Sometimes it's zero, sometimes it's one. Tonight, thanks to Cust's 9th inning "shutout buster" off of John Lackey it was one. The A's problem right now is that they have no sense of comedy. It's not funny to bat Bobby Crosby second and Emil Brown cleanup, it's tragic.
What would be funny would be sending one of them up holding the bat from the wrong end, because really why not? Or better yet, letting Crosby try to hit with a red and white cane, because even a blind man can react to the last pitch and decide whether or not to swing based on whether the previous pitch was a strike. Send Hannahan up there with a rubber chicken, let Patterson hit in a tight satin dress.
Ah, but I undress...Greg Smith does not have much margin for error and in the bottom of the third he left everything up, culminating with my dinner when the Angels put up a four-spot and gave Lackey more than enough to cruise to victory. The outcome was not surprising as in the franchise's history the A's have never won the second game of a series, including their time in Kansas City and Philadelphia. That might be a slight exaggeration, but I can't look it up as after drinking just enough to numb the pain of each loss since July 12th I currently have vision somewhere between that of Jack Cust after sleeping on his eye and that of Dan Johnson after being viciously attacked by SPF-30.
You know, we could really use some offense.
0 recs | 58 comments
offense?
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
Its okay Nico
who could blame you?
lynnzgal - August 26, 2008
Robert Buan wants to know if any A's fans are rooting for the Angels
since they are out of it?
That is grounds for dismissal.
Hannahan might get a hit with a rubber chicken or he might hit better if he inserts it where the sun don’t shine.
Trainman - August 26, 2008
Uh? Seattle.
lynnzgal - August 26, 2008
I'll root for the Angels if the Giants make the WS this year....
but, other than that… yeah, grounds for dismissal.
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
heretic!
MobiusKlein - August 26, 2008
c'mon...
that’s as good as saying “I’ll never root for them.” I know, we’ve seen it happen recently, but that was a once in a millennium occurence, so I will never have to do so again in my lifetime.
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
How can he be so fucking ignorant?
mikev - August 26, 2008
Years of practice?
Nico - August 26, 2008
it prolly shouldn't take a poll...
for Buan to know that 90% of A’s fans are now rooting for the Rays in the AL and are probably all over the board in the NL. I’m still rooting for the A’s to win the West. We’re not mathematically eliminated yet, are we?
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
not yet
i’m pullin for the twins, white sox and rays…anything to keep the red sox and yanks out of the playoffs…that would be AMAZING!
diaryofmac10 - August 27, 2008
I'm hoping my pre-season Indians pick can come true
By having them win about 10 more in a row to get back into things.
thejd44 - August 27, 2008
He loves John Lackey
said he has gotten to know him off the field the last two years. Said he’s a really great guy.
I wonder what your wife says about that, Robert?
What a tool Buan is!!!!!!!!!!
Trainman - August 26, 2008
At some point
Buan shifted from “defending the A’s management and manager no matter what” to “agreeing with every caller to some extent, no matter how ridiculous the point.” I bet he was fishing for some angry “I hate the Angels” calls to break the monotony of “A’s suck” calls.
mikeA - August 26, 2008
Perhaps he should have asked
how many had switched off his show, because the A’s had been so dismal since the ASG??
Of course, those that had switched off his show..well…okay, how many are now interested in the Sacto Rivercats post-season??
One won lost won - August 26, 2008
Rivercats
I’m following them into the postseason. And the Ports.
LibrariAN - August 26, 2008
reason #2,456,233,892,129.64 why I love the A's
They are not the freaking angels.
Athletics fan and runner - August 27, 2008
Tonight’s game wasn’t as fun as last night’s game :’(
drmmerchk - August 26, 2008
that's because Dallas Braden is a stud...
and, Greg Smith is a nibbler.
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
Our offense wasn’t very fun to watch either, though.
drmmerchk - August 26, 2008
our offense was fun last night?
2-1 win on a wild pitch? LOL
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
lol well no it wasn’t fun last night either, but tonights combo of not good pitching + no hitting just made it hurt more that we don’t hit at all.
drmmerchk - August 26, 2008
Frankly,
This team is young and inexperienced as hell. I’m not sure how many different ways I can say this. I see sparks now and again of the future, but the now is difficult to watch. I’ll keep watching, because one thing is for sure, I love my A’s, I always have and I always will. They will be back, I’m sure of that too.
lynnzgal - August 26, 2008
Now
..someone should ask Billy Beane if he’s running an “instructional league team”..
One won lost won - August 26, 2008
The new fair/foul HR procedure
It’s nearly here. I’m afraid it’s the thin end of the wedge.
LibrariAN - August 26, 2008
What a brilliant system, though -
The umps simply call New York to talk to someone who is watching a monitor, because they couldn’t possibly just HAVE SOMEONE WATCHING IN THE STADIUM. ???
Nico - August 26, 2008
It slowed down hockey
and it will be a drag on baseball. But the retired umps will enjoy the comfy office in NY.
LibrariAN - August 26, 2008
Why not just use a faster approach
and ask Angel Hernandez whether it sounded fair or foul?
Nico - August 26, 2008
But then only Latin players will have calls properly made
thejd44 - August 27, 2008
Just insane...
Have someone in the press box like college football does. Radio down and make a decision. Why is this so hard and has to be called to NY? And have the umps gather and call together? My god, it is going to be a cluster.
OaktownPower - August 26, 2008
I don't think that's how it works...
maybe I’m wrong, but the umps in the local stadium will have a monitor. They’ll also have a hotline to MLB headquarters in NY. They’ll watch the monitor, they’ll have some input from the “expert technician” in NY, and the local crew chief will make the call. Seems like a decent system to me.
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
and, no arguing the review or your out...
I think it’ll acturally speed things up a bit.
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
lol... I've obviously had more to drink than Nico...
“you’re” and “actually.” Or maybe he’s just a better drinking typist. I certainly don’t rule that out.
FoolshGame22 - August 26, 2008
This is 2008
A call to NY will take approximately .00008 seconds longer than a call to the press box.
And the replay views in NY will be as good or better.
PaulThomas - August 27, 2008
Thanks - I've been wondering what year it was
Nico - August 27, 2008
It's not just fair/foul
It’s also for fan interference and home run or not (but still a fair ball in play).
I can’t wait. It’s about time they started to get calls right.
thejd44 - August 27, 2008
the wedge?
Be careful, this is a family site!
Athletics fan and runner - August 27, 2008
Huh - go figure...Henry Rodriguez for Midland tonight:
2.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (33 pitches, 25 strikes). Go Henry.
Nico - August 26, 2008
Yay Henry!!!
WaddellCanseco - August 27, 2008
Nico's Humor
Thanks Nico. Your sense of humor has COMPLETELY nullified how miserable I was feeling over yet another pathetic A’s loss. I have been enjoying your sense of humor and your ability to play with words (and with people’s overly-zealous love for the team) for a long time. Keep me (and them) laughing at our misery and help us remain in touch with our lives.
quietfan - August 26, 2008
:-)
Thanks. I laugh to keep from crying. I drink to keep from laughing. I cry to keep from drinking. It’s a weird cycle that only makes sense when I’m sober, so I’ve never really understood it.
Nico - August 26, 2008
Classic
Trainman - August 26, 2008
QOTM
thejd44 - August 27, 2008
Nico, you've done a great job this evening
Thanks. Time for me to say Goodnight to everyone.
LibrariAN - August 26, 2008
+100 to Lynzgal
This is a very young team and we will be very good in 1 or 2 years. Let’s all be patient.
A'sfansince1970 - August 26, 2008
I AM patient
I am mental patient for hospital specialize in fans of teams no win series ever.
Nico - August 26, 2008
Goooooooooood!
We try you again in the morning!! 8^))
One won lost won - August 26, 2008
Chris Carter hit HR #37 and drove in run #100 today.
PLEASE HURRY.
mikev - August 26, 2008
Bret Hunter pitched for the ARZ Rookie ball team.
1IP 1H 0BBs 0Rs 2Ks
Syphon - August 26, 2008
Just got back from the game
went yesterday too. Kind of sad that might be my last live game of the season as I am not sure if I can make tomorrow.
Unless I can squeeze in a last roadie to Oakland, see you in Phoenix A’s.
easyraider - August 26, 2008
I'm disturbed that you want to see Eric Patterson in drag
thejd44 - August 27, 2008
It must be
his blurred vision.
day-to-day - August 27, 2008
binary
does thar mean the a’s scored 10 yesterday?
Future Ed - August 27, 2008
It was nice
back when Carlos Gonzalez could at least hit.
walk off bunt - August 27, 2008
What's tragic
is we could have gotten Johnny Cueto or Joey Votto for Joe fucking Blanton. But Beane wanted Cueto AND Votto AND Homer Bailey.
Wouldn’t have been bad with Votto in the lineup.
NateHST - August 27, 2008
I look at it this way
At this point I have lowered my expectations to the point that every win feels like Christmas to an 8 year old. Every loss feels like life’s cruel fangs going back in for more blood, you know, every day stuff.
Athletics fan and runner - August 27, 2008
belated compliments
Nico – just read the wrap up from last night – so funny! Thanks. I had threatened to stop following the team and even the blog, but you’ve made me reneg on my threat. It is indeed comforting to know that others see the complete dismality (to coin a word) of the team same as I do.
sacto - August 27, 2008
Thanks, sacto, and glad you're sticking with AN!
Nico - August 27, 2008
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