All-time favorite A's players
by YonYonson on Dec 24, 2011 8:00 AM PST
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Merry Christmas (Eve), everyone! Happy Hanukkah, Festivus, Saturnalia and every other holiday you celebrate.
Figured we'd take a break for a bit from the Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals hoopla, and take on more of a lighthearted topic.
Who are your favorite A's players of all-time? It doesn't matter if he was the best, the worst, the hottest, the ugliest, etc. Just players who you enjoyed watching in the green and gold (or blue and white).
Some of mine:
Dallas Braden
Dallas Braden's perfect game came when I was living in Stockton, so I felt a connection. I admire his love for the 209 and Stockton, which often ranks among one of America's most miserable cities — seriously. I understood. I totally understood. It's kind of like A's fans love for the Coliseum. Yeah, Stockton's a dump, but doggone it, it's his dump. He was also awesome enough to come through the minor leagues with a screwball, and he's able to get batters out without a 95-mph fastball or a nose-to-toes curveball.
Yeah, I tend to like players who don't have raw, enviable physical tools, but somehow just get the job done. The very first A's game I ever went to (I can't recall the date exactly), Matt Stairs hit the game-winning home run against the Minnesota Twins, instantly becoming my favorite. After the game, I went to wear I thought the A's players came out of the parking lot in search of his autograph (hey, I was still a kid at the time!). We only saw Twins.
A couple years later, the A's dealt my first favorite player to the Cubs.Yeah, I'm kind of used to that happening now. I just liked how he was, in words that statheads abhor, a gritty gamer. The summer before I went off for college, I saw the Bulldog poster at the year-end tent sale. That poster proudly hung in my room throughout my time as a student.
Toward the end of his career, he looked more like a beer league softball player than a finely-tuned outfield machine, but he got it done, coming off the bench to deliver key historic home runs.
They say chicks dig the curveball, but this dude thought it was pretty awesome too. Like Braden, Zito is in no way a hard thrower. I admire that. I was much more a fan of Greg Maddux than Randy Johnson. It takes a little more talent to be able to get out when you don't have a blazing fastball in your back pocket, I feel. He was a laid back, California surfer dude who also got the profile treatment from one of my sportswriting idols, Pat Jordan. Zito just seemed cool. Like, whatever, brah.
Before I could afford to get tickets anywhere else, I sat for a season in the left field bleachers, along with Saint, High Street, Duke of LF, et alius. It was amazing. Around the same time, a Venezuelan infielder was coming to prominence, first off the bench, then as a starter. He earned his own cheer — MARCO! SCUTARO! His 2006 ALDS heroics won't be forgotten for quite some time. Other than Dallas Braden's perfect game, that was probably the last moment of pure joy for A's fans. Scutaro's journey to the major leagues is also documented in the amazing film, Player to Be Named Later. If you haven't seen it, do so. It also makes the perfect gift for a baseball fan.
So who were some of your favorites throughout the years?
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Hatteberg, Scutaro, Thomas for me
Hatteberg – because he seemed a great guy, and he always got on base when you needed him, and oh # 20
Scutaro – another one who seemed a great guy, clutch, plus I was there when he hit that bases clearing double in the Division Series against Minnesota
Thomas – strange one since he was only here for one good year, but he made 2006 exciting, plus more generally, I still think that he and Thome were about the only clean sluggers in the last 10 years
Rickey Henderson, and I don't need to say why since everybody knows
Jose Canseco, because he’s crazy
Reggie Jackson, because I like winning World Series
Mark McGwire, because he didn’t seem too bright
Guys that weren’t that great for the A’s but I liked them anyway:
Henry Rodriguez, because he could have been good, and might still
Jose Rijo, because he could have been good, and eventually was
Marco Scutaro, because I like walk off hits
Eric Byrnes, because he was hyperactive
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
This was really interesting As I haven't been a baseball fan for very long, my list is very different: Haren, Weeks, Gio, Bailey, Willingham, Swisher are all names that could be on my list.
There is one thing, however. In this sentence, “After the game, I went to wear I thought the A’s players came out of the parking lot in search of his autograph…”, Shouldn’t the “wear” be “where”?
LIfe may not be a bowl of cherries.
But I’m currently eating a bowl of cherries, and it’s pretty f**kin’ awesome.
~GreenNGoldSooner
Olmedo Saenz after he hit the walk off against Everyday Eddie at the coliseum.
I was listening to Bill King…sigh THAT’S what I miss about A’s baseball. The raspy, eclectic sounding voice of the late Mr. King.
"I thought it was going in," Warriors center Chris Hunter said. "It looked like the invisible man tipped it away at the last second."
"He's chicken curry right now. He'll become beef curry a little later on."
-Keith Smart
by kenntoe on Dec 24, 2011 9:25 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
my favs
Jose Canseco- I first started getting into baseball in 1988 and he was exciting to watch. I was young and knew nothing about PEDs and I didn’t care about his speeding tickets. I remember watching the news while I was eating dinner and seeing him take off from first and pull the bag from the ground when he made 40-40. Some of my favorite memories are his “Hole in the Dome” home run from the 1989 playoffs in Toronto and the times I saw him and McGwire hit back to back home runs (once in person during a double header against Cleveland that I got to see with a free ticket from my school for getting good grades). I know a lot of people said he was a jerk, but the one time I got his autograph I fought among a crowd and the security guard was telling him to leave. He told her “just let me sign two more.” After she turned her back he started grabbing everything he could and signing it in a mad flurry until she got upset again.
Rickey Henderson- if Canseco was my first exposure to the beauty that is base stealing. Then we got Rickey in 1989. Looking back now I realize I saw a true legend at work. I loved the commercial with the catcher popping Tums while watching film footage of him on the base paths. I study his generation of explosive power to help my martial arts training. I have never seen anyone go from a standstill to a full blown sprint like that.
Mike Gallego- no he wasn’t the greatest hitter. But it was fun watching him play defense. It was great to see him and Walt Weiss patrolling second and short. That and he was 5’9". I was only 4’9" until my sophomore year of high school so he was an inspiration. Oh and he wore #9, which is my lucky number.
Dennis Eckersley- Eck’s in. Start packing your stuff and grab the BART ticket. We’re going home soon.
Eric Chavez- say what you want about injuries, contracts, or anything else. He did things defensively that I still can’t believe years later. And when he was hitting he was awesome.
"To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities." - Grand Master Bruce Lee
My top three
Rickey Henderson – the man.
Dan Haren – There is no one in history that I enjoyed watching more pitch for the A’s than Haren for the short time he was here.
Eric Chavez – Because I still dream about his defense.
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
My favs
Rickey – I was once forced to leave a t-ball game b/c I wouldn’t stop stealing bases.
Kenny Rogers – I had a little league coach tell me I pitched similarly to him so I loved him even though he was only here for a short while.
Barry Zito – Because to me he brought back the 12-6 curveball and boy was it fun watching him make hitters look foolish with it.
Mark Mulder – I always loved him because he never seemed to be shaken no matter the situation. And I loved the way he could throw a complete game on just 90 pitches.
Drinking so much that you forget your name is like trying to cure cancer, it might not be possible, but you should never stop trying.
Stew.
Death stare. Good citizen. Oakland at its best.
Losing this team would be a huge failure for this city and an affront to Oakland’s great sports legacy.
by skigurl on Dec 24, 2011 9:39 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Well said...
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
by the_rozeboom on Dec 24, 2011 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
Kind of like Wash doing coke, I guess... neither have lost my respect.
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
by the_rozeboom on Dec 24, 2011 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
Canseco was a favorite until I saw what a jackass he was
Always liked McGwire, Stew, Eck, of course Rickey. Yes, I liked Ziggy too, not just because of the personal connection but knowing what he went through to get to the bigs and being as nice a person as he is. Loved Frank Thomas in 2006, and he seemed like he loved it here. Swisher, Gio Gonzalez, etc.
Also, here. Our long nightmare may soon be over:
All signs and top #MLB sources say that the #Athletics will be granted permission by Feb to move to San Jose.
http://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/150631294253006849
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Wait, how has no one commented on this yet?
This is potentially huge news.
Business man by day, fearless couch guardian by night.
Yes, it sounds promising.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
I bet mikev would have something pithy to say in response to this news
Something stating with the letter “F” and ending with “the Giants.”
by Glorious Mundy on Dec 24, 2011 2:55 PM PST up reply actions
Favorite A's
Mark McGwire-Growing up this was my all time favorite until I learned some of the old time Philly Athletics players. He had power and it seemed like he was an alright guy. I still think that of him. I cried when the A’s traded him to Saint Louie. (I was ten or twelve at the time and hopelessly in love with baseball.)
Eric Chavez-Despite everything I still like Chavvy. IN some ways he reminded me of McGwire without the power. Kind of quiet. Not too flashy. More of a blue collar kind of guy. I just hope they let him retire in green and gold.
Matt Stairs-If theres anyone I would want at DH, Stairs is it. He was the closest thing to the A’s version of Edgar Martinez in my opinion. A get it done kind of guy.
Jason Giambi-The Guy who replaced McGwire as my favorite A. He signed my baseball in his early years in Oakland. I liked the fact that he took time to signs autographs. Made him number one in my book. To this day I wish we had resigned him. Gave him the money I knew he deserved, But I suppose theres no such thing as loyalty in business anymore.
Scutaro-Our version of Jeter but better! lol
Ben Grieve-When he came up I thought he was awesome. In retrospect he wasn’t. But we both wore 14 and I was still young.
Tim Hudson-I remember seeing his debut and knew I was watching something good in the making. Even though the A’s designated Candiotti for assignment in order to bring huddy up it was a good move.
Mark Ellis-Everybody said he was inconsitent but I always felt he was more constant compared to say Bobby Crosby. Always professional. Always seemed like he tried. I wish they hadn’t let him go. Maybe someday he’ll come back as a Utility IF.
by KingsAs49erSharks on Dec 24, 2011 9:58 AM PST reply actions
Rollie Fingers
Started the whole thing for me. I grew up outside Boston and could not get into the Sox. And then I found Fingers, Green and Gold uniforms, mustache and all of that.
I am in a men’s hard ball league and have number 34.
Had to become a Padres fan (along with an A’s fan in 1977. …. Boy that was a long year
Several
Jim “Catfish” Hunter
Joe Rudi
Sal Bando (role model)
Ray Fosse
Vida Blue
Reggie Jackson
Rollie Fingers
Matt Keough
Mike Norris
Rickey Henderson
Canseco
McGwire
Walt Weiss
Tim Hudson
Carney Lansford
Mark Ellis
Before I fell in love with Rickey (and Dave Kingman, ahem)...
It was Rob Picciolo (see picture in my profile). He would come to our church, hang out with us, and was always cool.
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
My current and will always be my favorite
Dallas Braden. Loved the guy before the perfect game, love him even more now.
Never met a fan he didn’t like, and always made time for them.
On top of all that, there’s something to be said for having a local guy, a guy who rooted for his team when he was a kid.
"Minutes from the last save opportunity...Balfour got 3 outs..."- Nico
Rickey, Chavez, and Stew
Rickey for the obvious and before stated reasons. Chavez because he just seemed so cool and played such great defense. And Stewart because he was just intense and awesome.
Jose Canseco: to this day my all time favorite player.
I was in high school in the late 80’s and he was the most exciting player I’ve ever seen. I used to tape every at bat I could, and would watch them over and over.
Dave Stewart: one of the fiercest competitors ever to play the game. You knew the A’s had a great chance to win every game he started.
Walt Weiss: an unsung hero of sorts, but maybe the most acrobatic shortstop I’d ever seen. Loved watching him turn the tough double play.
Tim Hudson: see Stewart above. Still love this guy.
Dan Haren: I remember seeing him pitch in the 2004 post season for St. Louis and thinking, this kid can pitch. When I heard Mulder got traded I still wasn’t over losing Huddy, but upon hearing we got Haren I was pumped. Loved watching him turn into a legitimate top of the rotation starter with us.
Eric Byrnes: all you had to do was watch Byrnsy play about three innings to know why he’s on my list. Great interview as well.
by dashman33 on Dec 24, 2011 10:49 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Reggie
I can still remember listening to the ‘72 World Series on the radio when I was 6 years old. My dad grew up in Cincinnati and played Knothole League baseball at the old Crosley Field in the ’50’s so he was naturally a Reds fan. I started out the series as a Reds fan but even at 6 I realized that Oakland was a lot closer and those uniforms looked cool too (perhaps only to a 6 year old). Although Reggie didn’t appear in the ‘72 Series (He tore his hamstring stealing home in the final game of the ALCS), when I started following the A’s in ‘73 he had a monster season (His only MVP season) and I was hooked. I tried to hate him when he went to New York but the A’s were so horrid for most of those years I just couldn’t make it stick.
I had the chance to meet him at a baseball card show in San Jose after the ‘89 quake he was signing autographs for free and selling pictures with the proceeds going to the earthquake relief fund. I had the chance to shake his hand and let him know that I was sure he’d be a hall of famer as soon as he was eligible (1993). He even personalized the 8 X 10 for me without me asking him to. He has always been a very polarizing figure, but after watching him for nearly 20 years and having the chance to speak to the man even for a few minutes, I can tell you he was not only a great player but a nice guy too. I wish he’d gone into the Hall as an Athletic (under the new system her most likely would have), but I can respect his desire to be enshrined with Ruth, Mantle, and the others too. I wrote to the A’s front office during the Haas years and asked why they hadn’t retired his number (Mike Gallego was a good guy but seeing him wearing #9 was painful).
I could add Joe Rudi, Mark McGwire, Eric Chavez, and perhaps others but this was about my favorite and Like Conner McCloud said, "There can be only one".
Merry Christmas,
Bill
in no particular order
McGwire, Steinbach, Stewart, Rickey, Chavez, Gio, McCarthy.
Heh
On smaller scale of #Athletics news, I’m told they’re 1 of 4 teams talking to FA pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. You remember him. Beane no comment
http://twitter.com/joestiglich/status/150665125488099328
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I just picture his agent laughing
"He's listed as day to day, but then again, aren't we all?" — Vin Scully
Tim. Fucking. Hudson.
That is all.
(okay, Rrrrramooooooooooooooooon gets some love and snuggles too)
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 24, 2011 12:27 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
My favorite has to be Scutaro
I was at the game in ‘07 where he hit the walk-off off the foul pole against Mariano Rivera. Coolest thing I’ve ever seen and I’ve loved Scutaro since.
Second would be swish, and it pains me to have seen them on the Sux and yankees, but despite the jersey I’ve always had a soft spot for these guys
2011 Oakland Athletics: Waterboarding
I'm at work, so I need to make this quick...
Dallas Braden
He comes across as a genuine, grounded salt-of -the earth kind of guy. Especially refreshing for a professional athlete. I hope to see him on his mound again real soon.
Barry Zito
Get well soon…the only Gnats player in recent memory who evoked any empathy in me whatsoever. I’m a bit of a strange duck myself, so I’ve always been a fan. I have a teddy bear as well. His name is Ramon. Got a problem with that?
Mark McGwire
The ‘roid version in the Cards uniform seems like a totally different guy. But at the beginning of his career, I embraced him in an ironic sort of way, because he just seemed so…square, y’know? Me and a couple of buddies would watch the games on TV, and take a ritualistic bonghit during each McGwire AB. (Just say no, kids!)
Eric Plunk
Used to love watching him warm up. I would leave my seat, if I wasn’t in the bleachers, and loiter near the bullpen for a few pitches. Goofiest-looking badass ever.
Bruce Bochte
An enviromental zealot long before such things were commonplace. He took a year off from baseball to (get this) protest rising player salaries. A friend said he took a year off to “Eat the bark off of trees”.
Bob Lacey
Would have been a decent closer in 1980, except Billy Martin and Art Fowler couldn’t stand the guy. Lobbied for a start, finally got one, and pitched a shutout. In yer face, Billy and Drinkin’ Buddy!
Craig Minetto
Nicest player I ever met. Struck out Rod Carew that one time.
Sal Bando and Rollie Fingers
For being Sal Bando and Rollie Fingers. Oh, and Joe Rudi
… Can’t forget Gentleman Joe.
That’s all I have time for. Happy Holidays, Y’all!
Sisko: All right Niners, let's hear some chatter!
Kasidy: Hey batterbatterbatterbatterbatter!
Leeta: Hey batterbatterbatter! Batterbatterbatterbatter!
Worf: DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION!!!
Bochte, good call... forgot about him.
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
by the_rozeboom on Dec 24, 2011 1:32 PM PST up reply actions
Rickey...
Is the reason a young boy from NJ becomes an A’s fan in 1980-81.
Dwayne Murphy – was he as good of a fielder in center as I remember? I remember him being one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Stewart – yes, he had a past, but he’s made amends and was one of my favourites to watch. Remember his first game at Fenway when he beat Clemens.
Alfredo Griffin – liked watching him field, plus always liked the Berman nickname of Fettuccine Alfredo Griffin.
Stairs – loved the hustle.
Bob Welch – had a great curve that was nice to watch.
I could go on, but I’ve probably bored you already (cue man pouring gasoline on himself).
I think you could make a strong argument that Murph was the finest CF ever to wear an Oakland uniform.
And I loved his Taco Bell commercial.
Sisko: All right Niners, let's hear some chatter!
Kasidy: Hey batterbatterbatterbatterbatter!
Leeta: Hey batterbatterbatter! Batterbatterbatterbatter!
Worf: DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION!!!
by CmdrKhraanik on Dec 24, 2011 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You could go all the way back to 1901 and make that argument
fWAR for Athletics CF:
Al Simmons — 78.5, 55.9 with A’s (775 G in CF, 1376 G in LF/RF)
Rick Monday — 38.0, 18.0 with A’s (1491 G in CF, 223 G in LF/RF)
Dwayne Murphy — 35.7, 33.7 with A’s (1178 G in CF, 105 G in LF/RF)
Amos Strunk — 30.5, 24.0 with A’s (We don’t really know how many of his games were in CF)
Dave Henderson — 29.9, 20.6 with A’s (1157 G in CF, 265 G in LF/RF)
Sam Chapman — 24.6, 24.9 with A’s (1076 G in CF, 243 G in LF/RF)
Murphy had the most fWAR with the A’s of anyone who played primarily CF. Monday had more total WAR but compiled more than half with other teams and Simmons mostly played other positions.
Of course if I were to make an all-time team, Simmons would be the CF since he played there quite a bit.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 4:03 PM PST up reply actions
Fangraphs says he's +52 runs vs average for his career by TotalZone.
It’s generally pretty close. By year:
1980: Murphy +22, Willie Wilson +24
1981: Murphy +9, Jerry Mumphrey +8 (Andre Dawson +18 in the NL)
1982: Murphy +11, Bobby Mitchell +11 (Dawson +18)
1983: Murphy +6, Chet Lemon +21, Lloyd Moseby +9, George Wright +8
1984: Murphy -2, Kirby Pucket +30, Lloyd Moseby +20, Chet Lemon +20
1985: Murphy +2, Rickey Henderson +14, Gary Pettis +12, Kirby Puckett +10
1986: Murphy +17, Gary Pettis +22
So he seems to have deserved it in 1980, 1981, 1982, and maybe in 1983 and 1986, with the caveat that TZ is hardly the definitive answer on who was the best defender in a given year. The All-time leaders seem to be:
Andruw Jones +220, Paul Blair +171 and Willie Mays +148
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I always liked the players with the nicknames
Not just any nickname, but a one or two syllable nickname that was used in place of the player’s first name:
Campy (Dagoberto) Campaneris (‘64-’76)
Blue Moon (Johnny Lee) Odom (‘64-’74)
Catfish (James Augustus) Hunter (‘65-’74)
Mudcat (James Timothy) Grant (‘70-’71)
Shooty (Mack Neal) Babbitt (‘81)
Moose (Bryan Edmund) Haas (’86-‘87)
Storm (George Earl) Davis (’88-’89, ’93)
What ever happened to the good old fashion nickname?
What did Coco Crisp do to offend you?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You mean Coco is not his real name?
Whoops, you’re right. Coco (Covelli Loyce) Crisp (‘10-’11). Damn, now I’m sorry to see him go.
I loved the story of how Vida Blue refused to change his True Blue
as Charlie O requested, because Vida was his fathers name
scrappy
by Honka Playboy on Dec 28, 2011 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
My guys
Rickey Henderson- He’ll always be my favorite athlete and nothing will ever change that (short of some horrible scandal)
Mike Bordick- Bridged the gap between Walt Weiss and Miguel Tejada, was amazing with the glove and turned into an OK hitter.
Mark McGwire- His silent demeanor was perfect in offsetting Canseco’s epic level jackassery. Sadly, he probably would have still been a good player without PEDs, but we’ll never know how good.
Reggie Jackson- He left the A’s 2 years before I was born and hasn’t been the classiest dude towards the organization since retirement, but he was my Pop’s favorite player, so when he came back in ‘87 for one last go around, getting to sit there and watch my dad’s favorite player with him was huge.
Terry Steinbach- Pro’s pro, didn’t bitch and whine when his contract was expiring and never half assed it. I remember listening to his first big league at bat on the radio and he went yard. I remember people screaming that the ballot box got stuffed to get him into the All Star game, and then he promptly won the game MVP award.
Matt Stairs- I have never met anyone who had a bad thing to say about Matt Stairs, which is amazing since he played for damn near every team. A dude the same height as me who swung a bat the size of a table leg. What’s not to love?
Dwayne Murphy- Watching he and Rickey play next to each other ruined me for any other LF/CF combo. Absolute beast.
Dave Stewart- My buddies and I all pretty much Tommy John’ed ourselves trying to throw a forkball at age 10.
Carney Lansford- Born leader. The heart and soul of the best run of A’s baseball during my lifetime.
Dave Henderson- I asked my Pop why Hendo was always smiling, and his answer was “Because he gets to play baseball”. I totally got that.
Eric Byrnes- All effort, all heart. Out of control at times, but the A’s definitely sold high on him.
MexicAN AmericAN VegAN
I heard Steinbach's 1st-AB homer, too, off Greg Swindell
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Let's see...
Rollie Fingers
Joe Rudi
Sal Bando
Ken Holtzman
Mitchell Page
Matt Keough
Rickey Henderson (all-time favorite, not just A’s)
Mike Heath
Carney Lansford
Glenn Hubbard
Walt Weiss
Dave Stewart
Bob Welch
Dave Henderson
Terry Steinbach
Mark Mulder
Scott Hatteberg
Marco Scutaro
Dallas Braden
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Tough to have just one
Jeff Newman
Rickey Henderson
Tony Armas
Campy
Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969
I'm a younger A's fan, so my favorites are more recent
Nick Swisher: loved his personality and really gave the A’s a big spark of energy while he was there.
Barry Zito: so much fun watching his curveball baffle hitters.
Marco Scutaro: clutch
Brad Ziegler: had a great story, really appreciated him spending time on AN when he was in the minors
And i’m sure I’m forgetting others
I was at Heath's first game
He hit two homers, one off the Mad Hungarian.
Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969
by billyball1981 on Dec 24, 2011 2:43 PM PST up reply actions
Mitchell Page sighting!
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
by the_rozeboom on Dec 24, 2011 3:20 PM PST up reply actions
Mitchell Page: always batting with two strikes
Sort of the Jack Cust of his day. Only Page would swing and miss on the first two pitches, instead of taking two pitches right down the middle as Cust would. And when Page would swing and miss on strike three he would inevitably let go of the bat and it would wind up in the stands.
Now that's pathetic...
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
by the_rozeboom on Dec 24, 2011 3:19 PM PST up reply actions
My Dad and I accounted for 2.
Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969
by billyball1981 on Dec 24, 2011 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
I love the fact that Picciolo has now gotten two nods...
How many folks on AN have even ever heard of him?!?
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.
by the_rozeboom on Dec 24, 2011 3:21 PM PST up reply actions
I have his baseball card!
His position is listed as “pinch runner.” (Which of course is what he was.) Topps made a special stat line on the back, just for him. The only stats listed were games, runs, steals, and caught stealing.
Rickey
Saw him steal 939. Saw him go into Cooperstown.
by throwmonkey on Dec 24, 2011 4:42 PM PST via mobile reply actions
scutaro!
I’ve been looking for his A’s jersey forever. For the guys of the past decade: swish, chavvy, zito, haren, gio and bobby kielty! (awesome hair flair).
Falcon Punch!
my brother-in-law found his rookie card and gave it to me. pretty cool.
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
Rickey, Dwayne Murphy
I love how we can see when people got into the A’s. A few who were around to watch the championship teams of the 70’s, some more (like myself), who began as A’s fans with Billyball in the early 80’s, more who remember the late 80’s, and loads who got into baseball during the “Moneyball” years.
Not surprisingly, not too many people remembering favorites from the lean years in between the good years. Nobody pining for Ruben Sierra or Ariel Prieto. No Bobby Crosby love. Heck, not even any Jack Cust fans. Nor did I see Moose Haas, Dave Kingman, or Rick Langford mentioned.
I guess we grow attached to players who at least reasonably good, who stick around for at least a few years, and who have some personality (in a positive way). Unfortunately, some of our A’s teams over the years have not had any of those sorts of players — certainly last year’s team didn’t and next year’s team doesn’t project to, unless one of prospects shines on the big-league team.
Eric Chavez
Always will be my favorite player; loved his grittiness, got the job done, gave everything. it was because of him that I wanted (and still want) to become a third baseman.
Marco Scutaro, because he wasn’t an outstanding player but he was clutch and was a hero in the ‘06 ALDS.
Tim Hudson, because he was a fun, hardcore competitor; he was like a bulldog out there and was fierce pitcher.
Mark Ellis; he was on the team for years and could be counted on to provide great defense and a solid bat at second base. Should’ve won a Gold Glove.
Nick Swisher; he was fun, hit well (at least he hit homeruns), and was just a big part of the team.
Frank Thomas; he was the Big Hurt, a clean slugger who hit 39 homeruns when everyone thought he was done. Great guy.
Of course, I have great respect for guys like Rickey Henderson, Vida Blue, etc, but I wasn’t alive when they played. Wish I had been.
favorite A
Joe Rudi is my favorite A. Modesto Born and Bred he had great tools, great arm. exceptional fielding, better than stats hitting, Three world champion teams in a row.
Caught last ball in win over Big Red Machine. Total team player. A great high school player (three sports) Downey high School. Joe was modest and self-effacing, truly a model of someone from Modesto. i think his teamates would agree he was the best
player on the A’s (‘72-’74)
Is that why they call it Modesto?
Joe was modest and self-effacing, truly a model of someone from Modesto.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 9:51 PM PST up reply actions
Have to give a shout out to Rickey
Happy Birthday man. The first game I ever attended was pretty amazing.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=198104170OAK
First game of Billy Ball. A’s won 16-1. The only run by the Mariners was a home run from Dave Henderson.
AFC West Assassins...
so many..
Dwayne Murphy
Dave Kingman
Dave Parker
Jose
Stew
Huddy
Haren
Chavy
Kotsay
Byrnsie
Zito
Maybe not the greatest players, but I loved em in green and gold at the time.
"It's like we used to say in practice..first one to cry is a sissy." - Jack Tatum
by The Villain 32 on Dec 28, 2011 12:09 AM PST reply actions
Fan since 99'
99-04: Tim Hudson
04-08: Rich Harden
08- present: Ryan Sweeney
Favorites:
Rickey, Stew, Eck, Hendu, Dave Parker, Canseco, McGwire
Bowie for the 16th inning in NY, Hatteberg for Game 20. Mabry got us out of a couple of jams. Lidle during the streak. Great starts from Zito, Mulder, and Hudson. Hernandez with the element of surprise. T. Long for the Boston catch. Dye for giving me the first of many baseballs. (McMillon gave me two on different occasions). Rajai, Coco, and Byrnes for hustle. Frank Thomas Season 1. Jack Cust Month 1. Shannon Stewart for breaking up Schilling’s no-no. Braden for perfection. Scutaro. Can’t forget Swish and Bradley. Great players, great memories.
by player20 on Dec 28, 2011 4:14 AM PST via mobile reply actions
favorites
Lansford for sure
Mike Norris / Matt Keogh / Rick Langford:
Giambi (Jason)
Tejada
Dwayne Murphy
Canseco / McGwire (good times during bash brothers)
Mike “let go my” Gallego (my friend claims he gave Berman that at the game, and then heard on ESPN later)
Byrnes (hustle)
Cust (nice guy)
Eckersley
Dave Stewart (definitely!)
Chavez (too bad)
Scutaro
Ellis
….too many…
Thomas (for the short time we had him: I watched his first game against the Chisox where he hit a couple bombs…one of the funnest games I’ve been to)
Hatteberg
Steinbach
"I saw a curveball, that’s about it," Rangers’ manager Ron Washington said. "You can’t take anything away from the kid; he went seven innings, but it wasn’t any shutout stuff." - Ron Washington on Gio's performance and the 7 k's.
Loved that game (Thomas' Return to Chicago)
-Montage of White Sox Moments set to “Hurts So Good”
-Thomas is reunited with his rebar.
-Standing ovation for Frank. He hits a homerun.
-Slightly less applause next time up. Frank homers again.
-Next at bat, Frank is booed by the crowd. One of my favorite games.
(P.S. Add Chavez to my favorite player list.)
by player20 on Dec 28, 2011 7:28 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Catfish Hunter.
He was the first “bulldog”
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
Geronimo Berroa!
I really liked Berroa. I am also a fan of Scutaro, Byrnes, Zito, Chavez and of course Rickey Henderson. Rickey was great to the fans, especially the kids and I was one when he was playing for the A’s.
my list
Carney Lansford
Walt Weiss
Stew
Rollie
Huddy (still miss him)
Mike Moore
Mark Mulder (all time fave)
Brosious
Eck
Terry Steinbach
Mike Moore
good call
"It's like we used to say in practice..first one to cry is a sissy." - Jack Tatum
by The Villain 32 on Dec 28, 2011 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
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