A’s Set Record - 4 Runs Or Less In 14 Straight Games
by baseballgirl on Aug 13, 2008 10:10 PM PDT
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PrintI get it, you know? It must be hard to drag yourself out onto the field day after day, playing for nothing, and winning so infrequently. I get how painful the A’s are right now--we know; we’re watching them, writing about them, counting the games down to the blessed end of the season. But would it kill the team to care for about 3 hours a day, if not for yourself, but for your teammate, who pitched so well, and obviously cares so much? Not that I blame them, but the team is doing a great impression of just playing out the season.
And I expected better from a player with Mark Ellis' professionalism; he certainly has been a culprit lately. This is the second play in as many Duchscherer starts that he appeared to be lackadaisical on a ball to his side; both of which led to Duchscherer losses.
And Duke certainly deserved better today, as once again, he pitched well enough to win and instead was handed the loss, after he had exited the game neither quietly nor willingly. The only real blemishes on Duchscherer’s line tonight were the two towering homeruns hit by the Rays, and the runner he left on in the seventh when Ellis forgot he ever campaigned for a gold glove.
The A’s got on the board (and tied the game temporarily) in the fifth on a Patterson 2-RBI single that barely missed Pena’s glove, one of the few-and-far-between breaks that the A’s have received in the last six weeks. But the Rays scored a run in the seventh after Blevins relieved Duke, and the game was pretty much over from there.
It’s not that the A’s didn’t have their chances to score tonight; Suzuki was tagged out at the plate on an Ellis’ single early on (you have to send him there, despite the likely out; when this team has a base hit with two outs and a runner on second, you send the runner); Ellis hit into a rally-ending DP his next at-bat; and Daric Barton had possibly the worst pinch-hitting appearance of anyone’s career with the tying run on second; three straight fastballs for three strikes. The bat never left his shoulder.
The A’s tried to make it interesting in the ninth with a leadoff walk by Cust, but Rajai Davis was thrown out trying to steal on the first pitch. He probably should have waited on that one and let Crosby hit the dead-red fastball. But the A's needed the steal, and it was a chance worth taking.
Other game notes: Embree pitched the eighth, Street pitched a scoreless ninth, leaving two runners on base, and Emil Brown had a pinch-hit walk in the ninth.
The A’s try to win the series tomorrow against Shields.
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A's are now throwing games
The bunt, the steal attempt—it’s pretty clear to me the A’s are racing to the bottom to get the best draft pick.
And I’m rooting for them. Or against them. Or whatever.
I want TB to hold on to their Division
so since we are going for a better draft pick then go TB
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
it took me like 3 times to get it.
"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
I don't buy
not caring or throwing games. I do question the bullpen “role” decisions. I think in the seventh with two on and one out you need a ground ball guy. Even if he is now the “closer.”
I also think this team is funner to watch than the team directly post Harden trade. THere is more “inside baseball” things to watch. You know, the development of the young guys and such.
It's very odd about Ellis
First of all, you can’t tell how hard someone is trying or how much he cares just by observing because some players show things differently from others. And the last person I would ever expect a lack of effort/professionalism from is Ellis. Yet it has looked for weeks like he is glum, tight, or…mailing it in? I don’t get it. Maybe he’s distracted by current/impending contract discussions, maybe Briggs is sick or is looking more and more like the mailman, maybe he’s playing in more lingering shoulder pain than we know, or maybe… I don’t know. It’s very odd.
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
shit...
his best buddies, Swish, Blanton & Harden were traded off the team. He started to mail it in as soon as he saw that Billy was. Is it really that hard to understand?
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, it is actually.
This is a business where you know and expect friends to be moved, and a situation where if you stay – as you’ve explicitly said you’d like to do and initiated talks through your agent – you will be here for the success this rebuild is designed to create.
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
yes
its difficult for me to understand that a grown-up, would give up doing his job because people that he used to work with work somewhere esls. Especially when he knows that doing well at his job for the next two months could mean millions of dollars extra for elmo DVDs.
It's a little more than that.
When your organization stops caring about success at the top, in the short-term or otherwise, it ripples through the entire organization. The clubhouse manager is probably rolling out hot dogs for the post-game spread because they’re less bother than chicken.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Yeah, really. I mean, it's the first time Ellis has ever seen a good teammate traded.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I'm in the banking biz...
I’ve seen teammates cut before. This is just different. Maybe it is for him, too?
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Doubtful, especially when he's playing for a new contract.
Does. Not. Compute.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I'm always playing for a new contract...
so what? If you don’t want to be with the A’s next year, this is a pretty good way to insure that. He signs a 1-year deal with somebody else and kicks ass… he’s still good money-wise, for 3 years after.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
either that...
or he’s done. In which case, I don’t want the A’s to sign him long-term, anyway.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I love it when people try to compare a regular job to playing professionaly in a sport.
Doesn’t apply.
Playing poorly by not caring is going to hurt his contract negotiations more than anything else. If he doesn’t want to be with the A’s next year, he just doesn’t have to enter into negotiations with them. That doesn’t mean he can play like crap on purpose and still expect a solid deal.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Careful - don't demoralize Foolsh or he'll be
so despondent he’ll accidentally put a deposit in the wrong account because he just doesn’t care.
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
teller training coming up this month...
don’t joke. It could happen.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't choke. "Clutchiness" is real.
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
I so wish we had Marco back...
at least, he wouldn’t mail it in.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I love it when people try to believe they're any different
That just because they’re professional athletes they somehow think and emote better or any differently than the rest of us. Money isn’t everything to everyone and yes, he very well could rake in a major haul by toughing it out, but that doesn’t somehow make him less human and less prone to the emotions of watching friends leave for better pastures why you’re left to clean up the mess. Most people don’t act rationally when being perfectly ration would benefit you the most.
In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!
I don't believe Mark Ellis fell apart because his best friend was traded.
If he did, then it’s best he move on because he isn’t the unicorn I thought he was. Which I think he is.
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
Blanton did...
why can’t you believe it about Ellis?
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I know you're not a troll, but sometimes I think
you just say stuff to rile people up. I doubt you even believe the argument you’re hanging onto right now – and if you do, well…takes all kinds.
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
hey, I may not know for sure about Ellis...
but, I’ll tell you something for a fact. Blanton was devestated when Swish was traded. I’m not a troll, but I do have some inside info.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions
It's not hard to make the leap from "Blanton"
to “character issues,” though, compared to Ellis. There’s a reason Blanton doesn’t overachieve but Ellis always has.
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
okay, I'll give you that...
but, Ellis looks like he’s mailing it in to me (and, even you). So… he’s just in a slump?
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know - I'm genuinely baffled
Remembering what I look and act like externally when I’m in physical pain, I wonder if Ellis’ shoulder is hurting a lot and he’s just playing through it.
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
he'd be a true Athletic...
if that were the case. And, maybe in a contract year, I could understand that. But, honestly, do you want him next year? I’d go younger and take the chance. We’re gonna be crappy next year anyway.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Give me the alternative
My concern about letting him go is that the A’s already have other holes they need to fill – specifically power, SS, and 1B/3B. Spending money or trade chips to fill 2B makes it harder to solve other needs.
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
pray that Patterson is good?
like I said, it really doesn’t matter next year, anyway. Gonna be a lot of good A’s pitching and a lot of 1 run losses.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Patterson is not the answer...
Keep Ellis. If management shows that they are willing to make a real move towards winning Ellis will instantly jump back on board. The bad news is that not only do we need offense, we need pitching too since Beane traded away 3 fifths of the opening day rotation.
Fail
We don’t need pitching. This current team has the best team ERA in the MLB… and A’s Minor League Pitching is the envy of every single team.
by Colorado Fan on Aug 13, 2008 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
we have the third best team ERA
we have a different pitching staff now
It will finish middle of the pack.
And yes, the minor league pitching is the envy.
The current ML pitching is not anymore
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
dude,
we need a number 1, 4 and 5 pitcher to compete
Pitching
To say that pitching is part of the problem is ridiculous. Blanton was the worst pitcher on the staff. We’ve competed w/o Harden in the past. Do I need to list the number of solid prospects in the minors + Gallagher/GIO, etc?
This team needs some offense SO FRIGGIN’ BAD… pitching doesn’t even cross my mind.
by Colorado Fan on Aug 13, 2008 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
We've competed without Harden in the past...
with a solid rest of the staff. This group is a little off of solid.
Who the heck counts on their #5 pitcher
to compete?
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions
LMAO
Sure, sure. Whatever you say, guy.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Ellis has been great on defense for this team
but the rebuild needs to be complete and he and Crosby need to be gone.
I wanted to keep Ellis but the last month shows me that is a mistake. His hitting is below par and he’s not worth the $$$.
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
Why would you emphasize one month so much
and 6 years so little?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
His hitting has been terrible all year
I kinda got sick of watching all those pop ups and him hanging his head.
Ellis could have been hitting about 40 or 50 points higher had he swung at half the first pitches he received because he always gets a meatball to start him off and rarely swings at them.
IMO he’s only worth about 3 million per and that’s for his defense. He will get offered more from Arizona I imagine so I would think he’s gone. If he signed for that low $$$ amt here then that’s fine but 5 mil per is too much.
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
I know they were talking a contract awhile back
I wonder if Beane told him they were now not going to extend him.
I don’t see Billy giving him 5 mil per.
It would have helped if he had hit 30 points higher.
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
Ellis wanted to get it done with a hometown discount. Hillbilly Beane isn't gonna give it to him no matter what he did. He has been demoted to lame duck and it's hard to perform under those circumstances.
There will be plenty of other teams that will be thrilled to get Ellis and he will perform for them.
Do you have a source for the "hometown discount" thing?
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Ellis said it himself. Slusser has it quoted in SF Chronicle sometime earlier this year.
Although, I guess hometown discount is becoming debatable as his value drops?
I dont buy it. Players are always playing hard(well 95%)
They have pride and someone is always watching. You are always playing for your next contract.
"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
Ya but sometimes they have something on their minds -- e.g. McGwire, Canseco divorce
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I dont buy it.
On the field is the one place they can escape their problems and play ball and have fun fir 3 hrs.
"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
Personal distractions absolutely affect athletes on the field
It’s part of being human.
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
I didn't even know they were married
to be playing on the same team while they were getting a divorce must have been a nightmare.
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
I competely disagree Syphon ...
and I have two words to prove it. Manny. Ramirez.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Well, he did give the 95% caveat
That type of stuff happens a heck of a lot less in MLB than it does in the NBA.
"Innings eater? Depends on whether you want delicious innings or burnt, moldy innings. Kirk Saarloos is the Hot Pockets of inning eaters." - Gallagher's Watermelons
by notsellingjeans on Aug 14, 2008 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Ahhh, I thought the 95%
meant that some guys go a little less than 100% sometimes … still, I think a lot of guys go half-ass — especially this time of year when so many games mean so little.
I’m curious though, why would you say that in the NBA guys sometimes quit (if I understand you correctly), but in MLB, they don’t?? Is one league “more professional” than another?
Nope, I just think it’s human nature to tank it sometimes. Now, I’m not saying guys completely quit. This is not what most mean when they make this claim. I’m saying lots of guys don’t play as hard this time of year as they might early on. There is no way in hell that the Athletics are putting as much effort into their play as they were several months ago. If they were, they wouldn’t be this embarassingly bad. I mean, really horrifically awful.
It’s impossible to play as well as they did collectively early on, and then “suddenly” get so bad because Harden and Blanton got traded. I’m not buying it. You can go from so-so “kinda good” to so-so “kinda bad” … but you can’t go from 9 games over .500 to Double-A level baseball without “giving up” in a sense. No way.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
NBA vs. MLB
I hear what you’re saying about the A’s. Clearly they play and look as if they are in some sort of a funk. However, for several of the struggling players, they may be pressing or even trying “too hard” – baseball’s a wierd game like that, IMO.
IMO, quitting and general sulkiness happen more often in the NBA than MLB because it’s easier to crack the NBA on raw talent and genetics than it is to crack MLB on raw talent and genetics. Reaching the NBA requires a greater % of sheer athleticism/genetic lottery winning than does baseball.
There are no David Ecksteins in the NBA. You can’t make the NBA on grit and hard work alone; sure they are important, but there are definitely high minimum baseline standards of height, vertical leap, speed, etc. I think this lends itself to there being less desire amongst some NBA players, who cracked the league mostly because of their uniqueness worldwide.
Conversely, I don’t think there’s too many genetic freaks who don’t really love the game in baseball. Even with the very good athletes in baseball, just “getting there” requires an incredible amount of dedication and work ethic, as they learn and are humbled somewhat by the minor leagues. The beauty of having several minor league levels is that it weeds out the Kwame Browns before they ever get there – they either become professionals and mature, or they never make it.
Vince Carter intentionally tanked to get traded from Toronto. Kobe refused to shoot for half of playoff game to prove that his teammates sucked and couldn’t do squat without him. Baron Davis showed up hung over to the biggest game of the season last year after clubbing in Phoenix to celebrate his 29th birthday.
Maybe that kind of stuff happens in MLB too, but you definitely hear about it less. Manny’s type of behavior actually “stands out” in baseball; he wouldn’t be nearly as unique in the NBA, IMO.
Part of it might be that it’s easier to hold your team hostage in the NBA, where one elite player matters more. Part of it might be that playing only for yourself doesn’t hurt you that much (if at all) in baseball, since hitting is a one-man act, but playing for yourself in hoops can lead to issues with teammates/sharing the ball/cohesiveness.
"Innings eater? Depends on whether you want delicious innings or burnt, moldy innings. Kirk Saarloos is the Hot Pockets of inning eaters." - Gallagher's Watermelons
by notsellingjeans on Aug 14, 2008 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I do think the notion that some of the A's aren't trying their hardest
is very hard to believe. Almost every A has incredible incentives to bust their ass, regardless of the standings. Ellis’ play could make a huge difference on his next contract, and the majority of the players are fringy enough that a terrible showing here could put them out of the league altogether. Several others have millions waiting for them in future arbitration years if they can be successful here.
If anything, that last point (the tenuous nature of their big-league careers) is leading them to press too much and try too hard and affecting them mentally. The more they lose, the harder they press, the less they relax and trust their natural movements and talent that got them here.
"Innings eater? Depends on whether you want delicious innings or burnt, moldy innings. Kirk Saarloos is the Hot Pockets of inning eaters." - Gallagher's Watermelons
by notsellingjeans on Aug 14, 2008 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Ellis in a funk
My Dad is 77 years old. He’s from Kansas City so he was an A’s fan before they followed him to Oakland. One thing he can’t stand is a player who takes a lot of called third strikes, no matter how good the player might be. He couldn’t stand Gene Tenace. These days, Mark Ellis and Jack Cust are the primary targets for his venom. Even when Ellis is playing great, as soon as he comes to the plate, my Dad goes into a tirade
Anyway, couple of years ago, my brother and I were watching a game with our Dad and when Ellis came up, he immediately lit into him. “This inning is over. He’ll take a fastball right down the chute, then swing at a slider in the dirt, then watch strike three go by with the bat on his shoulder. God damn Ellis has been in funk for so long, I can’t remember the last time he got a hit.”
Right when he finished his rant, a graphic popped up on the TV that read something like, “Mark Ellis: 14 game hitting streak. Batting .526 during the streak.” Since then, my brother and I have used that incident to hammer our Dad for his irrational hatred of Ellis. Whenever Ellis would get a big hit, we’d chime in with “Ellis has been in a funk for so long…” This year, we’ve had to put a lid on it because Ellis really has been in a funk for most of the season.
Root for the Giants? Not even if they're playing al-Qaeda!
All I Know Is
That Barton sucks. That at bat of his was a JOKE. This guy acts like he is pissed off for not being an everyday player. Bring up Bankston.
I don't care about Bankston, but I would like to see the A's
use 1B to bring in some power in the off season and put Barton at AAA to prove himself again. I’m not sold on his attitude/ethic and don’t think it would be a bad thing to slow him down a bit. If he’s any good, then you have him through age 28 instead of 27 and if he’s a bust he’s a bust at AAA.
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
I'm coming around to agree with this
His problems are lasting a lot longer than I expected they would. This is no longer a situation where Barton has nothing to prove at AAA. He absolutely does now.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
One thing the Angels have done successfully is keep guys
at AAA longer than you’d expect only to reap benefits – Joe Saunders comes to mind. If the A’s were to sign Giambi to a 2 year deal with a third year team option, any time Barton turned the corner they could slide Giambi over to DH. But if Barton gets stuck at AAA for two seasons (or most of, if options don’t allow), he comes up as a 25 year old with 5 years of service time left. Not such a bad thing.
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
another thing the Angels have done successfully is...
go out and get killer players like Hunter, Matthews, and Texiara (or however you spell his name). Something the A’s wouldn’t dream of doing these days.
Matthews?
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions
But I'm sure his testicles thank him
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, the Angels are an example of a team
that never did that – until Arte came and saved them from impotence. Curse you, Arte!
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
yep, worked so well for Dan Johnson
Not to denigrate your point by mentioning an exception to the rule, but…
DJ was consistently a 300/400/500 AAA league hitter until he was called up and “ready” for the big leagues. The funny thing is – he’s now doing the same stat line for TB’s AAA team, and was mentioned as a callup candidate after TB’s injuries. Which makes me think- wouldn’t it be funny if 2 years in a row a former A’s castoff hit a winning HR or something in the WS?
by rollierollieOxenfree on Aug 14, 2008 3:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Barton strikes me as an immature and cocky so cal kid ...
until he matures we’ve seen what we are going to see.
I’ve been wasted many times in my life, but I’ve never been stupid enough to jump into the shallow end of a pool. Simply moronic.
by 33SwisherSweet on Aug 14, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm afraid I agree.
“Immature” and “cocky” seem more apt than “patient” and “compact”.
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
Well I am told I am in the shallow end of the gene pool. Does that count
by theblackpearl on Aug 14, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Barton's idol?
Gotta be Jean Stapleton.
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
maybe we could trade him to the Lakers
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Nomar walkoff beats Phils
Balentien 3-run HR beats Angels. :-)
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
That was great
My business parter is a Dodger fan and of course Speier sucks as do all the Angels
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
Florida lookin' better and better...
;-)
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
The Mets might steal that division
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
they might...
I think I even picked them to win it. But, I ain’t rootin’ for it to happen. I doubt anyone outside of NY is, either.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Being a Dodger fan right now helps ease the pain of being an A’s fan. They actually look like they want to win… and then they do!
The Manny-Bay trade is a great example
of a win-win deal for LAD and BOS. I heard there was a third team involved but I’m not familiar with them.
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
I was skeptical about the Manny trade because I didn’t know that he would be enough of an offensive help to get the Dodgers to beat Arizona, but he has been tearing the crap off of the ball since he got to LA and everyone else has been hitting better, too. I hope they can get a hot streak going here.
you didn't think the greatest right-handed batter...
in the history of baseball would be enough? Wow. You’re very skeptical.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
hell...
the A’s probably would have made a run this year if Beane had traded for him.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
With O. Hudson out and Manny in LAD's lineup,
it should be the Dodgers’ division to lose – except for the fact that Haren/Webb/R. Johnson (who’s pitching great all of a sudden) is a great equalizer.
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
I knew the D'backs were done...
as soon as Byrnes went down.
Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb
by FoolshGame22 on Aug 13, 2008 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe…
…Josh is still making deals out of the corner office.
by PositionPlayerProd on Aug 13, 2008 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Kinda felt bad for Pennington when he was lifted
for that stiff that PH for him.
The guy is in his second game and even though he was 0 for whatever, it sure didn’t help his pride to be lifted for someone who was 10 points short of the Mendoza line in BA and looking like a 5 yeaqr old at the plate
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
Do you remember Cliff's last AB?
He did his best Daric Barton impression. Sixa wun, haf duzzenova nutha.
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
I know but Barton
needs a one way ticket to AAA
They guy just does not get it.
He has gone from highly promising to awful.
Don’t know what it is but the pitchers made adjustments while he didn’t.
Sent him to AAA and then to Winter ball and tell him to get his shit together or he’s not coming back.
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
I agree if you change the name to Pennington
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
OK, I get the use of hyperbole, but the award for the worst pinch hit appearance ever will always belong to
T-Long.
by green star oakland on Aug 13, 2008 11:41 PM PDT reply actions
Melhuse was mighty close
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 13, 2008 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Ellis play--a different take
I was sitting behind homeplate last night and we had a different take on the Ellis play. He pulled back because he thought he could not make a clean play and if he deflected the ball, it could have ended in the gap for an extra base hit. He was trying to keep a runner out of scoring position in a tie game. He had some sparkling plays during the game so I find it hard to be as critical as the rest of you.
I am all for signing Ellis long-term. Give the guy a break. You trade everyone around him, refuse to escalate contract talks during the season—which no longer matters—and you criticize him for being down. How would we react to this?
There is NO WAY, an infielder worries about a deflected ball from the infield going to the gap, where an
outfielder couldn’t get to it. A 3 Jack outfield would be able to cut that ball off.
by theblackpearl on Aug 14, 2008 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I understand your point in theory, but watching the play
the ball was consummately getable, especially because it took a true hop fairly far in front of Ellis (not a short or “in-between” hop). I think Ellis just gauged it all wrong, which is highly unusual for him.
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
i dont see the point
of rooting for them to win really anymore we are 20 games back…Im just dont care abot the win loss record any more and the only thing i care to watch is sweeney(whose on the DL for what the 3rd time?) the gonzalez boys , suzuki and whatever othe young players we bring up
Ellis and Barton
Can’t Ellis just have a bad game or go through a slump? It happens. Barton definitely needs to be sent down. He looks totally lost. The team will work themselves out of this mess. Let’s all keep rooting for our team, no matter how bad they look. Go A’s!
by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 14, 2008 8:39 AM PDT reply actions
Re: Barton
While he should probably start next year in AAA, there’s absolutely no way you do it now. 2 weeks worth of AAA time for using up one of his options? Not going to happen.
In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!
but he must be PUNISHED for MAKING US FEEL BAD
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
There's really no reason to send Barton down at this point.
Since he’s considered part of the future, he should stay and see if he can’t get his stroke back before the end of the season. If he does, he’ll have confidence going into next season. If he doesn’t, it doesn’t really matter.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Sure Ellis can......it happens...
But this is not a slump or a bad game, he looks like he has checked out and is not making plays he usually makes. He has looked lackadaisical as hell on a number of plays the last 2 weeks….That’s a huge problem. Not a slump or a bad game.
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on Aug 14, 2008 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Barton is
goddawful right now. But don’t give up on him – the guy is going to be a very good major league hitter. Not a question of if, just when, but when might take a while.
A while back the Mensch Posse in these parts, or parts like them, were out in force wanting to lynch another 1B who had incurred their wrath. Guy by the name of Pena. Ran his butt out of town we did. Wonder what happened to him.
Right now Barton is in hitter’s Hell. Confidence totally shot. Doesn’t even know if he’s on foot or horseback. Triple A’s not the answer – the Instructional League might be, but that’s out of the question. Better he should just go home and wait for Spring.
Ellis is a soon-to-be ex-A and he knows it. No great loss. He’s a follower not a leader and this year this team has been crying out for leadership. As a veteran, his (lack of) performance has been the biggest disappointment of the season. There’s an old saying, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. When the going got tough, Mark Ellis went fishing. Disappointing.
I say give Ellis a day off, put Patterson at 2B,
put Emil Brown in LF and see what the kid can do – I hear he’s an RBI mahsheeeeeeeeen! If he drives in a run today, use that as evidence that he’s clutch and use the money you were going to spend on Ellis to sign Eemeeel to a 4-year extension. This team needs more clutch and fewer strickouts!!!111
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
Oh, and fire Garen because the team can't hit
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
Why trade Hardin!?!!!?
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Aug 14, 2008 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Fans ran Carlos Pena out of town? Seems to me Carlos Pena ran himself out of town...
…with his attitude and refusal to follow what the coaches wanted him to do.
He’s matured since and turned into a better player for it.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Which sounds a lot like Daric Barton
if we can wait a few years and don’t mind the lack of power. It really wouldn’t be such a bad idea to dump Barton back in the minors, give him a couple years to mature, and sign Giambi to a 2-3 year deal until Carter is ready. Barton can always play himself back into the picture (moving Giambi to DH if need be), or just mature in the minors until he’s ready to compete, as a 25 year old, with Carter – or move to 3B, or be traded.
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
agree completely, Barton is definitely immature...
and needs a wake up call. Banish him to Sac for a while.
by 33SwisherSweet on Aug 14, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Only thing with Barton is...
…I haven’t heard anything to point to him having an attitude problem or a refusal to be coached. He’s made some great improvements defensively at first in spite of the occasional dumb error, but right now the biggest issue is with his hitting. Whether they’re trying to have him change something and he’s reluctant, he’s having trouble adapting to how he’s being pitched to (which would seem strange considering his hitting ability) or something else, it’s just not coming together this season. He’s clearly shown he CAN hit well.
I may have a little different perspective because of an interview I did with him last year in Albuquerque, because he came off as a pretty intelligent person for his age and experience in the minors at the time. Seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. I know I only spent about five minutes around him and that’s hardly enough to say for sure how someone is in general, but something’s really not working for him now.
I’m with you on him going back to Triple-A, though. I think he needs some more time away from the Major League spotlight and pressures to get things right again.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
TIRED ARGUMENT buddy...if you are going to use "attendance" as some sort
of dig at the A’s I hear the Giants would like to sign you up as a “gamer.”
by 33SwisherSweet on Aug 14, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Bizarre line for Eveland in Sacramento last night:
7 IP, 12 hits, 4 runs, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (112 pitches, 67 strikes). That’s a lot of everything. What stands out to me, from all of that, is that the ball/strike ratio is pretty pathetic.
Matt Murton went 3 for 5, Aaron Cunningham 1 for 3.
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
Eveland
is not a good pitcher.
"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
That could be the problem.
What is that, 21 hits in 12 innings for Sacramento? Nice.
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
Not to mention...
the 432 times he tugged on his sleeves and the 368 times that he shook his throwing arm. I’m uncertain of the final tally of Eveland’s forced squinting and strained deep breaths.
Needless to say, he is the epitome of composure on the mound. Every movement on the mound is calculated and meant to conserve energy.
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Aug 14, 2008 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
It's ironic - his fidgeting produces
so much natural energy yet his body creates a solar eclipse.
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
Interesting...
I’m surprised that Larry Davis hasn’t prescribed Valium for Dana. Among many other things (see similar attributes displayed by Marry Poppins’ magical handbag), Larry Davis’ fannypack is a mobile pharmacy…
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Aug 14, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions
No, you see, surprisingly you don't prescribe Valium
for Fidgetynessosity. You prescribe a thumb guard. For thumb injuries, it’s leeches, and for “Infected Leech Syndrome,” ironically it’s Valium.
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
I heard that Larry Davis treats many injuries by...
using the essence of Saint John’s wort combined with equal parts Alan Embree’s used chew and Andrew Brown’s appendix. He mixes this in a cauldron while reciting lines from “Macbeth”.
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Aug 14, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Obvious Land
We give Beane so much credit for his remarkably intuitive methodology when it comes to building a winner and his obvious talent for using the A’s scouts to scrap together great pitching. I just can’t fathom a reality where he continues to fail at getting some quality hitting on this team. He’s really building a reputation here, though. Even the 2006 A’s wouldn’t have had squat if it were not for the unlikely success Frank Thomas had.
Imagine what could have been that year had the organization’s scouts and coaches been as atuned at picking and preening hitting the way they do pitching.
sigh but there are good signs on the horizon (Gonzalez, Sweeney, Patterson, Suzuki and fill in the blank power hitter here).
"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
I know no one wants to count on Chavez, and for good reason,
but this Winter offers a “two for one” opportunity – sign one legitimate FA bat, be it Giambi, or Burrell, or Dunn, and get an $11million “FA” bat that you’re already paying for and have figured into your existing payroll numbers.
Those two, plus Cust for power, Gonzalez developing into an impact hitter, and Cunningham/Sweeney/Suzuki just being solid, could give the A’s enough offense to compete with pitching that figures to mature into something special sooner rather than later.
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
"intuitive"?
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
"Ouija board" just sounds less dignified
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
Intuitive
In"nate\, a. [L. innatus; pref. in- in + natus born, p. p. of nasci to be born. See Native.]
1. Inborn; native; natural; as, innate vigor; innate eloquence.
2. (Metaph.) Originating in, or derived from, the constitution of the intellect, as opposed to acquired from experience; as, innate ideas.
"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
No - a guy who can hit 30 HRs would help more
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
Yeah, Beane's always relied on his gut instincts and native intelligence and his opposition to empiricism
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
you ate your jerk cereal this morning
"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
Special K, in honor of the A's?
Or “Snap, Crackle, and Pop Up”?
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
ya we are forgetting
that any night the a’s could have 3-6 rookies or second year player start for them
Still want to keep Ellis
Give the guy a break. He had several great plays last night and everyone is on him for what they preceive as a lackadaisical one. How hard has it been for him to watch this team flounder and be dismantled at the same time? Though as he is not getting younger, and the rebuilding may last awhile, maybe he wants to go to a contender. Can you blame him?
Now Barton—-he is another story. Worst at bat ever. Swing, stupid. You see the same exact pitch 3 times in a row and you think it is suddenly going to be called a ball. Wow.
why did geren even pinch hit him i mean hes hitting what 210?? at least give pennington a shot at proving himself
He doesn't want Pennington to reach that level of failure. Since Barton has been used to it
all season, what is one more.
by theblackpearl on Aug 14, 2008 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
re Ellis and a contender -
He probably has a better chance of going to the World Series, or certainly post-season, if he signs a 3-4 year deal with Oakland than most options he’ll have elsewhere.
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
yay that's great.
The Pirates have a great chance of making the playoffs in the next 50 years, so they have not reason to be disgruntled.
"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."
They really don't.
I mean Matt Morris will be, what, 90?
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
I think it's spelled "Sarfate"
and a 6 year, $90million deal is appropriate.
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
I was going to say the same thing
The Rangers, Red Sox, or Yankees can use “less” when their scoring is down.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Side note:
I know it’s fewer, but it wasn’t my line. I took it straight from the telecast, where they set the ‘official record’.
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on Aug 14, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
So, the rule reads as follows?
Rule: Use “fewer” to describe countable things. Use “less” to describe uncountable quantities, collective amounts, and degree. These terms are not interchangeable … unless Ray Fosse says so.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Aug 14, 2008 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Fosse's grammar is tolerable.
Joe Morgan’s is not.
Baltimore Oriels?
by VORP is too nerdy on Aug 14, 2008 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Are "strickouts" a countable or uncountable thing?
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Aug 14, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
There's no accounting for the number of our strickouts.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Aug 14, 2008 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Depends on who you're talking about..
Jack Cust or Albert Pujols?
by VORP is too nerdy on Aug 14, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Is Keith Law's word fosse?
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
No -- these are fosses.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Aug 14, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
word!
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Yes!
The snarky, grammar-nazi posts are exactly why I come here.
by VORP is too nerdy on Aug 14, 2008 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
I tried to resist my inner marm, really I did! For 150 comments, more-or-uh, less?
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Aug 14, 2008 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
It's not a criticism;
I really do get a kick out of it.
by VORP is too nerdy on Aug 14, 2008 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
you need to either delete that comma or add "-esque" (or some similar adjectival ending) to "grammar-nazi"
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Barton
I think Barton may have poor vision, or his vision has slightly deteriorated since he last had it checked. That’s not all that uncommon amongst people in their early-to-mid 20s.
He commits to either swinging or not swinging at pitches very, very early, and that’s why he looks foolish so often. To me it looks like he’s just constantly guessing, rather than reacting, to pitches.
"Innings eater? Depends on whether you want delicious innings or burnt, moldy innings. Kirk Saarloos is the Hot Pockets of inning eaters." - Gallagher's Watermelons
by notsellingjeans on Aug 14, 2008 12:38 PM PDT reply actions
I'm sticking with my inner-ear-infection-via-whirlpool theory
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Does "record" mean MLB record?
Here’s where we rank in the AL (of 14 teams) in various statistical categories, just for fun:
Runs: 14th
Hits: 14th (54 behind the next worst team. To give you an idea of scale, 177 hits separate team #13 and team #1)
Doubles: 12th (yay, Crabcakes!)
Triples: 10th
Homers: 12th
OBP: 13th
SLG: 14th
OPS: 14th (19 pts behind the next team)
Strickouts!!!11: 1st (doesn’t matter)
Walks: 6th (doesn’t matter either, apparently)
IBB: 13th (amazingly, Detroit has received one less free pass)
SB: 12th (4th in success rate, which is either a silver lining or depressing, depending on how you look at it)
We’re nothing if not consistent.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
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