You Can Let Go Of The Jugular Now, Fido
I suppose the real story would be if you got 24 times as many hits as the other team and DIDN'T win.
There's really not a lot one can say about this game that doesn't speak for itself. Poor Nick Swisher has to join Ruben Sierra in a category (the only A's ever to HR from both sides of the plate), but otherwise things are looking up, on a day where:
- The A's hit .511 as a team while the Giants hit .036
- Rich Harden extended the latest run by A's starters 33 to IP, 1 BB
- The A's made it .692 ball over their last 26 games
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I'm still a little dizzy from
by AsGirl on
Jun 26, 2005 3:52 PM PDT
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this just in
by KCAs on
Jun 26, 2005 11:50 PM PDT
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SF pit bulls may still be intact
by Englishmajor on
Jun 27, 2005 3:16 PM PDT
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The trouble with giddiness
This is why it's tough to get too excited about the A's chances to make the playoffs this year. I thought the Angels would win the division, but they look to be downright good. Their starting pitching has been excellent to decent. Their lineup is still more imposing than ours, and their bullpen has plenty of talent. All of our wins still leave us more than 10 games out.
The alternative - winning the Wild Card a la 2001 - seems pretty far-fetched. There is always some team that just goes nuts in the second half and is impossible to catch. In 2001, it was the scarily-talented A's. We're many games out of the Wild Card now, and there are plenty of teams to climb over (Twins, Indians, Rangers, Yankees, Orioles, and that's not the entire list). I just can't see it.
And while Nico doesn't like to hear any mention of a soft schedule, you can't ignore the opposition - or, in this case, the lack thereof. The Giants were just awful in every way. I'll be more impressed with the A's if we're still playing this well against the White Sox, Indians, Rangers, and Angels.
by bear88 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:04 PM PDT
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yeah, I agree with you
by OaklandSi on
Jun 26, 2005 4:06 PM PDT
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What leads you
I didn't say every team we're beating is good; I'm saying it has been mixed--and no matter who we're playing, we're winning.
by Nico on
Jun 26, 2005 4:10 PM PDT
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the A's tend to do very well
Beating teams in our own division is even more important in terms of the standings, of course.
I think the A's should have done well -- and did -- against an injury-depleted Braves team and two bad teams in the Mariners and Giants. These series came at a good time, when the A's got back Crosby, Swish and Harden, switched kendall and Kotsay, and finally brought up DJ. This is all confidence building for what are likely to be stiffer tests coming up.
by OaklandSi on
Jun 26, 2005 4:19 PM PDT
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The Rangers
But I want to see us beat the Rangers, and pass them, before I get too cocky.
I included the Rangers on a list of four teams I think would be better competition than the teams we've been facing and that we will be playing again soon.
You are correct, though. You play the schedule that you're given, and it's not as if the A's have been beating a bunch of cream puffs - well, except for this weekend.
by bear88 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:25 PM PDT
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Funny though...
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on
Jun 26, 2005 4:16 PM PDT
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I wouldn't worry so much
by Nico on
Jun 26, 2005 4:21 PM PDT
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The Wild Card contenders...
In descending order...
-- The Orioles have an inexperienced pitching staff and appear to be fading fast.
-- The Twins are a solid team with playoff experience but aren't getting the producting they expected out of their infield.
-- The Indians are kind of like the A's, a team that couldn't hit early in the season but does have the pitching to make a run. I still don't see them as a playoff team, but they have been playing well.
-- The Rangers. The team can hit like crazy, but their pitching is falling apart.
-- The Tigers. Oh, come on. They're respectable, and Polanco is hitting well thus far. But the Tigers? In the playoffs, so soon after hitting rock bottom? I just doubt it.
-- The Yankees. They've got some serious problems, but they still have an awful lot of hitting talent as well the ability to go on a red-hot run. We saw what they did to the A's last month, but they also can get swept by the Royals.
-- The Blue Jays. I just don't see it.
by bear88 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:37 PM PDT
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Agree,
The bottom line is this: If the A's win 8 more games than the other WC teams over the upcoming 87 game stretch, they win the WC. Given the teams you've mentioned, how impossible does that really sound?
by Nico on
Jun 26, 2005 4:41 PM PDT
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Specifically,
by Nico on
Jun 26, 2005 4:43 PM PDT
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Not impossible
It certainly doesn't seem impossible after the last few weeks, and especially the last few games. If the starters continue to pitch as they have, or close to it, I can imagine them making a run - at least in the afterglow of the team's recent performance.
But I also want to see the A's perform better on the road, especially in one-run games. And I want to see how they do against better competition (the White Sox provide a nice test next weekend).
Still, I must concede that, even if the A's continue to play well, they dug themselves an awfully deep hole. I'm not getting too excited, and a serious playoff run still seems unlikely, but it is nice to even be thinking about the possibility. All I thought I would be doing now is pondering trades.
by bear88 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:49 PM PDT
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"producting"
by bear88 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:41 PM PDT
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Bear88 -- -- Reasons for optimism;
- "Kentucky" from both sides after batting stance change! ...adding those extra base hits to the mix
- Croz Ripkin's 8 game hitting streak & extra base hits coming after rehab (And strike zone discipline! Where did that turnaround come from?)
- Harden: 0.75 ERA after rehab! Wow!
- Kendall acting like the best leadoff batter in MLB
- Kendall prepping pitchers for games like they are all the World Series. Starters ERA dropped over a run in June
- Bradford available after All Star break
- Durazo available after the all star break
- Starters going deeper into games
- Mr Consistent's strike outs (Blanton)
- Calero's effective return
- Zito's calm determination
- Flores' nice debut
- Street's recovery
- Dan J building confidence
- "Kentucky's" defensive flexibility RF/1B for improved hitting lineups
- Chavez playing & hitting effectively through his shoulder woes
- Ginter's confidence covering 3B when Chavez takes breaks and ability to play 2b/LF for improved lineups
- Scoot's smooth breaking of Croz & Ellis (4 errors at SS, none at 2B)
- Saarloos' new pitch and effectiveness
- Kotsay's veteran influence and leadership
- Kielty's and Byrnes' thrashing of LHPs
- Byrnes keeping team mates and the fans loose.
- Wash's work with the defense! A's-mazing!
and doesn't need much to do it
by A s Eh on
Jun 26, 2005 5:34 PM PDT
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The bad thing about scoring all these runs...
by KMoAsFan on
Jun 26, 2005 3:59 PM PDT
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Sshh... <POSITIVE VIBES>
by AsGirl on
Jun 26, 2005 4:02 PM PDT
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and it's Zito so that would make sense
by rookieoftheyear on
Jun 26, 2005 4:31 PM PDT
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especially after an off day
by Brian in 317 on
Jun 27, 2005 7:33 AM PDT
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holy toledo!
by gojohn10 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:04 PM PDT
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opposite field hits
Also, can anyone figure out how much the teams BA and OPB/OPS got raised from just todays game?
by DavisYellowBike on
Jun 26, 2005 4:08 PM PDT
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June has been very, very good to the A's
2.98 ERA
Oakland hitting is:
- Tied for #3 in team batting average in June at .293
- #4 in OPS at .814 (just behind the Angels at .819)
by FoolshGame22 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:08 PM PDT
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If it wasn't for that extra inning loss in Seattle
by AsGirl on
Jun 26, 2005 4:10 PM PDT
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And if the Angels
by Nico on
Jun 26, 2005 4:14 PM PDT
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how incredibly
by KCAs on
Jun 26, 2005 11:24 PM PDT
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karmic turnaround
Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about the Angels. If we keep racking up the wins and get a few games (5-10) over .500, then the head-to-head series will determine everything...
by Apricot on
Jun 26, 2005 11:27 PM PDT
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Make that
by tanghamilton on
Jun 26, 2005 4:16 PM PDT
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I'm not really expecting to go to the playoffs
by uci anteater on
Jun 26, 2005 4:22 PM PDT
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agree with that
by vk on
Jun 27, 2005 11:35 AM PDT
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Angels must fall. I still don't believe that they
by Testy1212 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:37 PM PDT
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Not only are they that good...
by OaktownPower on
Jun 26, 2005 4:47 PM PDT
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Angels have been so lucky this year.
by Testy1212 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:39 PM PDT
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Surrounded
As for the WC, I'm not thinking about that yet.
I'm just happy to be enjoying the regular season, and having 87 more games to watch.
And, love the title on the ESPN recap
"A's humiliate Giants with one-hitter and 16-0 spanking"
by Alien on
Jun 26, 2005 4:51 PM PDT
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Alen in 317
by Brian in 317 on
Jun 27, 2005 7:35 AM PDT
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Alien in 317
by Brian in 317 on
Jun 27, 2005 7:44 AM PDT
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317
by Alien on
Jun 27, 2005 10:51 AM PDT
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I'll be there Friday
by Brian in 317 on
Jun 30, 2005 7:09 PM PDT
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Washington needs to ice...
we need him fresh for tuesday...
by ChavyFan03 on
Jun 26, 2005 4:57 PM PDT
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That Wasn't a Sweep
(Just back from the coliseum. It felt great to proudly sport my A's gear through the streets of San Francisco on my way home.)
by SportySpice on
Jun 26, 2005 4:58 PM PDT
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I For One Am Disappointed...
This game was a BLAST! I'm still laughing about it.
by Dan_Honolulu on
Jun 26, 2005 5:08 PM PDT
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Wait...
Haren, Harden, Joe, and even Saarwars.... the pitching staff is coming together. Kotsay looks like he maybe coming out of a tough two weeks... I am in hog heaven, otherwise known as Iowa. Go A's....
by street69 on
Jun 26, 2005 5:34 PM PDT
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Happy Birthday
by andeux on
Jun 26, 2005 6:44 PM PDT
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Sweet Sixteen
by NomAd on
Jun 27, 2005 7:56 AM PDT
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off topic
Anyway, today was a great day for East Bay A's fans. I love sticking it to the "Giants" and their fans, although there seems to be less and less of the fans everyday. And everyday, the Giants are getting a little older.
by As Man on
Jun 26, 2005 5:48 PM PDT
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are you also watching the
by OaklandSi on
Jun 26, 2005 6:11 PM PDT
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Yes I was
by As Man on
Jun 26, 2005 9:09 PM PDT
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Mets must be frustrated with
by OaklandSi on
Jun 27, 2005 5:08 AM PDT
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Mustache
Red Barber, announcer
by Furious George on
Jun 26, 2005 8:40 PM PDT
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I think you're right...
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on
Jun 27, 2005 4:28 PM PDT
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I was in 122 today
by gigglingone on
Jun 26, 2005 6:12 PM PDT
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HAHAHAHAHA!!!
by ZeroIndulgence on
Jun 26, 2005 6:18 PM PDT
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I'm late
by LoveThemAs on
Jun 26, 2005 7:53 PM PDT
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Bay Area Bragging Rights are ours!
by secret ASian man on
Jun 26, 2005 8:13 PM PDT
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This is weird.
Now, holding the winning interleague record against them... it's very, very strange. Makes me worry a little, that down the line the A's will have to lose against 'em to make it even again. But. For now?
This is freakin' awesome.
After all the horrific games we've had this year, I think we were due for a relaxing game like this (okay, so the Toronto 12-4 game was nice, too).
Everything about today was awesome. Just awesome and amazing and fun. Every starter with a hit, every starter scoring a run...
I wish I'd made it to Oakland this year for the series, it looked like one hell of a party!
by Kyli on
Jun 26, 2005 8:18 PM PDT
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#1 on my list
by Nico on
Jun 26, 2005 8:48 PM PDT
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come on!
by gojohn10 on
Jun 26, 2005 8:53 PM PDT
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and the walk off shoulda-been double to...
gosh, looper sucks. perhaps more than d'oh-tel.
by Jjjsixsix on
Jun 26, 2005 9:23 PM PDT
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Looper to Giambi
by El Payo on
Jun 26, 2005 9:29 PM PDT
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jason kendall
by xbhaskarx on
Jun 26, 2005 8:55 PM PDT
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SportsCenter just called it...
Which is the best description I've heard. Great day at the ballpark. Great weekend at the ballpark. Great month at the ballpark. What is it about the A's and June?
by El Payo on
Jun 26, 2005 9:25 PM PDT
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Whatever it is, it's awesome.
June is just awesome!
by Kyli on
Jun 26, 2005 9:55 PM PDT
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Another note on this game:
by AsGirl on
Jun 26, 2005 9:33 PM PDT
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It's just a shame
by Melody on
Jun 26, 2005 9:45 PM PDT
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Let's get to .500 then talk about playoffs
Tigers and Indians will always be a challenge because they both have youth with "smallball".
The Yankees are still the Yankees, the Boss will do anything for his $200 million investment.
If the Orioles get Jason Schmidt according to the rumors, it spells trouble. Also, the O's are Tejada's team not Sosa, not count out Miggi.
Our tough luck is the Rangers plays good ball against the rest of AL West.
Play every game, one day at a time so the goal of .500 can be reached.
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!!
by pachydermOAFC on
Jun 26, 2005 9:45 PM PDT
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Yup-I also agree
Sooner or later, the Angels' hot streak will end, and the gap may narrow a bit.
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.
by kaweahkaweah on
Jun 27, 2005 7:57 AM PDT
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When the Giants come to town....
This is my first post. I've been following AN now for several months and must say I've been impressed by the level of baseball discourse on the site. I've long believed that A's fans are among the most knowledgeable in baseball and you all have confirmed that belief.
Today's game strikes me as symbolic for both clubs: the A's with their youth and energy moving back to respectability, and the Giants declining in talent with their age and lack of resources. And my Dark Side just loved watching the A's sweep the boring Giants (what's with those Halloween colors anyway?).
Despite the May swoon, this is a great time to be an A's fan. I like the way the team is developing, and I'm not at all sure this is a good time to make any major moves. Why risk messing up the chemistry that has developed? I actually think they have a shot at the playoffs this year if they continue to improve. Minor adjustments in the bullpen and bench would be OK (like Ginter - he's this year's Eric Karros), but just once, I'd like to see them keep somebody for the actual value they give now on the field rather than for the potential value they can bring in a trade (thinking Kotsay and Zito).
by Pigman on
Jun 26, 2005 10:20 PM PDT
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Excellent Virgin Outing
It is a compliment on your first posting. You've added to the level of discourse. And WELCOME!
by NomAd on
Jun 27, 2005 8:04 AM PDT
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Indeed,
by Nico on
Jun 27, 2005 8:51 AM PDT
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Hey Papa Blez (or Uncle Nico)
And please remember the #1 rule: Play Safe or You're Out.
by NomAd on
Jun 27, 2005 10:31 AM PDT
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They're on their way,
by Nico on
Jun 27, 2005 10:41 AM PDT
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I'll take two of each
by Pigman on
Jun 27, 2005 5:41 PM PDT
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Objectives
#2: Get to .500
#3: Second place.
Then let's talk.
by oblique on
Jun 26, 2005 10:20 PM PDT
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Chavez post-game comment
I like this.
It was a wild outlier of a wonderful victory, and anything sounding like gloating would have been ugly and (given May) unjustified.
by green star oakland on
Jun 26, 2005 11:07 PM PDT
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he's right
by OaklandSi on
Jun 27, 2005 5:13 AM PDT
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LOVED THE GAME!
In fact, I'm totally debating driving back up to Oakland next weekend for the ChiSox series just because of how much fun I had this weekend. Crazy, I know, but this team is SO MUCH FUN to watch right now!
by baseballgirl on
Jun 26, 2005 11:53 PM PDT
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And they still
by gimpy989 on
Jun 27, 2005 6:29 AM PDT
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Doesn't get better
- Swept the Giants
- Humiliated them in the finale
- The woman won the softball game
by ArakSOT on
Jun 27, 2005 7:16 AM PDT
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Somebody....
Dang this has really turned into a fun team to watch full of young guys that will probably be A's for quite some time.
by MemphisA on
Jun 27, 2005 8:18 AM PDT
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Anyone else see this Macha quote?
He said ass! Our mild-mannered manager dropping the A bomb on the press! What fire!
by franks a lot on
Jun 27, 2005 9:42 AM PDT
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I don't know
by Nico on
Jun 27, 2005 9:51 AM PDT
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Ignored
by Durden on
Jun 27, 2005 10:32 AM PDT
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Then Again,
by jeffds1205 on
Jun 27, 2005 11:15 AM PDT
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Do we have an ETA
by Jennifer on
Jun 27, 2005 10:38 AM PDT
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A's OBP steadily rising
Also, last year ESPN used to have this neat graphy feature that showed teams games above or below .500 over time. I can't find it on their site this year, but I thought it was one of the most useful ways of looking at the standings and races. Does anyone know any other sites that post this kind of graphic information?
by BruceBochte on
Jun 27, 2005 11:17 AM PDT
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Division graphs
and the team and individual stats links on the left. Under the team stats there are menu options for each division.
by green star oakland on
Jun 27, 2005 12:02 PM PDT
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You're welcome.
Oh. :P
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on
Jun 27, 2005 4:33 PM PDT
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Playoff History
by Rickeyfan on
Jun 27, 2005 12:52 PM PDT
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baseball reference is absolutely awesome
after 75 games in 2001 ( a season in which the A's won more than 100 games), the A's were, yes you guessed it, 35-40
by Alien on
Jun 27, 2005 1:19 PM PDT
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I haven't researched everything, but ...
That said, I don't think 92 wins will cut it for the WC. I think at least 96 would be needed.
by Rickeyfan on
Jun 27, 2005 2:01 PM PDT
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other GMS' getting nervous
one thing that has me thinking is this; after this recent run by the a's , dont'cha think that other gm's are now starting to get nervous? it is becoming apparent to me that this team is going to be solid for years to come.
congrats bb on showing the world once again, how a baseball team should be constructed.
by greendatitiz on
Jun 27, 2005 1:08 PM PDT
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Hey! Whaddya mean,
by rubin sierra on
Jun 27, 2005 11:51 PM PDT
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