Score one for the misfits

by monkeyball on Aug 14, 2007 11:01 PM PDT in News Comment 58 comments

Jack Cust, Lenny DiNardo, Donnie Murphy.

Not Mike Piazza, Rich Harden, Bobby Crosby.

Marginal, one- or two-dimensional guys who aren't your traditional "complete" ballplayers. Guys who can make definitive contributions on the field -- for cheap -- and who, when mixed together on a roster, can generate an entire team effort.

I'm not talking about intangibles like clutchness or positive clubhouse mojo or luck.

I'm talking about Cust clouting two impressive (and qualitatively different) home runs, just when he'd been at the edge of a long power drought.

I'm talking about Donnie Murphy putting an efficient, powerful stroke on a ball -- and providing some solid defense at SS.

I'm talking about Lenny DiNardo pitching effectively to contact and providing a more quality start than most of Zito's starts the last 2 years (to venture into the realm of the intangible, I feel more comfortable with DiNardo starting every fifth game than I did the last couple seasons with Zito).

Now, the White Sox are certainly in a shame spiral of their own this year. But the A's simply outplayed the Sox tonight in every facet of the game (Hannahan and DiNardo's shaky rundown execution excepted).

And they did it with castoffs and second-rate, "incomplete" players providing the bulk of the performance value.

Tonight was a good win, a satisfying win. A small thing in a long and dispiriting season -- but such are the steps back to contention, be it this season or next.

0 recs | Comment 58 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Cust!

I just love that Rotowire refers to Cust as "America's Greatest Hero." That's fucking awesome.

Jack Cust has officially transcended the status of a mere baseball player. He is now Captain America. I love it.

by Crosbino on Aug 14, 2007 10:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thus replacing

Mister Eric Byrnes as the new Captain America!

Go Custard!

by mrod on Aug 14, 2007 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cust is awesomeness personified

I love the energy he brings to Oakland. He has the killer aura that makes opposing pitchers wince.

I love the all or nothingness...am I wrong?

Hopefully he survives in the big leagues longer than Capt. America did after the Marvel Civil War.

Cap's comin' back though and Cust is here to stay (hopefully for a long illustrious time).

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Aug 14, 2007 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why do we still have Piazza?

Just came from the Rivercats game. Dee Brown can rake! Why isn't he on the A's? Colby Lewis looked good on the mound, too. 5IP 1ER.

by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 14, 2007 11:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Piazza

Will net the A's two draft picks in the off-season and no other team is willing to give the A's two first round quality draft picks for him; that's why he's still with the A's.

by Threepwood XX on Aug 14, 2007 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Say what?

The A's will be lucky to get one draft pick from him, let alone two.

by PaulThomas on Aug 14, 2007 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They'll definitely get one

two is a possibility if he hits well the rest of the way. He'll be a catcher for draft compensation purposes.

by mikeA on Aug 14, 2007 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, enough of the "Feel Bad Rainbow!"

I've felt much better about this team ever since I gave up hope. Seriously. The little triumphs like Murphy really feel good now...two months ago such a thing wouldn't have meant as much.

I'm up for Owning Our Own Okayness.

"Ziggy, did you not know?"

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 14, 2007 11:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

CUST IN THE WIN !!!!!

EVERYTHING IS CUST IN THE WIN!!!

"We get two outs, and I was sure, and I had a plan, and I shook Tek off," Schilling said. "And I get a big 'What if?' for the rest of my life."

by Imaseasonticketholder on Aug 14, 2007 11:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My 1st game of the season!

I haven't done a Diary yet but here is a mini A's fact sheet about myself.

Fan since I was 5.
Season ticket holder since 2002.
Average 20-30 games per season attended since 1999.
Own enough A's memorablia to open a small museum.
A's tatoo on my right arm.

Why did I miss the ENTIRE season until tonight's game?
I promised myself in December I had to lose 40 pounds before I could go to another game.
Opening Day, Yankees, Giants, my birthday, bobbleheads, AN Day. I missed them all. Around June I got serious and today was worth the wait. I earned this game. Jack Cust, Murphy, DiNardo, bullpen. Thanks for making it special.
Hopefully some Mr.C magic can help the team get those 82 wins. Keep the streak alive!

by Mr C on Aug 14, 2007 11:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Congrats, Mr. C!

Hard work! I'm glad the A's won on your first game back!

by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 14, 2007 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, good job!

That plan would totally backfire for me. I'd be so depressed without baseball, I'd be eating constantly.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 6:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is there room for Dee Brown on this team?

He seems very ready.

by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 14, 2007 11:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If we're going with AAAA outfielders

I'd rather see Jorge Piedra. I would have said Jason Perry too, but... well, he's already "playing" for the team in the person of his trade counterpart, Jack Hannahan.

by PaulThomas on Aug 14, 2007 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can he play center ?

Panama, you want to trade everyone lol - IM4Oakgal

by panamanianexpress on Aug 14, 2007 11:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In football maybe.

by mikeA on Aug 14, 2007 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn !

Panama, you want to trade everyone lol - IM4Oakgal

by panamanianexpress on Aug 14, 2007 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

point guard

in basketball.

I think religion is a neurological disorder that prevents people from thinking on their own.--B. Maher

by sf drift king on Aug 14, 2007 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love how distinctive Cust's HRs are

That is my thought.

by mikeA on Aug 14, 2007 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Goodnight Anchorman posters

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Aug 14, 2007 11:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Boy, is that a goofy pic of Fosse !

Panama, you want to trade everyone lol - IM4Oakgal

by panamanianexpress on Aug 15, 2007 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it was Fosse, it would read

KENDALL, COME BACK!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Aug 15, 2007 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beane punted Kendall off the bridge

It's hard to hate someone who helps me pay the rent. ~ mdl @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 15, 2007 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like what I saw tonight

no quitters on this team and despite everything, the players appear to be having a good time. Kotsay continues to have fun with the outfield fans, and Cust and Swish are smiles galore..

Great win! If we continue on this upswing, we should be at or above .500 by the end of the month.

I think religion is a neurological disorder that prevents people from thinking on their own.--B. Maher

by sf drift king on Aug 14, 2007 11:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Happy days are here again...

maybe not. But this was the first time in a looonng time that the A's were in a close game and I had no doubt they would win it. Maybe it's cause the Sox are somehow more pathetic offensively than we are. But still. I can't even remember the last time I felt that way watching a game. I sense a sweep!

It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. - Jimmy Dugan

by AintEasyBeinGreen on Aug 15, 2007 12:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Another damn earthquake!

Just now, a rumbly little thing with a bit of a jolt here in Berkeley. I've calling 3.4.

Seem to be happening a lot lately.

"Ziggy, did you not know?"

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 15, 2007 12:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We're fucked

I'm taking out a $10 billion loan.

Zonis's link indicates that 3.4 was a nice call.

by mikeA on Aug 15, 2007 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Epicenter near Hwy 13 in Oakland

Gotta be the Hayward. You're in big trouble there, Cal-boy. I recommend not seeking shelter at the football stadium.

"Ziggy, did you not know?"

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 15, 2007 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn.

USGS site says 3.2 - about 3 miles from where I live. This is happening too frequently these days for my liking.

"Who is Danny and why are we eating his cake?" -Jennifer's mom

by pam5981 on Aug 15, 2007 12:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've decided not to move there now.

"He thinks the lady doth protest too much." -Larry David (or Shakespeare)

by ohtobe21likehuston on Aug 15, 2007 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chicken.

3.2 is just a baby quake.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You'll have to

get used to it if you move here. I can't remember a time when we've been through so many littler quakes in such a short period of time. Kinda freakin' me out.

"Who is Danny and why are we eating his cake?" -Jennifer's mom

by pam5981 on Aug 15, 2007 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually

I kind of miss the quakes. I was never afraid of them; I'd always try and take a moment to pay attention to the experience, but they were always over before I really could. There's really nothing quite like an earthquake. Awesome display of power.

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is gauche

by ArakSOT on Aug 15, 2007 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geology rocks.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should try a tornado.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ooh, but earthquakes still have...

that "totally unpredictable" thing going for them. I love spontaneity!

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And tornadoes are ????

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not as predictable as hurricanes,

but you can still know when a tornado is coming a lot more often than you know when an earthquake is...

I'll stick with quakes, though. A "small" quake that hits your house probably does less damage than a "small" tornado does.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

got close to one, once

my brother is a meteorologist. He used to spend his vacation on tornado chases. We were visiting relatives in Wisconsin and got a warning. We all ran to the basement; my brother ran up to the roof for a better view.

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is gauche

by ArakSOT on Aug 15, 2007 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My mother's father

sits outside and watches them. Dumbass.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I live right on the Hayward fault, pam5981,

so those little 3.2ers rattle me purty good. Why so many lately? Grrr... (Better three 3.0s than one 9.0, though!)

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 Aug 15, 2007 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm not right on it

but close enough, damnit. As for the three 3.0s vs. a 9.0...I don't think it works that way, but it'll help me sleep better at night.

"Who is Danny and why are we eating his cake?" -Jennifer's mom

by pam5981 on Aug 15, 2007 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, they say Californ-i-a is due

another big one. Maybe these are a preview of what's to come.

by OldhamA on Aug 15, 2007 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhh

you're not making us feel any better.

"Who is Danny and why are we eating his cake?" -Jennifer's mom

by pam5981 on Aug 15, 2007 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was a minor-league quake

Hadn't developed any power, didn't display much control of the strike-slip zone.

It's hard to hate someone who helps me pay the rent. ~ mdl @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 15, 2007 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whose fault?

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 Aug 15, 2007 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Arg!

I was asleep! I missed it!

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 6:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The earthquake?

Don't worry, there'll be another one.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 6:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that was me snoring.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 6:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was Jack Cust thumping his mighty chest.

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 6:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah.

I have the same problem.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 7:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jack Cust thumps your chest?

Does he have to shove Travis out of the way first?

"They weren't frightened of me, they LOVED me!" ~ McFood, deep in denial

by Poppy on Aug 15, 2007 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh heh.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Aug 15, 2007 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Sox are in "a shame spiral"? What's next:

The A's organization is "crazy-making" because Billy Beane is an "enabler" of a group of "adult children," all of whom provide support for the "dysfunctional family" where all the members dress identically and keep expecting different results despite repeated failures?

'I have a theory about Randy Bell, but it betrays such an abject lack of faith in humanity that I cannot voice it.' ~FSU

by LAXile on Aug 15, 2007 6:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs