Well, it's official! Tomorrow morning (or tonight, for those of us who won't get much sleep) at 3:05 AM, PT, baseball will officially open its season with your 2008 Oakland Athletics vs. the Boston Red Sox.
For me, this game comes hot on the heels of one of the most amazing live sports weekends of my life. If you were rooting for Stanford, UCLA, and the Golden State Warriors (and I was), you would be hard-pressed to conjure up three games in about thirty hours that would have been more exciting or meaningful than what took place in Los Angeles this weekend.
I'm told the round 32 NCAA games can be a crapshoot; you have the potential to see a truly amazing, fantastic game, or you can also witness a blowout. After Stanford's head coach decided to single-handedly handicap his team, I was prepared to witness Stanford getting blown out, and I was fully expecting a blowout in the game following; with UCLA winning by 20.
Obviously, neither of these things happened, and I was treated to two of the most amazing games back-to-back of the tournament so far, and it was icing on an already impressive cake when I got to see Stephen Jackson best Kobe in a shootout last night at Staples. What made it even better was the fact that I had scheduled all of these events with a Stanford/Warriors/Athletics fan, cumulating with tonight's A's game. This will be the only game I didn't see live, but we will try to recreate that feel on AN tonight.
The real question is: Will my charmed weekend extend to tonight? Will we be treated to another amazing Warriors/Lakers game while we're waiting for baseball to start? Will the season opener in Japan have a magical quality that sets the tone for another great season of A's baseball? Is that even possible?
I think that this Opening Day is good for baseball, good for Japan, and will be fun for all of us. And right now, at this very moment, at least for one more day, the A's are 0-0, and anything can happen. It's baseball, after all.
D. Matsuzaka (0-0, -.--), J. Blanton (0-0, -.--)
Lineups and a game thread will be posted at 3AM for those of you sacrificing a night of sleep for your 2008 Oakland Athletics. Here's to the first of 162. I hope it's a good one!
0 recs | 245 comments
Don't forget about Cal in the 2nd round of the NIT
tonight ...
devo - March 24, 2008
4 PM?
Wow. That sucks. I'm going to miss the entirety of it.
I don't understand why national networks schedule West Coast teams to play games at times when their fans are still at work. Are there that few Cal/Stanford fans compared to Ohio State/Texas fans that they can afford to just blow off an entire team's fanbase?
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
both cal teams play today
Men - 4pm vs. Ohio State (NIT) - ESPN
Women - 5pm vs. George Washington - ESPN2
gigglingone - March 24, 2008
Game of Games
Being on the east coast, I'll have the luxury of sleeping till about 5:45 before getting warmed up. I've already secured the day off and have a poker game in the evening which is populated by several BoSox transplants from New England.
Here's to the first of many A's victories.
ru155 - March 24, 2008
We get baseball for breakfast here in the east.
Reminds me of growing up in CA, you could watch college football on Saturday mornings when you got up.
I think we split the Japan games. I love Cupcakes - always thought he was David Wells' not-so-mini-me - but I do think Daisuke is a big game pitcher and will rise to the occasion.
We could win all of Harden's games until he gets hurt. Maybe Harden gets 5 wins?
It would be really fun to watch red sox fans panic if the A's sweep. Goodness knows, we A's fans won't.
eastcoasta'sfan - March 24, 2008
Will the game be on MLBtv?
I'm guessing no since ESPN2 has it, but a guy can hope.
ChadGod - March 24, 2008
indeed
yes it should. the only games that get blocked out are when the team is playing in your designated area, and that is only for the live telecast.
ru155 - March 24, 2008
great, thanks!
ChadGod - March 24, 2008
National broadcasts are blacked out
This includes the ESPN Sunday Night games and Fox Saturday afternoon games (AND all other games playing during those times, it seems). Unsure about the weekday ESPN/ESPN2 simulcasts where there are local TV broadcasts, but I think those are on mlb.tv. Are the local TV teams doing these games?
thejd44 - March 24, 2008
I have to say
For long-suffering Stanford basketball fans, that Brook Lopez shot to win the game in OT was the greatest moment in the last 10 years.
The word that keeps jumping around my synapses is "miracle." It's a game I'll remember for the rest of my life.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
Man, you are so right
Been so many disappointing and close losses in the tourney...this was such a great moment. I was row 2 by the basket where he scored and 2 1/2 hours of stress and nerves just got released all at once. What a freaking game/atmospehre, etc.
OaktownPower - March 24, 2008
yeah
that was AWESOME!!! Such a great game. I can't believe Trent Johnson got thrown out. It's just starting to hit me that every game I watch could be the last game with Brook in a Stanford uni. :(
batgirl - March 24, 2008
With the way Robin Lopez is playing lately...
could be his last game too.
I honestly think that he'd be a lottery pick right now if he wasn't on the same team as his bro'. As it is, we might get to see him for another season.
Next year's team could actually be better than this year's (or at least as good, like post-Jeff-Green-Georgetown this year) if he sticks around, especially if Lawrence Hill can get his scoring stroke back and Landry Fields can take over at small forward.
Hill/Goods/Mitch Johnson has to be one of the more underrated recruiting classes in recent memory.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
Noooooo
I can't lose both Lopezezez at once!
batgirl - March 24, 2008
Bill Simmons had some interesting thoughts on the Lopez twins
Link here
Excerpt of part of the relevant part of the article:
What's weird is that Brook has been ranked too high (top-three) and Robin has been ranked too low (second round) by the draftniks; Brook might be a better scorer at the college level, but Robin projects well as an energy rebounder/defender in the pros, like a cross between Joakim Noah and Anderson Varejao (right down to his hair). I actually think Robin is a safer pick than Brook, even if he'll go 20-25 picks later. Can Brook score down low in the pros? Could he guard bigger centers? I don't know for sure ... but I definitely know Robin could do the Noah/Varejao routine. Ideally, they'd land on the same team because they complement each other so well.
thejd44 - March 24, 2008
Robin might well be the safer pick
but drafting in the NBA is all about upside. In what other sport could someone who is actively bad at the sport in question (DeAndre Jordan) be considered an elite prospect?
In any event, I'm hoping that NBADraft.com is right (they have Robin as a late lottery pick in the 2009 draft)...
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
or how
devon hardin is a prospect at all
flipgatey3 - March 24, 2008
He's an odd character
Like, I see "it." I see what the scouts love. And yet he only shows it when he's irritated or lit up somehow. Most of the time he's just sort of there.
I understand players who have bad mental makeup because they're temperamental (Joey Dorsey) or stupid (um, Joey Dorsey kind of fits this as well) but I don't know that I've ever run into a guy whose species of bad makeup was being too nice for his own good, at least not at that level of competition. Hardin could dunk on your face, but he doesn't actually WANT to. Brook Lopez and Kevin Love want to embarrass you. That's the difference between them, and it's why I would basically never draft Hardin if I was an NBA GM.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
See you tomorrow
0300 is no big deal, sheesh.
paradox - March 24, 2008
2nd game thread
We should agree on a time and open up a second game thread for those of us who will be watching the game on our DVRs at a reasonable hour of the morning. Just kidding.
LoveDemAs - March 24, 2008
I might just watch it
I'm in the Caribbean right now and am an early riser anyway...although family business might compel me to turn it off after the first couple of innings.
OaklandSi - March 24, 2008
Opening Day is good for baseball...
I mean, you gotta start somewhere, right? :)
FormerHuntsvilleStar - March 24, 2008
Haha...I meant in Japan :-)
baseballgirl - March 24, 2008
so excited for 3am...
but a quick question that might have bounced around here already -- how did the A's get stuck with these as "home games" when 99.9% of japan will be rooting for the sox? i mean, they already have a daisuke museum!
bschafer - March 24, 2008
Gosh, it couldn't be that MLB has an ever-so-slight bias toward the Red Sox, could it?
But I think the A's end up getting more revenue since they're the home team, so it may not be such a bad thing. I think changing next Wednesday's game to a day game (after most of the tickets were sold) is more of a slap for A's fans than having two less home games in the season.
Englishmajor - March 24, 2008
For RAFs
I just drove by Ricky's in San Leandro and they WILL BE OPEN, at least for Tuesday.
Ricky's Sports Theatre and Grill
See you there!
Englishmajor - March 24, 2008
Too bad they can't sell beer ...
devo - March 24, 2008
Can they sell you a lime for four bucks, and deliver it in a beer?
The Dogfather - March 24, 2008
I heart Stephen Jack!
OaktownPower - March 24, 2008
Happy A's Baseball!
Here's to all you good people at AN who will be watching our Opening Game in realtime...I will be impatiently waiting till later to watch game with some of my very best baseball friends WITHOUT KNOWING THE RESULTS.
(that's the intent, anyway)
Looking forward to the season and hoping to see many of you at the ballpark.
Let's go Oakland!!!!
The good people at Rickey's are the best, open for the game! Remember the Bill King tribute? Support the local sports club!
LongTimeFan - March 24, 2008
Warning, I think
I understand ESPN2 is going to replay the game? no?
just as a spoiler alert, don't they run a ticker with scores during all broadcasts? Could the final score be showing up every few minutes on the rebroadcast?
I don't know, its just a guess.
Future Ed - March 24, 2008
I sugget putting a strip of duct tape along the bottom of your TV
...problem solved.
33SwisherSweet - March 24, 2008
And some plastic sheeting over the back.
oblique - March 24, 2008
Tarp it?
The Dogfather - March 24, 2008
Ive actually seem NBA games on ESPN
re-airing later at night and I thought the same thing. But the ticker didnt list the game you were watching.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
Ditto with
the Women's World Cup soccer games last autumn.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
UCLA
all the way...bring back Reggie Miller!
DyeLongJustice - March 24, 2008
I watched the end of the Warriors-Lakers game
that was pretty awesome.
I've discovered that I'm a Golden State bandwagoner. I never use to care about their games but now that they are winning more than they lose I find myself getting into the games. MUCH to my wife's dismay, she likes baseball but hates basketball.
micdog2001 - March 24, 2008
I have followed them all season long
it's been a wild ride (and isn't over yet). It really helped me get through the baseball offseason.
OaklandSi - March 24, 2008
I'm going to try to sleep a little and then wake up for the 1st pitch tonight (this morning).
I can't promise I will stay awake for the whole thing though.
micdog2001 - March 24, 2008
so far I can't sleep
it's like the night before Christmas or something except it comes a lot earlier in the morning/
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
Are the games from Japan broadcast in HDTV?
Any one know ? The Direct-tv guide says no, but I'm hoping that is wrong.
LongTimeFan - March 24, 2008
ESPN2 is carrying the game..
and every game ive seen on ESPN2 in the past month was HD.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
Some of the college games on ESPN/2 aren't in HD.
devo - March 24, 2008
True.
But I ment baseball spring training games and such.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
HDTV yes!
I've got the games set up to record on my DVR from the ESPN-HD channel (Comcast). They're definitely being broadcast in HD in my area (Eugene, OR).
LoveDemAs - March 24, 2008
They're being broadcast on the HD station ...
but do you know that the feed will actually be in HD?
As I mentioned above, I have watched college basketball games on ESPN/2HD that were in standard definition, with black ESPNHD bars on both sides of the screen.
devo - March 24, 2008
Yeah but.
thats usually college games no one cares about or small colleges.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
I understand this ... I'm just saying that the simple fact that it is on ESPN2HD does not mean it is necessarily in HD.
I'm sure it is not difficult for ESPN to spare HD equipment for a midweek day game in Florida ... it may be more difficult to make it happen in Japan. I don't know -- I have no idea ...
So rather than continuing to speculate, I figured I'd check. The guide says that it is in HD. That answers that ...
Want to debate it some more?
devo - March 24, 2008
LoL..
I aint looking to debate, Im just banking on the fact the its Opening Day game vs the Sox. Im sure ESPN has done everything possible to cater to the East Coast and that includes HD broadcast.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
Catering to the Sox
From what I can tell from the DirecTV guide, they are broadcasting on ESPN2 in regular format, and on NES-HD for those lucky New England Sports Network fans in HD. Since my HDTV is brand-new, I am royally pi$$ed off.
skigurl - March 24, 2008
It will be in HD on ESPN2
Syphon - March 24, 2008
on the menu on the bottom of my comcast screen ...
it says HD
devo - March 24, 2008
Could be worse.
I just bought a 42 inch LCD TV....that can't be hooked up until Wednesday morning. At least I got an excellent deal on the TV.
alox - March 24, 2008
TVs aren't hard to hook up ...
devo - March 24, 2008
I suppose I could tackle it myself....
but I won't have the Hi-Def Satellite receiver until Wednesday. Apparently, I have to have a new dish in order to receive the signal too. Part of the deal with buying the receiver is the installation. I elected to save myself the headache and the hassle.
alox - March 24, 2008
Yeah, without the HD it's probably not worth it ...
depending, of course, on the size of your current TV.
devo - March 24, 2008
27 inch CRT...
yeah yeah, I know. I'm still living in the eighties.
I was holding out for the 50 inch...now I'm glad I didn't. A 42 inch screen actually sitting in my living room is a hell of lot bigger than I thought.
alox - March 24, 2008
Game, What Game? Everything I have seen, suggests
only 1 team arrived in Japan. Are they televising the scrimmage of the Red Sox?
theblackpearl - March 24, 2008
+1
My thoughts exactly!
anomaly_kat - March 24, 2008
absolutely
didn't you know?
flipgatey3 - March 24, 2008
1st Post
alrighty figured id finally sign up and post since ive come to the site regularly the past yr and a 1/2 solid...add a lil more positivety here- if the rockies did it last year i think we have a solid chance of taking the west---besides living in RI i am constantly harassed by red sux nation...lets do this people!
A'sFaninRI24 - March 24, 2008
Welcome ...
hope you're right.
devo - March 24, 2008
Dice K vs. Blanton
Whaling History in Japan
Do I even need to point out the obvious?
jubjub - March 24, 2008
I've been sitting on a borderline offensive joke all day.
By all accounts, Pedroia v. Blanton will be tonight's first matchup.
Fat Man vs. Little Boy?
BWH - March 24, 2008
After Blanton strikes out Ortiz
I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
Now we are all sons of bitches.
jubjub - March 24, 2008
hello there AN members
the gene hackman here, proud member of the McCoven.
Say, with chavy out for a while, who is going to be starting at 3rd base? I need a nice cheap 3rd baseman since fucking SD optioned Chase Headley to AAA. the A's always have good position player prospects.
Thanks in advance for the info...
The Gene Hackman - March 24, 2008
Jack Hannahan, most likely
Since Frandsen just blew out his Achilles' today, I think you'll be needing more than a 3B.
doctorK - March 24, 2008
Jack Hannahan will be starting at 3rd...
but you might want to let someone else advise you on his fantasy worth. I overloaded on pitching in my one attempt at fantasy baseball, and it didn't hold up....
Poppy - March 24, 2008
Jack Hannahan will be starting at third base, it appears
His full season numbers, if he were to play one, would likely be around .260/.350/.390 with 10-odd home runs and a handful of steals.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
Yep
And for some reason people think this is an upgrade over Eric Chavez. Scary.
thejd44 - March 24, 2008
Make no mistake about..
when healthy Chavez is one of the best 3B not names Arod. Chavy's prime offensive numbers are right in line with one golden boy David Wright. Offensively hes not Arod or Miggy Cabrera. Factor in his 6 gold gloves and he was easy top 3rd baseman.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
and when (mentally) healthy ...
Brittany Spears is a good mother.
devo - March 24, 2008
LOL
good response devo.
IM4Oakgal - March 24, 2008
yeah, I knew the joke needed making ... it took a bit of racking my brain to pick someone
that nobody would mind at all that I ripped on them ...
devo - March 24, 2008
I didnt say it was likley..
just that when he is.. thats what he is.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
Even when Chavez wasn't healthy
like last year, he was significantly better than what Hannahan will be. That's not to say I advocate playing an injured Chavez or anything, but people act like replacing his numbers from last year with Supermannahan's will be, somehow, a great boon for the team. I don't see it. I think it'll be nice to have a guy who can tread water there until Chavez is ready to go.
thejd44 - March 24, 2008
If Chavez
is ever healthy enough to go .
IM4Oakgal - March 24, 2008
+1
Syphon - March 24, 2008
Never underestimate the willingness of some people
to underestimate the value of power.
Hannahan's not a bad option as a backup, though, particularly if they platoon him with Murphy.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
4 game sweep
2 games in Tokyo and 2 games in Oakland.
sf drift king - March 24, 2008
i hope you mean
for us ;)
flipgatey3 - March 24, 2008
I hope to catch it on archived
mlbtv....will have to check how soon they make the live games available for archive..i sure as heck am not getting up at 2am here.
ak_A - March 24, 2008
The game will be re-aired
later on in the day. Here in NY its on at 6am and 2pm.
Syphon - March 24, 2008
3 am and 11 am PST ...
devo - March 24, 2008
Are we on yet?!! Huh? Huh?
C'mon baseball! Is the game on now?... What about now?
Geez, why am I so excited for it to be 3AM? :)
streetfan - March 24, 2008
I'm doing the same thing!!
baseballgirl - March 24, 2008
And what about the rest of the day?
I am going to be so dead at work.
louismg - March 24, 2008
Yep, still up
Trying to do homework. Luckily, I can sleep a few hours after the game.... what, from 6am to noon? :)
Then I go to work at 2pm.
streetfan - March 25, 2008
I just got back home
from my annual spring training trek only half an hour ago, and after a few hours of sleep, i'll be back on AN for opening day. Looks like the game will be in HD on ESPN2... nice.
Ryan Armbrust - March 24, 2008
I hope so, the Japanese were using HD camera's in the late 80's.
TheGreenGoldCrush - March 24, 2008
Press Pass notes for the game
Link
Information on roster and the 3 inactives (Dusch., Eveland, C. Gonzalez)
faninphilly - March 24, 2008
Looks like Petit was optioned out
to cut the roster down to 28 players?
Not terribly surprising, I guess.
PaulThomas - March 24, 2008
I still think Petit is light years away from being ready offensively
so this not only isn't shocking, I would've been shocked/angry if he had made the team.
thejd44 - March 24, 2008
Thanks, faninphilly
I'm printing them out to take to Ricky's. What a geek.
Englishmajor - March 24, 2008
It's really annoying me how everything is about the Red Sox. Like on mlb.com how it's talking about the poor Red Sox fans who have to get up at 6AM to watch the game... how about the A's fans on the west coast who have to get up at 3?! Oh yes I forgot the world revolves around New England. ::gag:: I hope Blanton shuts them out. LETS GO A's!!!!
drmmerchk - March 24, 2008
Simple solution...
Don't watch it. I haven't seen any of that on MLB or ESPN. It's all A's all the time in this house. I'm wearing my A's shirt in anticipation.
louismg - March 24, 2008
Forget birthdays or Christmas
Opening Day is the best freaking day of the year.
day-to-day - March 24, 2008
Diplomatic incidents
Red Sox, A's visit Embassy
Christ, what a Masshole.
(Thanks to HigherPie for the how-to on multi-paragraph blockquotes.)
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
AHHHHHHHHHHHh
Lineup!
Buck
Ellis
Barton
Cust
Brown
Crosby
Hannahan
Suzuki
R. Sweeney
No complaints here.
mikeA - March 25, 2008
From me either.
Looks like you decided to to take the stay up all night path to watching the game too.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
this is one obnoxious game time...
mikeA - March 25, 2008
I am going to be so wired up on coffee
I won't be able to sit still and enjoy the game.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
I wasn't intending on it, personally ...
but I can't fall asleep ... SOOO frustrating ...
devo - March 25, 2008
Well get busy and make the pancakes.
I'm getting a little hungry already.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
I'm gonna give it one more go ... try to steal an hour and a half ...
the pancakes'll have to wait ...
devo - March 25, 2008
OK party pooper.
Sleep tight.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
he won't wake up...
and, he'll miss the whole thing. LOL
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
That's exactly why I am not trying to nap too.
My husband is trying that route...I bet he won't get up when I tell him the game is starting.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
Hater ... I'm up
devo - March 25, 2008
except for the fact we've got an automatic out...
in the 9th spot. Saving M. Sweeney for pinch hitting, I guess.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
He or Denorfia
were going to play one way or another, and neither inspire confidence right now...
mikeA - March 25, 2008
unfortunately, that seems to be...
Billy's plan. At least, until CarGon's hammy heals up.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
For some reason
The A's lineup looked pretty solid all spring training and when I look at it right now I just kinda cringe.
I don't like Ellis hitting second. Barton should be there. I don't like Barton/Cust back-to-back (perfect LOOGY fodder).
Meh, lineups really don't matter too much anyway.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
R Sweeney...
Did surprise me a bit.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
and, how many times did Brown bat 5th...
during Spring Training? Maybe I wasn't paying attention. Hmmm... Emil protecting Cust. I'm sure the BoSox will be intimidated.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
Protection is a myth
What's more important is who hits in front of a player (thus getting on base and forcing a pitcher into the stretch).
Honestly, I'd probably bat Suzuki 5th. I just think the A's are trying to take all the offensive pressure off him at this point, so they put him 8th.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
I'd bat Crosby behind Cust...
cuz I like to see back to back jacks!
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
I guess I should have said Hannahan, though...
if I wanted to see back-to-back Jacks. ;-)
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
Yeah
and all they have is Manny/ortiz. ;-)
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
About to leave for the Tokyo Dome!!!!
Two more games here, fly back, catch A's-Giant, then on to the other home opener. We A's fans are a bit outnumbered out here, but we're representing.
jesseholm - March 25, 2008
Have a great time at the game.
I'm Jealous.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
Have some squid for me!
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
Is that what they serve instead of...
hotdogs at the game?
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
I think they serve hot dogs too
but yes, dried squid is a famous baseball snack in Japan....probably more like beef jerky. I don't actually care for either one. Yakitori now, that would be just fine.
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
I don't know what Yakitori is.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
Chicken on a stick
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
I like Oyako-donburi...
but, they probably don't serve it at the ballpark.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
Just downed a Chaser 5- Hour Energy Drink
And I'm ready to go. My planned pre-game nap is out the window. Now I just gotta figure out what to do for the next two hours.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
I'm afraid to take a nap...
if I did I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to wake up for the game even with the alarm ringing.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
I'm like Mr. Blonde
I hate alarms.
So I just use the loud-enough-to-wake-me, but not jarring or obnoxious vibrating of my cell phone.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
why is the ESPN countdown...
showing 2 hours and 53 minutes until the opener? Is there going to be an hour of Red Sox pre-game hype?
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
Now that's put me to sleep.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
Some of the media haven't figured out the irregular time difference
because of different daylight savings change dates. It definitely starts at 7:05pm Tokyo time, which is 3:05 am Oakland time.
green star oakland - March 25, 2008
TY
for telling us. I am so glad that we don't have to wait the extra hour.
IM4Oakgal - March 25, 2008
Baseball!!! Yeah!
Oaktownflav - March 25, 2008
Good luck to all of you who are staying awake...
I'll check here first thing in the morning... unless I decide to roll out of bed and go to class.
Jjjsixsix - March 25, 2008
Good Luck Ryan Sweeney!
Here's hoping our scouting department knows something the White Sox didn't.
ChadGod - March 25, 2008
ESPN2 will have a
fantasy baseball program on the hour before the game. it was on earlier today and I saw a bit of it. They mentioned Harden as a sleeper/high risk/high reward guy.
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
discussion on Harden coming up after commercial break
if anyone is looking to keep busy while waiting.
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
Checkin' in...
with some first comment mojo
Heres to the A's, heres to shocking the world!
throttle mathius - March 25, 2008
Waning...
I'm not sure I'm gonna make it.
Jeremy Belvins - March 25, 2008
This is harder than I thought it'd be.
BWH - March 25, 2008
Nights like these where a good old college-lifestyle schedule comes in handy
Game doesn't start til 5:05+am here in Chicago.
ChadGod - March 25, 2008
I hear ya
Sometimes I wish I was still in school on the West Coast. It'd be a lot easier to stay up till 6 AM than 8 AM.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
I just got home.
3am needs to be here now before I crash and go to bed.
Christine - March 25, 2008
WAKE UP!
I'm gonna start poking people to keep them awake.
I'm gonna plug it, even though I expect most people will be hanging out here. I'm live blogging over at 411Mania during the game. Here's the link just in case this place dies down: http://www.411mania.com/sports/mlb/71657/The-Underground-Insight-2.25.08:-Opening-Day-from-Japan-Live-Blog!.htm
Less than an hour. Yay.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
hmmm...
bars close at 2 a.m. and Christine's home at 2:13 a.m.? Don't think she's gonna make it until 3.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
hahaha
good guess, but I was at a friends house :) I would never drink when I need to stay up for opening day, what kind of fan do you think I am? :P
Christine - March 25, 2008
Apparently, an alcoholic one.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
so when I leave
to go watch the game, you'll all just assumed I passed out drunk. awesome.
Christine - March 25, 2008
Assume? I KNOW!! :-P
Love ya, girl.
cagrrrl - March 26, 2008
View from PhotoBooth
brupper ...
green star oakland - March 25, 2008
Are you eating out of the dog's bowl?
The things people do when they're overtired...
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
my 10:00 a.m. apointment
is going to hate me.
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
I'm not sure if I can make it. But I am forcing myself to stay awake for as long as possible.
athleticscatcher - March 25, 2008
Well this is peculiar
My ESPN2 is...not..working. Actually, my ESPN isn't either. A flip through the channels tells me that certain cable channels work, certain ones don't. This could severely impact my ability to, like, see the game. I wonder if it's blacked out on mlb.tv.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
did you pay your cable bill?
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
It's not all the channels
My Comcast sports net works.
For the other Chicago people lingering, are you guys having any problems?
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
Yay it's back!
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
Liveblogging from Ricky's in San Leandro!
I'm here with Poppy. No one else is here yet, so where the hell are all of you? There's fresh coffee and a full breakfast menu....
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
KenKo asks Geren if...
Ryan Sweeney has the CF job. Geren non-committal... "I just don't hand out jobs... everybody on this team is day-to-day."
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
sig for if/when the injury bug wipes out the a's:
"everybody on this team is day-to-day."
xbhaskarx - March 25, 2008
The season starts in 30 minutes!
I'm so excited. Even though I have Dice-K on my fantasy team I hope he gets lit up tonight!
ErikFanClubPres - March 25, 2008
Why I hate Fantasy Sports: Exhibit A
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
My satellite died!
AHHHH!! I didn't get up this effing early for nothing!
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
Okay...
it's just ESPN2.
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
Oh well that's OK then
green star oakland - March 25, 2008
The game is on ESPN2
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
I know
(I almost emoticoned it)
green star oakland - March 25, 2008
Sounds like the problem I had before
hopefully it comes back for you.
On the bright side, you don't have to watch this awful fantasy show they're doing.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
Want to use my mlbtv?
(Poppy on Englishmajor's computer...)
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
I don't think my internet is fast enough.
Thanks, though. I may have to go on media blackout until I catch the replay.
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
Im Buggggggggggin' out from the suspense.
Go A's!!!...(head implodes)
ChadGod - March 25, 2008
just heard the 1st Bob Geren Show
nothing was said that we didn't already know.
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
motherf***ers...
i'm at a hotel in LA just now, i checked in this evening, made sure the internet and ESPN2 work, and went out for the night. i get back at night and ESPN2 is no longer working (regular ESPN works)! and of course they can't do anything about it because the maintenance people are all gone.
also, earlier today i called the place i'm staying tomorrow and asked them if they have ESPN2, and the hotel guy responded "no we don't, not many people come here to watch tv."
i want punch somebody in the face right now.
both these games will be on mlb.tv, right?
xbhaskarx - March 25, 2008
yep...
both on MLB.tv
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
I'm kinda disappointed you didn't post your predictions...
you know, they don't count if you post after the first pitch. ;-)
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
i'm on vacation, i have better things to do
your predictions don't count until you pay people the $500 you lost (including to a teenage kid) on bets years ago.
xbhaskarx - March 25, 2008
I'm donating that $500 to Blez's charity this year...
I'm tired of trying to track them down. If they want it, they can e-mail me before I donate.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
nope
Stupid MLB TV isn't on
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
They're supposed to be
but i can't open my link to the game yet..
ErikFanClubPres - March 25, 2008
By my count you're the 3rd to have espn2 crap out
green star oakland - March 25, 2008
That is a smartass hotel clerk.
BWH - March 25, 2008
i'm having to listen no watchy watch
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
mikeA posted an A's lineup earlier
but I can't find lineups on mlb.com. Anybody know what the Red Sox are throwing out there?
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
Boston
Boston AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Pedroia, 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Youkilis, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Ortiz, DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Ramirez, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Lowell, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Drew, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Varitek, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Ellsbury, CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Lugo, SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
they look weak to me...
they all have batting averages of .000. They suck.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
Baseball has made me do some crazy shit.
But a 3am start time? BRING IT!
...
I'm so tired...
Boonee - March 25, 2008
Poppy has put on her green and gold beads.
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
big poppy?
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
I wonder how those beads were acquired
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
or where they are stored.....eeeeks
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
So MLBtv will start working right?
ChadGod - March 25, 2008
i hope but don't have much hope
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
I feel sorry for the person at DirecTV
that might answer the phone when I call.
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
i sorta feel sorry for your phone too
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
yawn
go a's!
oakinboston - March 25, 2008
This is me liveblogging
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
You two are hardcore.
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
where is your cap?
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
I'm inside, so I took it off.
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
Just two?
You're the only fans in the place? Sounds kinda fun, but not too loud :)
streetfan - March 25, 2008
A third person has showed up
(not on AN) so the fans now outnumber the staff.
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
I don't have a picture of me live blogging
But I'm pretty sure in an hour it won't be pretty.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
do we think first pitch will actually be at 3:05pt?
or maybe 10 min later?
oakinboston - March 25, 2008
I hope the first pitch is shortly
after ESPN2 starts working... whenever that is. :)
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
Watching the pregame ceremonies on NESN.
I have no idea what the f*** is going on.
It's like a Kurosawa movie without subtitles.
BWH - March 25, 2008
does remy speak japanese?
are they there?
oakinboston - March 25, 2008
Haven't seen them yet.
They just had the pregame show with Jim Rice and Ken Macha.
BWH - March 25, 2008
jim rice was my guy i still have a bat he signed for me in 86
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
who else will have popcorn for breakfast
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
I'm having scotch
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
my boss already said he would test the second i got in today
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
Holy shit!
Did anyone see Joey Gathright?
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
Poppy says
Why, what's up with Joey Gathright?
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
I should clarify.
Joey Gathright jump over that person? ESPN just showed a highlight of a game and Joey jumped over the pitcher running in the baseline to make it to first safely.
Jennifer - March 25, 2008
There's a youtube video of him jumping a car
Pretty awesome.
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
Dogfather just arrived with flags!
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
Do you people work?
That sounds like fun, but I've gotta be at work at 7.
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
Actually, Poppy and I are both unemployed
So please send all job offers our way!
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
And a camera, damn it!
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
ZOMG!!!
Baseball!!!
Syphon - March 25, 2008
YAY!!
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
BASEBALL!
pickinmachine - March 25, 2008
YEAH!
LETS GO OAK-LAND!
BASEBALLLLLLL FOR BREAKFASTTTTT
Boonee - March 25, 2008
WTF
"Based on the information that you have provided, you are blocked from watching the game you selected. Please consult our FAQs for complete blackout restriction information."
i'm in LA right now, but my credit card billing is norcal.
why is this not working and how do i get it to work?
xbhaskarx - March 25, 2008
Only way i know how..
is to use a proxy server.
Syphon - March 25, 2008
it's a national telecast no mlb tv for anyone
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
Yeah Im in New York
and im blacked out from my mlb.tv. Good thing i got my ESPN2 HD ithy my new HD TV! WHOOOHHOO
Syphon - March 25, 2008
check reason 4billion why i hate ESPN
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
now mlb.tv is working, but there's no audio!
xbhaskarx - March 25, 2008
why do announcer voices
never match their face?
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
who didn't wake up...
and post the game thread?
FoolshGame22 - March 25, 2008
wow
it's 3am and there are 300 comments ?
sec119 - March 25, 2008
Kaneechiwa, AN'ers!
I wish Starbucks was open right now.
ohtobe21likehuston - March 25, 2008
long time no see feller
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
I've been undercover for some time now...
Did you make Spring Training this year? I never had a chance.
ohtobe21likehuston - March 25, 2008
nope couldn't make it this year either
Satchmo22 - March 25, 2008
Mayank and MikeA are here now too
along with our new friend Rudy.
And our omelets just arrived....
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
Oh, sorry. Mayank = oblique.
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
Is this the game thread?
thejd44 - March 25, 2008
Hi EM-
Are you still in Oakland or did you move away?
ohtobe21likehuston - March 25, 2008
I'm still in Oaklandish
Englishmajor - March 25, 2008
new game thread posted by Baseballgirl
on the front page
micdog2001 - March 25, 2008
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