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Losing Faith in Billy Ball

Punch_tiny by bajablue on Comment 171 comments

I have as much green and gold running through my veins as anyone.  I won't go through the number of years I've been a diehard fan or for how long or what section my season tickets were in (I let them go this year).  I wish to simply throw out there that for me, for now, I am starting to lose faith in these things.

  • The new Stadium. It would be great but until they are building I don't trust it will ever happen.
  • The rebuilding of the team.  This time the cut may be too deep.  Swisher, Haren, Hardin, Blanton after losing Mulder, Hudson and Zito feels like way to much to soon. We got complimentary position players back in those deals.  I don't buy into the Gonzalez as a future star talking points.
  • Health of Chavez.  I love the guy.  I wear his jersey but for godness sake if he comes back he is a 1B now at best.  We need a 3B to build around.
  • Ellis.  The heart of the team and epipitomy of what the A's are all about and he is already partially out the door.  No way they pull in those other 2B if he wasn't.
  • Crosby.  He has had his chance with a full healthy season and has done poorly.  I cannot see running him out for 150 games again next year but they will.

I admire all of you who continue to see the glass (of coolaid?) as half full, I really do.  I am just not buying into it again.  This has not been a rebuilding year.  Calling it that is about as good as putting lipstick on a pig.  This is a disgraceful year.  And for me - well I only represent one of those empty seats but I'm losing faith in the entire package.

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WHY THE HELL CAN'T PEOPLE SPELL HARDEN CORRECTLY!!!!!

I stopped reading after that, but Billy doesn’t have much to do with the stadium.

by theblackpearl on Aug 21, 2008 1:10 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WHY THE HECK CAN'T PEOPLE SPELL "GOODNESS" CORRECTLY?

I stopped reading after that. (See Health of Chavez line)…… Godness sake?

by HRH on Aug 21, 2008 1:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WHY ARE PEOPLE SO NEGATIVE ABOUT PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG???

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 21, 2008 1:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which end?

That usually determines my level of negativity.

by mikev on Aug 21, 2008 1:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why pick one or the other?

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 21, 2008 1:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well looks like we lost Bajablue as an A's fan

Oh darn, he doesn’t like the Kool Aid flavor.

by HRH on Aug 21, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WHY THE HEAVENS CAN'T RESIST UNDERMINING THEIR OWN SARCASM WITH SNARKY PARENTHETICALS?

Last paragraph: “I admire all of you who continue to see the glass (of coolaid?) as half full, I really do.”

I’m kind of embarassed to have read that far. In my defense, I skimmed.

Brainless Automaton #439

by rubin sierra on Aug 21, 2008 3:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Snarky parenthetical complete with misspelling

"Sad songs are my favorite songs." - Lenny DiNardo

by cagrrrl on Aug 21, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Isn't it kinda creepy how the big pitcher of kool-aid is about to pour a little pitcher of kool-aid?

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

by Nick on Aug 21, 2008 6:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why can't...

people spell Ruben Sierra correctly?

by Eggman on Aug 21, 2008 4:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kerrect speling...

is teh hobgolbin of small mnds

by joshers on Aug 22, 2008 3:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I still insist that people shouldn't even say "Kool-Aid," but ...

Flavor Aid

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

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

Do you remember Funny Face?

When I was a kid … a looooong time ago … we used to drink this Kool-Aid type stuff called Funny Face. Choo-Choo Cherry is the only flavor I remember, but there were others. How bout Hawaiin Punch – they still make that? Hi-C?

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.

by Vacafan on Aug 21, 2008 1:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Funny Face?

Any relation to “O” Face?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 1:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

isn't that who Sabean signed?

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 2:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Chet's older brother

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

by Nick on Aug 21, 2008 6:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh YEAH!!!

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

by 5Aces on Aug 21, 2008 1:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I liked that pic I had to use it above as well

Is there now enough Kool-Aid to go around?

"Sad songs are my favorite songs." - Lenny DiNardo

by cagrrrl on Aug 21, 2008 3:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There's never enough!

It’s like jello-there’s always room for more.

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

by 5Aces on Aug 23, 2008 12:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They have some great young arms.

Jeremy (NY): Alderson/Bumgarner or Anderson/Cahill?

SportsNation Keith Law: Can I have them all? I’ll take the SF kids.

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

by Syphon on Aug 21, 2008 1:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow

Keith Law is crazy.

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 1:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why is he crazy?

Bumgarner has some sick upside and all 4 are healthy and pitching well.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 1:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Because Anderson came into the season as a better prospect than either of them

And both SF guys are in A ball (Alderson in rookie/A+) our guys are in AA.

And our guys have better looking stats in AA than their guys do in the lower levels.

Other than that, no reason.

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 2:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not dismissing our guys

Alderson/Bumgarner have higher ceilings then their A’s counterparts, they all have been pitching well (although Cahill’s control had slipped a bit in AA) and IMO it’s a matter of personal taste. Law isn’t saying Cahill and Anderson suck, just that he’d chase after the higher potential pay-off of the Giants’ duo.

I’d pick the A’s duo for the reasons you’ve stated, but I wouldn’t call someone who chose the other pair “crazy”.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 2:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe

But Sickels, for one, graded Anderson higher than either of the SF guys going into the season. I’m not sure it’s a given that they have higher upside than he does.

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 7:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For all that is holy

Just fucking admit you over-reacted in calling Keith Law crazy and move on with your life.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 8:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you don't like crazy

I’ll downgrade to “wrong”

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

by nevermoor on Aug 22, 2008 8:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Better looking stats?

I dare you to find me any line from Cahill/Anderson better than this one:

130.1 IP, 145 K/20 BB, 1.52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Aug 21, 2008 3:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whose line is that?

It isn’t Alderson or Bumgarner.

But I’ll take Cahill’s 5.84 H9 0.49 HR9 4.62 BB9 8.03 K9 1.16 WHIP in AA (with better A+ stats earlier in the season)

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 7:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is Bumgarner's

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=18

It’s not a question of which one will you take. You said “our guys have better looking stats in AA than their guys do in the lower levels” and that is simply untrue.

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Aug 22, 2008 8:56 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're right

I don’t actually know what I was thinking there (I think I just saw Cahill’s H/9 with a low HR/9 and my brain farted).

Bumgarner is controlling HR / BB / Ks better than Cahill is, so you’re absolutely right.

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

by nevermoor on Aug 22, 2008 9:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Alderson/Bumgarner

Are only in A ball while Anderson/Cahill are beating AA hitters. But I think Bumgarner has higher upside than anyone.

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

by Syphon on Aug 21, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anderson and Cahill are going to arrive sooner, but that doesn't mean they're better

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Aug 21, 2008 3:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True, but...

Being more advanced does mean that Cahill & Anderson have a greater chance at pitching in the Show. They’ve simply developed further then the Giants’ duo and that is certainly a plus in the A’s favor.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 3:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's one plus in the A's favor

but IMO, I’d rather have the G’s duo.

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Aug 21, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fair enough

But is anyone crazy for picking one or the other?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 4:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not at all, and that's all i was disagreeing with

Keith Law isn’t “crazy” for picking the Giants’ duo.

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Aug 21, 2008 4:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly

Wait a sec…

WTF am I doing agreeing with people!?!?!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 5:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hasnt anything to do with them arriving sooner.

AA hitters are better than A ball hitters was my point.

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

by Syphon on Aug 21, 2008 3:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and you can argue that with

Bum/Ald had better performances against A ball hitters than Cahill/Anderson did

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Aug 21, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cahill's A ball numbers

are right there in line with the Giants guys. Anderson is only slightly worse. Overall they are very comparable.

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

by Syphon on Aug 21, 2008 5:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

With very few exceptions,

guys who have mastered AA are better prospects than guys who haven’t. Every level has a certain probability of failure, and anecdotally, I understand that the rate of failure is highest when guys move from A to AA.

I’m making these numbers up completely, but a 50% chance of saving you 100 runs is a lot more valuable than a 20% chance of saving you 150.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 25, 2008 4:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It isn't just Law

Goldstein in his recent chat also picked Bumgarner over Anderson. He was conflicted on Anderson and Cahill, he had them about the same.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Aug 22, 2008 12:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can accept that

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What are you talking about...

they’re still in contention…only 11 games back with 72 losses…right?

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 1:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah...

all these haters that talk smack about beane all day on AN should jump across the bay for a little tour into giants land…not a great place to be…besides tim lincecum.

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 1:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The problem is, every poster on AN, Blez, and the front page guys, have all criticized

things Beane has done. I don’t know anyone on AN, who won’t admit Billy has made mistakes, but we choose to lean on the good things, and hope his moves pay off.

by theblackpearl on Aug 21, 2008 1:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's why I laugh every time someone brings out the "Drinking the Kool-Aid" stuff.

If anyone bothered to actually pay attention here – and someone with 5 posts and 8 comments since registering probably hasn’t a whole lot – they’d see that yes, a lot of people do question Beane about some things. That doesn’t mean they suddenly think he sucks. I’m pretty sure they never thought he was perfect, either.

He’s still got a better track record than most of the GMs out there.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 1:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Definitely agree...

In my mind there is a huge difference between “criticizing” which some of the front pagers do, and others posting and simply just “hating” or “venting”

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 1:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The worse the team has played since the ASB, the higher the number of haters/venters we've seen.

They come out of the woodwork and it’s almost as if their crusade is to show everyone that “Hey, look – Beane actually sucks!”

Offensively, this team is TERRIBLE. No question. That doesn’t mean that’s how they’re going to be for the next few years. The A’s have a ton of excellent pitching prospects in the system and that is going to be a position of strength for them to deal from. There won’t be enough room to keep them all here so Beane’s going to be able to use some of them to improve the club in other places. They also have a few position prospects to appear to be pretty solid.

People complain that the team isn’t filling a hole with some proven hitter right now but what’s the point? How much is that really going to improve the team short term? Not enough to be worth it, I don’t think. I would’ve liked to see them get Jason Bay but maybe it’s not the right time to go after a player like that.

Within a couple years I expect many of the things people complain about today to be taken care of, but some people have trouble seeing past the end of their noses. Right now the team’s terrible and this runs the risk of losing more fans, but I don’t know what else the team can really do right this minute but weather the storm. I sure don’t expect to see them become the Pirates of the AL.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I stopped reading when

you wrote Ellis is the heart and soul of the team. If he is then we have more problems than I realized. By the way, Billie Ball refers to the ‘81 team, not the 2008 team. The only position player BB traded was Swisher, and he wouldn’t help this team of Ellis,Hannahan, Brown, and Barton. The A’s are not losing because of the pitchers, they are losing because they don’t have a major league hitter in the lineup with the possible exception of Suzuki.

by Laoren on Aug 21, 2008 1:19 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's

Billy Ball.

Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969

by billyball1981 on Aug 21, 2008 1:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How about

Billi Ball (with a heart on the "i")

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 21, 2008 2:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's referring to Ms. Holiday's forgettable run as GM back in '57

Tactics included getting liquored up before the game, “freeform fielding,” and being “swingers” at the plate.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

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

Billie Ball

is actually a revolutionary rounders strategy pioneered by award-winning British actress Billie Whitelaw.

But you probably already knew that.

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

by Nick on Aug 21, 2008 6:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All of the players Beane traded this year were position players — unless he traded Frank Thomas and I missed it.

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

by Monday Fan on Aug 22, 2008 12:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

-1

About as worthy of debate as the whole “Cust is a good offensive producer but NOT a good hitter” semantic argument.

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

by nevermoor on Aug 22, 2008 1:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wait. are you saying that Ellis had an ...

… episiotomy?

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 1:19 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"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 21, 2008 1:19 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good Lord

how many of these do people really feel the need to post?

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

Apparently we haven't reached that magic number yet...

…and it’s not enough for people to just say the same things over and over again in one post.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 1:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

is there a prize or an award when that number is reached

or do we all just get to feel a little better(wosre?) about ourselves?

by A'sfaninNC on Aug 21, 2008 1:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1000000000000000000000000000

Anyway to put an end to this? I suggested limiting one’s ability to fanpost until they have made a requisite number of comments. I was quickly shouted down, but something’s gotta be done, no?

Looking forward to your interview with Lew! Keep up the great work Blez. If it weren’t for AN I’d have to read the chron/east bay rags/etc and here the same tired garbage (see above) about how Billy stinks, the A’s stink, etc.

by 33SwisherSweet on Aug 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm on your side

Something like 50…

At the very least, 5 posts 8 comments seems like a bad balance.

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 1:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think I like that idea

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 2:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

Every day is just a little worse than the previous, that means every day is the worst day of my life.

by shooting4life on Aug 21, 2008 2:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HA-HA

Some of you actually bothered to read some of this post!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 1:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 2:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm just reading the comments to see how many people allow themselves to be baited

I, somehow, am going to control myself and not actually address the issue. No sir, it’s all off-topic posts in this thread for me.

So, um, anybody else totally stoked for the last season of The Shield next month?

by thejd44 on Aug 21, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly.

This stuff reads like a big line of “waaaaaaaahhhhhhh.”

And yes, nice to see Vic Mackey back in action.

by RIPHalsey on Aug 21, 2008 2:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes; very

Someone at AICN made what I thought was a really intriguing guess: that Ronnie (whom we’ve never gotten any personal backstory on) turns out to be a wayyyyyy undercover IAD mole.

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 3:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Way too long...

He could’ve sold them out years ago… he’s been in some major troubles too that a mole wouldn’t have put up with. Didn’t he get kidnapped awhile back.

Def. would’ve turned them in post-Money Train. He had them all locked down. Shane is a moron. I’m over the show, but always laugh when I see Dutch-boy b/c that was an old college roomate’s nickname when the show first came out. Looked just like him too!

The Stockton Ports pitching staff is better than the Orioles.

by gdub171 on Aug 21, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Shield

YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 21, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm more of a "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" guy

But I’ve heard very good things about The Shield. I’m worried that, much like Diet Cherry Coke, if I start I won’t stop.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Aug 21, 2008 6:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, this is the last season that's starting in a couple weeks

So I recommend starting from the beginning and just catching this season when you can. Each season is just 10-15 episodes, so you can get through them pretty quickly.

by thejd44 on Aug 21, 2008 11:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great show as well

Totally immoral people

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 22, 2008 12:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Here's the thing about cancer...

…
…
I don’t have it."

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Aug 22, 2008 3:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We've become oddly dependent on experiencing pain

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

by Nick on Aug 21, 2008 6:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well

Seems to me I have as much right to say I don’t see The Plan as you do to waddle behind Billy in a more or less straight line; nodding when he nods; dropping bird crap when he does (this 2008 team being one of them).
I don’t see the plan and I am losing faith there is one beyond cost cutting. And judging from the sea of empty seats at the yard I’m not alone.

Baja been here

by bajablue on Aug 21, 2008 1:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My suggestion

Go call KNBR. They’d probably be more willing to listen to your inability to see that some things take time.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 1:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is Ray Ratto the douchenozzle who thinks Dusty Baker doesn't handle pitchers poorly?

I don’t know the Bay Area media that well, but there was a guy on the radio here in Chicago recently who spouted a bunch of totally factually inaccurate BS about how Dusty didn’t abuse his pitchers. Within about half an hour, a bunch of e-mailers and callers chimed in with evidence that the guy was fullacrap. Ratto’s name sounds familiar and I’m wondering if it’s him.

by thejd44 on Aug 21, 2008 2:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wouldn't be surprised, but I don't know.

Who’s the guy in Chicago, Mariotti?

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 2:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, Jay Mariotti is the guy who hates everybody. People around the country know him from ATH

I guess every town has the writer who is the equivalent of the radio shock jock.

by thejd44 on Aug 21, 2008 2:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I remember Mariotti was ripping Frank Thomas after he came to Oakland the first time.

Then I think he turned 180° after Thomas returned and homered his first time back in Chicago.

Douchebag extreme.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 2:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also, Skip Bayless was annoying in different markets long before jumping to ESPN.

I’m waiting for the day Tim Kawakami leaves the Bay Area for an ESPN gig. Half his columns are more about himself than anything else.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 2:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

God I can't stand that guy. Is there really anyone more annoying ever?

Maybe someone should round him up along with Mariotti and Gene Wojciechowski, stick them in a locked room and let them bitch and moan at eachother until their heads explode.

by Streams Of Whiskey on Aug 21, 2008 7:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Then make Plaschke eat the remains

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Aug 22, 2008 8:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you can't see it...

then why do you even bother thinking about it and posting this stuff on AN?

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 1:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seems to me

That there is already a thread open with people “venting” or whatever.

Maybe a comment there instead of another fAnPoSt

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 1:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed...

others have suggested it and a vent section should be a possibility

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 1:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This will probably cost me

But if you’ve actually been reading this site for the past few months and you honestly believe that everyone here is just a sycophant to the Great Billy Beane then you, my friend, are a world class idiot.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 1:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know - World Class Idiot sounds kind of prestigious

I don’t mind saying I’m a bit jealous, actually.

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 21, 2008 1:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fair point

I almost make it sound like he belongs in Beijing.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 21, 2008 2:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The more empty seats the more foul balls I can get.

Every day is just a little worse than the previous, that means every day is the worst day of my life.

by shooting4life on Aug 21, 2008 2:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes, but higher ratio of watchful eyes to greedy monkeys at the premium-dog kraut dispensaries

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 4:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Goodbye?

Time to empty the bandwagon! :)

"Twenty minutes," says Jack Sr. "Thank god for Billy Beane."

by ST on Aug 21, 2008 1:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now we can trade in our large gas guzzling bandwagon and get one with more MPG’s!

Every day is just a little worse than the previous, that means every day is the worst day of my life.

by shooting4life on Aug 21, 2008 3:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Doing our part to save the polar bears…

by justarebelheart on Aug 21, 2008 3:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I read that as MGD's

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 21, 2008 3:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

unfortunately, this being an A's bandwagon, it's more likely to be IEDs

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Way ahead of you

Been doing it since July 18.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Aug 21, 2008 6:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I too have issues with the current rebuild,

but they don’t really involve suddenly losing faith that the same GM who succeeded suddenly forgot how.

My issues are with the trading of so many valuable commodities without addressing 3B or SS for the next 2 years at least, and with not combining a rebuild with a true rebuild of the A’s training/medical program.

I worry that we’re putting a lot of eggs in baskets that will then follow Chavez’ and Harden’s lead as being “really good if we can just get them healthy…” At this point, until the A’s make wholesale changes in that dept, and admit that the status quo is a disaster that cannot be explained by “bad luck,” we’re looking at too many Dan Meyer / Sean Gallagher situations, and I’m not buying.

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 21, 2008 1:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's probably a good idea as part of their restructuring.

At the least, there are probably some other ways of conditioning the players the team needs to look into.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 1:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

kind of

L. Davis still heads up the staff, although behind the scene. (yes, w/ fanny pack attached)

by HRH on Aug 21, 2008 2:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We did

Unfortunately, it consists of Dr. Earl Holloway.

Polynesian Sauce may not be available in all locations.

by Englishmajor on Aug 21, 2008 2:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lets get Gallagher healthy again...

I don’t get why the A’s continue to run these guys out there, when there is obviously something wrong. When we got Gallagher we were told we were getting a power pitcher with a 93+ fastball and upper eighties isn’t getting it done. Eveland did look pretty good in his last start with AAA Sacramento, his control was just getting crazy. In the first half of the year he pitched well and only gave up 3 home runs in seventeen starts and he gave up 5 in his last 5 starts. Once he gets that command down I think he’ll be effective since he’s not a power pitcher.

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 2:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The middle of this argument is a no man's land these days

At the risk of pissing off everyone on this site, these “we’ll always suck” posts are as ludicrous to me as the “we’re a lock this year” posts previous to the All-Star Break. Getting wrapped up in the day-to-day doldrums of rooting for a crappy (and profoundly injured) team is counterproductive when trying to predict future success, especially for this franchise. How many of us have commented how many times that the team as currently constituted looks nothing like the team from 2 or 3 years ago?

This year— and even the past 3 years, if you want to go back to 2005 and forget the playoff run of 2006— is not a failure of philosophy, it’s a failure of warm, healthy ML-ready bodies.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Aug 21, 2008 2:40 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree...

Why can’t a fan just be objective yet educated at the same time.

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 2:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not objective in any sense of the word

But I do like to consider myself educated.

by Blez on Aug 21, 2008 3:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whatever, troll

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

by nevermoor on Aug 21, 2008 7:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Blez? I actually always kind of suspected

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 21, 2008 7:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Christ, what a bleztroll

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

by monkeyball on Aug 21, 2008 7:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm pretty happy with where that went

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

by nevermoor on Aug 22, 2008 8:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or Eveland.

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

by Syphon on Aug 21, 2008 2:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Probably both...

I’m guessing and I think rotoworld eluded to them both making starts because we have a need two fill dukes spot at least for one start and then we definitely need someone to fill in for Gallagher so we should see both.

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 3:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meyer got killed by one mistake, though it was a very big mistake even though the game was already out of hand.

Yeah, grand slams hurt. But he pitched two clean innings after that. He needs to cut down on the mistakes but I don’t know if he has enough left to do that at the Major League level.

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

by Flashfire on Aug 21, 2008 2:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's time...

We have to see if he will ever live up to his potential it’s time to send him out there on the hill and decide if he still has a future with this organization, I’m still pretty skeptical but we’ll see.

by mattman on Aug 21, 2008 3:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rickey will NEVER lose faith in Billy Ball

Billy let Rickey run wild, let Rickey get the record in an otherwise shitty season. Rickey loves Bill Ball.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 21, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We have a Flag on the play: OP sent back to MLB forum. 1st down

Every day is just a little worse than the previous, that means every day is the worst day of my life.

by shooting4life on Aug 21, 2008 3:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Someone shoud make a Fan Post

Every day is just a little worse than the previous, that means every day is the worst day of my life.

by shooting4life on Aug 21, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

accidental post, sorry

Every day is just a little worse than the previous, that means every day is the worst day of my life.

by shooting4life on Aug 21, 2008 3:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just miss the good ole days

when we would get fanposts letting us all know that there is a cool youtube video out of these guys ghostriding a Volvo.

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

by 5Aces on Aug 21, 2008 4:41 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I STILL blame him.

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." -- Connie Mack

by GreenSocks on Aug 22, 2008 10:26 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How quickly people forget

That our last rebuilding period (1993-99) took FOREVER for exactly the reasons the Giants are experiencing now and we should be trying to avoid ourselves. After 1992 they should have blown the team up and rebuilt … instead they tried to squeeze a few more years out of a veteran team. It bottomed out in the mid 90s when we had nothing at the ML level and absolutely zero in the minors.

THEN they started to rebuild (it began in 96-97) yet it still wasn’t until 2000 that we began to reap the benefits. That’s the way it goes … it takes a while, even after you’ve committed to it. We don’t see it, but 2005-06 were really gravy. Teams as dependent on the farm as the A’s are rarely reload as fast as they did then.

by jdr on Aug 21, 2008 9:11 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Blowing you a little goodbye kiss

Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out the door.

I dream of Fremont and rainbows

by OptimistPrime on Aug 22, 2008 12:08 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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