Nightmare on 66th Avenue

The Kung Fu Master is back in the clubhouse!

Macha is that excuse?

I usually think he handles the pitching staff fairly well and the bullpen.  Remember, he coaxed 88 wins out of a team that had been ravaged by injuries and inconsistent offense.

<throws chair>

(we really need a shirt that says that)

"I still hope I made a good showing when I talked to them. I hope I impressed them.''

Ken - Let's go to Nation's!!

The fans in Pittsburgh or KC might be comparing Macha haters to a rich kids who cry about NOT having enough toys.

This move is so much worse than just giving Macha an extension right off the bat  (which I wouldn't have minded). The manager is supposed to be respected, and in this situation it appears that kenny is crawling back with his tail between his legs. I think that might hurt his reputation among the players. They should have taken the deal off the table once negotiations with other potential managers began.

"I think everyone had the same reaction," Kendall said. "It's pretty amazing. ... But I'm happy for 'Mach.' He's a good dude, and I think we're gonna have a good team next year."

"I have no idea what happened, and it doesn't really matter, because that's not my area," Kendall said. "Billy runs the show, and he obviously knows what he's doing."

And if that still doesn't help, how about focusing on Huston's Ass?

NOW don't you feel better??

Ditto, Mark. :)

Why WOULD Macha want to return? It's like getting dumped, bitching about the other person, and then taking them back.

This makes no sense.

But the one announcing Macha comes throught

Imagine my surprise

I've always said "expect the unexpected' when it comes to Beane and players. I guess i have to add when it comes to managers as well

I'm sick of September melt downs.  I thought maybe Wash or Geren or Black or Hershiser might understand this, and figure out how to do it (and it's not easy -- I sure as heck couldn't do it).  But no.

Please, Mach, prove me wrong!!

Wilbon:  Tony, you're Ken Macha.  The A's said they were done with you, but now you've wormed your way back in the door.  How did you do it?

Tony, impersonating Macha--with lovable Macha cut-out picture in front of him:  Let me ask you somethin':  Could you resist this face?  I mean, look at this face--could you resist this face?

Dude. You're dead-on with your assessment. I did like how Macha's improved since he started as manager, since it gave me hope that I wouldn't be so angry someday. And the Dairy Queen thing was nice. And the players liked him.

But it was SO MUCH FUN thinking about the future. Something new and fresh and that we weren't ready to strangle with hatred for the way he goes cracktastic on the bullpen and hates Adam Melhuse.

THINK OF THE MELHUSE, PEOPLE.

This makes me sad. I think Blez's assessment of the phone call was right on. Can't wait to see the next interview with Blez and Billy, 'cuz... dude. I mean. DUDE.

No doubt in my mind that Macha realized he wouldn't have teams pounding on his door to pour cash on him, that he had a damn good thing in Oakland, so he came crawling back to Billy on his KNEES. BEGGING. Those KNBR guys are absolute idiots to think otherwise. I wish I was listening at the time, so I could have called them.

I'm so bummed. I was excited. Hell, I was even starting to believe that Wash might have a chance for the job.

It mentions the A's & Billy Beane.

FIRE KENDALL NOW!!

Kidding aside (sort of), I don't think we would have been better off with Geren or Washington or anyone else out there.  The manager pool doesn't exactly scream success except for Tracy, and he doesn't fit our system.  Geren was a very average AAA manager and Wash has never had legitimate success managing (not coaching, managing).  

SO FRIGGIN LAUGHABLE!

Yes, I was kinda looking forward to a new manager and what he might bring, but the bottom line is that we have a capable team next year. Some astute moves by Billy and we could potentially have a really good team. If the players love Macha and the coaches love Macha, maybe it will inspire enough in this potentially great team to rise above the odd late hook or strange line-up. Maybe.

Point is, I'm willing to put my trust in the guy again. I think pretty much everyone who contributed to this 2005 success (and yes, it was a success despite not making the play-offs) can only go better next year. There's no reason to disbelieve that. Geez..."In Billy We Trust", you say? Doesn't seem like it sometimes.

Macha is not the spanner in the works of a Championship winning machine people think he is. If our team is good enough, he's not bad enough to wreck it.

Please breathe a little easier, folks.

Tell me you're not sobbing.