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No Webb Gem

Poochini-butt_in_box_2_tiny by Nico on Comment 192 comments

Everyone homered constantly, especially Ellis, as the A's  hammered Arizona early and often. Final Score: A's 15, Diamondbacks 1.

Though she got the opponent wrong, my cat tried to foreshadow tonight's outcome by bringing in a dead Blue Jay in the middle of tonight's game. I suppose asking her to find a diamondback would have been a bit much. Anyhoo...

The A's cranked out 15 runs and six HRs (Ellis twice, Chavez, Suzuki, Crosby, and Raj Davis), but what was probably most gratifying was how solid the hitters' approaches were the entire evening. Obviously they A's did not get Webb at his finest, but even after Webb left Oakland kept piling on runs with great at bat after great at bat. Walks, hits, HRs, shots the other way, you name it the A's produced it again and again and again.

Meanwhile, Justin Duchscherer continues to be remarkable, giving up 2 ER or fewer for the 10th time in 11 starts, and completing 8 innings after it looked - for a scary, scary moment - as if he might only last one inning when he tweaked something in his side swinging at a second inning pitch from Webb. Duchscherer has a chance to make the All-Star team this year as a starter, after making it previously as a reliever. He deserves it.

If the A's are going to stay in the race to the bitter end, they will need to be a very good road team, because Oakland plays just 20 home games in all of August and September combined. Oakland started the season by playing the World Champions even halfway around the globe, and this road trip - now 4-0 with a win against Webb - is going a long way to validating the team's ability to somehow get it done against anyone, anywhere.

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Hey everybody

I know I haven’t rapped at ya in a while, but here’s what my home town of Cedar Rapids was looking like this past week:

flooding

So I thought it would be a good time to leave town for a few days. Anyway, way to go Oakland!

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 9:43 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whoa.

Hope you and your loved ones are all okay.

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 17, 2008 9:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thankfully, yes.

I am so glad I bought a house in the hilly part of town. A quarter of the city was evacuated; waters rose ABOVE the 500-year flood plain; the damage is simply unimaginable.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 9:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've been thinking about all of you

and wondering how we can best help.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 9:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Donate to the American Red Cross

Or the Salvation Army. There are a lot of homeless people here now, and those organizations are doing their best to help.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 9:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks.

My family is fine, but definitely pray for Cedar Rapids. We need it bad.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 9:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can we

get something together for you? We’re in bad straits too, economically, but I’m sure we can find some way to

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 9:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Help.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 9:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Like I said above

Donate to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or similar organizations. If you guys want to organize something on behalf of AN, fantastic. Otherwise, if just as individuals, anything helps. I’ll be all right, but there’s a lot of people who have lost everything out here. Please help if you can.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 9:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Will do.

I’ve been thinking about you all every day.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 9:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Are those cedars in those rapids?

Maybe bad timing with that comment, but I’ve always been one to fight hard times with harder humor.

Hang in there man. Just remember….what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.

Good luck and god bless.

by Force on Jun 17, 2008 10:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Depressed

We are so set up to be shut out by Danny boy tomorrow

by asfansince1989 on Jun 17, 2008 9:44 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ummmm....

Hudson….check.

Zito….check.

Haren….bank it!

by Force on Jun 17, 2008 11:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hooray for hope!

Procrastinators unite....tomorrow

by muffinpryde on Jun 18, 2008 1:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not a Blue Jay?

Traditional Blue Jays are East Coast birds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_jay . Perhaps your cat got a Stellar’s Jay?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller%27s_Jay

(Does it have a black crest, or a blue one?)

by MobiusKlein on Jun 17, 2008 9:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You want me to go pull it out of the garbage?

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 Jun 17, 2008 9:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i want you to eat it

blue jays are a bit more chewy, whereas stellar jays taste like chicken that has gone bad.

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 17, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wrong bird for him

I think Nico’s more accustomed to the taste of crow.

(I kid, I kid.)

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

M-f-f-mfff --

Definitely a Blue Jay.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If it's in California

it’s a Stellar’s Jay, but they =are= blue!

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

by One won lost won on Jun 17, 2008 9:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stellar!

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

by monkeyball on Jun 17, 2008 11:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Caption

Georg Steller expresses frustration at yet another misspelling of his name.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 17, 2008 11:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Looks more like Georg

when he fell overboard in the Pribilofs.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 19, 2008 11:18 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Disagree kind of

I feel like it would be more likely a Western Scrub Jay

this all depends on the area that Nico lives. I’m not that familiar with that aspect of his life.

"Whether they find life there or not, I think Jupiter should be called an enemy planet." - Jack Handey

by bluthbanana20 on Jun 17, 2008 10:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And Stellar's Jays are bad-ass

I don’t know if Nico’s cat is tough enough.

Scrub Jays are more wussie

by MobiusKlein on Jun 17, 2008 10:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If it's got a prominent crest, it's a Steller's Jay.

No crest = Scrub Jay. Both are common.

So no dead Blue Jay unless Nico’s cat somehow got hold of Shannon Stewart. And you’d think he’d have noticed that.

by Faust on Jun 18, 2008 4:51 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Scutaro's not THAT bad

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 18, 2008 7:39 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've rarely, if ever, seen a Steller's Jay in the Bay Area...

So, which was it, Nico?

A Steller’s Jay
Steller's Jay

Or

A Western Scrub Jay
Western Scrub Jay

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 17, 2008 10:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Their big mouths give them away

They aren’t what you’d call really shy.

I remember them being pretty common in the Oakland hills.

by Faust on Jun 18, 2008 4:54 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was bloody albatross color,

with a head. That’s about what I remember as I put it into a plastic bag and did an anti-rabies prayer.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

do birds carry rabies?

nope, I checked it. Only mammals. Now, perhaps, you should have done an anti-avian flu prayer.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 17, 2008 10:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Does it come with wafers?

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

by 5Aces on Jun 18, 2008 8:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have Stellar's Jays

here in Albany, about a mile or two (guessing) from Nico. We have them all the time.
I also have them up at my property in the Sierras. Typically, they want trees, and lots of them.

Perhaps you stay in the “strictly pavement” areas??

Contrary to their persistent noise and annoying behavior…they DO die! Sometime…
Probably the cat got a sick, dying, or dead one.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 19, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You cleverly added

“(guessing)” but I still think you’re stalking me.

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 Jun 19, 2008 8:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not true, I live in Houston, TX which is relatively to the west and I've seen many Blue Jays here...

just the other day I saw four of them in my own yard!

oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
It's only Spring Clean for the May Queen. Call the Gardener!

by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jun 18, 2008 7:40 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Saw the map! And I bet that Blue Jay was lost! lol Took the wrong turn, lol.

Blue Jays tend to reside in Texas all year ,lol. Oops!! Sorry.

oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
It's only Spring Clean for the May Queen. Call the Gardener!

by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jun 18, 2008 7:46 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm told it was a female Blue Jay

So it WAS Shannon Stewart!

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 Jun 18, 2008 9:02 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It could also have been a Bluebird

A little smaller than the aforementioned Jays

by GusanoQuemador on Jun 18, 2008 9:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was the Bluebird of Happiness

and now WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!

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

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 18, 2008 10:30 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Down on the farm

Buck and Murphy have homered tonight for the RiverCats

by A'sfaninNC on Jun 17, 2008 9:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nice

those guys must have seen the a’s scoreboard…

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 17, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"No Webb Gem"

now THAT is professional quality.
I bet SuSlu steals it.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 17, 2008 9:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that is pretty good

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 17, 2008 10:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

From Unicorn to the Bomb Shelter

all the A’s deserve the win today!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 9:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pink elephants fly?

Rajai Davis hit a homerun?! Way to go!
Too bad I was stuck watching the Giants…

by streetfan on Jun 17, 2008 9:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How about Flood Shelt...

Say what? Inappropriate?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just

a tad.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Um, seriously

Funny, yet not funny. What is that, a paradox?

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're lucky that

the cat didn’t bring in a Yankee cause that’s illegal everywhere except South Carolina.

by Blez on Jun 17, 2008 9:50 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BTW

I love Justin Duchscherer. He very well might be my favorite pitcher. I just really, really love watching the guy pitch.

by Blez on Jun 17, 2008 9:51 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice!

Duke has been my favorite since Huddy left….but he’ll be back, someday, right?

Right?

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

by McFood on Jun 18, 2008 8:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Of course!

Duke is the Shizzam baby!

All Star Game, here we come…......!

by mrod on Jun 17, 2008 11:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duke's K/BB ratio

48/16. That’s just silly.

I hope he’s alright. He obviously pitched pretty goddamn well, but I don’t like on-the-field trainer visits.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 17, 2008 9:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

AL Whupping Up Tonight

12-2 when the Tigers finish off the Giants. Not much question which is still the superior league. And the playoff questions cointinue

by madmongoose on Jun 17, 2008 9:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Holy toledo

It was 4-1 when I turned it off….

by streetfan on Jun 17, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that's not the tigers-giants score

it’s AL vs NL for the day.

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 17, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh. Duh.

Guess I should check this stuff before I open my mouth…. insert foot ;)
Thanks for the correction

by streetfan on Jun 17, 2008 10:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

More Possible Good News (Calero to go down to AAA when Casilla activates)

Casilla on hold: Santiago Casilla made his final rehab appearance Monday and joined the A’s in Arizona on Tuesday, but he is unlikely to be activated until Thursday unless there is a pressing need in the bullpen. Casilla worked 12/3 innings at Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, making him unavailable for at least a day or two.

Right-hander Kiko Calero is expected to be designated for assignment to make room for Casilla. If Calero clears waivers, he has enough service time to decline a minor-league assignment, but he already has told the A’s he would accept an assignment. Entering Tuesday, Calero had not worked in six days.

by Trainman on Jun 17, 2008 9:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sad news

Calero was a good arm. Maybe he should have opted for surgery?

"Whether they find life there or not, I think Jupiter should be called an enemy planet." - Jack Handey

by bluthbanana20 on Jun 17, 2008 10:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Would he pitch any better as a woman?

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dude. Cut it out.

Can’t I read the postgame recaps in peace, without having to laugh all the time? :-)

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Jun 17, 2008 11:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Who's Bomb Shelter and why?

I’ve been in a cave

"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King

by Buck Turgidson on Jun 17, 2008 10:01 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

er, mineshaft

"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King

by Buck Turgidson on Jun 17, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

R. Davis

because we were hitting tons of homers and someone said if he hit one too then they would go into their bomb shelter… and then he subsequently did.
In-game thread inside joke.

by GeorgiaBoy on Jun 17, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Then I guess you didn't hear about Rick Peterson.

;-)

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 17, 2008 11:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks

Well I think that nickname will last a couple of weeks. I think Davis is destined for a DFA

"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King

by Buck Turgidson on Jun 17, 2008 10:06 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

DFA

Bomb shelter, it still works.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Beane to othe GMs

Trade for Rajai and not only do you get speed, but you get a Bomb Shelter!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

QOTM candidate

right there.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

schadenfreude

does it get any better than the CSN postgame wrap-up after a giants loss?
“boy 43 year old kenny rogers was just unhittable tonight, a real pleasure to watch. not even ted williams could have touched him.” (okay i made up that last part)
“zito has a chance to start over tomorrow and really turn things around.”

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 17, 2008 10:13 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Giants' announcers are ridiculous.

From the other night: Well, the Tigers have been on a real roll, so they’re due to the lose! And the Giants, well, they have the worst home record in the majors, so when you look at both, it’s bound to turn-around now!

Of course, if I had to follow the Giants as a profession, I’d take to drugs and drink pretty fast myself.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Jun 17, 2008 11:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duscherer At Bats

I only got to watch on Gameday on the computer…So after the one swing by duke was he restricted from swinging for the rest of the night? every at bat afterwards was “called strike” x 3

by mikeprooo on Jun 17, 2008 10:13 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Following called strikes one and two each time

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He stood away from the plate and accepted the out.

He gladly accepted the golden sombrero, melted it down, and turned it into another win for his wall of awesomeness.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anything is possible in baseball

but in games like this, there should be an option for the losing team to resign. Call it a day, and get ready for the next game. No point finishing 9 innings.

by javaball on Jun 17, 2008 10:15 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, they refused to resign, so finally

we had to send up Emil Brown cuz it was really getting late.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You think Harden is bad

It took Kazmir 110 pitches to go 4.2 innings while allowing only one run to be scored.

by GeorgiaBoy on Jun 17, 2008 10:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, how is that possible?

Walk, walk, walk, K,K, K… etc. for 4 innings? Weird.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duke Can't Hit ...

But another beautiful game pitched. Only one small thing tonight: I wish the A’s had ended the game with just 8 runs. I don’t know what the stat is (I’m sure an AN has it …) but it seems to me like the post-Giambi A’s very often score 1 or 0 runs the day after they’re in double digits.

Ellis … Ellis … Ellis … can we re-open the thread where people actually debated keeping him?

by solotar on Jun 17, 2008 10:22 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh, Iknow

I

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whoops!

Hit the wrong button. Meant to say: I’d trade Ellis; for BABE RUTH! Otherwise, no.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You'd trade Ellis for a dead Babe Ruth?

Somewhere a steinbrenner is digging up a grave…

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 10:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Babe Ruth's zombie corpse

vs. Mark Ellis. I see a possible film here… any investors?

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A lot of people were thinking the same thing

But at least they were walking and hitting homeruns, and not running the bases that much, so shouldn’t that bad

by javaball on Jun 17, 2008 10:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Quick review of last season suggests no correlation

Discussion here

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 12:02 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Duke needs to be signed long term....

I have always felt that the Duke would become one of the best starters for the A’s when finally given the opportunity. Now that he has once again proven that he is one of the most effective pitchers in the league as a closer, middle reliever and a TOP STARTER, Beane needs to figure out a way to sign him long term. Anyone know what long his current contract runs?

by Vegas Ace on Jun 17, 2008 10:23 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Through 2009, I believe

I agree, yet I also know Billy is wise about not signing rickety players in their 30s to long-term deals. If he doesn’t re-sign Duke, it’s probably because it’s actually the right decision – but I really hope he does. The guy is amazing and still will be even when he loses a little velocity on his fastball.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The A's really turned it up a notch tonight

Added great defense and strong offensive production to back their solid pitching staff. Great formula for success.

by javaball on Jun 17, 2008 10:33 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

In a way, I feel tomorrow is a "freebie" -

All I really wanted out of the first two games of this series was a split, and there’s certainly no shame in losing to an ace one out of two tries. But if somehow the A’s could win tomorrow, that would be just huge.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Day After A's Score 10 Runs

Just curious so I checked: as of today the A’s have played 7 games this year after having scored 10 or more runs. In those 7 games they scored: 4, 6, 0, 3, 0, 3 and 1 runs. 17 runs in 7 games, for about 2.4 runs per game. Not as bad as I had thought, but pretty bad. You wonder why that is. You can say it’s a fluke, but …

Last year the A’s scored 10 or more runs 13 times. They did better the day after such games last year, averaging 3.6 runs per game – but still pretty bad when you might be inclined to think that the team is ‘swinging the bat well’ and, for that matter, is likely often further into an opposing team’s bullpen.

That’s why I was kind of hoping they would stop at 8 and bring a big appetite tomorrow.

by solotar on Jun 17, 2008 10:35 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well...

teams are most often going to give up a ton of runs when it’s the #5 starter, right?

And who usually comes after the #5 starter?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 10:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have an alternative theory

A’s score 10+ runs semi-randomly, then revert to their old habits. Eh?

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think the why is that the next day's pitcher

isn’t having an awful start – which the previous starter obviously did – and the A’s aren’t a robust hitting team, so against some random pitcher not having a bad day they often score 2-4 (2.4-3.6) runs. Basically, regression to the mediocre.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think all teams cool after a rout

the most recent example is the Phillies, they clobbered the Cardinals 20-2 in the first game, and then lost the next two games

by javaball on Jun 17, 2008 10:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Last time we discussed this,

I came up with 3.77 for last year. Table here. Did I get one wrong? I was just typing scores off the website, so it’s possible.

So far I’m not convinced either way on the question. It would be interesting to see a larger set of numbers. The data is out there. I would think someone would have compiled it and taken a look by now.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 12:13 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One thing I have to point out

This ain’t much of a “road trip.” The first half of it wasn’t on the road at all; the players were all living in their in-season homes. The second half is in Arizona, where half the team has permanent homes.

This is like the cushiest road trip ever. This entire month’s schedule is ridiculous (and of course the flipside is that August is going to be ridiculously brutal).

It’s really rather difficult to imagine the schedulemakers making a worse schedule for the team than they put together this season. I figured it wasn’t worth complaining about when it came out because it was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but it might actually end up coming back and biting the team in the ass.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 17, 2008 10:36 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True, but to me "road" means other team's fans,

less familiar mound, field conditions, etc. The A’s don’t usually play where it’s 112 degrees outside and regulated with air-conditioning inside, for example.

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 Jun 17, 2008 10:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

to me “road” means other team’s fans

So when the Yankees visit us, that’s a road game?

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 12:14 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

"RIP: UserID: 517"

by Masaryk on Jun 18, 2008 10:15 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Speaking of whom, Chavy has been

nothing short of awesome. Far better than I ever would have expected for 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

by Nico on Jun 17, 2008 10:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

I’m a huge huge HUGE Chavy fanboy, but I have to admit I questioned whether he would even play again after all of his surgeries.

by mikev on Jun 17, 2008 10:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm still concerned...

...whenever I see him running. His footwork around third base and his reflexes look pretty good, though. Am I the only one who cringes when he tries to leg out a double or score from second on a single? He looks terrible.

Root for the Giants? Not even if they're playing al-Qaeda!

by Monday Fan on Jun 18, 2008 12:25 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well said nico

Chavy has been clutch, great in the field, working counts, hitting safely. So glad he is back playing

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 18, 2008 1:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Clutch? Working counts? Hitting safely?

Who is this?

Procrastinators unite....tomorrow

by muffinpryde on Jun 18, 2008 1:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now I've gotta share me sig line to that one!

Remember this Nico?

Now offering great deal...on a 2007 Chavy with no clutch. - Nico

by 66th ave tailgatter on Jun 18, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Think about it

Sum up the total dollars spent on MLBPA salaries, for all thirty teams combined.
Then compare that with the money spent on the computerized schedule. Probably .0002 percent of the total player salaries, and what do we get?

Games outdoors in April in snow country, versus “California teams”. Unused indoor stadiums in April.
Odd back-and-forth travel across country, long absences of certain teams, long road trips with exceptional travel, and over-scheduled week upon week as the “visiting team”. For all the teams!

Bring back humans!

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

by One won lost won on Jun 17, 2008 11:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

didn’t the mets go from la to ny to anaheim? the scedules since comuters took over have been stoopid

by Future Ed on Jun 18, 2008 6:21 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The humans control the computers. I'm blaming people.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 18, 2008 9:19 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

good to see a fellow advocate of high-density urban planning

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

by monkeyball on Jun 18, 2008 10:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You mean urban planing

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 10:53 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ray Fosse-esque interview.

This is so awkward, it’s hard to watch.

by BWH on Jun 17, 2008 10:43 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Chavvy's pregame BBQ gave everyone the boost to kill tonight

Hey Ziggy, tell the rest of the team to join in on the AN Day tailgate and you’ll whup the Angels 30 to nil.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 10:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

In other news...

the sun rose in the east today.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

to melody of 80's song...

Milton Bradley got hurt tonight….everybody wang chung tonight.

alaska A

by ak_A on Jun 17, 2008 10:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Everybody has fun tonight

when Milton Bradley gets hurt?

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 11:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would almost be shocked

but that would be the same as being shocked that lindsay lohan wound up back in rehab

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Jun 18, 2008 8:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

George Takei and his new husband were on CNN yesterday

and I got a chuckle, because the new hubby said something to the effect that they had already been together for a good 20 years, and that their marriage was going to Live Long and Prosper.

Sulu looked at him blankly.

As a true Star Trek fan, I laughed.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 11:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was out of the loop. And when I saw headline

on Yahoo, I thought so what? or okay, whatever, good for George. Ahhh, then I read more closely….okay, kind of news given the court thing, I get it.

alaska A

by ak_A on Jun 17, 2008 11:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CarGo

gets the Numero Uno Web Gem on BBtonight

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 11:00 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amazed he didn't hurt himself

he got his spikes tangled up in the fence a bit

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 17, 2008 11:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sweet!!!!

CarGon is the real deal, but you know who has impressed me the most?

3

Eric Chavez has come straight off the DL and played Gold Glove D and swung a mighty bat to boot. I am very impressed by the way this guy approaches his job.

I was at Chavy’s 1st rehab start in Sac. He lead off and stung a grounder to shortstop. Ran it out and headed back to the dugout. I knew instantly by his demeanor that he was a professional…..ok, wait a minute…....maybe it was 45 seconds later when the next batter, T-Buck, whiffed on 3 pitches and walked back to the dugout laughing that I realized what an incredible professional Eric Chavez was.

Eric Chavez might just win a new trophy from Rawlings this year.

by Force on Jun 17, 2008 11:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Awesome

The game was awesome tonight… I had tickets about 30 rows back behind the A’s dugout. Duke looked unhittable, and the A’s actually underachieved a bit with their hitting. After Duke’s first at-bat where it looked like he almost injured himself, I think the A’s told him to not swing at a pitch.

Here are a few random pics… the iPhone doesn’t take great pictures at night:

Chavez up in the 8th with the A’s up 9-1:
A's-Dbacks

And a few more:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dylans/sets/72157605678984637/

by dylan on Jun 17, 2008 11:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

underachieved

And I say underachieved because of CarGone getting hitting by Suzuki’s line drive, Chavez’s early double play, and Duke’s 4 Ks at the plate where he didn’t take the bat off of his shoulder, killing at least one inning.

by dylan on Jun 17, 2008 11:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow

I just read the recap:

Duchscherer had a tense moment in the second, when he swung and felt a twinge in his surgically repaired hip. Geren and a trainer visited him, and Geren ordered Duchscherer not to swing the rest of the game. Duchscherer went down looking four times.

"That’s why I looked so bad up there," Duchscherer said.

@oaklandSMASH: that mesa cost Ryan Sweeney a home run in the 8th

And the save in the bottom of the 8th on Stephen Drew’s line drive by Carlos Gonzalez was awesome… Duke had a look of relief after that great catch.

by dylan on Jun 17, 2008 11:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dude, I'll take it

That mesa was there way before Sweeney came to bat at Chase Field.

No one ever blames the Green Monster for turning their homers into doubles.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 17, 2008 11:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

which means we pounded the crap out of them

even with a genuine automatic out in the line-up for most of the game

"The Athletics at Fremont" is obscene

by ArakSOT on Jun 18, 2008 1:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like this quote:

“One of the starting pitchers at Chase Field on Tuesday night pitched like a Cy Young Award candidate.

It wasn’t Brandon Webb”

by javaball on Jun 17, 2008 11:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This was the first game this year

where, although I was sitting in front of a computer most of the time, I did not have time to launch the game thread, Ganeday, or turn on the TV or radio—I had to work late. When I got into my car at 10:30 and KFRC came on, the first voice I heard was Ken saying “Well, we go to the fifteenth inning…” and I thought “Holy crap, the game is still going on!” Then I realized it was the 40th anniversary highlight segment. Then Robert Buan came on and said “So, the final score tonight, the A’s were victorious, 15-1” and I thought, surely that can’t be right, he just has the number 15 stuck in his head from the highlight reel”. Damn, what a game to have missed!

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 17, 2008 11:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

D'oh!

That’s scary.

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 17, 2008 11:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gotta admit,

It’s pretty obvious.

Google for “Webb gem” turns up more than a thousand. Here’s one from 2003.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 12:25 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, local news used it too.

How about a more poetic

“Oh, what a tangled Webb we weave….when first we practice to leave (our pitches up in the zone)”

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 18, 2008 12:33 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duke pitched great

but Gonzalez deserves some mention for robbing Drew of a 2-run HR, dontcha think?

by OaklandSi on Jun 18, 2008 6:08 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duke , Davis and

...CARGON’s Catch! Whatta game. Let hope they can keep the bats rollin tonight.

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 18, 2008 7:55 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

TTO 9th

I liked how the top of the 9th was classic “three true outcome” A’s baseball: HR, K, BB, BB, K, HR, BB, HR, K.
And Cust wasn’t even in the lineup at that point.

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

by andeux on Jun 18, 2008 10:44 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow.

A whole inning of TTO, and batting around to boot.

I wonder if thats ever happened.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 18, 2008 2:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A couple things I noticed;

call me crazy but after watching all the highlights I’ve decided that I like the diamondback’s tv announcers. They did their job trying to talk about their team but they also gave the A’s their props when deserved. They are like the opposite of the White Sox announcers.

it looked like Crosby’s double in the 1st (or second?) was hit father than his HR. I would like to say that it would have been a HR in another stadium but the conditions would have been different so I won’t.

Either Ryan Sweeney is huge or Rajai Davis is tiny. Anyone else see them together after RD’s HR?

The Duke of Oakland pitched a great game but it looked better because of the great defense behind him. Although he said he was pounding the zone because of the lead. The A’s should have drenched his bat in pine tar to make it stick to his jersey a la Cust. Keep that bat on your shoulder mister!

last thing, I love Chavez! My g-nats loving bro-in-law was trying to slam on him Sunday, take that punk!


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

by micdog2001 on Jun 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh yeah, that's right.

his pop was coming around right before he got hurt and speaking of hurt, wasn’t The Big Hurt trying to help Ryno with his power stroke? Just an added bonus to getting Frank on the cheap : -)


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

by micdog2001 on Jun 18, 2008 11:35 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A's site says

R Sweeney = 6’4”, 215 lbs
R Davis = 5’11”, 195 lbs

Take the official numbers with the usual grains of salt.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joe B. might need to have a little something to do with that.

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 18, 2008 1:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That fear is preying on Haren's mind

Per today’s Slusser notes:

“I’m sure (Joe)’s going to come out of his shoes trying to hit a home run,” Haren said.

Blanton, told this assessment, grinned and nodded.

“Yeah, pretty much,” the Oakland right-hander said.

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

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 18, 2008 2:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I hope Joe B. goes to bat

with the bases loaded and hits a slam. Then he slowly walks back to the dugout and stares down the hitters. “That’s how you’re suppose to do it….you bastards”.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jun 18, 2008 1:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Of course he will lose 5-4.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jun 18, 2008 1:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

with the lead coughed up by the BP,

after Geren pulls Joe B in the 7th w 1 out, bases loaded.
(had lead 4-2, but the three runs that score on a misplayed flyball are still charged to Joe.)

Is that negative enough?

by MobiusKlein on Jun 18, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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