You Can Let Go Of The Jugular Now, Fido

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 3:38 PM PDT in News Comment 104 comments

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

Before the season, I predicted the A's would go 41-40 the first half of the season, then 50-31 the second half. Of course, that was before all the injuries and I let go of all that in May. And yet...until the A's lose their 41st game, who knows? Stranger things have happened--today's game provides so many examples.

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I'm still a little dizzy from

all the runs we scored. But I'll take it every single day, though.

Fear not for the future, weep not for the past. --Percy Bysshe Shelley

by AsGirl on Jun 26, 2005 3:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this just in

San Fransisco Mayor Newsome proposes Ordinance requiring Oakland Athletic players to be muzzled within mile radius of his beloved Giants.

by KCAs on Jun 26, 2005 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SF pit bulls may still be intact

but they neutered the Giants instead.

by Englishmajor on Jun 27, 2005 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angels just won 5-3

by OaklandSi on Jun 26, 2005 3:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The trouble with giddiness

I just noticed the Angels score, too.

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 up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I agree with you

but I can still enjoy the A's coming together as a team and playing good ball for the rest of the season. Anything extra would be gravy

by OaklandSi on Jun 26, 2005 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What leads you

to believe the Rangers are stiffer competition than the Phillies? The prospect of facing Park, Benoit, and my aunt in a 3-game series?

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.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the A's tend to do very well

against the National League (not last year, at least not against the Cards and Cubs).

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 up reply actions 0 recs

The Rangers

are four games better than we are in the standings and still have a lineup that can simply pummel you, as they did in their last series in Oakland. Now it looks like the Rangers are running up against the limits of their pitching staff, so we may pass them too.

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 up reply actions 0 recs

You aunt?

I think that WOULD scare me.

Forty isn't old -- for a tree.

by atomopawn on Jun 27, 2005 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny though...

The wild card race is the one the A's are actually making up ground. The Orioles lost again to the Braves -- the A's are now seven back. Unfortunately, the number of teams ahead of the A's in that race is also seven. So...we'll see. Still, .500 first!

AN Members Nationality Official Survey II: Fill the Athletics Nation map!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jun 26, 2005 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't worry so much

about how many teams you have to pass. By its nature, the WC allows several teams to contend in June who will be "sellers" in 6 weeks. If you believe the A's can continue to play winning baseball (e.g., .600+ ball here on out), they will begin passing many of those teams quickly, as those teams regress to play .500 ball.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Wild Card contenders...

all appear to have serious flaws.

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 up reply actions 0 recs

Agree,

agree, agree, agree, agree, agree, and agree. I feel for the O's (especially since I would LOVE for them to win the division) because I think they've had a lesser version of the A's May problems--key injuries to Bedard and J. Lopez and suddenly they're in a tailspin coinciding almost exactly with those injuries.

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?

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Specifically,

can the A's go 55-32 (.632)? If so, all the other teams can go a solid 47-40 and the WC goes to the "rebuilders of Oakland".

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not impossible

The A's don't have to go completely insane a la 2001, because I don't think the Wild Card team will end up with 100 wins.

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 up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed,

and I feel the same. But it's cool to think that if mediocre teams play .500 ball the rest of the way, we only need to go 51-36 (that's .586 ball) to pass them. A lot more hopeful than I thought we'd be at this point!

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"producting"

I meant to write "production" in the blurb on the Twins.

by bear88 on Jun 26, 2005 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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!

This team is meant to win
and doesn't need much to do it

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jun 26, 2005 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bad thing about scoring all these runs...

is that we will probabaly get shut out Tuesday. Seems like every game after the offense explodes it dissapears for the next couple days.

by KMoAsFan on Jun 26, 2005 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sshh... <POSITIVE VIBES>

Fear not for the future, weep not for the past. --Percy Bysshe Shelley

by AsGirl on Jun 26, 2005 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and it's Zito so that would make sense

by rookieoftheyear on Jun 26, 2005 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

especially after an off day

they seem to cool us off lately. Maybe not this time.

by Brian in 317 on Jun 27, 2005 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

holy toledo!

That was one hell of a game. Doesn't get that much better than humiliating the giants.

I'm the guy with the Carney/Jared Lansford jersey

by gojohn10 on Jun 26, 2005 4:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

opposite field hits

I was ducking in and out all game today, but everytime I checked in it seemed the A's hitters were going the other way. Does anyone know how many of those hits were to the opposite field?

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 reply actions 0 recs

BA

went from .254 to .259 today.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who are you, Ray Fosse?

by floyd on Jun 26, 2005 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice one

by As Man on Jun 26, 2005 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

June has been very, very good to the A's

Oakland pitching leads MLB in June:
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)

If only the Angels would lose a few, now, it's start looking even better.

Eric Byrnes - Offensive and defensive dynamo!

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 26, 2005 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If it wasn't for that extra inning loss in Seattle

we would be looking at a 9 game win streak, and only 3 games below .500.

Fear not for the future, weep not for the past. --Percy Bysshe Shelley

by AsGirl on Jun 26, 2005 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And if the Angels

were just in a little 4-5 dip, we'd be sitting 6.5 out.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

how incredibly

frustrating to win 8 out of 9 and not gain a single game on the Angels. SERENITY NOW!!!

by KCAs on Jun 26, 2005 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

karmic turnaround

when we had the 20-game streak, the Angels were something like 17-3 and actually lost ground in the race. They ended up going farther in the playoffs, as I recall.

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 up reply actions 0 recs

good point

SERENITY THEN!!!

by KCAs on Jun 26, 2005 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

again

by hunter on Jun 27, 2005 7:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make that

35 innings and a third, I believe. I think Zito pitched his last 2.1 innings without a walk so.... aye.

by tanghamilton on Jun 26, 2005 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not really expecting to go to the playoffs

However if if we do make it, as a previous poster mentioned, it will be gravy. I'm set on having fun watching this young team develop into one of the better teams in the league. I feel like I'm in the year 1999.

by uci anteater on Jun 26, 2005 4:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

agree with that

just becoming a good team is enough, as it was in '99. it's not worth making any trades for players with three months left on their contracts for the vague hope of making the wild card.

It could be worse, we could be Giants fans.

by vk on Jun 27, 2005 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angels must fall. I still don't believe that they

are that good. Their starting pitchers will crack. They shouldn't have won today. Shoddy D by the Dodgers cost them this game

by Testy1212 on Jun 26, 2005 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not only are they that good...

They are better...Dont forget their 2 best players spent time ont he DL already.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 26, 2005 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angels have been so lucky this year.

They always win the one run games. Do you really think Washburn, Byrd, Santana and Lackey will uphold the sub 4 era?

by Testy1212 on Jun 26, 2005 4:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Surrounded

by Giants fans in 317 today. Man, it was great to have them out of the game after just one. The offense was awesome, obviously, but I was most impressed with Rich Harden. That he had a terrific outing was what made me happiest.

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 reply actions 0 recs

Alen in 317

Wish I could have been there too! I had to umpire in Alameda, but I caught the first inning on TV and knew the game was bagged.

by Brian in 317 on Jun 27, 2005 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alien in 317

sorry about that... wish we could edit these posts.

by Brian in 317 on Jun 27, 2005 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

317

Well I'm there a lot in row 11--I have one of those 20-packs. I think Friday is the next game but I might have to change

by Alien on Jun 27, 2005 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be there Friday

317 row 10 seat 1 but I'll probably be around seat 8 in the row. I'll look for an alien behind me.

by Brian in 317 on Jun 30, 2005 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Washington needs to ice...

His arm has gotta be sore from all the waving...

we need him fresh for tuesday...

"Peter you're drunk again!"... "No, I'm just exhausted because I've been up all night drinking."

by ChavyFan03 on Jun 26, 2005 4:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That Wasn't a Sweep

It was a Steam Cleaning. My only regret is that we didn't get a no-hitter. Damn we came close.

(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 reply actions 0 recs

I For One Am Disappointed...

... due to the lack of TENSION in this game. It simply isn't entertainment or sports without competitio---- oh, heck, I can't lie.

This game was a BLAST! I'm still laughing about it.

by Dan_Honolulu on Jun 26, 2005 5:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wait...

It was 2 - 0 ...when I was forced to leave my computer and go to a birthday party. I get back and find out we won 16 - 0...... Well, Happy Birthday to me....and I am sincerely sorry for all of those bad things I thought (but did not say) about the 92 year old birthday girl.

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 reply actions 0 recs

Happy Birthday

Since it was also our catcher's birthday, I guess you could say it was "Sixteen Kendalls" day.

Wasted? What about our staring contests? And the way we always knew what football coaches should have done? - Homer

by andeux on Jun 26, 2005 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet Sixteen

;-)

"Holy Manama!" ~Bahrain, 5,000+ miles east of Toledo :-)~

by NomAd on Jun 27, 2005 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

off topic

Didn't know Randy Johnson was allowed to have a mustache on the Yankees.

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 reply actions 0 recs

are you also watching the

Mets-Yankees game?

by OaklandSi on Jun 26, 2005 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes I was

Giambi walk-off double. He seemed pretty amped about it.

by As Man on Jun 26, 2005 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mets must be frustrated with

their bullpen

by OaklandSi on Jun 27, 2005 5:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mustache

I believe a mustache is the only facial hair yankees are allowed to wear.

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds."
Red Barber, announcer

by Furious George on Jun 26, 2005 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're right...

Don Mattingly and Reggie Jackson come to mind as famous mustachioed Yankees.

AN Members Nationality Official Survey II: Fill the Athletics Nation map!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jun 27, 2005 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was in 122 today

and had a GREAT time!! Great hitting, great pitching, nice warm day in the sun...yeah...

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jun 26, 2005 6:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

It's great when we win, better when we win big, but absolutely awesome when we humiliate the Giants. I couldn't help but laugh constantly during this game. 16 runs scored in the first 5 innings? That's just silly. ONE FREAKING HIT! Wow. All in all just an awesome team effort. Winning is contageous, and it showed today. Everyone is catching fire, and it is trickling into every aspect of their game. I'm not sure if the day off tomorrow will help or hurt us. We always seem to have days off after awesome wins. Ah well, we gotta tear through the next two home series and fly into the All Star Break now! GO A'S!!!

"I have an Alka Seltzer bat. You know, plop plop fizz fizz. When the pitcher sees me walking up there they say, 'Oh what a relief it is.'" -Andy Van Slyke

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 26, 2005 6:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm late

all I wanted to say was YEEEEEEEAH!! Take THAT, smug Giants fans!

www.myspace.com/oaklandbug

by LoveThemAs on Jun 26, 2005 7:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's Go

Gi-ants!

Sad, but funny.

by Hit4TheCycle on Jun 26, 2005 8:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bay Area Bragging Rights are ours!

The Giants got emasculated.

Look at me! I'm blog-pimping too! http://7thinningstretch.blogspot.com

by secret ASian man on Jun 26, 2005 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is weird.

There was always a strange universal equilibrium in the bay, with the teams holding the even record -- we always had '89 hanging above it all, as the proof that in the end, equality be damned.

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!

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by Kyli on Jun 26, 2005 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

#1 on my list

of things I'm thankful for: not having Braden Looper as our closer. Man, is he bad.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 26, 2005 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

come on!

I mean, at least get an out before you give up the game

I'm the guy with the Carney/Jared Lansford jersey

by gojohn10 on Jun 26, 2005 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and the walk off shoulda-been double to...

giambi?

gosh, looper sucks. perhaps more than d'oh-tel.

let's go oakland [clapclap clapclapclap]

the a's fan lj community.

by Jjjsixsix on Jun 26, 2005 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looper to Giambi

Nice hit by Jason, but Looper set the plate for anyone on the Yanks to win that game - as Giambi said in the post-game interview, he could see the change-up coming... Looper just didn't have any stuff. JG just happened to be at the plate after 2 walks and a hard-hit grounder that got through at third.

Never pet a burning dog.

by El Payo on Jun 26, 2005 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

jason kendall

legitimate leadoff hitter!

by xbhaskarx on Jun 26, 2005 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

SportsCenter just called it...

"A Colossal Beat-Down"

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?

Never pet a burning dog.

by El Payo on Jun 26, 2005 9:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whatever it is, it's awesome.

The 11-1 homestand to lift our spirits last season, and now this weekend to make us all dance in the streets.

June is just awesome!

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by Kyli on Jun 26, 2005 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another note on this game:

The 23 hit differential in this game is the largest in baseball in 50 years. Just heard that on BSPN. Cool stuff.

Fear not for the future, weep not for the past. --Percy Bysshe Shelley

by AsGirl on Jun 26, 2005 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's just a shame

that we couldn't pound out another hit to tie the record for most A's hits in a game. Or if only SOMEONE did not jinx Harden and allow him to give up that one hit ;)

by Melody on Jun 26, 2005 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's get to .500 then talk about playoffs

Twins are falling out of their seams because of their defense, but Twins still have Santana and Hunter and remember 2002.

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 reply actions 0 recs

agreed

by OaklandSi on Jun 27, 2005 5:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup-I also agree

We need to think in terms of baby-steps. .500 is the next objective.

Sooner or later, the Angels' hot streak will end, and the gap may narrow a bit.

independencefieldsac.org
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 up reply actions 0 recs

When the Giants come to town....

...it's bye, bye, baby! (Guess that kinda has a different meaning now...)

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 reply actions 0 recs

Excellent Virgin Outing

No, that's neither a comment on your sexual experience nor the name of drink that comes with an umbrella.
It is a compliment on your first posting. You've added to the level of discourse. And WELCOME!

"Holy Manama!" ~Bahrain, 5,000+ miles east of Toledo :-)~

by NomAd on Jun 27, 2005 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed,

once you've had discourse, you're no longer a virgin. Just please remember always to practice safe sentence.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 27, 2005 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Papa Blez (or Uncle Nico)

perhaps AN could provide complimentary colloquy condoms at the door?
And please remember the #1 rule: Play Safe or You're Out.

"Holy Manama!" ~Bahrain, 5,000+ miles east of Toledo :-)~

by NomAd on Jun 27, 2005 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They're on their way,

along with our new complimentary bottles of "hit and run" vodka samples and "solo homerun" lubricating jelly.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 27, 2005 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take two of each

My wife says I'm addicted to discourse, but at least she takes ball control pills.

by Pigman on Jun 27, 2005 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Objectives

Objective #1 was to get into 3rd place. Check!

#2: Get to .500
#3: Second place.

Then let's talk.

by oblique on Jun 26, 2005 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chavez post-game comment

`If you're on their side or on our side, you just forget about it,' Chavez said. `But you hope you're not on the other end of it. There's nothing to look into this game. You can't gain anything from it.'

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 reply actions 0 recs

he's right

very wise comments on Chavvy's part

by OaklandSi on Jun 27, 2005 5:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOVED THE GAME!

Man, was that a game for the ages. We didn't even mess around with trying for the sweep that time.

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!

I WANNA LIKE BASEBALL AGAIN!

by baseballgirl on Jun 26, 2005 11:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And they still

haven't won a world series.

by gimpy989 on Jun 27, 2005 6:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't get better

Swept the Giants
Humiliated them in the finale
The woman won the softball game

"Look what we did!"

by ArakSOT on Jun 27, 2005 7:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Somebody....

needs to beat the Angels so can make up some ground. Until we get our shot at them, we'll need to just keep taking care of our own business and hope we get some help.

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 reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else see this Macha quote?

"He's a competitor and he's not going to stand out there and get his ass beat,'' Macha said of Christiansen. "That's the way it's supposed to be, down by the ankles. I thought it was handled professionally by him and our hitters."

He said ass! Our mild-mannered manager dropping the A bomb on the press! What fire!

Valero...gas with...URMPPH!

by franks a lot on Jun 27, 2005 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i like macha a lot more now!

by xbhaskarx on Jun 27, 2005 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

if this is relevant, but after the game I saw Jason Christiansen leaving the park riding a donkey.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 27, 2005 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ignored

Everyone else seems to be ignoring the A's surge. The guys on Baseball Tonight seemed to dismiss the A's recent success as a fluke Saturday. Radio continues to discuss how the Angels and the Rangers (along with other AL teams) can pad their records by playing the A's. I actually like that they're being taken for granted. Come on into Oakland with the sense you can walk through these guys and then sulk back home after the A's hand you your asses. Go ahead and keep thinking that they're the same team from May and watch as June's A's use your team as a toilet brush.

You've got to live like you're on vacation - P. Stanley

by Durden on Jun 27, 2005 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Then Again,

You have to remember that these comments on Baseball Tonight were made by the always-profound John Kruk.

by jeffds1205 on Jun 27, 2005 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do we have an ETA

on the Billy Beane interview? I'm a little anxious to read it. :)

by Jennifer on Jun 27, 2005 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A's OBP steadily rising

A's are still in the bottom of the league in hitting, but are now fifth in OBP! However, they are about as low in hitting as they are in runs scored. It seems that this year in the AL, runs correlate much more directly than OBP. Does anyone have an any ideas about this?

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 reply actions 0 recs

Division graphs

I missed them too, but found them again at hardball times - check out

http://www.hardballtimes.com

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 up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Thanks a million star!

by BruceBochte on Jun 27, 2005 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're welcome.

What did I do?

Oh. :P

AN Members Nationality Official Survey II: Fill the Athletics Nation map!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jun 27, 2005 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Playoff History

Does anyone know where to look to find the worst record at the All-Star break for a team that eventually made it to the playoffs?

by Rickeyfan on Jun 27, 2005 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

baseball reference is absolutely awesome

and just to let everyone know.

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 up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't researched everything, but ...

Houston made the playoffs last year after playing .500 (44-44) pre-All-Star-break (finishing in the WC at 92-70), and Oakland was 44-43 at the break in 2001 (finishing at 102-60).

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 up reply actions 0 recs

other GMS' getting nervous

i too would love to see the kids get to the playoffs, but i am just having a blast watching this team gel.

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 reply actions 0 recs