Strickouts FTW! Cust Back Tonight...But Where?
by Nico on May 15, 2010 8:46 AM PDT
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PrintRemember Justin Duchscherer and Jack Cust? They'll be part of tonight's game against the Angels. But with Cust arriving, where does he fit in? The basic rule of thumb around baseball is that you wait 6 weeks into the season before passing judgment on the team, and you wait 2 months before passing judgment on individual players. We're at the 6-week mark right now.
So it makes sense that the A's, fresh off watching Joe Saunders shut the team out, officially acknowledged that the current lineup lacks, along with everything else, the ability to get on base or hit homeruns. Enter Jack Cust, but where? Here's one scenario that would be consistent with the "6-week / 2 months" principle:
Cust plays LF right now in order to bolster an offense currently featuring a LFer (Patterson), CFer (Davis), DH (Chavez), and 3Bman (Kouzmanoff) all with season OBPs under .300. Oopsies! Yes, Cust should be DHing but at the same time replacing Patterson with Cust upgrades the offense while trading one inept LFer for a slightly more inept one. The A's have a need right now in LF and Chavez hasn't had 2 months yet.
At the end of May two things will happen concurrently. One is that the A's will have given Chavez two months to show that he can('t) OPS more like a DH and less like a pitcher. The other is that Coco Crisp will return to give the A's an obvious choice in LF (someone who can actually field well).
Perhaps Cust will play LF for two weeks or so and then settle in to being the A's DH? Wherever he plays, he may not be the world's very best hitter but he just made the Rangers, Angels, and Mariners a little less comfortable.
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I predict a walk and a strickout
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
I predict three grounders to SS and a steal of third.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I predict a perfect game
"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."
-Charles Manson
by kaweahkaweah on May 15, 2010 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I predict a drag bunt for an inside the park homer
Wait, that’s a Little League home run.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I'd laugh so much if Cust drag bunted his first time up.
He steps to the left, he steps to the riiiiiiight. That Amos Roberts, he'll make you look shite!
and then stole second
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
On a pitch out.
He steps to the left, he steps to the riiiiiiight. That Amos Roberts, he'll make you look shite!
I think Rajai should learn to drag bunt...
either that or start dressing in drag.
If he shaves his stache and buys some good foundation makeup, he could get a job waiting tables at Asia SF after he gets released.
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
he's got the voice for 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 May 15, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I know some of the girls that would help with that too
he is kinda cute. I think it would work well
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
at this point I wouldn't even call Cust "slightly more inept" than Patterson in LF
at least Cust can throw it to the infield on the fly.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
This.
Cust actually has a pretty decent arm. And while he’s about a win or so worse with the glove than Patterson, he’s probably 2.5-3.5 wins better with the bat (I think Patterson has been fluky good offensively; he won’t continue to have an XBH in 50% of his hits).
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Nico, since comments were closed in the thread, I just want to say I think you handled that fanpost very well. Closing comments, but leaving the thread up was a good idea.
As for this: Patterson has actually been better than Chavez. Kinda. Shouldn’t he be the one who gets to play?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Well, no, but you're not allowed to have a 6-man lineup
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions
WHAT?????
That’s totally biased towards teams that have several players who can hit.
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 know, right?
I propose the A’s have a lineup that includes Barton, Sweeney, Suzuki (when healthy), and Cust. Davis and Patterson will act as runners when one of those guys is on base and their turn in the lineup comes around. They might score some runs that way.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm all for "ghost runners"
I’d also respectfully request that LF be closed when the A’s are in the field as we’re a bit shorthanded.
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 was such a slap kicker with my singles.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Tarp left field!
It will make the ballpark seem fuller and more alive…
by Chilango on May 15, 2010 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
I would have felt really bad deleting it — and probably worse reading the comments!
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 15, 2010 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gotta disagree with you re: the fanpost
What good is accomplished by leaving an obviously political fanpost up? And if I feel compelled to reply to the poster I would now have to write a separate fanpost to do so; which would only serve to drive actual baseball related content off the sidebar.
I didn’t write the Community Guidelines but I’ve been asked to follow them, even the nebulous “watch the swear words” bit. ORthey’s eloquent post was a clear violation of the CG’s and has been flagged repeatedly. It is so far over the line of what we have been told is acceptable to talk about on AN that it should have been deleted. ORthey was spoiling for a fight and if Nico hadn’t shut down the comments section he would have gotten one.
I realize that there are a lot of people on AN (including some moderators) who agree with ORthey’s feelings on the subject and I can respect that… but if you cannot follow the rules to deal with out-of-bounds subject matter that you agree with than you lose all moral authority to deal with opposing political viewpoints in any manner other than what was established with ORthey’s post.
Or, to put more simply, if AN is going to start allowing political commentary than I’m not going to give a fuck if my language gets a little raunchy.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on May 15, 2010 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
Hard to disagree with this
I did the tl;dr thing on it but if it’s as politically charged as you say it is, it probably shouldn’t be here.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
too long; didn't read
(i also fall in that category)
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Fair enough.
I wish he had left out the political side of things, because 95% of it was about baseball and family and he could’ve made almost all the same points without that one part that violates the rules.
I’d even suggest he should get a chance to edit it, remove the parts that don’t belong, and repost with comments turned back on.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Me, too...
"The only way I'm going to get a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint." - Reggie Jackson
by the_rozeboom on May 15, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I flagged it,
but if the political part were edited out,
and the comments were reopened, I’d be okay with it not being gone.
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
darn,
sounds like I missed something juicy and controversial.
by sf drift king on May 15, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
They are talking about this post here.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
thanks!
But geez, I had to do a TL,DR on it. I read the 1st couple paragraphs and will read more later, cause I have work to do right now. I am interested in how he relates baseball to gay marriage? s
Also, noticed it was closed to comments, which is fine but why did he/they delete the comments. I would have liked to read everyone’s responses.
by sf drift king on May 15, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
There were no comments at the time. Nico’s comment was actually the only comment.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
oic
I just misread some earlier comments above.. thanxs for the clarity. gotta get to work, be back 2moro.
by sf drift king on May 15, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought it was brilliant
and he acknowledged the potential of crossing a line. I do agree that there is no crying in baseball, and there should be no politics in baseball.
I do like the fact that our author knew who David Foster Wallace was. Although I could never get through DFW’s prose.
Rooting for the Yankees is like cheering the tanks at Tianamen Square.
Interestingly, the Z or C,X buttons don't work when comments are closed.
It felt weird reading the sole comment and not being able to clear it. I guess I’m a little obsessive compulsive.
by LoneStranger on May 15, 2010 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions
yup.
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 May 15, 2010 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Do you all fill up a new subject header with "zzzzz" after writing posts?
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."
[maybe]
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 May 15, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
ooh, you are a sly and implicative imp.
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."
zzzzzzzzz
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 May 15, 2010 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry, didn't mean to put you to sleep.
{wake up, wake up!}
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."
now who's the sly imp?
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 May 15, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
zzzzzzz
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."
ooh, ooh, sorry! {stretch, yawn} Is Cust here yet?
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."
Actually, I just did wake up from a nap.
by LoneStranger on May 15, 2010 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm next in line. Scuse me, pardon me. {elbows crowd}
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."
There's a line for naps?
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 May 15, 2010 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, sometimes there's a big pile, instead.
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."
that does sound fun,
but not very restful.
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 May 15, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Invigorating, really.
But to be honest, the pile usually is made up of more dogs than humans.
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."
Dey tuker jerbs!
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on May 15, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
cock a doodle doo!
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 May 15, 2010 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm still in line
from yesterday, waiting to get milked. Not sure what the hold up is though.
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
{psst! don’t tell ChickenStanley how to get to head of the line!}
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."
Huh? What?
Who said that?
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
HI CHICKENSTANLEY!
Um, it’ll just be a little longer, if you can remain patient. Maybe an hour or two, maybe more. We had a little backlog of naps, and we expect to clear it out soon. A turn for everyone, I always say!
{Pssst! You over there. Go throw some cold water on the laggers, and let’s clear out this mess before CS goes ballistic!}
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."
Heeeeeeey!
Why you keep whispering, man? I wanna know!
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions
WHAT, HUH?
Sorry sir, just communicating over here with the little people. Hard to get them to work these days, you know, sir. All they want to do is lie down with the dogs.
{pssst! Can someone get this guy out of here? Maybe give him some coffee and he’ll just give up on his own.}
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 I hear coffee?
I totally understand having to deal with the peeons. And I could use a nap too, but I really want to get milked first. I’ve been here all night, ya know?
And I don’t drink coffee. But I’ll take a cookie and root beer if you have any. I am a bit hungry and all.
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions
We had a cancellation!
This way for the milking, sir. Please don’t mind the buckets, we’ll have them out of the way in a moment. I expect you don’t mind the AAA milkers? It’s just a rehab assignment, they are otherwise very professional. Enjoy!
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."
Ok, thank you
But, um, my cookie?
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Wrong browser
And we only take cache.
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
You gonna be here all week?
And I already tipped the waitress
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Could you prop her back up for me?
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 like them better on their backs
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions
You are the king of the divan.
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
by Englishmajor on May 15, 2010 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Seriously who is the best fielder of these three? (Cust, Fox, Patterson)
Maybe it is actually Cust?
If that’s the case Cust in LF gets my vote… Chavez and Fox at DH
Hurry back Suzuki…
Every man for himself...
Yeah, but she has the advantage of gaining momentum with her wheelchair
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
You missed the insanity that caused him to change it.
That was drama city for a day or two…
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
It's probably Patterson only because
all 3 misread everything, but only Patterson can sometimes outrun his mistakes.
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
Will we see two of the three tonight?
Please be back Ryan. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
My guess is we'll see Gross and Davis, plus one.
From what I gather, Sweeney is really sick and should probably take another day off.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
He must have been watching the A's hit the last 2 games
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
When I saw the same hitter strikeout feebly three times in a row,
I screamed, “That’s GROSS!”
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
At this point Kevin Gross could hit better than Gabe...
"The only way I'm going to get a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint." - Reggie Jackson
by the_rozeboom on May 15, 2010 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Not against RHPs
But against LHPs, yes I’d sooner bat Kevin.
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
Cust also has his hands of stone
which seem to lead to 3 or 4 outright drops of easy fly balls every season.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I guess I take that for granite.
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, that's what happens when you get your glove on shale
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
That's an easy joke
It’s not so funny when you get occasional letters from your loan officer saying “I’ll never take your business for granite.”
At least he helped me get a good mortgage rate.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
agree but
It will be good to have a LF that can throw past thirdbase. Good that Cust wasn’t out there when Braden was pitching that perfect game. Cust= no range Patterson = no arm.
Patterson nearly misplayed at least 2 balls in that game
He scares me just as much as Cust.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
who, toaster glove..
are you kidding me??? ..but with that said, I’d still prefer Cust in LF over the other 2 just so that we can have his bat back in the lineup.
by sf drift king on May 15, 2010 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions
We can always clear a spot pretty quick if we run Chavez out to SS or 3B everyday?
After three innings or first required throw, the roster spot should be cleared open due to Chavez injury.
Every man for himself...
Patterson should pitch that game.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
no, we need someone who can throw from the pitcher's mound to home without the ball bouncing...
There's no crying in baseball!
by gigglingone on May 15, 2010 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Why? Saunders couldn't (but we swung).
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
Why Cust?
This still does not help the A’s against lefties. My guess is that with Cust who still can draw a walk will help the A’s score more runs with all the light hitters around him. The A’s have a bunch of .300 hitters vs Lefties so this does increase our scoring against righties. My problem is when do we get a right handed outfielder to take Davis(pop up) place on the team. The A’s just have been beat by 3 stright lefties. Beane needs to make a trade and get rid of Davis. The outfield would be set after that. Patterson can be used as a defense replacement until Ellis comes back in a couple of weeks. Gross days also might be numbered with the return of Cust and Crisp. Oh so much more going to happen in the next few weeks.
who else?
please don’t say Carter.
Against lefties, Cust is an UPGRADE. Maybe fox could be the DH against lefties. But I just as soon have cust play everyday.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Yes to Rosales in the OF.
Until Rajai can sustain a remotely replacement level batting line, he shouldn’t be playing in the OF.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Can Rosales actually play the outfied?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
He has never played there, but he can probably handle it. After all, look at who we’ve thrown out there.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Love the way he guns strikes to the plate!
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."
by default
Cust can get a walk against lefties and a better DH option just shows how bad this team is against lefties. You might see Pennington sit against lefties and Rosales move to ss when Ellis comes back.
and pennington where?
at this point, he’d be a better DH than chavez
I'm not generally wild about Cust, but putting him in the lineup is clearly the right move.
This offense is incredibly anemic. Cust is a real upgrade.
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on May 15, 2010 10:09 AM PDT reply actions
Anemic is absolutely the right adjective to describe this offense
I can’t wait to see the corresponding roster move
Never thought I would want to see him again
But it’s a necessity at the moment
It's a masterful strategy by the A's
Make the offense look so terrible that even the Cust haters can’t wait for him to be back!
Last of the Ninth - Photography
LOL
Make Cust popular by showing him one of the alternatives? Genius!
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
pfft...he's the greatest human ever
He saves kittens and small children and he help me save 15% on my car insurance.
I love you right now.
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 May 15, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Cust
I’m probably Cust’s least supporter. But anything is better than this pathetic line-up. We are waisting our decent pitching.
Yeah, it would be nice to have kept a 23 year old DH over a 22 year old corner OF.
DH’s are super hard to come by, I heard.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
When the A's are playing Donaldson as a DH
I’d have to say yes.
Especially when we have another potential young DH in Carter already
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Speaking of which
He had one game in Left field this season, and in his one fielding chance, he had an error. DOH
[insert inside joke here]
I can't help but speculate with Suzuki healthy and theyare still having him play at triple A
maybe they are looking to evaluate where they are at with Donaldson and Powell and look to move one of them??
Fox can always attempt to serve as the 3rd catcher… Much like when we had Kendall, Suzuki, Melhuse
Every man for himself...
You would think Suzuki would come back with Duke, and Cust all in one nice move!!!
Every man for himself...
I don't think they're convinced Suzuki is 100% healthy
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Corresponding roster moves?
I’m guessing HRod and Edwar.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on May 15, 2010 10:43 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
In that case
(clears throat)
DFA PATTERSON NOW!
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on May 15, 2010 10:49 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You want to DFA one of the few healthy position players
who just so happens to be tied for 2nd in HR?
The monster at the end of this blog.
He can't play defense
And his HR count is likely an abberation. he won’t continue to have half of hits as XBH. Moreover, his position will be deprecated when Crisp returns, and Rosales has proven to be a a more than capable INF.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on May 15, 2010 11:00 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I know
I was using Patterson’s accomplishments (or lack thereof) to highlight the ineptitude of the A’s line-up thus far.
Although I do think if the A’s are going to keep Ross in Oakland as the long man there’s really no need for Gaudin to be on the 40 man roster.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Yeah SuSlu suggested that as well
The way our injuries stack up though I kinda like the idea of having a guy that can go many innings if needed
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on May 15, 2010 11:13 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Is Ellis ever expected to rejoin the living?
Maybe he could do with a 60 day vacation.
The monster at the end of this blog.
did anyone ever think its
davis who is redundant when Crisp gets back?
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Imagine both Davis and Crisp on the bases, threatening to steal.
by LoneStranger on May 15, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I still think he's a slow starter.
Hopefully he’ll warm up as the weather does.
by LoneStranger on May 15, 2010 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Throw Pennington in there too
he’s good for 15-20.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
It's possible, but I don't know if Crisp is going to be any better than Davis
Can we have a third option, please?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
It's the only option that fits the A's MO for the season
They want to keep everyone for some reason.
Ask me about my squirrel.
Buck not doing good
This guy is the A’s Chris Snelling a good player that will NEVER be healthy.
Didnt we have Snelling for a couple seconds
"The A's have to be setting some record this year for simultaneously maximizing team quality and player anonymity. I guess that’s sort of their thing though." - Luke in MN
Yeah, I think we got him for Ryan Langerhans.
Or maybe it was the other way around.
I'm walking out in a force ten gale.
Birds thrown around, bullets for hail.
I'm such a Chris Snelling fan
I just wish he wasn’t so breakable. I think he would’ve been really, really good.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
KennyAlbert Rays designate Burrell for assignment and recall Blalock. half a minute ago via UberTwitter
Although getting Blalock became highly unlikely since the promotion of Cust happened, you can totally forget about it now.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 10:49 AM PDT reply actions
Pat Burrell fell off a cliff as a player
I guess the American League was too tough for him or perhaps he no longer had some help.
Yeah he's a nice example for the NL = AAAA argument
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
Steroids + Age = Bigtime slide
Ask me about my squirrel.
It explains why I'm sliding, 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 May 15, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Can't be true
Jeremy was standing
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on May 15, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on May 15, 2010 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Both Burrell and Blalock are incredible terrinle at hitting.
Why would we ever think for a second about trying to get them?
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
I know some people wanted to possibly give Blalock a chance based on how well he hit in Triple-A Durham.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Here's the best team we can field with the players we have
1B: Barton
2B: Ellis
SS: Pennington
3B: Kouzmanoff
C: Suzuki
LF: Rosales
CF: Crisp
RF: Sweeney
DH: Cust
Bench: Davis, Powell, Chavez, Gross
BUH BYE FOX&PATTERSON THANKS FOR NOTHING.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
I totally agree with your starters for sure, but I am still not sure about the bench.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
How so?
Davis can run and play defense, Gross can play defense too. Chavez is Chavez. Powell > Fox.
Fox & Patterson cant play defense. Patterson “might” be better at hitting and running than Gross, but he’s basically a DH, as is Fox.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
I think the A's will keep Fox and see if Chavy would retire...
Geren just loves Fox and the option to throw him in LF, 3B, emergency Catcher, and DH…
Every man for himself...
Let's say Fox and Chavez are equal with the bat
If you have to use Fox to pinch-hit for someone, at least you can stash him somewhere in the field so you don’t have to burn multiple bench guys.
Chavez is DH only.
You keep the one who can play positions.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I'm hoping Kouzmanoff will start getting settled in and get himself established as our 3B!
Every man for himself...
He had a nice little 10 game run
he OPS’d 801 over that time (this was before last nights oh-fer). Kouz is a notorious second half masher, Im pretty positive he will come around with the bat. Would like to see him learn to take a walk though…
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
With the players we have,
Carter might be a more viable option than cust at DH. is he ready? probably not. and i don’t want to see him up either. But at the very least he would be better than Chavez on the bench, if we were in fact to have our best possible team
[insert inside joke here]
I would prefer Carter not sitting on the bench most of the time here
As opposed to playing every day in Sacramento for a few more months.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Carter on the bench is absurdly stupid
You’re draining service time AND preventing a top 20 prospect from playing full time. This is why Jennry Mejia rotting in the Mets bullpen is stupid.
It’s understandable if its September, the minor league season is pretty much over, and the A’s are in a very tight playoff race.
If you want a bat off the bench, go get Pat Burrell, or keep Eric Patterson, or get someone off waivers. Bench bats with zero defensive value can be found for cheap.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I was never suggested putting him on the bench,
But if we were talking about fielding the best team with the players have, Carter is probably the most talented guy we have. In any realistic situation, kept him in AAA. but if we’re just saying who are our best guys, then Carter has to be mentioned
[insert inside joke here]
I was with you until you said "Get Pat Burrell"
Burrell, Blalock, Jacobs, Dye are all not better than Cust at hitting. End of story.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
He didn't say instead of Cust
He said instead of calling up Carter. I think.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I still have an ounce of faith in Davis
That he can turn his atrocious approach at the plate around and turn into the singles/slap hitter he needs to be again. His career BABIP is .322 and he’s currently at .273, mostly because he thinks he can hit HR for some reason. He needs to be hitting like Ichiro does, just trying to leg out as many dribblers as he can, that’s when he becomes the guy we loved last year. I’d like to keep him in case Rosales cant hold down LF, at that point we roll with a Gross/Davis platoon there, keeping in tune with our pro-defense agenda.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
Hypnotist?
Worked for Dale…
I’m not sure it helps lost causes though.
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 15, 2010 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
If only we could hypnotize the entire team
into watching at least 5 pitches per at-bat. That would certainly help us avoid performances like last night. Saunders sucks yet he shut us out, totally unacceptable.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
Lol
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 15, 2010 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This is off topic, but
Ken Loach just put a bunch of his films onto youtubes, including Kes, which is one of my favourite films ever. It’s about the love of a boy for his kestrel.
It’s fantastic.
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
TODAY IS D-DAY
And by D I mean Duchscherer. If he can’t keep his body together will this be his last run of games as a starting pitcher until he gets hurt again? His body appears to be too fragile to throw too many innings and he might best be suited to pitch in relief if he goes down again.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
Oh, Rotoworld
Cust’s recall also means a drop in playing time—and thus a drop in value—for Eric Chavez.
Assuming anyone even had Chavez on their fantasy team at this point.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I don't know anything about fantasy player valuation, but..
if a player’s VORP is negative, wouldn’t a drop in playing time result in an increase in value?
He was a fine start
against teams with no right side of the infield.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on May 15, 2010 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh Hell Yes
Just got off a plane and see this news. It’s gonna be a good day.
You can change your job, you can change your wife, you can even change your gender, but you can never change your club.
Win or lose, we will always be here for you.
Fear no foe, wherever we go.
by johnjahafanclub on May 15, 2010 12:59 PM PDT reply actions
I predict Cust will lead the team in homeruns & ________________________ ....
Every man for himself...
My mom is making me one right now.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
hey-oooooh!
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, if you use good sourdough
it goes really well with marinated and lightly grilled puppy
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
what kind of marinade?
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 May 15, 2010 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions
its' own blood.
When your local back alley butcher dresses the beast, have him collect its’ blood.
Add vinegar, lemon juice, and saltpeter, and you’re good to go.
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Puppy is a bit tough, though not as bad a a full grown
so, lets start with some lime and lemon juice. Add 4 crushed garlic cloves, 1/2 tbs kosher salt, pepper to taste (I like a lot), 2 stems fresh dried rosemary, 1 tbs. onion power, 1 tbs. garlic power, 1 tbs. coarse French mustard, 1 tbs. cumin, 1 ts. paprika, 1 tbs. favorite chili power.
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm thinking using both lime and lemon juice would be too citrusy
Got any recipes using whiskey as a base?
The monster at the end of this blog.
As long as you don't over do the acid, it will work
It just depends on how much meat you have, but by all means, keep the lemon juice and use whiskey or even beer. But you gotta use some citrus acid in there and it adds good flavor. I use it on chicken and it never gets too citrusy.
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Well... it's not like I got 101 Dalmatians in the fridge
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever mixed paprika with an alcohol base.
The monster at the end of this blog.
awesomeness
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
Strickouts?
Rosales leads the team with 29, but his playing time will drop some when Ellis gets back.
Walks? Barton has 24. I’m not sure Cust will make up that head start.
Intentional walks. As the only power threat on the team, I see Cust getting walked on purpose quite a bit.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions
If I had my way
Rosales would be in LF when Ellis gets back.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
green commuting.
I bet Cust will be at least tempted to take BART to the Coliseum after the last couple of months of 200 miles of driving every day during homestands.
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Undue hate.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on May 15, 2010 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Ricky Romero pitches a complete game shutout over Texas
with 12Ks. Go get ’em, Duke!
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 dropped him yesterday on that one team nobody cares about.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Good, you're adopting LL for yourself.
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 15, 2010 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
SI.com has a ridiculous headline.
Rangers’ Romero whiffs 12 Jays for first shutout
Whoops.
I'm walking out in a force ten gale.
Birds thrown around, bullets for hail.
Yeah, it should have read
Non Yankee or Red Sox pitcher whiffs 12 non Yankees or Red Sox for first shutout
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
A-Rod causes Rangers to get shut out by playing game last month against team in northern US territory
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
I understand with all the stuff going on there'll be an occasional typo...
…but wow.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
How ridiculous is that Blue Jays lineup with their home runs?
Jose Bautistia hit numbers 8 and 9 today. Alex Gonzalez has 10. John Buck has 8. Why can’t our crappy hitters go on a HR spree?
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on May 15, 2010 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions
THAT STARTS TODAY DAMMIT
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 15, 2010 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
It must be something in the Canadian water...
Hey Bill,
Order some cases of that “Clearly Canadian” for our hitters.
I am back!
"Twenty minutes," says Jack Sr. "Thank god for Billy Beane."
"Any fan that wants us to do that is going to be disappointed because that just isn’t us." - Wolff
"Just play for the name in front of the uniform.." - Dallas Braden
by ST on May 15, 2010 2:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
woohoo!
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on May 15, 2010 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
SpartacusT!
Bob Geren: I understand – I’m informed that SpartacusT once trained under your auspices.
Jim Skaalen: Yes. In fact, if it isn’t too subversive to say so, I made him what he is today.
Eric Chavez: I’m SpartacusT!
Jake Fox: I’m SpartacusT!
Eric Patterson: I’m SpartacusT!
Rajai Davis: I’m SpartacusT!
Ryan Sweeney: I’m sick!
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Looks like I can once again wear my Spartacust 32 jersey tee when I go to games
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Damn...
Pat Burrel got DFAd also!
Hmm…..
"Twenty minutes," says Jack Sr. "Thank god for Billy Beane."
"Any fan that wants us to do that is going to be disappointed because that just isn’t us." - Wolff
"Just play for the name in front of the uniform.." - Dallas Braden
He sucks.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
So who gets the heave ho for cust?
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
There is still no word yet.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Here ya go
Ramirez and Rodriguez not listed on #Athletics lineup card.
http://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/14059849951
Last of the Ninth - Photography
More
It sounds as Ramirez was designated for assignment. That would be your 40-man roster move to add Cust.
http://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/14060207479
Last of the Ninth - Photography
figures.
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on May 15, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank God(dess) he's in LF, not RF
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Aw, Chavez is hitting in front of Cust.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s here.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Our best lineup in weeks
No Rajai, Cust is back, Sweeney is back, Duke is back. Hopefully this leads to a much needed W.
PATTERSON IS IN CF TODAY
holy fuck Duke better break out the grounders
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
Sweeney should be in center if both Cust and Patterson are in the outfield.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Cust's arm is a tick below average, if I remember right.
Patterson’s is made of papier mache.
I'm walking out in a force ten gale.
Birds thrown around, bullets for hail.
I'll go along with this I guess
Don’t get me wrong, by saying that it was our best lineup in weeks was in no way saying that I like seeing EP is CF. It is more the fact that we don’t have three catchers hitting in a row, with none of them being named Suzuki, and that Rajai is taking a day off today.
I like the wat you say "Rajai is taking a game off."
Rajai is benched again today for being basically totally useless.
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."
Well, he's not totally useless
His glove has been solid, as we will see tonight after this E-Pat in CF debacle is over with. You will be crying out for him in your sleep after tonight.
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
only if he shaves and puts on that dress!
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
shake your moneymaker, rajai
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 May 15, 2010 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I do cry out in my sleep, sometimes.
Have to ask the missus if she hears of a particular center fielder in the mix of garble and gibber.
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."
With Eric Patterson's complete ineptitude defensively
AND with Cust in the outfield. I just don’t see a scenario in which Patterson is a better option than Davis. They’re both likely to go 0 for 4. I’d rather have the guy who can catch and throw in center.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Paterson is going to begin throwing underhand, to see if he can't pick up the pace a little, I hear.
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."
Based on comments from here
It has been my understanding that Davis hasn’t been great defensively lately either. I can’t watch the games, so I don’t know for sure, but it seems like he has been getting beaten up in all aspects of the game.
From the radio sounds, he's been good for a while.
Worst play I remember hearing was stepping in for one that went over his head, over a week ago.
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."
He's not a particularly good instinctual fielder, but his speed allows him to make up for any mistakes.
End result? He’s pretty good. Great, even.
I'm walking out in a force ten gale.
Birds thrown around, bullets for hail.
...provided his instincts don't screw him out the play.
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 May 15, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd say it's true, though, that his defense in the past week
has been a bit less than his defense until then. One problem is he’s playing really deep and not getting to some balls in front of him — not sure why.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Could be as simple as guys go through defensive slumps, too
There are some I’ve talked to who apparently have never set foot on a baseball field who seem to think defense is static (regressing only for age/injury), but this might be as stupid as a person who would base their entire judgment of a player’s skill on RBI totals between 8 and 9 PM on May 15th.
I can’t say for sure whether Rajai just hasn’t been on his defensive game, but if this is the case, it could explain why he’s playing a bit deeper.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Especially with Rajai
I remember last May he wasn’t just hitting like he is now, he was dropping fly balls, bobbling balls in the alley — I think the harder he tries, the worse he plays and the more he relaxes the better he plays. And I think it goes for hitting and defense both.
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
Maybe he just needs to hear from the coaches what is role is on the team.
Tell him what he’s expected to do, and not expected to do, and perhaps he could relax, focus on that, and then start performing last the last half of last year.
by LoneStranger on May 15, 2010 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Wasn't his role pretty clear to begin the season?
“Play defense and be a leadoff guy.” He was bad at being a leadoff guy, so it changed to “Play defense and don’t be an abomination offensively.”
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually have the theory that he is "baseball ADHD"
Meaning he can’t stop himself from impulsively starting after pitches before he’s recognized them, or aggressively rounding 2B when the situation calls for being conservative — even when he knows he should.
That doesn’t mean he’d necessarily profile as ADHD in a classroom or in life, but baseball-wise, that’s how he plays: Act first, think second.
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
So if he were white, he'd be grindy?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
No I'm pretty sure he'd still suck.
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 thought grindy was white guy for "suck."
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
You're thinking gritty
Grindy is what you call a white guy that likes to hump inanimate objects.
Ask me about my squirrel.
That one pump chump game he's playing is really aggravating.
Odd how It’s the reverse of what we’re usually complaining about (swing dammit- bhdbhsbaohfieifbehshkzdbhzvk!!!!!11111)…
I'm ADHD like that with air hockey
Sad thing is, I’m serious
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not sure if there's any causation with Rajai specifically
But one of the (few) “intangible” things I do believe in is that some players are better at compartmentalizing. Some guys can go through a horrid offensive slump and still field their position as well as ever, others do “bring at bats onto the field with them.”
I’m not sure there’s a way to change those guys either.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the "harder you try/worse you play, more relaxed you are/better you play" thing...
…is probably pretty constant for a lot of people.
The less you have to think and the more you just do, the more natural it all is.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I know that when I'm blogging,
I try to think as little as possible.
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 15, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is why you're a successful blogger.
There’s never a trace of any thought whatsoever in your writing.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ferret!
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 15, 2010 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Had to rec this post. Well said!
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
it will be nice to see some HRs again . . . . . . .
if there are any. I’m glad Cust is back.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Tim McCarver
waxing on about Nelly and doing Keith Jackson impressions.
I love Fox baseball.
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
McCarver + Glue Factory = relief
"Hi, I'm A's catcher and stolen base machine Landon Powell. You might ask me what I eat to keep up this marvelous physique. Why, friends, of course I eat 'Dannycakes' brand frozen pastry products. See folks, only 'Dannycakes' brand are made with the finest in off-brand bleached white flour, and enriched with two vitamins and minerals. Plus, every box contains a NEAT PRIZE!"
by Gaijin_Suketto on May 15, 2010 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions
The Astros are dumb.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
With Bourn on second and nobody out in the eighth, they should have bunted with Matsui. Instead, he grounds out to third. Then, in the ninth, they let Matsui hit with the bases loaded. Matsui has been awful. Blum hits .340/.352/.415 against right-handed pitching.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
and now it's time for Nelly!
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 May 15, 2010 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions
yup.
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 May 15, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
must be a Rams fan, huh?
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 May 15, 2010 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Ha, he’s from St. Louis. He likes the Cardinals as well.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought maybe
he used that as a pick up line : Hey hotstuff, I’m aries, whats your sign?
Zooey Deschanel!
by ChickenStanley on May 15, 2010 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Rangers lost too
Hard to believe that with the way the last week has gone that if we win tonight we are right back to where we started the week at.
I'm thinking we get a win tonight.
Cust may not score, I think Duke will be hungry and this impotent offense is too horrendous to sustain hopefully.
I like your thinking
and endorse your comments
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
by OptimistPrime on May 15, 2010 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm thinking Cust drops a routine fly ball to LF with two out
and then suddenly Duke falls apart and gives up 5 runs in the inning.
Wait, that was last year.
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
Cust is back and you're gonna be sorry
hey now, hey now, cust is BACK
Now, please hit one out!
"The guy was tasting himself too long to apologize."~Dallas Braden
Set to the tune of "my boyfriend's back"?
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on May 15, 2010 4:33 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
At first I thought it was to the tune of
Don’t dream its over
Hey now Heeey now, Now pleeease hit one out ~
Hey now Heeey now, Don’t let it be a rout ~
something like that.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on May 15, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
So after tomorrow, Cust will have more walks than how many A's?
There are 7 guys (this includes Ross, Carson, and Tolleson) with 3 or fewer walks this season. I think he could very well surpass all of them.
By the end of the week he’ll have more walks than Fox, Rajai, and Patterson.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:30 PM PDT reply actions
susanslusser Ellis’ rehab assignment starts Monday with ClassA Stockton. #Athletics 2 minutes ago via Twittelator
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 4:32 PM PDT reply actions
You know what would be even more frustrating than the A's hitting woes?
Having J. Vargas with an ERA under 3.00 and D. Fister with an ERA under 2.00, and still being far, far worse than anyone imagined.
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
Has anybody noticed just how horrible Figgins has been?
People ignored that he was 32 and not ever a truly great hitter, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s close to finished.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I was glad they signed Figgins instead of Bay.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
And that they decided to top the A's "Washed-up DH" plan
By bringing back both of their terrible, washed-up DH guys (and they even traded for a crazy DH).
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
joestiglich Cust will play regularly, mostly in outfield, Geren says. #Athletics 2 minutes ago via mobile web
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 15, 2010 4:41 PM PDT reply actions
::sigh::
This means a lot more of Cust/Patterson/Sweeney. WHY is it not Patterson/Sweeney/Cust out there? Can somebody explain this?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Gonna be a lot of hate
when he drops a routine catch
But not more than the hate
when Patterson lasers a throw from LF to shallow left center.
I'm walking out in a force ten gale.
Birds thrown around, bullets for hail.
He throws a strike to pennington
And Kendrick is safe at third!
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on May 15, 2010 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
This piece of washed-up crap is going to get 500 miserable PAs for this team. I just know it.
Please, Chavy, just retire already. It’s embarrassing. You’re so bad, I would actually rather have Eric Patterson in the lineup.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Sadder yet?
I read the headline and still wondered which of about 5 players you were talking about.
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
Stupid stupid stupid.
Cust in the outfield is much smaller upgrade than Cust at DH. So sick of this team’s love affair withChavez…
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on May 15, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty much everybody does
But I don’t think the offensive boost overcomes the defensive downgrade.
Now, if it’s Cust in left and Not Patterson in center, it could work. But this new plan pretty much kills the outfield defense.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on May 15, 2010 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Quit hating on Chavy!
You guys act like he’s horrible and he plays like crap. The guy isn’t even that healthy and he’s still batting better than a ton of regulars on the team. He’s one of the all-time great A’s, and defensive 3rd basemen of all-time, and you guys just bash him like he’s some crappy minor leaguer that’s been called up. The guy has never been known to get off to a hot start, so why don’t you just give him a chance to get warmed up.
we're six weeks in.
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 May 15, 2010 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I feel pretty comfortable in saying he is likely done
Even he knows it.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
HIS JOB HAS THE WORD "HITTER" IN IT
Its IN his goddamn job title!!!!
He aint doing it, hence the hating. If he’s not healthy he needs to retire because he is costing us wins and when we finish a game behind the Rangers at the end of the year, people are going to say “Boy, those A’s sure are stupid for letting that guy play DH for so long”.
I value players who help the team win games over anything, Chavez costs us games, his WAR is actually at -0.2 meaning any old schlub league average guy would replace him and do a better job.
But hey if you want to watch the team get shutout more, thats cool I guess (no it isnt)
-The president of the "Sign Elijah Dukes" fan club.
Luckily, his job also has the word "designated" in it
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
We have a winner!
Cue Wilson Phillips: “Releeeeease me…”
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 get to see Cust
and the A’s fail in person tonight. Maybe that will make the diff.
There's no business like show business, but there are several businesses like accounting.
by Eddie Cheddar on May 15, 2010 5:54 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
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