Interesting quick tidbit...

by thinwhiteduke on Sep 22, 2008 5:14 PM PDT

Has anyone noticed that coming into tonight's play, Kurt Suzuki leads the team in games played with 144? He is followed closely by Hannahan's 143 and Cust's 142. Since Hannahan is apparently out for a few games, it would seem likely that Suzuki will end up with the team lead to end the season. Does anybody know the last time a full time catcher lead their respective team in games played? I would think this feat must be quite rare.

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Kendall

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Sep 22, 2008 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Only because Macha/Beane were scared Kendall'd be at the bottom of their bed

with a baseball bat if his name wasn’t on the lineup card.

by OldhamA on Sep 23, 2008 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah but,

Kendall never actually led the A’s in games played. He did it with Pittsburgh.

"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson

by thinwhiteduke on Sep 23, 2008 7:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Since when is "Kendall with a baseball bat" a threat?

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 Sep 23, 2008 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

It's rare because it's...STUPID!!!

Good God, give Suzuki more rest and if you don’t trust Bowen then put a little energy into getting a backup you feel better about playing once/week and don’t wear down your talented, young catcher.

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 Sep 22, 2008 9:22 PM PDT reply actions

+ a billion

by NateHST on Sep 22, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Of course! Thanks, Zonis

Kendall should have been the first place I looked! In case anyone is interested in the details, it was the ’03 season and JK tied with Jack Wilson, each appearing in 150 contests.

I agree with Nico that Suzuki has been ridden awfully hard this year, especially considering the fact that we haven’t been in contention for a long while now. A’s management seems to look at catchers work load ability differently and ride their #1 harder than most organizations do. But if they continue to trot Kurt out there almost everyday there is no way I’d ever sign him past his arbitration years.

As much as I’m sure Kurt would like to be in there, he should probably take note that catchers tend to wear down quickly once they get into their 30’s. And if he continues to be worked this hard, Suzuki may break down sooner than most. A day off every once in a while might be a good idea if he wants to still be able to produce in his free agency years.

"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson

by thinwhiteduke on Sep 23, 2008 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions

and suzuki almost got injured today, at the tail end of a season that has been over for months.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 22, 2008 9:35 PM PDT reply actions

Kurt's a bulldog and a fierce competitor.

He’s a gamer who wants to be in the lineup every day. He fidgets if he’s not in there, champing at the bit. He’s not like other players who don’t mind a day off.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 23, 2008 6:15 AM PDT reply actions

Did someone hex you and turn you suddenly into Mike Krukow?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Sep 23, 2008 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Whe-hee-he-hew!

Hum baby. Paintin’ the black with that one.

"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ

by notsellingjeans on Sep 23, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

{takes marker and crosses out notsellingjeans}

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 Sep 23, 2008 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

From your Christmas card list?

Or from existence?

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 24, 2008 5:42 AM PDT up reply actions

there's some politics that factor into who starts at catcher, too

For one thing, I’ll bet every starter on the staff prefers to have Suzuki behind the plate. He throws better than Bowen.

And with young starters, I’ll bet the team doesn’t want to mess with their comfort level on the mound. Our young starters have control problems already; if the team can take away one mental block for them by maintaining consistency behind the plate, I can understand why they do.

Of course I understand you guys’ very good arguments for giving Suzuki more rest. On this team, though, I can also understand why the team felt compelled to play him as much as Suzuki felt he was capable, to better aid the pitcher’s comfort level.

"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ

by notsellingjeans on Sep 23, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

Then the failing is in not having a backup who is good enough defensively

Typically it’s fine if your backup catcher can’t hit at all, because he’s supposed to be the game caller/defensive catcher. The A’s need to get one of these guys so that when Suzuki gets a day off the pitchers can still do their job.

by thejd44 on Sep 23, 2008 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

And it's not like those guys are hard to find

Heck, I think Sal Fasano is STILL around.

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 Sep 23, 2008 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I believe he was with somebody at some point this season

But you’re right. If Bowen isn’t good enough defensively (and with catchers I think it’s too difficult to tell, though he doesn’t seem great at blocking balls), I sure hope the A’s bring somebody in next season. Otherwise they need to give Bowen 150 at bats for the sake of keeping Suzuki in one piece.

by thejd44 on Sep 23, 2008 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Adam Melhuse?

Jeremy Brown?
How bout someone from Texas?
I’d even be okay with Adam Melhuse at the league minimum, but I think he was totally mishandled by the A’s over the years.
Let me elaborate:
based on talent Adam was a solid major league average #2 catcher. Decent defense, decent arm, not a terrible bat. I would go so far as to say he was slightly better than a ‘replacement player’.
So if you are the A’s, you take a guy like that and be honest and clear with him, “Adam, We are going to be honest with you. we rank you as our #2 catcher. Here’s the deal. We will play you every fifth game when pitcher X starts. We will also use you as a pinch hitter one or two games a week, and if there is a blowout, we might have you catch the last few innings of a game. and we will dh you occassionally when the matchups seem favorable. Also, if you want to grab a 1b glove and a 3rd base glove and play a little of those positions this winter, we might be able to get you 10 starts a year depending on injuries. We figure total starts along the lines of 30 to 40 as a catcher, 10 as a dh and maybe 5-10 others. plus game appearances 20 or 30 other times.
"This might seem like a shitty deal to you, but it is what we are prepared to offer, we are willing to give you a 2-3 year contract at the league minimum with bonuses for plate appearances over 100. every additional 50 PAs is worth an extra $50 grand. If you think you are a starter and want to call around, be our guest, but this is the deal we are prepared to offer, take a week and think it over”
I think Adam’s quarrels with the A’s were more about feeling unappreciated and being misused, (plus it must have sucked to watch Jason Kendall ground out to the second baseman and never throw anyone out).
I think the A’s have consistently pissed people off that could have been happy better than average back of the roster types. I think this is a problem that starts with Billy Beane.

They're called RUNS for a reason.

by connie mack on Sep 25, 2008 12:19 AM PDT reply actions

Brad Halsey, is that you?

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 Sep 27, 2008 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions