sadly, i a sweeping up the confetti
streamers, and left over cake I had ordered from the Party Shoppe for what was going to be a grand game with all the new call-ups. Guess, I’ll let these balloons free into the air too.
alaska A
Well this frigging sucks
Not only did the A’s lose today, but both BA college teams did too, which (thanks to the extremely weird format the NCAA baseball tournament follows) virtually ends both of their seasons… prior to the point at which they would actually make it to ESPN.
And I just had my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday, so my jaw is more swollen than Ryan Sweeney’s foot.
What a shitty couple of days.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I noticed you just didn't seem quite as wise
as you were Wednesday. Of course, I had my funny bone removed this morning, so…oh well.
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
Had your funny bone removed?
I think DLS had the same procedure…
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Yes, they have grafted a ligament
from the somber bone in my leg into my elbow. It’s very sad and not at all droll.
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
Don't forget about my alma mater, San Jose State
(or Santa Clara either)
Today, the Spartans were RAINED OUT!!
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on May 30, 2008 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Re: wisdom teeth extraction: Percoset is your friend
If combined with red wine, this becomes (in the words of an RN I worked with) a “Mercoset”.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Take that combo while watching old film
of Kent Mercker pitching and…
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
I've never even heard of Percoset
My solution has been Vicodin and Advil in copious quantities…
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Absolute killer losing Thomas and the Sweeneys
The next few weeks are crucial as the team is still in this. I think that the addition of Gonzalez is fantastic. He has a decent future. I think the team needs to send Barton down. I have been advocating putting Mike Sweeney in all year but now he is hurt and may be out for a while.
I think the team should look to make a trade to add a 1B or for a corner OF immediately.
There other options could be to rotate Hannahan and Barton at 1B until some of the guys get healthy, but the problem of an unproductive 1B spot still remains. Maybe Cust or Brown can play 1B if Sweeney is hurt for an extended time.
I don’t see how the A’s can compete with 0 production from the 1B position. They must look into other options at 1B.
The manager and team have to be giving up on Barton as the main poster commented – Hannahan was being sent up to Pinch Hit for Barton in the 9th. If that doesn’t tell you who low we have sunk then what will. 1B is the position where teams need offense.
Our 3B, SS and 2b are fine. No All-stars but decent players and hitters.
CF looks good as C. Gonzalez or R. Sweeney can play here.
Corner OF is very weak. Once R. Sweeney gets back things will improve but I we can do better than Buck and Brown.
I think the team will hit a horrible slump unless some guys start hitting soon
How embarrassing would that be?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Does anyone else find it ironic....
that so many people on here are complaining about a lack of run production (rightfully so). Many of those same people are saying that Emil Brown should not be getting as much playing time as he does, yet he is leading our team in RBI’s. A little too ironic, don’t ya think??
Not unless you are operating under the delusion
that RBI’s have anything to do with run production.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
what's saddens me is that
even if rbi’s were a useful stat to keep track of, emil brown has only racked up a whopping 4 of them since may 11. not any worse than the rest of them but still
by chipper1001 on May 30, 2008 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Your misunderstanding of the situation and assessment that it involves irony
is ironic.
The A's colors are green and gold.
I wonder if it rained on Emil Brown's wedding day
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
He's getting a free ride, but he's already paid
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
Does he use the same Horse Hooker service I do?
I mean, that I don’t but have heard about from friends strangers?
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
Sounds like those strangers had some good advice
that you just didn’t take.
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
someone tell Ty the batting coach to tell Jack Cust the following: you are a number three hitter! you are not up there to walk! you are not up there to take pitches with the bat on your shoulders! you can be fooled on a pitch but you can’t stare at pitches! IRemember you are not here for your fielding! I am a an A’s fan for 50 years.
do you not know jack cust’s career? he walks, strikes out or HR’s. plus having a bad ump behind the plate didnt help.
I know his record! Does the word adjust mean anything . If the umpire has a wide strike zone, common sense you have to swing at close pitches. I know his ranking with walks strikeouts. He appears just to me as taking far to many pitches . In this lineup I will take his swinging third strike, scream a little to the TV and move on.
+1000
IMO a player should be fined by management for striking out looking 3 times in a game. Cust and the other knew this guy had a terrible zone in yet they continued to look like idiots up there just looking and wondering why they had to go back to the dugout.
It is called making adjustments. They didn’t adjust
Millwood was throwing strikes and a normal hitter on any other team would have been swinging early in the count and probably getting hits.
That's an excellent idea
Let’s mess with the approach of the best hitter on the team. I mean, sure he will make more outs and become worse. But he’ll LOOK BETTER DOING IT! And as everyone knows, that’s what’s important. Forget this “winning” crap.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
How can you call protecting a close 2 strike pitch
messing with his approach?
It is not WINNING when you strike out looking 3 times.
I seem to remember Cust swinging at the first pitch from the lefty who came out of the pen for Boston and hitting a 2 run homer.
Cust is currently in the 3 hole. He is there to get on base and drive the runs in. Not strike out looking 3 consecutive times.
Having him protect when down 2 strikes is not messing with his approach and you might had he and a few others protected on close pitches, we may have scored a few more runs too.
He is supposed to be a professional hitter and being such he should have protected with 2 strikes
That is meant to be
we might had he and a few others protected on close pitches, scored a few more runs too
Also
what you are saying PT is that is by messing with his approach and swinging and making more outs is that you have no faith in him making contact and driving in runs or getting hits in the first place.
Do you think he may be able to make contact if he swings and protects?
He sure can’t make contact when he’s looking 3 times in a row can he????
Yes, because you know more about hitting than Jack Cust
It’s not like he has a school of hitting or something.
I believe that Jack Cust knows more than anyone else does about what will maximize Jack Cust’s chances of doing damage at the plate. I certainly believe he knows more about that than a random fan.
I could go into more detail here, but really, what’s the point? Your attack on him is nonsense. You aren’t in the batter’s box. You have no clue what he “should” or “shouldn’t” have done.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
The bottom line is you would rather see him strike out looking
that protect with 2 strikes.
And No, I do not know more about hitting than Jack Cust but I have a clue that he should have swung at those strike 3 pitches as he made an OUT each time.
But according to you “He Knows Best”
I know this
“If he swings (or had swung) the bat in half of the strike 3 lookings he has had, his strikeout numbers would be way down. I don’t have a problem with players striking out who swing and I don’t have a problem with players who swing early in the count and make “1” pitch outs because they are going to get “1” pitch hits as well. A “strike 3 looking” is a totally unproductive, wasted at bat and while his OBP is fantastic, he needs to improve in those other areas if he wants to be a good 3 hole hitter.
Cust is an above average with 2 strikes
because he takes those close pitches. Often he winds up striking out, but he also walks a lot, which would not continue to be the case if he changed his approach. He is also hitting .370 on balls in play with 2 strikes; that number would also come down. He would miss most of the pitches he is taking for called third strikes if he swung anyway.
When Cust gets 2 strikes on him, he is better than nearly every other player in the league at not making an out. Changing his approach (because various fans have an irrational hatred of called third strikes) would be insane.
The A's colors are green and gold.
OK and being that he may well miss most of the pitches he is taking for called K's
I would rather have someone who hits for higher average (around .300) who walks and K’s alot less in the 3 hole. Granted injuries have made it necessary to have Cust hitting 3rd and when Frank and others come back, they can move Cust down a couple.
Mike Sweeney, Frank Thomas and even Ryan Sweeney are way better at delivering in clutch situations than Cust.
Cust’s forte is getting on base which is fine. He does that better than most but I don’t think he is that dumb that he can’t make a little adjustment and protect a little more. Yeah, the walks go down a little but the hits may go up a little as well
On the Bright Side
- Chavvy took some really good swings – He looks pretty comfortable at the plate. Definitely looks pain-free.
- CarGon, aka Patrol Craft, is silky smooth. 6+ years of this makes me smile.
- Starting Pitching is awesome.
- A combined 18+ years of Buck, Patrol Craft, and Ryan Sweeney in the OF should be really, really fun to watch. I expect them to be very inconsistent this season, and some of next…. but the future looks very bright.
- AL West Teams seem have our number. Poundthe Strike Zone. Get ahead of hitters. Nibble. I think the A’s need to adjust. Don’t be afraid to swing at the 1st Pitch.
- Ziggy in the Show! How awesome is that?
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