ANtics - Episode IV: Kendall vs. K-Rod

by louismg on Aug 14, 2005 4:18 PM PDT

The hated Louisiana (La.) Angels came to town last week, expecting a Moneyball-driven A's team to rely on walks and the three-run homer to combat the squad many had picked to run away with the AL West division. What they hadn't counted on, however, was the alertness of a tough-as-nails catcher Jason Kendall, who took advantage of a severe mental lapse on the part of Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod), who flailed at a return throw from the catcher following a quick disagreement with the umpire over balls and strikes.

A quick cloud of dust later, the A's were pounding on Kendall like a bass drum, and K-Rod was on his backside, watching the A's take first place home with them alone.

Special Feature: You can see step by step how the play unfolded, for those who may have missed the TV coverage.

Click to See Larger Comic

ANtics Archive: Episode One | Episode Two | Episode Three | TV Audio (WAV)

Poll

How Has Kendall Most Impressed You?

How he handles the young pitching staff.

27 votes

How he leads the team in stolen bases.

2 votes

His face-first game-ending tag in Texas.

18 votes

His alert play against K-Rod and the Angels.

10 votes

His tremendous home run power.

13 votes

Doesn't Jason Kendall play for the Pirates?

1 votes

What's this about a Ken Doll?

1 votes

72 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

LOL!

Awesome job! :D

"(Jason) Kendall is the master of the improbable." ~ Ken Korach

by AsGirl on Aug 14, 2005 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

Comic relief.

After today's loss, we needed that.

Thanks.

What is an A? 1st in the alphabet and 1st in the AL West.

by Edwinwinwin on Aug 14, 2005 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

ha!

love the frame-by-frame of Krod sitting on the mount....

by high street on Aug 14, 2005 3:41 PM PDT reply actions

K-Rod's thought bubble

...and the accompanying caption had me just howling with laughter.

Which can be pretty hard to do, BTW.

Great stuff! :D :D

Always look on the bright side of things, because you can't see a damn thing when it's dark.

by Chavinator on Aug 14, 2005 4:51 PM PDT reply actions

I WAS THERE BILLY!!!

Had me laughing for five minutes straight! Great job!

by Inquisitor on Aug 14, 2005 5:38 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah..

Easily the best part of the comic. Classic.

Denying my California roots since 1985.

by FlynnSox on Aug 15, 2005 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree!

That was my favorite too!

by indigo on Aug 15, 2005 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

accurate, too

I love how K-rod's just sitting there...LOL!

by LLawbug on Aug 14, 2005 5:42 PM PDT reply actions

Bereavement?

I missed it,what happened to Swisher? How long is he out?

by Graybeard on Aug 14, 2005 6:01 PM PDT reply actions

His Grandmother passed away.

He's out on the bereavement list for at least 3 days. He left for W. Va. today.

"Meanwhile, Kirk Gibson's a coach with Detroit and I'm in the Hall of Fame.'" - Dennis Eckersley

by El Payo on Aug 14, 2005 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Best Antics Yet

"I was there Billy!", Hudler's whining, K-Rod's "Friggin Ump..." It's all good.

A's Fan - Est. 1982

by elephantbaseball on Aug 14, 2005 8:12 PM PDT reply actions

Oh man.

I love it. The Beane/Macha panel is absolutely CLASSIC.

"While I was there, it didn't always seem perfect, but when I look back on it I just might think it was perfect." --Eric Byrnes

by Kyli on Aug 14, 2005 11:56 PM PDT reply actions

exactly WHAT

would we have dropped in Pittsburgh? Sorry I don't get that one.

by Brian in 317 on Aug 15, 2005 7:47 AM PDT reply actions

in pittsburgh

we would have dropped the ball.

Compare to The Conversation ("he'd kill us") or Yakov Smirnoff ("in Russia, the party throws you a slider on a 3-0 count")...

by Apricot on Aug 15, 2005 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

What impresses you most about Kendall..

That he conforms to the policy of "Only studs go gloveless at the plate". Old-skool, yeah.
That he has a swing like a girl.
That he has a .306 career BA swinging like a girl.

And most of all..

4) That he hasn't succumbed to the pressure and worn pants that end just below the knee yet, with enormous green and yellow stirrupy goodness.

Denying my California roots since 1985.

by FlynnSox on Aug 15, 2005 7:54 AM PDT reply actions

Also my favorite one!!

K-Rod is seriously a riot. I like him more than I should. Brian in 317, I think the dropping in Pittsburgh is a reference to the not-very-good Pirates team, where it would have been them to drop the ball on a routine toss and find a way to lose.

by Melody on Aug 15, 2005 8:50 AM PDT reply actions

I love these...

...but when I "click to see larger comic," all I ever get is the comic the exact same size as posted (but in its own window). Is there something else I should be doing in order to see it actually larger?

They're young... but they can play!

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2005 9:05 AM PDT reply actions

Are you using a PC?

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2005 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

If so,

hover your mouse over the lower right-hand side of the picture until a little box comes up. Click the box and it will expand the photo.

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2005 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

thanks, I'll try that at home...

...since my PC at work is controlled by Network Nazis and it isn't able to do lots of things that PC's should do... grr... }8-[

They're young... but they can play!

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2005 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Get back to work right now!

Love,

The Network Nazis

Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Aug 15, 2005 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

NO FUN FOR ME!

Dear Netzis,

Bite me.

Love,
Dying From Boredom

They're young... but they can play!

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2005 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

It worked for me, too.

Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on Aug 15, 2005 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

That is BY FAR my favorite one so far:

Great work!!!

Adversity will be there everyday, but you quit the day you don't get up. - D Braden

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 15, 2005 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

My favorite too...

Not only Ken saying "I was there," but the way Billy was saying "So, like, the pitcher totally drops the return throw..." Hilarious!

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 16, 2005 12:55 PM PDT reply actions

Question

hey i have some great shots of the A's hitting and pitching and would like to post them on this site. could somebody e-mail me @ jgsc@sbcglobal.net to tell me how

by smartkidfromcarmel on Aug 16, 2005 4:18 PM PDT reply actions