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Around SBN: Ellenberger vs. Sanchez Heats Up, Hughes Talks Retirement

DLD 081208: Gio’s like the sweetest guy ever

It’s late and there’s no DLD. So goes life when your team 1) had an off day yesterday; and 2) sucks. But I cannot let a certain something go unobserved by you, my A’s fan brethren and sistren.

But lo! a ray of sunshine doth pierce this veil of sorrow! His name is Gio Gonzalez, and as Susan Slusser chronicles in today’s, well, Chronicle, he’s like a cross between Gandhi and the cutest puppy dog ever.

Star-divide

He comes from tough beginnings, which taught him and the kids in his Hialeah Florida neighborhood how to hit back up the middle:

Gonzalez's cousin, Orlando Dager, agreed, saying, "He went from nothing to this, it's hard to believe it. We played with tires and cardboard for bases, threw them down under the big electrical poles. If you hit it left or right, you'd hit a window and you'd be out, so we all learned to hit it up the middle. If we had a rock to hit and a broomstick to swing, we were playing."

So many windows were broken that Gonzalez's father, Max, had a window-replacement company on speed dial and worked out a discount rate. Gonzalez recalls many cuts and bruises from sliding on the rocks and glass, and twisted ankles from stepping in holes.

And he loves humanity:

"Gio, he wants to save everybody," Dager said. "He can meet you today and he wants to try to help you. There's a bum in Hialeah and Gio is his best friend - everyone who sees him has to give him money and food because of Gio. He goes over and above."

Gonzalez said the man is named Joe and he said he's always tried to help him out when he can. "Whatever's in my pockets, whatever is in the car - I can have $10 bucks and be starving, but I think, 'Well, I have a home I can go to,' so I give it to him," Gonzalez said. "I've told everyone if they pass Joe under the bridge at 103rd, make sure to give him money or food or books, because he loves to read."

But more important than any of that: he remains immune to the venal corrupting influence of some of his fellow A’s starters…he’s gonna wear the home whites!

Now, here he is, taking the ball tonight in Oakland.

"I'm telling you, I can't wait to put on that white uniform," Gonzalez said. "That will be the prettiest uniform I'll ever see."

No other links required.

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beane makes a deal!!

• The Twins also acquired Joe Gaetti, son of former third baseman Gary Gaetti, from Oakland. Joe Gaetti, a 26-year-old outfielder, was batting .263 with 14 home runs and 33 RBI for Class AAA Sacramento. The Twins plan to send him to Class AA New Britain.
Etc.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/26852224.html?page=2&c=y

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 12, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply actions  

So we didn't get anything back? Not even bats?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Aug 12, 2008 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

A Gary Gaetti 1992 Fleer baseball card with bent edges

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Aug 12, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Also...

Noted in that story is the Twins signing Bobby Kielty.

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 12, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

-so did the a’s get nothing back, not even 3b gary?
-why are they sending him down to AA?
-where is casilla coming back from?

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 Aug 12, 2008 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

i know...
Two weeks ago, Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla was convinced a left thumb injury had ended his season.
Last week, the switch hitter said there was a 60 percent chance he could return but warned he might not be able to swing lefthanded.

i just think it’s an amazing coincidence that our casilla made up a new name and it’s exactly the same as that of another baseball player.

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 Aug 12, 2008 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

Woohoo!

I love Gio Day!!

...and the future is now!

by gio_is_the_future on Aug 12, 2008 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

The link links to this DLD

I wanted to read about and revel in Gio’s white-uni love with my own eyes…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Aug 12, 2008 1:58 PM PDT reply actions  

FSU's such a tease...

every winning streak ends with taking your underpants off. @('.')@

by Leopold Bloom on Aug 12, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's because the universe is expanding

Actually, is because I’m sloppy. Fixed now.

They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 12, 2008 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

I am so there...

The boy and I will be attending tonights clash between the upstart Tampa Bay Rays and the hapless Oakland A’s. Beer will be drank, Hot Dogs consumed and Fun had by all. Plus Gio is starting, which is nice.

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 12, 2008 2:01 PM PDT reply actions  

Please enjoy a Saag's Hot Link

with the grilled onion and the peppers and think of me.

(sigh)

every winning streak ends with taking your underpants off. @('.')@

by Leopold Bloom on Aug 12, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

You read my mind...

Better than Grilled Mutton Kidneys!!!

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 12, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

< gasp >

Which concession has the grilled mutton kidneys?! And is there free sauerkraut nearby?

There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.

by Poppy on Aug 12, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think that's at the Your White Episcopalian Bakery stand

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

Are they suspected of involuntary manslaughter?

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 12, 2008 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

charged with 56 counts of Aggravated Uptightness

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

What Happened to Travis Buck? (Science Today)

After all the chat about where is Travis Buck, Maybe these scientists have some ‘splaining to do.

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 12, 2008 2:18 PM PDT reply actions  

I thought your second paragraph began thusly:
But LOL a ray of sunshine …

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 2:32 PM PDT reply actions  

White, green, gray

Just as long as it’s not those icky black ones.

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

by iglew on Aug 12, 2008 2:45 PM PDT reply actions  

minor olympic scandals in big beijing

Beijing’s faux-lympics? The face of the ‘smiling angel’ was that of 9-year-old Lin Miaoke, but the voice belonged to 7-year-old Yang Peiyi. Sleight of hand also enhanced the fireworks spectacle on TV.


“It was for the national interest,” Chen told CCTV. “The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings and expression.”

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 Aug 12, 2008 2:50 PM PDT reply actions  

Girl 1 creeps me out. Too much smiling.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 12, 2008 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

you are not flawless in internal feelings

NEXT!

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hey Jennifer

Do you have anyone listed for birthdays today?

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Aug 12, 2008 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm not sure.

The calendar is at work, so I can’t be certain.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 12, 2008 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

If I could so humbly be

added to the list for today. Just if you happen to remember…thanks!

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Aug 12, 2008 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Happy Birthday!

They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 12, 2008 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'll second that!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Aug 12, 2008 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks, gentlemen!

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Aug 13, 2008 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

Happy Birthday yesterday!

You weren’t on the list yet, but you’re on it now. :) (at least, on my copy of it… )

Interweaving, diverse, not to say conflictive emphases and a broad spectrum of items to form a dynamic exchange of parallel and self-eclipsing spatial and temporal zones.

by Poppy on Aug 13, 2008 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

i just looked up hialeah on wikipedia…


Famous residents

Harry Wayne Casey, KC of KC and the Sunshine Band
Bucky Dent, former Major League Baseball player
Alex Fernandez, former Major League Baseball pitcher
Ted Hendricks, former National Football League star
Angel Hernandez, Major League Baseball umpire
Lauryn Hill, singer and former member of The Fugees
Charlie Hough, former Major League Baseball star
Catherine Keener, actress

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 Aug 12, 2008 3:15 PM PDT reply actions  

Hialeah must be a high flying place

A Mad Stork and a Blind Bat.

They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 12, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

For some reason, I thought Catherine Keener was Canadian.

I was off by a couple of miles.

There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.

by Poppy on Aug 12, 2008 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

you’re confusing her with john candy.

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 Aug 12, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

Anyone know what time the USA Olympic Baseball

teams game is on?

"With 16-year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa in tow, Gio Gonzalez improving at Triple-A and lefty Brett Anderson carving up Double-Abatters along with Simmons and Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s pitching depthis officially the envy of baseball." - BaseballAmerica.com

by Syphon on Aug 12, 2008 3:55 PM PDT reply actions  

i believe 3am pst

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 Aug 12, 2008 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

As far as I can make out

3:00am Wed vs S Korea
7:30pm Wed vs Netherlands
8:30pm Thu vs Cuba
7:30pm Fri vs Canada
4:00am Mon vs China
4:00am Tue vs Taiwan
4:00am Wed vs Japan

All Pacific time.

by green star oakland on Aug 12, 2008 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

With NBC's coverage... Never.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Aug 12, 2008 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

Beijing shopping

You parents know what I’m talkin’ about…your kid absolutely must have the hottest new toy, but it’s cleared out of every store shelf you visit, and Amazon puts you in backorder hell. The answer? Visit Beijing!

I know my kids have been bugging me for these impossible-to-find hot new action figures:

Fidel, Spiderman, and Osama action figures on sale now!

They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 12, 2008 3:56 PM PDT reply actions  

those are kind of amazing

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 Aug 12, 2008 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

the one on the right is clearly a repurposed Groucho Marx action figure

I think the one on the left is actually an unadulterated Joel Silver action figure.

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

A hand?

There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.

by Poppy on Aug 12, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

And I have a new sigline.

What the hell does it mean?

Interweaving, diverse, not to say conflictive emphases and a broad spectrum of items to form a dynamic exchange of parallel and self-eclipsing spatial and temporal zones.

by Poppy on Aug 12, 2008 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

A hand and a foot and a leg and a colon...

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Aug 12, 2008 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

those are ... fondue runs!

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

Anyone seen Texas@Boston score

Red Sox 10-0 bottom of 1st! That’s a rough day on Texas pitching. What is this? Slow pitch beer league softball?

by asfansince1989 on Aug 12, 2008 4:40 PM PDT reply actions  

Tie game, 14-14.

Why do these types of games always involve Texas?

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Aug 12, 2008 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

man would it be awesome if the Sox lose this game

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not a good day for Scott Feldman

giving up a 10-spot in the first (6 unearned) ... 51 pitches, 7 hits, 2 walks, 2 K’s (both Youkilis), and 2 HRs (both 3-run shots for Ortiz)

by green star oakland on Aug 12, 2008 4:40 PM PDT reply actions  

And I thought Burger King's *commercials* were disturbing...

Burger King employee takes bath in restaurant’s sink

Burger King, the nation’s No. 2 hamburger chain, said in a statement that it also disposed of all kitchen tools and utensils used in the incident…

Um…

Interweaving, diverse, not to say conflictive emphases and a broad spectrum of items to form a dynamic exchange of parallel and self-eclipsing spatial and temporal zones.

by Poppy on Aug 12, 2008 4:47 PM PDT reply actions  

I hope that's everything AND the kitchen sink.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Aug 12, 2008 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

... and the video

here.

Pretty poor attempt at anonymity … blurred face (except at the end, when the blur floats over the left shoulder) but very visible and identifiable tattoo.

by green star oakland on Aug 12, 2008 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

{snerk}

No. 2

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

...and is retraining the staff in health and sanitation procedures.

Um, yeah, I’m sure the problem is that they didn’t cover sink bathing in the initial tutorial.

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

by batgirl on Aug 12, 2008 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

The bath itself is freaky enough, but...

kitchen tools and utensils? To “use” in the bath?

Interweaving, diverse, not to say conflictive emphases and a broad spectrum of items to form a dynamic exchange of parallel and self-eclipsing spatial and temporal zones.

by Poppy on Aug 13, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

From the Oh, Thank Heaven Dept?

There’s a nondescript 7-11 store with a great big sign that states in bold red letters, “NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT”, at the corner of Hesperian and Fairmont just down the street from Rickey’s Sports Bar & Grill in San Leandro. Kitty corner from the store is a 24-hour Lucky supermarket, down the street is an Arco station with a mini-mart and two blocks away is the Target store at Bayfair Mall.

In 14 years I’ve been to that 7-11 exactly once and even then I didn’t buy anything.

What to do.

That sign is haunting me.

Chocolate Marshmallow

by Ice Cream on Aug 12, 2008 6:02 PM PDT reply actions  

Go in and say hi

I’m sure Macha would like the company.

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

by Nick on Aug 12, 2008 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

I *knew* that was you showering under the Slushee machine

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 12, 2008 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

re: Gio

They talked about him on the broadcast during his debut in Toronto. I heard him interviewed on ESPN radio last night. Now, this. I gotta say… I’m really liking this kid. As a person as well as a baseball player.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Aug 13, 2008 8:09 AM PDT reply actions  

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