DLD 1/30/12 - fANfest!
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 29, 2012 8:30 PM PST
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PrintWhile I know we will be getting some primo content from our AN members that got to do the blogger event at Fanfest, I thought it would be nice to have a spot for all of us to comment/chat/share our thoughts on the event...
As you might have have heard, the A's threw their (hopefully) annual Fanfest yesterday, which went well. There was a general feeling of optimism, good vibes, and baseball in the air. Which, for the middle of winter, is a good thing. I think having it in the Oracle Arena worked out fine, except that only one beer stand was open (seriously?) and we couldn't see the A's locker rooms, etc. (and get to experience the stench first hand).
Some observations:
David Justice noted that Oakland is in his top 3 fan bases that are best at heckling opposing players. He noted that once one of his teammates on the Indians, Richie Sexson, actually asked to DH a game because he didn't want to play OF and deal with us. I agree with justplainAJ that we need to preserve this reputation.
Hatteberg said that he lives in a small town and nobody knew that he was a former MLB player until Moneyball broke the news to them.
Vida Blue said the most memorable moment of his career was when he and teammate Gene Tenace got called up from minor league Omaha to join the A's on the same day, and then he got arrested and went to jail for jaywalking that night.
Michael Taylor fielded a baseball trivia team against Braden...Taylor's "Stanford" team kept getting questions like "how many stitches are on a baseball?" where Braden's "Stockton" team got softballs like "what's the difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game?" Taylor complained that the game was rigged but Braden said "good things happen to good people!"
Curt Young said McCarthy will be the #1 starter, Colon #2. Also, they won't need a 5th starter until mid-April, so Braden will have a few extra weeks to rehab.
Lew Wolff was booed when they mentioned the one-on-one interviews, and a notable number of fans started a "Lew Wolff Sucks" chant. Kind of ugly.
I got a few pics of some of our shiny new additions.
Seth Smith, pondering his platoon splits and sample sizes.
Jonny Gomes, showing off his new mohawk. Kid with mohawk just found his new favorite player.
Links:
PHUT! got the now-famous CoFro bobblehead autographed by Coco himself! What did Coco say when you showed it to him?
Our beloved SuSlu breaks down the event. The ManRam rumors continue to fly.
Assistant general manager David Forst confirmed that the team would consider signing [Manny] Ramirez, who'd be a non-roster signing because he must serve a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy before he could play any big-league games.
"He's just a pure hitter, and he knows what he's doing," starter Dallas Braden said of Ramirez, who has 555 career home runs. "If something like that does happen, we can only benefit. But we're also creating something here with dedication, hard work and appreciation for the game, and anybody who comes on board is going to have to accept that."
She posted another summary here, sharing some more opinion
Added: Jane Lee's Summary of Lew Wolff's press conference
Notable Tweets:
Dallas Braden @DALLASBRADEN209 Odd, Dave Justice & limo waiting on @BMcCarthy32. Late 4 dinner, late 4 fanfest. Weird cuz @Mrs_McCarthy32 says ur usually early most nights
Dallas Braden @DALLASBRADEN209 On a scale of 1-sweet, I had a mind blowing good time @ FANFEST! Thanks OAKTOWN 4 the faithful dedication u show 2 the green & gold! 209 out
They read this one out to the crowd:
Brandon McCarthy @BMcCarthy32 @athletics Suzuki: the candy necklace you wear looks delicious. Can you tell us all where to get some?
Joe Stiglich @joestiglich Barton says throwing should be 100% by mid-March, and he's aiming to be ready Opening Day. But might put him behind in 1B battle #Athletics
Joe Stiglich @joestiglich Braden is throwing off mound for first time since surgery tomorrow in Stockton. "Buy a ticket," he cracks.
Susan Slusser @susanslusser What Barton needs to do to win the 1B job back is: hit, hit, hit. #Athletics
Susan Slusser @susanslusser #Athletics 2B Jemile Weeks says his brother Rickie is godfather to Prince Fielder's kids. I asked if that makes him god-uncle and (cont) Weeks replied, "If he asked me, I'd accept the position. Especially now." #Athletics
For those who attended, I invite you to drop your general comments, tweets, links, and pics below, would love to see them.
Post-fan fest my wife and I went to this place called homeroom on 40th Street in Oakland. That's right, it's an all mac 'n' cheese restaurant. SOLID end to Fanfest.
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Great post.
I appreciate this as someone that doesn’t live in the area.
Thank You.
I had fun!
I attended a pre-Fan Fest tailgate featuring coffee and donuts with some bleacher folks, and also our very own JLaff. Then, once FanFest opened we were greeted at the door by Michael Taylor, Jerry Blevins, and Adam Rosales. I went on the tour of the clubhouse (I’ve been there several times before). Scott Sizemore and Joey Devine were there. I meant to say to Sizemore that I was looking forward to him getting a full year at third base. However it came out of my mouth as “Looking forward to your being here all year.” He kind of blanched as if that’s a sensitive subject for players on this team – and who can blame him? So I quickly clarified that I was talking about him having more experience at the position and he relaxed. Still, it was quite a reaction.
I really enjoy meeting and hearing the players, and I especially love seeing the fans again. After the Fan Fest I briefly visited “the” tailgate, and as always it was like a family reunion. One really interesting thing was that both Rick Tittle and Chris Townsend came to the tailgate, and I had a chance to speak with each of them for an extended period of time. They are very intelligent, very interesting to talk to, and very talented. We are very lucky to have both of them here.
The place was packed! I can’t wait for the season to start already.
by OaklandSi on Jan 29, 2012 9:01 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
That is really telling, about Sizemore's reaction, but I guess when you play for the A's any question that insinuates trades might be touchy.
For all we know, he could have thought you saw some rumor Twitter that he didn’t know about yet, or something.
I got there late, so really appreciate the full summary, from them greeting you at the entrance and going from there. Thanks for the details.
I would have liked to be at the tailgate, but left the fanfest before the end. Awesome that Townie and Tittle stopped by. Tittle got ragged on when he posted here a few times but even if I don’t always agree with him, I do respect that he is one of the few radio hosts who will speak his mind, regardless of the politics of sports radio. And he was at the last AN tailgate I went to. And Townie of course is great on the pre and post game shows, the best we’ve had as A’s fans in my memory.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 29, 2012 10:25 PM PST up reply actions
Great story about the Sizemore gaffe. (BTW - This is Comment #4000 for me!)
It would indeed be great for him to earn a year’s play at third, same of course for Barton at first.
by paris7 on Jan 29, 2012 10:26 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It's great to bring back fanfest
Bring on the season!! Go A’s!!
Awesome post, BF, thanks!
F everyone’s I, I’ll have the first interview (Brandon McCarthy) up tomorrow morning.
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
Awesome summary!
Thanks for sharing. Things like FanFest make us actually get excited for the season.
A little ridiculous that Lew is getting booed like that but I suppose I shouldn’t comment on it since I personally really like the guy.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jan 29, 2012 9:42 PM PST reply actions
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's why he kept it to one on ones instead of a speech to the whole crowd.
Although it’s not uncommon for fans to boo owners, in any sport.
Actually at the restaurant I went to afterwards, the waiter commented on my A’s gear and said he’s an A’s season ticket holder, living in Oakland. We talked a bit about the possible SJ move, and he said on one hand he would really miss having the A’s right in his backyard, but on the other hand, it would be nice to see them get a real chance to win. I think some of the people at Fanfest were a little more vitriolic about the possible move though, which I understand as well.
On a side note, It makes me happy to know that I am a fan of a team that doesn’t price the average person out of season tickets.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 29, 2012 10:32 PM PST up reply actions
Awesome recap to go with that…
…awesome bobblehead conversion!
One tiny correction: When DJ was talking about the heckling, I believe he was referencing when he was with the Indians. He said it was Richie Sexson who didn’t want to go back to LF on account of the heckling.
(Didn’t realize that ol’ Sexy ever played OF; I must just think of him in his later days, when he was either a 1B or, if I’m not mistaken, a DH.)
by PositionPlayerProd on Jan 29, 2012 9:56 PM PST reply actions
Thanks! I'll change the post. After my mac and cheese coma I must've lost some of the details!
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 29, 2012 10:15 PM PST up reply actions
No worries!
There was definitely a lot going on.
(Also, I just notice I echoed Nico’s “Awesome” in my subject lie — ugh!)
by PositionPlayerProd on Jan 30, 2012 12:59 AM PST up reply actions
Hey look, there's my Coco bobblehead!!!
Glad someone noticed my Coco bobblehead. Coco loved it. He thought it was real cool and he seemed very delighted to sign it. I later met with his agent and he said he wanted to get in touch with me for possibly painting another one for his client.
Overall, this day was great. I got everything I wanted to do done. i didn’t line of for autographs because I wanted the pictures and experience. And when taking photos, all the players obliged. It was a fantastic day.
Here’s my blog post recap of my day at Fanfest. All my thoughts are in there.
Giving you all the 49ers info you need at the San Francisco 49ers Examiner
That's my site. Check it out!
by PHUT! on Jan 29, 2012 10:56 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
My friend took a photo of me with the bobble and Coco
Glad Coco liked it.
And if the A’s sign Manny… that’s next on my project list.
Giving you all the 49ers info you need at the San Francisco 49ers Examiner
That's my site. Check it out!
by PHUT! on Jan 29, 2012 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I felt like a kid again!
I don’t normally get to games early for autographs or anything, but figured of course, wouldn’t it be nice if I brought something home.
Here’s a few shots. I was the most excited about the photos with Crisp and Weeks who seemingly took the 3/4 of the time there.
I should have hi-fived him.
Don’t both autographs look the same?
Weeks looks almost like a cut out here
by David Fung on Jan 29, 2012 11:22 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Did they sell game worn player jerseys this year?
I planned to go to FanFest, but I didn’t for a number of reasons. I will be buying tickets for this season, and I will be there for Opening Day.
by player20 on Jan 30, 2012 12:52 AM PST via mobile reply actions
dude by the time I got there all they had were old sweaty spring training hats and baseballs. Lots of baseballs.
"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
(Sorry to ask so many questions, kenntoe). How much were the baseballs going for?
Were these MLB baseballs (like batting practice balls) or just the regular souvenir balls? They usually don’t sell baseballs at the FanFest.
by player20 on Jan 30, 2012 3:41 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
yeah I must have got there the same time kenntoe did
There were a bunch of un-notable ex-A’s autographed baseballs (I think regular MLB official balls). Names like Kirk Saarloos, Aaron Cunningham, etc. $10-20 each.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 30, 2012 7:14 AM PST up reply actions
someone showed me a Barry Zito game-worn cap
it actually had little zen-like affirmations written inside.
No, that was dwishnisky or however you spell it
and it was unique because you could see where Barry had inscribed inspirational tidbits.
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jan 30, 2012 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
wish - in - sky :D
That is the cap. “Be still & KNOW, my power is limitless”
Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!
yeah, like that
awesome haul by the way! Gem of the memorabilia!
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jan 30, 2012 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
the smudged out one looks like "Steal the Giants Money"
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jan 30, 2012 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
heh
(but pretty sure it says “steamroller”)
Difference of opinion among my community is a sign of the bounty of God.
Now I did some research on this.
And did find this article which includes in part the quote (it is a paraphrased biblical quote) but also links it to Zito.
Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!
#keepingitrealballcapnotes
The ump isn’t calling my 12-6 for strikes
My fastball has no movement and is getting hammered
I keep nibbling and falling behind
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Just found this pretty nice article on Jonny Gomes
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120129/SPORTS/120129416/1042/opinion?p=1&tc=pg
"When you lose your best friend at 16, when you have a heart attack and almost die at 22," Gomes said, "you don’t worry too much about what people think about the mohawk."
The more I learn about this guy the more I like the signing. Still not sure if it was the right baseball move, but I’ll enjoy watching him play.
I enjoyed it, but think it could have been a little longer
I got a ball signed by Josh Reddick, David Justice and Joe Ruddi, and I really enjoyed the Q&A session with the old-timers. Unfortunately, I got in line too late to get my picture taken with Suzuki and Weeks and ended waiting in line for an hour with nothing to show for it! They stopped taking pictures at exactly at 2pm, and there were still a bunch of people in line!
Oh well… Hopefully I’ll have a chance next year to get a pic!
This sig line belongs to weenmAN. If found, please return.
I rather like the grouping of players.
Fingers crossed and Reddick could fit nicely into a conversation about Rudi and Justice. Above average OFers with some good overall power.
Thanks to Nico et al
for inviting me to be a part of the blogger’s interview. Here are some photos and a brief video of Bob on Brandon
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
The video interview clip with Melvin on Brandon Allen was pretty good.
While acknowledging that Allen has never had a chance to play out of a slump, he also stated that he probably won’t get that chance with the A’s. Message is…you better hit if you want to play 1B.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 30, 2012 5:18 PM PST up reply actions
Do you agree? It seems farfetched that we would have a winning record.
I have to think that if they are that optimistic, they included a full healthy season of McCarthy, Braden, Ross, Colon, and maybe Anderson as well. I don’t think any of them will pitch a full season though.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 30, 2012 2:08 PM PST up reply actions
that's one reason they play the games
expected and unexpected injuries (or lack thereof) can change the performance of any team.
Of course, just wondering if their projections are taking into account games played by our starting rotation
I think a projection that does not at least factor in these injury histories is lazy. If they are factoring this in and still predicting 82-80, then that would be awesome and I’d love to see a breakdown (player by player).
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 30, 2012 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
Projection vs prediction
Marcel is a clear formula, and the point of the projecting out the season is for a different and interesting way of looking at the data.
It’s only “lazy” if you treat it as if it’s trying to make an accurate prediction of what’s actually going to happen, which it clearly isn’t.
Difference of opinion among my community is a sign of the bounty of God.
Sure .500+ is a possibility
Barton and Pennington produce like they did in 2010, Jemile becomes a borderline all-star in his first full year, Sizemore replicates his 2011 production over a full season and suddenly you have an above average infield. Parker wins the 2012 rookie of the year, McCarthy repeats last year, Coco does the same, and Reddick and Smith are both slightly above average, 3 WAR corner outfielders and you could have a solid, 80-85 win team.
???
Anything can happen, and this is the beauty of the game. 162 to a finish, and room for everything under the sun in the meantime. I will say, I believe the A’s will have a better record than last year. Leave it at that for now.
This Message brought to you by Lew "what's an RBI?" Wolff, and John "I own a whatball team?" Fisher.
I think it will be somewhere near the same as last year.
Lost Willingham and DDJ, replaced with Smith and Reddick.
Lost Gio and Cahill, replace with Colon and Parker.
Full year of Sizemore.
Bound to get better production from 1B than last year’s abysmal mark.
Full year of Weeks
Hopefully improvement from Weeks and Sizemore.
Maybe better performance from our closer(s) (i.e. better than Fuentes and Bailey).
Yes, anything can happen…I certainly didn’t think last year’s team was as bad as their record, hopefully this year’s team will maximize their potential.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 30, 2012 5:16 PM PST up reply actions
Marcel projects new players as league average.
That is, anyone who has never played in MLB before is projected to be exactly average, and players who haven’t played very much are heavily regressed to league average.
This means, for example, that Marcel thinks Brad Peacock and Yu Darvish will be about the same.
Difference of opinion among my community is a sign of the bounty of God.
Anyone else read Ann Killion's column on Wolff?
The Lew Wolff Plan for the A’s: Get Back to Me Later.
I have to say, it is somewhat discouraging that Wolff keeps saying it’s in the hands of MLB. Yeah, I get that MLB makes these decisions, but what is he doing to force a decision?
Maybe someone more knowledgable than I can answer these questions – is there any possible way he can force the issue to a head? If there is, why hasn’t he done so? Is he afraid that if he does so, the answer on San Jose will be “no” and he will never have that opportunity again? So what? Get some closure and move forward.
While the A’s are highly profitable I do get a sense that his frustration is real and I doubt he just wants to sit in the Coliseum collecting revenue sharing checks indefinitely.
Well,
When asked about recent years when the team was competitive, he confessed, "I’m not good on the past."
Quite frankly, the reason they were able to compete in the 2000s is that they employed Moneyball techniques that got them close enough to be able to take advantage of good luck and get into the playoffs. Then the rest of baseball got smarter and were able to catch up sabremetrically, and the powerhouse teams became more powerhouse. We’re seeing now that teams that weren’t traditionally powerhouses begin to separate themselves from the rest of the pack and get within striking distance of the Yankees and Red Sox and Phillies. Two of them are in our division. It’s going to be depressing to look at the annual payrolls of the ALWest over the next few years as their TV deals bear fruit.
I think that’s the real reason the A’s won’t be competing any time soon. They just don’t have the revenue or a method that is ahead (relatively) of it’s time.
by LoneStranger on Jan 30, 2012 8:22 PM PST up reply actions
The A's were competitive in the early 2000's in great part to the stars on their team
such as the Big 3, Giambi, Miggy, Chavvy, etc., plus some good trades and free agent signings for contention.
Slusser said it was more than 7,000
and the maximum allowable was 8,000. 3,000 bought tickets on the day of Fan Fest..
Good news
@DALLASBRADEN209 Dallas Braden
ARM FEELS GREAT!!! I OCCUPIED the Strike zone 4 sure. Chucked 25 BAYseballs & all 25 had to dodge tears from my eyes as I wept W/joy. Any ?s
Jan 31 via Twitter for iPhone
Want.
Oakland Athletics@Athletics
Miss the CoFro? You can grow ur own. Don’t miss @Coco_Crisp Chia Head giveaway June 17 vs @Padres…it’s Fathers Day! http://pic.twitter.com/5DohZ2UK
A's locker rooms
and we couldn’t see the A’s locker rooms, etc. (and get to experience the stench first hand).
There was an underground tunnel connecting Oracle to the Coliseum, which was a surprise to me. There was a long line waiting to see the locker rooms, which I waited in (30 mins), met 1B, Allen and Gallego, saw a box of mail in Matsui’s locker and almost stole his name plate, which was just sitting there. I know, I’m ashamed that it crossed my mind. lol
Re-sign Josh Willingham now!
Grant is awesome
In spite of his stupid affection for that stupid other team with stupid colors, we love Grant Brisbee. Here is what he has to say about the A’s alleged interest in Manny and Magglio:
The A’s signing Manny is crazy like emptying a bottle of ketchup down your pants and dancing on a table during a first date. There’s a one-percent chance that the date has a weird sense of humor, I guess. Might work out. The A’s signing Magglio is more like eating unwrapped packets of Splenda when the date’s head is turned. It’s a deeper, darker kind of crazy.
Difference of opinion among my community is a sign of the bounty of God.
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