Happy Sunday!

* No chance of Hatteberg coming back to the A's for whatever reason in 2006 because he agreed to a one-year, $750,000 contracts with the Reds!

"We wanted to add to our depth," Krivsky said by phone. "This guy's a true professional, somebody I've had my eye on in the offseason here in the event I did get this job. The playing time will take care of itself."

Best of luck in Cincinnati, Hatty!!

* Susan Slusser says "the A's are better, Giants are older". What else is new? :)

* The Sac Bee says that the Bay Area ballclubs have two gems for GMs.

"They are state-of-the-art GMs - without a doubt, two of the best," said Arizona Diamondbacks part-owner Jeff Moorad, who has a unique perspective from dealing with Beane and Sabean as a former sports agent.

"Brian is more low-profile, but he's as smart as anyone in the business. Billy is bright and high-profile, with a lot of energy and drive. Brian is more laid-back, less involved in negotiations. Billy will take on anything and everything."

Although not everybody thinks so highly of our beloved GM:

White Sox GM Ken Williams had the strongest reaction, telling the Chicago Sun-Times: "It's called ego-itis. When the ego weighs more than the brain and swells, it affects your powers of memory and recall."

* The 2006 Ford C. Frick Award winner will be announced in ten days (on February 21)! Long live the King! I still can't imagine listening to the A's radio broadcast and not hearing his voice ... :(

Ken Korach suggested this idea to honor Bill King's memory in his MLB.com interview:

My suggestions were that Bill's name go up on the outfield fence -- as part of a ceremony -- with the retired jerseys, and that we name our booth the "Bill King Broadcast Booth." I want to open every broadcast by welcoming our listeners to the "Bill King Broadcast Booth."

I love it. :)

* 5 days until A's catchers and pitchers report to spring training! 50 days until the home opener against the yankees! Woohoo!