A Letter To the Fans From Brad Ziegler
by baseballgirl on Apr 29, 2010 11:52 AM PDT
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Print(Note from baseballgirl: I received this from Ziggy about five minutes ago and I am posting it in its entirety.)
Hey, everyone! I wanted to check in here now that we’re about a month into the season...and also explain some of the comments I made that have been portrayed in a much different light than I intended. I know this will be lengthy, but I hope that you take a few minutes to read it. If nothing else, you will know that it came straight from me and there will be zero media slant to what is said.
First of all, this season has been a BLAST so far. This team is scrappy – a bunch of guys who are going to fight, and fight TOGETHER. We all believe in each other, and we hope that people all over MLB realize that this team has a great chance to be in the thick of things come September (and even if they don’t, we believe it in the locker room)… That said, as if this isn’t obvious, anything we accomplish is going to be done as a TEAM. We don’t have the 1 or 2 guys we can rely on to carry us for 6 straight months. We need contributions from everybody every single night to have success, and so far, that’s happening. If you’d have told our team in spring training that we’d be at the top of the AL West as we near the end of April, everyone would’ve been happy, but NO ONE in our clubhouse would’ve been surprised.
However, that does NOT mean we’re not going to face our share of trials along the way. The most prominent that seems to keep popping up every year is the injuries. The DL list is growing quickly, and we know at SOME point, that will change – just by sheer logic, it HAS to. Just hope that it’s sooner rather than later, and in the meantime, we just have to weather the storm and stay afloat so that we can thrive when we get healthy and make that push as we head past the trading deadline into what everyone hopes is an August/September/October we will remember for a long, long time.
OK, now, to address the Twitter comments and the subsequent articles that were written:
First of all, let me state that I’m SHOCKED at the amount of attention this has received, especially outside of Oakland. We need some new story lines in baseball, apparently, if THIS is the focus of so many people’s attentions a month into the year. At the same time, I’m glad that, between this and the Braden/ARod issue, the A’s are getting some national press, because it’s allowing people all over the country to take note of our good start and realize, "Oh, hey, this could be a good, young, fun team to watch the rest of the season and for several years to come…"
That said, what I actually said and what I meant to portray with the words I chose somehow became extremely blurred. Part of that may have been because I can’t, on Twitter, type out long statements like this one because of their character limit. However, no matter the reason, I don’t want what I said to be misconstrued or taken out of context or taken in a way that I didn’t intend. I don’t want to be known as (or even worse, truly be) a spoiled, pompous twit (pun intended) who is ungrateful to our fans.
A few days ago, I was being bombarded by dozens of people on Twitter (people I don’t really know – I think they just knew I was an athlete so I was targeted) to jump on board in supporting a boycott of Arizona sports as a way to protest the new immigration law in that state. And I’m not talking about just D-backs games – they were wanting me to support the boycott of NCAA games, NFL, NHL, NBA, spring training games, and even future potential Super Bowl bids for that area, which, to me was singling out primarily the Phoenix area.
My initial reaction was this: I don’t know ANYTHING about this law. I’m not from Arizona. I don’t vote there. I have zero connection to Arizona, other than the fact that I spend 2 months a year there for spring training. So I was confused why I was being targeted to support a boycott to protest a law that, in many ways, doesn’t seem to directly affect me.
When I initially said I wasn’t going to support the boycott, I gave the reason that I didn’t know enough about the law to pick a side on it. Then I moved on, stating essentially that I wouldn’t want to support a boycott of D-backs games anyway, because I wouldn’t want to do that to their players. I know what it’s like to play in front of a mostly-empty home stadium. It’s difficult, as a player, to get the same amount of adrenaline when the majority of the stadium is empty and the atmosphere isn’t as electric as it is in some places when we go on the road…or when we’re at home and we’re playing against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Giants when people come out in droves to the games – primarily because of our opponent. When a team’s having success like we are right now, it’s human nature that we want to be noticed. When the Yanks came to town, there were less than 20,000 people at the opening game of that series, and the majority of the fans there were wearing midnight blue. I know some can viably say that we’ve lost a lot of games the last couple of years and helped erode our own fan base. But we’re giving it all we’ve got every time out, loving and trying to respect the game...and we’re just hope fans will stick with us in that.
There have been games this year where we’ve essentially estimated the number of fans in the seats at the beginning of the game from the bullpen, and we’ve come up with numbers like 2500. I realize lots of people come in later during the game, but from our perspective, imagine what that feels like to a starting pitcher. I don’t mean for this to sound like some spoiled kid. I’ve been through a little bit to be where I am today. I hope (and think) that that’s not who I am...but the truth is, we loved playing in front of a crowd in little league, in high school, in legion, in college, and in the minors. It’s part of what makes the game part of what we love to do. We have a couple All-Star caliber pitchers competing every 5 nights for us, and very few people are there to see them throw the first pitch of the game. It just makes it slightly tougher to get the same energy level as it does when the stadium is packed and electric. I know we’re professionals and I know most of that is on us, but I’m just telling you how it is. As a reliever, it’s similar when you come into a blowout game. When the team’s down 11-1, neither team’s fans are on the edge of their seat, and it’s a different energy level than it is when you come into a 2-1 game in the 8th inning against the Angels.
I’ll be among the first to say: I realize our stadium is out-dated and probably isn’t as fan-friendly as most parks (largely in part to the distance from the fans to the field because of the enormous amount of foul territory). I can see how that, along with ticket and parking prices, can be a major deterrent to fans, especially when the economy is in its current state (it was that way often for my family growing up). I stated that in the interviews, but that seemed to be left out of most articles. We, as players, realize that we’re blessed to have a job like we do, and hopefully soon, everyone else will be prospering and excited about new opportunities that present themselves as the economy slowly (and hopefully) recovers.
Just to present a player’s perspective, we think we have an EXCITING team on the field. We may not hit a lot of home runs, but we pitch, we play defense, and we make things happen offensively to create runs – and, consequently, win ballgames. This team is going to play a lot of close games this year, and we’ve already won several games in our last at-bat. That, to me, creates an exciting environment for fans at games. Celebrating a walk-off win is something we LOVE sharing with our fans, and hopefully there will be much more of that to come this season…
All that said, back to the boycott issue: I was just stating that I don’t think boycotting D-backs games is going to be an effective way of protesting a non-sports issue. For starters, with revenue-sharing in baseball, teams that have low attendance just get more $ from the big-market clubs after the season. The owners are not going to be affected nearly as much as a casual fan thinks they would be. And I was just saying that I (as a fellow player) would never wish for (and support) smaller crowds for baseball games.
Now, to address A’s fans specifically: When I came up in 2008, one of the first things that I was made aware of by multiple people was that I will have to get used to playing in front of smaller crowds than I played in front of in Sacramento on some nights. I was (and am) fine with that. I even talked to and joked with some fans about it, and I was told NUMEROUS times by numerous fans that Oakland-area fans were boycotting games as a way of protesting the potential move of the club to Fremont. I realize there’s not an official boycott now, but when I’m not from this area and people tell me things like that, I just figured it was news that had been well-documented in the Bay Area. And it seemed to be a valid explanation for small crowds, so I accepted that it was true – and that was my mistake. I realize now that the economy and our team’s history of trading some of its best (and highest-priced) players has made it very difficult for fans to latch on and support the team on a night-in-night-out basis. Thank you for educating me.
NOTHING I said was ever intended to take a shot at our fans. In no way did I intend to disrespect the fans we do have. I just wish we had more fans, that’s all – what player wouldn’t? It’s obvious to all of us that the fans we do have, even small in number, are some of the most passionate fans in all of pro sports. We LOVE the connection we have with our fans and the fact that they DO still support us in tough economic times. And from a player’s standpoint, who wouldn’t LOVE playing in front of a sellout crowd every night?!? I realize that’s not going to happen here, but we’re a 1st place team (and hoping to stay there) in an exciting division, playing an exciting brand of baseball, and we just want to continue making noise in the West. We’ve been a doormat to the division the last 2 years, and trust me, it has SUCKED losing. But this season is different. This team is going to win games, and we want our fans to very much be a part of an exciting season for us.
I realize I may not be a very popular player on the team, especially right now, and I can accept the consequences for what I said (and to be fair, I’ve never thought I was a really popular player on any team I’ve ever played on). But you will not see a change in who I am – I will still sign autographs, take pictures, joke with fans, throw balls in the stands, and I will continue to do my best getting ground ball double plays and trying to do my part in maintaining 1-run leads late in games. I want to thank each and every member of A’s Nation (on and off the website) for the support you’ve shown me, our team, and the future support we’ll get as this season progresses. It’s an exciting time for us, and we very much want to share this season with all of you.
God bless all of you, and we’ll see you at the ballpark!
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Comments
Thanks for the clarifications, Mr. Ziegler.
Language is inefficient sometimes.
I appreciate how much you shared with us in the past and regret that you couldn’t continue the “Gettin’ Ziggy With It” columns as a big leaguer.
To paraphrase Casey Kasem,
Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the ground.
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 11:57 AM PDT reply actions
It wouldn't have sounded as good if I said
“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the dugout”
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Ziegler
Classy move by what seems like a cool guy. Enjoy watching you and the rest of the scrappy A’s man. Best wishes and stay healthy! We will be rooting for you.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
Thanks Mr. Ziegler
There was no need to explain to me.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
Thanks Ziggy. I really appreciate that you took the time to write this.
It’s always great when we can get the viewpoint from the person on the inside of the bubble that we follow day in and day out.
Thank you very much for addressing the issue
most players would never do that.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
I think what you meant was understood by your fans, just some people wanted to blow it up or just took it a bit differently. Regardless you’re still #1 in my book.
If he wants to run across the pitcher's mound, tell him to go do laps in the bullpen - pepe
Actually, I didn't
Whether it was unclear or I didn’t read carefully, I didn’t know about the Arizona boycott being part of the context — I thought it was just an out-of-the-blue rant about A’s attendance. So this is really helpful to know. We love you, Zig!
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 news to me as well
I just figured it was one of those AN events I was not purvey to or was misled. Like when everyone went to the tailgate ballgame at the Colosseum and I was told lunch was being served on Alcatraz. The joke was definitely on me that weekend.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
Boycotting Arizona is actually stupid
Going to AZ and protesting their fucked up law is a better move. Boycotting is essentially sticking your fingers in your ears and yelling “I CANT HEAR YOU” which is fine to these bigots, they are just going to carry on their merry way. If pro athletes went there and wrote “SB1070” on their hat with a line through it, that would be adequate form of protest.
Also, Arizona Iced Tea is brewed in NYC. No reason whatsoever to boycott that product.
Bigots? Seriously not the place for this.
I’m sorry, but this law is nothing about bigotry, and you calling it so is offensive and violates the AN community guidelines. Please don’t be naive enough to believe the media hype over this. The law is about the US government having terrible immigration policy, and the recent murders of people in Arizona by illegal immigrants. The murders at the border have to stop. I split my time between Phoenix and London, and I applaud Arizona for passing a law to make the US wake up and do something about the poor immigration policy. Currently it’s near impossible for anyone outside of Mexico or Canada to legally migrate to the US, because they don’t share a border with the US, and our system cannot support the illegal immigration that has occurred. The US system should support people that follow immigration law first, and not reward those that believe the law does not apply to them. But better yet, go A’s, and leave politics and words like bigot off of AN.
I think you should stop at "Seriously not the place for this"
I find no difference from this and PL78s post.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
by Future Ed on Apr 29, 2010 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yes, but I would add:
The main reason we have a rule against posts like PL78’s is precisely because they put readers who disagree with an expressed opinion in a difficult position: they have to either bite their tongue and not respond to a political opinion they want to rebut, or they give in and break the rules themselves. In the latter case, if it’s not nipped in the bud by CGV-flaggers it escalates and becomes a full-blown political argument.
The no-politics rule is designed to stop comments before they escalate, and before they force someone else to have to keep quiet even when they vehemently disagree. The fact that PL78’s CGV post provoked Dylan’s equally CGV response just shows all the more why PL78’s shouldn’t have been made in the first place.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
by iglew on Apr 29, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Absolutely.
But instead of giving a rebuttal, flag it. It gives the same satisfying feeling afterwards.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Apr 29, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
There's a no politics rule?
Why was Ziggy’s letter even posted then? Dont blame me, the nature of of what Ziggy was talking about begat what I talked about.
There's always been a no politics rule.
We just don’t want AN to get bogged down in flame wars about non-baseball stuff. And politics is one of the worst ones—everyone has a strong opinion.
The selfish, they're all standing in line, faithing and hoping to buy themselves time.
Me, I figure as each breath goes by, I only own my mind.
Except for those people who have weak opinions!
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
Did you see him calling anyone names when he brought it up?
He explained that people have asked him to boycott and he said why he doesn’t think that’s a good idea, without taking sides on the political issue itself.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Sorry
Sorry, I just don’t like being called a bigot because I’m not (heck, my fiancee is Spanish and I agree with this new law as does she). Hateful words bring out heated responses sometimes.
Anyway, back to lamenting over why the A’s can’t stay healthy and why A-Rod is a jerk!
Agreed.
To say “not the place for this” then give a 10 line political opinion is pretty much the definition of the pot calling the kettle black.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Apr 29, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
except PL78's was mostly about baseball
which makes him/her smarter than you.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
I'm not going to drag this out but a couple quick points
Yes, there is an illegal immigration problem in the country.
No, I don’t think this law is going to be what helps get it dealt with. I believe it’s going to lead to some form of ethnic profiling in enough cases (it’s already happened and it’s not even a law that’s taken effect yet) that it will be a problem, and there are already law enforcement people who object to the constitutionality of it and have said they’ll refuse to enforce it.
This one’s in for a big fight.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Let's please have that fight somewhere else.
I think both sides have been represented now. Can we please drop this from AN now?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
by iglew on Apr 29, 2010 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Seriously, everyone needs to drop it.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
The moderator has spoken.
Next time, the flags start coming out.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I think it's too late for that...
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I think we should instead focus our attention to the health of poster dfa
If Donaldson really did just got called up, his head might have exploded all over the place.
I just flagged your post
ur wrong
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Apr 29, 2010 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Very well said
It’s sad that he had to go to the point of explaining things this deeply, but I hope it at least shows his true feelings in a better way and helps people understand better that he’s not some stuck up jock. I’d figured most people here should have known that already, but you can’t help what some people take out of things.
Either way, thanks. I knew there was more to it than just a few lines on Twitter.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Thanks Brad
You represent yourself and your family and your team in an excellent way. Go Ziggy! Go A’s!
1 John 5:5 "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
by captain bubblehead on Apr 29, 2010 12:08 PM PDT reply actions
That's all well and good, but what I REALLY want to know is...
…if you were a scoop of ice cream, what flavor would you be?
But seriously…
what flavor?
I blame The Economy
McFood!!
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
What!?!?
Oh, yeah…hiya! Who loves ya, baby? ME, dats who!
Hey Pammy, you don’t happen to know where I can get a Live from The Archives 16 CD, do ya?
I blame The Economy
and how do you feel about
1) NLRB arbitration
2) Artificial intelligence
3)jonathon Richmond
4) Squirrels
Which were the important things being discussed in OP’s post.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
I don't know how he feels about squirrels but the Seven love him.
Ask me about my squirrel.
You haven't been around for a while, so we'll have to give you the benefit of the doubt on that one, but
talking smack about squirrels is a BAD idea in these parts.
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions
[a dank bar]
McFood: [pointing to Leopold Bloom, talking to grover, Devo, Jennifer, poppy] This kid, oh, he was amazing. He made the best squirrel stew. He was a master.
LB: No more stew, McFood.
McF: What?
LB: You been gone a long time. Maybe they didn’t come up there and tell you. We don’t eat squirrels anymore, McFood.
McF: Relax, will ya? I’m just breaking your balls a little. I just got home, we’re having a party, c’mon…here, have a drink with me.
LB: Okay, no problem, I just didn’t want you to think, you know, that we ate squirrel around here any more.
McF: [takes shot, slams shot glass back on bar]: Now go home and make me some squirrel fucking stew!
LB: [restrained by G_S and DMOAS] You motherfu….[under breath] you keep that squirrel-eating bastard here.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
this
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Dinosaurs: Did They Exist?
Carl Everett wants to know.
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 29, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Also: F**king magnets, how do they work?
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 29, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
good to hear Brad understands the economic realities of the fanbase
Since the bay area has a 12+% unemployment right now (and more of that may be in the Oakland side than the SF side), of course fewer people will be at the A’s games. Whatever happened to $1 wednesdays in the upper deck? Something like that would bring back a large population to boost the opening pitcher’s morale/ego.
by rollierollieOxenfree on Apr 29, 2010 12:11 PM PDT reply actions
Class Personnified
Thanks Brad for the time, effort and thought you put into it.
And the key takeaways for me from this are a) injuries be damned, that you (and presumably your teammates) believe you’re going to be in the hunt come September, b) you believe the team plays an exciting brand of ball, and c) you and your teammates would be a lot more jacked up if there were more butts in the park. And if I might add, it is as much up to all of us (not just AN but the A’s fan base in its totality) as it is A’s management to make that happen if you continue to be right about a) and b).
But again, thanks a lot for the post.
Really cool of Brad to do
Not necessary at all and just about every player wouldn’t, but says a lot he took a lot of time to put this together.
Bring back Hammer.
Thanks for Sharing Brad
Love your Tweets – hope you keep it up.
Anyone that knows you – even just as a fan – knows you are not some stuck up guy. You’ve worked hard to get here, and it is obvious by how you carry yourself that you haven’t forgotten it.
Oh yeah, you are a popular player on the team. My son’s and I all think a lot of you.
Thanks Ziggy
You’re a true Oakland A. Underrated, hard working, and the heart and soul of a champion. We wish you, and the Oakland A’s the best! We’ll support you all year.
by OnlybuyBeaneJerseys on Apr 29, 2010 12:19 PM PDT reply actions
+1
Glad to hear he’s so pumped about the team’s chances.
I must’ve been under a rock the last week I had no idea about the twitter controversy.
If I lived in the Bay Area still, I’d be at the games.
"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be." -- Peter Gibbons
Appreciate the info
I think most fans understand logically that boycotting their team is not a viable way to get the A’s to stay in Oakland (I hope) but there are a lot of factors going on and a major one of them is the A’s organization’s lack of interest in marketing to its own community (in addition to other factors like the City of Oakland, demographics, two-market teams, the economy, etc).
I can see this thread ballooning out of control because there’s almost nothing more we like to talk about (and hell since the game’s not on until 4 PST we need to generate some ad clicks!) but I for one hope this doesn’t turn into another one of our knock-down-drag-out fights about keeping the A’s in Oakland.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Thanks for giving us your thoughts on the issue
and for giving it so much thought and caring enough to send this to BBG. I really appreciate it.
Just one thing on the Arizona law.
You don’t vote in AZ, but you and your teammates and the coaches will travel to AZ. And when you’re not at the park, and you’re going out to dinner or just doing some touristy stuff in Phoenix or wherever, this law will affect you and your teammates. IIRC, you’re the A’s player rep (which I think is great, by the way — I think it’s a very important role and I’m glad you’ve taken it on). Is Adam Rosales or Gio Gonzalez going to get stopped by the cops and asked to show papers? Next Spring, will Miguel Inoa get stopped?
So I think it could well affect you pretty directly — hell, under the law you could even be stopped and asked to show papers.
And there is a pretty long history of sports boycotts. South Africa always comes to mind, but in the US the AFL All-Stars went on strike before their All-Star game because some of the African-American players had been abused by the cops on Bourbon Street the Friday or Saturday before the game, and the stadium was segregated, IIRC. The game ended up being moved.
I’d suggest that you guys as group of players should decide what to do together. That’s a lot of what you’re in a union for. And by “you guys” I mean the players as a whole even, not just the A’s.
Lastly, if you’re on AN and want to see how much we love this team, just check out AN’s response to Dallas sticking up for himself, his teammates, and all of us against ARod. Keep up the fight, and we’ll have your back.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Apr 29, 2010 12:21 PM PDT reply actions 7 recs
Well said
And who knows, this may or may not eventually wind up on a t-shirt after I redid it:
Last of the Ninth - Photography
by Flashfire on Apr 29, 2010 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Love it!
But can you make the little walking dude seem more douchey?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Do you think you could draw him tasting himself?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
How about admiring his own reflection in the mirror?
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
Specifics are good.
Nick’s suggestion leaves too much undecided.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Maybe it could be a centaur!
Or two centaurs!
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Or a pauer faurward!
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
Well then can you taste him drawing himself?
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
White batting gloves
"If you make up your mind not to be happy, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time." -Edith Wharton (The Last Asset)
by Oakville Athletic on Apr 29, 2010 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Is it a trademark infringement if you draw purple lips on it?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It would be too small on the walking man
You’d have to change it to a silhouette of just a face with a baseball cap. And purple lips.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
And add the number 13?
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
Was going to, but I decided to make it more about being Braden's mound...
…than anything else, and I like the signs depicting that.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Got it....
I think most of us baseball fans will understand anyway…
Let us know if you end up making t-shirts.
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
How many Major League ballplayers would do this?
Very, very few.
Well done Mr. Ziegler.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
Yup.
And don’t underestimate your popularity with the fans, Ziggy. This is just the type of thing that makes fans out of people and you’ve made a career out of doing it already. It’s appreciated.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
+678.78
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Ziggy, thanks. A million.
About halfway through the letter, I realized that A, very few, if any, MLB players would take the time to clarify and explain comments in such an eloquent and heartfelt manner, and B, our little site was the one you chose to do it on. This is pure class.
The selfish, they're all standing in line, faithing and hoping to buy themselves time.
Me, I figure as each breath goes by, I only own my mind.
by danmerqury on Apr 29, 2010 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
Well, I mean, it's nice to hear him apologize. I've met Ziggy a few times and he's a cool enough dude.
But I find this untrue:
I was just stating that I don’t think boycotting D-backs games is going to be an effective way of protesting a non-sports issue.
No. That’s not what he was just stating. The copy/paste from twitter is this:
All it’s going to do is hurt the D-backs. It’s not much fun to play in front of an empty stadium in your home park. We’re going through that when A’s fans boycott our games bc ownership has threatened to move the team. The lack of fans gives them all the more reason to seek other alternatives for a new home city. And the players get punished, having to play in an empty stadium for something that we have nothing to do with. You an make your opinions known in lots of ways, but ultimately, boycotting games affects the players more than the owners.
Bold emphasis is mine.
Apologize for saying it, fine. Tell us you shouldn’t have said that, fine
Don’t tell us you were trying to say that you relate because you play in front of empty stadiums. If you’d have meant to say that, you would have, instead of saying that you go through it because fans are boycotting here, too.
I know everybody here is probably going to thank you profoundly for writing and clearing the air and consider the matter done, but I’ll leave you with this:
Whether you are playing in front of 10,000 people on a Wednesday in Oakland or 40,000 people in Anaheim on a Friday night, you’re still getting paid enormous sums of money to play baseball. I don’t think there’s a single person here that’s ever played a sport at a competitive level that wouldn’t switch spots with you in a heartbeat, and I know for a fact that there are plenty of people here that STILL play sports at a very high level, and PAY for the privilege to do so. I’m one of them.
So, again, thanks for sort of apologizing, but I still resent the fact that a professional athlete would ever complain that not enough of us show up to games.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
Quick question
Did you miss the part where he said some fans have TOLD him that people are boycotting the team and how that’s a big part of what led him to the comments initially before he came to a better understanding?
Yeah, his mistake for not checking that out further first, but it happens.
I think some people need to get over players wishing more people came out to the games. I don’t think they’re not allowed to have that desire just because they’re being paid to play a game.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Then just say that. That's all.
It just seems disingenuous to say something flat out like that and then to claim that’s not what you said.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
He didn't claim he didn't say it
Honestly, mikev, you seem to go out of your way to be negative sometimes (and often with little reason IMO). It’s you’re right of course, but listening to you piss and moan gets old. It’s as if you don’t really like the team that much, since so much of what they do makes you unhappy.
As for players wanting to play in front of more fans, I totally understand them getting fired up for big crowds — that’s true at all levels of sports. You can get upset about it if you want, but you’re not going to change human nature.
by andyinfremont on Apr 29, 2010 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Watch out! He's got a knife!
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Well duh. I'm a pessimist.
You can call me negative all you want. It’s not going to bother me, and it’s also untrue.
If I read something that i disagree with, it’ll be made aware of. That’s my right just as it is everybody else’s here to make their opinion known. If you don’t like it, click the little subject line in my posts and don’t read what I type.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
I didn't know about the subject line trick
That could come in handy.
(This is not directed at you, mikev, by the way.)
"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe
I can't agree with you in this case
He didn’t do what you said he did. He even SAID he wasn’t going to do what you said he did.
This is one of those “not a matter of opinion” issues.
What is an opinion is the last part, the complaining about people not showing up. On that, fair enough.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Apr 29, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Personally I agree with Mike
Here his facts, which may be entirely true ring a bit hollow. How many fans would really tell him, while they are at an A’s game that some fans are not coming in protest. Seems unlikely to me. This is probably some rumor he heard and then just assumed it true. If he really wanted to get a good idea of the fan turnout situation he could easily have asked either Ellis or Chavvy over the last couple years and gotten a straight-forward answer. Chavvy has stated many time his opinion that Oakland is a Football town and that is why the A’s have low attendance. We have all debated this many times and come up with a varied number of different sometime overlapping answers. And by the way, when Ziegler came up and had that scoreless inning streak I recall he was pretty damn popular. Also, very odd to me that he is now perceiving himself to be unliked or glossed over by A’s fans. I really have no problem with what he said in either statment, but his clarification does have a good number of holes in it. but, as long as he keeps getting people out all will be forgiven. ;)
Well, I guess a lot of it depends on something that's pretty simple:
Whether you think Ziegler is a liar or not.
If he said some fans have told him others are boycotting because of the reasons cited, I believe him.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
To be fair, the casual fans are usually all about "What have you done for me lately?"
Sure, we have as much time as we need to analyze every word he wrote, looking for holes. However, Ziggy has limited free time in his schedule and wanted to get something out there. I’m pretty sure he spoke from the heart and wasn’t trying to cover up any holes.
by LoneStranger on Apr 30, 2010 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the operative phrase is
Who wouldn’t want to play in front of a sellout crowd every night?
So yeah – he is a pro athlete, and it is kind of weird to see anyone complain. But his letter here seems to clarify that point, not muddle it up.
by Billy Frijoles on Apr 29, 2010 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't.
But then there’s a reason I’m not a professional athlete. … I mean, another reason besides the fact that I totally suck at sports. … Yeah, OK, there’s lots of reasons.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Way to go, Ziggy!
And I would never boycott A’s games, even when Charlie Finley owned the club.
If Jerry Jones bought the team, though……………
Rooting for the Yankees is like cheering the tanks at Tianamen Square.
The part I can't get past
is the assertion the Owners have no incentive to increase attendance and by drawing as few as possible they get more money from revenue sharing.
The current ownership (of which Wolff is just the face) are harvesting this franchise for every buck they can get and as soon as they can get a new yard they will leave Oaland high and dry.
That’s a great way to build goodwill with your fan base
"The Few, The Proud, The A's Fan" - UncleLeo
Seriously
Put me in charge of marketing and I would double the attendance.
Now, part of that would be a hell of a lot of changes, including making parking free (pay the city out of marketing budget), cleaning up the lines in the stadium concessions, opening up earlier to allow for batting practice and fan interaction, more balls thrown into the stands, autograph sessions before the game with available/DL players, cheaper beer/grub, etc. Make it more fan friendly. I LOVE the free prking Tuesdays and Chevy free tix idea
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions
All great suggestions
Hope someone in the marketing dept. is reading this thread.
"If you make up your mind not to be happy, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time." -Edith Wharton (The Last Asset)
by Oakville Athletic on Apr 29, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, I got a ton of them!
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Free parking is a terrible idea
Huge revenue loss, bad for the environment, bad for BART, etc…
A much better approach would be discounted BART, AC Transit and ACE train tickets (and/or ticket packages that come with free transit tickets/passes), and reduced ticket fees for buying online (the fees are a total joke, not that baseball is different from any other event these days with regard to ticket fees). I like your other ideas though, although in fairness they’ve already done that with the beer/food.
I would also note that the A’s have a lot of good promotions/giveaways, but I agree they need to do a lot more fan outreach. Fan Appreciation Days at the end of the year used to be a big deal, and lately they’ve done little or nothing.
by andyinfremont on Apr 29, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
They just announced free parking Tuesdays
BART is great if you live near BART. Carpooling to the games with friends and tailgating is an eco-friendly alternative.
Plus, it encourages fans from outside the area, encourages tailgating, which boosts morale. The A’s don’t make a huge chunk from parking, I think. The City of Oakland regulates that.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
The city of oakland only gets $3 out of it
The rest goes to A’s. The city gets most of their money from the lease.
by Billy Frijoles on Apr 29, 2010 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Billy Beans
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Billy, you should cruise on down to Public House tonight.
I’ll be working the Beer Bar from 5-close and we’ll have some Sharks and A’s going as well. Good time to come and see me cuz ya know MRod is gonna treat ya right!
Go A’s!
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
But they also lease the parking lot.
It’s kind of like when you buy a car, they may give you a nice chunk of change for the trade in, but they’ll make it all back on the APR financing.
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions
exactly, they do the free parking and it still doesn't work
Hate to burst your bubble, but all those ideas plus 20 more won’t do ANYTHING. Well I take that back, you may get 300 more people out, per game, make $5,000 more, but spend $10,000 to do it. It is NOT a marketing issue, jut flat out economy, competition with a new ballpark across the bay, and being in a rough area of a city with a bad reputation.
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
To be fair, the free parking thing only started this week.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea...we'll see how many more thousands of fans show up because of it
Come on…really?
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
And you already know future attendance on Tuesdays how?
The true value will be determined at the end of the year when they can compare last year’s Tuesday turnouts to this year’s.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sorry but I get fed up with all the talk. It's very, very cheap
It’s a little short sighted to think that you could come in and “double the attendance” for a team that has faced an attendace problem for 30 years. Don’t you think there have been some smart people put in high ranking positions over those years? People with MBAs? Proven career track records? And you can just come in, snap your fingers and fix everything?
There has to be some other problems here people that we are unaware of: MLB restrictions, union restrictions, financial restrictions. I just think there are some people on this site that are a little quick to judge. It’s very easy to point a finger, but my guess is that once you really scratch the surface, it’s a more than just a lack of maketing creativity.
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I personally think it's the financial restrictions.
The other side of it is that they are trying new things and you aren’t even giving it a chance to work, immediately poo-pooing the free parking Tuesdays.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not poo-pooing anything at all
I think they are doing all they can with what they have to work with and I think they should absolutley keep trying to come up with new fan friendly ideas. But will it make a true impact on attendance?
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
You said
exactly, they do the free parking and it still doesn’t work
And they’ve only had one free Tuesday parking. There’s no way to tell if it will work this year. So yes, I think you are poo-pooing it.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Correct, there is no way to tell, but one can venture a guess
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions
You said "it still doesn't work"
not that “it’s not going to work.”
by LoneStranger on Apr 30, 2010 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions
What?
You actually want me to be accountable for the things I say? psh..
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 30, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
you can't fix everything overnight
winning helps a lot.
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
Right
I forgot about the 4th depressor of attendance in addition to ballpark, economy, city reputation…………….. past season on field performance
by GusanoQuemador on Apr 29, 2010 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
A's fans always take a year to show up
in 1988 the A’s drew 2.2 million fans in 89, the attendance jumped to 2.6 million and in ’90 2.9 million. A 700K jump in two years.
in 2000 the A’s drew 1.6 million, in 2001 they drew 2.1 million, in 2002 they got 2.2 million. A 600K jump in two years.
A’s fans just need you to prove you’re for real before they show up. Because the ballpark and surrounding atmosphere alone can’t get it done
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
What makes you think A's marketing never considered one or all of these ideas?
And found them to be economically unfeasible?
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 29, 2010 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions
thanks to whoever cleared it up for Zig...
…that the low attendance is NOT due to a boycott.
It’s too bad Zig didn’t write this letter to the Wolff & Co. Since both A’s fans and A’s players would love to see larger crowds – is there a way to join forces and put pressure on the owners?
pressure on the owners to do what?
show up at the games?
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
He cleared it up for himself
he read the blog!
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
{boycotts post}
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
Kellogg's will be happy to hear that
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
coco crisp is angry
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for your response...
Most players wouldn’t take the time to respond in such a heartfelt manner.
Due to unemployment, I wasn’t planning on going to any games this year, but this post makes me want to save up for a trip or two up to Oakland from SJ.
Maybe you can carpool with a fellow fan or two
and make sure to park in the BART parking lot for non-Tuesday games.
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Ziggy
The reason I posted in the first place was because the concern that I had that you and the other players really felt that there was a concerted effort to boycott the team. I doubted that highly and wanted to demonstrate that it was not the case. As you obviously read in the post.
As for the self-deprecating comment…Dude! You are very much a favorite of this website and the fans! Now, Braden may have eclipsed you lately with his mound-stand, but all you have to do is get into it with an Angels player and you will be right back on top ;)
In all seriousness, how many professional baseball players even CARE enough to read a blog like this? You, sir, are golden.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
Jeez, too long.
I’ll just catch the out-of-context excerpts on Baseball Tonight.
A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.
by IowaA'sFan on Apr 29, 2010 1:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
-1
Dude, he took the time to write, you can take the time to read
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions
You forgot to click the "it's a joke" button
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I always make artwork for my favorite players...
And Brad, you’re on the list, buddy.
In fact, I think you signed a print of this when my buddy met you and Rajai a while back…
I never got a chance to thank you for that, so… “Thank you. Keep up the good work.”
p.s. I got your t-shirt designed by last of the 9th…
by A's Fan by Design on Apr 29, 2010 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Holy crap!
Yes!
The selfish, they're all standing in line, faithing and hoping to buy themselves time.
Me, I figure as each breath goes by, I only own my mind.
-1.
there’s no stardust coming off the throw.
J/K. that’s great.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
What everyone's said
absolutely splendid!
"It took eight hours, seven and a half to find the heart"- Earl McCatty
I don't think anyone is boycotting the A's...
Thanks for the post Ziggy! I saw your tweets and wasn’t bothered by them at all… but I disagree with the reasoning behind the low attendance.
Its not a boycott… Maybe for a couple hundred it is, but that’s not what is happening.
It’s the stadium, the location and to an extent the weather at night in April.
The amount of people that are around the Giants and A’s is by far the smallest amount of people for any 2 team metropolitan area… I think it’s like $4M people. NY, LA, Chi etc. are over $10M to support their two teams. More than half those people don’t like baseball. And half of what’s left prefer the Giants. That leaves less than $1M people in play… seems like a lot but when you think about it, its much less than most teams have access to…
The Giants have a fancy new stadium.. there go all the remaining casual fans that just want to go to any baseball game.
So you are left with the A’s diehards, and there are more than you might think. But we are spread out all over. Oakland isn’t all that dense. At least half of the diehards are a solid hour drive from the park… mostly coming from the east bay and the south bay.
I live in San Jose myself. Its an hour with traffic to get to a game and this time of year its cold and yes the costs do add up when you factor in parking and food. And I am tired after work so weeknights are tough. I think my situation is typical as it applies to many people I know.
And, I have a nice flatscreen at home and 145 games are being broadcast in HD this year (good for me, but probably bad for attendance). I see a lot more on TV than I do at the game. For instance, I love seeing the movement on pitches and you can’t see that very well at a game.
This is my long-winded excuse for not going to games. I watch every game. I follow all the minor league teams. I put a lot of effort into being an A’s fan… but I’m not going to more than 5 games a year. My bad, I guess.
That said, if the team had a comfortable new stadium in San Jose… I would be there all the time. My employer would probably be a sponsor with a box (we are for the Sharks). It would be fantastic for everyone except maybe the few A’s fans in Oakland (even they have to admit the A’s need a new stadium and likely a new location to finally start generating some revenue).
So I place the blame on the stadium and the location and not on the owner, the fans, the team, or any boycott.
The players should all be rooting for a new stadium somewhere. If its ready to go in 4-5 years, the team will start locking up more young guys if they know the revenue is on the way. Without it, we will lock up a few (Anderson being the most recent) but most will be spun off for new talent (a strategy I understand and have learned to appreciate).
I hope someone bothered to read all that…
by DrDoom on Apr 29, 2010 1:49 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Actually a few people on the post about this issue said they, in fact, do not go in protest
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes a few
I would be shocked if it was more than thousand people in the world that would state this as their reason. I think its immaterial. Just my opinion though. And there are A LOT more people that want the team to move and wish it would all just happen quicker. A move to San Jose would result in a net increase in fans. This limbo period before the new stadium is figured out is probably not helping though… no one knows what to do so they take a wait and see approach.
I LOVE Oakland
Live a block from the Coli, and yet I want them to move too.
I realize from a biz standpoint it will result in more fans, more money and
ultimately keep our better players/attract FA’s (see SJ Sharks)
In the meantime, you will see me at the games.
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
In protest of bad/boring baseball
not necessarily in ownership lack of interest in building a community of baseball in a city I love.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
don't forget transportation & location
the SF ballpark is in a nicer part of town, nearer to the population center.
much more walkable area. Having a huge parking lot and freeway abutting the stadium severs it from Oakland.
The SF park is enmeshed in the city much more. A park like that in Oakland would be a gem too.
Coliseum beats the Giants ballpark on transportation
Yes, it’s not a nice area for walking and hanging out, but you can get to it via BART from anywhere in the Bay Area. Your other points are entirely valid.
@worldblee on Twitter.
If you don't mind the short MUNI transfer, you can get to AT&T Park from anywhere that has BART.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Heck, it's not a bad walk from BART to telecom park
I worked in south park for a while, and streams of Giant’s fans would fwalk by on game days.
I've walked from work in the Financial district to AT&T Park a few times.
It’s not bad. I wouldn’t mind if it was closer, but it’s definitely doable.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I've walked carrying a 30 lb sack of potatos
and it aint bad.
Its also got good muni access and caltrain for day games.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
I've walked it in leg irons,
with a mountain lion snugly locked on to one leg.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
... unless you're hunting cougars.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Agreed
But for every good thing that could be done in Oakland, it could be done for more people and with more money in San Jose.
I’ll take any new stadium anywhere in Nor Cal, but San Jose does make the most sense for so many reasons.
My point is just that the stadium situation is far and away the biggest contributor to the attendance and no one person or group of people are to blame. Its unfortunate and its being worked on. I’ll be waiting and watching from home…
Yes but when that ballpark was built
it wasn’t exactly known as a “nicer part of town”.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
Yeah, Don would read that whole post.
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
good don.
evil don would scoff and call him something unrepeatable.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions
GP
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Don
don would write the whole response too, and not hit the enter key instead of the ’ right next to it.
Don
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Don
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
p.s.
while you guys are up there in Toronto, please kick some BlueJay ass!
sincerely ,
AN
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
+a million
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Apr 29, 2010 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Brad
It shows a lot of heart coming out with a well thought out response and clarification when you were just speaking your heart. We’ll try to get out as much as we can.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on Apr 29, 2010 1:51 PM PDT reply actions
In other news
Who gets called up to replace Anderson?
Cahill or Mazzaro? Mazzaro is scheduled to pitch tonight in Sac and Cahill is scheduled tomarrow.
Mazzaro was more advanced in his tenure last year IMO
and looks like the better pick.
Just my two cents
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Cahill
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks, Zig!
Love you, bro … sorry some of us make politics a big deal. ‘Cause frankly, I don’t give a damn how you feel about immigration, the president, welfare, health care, etc. etc. Why? Because all of that has absolutely nothing to do with baseball … I care about one thing – you helping the A’s win.
You could hate grandmas and little kids for all I care, just as long as you get hitters 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.
by Vacafan on Apr 29, 2010 2:05 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
I turned that comment 1/3 green.
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Grandmas??!
really?
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't mind if he hated A-Rod's grandma
I mean, there’s gotta be some reason he’s the way he is.
@worldblee on Twitter.
I wonder if she has big purple lips, too...
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
What about puppies? A's fans don't like no puppy kickers, do we?
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
depends on if they've got any slipbait or not!
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 30, 2010 2:37 AM PDT up reply actions
A's management got to him!
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
This is so totally awesome.
I love that we have a player who can express himself so well, and has intelligent thoughts worth expressing.
I know that professional athletes are paid to play baseball, not to be communicators, so if a guy is bad at writing or bad at reading a script for a radio commercial, I try not to hold it against him. But when a guy really is so articulate, that’s just double awesome.
To whoever said in the other thread that Ziggy needs a blog: (1) you’re right that Twitter does not do him justice, but (2) he has a blog … right here on AN. I’m sure anything he cares to write for the fans will always be welcome here.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
That was my first reaction to reading this too
Also was me who suggested the blog. Sad he only posts when there’s conflict though.
But ya, twitter is not the right medium.
He doesn't really have the time to be as active here as he was in the past
Which is too bad it took a mini controversy to result in something longer like this.
For those who know about him, it should be a given how appreciative he is of the fans who come out and the time he takes to give back to them and others around the community, not to mention the charity he’s kicking off in about a week.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Word.....
Ziggy’s the man on and off thee field. Thanks for being such a class act Brad! We love you…!!!!!!!
Go A’s!
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
I agree, a thousand times. Total class act.
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
As Ziggy's unofficial spokesperson
Why is that? Seems like having to strive less to “prove” your skills, coupled with the clearly superior traveling situation – would make for more free time?
Just would be cool to get an “insider’s perspective” from someone who can actually write. Would be much more interesting to read than “Hills and LA ink marathon ha,” ya know?
He's got more obligations than he did in the Minors
Player rep, for one, plus all the charity stuff he’s working on now, then there are going to be appearances and other things that eat up free time. Plus, I’m sure he’d like the chance to get out and enjoy some of the major league cities he’s in.
Before we did the interview he told me it’s a lot faster for him now to do something like that by phone than have to sit at a computer for a longer period of time and respond to it via e-mail, which is similar to writing a bunch of stuff for a post.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Thank You Ziggy
It means a lot, i think to all of us, that you took the time to write to us and explain your perspective on things.
Classy. Very Much appreciated.
See ya at the Coli
Swisher on Ellis - "every day he does something that makes me say, 'Well, I'll be damned, look at that!'"
by Mantecan As Fan on Apr 29, 2010 2:27 PM PDT reply actions
A's management made Ziegler do this!
If you can stifle fans who hold signs saying Lew Wolff hates Oakland, you can stifle an employee who is expressing his belief that A’s fans aren’t happy with management either.
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
if it was really whatever you wouldnt have replied
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
Let me put it to you in simpler terms
If you think the A’s forced Ziegler to write all this, you don’t know anything about him.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Yes, and they made him email me to post it
Instead of, ya know, an official A’s site.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Apr 29, 2010 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, bbg.
I feel badly that, as th eposter of this letter, you’ve been made a pawn of the evil A’s organization. I’m so naive, having taken this as a genuine attempt on Ziggy’s part to counter the misinterpretation of a statement that he wishes in any case to partially modify.
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
Does this mean I'm the queen?
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
Too easy.
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
I've been called that too.
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 wish I'd been called that. More often it was too skinny.
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
me too.
oh, wait.
[cries, ala don]
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't cry, LB. Remember how it got easier once we turned thirty?
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
yes.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha
Tough to be more wrong.
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on Apr 29, 2010 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Ziegler
I too hope that you continue to nail down late one run leads for us. Thanks for taking the time to explain your view of things. Good luck out there.
Props to ziegler, seems like a nice guy
But can he please relay this message to geren and beane that their false hope of chavez has ended. Please bench him and take him out of the lineup. I’d rather they eat his remaining contract and treat it as a sunk cost, than continue to use a player that is irrelevant to the team’s future plans.
Thanks
A classy letter that I think in fact reflects how we feel about the A’s and why we think attendance is low.
just to bring the mood down a notch
Via Slusser
“It’s an intercostal strain for Suzuki. Sounds like a very likely DL.”
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
damn, step up Powell
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
That totally f'cking sucks!
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
She also just said that Donaldson and Cahill are on their way to Toronto, but no moves have been made yet.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Right, but they might not make those moves until the last minute too.
Tolleson traveled with the team on this road trip in case he was needed either in TB or Toronto. Unfortunately, we needed him pretty early on.
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions
It's okay, just one more barrel to jump.
We’ll rescue that princess, I promise!
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sorry LB, but the Squirrel Princess is in another castle!
by LoneStranger on Apr 29, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Damn sock puppet gorilla moved her....
[sigh]
oh well. at least I have my trusty sledge hammer.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 29, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
the starter pitching cant absorb any more inuries
if we stay healthy with the starters we have and get our bullpen back we will be fine.
"I get nervous every fifth day," Braden said. "I figure the day that goes away is the day I saddle up behind the 7-Eleven desk."
I LOVE that...
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Apr 29, 2010 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Mr. Ziegler,
Just because your team has won a few games this year is not nearly enough to win back former A’s fans to purchase tickets and attend games in droves that you dream about. The Athletics will have to win at least the AL West this year to have these former faithful possibly think about buying tickets for next year maybe.
Nobody wants to follow a team that trades away it’s star players year after year and fills in with AAA scrubs only to lose the division again and again. Good luck to you and keep pitching well, you might get traded to a team with a more supportive and numerous fan base. If nothing else, you can look forward to playing the next series with Anaheim to a full house!
I enjoyed reading your message to your ardent fans and you set a fine and professional example as a player. Good luck with a successful season.
The 2009 Pregame Picks Winner and Iron Man of Halos Heaven.com
My new name: "Nobody."
Because “Nobody” goes to see games played by a team that trades away its star players. (Oh, wait, what about that Anderson contract?) “Nobody” will go see a team even though it doesn’t make the playoffs, this year, last year, or next.
I’m glad to be well appreciated.
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
What about the Anderson contract?
It’s a deal that takes care of his arby years + 1 free agent year. It’s more about keeping his arbitration costs down than any indication of keeping him long term.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 29, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Well put.
And I would not be surprised – or offended – if the A’s were unable to keep him much past those years. I would still come to the games, watch the new pitchers, and hope we fight like hell to get into the playoffs.
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
Same.
I have reservations about signing pitchers long term past age 28 anyways, especially someone like Brett who’s already accruing a growing injury history.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 29, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Incidentally, this is the same joke that Odysseus uses when he pokes out the Cyclops' eye
It works even better in Greek, as the word Oudeis (nobody) sounds a little like Odysseus.
So that’s a bronze age callback, there.
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
Nicely done, bobnothing!
A Ballade [for the Angels Fan], by Eustache Deschamps: "We are cowardly, ill-formed and weak / Aged, envious and evil-spoken. / I see only fools and sots / Truly the end is nigh / All goes ill."
GIVE LUNCH TO CYCLOPS
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Promoting josh donaldson. Do they hate powell or something?? Seems very unfair IMO
Powell and Fox cant handle the job for 2 weeks if suzuki is on the DL?
I wish I could go to see a game, at this stage
I hear that Josh Donaldson is quite something
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
He has shown power, but I'm not quite sure he's ready.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 29, 2010 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
He may be better than you think
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
But will his bat play at third???
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
Yes
"Since other people actually read these threads, though, probably best that your particular brand of wrongness not go completely unchallenged." - PT
by designatedforassignment on Apr 29, 2010 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
The people who have $$$ invested in him think otherwise
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Nah, more like they're absolutely desperate for a viable catcher.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 29, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
So a player will have to be DFA'd to get donaldson on the 40 man
choices:
edwar
tolleson
patterson – i hope but unlikely
carson
souza
as lenscrafters points out in another thread
the 60 day DL is always an option.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
Doesnt seem anyone's injuries are serious enough to be on the 60 day DL
Other than maybe devine, but it was mentioned he’ll be rested for 2 weeks
Yes
I think this would happen, but it is interesting that Patterson is getting the start today in LF over Carson with a LHP on the mound.
HE'S SECOND ON THE TEAM IN OPS!!!!!111!1!!1
ZOMG HOT STREAK.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 29, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
EPat rules!
Well, at least he did sunday
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on Apr 29, 2010 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions
And first in puka shell wearing
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on Apr 29, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
WTF?
Boo.
"We support your economy. We make your food and tend your fields. All we want are the same rights and responsiblities as you. Please... Vote YES on Proposition 801- Equal rights for sock puppets!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 29, 2010 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions