August AN Survey: Top Ten Favorite A's Players
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 8:15 AM PDT
in News
104 comments
Back in May, I took a look at this team, and for one moment, throwing statistics to the side, I thought I'd pull a reverse Moneyball and "go with my gut", telling you who were my top ten favorite A's players on the roster, at that point in time. As I wrote then, "While as A's fans, we remain loyal to our team, our loyalty to individuals can sometimes be as fleeting as a single at-bat or one relief appearance... And before anybody asks, yes, it is okay to include players on the DL or in the minors, if you must. But if they are traded, or waived, they cannot be listed."
Since May, much has changed. We've seen players go (Bradley, Melhuse, Kennedy, Kielty, Kendall...), and we've seen players get put on the ice shelf for safe keeping (Harden, Duchscherer, Loaiza, Snelling...). Meanwhile, the A's have won some great games, and lost more than I care to recall. So, it's time to roll out my Top Ten Current Favorite A's Players for August, and poll you for just how you're feeling. And before you ask, there are no wrong answers. If you want to vote for Crosby, go ahead. Just be prepared to defend your vote.
My Top 10 Favorite Current A's Players (August '07)
- Travis Buck
Reasons: Despite Buck's being a rookie, he's become one of the most reliable offensive hitters, is always a threat to knock out a double or triple, and makes incredible catches in the field through Byrnes-like energy, but controlled. While Buck loses style points for his reduced hair content, he makes those points back for a clutch AN day 4 RBI.
- Jack Cust
Reasons: While he's not the "home run every other at bat" type of threat we had naively hoped, Cust simply refuses to go quietly. In those at-bats where he's not striking out, Cust is willing to take a walk, lace a base hit up the middle, or bang a double off the wall. He's come from nowhere to be a strong middle of the order player in an A's offense largely devoid of scary hitters. (See also: Sports Illustrated: The Legend of Jack Cust)
- Dan Haren
Reasons: A legitimate Cy Young candidate, Haren can match pitch for pitch with opposing team's aces, and give the A's an incredible chance of winning each time he takes the mound. Haren is also very quiet off the mound, not complaining about run support when that's an issue, or becoming a target for the tabloids.
- Joe Blanton
Reasons: I have a soft spot for Kentucky Joe. On alternating starts, he looks like the second coming of Cy Young, only to follow with him being the second coming of Lenny DiNardo. Blanton, despite being all business on the mound, always seems unsatisfied with himself, and holds his expectations to a higher standard. Also, his manhandling of Ichiro and subsequent Blanton vs. World near-brawl showed incredible fire.
- Mark Ellis
Reasons: Mark didn't even make my top ten last time, as I've grown so accustomed to his day in and day out stellar defense, but hadn't seen anything remarkable at the plate. That's changed. Mark is a serious #5 hole threat and is one back of the all-time Athletics franchise record for home runs by a second baseman. There's no question that by the end of the season, he'll own it.
- Nick Swisher
Reasons: Nick always has something to say, and looks like the guy who would constantly be fun to be around. He also happens to be a great hitter, and can play multiple positions well when needed, and has added solid flexibility to Geren's day to day lineup. His power shortage and struggles at the plate of late have him down "this low".
- Chad Gaudin
Reasons: I give Nico way too much credit here. The 2006 Gaudin was a guy who came out of the pen and walked too many people, with the occasional good outing. The 2007 Gaudin has surprised everyone with many a strong start, and helping to anchor the pitching staff, at least from the #1 to #3 position, when injuries have made others, like Loaiza and Harden, a big fat question mark. That Nico called for him to be a starter early on was a gem.
- Kurt Suzuki
Reasons: Kurt should be crowned for doing well enough in Sacramento to finally get the black hole of offense (See: Kendall, Jason) out of our lineup, alone. But despite his occasional struggles with the bat, we are charmed by his boyish appearance, the puka shells, and his promise to be a catcher of the future. Rather than watch one career in decline, we are part of his rise to glory.
- Mike Piazza
Reasons: Anybody who hits home runs against the Angels with regularity joins this list. While we haven't had the full services of Piazza for long, it's clear that he makes the team's lineup better with him in it than when he's on the bench. Just the idea of a Swisher/Cust/Piazza back to back to back in the order makes me giddy. That he missed time with injury also can't be attributed to his carelessness or weakness, but instead, he was felled in the line of duty.
- Donnie Murphy
Reasons: He's not Bobby Crosby for #1. As with Suzuki, the story of a rookie who gets called up to the bigs before they were expected is exciting, even as we know they don't usually start off hitting .300 with power. In his short time with the Club, we've seen the occasional timely hit, and haven't seen anything cringe-worthy in the field, which despite Crosby's tenure, was always an adventure, especially in the first half of the year.
That's where I stand today, and I'm sure you disagree. Tell me who I forgot, and who you openly root for. There's no call to be as talky as me, but have fun with it. On an off-day what would you rather be doing... work?
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good work...
have to agree with all that, only thing id have different is move up Haren ahead of Cust and maybe Buck too, could you imagine this season for the A's without him?
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Aug 9, 2007 8:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Gaudin
Gaudin has been AWFUL since the All Star break. He hasn't won since July 5. I liked the move to the rotation too, but he's going to have to get it back together soon and show some consistency.
by Kelly on Aug 9, 2007 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay, that's fine.
So where's your top ten? If Gaudin doesn't make it, who does?
I could make a case for Stewart or Scoot, but I'm only allowed 10 slots per the rules.
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yours is a good top 10
I might have Gaudin in there anyway for what he did in the first half. Though I'd be inclined to put Dallas Braden in there though, because I tend to like him more than a logical person should. :)
by Kelly on Aug 9, 2007 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Favorite Top 10
It's your list of your favorite top 10 A's. You don't need to defend it, nobody can disagree with you. Even if Gaudin has been lousey of late he can still be a favorite.
by methodrampage on Aug 9, 2007 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DiNardo is the new (and lesser) Gaudin
I probably like Lenny a little more than is warranted by his performance, but it's a good trend when we can take setup or middle-relief guys and turn them into useful starters. Both he and Chad have exceeded expectations this year while simultaneously taking on a harder role (at the beginning of the season, I was convinced that DiNardo's low ERA was purely the result of being used in mop-up situations).
I'm going to blame the large number of innings for why Gaudin's shine is wearing off (he's at 142 innings already and his previous Major League high is 64, from last year). So I think that there is some room for optimism about these guys next year.
by colin on Aug 9, 2007 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My 10
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck (yeah, I like him that much)
- Cust (he may end up as a AAAA player, but he's fun to watch while it lasts)
- Haren (what's not to like?)
- Ellis (nice guy, maximizes his talent)
- Gaudin (like the quarter you found in your couch)
- The Duke (please come back healthy)
- Street (we should have traded him before the season, though)
- Swisher (he was my favorite A's player last year, I really don't know why that's changed)
by BlameChannel53 on Aug 9, 2007 8:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
top 10
Even though he may be a Cub soon....
Its tought to leave Stew off the list....He was hitting everyday when no one else was....plus a 300 avg
by jmdeitrich on Aug 9, 2007 8:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't get the Stewart love on this site
Stewart is hitting close to .300, but he has not been consistent offensively, and he has been below average. Stewart's OPS by month:
April .642 (horrificly bad for a corner outfielder)
May .760 (below average)
June 1.005 (awesome month, fueled by an incredible 10 day stretch)
July .736 (below average)
Augsut .647 (horrificly bad)
Stewart has had 4 terrible or below average months and one incredibly good month. Overall, his line of .298/.360/.399 is below average for a corner outfielder.
Does that mean that he doesn't belong on anyone's Top 10 list? No, because Stewart is a good guy who plays hard. It's silly to suggest that Stewart needs to be on anyone's Top 10 list, however. He's really not been very good this year, despite what AN thinks of him.
by BlameChannel53 on Aug 9, 2007 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Stew...
and coming from a fan perspective as opposed to a seamhead perspective, I enjoy watching base hits more than I enjoy watching walks, and Stewart gets more base hits than anyone on the team.
I hope he has a strong finish this year and a good season next year, as long as he's not on the Angels or White Sox.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Aug 9, 2007 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Stewart too
If Buck wasn't occupying 3 spots on my list, Stewart would be on it. Objectively, however, he's a below average corner outfielder, no matter how much you love hits and hate walks.
by BlameChannel53 on Aug 9, 2007 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Stewart as well... He should
Looks like we should look to BillyBeane to resign Sammy if such can happen at a reasonable price now that he has established himself this season.
by Charlie Brown on Aug 9, 2007 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All Hail Stewie!!
Shannon should be on top 5 or 10 list.
by pachydermOAFC on Aug 9, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
racist
by monkeyball on Aug 9, 2007 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's a .300 hitter.
How many of those do we have? That should explain the Stewart love.
by IM4Oakgal on Aug 9, 2007 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
8 games in Aug so far?
And he sucks? Every player will have up & down stretches. Fact of statistics.
by MobiusKlein on Aug 9, 2007 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stewart Love
OBP and SLG are very important, but on a team like the A's where it seems players like Swisher and Johnson seem to go out of their way to avoid swinging the bat, a guy who can consistently hit .300 and get runners from first to third, or even second to third are a rare commodity. I know that .360 isn't the world's greatest OBP, but frankly, watching the game day in and day out, I'll take Stewart's .298 batting average and .360 OBP any day over Swisher's .250 batting average and .395 OBP (if we were to assume they had the same slugging percentage).
by richwol on Aug 9, 2007 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Below average
by atomopawn on Aug 9, 2007 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey...
Why are there only white and/or Hawaiian people on your list??
And...OMG...you're prejudiced against people with more than four syllables in their names..aren't you? AREN'T YOU???
by oblique on Aug 9, 2007 8:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Saltalamacchia
will never make LMG's All-Star team, no matter what he does. : /
by PaulThomas on Aug 9, 2007 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The spillover
from the MB thread... I bet this goes on for weeks.
by Roloc on Aug 9, 2007 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Color is always backwards to you.
by JediLeroy on Aug 9, 2007 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Law of averages
In May I had Bradley very highly rated. Stewart's good, but not in my top ten.
It's a "small sample size".
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
my 10
- Cust - I just wish he would protect the plate more with two strikes and learn to hit the curve.
- Buck - Anybody who trash-talks Johny Damon's arm has to be in the top 10
- Ellis - He's been one of my favorites since 2002. If only that moron Koch had not given up that bomb to AJ Assinksi ...
- Haren - League leader in ERA, excellent WHIP, what else to say
- Embree - doing very well in a position that he was not expected to be in.
- Swisher - even though he no longer looks like a porn star
- Blanton - anybody notice that Jason Ellison was DFA'd recently
- DiNardo - see Embree above
- Suzuki - OK, so his hitting is weak and defense needs work, but he did lead to the demise of KenDoll. Plus, he reminds me of a lot of the kids I went to high school with.
- Andrew Brown - kind of early to tell, but he looks pretty good. Plus, anything positive in replacing Milton BraDLey and his chronic muscle-pulls is a bonus.
by doctorK on Aug 9, 2007 9:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
'go with my gut'
If we're talking about personal favorites, Chavvy is still my favorite A, in spite of the fact that he's been pretty bad this year.
by iglew on Aug 9, 2007 9:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My 10
- Mark Ellis - The guy is a freaking rock. When you look at a team of uncertainty there is always Mark Ellis doing what he does.
- Nick Swisher - I am a softy for utility players, especially ones who are good at first base (what I used to play)
- Shannon Stewart - The only dude batting .300 (ok .298 now but still) Gotta give it up to the guy with the most hits on the team
- Danny Haren - for obvious reasons... he should probably be higher than this (I'm looking at you nick swisher!)
- Donnie Murphy - I watched this guy at Rivercats games all year. I know what he can do (and trust me he does some Cosby-like-things sometimes so be prepared).
- Mike Piazza - Because he stayed after a game to make sure that an angles fan went to jail for throwing a water bottle at him, ohh and he is a future hall of famer.
- Joe Blanton - For the least athletic guy on the team he is like second in the league in complete games, and I am a softy for irony as well.
- Jack Cust - The embodiment of A's philosophy. Work your ass off through the minor leagues have one or two good seasons then go get paid somewhere else. Only problem is he did it on some one else's minor league team.
- Huston Street - So sue me I like this guy. Obviously he throws gas and when he is on his game he is untouchable. But those 2-3 innings he put in work next to Fosse in the booth were classic.
- J.J Furmaniak - Easily the fastest guy on the roster and I loved watching this guy at the cats games. I just hope that he sees some actual time. You all will love him I swear... how could you not like the name Furmaniak!!!
by Roloc on Aug 9, 2007 9:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My Top 10
- Buck - yall have said enough on him. Beast.
- Ellis - this guy is a stud, plain and simple.
- Swisher - despite his slump, he's still the life of the clubhouse.
- Embree - he's been a stud in a role he's never been in before.
- Cust - The Man, the Myth, the Legend! Need I say more?
- Piazza - I've always liked him, so it'd be hard for me to ever drop him much further.
- Haren - So low? Yes! I like Haren, but I don't love him. This has nothing to do with his stellar season or amazing stats, I'm just more of a position player guy.
- Kotsay - Say what you will about his lack of offense this year, this guy is the man in center. You know, when he's healthy. I'd gladly sacrifice his offense for that amazing glove...you know, if the rest of our team could hit worth a damn.
- Stewart - This would have been Bradley, but he's gone...and I don't wanna seem like a racist. Or maybe he's just a hard worker who's a good guy to have on a team.
- Casilla - Anyone who changes their name and age and come back better than ever has to make the list.
This list, of course, are just of players playing right now. Like, I've always loved Street, but he just got back and isn't even closing yet. Gaudin has been terrible lately, so while a nice story, I dunno.... Blanton is too frusteratingly inconsistant. We should have traded him to the Dodgers for a new 3B and SS.
by ZeroIndulgence on Aug 9, 2007 9:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Remove Kots from the list...
and replace him with Blanton...and switch Buck and Ellis and I'll vote for your list.
by IM4Oakgal on Aug 9, 2007 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
toughy
As much as I like Haren, I have to give love to my Parkersburg brother Nick Swisher. Am I the only one that misses his long flowing locks?
by mrbendy on Aug 9, 2007 9:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Top 10
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Buck
- Goose!
by jubjub on Aug 9, 2007 9:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and seriously
I don't have a top 10 because there's so much turnover. Tejada is probably my favorite player from the recent past. Now, I just root for the young guys to play well and continue to develop. I root for laundry.
by jubjub on Aug 9, 2007 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
my 10
- Cust- My favorite type of player. Three true outcomes. Power and patience. He can't field or run, but I don't care.
- Chavez- Been on the A's for the ongest time. He's the Franchise player and the team leader. He may have been only average offnsively for the past 2 or 3 season, and he may be on the DL now, but when he's healthy he's one of the top 3rd basemen in the league. I expect him to return to his 2003 form next year.
- Swisher- Love the power and the patience. Better overall hitter then Cut and much much better fielder/runner. Seems to have a fun personality and I like any guys that say anything other than the stock cliches from Bull Durham (one game at a time, etc.)
- Blanton- I liked him since he came up. I remember defending him when he struggled some in his rookie year. I have a soft spot for fat guys. So Go Cupcakes (best nickname ever)
- Haren- The best picther on the A's. I'm not even qualifying it anymore with "unless Harden is healthy". I hope he ges the CY Young this year.
- Ellis- I never think of him and I always underrate him, but with the A's struggles this year I've realized how important (and good) he is.
- Buck- I enjoy seeing the young guys break in and Buck has preformed above my expectations. As much as love the patient approach of the A's, its always nice to see someone hitting above .260.
- Harden- Hey, if he's healthy he's one of the best. One day he'll be able to put altogether. Plus, he's Canadian, which makes him exgtra likeable to me.
(I kinda started to run out of favs here...kinda sad)
- Duke-Good, consistent reliever. I like him more than streert because i think the set up men pitch in harder situations than the closers.
- Suzuki- He got rid of Kendall. For that we all owe him much graditude.
by pbruins92 on Aug 9, 2007 10:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Top 10
Of course, I openly root for everyone on the team and many ex-A's, but the ones I'd put in the lifeboat first:
- Mark "Dakota Boy" Ellis, Unicorn Power!
- Kurt Kiyoshi Suzuki
- He may be the good china that stays in the cupboard because it's too fragile to use, but my favorite pitcher will always be the pride of Vancouver Island, Rich Harden.
- Jack F'in Cust.
- Dan Haren.
- Venezuelan Man-Candy Marco Scutaro.
- Ex-Twin, ex-Jay, killer of evil no-hitters, Shannon Stewart.
- Still the most beautiful assemblage of molecules on the field, even when his pitching is only fairly decent, Utter Hotness Huston Street.
- Lenny DiNardo.
- And probably the least popular choice, but for sentimental historical reasons, Mark Kotsay.
If they were still here, Kendall and Bradley would replace Stewart and DiNardo.
by Englishmajor on Aug 9, 2007 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just saw that Stewart was claimed
by the Cubs off the waiver wire. What happened there? He's been great for us. I don't understand.
My top ten players;
- Ellis 2.Buck 3.Cust 4.Haren 5.Gaudin 6.Blanton 7.Embree 8.Dinardo 9.Suzuki 10.Scutaro
by A'sfansince1970 on Aug 9, 2007 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and he's not even in your top 10
most teams put all their veterans on waivers after July 31st, but the A's can pull him back. There is now a 48-hour (down to like 36?) window to negotiate a deal.
by jubjub on Aug 9, 2007 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
there is no bad top 10 A's list
Mine:
- Cust
- Beane (ok, maybe a list that breaks the "players" rule is a bad list)
- Haren
- Embree
- Ellis
- Duchscherer
- Chavez
- Buck
- Suzuki
- DJ
by monkeyball on Aug 9, 2007 10:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
my 10cents
1-Cust
2-Swisher
3-Street
4-Blanton
5-Stewart-he just shuts up and produces
6-Scutaro-scrappy do it all
7-Gaudin
8-Duke
9-Jeremy Brown solely based on moneyball
10-Brad Ziegler!
by closetasfan on Aug 9, 2007 10:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Top Ten...With a bullet
- Ellis
- Murphy
- Buck
- Kotsay
- Haren
- Cust
- Street
- Furry Maniac
- Casilla
- Swisher
These are the guys I pull for, not necessarily the best. Great stories, graceful and/or gritty in the field. My kinda A's. Next year, I hope I can include Barton and even (yes, my love dies hard) Komine.
by Buck18 on Aug 9, 2007 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My faves...
- Chavez - Has been my favorite player for years. I love watching him play 3B more than anyone I have ever watched closely. I like watching him play 3B more than I liked watching any A's player on O.
- Ellis - Been a fave of mine for years.
- Haren - Love hismentality and makeup, and of course the results.
- Street - Think he is very close to elite when healthy despite the hiccups of 06. Also seems like a great guy.
- Buck - Echo everything above.
- Swisher - He used to be higher on this list, I have tired a bit of all his eccentricity while not producing. Still like him a lot, but it has certainly tempered a tad.
- Stewart - No real connection as he will only be here a year, but always been a fan of the way he plays and his makeup.
- Cust - Great story
- Kots - Have cooled on him too
- Scutaro - I don't think very highly of him on the field, but I respect the hell out of what he gets out of his abilities. Special place in my heart for a guy who works THIS hard to achieve his dream.
by OaktownPower on Aug 9, 2007 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This actually turned out to be depressing...
Buck
MaEl
Street
Duke
Harden
Swisher
Blanton
Chavez
Cust
Haren
by mikeA on Aug 9, 2007 11:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I understand that...
If we're stretching to get to 10, that makes me question the process.
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt.....I almost stopped at 7...
And no way I could have gone past 11 or 12......I had Dan Johnson at 68th if needed though.
by OaktownPower on Aug 9, 2007 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sentimental favorites
- Harden -- I will never give up on him. Never. Ever. Ever.
- Ellis -- classiest guy in baseball. Rock solid.
- Street -- So frickin' likeable.
- Duchscherer -- Miss him.
- Buck -- Personification of Youth.
- DiNardo -- scrappy and fills out a uniform nicely
- Haren -- don't know why I don't get more excited about him.
- Scutaro -- team mascot
- Guadin -- always pulling for him
- Chavez -- wish he would make us love him more.
by SportySpice on Aug 9, 2007 11:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
footnote
I'm still pulling for Crosby and want him to do well.
by SportySpice on Aug 9, 2007 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, my list
This has little to do with how well they're playing, just how much I like them.
- Chavez
- Swisher
- Ellis
- Scutaro
- Buck
- Piazza
- Stewart
- Cust
- Haren
- Street
Until I made this list, I didn't realize I like our hitters so much better than our pitchers this year.
In past years I've been indifferent to Ellis, but lately I've come around.
If Kielty were still on the team I'd rank him #3, just ahead of Ellis. (If Kendall were still on the team, he'd be vying with Kotsay for dead last.)
If we're allowed to count Beane, he's tied for #1 with Chavez.
If what Jeff at LL says about Cust is true, he drops from my top 10 list.
by iglew on Aug 9, 2007 11:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
my 10
1 Haren
2 Buck
3 Duke (the team misses him more than anyone)
4 Blanton
5 Ellis
6 Swish
7 Cust
8 Street
9 Lenny D
10 Brown/Casilla/Embree
That bullpen will be nasty next year with Street/Embree/Casilla/Brown/Duke! It'll let Marshall go back to his ROOGY role where he can be effective.
by JJ on Aug 9, 2007 12:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Marshall
I doubt he'll be on the big-league team next year, at least not on opening day. He's a rule 5 pick and we only get to keep him if he stays on the 25-man roster. If it weren't for that he would have been sent to Sacramento months ago.
by iglew on Aug 9, 2007 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A's top 10
The 9 guys in the field plus whoever's the DH.
by grover on Aug 9, 2007 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
so, that would have included K&K?
by monkeyball on Aug 9, 2007 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're talking about Current A's
Kendall is no longer current.
by grover on Aug 9, 2007 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so, up until a couple weeks ago ...
... your answer would have been "The 7 guys in the field who aren't K&K plus whoever's the DH"?
by monkeyball on Aug 9, 2007 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That article on Cust is fantastic.
I love it. I hadn't seen it before. It's freakin' awesome :)
And my Top 10:
- Buck. (agshkjasdgkjadfggh)
- Haren
- Swisher
- Kotsay
- Ellis
- Brown
- Cupcakes
- Stewart
- Scutaro
- Everyone else.
by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 9, 2007 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So...
the article on Cust is fantastic but he doesn't tie for #2? He's heartbroken for sure!
P.S. It was good to talk to you at AN Day 4. Sounds like a tough course load!
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh my goodness, yes
It was fantastic talking to you too :) And guess what? I'll be teaching myself Calculus, most likely. My advisor is being a pain and isn't helping me out much. So, I'll teach myself Calc, take the AP test, pass with a five and get college credit!!!
It's that easy... right?
by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 9, 2007 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What happened?
They won't let you take AP Calculus?
by alamedagirl on Aug 9, 2007 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No :(
There's already too many classes on my schedule with Physics, AP English and AP French. It sucks.
by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 9, 2007 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many classes do you get?
by alamedagirl on Aug 9, 2007 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seven
Although there's easy room for eight. Apparently, "seniors aren't funded for eight classes". Yeah, lady, most seniors don't want to take eight classes. Only the dumbasses like me do.
by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 9, 2007 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is so weird.
lol...can you offer to fund yourself? What other classes are you taking?
by alamedagirl on Aug 9, 2007 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
I'm taking Economics of Business Ownership, Leadership, Chamber Choir, AP English, AP French, Physics and Civics/Econ.
Plus Calc. Plus a job. Plus Rally Commissioner. Plus A's fan. YAYYYYYYY
by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 9, 2007 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thinking about...
owning the A's someday, huh?
by alamedagirl on Aug 9, 2007 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anybody else find it puzzling ...
... disturbing, even, that Cust hasn't read Moneyball, and can't define OPS??
I'd envisioned him a student of the game, making the most of his last/first chance, but he's been here, what, three months and not bothered to learn everything, or even the easiest anything, about his new team and boss??
Jeebus, Jack -- wanna borrow my copy?
by The Dogfather on Aug 9, 2007 2:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My Top Ten
- Ellis
- Swisher
- Blanton
- Stewart
- Kotsay
- Scutaro
- Haren
- Gaudin
- Street
- Buck
- Bobby is not on my list due to DL status. I did not include anyone currently riding the pine, or you would have seen Bobby and Chavey in there somewhere.
Also, just for kicks! Top 5 Former A's I miss most!
- Melhuse
- Huddy
- Melhuse
- Payton
- Melhuse!!
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 9, 2007 2:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Simple list
- Swisher
- Scutaro
- Haren
- Chavez
- Ellis
- Buck
- Street
- Cust
- Kotsay
- Duke-sherererer
Too bad the injure-me bug floats around this list too much. :(
by Gromit1025 on Aug 9, 2007 2:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
All time list?
Your 1989 World Champs! Ah, the memories.
by Gromit1025 on Aug 9, 2007 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My 10
Let me preface this by saying that Rich Harden would easily be #1 if he could stay on the field. There aren't many pitchers that you WANT to watch pitch, because watching them pitch means not watching your team score runs. Harden is one of those. He doesn't qualify, though.
Same thing, plus the inconvenient fact that he hasn't actually played a game here yet, disqualifies Chris Denorfia.
Injury-free top 10:
- Swisher: Star of Moneyball. Cutter of hair. Hitter of home runs. What's there to say about Swish that hasn't already been said? (Tangential side note: Did anyone else catch the thinly veiled shots that Thom Brenneman was taking at Joe Morgan last weekend? The Morgan backlash has finally taken root.) Just stop swinging the bat so hard, Nick. You're gonna miss a lot, not to mention sprain an ankle at some point.
- Haren: Looks like the American Taliban at times, but the only people terrorized by him are guys trying to hit his splitter. He's really put it together this season.
- Ellis: The man is an Obscure Record Breaking Machine. HRs by a South Dakotan; errorless games; HRs by an A's second baseman; single-season fielding percentage; name a record that's NOT in the books and Ellis has probably broken it. Oh, and he's easily the best defensive second baseman in MLB.
- Buck: God, I hope this guy stays healthy. If he does, he could be Magglio Ordonez with more power and better defense. Awesome hitting approach.
- Cust: Best pure power stroke I've ever seen, and that includes Barry Bonds. I can't believe he wasn't included in the Home Run Derby. Great story.
- Casilla: What's in a name? The change of names seemed to change his approach, too; he's not throwing the ball through the backstop and he's spotting his sliders. A feel-good guy.
- Street: How can you not like a guy who does a feature for the newspaper... on wine drinking? (Dangit, can't find the link. Anyone?) Already a high-class dude. The story about Bobby Crosby on the DL was vintage (so to speak) Huston. And he auditioned pretty well for Ray Fosse's job.
- Blanton: Large and in charge.
- DiNardo: I'm a self-confessed sucker for soft-tossing lefties, the guys who make you say "how does this man ever get anybody out?" His fastball is slower than Harden's changeup, but it gets the job done.
- Andrew Brown: Another bullpen reclamation project, and another success story. He's picked up Casilla during his recent struggles and generally done his best to make the Bradley trade look like a great move on Beane's part. He'd have an ERA in the low 1s if Joe Kennedy hadn't fumbled two inherited runners home in his one poor outing. He's given up one extra base hit-- a double-- in 17 innings.
by PaulThomas on Aug 9, 2007 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Swisher gets way too much
love on AN. I think Swisher is a little too full of himself, and does nothing a la Crosby to change his bad habits. As I said a few days ago, in almost every category Ellis is superior to Swisher this year. Yes, he walks a lot but is that what you want in one of your few "power hitters"? I think he is a superior defensive 1st baseman and in a perfect world that is where he would be for the rest of his career, unfortunately he plays on a team with a whole lot of guys who are big, slow, and can only find a place as a DH or 1st baseman. But in my mind he is the most disappointing player on the team this year. I didn't expect much of DJ or Chavez, and feared Crosby would always be Crosby but I thought Swisher would go to another level, sadly, he is what he is, a guy who will hit .240 with about 20 HR's, walk a lot and be an average outfielder.
by china bob on Aug 9, 2007 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby is dumb
Swisher, despite his antics, is not. This is why I think that he will rebound strongly from this season.
And frankly, even a crap Swisher-- and this year's version is definitely crap-- is still an above-average offensive player
by PaulThomas on Aug 9, 2007 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow u change ur favorites often
Most people just kinda stick to a player until they retire.
by Mulderfan on Aug 9, 2007 3:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, you don't have much of a choice
unless you change your screenname.
This is why my SN is not ChrisDenorfiaFan...
by PaulThomas on Aug 9, 2007 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: You don't have much of a choice...
You should have changed your ID to PaulPiazza when Thomas left. That was the idea, right?
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, that really is my name
Paul Thomas.
I share a last name, but absolutely nothing else, with Big Frank.
by PaulThomas on Aug 9, 2007 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was known
But trying to find an angle. At least it's not Paul Saltalamacchia
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's more fun this way
If I gave you my real "favorites", you'd see McGwire and Canseco and Stewart and Eckersley and Rickey, etc... but this also tests how AN's mood is in the day/week/month. Of course we're fickle! We're fans!
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And how about this...
The diary asks about CURRENT Oakland A's.
by grover on Aug 9, 2007 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really...
What half-wit came up with that restriction?
<throws chair>
by louismg on Aug 9, 2007 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just want to acknowledge Ellis and Buck
Ellis is so steady, so heady and such a pro in how he handles himself -- and he's so underrated by the rest of the league, that he is my clear personal favorite. To have persevered through an entire lost season, come back to play nearly flawless defense and contribute more with the bat than expected is great. To answer Qs with candor and aplomb ("they gave me two errors on that play 'cuz they couldn't figure out how to give me three") is real class.
Buck has the great mix of power, speed and grace of a terrific athlete. He's also playing well beyond his years or experience, esp at the plate, and I just love to watch his highlights -- the pop-up/throw-down slide into home against the Yankers, the somersault throw-out at Shea, the afterburners extending his hits by a base -- and the fact that he really stings the ball when he hits it. I saw him at ST and was hoping he'd just catch-on -- he's done way, way more than that. The kid's a star -- just stay away from the trainers.
by The Dogfather on Aug 9, 2007 5:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Candor and aplomb
(No Grace this time.)
by iglew on Aug 10, 2007 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
By Grace may we all be saved.
Pearly Nerfect!
Too bad she's dead.
by The Dogfather on Aug 10, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My List
- Kotsay
- Ellis
- Blanton
- Duchscherer
- Swisher
- Chavez
- Street
- Haren
- Embree
- Olmedo Saenz
by Reg on Aug 9, 2007 5:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My top 10
In general my favourite players are generally guys who I admire as people, and, not independently, who I respect as players (i.e. the type of guys that I'd love to have as teammates). I also tend to like guys who came up as and have only played for the A's - longevity with the team helps too.
- Chavez
Very genuine and honest person.
- Ellis
He has been a favourite for a long time but has shown such class this year. I loved his quote about it being easy for players to publicly speak well of the manager when things are going well and then speak negatively through the papers about him when things are going poorly.
- Harden
I'm Canadian.
- Street
Such a nice guy and great competitive attitude.
- Duchscherer
See #4 above.
- Swisher
Refreshingly fun and outgoing. Makes me smile.
- Blanton
He's growing on me (no pun intended). Love the way he and Swish are such good buddies.
- Buck
Love his approach to hitting.
- Embree
Caught my attention when he made Swish think twice and consider the consequences of what he says to him.
- Stewart
Had a nice brief chat with him when the A's were in Houston.
Honourable mention to Johnson and Suzuki. I used to like Kotsay a lot more.
by Larry E on Aug 9, 2007 6:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll try to actually put them in order this time,
but I don't have any reasons that haven't already been listed by other people who have these players on their lists.
- Ellis
- Haren
- Buck
Crap. I can't put the rest in order...
SwisherGaudin? Gaudin.
SwisherStewartSwisherStewart. No... yeah. Stewart. Except for his throwing.Maybe SwisherNo, Stewart.
- Swisher.
KotsayDuchscherer.
ChavezScutaroMurphyScutaro.
- Blanton.
KotsayChavezKotsayChavezChasayKotvezHarden.
Cust comes in at about #17.
And I ditto SportySpice's footnote about Crosby.
by Poppy on Aug 9, 2007 6:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ellis?
Really? That surprises me. I thought for sure you would say Loaiza.
by Jennifer on Aug 9, 2007 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Loaiza's #18.
by Poppy on Aug 9, 2007 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahead of TWENTY-TWO other guys from the 40-man?
by monkeyball on Aug 9, 2007 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, there's a 23-way tie for 18th.
by Poppy on Aug 10, 2007 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
crap. I mean for 17th.
{brutally murders own joke}
by Poppy on Aug 10, 2007 6:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
dude!
What's with the Cust H8? Really.
by monkeyball on Aug 10, 2007 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't hate him at all.
Just not excited about him.
by Poppy on Aug 10, 2007 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
seems to be a bit more than that....
http://www.athleticsnation.com/comme...
indigestion?
by mikeA on Aug 10, 2007 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellis
I'd love to see this guy one day be a coach or manager for the the A's.
by Larry E on Aug 9, 2007 6:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
my 10...
just my humble opinion...
- Haren--done so much for the team this year. always solid, always a great chance to win with him on the mound. and he made me so proud in the all-star game. he's simply been the best all season long and i really would love to see him get the cy young.
- Buck--he's one a's hitter that doesn't make me lose hope when there are 2 outs with risp. energetic and fun to watch. but i liked his hair better before.
- Scutaro--I've seen some legitimate arguments against little papi on my perusal of the site, but I just can't renounce my love for him. and i'm venezuelan.
- Ellis--consistency. and i sort of just like the way he quietly goes about his business. classy.
- Swisher--would be higher because he's just so fun to watch, as a player and a person...would be lower because i've been a little disappointed over the course of the season. so i put him in the middle.
- Street--when he's on his game, the sight of that little peeking tongue fills me with confidence.
- Harden--he probably shouldn't be on the list, because it's a pretty idealistic bordering on naive choice, but I will never lose hope.
- Duchscherer--another confidence-causer. looking forward to him next season.
- DiNardo--I really liked him the first time I saw him (if my memory doesn't fail me, it was that sad 13-inning loss to the yankees?) at first because of his name. my brother made fun of me but he's really proven himself loveable for other reasons.
- Cust--Legend. he brings some excitement and power...and i like how surprised everyone on sportscenter and such were with him.
by katinthehat on Aug 9, 2007 7:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
...
Ellis
Scutaro
Street
Buck
Barton
Suzuki
Brown
Furmaniak
Murphy
Brandon Buckley
#11- Rickey Henderson (just in case)
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Aug 9, 2007 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
top 10 with a twist...
1.) Buck
2.) Ellis
3.) Haren
4.) Street
5.) Swisher
6.) Cust
7.) Blanton
8.) Piazza
9.) Suzuki
10.) Scutaro
I wish i could say i love all my A's but these guys have been most disapointing:
1.) Chavez(just get healthy, i dont like chavy playing nowhere near 100%)
2.) Kotsay (we should've traded him to the yanks as rumored a couple years ago)
3.) Crosby (Never has and probably never will fufill his potential
4.) Harden (I love him, but id love him a lot more if he could pitch more often)
5.) Duke(Also really like him, but not when hes on the DL)
6.) DJ, boring and unproductive
7.) Loaiza (as you can see i dont like players that could help the team but are on the DL)
8.) Kiko Calero (wasn't expecting a 1-5 record with a 5.80 era
9.)Shane Komine, 4-11 5.25 Era in AAA, not making himself an option for the back end of the rotation
10.) Jason Windsor, also is not stepping up to make into the bigs, a 5.40 era in AAA wont warrent any optimism for me
I prefer to focus on the positives, but with this team lately theres been plenty of negatives too
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Aug 9, 2007 7:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
HOW ABOUT
...a top ten list of A's on the disabled list or a top ten list of A's prospects. Who should the A's call up on September 1st?
by jarforcefatherofforce on Aug 9, 2007 7:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Lenny DiNardo...
Picked off the scrape-heap of the Boston Red Sox - starting and throwing a 3.28(?) ERA. Underrated and fun to cheer. The sort of addition that keeps me loyal to Beane. He deserves your #10 slot. Murphy will have his day.
by Bosnian on Aug 9, 2007 7:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
my top 10
- Ellis
- buck
- Haren
- Swisher
- Scutaro
- Blanton
- Street
- Kotsay
- Blanton
10 Stewart
New least favorite..Colero
He is soooo hittable this year. He is injured or just lost it. Runner up.. Loaiza He is either good or bad no middle road
by Arcman on Aug 9, 2007 10:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
interesting topic
I'm not quite fickle, but I am a little.
- Ellis - he was called up the week I had back surgery. I remember my mom telling me about him in the hospital. He's always solid, and I enjoy thinking "out" anytime someone hits it to the right of 2nd. He should have a gold glove.
- Swisher - he's a fun guy, good hitter, easy to root for.
- Chavez - great defender. You can tell when he's not at 3B. He stayed with the A's, yes for money, but he's still the last Athletic from 2000.
- Haren - AL All Star Starter, and Oakland Athletic.
- Cust - It's been a while since we got a hitter off the scrap heap like that.
- Blanton - It seems like other teams don't respect him as much as they should. He can really pitch.
- Kotsay - Nice guy, great defender. I feel bad for what's been going on lately, as Kotsay was always one you could count on in CF. Hit to CF- out.
- Buck - In which hope springs.
- Gaudin - I hope he can keep this up next year. Makes the Ted Lilly for Bobby Kielty trade a little better.
- Duke - Another guy gotten on the fly. If only his back was healthy.
by whobob on Aug 9, 2007 11:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
this makes me sad
I love the A's, but I don't think I have 10 favorite players on the team right now. I could pick 10 guys that I like better than the rest, but I'm really not pleased with our current roster.
That said, my favorites are:
- Haren. He's awesome and has that Tiger Woods thing going on with his concentration that inspires awe in me.
- Cust. Great story and is actually somebody opposing pitchers should fear.
- Harden. Obviously, when healthy, he's filthy. It's just so sad as a fan of his and the A's that he's had such a hard time staying healthy.
- Street. Not necessarily "lights out", but is pretty filthy and young and coming up so quickly and being so productive was awesome.
Don't get me wrong, I don't really dislike any of the players (well, maybe Crosby, but only as a player), I just wouldn't say they are truly "favorites" in the sense that 10 years from now I'm going to remember them really fondly like I think I will the four guys above.
by Eric in Atlanta on Aug 10, 2007 4:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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