AN interviews Mike Piazza
by elcroata on Jul 26, 2010 1:04 PM PDT
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Super awesome!!! Thanks, elcroata...
"The only way I'm going to get a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint." - Reggie Jackson
by the_rozeboom on Jul 26, 2010 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
How f***in' cool is this?
Great job, el. And LOVE the baseball autograph. Do we need a special trophy case for AN’s own souvenirs?
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Thanks
As for the ball, perhaps it would be possible to one day do some kind of AN raffle or auction where some of us could contribute a souvenir or two and where proceeds would go to charity.
I hear skigurl has a signed Dallas Braden perfect game ticket she would donate.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Hah. No burn.
Just waiting for her panicked response.
(she won’t donate that)
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
No panic.
I just considered the source. I did hear that someone was offered $10K for their complete collection of bobbleheads through 2002 (for the movie) and turned the offer down. I have a complete set, too, and would gladly sell them for $10K. I could buy them again on Ebay for a whole lot less than that, I’d imagine, but I guess the movie folks were more interested in the convenience of getting them all in one fell swoop. Now, why they didn’t just use the set that BB supposedly has in his office is unclear. Maybe all our actors-in-waiting will be able to find the answer later this week.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Hey, I put a "grin" in there.
For some reason it didn’t reproduce. But I know pam5981 knows I was just kidding. Maybe. I hope.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
You probably put it between angle brackets.
Anything between angle brackets gets disappeared (unless you use the secret code tricks). A few other types of punctuation will make words disappear when enclosed in them, and several others cause various typographic effects.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Why didn't they just offer to rent the bobbleheads for the shoot?
Or maybe they have to get smashed by a flying chair….anyway, you’d think it would cost props way less than $10K to make a set.
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
by Englishmajor on Jul 26, 2010 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Or:
“Billy we’re trying to make this film as authentic as possible, could we please borrow your complete set of bobble heads? We promise they’ll make it back to you in one piece.”
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I wouldn't trust my bobbleheads to come back in one piece.
Those things are fragile.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Yep.
Maybe they were hoping for several sets to allow for breakage.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
At $10k a set?
Jeez they’re throwing away money. How do I get in on this action?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Fragile indeed...
I posted a FanShot today about what my baby boy did to my Duke bobble.
"The only way I'm going to get a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint." - Reggie Jackson
by the_rozeboom on Jul 26, 2010 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
And I love your T-shirt!
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Awesome article, I always enjoy your posts!
I just got invited to the All-Star game in Anaheim and had a chance to play a little softball game with guys like Rickey Henderson, Dave Winfield, Rollie Fingers and Paul Molitor – that was great fun.
Mind blown.
My favorite part:
“I feel that both of the last two years that I played were very important for me. I had a good bounce back season in San Diego and I played for Bruce Bochy and it was a great experience, he was a great manager to play for.”
Hmm…How do you feel about that, Bob?
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
Bochy might be a good guy,
but he makes some piss poor managerial decisions, and the people at the Giants SB nation blog hate him like we hate Geren.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
That sounds like Geren!
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 Jul 26, 2010 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions
To me, that underscores the key difference between Bochy and Geren
Both can be very poor tacticians, but players respect Bochy and like playing for him. Whereas Clown lacks the redeeming features.
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
Now that I've picked my jaw off of the floor,
how did you manage to snag an interview with Mike Piazza, anyway?
Here's a hint
Currently in elcroata’s basement: a mop, two old vacuum cleaners, 12 half-full cans of paint, a VCR from 1973, Ron Gant, David Justice, and John Jaha.
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 mean his mom's basement
"Rollins helps them with the small ball when he's not in the lineup." - Joe Morgan
No, actually, he keeps mom in the attic.
Along with Eric Karros.
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
Doesn't seem like he's all that busy these days.
Italian Baseball. C’mon, like that’s a real thing. ;-)
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Kinda like English football?
I kid.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I expect better of you Pam.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I literally know nothing about it.
Just going for the easy joke. Don’t cry.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I meant i expected better snark.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Agrd?
Sheesh, I thought you woulda appreciated that dig.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I did.
But I don’t like English people or soccer.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
You're easy.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
duh.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
At least I used the word "football"
I was totally gonna write “soccer”
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Well then I'd have ignored it.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
not true. See above.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm just SO grateful you paid me a bit of attention.
italics
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
There you go, that's more your level of snarkiness.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I've been busy today.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Bearing in mind we have the best league in the world.
Even if the free loading Spanish are trying to take that title away from us.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
And?
It’s a world game.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
So if you wanna have the best league in the world you have to invite
foreigners in.
Otherwise you get Ligue 1.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I basically just walked over to the other dugout
and asked him. It was really that simple. So we later found a slot where neither Croatia nor Italy were playing and that was it. The most incredible thing to me was that after I asked and he said “sure”, and I further asked when would be a good time for him, he actually said “Let me know when it fits you well”. I was like, “No, you are Mike Piazza, you pick any slot whatsoever and I’ll adapt”, bet he kept insisting that I just come over whenever I feel like it. Amazing.
I'm guessing you've had some bad experiences with professional athletes?
The ones I’ve spoken to tend to be pretty down to Earth, on the whole. I’d have been more surprised if he’d have said “Dammit, I’m MIKE PIAZZA!”
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I've only interviewed a few
Barton was very nice. You know how Ziegler is. Eric Musselman was great, and I’m not really an interviewer. Just chatting with a few players in between the photography, it’s cool. I mentioned Donaldson in the last game post, and one of the Sky Sox relievers was wondering how hot the women in the hot tub were so I took a picture and showed him, which he appreciated.
There’s only one guy I’ve been around directly who was a real jerk to a friend of mine, and he used to be in the Giants organization (though I don’t think he’s played anywhere this year). One of the veterans on that team heard about it and reamed the guy.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Does it start with B
and end with a perjury conviction?
I doubt it, Bonds ran that club house.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
GMTA, Mobius!
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Yeah that's my experience too.
The one guy that was a prick towards me was promptly sold.
Not that I had anything to do with it mind. ;-) Think he just wasn’t liked in the locker room at all.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Taking pictures of hot women in hot tubs for baseball players.
It must suck being you sometimes.
Pam liked my old sig better.
Well, we both agreed one was all right, the rest not so much
But it’s funny to me because you know that’s one of the things people talk about at first base and such.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Some players
just project ultimate coolness, and Piazza is definitely one of them. Awesome interview elcroata! Thnx
by sf drift king on Jul 26, 2010 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
That is fantastic
Thanks for sharing this, it was really cool to see this on AN.
in 2005, mets’ skipper would have been willie r. but fill me in. what did he do?
(i kinda like bobby v because his mets tenure’s when i lived in brooklyn and followed the not-the-yankees. not joy till the end, but there were really fun moments.)
really don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Jul 26, 2010 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Mental Error...Sorry about that...
It was Willie, sorry about that…
But he took him out of the game before his final at bat…so he wasn’t able to get his last standing ovation like he should have…the entire stadium went nuts
As for Bobby V, he is one of the biggest jerks…when I was doing post game interviews for the Mets he wasn’t very pleasant to be around…but then again, at the same time, you can’t blame him for having a terrible team in 2002
fANtastic!
(And he’s taller than you mainly because he’s wearing that cap).
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Yeah if I had that criteria (that I dislike people 'cos they're taller than me) I wouldn't like many people.
And you’d think he’d find a cap that fits him wouldn’t you?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
He lives in Miami?
I knew it, he’s going into the Hall of Fame as a Marlin!
Thanks elcroata, you’re the bestiest.
Well except for the fact
that I am eternally embarrassed that I did not know who you were (on AN) when you e-mailed me last week, I say kudos to you elcroata. Wonderful interview. Hooray for access to Hall-of-Famer’s!
I'm here to talk about the past.
Well done, elcroata!
And now we know what you look like, so we can recognize you when you come to Oakland!
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
That's my biggest worry [unpacks England shirt].
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
We've already alerted the Coliseum vendors about you
They’re going to notify us when someone complains that the beer is too cold.
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
by Englishmajor on Jul 26, 2010 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
You folks always travel in your Crusader getups, with chain mail and crosses, right?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
No sure if that's a good or a bad thing :)
And I outed myself a long time ago actually, but that avatar pic is rather small. On the other hand it is with my Squirrels jersey, so I guess I get some points for that.
And I didn't even know Bengie Molina hit for the cycle.
Which is hilarious. Not quite as hilarious as the Red Sox playing Eric Patterson in center field, though.
Funnily enough those two things are related.
Cos it wasn’t really a cycle – well unless Patterson dropping the ball and allowing Molina run to third base counts as a triple these days.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Correctly ruled a triple, IMO.
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 way, no how. There is zero excuse for Patterson not catching that ball.
And, honestly, that double that JD Drew dropped was a bit of a gift, too.
Pam liked my old sig better.
nice job
would have been interesting to see what he would say about the allegations of steroids and all that’s been said about him, though never proven
also I would be interested in hearing his opinion of Bobby V and his gay accusations
and also if he had any thoughts about how he basically ran Todd Hundley out of a job in NY although that wasn’t really his fault since that was a trade…wonder if that was a bit awkward for him
If he wants to run across the pitcher's mound, tell him to go do laps in the bullpen - pepe
I don't think you get to ask those questions
If Piazza is gay, straight, or bi, to a large degree it’s his biz. (except that the closet sucks, and it would benefit gays in sports if the stigma was gone.)
You can work it in gently, like,
“So Mike, are you in fact gay? YOU ARE, AREN’T YOU!!! ADMIT IT, JUST ADMIT IT RIGHT NOW!!!!!”
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
Nico, I'm so glad you gave the Reggie interview to Marquez.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Asking / pestering AN users if they are gay
would that be a strike, or insta-ban?
Can’t imagine asking that to a player.
I'm thinking it was a joke.
But agree about the stigma and wondering who will be The One to open the closet door. (Not Billy Bean, but someone with a much bigger name will have to do it.)
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
I don't think there will be a guy that opens the closet door.
It’s just the nature of the business.
It’d literally have to be someone like Lebron James. Someone that’s so fantastic that the stigma of being gay in a testosterone fueled world wouldn’t hinder their job prospects.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Or just someone gutsy
It probably wasn’t a cake walk for Jackie Robinson but that didn’t stop him.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Honestly I think race is a little different to sexuality.
Probably not the place to discuss it though.
And of course I’m not discrediting what Jackie Robinson did.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I think everything is in context of era,
so it’s possible that a gay athlete in 2018 could be equivalent to a black athlete in 1947.
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
There's a fundamental difference, though.
It was known all along which athletes are black; it was just a question of MLB first excluding them and later including them.
With gay athletes, we don’t know which ones are gay. Probably there are several already playing but we don’t know who they are.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Probably?
Indubitably, I’d say.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Oooooh, let's guess!
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I think they're one wearing skirts as tops
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
by Englishmajor on Jul 26, 2010 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Python did it better
Shoot the poof – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19fcN3VaXs4
by MobiusKlein on Jul 27, 2010 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
That's not quite true --
For example, we had Chris Carter for over a year before I knew he was black.
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
As someone who mostly listens only to radio,
I am constantly guessing players’ race wrong. Just recently I was surprised to discover that Henry Rodriguez is not black. For some reason I thought he was Dominican.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
He is Dominican.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Or Venezuelan. Whatevs.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
It doesn't help that there's another Chris Carter floating around baseball.
And he’s white. Google doesn’t know the difference.
And he's in the bigs.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I have the problem of always thinking, "This is what you're doing after The X-Files?"
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
I think it'll need to be a pitcher
a Pedro Martinez type, who can throw at people who disrespect him.
I did see Vicente Padilla flirting with a guy the other day...
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 me
My Padilla mask is very convincing!
Christiano Ronaldo?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Is it considered gay if you love yourself?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
LOL
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Did you hear about this story?
Clearly he’s doing it wrong.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
He's got kids
It can be hard on kids, having your dad come out. Might be easier now, but not all the way.
And ya, I know folks were joking.
I was just telling brian.only yesterday about how Mike Piazza was the catcher for the first game I ever went to, at Dodger Stadium. Now that I think about it, I think he had a pinch-hit appearance for the first A’s game I went to when I moved to Oakland.
I think he and Tommy Lasorda were the only baseball people I could recognize as a little kid.
thanks for the interview, elcro. i’ve always liked mike. lowell breaking him is one of my top-ten boston grievances. just stole him from an A’s season.
really don't care if i ever get back.
I think Blez paid Lowell
to increase the cust page hits
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Great artical
Mike does sound like a great guy – like he did throughout his carreer.
And Yuengling is great stuff – if ever in PA, give it a try.
"Every year someone will win the World Series. Other things are more, shall we say, unusual." - EN
Yay, afternoon read.
The stats people would surely point out that 83% of your name is pizza.
Win.
100% Athletics, 100% Baseball. 2009 Athletics, 40% Baseball.
Excellent!
Piazza has always been a fave of mine, ever since watching his shenanigans on MTV during their “Rock N’ Jock” softball games.
(Salt was a better playa than Pepa)
Thanks Elcroata. Great read.
"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.
by SwisherThresher on Jul 26, 2010 2:38 PM PDT reply actions
Awesome interview.
This is part of what brings me to this site daily.
by Twan54321 on Jul 26, 2010 2:46 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Ok, that was SO cool.
You’re a great interviewer and he was a great interviewee!
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Great read.
Lol Brad Pitt.
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
Full of Awesomeness!
Thank you! I like how he decided to spend time with the kids though his wife didnt always like it. LOL
Funny that he mentions team Sweden:
My friend Tony plays for team Sweden:
http://competition.baseballeurope.com/2010/stuttgart/rosters.php?roster=swe
He hit a dinger against Croatia.
http://competition.baseballeurope.com/2010/stuttgart/games/swe.htm
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. Sac OPS: .964
by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 26, 2010 3:03 PM PDT reply actions
Tell your friend I don't like him in a healthy way
I was there and even managed to make some decent pictures
And these are from Sweden – Great Britain
He’s a left fielder, right? I don’t think I have him on any of my shots, but I’ll keep an eye on him for you.
love the pick off
all of them really, great work, per usual.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Yep
Tony D., #33.
I could ask him if you could interview him. He has an interesting history. He grew up in San Jose and played ball in the Rockies organization.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. Sac OPS: .964
by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 28, 2010 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Was wondering who it would was going to be based off this mornings hint
Big smile when I came in here a few hours later. I am a big Piazza fan, wish Lowell didnt give him the Randy Machoman Savage elbow drop on his AC, he looked better at the plate like he was about to breakout when he got hurt. Cust was a blessing though so its all good.
I like the little callout on Beane, how quickly he turns on people. Im sure Cust will say the same thing when his career is done, only, he was still a very good hitter when the A’s decided to (this season) treat him like total shit.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
It's a business. The front office (wrongly) thought that Fox and Patterson had more value on the big club and
their hands were tied if they wanted to keep them in the organisation. Cust could be moved, and it’s not like he wasn’t handsomely rewarded for his time in AAA.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
yeah, I guess
It just hurts that we would only be 4 or 5 games out now instead of 7 if we had Cust instead of Chavez, Patterson & Fox. Just an awful move that was unpopular with fans and made no sense and didnt work out. The A’s arent known for making bonehead moves, but this was one fore sure.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Sadly we're not privy to their meetings about players. I'd like to know what the thinking was there.
But hey that’s the life of being a fan.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Also
they wanted to give Chavy another shot.
by sf drift king on Jul 26, 2010 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
If I had known that, I would have provided a loaded gun.
I kid!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I don't even think that was the case
They thought that there was more chance of Patterson or Fox being claimed than Cust, considering he had been non-tendered. Also they left it to the last minute by which time most of the teams had already confirmed their 25 man rosters.
Dude! That freaking rocked.
You’re right, he seems like a really cool guy. Great job elcroata!
"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!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 26, 2010 3:47 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Great job--thanks!!!
"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."
-Charles Manson
Very entertaining piece, Elcroata
Though I travel to Italy often for business, I have yet to see a baseball game there. Basket (basketball) and calcio (soccer), yes, but no baseball. Your interview with Piazza tells me it’s time for a change.
There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact. - Mark Twain
I wish my business would take me to Italy.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Awesome interview, elcroata!
And for the record, I love Piazza because he and Clemens didn’t get along, and Roger Clemens might be the world’s biggest a-hole.
Also for the record, Mike Piazza can be whatever he wants to be—gay, straight, bi—I don’t really care. Someone’s sexuality has nothing to do with baseball and doesn’t belong here on AN.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
In the CT threads, it does --
ANYTHING GOES, BABY!!!
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
+1 on the first part.
Well, the second part, too, but especially the first part.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Fantasic! All the accolades that could be heaped, I present to you!!
I saw there was “byte” for “bite” but that is the smallest of notices re English.
You do the finest job of writing any ESL writer could do. Stunning..
I was impressed by Mike saying, “Good Question” over and over. As you can imagine, his list of interviews over his career?? Maybe a hundred? Two hundred? And for him to admire your questions is a high compliment.
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 26, 2010 4:26 PM PDT reply actions
Thanks, owlw
I fixed that. It’s one thing to make my own mistakes, but something else to put them in the mouth of people who wouldn’t make them themselves. And such a silly one, I actually know that.
And yes the flow of the interview was very relaxing and such comments from Mike were reassuring and made it very easy for me to keep to my interview plan.
It read great. Truly.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I didn't realize English was your second language.
I guess it’s a compliment to say that. At least, that’s how I intend it.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Depending on a day and a situation
It ranks anywhere between second and fourth. And I’ll definitely take it as a compliment.
"Depending on a day and a situation It ranks anywhere between second and fourth"
What is the A’s position in the AL West, Alex?
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
great job elcroata
The signed baseballs made me smile =)
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
Piazza is a class act
and was always one of my favourite players. I was happy that he signed with us and sad to see him get injured; didn’t want to see him go out that way..
On another note, if Piazza hadn’t gotten injured, Cust would still be padding his career HR totals with the Mississippi Mud Hens.
Indeed! Perhaps an appropriate question would be
“Mike, do you have a dartboard with Mike Lowell’s picture on it?”
He was the Red Sox third baseman who, instead of throwing to first, dove at third base for the final out. He injured Piazza on the play, effectively ending his playing career.
Blez: Most folks seem to believe that the big flaw with the 2010 Oakland A's will be the lack of any power.
Beane: They believe it because it's true.
by One won lost won on Jul 26, 2010 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
A very enjoyable read and surprising to see posted so unexpectedly from Italia.
alaska A currently residing in northern Idaho.
i was at the coliseum during his last major league game.
When he was taken out of the game for a pinch hitter, we fans gave him a standing ovation, and he looked up and tipped his helmet. I felt at the time that the fans and Mike knew that it would be his last MLB game.
It was a nice moment.
I was at that same game
Shannon Stewart ran for him.
It was a great moment.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. Sac OPS: .964
by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 26, 2010 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I bet he doesn't mention that Stewart was the pinch runner when he's old and grey.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I really like that he was honest about how he felt about Billy Beane and how the end of that season played out for him.
It definitely sucked for him, because he was out and the A’s had to find someone to replace him, and by the time he was ready to come back of course the A’s were going to keep Cust in there.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
nice interview, elcroata
piazza seems like a nice guy, and he gave honest answers.
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
I love seeing great fanposts bumped up to the front page (2 in one day even)
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Cause and effect?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
[buys plane ticket to Europe]
But wait, let’s look at the facts. We also sent two more guys to the DL, and the NL won the All Star Game, AND Danny Haren was traded to the team that must not be named, thereby causing the universe to collapse. So it may be dangerous to send me away for TOO long.
by whiteshoes40 on Jul 26, 2010 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Ooooh. Good point, especially about that last part.
Evidently, you need to leave for a week only. And then come back for a day. Then leave again.
That could be arranged.
As long as AN contributes to the Send Me Around the World! fund.
by whiteshoes40 on Jul 26, 2010 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Or we could switch places.
Except I don’t wanna live in Texas.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I would love to live in England.
Texas isn’t that bad. I promise.
by whiteshoes40 on Jul 26, 2010 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I suspect you're wrong.
At least Florida is not full of Texans.
But they are one-two on my states of ick.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
and executions.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow -- The Twins put up a 6-spot on Greinke in the 1st,
capped by a Danny Valencia grand slam.
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
Dan Haren's pitching tonight vs. Buchholz.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
But why are the Diamondbacks playing the Red Sox?
/denial
by whiteshoes40 on Jul 26, 2010 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, in many cases, optimism = denial.
Welcome to my life.
by whiteshoes40 on Jul 26, 2010 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Dan Haren wasn't traded to LAA.
They just acquired a different pitcher who looks exactly like Dan. It’s true.
And pitches exactly like him.
And the D’Backs happened to lose Dan Haren at the airport somewhere.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
By the by...
On ESPN, Rays and Tigers are 0-0 going to the bottom of the 6th and both pitchers are very much in command. You might want to tune in if you can.
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
Except they keep on going to the Yankees game every time A-Rod is up to bat.
Very irritating.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Oh and that slider Scherzer stuck out Upton with might be the best pitch I've seen this year.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Y'know if I caught that ball I'd ask for $1m.
Hell he can afford it.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I wouldn't.
I’d insist on giving it to him in person, and then when we met I’d put it in front of his face and say, “You can’t have it! Ha! You douche. Now get off my mound!”
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
Who's paying for your medical bills?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Get it over with.
I wish he’d just hurry up and get his career-ending injury 600th HR, so we could move on.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Scherzer is about to blow up
Garza looks awesome though
"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!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 26, 2010 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm rooting for a sac fly,
followed by 3 hitless innings for both teams.
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
or maybe he gets out of it (incredibly)
No way he finishes this game though. He’s at 98 pitches already.
"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!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 26, 2010 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Nah you called it right the first time. Grand Slam.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
That's why I said "both teams" not "both pitchers"
Had Joyce hit a sac fly, the Rays could have won a “double no-hitter” 1-0.
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
Garza is only at 77 pitches
He could close this out easily.
"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!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 26, 2010 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, if you're gonna give up the no-hitter
go big, Max Scherzer
"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!!!!!
Am I meant to want to buy that product based on that picture?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
oh man, I so remember those...hahah
"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!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 26, 2010 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do people named Joyce
Have to ruin no-hitters?
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
He spent a good long while writing his books.
If he wants to ruin no-hitters, it’s his prerogative. He is arguably the greatest novelist of the 20th Century! Screw no-hitters.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
"It was the best of calls, it was the worst of calls..."
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
Ack! No Dickens! Cretin!
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions
custrun, past Todd and Mike's,
from crack of bat to second of deck, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Home Plate and Dugout.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
much better. Thank you.
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 27, 2010 1:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Joyce's grand slam to break up a no-hitter
The first since Mike Gallego grand slammed against the White Sox to break a no-hitter in 1991.
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
Tigers helping Garza out by swinging at pitches out of the zone
"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!!!!!
He's getting a lot of friendly calls too.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
i'm really getting sick of these no hitters...
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
The Rays have been involved in 3 of the 5 no hitters this season.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Nice for them to be on the winning side
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Woo no hitter!
"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!!!!!
Whatcha all gettin' excited about? It's not like you threw a perfect game, Mr Garza.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I like him more now.
“So how did the long inning affect you (when Joyce hit the grand slam). Did it throw you out of your rhythm?”
“Hell naw, I was pumped. Joyce hit a grand slam!…..”
Stupid questions get stupid answers.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I keep waiting for a player to answer with something like,
“Um, that’s an unbelievably stupid question. You actually get paid to do this?”
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'd love Gordon Strachan.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Now THAT'S more like 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
Love your link
Been away a long time and this is a great thread to come back to, the baseball and some ManUnited too.
Welcome back!
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
Hmmm. All of the Women's Softball players at this World Cup event seem to have long hair.
Just like goatees are all the rage in baseball.
I wonder how stuff like that comes about.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
good luck
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, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 26, 2010 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
i have two lottery tickets to check today, wish me some luck.
alaska A currently residing in northern Idaho.
Great interview! Piazza's a class act.
And amusing, too. Love it.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
So true.
Every now and then, someone from Midwest will come along and complain that pasta is not cooked, though. They want their noodles like chicken soup, they just don’t get it.
I’ve lived in the midwest for 5 years now, and while I like it here, one of the worst things about the place is that midwesterners really have no clue what good really is.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
Hint: It's not Thousand Island dressing!
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
When the waitress or server asked a new coworker of mine that I took to lunch what kind of salad dressing he wanted
“Oh, how bout Kraft.” (true story, a few years back – he did not get out much evidently)
alaska A currently residing in northern Idaho.
They get excited over pork tenderloins.
I rest my case.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
Angels lose, Haren can't go 5
A’s are now tied for 2nd place!
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
Hey we're tied with the Angels
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
We're tied with the angels.
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 Jul 26, 2010 10:51 PM PDT reply actions
...Is anyone here?
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 Jul 26, 2010 10:55 PM PDT reply actions
Dude, do you ever sleep?
"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!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Jul 27, 2010 7:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Elcroata I really, really enjoyed this!
I think AN is really lucky to have such great writers. I enjoy reading interviews on this site and I gotta say I enjoyed your interview a lot! I really liked your style. Questions where short and to the point. I liked that you mixed in questions about the sport with personal, but not intrusive,questions. It was great seeing that being able to see that side of a future Hall of Famer. The interview flowed beautifully and was over before I knew it. I look forward to more interviews from you!
I think this question was my favorite:
Which brings us to two important questions – what’s your take on stats and what’s your take on Italian food. Were you a big stats guy, did you always know where you were at during the season?
Good question. No, it’s funny that you say that because I never knew how to get the slugging percentage till like three years into my career. I always tried to break the game into its most simplistic forms and that’s for me every at bat try to hit the ball as hard as I can. And it sounds pretty basic, but that’s pretty much what worked for me. I guess different things and stats are important for different situations. If you are a lead-off guy you want that high on-base percentage and so on.
As much as I’m a “stats guy,” I don’t want my players worrying about it too much. I want them to be aware of what’s good (I don’t want a guy thinking he’s awesome just because he has lots of RBIs or something), but I like Piazza’s approach. Hit the ball hard. (Well, actually, I’d prefer “get on base,” but he’s not far off).
I do think players should be more aware of the stats because front offices are now aware of them and this is how they’ve started to determine who they’re going to pay. It’s just good business.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jul 27, 2010 6:49 AM PDT reply actions
"Hit the ball hard" leads to walks
pitchers tend to pitch more carefully.
As long as the batter has a good eye, or can hit bad balls, he’ll do fine.
by MobiusKlein on Jul 27, 2010 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
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