April 23 -- Is season over already?

by BlueMoon on Apr 30, 2009 7:06 AM PDT Comment 45 comments

I hate to be negative but, the hope that the A's would contend with a slugging line-up is crumbing so fast it's pretty much dust.

Giambi, Chavez, Holiday, Cust, Nomar, Cabrera, etc. have not injected life into 2008's worst offensive team -- they've actually made it worse. The A's rank last (30th) in HRs (8), hits, runs, doubles and 29th in average. This is not fun to watch. Now here come the injuries on top of it all -- Giambi, Nomar, Chavez, Ellis.

There's not even much hitting at AAA Sacramnto -- Barton is hitting .150, Cunningham out injured. Dolittle only guy hitting at all.

The pitching staff's ERA is actually ranked 5th in MLB. This was supposed to be the weak link, but they are actually getting it done. Mazzaro, Gio and Gallager at Sacramento add promise.

Still, at the teams's current rate of play Holliday will be traded by the All-star break. Coliseum attendance could sink. Even good teams in good stadiums are experiencing lower numbers due to the economy. In a league that has $200 million payrolls competing against $30 million dollar payrolls this could be a very long summer -- and it's still spring.

Here come the Angels -- I hate those motherfockers!

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I disagree with your first comment...

It sounds like you love to be negative!

I switched Cabreras when your back was turned!

by Elvez on Apr 30, 2009 7:39 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

i agree

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on May 1, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Relax

You need to remember that the regular season actually ends Oct. 4th.

My opinion: Is there disappointment in Giambi and Holliday’s lack of power, sure. I personally am not overly concerned. I contribute Holliday’s struggles to change in league. Giambi seems to be coming around a little bit and it’s not like he has suffered a major injury, he has sore hammys.

You have to remember Cabrera was signed late, and was not exactly in playing shape.
Ellis and Nomar, muscle pulls could be back in 2 weeks, although I have more doubt about Nomar than Elly.

If the pitching holds up, add Duke and Holliday starts hitting (as we all know he will) the rest of the offense will come around and we can make a run at this wide open division.

Stay positive man.

Lets Go Oakland!

by HRH on Apr 30, 2009 7:40 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Yes the season is over

No need to watch the remaining 144 games.

by towndunce on Apr 30, 2009 7:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Relax.

Weren’t they heralded as a second half team in the not so distant past? Lots of baseball left to be played, so I’m not ready to write them off just yet.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 30, 2009 7:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So the season ended last Thursday the 23rd?

It was an off day, did they have a team meeting and decide the season was over. If so, I’m pissed that Slusser, Stiglich and Urban failed to tell the rest of us.

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Apr 30, 2009 8:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ahem! Ahem!

…is this thing on?? [tap, tap, tap] [tap, tap]
testing, testing. 1 2 3
mi-mi-miii

…
……
……..

WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!

by cityplANner on Apr 30, 2009 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Is this the earliest in a season

that someone has written a FanPost like this? If so, congrats Blue Moon, you’ve set a new AN record ;-)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 30, 2009 8:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not only that

He got Blez to appear! It’s a banner day, to be sure. ;-)

Have you recovered yet?

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 30, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swine Flu?

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Apr 30, 2009 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

better hope it doesn't migrate to goats or we could lose Nico too

by cityplANner on Apr 30, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Almost as bad.

This.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 30, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OH GOD. THE HORROR.

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Apr 30, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Romulen Sars.......the worst!

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Apr 30, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow.. thought it was supposed to start raining tomorrow

by CuriousFan on Apr 30, 2009 8:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

no

eom

by Livermore on Apr 30, 2009 8:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrong on several points

1) I wouldn’t include Cust among the list of players who “have not injected life.” Other than maybe Suzuki, he’s been out best offensive player.

2) Sacramento’s best hitter, Eric Patterson and his .330ish average, 2 HR & 9 SB, just got the call. I wouldn’t expect much better than a player who’s produced the way he has thus far.

3) Giambi isn’t injured. He might be banged up, but he’s a lot less injured that Ellis, Nomar, or even, by his own typical self-defeatist admittance, Eric Chavez.

With the exception of Chavez, I fully expect everyone on your list, even Giambi, to rebound to the numbers they’ve posted over the last 1-2 years. While I’m at it, I’d like to see this as our everyday lineup upon our return to health:

RF – Buck
2B – Ellis/Cabrera
DH – Cust
LF – Holliday
1B – Giambi
3B – Nomar
C1 – Suzuki
CF – Sweeney
SS – Cabrera/Ellis

http://www.myspace.com/ryanmac10

by RyanFromBonas on Apr 30, 2009 8:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Buck should not be leading off

Ellis should never bat second

Cust should bat second or 5th or 6th even though Holliday stinks to date

by Trainman on Apr 30, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why shouldn't Buck lead off?

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Apr 30, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably because he's not good

but then neither is anybody else so I guess it doesn’t matter

McGwire belongs in the Hall so put him there

by streetisclosedin08 on Apr 30, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why should Sweeney not be leading off

is more to the point.

Buck needs to prove himself

by Trainman on Apr 30, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Buck could be a good leadoff hitter again if he ever got the chance.

I think he has the potential for a few more xbh’s leading off and he can steal a base here and there. Holliday needs to be moved down the lineup for a few games, in my opinion, so he can straighten his ass out. Hell at this rate, Suzuki could be hitting second before we know it.

Go A’s! -“It ain’t over till I say it’s over!”

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Apr 30, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Apr 30, 2009 9:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not For This A's Fan

I think you are missing the essence of being an A’s fan. Adversity is always part of the program. The last time I checked Seattle, Texas and Anaheim (I refuse to call them LA) were not winning like the ’27 Yankees.

The A’s have a very young pitching staff and the bats have been stuggling. To be 7-11 at this point is nothing to slit one’s wrist over. Even if the A’s end up in the cellar I will still be watching.

by KCa's on Apr 30, 2009 10:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

{.....slits writs.....wills all farm animals to Nico.....}

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Apr 30, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I don’t understand why anyone refers to the Angels as the Los Angeles Angels. They are not located in Los Angeles, or anywhere near Los Angeles. It pisses me off when announcers/media/fans start referring to teams the way the owners want them to be referred to or stadiums by their corporate names when they had been referred to by their proper names for years (ie, Candlestick as Monster etc.)

I guess that’s why they say the masses are asses.

by 33SwisherSweet on Apr 30, 2009 10:18 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm with you...

And so are all the cool kids in Flushing

REVISED- The magical goblins that live in the Reverend Billy Lard's shower just told him that actually, Crosby's not gonna improve this year and he'll be released by June... Sorry, kids...

by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 30, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm sure as hell not going to be calling that field by its corporate name. That is

simply disturbing.

by 33SwisherSweet on Apr 30, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

4 games back on the M's, 1 game behind the Angels

We’re fine.

by stranahanahan on Apr 30, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not so worried...

Holliday and Giambi will hit. Cabrera, Ellis and Sweeney will hit better. I can’t imagine Cahill still being in the rotation in July with the way he’s pitched (ERA notwithstanding), but we have Gio, Duke, and Gallagher as potential replacements for him and Outman (and maybe Eveland, though I think Eveland will be fine).

That being said, I think it’s going to be tough for us to put up runs without any production from the 3B position. And while I like Adrian Cardenas, I think that’s gonna be a huge problem.

by swatnick on Apr 30, 2009 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ultimate FAIL!!!!!

Dude, you are serious? We are not even out of APRIL yet! Have we sucked? Yes. I am tired of watching baserunning gaffes and bad management on the field, HOWEVER, the team will start to hit, and I think it pulls together to be a decent season. Chill…..

concocting something witty....check back frequently

by OptimistPrime on Apr 30, 2009 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes the season is over, Nelly needs to be fired, Chris Mullin needs to be

able to do what he wants, and Mont……oh sorry, I thought I was at GSOM.

by theblackpearl on Apr 30, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and trade Nabby/Marleau/Thornton for a bucket of pucks

now that season is OVER. The A’s? we’ll be fine for at least another two weeks.

by buddahead9 on Apr 30, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course the season is over

We drafted a terrible WR and basically drafted a free agent in the 2nd round. I’m looking forward to the number one draft pick next year. I’m sorry, is that too early?

by asyouwish33 on Apr 30, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BlueMoon is SO bandwagon -

The rest of knew the season was over on the 20th.

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 Apr 30, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey!

Yesterday we had game threads with no game, today we have a game with no thread? Maybe the season is over.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 30, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks BlueMoon....

concocting something witty....check back frequently

by OptimistPrime on Apr 30, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Please, please, please......

Can we make it policy to NEVER ever factor Chavez into the equations of a successful season again?
This guy is a broken man.

Hello my shoulder is sore I need to sit.
Oh my shoulder feels better…too bad I just strained my elbow.
I’m back in the lineup guys!!
but you’ll have to scratch me, I just strained my forearm.

WTF…give this guy a bionic arm or cut him. He is a injury disaster.
How long before the back starts hurting again??

Also please take note: This is what happens when you have your star, face of the franchise guy continue to play with injury hoping you can squeeze a few more games out of him. Maybe getting surgery in the first place might have eliminated all these years of additional complication.

Headline: Management and the Training Staff strike again!

"Whom the Gods wish to destroy they first call promising."--Cyril Connolly, Enemies of Promise

by WhiteElephant on Apr 30, 2009 2:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Over?

Oh no. It’s only just begun.

Time for some revenge on those M’s.

What? I’m not allowed to be giddy? Whatev.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 30, 2009 3:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good call, buddy

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Apr 30, 2009 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's a horrible example of shrugging off a bad start

The 2002 Angels. Remember them? Beat some team from the Bay Area in the World Series. Started out 6-14.

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack

by GoA's on Apr 30, 2009 4:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

over?

I get that mathmatically the A’s are still in contention. Sure, Holliday will hit better than .250.

However, Beane built a team that is dependant on getting good health and performance from several aging vets. There are not a lot of hot prospects in Sacramento to pick up the slack.

If the A’s don’t get crack’n, by June people will find other places to buy $11 beers.

by BlueMoon on Apr 30, 2009 5:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Over? Did you say over?

Nothing is over until we decide it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

by roscoe on Apr 30, 2009 7:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fat, drunk, and stupid...

is no way to go through life son.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 30, 2009 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOW you tell me.

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 Apr 30, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs