Losing Faith in Billy Ball
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
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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
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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
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Which end?
That usually determines my level of negativity.
by mikev on
Aug 21, 2008 1:41 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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Snarky and Hutch was a great TV show
Baja been here
by bajablue on
Aug 21, 2008 3:26 PM PDT
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Why the heavens use all CAPS?
Baja been here
by bajablue on
Aug 21, 2008 3:27 PM PDT
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Snarky parenthetical complete with misspelling

"Sad songs are my favorite songs." - Lenny DiNardo
by cagrrrl on
Aug 21, 2008 3:49 PM PDT
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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
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Why can't...
people spell Ruben Sierra correctly?
by Eggman on
Aug 21, 2008 4:03 PM PDT
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Why can't people spell Koolaid correctly.
Sweet Hardin’s back!
by butler19 on
Aug 21, 2008 8:43 PM PDT
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Kerrect speling...
is teh hobgolbin of small mnds
by joshers on
Aug 22, 2008 3:45 PM PDT
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Why the hell can't people spell Kool-Aid correctly....
damn kids.
by 33SwisherSweet on
Aug 21, 2008 1:15 PM PDT
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I still insist that people shouldn't even say "Kool-Aid," but ...
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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oh YEAH!!!

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
by 5Aces on
Aug 21, 2008 1:42 PM PDT
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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
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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
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I'm for rebuilding like the Giants.... that has seemed to work out well
Their future is bright. (sarcasm)
by 33SwisherSweet on
Aug 21, 2008 1:16 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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You are so judgemental of people
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on
Aug 22, 2008 9:12 AM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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I can accept that
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on
Aug 21, 2008 1:50 PM PDT
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It hard to bash them these days
Enjoy the game
by DCinWC on
Aug 21, 2008 2:02 PM PDT
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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
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That brian sabean is a genious!
by 33SwisherSweet on
Aug 21, 2008 1:19 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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Good Lord
how many of these do people really feel the need to post?
by Blez on
Aug 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT
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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
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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
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+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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The final episode of season 5 is still one of my 3-5 favorite espidoes of a TV show ever
Damn you, Shane!
by thejd44 on
Aug 21, 2008 2:52 PM PDT
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Not nearly as stoked as I am for Heroes coming back next month.
WOOOOOT.
by mikev on
Aug 21, 2008 2:53 PM PDT
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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
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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
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I think Reed Diamond is going to wake up, and it was all a dream Kellerman had on his boat after a really big night at Munch's and Meldrick's bar
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on
Aug 21, 2008 6:53 PM PDT
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The Shield
YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!
Enjoy the game
by DCinWC on
Aug 21, 2008 3:31 PM PDT
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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
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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
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Great show as well
Totally immoral people
Enjoy the game
by DCinWC on
Aug 22, 2008 12:03 PM PDT
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"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
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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
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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
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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
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Also, e-mail Lowell Cohn and Ray Ratto. You could have some great exchanges with them.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Aug 21, 2008 1:32 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Aug 21, 2008 1:40 PM PDT
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BeAnE sUcKs FaNpOsTs are like this:






















"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on
Aug 21, 2008 1:46 PM PDT
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Ugly and the same snowflakes
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on
Aug 21, 2008 2:10 PM PDT
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...is like cocaine
it’ll kill you, but you can’t resist it!
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on
Aug 23, 2008 10:54 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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I wouldn't mind if the people who made some of these posts went to Beijing
AN is probably banned there.
by thejd44 on
Aug 21, 2008 2:40 PM PDT
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I'm just saying it's been said a billion times before
Say it in the other 25 FanPosts before this one.
by Blez on
Aug 21, 2008 2:31 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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Does this mean I get to ride shotgun?
WOOOO HOOOOO!
by Blez on
Aug 21, 2008 2:31 PM PDT
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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
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Doing our part to save the polar bears…
by justarebelheart on
Aug 21, 2008 3:20 PM PDT
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I read that as MGD's
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on
Aug 21, 2008 3:25 PM PDT
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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
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I feel like booing and laughing at the same time
so… BAL?
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on
Aug 21, 2008 3:34 PM PDT
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BAWL?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Aug 21, 2008 3:40 PM PDT
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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
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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
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So then forgot the rebuild...
lets hire a new medical staff!
by mattman on
Aug 21, 2008 1:49 PM PDT
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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
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Didn't we just get a new medical staff this year?
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on
Aug 21, 2008 1:53 PM PDT
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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
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Hey rotoworld says we may see Dana again soon
Gallagher possibly to the DL
by HRH on
Aug 21, 2008 2:02 PM PDT
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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
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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
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So you're saying that living and dying with each game is a bad idea for a baseball fan?
You, sir, have some good ideas.
by thejd44 on
Aug 21, 2008 2:42 PM PDT
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Geez, no one lives for the moment anymore
I kid.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on
Aug 21, 2008 2:52 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Meyer is probably getting a start soon...
who’s excited about that?
by mattman on
Aug 21, 2008 2:42 PM PDT
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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
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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
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Considering Meyer wasn't bad, and his numbers are skewed by his last game
I’m just fine with that. I want to see what he can do.
by thejd44 on
Aug 21, 2008 2:47 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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There should be a negative recommend option
by inbillywetrust on
Aug 21, 2008 2:58 PM PDT
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That's where flagging comes into play
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Aug 21, 2008 3:03 PM PDT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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