Travis Buck's high chopper with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the 12th scored pinch-runner Rajai Davis and the Oakland A's pulled out a 6-5 victory against the Boston Red Sox.
The way the game started out, few people would have predicted the A's would go scoreless for ten innings and still win. Dana Eveland had a rocky first inning, allowing three runs before getting out of it leaving the bases loaded. Against Daisuke Matsuzaka, the A's quickly evened things up then went a little further, plating five runs of their own thanks to a Matt Holliday double and singles by Jack Cust, Travis Buck and Mark Ellis.
Matsuzaka's night was over after that, which was bad news for the A's (4-4). Justin Masterson came in to throw four quality innings, three of the 1-2-3 variety, allowing just a pair of hits while striking out six for the Red Sox (2-6). Meanwhile, Eveland settled down until struggling again in the fifth, unable to finish the inning before Boston tied it up.
Andrew Bailey took over to bail Eveland out, working a couple solid innings of his own as the bullpens of both teams combined to put up nothing but goose eggs on the scoreboard. Santiago Casilla, Russ Springer and Brad Ziegler kept the Red Sox off the board with Ziegler getting into and out of trouble in the 10th.
Sean Gallagher worked a quick 1-2-3 12th and Javier Lopez started the bottom half by walking Jason Giambi. Holliday moved him up with a grounder, then Lopez walked Cust (pitching around him) and Bobby Crosby. Davis then came in to run for Giambi and Kurt Suzuki went down on three pitches before Buck ended it, saving Bob Geren the need to figure out who to put at first base with Giambi removed, plus Nomar Garciaparra leaving after one inning because of calf tightness.
I'd offer some actual commentary on the game but the truth of it is I'm too tired for it. I will note this is Boston's worst start since 1996 and they've now lost five in a row in Oakland and 12 of their past 15 in the Coliseum. Yay for that.
The two teams meet up one more time tomorrow at 12:35 PM. It'll be Brett Anderson against ancient knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who is twice Anderson's age (42 to 21).
Thank you and good night.
0 recs | 171 comments
There was a point where I thought that...
Rajai Davis would be playing first, Nomar would come back to replace Crosby on third and that Landon Powell would be pitching. Glad it didn’t come to that! And glad to pull out that win on a tough night. Especially nice to see Dice-K not make it to the 2nd.
Jackson23 - April 15, 2009
Nomar was replaced by Crosby
can’t come back into the game.
Zonis - April 15, 2009
Yeah, meant it as a joke...
Somebody in the game thread wondered (also jokingly) if the game went past midnight could Nomar come back in since it was a new day. I rolled with that. Also unlikely in reality that Landon Powell would pitch. Blast you, damn difficult sarcasm in text form!!!
Jackson23 - April 15, 2009
Thought someone should point out
that for all the focus on a recharged lineup and the kiddie corps rotation, the A’s bullpen has now thrown 29 innings, and allowed a grand total of 5 ERs. That’s a 1.55 ERA for those scoring at home.
If Geren had yanked Eveland one batter earlier we would have been spared this joyous late night celebration. But seriously the pen has been even better than advertised— and without Devine.
jasonthea - April 15, 2009
I didn't expext that either.
I was hoping for it, but dayum!
lynnzgal - April 15, 2009
Unfortunately, that also means the starters are averaging less than 6 innings per game.
javaball - April 15, 2009
Not a shock when you look at the rotation.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
And I think 4 of those have come with Ziggy on the mound
(Although Casilla was charged with 2 of them).
vignette17 - April 15, 2009
Haha, great minds.
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
I think those 5 runs were all in that awful inning Sat. too!
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
Travis Buck would go 3-for-5 on a night in which Ryan Sweeney was just 1-for-6.
Rated-R Superstar - April 15, 2009
A different hero everyday. Everybody chipping in
javaball - April 15, 2009
I still think
that Gallagher deserves better than the 12th inning…
dtran320 - April 15, 2009
Deserved the win tho
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
I really hope Buck gains confidence from this
Buck is one of my favorite players when he performs. He seems like the kind of guy who needs confidence to get going. Maybe this game will help get in his September/AAA mindset. If Buck puts up a line like 2007 I’d love to see this lineup just once:
Buck
Cust
Holliday
Giambi
Chavez/Nomar
Ellis
Sweeney
Suzuki
Cabrera
Now if Ellis could just hit like 2005, Chavez like 2003, Giambi like 2001, and Nomar like 1999…
vignette17 - April 15, 2009
I can see this later in the year when 2009 performances are substantial enough to mean something
WaddellCanseco - April 15, 2009
If Buck can hit like his rookie season he's a hell of a player.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Unfortunately, Ellis might hit like .2005, Chavez .2003...
JediLeroy - April 15, 2009
two thousand is better than one thousand, no?
Future Ed - April 15, 2009
I think Geren should have used a long reliever instead of taxing the bullpen
javaball - April 15, 2009
Say, Gallagher?
mikev - April 15, 2009
yup
javaball - April 15, 2009
They might need Gallagher again tomorrow
WaddellCanseco - April 15, 2009
The bullpen would be fresh tomorrow if they hadn't all been used today already.
javaball - April 15, 2009
He had the long guy right where he wanted him
able to go deep in case this thing went like 15-16 innings.
Neither Wuertz or Blevins were used. I can’t knock Geren except for not replacing Eveland one batter earlier (was it the old “let’s get the starter the win” thing?)
A win is win— get it any way you can.
jasonthea - April 15, 2009
I think
It was to see exactly how much he could get out of Eveland, a little that he thought Eveland could do it, and yes a little bit to get the starter the W
Helloooo 1st - April 15, 2009
I agree - no qualms about Geren's bullpen usage
you don’t plan for 12-inning games – but you save your long guy for them.
JJ - April 15, 2009
Let's hope Anderson can pitch well tomorrow
But even if he can’t go very deep we still have Wuertz, Blevins, Gallagher, Ziegler, and Springer available with the off day on Thursday.
I said to myself that we had to score in the 12th if we hoped to win because I didn’t like our chances with Gallagher pitching to the heart of the Red Sox lineup in the 13th. Some people are comfortable with Sean pitching but I’m not one of them right now. I have high hopes for him eventually but right now I don’t think he’s ready for the bigs.
One final note, and I hate to even say this but at the same time love it, am I the only one who thinks that the douche Papelbon looks a lot like that douche Spencer from the TV show The Hills?
Spencer
Papeldouche
Helloooo 1st - April 15, 2009
what a pinch
boxers, or briefs?
Depends….
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
d-bag = d-bag
they are the same person
drink409 - April 15, 2009
Ziggy threw 56 pitches over the last 2 days
I don’t see him available tomorrow. They’ve been leaning pretty hard on Wuertz already. You probably don’t wanna pitch Springer 2 days in a row. I’unno. It could get dicey if Anderson doesn’t have a strong start.
Of course, Anderson will have a strong start tomorrow, so no big deal.
Joey C. - April 15, 2009
good call!!!
can’t stand either. dude is probably a sox fan.
jaylikewise - April 15, 2009
Great game title...loved the recap.
How could you not be tired! We blew threw like 10 game threads.
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
through...
now who’s tired!
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
3000+ comments?
Geezo.
Anyhow, from my vantage in the LF bleachers it looked like Holliday got pinched a couple of times by that ump. Confirm?
Very nice to see Buck hit the ball, and Crosby with a couple of decent at bats (to go with his shitty ones, but to be fair he is used to being an every day player)
We had some losers start the wave late in the game in the bleachers and it was sorta shouted down. Some guy was yelling that the wave cost us the game on Saturday. I said yeah that and Geren.
Buck Turgidson - April 15, 2009
All three of the Mariner's games
could have gone the other way. That is not a team that scares me. The Mariners are not a good team.
If the first week of the season has shown anything, it’s that the division is there for the taking. The A’s will have a very good shot if they can avoid serious injury and get a little above league average starting pitching.
RLangford - April 15, 2009
mikeA - April 15, 2009
Some of Ziggy's "balls" tonight were definitely more in the zone than those "strikes"!
Jackson23 - April 15, 2009
Holliday was not happy at all about those strikes.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
He shouldn't have been!
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
Somehow the A's got Boston's number at the Colliseum,
but, atlas, the Mariners seemed to have figured the A’s out after being the favourite punch bags in 2006.
javaball - April 15, 2009
Geren handled the bullpen perfectly
No need to use Gallagher. If you’re in a high leverage situation (tie game), you just keep throwing your best out there. He did and he won. If he needs the pen tomorrow, he can use Gallagher, Blevins, and Wuertz. But we can’t even know about tomorrow. He won tonight and that’s the only thing he could be focused on.
RLangford - April 15, 2009
+1
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
Got back from the game a little while ago, and still frozen
It was pretty pucking windy out there tonight, but all and all a good time. Seriously with that lineup how does Boston win 95 games or even 90? I’d be concerned. Other than Pedroia and Youk, they have no hitters who really scare you.
My buddy and I still are wondering why Geren decided to pinch run for Giambi once he reached third? After he passed on the move when Giambi was at first, we just assumed Davis was hurt, but then realized Geren may have been drunker than we were.
Pucking Insane - April 15, 2009
Ortiz?
He has a history of scare.
And from what folks watching figured, putting Davis in earlier would have risked some serious out of position fielders.
With 1 out and a runner at third, a fast runner might score on shallow flys
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
Really?
That whole 2-6 scares me: Pedroia, Ortiz, Youk, Drew, Bay. I’d trade that for Nomar, Giambi, Holliday, Cust, Chavez any day. And that’s if Nomar and/or Chavez is healthy and playing. But I’d chose Ellis, Cabrera, Suzuki, Sweeney, and Buck over Ellsbury, Lowell, Tek, and Greene. So, I’d reach the opposite conclusion as you: Boston’s lineup is top-heavy.
As for the Davis move: I think it’s because Geren wanted a runner who could score easily on a sac fly or any other ball in play. I might have done the same thing. The pen usage was not what I would have done though. Eveland should not have pitched to Youk again and maybe not Ortiz.
vignette17 - April 15, 2009
Oooh I like Ellsbury - he's a plus CFer. Position by position though
the Red Sox lineup is considerably stronger, as you’d expect given the disparity in payrolls.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Yep
Shouldn’t Gallagher be the long guy? Since Eveland only went into the 5th, Geren could have avoided taxing the bullpen if he would have used Gallagher earlier, who needed the work anyway.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
I hope they're stretching Gallagher back out for the rotation, so yeah
theoretically he should be the long guy.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
I'm not seeing any other prospective extended reliever in that 'pen right now. Questionable move.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
You flip him with Outman.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Yes
I know it was one inning, but Gallagher came in and threw very well. Hitting 95MPH on the radar gun. Hitting his spots. How about skipping Outman’s turn, and move him to the bullpen today? A 5th Starter isn’t needed unit April 22nd.
Colorado Fan - April 15, 2009
I don't see what Outman has done to make everyone want to move him back to the bullpen?
He cut his ridiculous haircut, he wore stirrups, he gave up three in 4.1 innings.
Ok, maybe the last could have been a bit better, but he’s only pitched 4.1 innings! Give the man some rope, seriously?
Plus, I don’t think I’ve seen in Gallagher this season what everyone else has. But maybe that’s just me.
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
Boston's lineup is still strong
Bay and Drew are both studs, but the key is the possible (likely? certain?) decline of Ortiz. That makes a huge difference. That’s going to be a brutal race in the AL East. And the odd team (teams?) out are going to suffer mightily.
RLangford - April 15, 2009
Yeah Ortiz has been a pivotal player for the Red Sox for the last few years. If he's suddenly
mediocre, as he appears to be, they could be in some serious trouble in that race for the East. They don’t have a player to replace his offensive production as far as I’m aware.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
In my opinion...
Looks like Ortiz was on the decline in April and May last season, but then he hurt his wrist and people called it a slump. He did turn it around a bit when he came back, but not anywhere nere his ‘07 or ’06 numbers. I think he’s done.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Well his '03-'07 numbers are insane.
I think he’s declining, but there’s going to be a huge question mark over his career if he’s declined this fast – it points strongly to PEDs. I imagine he’ll bounce back sharpish to be a productive hitter this season, but he won’t approach his 1.000OPS numbers.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Agreed.....
but did he have bacne?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
I have bacne
but that’s just my sensitive skin.
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
Are you sure you're not trying to be the greatest homerun hitting catcher of all time?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
maybe keep that to yourself...
travdog6 - April 15, 2009
I've been thinking possible decline (plus wrist injuries)
but I think that part of what made Ortiz so dangerous was that he used to have Manny batting after him.
OaklandSi - April 15, 2009
I'm wondering whether Hannahan comes up for tomorrow's game. If he does, do they
1) Put Chavez or Nomar on the DL
2) Send down a pitcher — Blevins or Gallagher
3) DFA Rajai or Crosby
I’d send down Blevins if they’re just not going to use him. He’s faced one batter this year, and walked him.
WaddellCanseco - April 15, 2009
They might need Blevins if...
Anderson doesn’t go deep. I’d DFA Rajai or Crosby since neither has really done anything. Crosby at third is like Kingman not striking out.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
DFA Crosby and Rajai
Call up Pennington and Denorfia.
Pennington can fufill Raj’s Speedy Pinch Runner role, Denrofia becomes the backup OF and Righty on the bench, and Pennington can play SS, 2B and 3B much, much better than Crosby, and he can’t hit worse than Crosby can.
Zonis - April 15, 2009
That'd be what I'd do.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
I think bringing anyone up aside an infielder is jumping the gun
We have’nt even played a dozen games yet.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
That said I like the italian alot
brian.only - April 15, 2009
I like the Italian too.
Rajai has speed and that’s about it.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
He has God too.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Where did that ever get anybody?
Besides their grave?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Big Doolittle fan as well
But I think it will be a while before we see him.
To bad Raj is melting down he had an awesome spring…
brian.only - April 15, 2009
I like Doolittle too, but he probably needs a bit more seasoning.
I hope we see him in September because his spring was outstanding. If we see him sooner that would mean our DL woes are perpetual.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
If it's going to be an infielder it has to Hanahan (as much as I hate to say it). Hope Nomar and Chavy's issues are short term.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Jesus me too
crosses fingers and toes.
I’m going to the game tomorrow and I’m really curious what the lineups will look like for both teams, 6 AB’s- woof.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
It's my favorite part of the game...
It’s like a fantasy draft everyday. Do the players like having a different lineup everyday?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
I don't see them DFAing Crosby - he can play all the infield positions (to a varying degree) and
cover in the corner outfield at a pinch. Sure he’s useless at the plate, but he provides a degree of flexibility. After tonight they really can’t afford to assign a pitcher!
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Did you see him...
try to turn a double play from second last night and turn his glove the wrong way at third tonight?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Hence the 'to a varying degree.'
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
No way it's a pitcher
Bullpen already too taxed to go to only 6 there. I think they might bite the bullet and DL Chavy.
jasonthea - April 15, 2009
New nickname for Buck (which totally won't stick)
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
comeback player of the year?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Ok I'm struggling to find a good picture, but D'Artagnan. It's the goatee and
longish hair along with the swishy swing that does it for me.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Could we avoid a french nickname?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Why, got a thing against the French?
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Yeah. A frenchman killed my great-great grandad in a duel of pistols. Many in the town thought he was cheated.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Was he a musketeer?
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
My great-great grandad or the dirty frenchman?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
The swashbuckling Frenchman.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Mousekateer.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Truck?
brian.only - April 15, 2009
WoBuck (walk-off Buck)?
That could be lame, or fitting. Let’s see if he can do it again.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
How bout' Shaggy?
brian.only - April 15, 2009
He is kind of goofy and lanky
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Zoiks!
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
and he could use a bit of grooming
from the look he going tonight.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Hey, the A's are NOT the Yankees. Grow that shit out and eat some sc(d)ooby snacks.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Damn, what's your excuse for being up at 2 am?
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
Um, temporarily unemployed. Technically I have a job but I don't start until the 27th.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
night time is the right time.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Um, I'm finishing my taxes
Messed up the first draft, had to reprint the beast.
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
Watching MLB channel and catching up on the game thread. What a game it was. Too bad I missed out on the free tix earlier. I woulda been there. Too bad I slept till 1pm.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Thank yourself for only having one. ;)
brian.only - April 15, 2009
One pm?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
One beast
I actually have two beasts – some of you may have met them the last AN day, last year.
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
1040ez is the only way to go. I think I'm giving too much away.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Your lucky
I had several…
The joys of freelance.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
MLB players have to file in every state they play in
At least that’s what I heard once, because their income supposedly was earned at each different stadium.
And I can tell you, the multi state income tax stuff is hard. NP Hard.
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
Yikes
brian.only - April 15, 2009
If I were an MLB player I'd use my money to send a relative through school to be an accountant.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
I think I would have bid the job of figuring out my taxes
At a rate larger than the return I received.
I’m thinking CPA for next year.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Highest bidder I hope. Don't go the route of our government.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Aaaaand that's what agents are for.
OldhamA - April 15, 2009
Ha ha. Freelance is a joy. If it weren't, free wouldn't be in the name.
Here’s a fun game, if you have somebody who does your taxes for you, ask him to show you the statute that says you have to legally declare your income.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
If you pay them by the hour, they'll be glad to show you!
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
well.... I guess you'll be paying them forever....
because the statute doesn’t exist. Make it a prank call.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Quote from my 1040
“Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete.”
The New Mexico does not have the perjury bit. California does.
I suppose you play the game, run your chances.
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
Same if you don't play the game, although you might get your assets raided if you don't.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
I don't know where you get this stuff,
but that’s just not true.
Of course the statute exists. It’s the entire Title 26, aka the Internal Revenue Code. If you have the patience, you can read the whole thing right here.
Here is the part defining taxable income.
And here is the Supreme Court case upholding the constitutionality of the federal income tax.
iglew - April 15, 2009
Not sure how to do all the fancy linking.
I’ve done other research which was a direct result of watching this:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS266US268&q=freedom+to+fascism&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv&ei=Z0DmSczuB6G6sgP-lpnqAQ&oi=property_suggestions&resnum=0&ct=property-revision&cd=1#
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Alaska District Court
in United States v. Rempel:
You can believe whatever you like, it’s no skin off my nose. But if you call up your tax accountant and “ask him to show you the statute that says you have to legally declare your income” he’s just going to point you to the Internal Revenue Code like I did.
iglew - April 15, 2009
I'm cool w/ the long hair, he just looked like he's been away from the showers for a week.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Has Neandertal been taken?
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
I dont think so
but on a side note they have almost completed the genome-
apparently there’s evidence they could have had command of language.
As in more than Ooga.
brian.only - April 15, 2009
I heard they had a voicebox that could only produce sounds in the range of homosapien females.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Seriously
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Byrnes 2.0
MobiusKlein - April 15, 2009
heh
brian.only - April 15, 2009
Extra-innings is a very unlikely outcome for any game, regardless of the score after the first inning.
But seriously, good writeup, Go A’s!
(I’ve just been doing too much statistics homework lately!)
whomeverwiz - April 15, 2009
In retrospect...
All those italics make me seem like a dick.
So I take it back.
Really, I enjoy your writeups, I was just failing at being funny.
whomeverwiz - April 15, 2009
Italics make every comment better, or more interesting... maybe I just like it when people use italics (because I'm not sure how to use them). Punctuation is king, like Henry the VIII.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
Apparently
I’m not sure how to use them either. I just to italicize the word any but somehow the </em> tag got away from me…
(I used preview this time)
whomeverwiz - April 15, 2009
Arrgh!
I just meant to italicize the word any.
Ha.
whomeverwiz - April 15, 2009
Previewing is overrated, apparently.
DanielSteven - April 15, 2009
It's cool
I was writing it based on it going 12, but I could’ve just said “an extended period.”
Flashfire - April 15, 2009
so nice to wake up to this news.
ak_A - April 15, 2009
I was in bed around the 10th inning listening to the game
but fell asleep and woke up for the wrap up…how nice to hear them say that the A’s would go for the sweep today!
OaklandSi - April 15, 2009
What a divine wind
i felt like a popsicle.
Great, though weird, win.
Brian in 317 - April 15, 2009
We-ird
iglew - April 15, 2009
Is it just me
or is it, like, everytime i turn on the radio i hear that Bobby Crosby has bobbled/dropped/botched another play. he seems to be a liability in the field just as much as he was a liability at the plate last year.
DyeLongJustice - April 15, 2009
Bob might want you to stop turning on the radio
It’s the power of voodoo.
WaddellCanseco - April 15, 2009
I left the radio on
when I fell asleep in the eighth. Awakened by a racket of a commercial in the eleventh and heard the end of the game. Cheered aloud and startled Stripey the cat. Enjoy the day game everyone.
LibrariAN - April 15, 2009
maybe you should sleep until the ninth of every game
that way we might win out the season!
DyeLongJustice - April 15, 2009
I nodded off after the 8th
Only to hear a ruckus and vaguely comprehending the A’s winning – YAY! And just a few hours until I am in my seat at the game- YAY! YAY!
Great win.
DCinWC - April 15, 2009
I was there through all twelve last night
which is unusual in itself, not because we’d ever leave early, but more because we were in time for first pitch.
Here are my observations of the game (authors note – was not drunk this time, just very, very cold):
1. I thought Geren managed the game pretty well.
Certainly better than ‘God amoungst Managers’ Francona. I mean, why pull Matsuzaka, unless he’s hurt? You’re only two runs down, trust your starting pitcher to settle down and give you a few more innings, eh? And Papplebon only worked one? IIRC, he didn’t pitch on Monday, so what’s his problem? The A’s weren’t making great contact, the heart of the order was coming up, surely you want your best relief pitcher then?
2. Bobby Crosby at third is a bit of an adventure.
And not like, here’s some hidden treasure, what fun. More like, gah! poison ants! After his error at third, he should, in my opinion, have been charged with another one later on that inning, and then he made a pop up look like the hardest thing in the world later on in the game.
I’m not advocating running around like the sky is falling in, as, well, he should get better as he plays more there, but wow. Could be an interesting couple of days whilst the welds on Chavez’ bionic shoulders are fixed. He did look better at second base the other day, but who knows? Maybe that was luck?
3. West Coast Red Sox fans are amoungst the most classless individuals I’ve met.
Now, I’m not going to moan about them coming to the colliseum and being loud and all that, because, frankly, it’s not their fault they outnumber the A’s fans, is it?
But, when someone turns up at the bottom of the seventh and demands you move out of ‘their" seats, well, wtf? I mean, ok, I have no problem with people being late to games, at all, but I feel like if you turn up nearly two and a half hours after the start, you kinda abrogate any claim you had on sitting in the Exact Seats you’d bought. It’s not as if the stands are so full you can’t move somewhere nearby?
And to wave your tickets in someone’s face and say “these are our seats, move along”, kinda makes my blood boil. Is it to much even to say please? Incidentally, a similar thing happened last year. Unbelievable.
Still, the A’s take their money, so I guess it’s a good thing.
4. Woo! What a win!
I got back in at a half past midnight, but still, totally worth it. Am going back today, anyone else in the cheap seats?
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
I think if you buy a ticket, the seat is yours for the duration.
WaddellCanseco - April 15, 2009
I respectfully disagree
I think if you turn up over two hours late, you have to sit where you can, honestly. Especially if it’s not especially busy.
And even that is no excuse for being downright rude and unapolegetic about it. I think that got under my skin more than anything else.
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
That kind of defeats the point of having assigned seating.
if I pay for a ticket, and when I go to sit there somebody else is in it, they had better damn well move.
As you said, the stands weren’t that full, so you could have very easily moved somewhere nearby.
mikev - April 15, 2009
this is true
I mean, yeah. Not to make it a sob story, but we’d moved from our seats to let a bunch of children sit all together, within range of their guardians / parents wtvr. We hadn’t actually “upgraded” – we’d in fact moved back a row.
I think my point is, you turn up two hours late, you should leave your demanding attitude at the door.
but yes, I do take your points, too
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
I'm with WC on this.
“Upgrading” your seat is something you do at your own risk. If the guy with the ticket shows up it’s your responsibility to get out and either go back to your own seat or upgrade somewhere else. Sure, it would be nice if they were polite about it, but if they’ve got the tickets it’s their seats.
iglew - April 15, 2009
I laughed out loud.
Bobby Crosby at third is a bit of an adventure.
And not like, here’s some hidden treasure, what fun. More like, gah! poison ants!
baseballgirl - April 15, 2009
pulled dice K
because the WBC basically wore out his arm— Francona is actually kicking himself for using him twice already— they may be in some trouble with that rotation.
jasonthea - April 15, 2009
yes --
another thing I found out I was wrong about after writing it.
still find the paplebon thing a bit odd, mind. but like, wtf do i know?
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
Disagree, with a caveat
I agree with others that your ticket entitles you to your seats (that’s why they are assigned), but I certainly agree about the rudeness factor. My friends and I had splurged on nicer seats than usual last night, and we had not 1, not 2, but 4(!) group of people try to come kick us out of “Their” seats. Each time, it turned out that they had misread their tickets, and were in the wrong section or row. However, the people who were nice about it (“Oh, I think we might have seat 6. Let me look at my ticket. . .”) were not a problem, compared to those who were rude (“No way buddy, WE have seat 8!”), and then offered no apology when they were shown that they were off by two sections.
I guess I just think everyone should start out civil, even if they really think people are in their seats, and people who are not in their seats should understand that those aren’t what they paid for, and they may have to give them back.
el generico - April 15, 2009
yeah
we had some nice people ask us to move out of our two dollar seats today.
we moved.
gladly.
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
Giambi
He’s gotta be tired today. I wish our fielders would stop throwing balls in the dirt at him. He might have been player of the game, and he had 1 error and 0 hits.
Colorado Fan - April 15, 2009
oh yes
good point. He did make a great diving play at first, too
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
That high infield fly that Crosby took - poison ants indeed.
DCinWC - April 15, 2009
Athletics On Demand
i am at work and wont be able to catch this on TV, but will an on-demand option be available tonight?
rktse - April 15, 2009
by 'this' i mean today's game, sorry
rktse - April 15, 2009
All games go "on demand" until the start of the next one
DCinWC - April 15, 2009
Provided they were on TV in the first place
DCinWC - April 15, 2009
last post
DCinWC - April 15, 2009
cool thanks!
i guess i will have to avoid the game day links today then and wtach my game when i get off work!
rktse - April 15, 2009
*watch
rktse - April 15, 2009
Goodluck
DCinWC - April 15, 2009
a little off-topic (few days late)
are the a’s now wearing their home green-and-yellow batting helmets in away games?
the federer express - April 15, 2009
So far
Maybe it’s a little way to cut costs instead of having two different batting helmets. Wouldn’t surprise me.
Flashfire - April 15, 2009
sporting more variations of their gear would actually increase merchandising sales
rktse - April 15, 2009
I thought I saw black helmets on Sunday
Future Ed - April 15, 2009
the four horsemen of the apocalypse?
alea iacta est - April 15, 2009
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