Link Dump 3/2: Soy Bomb

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 10:20 AM PST

"I don't know anything about it,'' Witasick said. "I wish I knew. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. That's one topic I can't indulge. There's a legend behind it, and I promise I'll tell it at the end of the spring.''

This is what we know so far: Witasick, an 11-year veteran, is generally a fastball-slider guy. And if there really is such a pitch as The Sizzler, it's a four-seam fastball, revamped or rediscovered; the right-handed reliever had a mean one a few years ago that rode up and in.

Johnson inadvertently revealed the pitch after Witasick used it during batting practice this week.

Another name has shown up in the latest steroid investigation -- the Rangers' Jerry Hairston, Jr:

He could not have been more forceful in categorically denying any knowledge or involvement. Hairston was very accessible. We spoke with him several times on Thursday and he professed to be "baffled" and "disappointed" by the entire line of inquiry. "It's disturbing ... I have no idea what this is about. I'm really in the dark," he said. "Not one time have I taken steroids or anything like that. I would never do anything like that to jeopardize my career or my family's name. ... I know I'm going to be OK because I know what I've done and haven't done. ... I would never do anything to discredit the game. The game has been good not only to myself but my entire family." (Hairston is a third-generation major leaguer.)

His denial was much more than the no comment issued by Matthews:

Asked Thursday whether he had any response to the SI.com report, Matthews said, "Not now. At the appropriate time, I will talk to you guys."

Mike Scioscia doesn't sound too happy with the situation:

Asked whether he felt the longer Matthews goes without confronting the allegations head on, the more people will think he is guilty of using performance enhancers, Manager Mike Scioscia said, "Yes," his firm, one-word reply speaking volumes for how the organization is beginning to feel about the controversy surrounding Matthews.

The Rangers signed Michael Young to an $80 MM extension yesterday:

The deal is actually a seven-year commitment to Young. The 30-year-old shortstop is signed for $3.5 million this season. The club is picking up a $5 million option on 2008 and then adding five more years at $16 million per season. A significant portion of the money is deferred, though the particulars were uncertain.

In addition, Young is receiving complete no-trade protection through 2009. In 2010 and for the first two months of 2011, the club will receive a list of eight clubs to which Young would accept a trade. In early 2011, Young would gain the right to veto any trade under the "10-and-5" clause of the collective bargaining agreement, which protects players with 10 years of service, the last five consecutive with one club.

So, yeah, get used to Michael Young.

Matt Cain signed an extension through his arb years. Between Zito, Cain, Lowry, and Lincecum, the Giants could have a good pitching staff for the next few years. And, you know, just because:

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Comments

Couldn't be bothered with a title, huh?

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 2, 2007 10:19 AM PST reply actions

sigh never mind

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 2, 2007 10:19 AM PST up reply actions

The Michael Portnoy pic

is just for you, Poppy.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

Yay?

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 2, 2007 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

Not to mention Jonathan Sanchez.

I'm not sure it's on purpose, but the Giants are going to be really good, sooner than people than, and for longer than people think.

Oh, and...

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 10:26 AM PST reply actions

Sadly

You may be right. A rotation of Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Zito, and Lowry is pretty damned good, and after Bonds is gone they will have money to address the offense. The NL West is looking very good for the future with Arizona amassing an incredible amount of young talent, the Dodgers lucky enough to have Logan White covering up Coletti's stupidity, and Colorado having a good system. San Diego may be in the cellar in that division for a long time if they don't start drafting better.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 2, 2007 10:33 AM PST up reply actions

I have faith

that as long as Sabean is with the team, they'll never be as good as they could be.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Mar 2, 2007 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

In Sabean We Mistrust

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Mar 2, 2007 10:39 AM PST up reply actions

Sabean does bring hope to us Giant haters

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 2, 2007 10:39 AM PST up reply actions

And aging outfielders

who need a fat contract.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Mar 2, 2007 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

agreed

I think the Giants have a higher ceiling in '07, and a higher likelihood of finishing above .500, than the A's do.

I think it's also far likelier that the Giants acquire an impact bat (which both the A's and Giants need) before the trade deadline.

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

i disagree

on both the higher ceiling and higher probability of finishing above .500.

and the giants rotation of the future is overhyped. is noah lowry better than joe blanton? you don't hear anyone saying "wow, the a's have blanton locked up for the next X years!"

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

Yes, significantly.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

Are you agreeing

with Monkeyball or xbhaskarx?

"Oakland has a way of bringing out the joy in the game." NYT, 9/22/06

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Mar 2, 2007 11:05 AM PST up reply actions

he's saying lowry is significantly better

than blanton.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

we'll see

lowry was never a highly regarded prospect, and i don't know if he was injured or not but he was even less impressive than blanton last year.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

His K/9 nuimbers have been a lot better.

Maybe the league affect has something to do with it. I'd love to be wrong.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 11:11 AM PST up reply actions

I agree with the disagree

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Mar 2, 2007 11:23 AM PST up reply actions

'07 Giants:

No offense, no bullpen.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

'07 A's

Less than no offense (SF and FRE are both one-man offenses; and I'll take Bonds over Swisher), 2-3 reliably healthy starting fielders, thin rotation.

But, boy, yeah, our 'pen will kick the Giants' butt.

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 11:18 AM PST up reply actions

a few other things

better teams in the division:
SFG: 3
SVA@F: 1

.800+ OPS potential:
SFG: 2 (bonds, durham)
SVA@F: 4-5 (swisher, piazza, bradley, chavez and possibly DJ)

competent GMs:
SFG: 0
SVA@F: 1

age difference: 357 years

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 11:25 AM PST up reply actions

.800+ OPS potential

Klesko, Aurilia. They're both as legit as Bradley and Chavez, both of whom will likely miss significant time and/or be playing hurt for much/most of the season (plus, Chavvy's on a reliably steady downward OPS slope for his career -- as, for that matter, are both Klesko and Aurilia), and neither will enjoy the advantage of hitting in front of Bonds.

Piazza -- who knows? My guess is that if the Giants had signed Piazza, we'd all be laughing at Sabean about it.

"and possibly DJ"? Fa real? Lance Niekro will have more MLB PAs this year than DJ will (for the A's, anyway), and will out-OPS DJ.

As for the age difference, so what?

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 11:43 AM PST up reply actions

Aurilia, represent!

Richie's cleared an 800 OPS three times in his career: 97, 01, 06. He'll be hard-pressed to repeat that feat. Klesko has 800 OPS potential. But would you rather bet on the guys who are 35 or the guys who are 29?

In any event, it's likely a wash. With Bonds at the helm, I'd say it's an even bet as to which offense scores more often.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

if we agree it's a wash ...

... and the Giants have their pitchers hitting 4x/game ...

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

Aurilia got a numbers

boost playing in Cincinnati, and had four mediocre to bad seasons from '02-'05. Klesko might be good, who knows. But as I understand it, they're both competing for first base and will not play at the same time. As legit as Bradley and Chavez is just crazy.

Lance Niekro??????

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

Dan Johnson??????

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 11:53 AM PST up reply actions

<nods>

Dan Johnson.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

If Niekro indeed gets

more PA's than Johnson, that will be a sign that the A's offense is doing better than the Giants'.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 12:02 PM PST up reply actions

Bradley won't start >120 games

Chavez won't be >50% strength for >50% of the season.

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 11:54 AM PST up reply actions

Bradley got a

green light from America's top physician!

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 12:00 PM PST up reply actions

Bradley will start more than 120 games...

this year. I gave Bradley, Harden, Crosby and Ellis green lights this year. Didn't you see that? ;-)

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 2, 2007 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

age difference

because bonds and durham are really really old. and so are klesko and aurilia (not that either will put up a .800 OPS).

niekro will out-OPS DJ? half of OPS is OBP and DJ has a higher OBP in the majors than niekro has in the minors.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

i agree with XBX on this one...

A's offense will be better than the Giants. Their pitching... eh? Yeah, that too. Harden is better than anybody the Giants have and he'll pitch 34 games this year.

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 2, 2007 12:42 PM PST up reply actions

I would happily

take a wager on the A's offense outperforming the Giants this year. Chavez, Bradley, Piazza, and Swisher are all much better than whichever clown is the Giants second best hitter. And you like to insist that Bonds has adequately solved his health problems, but we'll see...

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 11:32 AM PST up reply actions

do you think I play the slots?

AL offense vs NL offense. Uh-huh.

And why are you including Swisher in the A's second tier? I'll grant that Swish is better than the Giants' second-best -- but Swish is far and away the A's best offensive threat, and he's still not even an old, banged-up, off-the-wildebeast-musk-extract Bonds. I think the not-Bondses and not-Swishers are pretty much equivalent, with the exception being that the not-Bondses are healthier and are better relative to their league median.

I think the A's will be farther below their league median OPS than will the Giants be relative to the NL median.

I also think the Giants will have a better Pythagorean record than the A's.

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

I didn't say

"score more runs," I said "outperform." The A's will have a better record (who cares about predicting pythagorean record before the season starts, do we think one team will over-or-under-perform their pythag. wins more than the other?) than the Giants if they get 30+ starts from Harden. Book it.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

the a's don't need to worry about league median

only the AL west.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 12:40 PM PST up reply actions

what's wrong with this picture?

Prankster at Topps photoshops Jeter's baseball card. I personally preferred the Billy Ripken F** face card, but this is still kinda funny.

death to myspace!

by malikot on Mar 2, 2007 10:40 AM PST reply actions

It's going to be a long, boring day at work

Entertain me

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Mar 2, 2007 10:43 AM PST reply actions

you take one down, pass it around

99 bottles of beer on the wall.

99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer...

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Mar 2, 2007 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Linked this at the very end of yesterday's DLD

The Lookout Landing beer thread from earlier this week. If you like good beer, and the conversation that consumption of said beverage inspires, you'll enjoy this one.

by Soaker on Mar 2, 2007 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

Oooo...I'll check it out

Beer and a ballgame sound pretty damned good right now.

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Mar 2, 2007 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

Look! He's waving!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

hmm. . .

do you have a pirate name yet?

death to myspace!

by malikot on Mar 2, 2007 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

Pirate Julia the Staggering Drunk!

(Julia?)

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 2, 2007 11:05 AM PST up reply actions

Ay ...

ye cannay use your real name.

~Jelly Wrist Edmund

Read my latest articles

by devo on Mar 2, 2007 1:19 PM PST up reply actions

Wankin' Ronny Dregg

At your service.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Mar 2, 2007 11:33 AM PST up reply actions

Gurglin' Jim Barbossa

I don't know what to think of this

"I'd like to reference a brilliant post from Left Coast Lumber today" - notsellingjeans

by methodrampage on Mar 2, 2007 11:53 AM PST up reply actions

Cap'n Quincy Bloodbeard

I'm now going to fill out a name change via the SSA.

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Mar 2, 2007 12:16 PM PST up reply actions

Smilin' Conroy Smithe

sounds about right

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Mar 2, 2007 12:31 PM PST up reply actions

Arrr....

Rough-Sailin' Pete checking in.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 1:23 PM PST up reply actions

or we can go the random picture route

death to myspace!

by malikot on Mar 2, 2007 10:50 AM PST up reply actions

Hiss.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Mar 2, 2007 11:34 AM PST up reply actions

Puppies dognapped.

Policing searching casserole dishes.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 10:56 AM PST reply actions

Don't purebreds lose their value

without proper documentation showing their lineage?

And if you stole them, you probably don't have the papers. And if you do have the papers...busted!

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Mar 2, 2007 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

papers=recipes?

death to myspace!

by malikot on Mar 2, 2007 12:09 PM PST up reply actions

What a tragedy!

<Burp>

"Okay, now I know who drank the rest of my six-pack of Bitchy McSnarky's Snarkalicious Snarkade..." -Poppy

by McFood on Mar 2, 2007 1:24 PM PST up reply actions

This is really sad...

6 killed when college baseball team bus plunges off overpass

by high street on Mar 2, 2007 10:57 AM PST reply actions

So sad...

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Mar 2, 2007 11:17 AM PST up reply actions

Plummer to Broncos: F%^& you.

He will retire rather than allow the Broncos to get something for him in a trade.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 11:00 AM PST reply actions

tell me about it

My dad just called me, positively gleeful, that we'd finally gotten rid of Plummer and were getting something in return. I had to follow up and ruin his day with that kicker.

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

by batgirl on Mar 2, 2007 11:21 AM PST up reply actions

Advanced single game Gnat tickets on sale today...

for Visa card users.

For those interested in attending interleague games across the Bay.

by easyraider on Mar 2, 2007 11:31 AM PST reply actions

wow

$33 for bleachers?!

by gotgreen on Mar 2, 2007 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Zito Poll on SFgate homepage

"Which colors does Barry Zito look best in?"
Green and Gold, represent!
See the bottom right of the page.

by KrautBall on Mar 2, 2007 11:42 AM PST reply actions

yes, vote in my poll

surprised g and g is holding even with o and b, given there are historically more Giants fans who read SFGate. maybe the A's are making inroads on the fan base. or maybe people just realize orange is a really ugly color to wear unless you want to look like a pumpkin.

by vk on Mar 2, 2007 6:26 PM PST up reply actions

When did Dice-K get fat?

I don't remember him looking out of shape at all in his NPB photos. Boston's investment in him could turn out to be pretty catastrophic if he goes all Irabu on them:

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 11:43 AM PST reply actions

New England

Clam Chowder

"I'd like to reference a brilliant post from Left Coast Lumber today" - notsellingjeans

by methodrampage on Mar 2, 2007 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

chowdah

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Mar 2, 2007 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

CHOWDAH!!!!!!!!!!!

I'LL KILL YOU!!!! I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!!!!!

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

Come back here!

I'm not through demeaning you.

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is a sad sign of the times

by ArakSOT on Mar 2, 2007 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

I'll admit it

The Mariners have cooler bobbleheads than we do.

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

by batgirl on Mar 2, 2007 12:53 PM PST reply actions

That link made my browser go crazy.

For some reason. It could be something I did; basically, about 40 browser windows launched. Just a PSA.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 1:16 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah ... except that Raul Ibanez is one of their

four most marketable players ...

Read my latest articles

by devo on Mar 2, 2007 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

He was outstanding in 2006...

3rd in the AL in RBI, 33 bombs, .290. High level player last year.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 2, 2007 2:06 PM PST up reply actions

Fair enough ...

Read my latest articles

by devo on Mar 2, 2007 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

And they give out 25k per game instead of 15k

so you probably don't have to get in line 2 hours before the game to get one.

"Okay, now I know who drank the rest of my six-pack of Bitchy McSnarky's Snarkalicious Snarkade..." -Poppy

by McFood on Mar 2, 2007 1:35 PM PST up reply actions

why? our average attendance is...

only 15,000, isn't it?

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 2, 2007 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

People buy cheap tickets,

get the bobbleheads, then never attend the game. I think many are sold on Ebay. I actually dislike bobblehead days because of the hording mentality that many fans have.

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Mar 2, 2007 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

Ichiro's Bobblehead night...

...is safely scheduled well before the July 31 trade deadline.

by Soaker on Mar 2, 2007 2:44 PM PST up reply actions

I'm jonesing for a Dan Wilson

bobblehead night.

by franks a lot on Mar 2, 2007 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

I like how...

They all have the format of "FIRSTNAME lastname" on the base (RAUL ibanez), but it looks like Ichiro's name is now "ICHIRO 5 gold gloves"

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Mar 2, 2007 4:52 PM PST up reply actions

what's going on?

this new format is wigging me out. AN is my safety zone. I'm really unsettled right now.

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

by batgirl on Mar 2, 2007 3:41 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, at the risk of overreacting too quickly

so far this looks hideous. The non-threaded comments are awful, very hard to track...it was threading that I appreciated as compared to the linear, flat, "oh I was responding to that guy 12 comments up" look of many sites (deadspin, vertigo blog, etc etc).

"He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." --Dr. Johnson

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Mar 2, 2007 3:46 PM PST up reply actions

yeah

in response to comment #80:
how have thousands of other sites out there still not switched to threaded comments, it makes everything so much easier...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 3:50 PM PST up reply actions

When you post a comment,

you can click "nested," and it becomes nested.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 3:51 PM PST up reply actions

Hi. They're in the middle of updating it.

Shit's going to be fucked in random and unpredictable ways until they finish.

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Mar 2, 2007 4:00 PM PST up reply actions

dude.....

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 3:51 PM PST reply actions

I don't need to preview all my comments

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 3:52 PM PST reply actions

jerry hairston jr.

since his OPS has declined in each of the last three years, i think hairston took reverse HGH by accident...

http://mavericks.aolsportsblog.com/2007/03/02/add-jerry-hairston-jr-to-your-alleged-hgh-user-list/

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 3:59 PM PST reply actions

<test>

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 4:00 PM PST reply actions

you get an F

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 4:01 PM PST up reply actions

God doesn't want Sal's diary to have 100 posts

This is a sign.

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Mar 2, 2007 4:22 PM PST reply actions

Quite the opposite

The new format is like yesterday's earthquake-we're all talking about it what looked like a doomed DLD.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 4:24 PM PST up reply actions

Slow day today ...

the DLD didn't do well either ...

Read my latest articles

by devo on Mar 2, 2007 4:24 PM PST up reply actions

these last few link dumps

came in an era of inflated numbers.
sadly, sal's "comments+" is below league average at this point in his career.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 4:33 PM PST reply actions

{Beane signs sal to extension}

DAMMIT! The new format is forcing me to use Poppy-brackets!

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

just use <

which is <

I looked for a minute for a list of them all, but could find nothing, but the important ones are:

< = <
> = >
& = &
  is the character inside ' ', which is technically a space character, but it won't break to a new line like hitting the space bar will.

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Mar 2, 2007 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

<monkeyball lies>

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 2, 2007 7:23 PM PST up reply actions

VERTICAL RULE

Nice to have a help button. I could get with this format if everything was SMALLER.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 4:38 PM PST reply actions

large font

maybe wolff is moving the a's to florida

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 4:41 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

you need to set your browser to 'sal'

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 4:42 PM PST up reply actions

DUDE.

I've got, like, SUCH a permalink.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 4:41 PM PST reply actions

I added tags to my diary!!!!!

That is fucking awesome.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 4:43 PM PST reply actions

That IS awesome.

DMV usually takes 4-6 weeks.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 2, 2007 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

why do you keep writing

<preview> <post>?

i don't get it...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 4:47 PM PST up reply actions

It's annoying to

have to preview my comments. I'm done now though.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 4:48 PM PST up reply actions

i agree

there needs to be a post button.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 4:49 PM PST up reply actions

Everybody is just jealous

I choose DLD days that have something really important happen.

BLEZ SOLD OUT! </test>

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 5:13 PM PST reply actions

I added a

Lance Niekro tag.

by mikeA on Mar 2, 2007 5:15 PM PST reply actions

I added a Jorge Pasada tag

... our computers then decode what it is the monkey's intending to do ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 2, 2007 6:15 PM PST up reply actions

I tried to add a Jeter missed tag on Giambi.

It didn't work.

"Okay, now I know who drank the rest of my six-pack of Bitchy McSnarky's Snarkalicious Snarkade..." -Poppy

by McFood on Mar 2, 2007 11:35 PM PST up reply actions

New DLD policy

Tag all DLDs with the "DLD" tag, so I can keep more accurate stats on DLD usage.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 2, 2007 5:40 PM PST reply actions

extra tony points handed out

to people who tag the DLDs with 'salisaloser'
:PPP

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Mar 2, 2007 5:43 PM PST up reply actions

Nice dump, bitches!

Huh. I always thought that baseball's version of a home run is the motherf---ing home run itself. -FJM

by oblique on Mar 2, 2007 10:50 PM PST up reply actions

is there any way to

reduce the font size? I kinda feel like I'm reading a Dr. Seuss book

death to myspace!

by malikot on Mar 2, 2007 6:26 PM PST reply actions

I feel like the crazy old smoker lady

on "My Name is Earl" reading the large text Bible.

The Third Eye fits perfectly. All systems go!

by Jennifer on Mar 2, 2007 6:32 PM PST up reply actions

2007 A's commercials

Sneak peek: The A's are known for putting together some of the funniest TV commercials in sports, and this year's batch has at least one instant classic and several chuckle-worthy moments.
The classic is a flashback to Nick Swisher's Little League days. A young actor portrays Swisher hitting a home run, and Swisher himself is in costume as little Nick's celebrating father, who sports a mesh-and-foam trucker hat and one of the most ridiculous mullets in the history of the haircut.
Other highlights include Rich Harden blowing a kiss to Geren in a spot that features Harden and Dan Haren trying to land the coveted Opening Day start; Bradley playing paddleball left-handed in a spot that highlights his and Swisher's ambidexterity; Kotsay yawning in the outfield as Harden racks up strikeout after strikeout; and Eric Chavez dropping everything in sight on a bad-hands day.
Also amusing, perhaps unintentionally, is a spot that asks whether a ballplayer reveals a part of his soul during home run trots and shows game footage of several A's rounding the bases. One of the first players shown is Kendall, who enters 2007 with one home run in his past 1,374 at-bats.
Filmed in January at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, spots from the "Athletics Defined" campaign will start airing on Bay Area stations during the second week of March. Geren said he enjoyed being part of the process, but he'd have liked a little more responsibility.
"I was in three [commercials], and I have a total of one line," he said. "I yell, 'Kotsay!' in one. The rest was all facial expressions."

(link)

by gotgreen on Mar 2, 2007 7:50 PM PST reply actions

grover, defend your pal joe girardi

josh johnson may miss the entire season:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins...

Johnson, who'd been penciled in as the No. 2 starter, finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting after going 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA last season.

His arm troubles began Sept. 12 when he was lifted after five shutout innings against the New York Mets at Dolphin Stadium. In that game, he sat through an 82-minute rain delay before returning to the mound.

At the time, team officials were angry at then-manager Joe Girardi for bringing Johnson back into the game, a decision that factored into the team firing Girardi a day after the season ended.

taylor tankersley also having problems:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...

On Wednesday night, the Marlins confirmed that reliever Taylor Tankersley has left shoulder inflammation and is on no-throw status for five to seven days. There is a chance the 23-year-old lefty will not be ready for Opening Day.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 8:51 PM PST reply actions

Rotoworld

MRIs showed no damage to Josh Johnson's rotator cuff or labrum and a bone scan also came back normal, agent Matt Sosnick said Friday.

The Marlins are trying to rule out everything besides a nerve problem. An earlier MRI showed no structural damage within his elbow. "They think it's probably a nerve thing," Sosnick said. "The worst-case scenario is probably that he would be out eight to 12 weeks, but they have to figure out what this thing is." Actually, if Johnson needs nerve transposition surgery, he could be out longer than that. Still, that wouldn't be such a bad outcome, as it wouldn't be a lingering problem once it's taken care of.

by Zonis on Mar 2, 2007 10:04 PM PST up reply actions

white sox annual

"pick a fight with an ex-player during spring training":

http://www.lonestarball.com/story/20...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 2, 2007 9:52 PM PST reply actions