4 HRs Off Haren, 2 Runs In The 11th...And A's STILL Manage To Lose
by Nico on May 23, 2009 10:10 PM PDT
214 comments
This is one of those games where if you weren't a fan of either team you'd describe it as a great game. Which doesn't really explain the hole in the wall in my living room right now, but that's ok - because at this point, with the A's officially on pace to lose 100 games, their best rebuilding plan might be to avoid winning games...Hey, I think we finally stumbled on the one thing the 2009 A's are good at.
Jack Cust, Jason Giambi (#400 career), Adam Kennedy, and Nomar Garciaparra all took Haren deep for a total of 5 runs, while Edgar Gonzalez pitched well (1 run) but not deep (5+ innings) - and the "not deep" proved to be a big factor, because while the A's took a 5-1 lead into the 8th, they also needed to find relievers for 4 innings and that led to Russ Springer starting the 8th. Three line drives later the bases were loaded with nobody out, and by the time Andrew Bailey remembered how to dominate 4 runs were in (3 charged to Springer) and the game was tied.
Springer is nothing if not inspirational. Santiago Casilla, in relief of Craig Breslow in the 11th, thought he'd give "being greeted by three straight searing line drives" a whirl, and as a result the A's came to bat in the bottom of the 11th trailing 8-5.
With one out, Giambi singled. Then Nomar singled. Then Adam Kennedy, now a .400 hitter in 50 A's at bats, doubled home one. Then Ryan Sweeney's infield single made it 8-7 with runners at first and third and one out. It took Jack Hannahan one pitch to restore odor to the situation, as he bounced into a game-ending (and spectacularly turned) 6-4-3 DP. Spectacularly turned, with a barehand catch, turn, and throw, by Ryan Roberts, who was only in the game because Felipe Lopez had left earlier with a tight hamstring. Lopez doesn't make that play.
And so here the A's stand at the 1/4 mark, 15-25, having been dealt devastating extra inning losses in 14 innings at New York, 15 innings at Seattle, and having dropped an 11 inning affair tonight in which so many things went right except for the important stuff.
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I'm not sure it can be said any better.
Who do you see as an option at 3rd?
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 23, 2009 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Steven Strasbourg, step on up!
You’re going to be the newest Oakland A!
Your 2009 Oakland Athetics: This time, it's personal.
Oh come on, you don't wanna break the guy
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 23, 2009 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sure he'll sign with Boras and BB will run like hell
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 23, 2009 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
he most certainly will sign with Boras
Boras already works for him as an advisor or consultant, or something. He’ll probably ask for something like a 30 or 40 million dollar contract.
Your 2009 Oakland Athetics: This time, it's personal.
Wrong draft anyway
The Nationals already have the first pick in this year’s draft, Seattle #2.
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
dang. oh well, thanks for the info
i’m gonna hang out in the garage, with the doors and windows closed, and with 2 cars running
Your 2009 Oakland Athetics: This time, it's personal.
That's not the way, man.
2 cars and a motorcycle.
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 23, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I had to stay away from the game thread
because of how this game was going…and the less I say about this game now, probably the better.
I have tickets to the game tomorrow…
We're on pace to get the 1st draft pick of 2010.
Unless that’s BB’s master plan.
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 23, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions
We're not, actually, but we're on pace to get pick #3
Washington
Cleveland
Oakland
But we can catch Cleveland this weekend!
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
We are the worst in the AL now
if you base it on winning percentage. The only team worse than us in all of baseball are the Nats…. Wow….
"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch
Bring Back The Bash!!!
Its funny how the veterans...
Knew what to do…Giambi, Nomar, and then Kennedy….even Sweeney got one in….but Hannnahan again shows the weakness of not having a quality 3rd baseman..
It also seemed that Bailey probably wasnt warmed up or ready for the bases loaded situation…methinks he would be more effective if he starts an inning…..
I'm ambivalent about the Hannahan at bat
He is better off swinging early in the count if he gets a pitch to hit, because he’s a big strikeout risk if he gets deep in the count. He also hit the ball hard. However, rule 1 in a DP situation is “stay out of the middle,” and he sure didn’t do that.
But let’s be fair to Hannahan overall tonight. He made a tremendous play on a foul pop, and an important decision on a bouncer to 3rd (tagging Upton) that saved a run. He also smoked a double. He had a good game and honestly I’d rather have him at 3B than Crosby. And of course I’d rather have neither.
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
He had to swing at that meatball
Like you said and I said earlier, if he takes he strikes out.
What I would have liked to see is a bit unconventional
When you’re the home team and have given up 3 and now have scored 2, you have to feel that if you can just get the tying run home you have a GREAT chance to win. It’s an ultimate “play to tie” situation.
Qualls is a sinkerballer so you know a DP is likely. He also falls off to the 1B side in his follow-through. My thinking: If Hannahan just pushes a bunt right at the SS, tie 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
That's not really a fair comparison.
Jack Cust is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
That said, much like Rajai Davis, if you can’t bloody hit you’d think you’d spend every waking hour working on your bunting and provide the possibility of doing something positive when at the plate.
+1
Didn’t follow the game, but it sounded like a Ramon Hernandez game winning bunt was possible
I would agree but I've lost confidence in
the A’s ability to execute a bunt. Like you said, a sinkerball pitcher, so a ground ball was a high pct outcome. Right away, I thought “bunt” with the tie 90 ft away, but then…“No, not the A’s of 2009”.
"Wag More
Bark Less"
bumpersticker sighted in Berkeley, CA
by One won lost won on May 23, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Thing is, it isn't a squeeze or even a sacrifice
so it doesn’t have to be laid down “just so” – essentially what you’re doing is hitting a slow enough ground ball that they can’t get a DP. Unless you pop it up, you’re gold.
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
and I was thinking "pop up"
but I understand your thinking. Very sound thinking, Nico.
"Wag More
Bark Less"
bumpersticker sighted in Berkeley, CA
by One won lost won on May 23, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
A pop up is a possibility
But so is a strikeout or a DP, so everything has risk. But I’d say it’s easier to push a bunt somewhere on the ground between the 3Bman and the pitcher falling off to the first base side than it is to lift the ball against a sinkerball pitcher.
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
Totally agree on Bailey
He was rushed in. He should have been warming up with Springer. Take that back, Springer should not have been allowed to pitch period. Bailey has been rushed a few other times resulting in walks and or a hit here and there. Nevermind the fact that his arm is about to fall off.
EXACTLY!!!!
The problem is not the GM. He just brought in a pretty good player for nothing (Kennedy) he has been going out and looking for pitchers.
The problem is poor in game management.
by Yellowhorse on May 23, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That is on the GM
Allowing his best bossom buddy to manage.
And not finding a ML 3B.
If we had a guy that could field the position and put up an .800 OPS we’d be in a much better position. Right now we have a black hole there.
Oh don't get me wrong. It was a horrible decision to fire Macha and bring in this bum.
Sure, everything falls back on the GM but….
I think that a managerial change right now might turn this season around
by Yellowhorse on May 23, 2009 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
maybe he can poison him...
“more arsenic… I mean coffee, Bob?”
DOUBLE REVISED- The magical goblins that live in the Reverend Billy Lard's shower just told him that actually, nobody's gonna improve this year and everyone will be released by June except for Suzuki and Cust... Sorry, kids...
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 23, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions
lol
My favorite player is whoever is hitting behind Bobby Crosby because no matter what they always look so good.
by supermarc589 on May 23, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions
A few things.
Everyone is going to hang this on Geren. I think the Cust/Rajai/Buck thing was nonsense, but as far as the bullpen, I’m not sure what you expect him to do. There wasn’t a guy who could get anyone out in there. Ziegler was decent in his one inning, but he’s been shelled all May, and is probably still recovering. I know Fosse even said something about him working on his mechanics before the game. Leave him in too long and he gets knocked around again then everyone says, “Geren you are so dumb, how can you leave Ziggy in two innings, he’s recovering from H1N1!.” Heck, even if he got through the 8th, who could’ve gotten through the 9th? At some point someone has to get some outs. Springer, Bailey, Breslow, and Casilla all failed miserably.
Oh, and Congrats on your 400th Jason. What, 45 of those were without steroids? Wonderful achievement…. Dang I’m bitter tonight.
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
I agree. Geren's bullpen management failed mostly because
his starter couldn’t get a 16th out, and then two of his relief pitchers gave up 3 hits in a row upon entering.
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
If Casilla was available, why not Casilla instead of Springer?
Ziegler may or may not have begged off for another inning, we don’t know.
"Wag More
Bark Less"
bumpersticker sighted in Berkeley, CA
by One won lost won on May 23, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Casilla gave up 3 hits and 3ER
I’m not completely sure he was the answer. I guess it was a different situation, but he wasn’t effective tonight.
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
I do not believe, and strictly a gut feel
that Casilla is effective with the game on the line, compared to coming in with a 5-1 lead.
"Wag More
Bark Less"
bumpersticker sighted in Berkeley, CA
by One won lost won on May 23, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Fair Enough.
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
reminds me of the mariner's game
Could be that Casilla wasnt supposed to be available tonight…but as the game went south in the 11th he was a last resort….
Yes - he was pitching for the 4th time in 5 games
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
Springer should not be pitching in games we have a shot at winning.
Oh and where is Kevin Cameron? He’s not pitched for most of the week.
Gentlemen, I didn't catch the Cust/Rajai/Buck thing (saw most of game and not that one)...
could someone fill me in briefly?
by 33SwisherSweet on May 23, 2009 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Davis replaced Cust in the top of the 8th as a defensive replacement (
Sweeney moving to RF). Buck then replaced Davis next time that position in the lineup came to bat with Sweeney moving back to CF.
God, what's it going to take to can Geren?
by 33SwisherSweet on May 23, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Drama...
Zieg pitches the 7th… Bailey comes in bases loaded with a 4 run lead in the 8th… Is this some ass-backwards shit or what? The A’s have invented a new way to play baseball. Everyone come watch. We’re going to prove needing a closer is just a myth. In fact, we are so confident in our pitchers, they know their spot in the rotation at least 2 days in advance. And as far as hitting, it’s all good. We don’t even need batting practice. And, to top it we’re all southerners who’ve come up North to show you our wonderful style of baseball.
Then again, "closer by committee" has worked a lot before throughout baseball history,
like, for example…almost never.
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
1979 Pirates. 1986 Mets
Both had multiple guys who had several saves
by Yellowhorse on May 23, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
what's the southerner comment all about?
I don’t get it but I’m a litle stupid…
by EastVillageA on May 23, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't get it either.
I’m a lot stupid. I didn’t even predict that Hannahan would hit into a double play.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
A few of us would describe it as a great game
even if we are a fan of one team.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on May 23, 2009 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
This one like many more is all on the Manager
It just seems like every bit of strategy went wrong for him
1- Removing Cust (losing 2 more ABs for him)
2- Taking Ziegler out after a decent 7th inning.
3- Bringing Casilla when the pitcher on the hill had the Diamondbacks under control in the 11th
4- Why not try a steal with Sweeney and Kennedy on 1st and 3rd in the 9th? How do you not give Hannahan a take sign or two to see if Sweeney can get to 2nd.
YOU HAD TO KNOW THAT HANNAHAN WAS GOING TO GROUND OUT. Also, why not hit Crosby there.
He has horribly mismanaged this team.
I really don’t think the players are all that bad. Seriously, there are some veteran talented hitters along with Suzuki. The starting pitchers are coming along but poor management is killing this squad.
IN NO OTHER CITY WOULD PEOPLE DEFEND A GUY WHO HAD 2 STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS after 8 straight winning ones.
I don't mind the removing of Cust decision.
That’s assuming you believe Davis is a huge defensive upgrade over Cust. I also don’t mind Ziegler only going 1 inning – he needs to work his way slowly back from his illness (rather than say be thrown into pressure situations like he was a few days ago).
The big mistake was pitching Springer – he’s been trash for a month. Where is Cameron? If Casilla was available to pitch he should have been the option. Hell even Breslow, who didn’t look too bad, is a better option than Springer.
I’m sorry but Crosby is rubbish – is he really that much of an upgrade over Hannahan at the plate? Until we have a ML 3B we’re stuck with both of them.
Every night we have the equivalent of 2 pitchers in our lineup
and apparently Billy is fed up with the A’s the way they are playing.
Ah, Billy get rid of four of five of them with your manager and they might go on a winning streak
"Billy is fed up"?
When did you hear this? It’s about friggin time (if true.)
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.
I will find it
It was hearsay from other GM’s who have been enquiring about players
I will find it somewhere.
Was Jason Starks I think
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Yeah
I cannot find it now.
I guess several GM’s who have talked to Beane say he is fed up with this team but will wait another month before making moves.
The first thing he needs to do is DFA several players who are garbage and dead weight.
Here it is.
Clubs that have spoken to the A’s report that Billy Beane “has had it” with his scuffling outfit. But it figures to be at least a month before he starts unloading Matt Holliday or anyone of significance.
“If he could do something right now, he’d do it,” said one front-office man. “But I don’t think clubs have enough feel for what they’ve got on that club. So I’d say late June, early July is more likely.”
by LongLiveLangerhans on May 23, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for finding it
I guess me saying fed up is similar to “has had it”
So we're going to be sucking until July?
:(
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 23, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions
We're going to be sucking for a lot longer than that.
Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.
Well, he's talking about unloading players.
The major league team will only be worse once he moves those pieces.
Read literally, this quote makes it sound like Beane has given up on the season and is ready to start selling. But who knows if this is Beane’s true stance or just what he’s been telling teams inquiring on Matt Holliday.
by LongLiveLangerhans on May 23, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think clubs have enough feel for what they’ve got on that club.
It really sucks how many of our best chips for the trade deadline are either underperforming or injured: Holliday, Cabrera, Ellis, maybe Duke if he could manage a few good outings. And while Sweeney/Buck/Barton/Davis are, IMO, all expendable, the above quote would seem to suggest most clubs are still debating whether they want any of these guys around for the next five years.
Holliday is no longer underperforming.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
If he's going to unload someone
It better be Geren first
Only 21,000 for fireworks night?
..and the A’s threw up all over their rental tux, in front of a big crowd…
“..they’ll be back…”
Like, after a pennant-winning year, but not before…
"Wag More
Bark Less"
bumpersticker sighted in Berkeley, CA
by One won lost won on May 23, 2009 10:27 PM PDT reply actions
Bob Geren is the Michael Brown of baseball
He can lay waste to a whole team and I’m sure his buddy is on the phone with him right now, telling him what a fabbo job he’s doing… you’re doing a great job, Brownie!
What we have is an organization adrift, with a credibility index lower at this point than if Michael Vick did ads for PETA. They are so out of the loop that we had to tell them that their radio station could be heard by no one in the whole area.
If the idea is to make sure there are 3,000 die hards who’ll do anything for a thrill out at the games every night, so no one cares and the coast is clear to split to San Jose or Portland or Vladivostock or Tau Ceti, then they are doing a fine, fine job, because this is becoming the most spectacularly inept team in the game right now and it’s well on the way to laughingstock status.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
by emperor nobody on May 23, 2009 10:34 PM PDT reply actions
Well put. I saw Sabean was supposedly "working the phones" today
And they have the only offense in baseball worse than ours. Heaven forbid we try and change anything. Just go ahead and suck day in and day out.
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.
Sabean's team took a 5-1 lead into the 8th tonight too
Difference is Matt Cain went out to pitch it. And the Giants won.
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
Better pitcher...
or no stupid 90 pitch limit?
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
Oh c'mon, Matt Cain is better than all of our pitchers.
Gonzalez was melting down on the mound it was the right decision to pull him.
I agree - I would have pulled him exactly when Geren did,
no sooner and no later.
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
It seems...
The A’s are just inventing new ways to lose. It’s uncanny how a good pitching performance gets wasted by a horrible offense, then the next night a good hitting performance gets wasted by bad pitching. And now, devastating losses are occuring as the bullpen, solid for much of April, is melting down. You’d think that the stars would align JUST ONCE and we’d get two phases of the game working right in the same game, but it never seems to happen.
Add the fact I can’t see the A’s on television anymore because they moved to FSNCA — I have never felt more frustrated as an A’s fan in over 30 years of following the team. I am officially jumping off the ship.
I agree with OldhamA
Russ Springer is absolutely horrible. I can’t remember the last time he pitched effectively. He brings a gas can with him every outing. I seriously think I could hit the guy.
Please no more excuses for Ziegler, and why he can’t pitch “when”. If he’s sick, then send him down. No one stays sick for that long — either he’s healthy and we pitch him whenever needed, or send his ass down or DL him. Hell, he needs to eat anyway. What is the guy, a buck ten?
The A’s are a really, really bad team – one of the worst in recent memory. This season can’t end quick enough.
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.
Zieg
saved the game 2 nights ago… could’ve again last night… and could’ve pitched a scoreless ninth tonight. But, I guess it wouldn’t make sense to stick with what works.
Well, he saved the game by giving up a game-tying double that Sweeney dove and caught
I’m pretty sure Springer’s hurt. Velocity down, cutter flat, “forearm stiffness” already reported earlier in the week.
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
Then there's no excuse to keep trottin' him out there.
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.
No argument there. Either Cameron or Breslow should have had the 8th
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
Wouldn't it
have made more sense to bring in Breslow after Ed came out? Perfect time for everyone to check out our new pitcher….
Other teams
don’t want to see him in the ninth. Why give up that edge, or just do it because it works and don’t ask why?
What I don't understand is that in seasons past
Springer would have been buried in the pen for a week if he was injured before perhaps being put on the DL retroactively, y’know so we played with 24 men. That was irritating, but at least it didn’t cost you games directly.
This year the guy keeps on being trotted out there despite not being effective. If he’s injured DL him, we abuse the pen enough as it is. If he’s not injured cut him as he’s awful.
Schroder and Gray are both pitching excellently in Sacto,
as are Kilby and Marshall, neither of whom are on the 40 man. Maybe the A’s should consider giving one or two of these guys a long-term look, rather than continuing with the revolving door of promotions/demotions (which has included some names that aren’t even pitching well at AAA like Gio and Blevins).
The problem is where to make room. I have a feeling Springer keeps getting thrown out there – Beane has been known to stubbornly hang on to not-so-good veterans in the hopes they’ll net some value down the road, either via trade or draft compensation. Unfortunately this hasn’t worked out so well recently – Embree, Stewart, Thomas, Piazza…
Does anyone know if Casilla is out of options?
I guess he's been pretty good overall, to be fair.
Dan Giese, on the other hand, doesn’t really seem worth hanging on to much longer. He could very well clear waivers.
Looking forward
to watching Outman tomorrow. The sad part about all of this is that our team is good enough to win.
No, they're really not. They're really shitty.
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.
We have been on the losing end
of a lot of close games. Close enough to turn the corner. And btw, that is the same shitty attitude that Geren probably gives his players.
Geren needs to take his team into the locker room and throws some fucking chairs around.
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 23, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
That sounds productive
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
Having to buy new chairs probably isn't the best use of resources
for a low payroll, rebuilding team.
The good news....
Giambi hit a few balls hard… Nomar did the same. The offense might be coming around.
The bad news….
This is the worst pitching staff the A’s have had in at least 10 years. I’d almost rather see a trade for a good arm than one for a good bat.
I don't think the pitching staff is that bad, it's just the starters don't go
deep enough (because they’re not good enough or they’re being treated with kid gloves) and the bullpen is imploding after pitching something ridiculous like 45% of our total innings. It was always bound to happen, especially when they’re asked to go multiple innings in pressure situations night after night.
Sorry, but I just don't agree with this
Put him on the DL, let him get better, and hope he reverts back to the pitcher we saw in April – and the National League saw all of 2007 and 2008.
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
Hell, why not Kane County?
emperor nobody: "can ben copeland play third will the mcgwire throwback jersey be sponsored by balco labs i think i am having non-nerve-damage related chest pains well there’s holliday’s homer for may"
Clayton Tanner. I have nothing witty to add.
by walkoff baltimore chop on May 23, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
How about Newark, where he can join
Keith Foulke and Shane Komine!
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
that's a very poorly-written article
If you had a lineup of 9 Jack Custs who hit(Cust career average) .239 AVG, .382 OBP, and .475 SLG, then your team would score 6.12 runs per game-totalling to 991runs a season.The 08 rangers lead the majors in runs score with 901.
emperor nobody: "can ben copeland play third will the mcgwire throwback jersey be sponsored by balco labs i think i am having non-nerve-damage related chest pains well there’s holliday’s homer for may"
Clayton Tanner. I have nothing witty to add.
by walkoff baltimore chop on May 23, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I just sent an email to Robert Buan
I bet money it does not get read out loud.
Had to vent anyway.
I ripped Geren for pitching Springer, Taking out our good hitters for pinch runners and for Making Andrew Bailey’s arm fall off. I said Geren has no clue and has cost this team at least 10 wins this season. I said, I will continue to watch this team as I have done for 19 years and hope like Hell that Beane comes to his senses and fires that loser of a friend of his who masquerades as a manager.
What's crazy is you might be right...
Bill James pretty much pegged a manager’s value at +/- 2 wins. Yet, Geren sure seems to have singlehandedly lost this team way more than 2 games with his inefficient use of bench, bullpen, and strategy…
DOUBLE REVISED- The magical goblins that live in the Reverend Billy Lard's shower just told him that actually, nobody's gonna improve this year and everyone will be released by June except for Suzuki and Cust... Sorry, kids...
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 23, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions
So we scored 5 of Haren...
Got a good game outta EGon. Hit 4 HRs and still lost? Man that is depressing. Gotta capitalize on nights like tonight.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Well, we knew there was going to be a bloodbath today.
We were just surprised it wasn’t off Egon.
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 23, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions
CAPITALIZE
emperor nobody: "can ben copeland play third will the mcgwire throwback jersey be sponsored by balco labs i think i am having non-nerve-damage related chest pains well there’s holliday’s homer for may"
Clayton Tanner. I have nothing witty to add.
by walkoff baltimore chop on May 23, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions
But this team doesn't know how
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
The caps lock button on a keyboard would be a start…
emperor nobody: "can ben copeland play third will the mcgwire throwback jersey be sponsored by balco labs i think i am having non-nerve-damage related chest pains well there’s holliday’s homer for may"
Clayton Tanner. I have nothing witty to add.
by walkoff baltimore chop on May 23, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions
K-Rod goes to hospital
http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/mets/archives/2009/05/k-rod_collapses.html
Since it’s only back spasms then How sad (Not)
I read the whole article
after posting the above link.
I do hope he recovers but he must have been in some serious pain to be weeping. Pity this did not happen while on slegnA. It is karma for all the fist pumping and pointing to the sky.
Gotta love that email that Buan read
from Steve in Napa.
Beane hires his best man as a manager who cannot manage his way out of a paper bag
Sounds like me writing that but my name’s not Steve and I is not from Napa.
Thank you Steve in Napa. Here's to hoping more anti geren emails get read
over the air. Not like Billy listens to Buan or the fans anyway. Geren is a jack off as a baseball manager.
by 33SwisherSweet on May 23, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Up for an hour and (about) 110 comments already? Is it football season yet?
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 23, 2009 11:12 PM PDT reply actions
not quite, but it's practically the 2010 MLB draft preview
Your 2009 Oakland Athetics: This time, it's personal.
Maybe it’s not a good thing to ask that question. I asked if baseball season was here during basketball season. It hasn’t worked out so far.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 23, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions
At least the slegnA had a massive meltdown in extra's themselves
as the winning run walked in with no outs.
Years of Scioscia trotting out Shields and now Arredondo and others is taking it’s toll.
I just watched that GIDP by OutaHan
That was a 91 mph pitch that had Hit me all over hit.
He hit it into the ground in front of the plate.
That should have been a line drive scorched to the center fielder tying the game.
Only Hannahan could do that. Sorry, Rajai Davis and Crosby could have as well.
I swear
the majority of the great numbers our bullpen puts up must be when the game has been lopsided, because they pretty much suck when the game is on the line. Horrible overall record… horrible close game record.
Call me when..
Doolittle/Brown/Cuningham/Carter/Dixon/Donaldson are up.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Games like this tend to bring out insane levels of frustration
As I’ve mentioned in many comments, I am not a fan of Geren. And I questioned several of his decisions tonight. I didn’t like seeing Springer, because for whatever reason, he’s awful right now. It’s just an accident waiting to happen. But our other options were guys who weren’t on the team until recently.
The very fact that Bobby Crosby is deemed a good option by in a critical hitting situation by several folks here tells you all you need to know.
Ziegler has looked quite shaky, and been seriously ill and weak, for a while now. He has one good inning, and now everyone is upset because he wasn’t sent out for another.
Bailey was bound to start failing sooner or later, especially when put in situations that don’t exactly maximize his chances of success.
It's a shame about Springer.
I was really excited about his signing. Oaktown Awesomer’s had a great post (Hope Springers Eternal) this offseason about Springer’s propensity for inducing weak flyballs and it seemed like his numbers would only improve moving to the Coliseum.
I hope Nico’s hunch is correct and Springer is injured. Then, at least, it’s something that can be fixed.
by LongLiveLangerhans on May 23, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I've said all along
the A’s would get started when Giambi hits #400. Now, that he’s done it, maybe he’ll be able to work his clubhouse magic and start being a little more relaxed at the plate with that monkey off of his back. It’s a long road to the end of the season. I hope things can change.
Just back from the game
Damn, it was cold. I was wearing a cashmere sweater by the fifth inning and I was still cold. I’m surprised it was only 21,000 — it felt more like 25K. Lots of kids. The bleachers were rocking until the bitter end.
I’m glad I got to see Giambi’s 400th, and glad that he hit it in the Coliseum.
I thought Breslow looked decent, a good pickup for the money; it’s a shame he got stuck with the loss instead of Springer or Casilla, but them’s the rules.
New chants in the left field bleachers (it was my first time out there this season): the Brazilian soccer “ole ole ole ole” for Cabrera and a version of the Macarena for Garciaparra.
Major non-baseball entertainment: Some dork wearing a 49ers helmet plunked himself down in section 134. Not surprisingly, the left field regulars who are defenders of all things Oakland took this very personally, and made a number of suggestions to the Niner fan about actions he might like to attempt in the future with said helmet. Then an A’s fan who was there with his kids took exception to the rhetoric with which one of the regulars had framed his interesting suggestions. Much discussion ensued, and just as it was dying down security showed up to ask the A’s fan to step outside. Several other people were drawn in a full and frank exchange of views on civil liberties and free speech before the unfortunate Russ Springer returned our attentions to the field.
The fireworks were good as always, but the concept was weak — great movie soundtracks. Although the Slumdog Millionare part was cool.
I was in the left field bleachers tonight also.
What dumbass wears a football helmet to any game much less a baseball game? He was ’tarded.
The game was the most deflating of any game I have personally attended this season. First the A’s are able to hit off of Dan Haren and seem to give hope to a kid traded away from Arizona only to watch the bullpen give up the win. Also, the rally at the end with one out only to watch Hannahan GIDP sucked pretty badly. Is this what we are to expect? Either there are games where we are in the lead till late innings which we lose or games where we get blowed the hell up by opposing offenses.
Fireworks were alright tonight. I’ve seen better at the Coli. What was up with the sound system being so weak today? Must be taking after the team and their weak ass manager.
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on May 24, 2009 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions
I love the Brazilian ole chant.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
I was just reading article on baseball amercia
saying more likely be taking a kid out of college named Tim wheeler outfielder and plays center. Kid stats look great and great OBP to.
Grant Green is a SS whose stock seems to have fallen a bit since last year,
when a bunch of mock drafts had him in the top 5. Recently, I’ve seen speculation he won’t make it past the tigers at #9, but Andy Seiler on John Sickel’s site had him as low as #15 not too long ago. I’d love for the A’s to get a left-side-of-the-infield college player, but there doesn’t seem to be much in this year’s draft, at least as far as 1st round projections go.
Incidentally, Seiler also has Wheeler going to the A’s, but I seem to recall having seen him lower than #13 in some other mocks.
O/T We need to borrow Lyoto Machida to have word with Geren on hot to manage
This guy just demolished Rashad Evans to win the UFC light heavyweight title. A big left, a flurry including a right and a left that drops him like a sack of potatoes.
This guy is one rounded fighter with his BB in Karate and BB in BJJ. The guy is near impossible to hit. He can evade punches like Ali used to.
DISAPPOINTING LOSS
Look the bottom line is that if our boys don’t turn it around soon….how I do not know……MR. Genius (Beene) will start the usual A’s player fire sale. It has been happening regularly the past couple years…….bye Mr. Holiday………bye Mr. Cabrera….see ya Nomar….thanks but you can’t stay …..sorry no money here in Oakland. This will be the reocurring theme here in Beeneland……year after year. Oh yeah ……we are rebuilding ..right. I believe that Billy’s string of lucky guesses, his once brilliant ability to read stats has possibly run it’s course…..all good things come to an end. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE.
After the fire sale…we will not be better my fellow A’s fans we found that out last year. To start the season with 4 pretty much rookie pitchers……and expect to be successful was wishful thinking at best and when they failed the team had no backup plan….no veterans to go to….just more inexperianced young arms. I do not fault these young guys for not performing well there is alot of pressure put on these guys playing for an organization like Oakland where the payroll is low overall and expectations are high.
Who suffers most are US the loyal fans…who live and die with the wins and loses.
The A’s have become the supplier of quality players for the rest of the league…..You disagee? Ok check it out……..how about joe Blanton…….Rich Harden…… Tampa bay’s first base man …..Dan Haren……Eric Byrnes………Do I need to name anymore?
quality?
Haren’s good, but we got a shitton of talent in return. Definitely a good deal IMO. Harden is constantly injured and we at least got some talent out of him. Brynes sucks. Blanton is ok, but not nearly worth what Philly gave up for him. Pena is solid, but six teams went through him before he became solid. Also, quality players change teams. It happens. Deal with it.
Also, we have been rebuilding for 2 years now. It’s not an overnight process. It takes time. Have some patience. I know it sucks, but it’s a necessary part of how this team is built.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
And Beane is spelled "Beane"
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
Tampa Bay's first baseman.
Can we please put this to rest? Why does everyone keep acting like Carlos Peña was an Oakland guy? He was with five teams before he landed in Tampa, and only one of them had him for less time than we did.
Let’s review the record:
- He was drafted by Texas in the first round in 1998.
- He came up through the Texas minor league system.
- He made his MLB debut with Texas in 2001 as a September call-up
- Prior to the 2002 season, the A’s traded for him.
- He played for two months in Oakland, appearing in 40 games.
- In May 2002 he was sent back to Sacramento.
- In July 2002 we traded him to Detroit, as part of a three-way trade that netted us Ted Lilly. The Tigers needed a 1B, since Dmitri Young had recently suffered a season-ending injury, so they put Peña on the active roster and directly into the lineup.
- He remained in the Tigers organization for three and a half years. After doing quite well for 2002 to 2004, he slumped a bit in 2005. He got sent down and split the 2005 season between Detroit and AAA Toledo.
- Before the 2006 season he was released by Detroit, whereupon he became a free agent available to any team.
- The Yankees then signed him to a minor-league contract, and he spent most of 2006 playing on their AAA club in Columbus.
- A clause in his contract allowed Peña to opt out. Any team ready to better the Yankees offer could have pried him away. In August 2006 Boston did so: Peña opted out of the Yankees contract and signed a new minor-league contract with Boston.
- He finished the 2006 season in the Red Sox organization, at first in AAA Pawtucket and then in Boston in September.
- After 2006 he was a free agent again, available to any team.
- Before the 2007 season, Tampa Bay signed him to a minor-league contract and invited him to camp. He was actually cut from the team during spring training, but then right before opening day Greg Norton was injured, so they brought Peña back up and put him on the roster, where he remains today.
Peña’s half season with Oakland and Sacramento is a small piece of his long career path. To act like he is an Oakland player who got away is ridiculous. He is no more an Oakland product than Johnny Damon is.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on May 24, 2009 2:21 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Most importantly, Ted Lilly was a terrific acquisition -
and the A’s could have had Peña back from 2007 on, to hit the 40 HRs / year he spontaneously figured out how to hit, had they signed him as a FA when the Rays did.
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
Lilly was a terrific acquisition
but he should have been re-signed instead of trading him for Bobby Kielty.
great recap!
It’s a reminder of how much players bounce around before they achieve….
by DoomandGloom on May 24, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I was at a farewell party for a colleague...
…and missed this tilt.
Sounds awfully, awfully familiar.
And, oh yeah….
Interleague Play: Celebrating Thirteen Seasons of Suck
by GreenNGoldSooner on May 24, 2009 5:08 AM PDT reply actions
Hi everybody!
Have been “lurking” for 3 yrs now and not enough nerve to write. You are all so clever. After last nights loss I just wanted to say that as depressing as this team has been, it really helps to know that my opinions are pretty much the same as all of yours. I very much enjoy reading these threads and without them I probably would have slit my wrists by now. Thanks!!
by swishergirl510 on May 24, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions
awesome first post
welcome
As for the game, I traveled an hour to experience the chilly weather and extra innings meltdown first hand, and I’m about to head out to the game today. I must be incredibly masochistic optomistic.
I'm a happy seal
by SwisherThresher on May 24, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Good Luck
and hope you bring this team some luck.
If you see Geren, stick your foot out as he walks by and trip the bastard up
Please keep commenting - we need to know there are others out there
suffering as much as we are, but refusing to give up on the A’s because “rooting for the A’s is what we do”!
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
Just checked to see how far our pitching has fallen off the table
5.08 ERA in May
Hitting is .246 which is a little improved and 20 HR which ranks 20th.
BP ERA (3.84) now a full run higher due to Horrific management. Springer pitching like an 80 year old with decreased velocity and Bailey himself being used until his arms falls off. I feel bad for Bailey as he has such good stuff but he is made to pitch multiple innings and is warmed up way to quick and hurried in IMO. We will never know but I would have bet money that had he warmed up a little more and started doing so as soon as Springer allowed the first hit, he would have been fine. He should have come in after the second hit at the latest and things may have been different.
Ziggy who has been less than stellar himself, pitched very well last night and could have gone an extra inning since there were 2 RHB in the first 3 he would have faced.
Geren had to manage like he has all season and we know the result.
We all knew it was a matter of kind before the bullpen...
would be gassed. Need better length from starters and better management at the end of games.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Arrrgghh.. Matter of time*
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
I see Bailey's problem last night as more poor pitch selection / execution
He had the stuff, but he sped up Byrnes’ bat by throwing a slow curve – his 3rd or 4th best pitch – and then he made a very bad location mistake to Chad Tracy.
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
Nomar at 3B?
This is after the fact, but Giambi DH’ed friday night and could have played 1B last night and Nomar could have moved over to third, thus eliminating the need for Hanahan in the lineup. Geren should be looking for ways to get the best possible players (meaning guys who can hit and play defense) on the field every night. I"m tired of seeing Jack Hanahan at third. Remember as many runs as he saves defensively he gives away at the plate offensively. I understand Geren’s thinking: get your regulars some rest so they will be fresh down the road…but there is no down the road for us if we don’t start winning now! Nomar looked very capable of playing third last night as per his play at first. One other thing, to remind those who see JH as a benefit defensively, he batted .218 last year and is currently batting .167. Further he was batting .157 in AAA before being called up. Defense is important, but if I was managing, I might DH for him and take my chances with our pitchers…LOL!
I think you'd be whistling a different tune if Nomar had started at 3B
and predicatably pulled a hammy diving for a hot shot to his left, or charging a dribbler up the line and making an off-balance throw. The problem isn’t Hannahan, who plays excellent defense and hit the ball hard twice last night. The problem is that he’s surrounded by too many other hitters who are like him.
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
Hanahan
Really the problem isn’t Hanahan? Then who hit into the game ending double play last night? Baseball is not about hitting the ball hard….it’s about getting a hit 3 out of 10 at bats…How many K’s did he have last year? It’s hard to be sucessful if your not even putting the ball in play? He had 131 in 436 AB’s…
Look you can hide behind how defensively stellar he is, but you have to concede he’s not the solution at third, in fact he’s a band-aid on a gushing wound…
At least Nomar can hit consistently….
by DoomandGloom on May 24, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
This is what is so infuriating
We sit here and see how bad these players like Hannahan and Rajai are.
They have no business taking up a roster spot. BB is being disingenuous by not putting the best team he can on the field. You cannot tell me there is not one player in the organization who can outhit Hannahan and play a respectable 3B.
Rebuilding is supposed to give up and coming players a chance to prove themselves not have garbage like we have taking up oxygen as we have at the moment.
As much as I hate Crosby, he best be playing instead of Hannahan. He actually punishes Garland. If he is going to make an error then let’s hope it does not cost us. t least he might contribute with the bat against Garland.
Hanahan sympathists
Really? Seriously we are having this conversation?
What is there to defend? This is not 1920, where a player who bats .218 but plays a good 3B is an asset to your team. We are in an era were in order to be competitive you need production from every player in the lineup. You can’t hide a player. You can bury him, but you can’t hide him. Sooner or later when his number is called, he’s going to fail, because his batting average is .162. I don’t care if he hit the ball hard. Remember baseball is about failure…but after a WHOLE season of watching him fail miserably at the plate, I can’t take it! I remember how bad we were last year and this year we didn’t even start the season off with this guy. He wasn’t even in our future plans…but yet you sympathize with him and defend as if he’s the solution. We signed Nomar to spell Chavy. That fell through. But Nomar is back from the DL, so freakin play him at 3B!
by DoomandGloom on May 24, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think anyone wants to see Hanahan or Crosby in the everyday lineup. When both are starting it’s tough to watch. The only thing I like about Hanahan at the plate is he will hit a few bombs. Crosby hasn’t been a power threat since his rookie year.
Neither will hit enough to justify their spot on a major league roster.
Hannahan plays good defense. Advantage: Hannahan (and opposing pitchers).
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
Not fair
Hanahan is not a good hitter but you can’t blame him for striking out a lot and them blame him for hitting the ball right at someone for a double play. Would you really be upset if he bounced a grould ball through the infield for a hit in that situation? He got a good pitch to hit. If he took it, it would have been a strike and then his chances of striking out go way up. He did the right thing, just didn’t have any luck. He put a better swing on the ball than Sweeney did.
Definitely. That was actually a perfectly good at bat
that had a perfectly bad outcome. Along with Sweeney, Giambi also had a bad swing with a good outcome that inning.
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
For some cruel reason, the A’s have had several good swings with the tying run in scoring position only to make an out (or two) to end the game. Cust hit a line drive right at the left fielder early in the season…. Suzuki flew out to the waring track a few weeks later. Too many last inning teases.
That's a good point
I was at the Bedard-Cahill game where Cust had a terrific AB to no avail. And the Suzuki AB would have won the game outright. Add to that a non-disastrous bottom of the 13th in Seattle and you’re looking at about a .500 team.
Of course then there’s the games we had no right to win but did…
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
That was a real hanger that Nomar hit out
That was just a bad pitch that got the treatment
Hannahan killed us again
You can have all the defense in the world from him but look what happens when he bats.
Gets 1 meaningless hit per month and kills us the rest of the time.
The only thing he did right last night was swing at the first pitch. It was an absolute cookie and he hit it into the ground in front of the plate and really it was not that well struck. A normal hitter whould have scorched that and the very least it would have shot thru a hole before a fieder could have reacted.
Had he taken that pitch, there is no doubt he would have been a strikout victim which of course would had allowed OCab to hit
Bullpen
The main issue obviously is fatigue…Bailey relies on locating his fastball to be effective and the more he pitches the less precise he becomes. I really think Springer is hitting a wall that might be permanent. I have little to no confidence in Casilla. I really like Breslow. I wish that Zig would be used as the closer, or just give the job to Wertz. Can we release Springer and call up Gray?
7 IP 15H 8 ER 3HR .....24 Fly Balls and a 10.29 ERA for the month of May
I wonder who owns these stats
28.2 IP Leads the BP as well...
So what can we do now? We need to make serious changes to the Bullpen.
Here’s what I propose
Release Springer….Call up Gray
Send down Kameron and call up Marshall
Use Breslow and Marshall as Lefty specialists
Then Santiago/Gray in the 6th/7th
Then Wuertz/Bailey in the 7th/8th
Zig to close….
by DoomandGloom on May 24, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Sounds good.
Then when Wuertz (overused), Bailey (regressing), and Ziegler (still weak from illness) fail a few times, now what would you do?
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
I don't want to see Marshall
Geren will use him against righties as well and we know he does not have the stuff to come thru
Solutions not more questions
Well, well, well….then Mr. Nico, I proposed a solution to what we would both agree to be a systemic issue plaguing our team. I for one do not have all the answers, but what we are running out there everyday is not working, so as part of a remedy I proposed some minor adjustments to the bullpen to perhaps slow down the wretchedness that reeks down in the darkness of the left field corner…
What do propose the A’s do? Stay the Course? Make wholesale changes? Trade for different starting pitchers? Call up Mazzaro? What is your solution to the problem?
My solution is to make Bailey the closer and limit him to the 9th inning
If Springer’s hurting, put him on the DL and hope he comes back strong; if he’s not, use him as about the 4th guy out of the pen until he pitches better or until you have someone better.
Use Ziegler, Wuertz, and Casilla in the 7th/8th based on who’s available and based on the need (power pitcher, ground ball pitcher, etc.), and pick spots for Breslow to face mostly lefties, Cameron to face mostly righties, and be willing to pitch both in higher leverage situations as needed to keep the others fresh.
Bullpens don’t work out neatly. A lot depends on who’s available, who’s throwing well that week, who’s 100% and who’s 90% but “pitching through it,” and so on. It’s a fluid situation – the key is not to be afraid to use guys like Cameron or Breslow sometimes instead of running your best guys into the ground. They’re not good but they’re not terrible. Overusing Bailey, Springer, and Wuertz – especially Bailey, who is an integral part of the team’s future – is terrible.
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
Awesome analysis!
I agree wholeheartedly…
Springer is either done or should go to the DL.
So then are you implying the management of the pen is what’s wrong?
Methinks you are, and couldn’t agree more!
I think Geren has the tendency to overuse certain guys in the pen, that’s one of his flaws as a manager. He also tends to rest players for the sake of resting them. Of course you don’t know how much input BB has though…
by DoomandGloom on May 24, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, I think Geren's bullpen management
has been a relative strength of his. He has been hurt by his starters not going deep enough, and that will force any manager either to use guys too much or to use guys who are not effective often enough to make you “look good” often enough.
And when I say “relative strength of his,” I mean that Geren’s bullpen management has only been “poor.”
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
Agreed
Yes overuse is going to be an issue….his hands are tied with the lack of SP going deep into games…this was a luxury that the A’s have had for so many years….until now.
With that being said, does he trust his gut? Or is he a number’s guy? I really don’t see him managing on a whim a lot.
The good ones, tend to manage by how they feel (while taking the stats into consideration).
Does Geren do that?
by DoomandGloom on May 24, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I see him as more of a
“tarot card / coin flip / veterans who suck because they once had a track record / ouija board” kind of manager.
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
Can't the Bleacher Crew get a chant along the lines of
Fire Geren (clap, clap, clap clap clap), Fire Geren (clap, clap, clap clap clap)?
I’ve contemplated creating a very simple “Fire Geren” sign and placing it front and center in the bleachers of plaza reserved, but I’m certain I’d be “asked” to take it down.
Beane has lost significant credibility in his decision to hire and refusal to relieve him of his mis-managerial duties.
by 33SwisherSweet on May 24, 2009 11:57 AM PDT reply actions
Why bother?
A different manager won’t be able to make Chavez, Ellis, Normar, Devine and Duchscherer healthy all of a sudden. Deep rosters make managers look smart. They can create the match ups they want. The A’s roster is the opposite of deep so, Crosby and Hanahan have to play…. Ziggy has to face tough lefties…. Bailey has to pitch way too often.
Actually, there WERE a few shouts of "Geren Sucks!" last night
Just didn’t rise to the level of a chant, especially when the Niner fan was there to generate so much abuse.
by Englishmajor on May 24, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't blame Jack for being a bad hitter...
The blame once again falls on Geren.
1st and 3rd, one out, Sweeney on first… why is Sweeney not stealing 2nd on the 1st pitch with Jack taking?
If they cut it off, or no throw at all, we have 2nd and 3rd, nobody out
If they throw through, than the tying run comes home
2nd and 3rd – nobody out most likely…
That would have brought the infield in.
Best case scenario, Jacks hit up the middle scores two runs and we win the game
Worst case scenario, SS snares the grounder, holds the runner at 3rd, throws out Jack… and we still have 2nd & 3rd with 2 outs
I mean, at least give your team the best chance possible to win the game…
"If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game." - Rickey Henderson
I actually think sending Sweeney would have been a bad idea
It’s not true that throwing through means the tying run automatically scores. If the runner at third holds, Sweeney can be thrown out; if he comes home he can be thrown out on the relay from the middle infielder. Either way you can run yourself out of an inning when all you needed was a fly ball.
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
I agree
Except for in this situation, due to 3 things:
1. The “hitter” was Jack Hannahan
2. Rauch is a sinkerballer and those tend to be hard to hit fly balls on
3. A’s offense in general has been horrid this year and I think it’s time we MAKE some things happen instead of wait for the home run. (Especially seeing we’re last in the sport in XBH)
If the base runner is smart, he’ll score on a throw to 2nd and hold if the ball is cut. Judging by the way we get our bunts down, however, I would have to think fundamentals are NOT our thing.. so that might have been a bad idea.
"If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game." - Rickey Henderson
The risk is that the play put on might be for the 2B/SS
to come in front of the bag to take the throw, ready to whip it right back to the plate. The runner at third can’t break until the catcher’s throw is past the pitcher (in case he might cut it off; another possible play), so he isn’t going to beat a throw back home if the middle infielder is just cutting the throw off and relaying it home (instead of making a tag).
If it were a “better odds” play, teams would run more automatically any time they had first/third two out, because in that situation there’s about a 2/3 chance the inning is about to end anyway. That alone tells you that runners have less than a 50/50 chance of making it home on a double-steal; otherwise, why wouldn’t you put on a double-steal pretty much any time you had first/third with two out and a reasonably fast runner at third?
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
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