Wrap: Game 155 - A's 5, Mariners 3

Waller had no choice but to hold the runner. He probably was planning to risk the out at the plate but just didn’t feel the odds were good enough. If it’s 50/50 you might go for it, but less than that? Well…that’s what got Tony D. reassigned to 1B coach. Also, if anyone’s a decent bet to actually get the run home from third with one out, it’s probably Sweeney. But mostly, my presumption is there just wasn’t a window of real opportunity.

See my clip above.

As lousy as this season has been, I don’t want it to be over.

I was in the right field bleachers today, way over in the corner where there are three or four seats that are shaded by the overhang until late in the game. I couldn’t take the full sun. Right field is always a nice place to be when the Mariners are visiting, since I get to practice my (very basic) Japanese with the Ichiro fans. I was sorry not to be in left field though, they must have been having fun with Ibanez. That was nice of the flag bearers to make the procession (and nice of the security people not to enforce the rule about no processions).

I was chatting to one of the Chronicle vendors outside the stadium and she told me this was the last year for them at the ballpark. (NRAFs: the Chronicle makes a series of player pins (this year, also a series of player magnets) and has vendors outside the stadium selling the Sunday paper and a pin for $2, as well as attempting to get subscriptions. ) I took advantage of the opportunity to buy a Scott Hatteberg pin to replace one that got stolen (along with my car) three years ago. I wonder if there will be any newspaper promotions and giveaway sponsorships in coming seasons, what with the terrible state of their business?

From where I sat it sounded like Wolff got more boos than applause when he was introduced as part of the 40th Anniversary Team ceremony. The sound system was terrible (or maybe I was just in a dead spot) and I couldn’t understand most of the ceremony, so I’m going to look for it now on the A’s site.

Note to MLB: Most of us were probably planning on watching the playoffs, but we are not more likely to do so when you make us watch the “There’s Only One October (And Your Team Ain’t In It)” ads during the game.

He no-hit the A’s but he went deep in many counts…probably the A’s chase ball four 4-5 times and struck out, but that no doubt has something to do with 96-98 mph fastballs. There were a couple of well-hit balls off of him, but they went for outs.

it was Sweeney who K’d. On a low pitch. He’d fouled off a few, but he was mad at himself for chasing.

after Blevins gave up those two hits. I agreed that was the right move to bring Blevins in…..maybe they should have had the “Ichiro Shift” on. In that case, I think Pennington gets Ichiro’s grounder.

So I went to the head, relieved myself, then thought “Okay, I’m going to sneak down to the box seats”, as many were leaving after “Take Me Out To the Ball Game”. I figured if the A’s could not score in the 7th, that was going to be about it. Wooo Hooo! All the action, I got lucky by changing seats. Now I was sitting about twenty rows back from third base! Great view of Ibanez, twice!

Could not believe Cust got that ball out, but, prior to his AB, I called the shot to the guy sitting behind me: “Cust is due, Cust is due for a home run. With this pitcher, this weather, he’s in the best position all day for hitting it out.” The guy was keeping score, and he later remarked, “It’s a Custian Day! A walk, a strikeout, a home run!”

He wouldn’t be awarded $10million or anything – plus the A’s, historically, like to work out a contract before arbitration, to avoid a hearing. My guess is the A’s and Cust will settle before arbitration for a nice raise that’s still a great deal for Oakland.

Or he’ll work out a deal with the A’s w/o entering arbi.

I just don’t see him traded.

must have been early ‘80s – a heated matchup between yanks and red sox. Fantastic energy and atmosphere. I was in the upper deck and was not surprised when a pretty serious brawl broke out. I immediately spotted a phalanx of nyc cops racing toward the scene, and was thinking "well, they’re going to make short work of this!" when they ran right past the fight and down to the end of the aisles where they turned and prepared to catch anyone who came rolling down the steps – can’t have bodies falling out of the sky on those wall streeters in the box seats, after all!

but only after a win

but they kept going to Robert Buan and (fill in 40th anniversary team member here) every half inning…they’re not going to bring Stomper out when they can talk to Rickey instead.

A beautiful, orginal sign that said:
"A’s (underline for the rest of sign..) Thanks for 2008,
But Whatever you do in 2009….

DONT TRADE STOMPER!!!! (A cute illstration of Stomper is shown)!!!"

jumping in like fire-fighters arriving at a blaze. The A’s players were still on the field, cheering the fans, and throwing their hats, and a couple of guys are already out, vehicles in place, tearing up the infield.

Foulke probably attempting to find himself after three straight HRs.

Don’t want to throw it before the game, in case it goes extras, but he still needs to get work in before they fly out tonight.

was having a bullpen session at the end of the game too, but I was mainly watching the celebration by the dugout.

And it’s not because I just watched Jeff Lynne’s most recent rendition of “Turn to Stone.”

I think that’s the name, as discussed in previous game threads and others. I listened to the 30-second clip on iTunes… yeah, the 5 seconds it plays before Ry’s at-bat is about all I can take of that song.

I am still looking for the name of the piano piece that plays during the 100% Baseball “Anthem” commercial.

I got a green Reggie bat at the time.