am i to blame?
by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 4, 2008 9:22 AM PDT
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PrintOn the morning of Sunday July 13, I wrote this. On the afternoon of that same day, I witnessed this, a game that for all intents and purposes ended any chances of Dane Cook foaming at the mouth over our Oakland A’s in October.
Since my half-serious, but seriously ill-timed post that fateful Sunday morn, the hated Halos have played like the Chosen Ones, reeling off 13 wins in 17 contests. Meanwhile the A’s have taken on the appearance of a cursed club, managing just two victories in 16 tries over that same stretch. For those of you who have yet to down that first cup of Monday morning mocha, let me do the math for you: that is a whopping 10.5 game drop in the standings in a little over two weeks. Kind of like riding the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror", except no one is saying, "Let’s ride that again!" If there is a silver lining it is that we mourners can stand before the grave of the 2008 A’s and say, "at least it was quick and painless". Well, it was quick. Sort of.
Was it just a matter of time before Los Angeles separated itself from the rest of the pack? Was it too much to ask of these A’s to stick around through the dog days of summer, despite its youth and yet another rash of injuries? Or is there something deeper working here? Did the People Upstairs think that "hating the angels" referred to those angels? Did they send Christopher Lloyd down to lend LA a helping hand (wing)? Did the Angels really need divine intervention?
Hey, that's our Outfield, Christopher Lloyd!
Look, I would not consider myself irrationally superstitious. But I do have my moments. Mentioning "no-hitters" while my pitcher is throwing one is an absolute no-no. Also, when keeping score of a game- which I haven’t done in eons- you shall not add up your team’s totals after the eighth inning of a home contest, with the assumption that there will be no bottom of the ninth. I learned that the hard way on June 14, 1980 when the A’s went into the ninth leading, 1-0. Rick Langford was throwing a three-hit masterpiece at the Yankees. But Reggie Jackson reached on a one-out single, and Bobby Murcer hit a two-out, two-run homer, while I proceeded to throw up all over my scorecard. Some scars stay with you a while, if you can call twenty-eight years "a while".
Murcer is gone, but the pain of his homerun in Oakland lives on.
I can’t really say that I have learned anything thing from this latest blunder. I really do hate the angels. The ones that play baseball (do I really need to clarify?). But let’s not beat around the burning bush. Let’s get down to core of this rotten apple. Did my post kill Oakland’s post-season chances? Was my hitting "publish" parallel to Steve Bartman reaching for that foul ball?
Am I doomed to live life like this guy?
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Yes.
of course you are. What a silly question to ask a bunch of guys looking for a scapegoat…and one, just looking for a goat.
By process of elimination (the only process I endorse), I guess that makes you a piece of lamb. @('.')@
Zing!
That’s funny ‘cuz it’s true.
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
Who's looking for a goat
and can whoever it is borrow yours?
In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!
The thing about Oakland's collapse....
if it happened in September, we would be all over Sportscenter. It doesn’t make sense to me that they would fall this far this fast. It’s not like they ever won any games for Blanton in the first place. Rich only took the field slightly more than once a week. That they continue on in freefall makes me question Geren’s basic leadership skills. I know we are “rebuilding” and I could easily accept finishing the season over 10 games out. I would, however, expect that 10 game margin to be reached over the course of the last half of the season. I would love an explanation from some of our astute baseball minds as to why the team should fold so rapidly.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Because much of our starting lineup this year
would be on the bench or in AAA for most teams
The fact that guys like Hannahan, for example, get real playing time means we were overachieving in the first half.
Also, the fact that so many of our starters are rookies means they were likely to hit a wall (like Eveland has done so dramatically). MLB starters throw a LOT more innings than minor leaguers, so it’s a big adjustment that doesn’t happen immediately.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
I can accept all of that
as sound reasoning. It still doesn’t explain why the team would fall flat on its face overnight. It’s not unreasonable to expect each of the causes you listed contributing to a gradual decline in the standings as the season wore on, but still, how to explain the overnight freefall? I still think Geren needs to step up and stem the bleeding. I don’t expect him to produce a winning team, that would be asking for more than this team is capable of producing, but I do expect him to start putting cleats on asses. Two out of 16 is flat out putrid.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Maybe
It doesn’t help when you’re playing a lot of good teams (and catching the Royals’ good pitching).
You’re certainly right that it’s a dramatic losing streak and that no team is ever actually this bad. I don’t think there’s much that Geren can do about it though.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
I'm okay with the idea that a manager
cannot do much with an individual players performance. But the overall teams performance falls within the scope of his perceived authority. Like it or not, he bears some responsibility for the teams performance as a whole at some point. I don’t know if that’s even fair, but I do know it’s true. I for one would be much encouraged if I had the impression that this is grating on him and he intends on rattling some cages. Who knows, the recent coaching assignments may be an indication that he’s had enough. If this were a big media market, I have no doubt that pressure would be mounting. Just because it isn’t doesn’t necessarily mean that the pressure is not building against him. But we as fans would never know it. Face it, the charge of nepotism will soon rear its ugly head, and it may be true.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I agree about individuals
But as a whole a manager has great influence on a team. Take Billy Martin, he took the “AAA’s” from 50-108, to 83-79 the next season. How? well he inspired the team his first day. “You are a winning club, nobody has ever shown you how to win, I will” The did the usual Billy dance two good seasons then…. Dick Williams got the team over the hump, and he seemed to be the missing link. It would seem that Geren can’t motivate the A’s, and he has made some questionable moves. I don’t think a change at the helm will solve the problem, but in 86 when they fired Jackie Moore, and brought La Russa in they began to win. Personally I would pull the trigger, and bring in Gene Tenace in. He as had several years of MLB coaching, and two successful interm manager terms to his credits. He also knows how to win.
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 4, 2008 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Geren
All I’d ask Geren is that he not needlessly bat three lefties in a row (followed by three righties), and that he figure out how to use his bullpen. Oh, and he needs to be better at getting bench guys (namely Bowen and Petit) into games more. He’s improved a bit with Bowen, and since Bowen has been gettinig more playing time Suzuki has been hitting.
These are my main gripes about the guy. I think if a good manager was running the A’s this year, they’d be 10 games out and not 15 or whatever it is. He’s not the reason they’re not going to make the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean he’s not awful at a few aspects of managing.
by thejd44 on Aug 4, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
You think he's made 5 games difference?
More influence than Street because he bats 3 lefties in a row? Or because he keeps putting in mediocre relievers when all he has available are mediocre relievers? Me doesn’t.
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
Nope
Next question…
I want a Yanks-and-Sawx-less postseason...
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 4, 2008 9:40 AM PDT reply actions
By the way Marquez,
How are things going with your nephew overseas? I sincerely hope all is well.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
We heard from him last week
He’s doing well; thanks for asking alox.
Wish I had more time to reply to more comments; and write more comments in other posts…
I'm here to talk about the past.
The answer to your question, 67MARQUEZ, is "yes"
When I have time, I’ll read your fanpost.
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
No, no, no...it's still my fault
href=”http://www.athleticsnation.com/2006/10/11/132840/78” >
"The more I think about it, Nico is wright... castration is the answer."
jeffro
Anytime I can keep Dane Cook's thieving ass out of my life
I consider it a good thing. That’s the best reason of all to have the A’s not in the playoffs this year.
by thejd44 on Aug 4, 2008 11:08 AM PDT reply actions
Well ...
7/13-8/3
.217/.293/.312/.605
2-14 record
47 runs scored
2.94 r/g
5.38 ra/g
6/19-7/12
.238/.294/.362/.656
12-11 record
84 runs scored
3.65 r/g
3.35 ra/g
My analysis suggest that the offense really, really sucks and that did not change with your comments … the difference is in the pitching staff, which, without Harden (and with Street and Eveland’s struggles), seems to kind of suck, too … I don’t think you can be blamed for that …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
Who the hell is Dane Cook?
Okay, I looked him up. He’s an actor/comedian. What’s his connection to the A’s?
Root for the Giants? Not even if they're playing al-Qaeda!
Unfortunately,
None. Similar to their connection with October.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
He's done ads for MLB about the postseason
link ...
warning: do not click this link if you have a sensitive stomach
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
or, conversely,
do click the link if you like smug douches.
By process of elimination (the only process I endorse), I guess that makes you a piece of lamb. @('.')@
by Leopold Bloom on Aug 4, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
T!
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