It seems like each game lately, the A's try harder to prove to the apologists that no, they really are that bad. Friday night, Oakland hit "rock bottom for now" when neither Jack Cust nor Adam Kennedy showed much interest in a pop fly, but in front of a group of Little Leaguers today, the A's put on multiple clinics about what not to do.
Boys and girls, on a pop fly to shallow right, if the second baseman goes out, calls for it, and camps under it, the right-fielder should not -- repeat, should not -- tackle the second baseman from behind as the catch is being made. I know you saw "major leaguers" do it today, but it's not correct form. And when the ball is popped up near the second base bag, the correct play is not for the second baseman and shortstop to look at each other and then watch the ball land on the infield, even if that's what the green guys in cool uniforms did today.
That's right, folks. These days the A's are playing a brand of baseball we need to make sure Little Leaguers don't emulate.
Vin Mazzaro wobbled around early again today, surrendering 2 runs in a 2nd inning that also drove up his pitch count, but by the end of his 5+ innings of work Mazzaro had amassed a career high 8 Ks. Aaron Cook breezed through 8+ innings of shutout ball before leaving one batter into the 9th as the A's offense made the requisite attempt to wake up at the 11th hour. The 9th started with singles by Suzuki, Cabrera, and Sweeney, but ended with strikeouts by pinch-hitter Garciaparra and by Ellis -- whose shot down the left field line landed less than a foot foul, in a bid to tie the game or at least move the tying run to third with one out -- and a routine fly ball out by Kennedy.
Huston Street saved all three games in the series, and Carlos Gonzalez, with his two singles, a double, a triple, two walks, two OF assists, and silky smooth coverage of CF and LF, looked like the best player on the field this weekend. Meanwhile, Travis Buck, Daric Barton, and Aaron Cunningham are now together again -- in Sacramento.
And with each passing day -- each yet worse played game by a group devoid of any apparent energy, spirit, or high standards, and each platitude offered in monotone by a manager whose expectations sound as low as the standings look, and each non-move by a General Manager who appears to feel this is "good enough," I feel like I finally understand what it's like to root for an organization that is not committed to winning.
Why they aren't, I don't know, but I have just never seen an A's team that seemed to expect, and accept, play that would embarrass Little Leaguers. You can only talk so much about young pitching, and the somewhat distant future, when the now is so bad that it simply cannot be ignored -- except, apparently, by those whose job it is to notice.
1 recs | 215 comments
The loss isn’t as bad as the Josh Outman news.
Rated-R Superstar - June 28, 2009
what news?
ak_A - June 28, 2009
He could have Tommy John surgery.
Rated-R Superstar - June 28, 2009
The bad news is that he might _need_ Tommy John surgery.
If he needs it, we should all be glad that he could have it.
GreenNGoldSooner - June 29, 2009
Your last two paragraphs just saved me from writing my own rambling tirade.
Very well-stated.
I would add that at this point, it’s not even about wins and losses or “caring” about winning or not…it’s about expecting major leaguers to play like major leaguers. And to demand some form of pride in a chosen profession.
I really, really want to hear someone get some real quotes from Beane about what he honestly thinks about this mess. If he really does think this type of play is acceptable, that this assembly of coaches is doing their jobs to the best of their abilities, and that the A’s future will be fine without any type of position player corps to build around, then perhaps this organization is a lot worse off than I thought…
Taj Adib - June 28, 2009
my attempt at a guess/some humor would be
that someone convinced Billy that “pitching and defense” had become over-valued in the market, and that due to our small market, he could only choose to develop one of those things.
This of course, after being told that hitting was something they couldn’t develop from within the organization (really, who is the last A’s hitter to come up through the farm? None on this team). What was the line? Something about good hitting being in ones genetic code? Or manifest destiny (i.e. born that way)?
/frustration
popcornjames - June 28, 2009
Suzuki and Swisher come to mind
Buck, too, who should be in the lineup.
Helloooo 1st - June 28, 2009
The only reason
that I can fathom as to why Beane is playing Cust and Giambi over Buck/Cunningham and Barton is that he hopes they play well enough to get something in return for them near the trade deadline. Watching these guys play like shit day in and day out, while good young players waste away at AAA is getting old.
NateHST - June 28, 2009
He'd be better off not playing them and painting it as "Hey, we're keeping them fresh for a new team"
Because playing them sure ain’t helping.
I never want to see Jack Cust with a mitt on his hand again.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
I'm at the point where I think it may be better
for the young guys to play in Sac. They have a winning tradition down on the farm, a quality I would like to see them bring to the A’s next season. Will Ellis be the only infield holdover in 2010? One can only hope.
alox - June 28, 2009
Next season
a year ago we were saying something very similar. It is now “this” season and we are saying it again. Pirates fans can relate probably. We are in one of the circles of hell with each season having hope only because there will be another that might be better. I agree, this team is so bad you cannot ignor it and just hope for better. Time to patch the holes bellow the water line so we at least make it safely to shore and regroup for…next year.
bajablue - June 29, 2009
anybody else getting these ads in the middle of the page
not allowing me to click on FANPOSTs or any of those links in the middle? Or is my comp gone cooky along with the A’s infield play?
closetasfan - June 28, 2009
So tired of this team right now
They’re not even worth watching.
Trade Holliday, hopefully involving getting someone who can play 3B, and play Buck. Fit Cunningham into the outfield mix somehow. DH Cust if you have to do it. Play Barton over Giambi, who’s hitting like Barton was last year anyway. Start giving Suzuki more days off so he doesn’t burn out. Powell can fill in and at least get the occasional hit here and there. Get rid of Davis and see if Buck or Cunningham can do anything in CF. Do whatever with Hannahan. Nice guy, but he’s not a Major League hitter. Half this roster doesn’t seem to be. Get rid of Garciaparra as well. He’s wasting a roster space.
I wish they’d never traded Gonzalez.
Oh, and fire Geren.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
I can absolutely understand keeping Cardenas and Carter down in the minors -
heck Cahill and Anderson, for that matter – but in Buck and Barton, you have guys who by age and experience need to fish or cut bait in the big leagues now. And who’s blocking them? Giambi and Nomar? It’s ridiculous.
Should be Cust at DH, Barton at 1B, Holliday, Sweeney/Rajai, Buck in the OF, Giambi in Nomar’s “pinch hitter” role, and Nomar in retirement.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Yep. I don't want to rush Carter, Doolittle, Cardenas, Weeks, etc.
But I want current, legit Triple-A prospects up here now. I don’t care about last year for Barton. I want to see him either show it was just a bad year where everything went wrong or if he’s just not going to pan out in the bigs. Getting a dozen ABs or so randomly isn’t going to answer that question.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
Even if he doesn't, he's a far better defensive 1Bman
and Giambi is as likely to continue not hitting as Barton is likely to repeat his 2008 performance. More importantly, you gain useful information for the future by playing Barton and you sure don’t by playing Giambi.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Yep. There's no real negative to playing Barton over Giambi these days.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
I agree, it should be Bartons job for the rest of the season.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
It'd be different if Giambi was actually worth having in the lineup
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
Insert semi-funny comment from me here...
If the club can’t be bothered to catch popups, then I can’t be bothered to make funny comments
Gaijin_Suketto - June 28, 2009
$5m for a PH?
rather bourgeoisie of you.
rollierollieOxenfree - June 28, 2009
The money is already spent - it's a sunk cost
“We’re paying him $5M” is not a good reason to keep a guy hitting .200 in the lineup.
(Yes, I know there are other .200 hitters in the lineup not making $5M.)
mikev - June 28, 2009
I Have To Admit...
Sometime during last season I was actually hoping the A’s would go after Giambi and bring him back to Oakland. I thought he could bring veteran leadership and still have something left to contribute offensively. Boy was I wrong! Didn’t think it would turn out like this. Although I’m not a big Barton fan, it would be best to insert him into the starting lineup at this point and see what he can do the rest of the year.
FurVault - June 29, 2009
yea i would like to see what we have
Buck RF
Ellis 2B
Kennedy 3B
Cust DH
Suzuki C
Barton 1B
Cunningham LF
Sweeney CF
Pennington/Petit SS
and fire Geren
DSamonek - June 28, 2009
YEAH! BENCH HOLLIDAY, FUCK THAT GUY!
mikev - June 28, 2009
he would be traded
DSamonek - June 28, 2009
For?
mikev - June 28, 2009
i dont know i just except him to be traded
DSamonek - June 28, 2009
Giambi, Cabrera?
mikev - June 28, 2009
haha i dont care just not playing
DSamonek - June 28, 2009
Cabrera is an old, .600 OPS shortstop.
And that’s half a season, not a small sample size. Even Petit and Pennington can put up an OPS that pathetic, and they actually have a future in Oakland beyond this year. There is very little reason Orlando Cabrera should be playing shortstop for the A’s.
jeepers - June 29, 2009
Giambi is an old, .700 OPS "first baseman."
And that’s half a season, not a small sample size. Even Daric Barton can put up an OPS that pathetic, and he actually has a future in Oakland beyond this year. There is very little reason Jason Giambi should be playing first base for the A’s.
jeepers - June 29, 2009
Gritty veteran leadership!!!!!111
Just think how badly this team would be playing if he weren’t there. Plus, every five at bats he gets a hit. A whole one, not just a partial hit.
Nico - June 29, 2009
Only sometimes those hits are 8 at bats apart.
OldhamA - June 29, 2009
I actually doubt P/P have a future in Oakland
They’re being treated as organizational filler at this point.
Nico - June 29, 2009
Probably.
But they both have more of a future than Cabrera by virtue of being 10 years younger. Sometimes you get stupid lucky when you plug in a guy like that and see what happens. The A’s may as well roll the dice, because the worst case result is the exact same thing they’re getting now.
jeepers - June 29, 2009
I thought Pennington was being treated as a potential future
SS, being as they’ve not messed around with his playing time at all by calling him up to sit on the bench – unlike say Barton, Cunningham, Buck and Petit.
OldhamA - June 29, 2009
Agreed.
I can’t tell you how pissed off I am to see Cust in the OF, while Buck is in the minors. Unbelievable.
MrMoneyBaller - June 28, 2009
If I could ask BB one question:
where is “winning” among the list of priorities, and where does it rank relative to giving a job to family friends.
closetasfan - June 28, 2009
Nico, or anyone....
Have you guys heard anything from 860AM about their broadcast? Or lack thereof in the East Bay Hills?
Thanks!
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
Yeah, maybe Nico can pass along a word of thanks
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
It cut out completely for several innings yesterday,
but it was “fine” (such that it’s ever really fine) all game today.
Nico - June 28, 2009
I just can never get it... I was running on Shattuck today by Gourmet Ghetto and I could just not get it
I ended up switching to the MLB audio app on my Iphone, and there is so much “Edge” Network up there that it cuttouts…. and the pre and post game is also not available on the MLB App.
I really hope this gets fixed soon though.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
Be careful what you wish for
But yes, I suppose I’d rather hear these games than not hear them. I suppose.
Nico - June 28, 2009
You do. It builds character. And scar tissue.
attijah - June 28, 2009
unbelievable
I couldn’t even receive the signal in the f#$%ing BART lot before the game. I am constantly reminded that I am a fan of a BUSHLEAGUE team.
Brian in 317 - June 28, 2009
That's what makes it a worse...
… Being known as the 2nd baseball team in the bay is bad… but not even having a damn baseball station that we can listen to in the bay area just makes it even worse. It’s they’re trying really hard to make us not want to like the A’s.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
so they can move the team with little objection
(adjusts tinfoil hat)
Damn, still no reception
SwisherThresher - June 28, 2009
Seems like it's easier to be an NRAF than a RAF these days.
GreenNGoldSooner - June 29, 2009
I know people get sick of hearing it
At least the Bean apologists do but he is not doing his job. It certainly appears he is not trying very hard to win.
1) Having his bosom buddy manage is Strike 1 and Strike 2
2) Allowing players on the team who should not be here is strike 3
3) The way he does not handle the trainers and medical staff with players who have injury problems is strike 4
This payroll excuse does not cut it. He thought by trading for Holiday that he would help the offense. WRONG, the guy is a NL product. Not to mention that he got rid of Carlos Gonzalez who at least would have been OK out there in CF. His salary for this year would have been better off spent on three serviceable players. Mark DeRosa being that he is like a super utility player should have been at 3rd like a month ago. The guy knows how to play ball and drive runs in, unlike most on this team who know how to strikeout, pop up or foul out in important situations.
Like I said, the offense has declined for like 6 years in a row. I am not a rocket scientist but the blame for that goes on Beane and his wonderful philosophy of taking walks and hoping for a miracle.
Why is Travis Buck not playing everyday. Playing old washed up players is not helping the team grow
The offense is so bad that they have like a .311 OBP. so much for hitting or walking. The go up to the plate and look at strike 1 and often strike 2. The opposing pitchers know this. I never get upset at someone swinging at the first pitch. Even after 3 walks.
It seems that when the team goes down by 2 or 3 runs then the game is over and more often than not it is. There is no fire within the players and that is because we have a weak minded, over positive idiot running the team. Like I also said, and it’s a guess but I bet over half the players do not respect this guy as a manager.
He has killed the bullpen and those who he hasn’t killed in the pen have been killed by the medical staff who continue to trot them out there when there is an elbow problem. See John Outman. See Joey Devine etc etc.
This is a very poorly run team in many facets.
1) Terrible manager
2) GM not acting on terrible manager and not addressing teams urgent needs on fixing the offense
3) Trainers and medical staff not being cautious enough in preventing serious injuries
I could go on but you have already heard it.
The bottom like is Billy Beane is asleep at the wheel.
Trainman - June 28, 2009
And my spell checker made Beane in Bean
Trainman - June 28, 2009
If someone calls Billy Beane "Billy Bean"
is that a subtle way of calling him “gay”?
Gaijin_Suketto - June 28, 2009
I heard he was gay , is that true?
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
Billy Bean, the former ballplayer, yes
Billy Beane, the A’s GM, no.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Though if Billy Beane were gay....
…it is less likely he would have gotten married when he did, and thus it’s less likely that Bob Geren would have been his best man.
And, sad to say, I think that would have made it less likely that Geren would be managing the A’s today.
Looked at in that perspective, it’s a damn shame that Billy Beane is straight!
GreenNGoldSooner - June 29, 2009
Either that, or he would have hired his husband,
Bob Geren, to manage the team.
Nico - June 29, 2009
QOTM
Gaijin_Suketto - June 30, 2009
huh
Devine was a problem before even Geren had anything to do with him. John Outman, lol, is a young pitcher that throws hard. Most likely is going to have elbow problems. With Geren using kid gloves when dealing with our young starters, he has limited innings for them. The bullpen as suffered the consequences.
Glomar - June 28, 2009
I also remember lots of people on AN complaining about Geren overworking the bullpen
In fact, Outman himself complained a few weeks ago about being pulled by Geren when he wanted to stay in the game.
Nick - June 28, 2009
Yeah, I don't have any big issues in regards to Outman's handling
Pitchers just flat out get hurt a lot, which is why you need 7-8 starters in order to have a rotation. Far from being overworked, I think Outman has often been pulled pretty early when he could have gone longer. Stuff happens.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Play The Kids
This season is over. Bring up Buck, Cunningham and the other yoots. Outside of Suzuki and Kennedy the rest of the “veterans” look about as efficient as a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.
KCa's - June 28, 2009
the only thing to keep me from going crazy today
had been following the Rockhounds on Gameday.
Cardenas and Carter are looking READ GOOD.
6 RBIs for Carter, Cardenas is 3 for 3.
Sexy.
Just bring them to Oakland. NOW!
stranahanahan - June 28, 2009
Um, no.
mikev - June 28, 2009
Um, no.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
I'm not being serious here
I’m just saying that’s a team that has some offense!
I’m just anxious when the day comes and they are able to contribute to the A’s.
I’m in no way advocating rushing their development.
stranahanahan - June 28, 2009
Like mikev says, um no
Was Cardenas at 3B or 2B?
Nick - June 28, 2009
3B he has just been playing 3B only recently
DSamonek - June 28, 2009
moar negativity plz, guys
Obviously, the playoffs are very nearly out of the question for this year. I, for one, think it’s time each of us picked a few A’s storylines to follow for the rest of the season, ones that make being a fan worthwhile even in losses like today’s. Whether it’s something big and readily apparent, like the development of one/all of the young pitchers, or something small like studying the manner in which Suzuki sets up pitch sequences to opposing sluggers, I think we could all stand to focus less on wins and losses and more on some of the beautiful aspects of the game. I personally am very intrigued by Landon Powell, and enjoy watching his ABs even in losing efforts.
With that said, 860 AM really sucks.
And Cust should never, ever be allowed to play defense.
harenshair - June 28, 2009
But this is baseball... isn't the real point "Winning"
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
yes, ultimately
I’m just saying that in trying times, you kind of have to look at more than just wins and losses in order to get enjoyment out of the game.
harenshair - June 28, 2009
I hear ya.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
But....
…Nico’s point is that, looking well beyond wins and losses, this team is depressing. It seems not to be trying. Their manager and coaches seem not to care (and thus not to be trying to do their jobs). And the front office, in turn, seems not to care about the team’s on-field performance or leadership (and thus seem not to be trying to do their jobs).
Nobody at this point expects this team to win.
We do expect them to perform somewhat like major leaguers….and for there to be consequences when they don’t.
GreenNGoldSooner - June 29, 2009
And yes... 860AM is a joke of a radio station for our A's
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
My problem is that I could easily focus on things other than wins and losses,
if only the team’s play looked:
a. halfway competent in the basics of, you know, catching a ball, running to a base.
b. spirited, energetic, like there is life in the dugout and on the field
c. prideful, like I’m not the only one who thinks the current follies are not ok
I’ll take ANY of those and I’m getting none of them, so it’s hard to be positive.
Nico - June 28, 2009
The only thing that could make up for it- if they were players I knew and loved. Not for abolishing the union, just saying, I'll stick by and watch Joeseph Blow but it's harder and harder to root for the latest Joe Blow.
attijah - June 28, 2009
It is interesting how aggressive the team looked on Sat night in the 8th and 9th when the senior citizens were in the dugout
Oh, and getting back to Barton’s double: he hit that ball harder than any of the Rockies’ HRs that night. Really demonstrates the effect of the nighttime air at the Coliseum.
Nick - June 28, 2009
I still can't believe that didn't get out
Or that Barmes’ fly ball did, for that matter.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Or that Barton looked good in his at bats and was sent down anyway.
OldhamA - June 28, 2009
+1
harenshair - June 28, 2009
it's easy to look 'aggressive'
when you’re getting a lot of hits and scoring a lot of runs. That’s just what happens when you’re hitting doubles left and right.
harenshair - June 28, 2009
The nighttime air combined with 20,000 gnats.
mikev - June 28, 2009
Maybe the Gnats where actually litle Fairies...
Picking up the balls out of the air and moving them for us… well, until we ended up losing.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
don't the fans also have a responsibility to be spirited, energetic, and prideful?
Warriors fans have turned out in loud, enthusiastic droves for quite some time, despite year after year of utterly terrible teams. Many would say that they have been TOO supportive of the team, considering its dubious commitment to putting a consistently good product on the court under Rowell. Maybe staying away from Oracle, thus hurting the team’s bottom line, would show ownership that the way things are being handled is unacceptable. Regardless, the fact that the arena continues to be filled with noisily supportive fans shows something, considering that many W’s squads in the 90s and early aughts (and even the most recent incarnation) were far worse, and had far less hope for the future, than the current A’s team. There’s something to be said for the idea that a spirited fan base can energize a team.
Being angry about the current state of the A’s, while still being able to enjoy the things that make baseball a beautiful game, is one thing. Being constantly dour and defeatist about the team is another. I can’t understand the overwhelming hopelessness about the state of the A’s that I’m seeing on AN right now, especially with the starting pitching that we have. No matter what, there’s at least one reason for hope standing on the mound every time the A’s play.
harenshair - June 28, 2009
I see it a bit differently, I guess
All of us you cite are still here, still watching, listening, talking about the A’s — and the way they have played, it’s not surprising that the feeling is anywhere from dispair to disgust. At least we’re still here.
AN could easily be a ghost town right now and it isn’t. On the contrary, I see ten times more passion, spirit, and desire to win on AN than I see on the field or in the dugout.
When you’re watching what looks like a “budding culture of losing” and you’re still there saying “This level of effort, this level of play isn’t enough — they can do better!” you’re not seeing fans who feel hopeless so much as fans that care deeply — and who can’t figure out why the players, coaches, and management don’t show nearly as much pride over their own repeated lack of concentration, basic fundamentals, simple hustle.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Hope
Hope is a funny thing as it can come and go so quickly. For really the first time I feel little to no hope that things are going to turn around. It seems like the ownership of this team doesn’t care about today and instead wants to focus on some stadium that will be built in San Jose or Portland or maybe the dark side of the moon.
The GM who most of us on this site like and respect has been AWOL and when he does pop his head up we get the same bromides about the Bay Area some how being a small market and all the young pitching.
The manager seems to be a nice man who is in way over is head and he lacks all the things you need to be a leader of men but he still goes on with his happy talk and cliches.
The players are too old and the pitchers are too young and there is little passion or heart being shown outside of Suzuki,Kennedy and a couple of the pitchers.
All in all this team has made the great game of baseball, something I dearly love into something that I dread and while I’ll never give up on the A’s I sure feel pretty hopeless right now about their future.
sirbed - June 28, 2009
Wow
Well said.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Coming
from you Nico that means something, thanks.
sirbed - June 28, 2009
(takes bromo)
ak_A - June 28, 2009
+1
OaklandSi - June 28, 2009
I will be living without propane for a few months, so no hot water or stove. Wish I could uselessly swing at a ball and still have money for utilites.
attijah - June 28, 2009
this stayed, but my smypathy for the players was deleted. I don't who to pray for. Wah, and stuff,
attijah - June 28, 2009
Just gonna say it again- our players are miserable too. They want to win.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Nobody likes losing, but you'd be amazed how many athletes
are satisfied to “play ball, get paid” and be just good enough to keep doing it, rather than being the best they can be individually or as a team. You’d think any professional athlete must have the all-out drive now and forever, but it just isn’t the case.
Nico - June 28, 2009
You have a point. I remember hugging Chris Singleton after the playoffs and he looked horrified. I guess I was a mess with my tears and beers. But I was trying to say thank you, and how much the loss hurt for us, but how I still loved the team. Think he
knew he was gone already, He was bitter.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Or owners... Look at the other side of the Bay.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
How many of them don't care?
And how do you know?
sleepingcobra - June 28, 2009
On a happier topic, I want one of those Bumblebee Chargers
I know it’s just a regular Charger with a Transformers logo on the steering wheel, but logic be damned. Or the Decepticon Mustang from the first movie. What was that guy’s name? Barricade? Ballbuster? Whatever, send it this way.
(don’t think about A’s baseball… don’t think about A’s baseball…)
Joey C. - June 28, 2009
The police car? Barricade I think.
Yeah the yellow Camaro is pretty sweet looking.
OldhamA - June 28, 2009
What ever happened to the police car
I just watched the first movie and the police car like disappears and you don,t see him after that scene where they are on the highway and the bus gets cut in half.
robbo650 - June 28, 2009
classic transformers/g.i. joe
characters disappear all the time without explanation.
micdog2001 - June 29, 2009
That GI Joe film looks worse than Transformers 2, which is some going.
What’s even worse is that if you can’t even cobble together an enticing trailer you know the rest of the film is absolute shite.
OldhamA - June 29, 2009
well T2 has Megan fox
+100000000000000000
robbo650 - June 29, 2009
I still want the Stomper hand puppet. I don't care how corny it is.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Geren
So I checked the mlb.com recap for my daily Geren quote and today’s has made me angrier than any of his previous ones:
He’s talking about Ellis’ almost double but that’s not the point. He completely ignores his team’s horrible play and lackluster effort, instead choosing to focus on a foul ball in the 9th inning of a game where the offense had shown 0 life up to that point. Simply ridiculous.
Helloooo 1st - June 28, 2009
The guy just does not get it
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
Geren = "Does Not Get It"
The type of Geren quote that I hate most is the “Well, at least we got the tying run to the plate in the 9th”. I don’t want to hear about the tying run being at bat – I want to see the winning run scoring. Nothing else matters. If the winning run does not score, don’t try sugar-coating it – just say the hard truth, that the team just did not play well enough to win.
doctorK - June 28, 2009
Or for me, at least
“Well we gave it all we had” or “We played well.” If you can’t say either of those things, what the f*** difference does it make that the tying run got to the plate?
Nico - June 28, 2009
If it helps I'll hug you too. (but it didn't help Chris Singleton).
attijah - June 28, 2009
Yes, please.
Inappropriately, of course.
Nico - June 28, 2009
There's an appropriate way here?
attijah - June 28, 2009
Yes, but it involves a lot of groping and fondling
and is illegal in 23 states. Fortunately, “drunken stupor” is not one of them so most of us are ok.
Nico - June 28, 2009
(Nico) and {Nico} and [Nico]
Hugs abound! Surely some of those were inappropiate, But I’m not computer savvy enough to be sure. Things were so much simpler with Chris Singleton. (you know, llike instant hate.)
attijah - June 28, 2009
Has anyone seen my pants?
He’s good.
Nico - June 28, 2009
I had a cat name Nicodemus. He died on my birthdday. Just saying.
attijah - June 28, 2009
I kicked my cat in his big furry ass!
His name was Geren. Just saying.
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
I'm calling PETA. And I'm in a huff.
attijah - June 28, 2009
what the fuck is a huff?
Is that something Geren consults for his baseball advise?
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
I think if you suck on an aerosal can you learn what a huff is. Or just the synonym for a fit,
attijah - June 28, 2009
Hope that didn't come out wrong. Chris was bitter to me. I like you Nico.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Didn't mean to offend you, Nico. I was just kidding around. Sorry,
attijah - June 28, 2009
I can't believe you said that. You probably REALLY pissed him off.
mikev - June 28, 2009
If anything I probably owe my cat, Nicodemus, an apology for tying his death to this sorry team. Much as I love this team, I loved my Nico more. Natch.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Ohhhh. I get it now. I'm the funny gay guy who crushes on the regs! Damn this vajayjay. :/
attijah - June 29, 2009
The guy is the ultimate in meaningless positivity and optimism
“Oh, it was great that we rallied in the 9th. Did you see how close that ball was to landing fair? We probably would have won then.”
Yeah? Well, how about playing better overall, especially from the offense, the first eight innings? How about not needing to stage a rally in the last one just to make it interesting?
Just because the team ACTUALLY got a few people on and scored a run in their last AB doesn’t erase the fact that the rest of the game they SUCKED.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
Geren is just killing me this year...
I wish we could all sleepwalk through our jobs like he does and when called on it, simply shrug and say how much we like our effort….Please fire this guy and let him go home and stare at the wall where he is clearly most comfortable.
WannaBeGM - June 28, 2009
Geren really reminds me of former OU Sooners football coach John Blake
…whose team played terrible game after terrible game. And after each, Blake would praise his team and say how close they’d come to winning.
As soon as they fired his sorry ass, and hired Bob Stoops, OU started winning again. And, in fact, Stoops’s one national championship team featured Blake’s recruits. Blake was a fine judge of talent (and an out-of-this-world recruiter…he got first rate talent to come to a program that he’d driven into the ditch). He just couldn’t coach to save his life.
I know that coaching is much, much more important in college football than major league baseball.
Still Geren is the baseball equivalent of Blake.
He’s gotta go. ASAP.
GreenNGoldSooner - June 29, 2009
Quotes like Mazzaro's today are telling:
“We’re swinging it pretty well; the ball’s just not dropping.” The implication is that stuff happens to the A’s, not that the A’s have any control over what happens. In fact, Jason Giambi has hit a lot of balls very hard to the right side, where there is tons of defense ready to take away hits. The A’s mentality seems to be, “Well he’s hitting the ball hard. It’s bad luck. Nothing we can do about it.”
It’s not luck and there is something you can do about it — if you take responsibility for what happens to you, rather than acting like you’re just the victim of bad luck all the time and can’t do anything about it.
Geren leads the way in using every injury, every bad bounce, every close play to suggest that “baseball happens to the A’s and there’s nothing they can do about it,” when in fact there are aspects the A’s CAN control and they aren’t attending to those.
I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if a managerial change coincided with the A’s playing far better baseball. There’s a limit to how much more they could win but less to how much better they could play.
Nico - June 29, 2009
didn't Giambi talk alot about how he was going
to go back to using the whole field, in order to beat the shift?
OaklandSi - June 29, 2009
Yup.
Nico - June 29, 2009
I imagine that was before he realised his bat speed had retired.
OldhamA - June 29, 2009
Geren is the baseball manager equivilent of the Family Circus
You just read his quotes and just want to groan, then shoot yourself.
DMOAS - June 28, 2009
hehehe
truth
harenshair - June 28, 2009
I dunno manager, I think somebody dropped the fly ball.
look! barfie is scooting his butt along the carpet.
ak_A - June 28, 2009
This is probably a lot of inference on my part
but the thing that almost all old athletes share is that they know they’re losing it when they absolutely know they crushed the ball/jumped high enough for the pick/swished the jumper — and it doesn’t happen.
I think that Giambi, Cabrera, and Nomar are all going through this right now. Giambi probably can’t believe he’s swinging through all those 91 mph fastballs on the inside half that he used to hit halfway to the Caldecott Tunnel. Nomar can’t believe he’s not slashing line drives instead of hitting DP after DP. Cabrera can’t believe he’s dropping popups or fumbling grounders that he used to handle easily.
I haven’t seen any quotes from Nomar, but Cabrera’s “I suck” self-assessment and Giambi’s, “I’ll be fine when the weather warms up” rap tell me that they’re wrestling with doubts.
So maybe those guys are approaching the game not with a plan, but with a doubt. “Okay, I think it’ll be alright if I do this…” leading to tentativeness, and mistakes, and frustrated looks on their faces and bad body language. Whereas some of the younger guys at least believe (rightly or wrongly) that they can do it, so they look like they’re working a plan and expecting it to succeed.
Or maybe it’s all inference on my part.
Nick - June 28, 2009
Baseball's mental conditioning is pathetic
Players should be required to meditate and do yoga and live celibate in dorms.
Gaijin_Suketto - June 28, 2009
The dorms must have changed since I was in school.
Nico - June 28, 2009
We may have been semi-celibate....
but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
alox - June 28, 2009
that's not called "being celibate"
it’s called “being unlucky”
OaklandSi - June 29, 2009
Good point -
If I didn’t have a pulled groin, and she weren’t shifted that way, my balls would have dropped.
Nico - June 29, 2009
(Geren): "hey, but you almost scored!"
OaklandSi - June 29, 2009
I'm 28, been an A's fan since I could walk...
And this is the hardest it’s ever been to be a fan. This team is just wretched top to bottom. In other bad years since I’ve been a fan, I don’t recall such a lazy, who-cares attitude from the players, such ineptitude from the manager, and on top of it all, such a massive failure of fundamentals. To me, the dropped pop flies and other fundamentals failures are a symptom of the team – these are all very good baseball players (relatively, I mean – they’ve at least excelled at SOME competitive level) who have the physical ability to make routine plays and even score a run from time to time. But there is something going on right now, where they are making the most boneheaded errors in all facets of the game, and there doesn’t seem to be any accountability.
And these errors are just poison icing on a disgusting cake – the cough that indicates cancer is lurking in the body. We are turning into the Giants of the past few years, a team that keeps broken-down vets in the field at the expense of even TRYING the youngsters. Can you believe I am jealous of the Giants right now? They are not much better than us offensively and yet they seem a world away. We have nothing CLOSE to Pablo Sandoval, either, a guy who is (a) very good and (b) reminds you that these players love playing (closest thing we have is Braden, but we need SOME sort of sparkplug on offense).
Sigh. I am paying way too much for cable right now and it no longer seems worth Comcast’s exhorbitant price just to watch inevitable awfulness day after day.
/train of thought rant
ORthey - June 28, 2009
Another really well-put series of thoughts, IMO
It’s the seeming lack of accountability, and mistakes in areas that DON’T have to do with physical/talent limitations that are so disappointing. Basically, Braden and Suzuki are worth watching because they are alive, while Cahill, Anderson, Mazzaro, Bailey show some talent and that’s good too. Everyone else is just “gettin’ in their swings.”
Nico - June 28, 2009
This goes right to the manager
It’s up to the manager to make sure nobody is just “getting in their swings,” going through the motions.
richwol1 - June 28, 2009
This is why I believe managers impact W/L more than is traditionally assumed
Not due to tactical decision making, but rather due to the culture of expectations, focus, and so on that leadership entails.
Under a Jim Leyland type, or a Joe Maddon type, or a Mike Scioscia type, I don’t think for a minute that Hannahan would be hitting .280 or that Cust would be an above-average fielder or that the A’s would be 5 games over .500 right now.
But I don’t for a minute believe the A’s record would be as bad as it is either, because I don’t believe they would be playing with as little urgency as I’m seeing, because I don’t think Leyland or Maddon or Scioscia would allow it.
The quality of play, even if not great, would be better and the team’s performance, even if not great, would be better, under leadership that conveyed, “I expect, and require, everything you have to give.”
Nico - June 28, 2009
Exactly.
The personality types you mention would force the issue with the front office or with the players. Somebody would be forced to act, either the players by performing or the FO by firing the manager. The status quo we currently enjoy would be wholly unacceptable to Sweet Lou.
alox - June 28, 2009
As an example, Sweet Lou is someone who would probably
soon wear out his welcome and who may not be the greatest manager long-term. Yet he’d still probably help this team, right now, develop a healthier sense of what it means to take the field for a major league baseball game. This group is, IMO, developing some dangerous bad habits.
Nico - June 28, 2009
Basically, Geren has given the team an excuse to be terrible as long as they have one inning where they make a small threat to win
That’s enough for him, evidently.
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
Kennedy deserves mention, too.
I don’t get the feeling that he’s just mailing it in quite as much as most of his teammates are.
GreenNGoldSooner - June 29, 2009
To me, Suzuki and Kennedy are the two guys who play the game right: hard, grinding out
every AB, every play. I wish I could name more but those are the two that come to mind as I watch each game.
Nico - June 29, 2009
Sweeney
when he is not injured
robbo650 - June 29, 2009
Okay, Billy, the time has come....
You just lost your best starter for the season. Your best starter from last season doesn’t appear to be coming back any time soon. Your veterans aren’t playing well. And your manager
-well, the team has no spirit, no energy, and is playing sloppy crappy ball. It’s time to make the changes, to wit:1. Replace Bob Geren. A team with no life, no energy, and no sharpness
-the one thing a manager can do is lead, and this guy isn’t leading. There’s no fire. It’s true that guys play for money, but hell, it’s still a game-and from that viewpoint, there needs to be cheerleading and punishment, if necessary. Geren just sits there as things play out. Perfect example: against Lincecum with Cust batting second (meaning his first priority is to get on base), it was obvious the guy was lost ….after one strike, Sandoval moved over to second base, leaving most of the field free for bunt single after bunt single. Instead, Cust struck out four times. Now granted, he could’ve bunted on his own…but Geren should have forced the issue. The A’s needed base runners, not five-run homers with nobody aboard. Geren doesn’t deal with a pressing team, he does nothing. Huston Street’s pointed comments the other day should have affect. While it’s true that in the long run, a manager doesn’t seem all that important. In the short run, he makes or breaks a team. Get rid of this guy. He’s the worst manager the A’s have seen since Jackie Moore.2. Try to trade Nomar Garciaparra, or let him go. Try to trade Jason Giambi or let him go. Earlier in the season, these guys were important because it looked like their mere presence would help the youngsters. But now
-they’re blocking Barton from getting a good chance to play first base regularly, or even Everidge if he’s ready by August. Garciaparra is fine if he can be the regular DH … but Giambi has nothing left in the tank.3. Trade Holliday if the price is right. Don’t trade him if it’s not. You need at least one professional hitter on the team to accompany Kennedy and Suzuki.
4. Bench Jack Cust. Or better yet, trade him. Keeping him on the team prevents Cunningham and Buck from playing every day, or almost every day if Garciaparra stays. Right now he adds nothing to the team. He can’t hit, he strikes out all the time, he’s either too patient or not patient enough. And he doesn’t do the little things necessary to help the team. Finally, he’s a rotten fielder and his statistics would only be good enough if he were a great fielder.
5. You have a major league shortstop to spell Cabrera. With veterans at 2B, SS and 3B, Crosby should be playing almost every day, in each position. Yeah, he’s a crap hitter, but he’s a decent fielder and HE IS A VERY GOOD SHORTSTOP. What the hell is he doing playing permanently out of position?
6. Bring up Cunningham and Buck and play them in rotation with Sweeney every day.
7. Dump Russ Springer, and trade Santiago Casilla. Bring up some young relief blood and see what they do.
That’s a good beginning, I think.
richwol1 - June 28, 2009
#5
Who would have thought that Cabrera would be making Crosby look like a Gold Glover? Although Crosby is at best an average fielder, not very good.
MrMoneyBaller - June 28, 2009
Right On richwol1
Very good analysis.
I’ve been watching the A’s since 1971. This is the most difficult year for watching the team I’ve had. It seems that the worse Cust and Giambi play, both offensively and defensively, the more they solidify their position for more playing time! I do not understand it. Is there never a reward for poor play, like a few days on the bench? I went to all three Rocky games. Cust—poor defense, strike outs, never bunting to a wide open left side. Giambi—poor hitting, marginal fielding, and he’s batting cleanup? Come on!
Let’s get Buck, Barton, etc. back, get them some consistent at bats and see what happens. It won’t be any worse than what’s been happening the last couple of weeks. And take away all of Cust’s gloves! Do not let him play in the field! Please!
rcodd - June 28, 2009
A good beginning would be ....
getting rid of current management. Look at the roster and moves and you can see that Wolff and Beane are going to sabatoge the ballclub so they can move. They want the worst record possible. It’s not fair to loyal fan’s to see this garbage on the field. Not only that, improvements are not worth mentioning since they only want to run this ballclub to the ground. Management is full of excuses.
joecooley - June 29, 2009
I disagree about Cust
He should be the DH, not traded.
micdog2001 - June 29, 2009
Look at his stats
He has an OPS of .724
That’s unacceptable for a regular DH.
richwol1 - June 29, 2009
Much better for a pathetically bad RFer!
Nico - June 29, 2009
And...
His power stats are very uneven. He’ll hit four or five home runs in a week, and then hardly anything afterward. The guy is batting .225 and has barely had an RBI in weeks.
More than that, he’s starting to keep other players from getting regular time at bat. I’d rather go the year with Nomar as DH, alternating with various other players to keep them sharp, than waste DH space on a guy who has become the team’s foremost rally killer.
richwol1 - June 29, 2009
I don't think there's much disagreement about the fact
that Cust’s 2009 numbers are “bad hitter” numbers. Those saying Cust is a good hitter are talking about the .375 OBP, and the .850 OPS, seen in 2007 and 2008, batting average and strickouts be damned.
Nico - June 29, 2009
Nomar wouldn't stay healthy enough to DH, he'd find a way to
strain those hamstrings running the bases.
OldhamA - June 29, 2009
How would I write
a letter to Beane? Where would I send it? Is there any chance he’d read a letter from a fan?
I’m serious.
ORthey - June 28, 2009
So how long till Beane goes coocoo?
and crazy things happen..
We know he’s capable (see: throwing chairs).
Blicks - June 28, 2009
We should have a walkout
I think the pirates fans did it one time last year where all the fans got up and left
robbo650 - June 28, 2009
But where would you both go?
Nico - June 28, 2009
... ... ...
home?
robbo650 - June 28, 2009
That's how I'd know you're not A's hitters.
Nico - June 28, 2009
haha
QOTM tag team edition
SwisherThresher - June 28, 2009
nomar and giambi
I see no reason getting rid of nomar. Let him hang as a pinch hitter, it’s not like we want cunningham or others coming up to pinch hit only. Next year giambi will be this year’s nomar. neither are starters anymore or should be (let’s see daric more!) but why not have them teach a little bit while they play. then they could earn their money.
Real5 - June 28, 2009
I have to be honest...
And I’m sure I’ll catch heat for this, but I agree about Nomar. The guy really hasn’t been healthy enough to be a starter, and it seems like his stats as a PH are pretty much in line with the way his stats have been decreasing with age. I really wasn’t expecting all that much from him this year, so it’s difficult for me to say he’s been disappointing. Giambi is a completely different story.
MrMoneyBaller - June 29, 2009
Nomar hasn't dissapointed me either,
but he is still of little value to this team, especially as they move further and further from contention. So I think we get rid of the guy.
travdog6 - June 29, 2009
I'm disappointed that he's been on the DL longer than he's been on the active roster.
OldhamA - June 29, 2009
Meh
I wish I could say I expected him to be healthy.
travdog6 - June 29, 2009
I can see that one.
That’s a good point. But personally, I was sort of expecting it, just based on how his health has been the past few years.
MrMoneyBaller - June 29, 2009
Geren
Didn’t we extend his contract for one more year?
So I guess that mean 2010 is going to be another losing season.
YEAH!!!
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
Well, next year our excuse will be rookie hitters...
Looking forward to seeing them grow, but the record might be bad again.
cyke17 - June 28, 2009
Screw it.
Run Nomar out there until we break him for good, same with Giambi. That should only take another week or so. Then let the youngsters have the rest of the season to make their licks. At this point all I want to see is an extended spring tryout.
alox - June 28, 2009
Ya
I want Kennedy at 3b petit at SS Patterson at 2b daric at 1b for the rest of the year i just hate watching old a@@ players sucking(cough RAIDERS cough)
robbo650 - June 28, 2009
good news stockton scored 17 so far
damn 8th inning
robbo650 - June 28, 2009
I see you that and raise you this
Lake Elsinore 33, High Desert 18
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
This entire thread should
be emailed to Beane. I think it expresses our collective sentiment as fans far better than any bitching on a radio program ever could.
alox - June 28, 2009
Good point.
There are a lot of really insightful, and well-conveyed, points made.
Nico - June 28, 2009
amen
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
Ken Macha
Isn’t he in first place?
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
He does have better players
(And he’s a better manager.)
Nico - June 28, 2009
the latter isn't saying much
DMOAS - June 28, 2009
I wrote a whole thing about managers meaning essentially nothing
But I’ve deleted it because it was kind of snarky and I rather like you. Instead, I’ll just say that the only thing Macha did that struck me as particularly savvy was the when he bear hugged Milton Bradley and carried him to the dugout whenever he started arguing with the umps.
I don’t think it would matter if Geren was Connie Mack. If your fan base is debating whether or not Bobby Crosby would be a better option at just about every infield position, you are in some seriously deep shit.
Joey C. - June 28, 2009
Not disagreeing with you necessarily, but I thought it was telling how Houston Street talked about chemistry in the clubhouse and a general
attitude of everyone being responsible for the team’s success. He made it seem like everyone was held to task- presumably from the manager.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Perhaps
I’m also a believer that chemistry is a byproduct of winning, not the other way around.
What we have is a bad team that is catching absolutely every bad break possible. The guys with shaky health went down, and fast. The guys we brought in— the guys we could have reasonably expected to have been improvements over the incumbents, even if we had no business expecting them to be saviors— have declined with breathtaking speed. The few games in which the offense has remembered that scoring runs can sometimes be beneficial, the pitching has decided to take a personal day. There just really hasn’t been a break in the favor of the A’s. Even the Kennedy pickup— which has been sorta nice— hasn’t resulted in a ton of wins or anything. It’s just resulted in another guy with a subpar bat for 3rd base taking over for another guy with a subpar bat for 3rd base.
A weak team that’s met with a lot of bad luck. That’s our season thus far.
Joey C. - June 28, 2009
Yeah, I get what you're saying. But I do think our rookie pitchers have an upside. They deserve a better offense while they learn their craft. But that ain't happeining yet. Don't expect much from G, would hope to see more from Holliday. Also Cust, Thing
is, this is the bill of sales we got at the start of the season. Bunch of unproven but perhaps great pitchers that would be bouyed by some veteran hitters, Neither has been great but obviously the pitching has outshined the hitting. Considering the pitchers have been rookies for the most part.
attijah - June 28, 2009
Bad luck happens to bad teams
We’re noticing the just-foul line drive because the next pitch is strike three or a pop-up. When good teams have bad luck, they make up for it in the same game or the next game. A team this many games under .500 makes its own bad luck.
As for managers
-- I think the idea that managers are meaningless comes out of the same pocket of conventional wisdom that says “clutch doesn’t exist.” I’ll go with Nico on this-a manager sets the tone for the team, and the result could well be better individual play, which translates into better stats all around. A well-run company usually is one in which management is “invisible,” in that employees are trusted to do their jobs without interference. But a well-run company is also one in which employees are motivated to do their jobs without interference. That’s not happening here.richwol1 - June 28, 2009
Why do you say this team isn't motivated?
Personally, I think people mistake not being motivated with not being very good. Do you really believe that guys on this team aren’t motivated when their jobs, their paychecks, their livlihood is at stake?
travdog6 - June 28, 2009
Yeah, in a way
I think we’re all motivated when our jobs, paychecks and livelihood is at stake. But motivation is also a tricky thing. People do better work when they’re happy. People do better work when a team leader gets them to do better work. There’s no question theres a special inner drive in anyone who makes the major leagues. But the real question is, is that enough?
I’m not sure how the meme got started that money and career are simply enough to motivate people to always do their best work, but it seems to be an idea that is only in the baseball world. You don’t hear that in the business world, or in basketball, or in football. That’s why there are people like “life coaches,” why motivational training is a huge business (granted, a lot of that is bullshit, but still, much is not). Why some coaches and managers tend to be more successful than others.
richwol1 - June 29, 2009
wait I'll take geren over macha any day/
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
Pitiful
This team defines the word underachievers. Offensively and defensively, they have looked terrible from the beginning of the season. They are lifeless. Some of these players look like they are simply mailing it in. They act as if they are 15 games back and it’s the middle of September.
My own view is that you can’t create a “team” when you have constant turnover. You need a nucleus of several players year after year. Otherwise, you end up with an assemblage of people who look good on paper, but don’t gel. That’s what is happening now.
It’s time to put the “moneyball” myth to rest. Billy Beane treats players like meat. He rode three great arms to success and his predecessor drafted two of them. He can’t seem to draft a player who can hit to save his soul. He makes a lot of excuses for the lack of performance of this team. He’s an average egotistical GM, nothing more, nothing less.
rovingralph - June 28, 2009
Right on rovingralph
I believe the majority of the players believe this is a revolving door oraganization. I mean come on! Most players know they’ll be out of here in a year, so fuck it! Take the money and the practice and move to another team next year.
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
Average egotistical GM
Right on.
IMO, he’s below average the last 4 or 5 years.
I am not going to sit here and list all the reasons why but he has no clue how to field an offense and I agree that his success in the early years was because it was handed to him.
The fact that he hires moron after moron for manager tells you he wants to control everything and also tells us that he is not anywhere the genius label that people like to throw around. Quite the opposite IMO.
Trainman - June 28, 2009
And I'm sure you were pressing this point all throughout 1999-2006
Joey C. - June 28, 2009
No
The last 3 years.
Trainman - June 28, 2009
I think that's his point.
It’s been bad for three years. Compare that to the good years, and it stacks up pretty favorably.
MrMoneyBaller - June 29, 2009
Beane's plan is to tank the rest of the way and
give Geren the number one draft pick and get “Bryce Harper”
MMunoz33 - June 28, 2009
I doubt they catch the Nationals
Flashfire - June 28, 2009
pretty close
just let geren smell his fingers again and we’ll be there.
Lucid Creations - June 28, 2009
LOL...
MMunoz33 - June 29, 2009
Someone should be held accountable, own up and
take the blame for the struggles of the last three years…
The person who I blame is squarely the General Manager “B.B.” He gets all the credit when the A’s ride high, (which he has) so it seems only fair to place blame on him when the team he assembles under performs!
We (AN) all know he is the captain of this sinking ship and at least the Athletics brass should admit the errors and work to fix these problems as soon as posible.
The first step in admittance of their guilt; Fire Geren the “lame duck manager”.
MMunoz33 - June 29, 2009
+1,000,000
Lew should chew Billy’s ass out and say “Put something on the field that can compete and fire that useless POS you hired for a manager and do not hire the next manager, I will because you keep hiring puppets”
Trainman - June 29, 2009
The Team Medical Staff
really should be put under a microscope. This is the 3rd year in a row with many important players missing time, both young and old. Outman out for 18 months from TJ surgery? Joey Devine? Duke? It just seems like the A’s stand out every year now as the team with the most trips to the DL. What does that fat, tie-dyed Larry Davis do all day fer chrissakes?!
FurVault - June 29, 2009
Devine had a bad elbow before the A's got him
that’s one of the reasons the Braves were willing to part with him. And Duke’s hip problems go back to before he was with the A’s, too.
Nick - June 29, 2009
P THETIC
TerrySteinbach - June 29, 2009
Now come on - there is clearly an A in pathetic
For that matter, there’s 25 of them.
Nico - June 29, 2009
There is also an A...
in TR FFIC J M and HOLLID Y..but the A’s marketing department forgot.
TerrySteinbach - June 29, 2009
Let's take a deep breath!
Beane is just waiting around for a great deal for his blue chip, Holliday. After the All Star Break, this team will look completely different. A lot of the AAA’s will be called up, Barton, Buck, Pennington. He’s not stupid, knows this isn’t working, and will make changes when he sees fit. And let’s remember that it’s only a game, and think about how many other things you could be doing! In other words, until things change, don’t make A’s baseball your #1 leisure time or any time activity.
Just trying to balance the perspective.
A'sfansince1970 - June 29, 2009
I agree with you that Beane "knows this isn't working";
but if I were Beane, i would want ALL the fans to make A’s baseball their #1 leisure time activity because it means more dinero his way…
I assume we (AN) just needed to vent and make sure our point of frustration sounded off with a bang.
MMunoz33 - June 29, 2009
I would not call Holliday a blue chip
His value has diminished since coming to the real league.
Lets hope some NL club way overpays for him. If he goes back to the NL, his numbers will go up
Trainman - June 29, 2009
So this is how Pirates fans feel like...
I have to say I don’t like it, (the weight crushing down on your soul). Dear Mr. Bean please fix this as I don’t ever want to feel this way again.
Signed,
Season ticket holder
adragon - June 29, 2009
Are you putting a stop payment on the check?
LOL…
J/K
MMunoz33 - June 29, 2009
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