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Open Thread: Game 123 - A's vs. White Sox

Countdown_tiny by Taj Adib on Comment 264 comments

Chicago White Sox @ Oakland Athletics


The A's have to win another series sometime, right...right? Well, they'll go for their 11th try in the last 12 series and in a few hours we'll know the answer to that question one way or the other. At this point in the season, I think we've all come to the realization that the remainder of the year won't be about contention or really even about getting back to the .500 mark. Right now, it's about the little things and hoping and praying that the young players can make adjustments and make the little improvements in their games that will pay off next season and beyond.

One of those adjustments we all hope to see is Gio G's willingness to come inside on right-handed hitters. As Nico and others have pointed out, Gio has had a tendency so far in his young MLB career to live and die exclusively on the outside part of the plate against right-handed hitters. This has led to him issuing a lot of walks and driving his pitch count up. Today's matchup, where he'll face several imposing righties (Carlos Quentin, Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko among them) will be a good test to see if his strategy (or that of Kurt Suzuki or Curt Young) has changed within the last week. Even if he were to get hammered today while trying to make that adjustment, I think the learning process would be beneficial to him going forward. Successful big league pitchers can use both sides of the plate to any type of hitter, so this is definitely something to monitor going forward the rest of this season.

Gio will be starting today against the team that drafted him and against the GM who once promised him - after trading him once and then re-acquiring him - that he would never trade Gio ever again. Perchance the young, gregarious lefty will approach the game today with a little extra oomph, striving to teach Kenny Williams and the rest of his old organization a lesson about loyalty?

Sox veteran Javier Vasquez will oppose young Gio. We all know what Vasquez bring to the table: good control and veteran savvy. For a homerun-prone pitcher, Javy's curiously been better at home (4.11 ERA) than on the road (4.92 ERA). Here's to hoping those trends (homers) and a 5.00 ERA follow him into the Coliseum today to help the A's get that series win they've been seeking for a month now...

Lineup

Chicago White Sox @ Oakland Athletics

08/17/08 1:05 PM PDT

Chicago White Sox Oakland Athletics
Orlando Cabrera - SS Eric Patterson - 2B
AJ Pierzynski - C Kurt Suzuki - C
Carlos Quentin - LF Frank Thomas - DH
Jermaine Dye - RF Jack Cust - LF
Jim Thome - DH Carlos Gonzalez - CF
Paul Konerko - 1B Emil Brown - RF
Ken Griffey - CF Bobby Crosby - SS
Alexei Ramirez - 2B Jack Hannahan - 3B
Juan Uribe - 3B Daric Barton - 1B


 

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I didn't realize today was a Gio start

I just saw him and yelled GIOOOO! at my TV. Cool surprise.

Time to make another guy a tough-luck loser… sigh

by schmifty on Aug 17, 2008 1:01 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lineup

Why bring up Pennington and not play him? It’s not like they’re going to learn anything new about Hannahan. I’d prefer to just see him in the lineup for the next 6 weeks.

by boilerdan on Aug 17, 2008 1:04 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Plus, he needs the defensive practice at 3rd. He hasn’t looked all that comfortable there in the past few games he’s been over there.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice. Six fastballs.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:09 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let's Go A's!

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 1:17 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Waiting on the Gnats game to end so I can see me some TV

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 1:21 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jeezus Gio. Come on!

I don’t think he’s thrown a single off-speed pitch so far this game. What’s he doing…a fastbal-onlyl drill?

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2 curveballs! Yay!

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

gameday not working

i’m just watching the boxscore move…

what’s going on?

"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau

by King Richard on Aug 17, 2008 1:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gio having control problems again.

Two walks, deep fly, and a wild pitch led to 1 run for the Sox in the top of the 2nd.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

is it

the pitch calling again?

because i swear, kurt’s calling when gio’s on the hill seems like he doesn’t have any faith in gio.

"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau

by King Richard on Aug 17, 2008 1:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i think

it may be the other way around.
gio obviously needs to get comfortable, and i think kurt needs to treat him as if he believes in him, even if he doesn’t…

"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau

by King Richard on Aug 17, 2008 1:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well if you call 2 fastballs, and they are nowhere near the plate, and then you call

3 off speed pitches, and they are nowhere near the plate. What the hell else can you call. You just keep trying them until he can throw them for strikes.

by theblackpearl on Aug 17, 2008 1:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that guy

can’t hit anything offspeed…

"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau

by King Richard on Aug 17, 2008 1:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great play by Crosby

As I struggle for positives.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

boy howdy, one needs to fire up

the game just before it starts so insure it is still scoreless.

alaska A

by ak_A on Aug 17, 2008 1:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i get to see the A's about five times a year whenever they play the white sox

and wouldn’t you know it, i have to go play ultimate frisbee the first time i get to see gio

go A’s, i’m outta here

by NateHST on Aug 17, 2008 1:40 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ohhhhh man.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:43 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Terrible, terrible location.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:43 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gio does NOT know how to pitch inside

Among other problems too…

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 1:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, "down the middle to the MLB leader in homers"

is not exactly the ideal “inside pitch”

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The A's suck.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:44 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I heard the first long ball given up via the radio broadcast....

I’m afraid to turn the tv on. For good reason I assume.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:46 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Quentin and Dye went back to back

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's nice.

Gio is doing his vegetable impersonation. No can of corn for Gio, just black eyed peas. The get shelled in the summer too.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gio's looking great...

The strikes get hit out of the park and most of his pitches are balls…

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, it looks like shower kitty is going to be disappointed again

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 1:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Down by five...

no doubt about it.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What are your thoughts on Javier Vazquez, A's fans?

Does he have problems that DIPS-type theory misses or would his ERA match his xFIP outside of that home ballpark and in front of a competent defense?

my blog // calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy // past results do not guarantee future performance

by Sky Kalkman on Aug 17, 2008 1:50 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Vasquez has #1-#2 starter stuff but is very inconsistent

from start to start, so he performs more like a #3 starter overall.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 1:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least Gio looked calmed and collected on that last DP ball.

After getting battered earlier in the inning, it’s a good sign that he was able to shrug off the horrible outing and make the fielding play that he needed to get out of the inning…

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:50 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And that's why I still feel he should win the Cy Young award.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 1:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Positives Nico, positives...

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am positive.

I believe this positively sucks.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How many current A's players will hit 30 HRs at any time in their careers?

The over under is .5

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm talking in 1 season...

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And i'm talking in the future...

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cust?

Why do they need someone to hit 30 homers, though? Cust could do that and it wouldn’t make the offense much better. They need better hitters, period. Some of them will need 20-30 HR power but it’s going to take more than just homers.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 1:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Does Fosse count?

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At this point....

I’m taking all the homers I can get.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wonder how many total runs the A's have scored

since the ASB?

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

77 RUNS

Last in all of baseball. Next is SF before today with 85 and then 107 for the 3rd worst team.

Average is .222

ERA was 4.97.

That is why we have the worst team in baseball in that time period and it’s not even close.

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 1:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Have you just been keeping tracking of those numbers for the past few weeks?

Bitterly hoarding them and waiting for an exactly perfect moment of despair to whip them out?

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The guy asked how many runs we had scored

So I pointed it out as many others would have, had I not.

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 1:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know i know.

Just seems like you added a little bit of anger in there with the cold, hard facts…

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anger, despair, rage,

It’s all I have left.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No anger at all

It’s laughable how pathetic they are.

It’s a good thing in a way because it should make it easier to make moves and bring in more youngsters as they have been doing here and there.

Anything to make the team better in the long run and if that means losing most of the games, then fine. Better draft pick for starters.

We are all waiting for the future.

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 2:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Remember: Still on pace to be the worst second-half team in HISTORY

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Having said that

The draft pick appears to look better as we look worse.

It’s not all bad is it?

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 1:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in comparison

This month, LAA already has 75 runs

by SwisherThresher on Aug 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meanwhile A's have allowed 138 Runs since ASB

That’s a run differential of -61, you don’t win many ballgames like that.

All Games and Comments are Subject to Blackout

by Hit4TheCycle on Aug 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is he okay?

And is that good or bad?

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol....the confusion

must be terrifying for him.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well, at least the game is not compelling

enough to keep me from making progress sorting my stuff for the move…except for my aversion for sorting stuff…afterall there IS an A’s game on at least.

alaska A

by ak_A on Aug 17, 2008 1:55 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They just said Barton has the lowest BA and the owest SLG of any regular in baseball...

And we’ve been waiting 3 years for this guy?

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 1:57 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sadly, the AAA season will be over.

So he’ll be facing the best of the AAA pitchers from other teams. Hopefully he can match up well with them and gain some confidence going forward.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's struggled. A lot. We all know this.

That doesn’t suddenly make him worthless. I’m hoping to see some signs of getting it again before the season’s over, something to take into next year. There are some major adjustments he needs to make against Major League pitching, but I’m not ready to give up on him.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It doesn't make him worthless...

but it doesn’t make him any good… has he done anything this year that would suggest he’ll end up being an everyday 1B? Sure, his high minors track record is decent, but I haven’t seen him get better at all this year. I hope he turns things around, but I also hope we get a better 1B if we can.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he's got a pretty good glove, right?

my blog // calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy // past results do not guarantee future performance

by Sky Kalkman on Aug 17, 2008 2:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bye bye, Gio

To misquote Rufus from Bill and Ted, he’ll get better

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 2:04 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd rather see Meyer than Blevins in here now.

Sure seems like Jerry is working a lot of innings this year. I’d rather save his arm for games we can actually win this season and for next season and beyond.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:06 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Blevins

I agree. I don’t see the point of using him in a situation like this.

by bear88 on Aug 17, 2008 2:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Options do not abound

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meyer sucks...

I’m still not sure why AN thinks that Meyer keeps needing chances. He was a bad pitcher in AAA and people think he’s still going to stick on a major league roster?

But in an 8-0 game… if he’s going to be on the club… he might as well be in there.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not really much to be all that positive about.

Can’t really blame anyone for being highly pissed off about this season. What really kills me is the rapid drop off. It wouldn’t be all that bad if the A’s tailed off, but the complete collapse since the ASB is just stunning.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It just gets old when the same people say the same stuff all the time

We know things are bad this year. I just don’t see a need to hammer the fact home every game.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 2:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh... sorry...

The future looks bright. Crosby will turn it around any game now. Barton will bounce back and end the season hitting 3rd. Ellis will get that batting average up to .250. Sweeney, Buck, Chavez, etc… will definitely come back next year fully healthy.

Is that better?

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You sure are hard to please!

I tend to look forward to the bitter vitriol. Gallows humor and all…..

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh so there's no pleasing you...

/Goldmember voice

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, I can see your point.

But I still can’t fault anyone for venting. Even if they do it constantly, at least they’re fan enough to hang around in the bad times.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 2:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a game thread

This makes it more difficult to change the subject. That’s why I tend to avoid game threads.

Then again, this is an epic implosion. We’re on record pace, folks. That ought to be worth some vitriol.

by bear88 on Aug 17, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what i don't get

is why anyone gets upset when people vent. it’s frustrating…especially when game after game is either a mismatch or looks like a very uninspired performance. i’m not saying anyone is quitting…of just going through the motions, but the team is down…very down…and they play like they expect the worst to happen. there really isn’t much to be positive about at the moment.

the future may (emphasis on may) be bright, but these are difficult times. for those who have an issue with the negative comments, just skim past them.

what bothers me more about AN is the group think, the thrashing of anyone with a different attitude or view. many of “the regulars” do far more IMO to keep the lurkers from posting than do the negative comments.

by cvdoug on Aug 17, 2008 3:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mainly, it's the broken record thing

I’m not expecting people to ignore what’s going on and sit around the campfire singing cheerful songs.

I guess I’d just rather see less “This guy sucks, that guys sucks, the whole team sucks” stuff because it doesn’t add to anything. When things are going this bad and it’s my team doing it, I tend to just focus on some other things a little more. I don’t need to sit here and repeat the same stuff over and over.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 3:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Carlos Gonzalez will be an above average player...

Sweeney will be average… Suzuki will be average… Crosby is probably an average SS.

I’m very impressed with guys like Gio (not today), Cahill, Anderson, etc… and i’m very positive about the bullpen of Devine closing, Casilla and Blevins setting up.

But besides the 4 hitters I mentioned, the rest aren’t good.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's great to see Devine come back with all his stuff

after hurting his arm. Pitty Casilla doesn’t take notes. Devine sure looks like the future closer to me.

The future of the pen looks very bright, IMO

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 2:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yep... Devine will hopefully close next year.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

In a couple of years if all goes well

You won’t have to worry about Meyer or Braden if all goes well. They are just fill ins who are keeping spots warm for our talent.

Braden may go to the pen but Meyer has not been the same since he chewed up his shoulder a few years ago.

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 2:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah i know...

I’m not sitting here saying we’re going to suck for years to come. But, if we’re going to make the playoffs sometime in the next 5 years, Crosby, Ellis, Cust cannot be hitter you count on.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oooh, nevermind.

Patterson looked good on the DP there.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gio doesn't add or subtract on his pitches

He has one fastball velocity, one speed/path for his curve – Uribe timed his curve, Quentin had the fastball gauged, etc. Pitching inside, adding and subtracting…GIo has a lot to work on.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That, plus the fact that he wasn't exactly dominating consistently at AAA...

makes it seem that he was called up a bit too early for what was good for him.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice turn!

Bobby’s got one more season. Wonder if he will put everything together next year? He better, or is career will be DOA.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:08 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I also heard Forst say on the radio

when he was talking to Buan that they need him to get more AAA at bats,

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 2:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It wouldn't really change his arby clock status all that much.

He won’t qualify for arby until after the 2011 season at the earliest, so it doesn’t really matter. But ideally he’d get a good month of a AAA at-bats before getting called up in September.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He has to clock in at Arby's?

I hope he has a better future than that!

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 2:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think you're thinking of Bobby.

That won’t be until 2010 at the earliest.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes

If you’re going to get screwed by the schedule-makers, this is the year for it.

by bear88 on Aug 17, 2008 2:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think the "two home games in Tokyo Japan" thing...

made it fairly obvious that the a’s would be selig’s scheduling sacrificial lamb from the very outset of the season.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aren't you on the road too?

If you happen to run across some guys wearing green and gold, kindly cuss them up one side and down the other….unless you’re in Wisconsin. I’d hate to see an A’s fan thrashed by the Packers by mistake.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One of my friends who takes a trapeze class

said Stomper showed up at her class last week, in full uniform. She was like, “Why does he need the outfit – it’s not as if anyone would know who he was without the costume.” Maybe he needed to practice in the costume, I don’t know. Must be strange to go to trapeze class and suddenly there’s an elephant.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And if you had to go....

why wouldn’t you dress up as an elephant?

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True - Stomper probably went home and said,

“What was up with that 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

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and trapeze?

why would he go to trapeze class?? are they going to hang some from the lights?

might bring folks out to the park I guess…

Ellis for President

by tosk on Aug 17, 2008 2:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Put him on a tightrope with no net and I might come out to a game

Everyone loves a little danger and suspense at the expense of an elephant.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Are they going to hang someone from the lights...."

So I started making a list….

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yay Hannahan.

Way to not even take the bat off your shoulder on the meatball for strike 3.

by mikev on Aug 17, 2008 2:26 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sigh. 8-0? Really?

"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."

by pam5981 on Aug 17, 2008 2:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

disheartening. i really needed a game to hold my interest.

to avoid other things. though i am still avoiding.

alaska A

by ak_A on Aug 17, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't ask.

No one wants to go over it again.

"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm a pretty positive and easy going guy...

But these A’s are starting to bring me down…

remember back when the A’s used to get hot in the second off??

Ellis for President

by tosk on Aug 17, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Far away

It’s easy to get too gloomy during this awful stretch of baseball, but it really seems that the A’s are going to be bad a lot longer than we hoped.

This is starting to have a mid-1990s feel, or for those who remember, a pre-LaRussa 1980s look. I don’t think it’s as bad, overall, as the late 1970s teams – although they are at the moment.

The only guy on the team who feels untradeable to me is Carlos Gonzalez, and I’m not totally sold on his hitting potential either. (I’m not counting the minor league pitchers.)

by bear88 on Aug 17, 2008 2:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I hope you're wrong...

But I think you’re right.

History tells us that most the pitchers in our system will fizzle. We don’t have a strong recent track record of developing hitters.

But hey…, our bullpen looks ok for a couple of years.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Different from the mid-1990s

Those teams had awful bullpens. It culminated in a game I attended, I think, in 1998 against the Yankees. It was a the second game of a doubleheader, I’m pretty sure.

Kenny Rogers dominated for most of the game, and the A’s built up a big lead. But then Rogers had to leave the game, and the bullpen collapsed. The crushing blow as a grand slam by Darryl Strawberry. There was the usual obnoxious display by Yankee fans. But I had to admit, Strawberry was a monster talent. You just knew he was going to hit a home run.

by bear88 on Aug 17, 2008 2:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I remember that day

I was there for that. That was a devastating HR, especially when it looked like we were gonna win that game.

It’s not just the bullpen that’s better this year but the starters as well. I think the A’s offense wasn’t as bad back then though, it’s much worse this year. The problem with those teams was a complete lack of pitching.

"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2008 2:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I figured it out: We need Barry Zito back!

We drafted Zito in 1999 – the first year of the Beane era that the A’s had a winning record.

The A’s had a winning record every year after that until 2007 – the first year after the A’s lost Zito to free agency.

In order for the A’s to win under Beane, they need Barry Zito back.

"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2008 2:35 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As long as he's brought back as the hitting coach....

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Actually, from his recent perspective on the mound,

he should know quite a bit about hitting.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 2:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Really, Kuiper? Vasquez has retired 10 in a row?

I guess that single by Brown in the 5th never happened.

If that’s how it works, the White Sox never scored against Gonzalez and it’s scoreless now.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 2:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

click (mlbtv) switched to audio kenko

that freaking ‘physics professor’ mlbtv ad did me in.

alaska A

by ak_A on Aug 17, 2008 2:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

haha

and the fringed nose hair guy…

Ellis for President

by tosk on Aug 17, 2008 2:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How very sad i am now.

When i first tuned in, for about 30 seconds I thought that the A’s had scored 8 runs then i fell back to Earth and hit the A’s are losing bad tree, hitting every branch on the way down and then tripping and falling on the roots as well

by A'sfaninNC on Aug 17, 2008 2:38 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There's good-old "Mop-up Meyer" for ya!

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:41 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is why he's here

He’s a bad pitcher now, unlikely to succeed. But I would rather see him than Blevins, who is wasted in a blowout loss.

Who cares if he gives up five runs?

by bear88 on Aug 17, 2008 2:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

His mom, I would hope

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Taking notes, Custy?

That’s the shift-buster you need to work on.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:46 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The collective inability of A's left-handed pitchers to throw strikes is very concerning.

Eveland, Smith, Gio, Meyer. That is starting to look a lot more like an organizational trend and not just a coincidence. Something wicked this way comes…

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:51 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey maybe we should keep giving Meyers more shots...

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey maybe Meyer sucks...

"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt

by Philip Christy on Aug 17, 2008 2:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You are correct

He need not be here next year

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 17, 2008 3:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MLB needs a mercy rule

Not for the losing team, but for the team’s fans.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meyer lemon anyone?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 2:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

QOTM

Drowning-our-sorrows Division

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 2:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Make it a bus...

Then Barton, Hanahan, Gio, et. al. can go with.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nothing...

With no one coming to the plate at least we have an excuse for sucking…

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

THINGS MY FATHER BEAT ME WITH!!!!!!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Capitol Corridor train #742

Leaves Coliseum station at 5:19 this afternoon

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 2:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meyer doesn't suck!!! He (like Crosby) just needs to fully recover from his

injuries and to play a healthy few seasons in a row before we start passing judgement!!!

Please everyone, be patient!!!!

by Bacon on Aug 17, 2008 2:57 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hahahaha...

Yep… Chavez’s shoulder is coming around too.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True - he also "did some good things out there"

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ohhh God, please no more Carlos Quentin!

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 2:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Has Vazquez hit 70 pitches yet?

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 2:59 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Have the A's, since the All-Star Break?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Aug 17, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's gotten so bad

that if Meyer drilled Ass Jack in the nuts, I would only have laughed a little bit.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 3:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey Cliff! Congrats...first mlb hit!

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 3:10 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Typical of this team

Pennington’s first hit is a blooper that Dye played into a double.

I’m sure he’ll remember it as a line-drive screamer.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 3:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wise is in right now

Still, his first hit coming on a broken bat is probably not something that he’ll mind.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 3:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hannahan is just god-awful.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 17, 2008 3:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

fastball above the belt = swing through

I’m pretty sure that I could strike him out.

by mikev on Aug 17, 2008 3:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Shutout gone

OK guys, just twelve more runs to go.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Aug 17, 2008 3:14 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's a "second half

(of the second half of the second half)" hitter.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I fell asleep.

The Sox score five more times to the a’s one. Sounds about right.

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

by alox on Aug 17, 2008 3:15 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Every time you sleep the A's score a run?

You must be tired.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Same one, I believe

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey the A's are due for almost 1.5ish more runs this game

things could get intresting in the…

ahhh crap screw it. nobody cares. To quote major league 2, “Back up the bus. Bring in the pooper scooper.”

by A'sfaninNC on Aug 17, 2008 3:21 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good to see AJ didn't kick the trainer in the balls this time

Though in this case he would’ve had to punch him in the neck if he was asked, “How does it feel?”

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 17, 2008 3:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thank god that's over.

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

by Streams Of Whiskey on Aug 17, 2008 3:26 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The fact that they're losing a little quicker

gives me hope that this team could lose in 2 hours and 30 minutes in 2009.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The front page of the MLB section of Yahoo

has a headline link to the game and it has the score OAK 13, CWS 1 (f) i wonder what universe that game is taken place and how can i get there from here

by A'sfaninNC on Aug 17, 2008 3:38 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is the URL, by any chance,

www.yahoo.com/MLB/Diebold?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 17, 2008 3:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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