I just threw up, a little, in my mouth

by baseballgirl on Jan 14, 2007 12:47 AM PST in News

Move over, people. Make some room on the "I hate the Erstad offer" bandwagon, 'cause I'm jumping on. Now, some people might claim that just because I live in Southern California and have to listen to Rex Hudler go on and on about the magical, wonderful, heart-y, gritty players that make up the team from the "Los Angeles" (despite being about twenty cities away from the actual city of Los Angeles, and fifty miles down the freeway), that I automatically dislike the idea of adding any part of the Angels' leftovers to our team. Of course this isn't true. If the Angels decided to give the A's their Vlad, well, welcome to the team, sir.

Others would say that the all of the media attention that Erstad received during the 2005 playoffs activated my pet peeve like only articles written about Erstad and Eckstein can. As you probably remember, Erstad was awfully clutch-y, and gritty during that time, and probably should have been MVP-for-life, despite the little things, like he's really not that good, and didn't he once get thrown out trying to get to third late in a playoff game with the Angels down three? Maybe I'm making that up.

Oh, who am I kidding? Both of the reasons above apply. I've been listening to baseball commentary long enough to be able to decipher what it means when analysts start talking about 'intangibles', 'heart', and 'grit'. That usually mean the player's stats are terrible, and there needs to be a reason to justify his presence on the field. In addition to that, I want no part of the Angels 'special' players. I have spent years rooting against the Angels. I don't want to root for anyone that I look at and see a giant red "A", despite what color uniform they are wearing. Unless it's Hester Prynne. She can be our new shortstop; I hear she plays the field better than Bobby Crosby.

Wow, tough crowd.

So anyway, if you're looking for A's contracts approved by baseballgirl, I'm sorry to inform you that Scot Shields, John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, Chone Figgins, Orlando Cabrera, Garret Anderson, David Eckstein, Juan Rivera, and especially Francisco Rodriguez are just going to have to look elsewhere. (But Vlad, call me!)

So is it just me? Or are there players (and even good ones) that you wouldn't want on the A's simply because of what team they used to be on? And in the current baseball climate, is it even possible to care anymore?

Tweet Comment 112 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don't care

This is clearly one of those Sick-of-Those-Guys things, especially when you're living down there and hearing their praises sung all of the time.

I, for one, would be happy to take Jared Weaver off the Angels' hands. Same with Santana. Same with Shields and Rodriguez.

The other guys are overpaid and not worth it, although the A's could use a shortstop for the right price.

by bear88 on Jan 14, 2007 12:52 AM PST reply actions

You know...

...on second thought, littleWeaver hasn't quite been tainted yet. We can reprogram him, right?

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 14, 2007 2:20 AM PST up reply actions

I have a few

Bonds is just too obvious.
Mark Teixeira, I hate that guy!
Ichiro - Ditto!
Kenny Rogers, we camera geeks need to stick together.
Jeter, do I really need a reason?

Other than them, I don't think their former team matters. Angels are less desirable because they are the Angels. Yankees I wouldn't want cause most likely that means one of our boys would then be a Yankee and that makes me sad. But the rest are ok.

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load." Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 14, 2007 1:27 AM PST reply actions

Sooooo with you on Rogers...

...but I would trade our whole team for Mark Teixeira. ;)

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 14, 2007 2:18 AM PST up reply actions

And what's with hating on Ichiro?

Dude's my favorite player, Mariners or not.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Jan 14, 2007 3:13 AM PST up reply actions

Agree Oz,

Ichiro would look great in green and gold, in RF, and at the top of our order. Who cares if he never walks (shh, don't tell Billy)

"There's one word that says it all about baseball--you never know." - Joaquin Andujar

by TheBigO on Jan 14, 2007 10:08 AM PST up reply actions

Ichiro is my favorite

non-A's player. And how sweet would it be to add him to the current roster?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 10:14 AM PST up reply actions

Ichiro is a stud

If you had 9 guys play like Ichiro you'd be in post season every year. As a Free Agent he would top my list of potential A's players.

Morada Mudshark

by Morada Mudshark on Jan 14, 2007 11:42 AM PST up reply actions

He drives me batty!!

The way he stands at the plate, the way he points the bat, the way he adjusts his shirt, the way he leaves the batters box before he even swings the bat! OH!! He makes me insane!! It is to the point where I can't even watch him bat, I start throwing things at the TV!

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load." Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 14, 2007 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

His batting stance

looks hilarious. It sort of looks like he has to take a piss real bad, and he cant really hold it much longer, so he squeezes his thighs together to keep it in till he gets to first base.

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jan 14, 2007 2:10 PM PST up reply actions

Ichiro can stand on one foot for all I care

If he hits 300+ for us and provides a speed-threat while on base. We haven't had a Rickey-caliber player in quite awhile.

by Rickeyfan on Jan 14, 2007 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

I agree

I was just making fun of his batting stance. Id take Ichiro on the Athletics in a heartbeat. I think a hitter like Ichiro is an essential part of "the ideal line up." I was watching a DVD of the 1989 team the other night, and I realized that that teams lineup was almost perfect.

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jan 14, 2007 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

I never said he wasn't a good player

I just said I can't stand him. And if I can't stand watching one of our key players, that would make me crazy, so I don't want him on our team. I totally understand why people would want him, I just couldn't take it!

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load." Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 14, 2007 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

Haha...

About a week on the team and you would love him. He's a freaking stud....and you would love him like the other guys on the team.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 14, 2007 7:06 PM PST up reply actions

No doubt.

The first time you see him throw out a runner tagging up from 2nd from deeeeeep right field, you can never hate on him.

I once saw him make a play where, with a fast runner on 1st and a slow runner at the plate, he tracked a short fly to shallow right, was about to make a diving catch, then stopped dead, took the ball on the bounce, and threw down the faster runner easily at 2nd, since he'd been standing just off 1st expecting the catch.

It was total samurai stuff - he was clearly thinking about what happens on the next at bat, while tracking the flyball on this one.

That's the sort of heads up play you never see except from a guy who thinks two plays ahead. HIRE ICHIRO!

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Jan 15, 2007 1:44 AM PST up reply actions

almost perfect ...

you'd think if that was the case, they wouldn't have finished 4th in the league in runs scored, nearly .4 runs behind Boston and tied for 3rd in OPS+.

What was really remarkable about that team was its pitching, which allowed the fewest runs in the league, with only the Angels, who had one of the worst offenses in the league, even remotely comperable.

Of course, back in '89, we were second in the league in attendance, behind only the Blue Jays and their brand new, revolutionary (and already thoroughly outdated) stadium.

It's funny how things change. The team with the highest payroll that year? That would be the Kansas City Royals. Second was the Yankees and then the Jays and the A's not far behind in a virtual tie for third.

Read my latest articles

by devo on Jan 15, 2007 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

Ichiro?

Guy is "all that" and more. I would take him in an instant.

FIRE (insert name) NOW!

by DCinWC on Jan 15, 2007 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

Open Arms

I'm honestly willing to have any player in the league who would in improve the A's on the team, as long as they are the result of a reasonable signing or trade.

Players are rarely the face of any one franchise these days and that really doesn't bother me.

by SkipT on Jan 14, 2007 3:54 AM PST reply actions

Agreed

And for everyone who doesn't think Erstad can do that (improve the team), I have to ask: Are you forgetting how much Kotsay sucks?

by yarky on Jan 14, 2007 7:20 AM PST up reply actions

okay, i'll bite.

Three year splits, with Erstad in a more hitter-friendly park:

Kotsay: .291/.343/.424/.767

Erstad: .278/.330/.379/.709

The plain fact is that Erstad hasn't managed even a .750 OPS in seven years.

by MrIncognito on Jan 14, 2007 7:43 PM PST up reply actions

But Kotsay was actually good in 2004. Since...

2005 Kotsay -- .280/.325/.421 -- 95 OPS+
2004 Erstad -- .295/.346/.400 -- 95 OPS+

2006 Kotsay -- .275/.332/.386 -- 89 OPS+
2005 Erstad -- .273/.325/.371 -- 89 OPS+

2006 Erstad -- .221/.279/.326 -- 60 OPS+
2007 Kotsay -- ?????

So if Kotsay follows Erstad into the abyss in 2007, and Erstad bounces back to 2004-5 levels the A's will have a CF about as good as Kotsay over the past two years. Wait...this sucks.

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 15, 2007 5:59 AM PST up reply actions

So, looking at those numbers...

...it's not just that Kotsay was actually good in '04; he was also significantly better than Erstad in both '05 and '06. So if Erstad continues the more-thoroughly-established decline into the abyss that he himself is already on, and Kotsay bounces back to c. 2004 levels, the A's will have a CF who is "actually good."
The only good I can see coming from the Erstad deal is if some team panics around the deadline, realizes they need True Grit, and trades valuable prospects to win Erstad free of the A's ... minor league system.

(Visiting Cubs fan)

by Loon from Left on Jan 15, 2007 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

not gritty but classy

I like Chone Figgins. I think he would be a perfect fit for the A's. He's fast, and can play almost every position. The Angels were looking to move him earlier this offseason, and maybe they still are with the Shea Hillenbrand aquisition. Figgins is classy.

"His kind of baggage makes Bradley's look like a Hello Kitty backpack." - Mychael Urban on Sammy Sosa

by Mulderfan on Jan 14, 2007 6:41 AM PST reply actions

And he can...

...outrun a baseball!

Go Figgy!

</HudlerBot>

If nothing else, he knew how to chew a stick of gum.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Jan 14, 2007 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

I have rejoiced in the past couple of years

when Erstad came to bat against the A's, because I felt reasonably sure that he'd be an out, especially in situations where he might have drove in a run.

So, the possibility that he might be on the A's does not thrill me at all.

by OaklandSi on Jan 14, 2007 8:41 AM PST reply actions

Rincon

Was like an Erstad specialist, was that why we were forced to suffer hiim? What was the big deal with getting Erstad out? Did we have to keep Rincon around just for that. I dislike Erstad just because he is tied to Mr. Rincon. Announcers always had to make a big deal about it.

FIRE (insert name) NOW!

by DCinWC on Jan 15, 2007 12:28 PM PST up reply actions

I'd take about anyone but Bonds.

I'd take Erstad if he was any good. Which he isn't.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Jan 14, 2007 8:46 AM PST reply actions

agree for the most part....

but id take eckstein on my team in a heartbeat, hes got great heart, always plays his hardest and was a big key to the Cardinals winning the WS, and a big reason for the Angels winning it all when they did, hes the anti-crosby, hes consistent, healthy, short, poor-arm, good contact, and not much power

by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Jan 14, 2007 9:12 AM PST reply actions

disagree

Crosby doesn't have power either.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 14, 2007 5:57 PM PST up reply actions

whats the worst that could happen?

at it's worst is it Karros pt. 2? well that didn't cost the A's too much, did it? a roster spot, basically. and erstad is probably improved since the injury (probably...but Larry Davis should be able to get him back to injury form).

Despite all of the hyperbole thrown towards Erstad's grit, he's a guy I'd want on my team, just like Kotsay. Just like Milton. We just aren't sick and tired of hearing about Kotsay or Milton's grit or whatever adjective the media throws at them and wears out. For some reason (I think it's the wad of chew in the bottom lip) Erstad gets noticed for his effort more than others (oh, that plus Rex Hudler rents space on the Goodyear blimp to advertise "Erstad Grit".)

If someone helps the A's win, I don't really care where they came from. Yes, it would be hard to root for Bonds, but if he and Swish came up with a little home run dance, you'd start rooting for him too. (File footage not found.) Would I take Jeter? Hell yeah. Giambi? Absolutely. Bitchy KRod? Done and done!

That being said, i think a great deal of my baseball enjoyment comes from watching new players develop. So the only caveat I'd have is that I'd hate to see the young kids get blocked by a below league average vet. So I'd prefer to see DJ get a shot, but if DJ doesn't look good in ST, and Erstad/Durazo are looking good, you have to go with the producers if yer the A's.

Beane is simply loading up the roster, and if everyone produces, then he can make a nice trade. Doesn't seem like too much to throw up over. Save that for this year's "slow start".

by giambizombie on Jan 14, 2007 9:14 AM PST reply actions

Not Jeff Kent

... even if we didn't have Bradley. Other than that, don't really dislike anybody.

the Hester line was indeed very funny, except that for most of us who don't remember high school English it took clicking the link to get the joke.

by vk on Jan 14, 2007 9:17 AM PST reply actions

Okay, I laughed too

"I hear she plays the field better than Bobby Crosby."

Maybe I'm one of the the only ones, but I did laugh. :)

by mickelsp on Jan 14, 2007 9:57 AM PST up reply actions

Yes, very good job baseballgirl

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 14, 2007 5:59 PM PST up reply actions

baseballgirl

You do realize that David Eckstein currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals, right?

I'd take Lackey, K-Rod, Santana, Weaver, Kendrick and Figgins in a heart beat. (Sure, I'd probably end up trading K-Rod right away but I wouldn't be troubled by his being on the roster for a couple days.) And Vlad, but he doesn't seem to be an issue.

Maybe this was meant to be written tongue-in-cheek bbg, but if it was it doesn't show through the venom. Any of those guys would make the A's better. If you can't see that than you might be hating a little too much for your own good.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 14, 2007 9:52 AM PST reply actions

Yes, of course...

...but I will always see him with a huge "A" :)

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 14, 2007 10:21 AM PST up reply actions

"little a"

Remember, their A is inferior to ours.

by Amnesiac727 on Jan 14, 2007 10:26 AM PST up reply actions

Manny Ramirez

I can't stand this guy. He is so fricking lazy it disgusts me. watching every ball you hit instead of running towards first. Sitting out games cause he doesn't feel like playing. He is one i would never want wearing green and gold.

Oakland A's 2007 World Champions!

by CrackBaby on Jan 14, 2007 9:59 AM PST reply actions

The Hester Prynne line

was QOTM worthy, IMO. And the comparison between Prynne and Crosby is so apt. They not only both play the field better than anything else, but they also both wear a big "A" on their shirt. Main difference is that Crosby gets out more.

It would be interesting to see Teixeira, Ichiro, and Jeter magically added to the A's roster and then see how much people continued hating them and wishing they weren't on the team. Can you imagine? <still detests Jeter, claims not to want him on the A's no matter what, means it. I think>

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 10:08 AM PST reply actions

Too bad we don't do the QOTM anymore

Who was it that used to write those threads anyways?

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 14, 2007 10:19 AM PST up reply actions

Erzatz

So now there are I Hate Erstad groupies? Sheesh.

The major turn-off for me on these forums is the I Hate XXX crowd - Byrnes, Kielty, et al.

This is not "professional" wrestling. The guys on opposing teams don't wear El Diablo masks and taunt the crowd. It's Baseball, for gawd sake.

If a player is added from Angels or whichever, who cares - as long as makes the A's better?

Grit? Not sure about that one, but it's the opposite of Chavez. What's wrong with players who go all out for the team? Don't get that, either.

I for one still believe baseball is special. Other pro sports seem so trite, but the sacred geometry of Baseball? Rocks.

We can respect other players, enjoy Ichiro and Bonds for their talents, and root root root for home team.

The Dude abides

by MrIncognito on Jan 14, 2007 10:49 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, that pretty much sums up

why I'm President of the "I Hate MrIncognito" club. (Unless you post on the Brewers' fan site, in which case that changes everything.)

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

Community Stnadards

Oh, no.

Does this mean I'm not invited to the cicle jerk?

You take yourself way too seriously.

by MrIncognito on Jan 14, 2007 7:14 PM PST up reply actions

Wow...

Too seriosuly? Hi Kettle, I'm Pot.

He was kidding.....cmon.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 14, 2007 7:16 PM PST up reply actions

MrIncognito, you CAN'T

have taken me seriously. There was nothing even remotely serious about my post. I just can't get myself to put a smiley emoticon after a deadpan-humor post because it triggers post-traumatic-stress-disorder memories of reztips.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

Reztips.....

ahhhh the good ol days...

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jan 14, 2007 8:30 PM PST up reply actions

Flashback moment

Cue the wavy screen!

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 14, 2007 10:09 PM PST up reply actions

Ha!!

That was the first time I laughed out loud reading in awhile!

by norcalfan on Jan 15, 2007 2:06 PM PST up reply actions

The dude abides

fuckin A man....

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jan 14, 2007 8:28 PM PST up reply actions

At risk of actually taking you seriously

My objection to the notion of "grit" is exactly that -- like you -- I'm "not so sure about that one." If grit's so very valuable, what is it exactly? And why do mass-media types keep using it to praise players like Erstad whose baseball skills are average to abominably bad?
"The opposite of Chavez" doesn't mean much to me: Gritty players don't play through injury like Chavy did last year? They don't dive for balls the way he does (or at least don't actually catch the ones they dive for)? They don't tend to turn on the afterburners as the playoff races heat up late in the season? I thought that people who used "grit" in a non-sarcastic context thought it was a good thing.
As for "players who go all out for their team," no one here dislikes that; most of us are just aware that virtually every major league player does it. Believe it or not, even Manny Ramirez really, really wants his team to win. I guess that's one good thing about Erstad though: Where the Big Hurt last year went all-out for his team by conserving his health enough to carry the A's deep into October, Erstad may go all-out for his team by risking injury at every turn, the sooner to remove the black hole of his at-bats from whatever line-up he's in.

(Visiting Cubs fan)

by Loon from Left on Jan 15, 2007 4:14 PM PST up reply actions

It isn't easy being green

"So is it just me? Or are there players (and even good ones) that you wouldn't want on the A's simply because of what team they used to be on?"

It may not be just you, bbg, but it certainly isn't me. Who cares what team a guy FORMERLY plays for? If he's wearing green and gold he's our guy. It's like Billy Beane says, "Route for the uniform."

"As you probably remember, Erstad was awfully clutch-y, and gritty during that time, and probably should have been MVP-for-life, despite the little things, like he's really not that good, and didn't he once get thrown out trying to get to third late in a playoff game with the Angels down three? Maybe I'm making that up."

Okay, now we're talking about some reasons to dislike the A's signing Erstad. If the guy can't play, why sign him? Checking his stats at Baseball-Reference (http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/erstada01.shtml), it appears that Erstad peaked in 2000. That was seven seasons ago. Is this guy really 32? I would have guessed that he was at least five years older based on his career stats.

Thinking back on something else that Billy Beane said, basically, that there has to be something wrong with a guy for the A's to sign him, e.g., Frank Thomas coming off two down years because of injury, perhaps Erstad is the best the A's can do given their financial limitations.

Let's face it, the A's will never have the ability to sign players that the Yankees and Red Sox do. Heck, we can't even RE-sign players that WANT to stay here...badly. (Remember Miggy?) It's sad, but that's partlty what makes the present-day A's such a fun team to route for. Somehow they're able to compete for the post-season nearly every year despite the cards being stacked against them. As we know, it's largely attributible to a few factors:

Good management at the top of the organization
Excellent scouting
Excellent player development throughout the system
Probably a bit of luck

Good management doesn't mean not making mistakes. Sometimes good management means being willing to take risks. Good management means taking smart risks. Good management means the majority of risks pay off, or at least pay off enough to make it worth the risks that fail.

"The bigger the game, the better he pitched."

by Catfish27 on Jan 14, 2007 11:06 AM PST reply actions

I'm totally down with...

...signing guys with whom there's something wrong (e.g. Frank Thomas), so long as what's wrong with them isn't that they simply suck.

Erstad sucks. Stats don't lie.

No amount of grittiness, veteranitude, intangibility, Huskerpuntaliciousness, or Rex Hudler rimming will make up for that fact.

A waste of money and bench space.

If nothing else, he knew how to chew a stick of gum.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Jan 14, 2007 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

Lou Merloni

Way harder to stomach than any ex-Angel I could think of.

"If your athame is a spork, you might be a Discordian."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 14, 2007 11:38 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, true....but...

I can't imagin cheering what a great hit-and-run call that was by A's manager Mike....

[can't finish sentance]

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Jan 14, 2007 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

Lou Merloni IS an Ex-Angel

by RevHalofan on Jan 14, 2007 11:49 PM PST up reply actions

You mean like Lucifer was an ex-Angel?

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 15, 2007 7:46 AM PST up reply actions

QOTM Nominee!!

Nice grover. Very nice.

by AsFanInLA on Jan 15, 2007 9:55 AM PST up reply actions

Classic.

I nominate that for quote of the off season. Poor Rev, apparently he misses being beat like a drum during the regular season so he makes an appearance here to reinforce the natural order of things.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jan 15, 2007 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

And who cast out Lucifer?

The Arch-Angel Michael.

(as in Scioscia)

by RevHalofan on Jan 15, 2007 1:23 PM PST up reply actions

To dislike a player

and then accept him as your own, or to watch a player for years, and see him go to a rival team are two of the toughest things a fan will ever have to deal with. Its a struggle with me to accept a player from the Angels, especially Darin Erstad who I have been shouting venomous comments at for years. Myself, I hate the Angels as a team, I hate their uniforms, I hate their Logo, and I Loathe many of their players. I especially hate their bullpen for some reason, or their "goggle pen" if you will. I think it would take me a very long time to get comfortable watching someone like K-rod on the green and gold. Erstad as much as I have booed him and wished him shame, isn't so bad because he used to be an Angel, I don't want ol gritty Darin on the Athletics because he is not a very good player anymore. Not to mention that he has been injury plagued for the past few seasons, and thats the last thing Oakland needs on its already injury potential filled roster...

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jan 14, 2007 2:19 PM PST reply actions

top 3

Bonds
F-Rod
Jeter

Ichiro would be easy to root for. Keeps his mouth shut. Plays well offensively (unlike Erstad) and defensively.

by Rickeyfan on Jan 14, 2007 2:34 PM PST reply actions

Joe Buck doesn't understand fractions??!!

Sorry this is o/t, but I don't belong to any sportsblog but one! The GREATEST! Athleticsnation!

I was completely floored by Joe Buck on the Seattle-Chicago Bears football game broadcast. He was commenting on the cleat size, saying Seattle's RB was wear 3/8ths-ich cleats, while most were wearing half-inch cleats, but then something about 5/8ths-inch cleats.

...then the "knockdown". Joe Buck didn't know WHICH WAS BIGGER! 3/8ths inches long or 5/8ths inches long!! Could it be true, this guy DOESN'T EVEN KNOW FRACTIONS??!!! He asked fellow announcer, Troy Aikman to explain which was larger!!

Now that's worse than a "talking head"! Gawdahhhfull!

Rename Fremont to Philadelphia, and all's well.

by One won lost won on Jan 14, 2007 2:35 PM PST reply actions

Joe Buck

Bothers me. I don't understand why is constantly shoved down our throats. The guy contradicts himself constantly, and doesn't really have any "life" in his voice. His calls don't inspire me by any means...

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jan 14, 2007 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

omiGAWD!!!

He didn't know that 3/8 and 5/8 are both bigger than 1/2 because 8 is bigger than 2? Wow!

-Cindi.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

Dude, I really hope you are kidding.

He was clearly 100% joking around. Cmon man, turn the sarcasm meter on.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 14, 2007 7:08 PM PST up reply actions

Joe Buck is terrible

Sometimes I catch old rebroadcasts of classic games with Vin Scully announcing, and its an entirely different world-so much better.
Then you listen to buck and McCarver and its pretty dull. I feel bad for you if your a Cowboys fan because you have that guy for good. I do listen to the radio during the WS, and I like it much more.

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Jan 14, 2007 8:23 PM PST up reply actions

Vin Scully is the best

and I'm so so glad we have Ken Korach, who takes his cues and styles from Vin Scully. In fact, I've heard both Ken Korach and Jon Miller -both- do a dead-on imitation of Vin Scully. Jon Miller even includes a "brought to you by Farmer John..." extension.

Vin Scully has been great for 50-plus years. I'll never forget one of his calls for the Dodgers when they were playing the powerful Milwaukee Braves:

"...and so now, there's two men on, nooo-body out, and here comes baaaad Henry!" < refering to Henry "Hank" Aaron.

Rename Fremont to Philadelphia, and all's well.

by One won lost won on Jan 19, 2007 1:49 PM PST up reply actions

JB

awe give him a break he knew his audience so he dummied it down for football fans.

Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!

by Satchmo22 on Jan 15, 2007 4:02 AM PST up reply actions

Dummied Down? Already done times a thousands!

Explanation for the game two years ago:

winners- "The guys stepped up"
losers- "We needed someone to step up and no one did
"

Present:
why team A won: made plays, make a play
why team B lost: didn't make a play when they needed it.

Every game now, the explanation for winning and or losing is always, 100%, defined in some way, as

"make a play"

How perfectly dumbed down is that? It cannot get any more "dummed down".

Rename Fremont to Philadelphia, and all's well.

by One won lost won on Jan 19, 2007 2:34 PM PST up reply actions

Eh, it could be all right.

Erstad's stats against righties are decent. He has a career .772 OPS against them (not great, but not as bad as Kielty or Kotsay against right-handed pitching). A platoon of Erstad and Kielty could be a decent option if it came down to it.

It's a shame that families get torn apart by something as simple as wild dogs. -Jack Handey

by JediLeroy on Jan 14, 2007 2:49 PM PST reply actions

I could never root for

A.J Piersynski...ever.

by Daddo on Jan 14, 2007 2:54 PM PST reply actions

Whenever debates about heckling arise

I always think back to an A's-Angels game I saw back during 2000, Erstad's MVP-type season. There were three or four guys sitting together who heckled Erstad all day, but were hilarious doing it. It's been written (correctly, I think) that heckling is only okay if it's funny, and I thought these guys were funny: doing the "What's the matter with 17?" chant (He's a bum ... he's a bum ... he's on crack) and more humorously still, doing the Darr-yl (Strawberry) chant, which is just perfect for Erstad. Urrrrrrrr .... staaaaaad ..... urrrrrr ..... staaaaaaad ...... Urrrrrr ..... staaaaaad ..... "You suck Erstad!"

To Erstad's credit, I think he went like 4-for-4 with a homer that day.

"WTF is wrong with you people TASTELESS COMMENTS. I'm disgusted. Mocking a 10 year old's horrible painful death." --eshock

by rubin sierra on Jan 14, 2007 2:55 PM PST reply actions

Yeah

I've been next to these same three or four guys a couple of times and I laugh my ass off whenever they heckle the players. I love it when we're next to them.

by Daddo on Jan 14, 2007 5:44 PM PST up reply actions

ugh

Yeah I feel pretty much the same way about Angels players... and, like you, I'm sure it's because I'm surrounded by it everywhere. I know there are some Angel fans who will admit when someone on their team sucks, but for the most part it's like hundreds of Rex Hudlers saying how amazing all of their players are all the time. [shudder]

BUT, if he could actually help the team I have to just look at the positives and get over it. Instead of being disgusted that I used to hate him and now I should love him, I just sort of laugh that THEY are going from loving him to seeing him play against their team and (hopefully) beating them.

With Erstad I'm torn... because he hasn't been a very good player recently, so it's easy to still hate him until he proves he can improve the team (if he even joins us). BUT I will very much enjoy making fun of my Angels friend who loves him and HATES the A's. Which will of course, all backfire if he totally sucks for us and/or we pay too much for him.

And I do think it would be easier to deal with him being on the team than someone like FRod who I dislike so much deeper than the color of his uniform... everything about the guy just pisses me off.

I think that guys change teams so much now it's hard to really hate a player from another team when he joins yours, even if it's a rival team. It's just part of the business. I think it is a thousand times harder when a guy you've loved goes to a rival.

Sorry this post was so long! :)

"I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere." - The Asphalt Jungle

by drmmerchk on Jan 14, 2007 3:30 PM PST reply actions

Hey, bbg

You forgot Bartolo "Shrek" Colon and Brendan Donnelly! They DEFINITELY have to look elsewhere. In fact, I will only allow them to be on the Yankees or Red Sox.

by ChaBinsky on Jan 14, 2007 4:16 PM PST reply actions

Lucky for you...

Donnelly is on the Sox

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 14, 2007 6:03 PM PST up reply actions

Good ....

I hope the Boston psycho fans tear him a new one. Can't stand that guy.

"There's one word that says it all about baseball--you never know." - Joaquin Andujar

by TheBigO on Jan 14, 2007 9:33 PM PST up reply actions

You're right!!!!

Totally forgot both of those...and I definitely see them as Angels.

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 14, 2007 9:39 PM PST up reply actions

Dropping The Scarlet Letter on us

Good touch.

BeaneBall: This is a guy playing baseball. BeaneBall: But then, suddenly, MONEYBALL! HendryHuggins: Wait, I missed the part where moneyball.

by walk off bunt on Jan 14, 2007 6:06 PM PST reply actions

I would love K Rod or Lackey on the squad....

Both studs who I have no issues with. Erstad sucks, only reaosn I wouldnt want him.

My list of guys I couldnt deal with on the A's stands at a whole 2.

AJ Pierzynski
Derek Lowe.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 14, 2007 7:10 PM PST reply actions

Ugh...

I couldn't ever handle Lackey being on the A's and I think Kendall agrees with me.

by ChaBinsky on Jan 14, 2007 7:15 PM PST up reply actions

The 3.50 era in the AL the last 2 years

would make the transition nice and smooth. :-)

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 14, 2007 7:17 PM PST up reply actions

Five kinds of guys I hate

Players who kill us when they face us (i.e., Placido Polanco, Vicente Padilla)
Players who annoy me with their on-field antics when they play for other teams(i.e, K-Rod, Pierzynski, Lackey)
Great players on teams we compete with (i.e, Vlad, Ichiro, Texeira)
Players on our team who suck and cause us to lose (i.e., Terrence Long, the bad version of Jim Mecir, Kendall 2005, Erstad 2007???)
Players who are bad human beings (i,e., Bonds, Brett Meyers)

Of the 5 groups, I would only cheer against players in #5 if they were on the A's. Players in group #4 are only hated when they continually play and play badly. After they improve or leave I don't mind them anymore, and I love them when they end up on teams I hate and suck there (Terrence Long -- 2006 Yankees).

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Jan 14, 2007 7:18 PM PST reply actions

I'm with you on 2, 4, and 5

I don't hate players who own only us, I just hate that they own only us. And I don't hate great opposing players, I just fear them.

I was looking to see if there was a player who might actually qualify for all 5 categories. The closest I can think of is Kenny Rogers, but he didn't suck for us so he only qualifies for 1, 2, 3, and 5. So close...

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

A five tool haterade player

Would be special indeed. Maybe we could give Rogers half credit under #4 because he demanded a trade.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Jan 14, 2007 7:57 PM PST up reply actions

And he only didn't choke

because he never really had the chance.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 8:02 PM PST up reply actions

Agree with Nico

I'd order it

Especially F-raud
I couldn't cheer for Bonds
I might dislike them, but while they're still family, I want them to do well, even if I get nervous everytime they play (ahDOTELem)
I'm not sure if I put Mariano in this group or #3, but in any case, he gets props for being deadly efficient. And his celebration is less annoying than F-raud's.
I'd welcome any of those 3 in a heartbeat.

by Rickeyfan on Jan 14, 2007 10:54 PM PST up reply actions

Joining those who disagree with #3

I'd take Ichiro or Vlad in a heartbeat. The double whammy of having either of those guys on your team and not having to face them playing for a division rival would be tough to beat.

If nothing else, he knew how to chew a stick of gum.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Jan 15, 2007 7:47 AM PST up reply actions

I know I'm a little slow,

but will someone explain why Billy would be interested in signing this guy? Do we not already have enough aspiring firstbasemen as well as walking wounded outfielders?

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jan 14, 2007 9:51 PM PST reply actions

Because...

We don't want Nick Swisher playing center field.

by Threepwood XX on Jan 14, 2007 10:07 PM PST up reply actions

OK, lets see...

Kotsay, Bradley, Kielty, and then Swisher. I suppose since Davis is still employed with the A's, Swisher playing center is a legitimate concern. Thanks for clearing that up.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jan 14, 2007 10:10 PM PST up reply actions

I REALLY hope Swisher

would get the nod in CF over Kielty (who is slow and has never played CF). But if we got down to Swisher, I can start to see the point in signing Erstad. Actually, no--if we lose both Kotsay and Bradley for meaningful stretches of time, I don't see Erstad making the difference; I see the Angels winning the West.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 14, 2007 10:41 PM PST up reply actions

It's starting to make a little more sense

If we platoon Kielty/Erstad vs LHP and RHP with Erstad our third centerfielder. Both will get AB's on a steady basis. What are the chances that Davis himself becomes a victim of the injury bug? Is that within the realm of possibility?

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jan 15, 2007 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

Payton replacement

Based on their last full seasons, Erstad looks like a cheap replacement for Payton. He's got a significantly lower SLG, but pretty comparable other than that. If he comes for a quarter of the cost, to fill hopefully a lesser role, I think you have to call this a good deal.



Erstad 2005 (last full season):

AB    R    H   2B 3B  HR  RBI  SB CS  BB  SO   BA   OBP   SLG *OPS+  TB   SH  SF IBB HBP GDP 

609   86  166  33  3   7   66  10  3  47 109  .273  .325  .371   89  226   4   2   3   1   8


Payton 2006:

AB    R    H   2B 3B  HR  RBI  SB CS  BB  SO   BA   OBP   SLG *OPS+  TB   SH  SF IBB HBP GDP 

557   78  165  32  3  10   59   8  4  22  52  .296  .325  .418   94  233   0   5   1   4  12

Huh. I always thought that baseball's version of a home run is the motherf---ing home run itself. -FJM

by oblique on Jan 15, 2007 9:23 AM PST reply actions

And I gather that's Beane's thinking,

to replace Payton with Erstad as the "we don't have to put up the white flag if Kotsay and Bradley go down" sub. One added plus with Erstad is that he complements Kielty, because Erstad's numbers vs.RHP are actually passable (what praise!). An Erstad-Kielty platoon would be decent both offensively and defensively.

Passable...Decent...I really must stop being so effusive!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 15, 2007 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

So you Don't like Erstad...

...because people claim he's gritty and clutch. What's your take on Scutaro then?

I for one, am a fan of the game, and can put my personal fandom aside if a move helps my team in general.

by fadedash on Jan 15, 2007 10:23 AM PST reply actions

Scutaro is a below-average player

who has been at the plate for some very big moments for the A's.

But over the course of a season, he'd hurt any team, both offensively and defensively.

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 15, 2007 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

I guess

That is why we call him Magic Marco! The stuff he has accomplished and the moments he has been part of, simply don't make sense! But I am sure glad he was there!

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load." Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 15, 2007 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

VERY well-said

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 15, 2007 6:03 PM PST up reply actions

well as a Raider Fan

I found myself rooting for Jerry Rice and Romonoski

so, I guess I can root for anyone if they are wearing the right uniform.

But, the moment they leave the team, I will instantly hate them again.

"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish

by Bigtoe on Jan 15, 2007 11:27 AM PST reply actions

Very Good Point

I think it helps that they were both GOOD when they wore the Silver and Black. Especially Romo, that guy played his heart out for us...I think we own him more than the Broncos fans now.

by ChucklesSD on Jan 15, 2007 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

ONE GOOD THING

you can always picture Rex Hudler Crying as he watches Erstad play against the Angels wearing an A's uniform.

"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish

by Bigtoe on Jan 15, 2007 11:36 AM PST reply actions

Annoying

He has retired but Bret Boone really irritated me. If he were an A, I guess I would just not say anything. And though I might cringe at each flip of the bat, I would enjoy the outcome on the scoreboard. I think as soon as a player dons your teams colors, you have to enjoy it.

FIRE (insert name) NOW!

by DCinWC on Jan 15, 2007 12:37 PM PST reply actions

Mine.....

1.) Candy maldanado
2.) Kirk Gibson
3.) Will Clark
4.) Stimpy, ('cause Ren had an ops of .997)

by norcalfan on Jan 15, 2007 2:15 PM PST reply actions

for the record...

I laughed at the Hester Prynne joke. English major nerd. So yeah, you got one laugh, here.

Back into my France-imposed lurker status.

"...the plate won't move. The mound is going to feel the same. The strike zone, with slight variations, is going to be right where it has always been." -Huston

by sabriel on Jan 15, 2007 3:15 PM PST reply actions

Desperately need 2 or more FanFest tix.

I would put this in the old FanFest diary but i figure since its more than a few days old that nobody is checking it any more.

If you have 2 or more extra FanFest tickets and dont need them and wish to give them away please e-mail me at dancingulf@yahoo.com and we can make arrangements for either mail delivery or some other kind. Thank you very very very much.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 15, 2007 4:28 PM PST reply actions

False alarm.

Very sorry for the desperation, but I no longer need any tickets. Again thank you for your possible thoughfulness.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 15, 2007 4:36 PM PST up reply actions

LOL!!!!

Again thank you for your possible thoughfulness.

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 15, 2007 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

You also might want to curse some of us

for our possible mocery.

"Is this heaven? No, it's the f'ing suburbs."

by LAXile on Jan 15, 2007 8:42 PM PST up reply actions

At first

I didn't have "possible" but I slipped it in at the last moment just to make sure I made it clear that everyone was way too slow on the uptake during the time between I made the post and then rechecked my mail from the last 3 weeks and found the tickets :p

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jan 15, 2007 10:31 PM PST up reply actions

If Kenny Rogers ever played for Oakland again

I would go out and eat some ebola virus with a big spoon. K-(F)rod I could handle. He acts like a friggin spazz every time he gets a save, but he gets a lot of them. And he seems like a pretty nice guy without his goggles. As far as Erstad goes, I've always almost liked him (for grit, intangibles, etc). This also means I've always almost hated him. Hank Blalock would make me physically ill for a few weeks. Almost any of the Rangers would, while only Lackey and that kid who played the banjo in Deliverance (Jered Weaver?) would present a problem for me in Green n Gold.

"Is this heaven? No, it's the f'ing suburbs."

by LAXile on Jan 15, 2007 4:38 PM PST reply actions