Hey everyone.

Sorry to "spam" AN with this again, but I heard further from Brad about the shirt design.  I'd let him know one of you had the idea about blanking out the high socks and I hadn't found a way to do it that satisfied me.  He liked the idea and I worked on it again along with changing the arm.  I think the results came out much better and much more stylish than I first thought.

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A few weeks ago I got the results of a t-shirt design I came up with based on a photo I took this year:

The quality of the shirt is pretty nice.  It's a "normal," thick shirt (Gildan Ultra Cotton).  To compare, I don't know if any of you have ever bought from ShirtWoot before but I got a shirt from them last week and the material is just a lot thinner than these.

Anyway, I e-mailed Brad asking if he had any problem with me selling them.  After checking with his agent they both gave the green light.  He's also going to be getting some for family and friends.

So, here's the deal: I only have about nine shirts from the first batch after giving a couple to my cousin, and I'm waiting to hear back from Brad as to how many he'd like. The more I have made at once the less it costs per shirt (a dozen is about $15 each while two dozen or more drops it down a bit) and I'm expecting to sell them for about $20 to cover the cost plus shipping. It may be enough for a couple bucks left over for myself. I'm not doing this to make a bunch of money. It's mainly just for fun and the neat feeling that comes with knowing someone out there wants a shirt I designed.

If anyone is interested, please e-mail me (flashfire at speakeasy dot net) with how many you want and the sizes you'd like. I can have them made up to 3XL but I can also get them in youth sizes. After a couple weeks or so I'll start asking for money and mailing addresses, have another batch made once I know what I need to get, and I can start sending them after they arrive. Also, depending on how many I get made I can probably do a few dollars off multiple shirts. I'll think about that.

Thanks!

PS: If you remember seeing something like this before, you're right.  I removed the post until I heard one way or the other from Brad.

PPS: If you e-mail me, please let me know your username.

PPPS: If you'd like to get an idea of the sizing for the shirts, go to this page on uberprints.com.  There's a size chart there as well.  I wear a 3XL and after a wash it shrunk a small amount and it still feels comfortable, but if you're not sure about the size I'd recommend going with the larger one.  I also hang-dry the shirt instead of using the dryer, which may help keep the design in better shape for a longer time. YMMV.

It wasn't a terribly fun game at the ballpark today and I had a little timing to prove it.  I picked up a ticket from StubHub a couple nights ago for less than face even with the fees thrown in so I could go see my last game of the season and also check out Josh Outman. The stuff looks like it's there but he needs consistency. No surprise at this point. Too many high pitch counts doomed him today. It also doesn't look like those CoolBase uniforms have the velcro patch the regular ones do. Oops. Let's get Uni Watch on it (though they've already done a very detailed look at buttons and lettering on uniforms over the years).

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News tidbits today.  First, Street:

Street, the A's closer most of the past three years, has retired 18 of the past 19 batters he has faced. His velocity is back up in the 93 mph range, and his slider is sharp. He believes he can be effective in save situations again.

"I'm looking to hopefully get some chances," Street said. "I haven't expressed that directly to them, but that was the whole reason I was taken out of the role, to return to form. And the last nine innings have indicated I've returned to form."

Street wants job back, but he can't have it - by SuSlu

Street's doing better, yes.  I actually do think the team should let him close again especially if they have visions of moving him via trade.  If he gets it done then all is well.  Of course, there's also the risk that he blows a few more.  I wouldn't give him the job completely but I'd use him in a few situations.  I'd also use Devine in a few before the season is over.

As for Brown:

After starting 54 of the A's first 60 games, the outfielder has started just 41 of the past 77 games. That leaves him puzzled, considering he's still second on the team with 13 home runs and 58 RBI.

(snip)

"These guys probably wish they never even signed me. That makes two of us," Brown said before the game.

Despite the inflammatory words, Brown by all accounts has been a good teammate this season. He hasn't visibly sulked around the clubhouse.

(snip)

Said Brown, "It doesn't seem like I'm getting real opportunities. ... I don't have a lot of margin for error. It's tough playing like that."

Brown is down on situation - by Joe Stiglich

Hey, what did you expect, Emil?  You were brought in for various reasons but you hit LHP much better than RHP, the season is at the point where it's worth more to see some of the kids get a chance to play, and you're not part of the team's future.  If you didn't have an idea of that coming into the season when you signed the one-year deal, whose fault is that?

At least he's right about the 'wish they never signed me' part.

(The 'stop whining' tag is for Brown)