12 June 2008 DLD: Links

by andeux on Jun 12, 2008 1:41 PM PDT Comment 146 comments

Vanity Fair has a long article by ~~Billy Beane~~ Michael Lewis about baseball in Cuba, and the agent who was convicted of smuggling four players into the U.S. Definitely worth the time to read this one.

Apart from that, as the game starts, much is familiar. The managers do dopey things to remind everyone they exist - like bat their best hitter seventh or bunt the D.H. in the top of the first with runners on first and second and nobody out. There are players who clearly like to get dirty and players who don't. The catchers have the same subtle ability to distance themselves from pitchers in trouble - refusing to make eye contact as they hand him a new ball after a home run. Even the body language is the same - right down to the same startling amount of unself-conscious public crotch grabbing when things go wrong.

According to ESPN, the A's may be prepared to outbid "at least seven other teams", including the Yankees, for 16-year old Dominican RHP Michael Inoa. We'll see.

Milton Bradley flipped out:

Milton Bradley stormed out of the Texas Rangers clubhouse after an 11-5 victory Wednesday night over Kansas City and bounded up four flights of stairs looking for Royals television announcer Ryan Lefebvre.
Bradley, who led the AL with a .333 batting average heading into Thursday's games, heard what he considered derogatory remarks made by Lefebvre on a TV in the Rangers clubhouse. General manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington were close behind and intercepted Bradley, who was the designated hitter Wednesday, before he reached Lefebvre.
"I don't want to get necessarily into the details," Daniels said. "He was upset. Someone who doesn’t know him was passing judgment on TV. It was obvious he was hurt by the comments." Bradley never reached Lefebvre, although he was within about 20 feet of him in the TV booth before being led back down to the clubhouse.
"There was no incident," Daniels said.

And Ryan Sweeney went 3/4 with a HR last night on his rehab assignment with Sacramento. Overall, he's hitting .414 there, and is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow. (DFA Brown). Roster moves coming perhaps? (DFA Brown)

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Obvious solution

Send Milton to the Cuban gulag.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2008 1:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

belnb

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you saying he'll turn it upside down?

I want an A's-Rays ALCS.

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jun 12, 2008 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

overturned

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that michael lewis article was a great read

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 Jun 12, 2008 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Howard Dean's next career move

Once he got to be president, Richard Nixon had the nerve to send plays to Washington Redskins coach George Allen, but Allen didn’t pay them much attention. Here you need only to be a local party official and you get to move the first-baseman off the line.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

or Howard Dean's pollster's

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Jun 12, 2008 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I started reading it this afternoon

and I’m STILL reading it. Sheesh.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on Jun 12, 2008 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

fascinating!
Truly a tale worth telling. Great article.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 13, 2008 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do I hear a brown note?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Only if they use it inside the hall as well

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get Rich Quick Scheme #3:

Trademark the name “Crap Cannon”.

Results: Pending (subject to a search of all trademarked names beginning with the word “crap” already registered by some guy that goes by the name of M.K. Ball.)

Cotton Candy

by Ice Cream on Jun 14, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mmmkay?

If we can’t fix the stupid, can we at least beat them senseless? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 15, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of all the poo jokes flung your way, you decide to take offense at mine? Why?

Forgive me because it surely wasn’t thought of or posted in a mean-spirited way. I thought I’d be adding to the monkeyball “canon” of crap jokes. Obviously, it backfired.

Cotton Candy

by Ice Cream on Jun 15, 2008 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

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 Jun 16, 2008 12:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sincerest apologies, Ice Cream Man

I didn’t take offense at all, and took your comment as you intended; my intent with the blackboard was to be humorous, but I missed.

If we can’t fix the stupid, can we at least beat them senseless? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 16, 2008 7:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, monkeyball. Sorry for my misinterpretation.

{reviews basic textbook}

It’s all good now.

Cotton Candy

by Ice Cream on Jun 16, 2008 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Racist,

If he was Emil White, I bet you wouldn’t want him DFA’d

by theblackpearl on Jun 12, 2008 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If he was Emil White, I'd want him keelhauled!

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 12, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking forward to the outfield of BadSweeney, PtrCrft, and Buck

I feel like calling him bad Sweeney still. Hope he will be a very BAD man to the opposing pitchers.

by asfansince1989 on Jun 12, 2008 2:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Vin Scully used to call Hank Aaron

“Bad Henry”.

It sent chills up your spine (esp. because, though I lived in LA, I was a Milwaukee Braves fan)..

(Vin makes the call…)

“Two on….NOOO-body OUT…and here comes baaad Henry!”

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 13, 2008 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOOHOO! I'm officially graduating high school today!

Oh, and I can’t wait until Baby Sweeney comes back.

by Kimberly on Jun 12, 2008 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

congrats!

You can't fire me...I don't work in this van!

by BigTuna on Jun 12, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations!

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 12, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

by Zonis on Jun 12, 2008 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SHINJI~!

by Kaiser99 on Jun 12, 2008 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can anyone post the A's portion of the BP AL West Draft Recap?

by Zonis on Jun 12, 2008 2:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Oakland Athletics

Draft Philosophy: Stick to what you are comfortable with, and focus on the top college talent.

First Pick: Jemile Weeks, 2B, Miami (12th overall)
How High He Could Have Gone: Certainly no higher than this, and even at 12, this was a bit of a surprise, as most saw him going in the 16-18 range.
Path To The Big Leagues: Much of Weeks’ timetable could depend on his defense, and he has the athleticism to be a very good second baseman, but needs a lot of work on his fundamentals.

Rest of the First Day:
2. Tyson Ross, RHP, California: Did not perform as well as expected this spring, but was up to 95-96 mph by the end of the season; it was a surprise to see him still available.
3. Petey Paramore, C, Arizona State: A solid hitter with excellent plate discipline, but the body and his arm strength are concerns.
4. Anthony Capra, LHP, Wichita State: A solid lefty low on upside, but a strike-thrower with a deep arsenal.
5. Jason Christian, SS, Michigan: A good athlete with plus speed and true shortstop skills, but he’s very skinny and needs to add strength.
6. Tyreace House, OF, College of the Canyons: A burner on the basepaths with a compact frame; some feel that he turned a corner this year.

Best Second-Day Selections:
7. Brett Hunter, RHP, Pepperdine: A first-round talent who went down with an elbow injury at the end of the year. Oakland has to figure out how serious it is to determine how much he’s worth now.
8. Jeremy Barfield, OF, San Jacinto JC (TX): Josh’s brother is more in the mold of his father Jesse, as he’s bigger and has more power.
10. Rashun Dixon, OF, Terry HS (MS): A high-ceiling toolsy type who will need more than tenth-round money to sign.

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

--Bilbo Baggins

by kaweahkaweah on Jun 12, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like the second-day strategy, going by the descriptions for those three picks.

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 Jun 12, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're All Gonna Die !

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5008225

by sf drift king on Jun 12, 2008 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

today

by sf drift king on Jun 12, 2008 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But! But!

The world was just created Last Thursday!

by Zonis on Jun 12, 2008 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mark 13
22: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23: But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Jeremiah 14:14
Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries [a] and the delusions of their own minds.

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

by micdog2001 on Jun 12, 2008 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beane's next innovation?

Self-signing prospects.

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Christ, what a Wood's Hole

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Jun 12, 2008 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's more like it

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any fellow cornholing enthusiasts out there?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chortle

Cornhole enthusiasts can sign up to play in the singles bracket or team up in the doubles bracket. Governor Strickland will kick off every tournament.

I dunno about you folks, but I’m backing doubles cornholing for Olympic sport status. What I really want to see is synchronized cornholing, but I don’t think the square Olympic world is ready for it.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Colorado Fan

Cornholer.

by Colorado Fan on Jun 12, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

from my understanding, the most recently former Ohio Sec'ty of State was a real cornhole enthusiast

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

synchronized cornholing

Are you saying that square hole isn’t ready for a round peg?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cornhole

I 2 career 4 baggers to my name.

RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!

by niallmack on Jun 13, 2008 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

I am apparently am the only cave man cornholer.

RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!

by niallmack on Jun 13, 2008 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that goes in my potential sigline file

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I AM CORNHOLIO

I need TP for my bunghole.

(pulls shirt up to top of head)

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Jun 12, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Calm down Beavis

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Jun 12, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone's laughing, and riding, and cornholing except Buster.

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 12, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe people actually call it cornhole

In the Chicago area it’s basically known as “bags” now. Some people try to call it “Bag-O” but they get beaten with a stick for being lame.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 12, 2008 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As goes Ohio, so goes the nation

Check out the website of the American Cornhole Association. Stupid work computer won’t let me upload files to photobucket, otherwise I’d post the picture of the GREEN AND GOLD cornhole-themed products they have for sale.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 12, 2008 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when I was in college, my friends had a band ...

... called “USA America Cornhole.”

This time, I’m not kidding.

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's a good one...

my new band is called
“The Pilots Dared Me To Die!”
and we play escaped mental patient electronic jazz
with just a hint of Martian Gospel,
and of course we’re heavily influenced by The Shaggs.

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 13, 2008 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

man, the Shaggs are amazing

Unlistenable (in the conventional sense), but amazing.

Are you hep to the Zagmen, and/or Reagan’s Polyp?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, but I'm taking note

and will be looking them up shortly

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 16, 2008 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm very disappointed in you all

The correct response is:

Christ, what a cornhole

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ass, what a Christhole!

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

by McFood on Jun 13, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't seen it on the A's site, but they have signed #2 pick Tyson Ross

The Oakland A’s have signed their second-round draft pick Tyson Ross, a local product who attended Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School and became a star pitcher at Cal.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_9566133

by theblackpearl on Jun 12, 2008 2:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So far the A's have signed 16 of their picks

I’ve compiled the names into a nice list from the two press releases on the A’s site:

RHP Tyson Ross (2nd round, California)
SS Jason Christian (5th round, Michigan)
OF Jeremy Barfield (8th round, San Jacinto College)
C Mitchell LeVier (9th, Fullerton College)
OF David Thomas (14th, Catawba College)
SS Nino Leyja (15th, Houston Christian HS)
RHP Matthews Fitts (16th, Lewis-Clark State College)
RHP Michael Hart (19th, Texas State)
3B Rodney Rutherford (20th, Columbus State)
RHP Mathieu Leblanc-Poirier (21st, Ahuntsic College)
RHP Kenny Smalley (24th, Delta State)
LHP Trey Barham (25th, Virginia Military Institute)
RHP Ryan Doolittle (26th, Cumberland County College)
2B Kevin Jernigan (30th, South Alabama)
RHP Mickey Storey (31st, Florida Atlantic)
RHP Shawn Haviland (33rd, Harvard)

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 12, 2008 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hooray for Nino Leja!

I just love that name!

If he doesn’t end up a star, I’ll eat my hat!

(The preceding message was brought to you by Sausage Hat, a new fast food concept from the makers of Hamburger Helmet!)

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 13, 2008 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any affiliation

with Hats of Meat?

"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.

by andeux on Jun 13, 2008 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This thread is a few days old, but to update

The A’s have signed two more picks, bringing the total to 18:

C Petey Paramore (3rd, Arizona State)
OF Rashun Dixon (10th, Terry HS)

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 15, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this thread is a few days old, but to update

Sausage Hat has no affiliation with Hats of Meat, and is planning on suing them for stealing our fucking idea!

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 16, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for those of you into fantasy baseball

and the stock market, here’s a pretty cool site to check out:

http://www.protrade.com/FansLanding.html

looks like some A’s fans have already caught on to it.

by sf drift king on Jun 12, 2008 2:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow, I'm surprised

by how many ANers think Brown should be DFA’d. I would think that either TBuck or Rajai Davis would be the outfielders in jeopardy of losing out.

by sf drift king on Jun 12, 2008 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why does it surprise you?

Buck is a young player with a ton of potential. Davis brings speed and defense that are useful in key situations. Brown has been bad at pretty much everything, and he doesn’t have much of a future with the A’s anyway.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 12, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brown's just been lucky,

and his luck ran out.

Unless we’ve got the second coming of Herb Washington waiting in the wings, I like Davis off the bench in late game situations. He’s good at his role, and we can afford to use the 25th roster spot on that luxury at this point in time.

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 13, 2008 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hi my name is Milton, how do you do?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Texas Rangers outfielder Milton Bradley said Thursday he wanted to “introduce” himself to Kansas City Royals television announcer Ryan Lefebvre after some negative comments made on the air.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3440102

by theblackpearl on Jun 12, 2008 3:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

One word: THERAPY.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on Jun 12, 2008 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milton wanted to "introduce" his fist to Ryan's face.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 12, 2008 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

EOTM

(euphemism of the month)

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

just read that on yahoo sports.

Things can never go too well for Milton.

alaska A

by ak_A on Jun 12, 2008 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for nico

relatively cool judge assigned to bestiality video case busted for posting photos containing nudity and bestiality on his website:
link

Kozinski’s Web site contained material that included a video of a half-naked man cavorting with a sexually aroused farm animal…

They show them this animal pornography.
Really kinky stuff like two dogs making love with a cat…
or a bat and a pig.

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 Jun 12, 2008 4:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

source for my current sigline

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sean mentions his brother getting drafted, and childhood days

A little irony … growing up he was always the catcher and I was the one who found myself doing the pitching. He also pulled double duty and pitched at times but made a name for himself in high school and on the college recruiting scene as a catcher, the way I was recruited largely as a left-handed pitcher. Now the roles have reversed and I’m the everyday player while he’s the one on the bump. Needless to say, it was a special experience for us and I am already looking forward to following his career as he gets started.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080612&content_id=414479&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

by theblackpearl on Jun 12, 2008 4:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm afraid of the day ...

... Beane drafts a cornhole enthusiast, and we find out who grew up playing catcher.

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure that will end up being a good pick

even if Ryan never does a thing in his pro career.

Blood, as they say, is thicker than water.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 12, 2008 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nothing about Duke showing up Cust (or not?)

I’d be very surprised if it was aimed at Cust, but I guess its possible

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Jun 12, 2008 4:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

see Susan Slusser at www.sfgate.com

in her June 13th article she says Duke was not showing up Cust at all.
No way.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 13, 2008 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freakonomics: no one should bother doing anything.

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 6:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

again: that is dubner the journalist, not levitt the economist.
also again: economist article on local/organic/fairtrade food.

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 Jun 12, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't imagine an easier strawman argument to knock down

than the suggestion that everyone should produce everything they use themselves. Any reasonable definition of localvore would allow me (a Chicago resident) to take advantage of the food growing expertise of my nearby Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan farmers.

by colin on Jun 13, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s been shown that the monkey feels maximal reward not when he eats the grape but at the moment he’s sure it’s in his possession, ready to eat.

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 6:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No comment

“The columnist David Brooks, who is writing a book about the brain…”

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Jun 12, 2008 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm always disappointed when I go to Applebee's that they don't have brains in the salad bar

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 12, 2008 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

umm, monkeyball,

...that’s not cauliflower!

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 13, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha-HA!

Applebee’s doesn’t have a salad bar!

Wait. Where was I then?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for "elder hot" obsessed monkeyball

She was 82. He was 95. They had dementia. They fell in love. And then they started having sex.

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 Jun 12, 2008 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's 13 years older than her! Cradle-robber!

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on Jun 13, 2008 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mariners Fire Whiffing Coach

SEATTLE—Claiming that Mariners whiffers have not been swinging wildly or embarrassingly enough, GM Bill Bavasi fired team whiffing coach Jeff Pentland Monday. “Our guys have simply forgotten the basics—flailing, guessing, just standing there like a statue as a perfect pitch comes sailing right over the plate,” Bavasi said. “Sure, we’ve excelled in areas such as hitting soft fly balls directly to the left-fielder and grounding weakly into double plays, but that only gets you so far. We need to get to a point where our team is able to whiff with the game on the line.” Bavasi, however, once again reserved heavy praise for the team’s sucking coach.

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 Jun 12, 2008 8:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chortle!

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2008 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

papelbon

awesome
or
d-bag?

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 Jun 12, 2008 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Do we have to choose?

Why not just an awesome d-bag?

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Jun 12, 2008 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mark Ellis spotted in Italy.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Jun 12, 2008 11:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Shoosh!

He’ll be DFA if he’s Italian!

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 13, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please DFA Brown

That guy started hot but is now ice cold. Thus The A’s don’t need him shorting the game by 4 to 5 outs.

Lets go A's

by Jackson_A on Jun 13, 2008 6:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Braun in an A's uniform

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080610&content_id=2881160&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

Ahh, what could of been.

Gas to Chicago- $23.87 A's/White Sox Tix- $28 Watching the A's whipping the Sox in July 05'- Priceless

by WiscoFan on Jun 13, 2008 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

boy

everyone looks better in Green & Gold!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jun 13, 2008 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

< drool >

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 Jun 13, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eight-year-olds, Dude

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 13, 2008 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Put 40 years on Jered Weaver.... it would be the guy on the right.

Aw.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 13, 2008 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

three?!?

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jun 13, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get with the program, batgirl!

True ~~stalkers~~ fans can keep track of players’ babies, too!

Speaking of which, what time does the wives’ softball game start tomorrow?

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 13, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His name?

Trey.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 13, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please be kidding.

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 13, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 13, 2008 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

heat the oven up for quatro!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jun 13, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The next baby will be an Audi?

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 13, 2008 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

or perhaps Leather Tuscadero?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 14, 2008 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO ANGELS PICTURES! What the hell?!?!

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

by McFood on Jun 13, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

New AN didn't show my little "action" quotes which said

“charges up four flights of stairs to “introduce” myself to Jennifer, but collapses, out of breath, after three”

New AN fails again.

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

by McFood on Jun 13, 2008 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The words that enraged Milton

Deadspin excerpts this Jason Whitlock column, which in turn quotes the words of KC broadcaster Jim Lefebrve which so angered Milton Bradley:

"Here’s a guy, with all the troubles he’s had, has shown that if you work at it, you can get your life back in order," Lefevbre said on the telecast Wednesday, referring to Hamilton. "And that would be a pretty good role model for Milton Bradley, who clearly has no control over himself, because it’s the same thing year after year. This game, this country, really if you follow baseball, has really embraced Josh Hamilton. I think they’ve wanted to do the same with Milton Bradley, but Milton Bradley has refused to allow himself to be put in that position."

Whitlock seems to think it’s understandable that Milton took offense. I do not agree.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 13, 2008 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

interesting

He’s not, however, going to tolerate being told by someone he’s never met that Hamilton should be his role model. That’s a bad joke. It’s an unintended insinuation that Bradley’s moodiness is related to a chemical dependency.
When I heard about Lefebvre’s comments, I immediately called two friends and asked whether Bradley had a drug problem.

When I heard the comments, I in no way thought that Lefebrve was insinuating a drug or alchohol problem. Did anyone else make this connection?

and BTW, thank the heavens I don’t have to put “Lefebrve” into my scorebook—that is one seriously hard name to spell. I don’t even think I’m spelling it correctly now. I think I’ve seen it spelled several different ways.

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jun 13, 2008 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lefevbre's comments were moronic and biased

Isn’t that sufficient reason to take offense? (Note I said “take offense,” not “publicly charge up to the broadcast booth.”)

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 13, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you on this

I love Milton Bradley, and really, really want to see him succeed (in life—and in baseball being part of his life), but to react as he did over that?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Must be that time of the month for him.

He’s on the rage.

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

by McFood on Jun 13, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of my favorite Simpsons line:

“Aw, I’m a rageaholic… I’m addicted to rageahol.”

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 13, 2008 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

in case it hasn't been posted elsewhere

SuSlu addressed the Duke/Cust thing:

Some viewers of Wednesday’s game apparently interpreted Justin Duchscherer’s gesture of disgust at Jason Giambi’s seventh-inning double as directed at left fielder Jack Cust, though the A’s were playing Giambi in an exaggerated shift. Duchscherer said he was reacting because Giambi has his number, adding, “Jason was 9-for-9 off me (5-for-7 actually), and I finally get him to pop up and we’re shifted the other way. And I would never show up Jack – he’s huge.”

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jun 13, 2008 12:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Guy who he should have been showing up:

the outfield coach…

There’s rarely a good reason to shift your outfield in the pull direction.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 13, 2008 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't even see it.

That’s what I get for trying to work while watching a game.

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 13, 2008 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

{throws hands in air, shows up Poppy}

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not her fault

her boss put the shift on

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jun 13, 2008 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so long as he didn't put the moves on

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's a shifty bastard.

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

by McFood on Jun 13, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Poppy is shiftless

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on Jun 13, 2008 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, xbx is shiftless

Shift-key-less, at least.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 13, 2008 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point. grover, too.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on Jun 13, 2008 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grover is occasionally shift-key-ful.

He’s more frequently other-stuff-ful, though.

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Full of shift?

Eh, shift happens.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 13, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh, fark it

How did I miss either of those pun options?

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 13, 2008 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I missed something.

WTF?

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

by Jennifer on Jun 13, 2008 1:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What the F!@# happened to the anti-cussing thread?

And btw, if you see Kay, tell her “Hey!”

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

--Bilbo Baggins

by kaweahkaweah on Jun 13, 2008 2:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't usually post links in day-old dumps...

But Zito wants “revenge.”

“Oh, yeah. Definitely,” Zito said Thursday when asked if he feels any extra motivation.

Excellent. I want to see him get on base just so Smitty can pick him off.

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on Jun 13, 2008 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bring it on Barry

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

--Bilbo Baggins

by kaweahkaweah on Jun 13, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweeney activated; Buck to AAA

I don’t get it. Unless it’s a health or mechanical issue, Buck has nothing left to prove in the minors. He’s also vastly better than Davis and Brown.

link

by Danny on Jun 13, 2008 2:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I get it

Which movie was it? “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”??

Had your chance…...muffed it!

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 13, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

worst part is, they'll probably start Brown now

by Zonis on Jun 13, 2008 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess it is the path of least resistance

Any other move would have required some sort of permanent decision (burning an option year, DFA, etc).

I don’t know if I think it is the right decision, but I guess it is the decision that puts off doing anything major for another week or so at least. (the hopefull side of me wants it to be because we have a deal in the works and just need to buy a few days until it goes down.)

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Jun 13, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really get it either

The best I can come up with is that they want Cust/Sweeney/Gonzalez as the starting three during interleague play, and they’d rather have Buck getting at-bats every day in Sacramento than sitting on the bench in the majors. But that’s still pretty weak, and unless someone else gets injured, Buck will be stuck in the minors for an extra three games after the A’s are finished with their games in NL parks.

Brown and Davis are pretty much the definition of replacement-level players. I can’t see why Beane would worry about losing one of them on waivers.

"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.

by andeux on Jun 13, 2008 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it has anything to do with interleague play, really,

since in interleague and after, the problem is only two OF spots for PC/Sweeney/Buck, so one of those three would have to be a bench player. Obviously, Buck is better than Brown and Davis, but aside from the issue of getting him regular pt, it’s not clear that he’s a better bench player than either (or that PC and Sweeney are.) Davis has a good amount of value as a replacement for Cust that no one else has, and Brown may be a better bet than any of the three against LH starters.

Basically, I think it’s not really an easy call, whether between Buck and Sweeney/PC, or between Buck and Brown. I would have dfa’d Brown, though…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 13, 2008 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another possibility...

If they keep him down for another 2-3 weeks, he probably won’t become a Super 2 anymore.

by Danny on Jun 13, 2008 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only justification I can think of

is basically what the Buck thread said-that Buck needs to remember how to hit, and for that, needs regular PT, and work in the minors. He needs to start swinging at his pitches instead of chasing pitches and crapping out.

Still, I’d rather EMail be gone.

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 13, 2008 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs