Today's game was essentially decided in the bottom of the 2nd inning, when the A's scored 5 times off of Fausto Carmona and never looked back. With a name like Fausto, you have to wonder about sold souls and such, or perhaps my puppy theory has some validity. How else do you explain a pitcher getting high pop fly after high pop fly, only to have one after the other fall into a Bermuda Triangle of "lack of Indianness" -- with one actually clanking off the glove of Trevor Crowe for an error? (If his routes are "as the crow flies," then crows seriously need to lay off the liquor.)
Dana Eveland wobbled a bit, per always, but turned in a solid enough 5 innings of 1 run ball, while the A's picked up where they left off -- and finally actually hit the ball hard off Carmona -- in the 6th inning and finished with a 15-hit attack that included two more hits by "I'm a fluke but I'm also good" Rajai Davis and a 3-hit game by Adam Kennedy that included his 11th HR.
A few more thoughts, "Potpourri style"...
* Travis Hafner's bat looks slow. He seemed to be slapping at the ball just trying to hit it to the left side -- when he didn't swing late and miss completely. Between Carmona (3-12) and Hafner, the Indians may have two highly paid albatrosses on their hands. Remember, A's fans, it could be worse and usually is if you look around the league at other non big-market clubs.
* On the A's radio broadcast, Ken has been talking about Jim Skaalan's work with Cliff Pennington, getting him to turn on inside pitches. We saw a specific example of this today when Pennington pulled a double one-hop off the RF wall. One reason I think Skaalan is the best hitting coach the A's have had in years is that when we hear about specific work he is doing with a player (a toe-tap timing device, turning on inside pitches, a slight change in stance or approach), we tend to see results soon after that relate directly to what has been worked on. That's a good sign, and in this case gives at least a glimmer of hope that Pennington may be able to improve a bit upon his low slugging percentage in the minors.
* It will never happen. It just won't, burned bridges being what they are. But if the Cubs release Milton Bradley (who is now suspended for the rest of the season for trashing the Cubs in a media interview), any team will have the chance to pick up Bradley for two years while the Cubs pay his salary sans the major league minimum. Insta-clean up hitter at league minimum; kind of a Frank Thomas like opportunity. You'll never see this, but could the A's contend in 2010 if they could insert Bradley -- while paying him the same salary they're paying Pennington -- into the OF, platoon Sweeney and Hairston, and put this lineup out there?
Davis - CF
Cust - DH
Sweeney/Hairston - RF/LF
Bradley - LF/RF
Suzuki - C
Chavez --> Wallace - 3B
Ellis - 2B
Barton - 1B
Pennington - SS
Ah, Milty. Sigh.
0 recs | 228 comments
As much as I'd love Milton back
Wasn’t he DFA’d because of some disputes with Beane?
muffinpryde - September 20, 2009
The solution is simple
If Milton plays top notch baseball, DFA Beane
Hit4TheCycle - September 20, 2009
Lolz
ElQuesoCapitan - September 20, 2009
he did spar witih Beane
but Milton’s biggest problem for the A’s in 2007 was that he was never healthy enough to play.
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
FAUSTO CARMONA RAN OVER DEREK JETER?????
mikev - September 20, 2009
LOL!!!
grover - September 20, 2009
Quick, someone tell me what Brett Favre has to say about it!
bobnothing - September 20, 2009
He's God's kitty
Who I seemed to have run over. Apparently God isn’t very forgiving when it comes to his pets.
DMOAS - September 20, 2009
Milton yes
Yes there was bad blood for some reason we don’t know about. BUt I bet Milton Bradley has had bad interactions with everyone in his life and would be used to getting over it enough to work together for a year and 2 months.
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
He's kind of running out of new brides to try
It may be time to explore reuniting with an ex-wife.
Nico - September 20, 2009
speaking of which, he did well in Texas
can’t blame him for going for the big bucks in Chicago, but Texas might be willing to bring him back again.
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
Could the solution be Ron Washington?
Milton was fine in ’06 when Wash was still in Oakland, then Wash leaves and Milton sorta goes off the deep end. They reunite in Texas and he suddenly is a model citizen again with great performance to go with it? Hmmm….
Helloooo 1st - September 20, 2009
It's a great observation
LowcountryJoe - September 20, 2009
I think Bradley's contract kind of forces the Cubs to at least try to reconcile with him
It’s just too expensive not to. What have they got to lose?
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
I would have thought that with Frank Thomas and the Blue Jays in 2007
Usually when you’re sick of Milty, you’re sick of him in that “can I live with my ex-spouse whom I detest and abhor?” kind of way.
Nico - September 20, 2009
Thomas only had one year left on his contract
I’ve seen teams cut bait early in a player’s last year in uniform, but almost never with multiple years left on a contract. Russ Ortiz is the only example that I can think of offhand.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
Aren't the Yankees still paying for John Mayberry? :-)
Nico - September 20, 2009
Thomas had 1 year and a vesting option
and they didnt want the option to vest.
Zonis - September 20, 2009
I always preferred a cummerbund
grover - September 20, 2009
bradley almost as good at burning bridges he's currently standing on than hitting baseballs
9Custs - September 20, 2009
Per our discussion yesterday
We could sure use the upgrade in the OF bat-wise. But how long will the fuse burn until he implodes and trashes a fan/umpire/fellow player? Because it oh so will happen.
OptimistPrime - September 20, 2009
Somewhere between 2 weeks and 1 year+
Of course if it’s the former, you can just release him and if it’s the latter you win big time.
Nico - September 20, 2009
The reason why A's fans hate Skaalan is 'cause he messed with Cust
I’ve read a couple interviews by Cust this year and it doesn’t sound like Skaalan forced any kind of change on Cust… more like it was Cust who wanted to try some things. Look, the theory was sound: Cust wanted to cut down on the K’s when there were runners in scoring position, especially when there was a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs.
Cust had a bad year. I’m not too sure how much of that is to blame on Skaalan, on Custs’ back, and on the simple fact that the league has started to figure Jack out.
grover - September 20, 2009
I would never believe that a hitting coach
could impose that kind of change without the blessing — or order — of the manager and GM. We should all be able to agree that there’s no way Skaalan said, “Pssst, Jack, fundamentally change your approach — don’t tell Bob or Billy we talked!”
Nico - September 20, 2009
It could be all of those things.
But all the people who want to nontender a guy who you can pencil in for 25 homers and a .360 OBP are out of their minds.
mikev - September 20, 2009
If you can't make an objective argument against Cust's return in 2010, even if you want him back...
Then you aren’t capable of being objective.
’Course, this is coming from a guy who might be out of his mind.
grover - September 20, 2009
I think the only way it makes sense to let Cust loose
is when you have a 20+ HR player ready to step in — because right now there is literally no one on the A’s who is more likely than not to hit 20 HRs. Carter will definitely be that, Wallace will likely be that, Uggla would be that, Dye, Holliday, and Bay will be that for someone. But until that player is on the A’s major league team, Cust is far more valuable than to just get rid of him because he commands more than league minimum.
Nico - September 20, 2009
And that is a fair argument in favor of keeping him
But that wasn’t the challenge to mikev or anyone else for that matter.
grover - September 20, 2009
Wait what?
mikev - September 20, 2009
I think non-tendering Cust is a legitimate option
You suggest I’m crazy for considering it.
That doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy. So I’m saying anyone who can’t make an objective argument in the pro-Cust go bye-bye vein is full of crap and therefore… I ain’t crazy. I can make a sound, rationale argument supporting the position that Cust should not be in Oakland next year. I’m not saying it’s the “Right” decision, just a reasonable argument in the debate.
grover - September 20, 2009
Just to further the debate,
if the A’s don’t add any new hitter of import this off-season, how/why would it make sense to non-tender Cust?
Nico - September 20, 2009
I guess if people expect him to get paid 4.5-5M in arbitration
It would be financially sound to nontender him — if you think he’s only going to be a 1 WAR player next year and you think there are enough in-house options to replace him, or there’s another cheap DH type available on the free agent market.
I haven’t looked closely at pending FAs, so I dunno if there is an other option that could do that for less than Cust will make in arbitration.
mikev - September 20, 2009
Branyan?
Nico - September 20, 2009
PT was banging that drum pretty hard last offseason, wasn't he?
I dunno, I’m no GM, but I’d bet that his 30 homer season probably earned him a pretty decent contract.
mikev - September 20, 2009
He'll get 7-8M from someone, yeah
I doubt he’s much of a bargain anymore, and if the A’s are paying market dollar for free agents it should be for a third baseman or shortstop.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
2009 Cust = 2008 Branyan
That’s my theory anyway.
iglew - September 20, 2009
Here are the DH options as I see them
Carlos Delgado
Nick Johnson
Jim Thome
Bobby Abreu
Jermaine Dye
Vladimir Guerrero
Hideki Matsui
Magglio Ordonez
It’s not an inspiring list. Most of these guys are liable to be seriously overpaid, and the ones that aren’t are either near-done or have major, major injury issues. An added problem is that most of them are lefthanded hitters, which doesn’t square that well with the A’s lineup.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
I'm thinking that every player listed there will get paid more than Cust next year.
mikev - September 20, 2009
Probably
although… really… exactly how many teams need DHs next season? None of those guys can field worth a damn. There might be so little demand on that market that one of them falls through the cracks.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
Didn't Ordoñez' option vest automatically?
Or am I remembering wrong?
Nico - September 20, 2009
Yeah, it did.
mikev - September 20, 2009
Oops.
Enjoy, Tigers!
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
Thome's the only one that will draw interest exclusively as a DH.
Not that the others should ever be asked to field a position; they will anyway.
jeepers - September 20, 2009
Yeah!
Just like Jason Gia….m………bi
oh
cityplANner - September 20, 2009
I didn't mean that last sentence to imply that the A's should spend money signing one
I mean, unless he’s really available for peanuts or something.
Third base is the real gaping hole on the roster right now, and the A’s could probably use an additional quality outfielder. Shortstop could do with an upgrade depending on your opinion of Cliff Pennington’s skills. And the rotation would be well-served by adding a #2 starter. Signing another DH would come well after any of those priorities for me.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
I'm thinking 2009 was the year to buy into Abreu
grover - September 20, 2009
And Branyan
Nico - September 20, 2009
Id be more than willing to pick up Bradley on a league minimum deal
As for Skaalan, I think that reports of coaching followed by on field success are credited to coaches the connection is dubious at best. How often do you hear a player say yeah my hitting coach f*@#ed me?
designatedforassignment - September 20, 2009
You hear it all the time.
It’s called silence.
Nico - September 20, 2009
Milton: Paradise Lost?
I too am fantasizing about him. No, not in that way (not my type, too much into Ayn Rand, we’d fight LOL)… but having him back as a vet presence, with the Cubs paying him? It’s hard (no not that way) not to think about him in the cleanup spot.
My feeling has always been that he belongs here, if only he and BB could get along… when he’s on the field he’s just murder (no, not in that way, SF Giants’ #1 prospect) and can get into stretches of total uncosciousness where it’s double after double. Really he and Big Hurt were the main reasons for 2006 and with a good young squad in 2010 we could be one badass from contending. I know it’s a fantasy but fantasies can be fun, just ask Ricardo Montalban.
As for this win streak it’s like the Beatles’ remasters, that track off Yellow Submarine comes to mind, “It’s All Too Much”… when innings like the 2nd happen, you know you’re rolling large. I say go for 20!!!! LIke I said I won’t shave this beard until we lose, so I might be looking at a warm winter LOL
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
Speaking of which, what's Villanova's timeline now for playing in the big leagues?
10-15 years, possibility of 8 with good behavior?
Nico - September 20, 2009
Baseball-Ref
Similar players
24 Ty Cobb
345 Ron LeFlore
345 Ugueth Urbina
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
what about the 1927 Yankees?
Murderer’s Row? Where was their body count? Pansies.
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
I think it was pointed out last year
that the A’s had a Misdemeanants row.
It did apply to the Giants this year also, alas no longer
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
Brett myers not looking so bad now, am I right!
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
he still looks bad
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
From Scott Ostler's column today on how Bay Area teams' futures look
Bad timing.
Nick - September 20, 2009
Just replace "19" with "himself in" and it's current again.
Nico - September 20, 2009
Milton Bradley: No longer the player with the worst makeup in baseball!
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
Somewhere, Bobby Kielty is crying
JediLeroy - September 20, 2009
Ayn Rand = the devil
and that’s coming from an architecture/planner geek
cityplANner - September 20, 2009
totally
sociopathy rationalized as philosophy, s-c-a-r-y.
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
yes bring on bradley
this team lacks an attitude and swag, outside of rajai this team pretty vanilla and boring. Too many nice guys get them nowhere, add some personality and an edge…watch them take off in 2010
Asfan4ever723 - September 20, 2009
plus
Bradley will have something to prove again in 2010, he will be into it fo realz, more than usual even after the upcoming winter of bad press and discontent due to what happened in Chicago.
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
Every winter is a winter of bad press and discontent for him
Nick - September 20, 2009
Maybe we could trade buck for him
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
3-way with Gallagher?
Throw in Halsey?
Nico - September 20, 2009
Nico channeling the AN Chicks??
mikev - September 20, 2009
hawt
cityplANner - September 20, 2009
I'm not enthusiastic about Bradley at this point
He’s 31, in addition to his blow-ups he’s always been injury-prone, and it’s not even clear he’s that good a RF any more (his UZR/150 this season is -2.3, not a disaster or anything but not an asset, either, and way worse than Sweeney). And he’s slugging under .400 this year.
Nick - September 20, 2009
Here's my best case for signing Bradley if he's released
The A’s main problem as I see it for 2010 is that they could easily stumble out of the gate. By mid-season they’ll likely have Wallace up, possibly Carter and/or Cardenas, and could be an emerging force by the ASB.
But in April-May, they’ll have a still “figuring it out” Cahill/Gio/Mazzaro and too many place-holders in the lineup.
Enter Bradley. He’s likely to get off to a great start — he usually does — hitting .280/.380/.480 in April-May and giving the team exactly what it needs … until a fan boos him, or a writer hurts his feelings, and suddenly he either “has a hamstring problem,” goes on a tirade, or pouts by playing badly. At that point, you just release him and call up Carter, or whoever’s finally ready at that moment.
Nico - September 20, 2009
GENIUS!!!!!
If I could rec this comment 1,000,000,000,000 times, I would.
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
That would be a nice scenario if it worked out
I haven’t seen more than 3 or 4 ABs by Milton this year, but it’s pretty hard not to notice that he’s SLGing less than .400, and his OPS is .775. It’s a huge drop-off, so maybe it’s just an aberration, but it’s not that small a sample-size — he’s had nearly as many PA’s this year as he did last year with TX.
Nick - September 20, 2009
I read a comment somewhere that his dropoff has mainly been from the left side
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
That's kinda bad considering he would face mostly righties?
mikev - September 20, 2009
Bradley's splits this season
are here.
OPS vs. LH: .830
OPS vs. RH: .764
Last year, those numbers were 1.127 and .940
Nick - September 20, 2009
I imagine it relates to his feeling pouty
I wouldn’t normally speculate that about a player, but Milty is unusual.
Nico - September 20, 2009
I dunno
chaos and pouting have been pretty constant with him, just like spending time on the DL. It’s never caused him to hit badly before for 400 PAs.
Has anyone watched him much this year? What’s been going on with his swing?
Nick - September 20, 2009
The Ballpark in Arlington says hi
Helloooo 1st - September 20, 2009
The other thing is
Bradley would not block anybody because he would blow up before all the youngsters arrive in 2011
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
I'd be cool with Bradley
but as a DH replacing Cust, rather than an outfielder. Last year with Texas and this year with the Cubs has proven that he needs to be a DH to stay healthy. That would upgrade the DH position while cutting cost at the same time.
jeepers - September 20, 2009
Agreed 100%
winchester5 - September 20, 2009
I should hastily add
this presupposes that Bradley will actually be available for the league minimum, which is almost certain not to happen. If you’re paying him $4.5-5MM a la Cust, I doubt the injury risk is worth the upgrade.
jeepers - September 20, 2009
Perhaps all the man needs is a good shrink and some meds....
He seems to display many of the symptoms of a classic manic-depressive/bipolar personality. I don’t know if he’s ever thought about it but it sure couldn’t hurt at this point…..just my two cents.
mrod - September 21, 2009
Holy smokes.
Is there some correlation with me not watching A’s games and the A’s winning?
I said this in another thread, but should I become a Giants fan now? (To give them bad luck, not because I like them… gross)
idunno723 - September 20, 2009
Giants don't need your help
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
Very true
idunno723 - September 20, 2009
I am undefeated at games I attend this year
which one of you ponies up for season tickets?
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
BTW, Nico, excellent title and caption!
Undoubtedly the best thing that will appear on the yahoo sports page tonight.
Nick - September 20, 2009
Thanks -- Following my title a couple weeks ago of
“UNICORN!!!!!” I’m sure yahoo readers are sufficiently perplexed.
Nico - September 20, 2009
I just checked
It’s the top hit when you google “God’s puppy”.
Nick - September 20, 2009
Woo hoo!
Hang on; I’m going to google “goat + whip cream” and see what happens…
Nico - September 20, 2009
Just a bunch of dessert recipes that include cheese
How disappointing.
Nico - September 20, 2009
I think +goat +whip +cream
might have been more effective. Just don’t do a google image search.
JediLeroy - September 20, 2009
nono
he’d like that.
Leopold Bloom - September 20, 2009
aw, I missed goatfilia from Nico
feels like home
cityplANner - September 20, 2009
agrd.
Leopold Bloom - September 21, 2009
and Dale, Bunnies, Staple-head, etc.
ak_A - September 20, 2009
I was more amused when I saw "UNICORN!!!!!" on the bottom of SI's main MLB page.
This new headline hasn’t appeared there yet, by the way.
danmerqury - September 20, 2009
empy concurs
So much to chew on in this happy recap, it’s got future lineup speculations, hitting coach tidbits, all kinds of things to talk about in there. It’s like a hearty stew, it is =)
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
please refrain from referring to yourself as "empy"
Leopold Bloom - September 20, 2009
but
that’s what people call me =0
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
My little sister's stuffed plush penguin was named Empy
Actually, still is, I think.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
how does your little sister's stuffed plush penguin feel about Nico's recap?
Leopold Bloom - September 20, 2009
I'm not sure
He’s in the quarantine zone of the house. I’m basically holed up in my room with vacuum seals on the door and lamb’s blood on the threshold, trying to keep out the swine flu.
PaulThomas - September 20, 2009
if you were to venture out of your room
you’d discover that I’ve programmed your sister’s plush namesake toy to do my evil bidding…. those missing ginger snaps? You thought that they just disappeared, but me and your sister’s plush toy know better.
emperor nobody - September 21, 2009
You'll never see milty in the green n' gold....
he would be a clubhouse cancer without swisher, hurt or ron washington babysitting. i’m sure sweet lou in chi-town would concur
Brian Heath - September 20, 2009
just got back from the game...and a fun one it was
I got to sit in 117 with Lynnzgal…it was great getting to hang out with her in those awesome seats. Then in the sixth inning we went up to 217 to hang out with Long Time Fan and her friend.
Of course, the best part was the win!
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
That was fun!
Great hanging out with you, too. You have a wealth of information, and a memory to rival 67M!
It was a good day for Oakland.
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
Marquez easily beats me on A's history
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009 via mobile
MB
I’d take MB in a heartbeat. Michael Brantley that is. Wouldn’t he be great in our “running A’s” line-up. I ,also, like Shin-Choo. I wonder if he could play first base.
Graybeard - September 20, 2009
lol mariners
choo for broussard
asdrubal cabrera for eduardo perez
Asfan4ever723 - September 20, 2009
lol Bill Bavasi, you mean
Mariners have a new guy in charge now.
iglew - September 20, 2009
In case anyone was wondering...
the A’s have now scored more runs this season than they have given up.
brenarlo - September 20, 2009
OT
Ethier went past the 100 rbi total today
meanwhile, buck is eating sunflower seeds in the dugout with the bat boy and making offseason plans for a vacation
Asfan4ever723 - September 20, 2009
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL GOOD AND HOLY AND MEGAN FOX, LET IT FUCKING DIE
mikev - September 20, 2009
+1
doctorK - September 20, 2009
+1
Nick - September 20, 2009
I don't remember that being a horse
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
PC LOAD LETTER
mikev - September 20, 2009
What the fuck does that mean?
winchester5 - September 20, 2009
I believe he's insulting you and
questioning your sexual orientation.
Leopold Bloom - September 20, 2009
lol its from the movie.
winchester5 - September 20, 2009
"Insulting You And Questioning Your Sexual Orientation"?
Good flick; not the best date movie, though.
Nico - September 20, 2009
time to turn this fucker green
+2
ElQuesoCapitan - September 20, 2009
Good idea
muffinpryde - September 20, 2009
Damn it feels good to be a gangster....
BleedGreen - September 20, 2009
I love you.
Leopold Bloom - September 20, 2009
flagged
ElQuesoCapitan - September 20, 2009
I think we get the point by now
Flashfire - September 20, 2009
Dear Cleveland Indians: Baseball is a simple game.
You throw the ball.
We hit the ball.
You catch the ball.
They mailed it in — buncha lollygaggers.
The Dogfather - September 20, 2009
Milton Bradley = The Kanye West of baseball
DyeLongJustice - September 20, 2009
LOL +1
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
I'm really happy for you and imma let you finish
BUT I AM THE BEST SWITCH HITTER OF ALL TIME
mikev - September 20, 2009
Well, I'd be fine with Milty....
….if he could put a ring on it!
GreenNGoldSooner - September 20, 2009
I dunno....
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
wow
they both can look left!
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
But can they TURN left?
muffinpryde - September 20, 2009
No.
Not an ambiturner.
Rancho Canseco - September 20, 2009
How else would Bradley get around the bases?
OldhamA - September 20, 2009
pulling a fancy 270 degree turn at every base
not the quickest thing, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t knock your socks off
cityplANner - September 20, 2009
It sure knocks the socks off of Yankee Stadium when their shortstop does it everyday.
danmerqury - September 20, 2009
Can you really blame God's puppy for chasing his tail?
DMOAS - September 20, 2009
LOL
ElQuesoCapitan - September 20, 2009
More on Bradley
The more I think about it, there’s no way he’ll actually be released and available for next to nothing. Somebody will take him in a trade for half his salary and a useless relief pitcher (wouldn’t be the first time), because there’s still enough perceived value in his bat to make it happen. An AL team looking for a full-time DH would be the ideal candidate.
jeepers - September 20, 2009
If hafner is dead
then maybe cleve…
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
I'm pretty sure he has no red carpet
rolling out for him in Cleveland.
BleedGreen - September 20, 2009
Unless Wedge loses his job
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009 via mobile
Eveland on his performance today
Source.That’s great. I’m really glad he used the time in Sacto to improve himself. But this kind of thing always makes me wonder: why the hell didn’t you try throwing a cutter 2 or 3 or 4 years ago? It’s not like learning a knuckleball, or throwing submarine or something! You can pick it up in a few weeks!
Dear young A’s pitchers: try throwing the cutter! Now!
Nick - September 20, 2009
Young blokes.
Can’t tell ’em a damn thing.
Rancho Canseco - September 20, 2009
He also talks like he didn't issue 3-ball counts today
like they were going out of style. He was ok today, as 5 IP, 91 pitch efforts go, but he was hardly dominant.
Nico - September 20, 2009
It's always good to have another pitch you can throw for a ball.
jeepers - September 20, 2009
LOL -- he is versatile.
Nico - September 20, 2009
The cutter right now sorta reminds me of the A's staff in the late 80s and the forkball.
Pretty much everybody that came here started throwing the forkball and had a good amount of success doing so.
mikev - September 20, 2009
in memory of Jake Brockman
The Cutter
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
oops here it is, link fail
The Cutter
emperor nobody - September 20, 2009
...
Nick - September 20, 2009
Awesome!
BleedGreen - September 20, 2009
good movie
sirbed - September 20, 2009
His pitches registered 85-90 the whole time
I think the most common radar reading was 88 mph. Many opposing batters only got glancing contact, very few got good wood on his pitches.
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009 via mobile
Although one nearly got good wood on Dana
A broken bat will impale someone someday if they don’t hurry up and figure this thing out.
Nico - September 20, 2009
that was really scary
Eveland also jumped to avoid that bat.
a few weeks ago I watched a Phillies game where the jagged part of the bat and the ball both went flying in Ryan Howard’s direction. It’s amazing to me that he was able to concentrate on catching the ball and ignoring the bat.
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
What is it with the cutter this season? It's like the ultimate career saver apparently.
OldhamA - September 20, 2009
I'd still like to know the deal with Henry Rodriguez
He was up in the 8th but in spite of an 8-run lead Geren left Meloan in to finish.
When they talked about using Rodriguez in “low pressure” situations, little did I figure that meant bullpen situations. Were they just hoping he wouldn’t throw one past the bullpen catcher or what?
Flashfire - September 20, 2009
That was both weird and disappointing.
If not in an 11-3 game where he’s warming up, then when?
Nico - September 20, 2009
32-0 A's VS Nats
ElQuesoCapitan - September 20, 2009
Hmm....What inning?
Nico - September 20, 2009
9th, with two out, and an 0-2 pitch on the hitter
Then maybe they’ll bring Rodriguez in.
Flashfire - September 20, 2009
But that's when Bailey is supposed to be pitching!
muffinpryde - September 20, 2009
Yeah I also wanted to see some
100 MPH action.
BleedGreen - September 20, 2009
I think esteban is out of baseball
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
We got excited when we saw him in the bullpen
What a tease…
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009 via mobile
That's our A's!
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
Jason Giambi Hitting 400 and bats another HR today
Is it just me or does anybody else wonder WTF?
Ran - September 20, 2009
Those words, in that order, have escaped my lips as well.
Nico - September 20, 2009
no.
what is it 12 ABs? in the national league? West?
No.
Future Ed - September 20, 2009
in Colorado too
thin air FTW.
micdog2001 - September 21, 2009
along with the original sign monkey.
Won’t you come, sign monkey? Won’t you come home?
Leopold Bloom - September 21, 2009
rly? good grief.
ak_A - September 20, 2009
the wtf is that he's a pinch htter in rbi situations
he is really perfect for that role.
Jason himself has said that he played in the field entirely too much in Oakland, and his legs just couldn’t hold up.
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
Not to mention all the cold and crappy weather
at the Coli this year.
BleedGreen - September 20, 2009
actually, lots of places had cold and crappy weather early this season
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
Everywhere but here. >:-(
Silly me, thinking if I moved north it would be cooler.
iglew - September 20, 2009
Plus he wasn't playing in AAAA.
OldhamA - September 20, 2009
He could have done that in Oakland, too.
If he was asked to hit once a day, three times a week.
jeepers - September 20, 2009
Silly, he'd have struck out.
Was he even over the Mendoza line with the A’s? I can’t be bothered looking up the stats, but I do remember him being fcuking terrible during his stint here.
OldhamA - September 20, 2009
Well good for him
It would have be great if Giambi had been able to do more in his second stint in Oakland but despite his struggles I just can’t root against the guy.
sirbed - September 20, 2009
Even after he was asked last night what was the best thing about
being in Colorado and he replied, “Have you been to Oakland?”
Nico - September 20, 2009
Well....
Let’s be honest playing for the Oakland A’s in front of a few thousand fans in a old stadium for a team that doesn’t spend money doesn’t sound all that great if you aren’t an A’s fan.
Plus he might feel he wasn’t used right this year. Giambi can’t play first base everyday anymore and I still wonder what he might have done if he had been the full time DH.
It’s too bad he ripped Oakland but I still think he’s a good guy.
sirbed - September 20, 2009
He ripped Oakland on the Letterman show when he signed with the Yankees
.he claimed that he just read a script that they gave to him…still was classless…but I haven’t heard him do it since…
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
In case it's not clear, I'm totally kidding
about last night.
And sadly, yes, that is what she said.
Nico - September 20, 2009
I know you were kidding
I wasn’t sure that sirbed knew, and knew about the Letterman show
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
See this is what happens when I try to be earnest and sincere
I can’t tell Nico is joking. I think I’ll stick to jokes about Gamecocks and coming up with nicknames for Bobby Crosby.
sirbed - September 21, 2009
that's much safer.
ak_A - September 21, 2009
deja vu...
Leopold Bloom - September 20, 2009
Hahahahahahahaha...
…suck it Matt Holliday. Way to slide into a DP; keep it up for the playoffs! :-)
baseballgirl - September 20, 2009
Oh....YAY A's!!!!! :-)
Seven in a row, this is fantastic!
baseballgirl - September 20, 2009
are you coming up for the last day tailgate?
OaklandSi - September 20, 2009
We're still in the wildcard hunt!
OldhamA - September 20, 2009
unfortunately not
Oakland has been officially eliminated from the wildcard hunt
but the team is very fun to watch…still in the hunt for finishing .500 and definitely in the hunt to finish with more wins than last year
OaklandSi - September 21, 2009
Quiet you, we're still in the race!
OldhamA - September 21, 2009
for next year?
I’m seriously enjoying the games…about to leave to go to tonight’s game, in fact
OaklandSi - September 21, 2009
Celebration continues!
Good times!
LongTimeFan - September 20, 2009
Ack!
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
You don't like it?
LongTimeFan - September 20, 2009
I HATE pictures of me.
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
GREAT picture of OSi and the poster, though.
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
I think it's good of BOTH of you
Nice sign!
BERRYJO - September 20, 2009
They gave those away along with the Bailey tee.
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
"Bailey for Rookie"!!!!!
I think he’ll get it.
Nico - September 20, 2009
Lol!
lynnzgal - September 20, 2009
I still really like Ryan Sweeney and I think he shouldn’t be platooning with anybody next year. I’d rather him get all the at-bats at his position.
We’ve really beat the “what I’d like to see in 2010” thing over the head quite a few times, but I’d like to see essentially the same nine starting position players to start the 2010 year off unless Brett Wallace wins himself a job at third base. The only thing I’d change is having Aaron Cunningham take Scott Hairston’s job.
Rated-R Superstar - September 20, 2009
I never realized how much Cunningham struck out in AAA. I’ll still take him over Hairston. I also agree that Sweeney will come around as he matures.
Rancho Canseco - September 20, 2009
agree w/ everything
winchester5 - September 21, 2009
If Bradley gets released
He gets to choose where he wants to go, as a lot of places will take him “for free”. I doubt he comes back to Oakland. Its a lot more likely he goes back to Texas.
Zonis - September 20, 2009
Yeah I don't want him back in Texas.
OldhamA - September 20, 2009
Geren said he'd pitch Hrod in "low presure" situations
2 blowouts, 2 days…no hrod
OT: ABDC
Vote We are Heroes
voting ends in 3 hours
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/dance_crew/voting.jhtml?episodeId=7485
Asfan4ever723 - September 20, 2009
I love ABDC!
micdog2001 - September 21, 2009
by golly there is a game tonight. and here I thought I was gonna knit.
ak_A - September 21, 2009
you knit?
Leopold Bloom - September 21, 2009
That's just what I was asking some lice the other day.
Nico - September 21, 2009
you are getting picky
ak_A - September 21, 2009
I'm scratching my head trying to figure this comment out.
Nico - September 21, 2009
No need to be a crab about it.
Rancho Canseco - September 21, 2009
Sign in men's dunny over the
urinal outside a bar in, rural New South Wales., i…’Don’t throw toothpicks in the urinal – crabs can pole vault."
ak_A - September 21, 2009
*shudder*
Rancho Canseco - September 21, 2009
no, not really, I was joshing.
but, it’s okay if you do (hmmmmm)
ak_A - September 21, 2009
I kind of always wanted to know how.
looks like it might shut my mind up.
Leopold Bloom - September 21, 2009
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