Geren and or Beane just rip into this team. Ridiculous. I’m not a pessimistic fan, at least I don’t say I am, but good GOD. This team needs a cattle prod to wake the hell up.
I follow this team as best I can from 2000 miles away, but I’m tired of payin for mlb.tv to see this. Maybe I’ll just go see the Tigers A-ball team. They play better fundamentals than this.
And the reason is that there are successful teams with good chemistry and successful teams with bad chemistry, and successful teams with hardass managers and successful teams with laid back managers. And bad teams of every description, too.
None of those characteristics predicts success on the field.
Jack Cust didn’t drop that ball because of “leadership”. He dropped it because he’s not a good outfielder. Coaching and effort can get him to be somewhat less bad, and he’s not as bad as he used to be. But he’s just not a good outfielder. It’s not about desire or grit or leadership or attitude. It’s about skills and talent.
Mets 1989-1993, Pirates 1980-1983 were teams I followed extensively and I believe that they underperformed
the massive substance abuse problems ruined those teams and the evidence is clear that the management did little to solve it. It was kind of tolerated on those Mets teams,
Those Mets teams were filled with club-house fights.
Substance abuse isn't about "grit" and "leadership"
it’s about guys snorting so much coke that they can’t play baseball well any more.
Yes, the Mets were filled with clubhouse fights. So were the A’s teams that won 3 consecutive World Series!. The A’s hated their owner, were managed by a mean-tempered asshole (Dick Williams), and are famous for fighting amongst themselves in the clubhouse.
Some good teams get along well. Others don’t. The last A’s playoff team had big chemistry problems. Some bad teams get along well (like this year’s A’s). Others don’t.
So, if your players are taking drugs or drinking and ruining their bodies so they can’t play well any more, then the team won’t be good. But talent is what wins, not grit or attitude or chemistry.
However, a manager or leader that had more control of the team could have helped curb those substance abuse issues. Unfortunately for the Mets the manager (Johnson) was often too drunk as well.
The Mets had K. Mitchell in 86. He was from the rough neighborhood in SD. The team thought that he would be a bad influence on Gooden and Strawberry so they shipped him out. It back-fired. Gooden and Strawberry and many other Mets officials have stated that that move took a strong tough guy (Mitchell) who might have kept some bad characters out of the club-house away from Gooden and Strawberry was a major mistake.
The leadership of the Mets collapsed with the aging of HErnandez and Carter.
Also, the Pirates of the 70s had a great clubhouse morale. When Stargell left the team fell apart with drug problems.
Also, on the A’s of the 1970s. Several players stated that Williams while not popular turned the team around by establishing a stricter club-house environment when he took over in 1970. Great story where some pranksters hid a megaphone from a team plane. He said took a hard line and said that the megaphone needed to be returned immediately or else. The team knew not to mess with him and they turned it around due to IN PART his leadership.
Obviously if people don’t try, they won’t win. But the difference between a good team and a bad team is not based on who’s trying harder or who’s grittier. It’s based on who’s more talented.
Giambi and Cabrera and Garciaparra have been incredibly successful players, and even been called leaders. Are they sucking now because their personalities have changed? Or because they’re old and they’re not very good players any more?
but you’d have absolutely no proof, and you’d be wrong.
Billy Martin didn’t “tolerate losing” in 1980 and 1981, and the A’s shocked the world! And then in 1982, they sucked. Did they suck because
a) Billy suddenly decided to “tolerate losing”
or..
b) the starters’ arms fell off from throwing 90 CGs in 1980 alone, and they weren’t good players any more?
Honestly, do you think if Bob Geren flipped over the post-game spread that Kennedy and Cust would suddenly be good fielders?
I had seen an interview with Ricky Henderson regarding Billy Martin. (ESPN documentary on Martin).
In the interview, Henderson had stated that Martin had been focused on getting fired that year so that he could go back to the Yankees.
Also, he stated that Martin was trying to get him to go to NYY with him.
I would think that a distracted manager trying to get fired would harm any team’s performance.
Now don’t get me wrong I mostly agree with you Talent is the most important factor in winning. I have been a coach for 22 seasons and have been a winning team. The clear main reason has been that I have had better players.
I will personally attest that your comment from above is totally correct:
“And the reason is that there are successful teams with good chemistry and successful teams with bad chemistry, and successful teams with hardass managers and successful teams with laid back managers. And bad teams of every description, too.”
My team’s morale/ chemistry/ my leadership hasn’t always been the same. However, I will not argue that team morale/ leadership is not important.
For me personally, the most talent team I ever had was a losing team, It was one of my early seasons and I made mistakes as a coach and the team’s morale was horrible.
but I think it’s a lot less important when you’re dealing with major league players than when you’re dealing with younger/less talented players. And there’s a long, long history of even ML people talking about “grit” and “coming to play” as a substitute for actually figuring out what wins ball games.
Here’s why I’m arguing against the meme that’s become conventional wisdom on AN that the A’s lack drive/desire/grit etc.
1) Believing that it’s about grit etc. can make you conclude that it’s not about how bad the players are. So, you’ll think, we can keep Cust and Kennedy and Giambi and have a good defense, as long as we get Bobby Valentine or the ghost of John McGraw to manage the team! Which, I think, is silly. Those guys are trying — they’re just not good, and a hardass manager won’t make them good.
2) If you decide that the players are the problem, believing that it’s about grit will make you look for…gritty players to replace them, rather than talented ones. That Bobby Crosby comes to play, and always gets his uniform dirty! Yeah, but unfortunately he’s not very good at hitting a baseball. So his grit and desire don’t help the team all that much.
Lastly, none of us knows much about what Geren says to the team behind the scenes. He could blabber happily to the press and then privately chew guys out for all we know.
He could be blasting the team in private like you say or its possible that he is as passive as he appears.
I will say that whatever his motivation technique is it is not working.
Has his teams been loaded with talent. Obviously not. However, his teams are not totally devoid of talent.
I still go back to 2007. The A’s (who had injury problems all year) were a winning team UNTIL they dropped Milton Bradley.
Whatever the reason, it was almost like a continental divide that year. The team started to slump and they fell into a losing record.
I was obviously not there so I don’t know who did what or said what or who was in the wrong. Nonetheless, the team just wasn’t the same after that. Somehow the team psyche did not respond to that.
I think that when something happens like a guy being kicked out (which is basically what happened) it falls on the leaders (mostly the Manager) to lead the team out of that episode to victory. Whatever Geren did or did not do it failed.
The basic problem is that we have precisely 2 players who are good both offensively and defensively. You ready?
Suzuki
Holliday
At every other position, the As either have no choice (SS, 3B, no one can hit) or a choice between hitting and fielding — Barton or Giambi at 1st (for the sake of argument, imagine that Giambi can still hit), Denorfia or Cust in the OF.
And since the A’s offense is so bad, it’s understandable that Geren would want to keep the good hitters — like Cust and Kennedy — in the lineup as much as possible.
Cust is going to make errors, because he’s not a good defensive player. But you want him in the game, because he’s one of the few players on the team who can produce runs.
I’m no Geren fan, but he really doesn’t have many good choices. He can trot out guys who can’t hit or guys who can’t field, or in many cases both. That isn’t his fault.
In my opinion, I think the A’s defense with respect to fundementals really fell apart when we lost Ellis. I think Chavez and Ellis really were the glue that kept the defense on their toes. I had hoped that the addition of O-Cab would be a defensive inspiration, but so far, he’s not looking particularly sharp…..
i have this VHS tape (what’s that?!) of the 88 A’s season and toward the end of the tape they show his antics as 3rd base coach for LA. hilarious. loud, foul, and on the money. at one moment the 3rd base ump tries to get him to shut up.
dude, the one right at the end where they have the dinner ot save the Bluths.
where they serve raw chicken and they get the gift bags with the psycho notes from Tobias was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I still just roll over it, just thinking about it.
is that my daughter doesn’t like the song. I don’t like it. But my wife is absolutely adamant against the song. It’s amusing to watch her get agitated about it.
Nice. Can I just register my fury, though, at seeing
Bailey up in the 8th? Thank God Ziggy got the DP or we might have seen yet another 4-5 out save try – back to back days – from a guy whose arm is only marginally attached to his body now. At some point you just have to let your other guys try to get important outs.
Even so, you don't want to give Furcal a chance to put it in play that hard,
which you do by speeding up his bat and letting him extend his arms. Cutters in and you get more swing-throughs and pop ups (not that we can catch those).
and Furcal will be 10 feet off of 1B when the ball is thrown to 1B. Nothing Furcal can do; you work on that in spring training so you know what to do in situations like this.
Play it through in your mind; Furcal’s dead to rights, either tagged out or in a rundown, and Hudson is out by 40 feet. You have to make the right play.
and turn over the table with the postgame spread while yelling, “THIS IS WHAT AN ERROR TASTES LIKE! NOW F-ING ENJOY IT!” Then I storm out of the locker room.
Springer in the game....nooooooooooooooooooooo.............
kitoko - June 17, 2009
Good dog!
Nico - June 17, 2009
With dogs it's amazing how much better results you can get
with positive motivation.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
roomy.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Are you Markenson?
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
Marquez'son
close
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
Nice
I’ll give you that one since you’re running a tip-top winning thread(s)
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
he does keep the riff raff out.
the rough trade.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
so far
Hope I didn’t jinx it. If so, blame Bloom.
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
BLAME IT ON THE BLO--OO-OOOM....
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Can we survive three more innings?
Rated-R Superstar - June 17, 2009
I was going to say "escape" with a win, but survive is much better
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
I feel litigation coming from that headline.
adragon - June 17, 2009
And yet, I like it!
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
me too
iglew - June 17, 2009
Me too
I think Jack might have a different opinion
adragon - June 17, 2009
not that hteres anything wrong with that
{sorry had to say it}
adragon - June 17, 2009
theres*
adragon - June 17, 2009
So you should.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
Here's the muscle behind this operation right here
LOL
sorry couldn’t say that with a straight face
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Cahill has no earned runs which is great
He thanks his mates for the errors which cut his night shorter than it should have and exposed us to the underbelly
So far so good.
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Stupid errors
we hates them
MobiusKlein - June 17, 2009
we hates them don't we precious...
adragon - June 17, 2009
Cahill was our birthday presents wasn't it, yesss precious
Errors! We hates you forever!
worldblee - June 17, 2009
aaahaaaaah
(falls into mt Davis)
MobiusKlein - June 17, 2009
Belt one out Nomar!!
We need that run back
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Thanks LB for rounding up the tardy ones (like me)
doctorK - June 17, 2009
67M throws me quarters to make sure everyone makes the trek.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
you actually deserve a raise
it’s time
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
*Hands him an extra nickel
worldblee - June 17, 2009
{bites nickel}
Gee, thanks, Mister!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Please sir
I want some more
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
EXTRA! EXTRA!
A’S TRY TO HANG ON FOR THREE MORE INNINGS! STAKED TO THREE RUN LEAD!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I actually like that musical
Shit, Bloom’s gonna get me for that one.
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
I'm thinking you might be same-sex oriented because you
have an affinity for musical theater, not unlike some homosexuals I may have previously heard tell of.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I got the lead part and then lost it two days later
after the Mommies at the school complained that a girl should be allowed to play the part. Pretty much started the downward spiral known as my life.
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
sad. you should write a book.
Or better yet, a musical!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
You're fitting right in.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
I played a nameless orphan
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
I was slotted to the Artful Dodger role
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
I was slotted to play
an armless and legless man in a pile of leaves, but I didn’t want to be typecast.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I've seen that in San Francisco
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
That's women's work.
iglew - June 17, 2009
Obi Wan Kennedy
You are our last hope. In this inning.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
I took it as a direct order
that I could not..
so… I just stayed over there…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
I understand.
67M’s very confrontational with his new threads?\
“You want it? You want it? Huh? Huh? You can’t have it. Nooo….you’ve been a bad doggie!”
{ahem}
or so I’ve heard.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
It takes a special person to stand up to him.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
You have to go hard at 67M threads, or don't go at all
(whatever the hell that means)
doctorK - June 17, 2009
I have no idea, but I dig.
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
no, you got turned on.
There’s a difference.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
there is?
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
one's esoteric.
the other’s visceral.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
"Fire Appreciation Night"
Not sure that’s how their PA guy wanted that phrase to turn out
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
FIRE APPRECIATION NIGHT NOW!!!!
Nico - June 17, 2009
lol
worldblee - June 17, 2009
We can all get behind that!
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
well, it's good appreciate the advances that our distant ancestors made
latrine appreciationg night!!
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
Why does Vince say "The A's have a 5-2 advantage"
With a question mark at the end of the phrase?
You gotta believe, Vince!
worldblee - June 17, 2009
For the last time everyone
Vince will say anything you write on the teleprompter!
Nick - June 17, 2009
I'm Vince Cotroneo???
Kallus - June 17, 2009
I'm Vince Cotroneo?
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
tie goes to the runner
Kallus - June 17, 2009
Whoa. Mind blowing.
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
an-ay-thing-ghhh
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
Oh wow.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
Staplehead in
iglew - June 17, 2009
I just discovered I hate the Gnats more than the slegnA
I was happy the Gnats lost tonight.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
you mean today
adragon - June 17, 2009
stanG
iglew - June 17, 2009
welcome to the club.
My realization came in game six of the 2002 WS.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I always root for the AL in the WS
Unless it’s Boston or the Yankees.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Never go in against a Sicilian when death's on the line!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Do you know the panthomime?
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
same here
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
Breslow
2 batters and 2 walks in 2 nights for 2 fails
That is not good
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Throw stricks dammit
doctorK - June 17, 2009
What fail. E-9
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Custian FAIL
doctorK - June 17, 2009
Oh My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trainman - June 17, 2009
OUCH! KLANK!
el campysino - June 17, 2009
Cust hates canned corn
worldblee - June 17, 2009
FRAK!
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
Ahh, the Jack Cust experience
I never understand why he tries to catch the ball with one hand.
Nick - June 17, 2009
really...
bad teams…they find a way…
cannot stand prospertiy…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
WTF????
god damn it Jack
adragon - June 17, 2009
It's the headline's fault.
Fricking 67M.
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
I. AM. ATHENS-CUST!
iglew - June 17, 2009
Here comes the rain again.
Speaking of, EPIC thunderstorms here tonight.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I love how Fosse says, "To my recollection, that's the first one he's dropped this year."
Nick - June 17, 2009
Thank GOD for the infield fly rule...
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Well, no, because that would have been a double-play without the IF fly rule
Nick - June 17, 2009
That's actually not true, Nick.
Without the IF fly rule, Cabrera picks it up, throws to third base, short hops Hannahan, it scoots into the dugout and two runs score.
Nico - June 17, 2009
WTF IS THIS.
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
Are you shitting me??
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Shit.You.Not
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Really?
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
Yes.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
What the hell is going on?
Catch the damn ball!
Synx - June 17, 2009
Is it little league night already??
Kallus - June 17, 2009
Pretty sure 99% of little leaguers make those two catches.
Synx - June 17, 2009
Is it white boy day?
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Marty?
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
Bueller?
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Charlie frickin' Bronson.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
We got everything here from a didlly-i-o to a damned if I know
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
He used thatl ine in Reservior Dogs too.
Lazy bastard.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I got two words for ya--
Learn how to fucking type.
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
SUPER DUPER EPIC FAIL
Only helped by the infield fly rule.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Praise God for the Infield Fly rule
doctorK - June 17, 2009
This is rediculous
What a Joke
Trainman - June 17, 2009
DEFENSE FAIL!
goldfish - June 17, 2009
Bob Geren
Please punch your team in the face.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
and if any of them have puppies, give them a kick as well
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
Two hands, even.
el campysino - June 17, 2009
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Number Two?
Yes, sir. They are playing like number two.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Great restraint there.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
O-Cab....Catch the DAMN BALL!!!!!
adragon - June 17, 2009
that goes for the rest of you also
(gives Raji a dirty look)
adragon - June 17, 2009
after custs, i divert my attention only to see replay
of OC dropping an easy one too… jeebus.
ak_A - June 17, 2009
stupid me
’splain that out please? yeah, infield fly, etc. but who exactly is out?
AV - June 17, 2009
The batter
goldfish - June 17, 2009
The batter. Runners advance at their own risk.
Nico - June 17, 2009
Runner can advance on thier own if they'd like to.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Batter is out, runners can advance at their own risk
It exists to prevent infielders from deliberately dropping pop-ups and then getting DPs or even triple plays on force-outs.
Nick - June 17, 2009
Ignorance is NOT stupidity
always the batter is out.
Prevents team in the field from picking who they want on the basepaths.
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
thanks everyone!
AV - June 17, 2009
Topanga would’ve caught it.
Rated-R Superstar - June 17, 2009
That’s what Shawn said.
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
I'd really like to see
Geren and or Beane just rip into this team. Ridiculous. I’m not a pessimistic fan, at least I don’t say I am, but good GOD. This team needs a cattle prod to wake the hell up.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Ya think?
To me THIS is why Geren is such a terrible manager. Who puts up with this and offers positive platitudes?
Nico - June 17, 2009
he should go out and get tossed
not for yelling at the umps, but for arguing with his own players.
Kallus - June 17, 2009
I just don't get it
I follow this team as best I can from 2000 miles away, but I’m tired of payin for mlb.tv to see this. Maybe I’ll just go see the Tigers A-ball team. They play better fundamentals than this.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
EXACTLY
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Folks, the IF fly rule was bad for the A's there
Without the IF fly rule, Cabrera can throw to Breslow at 3b for one out, and he can toss it to 2nd for a DP.
Assuming, you know, that the A’s can manage to throw and catch the ball.
Nick - June 17, 2009
all of these assholes need to be fined! Unacceptable.......I'm totally disgusted by this crap.
mrod - June 17, 2009
They need to be ripped in the newspaper
In public. Not in private. They do not deserve respect.
Trainman - June 17, 2009
1) TWO DROPPED BALLS? WHAT THE FUCKSHIT??
2) HE’S TAKING HIM OUT??!?!? FUCK YOU BOB!!
hero66 - June 17, 2009
Ziggy Ziggy Ziggy
can’t you see?
Somehow your pitching just hytnotize me.
And I just love your sidearm ways.
Ziggy, my love is here to stay.
And on and on and on went Bloom
He must’ve thought he was in his own room.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
badddddddddddddddddddd defense
the a’s defense is killing these young pitchers
tcelt - June 17, 2009
no shit.
mrod - June 17, 2009
45 errors so far this year
counting 3 tonight
3rd worse in the AL
adragon - June 17, 2009
Cabrera has two gold gloves though.
Thefirstletterofthealphabet - June 17, 2009
He should try fielding with a leather one, then
Nick - June 17, 2009
Throw strikes Ziggy!
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
He just did
doctorK - June 17, 2009
yeah not like that
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Ziggy does not inspire me at all
Trainman - June 17, 2009
And here comes a lefty
Come on Man, Get a fluke DP
Trainman - June 17, 2009
good grief
ak_A - June 17, 2009
baddddddddddddddddddddd
ziggy is sucking bad now
tcelt - June 17, 2009
Man, Ziggy is really not the same pitcher this year.
mrod - June 17, 2009
"We're doing pretty good on the putting the mitt up part of defense"
“We could get a little better at closing the mitt with the ball inside.”
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Tying run is now at first
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Did I say first!
I meant it’s at third.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Hey that s--- ain't funny ocab
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
yuck...yuck. i wanted to slap him.
Deborah51 - June 17, 2009
man oh man
ak_A - June 17, 2009
Crap
goldfish - June 17, 2009
shocking
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
WHAT THE FRAK IS THIS CRAP?!
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
yay.
we’re good.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
This is such bullshit! I can't believe my eyes...
mrod - June 17, 2009
Seems that the A's could use a bullpen
Hit4TheCycle - June 17, 2009
or defense.
Or offense.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
or a front office
or a manager
adragon - June 17, 2009
Kennedy again
Ellis gets that, inning-ending DP.
Instead, it’s 5-4.
Nick - June 17, 2009
Comic relief
Hey, at least this inning is funny.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
agrd,
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
laughing through my tears
adragon - June 17, 2009
3 pitchers i dont want to see in the game ziegler,castillo, springer….i hate bob geren please fire this guy why take out bieslor
tcelt - June 17, 2009
AK=Fail
adragon - June 17, 2009
And a Ziggy fail to go with it
Trainman - June 17, 2009
it all started with Bobble Cust to start this shit.
mrod - June 17, 2009
anybody know why the infield was in?
faninphilly - June 17, 2009
Everyone was hanging out with Snoop Dog before the game....explains everything
mrod - June 17, 2009
and on and on and on it kept goin'
the inning been around before my mother’s born.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
premium knowledge!
mrod - June 17, 2009
The Dodgers are coming back.
Who’s shocked?
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Its the A's.
swishergirl510 - June 17, 2009
no one is saying that the dodgers suck
but if we lose these games, both were our own damn fault
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Tears forming.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
This is pretty awesome.
Comcast is showing a replay of yesterday’s game.
LoneStranger - June 17, 2009
Wow DP...barely.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Fuck yeah! DP!
mrod - June 17, 2009
Well, we still have a one-run lead
worldblee - June 17, 2009
lord
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
Thank God for that
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Woo! Still in the lead!
iglew - June 17, 2009
i'm not sure how much solace that gives me right now
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
GIDP
second try good
adragon - June 17, 2009
Might be a good idea to add on
Trainman - June 17, 2009
...
Even with the DP, my confidence is low.
doctorK - June 17, 2009
DOUBLE PLAY!
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Cust to lead off. Another bunt?
goldfish - June 17, 2009
Bad teams have a way...
of squandering prosperity.
Teams like the Dodgers just believe they’ll come back and win…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
Bad teams play badly
I don’t think it’s a matter of “believing” — it’s just that the Dodgers are better at playing baseball than the A’s are.
Nick - June 17, 2009
So you don't think morale, team chemistry and attitude have any effect?
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Not much
And the reason is that there are successful teams with good chemistry and successful teams with bad chemistry, and successful teams with hardass managers and successful teams with laid back managers. And bad teams of every description, too.
None of those characteristics predicts success on the field.
Jack Cust didn’t drop that ball because of “leadership”. He dropped it because he’s not a good outfielder. Coaching and effort can get him to be somewhat less bad, and he’s not as bad as he used to be. But he’s just not a good outfielder. It’s not about desire or grit or leadership or attitude. It’s about skills and talent.
Nick - June 17, 2009
I think there are lots of teams with amazing talent that fail due to poor leadership, attitude or morale
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
So name them
and show me how they had “amazing talent” and how “leadership” and “chemistry” were why they failed.
Nick - June 17, 2009
need more grit.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Mets 1989-1993, Pirates 1980-1983 were teams I followed extensively and I believe that they underperformed
the massive substance abuse problems ruined those teams and the evidence is clear that the management did little to solve it. It was kind of tolerated on those Mets teams,
Those Mets teams were filled with club-house fights.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Substance abuse isn't about "grit" and "leadership"
it’s about guys snorting so much coke that they can’t play baseball well any more.
Yes, the Mets were filled with clubhouse fights. So were the A’s teams that won 3 consecutive World Series!. The A’s hated their owner, were managed by a mean-tempered asshole (Dick Williams), and are famous for fighting amongst themselves in the clubhouse.
Some good teams get along well. Others don’t. The last A’s playoff team had big chemistry problems. Some bad teams get along well (like this year’s A’s). Others don’t.
So, if your players are taking drugs or drinking and ruining their bodies so they can’t play well any more, then the team won’t be good. But talent is what wins, not grit or attitude or chemistry.
Nick - June 17, 2009
O.K. good point on the club house fights.
However, a manager or leader that had more control of the team could have helped curb those substance abuse issues. Unfortunately for the Mets the manager (Johnson) was often too drunk as well.
The Mets had K. Mitchell in 86. He was from the rough neighborhood in SD. The team thought that he would be a bad influence on Gooden and Strawberry so they shipped him out. It back-fired. Gooden and Strawberry and many other Mets officials have stated that that move took a strong tough guy (Mitchell) who might have kept some bad characters out of the club-house away from Gooden and Strawberry was a major mistake.
The leadership of the Mets collapsed with the aging of HErnandez and Carter.
Also, the Pirates of the 70s had a great clubhouse morale. When Stargell left the team fell apart with drug problems.
Also, on the A’s of the 1970s. Several players stated that Williams while not popular turned the team around by establishing a stricter club-house environment when he took over in 1970. Great story where some pranksters hid a megaphone from a team plane. He said took a hard line and said that the megaphone needed to be returned immediately or else. The team knew not to mess with him and they turned it around due to IN PART his leadership.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Your elaboration is true.
I might have said, “They believe, so then they execute…which re-enforces their belief, and aids their ability to win games.”
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
totally agree
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Then I think it's kind of a meaningless statement
Obviously if people don’t try, they won’t win. But the difference between a good team and a bad team is not based on who’s trying harder or who’s grittier. It’s based on who’s more talented.
Giambi and Cabrera and Garciaparra have been incredibly successful players, and even been called leaders. Are they sucking now because their personalities have changed? Or because they’re old and they’re not very good players any more?
Nick - June 17, 2009
It could be argued that they are playing poorly because they feel no need to play better
because losing appears to be tolerated.
Giambi shouldn’t have dropped off this much from last year due to age.
Team morale could be an explanation
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
You could argue that
but you’d have absolutely no proof, and you’d be wrong.
Billy Martin didn’t “tolerate losing” in 1980 and 1981, and the A’s shocked the world! And then in 1982, they sucked. Did they suck because
a) Billy suddenly decided to “tolerate losing”
or..
b) the starters’ arms fell off from throwing 90 CGs in 1980 alone, and they weren’t good players any more?
Honestly, do you think if Bob Geren flipped over the post-game spread that Kennedy and Cust would suddenly be good fielders?
Nick - June 17, 2009
O.K. On the 1982 A's
I had seen an interview with Ricky Henderson regarding Billy Martin. (ESPN documentary on Martin).
In the interview, Henderson had stated that Martin had been focused on getting fired that year so that he could go back to the Yankees.
Also, he stated that Martin was trying to get him to go to NYY with him.
I would think that a distracted manager trying to get fired would harm any team’s performance.
Now don’t get me wrong I mostly agree with you Talent is the most important factor in winning. I have been a coach for 22 seasons and have been a winning team. The clear main reason has been that I have had better players.
I will personally attest that your comment from above is totally correct:
“And the reason is that there are successful teams with good chemistry and successful teams with bad chemistry, and successful teams with hardass managers and successful teams with laid back managers. And bad teams of every description, too.”
My team’s morale/ chemistry/ my leadership hasn’t always been the same. However, I will not argue that team morale/ leadership is not important.
For me personally, the most talent team I ever had was a losing team, It was one of my early seasons and I made mistakes as a coach and the team’s morale was horrible.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
I don't think coaching is totally unimportant
but I think it’s a lot less important when you’re dealing with major league players than when you’re dealing with younger/less talented players. And there’s a long, long history of even ML people talking about “grit” and “coming to play” as a substitute for actually figuring out what wins ball games.
Here’s why I’m arguing against the meme that’s become conventional wisdom on AN that the A’s lack drive/desire/grit etc.
1) Believing that it’s about grit etc. can make you conclude that it’s not about how bad the players are. So, you’ll think, we can keep Cust and Kennedy and Giambi and have a good defense, as long as we get Bobby Valentine or the ghost of John McGraw to manage the team! Which, I think, is silly. Those guys are trying — they’re just not good, and a hardass manager won’t make them good.
2) If you decide that the players are the problem, believing that it’s about grit will make you look for…gritty players to replace them, rather than talented ones. That Bobby Crosby comes to play, and always gets his uniform dirty! Yeah, but unfortunately he’s not very good at hitting a baseball. So his grit and desire don’t help the team all that much.
Lastly, none of us knows much about what Geren says to the team behind the scenes. He could blabber happily to the press and then privately chew guys out for all we know.
Nick - June 17, 2009
Great point on Geren.
He could be blasting the team in private like you say or its possible that he is as passive as he appears.
I will say that whatever his motivation technique is it is not working.
Has his teams been loaded with talent. Obviously not. However, his teams are not totally devoid of talent.
I still go back to 2007. The A’s (who had injury problems all year) were a winning team UNTIL they dropped Milton Bradley.
Whatever the reason, it was almost like a continental divide that year. The team started to slump and they fell into a losing record.
I was obviously not there so I don’t know who did what or said what or who was in the wrong. Nonetheless, the team just wasn’t the same after that. Somehow the team psyche did not respond to that.
I think that when something happens like a guy being kicked out (which is basically what happened) it falls on the leaders (mostly the Manager) to lead the team out of that episode to victory. Whatever Geren did or did not do it failed.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Great discussing with you Nick. I need to go.
Lots of good points you bring up.
I live in Central Time-Zone, need to get up early to watch USA- Brazil Soccer.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
We're now down to only two possibilities:
Embarrassing loss or embarrassing win.
Nico - June 17, 2009
I'll take 'embarrassing win' for $200
worldblee - June 17, 2009
I prefer to think of it as
Amusing loss or amusing win.
iglew - June 17, 2009
I enjoyed that inning
It was fun in a twisted sort of way, as opposed to a slow-march-to-death way.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
you don't usually see the S.N. part of S.N.A.F.U.
so properly illustrated.
AV - June 17, 2009
On the A's team defense
The basic problem is that we have precisely 2 players who are good both offensively and defensively. You ready?
Suzuki
Holliday
At every other position, the As either have no choice (SS, 3B, no one can hit) or a choice between hitting and fielding — Barton or Giambi at 1st (for the sake of argument, imagine that Giambi can still hit), Denorfia or Cust in the OF.
And since the A’s offense is so bad, it’s understandable that Geren would want to keep the good hitters — like Cust and Kennedy — in the lineup as much as possible.
Nick - June 17, 2009
Yes
Cust is going to make errors, because he’s not a good defensive player. But you want him in the game, because he’s one of the few players on the team who can produce runs.
I’m no Geren fan, but he really doesn’t have many good choices. He can trot out guys who can’t hit or guys who can’t field, or in many cases both. That isn’t his fault.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
And I'd point out that Geren has been criticized already this year
for making defensive substitutions (like putting in Crosby for Giambi) too early in the game.
Nick - June 17, 2009
Is there anyone out there who thinks that the Dodgers won't score a couple more
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Bob Geren
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
Raising hand.
Thefirstletterofthealphabet - June 17, 2009
Brad Ziegler
is no longer a good pitcher.
That’s too bad.
Was in LA last night for the game, and when he game in I immediately thought, “Game over.”
RLangford - June 17, 2009
he doesn't throw strikes
everything nibbling down then he has to throw the meatball 2-0 or 2-1
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Jack Cust owes us a double at least
to make up for the dropped ball
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Took a nice shot at one
doctorK - June 17, 2009
He was assuming the first baseman would drop the ball
Thus giving him his double.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
\logical assumption if the 1st baseman is in green & gold
adragon - June 17, 2009
he tried
but Loney said no
adragon - June 17, 2009
ziegler was a fluke
Asfan4ever723 - June 17, 2009
He’s still decent.
Rated-R Superstar - June 17, 2009
Ziggy threw two sharp ground balls to 2B
Don’t blame Z
adragon - June 17, 2009
Missing Defensive Fundementals
In my opinion, I think the A’s defense with respect to fundementals really fell apart when we lost Ellis. I think Chavez and Ellis really were the glue that kept the defense on their toes. I had hoped that the addition of O-Cab would be a defensive inspiration, but so far, he’s not looking particularly sharp…..
matt45 - June 17, 2009
he needs to be dfa'd immediately.
mrod - June 17, 2009
the smart thing to do
why doesnt cust and giambi bunt all the time just to get the other team out of that shift if they did that they both would be hitting over 300
tcelt - June 17, 2009
the running to first would be bad for Cust's back and Giambi's knees
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
Good news is
I’m only 2267.17 miles or 33 hours and 16 minutes of driving to the Coliseum
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Have you considered taking BART to the Coliseum?
You’ll save a lot of gas.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
good exercise.
Okay I’ll play. Hold please.
{elevator music plays}
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
You might make it in time for the game
on Sep. 21
adragon - June 17, 2009
about...
42 hours. 2,941 miles.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
and I've made that drive. This time of year too.
good time of year to effing leave this shithole.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
it's against Tex
so you should go for it!
adragon - June 17, 2009
you guys just need a shot in the arm
a shot of comedic genius. Here you go, AN. Enjoy.
And you’re welcome.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
And here’s some awesome.
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Oh good, it's "Weedman" into the game.
mrod - June 17, 2009
si, it's spanish for "willy weed"
Kallus - June 17, 2009
here comes a lazy fly ball
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
not even to the outfield
weak……….
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
i was off
it was a pop up
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Might be a good time for Barton's first hit
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Any news on why Giambi is out?
Aaah the announcer just said that they had no news.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
Giambi Out...
I heard that the new 26" rims just came in for his Escalade…. had to pick them up before the shop closed.
matt45 - June 17, 2009
PTOGR
iglew - June 17, 2009
C'mon STAPLES!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
There's something I need to get at STAPLES
Just remembered! I need a hit!
worldblee - June 17, 2009
But they were out of stock.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Nah, they always have it in stock
that’s why he started the company.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Holliday 13 straight games vs LA Dodgers
where he’s gotten a hit.
Interesting, but not helping a lot.
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
I tried this last night and it didn't work
Try again
Mota is a terrible pitcher and we should be able to get to him
Trainman - June 17, 2009
agree too bad Giambi is out of the line-up
not that he is having a good year but Barton and Cabrera have no hitting
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
sorry forgot about Suzuki
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
2 s's tonight as well...nice
mrod - June 17, 2009
Holliday should steal third as well
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
and home for good measure
Trainman - June 17, 2009
No. The last guy who stole 3rd in this game
was out at the plate.
iglew - June 17, 2009
Can anyone tell what that guy is shouting at Barton?
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
It worked I guess
he made the out
Trainman - June 17, 2009
I just heard him yelling at Daric and no one else
I would say heckling for his fantasy team but….its Barton
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
he said
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
lol! Very good!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
agreed
worldblee - June 17, 2009
see guys, that's how you catch the m*&^%$#$%%%ing ball!
mrod - June 17, 2009
"It was fun having Lasorda on the air for ahalf an inning last night."
Yeah, KK? FOR WHO?
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Now might be a good time to have the entire Dodger hitters be on tge radio for this half of the inning
Trainman - June 17, 2009
worked so well for us last night.
Lasorda was a bad penny. a BRAD PENNY. Ha hA!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
i enjoy tony
i have this VHS tape (what’s that?!) of the 88 A’s season and toward the end of the tape they show his antics as 3rd base coach for LA. hilarious. loud, foul, and on the money. at one moment the 3rd base ump tries to get him to shut up.
AV - June 17, 2009
sippin' on an MGD....
he gets that fresh tapped taste in a bottle…
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
<dances in chair>
(Can’t type till the dance is over.)
iglew - June 17, 2009
do you do a side to side number like Buffalo Bill too?
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I don't know who Buffalo Bill is.
Well, I do, but not in any chair-dancing context.
iglew - June 17, 2009
You about a size 14?
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
I don't know anything about clothing sizes, either,
but I don’t think so.
iglew - June 17, 2009
quid pro quo
Kallus - June 17, 2009
What did Miggs say?
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
"I can smell your Cust"
Kallus - June 17, 2009
here's the funnier one.
for you.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Q Lazarus has one incredible song
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
But yes, there is much side-to-side movement.
iglew - June 17, 2009
Padres
will throw two guys up from the minors at the A’s in the first two games of their weekend series.
Make your own comments.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Oakland is 2-9 against TBA in his career.
Nico - June 17, 2009
Back-to-back shutouts
worldblee - June 17, 2009
I heard TBA is a good cause to donate to, though.
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
with your help, we're going to bring an end to TBA.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Speech! Speech! Speech!
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
I aprove of this message
adragon - June 17, 2009
dude, the one right at the end where they have the dinner ot save the Bluths.
where they serve raw chicken and they get the gift bags with the psycho notes from Tobias was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I still just roll over it, just thinking about it.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Hot ham water!
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
just hilarious.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
he kills us.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Pick up TBA for your fantasy team
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Can we trade PTBNL for him?
iglew - June 17, 2009
if they're lefties, they'll be on the short list for the cy young
Kallus - June 17, 2009
but wont being on the same team cancell them out a little?
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
that should be a wakeup call to BB
when the padres lowball you, you’ve got problems
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
This would be good news
except we suck against SP who are making there first starts
adragon - June 17, 2009
"that's how he gets chapped ass in a bottle..."
mrod - June 17, 2009
so everyone else in al west is .500 or better
Asfan4ever723 - June 17, 2009
Sorry Kuip....this is not a "good ballgame".
mrod - June 17, 2009
good in a laurel and hardy kinda way
not in a solid ballgame way
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
I *love* Laurel and Hardy!
iglew - June 17, 2009
Exactly. The standards have been so lowered in the organization.
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
"Don't Stop Believing"
An inexplicably popular song among today’s middle schoolers in suburbia.
My wife and I are banning it from my daughter’s upcoming party, though. There are some things that go too far.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Thank goodnes for good parenting.
mrod - June 17, 2009
What's funny
is that my daughter doesn’t like the song. I don’t like it. But my wife is absolutely adamant against the song. It’s amusing to watch her get agitated about it.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
It was on Glee
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Good move
let ’em find their own contemporary lyrics.
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
+1
Journey sucks flaming donkey gonads
doctorK - June 17, 2009
nice K Ziggy!
mrod - June 17, 2009
eveland likes run support
19 runs in SAC
Asfan4ever723 - June 17, 2009
Ziggy needs to be careful with the frisbee
Or he’ll have Springer out on the field chasing it.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
oh sht
ak_A - June 17, 2009
I'm an A's fan...FML
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
yay strickout
doctorK - June 17, 2009
Fuck me! another error!
mrod - June 17, 2009
DEFENSE FAIL.
FFS.
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
where the hell was cust
it’s not death valley out there
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
He's on the bench
Long run from there.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
on the bench?
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
Denorfia's out there now
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
extra innings, we'll miss having cust, AGAIN.
MobiusKlein - June 17, 2009
If he hadn't dropped the frickin' ball we'd be in better shape NOW
worldblee - June 17, 2009
I know
miss him in extras, wish he was gone on D.
He’s made for the DH rule.
MobiusKlein - June 17, 2009
It took me a while to miss Ellis
Come back, Unicorn!
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Kennedy is really sucking it tonight
mrod - June 17, 2009
thank jeebus
ak_A - June 17, 2009
could NOT say it better
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
Whew
Another big DP
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
HORRAY
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
DEFENSE WIN
doctorK - June 17, 2009
Ziggy rules!
mrod - June 17, 2009
Suck a frisbee, Dodgers
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Phew again for the 4th time tonight
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Ziegler worked his magic again.
Rated-R Superstar - June 17, 2009
that's what we pay you for ziggy!
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
GIDP
see Ziggy did his job
adragon - June 17, 2009
We're getting lucky here.
Must add on now.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
We added on when they called Kemp out at the plate
when he was actually safe.
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
+bunches of runs
adragon - June 17, 2009
This game is fun.
I love playing bad and getting away with it.
iglew - June 17, 2009
TMI
Nico - June 17, 2009
TWSS
{in honer of mikev}
adragon - June 17, 2009
Nice. Can I just register my fury, though, at seeing
Bailey up in the 8th? Thank God Ziggy got the DP or we might have seen yet another 4-5 out save try – back to back days – from a guy whose arm is only marginally attached to his body now. At some point you just have to let your other guys try to get important outs.
Nico - June 17, 2009
Agree with that
Bailey shouldn’t be trying to get multiple-inning saves on back-to-back days.
The A’s are not a contender and shouldn’t be abusing their young pitchers.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Bailey is my hero!
mrod - June 17, 2009
Thank you...
mrod - June 17, 2009
Watchin these A's play is making me old...I'm 21 and soon to be grey and balding
AHHHH
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
join the club....
mrod - June 17, 2009
dude, my hair started falling out when i was 17
little sympathy
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
Well I exaggerated a bit
And no way…17? Is that dog years?
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
yeah, serious
my greatest regret in life is that i shall never be able to use Just For Men… Touch of Grey
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
no problem....dialed up just for you.
mrod - June 17, 2009
is that from planet of the apes?
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
No....Grateful Dead video of "Touch Of Grey"
mrod - June 17, 2009
well, i wasn't far off
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
I will get by.
Well, right up to that last trip to Serenity Knolls, there, Jerry.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
RIP big fella.
mrod - June 17, 2009
May I suggest hair dye and Rogaine?
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Hmm I've settled on beer so far tonight.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Registration??
back at the front desk please…
…did you pay for this room??
…let’s see your key…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
I want to see a Belisario-Asdrubal match-up.
iglew - June 17, 2009
Has Asdrubal Cabrera ever faced Anibal Sanchez?
Nick - June 17, 2009
When they were boys, were they fans of Scipio Spinks?
iglew - June 17, 2009
O-Hud
showing O-Cab & AK how it is done
adragon - June 17, 2009
to be fair
he had a lot of time – has cabrera been that slow all season and i’ve just not noticed?
or has he just started trying less
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
I was wondering if OrCa took a side trip to Starbucks on that grounder
doctorK - June 17, 2009
Here is a cliff
here is O-Cab falling off it
adragon - June 17, 2009
To be fair
You were flirting a lot
Plus the way you bag cans makes me
Bothered and hot
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
See that, boys?
Take notes.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
OK Rajai, time to add on
doctorK - June 17, 2009
c/mon RDee!
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
hey, another hit!!
He’ll pass Holliday for BA at this rate!!
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
O-Cab...maybe
Holliday…I don’t think so
adragon - June 17, 2009
Davis is making the most of his 14 starts as he is hitting .298 over that period
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
Some bums took Jane Seymour's seats
It must not be the Coli because the attendants could care less.
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
Bottom of the 9th
call me f-ing crazy but I predict a quick 1-2-3 w/ Bailey in the 9th. I know. Makes no sense at all. Just a gut feeling….. A’s 5-4.
matt45 - June 17, 2009
Are they going to play Enter Sandman?
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
I was just thinking which Bailey is going to show up?
adragon - June 17, 2009
anyone with me on this one?
matt45 - June 17, 2009
it depends on if the defense is involved
Deborah51 - June 17, 2009
what i'd tell ya?
Deborah51 - June 17, 2009
Davis with a little hustle!
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
Thank god some one has it.
Raj is growing on me.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
Like a fungus?
el campysino - June 17, 2009
But that sucked.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
There's no denying
That you have to appreciate Davis’ hustle.
Hit4TheCycle - June 17, 2009
Too bad we don't have Springer to bat here
worldblee - June 17, 2009
..or FRod
I’d pay $50 to see that in a MLB game…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
I was trying to set up:
“Because he loves walks”
Because he’s a DOG. Get it?
worldblee - June 17, 2009
very drool.
er, droll.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
yes indeed!
saved the ball , too!
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
Did Cahill get his first big league hit today?
javaball - June 17, 2009
Yes.
Rated-R Superstar - June 17, 2009
yup
adragon - June 17, 2009
He must be thinking to himself,
“Hitting is easy, why can’t my teammates do it?”
javaball - June 17, 2009
Gun'd down.
Sigh. That kind of night
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
It's like they know he was running...
Hit4TheCycle - June 17, 2009
Rajai is not good at stealing bases
FAIL
doctorK - June 17, 2009
doctor, he's not really good at anything.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Fail!
mrod - June 17, 2009
Laughed IRL.
Needed that.
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
i found this one eariler in the week and had the whole office laughing
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
What the hell is Rajai clapping at?
“Good job on that call ump, I was out by a mile!”
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
he was just showing his appreciation for the effort.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Hey, he's just tryin to kiss up. Maybe he gets called safe next time?
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
um..
he already had, at first. very clearly the ball was in the glove before raj was on the bag.
AV - June 17, 2009
He spared us a Crosby at bat.
I also clapped.
A'sian - June 17, 2009
He knows his playing days are numbered and wants the A's to see him as management material.
el campysino - June 17, 2009
Memo to Bailey: Against Furcal and Hudson,
run cutters in on the hands, Rivera style. No slow curvies, just 91 MPH on the hands, occasionally 94 MPH away.
Thank you.
Nico - June 17, 2009
agreed
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
this team is not very goot at getting memos
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
nice scouting report Nico
adragon - June 17, 2009
really
crappy cutters are the pitches he gave up the HR to Zobrist and ?? (fill in) on….
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
Crosby now pitching??
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
LA takes old school music to the extreme
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
what were they playing?
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Europe- Final Countdown
ohtobe21likehuston - June 17, 2009
ew,
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Lights out Bailey 1-2-3
matt45 - June 17, 2009
ready to hit the rack after a successful outcome - please
ak_A - June 17, 2009
so maybe all of our infielders are betting against us...
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
okay bailey this is where you gas him
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
omg
ak_A - June 17, 2009
Yep.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
this is a nightmare
mrod - June 17, 2009
naaaahh
just another $2000 per game salary day for A’s players..
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
wtf is this defense
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
Great defense by the A's once again
worldblee - June 17, 2009
seriously......everyone needs to get reamed tonight after the game
no matter what the outcome is
mrod - June 17, 2009
what the hell....
EllisFanatic - June 17, 2009
sigh
AK…not an error but
adragon - June 17, 2009
Another defensive fail
Trainman - June 17, 2009
And guess what Bailey threw?
Curve.
Nico - June 17, 2009
But that one is on Kennedy
He’s had a truly wretched game.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Even so, you don't want to give Furcal a chance to put it in play that hard,
which you do by speeding up his bat and letting him extend his arms. Cutters in and you get more swing-throughs and pop ups (not that we can catch those).
Nico - June 17, 2009
so who's calling the pitches?
Deborah51 - June 17, 2009
I thought it was a ball.
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Some please shoot AK now
doctorK - June 17, 2009
Today I didn't even have to use my AK.
I gotta say it was a good day.
LoneStranger - June 17, 2009
put crosby at short, for defense
Kallus - June 17, 2009
never thought Id hear that
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
His defense was never the problem.
iglew - June 17, 2009
not that, I meant "Put Crosby In"
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
Blake Crosby?
adragon - June 17, 2009
Pitch out NOW!
adragon - June 17, 2009
Still time to have more Errors than hits
Go A’s!
bobnothing - June 17, 2009
Ha ha. That would be funny.
But only if we still win.
iglew - June 17, 2009
Popped up bunts
And he caught it.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
cause it was bailey
anyone else would have booted it
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
finally some luck our way
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Something good happened!
Yay!
worldblee - June 17, 2009
well there's a break our way.
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Bailey can actually catch the f****Ing ball...
and so can Can-O-Spam
mrod - June 17, 2009
Fossee is all in... "One time!"
mrod - June 17, 2009
Bailey blew the way - let it drop and throw to FIRST
Retire Hudson, tag out Furcal, DP.
Nico - June 17, 2009
And that wouldn't be infield fly rule?
iglew - June 17, 2009
No, need a runner at 2nd
doctorK - June 17, 2009
Nope, gotta have 2 runners on, 3rd open and less than 2 outs
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
thanks all
I learned something today.
iglew - June 17, 2009
IF fly rule applies with bases loaded and less than 2 outs, too
Nick - June 17, 2009
Too much of a heads up play
Right now, this team is playin like they have their heads up their, well you know.
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
both of those guys are so fast though
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
Doesn't matter - Hudson will be out by 40 feet,
and Furcal will be 10 feet off of 1B when the ball is thrown to 1B. Nothing Furcal can do; you work on that in spring training so you know what to do in situations like this.
Nico - June 17, 2009
fosse...... good point but too too much to ask from our guys
ak_A - June 17, 2009
National league fail
A'sian - June 17, 2009
pop out bunt
=Fail
just drop the ball & you get DP
adragon - June 17, 2009
there we go
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
HANNAHAN!
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
Should be game over right now
worldblee - June 17, 2009
2 out
(wipes sweat off brow)
adragon - June 17, 2009
I understand Fosse's point
about droppiing the popped-up bunt and getting the double play. But if I’m Bailey, I catch the ball. I’m not trusting my fielders to do anything.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
good point
no prowess on this club…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
There's really no risk, though, bear88.
Play it through in your mind; Furcal’s dead to rights, either tagged out or in a rundown, and Hudson is out by 40 feet. You have to make the right play.
Nico - June 17, 2009
I'm not saying
Bailey shouldn’t have let the ball drop, or that he made some calculated decision to catch it because of lack of confidence in his fielders.
But that was my thought when Fosse criticized the decision. Something would have gone wrong. It had all game.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
OTOH, by dropping it Bailey would have fit right in.
“C’mon, drop the pop up – everyone’s doing it!”
Nico - June 17, 2009
yes throw the gas again
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
e lucky to escape with a win......yeesh!
mrod - June 17, 2009
one more strike baby...c'mon!
mrod - June 17, 2009
I love ya Blake
but die like a dog!
adragon - June 17, 2009
I smell a comeback!...oh wait..nevermind
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
whew!!!
monkaka - June 17, 2009
Ball game!
goldfish - June 17, 2009
GAME OVER
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
The name is Bailey,
Andrew Bailey
javaball - June 17, 2009
We win anyway!
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Ball game bitches!
mrod - June 17, 2009
Whew!
My heart is racing. Did we really just get a Win??
Wiers103 - June 17, 2009
i think he was safe
but i don’t care. game ovah!
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
finally.... sheesh, nothing is easy
ak_A - June 17, 2009
VICTORY CABB... I mean, WE WIN!!!!!!
doctorK - June 17, 2009
WIN
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
yay!
slump over
Leopold Bloom - June 17, 2009
weeeeeeee hawwwwwww!
matt45 - June 17, 2009
how the hell does a team like the A's win a game like this????
Kallus - June 17, 2009
once a month
ak_A - June 17, 2009
Shaky,
But I’ll take it! Celebrate!
A'sian - June 17, 2009
Yayyyy!
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
VICTORY!
ElQuesoCapitan - June 17, 2009
Celebrate (whew!) good times, come on!
Englishmajor - June 17, 2009
Yay!
That was one of the most entertaining wins this year.
iglew - June 17, 2009
That's the Ball Game!!!!
We win?
We Win!
adragon - June 17, 2009
drmmerchk - June 17, 2009
p.s.
BYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmmerchk - June 17, 2009
haha
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
i’m glad you’re here cuz i can’t find the pic yet and no one else will know what i’m talking about lol
drmmerchk - June 17, 2009
I find it funny
but Vin Scully is rolling over in his grave
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
how.dare.you.
drmmerchk - June 17, 2009
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
Win for the Road Trippers!
iglew - June 17, 2009
oh no more sad face pouty pictures
A'sfaninNC - June 18, 2009
I'm still incredibly embarrassed at the way these idiots handled the leather tonight
mrod - June 17, 2009
You're embarrassed?
What did you do?
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Haha! You know what I mean....
mrod - June 17, 2009
Oh God that felt good
We win tomorrow night when the A’s go to 11-0 when I appear at a game. I may even PH if needed
Trainman - June 17, 2009
you're probably better than barton in that role
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
or Hannahn, or Crosby, or Denorfia...
adragon - June 17, 2009
oh
and your off the hook 67M
adragon - June 17, 2009
"A good win"
It’s good in the sense that it’s not a loss. And a few players had good individual games.
But a good win? Only in the sense that it was funny.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
I like comic wins.
iglew - June 17, 2009
Me too
The team isn’t good. I ask to be entertained. This was weirdly fun.
bear88 - June 17, 2009
Rajai HR plus win??
Two DPs from Ziggy?
What’s not to like??
heheheh. Wuddajoke this game was..
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
Maybe Cust and Cabrera have "pop up blockers"
I blame Firefox.
Nico - June 17, 2009
hahahahahahahaha
adragon - June 17, 2009
nothing to be proud of
mrod - June 17, 2009
Athletics beat the Dodgers 5-4
inspite of many attempts to not
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
If I'm Geren I walk into the clubhouse
and turn over the table with the postgame spread while yelling, “THIS IS WHAT AN ERROR TASTES LIKE! NOW F-ING ENJOY IT!” Then I storm out of the locker room.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
Geren will probably congratulate them though
telling them no one makes error look as good as they do
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
whilst giving foot massage to AK and OC
ak_A - June 17, 2009
And releasing Buck.
Nico - June 17, 2009
I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that shit
mrod - June 17, 2009
and that's why you're writing on a blog
and not in the locker room.
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
I would make them take fielding practice until midnight (those who made errors)
then run twice around the ballpark with an 8 minute time limit. Those that fail do not take the field the next day
Trainman - June 17, 2009
Yeah, but how would we field a team with only 5 players?
worldblee - June 17, 2009
It'd be nice
but these guys are millionaires. They aren’t HS players.
“Tell it to my agent” is probably the typical response…
One won lost won - June 17, 2009
If Geren said it, that'd probaby be their response
If Scioscia or Piniella said it, they’d probably listen.
worldblee - June 17, 2009
great point
Yellowhorse - June 17, 2009
I'm glad it was worth staying late to hear the game
very happy for the win…props especially to the A’s pitchers.
wow…some ugly ugly defense…
OaklandSi - June 17, 2009
Ahhh, I can sleep easy tonight.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
Coach Cleats - June 17, 2009
Amen, Coach!
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
Told Pam we want to see that face too.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
glad they could see a win
hope they get to see more on this trip
OaklandSi - June 17, 2009
The shock and amazement face?
iglew - June 17, 2009
The "Oh" face?
mrod - June 17, 2009
Yes and yes.
lynnzgal - June 17, 2009
(starts counting chickens again)
one…cluck….two…three….cluck….four…..five…cluck..cluck…six…..
adragon - June 17, 2009
I don't know if I've ever seen a team play worse and win
Most of the time, the baseball gods punish you for such an embarassment
cuppingmaster - June 17, 2009
not necessarily in the same game
so…jinx!
OaklandSi - June 17, 2009
WORLD SERIES, BABY!!!!!
We are AWESOME.
Nico - June 17, 2009
a little later for Mindy to be up no?
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
a little late...doh!
Amnesiac - June 17, 2009
1974?
javaball - June 17, 2009
I tried to watch that World Series, but they kept interrupting it
with some damn game from 2009.
Nico - June 17, 2009
Unbelievable.
but I’ll take it.
EllisFanatic - June 17, 2009
RECAP
Right HERE
67MARQUEZ - June 17, 2009
Much better.
walkoff baltimore chop - June 17, 2009
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