The A's could've just descended back toward oblivion after last night's debacle, but Kirk Saarloos wouldn't let that happen. In one of the A's best pitching performances of the season, given the situation with battered bullpen, Saarloos held the Mariners to four hits in a complete-game shutout.
This game today was all about Saarloos and his ability to pound the strike zone. He threw a total of 127 pitches and 80 of them were for strikes. The A's needed someone to pick the team up today and Los Kirk did just that. He struck out seven and did NOT walk a batter.
Don't look now, folks, but the A's have won six of their last seven series dating back to late May. Could it be that this team is coming together to make a patented Athletics second-half run? Possibly, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. The truth is that it is playing better baseball, despite the left on base problem today (13 LOB).
Dan Johnson is now hitting .286 for the season and Eric Chavez, after one of the most miserable starts you'll ever see, is now hitting .260 and has a 1.260 OPS for June.
Oh, and my apologies to Scott Hatteberg for not wanting you in the cleanup spot in the lineup. 4-5 will make me shut up every day, even though I still don't think there is enough power coming out of our cleanup spot.
All-in-all, if the A's keep winning series, thanks in large part to the fantastic starting pitching, they may just climb back into the race. Of course, some of the teams above them would need to comply by losing some games. Particularly the Anaheim Angels of Fontana.
One unrelated note: Don't forget that AN Day tickets are on sale to regular AN users. Click here to find out more details. The tickets are only on sale through July 1, so don't delay.
0 recs | 147 comments
Woohoo!
Celebration thread! :DWe can never have too many of these.
Way to go, KKKKKKKirk! Awesome game, dude! Saved our pen.
AsGirl - June 23, 2005
Not worth a whole diary but......
ALex Sanchez signed with Giants today!!!!http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2093428
novaoakland - June 23, 2005
What do
Alex Sanchez and KFRC-FM morning listeners have in common?They're stretching with the oldies!
Nico - June 23, 2005
LMAO!
AsGirl - June 23, 2005
Oh great,
another 'roid user.secret ASian man - June 23, 2005
Maybe they are going to try to assemble
a whole team of juicers. Next thing you know and this will be the Gnats line up:C: Santiago
1B: Thome
2B: B. Boone
3B: Beltre
LF: Bonds
CF: Sanchez
RF: Sheffield
DH/PH: Giambi
BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Dude
Quit the slagging on Thome. If he's ever 'roided, I'll eat my hat.monkeyball - June 23, 2005
if you feel that way...
just make Canseco the DH -- he's young enough for the Giants -- and move Giambi to 1st.vk - June 23, 2005
Agreed!!
Jim Thome is one of the dying breed in baseball of big ole country boys who laugh as they saunter past the weight room. Adam Dunn and Richie Sexson are a couple of others that fit this mold.southofcruiseamerica - June 23, 2005
Interesting...
Monkey's balls gets serious when it comes to Thome.What could it possibly mean?
BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
How would you explain
The precipitous decline in production from 2004 to 2005? ( Idon't buy the line about "back trouble").2004 PHI 143 508 97 139 28 1 42 105 104 144 0 2 .274 .396 .581 .977
2005 PHI 52 169 24 37 7 0 6 27 40 52 0 0 .219 .373 .367 .740
This is a guy with a .563 career slugging % now slugging .367!! More interesting his line is eerily similar to Giambi's this year.
I'm just connecting the dots, 'balls!
BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
So, what does hat tastelike anyway?
BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Age?
Perhaps the nearby Giants blind us to the fact that most players decline in their early thirties. :-)floyd - June 23, 2005
What are we supposed to say?
That your logic is infallible? You won't buy whatever reason those of us who think Thome is clean might give (back trouble, or he's just having a bad year).Maybe we can't explain. But then again, you're asking us to disprove a negative. And your numbers don't necessarily prove a positive.
It doesn't work that way -- otherwise, as I said below, then we could deduce that Eric Chavez was on steroids when he stunk all through April and May.
FormerHuntsvilleStar - June 23, 2005
Proof? Evicence? Fairness? That's for suckers...
"The precipitous decline in production from 2004 to 2005? ( Idon't buy the line about "back trouble")."It's a shame you weren't around in the 1950s -- you would have been right at home during the McCarthy era.
MonkeyBoy - June 24, 2005
Man, monkey, lighten up a little!
I mean musing that Thome was on the 'roids isn't exactly the same as the Rosenberg trials now, is it?
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
Monkey Balls Are You
from Cleveland by any chance, and a nostalgic Indians fan? Thome was god there, and, I think, still makes his home in that lovely state. (I'm a native Clevelander myself. Was just there yesterday.)SportySpice @ Athletics Nation - June 23, 2005
Singular, no space, please!
<sigh>Bruce, what evil have you wrought? Now other people are calling me "Balls"! Monkeyball no like.
But, yes, "Spices," I went to college outside of Cleveland, and lived in Cleveland Heights for a year afterward. I was in a bar with friends watching Mesa blow the WS to the Fish. (And, no, I don't hold Chuck Nagy responsible at all -- he pitched his heart out all year and was put in a difficult situation at the end of the game. I also cried when 'Grover [not AN's grover ... at least, I don't have any proof it's not "our" grover] was fired.)
monkeyball - June 24, 2005
Sorry 'Balls
I just can't help it...Maybe this will make it better...
"And this is a picture of Mr. Lebowski when he met the first lady of the NA-TION!"
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
different mothers
racially he's pretty cool?xbhaskarx - June 24, 2005
Separated at birth?
R Monkeyboy and Monkeysballs the same person?
Just like Macha and Howe?
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
Don't forget
Joe Blanton. lol (please bbgirl this is funny enough to add to the quotes right?) :Pohad - June 23, 2005
Hey Ohad...
Have a safe journey.See you at AN. :-)
NomAd - June 24, 2005
Always hit the Preview button
Always hit the Preview buttonAlways hit the Preview button
Always hit the Preview button
See you at AN Day 2 (aka AN:2)
NomAd - June 24, 2005
How the hell does Thome fit in here?
Nothign like grouping a guy in with those others with no reason. Low classOaktownPower - June 23, 2005
So......
just WHAT IS UP with all the Thome-love?I am starting to think that Barry might be right and the whole 'roids thing is all about race. Black or Latin guy does them--slag all over him, white guy does them and everyone leaps to his defense.
All I'm saying is look at the numbers, moneyball-style baby!
BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Who's leaping to the defense...
...of Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi these days? About as many as those defending Barry Bonds. So please be careful when you start bringing race into it.And quite frankly, you haven't proven a thing, so monkeyball's hat is safe.
And if numbers going down were the lone evidence of an end to steroid use, then maybe you should've been saying Eric Chavez was using steroids because he couldn't hit a homer to save his life through May. We might as well point the finger at Adrian Beltre (he's only hit five homers), Steve Finley (only eight), Vinny Castilla (five). And if they were injured, well, that's another strike against them, too.
It's just sad. Any player who's hit homers before, but aren't this particular year, are considered guilty until proven innocent. And I blame Bud Selig and Donald Fehr for turning the blind eye and facing the problem. Now everyone who is and was clean have to deal with this problem created by those who did.
FormerHuntsvilleStar - June 23, 2005
Look at all the love for McGwire and Giambi!
During spring training the papers were filled with stories about how fans were so supportive of Giambi and no one minded the 'roids allegations, yet Bonds is public enemy #1. (BTW: Giambi bunted for a base hit tonight. How the might have fallen!) McGwire goes in front of congress, tears in his eyes, and everyone writes stories about how he "saved the game" during the summer of 98 (as if the game could ever die--its greater than steriods or any individual from Selig to Steinbrenner to Bonds). I've seen published allegations that Beltre and Finley were on the juice too! Finley is now on the DL with a mysterious "back" injury (sounds like Thome). I am sorry if my suspicion that race is a factor in who gets tainted with the "scarlet letter" of steroids makes you uncomfortable. But the reality is that non-white and foreign players are disproportionately being tagged as users. The reality is that the politics of race and racial inequalities infuse every aspect of American life and, unfortunately, baseball is no exception as much as I would like it to be.BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Bruce...
your position would carry a little more weight if the line-up that you produced was more than 1/3 white. Nobody here is defending Boone or Giambi and there is no obvious Oakland love for Thome. He is simply a throwback slugger a la Harmon Killebrew who was was born a big boy and has always been big without the need for the weight room. The guy could swing a telephone pole in Little League. Troy Glaus is another one of these types that I forgot to mention in my previous comment.You can only accurately detect steroid use by a positive test, certainly not by analyzing stats from half a season. This guessing game has been going on since 1988 and the accusations come from abnormal changes to the body witnessed by our own two eyes.
southofcruiseamerica - June 23, 2005
McGwire...
...was RIPPED after his "testimony" in those Congressional hearings. "I'm not here to talk about the past...I'm not here to talk about the past" was his response to the direct question "Did you take steroids." He's lack of a firm denial under oath all but sealed his and the summer of 1998's fate as being as fake as fake can be. Of course, some think 1998 was so dreamy that they just can't tarnish it -- and this can apply to Sammy Sosa, too.Giambi...yes, the media's been more lenient on him. Maybe it was because he's white, but it could also be sympathy for the parasite he had, or that he built enough goodwill. (That makes it sometimes difficult to determine the situation with Bonds -- if he wasn't such a horse's derrier, would he be getting such treatment?)
Ah...don't be sorry about your suspicion of race being a factor. It's your opinion (and although I disagree with it, it isn't so farfetched to be completely dismissed), and I'm just giving a counter-opinion.
But hey, this is supposed to be a celebration thread! Woo hoo! Let's go Oakland!
FormerHuntsvilleStar - June 24, 2005
Okay, okay
You both raise some good points. I am willing to reconsider. Maybe Thome isn't a juicer. Actually, he is starting to come around with 2 HRs in his last 2 games. Thome's OBP is still pretty incredible. He obviously has a great eye for controlling the zone.What is it with Philadelphia players anyway? I remember Burrell went through somehting similar a couple of years ago.
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
Maybe if Bonds wasn't such an arrogant butt-wipe
people would be willing to forgive him.kaweahkaweah - June 24, 2005
I actually like Bonds and have tons of respect
for him.He is the ONLY thing related to the current Gnats I like.
I have to say that I still think Willie Mays was the greatest to ever play the game!
I'm just glad that the A's have 4 WS championships to 0 for the Gnats since the teams moved to the bay. I loved watching the Gnats loose in 2002 even though it was to the Disneylanders.
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
If we're going to discuss race and doping....
Then we should think about Lance Armstrong. No American will listen to me on this, but every European racing fan I've talked to feels the same way about Lance as most baseball fans feel about Bonds. Look at their careers, and they're very similar. Neither has ever tested positive, but both are hugely assumed to be guilty. Performance enhancement comes in all shapes and sizes. At least Bonds didn't dump his wife at the first chance to date an aging one-hit wonder."Say what you will about the tenents of National Socialism, but at least it's an ethos."
Mike Gallego is my Hero - June 24, 2005
A-freakin'-men!
I can't stand Lance Armstrong and think pretty much he's just an awful human being.baseballgirl - June 24, 2005
On the Gnats, this is what counts as a
youth movement.BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Roids by the Bay
I wonder if Pac Bell will help inflate Sanchez's bunted homerun totals...SPLASH HIT!franks a lot - June 23, 2005
Oh yeah
Now lets seriously kick some Giants tail.batgirl - June 23, 2005
Yep!
Or as Alien wrote in the G.O.G diary, Slay the Giants! Payback is a ***.AsGirl - June 23, 2005
I'm thrilled
with the way the A's are playing--this is how they could have played all year, if healthy.But given the hole they've dug, I'd say this: to redeem the year as decent and promising, they need to win series. To get back into the race, they need to sweep series. So yesterday, still ouch. But today, still Kirklicious.
Nico - June 23, 2005
Not sure they could have played this way all year
even without injuries.The team is flawed because of its lack of power. only one proven power hitter. I mean c'mon, I like Hatte and all, but he scares no one in the four hole. Doesn't look like Crosby will get 20 HR this year. The lack of power hurt especially in the dog days of August.
But, that said a six game winning streak starting tomorrow night could make this team very interesting to watch again.
BTW: after all the journeyman pitching out of their gourds against the A's this year (Astacio, Nomo, etc), today felt like major pay back!
BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
I don't mean
they would be winning 6 out of every 7 series, but I think hanging in there with the Angels was a real possibility.Nico - June 23, 2005
Blez
I sent my Paypal payment last Friday and never saw a response from you. It might have gone into my junk folder though. Was a response sent?Thanks.
McFood - June 23, 2005
Blez
I'm having trouble convincing my parents. My birthday is the day before the deadline so I should have money by then. D'you think there will still be a spot open? Thanks to Devo, I already have one.... wait. I'm not supposed to say. It's a surprise. :)Just let me know so I can prepare.
GreenNGoldGirl - June 23, 2005
Try giving them this letter:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. & Gold Girl,Not everyone is a rapist. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Not A Rapist
Nico - June 23, 2005
LMAO
That is so funny. OMG. Funny. I'm at the library. The librarian looked at me funny when i burst out laughing.The problem might be getting there. Actually getting a ride to the game. I would want to be there uber early and I don't think my dad could do that. If we got there when the game started, we would miss the "special guests". And, of course, there's always the abduction in the bathrooms deal. I'll get abducted and raped and i'll be found floating in SF bay during the A's series always trying to get a last look at the A's.
Damn, that's depressing.
GreenNGoldGirl - June 23, 2005
I am not easily offened but we are getting close
novaoakland - June 23, 2005
Didn't mean to offend
Sorry. Just my parent's thoughts unfortunatly.GreenNGoldGirl - June 23, 2005
Track the ends
of the following sentences when people say them, and you'll see a pattern:"I'm no prude, but..."
"In my humble opinion..."
Nico - June 23, 2005
Ask your mom
If she would let you ride in with a 33 year old female fellow A's fan with no arrest record and a clean driving record for the past 15 years. If so, you're in--shoot me an email.batgirl - June 23, 2005
Strongly implying, of course,
that you have committed dozens of egregious crimes that could not quite be proven, and that 16 years ago you intentionally ran a group of orphans over in your Hummer.Nico - June 23, 2005
lol
Cutthemullet - June 24, 2005
I'm just stating the facts
And it wasn't orphans, it was nuns and each was carrying a tiny kitten. Plus, I don't even think Hummers were on the market then. It was a Suburban.batgirl - June 24, 2005
This reminds me
of one my favorite bumperstickers: "So Many Cats, So Few Recipes."Nico - June 24, 2005
Reasonable explanation
And it wasn't orphans, it was nuns and each was carrying a tiny kitten.But, in your defense, you were in a hurry to deliver the crack you and the nuns were gonna make the kitties smoke, right?
Nick - June 24, 2005
LOL!
secret ASian man - June 23, 2005
wish I could have seen or heard the game...
"Gameday" at mlb.com is such an unsatisfying way to "watch"... and my coworkers were wondering why I kept making these little noises of disgust (every time someone was LOB) -- and I think I actually said "So?!" out loud when Chavy made it to 3rd with no one out... because I was sure no one was going to bring him in to score (but someone did, and we got the W, so I'll quit whining now... LOL)On an unrelated note, does anyone know of a site where I could look up all players (ever) by the STATE where they were born? Including those who are no longer playing?
Poppy - June 23, 2005
sports-wired baby!
you can look up by birthdays, anythingwww.sports-wired.com
Alien @ Athletics Nation - June 23, 2005
Any AN'ers at the Sunday Giants game?
I will be there. And for Tues and Weds night games with Mariners.ak_A - June 23, 2005
yup
I'll be there w/ Saint and our whole crew. We'll be in 107 row 8. Yeeehaw!mrod - June 23, 2005
I am at
Section 125 Row 11. (I will be drooling, talking to myself with a nervous tick from being around masses of people for the first time in a while.)ak_A - June 23, 2005
i'll be at the sunday game
xbhaskarx - June 23, 2005
Hey,
if you live around here, how come you don't do the Chez Nico's? Are you too good for us with your "I have an 'x' at the beginning AND the end of my handle"? : - }Nico - June 23, 2005
Hey Nico!
Can I still come to Chez Nico II? I just found out my sechdule for the next two weeks, I ended up with the most normal work hours possible: Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30.I know I'm supposed to e-mail but I hate e-mail.
Melody - June 23, 2005
Melody:
OF COURSE YOU CAN COME!!! If for no other reason than the fact that we need more pictures not of you. : - }If you're coming, I'll add you to my email group for the "all the details" email I'm sending out this weekend.
X-man, hang on a sec and I'll post the info here in a few min...
Nico - June 23, 2005
Count me in then.
Just as long as no one gets any pictures of me, I'll be fine.Melody - June 23, 2005
I guess I wasn't
the only one too polite to mention the huge disfigurement running the entire right side of your face. It made my third nipple sore just looking at it.Nico - June 24, 2005
when is this chez nico II thing?
sorry, not really paying attention. i don't really hate you all.xbhaskarx - June 23, 2005
X-man (and anyone else)...
...here's the basic text of the "Chez Nico II" diary; right now I have about 13 confirmed:"Chez Nico II: The Extravaganza" is on Saturday, July 9th, as the A's play at 4:05pm (PDT) in Chicago. "Chez Nico II: The Extravaganza" will combine the animal torture of a barbecue and the awkwardness of socializing with the agony (i.e., more animal torture) of watching the A's attempt to win on the road. "Chez Nico II: The Extravaganza" will have a BYODA theme, meaning all attendees will bring the dead animal (or vegetable) they wish to torture and consume. The Extravaganza will start around 2:00pm and end about 30 minutes after Street's last pitch. All further details will be worked out in hindsight the day after the event.
I would like to limit attendance to a maximum of 20 so that there is sufficient room for everyone to enjoy the event. If more than 20 reply, frankly I will prioritize regular posters over lurkers, but hopefully it will naturally sort out just right (as it did for Chez Nico I).
Here's how it works if you want to be a part of the torture, awkwardness, and agony:
If you wish to attend: You need to email me at bpcbackwash@yahoo.com, and make sure to include your AN handle, your real name, and the email address I should reply to.
Nico - June 23, 2005
embarrassing moments...
Rookie reliever Huston Street's red-face recollection dates back to when he was playing in an All-Star game as a 16-year-old. After grounding out at a critical juncture in the game, he slammed his helmet down in frustration before hearing ..."... my Dad, just absolutely screaming from the stands," Street said. "He was all over me, and at the time, I'm ticked off because this is the biggest game of my life so far, so I talked back a little bit, and that was a bad idea. My Dad, who knew our coach real well, got up and said, 'That's it. You're done.' Took me off the field right then and there."
-------------------
Outfielders Eric Byrnes and Nick Swisher said they needed more time to think of their most embarrassing moments. One veteran suggested, "That's because they have so many moments to choose from."
That last one is hilarious.
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050623&content_id=1101348& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak
Sharon - June 23, 2005
And wouldn't you love to know...
...who "one veteran" is?Poppy - June 23, 2005
dad :)
Sharon - June 23, 2005
the best part
Did anyone notice the headline of that article:"Notes: Players sympathize with Johnson. Outfielder's goof conjures up humbling memories for others"
I guess writers make mistakes too.
andeux - June 23, 2005
MLB writers having trouble lately
The other day the notes headline said that Jairo Garcia had been sent to Tacoma.sarajune13 - June 23, 2005
nice catch... but
I think they were refering to Lanes 2 out error.novaoakland - June 23, 2005
can
somebody order 1 for me and all pay them in cash.. my parents wont let me do paypal.bballfanr33 - June 23, 2005
Consider it done, robb--
1 ticket, reserved for anyone whose name ends in two b's.Nico - June 23, 2005
thanks so much
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks man!bballfanr33 - June 23, 2005
No problemo--
email Blez your address and I'll tell him to send your ticket to you directly; I've paid Blez for it and you can pay me back on 8/13.Okie dokie?
Nico - June 23, 2005
Does anyone know what this says?
バリー・ジート Barry Zito1978年5月13日目ネバタ州生まれz 90;99年6月ドラフト1位（全米9番 446;）でアスレチックスに入団 。2002年23勝5敗で最多勝投手をħ 54;得。また、サイ・ヤング賞& #12395;選ばれる。ハンサムボー| 52;で女性に人気が高いが、い& #12429;いろと不思議な言動からê 31;宙人（エイリアン）と呼ば& #12428;たりもする。左投げ左打{ 85;。
I understand "Barry Zito", 2002 and 23-5. I'm guessing it's about his Cy Young season. It looks hecka cool though.
GreenNGoldGirl - June 23, 2005
I think ...
... I recognize the characters for "nice buns," "high socks," and "guitar."monkeyball - June 23, 2005
how square!
Let's see... 1978 5 13 would be his birthdate... I'm stumped on 90;99, though... definitely not his pitch speeds... ;)Could 446 be his ERA from 2002? I don't remember...
Poppy - June 23, 2005
99 pitches,
90 in one inning?Nico - June 23, 2005
I forget almost all my japanese...
However, the character following 99 is "year," and the character followin the 6 is 'Month', followed by "draft" with a 1. So I think it's saying he was a first fround draft choice.The sendence after the 2002 and 23-5 season mentions his Cy Young (Sai Yangu). It then goes on to mention "hansamu boi."
Most of the rest are Kangi characters, of which I know maybe 20 out of the 5,000+.
MrIncognito - June 23, 2005
all i got
1978 May 13th ???state origin z 90greendatitiz - June 23, 2005
Okay I got my mom to translate this
Although she says it's probably Japanese because we can't see about half of the characters.It says, 1978: His birthdate, and then talked about how he was a first round draft choice, then his Cy Young award. I think the 54 stands for his 54 overall wins to date, while the two words after "52" stands for "female" and "admire", meaning that he's a female favorite. [My mom read that and asked, "Is he a good looking guy?] Then the word in front of #12429 means "height", there's a word in there that means "favorite", although my mom doesn't know what the phrase means. The last two words in front of 85 says "Bats Left, Throws Left."
Melody - June 23, 2005
Pitchers/Wins for games started
Zito: 4-12Harden: 5-3
Haren: 7-8
Blanton: 7-7
Saarloos: 8-5
Melody - June 23, 2005
Well....
I bet you wouldn't have expected that at the beginning of the season. Wow.GreenNGoldGirl - June 23, 2005
Zito=unlucky
The guy has pitched much better than that. Nine quality starts in 16 outings. Plus a few when he's gone six and given up only 4 ER. If A's had offense, he'd be 8-3.BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Agreed
I heard something on the FS Northwest broadcast (I'm stuck in Portland, so only get the A's when they play the M's) about how in 7 of Zito's starts the A's have scored 1 run or less. Imagine if he was getting NY-era Clemens support. As discussed ad nauseum, he's a good pitcher prone to a bad inning.Mike Gallego is my Hero - June 24, 2005
As compared to, say,
Juan Cruz who is a pitcher prone to a good inning.Nico - June 24, 2005
Did I mention that Larish is awesome!!!!
Go SunDevils!!!capper3 - June 23, 2005
Exactly what was needed
A sweep would have been nice but who really thought the A's would go up to Seattle and take all 4? 3/4 if awesome, now we sweep those losers from across the bay and move closer to .500Pucking Insane - June 23, 2005
I did! See my answer in the GOG game!
baseballgirl - June 23, 2005
high five
tblazrdude - June 23, 2005
photo by ted s warren
tblazrdude - June 23, 2005
Thanks for the photos.
Saarloos is totally one of the most underrated hotties of the Athletics.Melody - June 23, 2005
arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrUUUUUUUUU
werewolves of Oakland! Drinks are on me at Trader Vic's boys.Satchmo22 - June 24, 2005
Saarloos is da man.
Every team in the MLB, wish they had a fifth starter like Kirk. Also, A's/M's series felt more like a battle for first place then the Rangers and Anaheim Angels of Santa Ana in the OC series. There were more competitive games in this series then in series between Rangers of Arington and Angels of Irvine.pachydermOAFC - June 23, 2005
let's see if Rangers-A's and Angels'A's
will be as competitive.don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled(actually, relieved) that the A's are playing so much better.
But if the A's start taking series from the White Sox, Twins, Indians, Orioles, and (of course) Yanks and R.Sox -- and all of our division rivals, then I really will get excited.
OaklandSi - June 23, 2005
This is true
but we have already taken series from the White Sox and the Red Sox.ArakSOT - June 23, 2005
I meant from now on
both the white sox and the red sox played extremely sloppy series when the A's played them. The White Sox are playing much better right now, and so are the Red Sox.OaklandSi - June 23, 2005
As good as the ChiSox are this year,
they feel about playing on the West Coast like we feel about playing in Boston, etc.Nico - June 23, 2005
that's true
OaklandSi - June 23, 2005
Great series last time though.
Dye's dropped flyball of that pop up was awesome. Most he's done for the A's in 3 years!BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Series wins
Taking consecutive series from Atlanta, New York, and Philly was pretty convincing to me. They have turned the corner. Could still use another reliable power bat (preferably RH) in the lineup and another reliable arm in the pen. But otherwise, this is much more what I expected.June stats:
Saarloos 3-0, 2.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
Blanton 3-1, 2.60, 0.98
Haren 3-0, 3.14, 0.91
Zito 2-2, 3.45, 1.21
Duke 1-1 (3 sv), 1.98, 0.88
Street 0-0 (4), 0.00, 0.79
boilerdan - June 24, 2005
OT: NBA Finals
End of 1st quarter: Spurs up 18-16AsGirl - June 23, 2005
Man, TB about to take 3 of 4 from Yanmees in NyC
Fo' shizzle!BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Hah, Giambi justed bunted for a single!
How the mighty have fallen!BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
question about croz
wasn't able to watch the whole game. what's his back situation like? seems like it's always something or the other with bobby!kirk has been very consistent for us. he very rarely gets pounded and almost ALWAYS keeps us right in the game with a chance to win. today was unbelievable though.
nycfan @ Athletics Nation - June 23, 2005
"Crosby did not start Thursday
because of a sore back. A's manager Ken Macha said it was similar to the pain that forced Crosby to miss a couple of days last season....."TrizzleNizzle510 - June 23, 2005
I love it
when the Yankees need a 13-run inning to avoid being swept in a 4-game series by Tampa Bay!Nico - June 23, 2005
Yankmees loose, Gnat loose, A's win
Life is good!BruceBochte - June 23, 2005
Me too!
Anytime the highest paid team in baseball loses, I love it! Especially if they lose to the lowest paid team in baseball. :DAsGirl - June 23, 2005
Hard to blame Hudson/Mulder trades at this point
With Hudson's ERA at 3.78 and Saarloos at 3.82, and Mulder's ERA at 4.75 and Haren at 3.98, and that's with Hudson and Mulder both pitching in the National League, it would be pretty hard at this point to blame the A's record on the Hudson and Mulder trades. That is not to say Saarloos is as good as Hudson, it's just an evaluation of how Hudson and Mulder's replacements are doing.SA - June 23, 2005
SAAARLOOOOS!!
xbhaskarx - June 23, 2005
Blez
I was one of the first 50 to pay for tickets to AN Day II, and I have not recieved my tickets. What should I do?Roscoe Parrish - June 23, 2005
The first thing I'd do
is tell the other poor 49 suckers. Blez is in Mexico. BUUAAAAHHHH-HAH-HAH !!!!!!!!!!!!Nico - June 23, 2005
email him
if he doesn't respond to your post.Brian in 317 - June 24, 2005
Great game Saarloos, DJ, Swish, et al
yes, et al to the rest.It's just nice to see the young guys playing well. With Loos and DJ we're not sacrificing at all to give them some action.
TonyArmas - June 23, 2005
No Love???
No love for Chavvy? 2 for 4 with a hard double and 3 runs scored?NomAd - June 24, 2005
Dan Meyer
pitched an inning in Sac tonight. Not so great--2 er, 2bb. But who cares, he's pitching again--and hopefully will get into a groove once he's starting.Alien @ Athletics Nation - June 23, 2005
just sent the cash for AN day
woohoo!gojohn10 - June 23, 2005
Don't Mock Da Mach
Those foolish contributors who need excuses to rap Macha for everything made numerous ridiculous posts this morning, slamming Macha for not playing Crosby after a rough previous game and disparaging the A's lineup for today--particularly Hatte in the cleanup slot.Well, you could have waited for the explanation for Crosby's absence--aching back--before jumping to absurd conclusions and blaming Macha. As for Hatte batting cleanup, today he was only 4-5.
Macha has taken a young team in a rebuilding year and kept them from collapsing after a plethora of injuries and as rough a May as possible. Some of you should eat crow and stop condemning one of the better skippers in the game. But then again, that would mean an increase in cranial capacity that is sorely lacking in said mental midgets...
reztips - June 23, 2005
for someone so condescending
I find it surprising how severely you overrate the contributions of a figurehead, a caretaker. Until the A's reach the day where the most inefficient market is the one for, uh, savvy, quixotic managers, they will continue to employ mannequins as middle managers. And people like you will continue to waste their time analyzing decisions carried out, but not actually made, by them.The funniest thing I've noticed is that you do not think highly of Howe's tenure with the A's, yet you laud Macha. The radical difference in your esteem for them sure belies the fact that they both carried out the orders of the same man. How does your failure to recognize that the A's organizational philosophy significantly reduces the role of manager reflect on your intelligence?
Cutthemullet - June 24, 2005
Good ol' rez
He's a contrarian by nature. He always says the opposite of what most people think or say just to piss them off. It's gotten quite old, really.OaktownTribesman - June 24, 2005
True...
Hey, Rez, I read somewhere that Rickey Henderson, Eric Byrnes, and Diamond Lil are teaming up to keep the A's out of San Jose. Any thoughts?ArakSOT - June 24, 2005
Great points!
And those said, I think the A's are ready for a different "middle manager."Maybe we can trade him to the M's for Randy Winn and then spin Winn off to the Yankmees for some prospects (Duncan and that pitcher)?
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest
ArakSOT, those are adjectives that best describe the triumvirate of Rickey, Eric and Queen Barth-alot. 'Course, we could also through OFAC's most prolific poster, deajay, in: she pronounced after he had played but one game that Ichiro was not of MLB caliber.Here's Diamond Ill's most recent contribution: ByrnesBrain is not playing vs righties because BB doesn't like him and is disrespecting him to the point that it's OK for the A's to lose games because of BB's anti-Byrnes bias. Hence the OAFC Queen's moniker, The Dumbest.
BTW, arak: do you know why Barth-alot and deajay no longer go to the beach? They are afraid that Green Peace will through them back in the water.
;-)>
reztips - June 24, 2005
Wow
Props to Saarloos for yesterday's performance. To think that we picked up a guy like that in return for a reliever that was out of options (see: Harville, Chad) is just another one of the little moves that Beane makes that ends up paying big dividends for this team.Finally reserved my ticket for AN day. Looking forward to it.
Dirtbag Pride - June 24, 2005
Contrarian to Like Macha and Critiqe Byrnes?
Oaktowntribesman, just because I respect Macha and dislike Bumblin Byrnesy doesn't make me a contrarian. I find the contrast between Macha and that moron of morons, Art "Not Smart" Howe, refreshing.No manager with any self-respect would permit themselves to constantly dictated to by the GM. This even applies to a dimwit like Art Howe. Those who manage for the A's realize that there are certain parameters of strategy acceptable to BB and they respond accordingly or they won't have agreed to take the job (both Macha and Howe had options other than the A's). But in game day moves, the managers are on their own.
Macha makes intelligent strategic moves and doesn't sit in the clubhouse bug-eyed like his predecessor. When Howe finally was sufficently awake to make changes, they were invariably so inane that a respected colleague of mine dubbed them "Howelers."
As for Byrnes, if you like intelligent players ByrnesBrain isn't the guy for you. I never saw someone so consistently miss or ignore the cutoff man. And even Ben Grieve didn't take such circuitous routes to flyballs. At bat, Byrnes simply can't adjust to the low and outside pitch, regardless of how many batting practice pitches Macha throws him there. That he should start more often when most of the season he has been hitting under .200 vs righties is a downright idiotic suggestion. And then there is BrynesBum's failure to touch homeplate vs Boston, a non-move that ranks as high as Tejada's failure to come home as MAJOR examples of IDIOCY in A's baseball history.
Finally, my first post on this diary was in response to several foolish posts yesterday before the game. Some intimated that Macha was punishing Crosby for his previous bad outing by benching him. Others rapped Macha for his lineup in general and decision to bat Hatte cleanup (where he went 4-5). It doesn't take a "contrarian" to critique those so narrow-minded in their dislike for Macha that they would knock him for the most absurd reasons, even before the manager's reasoning was aired...
reztips - June 24, 2005
Kielty - .213 vs Right Handers
Bobby Kielty is only hitting .213 against Right Handers, and thats after a very fast start, so the argument over who should play more often isnt as cut as dry as most make it seem.Duby - June 24, 2005
Agree with you on Byrnes, but on Macha? PLEASE!
Macha is gone after this year. That was abundantly clear after spring training when BB didn't give him an extension. To my way of thinking that is a good thing. The A's are still searching for the right middle manager. Its a hard job to fill.Re: Tejada. I think you are being to harsh on him. The BloSux played incredibly unsportsmanlike baseball that entire series. F'n Bill Mueller impedes Tejada's progress and Tejada gets blamed for it?!? That's just not fair. Mueller should have been ejected and the Sux should have had to have played without a 3rd baseman, soccer-style, for the rest of the game. Of course, I need not remind you of D-Blowe's crotch grab at the end of game five. To Macha's credit, he's not a great manager, but at least his teams play with class.
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
BruceBochte
You should go read up on the articles that came out in Spring Training about Macha's extension. Billy Beane made it clear that he wanted him back, he met with him to offer him an extension, and Macha turned it down. Macha is most likely not back next year, but it's not because the A's didn't want him back. It's because he didn't want to come back.Also...you're not really the Bruce Bochte, are you? Wasn't he the A's first baseman just prior to Mark McGwire hitting the scene? Tall, lanky, wore glasses?
Dog Days - June 24, 2005
Bochte is as Bochte does...
...just getting ready to post some Haikus.BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
I agree, reztips
It annoys me how much everybody is convinced that they'd do a better job of managing than Macha does. And it's fun to read other teams' blogs and read how much they all hate their managers. It ain't easy, and I think Macha does a fine job for what he's been asked to do.Funny story about second guessing coaches/managers: my roommates are both Duke grads, and back in March, during the ACC Tourney, they had some fellow Duke alums over to watch the Duke-UNC game. During the game, there was a long debate between these Duke alums about whether...get this....Coach K was a good coach. Just goes to show you that no fan is ever pleased with their coach/manager when the team is losing.
Dog Days - June 24, 2005
can you name...
all the presidents in order and a fact about each....TrizzleNizzle510 - June 24, 2005
dude
it's the google era. don't tempt him, he just might.Dog Days - June 24, 2005
Olney
Buster Olney has an article on ESPN Insider right now titled "A's could be dangerous next year." Does anybody have a subscription to Insider that can log in and post a diary with the text from it?Dog Days - June 24, 2005
BB Did Offer To Negotiate an Extension
Sorry, Bruce, but your memory is incorrect. BB did offer to negotiate an extension with Macha and one can only speculate as to why Ken didn't opt to have his agent negotiate continuing his tenure with the A's beyond this season.At this point, we don't know why. Some possibilites: Macha knew with the trades of Huddy and Mulder that this was a rebuilding year and he wanted to see how that would play out. Or, Macha--whose family still lives in Pittsburgh--hopes to ultimately be named manager there.
Again, the above and anything else is sheer speculation. But if BB didn't want Macha as manager, he would have fired Ken.
Re: Tejada. I agree that the BoSux were utterly lacking in sportsmanship in that series. But as Ray Fosse said the other day, in that situation: "You have to come home." Miggy, paralyzed in his cranium by the course of events, just stood there--one of the true examples of stupidity in baseball playoff history...
reztips - June 24, 2005
Judge stupidity by the action NOT the reaction.
I just can't harsh on Miggy like some people around AN feel is so easy. That play was all on Mueller grabbing Tejada as he went around 3rd. As far as lack of sportsmanship, its right up there with A-Fraud's tomahawk chop of Arroyo. Can you say "no class"? Interesting--A-Fraud doesn't get away with it and Mueller does?
The real fool was Byrnes, who I agree with you, should have been traded during the off season. The guy doesn't touch home and jumps around home plate like he is playing hopscotch! He can never be forgiven, but Tejada? He is the best total player in the game for the past 3.5 years.
BTW: Don't you find relying on Fosse as evidence in an argument about stupidity a bit ironic?
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
Absolutely
I too think Tejada should've been running home first and pointing fingers later. But I can also understand his reaction to what Mueller did (grrrrr!), so I'm not going to get mad at Tejada over it (whether one thinks it a mistake or not). And it should NEVER overshadow all the great things Miggy did for the green and gold.FormerHuntsvilleStar - June 24, 2005
Tejada's never going to be Ted Williams with
the "Science of Hitting" and all that self-promotion crap. The guy is just a tough kid from a destitute 3rd world country: the DR. Sure he's undereducated; parents probably could afford to PAY for much schooling for him. But the bottom line is he plays the game harder than almost anyone else in baseball and wants to win more than anyone else in baseball. That's how poor kids from the barrio are. Maybe undereducated, but they want it man. Ragging on him, calling him stupid and the like, is really kind of pointless.Furthermore, even though he is an uneducated guy, he would never pull any crap like those spoiled brats Mueller, A-Fraud, D-BLowe. The guy plays with HONOR!
Fo' shizzle!
BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
Beautifully said!
FormerHuntsvilleStar - June 24, 2005
Apologies, Dogdays
for repeating your post on the Macha extension. I was typing my post at the time.You are right on target about criticizing the manager or coach and your example of ANYONE ignorant enough to knock the greatest college basketball coach of this era is priceless.
'Course, I will repeat what should be obvious to all who follow the A's: that Art Howe was an unmitigated MORON. ;-)>
reztips - June 24, 2005
Alex and Barry, The Juicer Twins
Bruce, while Ray Fosse can sometimes be a bit of a homer, I actually appeciate some of his trenchent analysis.Just saw a photo of Baroids and the newest Gnat, Alez Sanchez. The caption should have read: "Dopey and Doper."
Also made the mistake of reading Ray Fatso's column (why do I waste my time?). As Rickey might say, "Fatso think he funny." Or, as my second grade nephew would say, "He's so funny I forgot to laugh."
reztips - June 24, 2005
Dude, you are hella funny and I am
not being sarcastic. Please keep posting because I could use the laffs rite about now.We just disagree about 3 things:
- Barry
- Miggy
- Macha
But we agree on:BruceBochte - June 24, 2005
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