Et Tu, Braden? Fielding Gaffe Leads To Collapse In 9-1 Failfest
by Nico on May 16, 2009 7:09 PM PDT
99 comments
Final Score: Tigers 9, A's 1
For 4.5 innings, tonight's game was actually competitive. That's right, we're not even looking for wins anymore, just maybe half a game where the team isn't embarrassingly bad. And going to the bottom of the fifth (as I will be this evening), the A's and Tigers were locked up in a 1-1 tie.
Then in the 5th with runners at 1st and 3rd and one out, Dallas Braden coaxed a dribbler to the first base side of the mound off the normally thunderous bat of Miguel Cabrera. The runner at third, Granderson, came halfway to the plate and froze as Braden fielded the ball. But Braden neither threw home (good enough to produce a rundown) nor ran at Granderson (the correct play). Instead, Braden went over and tagged Cabrera as Granderson scampered towards the plate ahead of Braden's belated, and wild throw, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
Braden seemed unnerved by his fielding mistake, serving up an RBI double to Magglio Ordoñez, walking Brandon Inge, and then giving up a 3-run HR to Ryan Raburn - yes the Ryan Raburn who entered the series batting and slugging .095, yes the Ryan Raburn who launched a grand slam yesterday. 6-1 Tigers and the A's went down quietly from there.
So the A's have been outscored 23-2 in the series so far, have given up two grand slams and a 3-run HR, and have committed 5 errors. Meanwhile, what stood out to me tonight - and doesn't even show up in the numbers I've chronicled - was watching Ryan Sweeney chase after not one, not two, but three fly balls that a "plus CFer" could have caught, that each went for extra base hits. As I wrote earlier today, the A's still have so much work to do to rebuild this team into a contender. It's more than a bit depressing.
All of which brings me to the casting of "Moneyball", the movie examining how a small-market team uses smarts and savvy to stay ahead of the curve, beat the odds, and field successful teams. I just don't get the casting of Brad Pitt as the General Manager. I mean the guy's an ok actor but honestly, he looks nothing like Terry Ryan.
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Nico, finally got it up.
alaska A residing in colorado. (soon in Idaho)
by ak_A on May 16, 2009 7:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
TWS(heep)S
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 May 16, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
None taken.
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 May 16, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
1-6 hitters
went 0-for-21? Just… wow.
will crosby spread his legs so far apart at bat that the games will have to be rated nc-17 -- emperor nobody
by day-to-day on May 16, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and wasn't Gerald Laird something like 1 for his last 39
before his 3-hit game 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
by Nico on May 16, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think your being a little hard on Sweeney....
He has made some good plays…some bad…but he is not a CFer…and they dont really have an option there at this point. I agree with you that he is not a long term CF option, but he hasn’t been to bad this year. Defensively that is.
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
by winchester5 on May 16, 2009 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Plus they were really hard plays...that only really great defenders would have had.
At this point…no one should think Ryan is a really great CFer.
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
by winchester5 on May 16, 2009 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree - if it's not clear, I do NOT blame Ryan Sweeney
for his failures in CF. I blame the A’s for trading away Carlos Gonzalez, not acquiring or developing any other CFer to be ready in 2009 (or probably 2010 either), and for mis-evaluating (IMO) Sweeney as a CFer.
As for only great CFers making those plays, I don’t quite agree there. Rajai Davis makes those plays pretty easily, guys like Torii Hunter who are no longer elite CFers make those plays, and guys with just great speed like Adam Jones, Josh Hamilton, Carlos Gomez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Curtis Granderson, can all make those plays. It’s not Sweeney’s fault that he lacks great speed; but it is an important part of that particular position.
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 May 16, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I blame Billy Beane for being deficient in quite a few areas
It’s easy to blame him because he puts the product on the field and the idiot that runs them.
No one like losing and as you notice by the attitude I have, I hate it.
I just get so tired of reading how great Beane is when in all reality he is not. The last 3 years are proving this beyond any doubt IMO. He cannot put a decent manager out there to motivate these sorry sacks. He has failed in the drafting department to get any decent hitters and if there are any, he ruins them by the time they get to the majors with his “back our way on base” philosophy.
Like I said earlier, Minnesota is a low market team and their GM has no problem putting a decent product on the field. Fundamentals, power, pitching, defense and everything that makes a watchable team. Their GM is much better than Beane IMO.
Lets hope that Anderson and Cahill get better and get their experience in so that next year can be a littl more bearable.
by Trainman on May 16, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good analogy with Minnesota.
They always have an interesting product. Pitching, defense, and power.
by pedoman on May 16, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry to quibble over something relatively inconsequentional but
Josh Hamilton is terrible in center, more similar in ability to Griffey (the current model) than any of the players you listed above. I agree that Sweeney does not have any long-term future as a CF, but he has been more than adequate so far this year.
And as for the A’s not having a future centerfielder in the immediate pipeline; I think Corey Brown might have something to say about that.
by joeiz on May 16, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I haven't seen him for a long time so I'll defer to your judgment
Last year I saw him run down balls in the gap that were a lot longer runs than the ones Sweeney couldn’t get to tonight. In that list, I was just trying to name guys whose flat out speed would allow them to get to those balls independent of their “CF ability.”
Regarding Corey Brown, I don’t know how close he is to being a major leaguer but I agree he’s the best, closest possibility the A’s have.
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 May 16, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think early 2010 is a reasonable estimate of when he'll be ready.
Traditionally, he is the type of prospect that the A’s would tend to promote slowly because of his contact issues, but considering that this philosophy seems to have changed in recent years and that he is already capable of making defensive contributions, it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets called up around this time next year.
by joeiz on May 16, 2009 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess he's kind of like Cunningham
Cunningham looks ready except for not making enough contact – which is kind of a big deal, but maybe he can overcome it at the big league level.
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 May 16, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt he will have the opportunity.
How Cunningham is going to find any sort of consistent playing time in the current mess of outfielders is beyond me.
by joeiz on May 16, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
By playing well?
Oh…yeah right.
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 May 16, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seattle has three guys who make those CF plays.
Ichiro, Endy Chavez, Franklin Gutierrez.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on May 16, 2009 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One problem with Sweeney
He is a good CFer and can react on the ball very well. The only problem he has is hitting left handed pitching. His power should increase but he4 has always struggled against lefties.
by Arcman on May 17, 2009 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't agree that he "can react on the ball very well"
On balls in front of him he routinely takes a step back – I guess he reacts to the swing and not to the way the ball is actually hit. Speed is also an essential component of being a good CFer and not something that can be taught. The combination is that Sweeney often loses an initial step and then lacks the speed to compensate.
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 May 17, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough, but Jim Edmonds was not fast and he was a GREAT CFer. Of course, he
always got great reads on the ball – something Sweeney has proven to have trouble with.
by 33SwisherSweet on May 17, 2009 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kotsay too
So there are exceptions – but they’re rare, which is why they’re exceptions.
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 May 17, 2009 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will look at that
I have not been watching Sweeney’s play lately more concerned with the Crosby 3b play and concerned lately on Cabrera play. Does it seem to you that Cabrera is not getting to balls hit on the SS side. Not sure if he is over compenstating toward 3b but it does seem that he is missing balls hit to the ss side.
by Arcman on May 17, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it has more to do with positioning
and you may have a point about him shading a bit more towards third base.
I wonder what the effect of not having the same second baseman to play with every day might have had. After Ellis got hurt Cabrera has paired with Petterson, Petit and Crosby, and witih none did he get a chance to get used to playing with the other. At least now he has a chance to get used to playing with Kennedy again.
by OaklandSi on May 17, 2009 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely
The problem is, the balls he gets to that are to his right are often balls where he can’t get the out anyway (“jumps in the air, throws to first on a hop – on the money but not in time!”) whereas the balls he is not fielding cleanly to his left are outs if he makes the play.
IMO, he should be cheating more towards the second base bag so that at least he can get to more playable balls to his left. The ones to his right he is good at anyway and often are not playable for an out anyway.
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 May 17, 2009 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the bigger problem
If we notice it that he should be playing more to the 2b side shouldn’t the coaches and managers notice it too? I guess that is the hardest part of this season so far for me is how much second guessing I am doing on this team. Usualy all that A’s fan complain about is use of relief pitching but this year so many things are being questioned.
by Arcman on May 17, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was in the garage sorting today and
found my Yabu Hat….tried it on and threw a few phantom pitches.
alaska A residing in colorado. (soon in Idaho)
by ak_A on May 16, 2009 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and watched a few phantom hits
alaska A residing in colorado. (soon in Idaho)
by ak_A on May 16, 2009 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and then vowed not to throw any more phantom pitches for about two weeks?
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 May 16, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, well rested watching watching watching...then in for an inning.
alaska A residing in colorado. (soon in Idaho)
by ak_A on May 16, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT - Just looked up Carlos Gonzalez' AAA stats
His overall line in 32 games (141 PAs) is:
.339/.432/.629 (OPS 1.061)
But he’s in an extreme hitter’s park, so I looked at his road stats:
.281/.382/.516 (OPS .897).
Interestingly, he’s actually hitting LHP a little better than RHP (both extremely well, obviously).
Sigh.
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 May 16, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, look at his K/BB.
17/22 this year. Clearly has made a ton of improvement in this department, Beane’s going to be banging his head against a locker when Gonzalez starts putting up Granderson numbers in a few years.
by joeiz on May 16, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Had the trade been Street, Smith, Sweeney for Holliday
I’d feel a lot better about it. Gonzalez may or may not become a good major league hitter, but he already was a very good CFer and he certainly has the tools to hit for power in the big leagues. I fear that Sweeney is destined to be either a singles hitting corner OFer or a meh-defensive CFer.
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 May 16, 2009 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sweeney WILL be only a fourth outfielder in his career.
by pedoman on May 16, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know that and I know that
Why That the A’s don’t know is beyond me scary.
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 May 16, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree!
I think Sweeney has done pretty well, although not great this year. He has a lot of potential, and must realize he’s only 23 or so. He will figure out the bigs and be a .270-.280 hitter with 20 home run potential. I liken him to Ethier, but Sweeney will fill out more. Give him time and a better coaching staff to groom him and our young players.
"Mount it? I already did. Oh! You meant on the wall?!!
by rickey939 on May 16, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two rebuttals:
1. I’d rather have a guy with 20 HRs than a guy with 20 HR potential – snark!
2. Serious point: Andre Ethier is not a CFer. That’s the point. What you’re saying Sweeney isn’t, but could become, is still not a CFer. And the A’s have failed to address CF, trading away the only one they had, as if Sweeney is a CFer.
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 May 17, 2009 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
His minor league numbers don't support that conclusion in the slightest.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
by jeepers on May 17, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but if we had him.......
Geren would probably screw his playing time as well whenever he hit the big club. I believe that Buck’s performance is a direct result of Geren. 2007: Great results. 2008: Geren comes in and down goes Buck and a lot of our other offensive producers from 07. Sweeney is a prototypical corner outfielder defensively. His frame tells us that he will bulk up over time and become more of a solid run producer. We just can’t quit on these two as they have so much potential. Especially with Sweeney.
Down with Geren!!!!!!
"Mount it? I already did. Oh! You meant on the wall?!!
by rickey939 on May 16, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes... Down with Geren and Billy Beane needs to run his soccer team
and as far as playing players who should be out there and should not be, Geren is quite adept in that department but I am sure his best buddy is directing him who to have in the lineup as well.
Now correct me if I am wrong but didn’t Grady Fuson have something to do with Mulder, Huddy and or Zito and Billy got rid of him. He let Ron Washington go, probably because Wash would have told him to take a hike had he not liked some of his directives
The guy is a control freak and should just go and play soccer with his kids
by Trainman on May 16, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is a chance Fuson's absence has hurt
Which is too bad, because I happened to know Grady and at least at that time (15 years ago) he was a total a-hole.
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 May 16, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As of right now, does anyone actually think this trade was a good idea?
by DDroney on May 17, 2009 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Other than the Haren trade
I’m having a hard time coming up with a good trade that Beane has made recently.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on May 17, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Swisher trade was excellent
Remember that the prize of the three acquired was probably De Los Santos.
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 May 17, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
That trade I don’t believe can be judged completely, but until DLS actually begins pitching, I’m not going to get too excited about a 23 year old coming off of TJ surgery that has never pitched above A ball. But we’ll see.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
by sprtsnwyn on May 17, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but he was acquired as a healthy prospect
Health is, of course, part of the risk, but in getting both DLS and Gio the odds of producing at least one very good pitcher was pretty good.
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 May 17, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I sent in some head shots to Soderbergh, hoping to get some work as an extra
In some photos I have my index finger tucked under my chin as I look thoughtfully into the distance. In others, I’m stabbing myself with a machete.
by Ray of Lite on May 16, 2009 8:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think I posted this in the wrong place???
What do you think about what the Red Sox are doing with Ortiz?
They are benching him for a series for slumping. Ortiz is an expensive guy to have on the bench. But, the Red Sox believe winning is more important than forcing a very expensive player who is struggling into the lineup. Although, it did take them until now to do it. SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE A’S. Our problem is our bats, right? BATS, Right? BATS——HITTING COACH….. We have some proven bats in our lineup…. season long slump… no way. We just need to get hot. I see Mark Ellis up there in those lineups….. where is his bat? Why aren’t people excited about seeing Adam Kennedy in the lineup? I think Mark Ellis is an excellent 2nd baseman, but, his bat has slowed to a crawl. I don’t see this Adam character competing with Mark for 2nd base. Do you want to win? We sucked last year. We suck this year. Why the loyalty? Didn’t they spend the offseason at the batting cages…. or perhaps, know any pitchers that wanted to practice against each other so they wouldn’t suck so bad at the beginning of the year. I guess not. But, every one of our position players right now has ability and major league career numbers. Screw bring up more rookies and making it worse. Make those struggling at the plate take mandatory batting practice with real pitching on their days off until they start hitting. If they don’t want to come, put them on the bench for 3 games. I bet when all is said and done they will thank you. No one wants to suck!!
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 8:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So, um...
…huh?
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 May 16, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't you think
that may have been a good game had we scored some runs…. like enough to win. WTH
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
1 run....
It doesn’t matter if you catch the ball in CF anyway if you can only score one run
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No argument there
I just feel that the A’s don’t have a suitable CFer, or SS, or 3Bman to compete in 2010, let alone the rest of this season. And if your team has to suck for four years in a row to finally be a contender, then you aren’t really anything special as a GM. I fear Beane is burnt out, quite frankly.
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 May 16, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he did a good job
and the players didn’t show up. Every one of those guys is capable. I just wonder if they put in the time or if they just thought it was like riding a bike and didn’t, or don’t, practice enough.
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fact that he has Geren running the team
sums up his skills at being a GM.
by Trainman on May 16, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Geren just needs to toughen up
and tell his coaches to do their jobs or shits gonna change. Those players know how to play. One thing that caught my attention was Aaron Rowand of the Giants. He had and 0 for streak going and had been struggling at the plate, so he decided he was going to show up and take extra batting practice until he got his swing back. Well, yesterday he went 3-4, HR, R, 3 RBI. That’s progress. That’s what we need. I think realistically, Ryan Sweeney is our CF for this year. If that won’t work, that will change in the future. But, so far as long as he can contribute on offense, and not contribute to any losses with his fielding, he doesn’t bother me. Unless you have some All-Star replacement, I wouldn’t chance another rookie out there.
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess
the fact, as of now is, the A’s aren’t playing well for Geren and we need a manager they will play well for. So he’s got his hands full. What do you think of our first-base coach… guess he managed the Rivercats last year???… Maybe he’s in line.
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank Thomas
was the last time we knew how to score runs. Went he slid into 2nd base on his 40th birthday and went to the DL our hopes of scoring runs and winning went down the tubes. That was about mid-season last year. That’s the kind of spark this team needs. He is a free agent at the moment. It crossed my mind at the beginning of the season, but I thought these guys could handle it. They aren’t. So….
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
...Frank Thomas for Manager, right?
Do I win a prize?
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 May 16, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
2-1, 8-1, 14-1
What is the difference? Our BA’s suck. They need to find a way out of this funk. Maybe Giambi just needs to hit #400. Maybe… just maybe… it could happen
by SFBAsportsfan on May 16, 2009 8:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s the attitude of most Warriors (NBA) fans.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 16, 2009 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
it takes a team that sucks as much as we do as of late
to actually make me do that.
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 16, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I miss Macha
and I never thought I’d say that. Ever.
Baja been here
by bajablue on May 16, 2009 8:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I always thought Macha got a bit of a bad rap in Oakland
I thought he was thoroughly average as a manager, but I would gladly take an “average” manager over the status quo. What I’d really like is a Joe Maddon.
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 May 16, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bobby Valentine!!!
"Mount it? I already did. Oh! You meant on the wall?!!
by rickey939 on May 16, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rickey!!!
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on May 16, 2009 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank Thomas!!!
not really… I just want my prize!
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 May 16, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Maddon would have been great
How about we give them Geren and 200 million of Lew’s money and get Maddon and the entire TB offense 1 thru 9. Even Bartlet is a better SS than Crosby and Cabrera together.
by Trainman on May 16, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least players under Macha knew how to bunt!
A la Ramon Hernandez
"Mount it? I already did. Oh! You meant on the wall?!!
by rickey939 on May 16, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got back from the game.
That was just sad. At least act like you care. Hey at least Tye Waller threw me a ball just because I was wearing A’s stuff.
The double down the line by Crosby… was horrible. First he froze, then did weird lil hop and then dove for it. Hannahan would have had it.
As my Dad pointed out, unlike years past. Whoever is handling the the positioning of the fielders. They never have them correctly set up, unlike the Tigers and A’s in the past. My Dad hasnt seen many A’s games after living out here for a couple years. But he also pointed out we could use a real centerfielder. He also noted it’s not good for your team when they can’t hit, can’t field and are very slow. Or he said it might just be that they already gave up and don’t care.
I’ll have a fanpost of the pictures I took, up in the next couple days. Have to go through alot of them and find which I like.
Did see a good turnout of A’s fans at the game. Didn’t get anything said to me from Tiger fans. But most everyone was focused on the loud mouth A’s fan “Hollywood” as his shirt said, a couple rows in front of me. Who would yell at all the Tigers fans even when the A’s were getting killed. But when he made a joke about the car industry in Detroit. I have never seen so many drunk people want to beat up one person. For his part after a Tiger fan talked to him after the game before the fireworks and explained how sensitive that is out here. He did turn around and apoligize to everyone.
Final note, 10,000 A’s fans are louder and more in to a game than 30,000 Tigers fans.
by Athletix Man on May 16, 2009 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I had a chance to speak with Ty Waller during Fan Fest 2007
he was very friendly and willing to talk in detail about various aspects of the game…I’m glad he threw you a ball..nice guy…
by OaklandSi on May 16, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea
Funny before that Landon powell threw one up. I caught it. But he said give to the Tigers fans next to me. Wasn’t a problem since it was a little kid. But then Waller walks up throws a ball to me then toss one to a kid a couple rows back wearing a Harden jersey. One of the Tigers fans was all. I see how it is, you will only give balls to A’s fans..ha.
A girl(Tiger fan) In front of me asked who number 6 was. Told her it was Travis Buck. She was ohh.. We kept asking him for a ball and he said you have to get my name right. She was all we kept calling him Trevor, but he gave us a ball anyway.
by Athletix Man on May 16, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So THAT'S where Cindi is
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 May 17, 2009 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Remember 2005
This team will regress to the mean, and they will play better baseball at some point this season. I think that it is a GOOD THING that the A’s are playing like absolute crap right now. All they have to do is make it to the ASB as a .500 ball club. I know it looks rough now, but if they have a solid June, hit the all star break .500 or above, a classic second half Oakland A’s devastation fest is not out of the question. The A’s will peak offensively at some point, and it is better to do that in August and September than in April and May. Keep your heads up AN! I do not think that an AL west title is out of the question at all at this point. Just remember people, it is still May, there is a ton of baseball left to be played. A metric shit ton…
"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch
Bring Back The Bash!!!
by Shippee33 on May 16, 2009 11:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
you might be right, but...
it’s also possible that the A’s season peak in offense has already been and gone.
That Kansas City series sure was fun, wasn’t it! Those were the days!
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 May 16, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, not tryin' to be a jerk Shippee,
but you’re whistlin’ in the graveyard … there’s no way this team, as currently constructed, finishes any better than third in the division.
We have a gaping hole at 3B, … aw hell, I don’t even have the energy to go over our mile-long list of deficiencies. We’re horrible.
If Beane has any sense, he’s already working over trade scenarios in his mind for Holliday … and damn it, we better get somebody good for him. No more Sean Gallaghers and … well, Matt Hollidays. We need players.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
by Vacafan on May 16, 2009 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boy, it's getting tougher and tougher to watch this team.
It’s lacking charm as well as wins.
by IM4Oakgal on May 16, 2009 11:37 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Yup - I've never seen a team so lacking in energy
Where’s everyone clapping on the top step of the dugout when Suzuki doubles or when Sweeney eludes a tag to score a run? As rare as those things are, you’d think the dugout would go ballistic, not just chew their gum a tad faster.
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 May 17, 2009 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was out into the night
on a family/school event.
I guess I didn’t miss anything.
by bear88 on May 16, 2009 11:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Detroit is better than we are...
at this point… their team can hit. Ours can’t. When we get our slugger’s lineup in there, we’ll show ’em!
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on May 17, 2009 12:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Show them what, how to swing and miss properly?
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 17, 2009 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Ian Kinsler...
wish we had him at 2B. That guy is good. Random thought, I know.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on May 17, 2009 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wish Billy drafted players who knew how to hit...
he doesn’t have that talent, apparently.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on May 17, 2009 1:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The sad thing is, there's actually no hitting help on the horizon
Chavy’s not coming back any time soon, Nomar’s “still not that close” and can’t play every day anyway, Ellis is primarily a defensive player. Help is not on the way.
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 May 17, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another way to view the future
18 positions that really matter— the 9 in the field plus one guy that invariably plays a lot either because of injury or platoon; 5 starters, 2 setup and a closer.
I would hypothesize that the really good teams— playoff teams or contenders— are above average or better at 12 of those 18 spots. Hopefully they have 1 or 2 real stars, 3 or 4 borderline All-Star types, and then 6-8 pretty decent players as well.
In 2001-02, the A’s had either Giambi(‘01) or Tejada (’02) at star level; plus Hudson or Zito; one or more of the other Big Three starters at near All-Star level plus Tejada/Chavez 2001 and Dye for his 2+ months in 2001. And then very good players in Isringhausen (2001), Foulke (2002), Lidle (both years), Damon (2001), and Justice (2002). And at least one good set-up man. And Hernandez was above average as well. About a dozen each year.
Looking ahead two years, what do we see?
I see the possibility that two or three of the young starters will be above average. If we’re really fortunate, maybe one of them is an All-Star. I don’t see any yet projecting at CY or near CY level. Bailey looks ready to be a real force as closer— and one of the other set-up men such as Devine or Casilla should be above average as well. Ziegler is more iffy. So that could easily be 4-5 pitchers in an above average, or better, classification.
On the field, it’s tougher to see. Suzuki could become an above average catcher (he might be already) but he’s not going to be a star. I don’t see another infielder capable of such a classification in next 2 years, unless Cardenas and Doolittle arrive with a huge bang, which is doubtful. Same for the outfield since Holliday will be long gone. Carter and Cunningham we can hope, but that’s all it is.
Bottom line is this team appears to be a good 4-6 players short, now and in the short-term future, of being good. Holliday may net us another “plus” performer. We can only hope.
by jasonthea on May 17, 2009 6:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Missed the game so why was Buck taken out?
Was he sick? Does not make sense to me when he drove in the only run and when Geren could have rested a different player.
by Arcman on May 17, 2009 8:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A LHP was pitching and there's no way Buck could ever bat against one of those
/snark. But seriously, that’s why.
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 May 17, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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