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DLD 6/9: Grand Slam Edition

The_baby_tiny by salb918 on Comment 199 comments

Channeling The Dogfather :

Dennys_medium

via cache.gawker.com

 

Channeling Jeff Sullivan:

Ellis_slam_medium

Also, some UZR defense numbers:

Oakland is +6 so far this year, which is nice, but the Angels are an incredible +24 runs.  What's remarkable is that while Oakland was projected to be this good (+12 if you weight the projection by actual playing time), the Angels were not (-2).  The Angels are playing out-of-their-mind defense right now.

Ellis handily leads all 2B at +28 runs/150 games.  Jack Cust is at -28 in LF, Crosby is at -21, Buck is at +34 in a very small sample.

It's getting impossible to overstate just how underrated Ellis is.  Think about it this way: if the current defensive numbers hold up (which they won't), there would be a 6 win difference between Ellis and Cust in terms of defense.  Throw is some regression and call it a 4 win difference.

Cust has 35 runs created so far this year; Ellis is at 27.  If we pro-rate that for the rest of the year, those numbers are 90 and 70, which implies a 2-win advantage for Cust.

When all is said and done, it is likely that Ellis will have been a more valuable player at the end of the year than Jack Cust, assuming that Cust's lead feet and glove keep running out to left field.

 

4 recs | Comment 199 comments

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I have that theory too

I first hinted at my take three weeks ago; anyone beat that?

Don't blame me, I voted for oaktoon.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 9:06 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't think so.

You know what gave it away for me? It wasn’t the prolific posting or the overreaction to recent events. It was the use of the semicolon to separate list items. I don’t think anybody else does that.

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Jun 9, 2008 9:14 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, good catch

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 9, 2008 9:16 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now that you point it out

it’s so obvious.

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Jun 9, 2008 10:35 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OAKTOON!!!!

welcome back baby! It’s been way too long!

by 33SwisherSweet on Jun 9, 2008 10:44 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So, assuming he's been outed, does he get to stay...

....as long as he keeps his nose clean, doesn’t piss off the locals, etc.? And what was his original prior sin of bannination?

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 11:34 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he wasn't banned ...

it was a self-imposed exile …

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 11:52 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought he asked to be banned

like a gambling addict asking to be put on the casinos’ 86 list.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 9, 2008 11:57 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no, I don't think so

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 9, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Devo correctly describes the party line delivered by Blez

at the time. Never quite sounded correct, or at least complete, to my ears. Not that we’re owed explanations.

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

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now that I'm a front page writer I feel obligated to deliver the party line ...

But if anyone wants to pay me more than Blez …

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 4:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As a front page writer, maybe you could

run an expose detailing Oaktoon’s transformation into the MAD MONGOOSE?

by 33SwisherSweet on Jun 9, 2008 7:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Once again, my lack of faith in humanity pays off

(though I was never an active member of the anti-oaktoon faction).

Don't blame me, I voted for oaktoon.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 12:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Never underestimate the willingness....

of your fellow man to screw you over. I always thought he was rather amusing. He seemed the sort of guy that if he were in an carotid restraint hold, you would always know when he’s beginning to wake up because his mouth would surely start running seconds before.

"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 9, 2008 1:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Someone needs to write a post called

“Are we allowed to face the facts about madmongoose?” and flush out the theory.

by oaktownmario on Jun 9, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm fairly confident that your theory is incorrect

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 11:35 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Boy, it sure seems correct...

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 9, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually, sal is correct

My confidence was misplaced, and I didn’t look hard enough.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 4:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

That was the best diary ever…if I remember correctly it was entitled “Has Billy Beane Jumped the Shark?”

Has madmongoose (cough, oaktoon) responded yet to this theory?

by 33SwisherSweet on Jun 9, 2008 4:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Damn you.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 8:48 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gist of my DLD

I’m going to the Texas League All Star game in Springfield, MO, June 25, 2008. It has been years since I’ve been to Springfield, I hope I make it.

Midlanders on the roster:
Third Base – Jesus Guzman
Reserve Catcher – Anthony Recker
Reserve Outfielder – Jon Zeringue
Pitcher – Andrew Carignan – Midland
Pitcher – Vincent Mazzaro – Midland
Pitcher – James Simmons – Midland
Tommy Everidge of Midland will be the starting designated hitter

And Tom Grieve has prostate cancer surgery today. Good luck, Tag.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 8:56 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the Texas League All Star game in Springfield, MO

What’s wrong with this picture?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 9:21 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also in Springfield...

The Best Little Texas Roadhouse in Missouri

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

by Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 9:24 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ahhh....

Springfield, Mo in June! Were sweeter words ever spoken?

by Hot Cup Joe on Jun 9, 2008 9:24 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sedalia, MO in August.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 9:45 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nico on the lam?

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 10:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nero during fire season?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 10:09 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Homers on WGN?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 10:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

funny how

talking about a show about weeds that make people happy can make people unhappy.

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 4:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ellis is going to be

one of those players who’s been talked about being underrated so much that he’s overrated

that being said, I wonder what the changes of him are for All Star this year. I’d think the A’s rep would most likely be Duke at this point, but Ellis is running second imho

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

by closetasfan on Jun 9, 2008 8:54 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in the unlikely event

that Harden is still healthy at the ASB, he seems like a fairly probable pick. This would probably be a manager’s selection, right?

by colin on Jun 9, 2008 10:52 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All pitchers are manager's selections

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Jun 9, 2008 6:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Runs Created

I completely agree with you about Ellis: he’s the A’s best player and is criminally underrated.

But there are two problems with using RC. First, it’s not position adjusted, so that underrates Ellis relative to Cust. But THT also uses the clutchiness RC formula, which likely isn’t as predictive as the a regular RC formula.

Using BP’s RARP (which adjusts for position and measures against replacement level), Cust (18.8) has been 11.2 runs better offensively than Ellis (7.6). Cust’s offensive advantage over Ellis is probably closer to 3 wins than 2 wins at their current paces.

by Danny on Jun 9, 2008 9:18 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A-ha.

You’ll note that even without the position adjustment Ellis still came out better. I was just trying to be nice… good catch

And since I was making a value judgement, I figured using clutch version of RC was okay. Of course, that makes my pro-rating scheme pretty poor, so again…good catch.

Still, I’d rather use B-Ref’s batting wins or just a straight wOBA-to-runs conversion than RARP.

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Jun 9, 2008 9:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2

Two questions for the cognoscenti on this:

1. How good is this guy?
2. Which teams are likely to pursue him?

Many, many professional athletes fall prey to lottery winner syndrome.

I think this could be fodder for an interesting discussion, if someone cared to write a (provocative) fanpost about it. Lots of competing bits of sociology and psychology at play, especially when the matter of fan empathy (or virulent lack thereof) is factored into the equation.

by 74mk on Jun 9, 2008 9:23 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Third baseman, eh?

Might be a good use for some of that extra bank the A’s have lying around this year…

Then again, it’s not usually the team’s M.O. to go after highly touted players.

As for the money: sorry, my sympathy is nonexistent. At this point, you could essentially retire on $6 million. That’s enough to earn you almost $200,000 a year in a basic bond with a 3% yield, which is a terrible yield but something that you ought to be able to get risk free. If avarice or stupidity leads someone to squander it or blow it on a terrible investment, well, I’ll tell them thanks for stimulating the economy.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 9:38 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is scouting of Cuban players at all reliable/comprehensive? How often do American scouts get to see these players? Just in international competition?

by 74mk on Jun 9, 2008 10:33 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can't tell you

I don’t know how proprietary Cuban baseball is about selling their game tapes overseas, or even whether they’re televised at all. I would assume that they are. Maybe someone in Florida has pirated the broadcasts.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 10:44 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think it's that hard to travel to Cuba.

Hell, my happy-feet daughter has been there. And I would guess the caliber of “intramural” play would match elsewhere in the Caribbean.

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 10:49 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well

Remember Maels Rodriguez?

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Jun 9, 2008 1:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not quite fair to lump boxers in with other athletes

I don’t doubt for a moment that Mike Tyson would be heading towards pennilessness and freak show status even if he’d received 100% of the purses for which he fought, but boxing’s very institutional structure seems set up in large part to extract money from the boxers long before they get the chance to waste it for themselves.

In the big three sports, at least, over the past 10-20 years the leagues and players unions have gotten much better about providing education and financial planning resources to their athletes, starting even before they play their first games. The players who still squander their money do so despite the cautionary tales and resources afforded them.

Don't blame me, I voted for oaktoon.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 9:53 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True

But the fundamental dynamic persists, and is probably at least in part intractable. That is, young men graduate quite suddenly from impoverishment to great wealth, and are swamped by all the attendant trappings of fame and ostentation and peer expectation. However many financial management classes you make them sit through during NBA rookie orientation, that’s a transition rife with pitfalls.

You’re 19, you’ve lived in Baltimore your whole life, in a neighborhood riven with all manner of economic and social strife, maybe (probably?) your family is splintered, you graduated from a shitty high school and a shitty grade school before that, since you were 13 all the sycophants around you have made it their business to inflate your ego all out of proportion … and everything is supposed to proceed swimmingly after an ex-player or three tells you to be careful in a seminar? I very seriously doubt those 19 year old ears are ready to hear those particular cautionary tales. And once you’re on a certain track with the cars and houses and such, it’s pretty hard to backtrack.

by 74mk on Jun 9, 2008 10:18 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jack Clark

“star player for the Boston Red Sox”?

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Jun 9, 2008 10:30 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm far from an expert ...

but my understanding is that since he has settled in the U.S. he is no longer an international player and will have to enter next year’s amateur draft …

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 11:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Really?

Huh. How does this circumstance differ from those of Jose Contreras, Livan/Orlando Hernandez, etc.? (drawing a blank on other defectors)

They were free agents, no?

by 74mk on Jun 9, 2008 11:38 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I didn't look it up

but my recollection is that cuban defectors who are already in the us when they defect go through the draft system while those who land on foreign shores are free agents – when the defection thing was really rolling in the late ‘90s the cuban baller underground railroad destinations of choice were in central america, putting the bidding war in order.

by Hot Cup Joe on Jun 9, 2008 11:43 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Remember, the A's drafted Ariel Prieto

He was a top 10 pick, IIRC—#5 or #7 or something like that.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 9, 2008 11:50 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've chosen to forget that

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 9, 2008 12:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

forget what?

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 2:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why am I sitting here and where are my pants?

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 9, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Where the hell are the dancing cats?

Florida ain't no place for a self-respecting A's fan.

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 9, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yunel Escobar

is the guy people are thinking of here; he’s from Cuba but had to be drafted by the Braves.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 12:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ugh Ariel Prieto

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

by SwampyD on Jun 9, 2008 1:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lesson of the Day

Always Always Always
set DVR for 5 hours. Not four hours.
Yesterday, I got to watch Ellis walk up to the plate in the 12th and then ….. [black]

And I also missed Harden’s 9 pitch strike out the side because EI joined the game late.

So I missed the best highlights.

But I’m not the only one who missed Ellie’s walk off.

by SportySpice on Jun 9, 2008 10:03 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CSN on EI cut off right after Ellis touched home.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 10:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They're so lazy at EI

Game over. Pull the plug. Who cares about the players’ cute celebrations or a postgame wrap.

BTW—sorry for smell around here. My cat barfed up canned salmon cat food all over my keyboard.

by SportySpice on Jun 9, 2008 10:26 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ur keeboord

It has a flavr.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 9, 2008 10:37 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My EI

always gets the celebration and interview after the game..and often times the postgame shows for whatever team is doing the game.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 9, 2008 10:45 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Apparently so...

I have DirecTV and they leave the feed on pretty long in most cases.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 9, 2008 11:51 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I also have DirecTV.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 12:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They were better in years past

They used to stay on even through the player interview after the game. I never saw other team broadcasts stay on so long.
Stopped doing it this year. I figured it had something to do with the A’s change to Comcast.

Who knows. Do to the EI blackout in SoCal , I had to watch channel 13. So I did not even get to see the GS.

by easyraider on Jun 9, 2008 12:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was getting the Oakland feed

through Extra Innings, and I got to see the walk-off. Also, a bunch of jumping up and down at home plate and a 30 second on-field interview with Ellis. I turned off the tv after that, so I don’t know how long they stayed with the game. I get Extra Innings through Comcast in Chicago. I wouldn’t have guessed that this sort of thing varies from cable provider to cable provider, but evidently it does.

by colin on Jun 9, 2008 11:04 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Same for me, Ellie walks to the plate and "BAM!", recording ended.

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

by McFood on Jun 9, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Laker losses are always sweet

but sweeter still at the hands of Oakland Tech and Cal alum Leon Powe!

I basically never root for Boston teams, but when it’s for a local guy and against the Lakers, I’m willing to make an exception.

Don't blame me, I voted for oaktoon.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 10:14 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anybody hear about

Mike Sweeney being DFA’d this morning? I’m trying to find a link somewhere. I heard this morning on KNBR. That kninda sucks but maybe he will be able to stick around and re-hab in the minors etc….

by mrod on Jun 9, 2008 10:19 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Could not find a link

but did find this picture on the ESPN page. Look who is right in front….....

what a great cheerleader!

by mrod on Jun 9, 2008 10:23 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think you heard wrong, they said heading to the DL, which for those idiots is par for the course

he was already on the DL, but is now having surgery, so he will be out for anotther 4-6 weeks. They don’t need to DFA him, they can just shove him on the 60 day DL, that would be a straight dick move to DFA someone on the DL, which may not be legal bu CBA rules.

by theblackpearl on Jun 9, 2008 10:29 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks for clearing that up

although they did in fact say “Mike Sweeney was DFA’d this morning”. I was wondering why the A’s would do that but it figures that KNBR would make a boneheaded mistake like that…........cheers!

by mrod on Jun 9, 2008 10:48 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For salb:

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 10:21 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you missed the New York Times yesterday

A highly bookmarkable article on what to eat in the ballparks of America. The recommendation for Oakland is to go for Kinder’s and avoid all the fried food, in which I concur. I wish we had more interesting food at the Coliseum.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 9, 2008 10:30 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My little soft-sided cooler may be my best investment ever.

Those little pizzas for $7? Coffee for $4.50? I think prices at the e-Coli have passed the Oakland Airport.

/grateful that Cafe Cos-quo does take-out.

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 10:43 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Speaking of soft sided coolers...

I’ll be schlepping one into the coli this week filled with soda’s for 8 people. My arm will be numb before I make it through the security check point. Ah well, better than forking over sixty bucks for five dollars worth of soda.

"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 9, 2008 11:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

but... but...

if you (and 100,000 others) had just bought the soda, we could sign Ellis to an extension!

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 4:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Alas....poor Ellis will have to get by

on the 7M or so he’s currently making.

"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 9, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice planning

for a day at the park.

I agree, the prices at Oak Coli have long ago passed Oak Airport.

You know, if I have to pick between a terrible, undrinkable beer at $7, and a really really good beer at $10, I will opt for the higher price. Otherwise, ZERO BEER at zero expense is preferable to to spending $7 on something that you barely choke down, and throw a lot of away.

Doesn’t anyone in the concession area THINK??

My choice is between overspending versus abstaining for 3-4 hours. Abstaining is easy to justify, when the product is terrible! The wait in line is terrible. The result is people like Dogfather “bringing their own”. I always “bring the peanuts” to groups I am in that go to the games, because I can buy a pail-full for $10, and be generous and personable with the handouts. I wouldn’t mind if the vendors did the heavy lifting, and I paid $20 for same amount of product, but the product is WORSE.

A fortune is waiting to be made in Coli-food, if someone takes a high-quality approach…

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

by One won lost won on Jun 9, 2008 11:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we'll never see the high-quality approach at the Coli

Fremont/Portland/Vegas/Baghdad Green Zone/wherever, yes. Coliseum, no.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 11:49 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and we'll never see a drop of paint

on all that godfreydaniel concrete! Gray gray gray….

How come I’m always looking out for cars, when I’m walking to the bathroom????

BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A GAWDDAYUM PARKING GARAGE!!!!

People=white paint…cars=grey concrete…doesn’t anyone THINK about this stuff???

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

by One won lost won on Jun 9, 2008 12:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hey, at least they haven't painted it ochre yellow

That would be a sign that they’ve given up on sanitation entirely.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 12:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought urine troughs...

...were already a sign that they’ve given up on sanitation entirely!

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 4:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that's f'n insane!

I hope that dude won a BIG bet for doing that…

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 9:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah, I pretty much invariably bring a burrito or a nice sandwich or something like that ...

much better food for a much better price …

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 11:58 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And bring your own good beer.

If it doesn’t get shaken too much it’ll pass in a gallon apple juice container.

by green star oakland on Jun 9, 2008 12:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or wrapped in a big stadium blanket/backpack.

I think the payback time on the blanket purchase is about 8 games. YMMV, according to the cost of your contraband. It’s important that the bottle be plastic and appear unopened, just-in-case.

Haha—just kidding, A’s hall monitors [hic].

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 12:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

three words

Fake. Colostomy. Bag.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 12:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Glad to see

they included Milwaukee brats on their list – what a pleasure….

by Hot Cup Joe on Jun 9, 2008 11:04 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I had Kinders Friday night for the 1st time

and must concur; in the words of some old KC announcer, “its not a snack, it’s Emil!”

The ball tip and pulled pork sandwiches were both quite good.

. . . that sounds so naughty.

Bob Geren, on 8/2/07, on the success of Alan Embree as new interim closer: "What can I say,... he's been our Steady Tremendous Bullpen Man"

by popcornjames on Jun 9, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, that's the problem

Has nothing to do with Vidro and Sexson being bad at baseball. Nothing at all.

Or the organization loving players who walk 3 times for every 7,000 at bats. That’s not the problem.

It’s Jeff Pentland.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 9, 2008 11:29 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not anymore.

"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 9, 2008 11:37 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"You fool! That is a 16th century..

..Ming Dynasty Vase!”

Inspector Closeau: “Not anymore!”

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

by One won lost won on Jun 9, 2008 11:44 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would like a roouuume please!

"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 9, 2008 1:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

“Monsieur—does your dugg bite?”

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 1:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The problem of maple bats

Bruce Jenkins argues that maple bats should be banned before a maple shard or flying bat head kills someone. Evidently MLB is considering pursuing a ban.

Wouldn’t it be possible to sheathe the bat in fabric between the wood and the lacquer? I’m pretty sure that cricket bats used to be made this way, and it would keep the pieces of a broken bat from flying around.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 9, 2008 11:56 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Holy Bat-Sheath Nick

Just think what you could do with nanotechnology – tiny springs for power, special bunt-bats that deaden the ball, double-sided bats like in table tennis …

by green star oakland on Jun 9, 2008 12:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Prophylactic bats?

What’s next?

"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 9, 2008 1:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

talk about safe hitting

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Jun 9, 2008 1:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least you score.

"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 9, 2008 1:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

purity balls

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 1:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My green and gold boy

So my daughter is 13 and ready for a change to her room – tear down the little girl wallpaper and apply new paint.

My soon-to-be four year-old son says he wants his painted too – green and gold.

Almost brought a tear to my eye.

by easyraider on Jun 9, 2008 12:35 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

remember, though, age 13 is usually career peak-cuteness age

Most parents are paying for past cuteness performance ages 13-18. You might want to start sending signals to her agent that she’ll need to accept a hometown discount to stick around.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 12:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Actually peak-cuteness was around 11

Now it is more like ‘what is so important that you are interrupting my texting and MySpace time?’

If only we did not give in to her ‘no trade’ clause during last negotiations.

by easyraider on Jun 9, 2008 2:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey salb!

I watched the first two episodes of the new DVD-available Season 3 of Weeds last night. If you didn’t get a gun pointed in your face you weren’t hardly trying. You already knew that, of course; I won’t reveal anything new.

Don't blame me, I voted for oaktoon.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 12:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Time to re-up the netflix.

We haven’t had much time for TV between baby and (in my case) baseball (oh yeah, and science). Looks like it’s time, though, to catch up with Weeds and Big Love (is the new season out on DVD yet?).

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Jun 9, 2008 12:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Weeds is brilliant

"The Athletics at Fremont" is obscene

by ArakSOT on Jun 9, 2008 12:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, it isn't

Quoting from my own e-mail to the Chron’s Tim Goodman:

I just finished watching Season 2 of Weeds on DVD. I thought it was just painful to watch.
In particular: 1) Shane giving the speech at his elementary school graduation, and turning it into a riot with the kids chanting stuff. Hello—there aren’t student speeches at elementary school graduations. Elementary-school kids don’t start chanting clever slogans in unison out of nowhere. This scene had all the believability of the court-room scenes in the Seinfeld finale, or in the movie Big Daddy where Adam Sandler had to win custody of the kid. 2) Andy managing to find a new beautiful woman to sleep with every other episode. Ridiculous.

I know—it’s a comedy. It doesn’t need to be believable. But it did start out as that kind of comedy, as a show that wished to be taken seriously. And now it can’t be. None of its characters seem real; like Andy, their needs are ultimately taken care of without them having to face any real hardship. Why do writers make their characters’ lives so pain-free? Because they don’t really trust their own characters, don’t respect them enough to give them any real challenges. Don’t respect their ability to make tough choices. They are paper-thin, and so to remain entertaining they must continue to survive wholly implausible adventures.

Anyway, after finishing up Season 2, I had to check your Season 3 writeup to see if you would validate my feelings. You didn’t, and so now I shake my fist at you. Because I imagine myself one day in the video store, thinking “I don’t know what to get, I dont’ know what to get” and then I’ll see Season 3 of Weeds. And I’ve told myself-no way in hell am I watching another episode of that. But now I’ve read your positive review, and what if for some reason, I’m so desperate and everything else is checked out-hell, I still probably wouldn’t pay for it. But what if somebody GIVES me a copy? If that happens, then I’ll probably waste a couple hours watching it, and you’re to blame! Well, you and the jerk who gives me the disc.

Brainless Automaton #439

by rubin sierra on Jun 9, 2008 2:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Weeds: the Wire of Showtime?

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 2:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Argh.

And I was in such a good mood today.

by 74mk on Jun 9, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was looking for an excuse to post the postscript in my letter to Tim that I neglected to post above
P.S. Just for fun, contrast the way Weeds pushes its legalize-pot agenda (with absurd scenes showing kids and then dog-lovers jeering the anti-drug crusader) with the way the Wire suggests drug-legalization (with Bunny Colvin’s Amsterdam in Season 3). How many times more intelligent of a show is the Wire than Weeds? One hundred times? One million times?

Brainless Automaton #439

by rubin sierra on Jun 9, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't disagree with that at all

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 5:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the latter

I never disputed its (or its creators’) intelligence.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 11, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My sense of Showtime

(and I think I’ve ranted this rant here before) is that their shows are actually pretty conventional in terms of plot structure, writing, characterization, etc, but they throw in a ZOMG!! factor to make them edgy. Weeds is a pretty conventional show, except ZOMG SHE SELLS POT OUT OF HER SUBURBAN HOME! The “L” Word is a pretty standard nighttime soap (sort of 90210 for grownups) except ZOMG THEY’RE LESBIANS!! Dexter is a pretty standard cop/investigator show except ZOMG HE’S A SERIAL KILLER!!

HBO tries a little harder to push things creatively, I think (or at least, they used to). Sometimes they really screw up (e.g., John from Snoozinati, or that Navel-gazing with Self-Absorbed Couples Who Have Sex, show), but Deadwood, Carnivale, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and, pace monkeyball, The Wire really tried things that very few other tv shows have tried, in terms of language, plot structure, characterization, politics. And those were all very good to excellent shows.

Incidentally, I think Weeds is funny.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 9, 2008 2:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ZOMGiac?

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 2:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Speaking of HBO

I just gave up on Entourage. Seemed like the same episode for five years. Standard guy talk plus yelling into cell phones for half an hour, lots of walking around wherever.

Typical of HBO and Showtime – and I agree with you here, Nick – these shows just seem to wallow in their “Golly Gee Whiz look at our neato show” factor and never seem to move from its basic structure. With competition from many other channels, and the ease of renting whatever you want without even having to leave the house, I wonder what the future is for these not-PREMIUM-anymore channels.

by Mark H on Jun 9, 2008 4:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Entourage is definitely fluff

We don’t have Showtime, so my only experience with their shows is by rental - I might be missing some gems there. We do get HBO, and I do think they take a few more chances and have made some shows that are genuinely different from other stuff I’ve seen on tv - some are different and not good, others are different and good or even great. Some stuff isn’t different at all (e.g. Arliss or The Mind of a Married Man or Entourage).

Jeremy Piven still makes Entourage worth watching, but I don’t feel that strongly about it. I wouldn’t rent it, for instance.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 9, 2008 5:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I want to give up on Entourage, but I can't

Everything you’re saying is true. It takes a full 12 episodes to resolve anything at all, and all 4 of the guys are perpetually upwardly mobile—even freaking Drama, for crap’s sake. And it kind of grates my cheese when they do the “Vince, We’re Running Out of Money” schtick, only to have money magically appear. And sometimes, they don’t even explain where the money came from, you just take it on faith that it spontaneously generated (i.e., hiring the extra screenwriter on Medellin).

But it’s like potato chips, smoking a cigarette after a couple of beers, or crack. I know it’s bad for me, but I just… can’t… stop.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 9, 2008 5:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

Rec'd

Love this analysis, esp. the note regarding Drama’s upward mobility. If I was ever going to give up on Entourage (in the end I never gave up; I just got distracted), I would have done so after that episode where Drama drove off to the Grand Canyon thinking his show was going to be a bust, only to find in the final minute that it’s a hit. Arrrrrrgggghhhh happy endings bleh

Brainless Automaton #439

by rubin sierra on Jun 11, 2008 12:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I still love Entourage...

The first season was fantastic and loves Season 2, but it has gotten worse the last 2 seasons…..but it still has some epic moments mixed in with the not so good. Still a favorite of mine, looking forward to Season 5 in Sept.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 9, 2008 5:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oz was brilliant, too

but it’s the only show I’ve ever stopped watching because it was just too disturbing. My wife and I started watching before we had kids (we decided that the words to the (wordless) theme-song should be, “Tom Fontana/Is a sick f**k/Tom Fontana”), and we LOVED it but then we had our daughter and the episode where Schillinger puts out a hit on whatsisname’s kids (and succeeds) was just too much for us. Which is some kind of mark of accomplishment for Fontana and the Oz crew.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 9, 2008 4:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

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 9, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

tudors

one of the best hours of premium channel television since the first two seasons of sopranos was the next to next last episode. . . nice

"Iron man, iron man, does what an iron man can"

by pieful35 on Jun 9, 2008 8:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cool, one less show to watch.

I still need to see “Deadwood” though. Are you going to loan me that series when you’re finished with my copy of FREAKS AND GEEKS?!

LOL 4:20 timestamp!

by cagrrrl on Jun 10, 2008 4:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well worth it, IMsemi-HO.

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 10, 2008 5:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OT: who drives a silver Honda junior suv?

I saw one with an AN sticker on the back going westbound on 580 up the Dublin grade in the general direction of Friday night’s game. I think it went the 880 route, whereas we stayed on 580 to Seminary.

We couldn’t keep up with it, anyway (in the Dogma’s car, honest).

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 12:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

did it keep changing lanes, and occasionally shift into reverse?

That might be a clue as to who was driving.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 12:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

QOTM nom-nom-nomination

It’s got to be a nomiNATIONS!

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

by McFood on Jun 9, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NO way!!!

That was me!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Jun 9, 2008 1:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I trust you got your bobblehead.

If not, we can show you a back way to the coli. Life expectancy is reduced on our route, but you were going faster than a speeding bullet, anyway.

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 1:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow...

Sounds like someone needs to not drive so fast!

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 9, 2008 3:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey! I didn't even break 80! :-)

Besides…now I have a cute little bobblehead to keep Buck company on my shelf!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Jun 9, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't believe it...

by baseballgirl

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

by The Dogfather on Jun 9, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we couldn't keep up with it lols

I’m just glad you didn’t like, take the same exit and follow it home.

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

by SwampyD on Jun 9, 2008 1:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Swisher 2 HRs today so far.

One right handed and one left handed.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Jun 9, 2008 1:14 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Poppy! Get down off that roof!

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 1:16 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

JUMP! JUMP!

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

by McFood on Jun 9, 2008 4:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I knew this was you.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 5:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not only that...

Have you ever been to McFood’s house for puppy casserole?

Cotton Candy

by Ice Cream on Jun 9, 2008 5:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Christ, what a couple of assholes

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 5:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No one seems to have noticed this yet

but: Crosby -21 at shortstop?

Even given that this is a highly variable small sample size, that’s quite poor.

Can we, please, trade this guy while he still gives the first-glance outward appearance of being a useful baseball player?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 1:23 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I dont undertsand how its that low...

Hes seemed to be not that terrible this year. I mean he hasnt really been great but I didnt think it was that bad.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Jun 9, 2008 1:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Errors up?

Seems like there were a string of E-6s

by MobiusKlein on Jun 9, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sometimes, though,

Crosby gets errors by just missing balls he shouldn’t reach in the first place…

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 4:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How anomalous is that in the context of his career performance?

I’d look it up myself, but when it comes to defensive statistics – to echo one of father’s favored expressions – I don’t know my ass from third base.

by 74mk on Jun 9, 2008 1:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's generally been fairly average in recent years, I believe ...

keep in mind, though, that UZR is prorated so -21 means he’s actually cost the team something like 8 runs to this point in the season. With the sample size being what it is and defensive stats being notorious for fluctuating wildly, he could very easily end the season fairly close to neutral.

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's been my impression too

Still, average glove + Crosby bat = horse manure, in my book. His ceiling—and that’s what he’s playing at right now, offensively—is barely above league average.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well ... what he's playing at right now is well above American League average ...

he’s probably better than all but one or two guys in the AL … so we could also count our blessings …

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 2:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes

When you convert my name into the correct base-10 format from hexadecimal, you get P-11-UL-THOM-11-S, which is my UPC.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 4:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you're a robot?

cool! I’m an alien…

we should get together on the mothership and hunt seagulls from space. It’s awesome!

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Okay I'll bite.

Who is going to play shortstop if Crosby gets traded today and do a better job?

Petit? Ellis moving over? Murphy? MoneyPenny?

Save trading for Brignac or Lillibridge, both would likely require Street, what options are there?

by mikev on Jun 9, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My preferred solution

is to move Crosby, give Petit the job for the rest of the season, and if he doesn’t seem to be good enough, sign one of the free agent SS on the market in the offseason.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 4:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hmm...

I don’t think Crosby’s maximized his trade value yet, because two months is not enough to prove to the other 29 GMs that he can stay healthy and play quality SS for 150 games a year.

Yet, if the time comes where he can get more value in return than he’s worth, then of course he should be traded.

I do like Crosby, though, so on a warm and fuzzy level, I hope he doesn’t get traded anytime soon.

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

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 9, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Quite anomalous

Crosby was somewhere between +0 and +10 as a youngster. Could be SSS, could be injuries. Don’t know.

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Jun 9, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Chinese nation's favorite rallying cry

Add petrol!

Athletics Nation’s favorite rallying cry: Add Patrol!

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

-21 for Bones????? Careeer performance would be helpful

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

by SwampyD on Jun 9, 2008 1:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Jia You!"

“No, jia YOU, buddy!”

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 9, 2008 3:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey, and Peter Buck play baseball songs

The first single sounds great (if you like that sort of thing)—and it opens with two consecutive classic A’s references:

When Campy Campaneris played all nine positions in a game
When Pete Rose demolished Ray Fosse, he was never the same

Yes, I ordered the album. I’ll review it here when it arrives.

And, yes, I emailed Mr Wynn links to my own Poetic Interludes. If, somehow, my stupid-ass writing enables me to meet Peter Buck, I will consider my life’s work complete.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 2:36 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

more links, though mostly redundant info

Yep Roc (label)

Steve Wynn’s website

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 2:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

huh,

sounds like YFF crossed with the dream syndicate. Whoda thunk it.

by Future Ed on Jun 9, 2008 2:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Peter Buck = Teh Man (sic)

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 9, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That he is

Mike, though, is more the baseball fan.

(Guardian copy editors, BTW, are TEH SUXXXORZ.)

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 5:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anyone seen this?

www.subservientchicken.com

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 4:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

from wikipedia:

There is also an easter egg in the program: if you type Crispin, the company name, into the box, a load of people, supposedly the creators, will pop out from behind a sofa and walk off.

When told to perform sex acts, take off his mask, or do anything the Subservient Chicken considers offensive, the chicken walks up to the camera and shakes a scolding chicken finger in disappointment. When told to eat food from rival fast food chain McDonald’s, he approaches the camera and places his finger down his throat, when told to eat Burger King he has a more positive response. If he is told to ‘join PETA’, he performs the same action as when a ‘dizzy’ command is typed in. The chicken responds to the command “smoke” by smoking, but when told to “smoke a bong” he waggles his finger scoldingly. If told to “choke” he attempts to strangle himself. When commanded to do anything with the word “me” in it, he approaches the camera and looks at you, turning his head a few times. When told to take off his costume, the chicken shows that he is stuck inside his costume.

by spiffyjwc on Jun 9, 2008 5:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes, like four years ago

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 9, 2008 5:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

my bad ...

I missed that DLD …

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

by devo on Jun 9, 2008 5:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Griffey hits 600th; fan gets balljacked

Ken Griffey Jr. went deep tonight in Miami, for the 600th time in his illustrious career.

A fan in the sparse crowd is claiming he caught the ball and had it stolen from him.

Controversy ensued in the stands following the home run. Justin Kimball, a 25-year-old from Miami, said he caught the home run ball, put it in a wool cap and then had the cap ripped from his hands. Kimball said someone ran off with the ball.

Police said they had found the fan with the baseball and would look at video tape to see if Kimball’s claims could be supported.

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

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 9, 2008 5:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do sporting facility security operations still use video tape for archiving security-cam footage moving image recordings?

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

by monkeyball on Jun 9, 2008 5:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good

Now hopefully they can stop doing baseball fans the disservice of propping his rotting corpse out there in the outfield every day.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 9, 2008 5:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good game!

Longoria certainly doesn’t look like a rookie…

by Hot Cup Joe on Jun 9, 2008 7:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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The Annual Questionable All-Star Post

by SamYam about 5 hours ago

5 comments | 0 recs

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A request, AN, from me to you

by Gallagher's Watermelons about 6 hours ago

9 comments | 0 recs

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Hairston is an A

by Orodawg about 6 hours ago

497 comments | 1 recs

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A's ballpark needs to be modified

by BlueMoon about 17 hours ago

30 comments | 1 recs

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next A's philosophy: High $ International FA signings and High draft picks- pitchers only

by OmahaHi 1 day ago

13 comments | 0 recs

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A's demands for Holiday

by sinned 2 days ago

106 comments | 0 recs

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GOG 2009 #27

by colin 2 days ago

18 comments | 1 recs

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Minor Athletics on vacation -- Minor League Dump

by asyouwish33 2 days ago

11 comments | 0 recs

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