Open Game Thread - Game 136: A's vs. Twins
by monkeyball on Aug 30, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
Email
PrintMinnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics, Aug 30, 2008 6:05 PM PDT
Hey, at least Mrs. Monkeyball and I got our bobbleheads, and got to see Cust hit a HR and Ziggy receive his nifty plaque. Add a couple Saag's (with FREE KRAUT! Thanks for the tip, Englishmajor) and a Kinder's into the mix, (mostly) good experiences with our fellow fans, a genuinely nice Guest Services rep in our section, and a merciful cooling of the air by the time we got to the Coli, and last night was fun even though
No such luck for me tonight, as I'll be "enjoying" the game via TV and Internet.
Enjoy it I will, though. It's still baseball, and A's baseball, at that.
Pitching for the A's will be Dallas Braden, whom I like more and more -- mostly for his interviews (which, whether in print or on screen, seem to indicate he's a funny and thoughtful dude), but also for his gradually improving performance. I'm not projecting him for next year, just rooting for him in the here and now.
The A's hitters will face Francisco Liriano -- not that it really matters, as the A's offense will does what it
UPDATE: Ken and Ray just announced that Frank has been DL'ed (and may not play again this season -- hence, maybe not at all again for the A's), Aaron Cunningham is driving down to the Coliseum from Sacto after being promoted, Dan Meyer has been sent down to AA (perhaps to return as long man after Midland's season ends), and ... what did I miss? Did they say Foulke had been activated? Also, Rotowire at left says Andrew Brown has been transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
270 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I can't "not care" who wins, and still watch.
I’m down with the concept of letting younger guys getting some major league experience, but I still want to win every game.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
I hear ya
I respect that, and 95% of the time I’m right there with you.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
frank thomas is back on the DL
aaron cunningham is up and foulke is activated.
per susan slusser.
""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's
link
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=29702
""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's
I'm freakin' excited for Cunningham!
This guy has been tearing up the minor leagues and if he stays hot in the big leagues, he can provide a nice little bright spot for this pathetic offense.
I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!
I guess we got our answer boys and girls
2 out of the three were discussing in Grover’s diary thread are gone.
Is Sarloos next?
Go Cunningham!
I think Sarloos is earning his keep...
…if only for “mop up”.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
I like this Bowen character
Ray always does better interviewing catchers (naturally), but that was a nice little exchange on the radio.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Well it's good...
…we called up Cunningham now. Since he was called up before September 1, that means he’ll be eligible for our playoff roster.
I’m surprised actually. I thought they would wait that extra month next year like they did with CarGo this year. I kind of am looking forward to seeing Buck again soon, but I’m worried if playing in the stress-filled majors would hurt him going forward. This move could be a sign they plan on leaving Buck in the minors.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Ever the optimist!
(But there was always the DL exemption too, so we could back door them in that way too.)
Ok, that made me laugh.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
Anyone know who got knocked off the 40 man to call up Cunningham?
It couldn’t be Meyer, he’d have to clear waivers before going to Midland.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Andrew Brown transferred from 15-day to 60-day DL
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
AHHH!!! Roster moves!!!
AHHHHHH!!! KC in a few days!!!
Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows
roster movements and rosterbation are separated by such a small distance
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
me driving, about an hour and fifteen minutes. I actually have to go from Sac to
Oakland on Wednesday for a meeting.
by theblackpearl on Aug 30, 2008 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Because it can be a better alternative depending on traffic?
It really does depend. I hardly ever take 80 through the Maze/Berkeley area any more. I take 680 and hook up in Fairfield, and I usually take 680 back home as well. I just go through Crow Canyon to get back to the Castro Valley/Hayward area, but at least from 680 you can take the Caldecott Tunnel.
I guess part of it also depends on what area you like driving through more. I find 680 nicer to deal with than 80.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Braden: 10 strikes, 1 ball
I am liking him more and more every inning he pitches.
I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!
big Pepto-Bismol fan, are ya?
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Or a fan of breast cancer?
Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows
who isn't, really?
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Big fan m'self
Oh – didn’t see the “cancer” part, sorry.
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
The A's are getting pickoff calls on reputation now
Kind of like Glavine gets the outside corner.
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
Is he okay?
Check him! AHHH!!
Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows
I'll give that one a Web Gem for staying with it
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Maybe in anticipation of more playing time, sure
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I mean, if he wants to do it right next time he should a portable black hole instead
Then again, it didn’t work very well for that coyote.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Hm, watching that Making Of 100% Baseball Commercials video
Only fun part is Buck showing the kids how to stretch. And Zook muffing that catch.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200808223349413
Found it poking around the site Kimberly showed us, where the Pink commercial is hosted. Looks like they have all the promo commercials there :)
Oh, the part where they're filming the Root Beer commerial is also kind of cool
Huston looks scared and confused… i’m surprised that he turned out so well in the finished product
A friend in need?
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
A friend in need’s a friend indeed,
A friend who’ll tease is better,
Our thoughts compressed,
Which makes us blessed,
And makes for stormy weather
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I wonder who's on Tightwad Hill right now
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Yeah, I kept thinking my screen froze
I reloaded about 10 times and was about to restart when I realized… nope, it’s just empty.
No kidding.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
Ooh, I also got to see a tiny clip of Kielty as Ronald McDonald
Hadn’t seen that before… it’s in the Top 10 Best Costumes video from TSN on Youtube
I'm having a lot of fun catching up on stuff on Fire Joe Morgan
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I'm reminiscing about that Teammates episode with Zito and Byrnes...
Byrnes was asked by host Stuart Scott to name the part of Zito’s body that Zito would say doesn’t fit with the rest. “His hips,” Byrnes said. “He’s got these woman, child-bearing hips. They’re very curvy.”
Zito’s answer? “It would have to be my child-bearing hips.”
Hey! We're not losing!
"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."
Don't you know what a jinx is?
"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt
by Philip Christy on Aug 30, 2008 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I was TRYING to be optimistic.
"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."
Who would he know on the current roster?
Pretty much everyone, right? They are the Oakland Rivercats afterall.
How's Bradenfro been doing?
"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."
H'ok, he's pitching well today - he's turned a corner in the last few games.
Throwing a lot of strikes, not walking many and not giving up hard hits (that home run not withstanding). He doesn’t have a strikeout pitch though, otherwise you’d think he’d be even more effective.
Sadly once again an A’s pitcher is getting zero run support, so it doesn’t matter how well they pitch.
Hi everyone.
Just got home in time to see the offense. Course it wouldn’t be the A’s providing it. So Frank is gone and Meyer got what he so richly worked for. What happened to Brown anyway? I thought he was close to returning…..
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
i am SPARTA-CUST!
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
That'll be Mr. Cust to you
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
SPARTACUST!
Today I was right about something and for some reason I yelled “I. AM. SPARTACUST!” This site is really rubbing off on me.
I AM STAPLES!!!
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I AM CLIFFICE DEPOT!
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Patterson looks less like a major leaguer than does Rajai
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Which one is faster?
Cause Ricky wants to know. ricky knows fast. Ricky says Pat and Raj aint fast enough.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Did I hear them say last night that Rajai is like the team barber?
I guess every team needs one of those. Very crafty. His roster spot is safe.
I dunno, he's done ok in the minors.
Any why single out Rajai if that’s the criteria. There’s 5 or 6 guys out there that fall into that category.
no reason to carry both of them on the 25-man next year
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
If it's a toss up you take Rajai.....just send him to the instructional
league to work on his bloody baserunning!
and his bunting
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Patterson just might end up with a better OBP
Better eye, a little more patient — but mostly, more of a groundball swing.
That said, he’s pretty useless in the field, and has even less power than Rajai does.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
It's not reflected in the majors this year but Patterson did hit 10 homers in the minors, or one...
…about every eight games. That at least shows some potential and it was about the same rate last year (14 homers, 1 every 9 games). He had good 2B/3B totals as well.
Doesn’t mean much if he can’t hit for more power up here, but there it is.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
In theory Patterson should be better,
but in fact Davis seems to make more contact and certainly plays way better defense.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
maybe the A's have instructed him to keep it on the ground
I’m not seeing any way that he could generate power with his swing and body type — even in an Omar Vizquel pivoting his hips on an inside changeup kind of way.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
He's been a little raw...
but I’d like to see a little more of him before we write him off. How many of the original 25 man roster is still standing? Cust, Barton, and amazingly, Crosby are all I can think of right now.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Patterson's range has been OK at 2B ...
… but I’m more and more thinking that’s a function of his athleticism, not his instincts/skills/training. He’s got a decent arm, but can’t throw accurately when either pressed for time or with tons of time. His DP turn is glacial. He’s subpar in every aspect of the game except baserunning.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
His throwing I can attribute to nerves....
seems a little better lately.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I don't think his arm is very strong
and he has to windup too much to throw. He looks subpar to me at 2B; he looks good in LF but he sure doesn’t hit like a LFer needs to.
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
We've been spoiled at 2b for quite a while.
I think those days are gone though.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Weeks is a couple of seasons away.
I don’t know much about Cardenas, maybe Flashfire can let us know what we can expect from him. I don’t even know where he’s at in the minors.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Maybe a September call up next year then?
Crosby will on his way out the door.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
But I also have a sneaking suspicion
that Bobby will throw up a monster year next year. Bastard.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
As far as what to expect from him, I don't really know yet
Only saw him play once in person.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
At least you didn't say Seasons is a couple of weeks away.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I'm not comparing him to Ellis
I could put up with his defense if he hit like early-aughts Jeff Kent, or his offense if he fielded like, well, Ellis — but he does neither. I don’t think he’ll even be useful as a utility player — the only IF position he can play is 2B, and we’ve got plenty of OFs.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
I don't think he'll ever be a Mark Ellis defensively, but I have hopes he can be...
…adequate on both offense and defense.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
And of course, if Patterson doesn't work out...
…we may see what happens with Cardenas, though if they stick with the move to SS that’d change things.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Forgot Sweeney was back.
Zooks and Brown are correct though.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Well,
I guess we’ve had our one inning of offense.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Cust or bust
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Fosse: "Joe Nathan is good but you have to get to him."
Remember who the Twins are facing, Ray. There you go.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
For A's fans, it is more like suicide row
by theblackpearl on Aug 30, 2008 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I liked misdemeanor row....
or infraction row.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Santana Row
… for what they turn every opposing pitcher into
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Sadly, if the A's offense were to remain static
for the next few seasons, Lackey might have a shot at Cy Young’s record.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
unicorn sighting!
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Just a mirage.
It’s gone now.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
He looked decent.
Velocity is back up to where it was. Who knows, maybe he just had a, “dead arm” for a while.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I think it sounded like there was a lingering groin issue too
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I won't - it was a hip flexor
that made it difficult to push off, and keep his mechanics, the way he wanted.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I'd be comfortable with Street closing again
if need be – he looks like the Street of old. If the radar gun was accurate, he threw one pitch at 94MPH tonight.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
He's definitely looked better
in his last seven appearances he’s only given up one run, I love ziggy but I think we should give street the opportunity he deserves. You got to love a guy like this, he has such a great attitude, I would assume everyone here has listened to his interview with Buan after a tough outing, class act for sure.
Yeah, he's looking like the Street of old.
That’s good news for A’s fans. He’s a top flight closer when he’s on his game, and deserves the closer job. As for attitude, he could be a total ass and I wouldn’t care, as long as he records three outs when he’s suppose too.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Think we could sign the prick?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I don't want him
He’s being overused this year anyway, I think.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I hope so.
And I hope the Angels way over pay his sorry ass.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I'm just saying this guy has an attitude that we should all have and apply to our own life.
You can’t say that about most people in major league baseball.
I'd still like to see Devine close,
Street do just what he’s doing in the 7th/8th, same for Ziggy and Blevins.
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
With all the speed of Pennington, Patterson, and Davis not one of them has
tried to lay down a bunt.
Yeah, it looks like the movement and speed are coming back
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
was that Frank's rebar Emil was swinging?
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Last game I was at, I saw Brown and, I think, even Crosby swinging it.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Bobby want's to tease us.
Imagine a walk off right here…..BWAAAAAAAA
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
if we don't GIDP, I'm calling Cust walkoff
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
buzz off, troll
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD YES!!!
"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt
by Philip Christy on Aug 30, 2008 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Only way to defend
against the RBI machine.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I'll take more gifts if he's in a generous mood tonight
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I've been picking my spots well lately.
This and the last two double plays Ziggy’s got when he needed them.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Nathan's all over the place
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Holy Crap.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
or, um, that
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Okay, I didn't have that one in the "How they'd win" pool
A bunt, throw to third down the line, two runs score?
It works!
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
How often does THAT happen?
"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt
by Philip Christy on Aug 30, 2008 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
For once, all that foul territory helps
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Joe Nathan...
probably has the most unexciting saves in the league. He’s usually the one to retire the side 1,2,3. While others like wilson and K-rod usually load the bases and then strike themselves out of the jam.
Can we play Nathan again...
sometime soon?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Bad attempt on the catch at third, though. Ouch.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Agreed
He needed to make a better effort to grab that ball.
Holy shitballs, though. What an exciting way to end the game.
I got home to see DFA get HBP and a sac bunt that turned into a little league-type play
That was pretty awesome.
But I just saw that Frank was DLd and that pretty much ruins my night.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:37 PM PDT reply actions
Well, his 107 OPS+ is second best on the A's this year
(And OPS+ kinda sucks because it underrates OBP, where Frank shines) So the A’s are worse without him. Plus, he’s Frank effing Thomas and I’m thrilled to be able to watch a legend, a future hall of famer, one of the top three right-handed hitters of all time, and the best player in the 100+ year history of the White Sox hit a baseball. At this point in the season, that gives me a lot more joy than one meaningless A’s win.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
agreed
At this point we are rebuilding and winning from here on out does not matter all that much. Of course, I would rather see the A’s win and was happy with tonights game but a lot of what I was looking forward to this season was seeing Thomas get hot and show us his hall of fame form. Basically he had two good weeks in May for us but it was fun to have him this year.
And for actually winning games this year he has been our second best offensive player this year.
I hope that he comes back this year but I think that it is very unlikely at this point.
The question becomes, is he done for good?
"First Zito and now DJ? The Giants are like A's landfil." - a paraphrase of Since72.
Also, Todd Linden has a .231 lifetime average and a 66 career OPS+, chill Linden fans.
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 30, 2008 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I fear so - he's going to be 41, coming off
an injury that cost him 55 games and then resurfaced, and he’s “impede the basepaths” slow. Maybe Tampa Bay would want him next year? Maybe Seattle? I can’t think of who else – he doesn’t fit the Angels’ style and most other teams are covered for DH/right-handed presence.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
That's another reason my night is ruined
I’ve grown up watching Frank Thomas. I’ve seen him play more than anybody else. I’m actually kind of sad knowing that it’s really very likely I’ve seen Frank play for the last time.
For those who don’t know, I grew up in Chicago and was raised a White Sox fan. I rooted for Frank for, basically, his entire White Sox career. I only became an A’s fan during Frank’s last couple years with the Sox, so I have a loyalty to Frank that goes beyond any team. That why I (perhaps irrationally) hope he’s back with the A’s next year. But I realize he might be done, and I don’t really want to admit it.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I would like him back for another year as well. I just like him.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
shit.
I totally have to rewrite my game wrap now.
There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@
Joe Nathan...
is about as automatic as they get, and that happens only a couple times a year. Leave it to the A’s to make it happen.
Almost as automatic as Lenny D tonight for Sac. He gave up 15 runs in
3 innings
by theblackpearl on Aug 30, 2008 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
There was a time when I thought Lenny would be a very effective long man/spot starter
A left-handed Saarloos, if you will.
Oops.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess he decided he wanted to allow more hits in fewer innings against weaker competition than Saarloos did last night
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Well, I'm sure he didn't want to do that
Turns out he’s just not all that good at pitching. I thought he would be at least serviceable. Meh, I don’t mind being wrong on that one.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, I was just trying to be funny
Whether it worked or not, I dunno.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I think the word we're searching for is:
Oops.
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
Just the last paragraph.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I'm speechless, but in a good way.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
That was fun!`
Great time to tune in, too. Bottom of the 8th, seeing Huston look solid and Joe Nathan and the Twins fall apart. Great bunt by Sweeney and hustle by Emil. Nice win! Hope we take the series tomorrow! Zukes looks so happy when we win! Go A’s!
by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 30, 2008 8:43 PM PDT reply actions
I'm pleasantly surprised.
Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows
Dueling blunders, IMO:
I thought it was a HORRIBLE decision by Geren to have Ryan Sweeney bunt. Here’s one of your few plus hitters at the plate, whereas if he bunts the runners over you have second and third, one out for Jack Cust against a top strikeout pitcher. Hmm…wonder what’ll happen there. And then you have crap hitters coming up after that. You let Sweeney hit because he’s the best hitter who will come up in the inning.
Then Nathan blundered by not just taking the out at first, for all the aforementioned reasons – if he gets the out at first, he has a clear avenue to getting out of the inning.
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
Let's face it: Cust vs. Nathan?
That’s going to be a strickout an awful lot of the time. And Nathan can pitch on his terms because if he walks Cust, he has Barton in a spot where a strickout or a DP is gold.
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
Sorry, we're just sensitive
You Trolly Troll, with troll sauce.
I see your point, but I have no problem with the bunt there
Assuming that Swooney is a good bunter (that was not a very good attempt, but that doesn’t actually matter for deciding what he should do). He’s fast enough to beat out a good bunt, so you’re not totally giving away the out. And yeah, Cust vs. Nathan seems like a strike out. But Cust strikes out a lot. Period. But down a run I’m ok playing for one run, and you want that guy on third base and no double play possibility.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions
The fact is that...
if the A’s employ this tactic 10 times throughout the season in the same situation vs Nathan I find it hard to believe that they would win any more than 3 times if they employ these same tactics. I’d like to see the manager play the percentages which I believe were to let Sweeney swing away. Let’s step back and look at what we were doing in this situation and not think about the fact that we won for a second. We are playing small ball in effect by bunting our runners over to second and third. Hoping we tie the game and play on or best case scenario we win. In playing this small ball game, we require the hitters after the bunt to sacrifice home the tieing run with one out. Why would we go to all this trouble of giving up an out if we know that Cust is not a good candidate to get the job done. You also have to factor in that Cust not only is a strikeout victim a lot, but that isn’t against the likes of Joe Nathan. Nathan has nasty stuff and is the best closer in the game, you don’t give him outs, he gets to many of them as it is. Dumb move, yes we got lucky and I’m happy, but that doesn’t mean it was the smartest move to help our team win the game.
I agree, maybe
I just don’t think it’s an obvious call, and I don’t believe anybody can be 100% in this situation. I understand the points you (and Nico) have made, but I don’t know if I agree they’re significant enough to make the decision a bad one. At least it’s not an obviously terrible one. If I had to guess, it’s probably unlikely the A’s win the game regardless of the decision (bunt or swing away), and I’d be surprised if the likelihood of winning changed more than a percentage point or two either way.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions
In my mind the A's had a better chance of winning not bunting.
Therefore, if they bunted, it was a bad decision. Simple as that.
In my mind, I'm a millionaire and my pillow is cotton candy
See how that doesn’t work?
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay...
we win or tie 3-4 times if we don’t bunt
we win or tie 1-2 times if we do bunt
which decision is best
I know what you mean
however, sometimes the “wrong” call is actually the right one. Plus, you have to realize that Cust has hit the ball pretty well the last few games an is always a threat to take it deep. I don’t care how we win as long as we get the “W”.
Can't you just be happy with a gift win?
Should we give it back? Just enjoy it when it happens, no? Geren does a lot of things right and gets nothing for it, so why not get a gift win every once in a while?
by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 30, 2008 8:46 PM PDT reply actions
What does this have to do with "giving it back"?
I’m happy the A’s won; I think Geren made a poor decision and got lucky. I hope next time he makes a different decision because I don’t think this one will work out nearly as often.
What it does show, still, is something I’ve harped on a lot: when you put the ball in play, and when you put pressure on the defense, good things often happen. That’s one reason I favor speed more than some – speed doesn’t go into slumps and it allows you to “find” runs that may not otherwise be 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
So what are your thoughts than on Cust...
because most of the people on AN are in love with his numbers, which I am not.
He's good at what he does, but he is what he is
And what he is…is not particularly a guy you want up with runners at second and third and one out.
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
Correction: People are in love with his offensive production, by far the best on the team
You act like his numbers aren’t a representation of what he actually does on the field.
And if he had the speed of Rajai Davis, he might have 3-4 more doubles and maybe a handful of extra hits this year. It really wouldn’t matter too much.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
What I dislike about him has nothing to do with speed if we are talking about offense...
I have a problem with his ability to do the little things that are necessary to win a ball game. Striking out looking is one of Cust’s everyday occurrences and I have a problem with that.
You know what wins ball games more than little things?
Getting on base a lot and hitting home runs. He’s pretty good at both of those. You don’t need to do the little things if you can do the big things. That’s why they’re called big things. They’re big. Big = more important.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Sure, but there are moments where little things are more important to be able to do.
Cust’s just not as good at those things as others are. He’s better at other things, though.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
So?
The negative value of a strike out (especially compared to all other outs) is not anywhere near the positive value of the home run.
How many extra runs do you think Cust would have provided so far this year if he had 0 strike outs, but exactly the same number of outs made via other events?
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Well he would have had more walks...
if he struck out 0 times this year because he takes so many pitches so I’m guessing he would’ve provided about 25 more runs with 0 strikeouts. Also, a strikeout holds the exact same negative value as does a homer a positive when you are in the ninth and need to get a sac fly for the win, which we theoretically would’ve needed tonight.
25 runs = 2 1/2 wins
I’d be shocked if it was even 1/10 that.
And, actually, a home run would’ve been more valuable still because it would’ve won the game. A strike out would not have lost the game. A home run brings the chance of winning to 100. A strike out would not have brought the chance of losing to 0
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions
The whole point of giving away an out and bunting is
so that Cust gets the run to home plate. Which he wouldn’t do very often. We reduces our chances of winning greatly because now a base hit is required off of Nathan, which happens rarely his baa is .183, not good odds considering all we would have had to was sac fly our tieing run home. Then heaven forbid we get a base hit against nathan we win the game.
Hard to say, really
You’re going to get some double plays, some sacrifice flies, some hits, some pop outs, some walks, etc.
No real way to quantify it. He is what he is for all his good and bad traits.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I think you can probably take an educated guess
Although my hypothetical is a little difficult because of how it would fundamentally change him. If he didn’t strike out, he wouldn’t walk, either. At least not very much. He would also swing for the fences a lot less and it would drain his power. It’s hard to say just because it would make him a different, impossible player.
But my overall point is this: Look at every out Cust made with nobody on base or with 2 outs. In those situations, it doesn’t matter at all what kind of out it was. I’m way, way too tired to do this math, but Cust has more than 100 of his strike outs in these two situations (they actually overlap in some situations, and I don’t feel like separating it out). His strike outs have really just been not much worse than regular outs most of the time. Very few times has he been in a situation where all he needed to do was hit a fly ball or something and he struck out. And, you know, everybody strikes out in those situations sometimes.
by thejd44 on Aug 30, 2008 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
So you are happy with Geren's decision to have Sweeney bunt?
You just said it was wrong? He put everybody in motion and they ran wee wee wee all the way home. Good move, no?
by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 30, 2008 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
There is a difference between speed and an error...
you’ve got to remember that Emil Brown was the winning run, definitely not the fastest guy around.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
