Baseball Randomness, Part 3 (All-Star Edition)

1. If you were in charge, what changes would you make to the All-Star Game, if any?

Move it to a Wednesday, games resume on Friday for everyone instead of Thursday for some teams, no more rule about people who pitch on Sunday not being able to play, no more home-field advantage decided. Maybe other things.

2. What non-A’s baseball moment was the most exciting thing you have ever seen?

Right up there was South Korea tying the 2009 World Baseball Championship game in the bottom of the 9th then Ichiro driving in the go-ahead run for Japan in the 10th for the win.

3. Should teams be allowed to trade players that are on the disabled list?

No. Too much of a danger with trading someone who might not be the same again.

4. Do former owners like Charlie Finley and Bill Veeck get a fair shake in history?

Probably depends on what’s being said. Finley, from most of what I’ve seen and heard, was pretty much loathed by all.

5. “No Facial Hair” team policies… good or over the line?

Well, Brian Wilson makes me long for some sort of league-wide policy…but in general I don’t like there being any policies about it.

6. Prediction: Do you think Bob Melvin will be the A’s manager in 2012?

Nope.

7. If you could pick ONE player from another team, and just assign them to the A’s, what player would you pick?

Adrian Gonzalez would be mighty nice to have.

8. Your opinion on the Coliseum’s large foul territory?

It stinks but it’s clear how beneficial it is for pitchers and a disadvantage for hitters.

9. Where is your favorite place to sit in the Coliseum?

Last two times I went, I sat right by the A’s bullpen. Kind of a nice place to watch from. I enjoy sitting right behind the dugout, too. Used to live in the bleachers.

10. Of the three, who is the most contemptable television announcer… Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Joe Morgan, or Tim McCarver?

Damn you for that. Let’s go with McCarver because he’s the only one of the three you can’t really avoid now unless you mute the TV.

1. If you were in charge, what changes would you make to the All-Star Game, if any?

Make it so it only counts for home field advantage if the AL+NL WS teams have the same W-L record. Otherwise, make it the team who won the most games between the two. There really is no prize for having a better record in the playoffs, and there should be.

2. What non-A’s baseball moment was the most exciting thing you have ever seen?

01, 97, 93 WS Josh Hamilton’s HR derby, probably a ton of milestones. Hard to pick just one.

3. Should teams be allowed to trade players that are on the disabled list?

This seems like a recipe for a disastery success!

4. Do former owners like Charlie Finley and Bill Veeck get a fair shake in history?

Yeah but the amount of A’s who shunned the team when it came time to pick a HOF cap says they were kind of jerks.

5. “No Facial Hair” team policies… good or over the line?

Way over the line….Brian Wilson is a douche but his beard is the right idea. If Wilson didn’t open his mouth or have a fauxhawk he’d be 1000x cooler. Dave Martinez blew it by not playing with that beard he has now. Beards are great, the Yankees suck.

6. Prediction: Do you think Bob Melvin will be the A’s manager in 2012?

I’d give it a 50-50 chance, he’s not doing that great a job so far.

7. If you could pick ONE player from another team, and just assign them to the A’s, what player would you pick?

Would be very happy with either Albert Pujols or Jose Bautista

8. Your opinion on the Coliseum’s large foul territory?

Dumb once the remodel happened.

9. Where is your favorite place to sit in the Coliseum?

3B side

10. Of the three, who is the most contemptable television announcer… Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Joe Morgan, or Tim McCarver?

Sounds like the worst game of “Marry, fuck, kill” Ive ever seen.

Bonus (Tongue in Cheek) Question: If you saw Nancy Grace being mugged, would you help her or would you help the mugger?

I’d mug the mugger so I wouldn’t have to mug a woman.

1. If you were in charge, what changes would you make to the All-Star Game, if any?
Players would have to participate to be eligible for postseason awards

2. What non-A’s baseball moment was the most exciting thing you have ever seen?
The Giants superbowl win when that guy caught the pass against his helmet.

3. Should teams be allowed to trade players that are on the disabled list?
Nope. Why?

4. Do former owners like Charlie Finley and Bill Veeck get a fair shake in history?
I think so. Think of how many owners are forgotten.

5. “No Facial Hair” team policies… good or over the line?
Bosses tell employees how to dress and look all the time. I’m fine with it.

6. Prediction: Do you think Bob Melvin will be the A’s manager in 2012?
Nope.

7. If you could pick ONE player from another team, and just assign them to the A’s, what player would you pick?
Prince Fielder.

8. Your opinion on the Coliseum’s large foul territory?
I think this is why Billy Beane concentrates on pitchers. I’d like a more neutral park.

9. Where is your favorite place to sit in the Coliseum?
Unfortunately, no where right now. It has become almost unmanageable.

10. Of the three, who is the most contemptable television announcer… Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Joe Morgan, or Tim McCarver?
Tim McCarver. Joe’s been neutered and embarrased by Ken Tremendous. Everyone knows Harrelson is a joke. People still think McCarver is a genius.

Bonus (Tongue in Cheek) Question: If you saw Nancy Grace being mugged, would you help her or would you help the mugger?
Don’t know who that is. I would probably pretend I didn’t see the whole thing and go home. Then check the news sites later to see what happened.

1. If you were in charge, what changes would you make to the All-Star Game, if any?

Take away the “this time it counts” thing and replace it with a rule that the losing team will cook breakfast in bed (televised, of course) for the winning team the next morning.

2. What non-A’s baseball moment was the most exciting thing you have ever seen?
The Arthur Rhodes-Omar Vizquel earring incident comes to mind.

3. Should teams be allowed to trade players that are on the disabled list?
Only if it includes a mandatory donation to a nearby children’s hospital.

4. Do former owners like Charlie Finley and Bill Veeck get a fair shake in history?
Sure

5. “No Facial Hair” team policies… good or over the line?
I prefer a mandatory “Winnfield” beard policy. (think Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction)

6. Prediction: Do you think Bob Melvin will be the A’s manager in 2012?
Rickey for manager! Heck, Rickey for President!

7. If you could pick ONE player from another team, and just assign them to the A’s, what player would you pick?
Brett Wallace (ducks). (Really, Albert Pujols)

8. Your opinion on the Coliseum’s large foul territory?
It’ll make a great playground once we finally get a new stadium.

9. Where is your favorite place to sit in the Coliseum?
As I’ve only managed to go to one game there in the last 16 years, my favorite place is the bleachers, pre-Mt. Davis years.

10. Of the three, who is the most contemptable television announcer… Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Joe Morgan, or Tim McCarver?
Morgan – although I have a particular annoyance for the Mariner’s TV announcers (Dave Henderson, in particular), who seem to try to emulate him.

Bonus (Tongue in Cheek) Question: If you saw Nancy Grace being mugged, would you help her or would you help the mugger?
Cookies for everyone!

1. If you have an incentive clause in your contract related to an All-Star selection, you show up at the damn game. You suit up for it. You play, if you can. Eat me, Jeter. My job is stressful too. But if I made the Factory Worker All-Star squad, I’d show for the gig!

2. I was at games 3 and 4 of the 1995 ALDS. While not a Mariner fan, I got caught up in the games, as they were awesome. The Edgar Martinez grand slam made me laugh and cry at the same time. Oh, and say what you will about the Coliseum, at least it’s not the Kingdome. What a dump.

3. Yes. Caveat Emptor! (my Latin is a little rusty, hope that’s spelled right)

4. Even his biggest detractors give Finley the credit he deserves for building a dynasty. Bill Veeck seems like a cool guy, but I wonder if there’s a halo effect. History certainly hasn’t treated him badly in my estimation.

5. Oh, spare me. These are grown men. How about managers who rocked facial hair in their playing days instituting a no-facial-hair policy? Total hypocrisy, if you ask me. (and you did) I’m looking at you, Don Baylor.

6. After way too much Geren, Melvin should get an entire season to pass or fail. So, yes.

7. Adrian Gonzalez would, indeed, be mighty nice to have.

8. It’s a quirk unique to the venue. I’ve come to appreciate it on those terms.

9. Pre-Mt. Davis bleachers, or behind the A’s bullpen.

10. Hawk Harrelson > total douchebag

11. I’d like to think I’d do the right thing and help (her, not the mugger), but I’m a bit of a wuss.

Love these posts. Keep ’em coming!

1. If you were in charge, what changes would you make to the All-Star Game, if any?

Lots. Get rid of the “this time it counts” crap. No, it still doesn’t ‘count’. Play to win, not an exhibition. Start 2nd half on Thursday or Friday, whatever, but start all teams on the same day whatever it is. Each plays with it’s own DH/non-DH rule. (IOW, if the NL doesn’t want the DH, fine… live with your own decision). Free substitution in the event of extra innings (this would require players to stay, and would eliminate ties [it’s not 1908 anymore, no ties]).

The only arcane rule I would keep is a rep from each team.

2. What non-A’s baseball moment was the most exciting thing you have ever seen?

Super Bowl ending between the rams and Titans (I think).

3. Should teams be allowed to trade players that are on the disabled list?

I think so, yes. It’s no secret they’re hurt. Teams can take on the risk at their own risk.

4. Do former owners like Charlie Finley and Bill Veeck get a fair shake in history?

Both were good for baseball in their own way, but because they were not “yes men” I believe they are portrayed as pariahs by baseball. Yet, many of the truly innovative things baseball has done were either invented or promoted by one of these two. Shame, really.

5. “No Facial Hair” team policies… good or over the line?

Over the line… to a point.

6. Prediction: Do you think Bob Melvin will be the A’s manager in 2012?

75/25 in favor, I think. I was excited when he took over, but I didn’t realistically expect it to last the season.

7. If you could pick ONE player from another team, and just assign them to the A’s, what player would you pick?

Yeah, I agree with Adrian Gonzales.

8. Your opinion on the Coliseum’s large foul territory?

Hate it. Always have. Yeah, I know, both teams play on the field at the same time, but I think it negatively affects the A’s more than other teams deeper than that. As one example, I think it keeps the better hitters from wanting to play here (even pre-Mt Davis, too).

9. Where is your favorite place to sit in the Coliseum?

Behind home plate. Always liked that view of the game.

10. Of the three, who is the most contemptible television announcer… Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Joe Morgan, or Tim McCarver?

Morgan is easy to dismiss as an arrogant prick. I really cannot stand Harrelson, but even he is better than McCarver. At least Harrelson can entertain me with a good story from “back in the day” on occasion. McCarver is nothing more than an empty suit.

1. changes to All-Star Game: I defer to Joe Posnanski. Do everything he recommends. Embrace the meaninglessness!

2. non-A’s moment: I almost never watch non-A’s baseball, so it’s hard to think of anything. I suppose the Mariners winning 116 games in 1995. I wasn’t a baseball fan yet then, but others in my family were really into the M’s and dragged me along. That was actually the year I first paid attention to baseball at all, and then a couple years later I started watching the A’s.

3. trade DL players: don’t care

4. Finley and Veeck: don’t know

5. Facial hair: I’m fine with owners being allowed to have a policy, but I’m glad the A’s don’t have one.

6. Bob Melvin: yes

7: pick one player: Nick Swisher. Yeah, yeah, I know, there are lots of better players. I don’t care. I love Swish.

8. foul territory: I like it. It’s fun. Somewhat less fun without Eric Chavez, though. :-(

9. place to sit: Behind home plate. In the section with the press box.

10. comptemptible TV announcer: Well, I actually like Hawk Harrelson and Joe Morgan, so I guess it’s Tim McCarver by default. I don’t know him. I gather he does Giants TV?

bonus Nancy Grace: I don’t know who that is. I doubt I’d help the mugger, so I guess whether I help her or wuss out depends on how well-armed the mugger appears to be.