An Ode To Meaningless Wins
by Nico on Sep 24, 2011 9:50 AM PDT
Email
PrintYesterday's win, and the one the day before, reminded me of how each game is its own mini-season and how even non-contending seasons can bring you tension, excitement, and joy. It's why I can't really get into the "lose and get better draft position" mentality -- because this season, 71 times now I've gone to bed savoring an A's win. (This is an estimate, as I can't actually confirm I went to bed each night, but I assume that I probably did.)
Here's what a meaningless win, in a disappointing season can mean...
It can bring you the first major league HR, by a player who actually appears to be good, strangely predicted with calm certainty by the play-by-play guy. You can't script that (hey, they oughta make a movie...).
It can castrate a rally monkey, in a "We're not going anywhere but neither are you" moment of competitive schadenfreude. The excitement in the A's dugout last night was palpable, and a reminder that the A's were in a pennant race yesterday, just not their own.
But more generally...
It can be a series taken from the New York Yankees, in their home park, suggesting that the days of long head-to-head losing streaks, followed by excuses, might be over. A couple monstrous bombs by your new shiny acquisition don't hurt either. Those 48 hours were worth their weight in gold.
It can be a game so well played that you can squint and see the Diamondbacks, losing 97 games one year only to win the division the next. I'll never concede a season before it starts, and while I don't expect the A's to win the division in 2012, you can bet I'll be there in March hoping they do and seeing how it could happen.
I hope you'll weigh in with your favorite single moments from the 2011 season, and the ones that gave you the most legitimate hope for the nearer future. The A's contended for nothing this year, yet have won the mini-race 71 times. I think that's what Future Ed means when he says, so elegantly and so profoundly, "Yay baseball!"
A's-Angels at 6:05pm tonight. I'll bring the rally monkey, you bring the scalpel: We've got a wild card race to end.
68 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
True fact: I once had a white russian at the Mustang Ranch
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
It might have been Coffi
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
Aren't all "Russian's" white?
or at least semi foggy transparent?
by AthleticsReign on Sep 24, 2011 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
No
Russian’s car is most often black.
2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too
only in the west.
I’m the east they are all refurbished white Corollas.
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Sep 24, 2011 5:01 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Talk about "on the edge of glory".
by player20 on Sep 24, 2011 12:18 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
So winning the World Series is like being laid by the whole whorehose
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Sep 24, 2011 12:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
House.
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Sep 24, 2011 12:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Dr.
"Caring about stuff binds us to the other people that care about stuff, and that creates the communities that makes life worth living."
Great
Quite a number of years ago but a guy I used to work for always went like once a week and quite often paid for me. He loved Koreans.
He had a special one who used the name LICKY
Henderson?
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 dunno about a single moment, but all 92 games of Jemile Weeks have been refreshing.
It gives us a solid player at a premier position in the batting order, and finally a position player to build around.
Now just, sign up Willingham, and we’ll have two nice players to build around.
by Pop N' Locktapus on Sep 24, 2011 9:57 AM PDT reply actions
Nobody misses Ellis anymore do they.....
"Life is tough .... It's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne
Poppy does.
This is an invitation for CJ Wilson to go and have sex with himself.
by Leopold Bloom on Sep 24, 2011 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
It's funny how Weeks and Sizemore were equally successful this year
yet Jemile gets all the love, While Scott doesn’t even get the honorable mention…
2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too
Scott doesn't have as pretty of a batting average as Jemile's
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Sep 24, 2011 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
His walk rate dropped by half when he got to the A;s
I am hoping that with the two home runs, pitchers pitch around him more, allowing him to get on base more than he does now.
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
To be fair
He is not really a free swinger. He sees lots of pitches in the zone and makes above average contact when he swings.
2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too
This post really made me happy
And yet almost made me cry.
I know it was just a short knock-off post for you, but it really hits home for me.
I know I take the A’s too seriously.
And I’m glad y’all do, too.
I’m gettin’ all emotional!!
"Hello and welcome to another wonderful and frightening night of A's baseball." - Gaijin_Suketto
by EddieVegas_NRAF on Sep 24, 2011 10:43 AM PDT reply actions
Short knock-off post???
This was my “piece de resistance”!!!! The one that someone in the Big Apple would surely see and say to themselves, “That one’s gunna be a star…I wanna hitch my wagon to that horse…”
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
F New York!
You’d have to wear a tie to work every day.
"Hello and welcome to another wonderful and frightening night of A's baseball." - Gaijin_Suketto
by EddieVegas_NRAF on Sep 24, 2011 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought those went to the runner.
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
It only urned urnorable mentiurn.
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've got a John Keats-autographed grecian urn filled up with my brown rice...oh yes I do!
Sisko: All right Niners, let's hear some chatter!
Kasidy: Hey batterbatterbatterbatterbatter!
Leeta: Hey batterbatterbatter! Batterbatterbatterbatter!
Worf: DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION!!!
by CmdrKhraanik on Sep 24, 2011 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
It's probably irrational...
But this team just doesn’t feel that far away. They’ve lost a lot of games, obviously, but so many of those losses seemed to turn on a bad call, bad hop or just plain bad luck.
We’ve got a better manager now, 2nd base seems to be set and there’s some potential at first. Get the pitching healthy, resign the hammer and if one of Allen, Carter, Miller or Taylor breaks out, there’s no reason the couldn’t be 2012’s surprise team.
Every year seems to have that one club (02 Angels, 10 Giants, Backs this year) that just “clicks” and exceeds expectations.
No reason to think that with a couple of breaks, that couldn’t the A’s next year.
by AsFan72 on Sep 24, 2011 11:11 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
A couple breaks and a couple real upgrades
The infield still leaves me wanting. And the outfield is just…leaving. Re-sign Willingham and make one legitimate upgrade somewhere on the infield and it becomes easier to see how the A’s could be “that team”….
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 think we're gunna go after Jose Reyes.
Just a gut feeling.
"Caring about stuff binds us to the other people that care about stuff, and that creates the communities that makes life worth living."
only we get the nod for SJ is that even a remote possibility
I actually think he’s ticketed for the other side of the Bay.
"I'll guarantee this: The A's will have a better season in 2012." - George Zimmer
by cuppingmaster on Sep 24, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Rollins IS a lot older than Reyes
Makes him more appealing for Sabean
"I'll guarantee this: The A's will have a better season in 2012." - George Zimmer
by cuppingmaster on Sep 24, 2011 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
2011
resign the hammer and if one of Allen, Carter, Miller or Taylor breaks out, there’s no reason the couldn’t be 2012’s surprise team.
The same thing could be said for this year if Barton, Kouz, Zooks, and Sweeney to some degree, had played to their upsides. Who knows, if they had, we might have been more competitive this year.
I really don’t want to bank the 2012 season on a bunch of (unknown) rookies to break out to determine whether this team will be competitive next year. It’s already a bad sign that we’re re-signing Matsui. I guess his presence is making the team $$ in Japan.
Re-sign Josh Willingham now!
by sf drift king on Sep 24, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions
there were many wonderful memories this season
among them were some terrific pitching performances, watching Jemile, firing Geren and hiring Melvin (and giving him a 3 year contract), most of all sharing my love of this team with some wonderful A’s fans. and oh yeah, going to last night’s Moneyball premiere in Jack London Square with another great bunch of A’s fans.
No win is meaningless for me, and I suspect it’s the same for the players. They are certainly not meaningless for Melvin.
Moneyball and Weeks
(first post ever by the way) I’m an A’s fan who hasnt lived in the bay area since 1990, and hasnt visited in probably 5 or 6 years. Now i live in West Texas, which jumps back and forth to Rangers/Astros territory depending on who’s good. My baseball buddies are a yankee fan who doesnt take losing well (go figure) and a Rangers fan who just happens to also like the yankees and be my boss. We went to see Moneyball yesterday (only got 1 theater for opening night) and we all really enjoyed it! Weeks has been one of a few things (Cahill the first month was another) that i could really hang my hat on for the A’s this year. Really looking forward to a full season of triples and maybe some inside the parkers!!
Hi Czar. Welcome and congratulations on your first post.
(My condolences about living in Texas.) Seriously though, I will be in your great state next week for a wedding. It’s always good to hear from A’s fans across the country. Keep on posting!
by player20 on Sep 24, 2011 12:56 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
at the season ticket holders' party Jemile told us
that 2011 was a preview of what he can do. Kid doesn’t lack for confidence.
My best move
was not going to the Moneyball premiere. I was able to get so many autographs and pictures of the stars of the film. It was so much fun. I wish I had known abt the after-party because I would have gone to that; they weren’t even checking tickets.
Re-sign Josh Willingham now!
by sf drift king on Sep 24, 2011 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
The team looked especially pleased to be sticking a dagger in the Angels' playoff hearts last night
As I was pleased to witness it. The popup by Kendrick with the bases loaded lead to the most deflated I’ve heard Angel fans in my 4 years of going there.
"I'll guarantee this: The A's will have a better season in 2012." - George Zimmer
It was delightful to see even on TV
Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!
I'm very torn over this year.
On the one hand, the team was very hard to watch and listen to.
On the other hand, I do still feel a sense of optimism for the near future, though not as strong in years past.
On the third hand, I’m bummed that baseball season is almost over. :-(
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Same here
I understand the thought and sentiment behind this, but I just cannot go there.
…I can’t really get into the “lose and get better draft position” mentality…
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Did Sonny Gray really have 5 Midland starts already, with a 0.45 ERA?
according to baseball-reference.com. That’s cool.
WHAT!??!?!?!?!?!?!
Obviously not the Greatest A's team
For some reason this team was a unique clusterf—k. They had a awful first half, getting rid of Geren was great, played with some heart with Melvin managing in the 2nd half (aka hitting) taking 2/3 from the Yankees and achieve a record for giving up 3 grand slams in that infamous 22-9 loss and fielding, yikes fielding. McCarthy & Moscoso had some nice moments on the mound, Weeks and a cooled off Brandon Allen give some hope for 2012.
Mainly thank you Athletics Nation for always being realistic with a great touch of optimism no matter what for the Green & Gold.
p.s.
It also feels nice that the Giants lost to the Diamondbacks last night.
Sweeping the Giants at home, and being there for the latter two games was real nice.
As was seeing the A’s beat the soon-to-be-champion Phillies on their home turf. And all those AN tailgates!! Oh, wait. I mean, seriously what the hell did you guys do with my baseball season??
I'm here to talk about the past.
I really loved this piece, rec'd.
Thank you for another great season of AN, Nico. Been a hard year for me but the A’s, and this website, and you and so many great people around here, are always here.
There is value in an A’s win, any night. I totally buy into that now and I didn’t as as recently as a few years ago.
Even with 75ish wins, the thing is, they’ll go into next March with optimism. It’s not like they are the Astros. My new mantra is, there’s value in never bottoming out and never being a 90+ loss team. To their credit, this small-market franchise has avoided that for 15 years running now.
The Oakland A's: If you have a no-trade clause in your contract, we're in it.
by notsellingjeans on Sep 24, 2011 1:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I really loved this post
There are a lot of things to be positive about. and 71 times we have won the minidrama.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Sep 24, 2011 1:06 PM PDT reply actions
Thanks, "Afar" and NSJ above!
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
Since 2006
this was my worst season being an A’s fan, mainly because expectations were so high coming into the year. It seemed like we underachieved big time. The continuance of injuries didn’t help either; albeit, they were far less than previous seasons.
Re-sign Josh Willingham now!
Did this amazing article about how the Stockton Ports are the most badass team in milb get posted here?
“We still got more work to do and more beer to drink.”
Best 2011 A's Memory
Is that I got to see a game!
I moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 and it has been very hard to catch the A’s because most of the games don’t even start until after 10. This year, I got to take my wife to her first A’s game when we made the road trip to Cleveland. We lost, but McCarthy struck out 10, and my wife personally cheered for the Green and Gold for the first time.
The glare was not practiced. I would get into the game situations, and when that happens, there comes a level of concentration that most can only imagine but can never achieve. You become what you are doing, and that is what you see on my face. -Dave Stewart
by Hegenberger Road on Sep 24, 2011 4:08 PM PDT reply actions
Yes, this is super enjoyable
Nearly as good as New Zealand beating the French in Rugby.
The French are dirty, testicle, eye gouging POS’s. The earlier versions are, don’t know about the 2011 version.
I can't think of a moment Iliked best.
I loved the coco catches, the Allen home runs, McCarthy’s starts (all of them)
I am gong to miss baseball when it is over for the year this coming wednesday.
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
My fav moment...
was when Geren was canned. I will keep my handle as a reminder to everyone of the years of yuck decisions, and condescending after-game press conferences. Farewell old-bob!
HELLOOOOO NEW-BOB!!!!
PLUS… THREE of our rookies(yeah, I’m counting BRANDON ALLEN, because I don’t care how many he hit with AZ) hit their first dingerz in the Green N Gold.
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."
FOUR of our rookies, then, if you're counting the Brandon Allen.
Taylor, Weeks, and……. Sogard!!
"A man makes a bad decision and he's an idiot for a day / teach a man to make bad decisions and he’s an idiot for life." - B-E-D
Oops! I forgot the Elf!
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Barry Bonds thinks it will be ‘very sad’ if he doesn’t get into the Hall on his first try
- Chris Johnson’s glove webbing had a Spidey sense at Coors Field — for one play, at least
- Jonathan Lucroy breaks hand after suitcase falls during search for sock
- The Juice: Long Adam Dunn homer punctuates Chris Sale’s 15 Ks, Mark Trumbo goes deep after Jered Weaver goes down for Angels
- Leyland begs media to make umpires ‘accountable’ for bad calls (VIDEO)
