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6/10/08 DLD: What did I learn?

Closed_sign_tiny by Jennifer on

Happy Birthday to AsGirl (if she's still around)!

Star-divide

HT to The Dogfather for this Brad Ziegler link in the Chron.

AN gets a mention:

A's reliever Brad Ziegler has pitched in only five major-league games, but he already has somewhat of a cult following because of his blog on Athleticsnation.com. "Getting Ziggy With It" has been appearing since January 2007.

Ziegler said, "Apparently, it's given me a little fan base here, and it's fun because I love it when people approach me and feel like they have some connection with me."

I'm We're stalking you, Brad.

What did I learn?: Don't go out in a thunderstorm with Ziggy.

I wanted to do a Bobble Village project this week. (No link)

What did I learn?: There is an adult film star that goes by Ziggy, and it's best to turn on my Google Images filter while looking for "ziggy" photos at work.

Also from the Chron:

A voting update for the popularity contest All Star Game.

What did I learn?: People in the East have nothing better to do than sit at home and vote for the ASG.

Updates on Street and Crosby.

What did I learn?: Tonight's game is actually IN Oakland, not NYC, making tonight's game on at 9:00 Central not 6:00 as I originally thought.

The Germans are after us: Swimmers to get fast new suit.

What did I learn?: All I need is a sparkly new swimsuit to be fast. And German.

Obligatory LL link.

What did I learn?: AN needs awesome animated gifs... and Jeff.<?I>

5 recs | Comment 121 comments

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And the Coliseum

needs more banners for Dandy House. From the illustrations, I gather they sell magical weight loss and good posture.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 10, 2008 9:41 AM PDT   0 recs

Go Rays!

What did I learn? I love seeing the Angel’s get pounded.

"The Athletics at Fremont" is obscene

by ArakSOT on Jun 10, 2008 9:47 AM PDT   0 recs

WHAT A GAME!

go A’s.

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 9:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Lose Angeles!

Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 10, 2008 10:04 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BEAT LA(oA)

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Jun 10, 2008 11:00 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Now that's funny

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 11:39 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I know the Chron, like everyone else, has cut way back on the copy desk

But please—

And he knows the pain of laying with a skull fracture in the intensive-care unit while contemplating retirement.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 10, 2008 9:55 AM PDT   0 recs

well, to be fair to the Chron CEs ...

... if he’d been lying in the ICU [which really doesn’t need to be hyphenated in the full spelled-out form; who would mistake it for a care unit that’s intensive?], he could have been sitting on a gurney, telling the attending physician that his head was fine but he had a broken leg.

Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 10, 2008 10:06 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fair/shmare -- so how do you even find the skull of an ICU, much less fracture it?

Calling Groucho…

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 10, 2008 11:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nick Swisher hit 2 HR's yesterday

I haven’t been missing him because he has really struggeled this year. But he is starting to heat up now (even before the multi-HR game). I miss the Swish.


You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jun 10, 2008 10:05 AM PDT   0 recs

I only missed him yesterday...

I miss him every day he has a good day, and am glad he’s gone every time he takes an o’fer…

"You have to have a catcher or you'll have all passed balls."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 11, 2008 5:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What if the game lasts more than four hours?

I like the kicker—the guy who tried to warn the WADA about off-label uses of Viagra had his warning email discarded by a spam filter.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 10, 2008 10:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I would think wearing a cup would be uncomfortable while taking the little blue pill.


You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jun 10, 2008 10:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Grace Slick knew all about this in the '60s

One pill makes you larger,
And one pill makes you small …

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 10, 2008 11:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is that Emil Brown playing OF for SEA?

The Stockton Ports pitching staff is better than the Orioles.

by gdub171 on Jun 10, 2008 10:15 AM PDT   0 recs

YES

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 10:16 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

what?

is that another E. Brown or did AN’s fantasy come true?


You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jun 10, 2008 10:29 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I know you didn't actually check his career stats

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 11:40 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, we were talking about the video.

I get it now. Don’t mind me, just browsing :-)


You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jun 10, 2008 6:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Handling salmon in suspicious circumstances"

LOL

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 10, 2008 12:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Buggery

Love that word

by easyraider on Jun 10, 2008 1:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Possessing or controlling dead badger"

We don’t need no stinkin’ badgers!

And a dead badger is a stinkin’ badger.

"He's a misfit. He gets along with everyone." - Reggie Jackson, describing Joe Rudi

by McFood on Jun 11, 2008 7:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The UK is nuts...

...and they play baseball all wronglike, too, with wooden wickets instead of a catcher, and you don’t have to run, either, if you don’t want to, and they drink tea instead of Gatorade, and they smell funny because they eat a lot of fish…

"You have to have a catcher or you'll have all passed balls."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 11, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Helpful reading

for ohad as he prepares for college.

Perhaps he could even email Sal about bus accommodations.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 10, 2008 11:25 AM PDT   0 recs

I believe the vulgarity is [fornication] truck.

Recall that I was an undergrad at your current institute, and that the sociological phenomenon in your link is for undergraduates.

Apparently, it is not uncommon to see young women get off the bus with pillows in hand. Why they would fish downstream of the reactor is beyond me.

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Jun 10, 2008 11:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I refuse to read any book, blog, journal, essay, email, or comic strip that is un-ironically subtitled “Thoughts on [first thing], [second thing], and life.”

by 74mk on Jun 10, 2008 1:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is amazing

FanGraphs now has Win Probability statistics for 1974 onward, with the exception of 1999. They are also now park adjusted with the exception of this current year. I’m working on that….

Barry Bonds leads all batters in WPA with 124 wins. The next best batter is Rickey Henderson with 67 wins.

Barry Bonds has been almost twice as good as any other hitter in the last 34 years. That’s insane.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 10, 2008 12:11 PM PDT   0 recs

don't you mean "insain"?

Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 10, 2008 12:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Insain in the brane

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 10, 2008 12:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yay

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yet, no team is willing to employ him.

I can understand the A’s-after all, we already quite a few DH’s on the team (Cust, Thomas, Sweeney, Barton), and Thomas was hitting well ever since we acquired him before going on the DL. We got him for League Minimum, which is probably not what Bonds would agree to. But still, how is he out of a job still?

So many teams (Tigers, Mariners, even now the RedSox) could use him. Hell, the DRays can use him, can’t they? Even the A’s, if we somehow put him in the OF and created the worst defensive outfield ever could use him.

by Zonis on Jun 10, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Jason Giambi Growth Chart Day"

Aside from that one detail, though, FAIL for 7 points.

Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 10, 2008 1:02 PM PDT   0 recs

ugh

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 1:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But, but... he gave up, like, actual RUNS yesterday

His ERA is back over 1.00!

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 10, 2008 1:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, what's up with that?

Fire Italiano Now!

"You have to have a catcher or you'll have all passed balls."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 11, 2008 5:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What did I learn?

Monkeys can fish.

mmmm… maybe some grilled salmon at AN-Day tailgate?

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 10, 2008 1:15 PM PDT   0 recs

[buzzer noise]

Sorry, that’s ‘handling salmon in suspicious circumstances’.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 10, 2008 1:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WHY DOAN YOO GO WONTANLIE DISTERB A BAJER?

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 10, 2008 1:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WONTANLIE?

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 10, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Those Mariner clips are awesome

I know we had some shaky defense earlier this season, but to think that all of those plays happened in the same game is just mind-blowing.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on Jun 10, 2008 1:19 PM PDT   0 recs

What did I learn?

D-Train forgot how to pitch, and he’s being sent down. Like, all the way down. He needs to lose about 40 pounds, too.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on Jun 10, 2008 1:29 PM PDT   0 recs

I think this season should pretty much end any discussion of Dombrowski

as being one of the best GMs in the game.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 10, 2008 1:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Please post

link to where PaulThomas informs us that the Tigers-Marlins deal would land Willis in the minors, Cabrera with a career low .790 OPS (previous 3-year avg around .960) to date and the Tigers with 3rd worst record in the AL.

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's absurd

I didn’t call the Tigers out as made of paper (get it?) prior to the season, but I didn’t think they were going to win their division, either. Mostly because I thought their rotation was very average for a contender.(Although I thought Cleveland would, so whatever…) I certainly thought the Willis contract was appalling, although I didn’t foresee him ending up in A-ball. Cabrera is Cabrera; there’s nothing wrong with him, just a slow start.

In any event, it’s not like I added “and put me in that discussion instead”...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 10, 2008 2:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

just making sure Paul

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 3:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think most of us figured the Tigers would be able to slug themselves into contention ...

No one could have foreseen the utter collapse of including I-Rod and Sheffield and disappointing seasons from everyone else aside from Ordonez and Guillen …

The rotation was obviously pretty mediocre … Verlander’s poor performance comes as a surprise but, otherwise, the rotation has pretty much pitched to its ability … bothering to acquire Willis at all was a very hopeful move … signing him to a big extension was a very stupid move. There are plenty of quotes from PT, myself and a number of others at the time making that point.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 10, 2008 2:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The signing was a stupid move, but nobody had him with the Zito like ERA

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lols

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 10, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If I predict a guy having a 5.5 or so era ...

and he ends up have a 10.5 era … I’m still going with: I was right …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 10, 2008 7:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

when don't you go with that

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 11, 2008 1:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The rare occasion that I'm not right ...

it’s rare … but I’ll admit it when it happens …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 11, 2008 2:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I watched that Indians-Tigers game

last night. It was positively painful to watch Willis pitch. He looked like he didn’t have a clue how to throw the ball, and looked terrified. It was so bad I felt sorry for him.

by SportySpice on Jun 10, 2008 2:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, Class A

They must really like the pitching coach down there.

It’s ironic that the D-Train derailed in Detroit. Didn’t they have that rookie of the year, Mark Steven “The Bird” Fidrych, that flamed out after a couple seasons?


You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jun 10, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Probably want him to enjoy success -- get his head together ...

while working on whatever he needs to work on …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 10, 2008 8:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They Igawa'd him

Speaking of which, Kei Igawa is now no longer the minors’ most overpaid player!

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 11, 2008 1:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Giraffe meat: now Kosher!

As is giraffe milk!

(Wow: the Internets seem to have no record of the Durazo-Kielty giraffe-burrito ad from several years back.)

Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 10, 2008 1:57 PM PDT   0 recs

Ahem.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 10, 2008 2:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I liked 2004's commercials more than 2008's.

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 10, 2008 2:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was worried that googling "giraffe taco" would turn up some really weird pr0n

Why does such a wonderful man like such terrible things? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 10, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chien Ming Wang

Gotta swing early

0-0 count .321
0-1 count .345
1-0 count .324
1-1 count .273
1-2 count .136

gotta get to that sinker early.

small sample size but everbody’s favorite Emil Brown 4-9 and I would think this is due to his swinging early. No others on any note except Mark Ellis is 0-6. I guess it’s like a lot of good pitchers in that you get behind and you are in the crapper

by Trainman on Jun 10, 2008 2:10 PM PDT   0 recs

every pitcher has numbers like that....

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 10, 2008 2:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Most pitchers don't get worse after throwing a first pitch strike ...

but that’s almost certainly a SSS issue …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jun 10, 2008 2:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You should always take the first pitch, according to the data

I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball

by JediLeroy on Jun 10, 2008 2:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no....

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 10, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

According to this specific data, yes

If you have a better chance of hitting him with a 1-0 or 0-1 count than you do with a 0-0 count….

..am I missing something? It’s entirely possible.

I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball

by JediLeroy on Jun 10, 2008 4:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well,

you can’t tell what you should do with that data. Basically, if you get a good pitch, you should swing, and if not you shouldn’t. But never swinging at first pitches is a really bad idea.

And single season stats like that for a particular pitcher are pretty worthless.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 10, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs