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Right Now, Extra Innings Sound Pretty Good! (Rays 6, A's 5)

As_kings_cal_tiny by louismg on Comment 279 comments

Braden often wondered if he should throw the ball directly into the A's dugout, would it be more helpful to his cause?

More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Braden often wondered if he should throw the ball directly into the A's dugout, would it be more helpful to his cause?

Browse more photos »

Split. Split second decisions. Splitting line drives between the fielders. Split series. What could have been a three-game winning streak, a solid close to a difficult road trip, and a pick me up for a team that hasn't had many of those this year fell apart in a few quick minutes in a disastrous bottom of the ninth which followed an agonizing top of the ninth which saw the A's storm out to a 5-3 lead despite more antics of baserunning tomfoolery, as Rajai Davis tried to singlehandedly make us forget about Jack Hannahan.

The A's were behind or tied practically all game, having falling back 2-0 in the second, tying it up in the 4th, falling behind in the 6th, and tying it one last time in the 8th. The momentary 2-run lead in the 9th seemed like a mirage to us run-starved win-hungry fans, and it was. To paraphrase one of the game thread memes, it was the Crystal Pepsi of leads.

Dallas Braden, who pitched like a "solid #2", according to Nico, pitched 7 strong innings of three-run ball, getting the quality start, and flashing the leather when he needed to. But the bullpen, one aspect of the A's that has been strong practically all season, collapsed faster than this week's ballot issues - as Bailey surrended a 2-run home run to tie the game in the final frame, and Ziggy let home the final tally.

Fittingly, the game-winning single bounded into Rajai's glove, and then out, as he stood in shallow center, watching the Rays put an exclamation point on their victory. And like that, the game was complete, and the A's tempting us with their promise was all hollow, for naught. The Crystal Pepsi of promise.

 

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No Matter What Happens, Stomper Loves You

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 21, 2009 4:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

thanks, Stomper.

I need a hug. A big, felt-covered hug.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of,

Chik Fil-A has this cow at The Trop…

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But the poor sucker is cursed to not be able to forget a loss like this!

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stomer is definitely drowning his sorrows in pruno tonight.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's criminally adorable!

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 21, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

bail

on adorable isn’t that high, we should call desoto bail bonds

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

IIRC, he acquired a taste for it there (if we can believe FSU!)

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This game just begs for some ANtics, don't you think?

I want to see the caption of Rajai’s bonehead baserunning and Crosby’s blank thought bubble. ;-)

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 4:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

OK, so they're both blank.

Just a bunch of blank thought bubbles, including Geren, may do nicely.

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ANtics? What?

What are those?

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 21, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Some jerkhead who doesn't love us anymore

used to do them.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They ended right about when this team stopped being fun to watch, didn't they?

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

so maybe he's the smart one.

that jerkhead, I mean.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think 9 straight panels of this pic with zero captions or word bubbles would probably get the point across quite nicely.

by Joey C. on May 21, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoever is available at the time, apparently.

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

him and Duke.

That’s a big part of the reason we’ve sucked so much.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

You’re talking about stability in the front of the rotation and back of the bullpen.

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

this one is on the bullpen

as good as they’ve been, they’re human, after all

by OaklandSi on May 21, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I think it's on the starting nine for only getting 5 runs

out of 9 runs worth of chances.

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 21, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is, this should NOT have been a close game

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 21, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Yeah, the bullpen struggled a bit at the end, but there were FAR too many mistakes by the starting nine to even make it close.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

A good example, then

of how “good teams win close games” is wrong. Good teams win blowouts. Bad teams turn those into close games that they can go on to lose (or win by the skin of their teeth).

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly right - this game is a perfect example of that principle

A good team is enjoying a comfortable lead by the time the bottom of the 9th inning rolls 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 May 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The 2 biggest impacts of a limited budget are

1) Not much money to spend on depth, and
2) You can’t spend money to correct your mistakes.

Between mistakes and injuries, and while they wait for some young players to come into their own, the A’s are in a position where their complete lack of depth is showing. The bullpen is hurt and sick, and worn out from too many short outings by the starting rotation, which is itself hurt, young, and very inconsistent. And guys that even the A’s didn’t imagine playing much this year are playing all the time, and can’t necessarily even be pinch hit for, because of injuries.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed, but the part that irks me most

is that when you are in a position, inherently, where your lack of depth forces you to play too many Crosbys and Hannahans and Rajai Davises, the one thing you can do is make sure your guys are good at things that don’t require great athleticism and skill – things like running the bases competently, everyone being able to lay down a bunt or hit a cutoff man – and these are things the A’s aren’t doing.

They don’t need their already bad players to be bad at the very things bench players should be good at. Rajai is a perfect example – he makes the very least of his speed. That’s why I’d so much rather have had Denorfia on the team from the outset, but oh well.

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 21, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Absolutely

I didn’t have the chance to listen to much of the game today, so I’m glad to say I don’t know the details of the baserunning butchery. But you’re absolutely right that the guys who aren’t that talented should at least not screw things up worse by making stupid plays, at bat, on the bases, in the field.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

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 21, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But yesterday was no bullpen picnic either

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This one, like so many before it,

is on Geren. He needs to leave and take Bobby CrosHannaDavis with him.

by jakebmill on May 22, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Street?

Anybody besides me miss Huston?

by Graybeard on May 21, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I miss Street, ver.2007,

not Street, ver.2008.

That was just painful. Like TARE painful.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

not really

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 21, 2009 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Teams that play Hannahan and Crosby at the corner INF spots

simply need to be highly proficient in the basics of baseball in order to compensate. That a team which had an insufferably long spring training so consistently makes baserunning blunders (and can’t lay down a bunt) is a legitimate referendum on the coaching staff / manager. It’s just ridiculous to be a self-proclaimed “poor small-market team” and be SO bad at those kinds of things.

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 21, 2009 4:55 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

remember

the game where keilty and tiffee, both designated hitters batted ninth? boy I long for those days

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Question, who was available to pinch hit in the 9th?

Because the outrageous LOB numbers from Hannahan/Crosby should have prompted Geren to use his bench (besides Davis).

The fact that Hannahan and Crosby failed a combined 4 times (maybe more) with the bases loaded prompts me to blame this mostly on Geren. He should have pinch-hit for Crosby and put in Buck or somebody, then have Giambi take over 1st…

Frustrating!!

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on May 21, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Fact is, the A's may not have had an available 1Bman

Giambi DHed because he needed a day off from 1B and Powell is hurt. It may just be that Geren’s hands were tied on that one – plus, Buck is hardly your Ben Zobrist “ace in the hole” right now. I’d have let ’em both hit – and you know how I feel about Crosby.

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 21, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes he can.

But the pitcher would have to hit when his spot came up in the lineup. It’s not done very often.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes he could have, OldhamA

It just would have meant that the pitcher was inserted into the lineup in the spot vacated by Crosby in the event the game went 11 innings. Not a big consideration at that point.

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 21, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, he can hit

in the spot he replaces. The pitcher has to hit in his spot, or a DH (NL type).

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The lineup would have become

Cabrera – SS
Suzuki – C
Cust – RF
Holliday – LF
Giambi – 1B
Kennedy – 2B
Sweeney – CF
Bailey – P
Hannahan – 3B

with Bailey’s spot likely to come up in the 11th or 12th.

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 21, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Has Nomar not been activated yet?

There was Buck too…not much of an upgrade right now, as Nico points out.

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

tomorrow, they say.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Might as well jump.

….seriously, what the hell kind of attitude is that, DLR? Here I am, looking to you for fashion tips, grooming tips, and nuggets of wisdom concerning life. And the best you can do is; “Yeah, sure, go ahead, do it. Or don’t. I don’t give a shit. Do what you want or don’t. Either way, me and these two effing Nords are making this music forever….oh, hey, Ed…what’s that? Come in here? Hey, aren’t you that guy who sang, ‘I Can’t Drive 55?’”

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 22, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I tend to think Buck is an upgrade over Crosby at any point.

Crosby seriously doesn’t look like he knows how to play baseball anymore.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love the Yahoo line:

“If Buck continues to struggle expect Cunningham to be recalled sooner rather than later.”

Don’t they mean if Buck continues to be benched for no fucking reason?

by OldhamA on May 21, 2009 5:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, they need to go one way or the other

with him and about three other guys, including Cunningham and Gio, and Gallagher and Davis and….

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just hope Buck is in the locker room the day Geren is fired.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously

He doesn’t even have 100 ABs yet. Give him consistent playing time before you make any judgements like that.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Buck at first?

  How about getting him to play first he would do a better job there than Crosby. Buck goes 2 for 3 then sits the next 3 games. Geren are you there??

by Arcman on May 21, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow, just wow

I only heard a 1/2 inining on the radio and I was frustrated, I can’t imagine a whole game of that. BOO Rajai, I was a big supporter in the offseason and in ST but you have been failing so far. Great speed can’t always make up for bad baserunning I guess. That was ridiculous, bring back Cunningham and send Rajai down (or if he can’t be sent to AAA, released)

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on May 21, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Im not mad that much our bullpen has been great all year

they have bailed us out all year. Ziggy is not a closer period. A closer always has a great fastball so if they miss a spot they usually dont get burned by it no side arm pitcher should be a closer. He was tough last year but now people have scouting reports on him and know his stuff and being sick for 2 weeks doesnt help. Bailey is human and will make mistakes and hasnt made many this year so i cut him some slake on this one. Yea it sucks losing

by buckfan6 on May 21, 2009 5:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Throw my name into that hat too

Get Buck into the lineup consistently. Period.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love Buck, if he is really "sore" as some have reported, that's understandable

but for (b)uck’s sake, this is getting ridiculous

witty remark

by dtownmbrown on May 21, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't love the guy, but I'd like to see him get a shot.

It’s ridiculous that we have two guys on the 25 man roster that can’t play (assuming his shoulder is sore).

by OldhamA on May 21, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

In this recession, less than a full Buck is still worth something

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 21, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Closers don't always have great fastballs

Trevor Hoffman could well go to the HOF and he doesn’t throw hard. Keith Foulke didn’t throw particularly hard (though he got hit when his fastball topped out at 88 as opposed to 91). Doug Jones probably didn’t even throw as hard as Ziggy does. When relievers really became a big deal, in the late 70s and early 80s, there were lots of sinkerball closers who didn’t throw particularly hard: Greg Minton, Kent Tekulve, Dan Quisenberry were all great pitchers and none of them threw hard (Minton might have reached 90 on his best day).

Ziggy isn’t as good as he pitched last year, of course, but then no one is. But he’s been incredibly sick this season, and I can’t imagine he’s even at 85% at this point.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right - I'd say neither 2008 nor 2009 is a very good barometer

for how good Ziggy actually 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 21, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hoffman will certainly be in the hall.

He is statistically the best closer of all time, and I completely agree with your point.

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 21, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lee Smith isn't in the Hall

despite being the career leader in saves when he was first on the ballot. And he played in Chicago and Boston, not San Diego. And he pitched the way the voters think a closer is supposed to.

Still, I agree that Hoffman is likely to go in, and deserves to, but I’m hedging because the stupidity of the BWAA has worked against career closers before.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How "Big Bill Taylor" has been left out all these years is baffling.

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 21, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also, Lee Guetterman

He was really tall and lanky.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He should have gotten in as a 3Bman

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 21, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Saves are more important now then when Smith was closing, that will help Hoffman

Plus he has nearly 100 more than smith, but point taken, and Smith should certainly be in the HOF as well

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 21, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

zeigler

has problems with lefties. its tough with that lineup.

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I try to stay out of the

whole “this guy needs to go!” debate, mainly because I know a lot of it is driven by game day emotional frustration and the like. But I think it’s time to remove Rajai Davis from this baseball team. He really does not seem to bring anything to the club.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

good point.

he might have intangibles.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Intangibles

Is that a new Pepperidge Farm cookie or something?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It has bits of intangerine peel

Very delicious.

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 21, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No good.

They play video games in the clubhouse.

"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 May 21, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I haven't understood Rajai being on this team for a year

He seems like a luxury for a contending team with a strong healthy roster. I think the A’s would be better served by using his spot on the roster interviewing minor league free agents. He is fast. He doesn’t hit well. He doesn’t bunt well. He doesn’t run the bases well. He doesn’t even particularly field well. But he is fast. maybe the Pirates and the Giant’s were right letting him go.

They're called RUNS for a reason.

by connie mack on May 21, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

good call.

Someone earlier was asking who the A’s had on the bench to PH for Crosby/Hannahan. My immediate thought was, “Well, there’s one less spot because we’ve got a specialist pinch runner…” who, by the way, is terrible at his specialty.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not score from 2nd on a ball that hit the wall in deep CF

"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 May 21, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

when he was running on the pitch

He basically managed not to score from 3rd on a booming double to the CF wall.

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 21, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah he should have scored

But i thought Upton had that ball, the way he was running. It would have confused me. But I’m not a major league pinch runner….soooo

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 21, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thing is, there was no good reason to head back to 2nd

Tagging up and getting to 3rd with two out is the least important of all possibilities. Not getting doubled up, and scoring if it’s not caught, are really the only two considerations. And if you just pull up at 3rd until you know whether it’s caught or not, you can’t lose.

Had we won, the hidden star would have been Matt Holliday for not passing Rajai Davis on the bases. He did a great job there.

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 21, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, that and

As soon as Upton turned his back I’m at LEAST standing near third, not at second.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Honestly, I think the bulk of Ziggy's struggles lately

Have just been because he’s been sick for so long. I think he just needs to kind of get back into the groove of things.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

And the fact that the league is probably adjusting to him a bit.

"I feel like I hit better when I'm playing the field...just feel more like a baseball player." —Jack Cust (or Derek Jeter for that matter)

by PortlandPachyderm on May 21, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I suspect it's mostly health

Apparently he’s still really pretty sick and weak – you can’t pitch that 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 21, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Completely agree.

The poor guy is just now getting to the point where he can function normally again.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This decade of baseball

Closers have power fastballs. With power fastballs you can miss your spots soemtimes and get away with it. Ziggy needs to be the setup guy period or be a 7th inning guy until he gets better

by buckfan6 on May 21, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think out of the arms we have i trust Ziegler the most

maybe not right now because of his health, but if he is healthy, I would trust him closing until Devine can do it….Bailey is too young and inexperienced in the pen.

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 21, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I trust Bailey in the 9th as a one-inning guy

I think trying to get 2 innings out of such a hard thrower is iffy, whereas I’m happy to see Ziggy go 2 IP when he’s throwing the ball well.

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 21, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's also historically vulnerable against left-handed pitching.

And guess what two batters really did the big damage? Navarro (lefty) and Crawford (lefty). Ziggy can get by against lefties most of the time with a little changeup, but in a weakened state and not a lot of control, he’s very hittable against them. Craig Breslow, anyone?

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on May 21, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes

why was breslow up if not for crawford?
pena only comes up with 2 outs and the bases loaded

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think it was a lose-lose for Geren

Ziggy vs. Crawford is a bad matchup. Breslow vs. Longoria is a bad matchup. And you can’t really avoid both (unless you bring in Breslow to face Crawford, and put Ziggy in RF for a hitter, and then bring Ziggy back to face Longoria – now THAT’S managing!).

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 21, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure, that's definately part of it

But I know if I am a pitcher who suddenly essentially can’t play for two weeks, and moreover can barely function for two weeks, I’m definately going to need some time to get back to where I was before.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I imagine if Devine were healthy, Ziggy would have been put on the DL

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 21, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's exactly what I was thinking

Is that if they had Devine, Bailey could have much more easily stepped into Ziggy’s role while he was placed on the DL until he got healthy again.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ziggy should be there for the 8th

He has been sick and that surely contributes to it but he cannot get lefties out and sick or not, that is a major problem.

Poor Bailey has been lights out and cannot be like that all the time.

I still say screw Hannahan, Crosby, Davis and Geren, they should all be released forthwith.

by Trainman on May 21, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And ... the WBC?

I have to wonder if he didn’t get enough work during ST because of his stint on the USA WBC team. Then to get sick on top of that, … it’s just not very good.

And I like the WBC.

Bob Geren, on 8/2/07, on the success of Alan Embree as new interim closer: "What can I say,... he's been our Steady Tremendous Bullpen Man"

by popcornjames on May 22, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know this is going to be considered an overreaction and the season is still young, blah blah blah...

But at some point, it just becomes so painfully obvious that this is just not the A’s year. Every time something goes right for the team (starter goes deep, A’s mount late offensive rally), another thing goes wrong to cancel it all out (epic bullpen failure). You would think that the dramatic Sweeney catch last night would inspire some confidence in the hitters and jump-start the entire team, but no…the same thing happened that occurred when he made the incredible catch in Texas to rob Kinsler of the homer: the team continued to struggle and remain largely lifeless for most of the game.

This team just can’t get any breaks and can’t get ahold of any traction whatsoever. I’ll be spending the next few weeks dreaming of trade scenarios that magically bring a young, promising 3rd baseman and/or shortstop to Oakland within the next 10 weeks.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on May 21, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Were starting to hit finally

And that makes me happy more then anything. We had a ton of great two out hits which we been lacking all year. Yea we lost but the offense is starting to coem along espically mr holliday

by buckfan6 on May 21, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

good call, Taj.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But honestly doesn this team have what it takes to make a run

I think were lacking in alot areas. Young pitching never know what your goign to get, bullpen who is on fumes most of the time. staying healthy

by buckfan6 on May 21, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I fully expect

cahill anderson outman and whoever else, to hit a wall at 140 innings. If any of them get to 140 innings.

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

See that's the great thing about Eveland:

He probably wouldn’t hit 140 innings, so no problem!

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 21, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That Actually IS What She Said

:-(

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 21, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is part of what vexes me about watching the team.

I know they are capable of going on an eight game win streak. There’s a lot of games left to be played and it’s not beyond the pale to think that things will begin breaking their way.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think winnign streaks will be damn tough for this team

due to young pitching and bullpen being on fumes every series

by buckfan6 on May 21, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

See I'm not convinced they have what it takes to win 8 straight

(other than a fluke – obviously any team can). Look at their infield: Hannahan, Cabrera, Kennedy, Crosby. That’s two “decent hitters with no power” and two bad hitters, who would combine, over 162 games, for about 30 HRs.

The rotation is young and includes Cahill, who has no idea where the ball is going, and something called an EvelandEdgarGonzalezGallagher pit of eeewww.

This team has no margin for error and makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes that reek of poor coaching. I don’t see it as a team about to win 8 straight, so much as a team on the verge of eeking out a great win followed by eeking out a tough loss.

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 21, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sound logic.

But I keep dreaming of a scenario where Nomar is playing a significant amount of time at third thereby increasing our offensive potential. Anderson, Cahill, and Outman are flashing periodic episodes of decency and we may get Duke back.

Lot’s of “ifs” I know, but the division is weak, and a couple of weeks of good baseball can change everything.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can he manage?

He is still friends with Billy right?

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have to give Billy some prompts

on getting kennedy from the rays. He has been great. Yea we have to get a thirdbasemen bad, Derosa for a couple years and trade for a younger 3rd basemen and let him take his time to move up in the minors

by buckfan6 on May 21, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Personally, I'd take the leap and go past DeRosa

to the younger 3Bman. Let him struggle now along with Cahill and Gio and the others, and hit his stride with the young group that is currently promising but struggling.

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 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Green has been slipping hard

It’s VERY plausible that he drops to us, many of the mocks I’ve been seeing have him out of the top 5. (Stras, Ack, Crow, Turner, White have been filling it out) I’m looking at two different drafts right now, one has him at #9 and another at #15. His stock has fallen significantly, scouts are starting to say he won’t stick at short and (I believe) he hasn’t hit a home run this season. Scouts are getting very concerned about him.

If I were the A’s, I definitely would consider grabbing him, but I’d be very happy with one of Wheeler, Poythress, or Miller. You should NEVER draft for organizational need, always take the best player available. I don’t want another Weeks fiasco…

[The reason] Giambi hurts a team defensively is that he has the range of a sedated sea turtle who is trapped on land under Joe Blanton, only not quite as good. -Nico

by Morgasm on May 21, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Really?

Interesting…just out of curiousity, which mock drafts are you looking at?

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not a major league ready one, like Longoria,

but maybe a “ready for Opening Day, 2011” one?

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 21, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The way things are going this year

we might want to look at who might be a top-3 pick in the 2010 draft…

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah

I’m hoping.

Is that bad?

[The reason] Giambi hurts a team defensively is that he has the range of a sedated sea turtle who is trapped on land under Joe Blanton, only not quite as good. -Nico

by Morgasm on May 21, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

Now, I just pointed out the other day that the 1983 rotation of McCatty, Heimueller, Codiroli, Krueger, and Conroy managed to throw 37th consecutive scoreless innings, as I know you remember. So anything’s possible.

But they’ve got a bad record because (considering all the injuries, especially) they deserve one.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just don't think "momentum" really exists

Sweeney catching that ball happened yesterday. Today, they played another game.

The only part of the game that snowballs, practically speaking, is pitching: if your starters are pitching well, the bullpen can rest, and each reliever can be used in situations that are favorable to his abilities. If the starters pitch badly, everyone is scrambling and ends up exhausted.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 21, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, lucky us, neither you or I need to be convinced of the other's point...

because whether it’s due to a lack of momentum or a lack of a well-rested bullpen, the A’s have still lost a lot of games they probably should have won and will likely continue to lose a few in the coming weeks…

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on May 21, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They've also, strangely enough, won a lot of games they should have lost

(Game 3 of the season at LAA, Sweeney’s catch in Texas come to mind). It’s scary to think of how bad the team’s record could be without a fair share of GOOD fortune.

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 21, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

sad but true

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 21, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m really getting sick and tired of Crosby striking out all the time. At least make contact for God’s sake!

by TBRMKane on May 21, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm fairly certain everyone save for Geren is sick of it.

Because he keeps putting him out there, and he keeps looking like he does.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Buan starts off...

“Yikes, I mean gah!”

Yes, Robert, we can get behind that.

by lynnzgal on May 21, 2009 5:08 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

he speaks for all of us.

As sad as that statement is.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Eloquent, that Robert Buan.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on May 21, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol

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 21, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

OOOO, did you see in the game thread

where the Sippin’ on an MGD and Rajai intersected?

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gasp! No! That sounds beauteous, what you're describing there.

I missed the whole game and the game threads. I don’t know if I have the energy to go back.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on May 21, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This one's for you, P

link

(See, we think of you even when you’re away.)

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on May 21, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aw, you're the best.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on May 21, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Best line I've read in a while, louis

Was the one about crystal pepsi. Had me laughing out loud after a loss where I should NOT be laughing at all.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 21, 2009 5:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you sir.

The game threads will explain all. :)

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 21, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm confused

‘Cuz the thing is, I love the Oakland A’s. And my heart, or my gut, or my loins— some part of me that isn’t logic-based— wants to believe they can win every time they take the field. But my pesky brain (which tricked me into going to grad school, so it’s not like his record is by any means clean) keeps telling me in a very condescending way, “Well… y’know, they’re just not very good.”

He tells me that the guy hitting leadoff is there basically because we need a leadoff hitter and he looks the part, not because his performance actually warrants it. He tells me our 3-4-5 hitters aren’t all that bad, but they can’t be expected to carry the offense every single game. He tells me that at least 2 spots in the lineup are complete black holes, and another 1 or 2 are sort of “gray pits.” Lastly, he tells me we have a ridiculously young pitching staff, from the rotation through to the bullpen, many of whom wouldn’t have even sniffed the big leagues by now if they were in any other organization, much less actually stay there for months on end. My brain doesn’t know who looks more surprised when Kevin Cameron takes the mound— Kevin, or the guy about to hit a bases-clearing double off of him.

But if history is any indication, my less pensive organs will win out. I will continue to hope for W’s even when I damn well know I have no business to do so. Ultimately, this is what being a fan is about, right? Even if you got a bunch of undertalented or underexperienced lummoxes on your team… it’s still your team.

So let’s get ’em tomorrow.

by Joey C. on May 21, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

my brain tricked me into grad school too!

(my gut says go a’s)

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh Joey.

You just said what I think every time I watch these boys.

Yes, let’s get ’em.

by lynnzgal on May 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

davis love thoughts

and i ran i ran so far away i just ran i couldn’t get away and i rajai davis is the worst yes the worst player currently on any team in either league as a hitter we’re better off with miles davis he could make better contact using his trumpet and harmon mute than this guy does with a bat and miles has been dead for 18 years as a fielder we’re better off with geena davis yeah she catches like a girl but she was great in thelma and louise what awesome classically iconic hollywood chick films has raj ever starred in as a baserunner well yeah he’s fast but so is baron davis and we’re not pinch running with him late with the game on the line and besides he hits the fifteen foot j off the pick and roll better than raj would if you gave him john stockton’s brain in a transplant on a side note watching raj davis trying to lay down a bunt makes me shout a word which rhymes with bunt but which isn’t really repeatable here let’s just say that as far as general all around baseball instincts go if we’re gonna have this clown humiliate us well then we might as well have bette davis out there talk about style and personality joan crawford woulda kicked rajai’s ass and made him fetch her slippers and a lit gauloises in a diamond cigarette holder after it was done and jesus christ on a cracker don’t get me started on this loser’s arm i think at this point it’s clear we’d be in more baseball ready shape with sammy davis jr believe me sometimes i watch this team expecting the candy man and some of the good things in life but after a few hours and i think what kind of fool am i oh well i gotta be me so let me bottom line it for you billy beane and david forst i do not give one tenth of a billionth of a ratfuck if this piece of feces can run the 40 in under two seconds flat and be home to smoke crack rocks with the pope by dinner time he can’t hit he can’t catch he can’t throw and even though he runs fast he can’t run 90 feet efficiently without tanking the whole game for us i want him dfa’d immediately and if he isn’t you don’t give a fuck about winning baseball games this team is gonna lose at least 100 of them and your ad campaign is 100% green and gold gilded bullshit

Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?

by emperor nobody on May 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

Oh wow, oh wow!

That ran the gamut, yo!

by lynnzgal on May 21, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

System Overload...

I got lost at about the third line.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

talk about system overload

for the past ten minutes interference has rendered Extra Innings unlistenable. Only KTRB 960 AM is affected — all other stations are just fine.

And this is not the first time…

by OaklandSi on May 21, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I bet those bastard Giants

are jamming the signal. Does KTRB reach SJ?

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had to switch it off,

not the first time either. Buan talked about their difficulties at the beginning of his broadcast and apologized.

by lynnzgal on May 21, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

further undermining the front office's waning credibility

about whether they have competent people in positions of power when it comes to really, really fundamentally important things like which media carrier is going to make any sort of adequate radio flagship for your (allegedly) MLB product is the fact — observable by any living human being that would have taken 6 hours of time to actually drive around the Bay Area or at the very least the East Bay and discern whether or not you could hear this pathetic station with any sort of clarity without having to balance the receiver on your head with the antenna sticking out of your ass — that this KTRB outfit is to radio as Helen Keller is to James Brown.

Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?

by emperor nobody on May 21, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

love davis thoughts

out of position in center field with no gas and a bruised foot away from the play it’s the same old story i would take ossie davis over raj he’s too old to take a bad jump unlike raj who could put a third step in the two-step and after the game he could hold a press conference we already know he’s qualified he gave one of the most famous eulogies in history for malcolm x who could also sub in center field with the same results by any means necessary

Adenhart #34 - Rest well, Nick. You have a big start ahead of you.

by OaklandNative on May 21, 2009 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Please stay out of

Emperor Nobody’s medicine cabinet.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

+999,999,999,999,999,999,999

Emperor, that was an awesome run-on sentence. I totally agree. This year has been bad enough, but having to see Rajai enter games has made this year painful. He can’t hit, he can’t throw, he doesn’t get good jumps at first base. All of those things I can excuse, but what I can’t tolerate is his lack of thinking. Have you ever watched him set up in the outfield? He doesn’t know where to go. The coaches are constantly moving him around with signals from the dugout. His reads on balls hit to either side are positively “Byrnesque.” Not since Herb Washington tried to tag up with two outs at second base and score from second base on a bunt with “0” outs have I seen such a clueless ballplayer. Oh, and if I hear that “Sippin’ on my MGD commercial” one more time, I am going to throw my radio out the window!!! If the A’s fans are represented by that crappy commercial, then I guess I can’t call myself a fan anymore.

by Flamethrower on May 21, 2009 5:55 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The fans aren't represented by the commercial,

Geren is. MGD stands for Manager’s Greedy Dick.

Adenhart #34 - Rest well, Nick. You have a big start ahead of you.

by OaklandNative on May 21, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh come on....

It’s better than the “I had a draft beer in the desert, I had a draft beer in my garage” one.

Bob Geren, on 8/2/07, on the success of Alan Embree as new interim closer: "What can I say,... he's been our Steady Tremendous Bullpen Man"

by popcornjames on May 22, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Am I trippin'?

Are we the AAAA’s? I really feel the decisions toward the end of the game were something of a minor league team. Did Geren manage the Rivercats? Maybe in the minor leagues it is common practice to have a different closer several times a week. For some reason, pitchers need to be told what role they have or everything goes to shit. There Geren goes again getting all happy thinking he can put anyone in in any situation. Bailey is great. Is he your middle relief or your closer? Brad Ziegler did good enough to save the game pretty quietly yesterday, and I believe would’ve been good enough today. Instead, Geren turns it into some minor-league type competition for a closing job and we lose the game. I’m pretty confident Ziegler is great when he pitches in closing situations, and he sucks when he doesn’t. Evidently, the same is with Bailey in mid-relief. It’s to bad you just can’t pawn them around like the minor leagues and that there really are consequences.

by SFBAsportsfan on May 21, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Geren did manage the RiverCats.

Being from Sacramento, I saw him manage a lot. And back then, he was actually a good manager. Is there such a thing as a AAAA manager?

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe he

needs to go back to that or change his style up to the major leagues. AAAA is a minor league team that actually has to play in the majors.

by SFBAsportsfan on May 21, 2009 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Haha, I know, I was

Facetiously wondering if the title can be applied to a manager, and no just players.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 21, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and yes

I do apply it only to the manager. I think he should have more confidence in his players and name Ziegler the closer. He has been successful in 5 out of 6 attempts continued from 11 out 13 last year. There is nothing to warrant a change. And, actually bring him in in closing situation. And, as a manager, if he wants Bailey…. cool. Bring Bailey in when we have the lead so he can save the game. There is no explanation for the actions in the bullpen today. Closer didn’t come in… didn’t even warm him up until it was tied up.

by SFBAsportsfan on May 21, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

except

Ziegler doesn’t have good splits. he is much more valuable in "need a groundball from a righthander situations.

becase the starters havent been getting into the 6th. the bullpen is an all hands on deck thing. you have to go with the freshest. until the starters go deeper into games, no roles can be defined

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ziegler

has done horrible in all other situations besides closing and he is successful at it.

by SFBAsportsfan on May 21, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Confidence

I believe is the key to baseball. I want our rotation set and our closer named. I have my own opinion about the people I would like to see, but that is why we have a manager. Once the players know their roles they can work, undestracted by politics. Just play fundamental baseball, nothing fancy. You’re always gonna have your problems, but you have to lay down your structure. I know Zieg was sitting there looking forward to pitching the 9th. Bust his bubble for no reason, then after the guy you gave his job to blows the lead, you expect him to be able to pitch like nothing happened. We all wished he could do it. But I think he was distracted. Just as Bailey probably was distracted because Zieg usually closes. Add the Rays… we lose. Aside from horrible base-running which you guys did an excellent job tearing apart.

by SFBAsportsfan on May 21, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, this is EXACTLY WHY Geren NEEDS to be fired NOW!

"Hi, I'm Bob Geren, I need to be fired today!"

by slkierley on May 22, 2009 2:22 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ray Fosse is replaying it back and forth on his TiVo.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 21, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's still a great defensive catcher.

While I’m on the case, wtf is up with Lincecum’s hair? Go to a barber, man!

by OldhamA on May 21, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

While eating Dibs

(I wonder which one he loves more.)

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 21, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dibs. Hands down.

Have I told you guys that right outside where they go into the press box at The Trop, there’s a Dibs concession, and it’s never busy…

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bobby Crosby is making $5.3 million dollars this year

Sorry to throw salt on the wound, but I’m reminded of that every time I see him out there.

by Technotofu on May 21, 2009 7:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The Bay Area's current leadoff hitters:

Orlando Cabrera and Aaron Rowand.

Now that is sad.

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 21, 2009 7:08 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

There is another team in the Bay Area?

Tell me more.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 21, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Careful.

He’s a confirmed Giants lover. Don’t let him contaminate you.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's what they are over there, Cap'n:

brain eaters. In their brain-eatin’ black and orange best. The lot of ’em.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

one cost his team 4 million this year

the other 8. with 36 mil owed the next 3.

count your blessings

by Future Ed on May 21, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Travis Buck sighting

at first base:

Travis Buck spent some time at first base during batting practice with infield coach Mike Gallego, working on digging balls out of the dirt

by OaklandSi on May 21, 2009 7:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Was Crosby swinging?

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 21, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, there's Rajai for starters.

Crosby and Hannahan both hod 7 LOB…then there’s Bailey who looked very rocky coming out in the ninth after pitching the eighth, and then Ziegler gave it up like a cheap whore.

Overall, probably Geren.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Overall, probably Geren.

Check mate.

by ElQuesoCapitan on May 21, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Travis Buck at first

Great another sub .220 hitter with below average power and loads of potential…

by DoomandGloom on May 21, 2009 8:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You know, if he got ANY playing time at all,

we can make that indictment. As it is, I think the jury’s still out.

the guy, like Gio, like Cunningham, like about a half dozen others, has no role with the team, has no continuity, no nothing. Say what you want about Macha, but the guys had roles. Kielty knew when he was going to play under Macha.

Define "succeed." --Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on May 21, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's got 71 freaking AB's

Let him play regularly, instead of treating him like Gregorio Petit.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 22, 2009 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What are our alternatives to BC and JH?

Crosby and Hannahan
Pettite? Patterson? Pennington? Baisley?
Cardenas is too young to bring up and still needs seasoning…
I guess making a trade or just waiting and hoping for Garciaparra and Ellis…

by DoomandGloom on May 21, 2009 9:13 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Buck

Travis Buck has had 71 AB’s this year. While that’s not a large amount by any means, he only has 3 XBH’s and a .591 OPS.
Even Crosby, who has only 13 more AB’s, has 5XBH’s and a .624 OPS….

by DoomandGloom on May 21, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Crosby starts pretty much everyday.

Buck starts one game and then sits the next three.

by OldhamA on May 21, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd base that soley on the fact that Croz gets near consistent playing time.

Buck starts 1-2 games, then sits for 4-5. You’d probably get rusty with that kind of time.

by ElQuesoCapitan on May 21, 2009 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bingo.

He gets one start if he’s lucky every week. Crosby gets to play nearly everyday.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 22, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Buck started 2/3 of the time for the last 3 weeks, and has played in 2 of the games he didn't start.

I think Crosby has started 3 more games than Buck during that same stretch.

I’m just eyeballing the mlb.com game logs for this, and assuming that a game with < 3 ABs isn’t a start (except for Crosby’s barforama game in Detroit).

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 22, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Braden is quite funny (from SF Chronicle)

 Starter Dallas Braden made a diving catch on Willy Aybar’s popped-up bunt along the third-base line in the fourth. “I told Ryan (Sweeney) I’ll be on Web Gems tonight and he won’t,” Braden said.

by Trainman on May 21, 2009 9:37 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

awesome

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on May 21, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This Braden guy

is starting to grow on me.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I want the Bradenfro back.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on May 21, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gaads....

Shades of the seventies. Such a dark decade for fashion and hair style.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on May 22, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Braden

Is actually a really nice guy, met him when he was playing for the Ports, and at FanFest this April.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 22, 2009 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even better...

“Braden also was less than thrilled about the power outage in the first inning, which caused a 19-minute delay after lightning hit a nearby substation during a thunderstorm. The lights blew just after he’d walked Carlos Pena with two outs, and Braden practically sprinted back to the dugout.

“I was bitter to quite bitter about it,” Braden said. “I hung out in the dugout … tried not to get struck by lightning. Nice state, Florida.”

When did he become funny?

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on May 21, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

HAH.

Bitter to quite bitter. Wonder what the rest of the scale looks like.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on May 21, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and as lousy as it was to blow the lead in the bottom of the ninth

and lose the game, the Giants’ just did the same in San Diego — and have just gotten swept there.

by OaklandSi on May 21, 2009 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well,

that certainly brightens an otherwise dreary day.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoa

Geren actually says something critical.

“He had plenty of time to get back halfway and read it,” Geren said. “He went back too far. You can’t make that mistake at this level, especially if that (baserunning) is your job.”

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 21, 2009 10:10 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd like it better if there was a slight verb modification

As is….“especially if that WAS your job.”

But what the hell, at least it’s a start.

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

by alox on May 21, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Boys, I tellsya

Watching people like Hannahan, Crosby, and Davis is like watching little kids play against grown men, but the grown men aren’t letting the little kids win this time. I’m totally serious. When you KNOW Crosby is going to strike out, every freaking time, it’s depressing. When you KNOW Hannahan can’t catch up to an 89 MPH FASTBALL, it’s depressing. When you KNOW Davis is going to somehow screw up a good situation, it’s depressing. So much moments tonight where I thought, are these actual major leaguers, in any sense? Would an actual major leaguer not even TRY to score from third while someone is in a rundown between 1st and 2nd and 2 outs? Would an actual major leaguer REALLY not score from second on a double off the wall, misread or no?

/rant

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.

by ORthey on May 21, 2009 11:16 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

and yeah

I know they’re fill-ins. But jesus, this is the majors. Act like it.

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.

by ORthey on May 21, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I LOATHE Geren and his ineptitude

WHY on God’s green planet, did Geren leave Bailey in in the 9th?

Oh wait, I forgot, HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING! Silly me!!!

FIRE GEREN NOW!!!!!!

Okay, Holliday CAN hit...

by slkierley on May 22, 2009 2:10 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Two things to say before I leave for the weekend:

Rajai Davis needs to be shown the door…and quickly! & Bob Geren must find another team to destroy! That’s it! Peace-MRod

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

by mrod on May 22, 2009 2:11 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Davis and Geren

I agree totally! As does most of A’s nation!

Okay, Holliday CAN hit...

by slkierley on May 22, 2009 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Geren again...

NEEDS TO BE DFA!

Damn him again for blowing another game.

P.S. Thanks Davis for screwing up yet another opportunity!

ASS.

"Hi, I'm Bob Geren, I need to be fired today!"

by slkierley on May 22, 2009 2:18 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

the relievers blew the game in the ninth

I’m not a Davis apologist, but he did not blow yesterday’s game.

by OaklandSi on May 22, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

WHY OH WHY

is Davis still on this team? I thought after the disastrous play in Seattle we would be done with him! Isn’t there anyone else who can play center field? ANYONE?!?!

"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit

by A'sfansince1970 on May 22, 2009 9:36 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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