What I Want From My Team

by Nico on May 30, 2009 9:20 PM PDT Comment 105 comments

The 25-man roster, as currently constituted and probably as constituted the rest of the season, is not very good; I get that. I'm not asking for Jack Hannahan to suddenly catch up to mid-90s fastballs and I'm not asking Bob Geren to produce long winning streaks from a combination of young pitchers, old hitters, bad hitters, and Kurt Suzuki.

Here's what I do want:

* I want the A's to run out every ground ball and every fly ball as if they secretly know an error is going to be made on the play. Even if they're wrong almost every single time, it's the way baseball should be played and it brings energy to a team to see that kind of hustle 100% of the time.

* I want every player in the dugout to acknowledge a teammate's hard slide, or alert tag up from first, or "hustle double," in a way that is visible to the teammate out on the field, and as a result to every fan, and I want the manager to be the first one out to the front step clapping and leading that acknowledgment.

* Every "productive out" - sacrifice fly, bouncer to second that advances a runner to third with one out, successful bunt - I want every player in the dugout to greet the batter before he gets into the dugout, in a way that lets every fan see that every player appreciates that a "productive out" is better than a "non-productive out," and I want the manager to be the first one the hitter gets to on his way to the dugout.

Do you get the picture? Everything I'm asking for as a fan is fully within the control of any team, no matter how talented or untalented the players are, no matter what the score. I'm asking for energy, intensity, and liveliness, things that won't necessarily produce more wins but will necessarily send the right message about how the game is supposed to be played. And I want my manager to lead, at every turn, insisting that the team play with life and intensity, and insisting that everyone acknowledge these qualities when they see them.

Is this too much to ask? Because personally, I think if the A's focused on just this, the team would start playing better. Not a lot better, but a little. And a little can lead to a little more, and every bit helps. Energy is infectious and intensity is a habit. Guys, you're 18-29 doing it your way and you're heading south fast. But I'll proudly watch a team that plays with passion, and I'll support that team through thick and thin.

Can you guys just do that much? Starting, like, now?

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Good post Nico, a little passion for the game of baseball would be nice to see out of the Oakland A’s right now.

by sirbed on May 30, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So...you want the A's to play like they're in Little League?

by Tripp on May 30, 2009 9:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Although, they kinda already are playing like they're in little league

by Tripp on May 30, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want the A's to play like they're in Little League,

but it would be nice if Little League coaches could tell their kids to play like the A’s.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on May 30, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In Little League

they preach simple concepts like moving runners up by hitting balls thru the infleid and hitting cut off men.

Startling concepts I know….

I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)

by BleedGreen on May 30, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that's what it takes, then yes.

I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup

by UncleLeo on May 30, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is what I thought too

I watched my friend’s 9-yr-old son play a few weeks ago. The coach and all the kids were talking to each other, cheering etc…. until the last inning when the pitcher’s “control” started to fall apart and the team lost.
But I agree, more enthusiasm and interest in the game from all A’s coaches and players would sure help!

by streetfan on May 30, 2009 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree with this.

I’d encourage every Beane-or-bust die hard to carefully watch their next A’s game with an eye towards level of effort on the field. There is way too much jogging to first, and trotting after a ball in the corner going on with this team.

Will a change there make a huge difference? No. But it is absolutely maddening to see factors that are completely in one’s control not being seized as such. Think about it in terms of your job. Do you mail it in when you know your prospects or grim, or do you have some pride in putting in the effort?

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on May 30, 2009 9:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, when you put it that way ...

most people mail it in. Unfortunate but true.

by el campysino on May 30, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It could be my bias, no doubt.

Stealing anything, including a paycheck, will fill me with self-loathing faster than just about anything.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on May 30, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about third? Third's cool.

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 30, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny,

by el campysino on May 30, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly; well put

Jack Hannahan, what’s your excuse for striking out? You can’t hit a good fastball? OK, fair enough.

Ryan Sweeney, what’s your excuse for jogging to first on a high pop-fly the other day, and barely making it to second when it was dropped? Still waiting.

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 30, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Answer:

I thought it would be caught. Sorry. Who’re you gonna replace me with?

by el campysino on May 30, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

denorfia

by Future Ed on May 30, 2009 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he sucks at baseball

by inbillywetrust on May 31, 2009 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seem to remember reading somewhere that sabermetric analysis proves...

…that effort doesn’t matter.

In fact, there’s no such thing as “effort.”

[/snark]

Interleague Play: Celebrating Thirteen Seasons of Suck

by GreenNGoldSooner on May 31, 2009 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually....

I have heard something to that effect, no snark.

“These are professionals who are paid a lot of money to do their job, therefore the real professionals just get the job done, and you see that in the statistics.”

This is part of the philosophy that says people do their best work for money, and only for money. I think it’s a crock. I also think it’s something Billy Beane subscribes to.

by richwol1 on May 31, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what he said

Plus the socks have to all come up and we need to show some Oakland Athletics flair out there, if it means they have to hire Rickey Henderson as Fashion Coach then it has to happen. Demonstrate some fucking passion and some unity or you might as well all start the autograph/cardshow circuit and get it over with.

If they aren’t all out there tomorrow or Monday with the cool golden Josh Outman socks with the green ol’ skool stirrups up to their knees, then they don’t know what baseball means and fuck ’em.

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

by emperor nobody on May 30, 2009 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree with the sentiment.

I’ve been trying to resolve why I’m so down on this team this year more than the last couple years.

One is obvious, we were supposed to be seeing some improvement by now. Not necessarily as WS win, but some discernible improvement.

But the other reason, I think, is for the most part this team seems so apathetic. Lack of fire. Whatever you want to call it. Almost as if they’ve resigned themselves to sucking.

I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup

by UncleLeo on May 30, 2009 9:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

your kidding right

Why should they the team has already “disconnected” from the “coaching staff”…..

by granja on May 30, 2009 9:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sean Gallagher tonight for Sacramento:

7 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (106 pitches, 65 strikes). The game is currently 3-3 in the 10th.

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 30, 2009 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They just won with a bases loaded walk

from Baisley.

by Trainman on May 30, 2009 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How A's.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on May 30, 2009 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh, even the Rivercats managed 3 earned runs off Cecil!

by Tripp on May 30, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL - I saw the box score and thought the same thing

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 30, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just like the manager

Their attitude is always tomorrow is another day. Once they are down more than 2 runs they give up.

by Arcman on May 30, 2009 10:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I, once again, totally agree

I think the reason why this is happening is pretty clear, too. The 2009 A’s feature a bunch of young, unproven rookies who feel like they might have been brought up too soon (Cahill, Anderson), some demoralized players who feel they should be clicking right now but have been sidelined by injuries and trips back to AAA or just plain lack of talent (Buck, Crosby, Hannahan, Davis), and veteran players who are wondering what they’re even doing on this team (Cabrera, Holliday). The young, the demoralized, and the grizzled make for some bad chemistry. Blaming Geren for everything is getting old, but one thing I’m sure of is that his placid demeanor sure isn’t firing anyone up.

Suzuki and Kennedy are the only ones playing with any passion right now.

by DDroney on May 30, 2009 10:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

First Time Commenter

Uhh, hello.

I’m a Blue Jays fan that was turned onto AN by reading an Athletics/Blue Jays recap here, and found the threads interesting to read.

Just like to say that I feel your pain in having a less than ideal team on the field, and while I’m not super intricately familiar with the A’s history prior to this season, I do have respect for the A’s as an organization from years past. I find myself looking up the A’s scores and then (more often than not) cringe as I imagine the likely reaction here.

Hope that the A’s pull it together, except when they face the Jays, you guys deserve better than what’s being put out right now. Oh, and no trade-backs for Scutaro. He’s ours ;D

by Northern Fan on May 30, 2009 10:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, thanks for commenting - hope you'll stick around

I find that having comments and perspectives from cool fans of other teams really enhances the site.

Can we share Scutaro?

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 30, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose...

…if we have an off-day and Scutaro’s willing to make the commute.

Will you settle for him helping us beat the slegnA? (it took me /forever/ to realize that that meant. because I’m a smart one.)

by Northern Fan on May 30, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess we'll have to settle for that ...

especially because I can’t see Scoot’s making the commute pro bono to a place where all the authorities, including numerous AN experts, confidently asserted that he didn’t have the makings of a bona fide starting shortstop.

Thanks for checking in, and hope to hear from you again!

by el campysino on May 30, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome!

Please stop by often

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 30, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Off-Topic

But Texas and Boston College are in the top of the 23rd inning in Austin in the winner’s bracket of their regional.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on May 30, 2009 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's a link

To watch.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on May 30, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On it.

This is ridiculous.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t not watch this.

by DDroney on May 30, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

quick! you got another 15 minutes or so, max, probably.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

that’s a long game….when did it start, last week?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

24 innings, and neither team has hit in to a double play. Amazing.

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i love how it's

Texas 2 19 3
BC 2 7 0

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And now on to the 25th.....

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This must be brutal.

I do video for SC baseball games. I couldn’t imagine being stuck in that booth since … 4? going on 7 hours?

Also, I’m going to go out on a limb and say the winner of the elimination game has the advantage, at least with tired pitchers and such.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sounds like a fair number of fans still there after nearly 7 hours

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, it does. probably more than we get total.

it must suck to go 1 out of 11…

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It does.

I think that was my record in kid-ball in the seventh-grade or so.

On the other hand — you shoulda seen my on-base percentage!

by el campysino on May 30, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually, after seeing that shot...

the stands actually still look full.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well done Texas

Hopefully for them, they have at least a day or two off before their next game….

BC has a game in 11 hours — ouch.

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Texas vs Army/BC winner at 4 pacific.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, can you imagine if BC wins that and these teams have to play each other again?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching BC try to hit reminded me of the A's...

by nateinberkeley on May 30, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, what?

You think we can get 8 hits in 2 1/2 games?

Also, apparently Austin Wood is quite good.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assume they are going to rest Wood tomorrow....

What was it, 13 innings tonight for him? And he pitched last night?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on May 30, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they do, for his sake.

But then again … if he is willing and able and they need to close out the game to not play Monday, why would they rest him?

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on May 30, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

He is. His first 12 1/3 innings were no-hit innings! That is flat out stupid. 169 pitches in the game for his 13 innings of work.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on May 31, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Regardless of the result of Boston College’s marathon NCAA tournament game last night against host Texas, the Eagles already had a couple of pieces of history. By battling into the 25th inning in a 2-2 tie in their winners’ bracket game of the Austin (Texas) Regional, the teams broke the record for the longest NCAA baseball game of any kind. The previous mark was set when Louisiana-Lafayette beat McNeese State, 6-5 in 23 innings, on March 27, 1971…

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on May 30, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Billy Beane traded away everyone with heart or attitude...

… so you won’t see any of those things. Billy’s precious ego can’t handle anything but people like bob geren. If you’d like to see Billy Beane fired, look for the petition at the home series vs the giants that calls for billy to be fired or for his resignation. Billy Beane is the biggest fraud in pro sports.

by TedRamey on May 30, 2009 10:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hooz? Is that you?

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

by Flashfire on May 30, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

by MrMoneyBaller on May 31, 2009 3:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you obviously are attached to billy’s ego. i take it you still think he is “smart?”

by TedRamey on May 31, 2009 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I take it you think you know what you're talking about?

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

by Flashfire on May 31, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha

I actually laughed out loud at that.
:D

by MrMoneyBaller on May 31, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh, no.

I’m just wondering what exactly you’re talking about, because saying he trading away everyone with “heart or attitude” is vague to say the least.

by MrMoneyBaller on May 31, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he means Byrnes/Swisher/Haren

Thats who I thought of when he said that. In a way I agree, (about these three players not B.B.).

a ground rule double followed by three unproductive outs, sounds like my sex life - dayzd toe

by adragon on Jun 1, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're making weird, sweeping assumptions

about hundreds of baseball players throughout every level of the organization.

Is it the fact that Beane has amassed a top 1/3 winning percentage with a bottom 1/3 payroll in 12 seasons that makes him a fraud? Or is 12 seasons too small a sample size for you? Do you really think the A’s had a swath of playoff appearances and winning records by way of dumb luck and accident?

With a bottom 1/3 payroll, no matter how good a GM you are, there are going to be down years. These are the down years. TedRamey, I’d like you to list all of the teams who don’t have a few down years every 10 – 15 years. It’s nearly every team, large and small payrolls alike.

Beane has tried to stay fresh and inventive working with miniscule payrolls against a market that is rapidly evolving - the market is getting smarter. Down years are inevitable. Your petition is bunk and you’re a knee-jerk reactionary.

by sleepingcobra on May 31, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

After Moneyball...

Many GMs were saying that the only reason those teams from 2000-2004 were good was because of the Big Three.

The A’s have had exactly one good season since Mulder and Hudson left, and that can be attributed to the work of one man, Frank Thomas.

Here’s the thing, though: the A’s farm system has not produced a single great offensive player in nearly a decade. Only two position players, Swisher and Suzuki, came up through the organization and stayed with the organization in the majors.. That’s very bad. We can’t fault the team for working without much in the way of funds, but their pre-draft scouting produced exactly one miracle (Suzuki), one decent top choice (Swisher). Thus far, the rest are either duds or the “let’s have patience” crowd (Buck, etc).

by richwol1 on May 31, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It does not get any more corny and cliched than this post

Hustle: the last refuge of a desperate fan of an awful team.

by RLangford on May 31, 2009 12:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

agreed

Team hustles if they are in a slump and the losses belie their true abilities. A team should hustle if they are trying to build towards something in the near term. We are nowhere close to making the playoffs, let alone winning the world series. What is the point of asking our players to hustle when half of them won’t be on this team next year? If players like Crosby and Hannahan hustle on every play from here on, would it make a difference this year or next?

by batterbatter on May 31, 2009 12:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry?

striving for excellence in everything is not only fun to watch and inspiring, but it helps the players in what is also an individual sport.

One can only hope you don’t apply that philosophy to your own lives!

by Chilango on May 31, 2009 12:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Low standards - gotta love 'em.

I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup

by UncleLeo on May 31, 2009 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, because I love watching a team that doesn't try their hardest just because they're losing games

Guess what? Keep not trying your hardest and you’ll keep losing games.

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

by Flashfire on May 31, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me it should be about taking pride in your profession.

Even if the rest of the team around you is pathetic it’s inexcusable to jog to first, trot after a ball in the corner etc when you’re being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to play baseball.

by OldhamA on May 31, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

No matter how pathetic a team this is, they need to hustle. It sends the right message. Of course Geren does not know how to send them the message

by Trainman on May 31, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this sounds like a plaintive Kansas City Royals fan...

course, the Royals are better than the A’s, so maybe a Royals fan of the past.

"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)

by FoolshGame22 on May 31, 2009 12:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

great post nico...couldn't agree more...

went to an a’s royals game a few weeks ago.

i was struck by the discipline of the royals. most notably, the entire team lined up in front of the dugout, caps off for the national anthem (save the starting pitcher and catcher). the eye opening moment was when the stadium announcer told the fans in attendance to rise, the entire team ran to the dugout and lined up.

the a’s were strewn about the field running and stretching. no order to the chaos.

a buddy of mine that knows nothing about baseball commented that the royals manager controls the team. i agreed and quietly sobbed to myself.

by inbillywetrust on May 31, 2009 1:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't Really Agree

I like the sentiment, but to be honest, crappy baseball teams always look apathetic. Players who are always making outs look like they aren’t trying, while high batting average teams in particular tend to look scrappy and get commentators rabbiting on about how they have good fundamentals.

More hustle and ‘productive outs’ won’t change the fact that this team regularly trots out a lineup half-full of replacement level trash. I’m actually pretty excited about the post 09 state of the franchise, but at the moment there is inevitably going to be some very ugly baseball.

by VanderBirch on May 31, 2009 6:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Based on what?

I’m actually pretty excited about the post 09 state of the franchise…

I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup

by UncleLeo on May 31, 2009 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The farm system no doubt.

by OldhamA on May 31, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least they should keep their heads in the game

Giambi in particular – at times it looks like he’s checked out and is now just looking to increase his career stats. In the last week or so he’s failed to start running from first on a two out, 3-2 pitch and of course the faux ball four that caused Holliday (who also must not have been paying attention) to be picked off of first.

THAT’S the kind of crap that should get someone benched for a day or two. THAT’S the kind of crap that really cheats the fans. I don’t expect winning baseball all the time, but I do expect good fundamental baseball.

by coffee roaster on May 31, 2009 8:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Giambi just trying to increase his career stats?

if so, he’s not doing a very good job.

I think he’s showing that he is no longer physically capable of playing every day, at least not also in the field.

by OaklandSi on May 31, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to make the same point.

by OldhamA on May 31, 2009 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen, Nico!

Well said. This team plays with NO passion due to their passionless manager Geren. Wash should have been hired. I miss guys like Whitey Herzog and Billy Martin. They need a kick in the pants!

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

by A'sfansince1970 on May 31, 2009 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whitey Herzog, Billy Martin, Dick Williams, Earl Weaver...

Are there any more baseball men like them around?

Could they drive and cajole and prod a club into being better than the sum of their parts?

Or, would today’s players just tune guys like that out and pout and sulk?

How would Matt Holliday feel if he had made an error or strikeout that lost the club a game and then a Dick Williams or a Billy Martin not only bitches him out in front of the whole clubhouse, but in front of the media, too?

How would Jason Giambi feel if he got fined $1,000 every time he didn’t run out a groundball and immediately taken out of the game in punishment?

I wonder if treating these guys like fourth graders when they pull stupid fourth grade shit would shape this club up a little…

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 31, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

See I don't want someone chastised for making an error or striking out

But I do want them chastised (that is, held accountable) for not running out a ground ball. You shouldn’t be afraid to fail or make mistakes, but at the same time you should be afraid to see your manager when you play stupidly or not hard. As you will be if Jim Leyland is your manager, and in a different way Joe Maddon.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on May 31, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as much as Joe Maddon is the perfect manager for these times,

those old school guys I mentioned could sure light a fire under a club.

I see your point… Cajole them when they do lazy things, and don’t be too hard on them for mere failings, because baseball is all about failure… Although, I wonder if some of these guys might not be better motivated by someone treating them badly rather than someone blowing smoke up their asses all the time.

Plus, the great old-school managers had a fire to win. They just had to win, or they would be depressed, pissed off, and a little bit mental, until the next victory. Then, ten minutes later, after the good feelings wore off, they were back racking their brains, trying to figure out how to win tomorrow, or at least going out and beating up marshmallow salesmen.

by Gaijin_Suketto on May 31, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody just see Baseball tonight

Just a few items they had….. A’s worst BA in the Majors and get this 5.12 worst ERA for the month of May. Hey Billy and Bob do you think any changes have to be made. Remember the press conferences you had when you were signing for these “veteran bats” that were supposed to help the pitching staff!!! What happened and that smile has disappeared from your face. What about the pitching staff you gonna continue to run out the youngsters and let the beatings continue. Gonna be a long painful season for fans and for all the complaining fans do “Gerens not going anywhere”……..LOL.

by granja on May 31, 2009 9:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In all the years

I cannot think of a lower point, a rockier bottom than what we have hit here with this years team. Maybe the Dwayne Murphy era teams before Bash Brothers took the stage. Horrible product on the field. No leadership. Just a complete and total meltdown. I already gave up my season tickets last year and am going to games at about the once per month rate. I watch every game but since I let the MLB and Direct TV bleed me for the $200 package I end up switching over to other games with talented players who are actually playing for something other than their paycheck.

How can you not get rid of Geren at this point? How can you not DFA Crosby and Hanahan? How can we keep marching this crap team out there every day? Horrible.

Baja been here

by bajablue on May 31, 2009 9:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You must be too young

..to remember the late ‘70s or mid -80s. Those teams were far worse than the 2009 A’s. FAR WORSE.

by richwol1 on May 31, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I want from my fan site

is for a site where not everyone feels they need to create a new fanpost with their ideas about the GM, manager, roster, and crazy trade ideas!

but yeah, I would have hoped that the A’s could keep the fans interested at least until June

Wang’s ERA is the same as the balance in my checkbook - Jennifer

by closetasfan on May 31, 2009 9:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good luck finding that fan site!

I’m just glad that so many people still care.

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 31, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

just to clarify

obviously posts like you and other regulars are always an interesting read, its the trollers and the not so well though out ones that I wish were parts of other posts rather than new posts

but hey, I guess on the bright side, at least they care.

Wang’s ERA is the same as the balance in my checkbook - Jennifer

by closetasfan on May 31, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

okay, doctor, then what DO you want from a fansite?

Easy recipe ideas?

Front page bikini girls?

I know that when my club is playing like crap, I want the brightest minds of the fans trying to figure out how to fix the problem, and the club officials who read the fansite(s) stealing the best of those ideas and using them.

by Gaijin_Suketto on May 31, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If club Officials read anything from this site

The A’s would be in first place, maybe not but I am confident anyone on this site could manage the team better!!

Thank you Al Davis for Michael Crabtree!!!!!

by Athletic on May 31, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or at least thinks they could -

Such is being a fan.

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 31, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, everyone thinks they're better than a bad manager...

But Geren’s so bad that I can name at least 10 people on this site who could do a better job.

There are a lot of savvy fans here that would never do stupid things like IBB’ing .200 hitters in the 1st inning or putting Santiago Casilla to pitch in pressure situations…

Also, a lot of us AN’ers actually breathe in through our noses, unlike the current manager.

by Gaijin_Suketto on May 31, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nicely said

Thank you Al Davis for Michael Crabtree!!!!!

by Athletic on May 31, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe they should act like someone is PAYING THEM TO PLAY BASEBALL

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.

by 9Custs on May 31, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this team is flat. they need the spark. geren is creating SERIOUS doubt in my mind.

by greendatitiz on May 31, 2009 11:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In other news...

Carlos Gonzalez has a 1.018 OPS, 7 HR, and a 30/22 K/BB ratio for the Rockies AAA Affiliate

Damn it :(

Fuck you Bob Geren

by supermarc589 on May 31, 2009 11:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hey. but you are missing the most important thing! at least we have the moneyball movie!

why concentrate on talent on your team, when the real question is if it’ll be clooney or pitt playing beane? priorities folks, priorities.

by greendatitiz on May 31, 2009 11:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The problem begins at the top

Yes, it would be nice to see some more hustle and attitude. But we have an owner who could care less about the fans, puts down his stadium, and disrespects the home town; a GM who is a control freak and can’t tolerate a manger who can think for himself; and a manager who is clueless. The lack of hustle and attitude shown by the players is a direct result of the above.

by jiggsy on May 31, 2009 1:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs