A Week of Spring Training Observations

by brodiebrazil on Mar 2, 2006 9:44 PM PST

Hello AN, I'm Brodie Brazil from the A's pregame show on Action 36 Cable 6. I just got back from a week of covering A's Spring Training, including interviews with most of the players. I thought I would share a few observations and reports with AN.

Players told me that "spring training is always an optimistic time", however this year they are especially excited due to the additions they made without having to lose anybody as in past offseasons. Speaking of the new guys: Milton hit a homer in the first intersquad scrimmage yesterday... Loaiza has been getting his work in... and Frank Thomas has been hitting the cage on a daily basis as well as enduring serious agility workouts. Thomas hits the ball noticibly harder than anybody else in the cage, the crack of his bat just sounds different.
Milton Bradley was a class act, he gave me a great interview. And that was after signing autographs for EVERY SINGLE person that waited for him after workouts.
You probably won't ever see a team captain with this club. Kotsay told me it's just not how this team works, there are so many guys and they all handle each other just fine. He also gives Macha credit for letting the players lead each other.
Frank Thomas said although his incentive salary is different, he is looking to "earn his way and become the biggest bargain in baseball"
Loaiza has actually played with Kendall before back in 1996. Esteban is also looking forward to chasing Fernando Valenzuela for the most wins by a Mexican born pitcher. Loaiza has 112, Valenzuela holds 173.
Dan Haren says this rotation is impressive from 1 to 5. He also said the A's pitcher all fit the same kind of "mold".
Barry Zito is looking forward to this season. Of course he'll be getting a lot more attention because it's a contract year, but he really doesn't overthink it, nor does it stress him out. He says he's very peaceful inside about it, which in turn helps him play better with a clear head. Zito's Strikeouts for Troops foundation will continue this year, he has added a couple more players including Manny.
Nick Swisher is the definition of fan favorite. Myself and a cameraman hung out with Swish after workouts yesterday, taping a segment while he went out mini-golfing. Probably the nicest guy you might ever meet... ballplayer or not. Nick says that unlike a lot of athletes he is purposely trying to be a role model.
Now of course, if you all want to see all this and so much more, here's the first couple shows on Action 36 Cable 6:

March 31 6:30pm - A's 2006 Preview Show
March 31 7:00pm - A's On Deck Show
March 31 7:30pm - A's vs. Giants

April 3 6:30pm - A's On Deck Show
April 3 7:00pm - A's Home Opener v. Yankees

Hope you can all check it out, feedback and questions are always welcome.

Brodie

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Comments

Thanks Brodie. good info.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 but we got the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Mar 2, 2006 9:59 PM PST reply actions

That's great, Brodie--

many thanks for posting this. I'm just floored by how many people affiliated with the A's in some way lurk or post on AN. Everyone's presence and contributions are much appreciated.

I'm especially glad to see Milton Bradley getting acknowledged for the positive aspects of his time here so far; the A's have a couple of guys who wore out their welcome elsewhere, but may wear out opposing pitching here.

by Nico on Mar 2, 2006 10:13 PM PST reply actions

Great

Don't forget to pick up the remaining unclaimed games ;)

News from the Bleachers!
Dangeresque: Private Eye, Crooked Cop, Secret Agent and Celebrity Pharmacist

by Zonis on Mar 2, 2006 10:31 PM PST reply actions

Welcome to AN

I appreciate your quick summary, and am greatly looking forward to the A's coverage on KICU, FSBA and beyond. I am glad we have such passionate folks, eager to share what they've learned about our team, and I'm glad that you found AN a worthwhile place to keep us updated.

Looking forward to your continued postings here.

More ANtics and other nonsense: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Mar 2, 2006 11:12 PM PST reply actions

Fernando Venezuela?

Did he play with Al Holland, Germany Schaeffer, and Chilé Davis?

Seriously, though, thanks for the info. With Bradley, I'm actually more worried about his health than about his attitude. I have a feeling that if he can stay healthy he'll have a huge season. And of course the same goes for Thomas too.

As a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, I'm going to light my tapir on fire and choke on my own vomit. - monkeyball

by andeux on Mar 2, 2006 11:22 PM PST reply actions

Sound like it came from a certain generator

Fernando Venezueala has nothing on Lex Sweden.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Mar 4, 2006 9:21 AM PST up reply actions

But can Lex Sweden hold a candle to...

Brodie Brazil?

Banana Fudge

by Ice Cream on Mar 4, 2006 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

for the record...

...that is the name on my birth certificate. hehe. most people think it's a tv name.

by brodiebrazil on Mar 5, 2006 7:49 AM PST up reply actions

Hi Brodie

It's Chris, the first guy you interviewed for the pre-game piece you did on AN last year. Thanks for sharing your take on what's been going on at ST. Just one minor correction you might want to make in the Loaiza bit, I think you meant "Valenzuela".

I look forward to all your pre-game shows!

Peace.

"Keep the juices going by jangling around gently as you move." - Satchel Paige

by McFood on Mar 2, 2006 11:23 PM PST reply actions

oops!

yes, you're right chris. it was a late night and long day last night! i must have been thinking about scutaro in the wbc playing for venezuela!

by brodiebrazil on Mar 3, 2006 7:59 AM PST up reply actions

awesome!

thanks for sharing the info! i'm setting my tivo up to record all those shows already! :)

by gotgreen on Mar 2, 2006 11:41 PM PST reply actions

why do we have to wait so long?

ST will be over by the time these air. how bout hookin us up with a 5 minute QuickTime preview???

"We've added a little more bling to it, so to speak," Macha said.

by eshock on Mar 2, 2006 11:53 PM PST reply actions

well, yes...

but we want you to watch the show's first. maybe then after they air we can see about getting them online in case you missed it.

by brodiebrazil on Mar 3, 2006 8:00 AM PST up reply actions

great info to share with us

Thanks Brodie for sharing this information with us. Yes Athletics Nation is a great site for sharing information about the A's. And for those younger posters, it appears to be a lot more than that even.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Mar 3, 2006 7:18 AM PST reply actions

Thanks, Brodie! :)

I've seen the error of my ways... MaElLuvR

by Poppy on Mar 3, 2006 7:24 AM PST reply actions

Well, we DID lose someone

We lost both Hatteberg and Durazo. RIP guys, I miss you.

by atomopawn on Mar 3, 2006 7:29 AM PST reply actions

Strikeouts for Troops

So, does Manny know that he's joined Strikeouts for Troops?

ducks to avoid flying chair

by JLeverenz on Mar 3, 2006 8:00 AM PST reply actions

brodiebrazil

thanks very much for your update and I hope that you post here a lot.

Kendall Haiku by FormerHuntsvilleStar, " Ball in hand, a leap,--- a veteran catcher blocks--- and secures a win"

by Athletics fan and runner on Mar 3, 2006 9:35 AM PST reply actions

Hey Brodie

good to hear from you, man. Thanks so much for the update and continuing to think of AN ;-)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 3, 2006 10:26 AM PST reply actions

Thanks Brodie!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Mar 3, 2006 10:40 AM PST reply actions

HI Brodie,

Will there be a tribute to Bill King? Thanks.

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Mar 3, 2006 10:47 AM PST reply actions

there sure will be...

we talked to ken korach and vince cotroneo about the situation. we're going to mix in their interviews with a whole bunch of bill king nostalgia, including not only his a's calls but also some classics from the warriors and raiders. dont know which show this will air in yet, though.

by brodiebrazil on Mar 3, 2006 11:12 AM PST up reply actions

Here's my question

Not necessarily to Brodie...

What the heck is the deal with Crosby?? I thought he was injured?! Then I find he was playing yesterday and hit a HR?!

I thought he had tendinitis in his shoulder? Does that mean he can hit but not throw?

Thank you all for your insights,

Confused in SF

I need a cigarette

by As Man on Mar 3, 2006 11:22 AM PST reply actions

From someone with Tendinitus

I have it in my elbow. I got it when I was a swimmer in High School. It really isn't the end of the world. I was still able to swim and swim well. I just couldn't do Butterfly for long periods of time.

It is like when you got to the doc and say "It hurts when I do this" and he says, "so stop doing that!" The only thing that fixes it when it is flaming is rest, time, and ice. I usually have to ice it then put a heating pad on it.

It really isn't too bad, more annoying than anything else. He can probably throw just fine, it just hurts a little when he does so. So they want him to rest it so it isn't flaming when the season starts.

HE WILL BE FINE!

"Same as he always throws -- hard and nasty," Melhuse on Rich Harden - 2/27/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Mar 3, 2006 11:31 AM PST up reply actions

that sucks

that he has it at the beginning of the year. You'd think he'd get that at the end of the year.

Thanks for your helpful reply BCG!

I need a cigarette

by As Man on Mar 3, 2006 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

B Croz...

my understanding on crosby is that he is just trying to limit his throwing in spring training, but that recently he was long-tossing up to 150 feet. apparently hitting doesn't bother him at all. it's very similar to what i've heard chavez is also doing this spring, it makes sense especially from proven guys on the left side of the infield with a longer throw.

by brodiebrazil on Mar 3, 2006 1:59 PM PST up reply actions

he's DHing

sometime roughly around next weekend he's slated to begin playing SS

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Mar 4, 2006 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

I had it

In my shoulder last season. It kept me from throwing, but it didnt seem to affect anything with my swing. But I also doubt that I swing nearly as hard as crosby does.

by Devyn on Mar 4, 2006 5:53 PM PST up reply actions

Me too

Crosby's an animal.

It's a beautiful day for baseball.

by As Man on Mar 5, 2006 9:45 PM PST up reply actions

Good Update Brodie

Thanks. I am extremely optimistic about this team. I think Loaiza, Thomas and Bradley will fit in nicely with the A's even-keel clubhouse.

by RudiFan on Mar 3, 2006 2:37 PM PST reply actions

thanks, this was great!

by OaklandSi on Mar 3, 2006 3:38 PM PST reply actions

A question, Bodie

Does KICU have the option of televising additional games if the race is tight?

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Mar 3, 2006 5:30 PM PST reply actions

As for the specifics...

...I'm not positive, and I'm not in the position to say. However I do know that last year we tried to pick up some games later that were ultimately taken away from us by ESPN.

by brodiebrazil on Mar 3, 2006 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

thanks for posting!

And for the heads up on pregame shows... if it weren't for TiVo I would never catch the new ones when they happen...

by Apricot on Mar 4, 2006 7:28 AM PST reply actions

Thanks for sharing

It's refreshing to hear the first-hand, positive comments about players like Milton Bradley. I think some of the bay area media was hoping he would give them lots of bad things to write about starting in Spring Training. I hope Milton continues to prove them wrong.

I am really glad KICU will feature tributes to Bill King. Is there any chance a DVD might be put together?

"There is no crying in baseball." Tom Hanks in A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.

by twopups on Mar 4, 2006 8:34 AM PST reply actions