ANtics Episode 2.23: Intensity for the Long Haul

by louismg on Aug 6, 2006 6:33 PM PDT in News

In the heat of a playoff race in the middle of a 162-game season, wear and tear and fatigue can dramatically impact a team. Into the dog days of August, the ANtics takes a look at how the A's players keep up their intensity all season long.

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Also: Don't miss the "ANtics One Year Anniversary" thread.

2005 Comics | 2006 Comics | Poll

Poll

How do you maintain your intensity as a fan?

Illicit substances. (Uppers, Greenies, Steroids)

4 votes

I imagine the players in the buff.

14 votes

I keep score at home.

4 votes

I thank God every day I'm not a Giants fan.

13 votes

Other (Write-In Below)

1 votes

36 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

good one.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 6, 2006 6:36 PM PDT reply actions

option 4

I don't know why I dislike the Giants so much. I should really pity them.

by AlBowe on Aug 6, 2006 6:57 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah a lot of folks

have been complaining about Beane lately, but could you imagine having Sabean as your GM? Holy mackerel.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 6, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Giants

They're doing a lot better than I had guessed. A few years ago, after the jerome williams trade, I pretty much wrote them off for 8 years of cellar dwelling. Sure the NL West helps but I still thought they'd be much worse

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 7, 2006 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I like the contrast of Macha's pure love

(for Milton) and tough-love for jaypay -- beyond the 4 inch height advantage Macha has, there is also that Vulcan robotic look on his face

"Nick Swisher would be certain to be a huge hit at any kid's birthday party, that's a no-brainer." ('Drink up, the Koolaid's on me!')

by LAXile on Aug 6, 2006 7:14 PM PDT reply actions

looks

like he got the vulcan death grip

by smasfan on Aug 6, 2006 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions

OMG

that last one with M & M really cracked me up!!

by OaklandSi on Aug 6, 2006 7:31 PM PDT reply actions

what was duke yelling about? i don't

even remember that game?

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 6, 2006 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

He disputed an ump's call

on a pitch to Manny during the Sux series in Oakland

by OaklandSi on Aug 6, 2006 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Fall fashions, I assume...

Honestly, it was the usual, balls and strikes. He was getting squeezed, and a close game was getting way out of hand. Macha came in to get him. After handing off the ball to Ken, he said something to the ump and got ejected. Then he made a beeline toward home. Macha calmly (of course) retrieved him, and redirected Duke to the dugout. Oddly, he didn't argue with the ump himself, instead going back to prepare the next reliever.

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Aug 6, 2006 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

this was this year? how did i miss this?

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 6, 2006 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

It was in Game 100 on July 25th.

The gameday thread where it happened was here:

http://www.athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/7/25/232138/720/

Start with "I think this ump sucks..."

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Aug 6, 2006 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions

thanks. who knows where i was. i wish i could

have scene that.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 6, 2006 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

it was pretty funny

because duke got kicked out of the game AFTER macha had already taken him out.

silly ump...

"One time I climbed a fence to get a baseball that had been run over by a lawn mower. I thought it was beautiful" *Scott

by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 6, 2006 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions

up in section 226

we were all screaming at the ump too!!

by OaklandSi on Aug 6, 2006 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Truly pitiful

Manram just kept starting for first until finally the guy let him go

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Aug 7, 2006 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

It was more than one pitch ...

The ump squeezed the crap out of him during the entire at-bat.

Self-appointed VP, BBG Groupies, NorCal Chapter

by angus hanger on Aug 7, 2006 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Love it!

And you did it all by yourself. I should take Sunday afternoon naps more often. Good job.

by wifethereof on Aug 6, 2006 9:13 PM PDT reply actions

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

That's awesome.

And yes, it was hilarious!!!

"Why Macha!" indeed!

"I'm living in a cuckoo clock!" ~HollywoodOz
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover

by baseballgirl on Aug 6, 2006 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Macha stuff is great this week

The mind of Ken Macha could be an idea for another ANtics.

Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on Aug 6, 2006 9:30 PM PDT reply actions

Awesome idea.

Don't think I'm not paying attention. That one goes into the file.

Thanks!

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Aug 7, 2006 12:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Love the last panel!

by indigo on Aug 6, 2006 10:43 PM PDT reply actions

I liked....

The Payton panel best. Another good job. Thanks for the smile.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 6, 2006 10:49 PM PDT reply actions

I love the Macha thought bubble

in the last panel. LOL

by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 6, 2006 10:54 PM PDT reply actions

Macha almost seemed human today.

Less robotic.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 6, 2006 10:56 PM PDT reply actions

As usual, great stuff

by elcroata on Aug 6, 2006 10:59 PM PDT reply actions

"I hurt."

heh heh.

That will be the title of the 2006 A's season DVD.

by Apricot on Aug 7, 2006 4:29 AM PDT reply actions

Eye hurt?

I thought DJ got that problem fixed?

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Aug 7, 2006 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions

TRDCTN@AAA

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 7, 2006 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Great stuff, Maynard

The Zito "Funky" cell and Husrton Street is One Way are classic.

Keep on keepin' on!

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 7, 2006 11:13 AM PDT reply actions

For some reason

"You can too wear white after Labor Day" absolutely killed me. Nice work!

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 7, 2006 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

Too funny!

Best ANtics evah! Every frame got a giggle from this one...

by schnucken on Aug 7, 2006 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

I LOVED IT!!!! :D

Every single panel made me laugh out loud! It was AWESOME!
And I can't wait for the "Macha's mind" ANtics. I'm cracking up just thinking about it. Hehehe.

"Harden isn't dead. Hatte Jr. is batting 1.000. Chavy is fine. I'm not depressed." ~ Jennifer

by AsGirl on Aug 7, 2006 1:55 PM PDT reply actions