just roll with the punches. Don't complain about stuff unless you aren't doing it (you were). Ignore the jaded decrepit people like me and you'll be fine. It's an internet message board...we're all fans here, some more bitter than others. it's all love, but develop a thicker skin. none of its personal.
between a bad team and a team playing badly. We're a flawed but capable team playing badly--not as badly as this time 3 years ago when we finished with over 100 wins, but badly.
Negativity isn't contemptable, by the way--it's just a little sad, a lot easy to do, and very ignorant.
... I just got home, turned on the game, to see more of the same. Byrnes pops up (out), Scutaro drives the ball (out)... it's now time for BB to make some moves.
First of all, we always get dominated by at the time mediocre pitchers like Kevin Brown, Kenny Rogers etc....
In fact, i even remember last year getting complete game shutout by Kevin Brown. This has happened my whole a's life, we always get dominated by pitchers weho get bombed by everyone else.
I had written in a recent diary that I didn't think there'd be a significant trade or move for at least another month and a half to two months, and that the last time there was a significant trade in May was the Jeremy Giambi-for-John Mabry deal, and that was when the A's were in a tailspin. I thought the offense still had a chance to break out of it.
I'm starting to think that deal will be coming sooner than later. The offense gets chance after chance after chance after...well, you know. That sample size isn't so small anymore...
Fire Macha, install Wash as interim manager. Even if it isn't Macha's fault, it's not like Macha is extremely valuable either. If anything, fire Macha just because I can't stand the sight of him diligently chewing his gum with his patented deer in the headlights gaze every single time they go for a dugout shot.
Fire Dave Hudgens too, since it's not like he did anything to help our situational hitting either.
Trade Ginter and Byrnes, send Thomas down. I don't care who we get in return or who we bring up, it'll simply be addition by subtraction, not to mention a salary dump so we can afford to pick up a rental at the trade deadline.
I don't usually agree with the pessimistic posts, but I think in this one you've got it exactly right on all points.
I'm not sure Wash will get along with Beane in the long run, but we've got the rest of the season to find out if they can find a way to work together. If so, great. If not, Wash moves on in 06 and we find a new middle-management type.
Wheres Jose Guillen when you need him? Dang an outfielder with an amazing arm and understanding of where to throw the ball would be awesome to have. Not to mention he's hitting a mere .324 with 7hrs 19rbis which is more than any of our two corner outfielders combined...
That he wouldn't be slumping if he were on this team? Remember he only hit .260-ish with us after he came over. I think he'd probably be just as messed up as our other hitters with Macha and Hudgens managing and coaching him.
the more I see Kendall the less I like him--two times not turning the glove to block a wild pitch, more lunging "maybe I can bloop a single that doesn't injure a dove if it hits one" swings.
Chavez won't reach those career average numbers this year. It's not like there was ever any gaurantee he would in the first place, and there sure arent any signs of improvement.
... though I'd rather find another solid outfielder, these guys may help the offense, and they're on teams that can't afford much; they may be available.
with shut out today, A's will have scored 108 runs in 31 games for 3.48 per-game avg. ... pace for 564 runs this season. 1979 A's scored 573 runs en route to 54-108 record.
MAn, we do seem to make crappy pitchers look like cy young candidates. I hear Bill King telling us well we just need to tip your hat to (fill in the blank)because he really had good stuff today. Ok fair enough. But every friggin game? I believe oakland A's crappy hitting might have something to do with it. I firmly believe that the moneyball approach of patience may in fact have something to do with it.
damn, just swing the bat!!!!!
is there any way to shake things up before tomorrow's game? obviously they couldn't trade, but could they send someone down? i guess at the very least drastically redo the lineup...
I'm incredibly impressed with our 2005 Oakland Athletics.
* Only our A's can break the Yankees out of all of their slumps simultaneously
* Only our A's can trade for and/or retain "proven" players (Calero, Rincon, Chavez, Kendall, etc) and somehow cause them to stink it up Royally
* Only our A's can regularly enter situation where even a crappy performance (GIDP, for example) would score a run, and STILL not score a run!
We traded Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder for a starter who is 1-4 with a 5.50 ERA, a reliever with an 8.68 ERA, a reliever with a 9.31 ERA, a spare part outfielder hitting and slugging .94, and two minor leaguers.
It's not that he's injured. What caused the way he was injured was the way he was throwing his backdoor sliders. They aren't letting him do that becaue it puts too much stress on his elbow.
Billy could take a chance and not make a move until later in the season. However, we're too dependent on individual sales, and a lot of fans buy their summer tickets right now.
The silver lining in this is that we'll never be allowed to go into the tank. Seattle could get away with it last year because they have a decent revenue base.
Yanks are struggling to score as well....yet they are doing things like hit-and-run and swinging away on 3-0.
You can't just sit there when 20% of the games have been shutouts...and and ANOTHER 40% or so have been 1 or 2 runs. You can't waste pitching like we've had, and not be above .500!!
The highlight for me today was Hatteberg's bunt single. Smart, took what was there, found a way to "get what he wanted" (reaching base), and ultimately set up a bases loaded opportunity.
Why the A's "remember" these things sporadically, instead of habitually, is utterly beyond me.
for a long time (not necessarily on AN) that I think the A's organization has a poor understanding of offense. Great understanding of pitching, of scouting talent, and of dealing, but many flawed beliefs about what makes an offense most successful.
That's the part that frustrates me most. But I had this team 41-40 at the halfway point (51-30 after), and they're right on pace, especially if you factor in the (unforseen) damage of losing Crosby and Swisher for extended periods.
And remember: it is always darkest before the dawn.
Hey Jayho, by your reckoning it's Macha's fault the A's are in a team slump. Keep your negativity and lack of logic on your beloved OFAC home site where it belongs. I know your good queen Lil Barth-alot would appreciate it.
But I guess you're right. Macha is the best manager in the bigs isn't he? He sure has shaken the line up around to get better results. Oh wait, no he hasn't.
If you go by track records, this team looks a lot like the one last year that also had trouble scoring runs. Does not look good for the rest of the season.
BTW, jayho, I noticed that it was you who started an anti-AN thread on OFAC and the first fool who agreed with you was it's most prolific poster deajay, the moron who--after seeing Ichiro in his first MLB game--declared Ichiro not a big league talent.
Jayho, if you are so critical of AN, why are you trolling here?
we've scored 2 runs, or less, in 15 games SO FAR this season. That's the perfect formula for last place in any division. I would go for the unusual, manufacture runs, but this team won't. There are skills of the game that this team either won't, or can't, display.
How about you STFU? I'm damn unhappy about the team not doing a damn thing right, but at least I'm not rooting FOR the DAMN YANKEES! If you don't like the A's and don't want them to succeed, then go spend your time somewhere else?
..if another shutout is going to get someone to make some changes, then so be it! This was the worse game of the year for the A's and the way they are playing, you can expect a sweep in Boston! How can you disagree with me?
The worst would be if Bean and Macha waited for things to get better. Not a good strategy in baseball or life. I fear the laid back attitude of this team will be its end.
nobody to blame, really, at least not the players or the coaching staff.
The 2005 A's as currently consituted may not be very good, that's all. At least their offense isn't very good.
I hate to say it. I prefer to criticize Byrnes' defense, Chavez' approach at the plate, etc. (and they just got shut out again). But those two innings when they failed to score with bases loaded off a struggling Kevin Brown made me feel that they are simply overmatched, not against Brown, but in general.
The A's are still my team, of course. As soon as I'm back on the Bay area I'll be rooting for them in person. But it may be time to face some unpleasant realities.
Taking their cue from their good Queen Lil, Jayho is anti-Macha, anti-Schot and Hoffman, and anti-BB. I suspect the reason he loathes AN and its diaries is found in one of his critiques of AN: that there's too much bickering on this site.
Well, jayho, of course you will find differences of opinion on AN--a privilege found here where posters are permitted to differ with one another...unlike on OAFC where virtually everyone goosesteps to the pronouncements of their Queen (who appropriately still boasts about burning books).
Your maxim, jayho, "Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a drone." ;-)>
I notice that jayho's ole pal jbrk is one of those OFAC'ers who no longer posts here, having returned to OFAC where everyone sits around ratifying the prevailing opinion.There he experiences no criticism and only affirmation, something he didn't find on AN.
BTW, life must be hard on OFAC now that S & H are no longer the owners. The site would probably wither away if BB and Macha left--with nobody left to hate, it couldn't justify its existence...
read the post i put on OAFC (not OFAC) regarding AN. All I did was state that an is annoying for the poster policing that goes on and that a lot of the asinine diaries.
I'm not sure why you are gunning for me but whatever - I don't know who you are and I really don't care about this. I've been logging onto athleticsnation.com since its infancy.
You've got a bone to pick for OAFC. Not sure why. But like I said, whatever.
It's mother's day. Who cares about this weird in fighting. You don't like that board, you like this one. I happen to like both.
Without Crosby or Swisher in an already imperfect lineup, there is no adequate lineup Macha can make out--stop blaming him for that.
For reasons beyond me, when we bunt for a hit to start rallies, steal and hit-and-run a bit, tag up from first on fly balls, zone-hit 3-0, etc. we suddenly begin scoring more reliably--and then we don't keep doing it (or we don't discover this idea until August). Blame Macha and the A's front office for not understanding that it takes A COMBINATION OF MONEYBALL AND LITTLE BALL to maximize your offense.
Byrnes, bless his heart, does not play the game properly. He is not reliable fundamentally, in the field or at the plate, which is why he fails so consistently with "runner at 3rd less than 2 out" ABs and misses cutoff men like they're going out of style. Putting him in suggests you don't hold your players to major league standards. He'd never start for Torre.
You're never as good as when you're going well, and you're never as bad as when you're going badly. The glass isn't ever half empty or half full--1/2 the cup's capacity always has liquid. It's how you feel about it that keeps changing.
I'm being so rational and analytical in this time of frustration that someone really oughta slap me.
NO, I'm not talking about our bat-less wonders, I'm talking about the fans. I went to Friday and Saturday's games and was surrounded by at least a dozen A's fans both days. Friday night's game was easily one of the top ten games for me all time solely because of the fans I was around. We were waving our flags and cheering the whole time. Pissing off all those F-ing Yankee fans to no end. At least for one night it was sweet revenge. The ten or fifteen of us sitting down by the leftfield foul pole showed those New Yorker's how to cheer for a baseball team. As far as the team go's I think they need to get into a fight, see Macha get ejected, or get Tejada to come back and give them a pep talk. Whatever it is, please let it happen soon. Chavez is killing my fantasy team.
I missed the live draft but I guess I can be happy that I at least have no A's batters on my team. I do have a bunch of A's pitchers though. I picked up Tino Martinez for a bit, maybe I shouldn't have dropped him two weeks into the season :[
Unless both corner outfielders are upgraded this team is going no where. Upgrade at 2nd base would be good too. Too bad no one will take Chavez's contract because he'd potentially have value.
A bat with power potential in a corner OF spot, a live arm for the bullpen, and maybe a bat with power potential for the middle infield.
Oh wait, that's what we already have on the DL.
This is rapidly becoming the minority position, but I still think the offence will be okay. If you had talked to me last night after the A's were shut out again, I would have probably said we needed to send Chavez to AAA for a couple weeks, released Byrnes, and made Kendall an expensive backup, but rationally I don't think things are quite as gloomy as they feel right now.
does every1 hate me in here?
OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
Hate is a strong word
just roll with the punches. Don't complain about stuff unless you aren't doing it (you were). Ignore the jaded decrepit people like me and you'll be fine. It's an internet message board...we're all fans here, some more bitter than others. it's all love, but develop a thicker skin. none of its personal.noava22 - May 8, 2005
sigh
this is a vent threadLKSDJFKLJSDFGKLJSDFLKSJDFLKSDJFLKSDFJLKSDJFLS
jayho - May 8, 2005
The Oakland A's, Everyone!
The team that crappy pitcher's get well against*!*Since 2003
jmoney - May 8, 2005
I'm pulling for Brown to get the shutout!
That way he can get his only two wins of the year against the A's today and next weekend. Way to go team!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
I Feel Bad For Harden.
LowBudget - May 8, 2005
they'll turn me into a giants fan
at least i can get sushi and a merlot at the gameslovethegame - May 8, 2005
OMG
never say that, under any circumstances.RichardP - May 8, 2005
woah!
there is baseball at sbcpark? I thought it was a glorified food/farmers market! neat!yours truly,
-Giants Fan
LOL
jayho - May 8, 2005
sick, really sick
agentjordo - May 8, 2005
i'll tell you what's sick
bases loaded in two separate innings, against kevein "8.25 era" brown, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SCORE A SINGLE RUN.that's sick.
lovethegame - May 8, 2005
SELLOUT
Q - May 8, 2005
better than "LOSER"
lovethegame - May 8, 2005
harden is a savage
he doesnt careOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
There's a difference
between a bad team and a team playing badly. We're a flawed but capable team playing badly--not as badly as this time 3 years ago when we finished with over 100 wins, but badly.Negativity isn't contemptable, by the way--it's just a little sad, a lot easy to do, and very ignorant.
This too shall pass.
Hopefully :)
Nico - May 8, 2005
I sadly, easily and ignorantly state ...
.... this is a bad team playing badly. 2002 team won 100, this edition will be lucky to win 75.sadly, easily, ignorantly and sincerely
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
he dosnt care that he might lose
he'll care that the team might loseOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
I love getting shutout!
I love we built around Chavvy!I love losing to the Yankees!
I love the A's!!!11!1!
GrapeApe - May 8, 2005
Time for a shake-up...
... I just got home, turned on the game, to see more of the same. Byrnes pops up (out), Scutaro drives the ball (out)... it's now time for BB to make some moves.BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
What do you mean?
Kevin Brown is pitching an incredible game! The A's have no chance. Brown has my vote for Cy Young for '05.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Aren't you guys used to this?
First of all, we always get dominated by at the time mediocre pitchers like Kevin Brown, Kenny Rogers etc....In fact, i even remember last year getting complete game shutout by Kevin Brown. This has happened my whole a's life, we always get dominated by pitchers weho get bombed by everyone else.
ohad - May 8, 2005
The mediocre Kenny Rogers...
He's currently leading the league in ERA, riding a 19 inning scoreless streak.Mahon - May 8, 2005
that's because he's got 8 scoreless inns.
... against A's in his current numbers !!HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
new theory
we can't score in situations where we should (bases loaded no outs) maybe we'll score in situations where we shouldn't. 2 out rallies?benvenut - May 8, 2005
i'm thinking
only positive thoughts for this thread....harden is pitching well...
mlb radio is blacking out the commercials...
.....that's about all i got right now....
high street - May 8, 2005
In a corner's probably right...
I had written in a recent diary that I didn't think there'd be a significant trade or move for at least another month and a half to two months, and that the last time there was a significant trade in May was the Jeremy Giambi-for-John Mabry deal, and that was when the A's were in a tailspin. I thought the offense still had a chance to break out of it.I'm starting to think that deal will be coming sooner than later. The offense gets chance after chance after chance after...well, you know. That sample size isn't so small anymore...
FormerHuntsvilleStar - May 8, 2005
Jeter must be destroyed
agentjordo - May 8, 2005
here's the only positive thought of the day
no injuries yet for any A's players!woo hoo!
jayho - May 8, 2005
don't jinx us!!
If someone gets injured in the late innings, I blame you... ;)gigglingone - May 8, 2005
The announcers just pointed out...
...quite rightly, that Kendall is having trouble with Harden. Why not start Melhuse? Could he be worse than Kendall at the plate right now?baseballgirl - May 8, 2005
Kotsay is a stud.
Jeter was scared of his arm.NW Pachyderm - May 8, 2005
This is getting old...
The A's:-Can't drive in runners in RISP. Or can't hit with RISP either.
-Leave the bases loaded without scoring.
-Win in a fluky error-filled fashion.
-Outhit the oppostion, yet still loses.
-Can't hit anything but singles.
-Strike out in the most inopportune moments.
-Make mediocre pitchers look awesome.
-16 scoreless innings and counting.
Did I missing anything.
This is getting really old.
secret ASian man - May 8, 2005
shut out for 6th time in 31 games
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Harden's ERA up to this moment...
Is 1.96! And he is going to get a loss. Way to go offense. If I am Harden, I request a trade.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
we could get something awesome for Rich
But I quit if they trade him too...CrazierthanYOU - May 8, 2005
Possibly
The best wasted effort for an A's starter so far this season........but only if they waste it.
Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
I disagree...
Blanton's 1-0 complete game loss to Anaheim was the best pitching performance that was wasted by the pathetic offense.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Requesting a trade...
I'm guessing trade requests by 24-year-olds fall on deaf ears, no matter how much talent they have...FormerHuntsvilleStar - May 8, 2005
Harden rocks.
Sharon - May 8, 2005
nice pitch James
Beautiful swinging K. There's a start...let's go OOOOOOOOO!!!!!!CrazierthanYOU - May 8, 2005
harden is such a sav
he always gives us a chance to winOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
oh great
tom gordon nowOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
Shake up in order indeed
Fire Macha, install Wash as interim manager. Even if it isn't Macha's fault, it's not like Macha is extremely valuable either. If anything, fire Macha just because I can't stand the sight of him diligently chewing his gum with his patented deer in the headlights gaze every single time they go for a dugout shot.Fire Dave Hudgens too, since it's not like he did anything to help our situational hitting either.
Trade Ginter and Byrnes, send Thomas down. I don't care who we get in return or who we bring up, it'll simply be addition by subtraction, not to mention a salary dump so we can afford to pick up a rental at the trade deadline.
OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
Agreed
I don't usually agree with the pessimistic posts, but I think in this one you've got it exactly right on all points.I'm not sure Wash will get along with Beane in the long run, but we've got the rest of the season to find out if they can find a way to work together. If so, great. If not, Wash moves on in 06 and we find a new middle-management type.
iglew - May 8, 2005
Guillen
Wheres Jose Guillen when you need him? Dang an outfielder with an amazing arm and understanding of where to throw the ball would be awesome to have. Not to mention he's hitting a mere .324 with 7hrs 19rbis which is more than any of our two corner outfielders combined...KMoAsFan - May 8, 2005
Who's to guarantee
That he wouldn't be slumping if he were on this team? Remember he only hit .260-ish with us after he came over. I think he'd probably be just as messed up as our other hitters with Macha and Hudgens managing and coaching him.OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
I've gotta say,
the more I see Kendall the less I like him--two times not turning the glove to block a wild pitch, more lunging "maybe I can bloop a single that doesn't injure a dove if it hits one" swings.Scary.
Nico - May 8, 2005
Aw hell!
Why is Flash Gordon coming in? I wanted to see Brown get the complete game shutout!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Let's go Oakland
Score some runs.NW Pachyderm - May 8, 2005
please do somethin a's
we have to win today. the next series i haren vs wakefield. saarloos vs arroyo and zito vs clement!!!!OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
Texas up 5-0
A team that can hit with no pitching.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Jesus
The Yanks aren't even playing fair. The least they could do is use Sturtze and give us a fighting chance.RichardP - May 8, 2005
Gordon, Sturtze, Wang
It doesn't matter. Brown and Gordon have been terrible this season, and the A's make them look like they're on top of their game.OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
i miss crosby so much
OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
Crosby
Something tells me he'd be stinking it up as well.OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
3 more outs for the shutout!
C'mon A's! You can do it!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Just maybe...
Chavez won't reach those career average numbers this year. It's not like there was ever any gaurantee he would in the first place, and there sure arent any signs of improvement.KMoAsFan - May 8, 2005
Jay Witasick...
...is pitching for the Rockies today, and they're winning. I think I'll move to Denver!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
A's don't need pitching...
They need Olmedo Saenz!! Yes!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
you can't sneak the cheese past the Rat !!
... Olmedo feasted on ALL cheese !!HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Ginter for Olmedo!
DePo owes us a favor!OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
Remember his 9th inning shot against Nen?
Classic. and a classic call of Bill King, too. Was that '99 or '00?Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
What about this year...
... I remember Saenz's shot, and King's call vividly. King will not get a chance for another great call with "THIS" offense though!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Todd Helton, Mark Sweeny...
... though I'd rather find another solid outfielder, these guys may help the offense, and they're on teams that can't afford much; they may be available.BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Place for Rent
I'm moving back from Denver to Sacto next week! So there's one place for rent near Coors Fieldagentjordo - May 8, 2005
when is crosby coming back?
i want to see that hard swing that he always has. jeez we need him badOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
that hard swing...
is probably what got him on the DL to begin with...gigglingone - May 8, 2005
Not really sure
He just got back to doing something baseball-related on a baseball field:http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/05/05/SPGDBCK9N61.DTL
FormerHuntsvilleStar - May 8, 2005
If that was the heart of the A's order,
then my diagnosis is "cardiac arrest."If we rally to win in the 9th, you'll see how a Friday game can affect a Sunday's game.
And if we're shut out, maybe Beane will be inspired (forced) to make a move earlier than he probably wants to.
Nico - May 8, 2005
I'm almost afraid
that nothing will happen. Everyone will say the same things, Macha will keep the same lineup, and BB will keep buying new chairs.The team is better than it's shown. But it's May 8th. And everyday is more frustrating than the last. Imagine how the players feel.
Sharon - May 8, 2005
why is every1 ignoring me
does any1 know when crosby is coming back?OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
No
Crosby "still feels pain"secret ASian man - May 8, 2005
or swisher
OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
No
Swisher "still feels pain"secret ASian man - May 8, 2005
any1?
OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
They'll be out until June/July
OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
are u kidding?
OakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
No
Definitely not before that. Maybe even later than that.OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
Both players
"still feel pain" they can't start any type of meaningfil rehab until they're pain-free.secret ASian man - May 8, 2005
Boston
And we have 3 games in Boston to look forward to.Ughhhh.
Larry E - May 8, 2005
Get ready for the sweep!
Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
oook
well sry for whatever i didOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
good defense beats good offense
assumes that the good defense has at least a little offense..bright spot of the day: we've only left 7 men on base!! that's a pretty small number for us this year!
and at least chavez and byrnes have, uh, oh nevermind...
danh - May 8, 2005
I like it...
Problem is, Macha won't consider it because he wants to show he has faith in his guys.NW Pachyderm - May 8, 2005
damn.
this game sucks. i give up on the a's. maybe next year? bye a's fansOakLaNdAs4LiFe32 - May 8, 2005
So long
OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
"4LiFe"
Not giving up on the A's no matter how much they depress me.I am Oakland A's fan "4LiFe" no matter how much I bitch about it.
secret ASian man - May 8, 2005
re
Let him go in peace. Best part of this losing streak is deleting half of our ugly bandwagon.SeanR - May 8, 2005
ah, the silver lining in the dark clouds
danh - May 8, 2005
MACHA LIVES!
BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
so much for calero closing
Mark Brinda - May 8, 2005
Calro hasn't been the same...
...Since he miss that time with the elbow strain. If he is hurt, put him on the D.L. for Pete's sake.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Not Even At The Game
and you still can't stay through to the end.agentjordo - May 8, 2005
And this isn't being talked about enough...
Kiko Calero losing his slider. That's scary.Sharon - May 8, 2005
Prediction
I predict Calero will be shut down for a month or so, come back and still stink up, and then get TJ surgery. The boys obviously hurt. Can't be mental.jubjub - May 8, 2005
Poor, Poor Harden.
Sorry, kid.baseballgirl - May 8, 2005
great game today
we got suckjayho - May 8, 2005
shit
Mark Brinda - May 8, 2005
ouch.
that hurts.NW Pachyderm - May 8, 2005
which one?
danh - May 8, 2005
Outfielders on uncompetitive teams?
Who is out there? Should we make a move for Ken Griffey Jr? What about the Astros... any outfielders that could be had?BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Forget it.
A's are stuck with what they have.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Aubrey Huff!!!!
i keep saying it...Mark Brinda - May 8, 2005
where are the smurfs when i need them???
yesterday i could switch over to watch my little blue friends...they made me so happy...made me forget the RISPs, Ks, AVGs, etc....gigglingone - May 8, 2005
131 games...
...until the misery is over!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
You could not summarize
the A's offensive shortcomings any better than this bottom of the 8th: a hit-and-run followed by "zone hitting" 3-0.THAT'S how an offense score runs.
Nico - May 8, 2005
wow
Mark Brinda - May 8, 2005
wow
Mark Brinda - May 8, 2005
Calero has NOTHING
His elbow's shot. Macha's leaving him out to dry. UGH.OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
D.L. time.
He hasn't been the same since he missed that week or so last month. Get him on the D.L. and let Cruz take his lumps.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
4-8 in this 12-game stretch ... if A's are lucky
with shut out today, A's will have scored 108 runs in 31 games for 3.48 per-game avg. ... pace for 564 runs this season. 1979 A's scored 573 runs en route to 54-108 record.HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
That's positive thinking!
Here is some more positive thinking...I'm positive the A's are going 1-5 on this road trip!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
I Don't Feel so good....
I don't like the Yankees.Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
opposing cy young
MAn, we do seem to make crappy pitchers look like cy young candidates. I hear Bill King telling us well we just need to tip your hat to (fill in the blank)because he really had good stuff today. Ok fair enough. But every friggin game? I believe oakland A's crappy hitting might have something to do with it. I firmly believe that the moneyball approach of patience may in fact have something to do with it.damn, just swing the bat!!!!!
elephantman - May 8, 2005
ouch is right
is there any way to shake things up before tomorrow's game? obviously they couldn't trade, but could they send someone down? i guess at the very least drastically redo the lineup...benvenut - May 8, 2005
so, are you saying
that you don't like the A's chances for a 7 run top of the 9th?danh - May 8, 2005
I'm impressed
I'm incredibly impressed with our 2005 Oakland Athletics.* Only our A's can break the Yankees out of all of their slumps simultaneously
* Only our A's can trade for and/or retain "proven" players (Calero, Rincon, Chavez, Kendall, etc) and somehow cause them to stink it up Royally
* Only our A's can regularly enter situation where even a crappy performance (GIDP, for example) would score a run, and STILL not score a run!
Wow.
oblique - May 8, 2005
fire macha!
i'd love that. that would make my year.jayho - May 8, 2005
Let me get this straight
We traded Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder for a starter who is 1-4 with a 5.50 ERA, a reliever with an 8.68 ERA, a reliever with a 9.31 ERA, a spare part outfielder hitting and slugging .94, and two minor leaguers.Is that right?
RichardP - May 8, 2005
nope
that's .094. .94 would be a pretty good average...RichardP - May 8, 2005
Turning out to be the worst trades ever.
Worse than the crap the A's got for McGwire.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
HEY!!!
Who didn't like TJ Matthews?BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Worst. Trade. Ever.
Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
It's important for A's to stand pat and let
... track records unfold for the remainder of season.Remember, track records are ever-reliable, infallible and irrefutable !!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Statistically speaking!
LOLBillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
I thought 'track records' were like Bob Beamon
... holding the long jump record of 28 feet for about 25 years !!HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
I am going to hang in there
as I always have as an A's fan over the years.But the lows are more frustrating since I became a real-time follower day to day with mlbtv and ANation.
ak_A - May 8, 2005
yikes
just like last year. the yanks wake up by beating the crap out of the a'soscarwdog - May 8, 2005
The Yankees stunk last year...
... until the A's visited "the Stadium" and put the Yankees on a winning streak. Steinbrenner loves the A's! (we make NY happen!)BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Can't wait for the A's to go 1-2-3 in the 9th!
Then finally someone might do something to shake this team up.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Can we PLEASE at least avoid a shut out?
These scoreless inning streaks are getting kinda old.Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
Hell no!
If we're going to be a team that doesn't score runs, let's be the best we can be at not scoring runs.danh - May 8, 2005
We need a hitting coach
I thought it was wrong when they fired Big, Bad Thad. Now I'm convinced it was wrong.agentjordo - May 8, 2005
AMEN brother...
... and bring Todd Helton with you when you move out from Denver!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Dan O'Dowd
That guy is so easily swindled, I might be able to swing that.agentjordo - May 8, 2005
You're the man!
Make it happenBillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Calero
It's not that he's injured. What caused the way he was injured was the way he was throwing his backdoor sliders. They aren't letting him do that becaue it puts too much stress on his elbow.ohad - May 8, 2005
correct
add that to the A's offense...and it just feels like the sky is falling.Sharon - May 8, 2005
If we had a better season ticket base....
Billy could take a chance and not make a move until later in the season. However, we're too dependent on individual sales, and a lot of fans buy their summer tickets right now.The silver lining in this is that we'll never be allowed to go into the tank. Seattle could get away with it last year because they have a decent revenue base.
Rob @ Athletics Nation - May 8, 2005
I hear boos for Giambi
Small comfort.Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
Anyone know the record
for most times shutout in a season? The A's are on pace for quite a few.NW Pachyderm - May 8, 2005
You Stole my Post Nico
Yanks are struggling to score as well....yet they are doing things like hit-and-run and swinging away on 3-0.You can't just sit there when 20% of the games have been shutouts...and and ANOTHER 40% or so have been 1 or 2 runs. You can't waste pitching like we've had, and not be above .500!!
Do something Billy......NOW!
ImissHENDU - May 8, 2005
Yup.
The highlight for me today was Hatteberg's bunt single. Smart, took what was there, found a way to "get what he wanted" (reaching base), and ultimately set up a bases loaded opportunity.Why the A's "remember" these things sporadically, instead of habitually, is utterly beyond me.
Nico - May 8, 2005
What would Billy Martin do?
BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
I'm doin' it right now....
Me and Jack Daniels.Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
He would drive his car into a ditch.
Oh, wait, he already did that.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Nice!
...wait, Macha is driving the team into a ditch!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
or punch a Marshmellow Salesman !!
.... wait he did that too !!that always makes me think of Ghostbusters and the stay-puf man ... or whatever the hell that was !!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
our highlight of the year is coming imo...
we're going to get no hit by tim wakefield tomorrow.jayho - May 8, 2005
Texas up 7-0
Who would you rather win the division? Angels or Rangers?Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
The A's...
... but, I expect Sciossia and the Angels to run a way with itBillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
I hate both teams...
...But it certainly is not going to be the A's.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
angels
i don't like anything from texasdanh - May 8, 2005
you haven't seen the women in texas then.
woosh! loljayho - May 8, 2005
I agree...
BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
i don't like hairspray or silicone
danh - May 8, 2005
that was the 80s.
oh man. there are some foxes in Texas, no f'ing joke.jayho - May 8, 2005
Watching the Yankees...
Am I the only one who watches the Yankees and can not understand how they were 11-19!!!Their pitching must really suck WHEN they face major league hitting!!
ImissHENDU - May 8, 2005
I have said
for a long time (not necessarily on AN) that I think the A's organization has a poor understanding of offense. Great understanding of pitching, of scouting talent, and of dealing, but many flawed beliefs about what makes an offense most successful.That's the part that frustrates me most. But I had this team 41-40 at the halfway point (51-30 after), and they're right on pace, especially if you factor in the (unforseen) damage of losing Crosby and Swisher for extended periods.
And remember: it is always darkest before the dawn.
Nico - May 8, 2005
Sounds like a Joe Morgan explanation...
... now that the team has financial backing, we'll get a real view of the teams grasp on offenseBillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Financial backing?
'Fraid not. Not until a new ballpark is built.OaktownTribesman - May 8, 2005
Alright! 9th inning here we go!
1-2-3! I want another shutout!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
OFAC Negativity and Idiocy
Hey Jayho, by your reckoning it's Macha's fault the A's are in a team slump. Keep your negativity and lack of logic on your beloved OFAC home site where it belongs. I know your good queen Lil Barth-alot would appreciate it.reztips - May 8, 2005
at least get the abbreviation right
tool. LOL.But I guess you're right. Macha is the best manager in the bigs isn't he? He sure has shaken the line up around to get better results. Oh wait, no he hasn't.
Anywho. LOL.
jayho - May 8, 2005
"it is always darkest before the dawn."
I'll be repeating this over and over again. It's the only way I'll survive this.Sharon - May 8, 2005
this was
of course, a reply to Nico.Sharon - May 8, 2005
It's gonna be an Arctic Winter for A's in 2005
... we're in it now.sun will reappear in Mid-February, 2006 !!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
If this game turns the Yankees season around
I will be inconsolable. I don't think it's going to go down that way, but if it does I'm going to start breaking things.jmoney - May 8, 2005
Hey
Now they give us Sturtze! We still have a shot!RichardP - May 8, 2005
lack of scoring
If you go by track records, this team looks a lot like the one last year that also had trouble scoring runs. Does not look good for the rest of the season.oscarwdog - May 8, 2005
Is Kielty afraid of missing the plane?
Take a pitch for Pete's sake!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
We need some walks!
Watch those pitches! Wait for that walk...Excitement!rickeyrules - May 8, 2005
And remember: it is always darkest before the dawn
Whew!!!So now I can safely assume that this is as bad as it gets.
Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
Another LOB...
... great hitting Ruby!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
great
that hit would of been nice earlier in the game with runners on baseoscarwdog - May 8, 2005
Is this team ever going to run of out donuts
... on the scoreboard?HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Need to trade Durazo!
He's killing the A's hopes of being shutout every game by getting base hits and getting into scoring position!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
the a's can overcome durazo's hits
danh - May 8, 2005
Anti-AN Troll
BTW, jayho, I noticed that it was you who started an anti-AN thread on OFAC and the first fool who agreed with you was it's most prolific poster deajay, the moron who--after seeing Ichiro in his first MLB game--declared Ichiro not a big league talent.Jayho, if you are so critical of AN, why are you trolling here?
reztips - May 8, 2005
you're an idiot.
i am not anti-an, i'm anti all these dumb diaries that pop up and the poster policing that shows up.jayho - May 8, 2005
One more out! Here we go!
Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
I can't believe they held him up !!!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
The streak is still alive!
C'mon! One more out!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
I think
we've scored 2 runs, or less, in 15 games SO FAR this season. That's the perfect formula for last place in any division. I would go for the unusual, manufacture runs, but this team won't. There are skills of the game that this team either won't, or can't, display.doubleplayer - May 8, 2005
Is Scoot going to hit the 'often-attempted'
... but 'rarely-achieved' 7-run homer?HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
is anyone can do it
it's Scooter.Sharon - May 8, 2005
Hey Coach Cleats
How about you STFU? I'm damn unhappy about the team not doing a damn thing right, but at least I'm not rooting FOR the DAMN YANKEES! If you don't like the A's and don't want them to succeed, then go spend your time somewhere else?RichardP - May 8, 2005
Yeah Coach CLeats!!
You're a Jack @ss!!! LOLBillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
hey coach cleats ...
.... I think you're one of the funniest mofos on here !!speaking of mofo ... Happy Mofo Day !!
... all you mofos out there !!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Thanks, dude.
But for changes to be made, the losses need to pile up. Hopefully the brains will get togther and come up with a plan!Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
I agree with Herb...
... I just had to bust on ya a little. That was great!!! (I needed something to laugh about!)BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
I am going to be positive!
I am positive this team is not good.Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
I want the A's to succeed! But...
..if another shutout is going to get someone to make some changes, then so be it! This was the worse game of the year for the A's and the way they are playing, you can expect a sweep in Boston! How can you disagree with me?Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
Remember...
...the A's didn't deserve the win on Friday either! They should've been swept by NYY!!!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
I completely agree.
Coach Cleats - May 8, 2005
true ....
.... seriously, how frickin' symbolic was it in the 9th when Byrnes singled with (I forget) on second and Wash didn't send him !!thereby ensuring the shut out !!
that play summarizes this team right now.
I was being optimistic when I said earlier this team would win 75 ... hell they may not win 65 !!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
shutout intact,
someone is in trouble.Sharon - May 8, 2005
Life was so much happier...
... when the A's were playing here in Phoenix the month before last!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
ouch
get the difibulators, this team is dyingoscarwdog - May 8, 2005
anyone know CPR?
will the Heimlich help?HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Have we passed the amount of shut outs...
... that the team accumulated in '97???BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
One Last Time
YANKEES SUCK!Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
The Yankees love it...
... when the A's come to NY!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Yeah, the Yankees love a lot of things....
That can't be mentioned on a family site like this.Just hide your pets.
Mission1929 - May 8, 2005
I hope so
The worst would be if Bean and Macha waited for things to get better. Not a good strategy in baseball or life. I fear the laid back attitude of this team will be its end.natsirt - May 8, 2005
Not a whole lot to say
nobody to blame, really, at least not the players or the coaching staff.The 2005 A's as currently consituted may not be very good, that's all. At least their offense isn't very good.
I hate to say it. I prefer to criticize Byrnes' defense, Chavez' approach at the plate, etc. (and they just got shut out again). But those two innings when they failed to score with bases loaded off a struggling Kevin Brown made me feel that they are simply overmatched, not against Brown, but in general.
The A's are still my team, of course. As soon as I'm back on the Bay area I'll be rooting for them in person. But it may be time to face some unpleasant realities.
OaklandSi - May 8, 2005
That sucks...
but I'll be back tomorrow. I must be a glutton for punishment. Later AN.NW Pachyderm - May 8, 2005
This is pathetic
The Yankees have sucked all season and the A's make them look like one of the best teams in the league. It's depressing.boatshoes - May 8, 2005
Scooter
left 8 on base today. He sucks, I hate him, and he's never been any good.The A's should waive Mabeus and fire Geren.
Nico - May 8, 2005
Let's go Washington, Let's go!
... damn, rain!?! We can't get anything working!BillyBall 81 - May 8, 2005
Now the A's go to Fenway
This is gonna be a bloodletting.jmoney - May 8, 2005
Standard OFAC Reply
Taking their cue from their good Queen Lil, Jayho is anti-Macha, anti-Schot and Hoffman, and anti-BB. I suspect the reason he loathes AN and its diaries is found in one of his critiques of AN: that there's too much bickering on this site.Well, jayho, of course you will find differences of opinion on AN--a privilege found here where posters are permitted to differ with one another...unlike on OAFC where virtually everyone goosesteps to the pronouncements of their Queen (who appropriately still boasts about burning books).
Your maxim, jayho, "Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a drone." ;-)>
I notice that jayho's ole pal jbrk is one of those OFAC'ers who no longer posts here, having returned to OFAC where everyone sits around ratifying the prevailing opinion.There he experiences no criticism and only affirmation, something he didn't find on AN.
BTW, life must be hard on OFAC now that S & H are no longer the owners. The site would probably wither away if BB and Macha left--with nobody left to hate, it couldn't justify its existence...
reztips - May 8, 2005
Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
read the post i put on OAFC (not OFAC) regarding AN. All I did was state that an is annoying for the poster policing that goes on and that a lot of the asinine diaries.I'm not sure why you are gunning for me but whatever - I don't know who you are and I really don't care about this. I've been logging onto athleticsnation.com since its infancy.
You've got a bone to pick for OAFC. Not sure why. But like I said, whatever.
It's mother's day. Who cares about this weird in fighting. You don't like that board, you like this one. I happen to like both.
And no way in hell I'm anti-BB.
::sigh:: anyways whatever bro.
jayho - May 8, 2005
As I see it,
- Without Crosby or Swisher in an already imperfect lineup, there is no adequate lineup Macha can make out--stop blaming him for that.
- For reasons beyond me, when we bunt for a hit to start rallies, steal and hit-and-run a bit, tag up from first on fly balls, zone-hit 3-0, etc. we suddenly begin scoring more reliably--and then we don't keep doing it (or we don't discover this idea until August). Blame Macha and the A's front office for not understanding that it takes A COMBINATION OF MONEYBALL AND LITTLE BALL to maximize your offense.
- Byrnes, bless his heart, does not play the game properly. He is not reliable fundamentally, in the field or at the plate, which is why he fails so consistently with "runner at 3rd less than 2 out" ABs and misses cutoff men like they're going out of style. Putting him in suggests you don't hold your players to major league standards. He'd never start for Torre.
- You're never as good as when you're going well, and you're never as bad as when you're going badly. The glass isn't ever half empty or half full--1/2 the cup's capacity always has liquid. It's how you feel about it that keeps changing.
- I'm being so rational and analytical in this time of frustration that someone really oughta slap me.
* YOW! * Thanks--I needed that.Nico - May 8, 2005
Tejada
Taken from Oakball.netTejada's RBI: 34
Kendall, Durazo, and Chavez together: 35
Tejada with RISP: 41 PA, 15-for-38, 32 TB, 3 SO, 28 RBI
Chavez with RISP: 43 PA, 6-for-38, 8 TB, 12 SO, 7 RBI
mrlebowski79 - May 8, 2005
How 'bout
Chavy all season: 10 RBIA-Rod's best game this season: 9 RBI
Nico - May 8, 2005
A-Rod actually had 10 RBI in that game
9 on 3 HRs in first three at-bats and a situationally-effective, run-scoring single in the 6th !!HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
Neifi 'frickin' Perez hit his 4th HR of the season
... and he's 'Roman' Garciaparra's backup.Neifi's total would tie Durazo for A's team lead !!
HerbWashington - May 8, 2005
At least we represented in NY!
NO, I'm not talking about our bat-less wonders, I'm talking about the fans. I went to Friday and Saturday's games and was surrounded by at least a dozen A's fans both days. Friday night's game was easily one of the top ten games for me all time solely because of the fans I was around. We were waving our flags and cheering the whole time. Pissing off all those F-ing Yankee fans to no end. At least for one night it was sweet revenge. The ten or fifteen of us sitting down by the leftfield foul pole showed those New Yorker's how to cheer for a baseball team. As far as the team go's I think they need to get into a fight, see Macha get ejected, or get Tejada to come back and give them a pep talk. Whatever it is, please let it happen soon. Chavez is killing my fantasy team.BHooves78 - May 8, 2005
He's killing my fantasy team too!
I'm last in OBP, HRs, and RBI's thanks to making my first two position player picks Chavy and Helton. Oops.Nico - May 8, 2005
No A's [batters] for my fantasy team...
I missed the live draft but I guess I can be happy that I at least have no A's batters on my team. I do have a bunch of A's pitchers though. I picked up Tino Martinez for a bit, maybe I shouldn't have dropped him two weeks into the season :[Melody - May 8, 2005
Morale
might have been increased with a fastballto the face of Ass-Rod.
Would have taken some of the sting out of this
visit.
easyrichboy - May 8, 2005
Let's root for what REALLY needs to happen...
A total rehaul of this ridiculously bad offense.FabulousG - May 8, 2005
On the bright side
Detroit leads the Strangels 8-0 in the thirdjeepers - May 8, 2005
A's: hit iceberg or ice cube?
"People make light of my optimistic outlook, such as, if I were captain of the Titanic, I would tell my passengers we were stopping for ice."After yet another losing season
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner
After yet another losing season
Pittsburgh Pirates
Manage
ConcordFanSince1968 - May 8, 2005
Very bad
what's the record for the most times shut out? Hopefully the A's will not break it.doublehustle22 - May 8, 2005
nfei perez's 4 homers
that hurt.things will go up and down, but hatteberg and byrnes must go.
If this is a development year, lets develop dan johnson and some rivercats.
GrewUpAtTheColiseum - May 8, 2005
HELL YEAH
Bring up Dan Johnson already, I have been saying that since the beginning of the season.....mrlebowski79 - May 8, 2005
Thanks, Stu,
that was very helpful.Nico - May 8, 2005
Outfield Outfield Outfield
Unless both corner outfielders are upgraded this team is going no where. Upgrade at 2nd base would be good too. Too bad no one will take Chavez's contract because he'd potentially have value.Pucking Insane - May 8, 2005
What we really need
A bat with power potential in a corner OF spot, a live arm for the bullpen, and maybe a bat with power potential for the middle infield.Oh wait, that's what we already have on the DL.
This is rapidly becoming the minority position, but I still think the offence will be okay. If you had talked to me last night after the A's were shut out again, I would have probably said we needed to send Chavez to AAA for a couple weeks, released Byrnes, and made Kendall an expensive backup, but rationally I don't think things are quite as gloomy as they feel right now.
MrIncognito - May 9, 2005
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