That’s all she wrote, folks. Games don’t come much uglier than this one. Today’s frustration obviously piled up for Blanton, set off by a bases-clearing hit by Seattle, after the A’s failed to score with the bases loaded and no one out, yet again. Aside from Chavez’ homerun (solo, of course, is there any other kind?), the A’s offense did zip, nada, nothing the rest of the game, despite opportunities all over the place. Seattle even gift-wrapped a couple of runs, and it still wasn’t enough.
And not to single anyone out in what was truly a team effort in the loss, but today the Bobbys were about as bad as it’s possible to be and still play at the major league level. You would think that nothing could surprise me about Bobby Crosby, but he had one of the worst at-bats I’ve seen from him, and that’s saying a lot. No one was very excited to see Crosby at the plate with two outs and the bases loaded, but after the batter in front of him had just been walked, and the first pitch was a ball, what in the world was he doing swinging out of the zone on the next pitch, popping up with a 1-0 count and much-needed potential runs on the bases? Likewise, Kielty (who was somehow hitting fifth his first day off the DL), had a similarly awful at-bat with the bases loaded and no one out, grounding into the worst possible outcome; a 1-2-3 double play.
I think our reaction to this team right now is about on par with Blanton’s. They just aren’t playing well, and nothing seems to be working. And yes, Ichiro was standing right on top of a ball in play, but Blanton seemed less interested in getting the ball than shoving Ichiro. And of course, Jason Ellison absolutely, 100% should have been kicked out of the game for his attempt at shoving back at Blanton, but really, it didn’t matter much. When you can’t score more than one run via a hit, you don’t deserve to win. And the A’s don’t right now.
If there was ever a need for a break, this is it. Go play some golf or something, little A’s players, because you all need a break from baseball.
On a brighter note, congratulations to Danny Haren for being our sole All-Star representative. No one deserves it more than you do, Dan, and we are proud of you for a tremendous season.
Let’s hope that the A’s can regroup during this week and come out strong in Minnesota on Thursday. Enjoy the break, enjoy the ASG, and we’ll see you back here soon.
0 recs | 230 comments
It's taking every ounce of energy
Not to throw something off the balcony of my apartment. What a terrible game.
baseb3383 - July 8, 2007
Dno't know why Ellison was not ejected
Yes, Blanton was an ass for shoving suzuki out of the way, but Ellison basically caused the melee by going after Joe and putting up his dukes. Hopefully the league office will review the incident and fine his sorry, former Gnats ass. I'm a little disappointed that Casilla didn't stick one in his ear hole next time up.
doctorK - July 8, 2007
yeah sure
they would have to throw at someone ever something the A's never do
oaktown134 - July 9, 2007
Actually
I don't think Ichiro was "right on top of the ball".
The replays don't start early enough to see for sure, but it looks like the ball did roll slowly under where Ichiro was standing, but by the time Blanton shoves him it's about a foot and a half clear of him. Blanton could have easily grabbed it without touching Ichiro.
Does anyone have it on tape? I usually have the VCR running during a game, but today I didn't. :-(
iglew - July 8, 2007
I don't have it on tape...
but I did see replays about a bajillion times, and you're right. Not only was Ichiro plenty far enough away from the ball, but it appeared that he wasn't even aware it had stopped behind him.
I love Joe, I'm sure he's frustrated, but shoving Ichiro and then, while the fight was being sorted out, cussing into the M's dugout and grabbing his crotch was f'n pathetic.
Poppy - July 9, 2007
The worst possible thing happened
Thursday night, Bobby Crosby accidentally swung and hit a ball over the fence. You can now kiss off another 3 weeks before he gets another hit, from that point on he will revert to Bobby Crosby, pull off every pitch, swing too hard all in an attempt to hit another HR. He has always envisioned himself as a power hitter which he might very well be if he would stop trying to be a power hitter. Be a seller BB, be a seller. I am sure he has already kissed this season off anyway, so now is the time to sell. I would much rather lose with Buck, Cust, Barton and Suzuki than look pathetic with Kielty, Kendall, Crosby and Kotsay.
china bob - July 8, 2007
Totally agree about Crosby
I always wondered why everyone always says that players "broke out of a slump" when they hit a homer...not necessarily!
And at this point, how can anyone call it a slump?
oblique - July 8, 2007
x2
Crosby's been plain awful for a long time now. its just painful to watch him right now. and the a's management continue to persist with him. i dont see him meriting a spot on any major league team, not even the royals or the gnats let alone the a's.
oak1 - July 8, 2007
what happens to Crosby's contract
if we DFA him? He's probably out of options right?
oak1 - July 8, 2007
Baseball = Guaranteed contracts
I wish it was the NFL because you can dump a guy's contract at the end of the year minus the signing bonus. We are on the hook for every cent that he obviously doesn't plan on earning.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 8, 2007
why are those 2 standing there at all?
person on deck should only be on field
smasfan - July 8, 2007
They were standing there
because Blanton just served up a base-clearing double, and they were two of the three guys who just finished scoring.
iglew - July 8, 2007
then they should have been called for interfering
smasfan - July 8, 2007
Blanton probably could've got that called if...
...he'd made an attempt at the ball instead of shoving Ichiro first.
Flashfire - July 8, 2007
And they might well have been
if Blanton had played it smart. Blanton could take some lessons from Kendall, who, for all his pugnaciousness, is shrewd enough to know how to play for the umps. To get an interference call, you have to show yourself being interfered with.
If Blanton had made an aggressive reach for the ball at the ground when it was under Ichiro's feet and "accidentally" toppled Ichiro in the process, then Geren could have gone out there and argued for an interference call. If he gets the call, then we're still in the game and maybe even have some emotional momentum to come back and win it.
Instead, Blanton let his frustration get the better of him and acted like a complete ass instead. And then we lost.
iglew - July 8, 2007
if they are standing there why arent they trying
to move when it does go by them?
smasfan - July 8, 2007
because they had no idea
the ball was anywhere near them. The play was at the plate and they were far from the plate. The throw to the plate was off line. It hit Jose Lopez, who was sliding in to home. Off of Lopez's leg it took a random bounce and dribbled off to the on-deck area, where Ichiro and Ellison were celebrating having scored. There's no reason at all they should have been watching for the ball to be under their feet.
iglew - July 8, 2007
if they are on the field and not batting or ready
to then they should know whats going on
smasfan - July 8, 2007
Yeah like guys don't watch
what's going on on the field.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
shows one of those guys on sideline looked down
and saw ball on replay
smasfan - July 8, 2007
It's not just that they watch.
It's their freaking job to KNOW. Let a rookie screw up and loose sight of where the ball is in a critical situation and see if he doesn't get reamed by the manager and his teammates. They knew. Every single one of them knew where the ball was.
The Mariners just happen to be playing good ball. This is what good teams do. They take advantage of every little mistake and they never let up. I give them props for a job well done....except for Ellison. I wish Joe was just now giving him back his teeth.
alox - July 8, 2007
I agree with your synopsis
in that the A's position players didn't deserve to win. But Blanton didn't deserve the loss either. As far as the extra curricular activities, I don't fault Joe at all. He was playing the game, and up until time was called, he was playing it as is his right. Ichiro damn well knew what he was doing. He figured if he could delay Joe for a few seconds the Mariners might be able to push another run across. I don't fault him for this either. He was playing to win. He got caught at it and got shoved. So what.
Ellison is the idiot in all this. He wasn't quick enough to catch on to what Suzuki was doing, and then he made a punk out of himself on national TV when he attempted to puff up on Blanton. He's lucky Blanton didn't repackage his little ass into a smaller size cube and send him back to the dugout.
I hope this festers in the craw of the A's over the ASG and they come out of the gate fighting mad. These guys are good enough to win....maybe they aren't the best team in baseball, but they are good enough to make a better accounting of themselves than the slop they've been feeding us the last few weeks.
alox - July 8, 2007
Good post Alox
and I really detest the way BBG described it. As if Blanton was so out of line. and was only interested in giving Ichiro a shot. ::boos BBG::
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Thanks...
I probably have the minority opinion, but I'm glad someone shares it. Joe's conduct during the incident was not out of line. I know that some have a problem with the F bombs, and perhaps they are right. But at that point he was being done wrong on so many levels that I don't blame him for venting. Plus he punked the entire Mariner team, a move that I found very satisfying. I wonder what they are going to be thinking the next time they face ole Joe. For sure someone is going to get their ass drilled into the ground....who is it going to be?
alox - July 8, 2007
Suzuki
he needs a visit to Steve Young-ville
doctorK - July 8, 2007
Blanton is now officially
my new co-favorite player. Seems like him and Swisher are the only one's who really give a shit right now. I was glad to see my boy Swish all fired up and have his buddy Blanton's back.
Ichiro needed to wipe that little smirk off his face after the fact cause Joe would have torn him and that punk ass Ellison a new one.
Reading/hearing the comments out of Joe's mouth after the altercation was priceless. A little Rich Vaughn-esque.
SwisherSweet33 - July 8, 2007
Did you two watch the tape?
OK, I can understand the argument that as long as Ichiro is on the field it's his responsibility to know where the ball is, and thus he should have been on the hook for an interference call if only Blanton had kept his cool.
But to say that Ichiro knew what he was doing and was slowing down Blanton intentionally is just absurd. To believe that, you'd have to believe Ichiro is not just extremely clever and extremely petty but also a supremely talented actor to never even glance at the ball and maintain his fictitious high-fiving with Ellison all the while cleverly knowing the ball was under his feet.
As for BBG's description, Blanton was out of line, and he pretty clearly was only interested in giving Ichiro a shot. If he was going for the ball, why didn't he ... well ... go for the ball? And why did he grab his dick and shout obscenities at everyone.
No offense to the posters I'm disagreeing with today, but what I'm seeing on AN is the same sort of stupid homerism we complain about when other teams do it. Yes, of course, we love Joe, and we can even make excuses for him when he loses his cool. But for heaven's sake, don't turn night into to day in an effort to pretend he was in the right here.
Suppose John Lackey freaked out and gave Mark Ellis a shove, and then Shannon Stewart ran out to defend Ellis. If Rex Hudler then proclaimed it was all Stewart's fault, because after all there never would have been any brawl if only they'd left Lackey alone, all of AN would be screaming its head off over the stupidity of it.
iglew - July 8, 2007
Defending the team
In your hypothetical case, if Stewart doesn't get ejected, he should be fined by the league. It is a good thing to stand up for your guys, no matter how idiotic he may have been, but at the same time there should be consequences for the action.
doctorK - July 8, 2007
Hudler
No matter what Hudler would've said in that situation, it would've been stupid.
doctorK - July 8, 2007
Thank you
IndianaAsfan - July 8, 2007
I watched the replays.
I know we are going to disagree on this issue. That's cool, I don't have a problem with that. But Ichiro knew what he was doing. He had opportunity to move and allow Blanton a clear lane to check the runner at third. Ichiro is a pro, and there is no doubt in my mind that he was giving the runner precious time to make it safely back to third or to score, whatever the situation dictated.
I won't feign a moral superiority in all this. If I could fault the other team in such a scenario as you described, I would. But as for this one, Blanton was doing his job. Ichiro got rolled because he knew what he was doing and thought he could get away with it. And he did. There is no way that the umps were going to send the runners back to base on a legit double, no matter who argued what. Ichiro was after that final runner.
alox - July 8, 2007
"...Ichiro knew what he was doing."
WHAT?
Joe was pissed and took his frustrations out of the closest person.
Jennifer - July 8, 2007
On the first person...
he could legitimately do so on. There is a distiction. Ichiro had it coming.
alox - July 8, 2007
I agree
I think that Ichiro had every intention of NOT getting away from the ball. Saying that: I would have probably done the same exact thing. And, I would have expected to be pushed...as Ichiro expected to be pushed. Ellison is a little bitch.
Colorado Fan - July 8, 2007
I respect your opinion, Alox
Of course I 100% disagree with it, but that's OK. I've had my say and you've had yours. We're cool.
iglew - July 8, 2007
I agree with this sentiment.
Sorry I didn't post sooner, I went to see the Rivercats and Grizzlies play again. I had a need to see some real baseball. At least the cats didn't let me down.
alox - July 8, 2007
Rotoworld
isn't AN and they referred to it as a "harmless" push. Was Blanton frustrated? Yes, I agree that he was. Could he have gotten to the ball and picked it up without pushing Ichiro? Yes most likely but in the heat of the moment he harmlessly pushed Ichiroinstead of saying "pardon me". Ellison made it into a brawl. Not joe. and that's not homerism to point it out.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Rotoworld
provides a great service, but this is hardly the first time they've exhibited a pro-Oakland bias.
iglew - July 8, 2007
and the reason for that is...
what?
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
One of the main writers is
a Billy Beane fan.
Personal view comes through sometimes. Just like on other sites that discuss baseball league-wide.
iglew - July 8, 2007
Couldn't agree more
Blanton took a shot because he was frustrated and Ichiro was there. If it were any other team, people would be all up in arms.
TurnTwo - July 8, 2007
mdl
I watched the game live and I saw the replay many time. Ichiko knew what he was doing and got what he deserved! Stop with the STUPID what if's.
Jackson_A - July 9, 2007
Ha
I completely agree
Reg - July 8, 2007
ohtobe
This season: A's are 34-10 when scoring 4 or more runs. 4 runs is not a lot to ask for. I know that the team wasn't built like the Yankees, but I'm not asking for that. I'm asking for 4 runs a game. That's it. 10-34 when scoring 3 or less. (Response from last thread)
sprtsnwyn - July 8, 2007
I just wish we had a tradeable commodity
so that we could get a bat that could deliver more runs. I just don't see one on our current roster that wouldn't hurt us on the other side of the equation. I still dream of finding a John Mabry, Jermaine Dye, Ray Durham, Johnny Damon-type somewhere this year but I'm not sure anyone would want a Bobby Crosby, Joe Kennedy or pay a salary like Kendall's in return. Heck even if we let Crosby go we really don't have anyone capable of taking his place, which explains our selections in this year's draft.
How to you see us improving our offense? Any ideas for this year or are you looking solely at the future?
ohtobe21likehuston - July 8, 2007
This season
would be very tough, unless we want to move someone that we are planning on using in the future. Kielty could be moved, but I doubt he would be. Kennedy, Crosby, Kotsay, and Kendall have basically no trade value. Before the season would have been the time to try to upgrade. It was apparent that the offense last year wasn't good, with the exception of Frank. Piazza wasn't going to fill his numbers. I don't really know what should have been done, but the fact that this offense is this bad isn't surprising. Last year we all saw it. All I know is there are cheaper options out there besides Crosby and Kotsay, defense be damned. It's all confusing.
sprtsnwyn - July 8, 2007
OT a little bit...
but I just read LL. What happened to all of their funny,bright posters? Their thread had so many comments and nothing even remotely interesting to read.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
There's only about one or two good posters on LL
Jeff is good; perhaps he's fishing.
The LL crowd is hilarious when the Mariners lose bigtime.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
I remember Jeff
Deanna,goose and a few others that could be amusing.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
LL is more fun
when their team sucks.
Pretty much the opposite of AN. We become unpleasant when our team drops near 50%. I hate to think what we'd be like if we ever dipped below.
iglew - July 8, 2007
Just wait around 'til after the break
Four games in the hankydome
doctorK - July 8, 2007
The 4 in Minnesota remind me of the...
4 we had to play at Boston last season after the All-Star Break (we took 3 of 4).
Go A's!
Colorado Fan - July 8, 2007
Going into the ASB last season,
didn't we take the first game of a home 4-game series and then drop the last three? (Angels, Shields-Thomas walk-off...)
Nico - July 8, 2007
I think Jeff is in Boston
for a friend's wedding. No, I'm not stalking him.
Jennifer - July 8, 2007
New name...
Jeffifer.
louismg - July 8, 2007
How about this?
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/commen...
mikeA - July 8, 2007
And my personal theory:
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/commen...
mikeA - July 8, 2007
dude.
LL "is easily the best SBN blog"?
I want to see some empirical evidence to back that up.
monkeyball - July 8, 2007
Ask and you shall
receive.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
LOL
That just means it's a 28-way tie for first, though.
monkeyball - July 8, 2007
By the way,
it is nice that I am associated with empiricism, even in joking fashion.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
Mike?
Sucking up to the LL crowd? ahahahahaha
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
LL=
AN without all the bad posters.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
and they support a lame team.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
< cough > arrogance < cough >
monkeyball - July 8, 2007
My arrogance is clearly warranted
as long as I grace your sig.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
Time for a jinx-proof
whimsical sig.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
one again, I hate to say it ...
... but I called another one.
monkeyball - July 8, 2007
Toot your won horn.
JK...good prediction.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Could you start calling for good things?
HRs, no-hitters... that stuff? Thanks!
Jennifer - July 8, 2007
I don't get that channel
The brand of tinfoil I use only picks up nasty, ugly, backward-masked whispers underneath KenKo and Vince.
monkeyball - July 8, 2007
Why hate to say it?
We know Crosby is junk. At least Kendall is getting better.
iglew - July 8, 2007
Kendall!
mikeA - July 8, 2007
The Blanton benefit of the doubt view:
You know how catchers will sometimes go after a wild pitch and just corral it, stand over it while they look up, so they can reach down, grab it and throw to the right place in one motion? It is possible that Joe just wanted to put himself in a position to make a throw if necessary, rather than pick up the ball immediately. While Ichiro was not standing right over the ball, he was standing in the way of a potential throw.
<goes on DL with hyperextended reach>
oblique - July 8, 2007
fully agree...
I don't think anyone should have been ejected...
Erik being Erik - July 8, 2007
If anyone wants to know why we are loosing
It's that Beane and Garen continue to trot Crosby, Kendall, and Kotsay out there day after day and delude themselves into thinking that Kotsay is still a #2 hitter and Chavez should be in the middle of the line-up.
Seriously, how are the A's supposed to win any games when over 1/3 of their line-up can't hit a ball! I don't care how great the pitching and D are, the A's are not going to play above .500 until the dead weight is shed from the roster.
I think if Beane becomes a seller at the deadline, the A's NEED to look into a short stop and and Center Fielder because both Crosby and Kotsay's names should only be used in a sentence if the words "defensive replacement" are in it.
Threepwood XX - July 8, 2007
I expect a total fire sale
and the ownership to be perfectly content to field a last place, gutted, AAA-caliber team for the duration of their time in Oakland, a city which they clearly and roundly despise and would be perfectly happy to see sink into the Bay, never to be seen again. Poor people (*gasp* poor black people!!!!! What will we tell our friends at the country club???? The shame.) live here, so the O isn't all that popular with the jet setters who last heard the word "no" when they were 3 and mommy told them to stop playing with the Wedgewood and go fetch the caviar platter for the guests.
As for the players, I think it's fairly clear that the passion and committment are gone, maybe because of Bradley's banishment, more likely because of that and a million other things including the tide of injuries, which will never, ever subside until the obese idiots like Davis and Cockrell are shown the door (and in Davis' case, slid through the door with the aid of a tub of margarine and a crowbar). But of course they won't be fired, because they have position, which means no matter how many players in their care end up missing 2/3 of every season, they will be rewarded with All-Star selections and raises and praise from the ownership. These are the consequences of a societal paradigm where wealth and power of position are the only things that matter, unless you're poor and alone and then you are sentenced to death for stealing a banana.
But I'm a pessimist when it comes to these things.
emperor nobody - July 8, 2007
DelGrande, use your real name
you aren't fooling anyone, dave.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
whi is Dave? I'm Josh, not Dave, bro'.
emperor nobody - July 8, 2007
LoL!
It was worth a guess!
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
So, you were just Joshin'?
The Dogfather - July 8, 2007
Two comments
First: I really don't think Wolff would be content to field a loosing team for the rest of his tenure in Oakland. If that were even REMOTELY true, you and I both know it would have made absolutely no sense to give Beane 5% of all profits to stay. That is a HELL of a lot of money you could have saved by bringing in Joe Schmo to blow up your franchise for nothing.
Second: I agree with the Davis thing. I think right now the number one thing the A's could do to make their fans happy (Besides bringing in A-Rod to play short next year) is not trading Crosby or Kendall, it's firing Davis.
Threepwood XX - July 8, 2007
A-Rod
Is going to be a Giant next year. Mark my words. The paper said A-Rod was flirting so much with San Francisco that "both his wife and his girlfriend were jealous." I know you don't think the A's would actually aquire A-Rod but he is coming, just not to the east side of the bay.
mlleaimee - July 9, 2007
Not sure I see Larry D in that paradigm
I'm thinking more Krispy Kreme than Kountry Klub.
Also, I don't see Wolffish making the Florida play, raking in the league's highest profits through the gutted roster approach. Lew Co. are more clever than that, fielding a strong enough team to retain the goodwill of the segment of fans who'll be buying tix in Fremont. They sacrifice the Loria-style windfall short term profits in favor of the 5th highest franchise value appreciation rate in the league...and climbing.
FreeSeatUpgrade - July 8, 2007
This is a game I really think we should have won
First of all, don't put up your hands like you are going to fight Joe. I mean we should've kicked their asses for that alone, but the team would have to hit the ball sometimes for that to occur.
I've never like Crosby and when he came up with the bases-loaded, I changed the channel. I can't even watch his incompetence anymore.
Kielty was below average, but I didn't expect miracles just a single.
This was not a good first half, and it ended terribly.
Scooter - July 8, 2007
Bottom of 5th
With no outs bases loaded, can't this team get someone who can at least hit the ball past the freaking pitcher?
doctorK - July 8, 2007
Why the heck wasn't Kielty batting 9th?
Sure he rehabbed in Sacto, but he was about 3-for-10 or worse.
Can Beane trade with a minor league club? Maybe the Abuquerque Isotopes have a shortstop the A's could trade for Crosby.
If ever...ever...someone needed a "change of scenary" it is Bobby Crosby. Teams RELISH getting him at the plate with the bases loaded.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
Independent League?
ohtobe21likehuston - July 8, 2007
Jawohl, mebbe Canseco
is still playing in an Indy league and we can trade Crosby for him.After all, Cust is trying to revive the forearm "bash"!
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
Jawohl?
Adding a little German sauerkraut to this blog?
Qwerty75 - July 8, 2007
a's have too many problems
the stars have to magically align for them to make a second half run. too many free loaders on this team who arent contributing and just too many injuries to key players.
the turning point of this season so far has been the Bradley DFA. whether you agree with Billy's decision or not, the tailspin started right after on that roadtrip and carried over to the home series. 17 consecutive games against contending teams and we really didnt come out of this stretch creditably.
oak1 - July 8, 2007
Until I see it, I'll believe it
Since 1999, the A's have always had good to fantastic 2nd Half's. With all the injuries, misfortunes and mishaps of the 1st Half, could the 2nd half be any worse?
I'm still sticking w/ my 88-90 W's Season Prediction.
Colorado Fan - July 8, 2007
It was a bad day at the ballpark,
but it was a good day at the ballpark.
This is why
Zonis - July 8, 2007
Very, very cool!!
:-D
oblique - July 8, 2007
Congrats, Shane
After winning the Lasik, then a foul ball, the LEAST you could have done was get on the field and take out a couple of Mariners during the "brawl"!
Surely, being your lucky day, you would have escaped undetected, or, Larry Davis would have fallen and blocked everyone chasing you!
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
the only move
that might help the a's is to ship DJ, move Swisher to 1B, Cust to RF and Piazza at DH. i would love to see Crosby and Kielty packaged in that deal (but i suspect Crosby stays) and wouldnt much care what we got back in return. Barton and Cust are the future and i dont see DJ ever reaching the same ceiling.
oak1 - July 8, 2007
Oh come on now.
You guys are acting like Ichiro physically put his foot on top of the ball to prevent Blanton from getting to it. That's not what happened and you know it. There was zero reason for him to shove Ichiro. He could of reached down, and picked up the ball without the shoving. As far as Ellison, he's just sticking up for his superstar. You don't touch Ichiro. Blanton's just lucky that Guillen didn't stab him.
And calling for interference? Your kidding right? They weren't even close to the diamond. They were standing there waiting to give Lopez a high five like every other player does in the game after scoring on a play with a runner behind them.
And we're not bright or funny anymore? Come on now. The only reason you thought we were bright and funny before was because you owned our asses. As a result we were pretty indifferent to the A's and we both had a common enemy in Anaheim. Now the shoe is on the other foot and we basically just eliminated you from playoff contention. So now because of that,we're not bright or funny anymore?
Goose - July 8, 2007
LOL
Blanton's just lucky that Guillen didn't stab him.
I actually thought about that. :)
Love you guys!
Jennifer - July 8, 2007
What's crazy is, I think Guillen and Batista
swapper personalities today. Batista by all accounts is a pretty passive guy, and Guillen is the rager. Yet Batista was out there yelling up a storm and got tossed, while Guillen was barely visible.
Goose - July 8, 2007
M's fan. Felix is ours and you can't have him.
Could we interest you in a slightly used Kendall, with a side order of Crosby and Kotsay, in exchange for, say, a Bloomquist and a bucket of used tobacco juice.
doctorK - July 8, 2007
While Willie Ballgame is in the middle of a
career year? Are you insane?
Goose - July 8, 2007
How about the used bucket
and we'll return the bucket after emptying it out.
doctorK - July 8, 2007
Ballgame and Vidro sunk us this weekend
Sort of ironic.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
Batista
will write a pulp novel about his heroics.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
Miguel Batista and the mystery of the surprising
agression.
Goose - July 8, 2007
mariners suck
guarantee they dont make the playoffs and i would be surprised if they even made it to second place the only good player is ichiro and lets stop calling him king felix he shut down the A's which countless other teams have done
oaktown134 - July 9, 2007
No, no your team is not funny anymore.
But they are good. I liked you better when you were funny. Why don't you be funny again?
alox - July 8, 2007
as if we were a barrel of laughs lately
ak_A - July 8, 2007
I'm sorry, I can't let this pass unchallenged
The Mariners are not a good team. They're the Cardinals of last season, complete with shiny new Jeff Weaver and horrible run differential relative to their record.
Of course, this just reflects worse on the A's for getting beaten. The average team this year would have scored something like 20 runs in this series. The A's scored 7.
PaulThomas - July 8, 2007
Run differential is not a very good way to judge
a team.
Goose - July 8, 2007
Let's make up
How about we agree to this? Angels finish the season in third place!
iglew - July 8, 2007
I like it!
Goose - July 8, 2007
Hi ya goose
Your game thread wasn't funny today. That's just a fact. I like your team. I am from Washington State and my husband and I met while attending the University of Washington. We both have most of our families living there. They all cheer for the M's. My Grandmother is an avid Mariner's fan and still attends some games and she is 90. If the A's can't come back and somehow make the playoffs... I would love to see Seattle take it all for her sake.
Now admit today's game thread was devoid of any funnies! :-)
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Ok maybe today's thread was devoid of the funny,
but we were pretty serious about putting you guys out of the picture today, so that all we had to worry about were the teams ahead of us and not the teams behind us.
Goose - July 8, 2007
Yeah ya Bastids.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Even if 8 of the 9 guys in the lineup look like
they'd rather be on the golf course than in the batters box right now, the A's are the last team that you can consider 'out of the picture' at the all-star break. Far too early.
OldhamA - July 8, 2007
Your 9 out of the division, and 8 out of the
wildcard. You've got one of the worst offenses in the league. Not to mention that word around the campfire seems to be that if the A's lost this series, that Beane was gonna be selling. And knowing Beane, whatever he gets when he sells, will likely be geared towards making the A's good again next year.
The A's are finished in 2007. See you in 08.
Goose - July 8, 2007
You may be right
but history has shown that you may be wrong. Hope you eat your words.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
OK, now you back to your own thread
no need to rub it in dipshit. we'll see you in the second half.
oak1 - July 8, 2007
but anyway...Goose,
this kind of trolling comment isn't cool. It's one thing for us to say this amongst ourselves; it's another thing to come here and gloat as an opposing fan. Very lacking in class.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
I was responding to Oldham's disagreement.
He said that you shouldn't count the A's out just yet, and I was listing my reasoning of why I am doing so.
If I was trolling there'd be comments like "HAHA WE KICKED YOUR ASS! ENJOY THIRD PLACE SUCKERS! SCREW BLANTON THAT FAT FUCK!"
Goose - July 8, 2007
Ok I will ignore you now. :-)
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
I don't see Goose's contribution as trolling.
If anything it's refreshing to hear the opinion of a division rival's fan.
OldhamA - July 8, 2007
Only the one comment.
I usually enjoy Goose.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
yep, goose was pretty mild
and not what i consider mean spirited nor dip-shittish for a 'friendly' rival blog visitor...who's team is doing well, outplayed our boys this year whilst last year we owned them... let's hope we can re-post his comments in September and get a measure of satisfaction.
ak_A - July 8, 2007
Word around what campfire?
Beane is never a "seller" or "buyer".
His strategy is based on the idea of being an above-500 team year after year. The strategy is based on the unfortunate reality that Bay Area fans are fickle. Beane has concluded that it's OK to miss the World Series repeatedly, but it's not OK to be totally out of it for any season. Therefore he doesn't do the boom-and-bust cycle that some other teams do.
He won't wreck next year in order to make the World Series this year, but he also won't wreck this year in order to be better next year. He'll do little tweaks designed to make the team marginally better both now and later.
And anyway, if Oakland is "selling", what exactly do you want to get? Kendall? Crosby? Kennedy? Help yourself. Those guys are available regardless.
iglew - July 8, 2007
G
I'll remember to save your post, and submit a Diary to Lookout Landing for the full-on jinx you've submitted to AN....the Mariners will finish the season in 3rd place (again), and will lose Ichiro during another long, brutal offseason w/ Bavasi at the helm... Pitching, Pitching, Pitching (you don't have it for 162 games).
It's weird how History has a way of repeating itself.
I'm sure you remember that 2001 Season? Right?
Read About It: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...
Colorado Fan - July 8, 2007
True dat, Colorado Fan
I just submitted a projected final standings as part of a writeup for another blog, and it went "LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX". Just as I think the Angels are superior to the A's this year, I think the A's will still finish ahead of the M's. Washburn, Batista, Jeff Weaver--this is the middle of a rotation? I like the M's, but they're a .500 team playing great. Remember, the Rangers were often leading the division right around now en route to an 80 win campaign. Seattle fans should enjoy it while they can.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Just a few words
Tejada, Giambi, Hernandez, Damon. Chavvy ended up with 43 doubles and 32 dingers. 2007 Chavvy won't get 32 BP homers, I'd say.
With JJ Putz closing, I think Seattle comes in comfortably ahead of the A's . Street is done IMO.
There are no FAs for 2008 out there that Beane can get for someone off the ML roster. No one will ever again make a trade like Neifi Perez for Jermaine Dye, again.
Ever!
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
Oh, and Greg Myers in June
Baltimore releases Greg Myers in June, and Beane signs him. Myers hits SEVEN HRs in 100 PAs, with 13 walks.
This year the A's are hardly in "dingerville" with the guys on the club.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
A's 2nd Half
Fool me once, shame on you... Fool me twice, shame on me...Fool me 9 Times in a Row...Kick me in the balls.
I can't figure out the 2nd Halves the A's put together, but you gotta believe their going to finish the season above .500 - As for me, I'll believe it until I don't see it.
The Mariners might finish above .500, but they will not keep up the pace they currently have going. Their Pythagorean W-L Record should be: 44-41. I think the Mariners finish the season w/ 85 or 86 Wins.
Maybe this will be the season the A's finish below .500. But if you're a betting man, I'd bet they finish the season above .500
Colorado Fan - July 9, 2007
I don't wanna bet
where i have to root for bad things to happen to my favorite team!One won lost won - July 9, 2007
Let's take a page from Comic Book Wolverine:
Beaten down and drowning thanks to the Hellfire Club, looking like a goner, Wolvie pulls himself out of the water and pops out his claws.
Aside from the whole Moneyball explanation on why the middle of the year is different from the end for the A's, I never got why we had such cataclysmic meteoric falls before we rebounded to awesomeness.
I know this much -- a team's greatness is written in the response of the second half of the season rather than the actions of the first. Because of that I have hope that the A's can make some noise.
They've taken their best shots at our team and we are still single digits back.
We still got time and it will be our turn.
oaklandSMASH - July 8, 2007
As the season progresses
players get worn down. As a general rule, everyone gets more tired the later in the season it gets. But since this happens to everyone on all teams, any individual's numbers don't necessarily go down. Those players on whom the wear-down effect is stronger will show some decline. Those players on whom the wear-down effect is weaker will be at a relative advantage compared to everyone else, so they'll actually appear to improve late in the season. (Probably, they're actually wearing down, too, just not as much as the competition.)
If a team like the A's consistently performs better in the second half, it's probably because it follows a player acquisition strategy that correlates with more players in the second category. I'd guess it has something to do with how we traditionally rely on pitching and get by with mediocre hitting.
iglew - July 8, 2007
Define traditionally
We do rely on pitching, yes, but as for getting by with mediocre hitting? This is the worst offense Oakland has fielded in the 2000s, by over .25 runs/game (4.3 runs/game), and .47 runs/game below AL average. For comparison sake, the only time we've had an offense remotely this opposed to scoring runs was 2004 (4.56 runs/game and .44 runs/game below AL average). Every other year, the A's have either been within .2 runs/game of the league average or exceeded it. Pitching has been our bread and butter, but we have got to have a passable offense. As I said earlier, this team is 34-10 when they score 4 runs or more. 4 RUNS!!! 10-34 when they score less than 4 runs. But to say that traditionally this team has gotten by with mediocre offense is not correct. Hell, this team is nearly .5 runs a game worse than last year, which everyone agreed only had about 1 feared hitter. That's how beyond awful this team is.
sprtsnwyn - July 8, 2007
By mediocre
I mean average, not bad.
iglew - July 8, 2007
listening to Blantons version
glossed over with many 'ya knows'.
ak_A - July 8, 2007
"ya know" is baseball-eese for "uh"
Forty-five years ago, the players were doing it on the post game interviews. Drove my Pop nuts! I'll never forget him going ballistic at all the "ya know"s.
Hey, they play ball. Not professional talkers.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
Funnily enough, I was talkin about this to my
parents - they were interviewing Nadal and Federer on centre court at Wimbledon after what must have been an incredibly draining match. Needless to say it was cringeworthy.
OldhamA - July 8, 2007
Of course Federer
gets a pass, because he is so good and rather humble about it.
Travis Buck surprises me with his nice on-air ability. I guess if you watch MTV since seven years old, you got that "on camera" flair already packaged in by the time you hit 20.
I recall a www.the soulofbaseball.blogspot.com remark (<< fantastic writing there BTW ) about after game interviews. Jack Buck was apparently the master of the understatement, and got the most out of his interviews.</p>
Examples:
wrong: Now that you've won another championship, how does it feel right now, that you've won??
"Oh, it feels fantastic, they're all special..blah blah blah". Insert any mindless string of cliches.
Jack Buck: So,...home run today? (player in the midst of a 1-for-20 slump, hit walk off home run).
"Yeah, I didn't think Richie would send me in to hit. I've been stinking up the place. I haven't had a hit in a week or so. I wanted to help the team so baad. But our hitting coach, Ty, told me, keep your head in there, don't pull off..." etc.
Let the interviewee describe. Don't supply the answers.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
Enough of Tin Man #1 and Tin Man #2 . . .
aka Chavez and Crosby!!!
Each seemingly has gotten only 1 meaningful hit all year.
Let's turn the page, trade 'em both for whatever you can get, and let Murphy and Scutaro play everyday.
It's gone REAL old seeing day in/day out, heartless, "brain-dead" performances at the plate from TM #1 and TM #2 -- ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
millbraeforAsfan - July 8, 2007
Comparing those two is unfair
Chavez has a league-average OPS while playing considerably above-average defense. Crosby has one of the worst OPS's in all of baseball and has actually played BELOW average defense so far this year. Chavez has, what, 13 home runs to Crosby's 7?
Chavez hasn't been the problem on this team. (He hasn't been the solution either, I'll grant.) The offensive black holes of Crosby and Kendall have been.
PaulThomas - July 8, 2007
I'd be on the 'firesale' bandwagon, if it wasn't
for the fact that we have nothing to actually sell. Crosby, Kotsay, Piazza, Kendal, Kennedy et al aren't going to bring you much in the way of prospects. They'd essentially be salary dumps. It's also not like we have a loaded farm system with exciting prospects ready to fill the gaps left by their departures.
Unfortunately it seems we're just going to have to ride it out.
OldhamA - July 8, 2007
It makes me laugh
when I read those posts where someone shouts, "The team is terrible! Blow it up and have a fire sale!"
And then when they list the items they want to sell, it's like Kennedy, Crosby, Kendall, and DJ. Yeah, OK. That's some fire sale you got there.
iglew - July 8, 2007
Exactly
That's why we're fans, and other people are running the club and we're posting whatever we pull outta r azzes.
That's essentially why I cannot, cannot listen to Robert Buan's "Extra Innings". Every time I inadvertantly switch it on the car radio, some caller is asking, "Why can't we trade Joe Kennedy and Scutaro for Barry Zito? The A's should get him back!" Junk like that.. rapidly punch radio button.
One won lost won - July 8, 2007
Not sure that Beane would want to be fleeced
on that trade. J/K... but kind of not.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 9, 2007
I guess I should have been no generic
so that you could not quantitatively assess a hypothetical trade...to wit:
"Why don't we trade "A" and "B" ( < <two players turned down by DeFrancesco in Sacramento) for "C"?</p>
"C" is paid $14 million this year, and has a no-trade clause that says "no American League", then also "no California team" then also "No team I hate, such as the Oakland Athletics". Yeah! Let's get "C"!
"C" turns out to Juan Gonzales, who is also too injured to come out of retirement.
One won lost won - July 9, 2007
Hopefully
it will be a good trading season.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
its not over yet, dont doubt them yet
buckfan6 - July 8, 2007
Well...
I liked the recap and I agree that Blanton went a bit overboard. I didn't have a problem with him pushing Ichiro out of the way to get to the ball, but I really didn't like the fact that he shoved him so hard and then stood there staring him down before even moving at all to get the ball. And Ellison should definitely have been thrown out. He was really dumb for trying to start a fight with Blanton, who obviously would have won had they gotten any punches in.
This was pretty much the worst possible way we could go into the break. I'm glad we have a couple days off to cool down and regroup. I hope the team realizes that they're not out of this yet. They have to start acting like the season isn't over or it will be. :(
drmmerchk - July 8, 2007
I knew that this was going to be an ugly game.
The national anthem - the most dreadful, cringe-inducing rendition I've ever heard - was the bad omen.
TurnTwo - July 8, 2007
Crosby needs to sit...
he is hurting this team. If scutaro and murphy were to platoon at shortstop I could see those two not having great offensive numbers, but at least better offensive numbers than Crosby. Suzuki needs more at bats and to hell with the pitchers saying that Kendall "calls a good game", this is ridiculous. Put Stewart, Buck, and Cust in the outfield with Kielting platooning. Put Swisher at first with Piazza DH'ing. Put Kotsay on the bench as a pinch hitter, and trade Dan Johnson and Kennedy to the Yankees.......now I am going too far. Billy, just get Crosby and Kendall off the field as much as possible and put in the players who can contribute. Then lets see what happens in the second half.
pedoman - July 8, 2007
An apology.
Look, I didn't mean for all this to come off as trolling. I really didn't. And if it did, I'm sorry.
I normally have enough common sense to stay away from other team's blogs in moments like this, because I know how frustrating losses like this can be. And I know the very last thing you guys want to listen to are comments from a fan of the team that's responsible for that loss.
And even when something happens with a guy like Blanton, who's one of the few A's that I really dislike, I still normally stay away. But then you badmouthed LL, so I had to come in and defend the place, and it just rolled on from there.
So again, I'm sorry if it came off as trolling. I'll get out of your hair now.
Goose - July 8, 2007
Goose? TY for the apology.
Sorry if it seemed like I was dissing LL. I was... but only for today's game thread. I love to read LL because you guys are very witty and funny and today you guys just weren't at the top of your game.(IMO) Wish the M's would've followed suit.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Just beat the Angels.
mikeA - July 8, 2007
I don't think you were trolling...
rubbing salt in an open wound....maybe. I like the visiting rivals thing. Hell, I like the Mariners. Not as much as I use to, but I'm sure you guys are making up for my lost contributions.
I especially like Ichiro. Quality baseball player that guy. I would really love to hear his take on the incident. I have no doubt that he was intentionally blocking Blanton's throwing/sight line for as long as possible. As well he should.
I like the fact that Joe tried to flatten his fleet footed little ass better though.
alox - July 8, 2007
Quote from Ichiro in the Seattle Times
One won lost won - July 9, 2007
OK, make that
Ichiro, the lying little fleet footed bastard. Still like the guy though.alox - July 9, 2007
If he punches himself, then he is lying
per his own words:"To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to," Ichiro said through an interpreter. "If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."
One won lost won - July 11, 2007
This series made me ache...
...and it made my brain wander. For example, after seeing one of those "Not just athletes -- Athletics" commercials, I wondered..."Not just Marines -- Mariners"?
Not just Oreos -- Orioles...
Not just Phils -- Phillies...
Not just diamonds -- Diamondbacks...
I'll leave the one I thought about the Astros alone.
I'm so glad the All-Star break is here...
FormerHuntsvilleStar - July 8, 2007
LOL
Poppy - July 9, 2007
Blanton
Blanton was just frustrated. The team is not playing well and he had just given up a key hit. So he did the equivalent of what basketball players do when they miss a shot and then foul the guy who gets the rebound. It's something that happens in the heat of the moment. He shouldn't get suspended. Maybe a small fine at most.
SA - July 8, 2007
...
mikeA - July 8, 2007
Great. We let a blind man go 4/4 against us.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Now that is funny
sprtsnwyn - July 8, 2007
No, that is freaking hilarious.
Spitting on comp screen hilarious...thanks Nico, I needed that!
alox - July 8, 2007
Does that make me a LOOGIE?
Nico - July 8, 2007
Hawwwwk... tooey.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 9, 2007
lol
Cutthemullet - July 9, 2007
QOTM
In case anyone's listing them.
Poppy - July 9, 2007
<crickets>
ArakSOT - July 9, 2007
Just got back from the game...
Here is to a second half that sees the A's somehow effect a trade for a good hitter or two...and a miracle finish that gets this team to the playoffs.
EastbayBen - July 8, 2007
Well...
Shannon Stewart does not appear to be sleepwalking either.
Shippee33 - July 8, 2007
Maybe it's tired, not sleepwalking
This was the A's 17th day in a row playing w/o a day off. The A's usually lead the league, or are close to #1, in travel miles. Bud Selig seems to pay off the schedule-makers to make sure there are NY-CLE-NY road trips...
...Grrr...
Nico - July 8, 2007
rough
losing three in a row at home against div rivals with the top three pitchers
so what's its gonna take in the 2nd half? 50-24? That'll get them to 94 wins. 45-29? will 89 be enough? possibly not. have to play over 600 ball I guess
closetasfan - July 8, 2007
Thoughts:
I have no problem with Blanton getting ejected, he was coming out anyway so who cares? Him showing emotion was refreshing because that's how I feel when I watch this team lately (I want to shove someone).
Crosby needs to go. I don't care where it is and I don't care how little we get in return. The trade could be for "cash considerations" for all I care, I just want him and his contract off the books and as far away from Oakland as possible. He has done absolutely nothing to warrant cheers in his ENTIRE Oakland career and I hope he just sinks into nothingness where ever he goes because this league does not need sorry ass players who refuse to make adjustments such as him. That was my first and last Crosby rant.
I agree with the baffles on Kielty's spot in the lineup. I understand wanting to break up the lefties but I'd actually want Chavez ahead of him.
The approach of this team is just absolutely horrible right now. You can say that we're still walking, but who the hell cares? Every team walks. We walk and then that's it. I don't know what it will take to make our hitters understand that when you come up to bat with a couple runners on, you need to analyze what the pitcher has been doing all day, whether it mean that he's been wild, right on, or whatever, but you apply that knowledge to your at bat and try to use it to your favor. Crosby swinging at a low and outside 1-0 pitch is absolutely ridiculous. How can he look in the mirror at the end of the day and not want to punch his reflection? OK my bad, I'm back to my Crosby rant.
This post is probably too long and I doubt anyone will read it, but it felt good for me to finally let loose on a couple things. I think Geren should implement a policy of "If you have a lousy at bat, I get to kick you in the nuts" because maybe then our boys will finally listen.
Helloooo 1st - July 8, 2007
Crosby at the rifle range:
instructor - "Look for the umpteenth time Bobby, it is ready, aim, fire.... not, just fire"
ak_A - July 8, 2007
Goose, when I read your "trollish" comment,
I'm sorry to say that it didn't sound trollish to me; it sounded objective and accurate. The A's record is often this mediocre at the ASB but the team is not always 8-9 games out of division AND wild card contention, nor does the team appear to have as many holes as this team does.
The team will not be getting Street and Duke back, just Street and it won't be getting Harden and Loaiza back, just Loaiza. The offense is 13th in the league and I don't get why anyone's waiting up on Piazza. His return would meaning either sitting Cust, or putting Cust in the OF and sitting TWO of Buck, Swisher, Stewart, Kotsay, and Johnson. Either way the offense does not improve (and if you sit Kotsay you have a pathetic defensive OF). Or putting Piazza behind the plate and watching runners with average speed turn every walk and single into a double. I love the A's but the outlook for 2007 is, IMO, pretty bleak.
As for today's controversial play, I'd say Blanton instigated it mildly with a shove to Ichiro out of frustration and then Ellison turned it into an incident with a bush-league shove. FIeldiers have right-of-way when going after the ball, so if Blanton had just bumped into Ichiro and gone to pick up the ball the A's could legitimately have claimed interference even if Ichiro had been unaware that he was part of the play. But you can't just bump/shove into people and not bother to go for the ball. Blanton did it out of frustration, but the way he handled the situation was not useful to anyone and I believe the umps made the right call essentially calling the play dead at that point because 50 people had just come onto the field.
Right now, the A's look like a team that is hitting people out of frustration because they can't hit anything else.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Just watched the video clip a few times...
GlassHeart - July 8, 2007
I don't really mean to beat a dead horse...
but since I was the one who said Goose was trolling I am going to comment on your post. I don't think Goose's comment was incorrect. But I do think it's wrong to go to another team's site immediately after an emotional loss and point out these little truths. There is such thing as being a gracious winner. 'Nuff said about that.
As for the Blanton brouhaha...Joe was playing the game and sometimes the game of baseball gets a little rough. Blanton thought Ichiro was in the way and he pushed Ichiro away from the ball. You aren't required to use good manners in the heat of a play.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Beating a dead horse?
I'm all for bestiality, but a dead horse? That's just SICK.
But I'm still in.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Maybe I'm missing something here..
Why not bring up Furmaniak? He can't be any worse than Crosby and one of two things happens: 1) He is better and stays or 2) He sucks too, but hopefully makes Crosby realize his time here is short and that we are all sick of him.
dbuzi123 - July 8, 2007
Because he can be worse than Crosby--
He can hit .180 and play below-average SS instead of hit .230 and play decent SS. I'm as anti-Crosby as the next guy but there are worse SS options. What we lack in our organization are better SS options. What we also lack is a surplus of talent to trade for a worthy SS.
Yet we need to figure it out because Bobby Crosby is not the everyday SS for a playoff team unless he's surrounded by so much talent that he can be Johnny LeMaster and not hurt you.
Nico - July 8, 2007
I was thinking
Mark Belanger but then he was a great fielder, so Lemaster is about right.
china bob - July 8, 2007
Harden to see Yocum about shoulder
link
pam5981 - July 8, 2007
I guess Yokel
(Donuts Davis) isn't good enough? No wait, he doesn't do shoulder diagnoses--that's...Hey, is Harden jilting the very Gerry Goldman whose praises he sings in the commericals? Now I have to question how much Huston Street really has researched the way 5-A Rent-A-Space does business. Innocence shattered. :-(
Nico - July 8, 2007
At least he's doing it on his own vacation.
They should change the back of his jersey to read
"F R A G I L E"
40
ohtobe21likehuston - July 8, 2007
How does someone who never works
go on vacation?
Anyhow, puttnig FRAGILE on his jersey still won't cause Harden to be mistaken for a UPS package, because unlike Harden, UPS does occasionally deliver.
Nico - July 8, 2007
I actually feel sorry for Harden.
I bet he's as disappointed as we are.IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
Good point. I know we are all tired of this
but it's gotta be a lot worse for him. Hopefully he is just being extra cautious and Yocum will find nothing wrong.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 8, 2007
I suppose--part of me wonders
how much of the issue is Harden being over-cautious to the point of being hypochondriacal (occasional murmurs have suggested the possibility), but more of me figures he's legitimately hurt. All I know for sure is that I don't ever expect him to be healthy for the A's again.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Lookout Landing
having a caption thread for this picture:
My favorite:
(Also, notice Scutaro Baggins on right. He forgot that he's supposed to wear his hat under the invisibility cloak.)
iglew - July 8, 2007
"Seriously, I was like 'this'
until I saw Larry Davis. That is some serious motivation."
Nico - July 8, 2007
INVIZIBLE VNZLN MAN KANDY
monkeyball - July 9, 2007
This season
I posted a while ago that I was just going to stop hoping for a win every day the A's play, and just enjoy baseball for the game that it is. Which I don't see as giving up on the season, just removing myself from the fanaticism I usually display (screaming at our crappy batters when they're on my TV and clearly can't hear me, getting a visceral, negative reaction every time I see Kielty's name in the lineup, wishing not harm, but bad things in general to any and all Angels players).
But the one thing I cannot stand is losing to the damn Mariners. I can't believe a team's GM went out and deliberately made his product crappier, and now they're playing like they probably should have last year.
I wonder how fans of teams that stay moderately healthy feel?
Joey C. - July 8, 2007
This team is not so different from last years.
The difference is more in how the Angels and Mariners are playing. The thing I don't understand is that Beane knew after last year that to be successful we needed a guy who could hit the big bomb on a regular basis and he got Piazza. Big Bomb+A's starting pitching= success. No big bomb ...equals wasted starting efforts by the pitching staff.
IM4Oakgal - July 8, 2007
He might have figured that
a heart of the order of Swisher-Bradley-Piazza-Chavez was sufficient to back a rotation of Harden-Haren-Loaiza-Blanton and a deep bullpen of Street-Duke-Calero-Gaudin. All of which makes sense if you ignore the injuries, which Beane appears to have done. Harden and Bradley were going to stay healthy? Uh-huh.
Nico - July 8, 2007
im going to be at the games in sota
gosh i hope the A's play well
buckfan6 - July 8, 2007
Worst. Place. In. History. Of. Sport.
I hope the A's play well so that it lessens the horrible dome experience itself. Our whole season is riding on a trip to the "Terror Dome."
ohtobe21likehuston - July 9, 2007
Word!
Think they could pay for electric "grow lights" next to the ground, so they could have real grass? Gosh!
"A $700,000 electric bill! We can't afford it!"
Heck no! Then try a 23-man roster to save money.
Please paint the roof any color, but the color of a baseball. Barring that, use an orange ball. Just like Boise State has a blue football field, it can just be one of those "home field anomalies" baseball embraces: the orange baseball in the Metrodome.
Also, instead of an infield "grass" area harder than ceramic tile, just use "green sand", then "brick red sand" for the "dirt" infield. Sure it would play like the beach, but baseball is not pool or bowling. You don't want a mistake swing to bound forty feet in the air. You want a mistake to look like a mistake.
One won lost won - July 9, 2007
Is something wrong with AN?
Or did I break it? It won't let me publish a diary, it won't keep what I've typed once I preview it, it doesn't let me save it, it won't keep the name of the diary, it popped up with EDIT on the front page story, and now it says "Sorry, you don't have permission to read stories posted to this section," but it's my diary draft.HELP!
Jennifer - July 8, 2007
What part of "Your diary sucks!"
are you missing? How many ways can we drop the hint?
Actually, I have no idea what the problem is. I'm still just reeling from the news that Jennifer tried to post a diary. What's next, a Bengie Molina triple? Crosby stays back on a changeup? Tim McCarver makes a good point?
Nico - July 8, 2007
Crotsay Sisters - sending a bad message to fans
How many non-hitting regulars can a small market team have and still compete? David Forst and Billy's other minions can do a better job of answering that question than I, but I have to believe it's less than 7. Over the course of the year, I think the number is somewhere closer to 3, maybe four. Other than Swisher and Stewart, there are no threats this year and the degrees of badness are severe.
And just because it makes me feel better to say it rather than throwing chairs and breaking things, the Crotsay Sisters, are instant outs and are stealing paychecks from this organization. THEY NEED TO GO. In the words of fomer owner Steve Schott (just prior to the Jeremey Giambi trade that shook up the entire 2002 season): "Billy, you got to do something. I just can't take this anymore".
Sashulia - July 8, 2007
I completely agree, but wonder
why Crotsay and not Crosdall? Kotsay isn't great, but like Ellis he has quality ABs and is useful to have up with a runner at 2nd and nobody out or a runner at 3rd and one out. Whereas Crosby just swings hard in no particular relation to where the ball is and Kendall's "resurgences" involve hitting .280 for a stretch with a .310 slugging pct. With Kotsay I have some semblance of hope, whereas for Crosby and Kendall you know what you're going to get, and it ain't getting us to the promised land.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Kendall sucks too
But Joe and Dan (not sure about Chad) are always praising the guy and on some level I am inclined to believe them. The staff has been pretty good during Kendall's tenure (count Zito and Street amongst the staff with public mancrushes comments). He certainly hasn't been worth every dollar, but he has been massive amounts better than Rhodes and Redman. Kendall is a 9 hitter, Chavy and 8 and I can accept them as designated non-hitters on this squad with the proviso that the others do a serviceable job. (the irony of Kendall and Chavy being the top paid guys on the team is not lost).
Sashulia - July 8, 2007
I guess I if got to discard (trade)
any two of the three right now, I'd lose Kendall and Crosby, and let Kotsay stay to anchor the OF defensively while trying to hit .300...and likely hitting between .250 and .300...hopefully closer to .300 with some important ABs.
Nico - July 8, 2007
hopefully this will end the rough stretch
with the loss and the fight, hopefully the a's will turn up the heat for the rest of july and august. by the way did anyone notice that swish had to be held back by a fellow A? it seemed that he was really close to fighting with one of the seattle players.
greenandgoldpolarbear - July 8, 2007
Hot streak here we come...
...Now all we have to do is traipse into the Metrodome and beat Johan Santana! Then again, if we come out of the break and do that... <dreams, drools a bit>
Nico - July 8, 2007
Somebody's AN screen name needs to be
"Hopefully"
I've tried really hard to remain optimistic. But it's getting harder and harder.
pam5981 - July 8, 2007
More Crosby
Crosby has been the whipping boy for this link
but I have a few things to add.
Last year I wrote that he needed to get with a
new hitting instructor and completely rework his
swing. His swing is too long and hard, he can't
catch up with a good fastball. His last two homers
were from a slider, and a Barry Zito 85 mph fastball.
To compound the fact is that he stands too far from
the plate. Teams are pumping him with outside fastballs
and sliders, which he can't reach. When he tries to
go to right field, he hits the ball weakly, sometimes
managing a single but usually popping up or grounding
to second, if he hits the ball at all. I don't think
I've ever seen him hit a hard gapper to right center
or a homerun to right. He's basically a dead pull
hitter, so he needs to stand on top of the plate
more, look at Jorge Posada, his foot is on the
front line when he hits.
The A's have basically painted themselves in a corner
with Crosby because they have no suitable everyday
replacement. Scutaro is more a fill in guy.
After this season, it will be interesting to see
if they stick with him, but he definitely will need
a new approach at the plate.
SanJoseRon - July 8, 2007
Good analysis--
Adding on: If you're going to pull off pitches for no reason, probably a poor place to start is far away from the plate. If you can't pick up a slider very well, probably a poor style of hitting is to have a long swing you have to start before you can pick up the pitch.
Basically, Crosby does everything wrong. He stands far from the plate with a long swing and then pulls off the pitch. Oh, and he refuses to make adjustments, because apparently high school pitchers are so bad that you can stand far off the plate, and jerk your head out of the box with a long swing, and still suceed--leading to an understandable conclusion that this approach will likely work just as well 6 levels higher.
Nico - July 8, 2007
Do the A's actually have a hitting instructor?
I think it would be a real neat idea for our team to hire someone who knew about hitting and then he could pass down the knowledge to a guy like Crosby. My one gripe of baseball is how things always stay the same. I have heard so many hitting coaches say "the guys know how to hit. I'm just here to help them remain confident and believe in their abilities." I heard Ty Van say something very similiar earlier in the year but he needs to get in Crosby's face and make him change his approach. F***! How hard is it to be the boss and does it help his job security to just let Crosby do whatever the hell he wants?
This is a classic example of the fans being 100% correct yet nothing is being done about it. Sometimes we say crazy things like "Chavy should bat 9th" or "Nico doesn't love sheep" but we know that they aren't necessarily true.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 9, 2007
Standing too far off the plate
is one of the things that really bugs me about ML hitters. The guy LaRussa called the "Village Idiot" (Ruben Sierra) got into this idea in the early 1990s and was getting pitched away like Crosby.
I recall watching a Sacto game on TV years back, and watching Crosby in particular. There was nothing in that swing then, that made me wince like it does now.
Some guys have benefitted from a "toe tap" or something, so they break out of that "lunge" technique. Maybe the "Bagwell" stance? Bagwell had such a short stroke, but he generated a lot of power because it was so quick. In the book "Physics of Baseball" they qualify bat speed as the dominant factor in how far you hit the ball.
Look at "skinny" Henry Aaron in today's SF Chron special (www.sfgate.com). He's CHOKING UP! about six inches! I think hitters could generate more bat speed if they simply got off the knob of the bat 4-5 inches.
One won lost won - July 9, 2007
I agree Crosby needs a short stroke--
then at least he wouldn't try to play baseball!
Nico - July 9, 2007
Watchout!
Methinks you are close to Live Oak Park, where at I caught up with an old acquaintance from work during the "Himalayan Faire" or whatever it's called, some years back. This "old guy" was not yet forty, yet he was walking with a limp. After some talk, I referenced his limp and he told me that out of the blue he'd had a stroke! He had just (recent to the conversation) regained the ability to walk!
Even the most healthy of us are subject to evil whimsy!
One won lost won - July 9, 2007
what the hell happened
i've been trying to avoid a's games because they have been so depressing recently.
i just saw part of the incident on espn, is there video of this?
xbhaskarx - July 8, 2007
X van Zinkle?
ak_A - July 8, 2007
that's Winkle
i have avoided BBtonight so don't know if they showed it...imagine they would have.
ak_A - July 8, 2007
i just saw the video on mlb.com
xbhaskarx - July 8, 2007
An interesting evening
after all. I went to see Sacramento play Fresno again tonight. At least one team in this organization still knows/likes to play baseball. They overcame a two run deficit to sweep Fresno in five games.
I met Brad Ziegler and almost regret doing so. He is one of the nicest guys you could exchange a few words with. I don't know what I was expecting to find in talking to a pro ballplayer, but he stands every stereotype on its head. If he doesn't get his shot with the big club, I will bear a personal grudge against the A's for a long time. Unfortunately he didn't pitch in either game I saw. He did get into the first one and did pretty well.
Jeremy Brown is a nice guy too. Interacted with the crowd a great deal, took time to give a ball to a kid.
alox - July 8, 2007
OK, just got home
and not going to read the rehash 150 times. i didn't even see it on TV as i was driving.
bottom line it does not matter if Ichiro knew where the ball was or not to get an interference call. i gather that Blanton shoved Ichiro first rather than going through him or bumping him while attempting to get the ball so if that's the case i can't blame the umps for not making the call.
as for Ellison, sure he has to defend his teammate...but should have been tossed for being the 3rd man in. very easy and simple call there.
unfortunatly most umps seem to be the equivilant of Crosby when it comes to properly and effectively doing their jobs.
none of this really affected the outcome since the A's offense lived down to expectations, but perhaps some good will come of the incident if it fires up a lethargic bunch of under-performing A's.
cvdoug - July 8, 2007
Once again...There is no A in Offense!!
And maybe its time for Rich Harden to just retire...He never has been nor will he ever be healthy..
wacchampions - July 8, 2007
Even Chavvy has his doubts..
about this season. From Baseball Prospectus:
Are we there yet?
IM4Oakgal - July 9, 2007
only thing that surprises me there...
is that Chavez didn't give a compliment to Texas, too...but he's been one of the Angels' biggest fans for a while now.
Cutthemullet - July 9, 2007
He really should play for the Angels. I get tired
of his "annual" quote but should have known it was coming.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 9, 2007
He's saying the same thing that we all are.
He'd be stupid not to be worried at this point wouldn't he?
IM4Oakgal - July 9, 2007
He says it EVERY year.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 9, 2007
Ok...
But you're one of the ones who complain when you feel like you're not getting all the info re: injuries or what have you(sometimes "being lied to") - yet you're complaining because he's being honest?
pam5981 - July 9, 2007
At least Chavy thinks the A's
can make a run. What's doubtful is whether they can make two runs--unless they have 3-4 games, in which case it's possible.
Nico - July 9, 2007
BTW?
I have read several accounts from several different sources.Forbes...AP ..amongst a few. Noone puts the blame on Blanton. They all talk about Ellison...kinda funny that the fans on AN were tougher on Joe than the National press was.
I watched the tape twice again last night. Joe very clearly pushed Ichiro because Ichiro was so close to the ball IMO.
Here's an example.From AP Sports:
.
IM4Oakgal - July 9, 2007
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