Elephant Rumblings: A’s Puk has arm strain, temporarily shut down

A’s Coverage:

• Witt: A’s phenom A.J. Puk has mild shoulder strain, but no structural damage
• Bair: How Matt Olson developed refined swing that A’s, advanced metrics love
• Poindexter: Why Oakland A’s Outfielder Ramon Laureano Might Still Have Untapped Potential
• Bair: How Marcus Semien’s behind-the-scenes work turned him into A’s ironman
• Kawahara: New A’s infielder Vimael Machin offers versatility, ‘advanced bat’ ($)
• Kelly: Five bounce back candidates for 2020 (inc. Grossman, Davis)

Fanposts:

• BaseballShogun: A’s getting no respect from the Analytics Sites
• schmenkman: Value generated by A’s international signings
• A’s Eh!: 14 Opening Day Position Players? ...with Machin? ...Why not?

MLB News:

• Calcaterra: José Bautista is hoping to come back as a two-way player

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Gamble: YouTube TV to drop FSN
• Holmes: How Lou Whitaker’s Forgetfulness Landed Him in The Smithsonian
• Chesterson: Name the active hits leader on every team
• MLB.com: Predict leaders in nine key statistical categories from 2020-29 for a chance to win $1M

Today in Baseball History:

• 1891 - Clarence Arthur “Dazzy” Vance is born in Orient, Iowa. Named National League MVP in 1924, he will pitch a no-hitter the next year, lead the NL in wins twice, in earned run average three times, and be the only pitcher to top the NL in strikeouts seven consecutive seasons.
• 1943 - The woeful Philadelphia Phillies announce their new nickname - the Blue Jays. The winning entry in the contest was submitted by a Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks, and was chosen over a number of names ranging from Daisies to Stinkers. Team president Bob Carpenter says he hopes to have the farm system identified by the same blue color, with the Wilmington club called the Blue Rocks and possibly the new Bradford team as the Blue Wings. The Blue Jays will be the official team name in 1943 and 1944, but will be abandoned in 1945, though the team will still occasionally be referred to in newspaper accounts as the Blue Jays through 1949. Ms. Crooks wins a $100 war bond and a season ticket to the Blue Jays.
• 1972 - The Texas Rangers, formerly the Washington Senators, trade former two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain to the Oakland Athletics for two minor league pitchers. McLain, who lost a league-leading 22 games pitching for the Senators in 1971, will last only five starts in Oakland before being traded to the Atlanta Braves for Orlando Cepeda.
• 1976 - The San Francisco Giants are sold to businessmen Bob Lurie and Bud Herseth for an estimated $8 million. Lurie promises to keep the Giants in the Bay Area despite dwindling attendance.

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