ANtics - Episode III: Rookie of the Year Candidates

by louismg on Aug 7, 2005 2:35 PM PDT

Although both Nick Swisher and Dan Johnson had disappointing 0-5 games in today's 11-0 shellacking of the "hapless" Kansas City Royals, both, in addition to rookie closer Huston Street, have raised talk in certain circles about the A's making a serious run at back-to-back Rookies of the Year, following Bobby Crosby's win in 2004.

After all, it really can't be that hard for an A's player to take the trophy. Ben Grieve did it!

In this week's ANtics, Swisher, Johnson and Street make their case for why they each deserve to win Rookie of the Year.

Click to See Larger Comic

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

Poll

Which of the A's is Destined for a Post-Season Award?

Huston Street (Rookie of the Year)

54 votes

Nick Swisher (Rookie of the Year)

25 votes

Mark Ellis (Comeback Player of the Year)

9 votes

With team on FIRE, MACHA NOW is a candidate for Manager of the Year

32 votes

Dan Johnson (Rookie of the Year)

11 votes

131 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 47 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

video?

do you have video of the tv thing?

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 7, 2005 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

TV Video

I have it on the TiVo, and on a small video cam, with the intention of sharing it. But the video cam is proving so far to be a cheap knockoff, and not doing me any good. As soon as I figure it out, we'll all have a copy. :-)

by louismg on Aug 7, 2005 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

blanton

deserves to be in the poll as well.

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 7, 2005 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

I agree.

He gets no respect.

by Bambi on Aug 7, 2005 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Blanton

The reason for Blanton's exclusion has been the lack of media focus on him as a candidate, especially in light of the great seasons being had by the other three A's rookies, as well as others around the league.

As it stands now, Blanton is 7-9 with a 4.10 ERA. I personally feel he gives the A's a great chance to win each time he takes the mound, but contrasted with Street finishing at 20-30+ saves, and Swisher and Johnson both at the 20+ HR mark possibly, Blanton falls short here.

Respect or not, that's the way it's shaking out. I did make sure to include Blanton as part of the comic strip, and in an earlier rev, he made the cut. Sometimes design trumps content. :-)

One snippet I was working on: http://www.louisgray.com/graphics/4_rookies.jpg

by louismg on Aug 7, 2005 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Blanton should at least get some love here at AN.

"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 7, 2005 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions

haha

again.. i love it.. im torn between who i think deserves to win ROY... well they all deserve to win.. argh

"Our country is the only one in the world with a national anthem that the last two words are "Play Ball!"

by CrosbysGirl510 on Aug 7, 2005 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

Awesome!

This has got to be the best one yet!

by KMoAsFan on Aug 7, 2005 2:59 PM PDT reply actions

Great stuff

Love it! Mmmm, Cupcakes ;)

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 7, 2005 4:21 PM PDT reply actions

If this one makes it on TV

They better show the last panel or I will be most dissapointed!

by Melody on Aug 7, 2005 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions

The ish is going to hit the fan this week.....

Badges, we don't need no stinkin Badges!

by henry85 on Aug 7, 2005 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

Hey :)

Didn't know you were gonna use my pictures.. thanks!!! Maybe this'll make it on TV again! louismg, let me know if you want any other pictures. I'm honored. GREAT comic btw~

"So I think, yeah, (God) watches ESPN." -OctAHHHvio Dotel

by JLaff on Aug 7, 2005 5:11 PM PDT reply actions

JLaff Photos

Justin, the ANtics make no claims as to original photo authorship, and some of your pictures have been very good. The banjo guy picture works for me!

by louismg on Aug 7, 2005 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Banjo Man

It's awesome that you got him there.

"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Aug 7, 2005 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions

ahhhhh the banjo man

banjo man rules. we're #1

"Some people pray to a totem pole, some people pray to a sun, some people pray to a god. It all works for them. It all comes back to what you think." ~ Zito

by burnone on Aug 8, 2005 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions

You should collaborate with Monkeyball

To make an "ANtics: Poem Edition" strip...

by OaktownTribesman on Aug 7, 2005 6:47 PM PDT reply actions

ROFL

Good stuff, good stuff. Love the cupcakes reference ;)

And yes, I am convinced that Street helps sell tickets! Half the time I go to the games, it's only because I want to stalk him. I mean... I like baseball... yeah. Hey how do you score points?

by Melody on Aug 7, 2005 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

I think we get points when

the one hot guy hits the cute little ball with the bat thingamajig, and the other hot guy runs a while till he gets back to the place where all the hot guys hang out. Oh and I think it helps if they touch those white square thingys. Then everyone yells "touchdown!" right before we do the Wave again. The Wave's my favorite part, except for trying to scare all the hot guys, of course.

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 7, 2005 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Hilarious!

Best Quote of the Month Blue Ribbon Panel, take note!

Let us not continue to debate how many Angels can be dashed on the head of a pin. Let's just get to it while the gettin' is good.

by Checkswing HR on Aug 8, 2005 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Let's see how long it takes....

to see A's highlights on SportsCenter.....

by dontparkthere on Aug 7, 2005 7:54 PM PDT reply actions

Finally....

some well deserved SportsCenter Love. There should be a "West Coast" SportsCenter.

by dontparkthere on Aug 7, 2005 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

My god...

Stop the ESPN whining...They have been talking about our squad constantly the last month. They dont ignore us as much as u want to think they do.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 7, 2005 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

What would it take

What would it take for Blaton to win ROY? Would a no-hitter do it? Would back to back complete game shutouts help? How well must he pitch to win this thing?

by Bambi on Aug 7, 2005 8:12 PM PDT reply actions

I don't know man...

He's already got the high socks. I don't think there's that much more he can improve on. [The socks are smashing though.] Some guys just don't get any of the love :(

by Melody on Aug 7, 2005 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

ROY

No AL starter has won rookie of the year since Righetti in 1981 going 8-4, 2.05 ERA.

In the NL, the last 3 starters were

1995 Nomo 13-6, 2.54 ERA, 236 K.
1998 Wood 13-6, 3.40, 233 K, 20K in one game
2003 Willis 14-6, 3.30, 142 K

History says one needs either a stunning ERA or 13+ wins and a mid 3 ERA.

Blanton right now has 7-9, 4.10, 70K.

I think if he finishes something like 15-10 with a mid 3 ERA, that shoukd get attention, esp if he flirts with a no-no. it's not impossible, but he'd have to cupcake up and pitch really really well and have luck with the wins.

by Apricot on Aug 7, 2005 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Pitch better than Huston Street. ;)

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by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 8, 2005 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Chacin has better numbers than Smokin' Joe

in both ERA and wins.

Let us not continue to debate how many Angels can be dashed on the head of a pin. Let's just get to it while the gettin' is good.

by Checkswing HR on Aug 8, 2005 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Free to a good home.

I have 4 crappy (section 330, row 15) tix to the August 13 game. They were give-aways to kids who attended the A's kids camp (so they're surrounded by 7-13 year old ball players and their families). I'm not the type to line up multiple times to get multiple Eck jerseys, so let me know if you want them. I'd prefer that they go to folks who will actually watch the game. My e-mail address is in my profile.

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Aug 7, 2005 8:54 PM PDT reply actions

I am starved, HELP !!

I am starved for A's talk. Someone please respond with just a GO A's or a hello.

I just got back from camping. I have not seen an inning of A'a baseball for a week. I was able to follow the games on 101.5 FM in Eureka, but no fellowship with A's fans for me. I just had my wife who patiently listens to my Athletics babble and nods her head.

Man, the boys were psyco hot while I was up in the redwoods.

I will be out there at the yard on Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be good to see some green and gold.

It is good to be home. Home in this case being Athletcis Nation.

2nd favorite team: WHOEVER IS PLAYING THE GIANTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ConcordFanSince1968 on Aug 7, 2005 9:02 PM PDT reply actions

MARCO!

GO A's!

by Apricot on Aug 7, 2005 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

SCUTARO!

by louismg on Aug 7, 2005 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

welcome back!

you missed some stuff the past week, but there's plenty more where that came from. :)

Let's go Orioles! (for the next few days at least)

by LoveThemAs on Aug 7, 2005 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Marco!

Thank you!

2nd favorite team: WHOEVER IS PLAYING THE GIANTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ConcordFanSince1968 on Aug 7, 2005 9:14 PM PDT reply actions

Yay!

That's awesome. Love the Cupcakes in the final panel -- but dude, he should be in the poll because even if he doesn't get ROY attention over those other guys, he's still awesome and part of our fabulous rookie foursome. The DJ panel CRACKED ME UP.

"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 7, 2005 9:31 PM PDT reply actions

AN Day

How early are people getting there? I'm coming from the East Bay (anyone else wanna meet up @ the Pitt/Bay Point or another BART station?) and I just wanna know when other people are gonna get to the Coliseum.

"So I think, yeah, (God) watches ESPN." -OctAHHHvio Dotel

by JLaff on Aug 7, 2005 9:55 PM PDT reply actions

11 AM

All-you-can-eat BBQ opens at 11, so I'll be there at 11. I'm getting my money's worth food-wise.

Celebrate good times, come on!

by gojohn10 on Aug 7, 2005 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions

So...

I assume the gates open at 11, or do we have some sort of secret "AN Only" entrance? With Blez as a bouncer?

"So I think, yeah, (God) watches ESPN." -OctAHHHvio Dotel

by JLaff on Aug 7, 2005 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions

This is AWESOME!

I LOVE the ANtics. :D

GO A's!!!

by AsGirl on Aug 7, 2005 10:06 PM PDT reply actions

I've decided

I'm not calling it the RoY anymore, I'm calling it the Jackie Robinson Award. Whose with me?

by Marc Normandin @ Athletics Nation on Aug 8, 2005 3:35 AM PDT reply actions

Christ you're up early Marc

For better or worse, it will always be RoY, since Jackie Robinson award won't let people know what exactly the award is being given for.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 8, 2005 6:32 AM PDT up reply actions

People can learn

Everybody knows what the Lombardi trophy and Stanley cup are for.

And many Canadians know what all those other hockey awards are for, too. Isn't the Lady Byng Cheri (sp?) for hottest goalie?

by ArakSOT on Aug 8, 2005 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions

My faith in

people's ability to learn is colored by own ability to do the same (I have none, apparently).

I suppose you're right; after all, we do have the Cy Young Award, named after the winningest pitcher of all time, Cy Young (511 wins). And then there's the Rolaids Relief award, named after the most effective antacid on the market today (now available in soft chew!). And let's not forget the Tosito's Fiesta bowl, whose name honors the memory of a salty snack food.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 8, 2005 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Somewhat off-topic,

but now that there's a Silver Slugger, can't we go back to giving the Gold Glove to the best defensive player?

by ArakSOT on Aug 8, 2005 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions

No, that would

make it too hard on the voters. Maybe this is the year that the underrated Jason Varitek finally breaks through the West Coast bias and gets the GG recognition he deserves.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Aug 8, 2005 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Hockey Eh?

The Lady Byng is awarded for sportsmanship
The Vezina trophy is for the best goalie.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Aug 8, 2005 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

And the Hobey Baker

is for the top collegiate player (hockey's equivalent of the Heisman).

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Aug 8, 2005 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I think it might be because...

...the award was named after Jackie Robinson in 1987 -- relatively recent. People just were used (and apparently still are) to calling it the "Rookie of the Year Award."

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by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Aug 8, 2005 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions