The 2005 Swingin' A's thread

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Kirk Saarloos steps in for Harden (blister) and throws 6 shutout innings, while "Moneyball" ensemble player Nick Swisher belts two!

Definitely looks like the most potent Oakland lineup in the Beane era, and I'm expecting good stuff from Danny Haren (debuting tonight) and Rich H.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 7 April 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

What is it w/ the young kids & the blisters? Is it a matter of delicate skin? Do their hands need to be prepped as preteens via daily sandpaper rubs?

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 7 April 2005 12:36 (twenty years ago)

no, they need to start pissing on their hands.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Thursday, 7 April 2005 13:19 (twenty years ago)

Does the blister thing just come from gripping the ball too hard? I've always wondered about it myself. Didn't Ryan have problems early on with them?

LET'S GO OAKLAND!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 7 April 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

He did, and " tried several remedies, including soaking his fingers in pickle brine."

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Ryan_Nolan.stm

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 7 April 2005 15:40 (twenty years ago)

learn from Moises, people.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Thursday, 7 April 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Love this little description:

After a Ryan pitch grazed Chicago's Robin Ventura's arm during a game in 1993, the White Sox third baseman charged Ryan, hoping to knock the 46-year-old pitcher off of his feet. But Ryan stood his ground and caught his assailant in a headlock before subsequently delivering several blows to Ventura's head.

― ojitarian (ojitarian), Thursday, 7 April 2005 21:43 (twenty years ago)

Haha you should find the video of it. It's actually even funnier to watch.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 7 April 2005 22:49 (twenty years ago)

one of the few things me and president bush agree on: that was totally awesome.

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 7 April 2005 23:46 (twenty years ago)

josh beckett had (has?) some crazy blister problems too.

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 7 April 2005 23:47 (twenty years ago)

Danny Haren and Kiki Calero both did well today for the A's.

Mark Mulder goes tomorrow night against the Phils.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Friday, 8 April 2005 01:21 (twenty years ago)

Wow Haren had a great game. I really wanna see the A's do well just to prove all those Beane naysayers wrong. Fuck them.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 02:33 (twenty years ago)

lowest paid attendance in camden yards history, btw.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 8 April 2005 02:56 (twenty years ago)

dang those Nats!

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Friday, 8 April 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

Did Sammy stay til the end?

Missed these ... #11 is my favorite:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/03/23/gallery.zito/content.1.html

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 8 April 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

I can't believe I forgot about Moises Alou pissing on his hands.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 13:18 (twenty years ago)

my god i love him

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Friday, 8 April 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

http://www.slapshotfan.com/where/wherekiller.jpg

http://www.defianttheatre.org/company/gehr/zito%20hotty.jpg

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Friday, 8 April 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

Blanton tonight against the Devil Rays and it looks like Harden will be back for Sunday. Is Meyer not in the rotation (is he actually in AAA now)?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, he's in AAA for the time being. I'm wondering who the 5th starter would've been if Harden was out for longer, tho - I think they brought up Saarloos to take Harden's start earlier this week, but he might've been in line to be #5 if necessary. They probably eschewed the 5th slot because of the wacky Opening Week schedule, & are just going w/ Zito / Harden's slot / Haren / Blanton for the time being. &, also, it makes sense for Meyer to actually get regular work in the minors (since they hope he's one of their long term guys) than deal w/ irregular work in the majors - he'll probably come up when the need for a 5th is more pronounced (unless he tanks, or Saarloos turns into Cory Lidle).

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:18 (twenty years ago)

i think they're also holding meyer back for money reasons. if they bring him up his service time clock starts ticking, and i have a feeling that billy would like to see how far he can get with a random fifth starter in the mix. the a's are looking great so far.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

Is Etherton currently #5? They've got so many options. They can even use Cruz if they needed to.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, service clock is very key - I always forget about that (as do other teams) (hello Seattle w/ A-Rod). It must be nice to have your worst start of the season's first week (Blanton notwithstanding) come from the experienced veteran guy.

[xpost]

I totally forgot about Etherton! They'll probably ping-pong between him & Saarloos for the #5 once Harden comes back (unless they ship out Saarloos or release Etherton).

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

Well if Saarloos keeps pitching like he did on Wednesday, he's probably got it for the time being. Etherton didn't look anywhere near that hot in spring training.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:32 (twenty years ago)

I think Etherton's career temperature is somewhere between a defrosting chicken & an Italian ice.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

What is up with Barry Zito?!?!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 10 April 2005 03:05 (twenty years ago)

What is up with Keith Ginter?!?! (I.e why isn't he starting full-time?)

― Léèê (Leee), Sunday, 10 April 2005 03:18 (twenty years ago)

What is up with the A's offense (I guess this is the question every post-Giambi team faces)?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 April 2005 03:51 (twenty years ago)

And you ask this AFTER they score 6 runs?

What is up, from what I know / see: I see Swisher getting into the 6 spot soon, I see most of the sexxy power numbers (i.e. the homers) coming from Chavez & Durazo (tho Swisher's leading the team in HRs, I think), and I see (once Crosby's back) probably the best all-around line-up the team's had since 2001 (when they last had you-know-who and that-other-guy on the same team) (and over 1/3rd a year of pre-broke-leg Jermaine Dye) (and a crappy Johnny Damon, to boot). Not as much bash brothering as in the past (three 30 HR guys in '01), but patient bat-on-ball hitter types that can do the job all throughout the lineup.

BTW, they actually scored MORE runs last year than in 2003, 793 to 768; of course, the pitchers let up 99 more runs last year, which played a not-so-small role in their playoff run coming up short.

Off-topic: please to look at what John Jaha did in 1996 and 1999.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 14 April 2005 04:14 (twenty years ago)

i think maybe part of me takes baseball too seriously or it means to much to me or something cuz for some reason i teared up looking at them photos

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 14 April 2005 04:37 (twenty years ago)

Kiki Calero picked up a "W" out of the pen last night, he has done quite well so far this season.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 14 April 2005 11:26 (twenty years ago)

>What is up with Barry Zito?!?!

Aside from the immediate answer "two bad starts," Zito's peripheral stats have been on the downswing for a few years; it's pretty clear he's not likely to be as good as Hudson for the rest of their careers.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 14 April 2005 12:15 (twenty years ago)

I thought blister problems were a result of throwing a change-up...? Or I guess any pitch where your fingers are rubbing against the seams of the baseball.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 14 April 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

"And you ask this AFTER they score 6 runs?"

Yes, I am greedy.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 April 2005 15:16 (twenty years ago)

Off-topic: please to look at what John Jaha did in 1996 and 1999.

In 1999, similar OPS to Giambi (.970 vs. .975) at <1/4th the price ($.5M vs. $2.1M). Ranked 10th in MLB for OPS (vs. Giambi @ #7).

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 14 April 2005 17:42 (twenty years ago)

I know it's early BUT!!!:

St. Louis Cardinals
Mark Mulder (0 wins - 1 loss):
ERA 8.18
WHIP 2.18
K/9 5.73
K/BB 1.75
BAA .408
OPSA 1.008

Oakland Athletics
RP Kiko Calero (2 wins - 0 loss):
ERA 0.00
WHIP 0.33
K/9 11.57
K/BB 9.00
BAA .120
OPSA .274

Oakland Athletics
SP Danny Haren (0 wins - 1 loss):
ERA 2.77
WHIP 1.08
K/9 6.23
K/BB 1.50
BAA .167
OPSA .585

Stockton Ports (Class A Athletics' California League affiliate)
C Daric Barton
BA .297 (11-37)
OBP .381 (5 Walks vs. 5 Strikeouts)
SLG .405 (9 singles, 1 double, 1 HR, 6 RBIs)

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 18 April 2005 20:11 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, it totally looks like the A's gamed the Cardinals (the jury is still out on the Braves' deal.) Haren alone may end up being a better pitcher from here on out than Mulder!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 18 April 2005 21:44 (twenty years ago)

Even if Mulder was pitching like Mulder, the Cards would've still got gamed.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 18 April 2005 22:08 (twenty years ago)

ha, Mudler IS still pitching like Mulder (post-all-star break 2004).

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 18 April 2005 22:27 (twenty years ago)

Mulder, Haren and Hudson all did well today.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 01:48 (twenty years ago)

Harden is getting a little absurd. I was skeptical when a whole bunch of folks picked him to win Cy Young, but not no more.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 22 April 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

I'd say round 2 has to go to the Cardinals as Haren got lit up last night by the Angels, Calero is probably going on the DL Monday with tendonitis and Mulder threw a ten inning shutout yesterday.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Sunday, 24 April 2005 13:10 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, Haren better figure out how to hold runners. SIX STOLEN BASES is a joke.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 24 April 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

ESPN game tonight... will Joe Morgan not mention "Billy Beane's book" once?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:45 (twenty years ago)

seriously.

i think there just needs to be a joe morgan over/under thread.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Sunday, 24 April 2005 20:00 (twenty years ago)

Well, I didn't hear any refs. Joe also skipped Bill James' "Underestimating the Fog" article, or Michael Lewis' power emphasis in the minors piece in the NYT magazine.

Jeez, Blanton is 0-2 with a 1.75 ERA. He looks like Spanky from Our Gang.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:21 (twenty years ago)

gotta love the sweet stache, though...not to mention 6 walks 7 ks over three or four starts.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:47 (twenty years ago)

There isn't much to love about a K:BB ratio near one.

Eric Chavez is pulling a 2003 Miguel Tejada, except he's already GOTTEN the contract.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

okay, more to the point...6 bb in 26 innings. i mean, a less than one whip is a-okay, in my book.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:53 (twenty years ago)

Well, yeah, when you put it THAT way...

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:54 (twenty years ago)

Can someone give me the over/under on innings until the A's score? I'm assuming Buehrle is going to put the hammer down today, and Wednesday they've got the Sox again... 6.5? 7.5?

― scrimshaw (scrimshaw1837), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 03:58 (twenty years ago)

Chavvy will be breaking out soon. The Sox may have trouble scoring today v Harden, no?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

Chavvy will be breaking out soon.

Do you mean this year or in general?

― Gear! (can Jung shill it, Mu?) (Gear!), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 22:18 (twenty years ago)

Whew, keepin' near .500, thank god.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 04:23 (twenty years ago)

I hate the A's division. Why can't there be perpetually hapless teams like Kansas City or Tampa Bay on the west coast?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 1 May 2005 02:20 (twenty years ago)

yay for zito!

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 2 May 2005 01:38 (twenty years ago)

Any word on how long Swisher will be out?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 2 May 2005 03:02 (twenty years ago)

they won't know til monday.

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 2 May 2005 03:50 (twenty years ago)

METROSEXUAL GAME NOTES:

Tonight's matchup of Barry Zito and Carl Pavano is believed to be baseball's first between pitchers who've dated Hollywood honey Alyssa Milano.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 6 May 2005 18:48 (twenty years ago)

USELESS INFO AHOY. JAYSON STARK THANKS YOU.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Friday, 6 May 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)

I assume from the skeptics in the "Moneyball" thread that you are unfamiliar with strong Oakland finishes? I really doubt they are a 70-win team. They will retool by July and August to at least make a race of it.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

So which free-agents-to-be is BB aiming to include in a Fucking A trade this year?

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

Don't mind my grammar. But mind this list of 2006 free agents! (Can't vouch for its veracity, but it looks good from here.)

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

Ooooh - I wonder if they'll try getting LaTroy from the Cubs (maybe for OD)! That'd be swank.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 12:41 (twenty years ago)

I really hope the A's either start (or Beane can acquire some) hitting. I think the team is actually still pretty good (assuming Harden and Crosby and Swisher and Kielty can get healthy.) I don't doubt they can turn this around, but right now they are really painful to watch.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

Except when Eric Byrnes runs. I haven't seen a guy flail like that since ... Oddibe McDowell?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

Haha Eric Byrnes has some of the weirdest stretching routines I've seen. He appears to be doing worm at least some of the time, but I've also seen him doing what appears to be some sort of left-field humping maneuver and I've seen him mix em up with weird jazzercize-esque dance (no spirit fingers yet.) The Giants/A's exhibition game I saw in the spring he brought the whole package out. My gf was totally perplexed.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Really, the A's don't need hitting so much as they need the guys that can hit to actually perform as they've done in the past. I find it hard to believe that Chavez will go through the entire year doing what he's doing right now.

What is the timetable on Crosby & Swisher coming back, BTW?

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

Chavez 3 hits last night! over the Mendoza!

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

Now's about the time that EC proves that dipshit adage about vets always overcoming slumps to do what they do true! Down with the Angels (which will happen if Scoscia keeps sending baserunners to their doom).

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 15:38 (twenty years ago)

FOR DEAREST FELICITY (& others looking for hotttt Zito action)

Also, to the A's re: last night's crushing defeat - WHAT THE HELL? Try fielding the damn ball, mang.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 18 May 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

Barry looks mighty Seventies in that ensemble.

Wells musta been playing Goutball today.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 18 May 2005 19:50 (twenty years ago)

Woo hoo! Go A's!

― NINETEEN HITS! (Alex in SF), Thursday, 19 May 2005 00:58 (twenty years ago)

Hey, Boomer - maybe you DID need that minor league rehab start, how about it?

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 19 May 2005 01:21 (twenty years ago)

Bottom of the 1st, Tampa Bay has batted around on Joe Blanton with only one out recorded.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 25 May 2005 22:48 (twenty years ago)

Blanton's out with just the one out. Should be 6 runs charged to him.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 25 May 2005 22:50 (twenty years ago)

Or 8, as Carl Crawford just hit a 3-run homer off an 0-2 fastball from Blanton's replacement Britt Reames.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 25 May 2005 22:51 (twenty years ago)

Wow, ugly.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 25 May 2005 23:25 (twenty years ago)

upside?

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

there's something very "Steve Spurrier in D.C." about this year's A's squad.

― Gear! (can Jung shill it, Mu?) (Gear!), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:39 (twenty years ago)

can't hit, can't pitch, can't field. i think it's kinda sad. swept by tampa bay and cleveland.

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

gleeman gives a pretty comprehensive recap of the A's misfortunes this season.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 30 May 2005 19:37 (twenty years ago)

"Misfortunes" is an understatement! Good call by AG on Haren's performance this year, tho - he shouldn't be 1-7. Beane-o was calling this a "rebuilding" year, and I guess he knew a lot better than more folk (as well he should). It is kinda sketchy to pass judgement on those MulHud trades right now, tho, as they were made w/ the future in mind, not this year. Regardless, once (if) they get Harden and Crosby back, they should make a respectable showing for the rest of the year.

Also, stenceeel, Cleveland's a good team - getting swept by them is nothing to be ashamed of! You make it sound like the A's just hit rock bottom and broke their crack pipe.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 30 May 2005 19:58 (twenty years ago)

Fantastic article. Only the Phillies and Astros can compete with the A's for the title of "Most Unlucky/Underachieving Club 2005". However, the Phillies have been underachieving for three years, so that probably can't be chalked up to bad luck anymore. And the Astros have gotten shockingly great performances from Ensberg, Biggio, and arguably Clemens. Can that be said about *anyone* on the A's?

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Monday, 30 May 2005 21:14 (twenty years ago)

Their pitching isn't that bad, though. Look how BP rates their starters' luck:

-2.2 Kirk Saarloos
-2.6 Rich Harden
-3.3 Joe Blanton
-3.8 Barry Zito
-4.0 Dan Haren

Only Seth Etherton, who began starting after Harden went on the DL, has performed better than expectations (0.9). Even though I think the Mulder/Hudson trades were made with the long term in mind (they'll be right back in 2006), the A's problems are manifold; injuries (particularly in the bullpen - wouldn't they be a better team with Calero/Dotel/Bradford at full strength?), bad defense, and offensive inability have as much to do with their struggles as the makeup of their rotation.

― Daniel Cohen (dayan), Monday, 30 May 2005 23:21 (twenty years ago)

In a lot of cases, 'bad luck' has just made mediocre or worse pitching look awful. Haren hasn't come close to what they expected, tho his long-term future is still a decent bet.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 31 May 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

I imagine the greatest embarrassment of this season for the A's involves the following series of events:

A) April 9th: Tampa Bay "pitcher" Hideo Nomo befuddles the A's for 6 IP (allowing only 1 H and 2 BB) in a 11-2 drubbing.

B) Oakland players (Eric Chavez in particular) go public re: their displeasure w/ their performance against a soft-tossing chump like Nomo, giving him no credit whatsoever in shutting them down.

C) May 26th: Nomo faces Oakland again, and pitches 7.1 innings of 5 H, 1 run ball in a 2-1 Tampa win.

And guess who's pitching against the A's today? Fun fact: in 2005, Nomo has allowed 34 ER in 30.1 IP against teams that are not Oakland.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 31 May 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

Re: bad luck - just in the 6 games they played against the Red Sox, there were the two back-to-back walk-off blown saves at Fenway, plus a 3rd game where one error (by Crosby, I think) lead to a big inning.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 31 May 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

i worked that 2nd nomo game. was very funny and painful to watch.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 31 May 2005 13:28 (twenty years ago)

don't look now but the A's have won a season-high 3 straight, that offense is starting to piece itself together (caveat: against TB)...

Zito even looked good tonight... hmmmm...

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 2 June 2005 05:01 (twenty years ago)

Zito + Swisher for Matt Cain & Pedro Feliz, I can feel it.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Thursday, 2 June 2005 05:06 (twenty years ago)

If you can feel it, you should get it taken out, then.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 2 June 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

Well, that looked like the Oakland offense I expected to see frequently. If they can get back to .500 by early August...? When's Harden due back?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 2 June 2005 12:46 (twenty years ago)

Could all the A's have needed was Bobby Crosby?!?!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:01 (twenty years ago)

And Swisher, too! Yeah, playing the D-Rays helps, but I saw the Nomo / Harden game, and they looked hawt. Granted, Nomo walked the damn ballpark, but those runners actually came around to score. And Harden looked great (tho, again, it was Tampa Bay).

FWIW, Alex Sanchez had a game for the ages - he lined into a double play trying to BUNT, and turned a well-hit A's liner to deep CF that he was in perfect position for into a nonchalanted doink off the tip of his glove. Instead of going straight for the ball and camping beneath it, he rounded some imaginary corner, cozied up to the spot where he thought the ball would be, and reached out underhand. I dare say he was trying to make a one-hand basket catch. He managed to gun down the runner trying to score from 2nd, of course, but that's only because the runner from 2nd went to tag up thinking (sensibly) that the catch was made. And the runner was an A. COME BACK ROCCO!

Some things Macha did to shake up the line-up (IIRC) (eff looking stuff up): moved Kendall to leadoff, put Kotsay in the 3-hole, put Kielty in the 5th spot, dropped Hatteburg down to 6th-7th.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 2 June 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

I know this is an A's thread, but how is Alex Sanchez playing over Joey Gathright. It boggles the mind.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Thursday, 2 June 2005 19:00 (twenty years ago)

Are you kidding? Gathright has never had a month in the minors like what Sanchez had last month in the majors:

BA .372
OBP .405
SLG .513

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 2 June 2005 22:24 (twenty years ago)

Not to mention Gathright isn't juiced! Why on earth would you start a clean kid over a juiced-up PRO!!!

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 2 June 2005 22:36 (twenty years ago)

Haha

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 2 June 2005 22:38 (twenty years ago)

Gathright's a no-hit Carl Crawford. AS is just keeping CF warm for ROCCO!

g!, as usual, is OTM, tho.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 2 June 2005 22:45 (twenty years ago)

O Rocco, my sweet sweet inhabitor of my DL spot Rocco...

sigh.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 2 June 2005 22:51 (twenty years ago)

What do you guys expect? I would rather just speak and not know what I'm talking about than have to look up stats on Tampa Bay players.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 3 June 2005 00:11 (twenty years ago)

Eric Chavez is too honest in radio interviews. He gave a top-5 list of people he expected to be traded, talked about how shitty the team has been, made some Moneyball jokes on the Dan Patrick show this afternoon - I guess being the only superstar on a team gives him some leeway.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Friday, 3 June 2005 00:12 (twenty years ago)

Octavio Dotel to miss up to TWO YEARS after reconstructive elbow surgery. Picking him in the second round of my fantasy draft was the smartest thing I ever did!

― Daniel Cohen (dayan), Friday, 3 June 2005 01:09 (twenty years ago)

On Sportscenter last night, they mentioned something about how four doctors had recommended Dotel undertake some sort of rehabilitation as opposed to surgery, but he ignored them and decided to go with surgery anyway. I never liked him and I hated giving up Teahen for him. This doesn't make me feel any better.

― Jeff Reguilon (Talent Explosion), Friday, 3 June 2005 21:45 (twenty years ago)

A 6-1 homestand! They're on their way (at least to respectability).

Last week of Chavez: .357/.419/.750

While I already have a seat for 6/15, I might be talked into the Saturday noon game on the 18th vs the Phils if Zito starts (he appears to come up that day) and you SFers are willing.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 6 June 2005 18:43 (twenty years ago)

Doesn't take much to convince me to go to a ballgame. Gygax you up for one?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 6 June 2005 19:40 (twenty years ago)

Gygax vanishes so frequently I suspect he's HARRY LIME!

Why did the A's bring up Ryan Glynn and put him in the rotation? 6.12 lifetime ERA?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 8 June 2005 16:18 (twenty years ago)

the cuckoo clock!

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Wednesday, 8 June 2005 16:30 (twenty years ago)

So did anyone see that the A's drafted a whole slew of HIGH SCHOOL pitchers (famously derided in Moneyball) yesterday? And one of 'em is Carney Lansford's kid--who apparently is clean shaven :(

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 8 June 2005 17:36 (twenty years ago)

Surely Beane was asked about this?

I seem to recall a recent Prospectus article questioning the HS/college 'new orthodoxy.'

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 8 June 2005 18:24 (twenty years ago)

Yes, he's been hinting in moving in that direction, it's true.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 8 June 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

Chavez is BACK! 5 hits yesterday, and in June, .436 / .522 / .974!

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 13 June 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

'Gax and I are gonna sort it in the next couple days, but I wish Zenmaster Zito was pitching the Sat noon Phillie game instead of Friday night, as I fear he will be...

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 19:36 (twenty years ago)

Fuckin' Scutaro, I came 3000 miles for that? At least it was $1 hotdog night. 'gax, call my hotel #!

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 16 June 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

Hey at least you got to watch Danny Haren!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 16 June 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Could that corner be turned w/ DH? He's been great his last couple of starts. Of course, he's been starting against the likes of Tampa Bay and the Mets and the B-Jays, but a good start is a good start.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 16 June 2005 15:36 (twenty years ago)

His numbers are better or on par with Mulder's either way.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 16 June 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

Harden back and not missing a beat so far (5th inning.) Street hurt and A's now minus any closer!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 22 June 2005 02:24 (twenty years ago)

Dushsueherher saved the game pretty well.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 22 June 2005 04:05 (twenty years ago)

DUCHSHERERERERER can be a "closer"!

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 22 June 2005 12:06 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah I forgot about him. Shut up!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 22 June 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

Haha still the A's can't seem to get someone back without losing someone else.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 22 June 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

Y'know, I didn't say the Duch would save ALL the games...

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 23 June 2005 15:20 (twenty years ago)

:( I was getting excited too. Passing Seattle. Starting pitching looking really solid. So sad.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 23 June 2005 16:28 (twenty years ago)

Okay I am back to being excited.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 26 June 2005 19:50 (twenty years ago)

Two doubles by Kendall! That's gotta get the slugging avg over .300.

I think they pass Texas by the All-Star break.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 27 June 2005 12:03 (twenty years ago)

First they reach .500. Then we can talk about them passing teams & stuff.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 27 June 2005 12:45 (twenty years ago)

Harden is back, combining with 2 relievers to throw a 1-hit gem against SF in a 16-0 blowout.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 27 June 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

They may pass Texas while still under .500!

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

Eww!

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

So where is Kotsay going to end up? The Cubs and Yanks are rumored to be interested and there is talk the A's may sign him for two more years.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 00:44 (twenty years ago)

What do the Yankees have to offer the A's though (not to mention that the Yanks are still WC comp for this year)?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 00:53 (twenty years ago)

Jesus the A's are creaming the ball right now.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 02:30 (twenty years ago)

And assuming they win this game they are now just 2.5 back of Texas (and gaining nothing on the Angels, but oh well.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 02:32 (twenty years ago)

An A's-Twins-Indians battle for the wildcard...?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 12:23 (twenty years ago)

That'd be hot.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 12:38 (twenty years ago)

Tho you're kinda forgetting about the Orioles.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

prsuming they don't retake the east, of course.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

Didn't you hear Shaugnessy? Red Sox in a landslide! Ten game lead by 12:30 EST today! Game over, man!

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

the yanks have prospects to offer, the question is whether or not they should. in my mind cano, duncan, and hughes shouldn't be involved in any deal for a player like kotsay. obv depth in the starting rotation isn't exactly a strength right now, but wang is otherwise expendable. however i think he's mostly a mirage and, if he's as smart as i am, beane probably does too.

oh yeah, and how bout that keith foulke? http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/wilbur/sports_blog/blog/2005/06/29/king_of_pain/

― John (jdahlem), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

oh, also a couple high A arms in clippard and gomez who should be fairly hot commodities. i don't want to see either of them traded either, but realistically, any of those guys named w/ the possible exception of hughes are probably expendable and with good reason - i mean, we're playing without a centerfielder for christ's sake.

― John (jdahlem), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

"After allowing a grand slam to Travis Hafner in the top of the ninth inning, Foulke's defeated teammates were so inclined to help him wriggle out of his latest disaster that it took all of three pitches for Cleveland closer Bob Wickman to retire Jay Payton, Bill Mueller, and Mark Bellhorn on a trio of consecutive ground balls in the bottom of the inning."

Sports columnists really are the worst.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

[slightly premature] bing!

i want these guys to win, a lot.

21 straight?

― John (jdahlem), Thursday, 30 June 2005 03:06 (twenty years ago)

WTF crawled up that writer's ass and called his mom a bitch?

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 30 June 2005 04:13 (twenty years ago)

i like it!

― John (jdahlem), Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:48 (twenty years ago)

Diehard Yankee Fan Liking Vituperative Spiteful Rhetoric Re: Red Sock Shocker!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 30 June 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

Anyway, A's = yeah! Blanton w/ another great start (Adrian Beltre sighting notwithstanding), Swisher w/ another home run, Haren's been Harden-esque, Chavez is on track. Bobby Crosby for MVP! Even if they are doing this against weaker competition (sorry Giants fans!), the key thing is they're doing it.

The fact that my ILBB fantasy team is basking in the goodness provided by Blanton & Swisher right now has a smidge to do w/ my excitement re: the A's, but also, eff the Angels. Also, the A's color scheme is dreamy.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 30 June 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

A's are looking like I thought they would like at the beginning of the year. But the yeah the next test comes with Chi-Sox though.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 30 June 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

The A's were .500 until they had the misfortune of playing like 12 straight games against the Sox, ChiSox and Yankees, and THEN Harden and Crosby got hurt... I think they're a pretty good team, and if they added another legit player or two, they could get the wild card.

But yeah, Beane is still a genius. WHEW.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Thursday, 30 June 2005 17:58 (twenty years ago)

Could the Player of the Month be anyone but Chavez? .390/.450/.720

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 30 June 2005 18:31 (twenty years ago)

July is going to be the telling month for the A's as they have 6 games with the White Sox, 7 with the Rangers, 3 with Cleveland, 3 with Toronto and 3 with Detroit. The Tigers are the only team below .500 in this stretch and they are only two games below.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 30 June 2005 18:39 (twenty years ago)

Actually, I'm not sure the A's need to add anyone. Maybe an arm in the pen. Otherwise, they are probably good to go w/ what they have.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 30 June 2005 18:42 (twenty years ago)

Could the Player of the Month be anyone but Chavez? .390/.450/.720

Well in the last month in the AL you've got
Vlad: .440/.488/.760
Hafner: .360/.444/.756
Matsui: .396/.478/.708

Bigbie's having a better month than Chavez too, does he platoon or was he hurt?: .378/.489/.730

NL
Lee: .431/.479/.743
A. Jones: .327/.426/.743
Franco: .386/.462/.795
Tracy: .443/.487/.657

Chavez' month is definitely top 10 in MLB, arguably top 5.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 30 June 2005 18:45 (twenty years ago)

Julio Franco!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 30 June 2005 18:48 (twenty years ago)

Vlad wasn't activated til the 10th tho, so I'd say Chavez has a shot at the AL.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 30 June 2005 18:52 (twenty years ago)

"Actually, I'm not sure the A's need to add anyone. Maybe an arm in the pen. Otherwise, they are probably good to go w/ what they have."

They even have the arm in the pen if Bradford gets healthy.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 30 June 2005 19:09 (twenty years ago)

honestly, if the yankees are just going to let him waste away in AAA, i hope they swipe colter bean from under cashman's nose. kid deserves a shot, dammit.

chavez is putting up those numbers as a 3Bman in the middle of a massive resurgence, i think he's gotta get the award. but it'll prolly come down to rbi or something.

― John (jdahlem), Thursday, 30 June 2005 19:16 (twenty years ago)

Actually, I'm not sure the A's need to add anyone. Maybe an arm in the pen. Otherwise, they are probably good to go w/ what they have.

I'm not saying that they should go get like Gary Sheffield or something, but if they could deal for bench/bullpen help, why not?

Maybe they should try picking up Quantrill?

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Thursday, 30 June 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

Haha no.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 30 June 2005 20:53 (twenty years ago)

There are at least 5 guys in Sacramento who are the equivalent of Quantrill who come at 1/10th price.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 30 June 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

Getting the job done (also managing to slowly pull themselves out of the home run cellar.) Bring on the White Sox (some nice games this weekend too--Contreras vs. Harden, Buerle vs. Zito and Garlen vs. Sarloos.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 30 June 2005 21:27 (twenty years ago)

When is Zito's contract up, does he have another season beyond this year?

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Friday, 1 July 2005 00:30 (twenty years ago)

Yes, he's still got one more year.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 1 July 2005 00:37 (twenty years ago)

Do you think he'll be traded?

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 1 July 2005 00:38 (twenty years ago)

;-D

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 1 July 2005 00:38 (twenty years ago)

Ugly win, but grrrrrreat pitching as usual. Today and tomorrow should be good matchups (although I don't forsee 10 walks and wild pitches and hit batsmen a plenty.) .500!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Saturday, 2 July 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

Woo hoo! Seventh straight series win! Unfortunately Texas was playing Seattle and the LA Angels of Anaheim no wait Irvine by way of Newport Beach, Orange County are playing KC so we didn't gain anything on them (didn't lose anything from Texas at least though--which when you are playing the ChiSox and they are playing Seattle is kind of a win.) HOT!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 3 July 2005 21:39 (twenty years ago)

Also 14(?!?!) hit against the best pitcher in the AL! Woo hoo.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 3 July 2005 21:41 (twenty years ago)

seattle beat texas, and greinke could pull one out of his hat. anyway, it's about time the a's actually started, y'know, gaining some games.

― John (jdahlem), Sunday, 3 July 2005 21:48 (twenty years ago)

yeah, the A's sure did get a gift today; freakin fat-azz ump doesn't get out of the way of a ground ball -- even though he had ample time to do so -- and the, yes, best pitcher in the AL makes a bone-headed throwing error to erase a sure double-play. Oh well. It happens. Not scared of the A's AT ALL.

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Monday, 4 July 2005 03:01 (twenty years ago)

WATCH OUT!

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 4 July 2005 10:12 (twenty years ago)

BTW - fans of a team w/ a 22-8 record in one-run games should watch themselves when it comes to complaining about bad breaks.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 4 July 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

Bad breaks!! We outhit ya 16 to 6 and ya think it was a "fluke" that we pounded the crap out of you?!?!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 4 July 2005 15:40 (twenty years ago)

.500!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 6 July 2005 05:16 (twenty years ago)

A's survive a lackluster start from The Other Mr. H.! I wonder if it's OK to call BB a genius again.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 6 July 2005 12:20 (twenty years ago)

Athletics Nation has a lengthy mid-season interview with Billy Beane, the autobiographical author of Moneyball.

parts 1 2 and 3

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 6 July 2005 19:32 (twenty years ago)

Back to .500 and signing Mark Kotsay through 2008 (with trade protection so I assume no deal to the Yankees is in the offing.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 10 July 2005 03:13 (twenty years ago)

I'd really like to see what happens when we face you guys in a game where Jerry Manuel does NOT start the hapless Julio Ramirez...

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Sunday, 10 July 2005 03:26 (twenty years ago)

You mean like when the ChiSox start Mark Buerhle?

― David R. (popshots75`), Sunday, 10 July 2005 04:10 (twenty years ago)

When the ChiSox start Mark Buerhle and he gives up two EARNED RUNS (as HE DID TONIGHT -- NO THANKS TO JERRY MANUEL) and THREE UN-earned runs, the answer is YES

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Sunday, 10 July 2005 07:44 (twenty years ago)

The A's really do have the White Sox' number. It's so frustrating. I'm practically traumatized now when I see those horrible green and white ballet uniforms.

― VM 9001 (dymaxia), Sunday, 10 July 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

Woo hoo! Into the break ONE game above .500!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 10 July 2005 21:55 (twenty years ago)

A's are 6-2 against the ChiSox this year...

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 11 July 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

7-2!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 11 July 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

hella gnarly</eric byrnes>

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 11 July 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

</eric byrnes> indeed!

Athletics sign first-round compensatory pick OF Buck

July 14, 2005
OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Athletics agreed to terms with outfielder Travis Buck, a compensatory pick between the first and second rounds of this past June's draft, the team announced Thursday.

The 36th overall selection in last month's draft, Buck is coming off a stellar junior season with Arizona State. The lefthanded hitter batted .382 with six home runs, 43 RBI and 27 stolen bases for the Sun Devils in 2005.

Buck will be in Oakland on Friday to take batting practice with the A's, who have signed 30 of their first 33 picks.

This is one of the guys considered to be Barry Bonds' lefty protegees, when Bonds spent a couple weeks last Spring in Tempe working with Buck and Jeff Larish and both had breakout seasons.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 14 July 2005 23:56 (twenty years ago)

Wow Harden just pitched probably the best game anyone has pitched all year (unless there was a no-hitter I've forgotten.) 80 pitches (61 strikes!) in 9 innings is insane.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 15 July 2005 03:35 (twenty years ago)

...was watching on ESPNEWS ... and wouldn't you know it ... the very SECOND they switch over to a live feed for the Eighth inning ... mid at-bat .. Soriano hits the single on the very next pitch. Unbelievable. But that's always the way.....

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Friday, 15 July 2005 04:12 (twenty years ago)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/bestgames

Harden's game score was 91, 2nd in the AL this year and 3rd in the majors.

― 30 Bangin' Tunes That You've Already Got ... IN A DIFFERENT ORDER! (Barry Brune, Friday, 15 July 2005 05:29 (twenty years ago)

So why is Halladay's score higher? Two more strikeouts? Cuz 80 pitches is freaking insane!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 15 July 2005 05:42 (twenty years ago)

Game scores don't depend on pitch counts. But you're right, the low pitch count is insane (he still managed to strike out eight -- amazing) and that should be worth a little extra (there isn't much difference between a 91 and a 93 GS anyhow).

― 30 Bangin' Tunes That You've Already Got ... IN A DIFFERENT ORDER! (Barry Brune, Friday, 15 July 2005 06:15 (twenty years ago)

Yeah I was just wondering what the calculation was based on and how it was weighted (and if pitch count was even weighted at all--or it was just included for reference.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 15 July 2005 14:26 (twenty years ago)

Harden is un-freakin-stoppable these days. Is this the best pitcher in AL this year (when he's been healthy)?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 20 July 2005 03:38 (twenty years ago)

Could be -- he's already 8th in AL pitcher VORP, and everybody above him has pitched at least 35 more innings and has a higher H/9IP. (Tho Erik Bedard is right behind him at #9, and he's thrown just 67 innings to Harden's 85.)

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 20 July 2005 12:25 (twenty years ago)

The A's are making me so happy. I wonder if Joe Morgan has ground his teeth into little nubs over the past couple of weeks.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Saturday, 23 July 2005 15:28 (twenty years ago)

Kendall = MASKLESS STUD!

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 23 July 2005 16:27 (twenty years ago)

I WILL STOP YOU FROM SCORING. . . WITH MY FACE!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Saturday, 23 July 2005 17:02 (twenty years ago)

Hey, Joe - where you going &c.

Brendan (Cleveland, OH): Joe, Does it bother you that the A's are playing so well? It seems the Billy Beane detractors were waiting for a poor season with 2/3 of the Big 3 gone. Alas, it isn't going to happen. Haren has been a steal. Harden looks like an ace. It's only going to get better from here. Billy Beane truly looks like a maestro. What are your thoughts?

Joe Morgan: I think Harden can be an ace, he is excellent, and they stole Thomas from Atlanta by giving up Hudson. The A's are playing great right now, the young pitching is their key, but, I would think that if Mulder, Hudson and Zito were still there, they'd be doing the same thing. For the record, I don't know why you would call me a Billy Beane detractor ... I just disagree with his philosophy. Are you a Joe Morgan detractor because you disagree with my philosophy? I don't think so.

― David R. (popshots75`), Saturday, 23 July 2005 18:08 (twenty years ago)

Shows what Joe knows...

― Jimmy Mod Is Sick of Being The Best At Everything (ModJ), Saturday, 23 July 2005 20:11 (twenty years ago)

"and they stole Thomas from Atlanta by giving up Hudson."

Gotta admitt this made me laugh.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Saturday, 23 July 2005 20:15 (twenty years ago)

And just like that tied for the wild card.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 24 July 2005 20:43 (twenty years ago)

The A's have kicked butt through this current run, much better than I would have expected considering they were playing contenders. They have knocked the Rangers way off the pace in two series. The only series they have lost in July is to the Blue Jays.

5-1 vs. White Sox
7-1 vs. Rangers
2-1 vs. Angels
1-2 vs. Blue Jays

Their schedule doesn't really let up, as they have the Indians, Orioles, Tigers, Royals and Angels for six each, the Twins for seven between here and September 1st. Only KC is under .500 in that run. Good thing about that schedule is that if the A's win they are taking out their main competition for the wild card and could make things interesting with the Angels, who are also playing pretty well.

The Angels bullpen has been really tough of late. If they get through seven with a lead, it has been game over with K Rod and Shields closing it out.

Barry Zito has put together his best run of starts in a long time. His ERA has dropped over a run since June 17th.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Sunday, 24 July 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

There are only 3 teams in the entire AL that are under .500 (well 4 if you count Texas now)!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 24 July 2005 21:13 (twenty years ago)

But how many of them padded their records vs Tampa Bay & KC?

Harden's Sunday line looks semi-mortal.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 25 July 2005 12:16 (twenty years ago)

Have the A's even played Kansas City yet? I wanna beat up on Cleveland as revenge for them sweeping us early in the year.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 25 July 2005 16:35 (twenty years ago)

Harden's Sunday line looks semi-mortal.

While he didn't look as dominant as his 3 previous starts, bear in mind that 2 of his 3 ERs scored after Kennedy came in on inherited runners.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 25 July 2005 19:56 (twenty years ago)

26-6!!! Or 22-6!!! Either way - !!!!

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 25 July 2005 20:08 (twenty years ago)

(That's their record over the past month, BTW, tho it could very well be the score of tonight's game.)

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 26 July 2005 03:06 (twenty years ago)

i hope and pray that a) the red sox or orioles win the division, and b) the a's, orioles, or red sox snatch the wild card.

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 26 July 2005 03:07 (twenty years ago)

If we lived in a just world we'd get to see a Braves - A's World Series this year. Or maybe just an MMA match between Beane and Schuerholz for "best GM" bragging rights.

― Garrett Martin (Garrett Martin), Tuesday, 26 July 2005 18:43 (twenty years ago)

mommy why did the Indians lose yesterday?

― laurence kansas (lawrence kansas), Thursday, 28 July 2005 18:47 (twenty years ago)

Hahaha cuz their closer is a perpetual heart-attack.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 28 July 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

OTM

― laurence kansas (lawrence kansas), Thursday, 28 July 2005 19:23 (twenty years ago)

Chat with Beane Friday, 2pm ET/11am PT:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=140

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 28 July 2005 19:49 (twenty years ago)

I hope he talks about Joe Morgan!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 28 July 2005 20:56 (twenty years ago)

WHO IS NOT A DETRACTOR OF BEANES NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES MIGHT HAVE IMPLIED!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 28 July 2005 21:04 (twenty years ago)

The second question about HS pitchers is the one I would've asked.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 29 July 2005 18:15 (twenty years ago)

I wonder if Beane still considers drafting Bonderman a chair-throwable mistake or whether or not he nowregrets trading him (admittedly I think that deal has since netted Lilly, Kielty, Durazo.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 29 July 2005 18:58 (twenty years ago)

I think it was more where Bonderman was drafted (and what it'd cost the A's to sign him) than actually drafting Bonderman.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 29 July 2005 19:02 (twenty years ago)

Nathan (Chicago, IL): Have you and Joe Morgan ever set down to discuss your book?

Billy Beane: Haven't had the opportunity, and surprisingly, he only lives about a mile away from me.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 29 July 2005 20:10 (twenty years ago)

Jay Payton making Beane look like a freakin' genius.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 1 August 2005 00:41 (twenty years ago)

ihttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/08/01/gallery.Athletics/gallery11.jpg

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 20:37 (twenty years ago)

Trading for Jay Payton didn't quite click with me, but he has definitely been delivering at the plate since he went to Oakland.

Is Payton known as a good glove?

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 01:27 (twenty years ago)

Payton was a complete disaster for my Padres, and while he's a good catch and throw guy, he never struck me as a guy with much range (I'll let someone else hit the stats to verify/deny). He seems like more of a corner outfielder than a CF, and as a corner outfielder, he isn't a very good hitter when compared to league averages.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 01:38 (twenty years ago)

That said, he's an improvement on Eric Byrnes.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 01:38 (twenty years ago)

He's a lot better defensively than Byrnes is from what I hear and the A's desperately needed a fourth solid outfielder (esp. now that Kotsay and Kielty seem to be alternating chronic back pain days off.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 03:11 (twenty years ago)

Jay Payton must have John Mabry's locker.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 03:34 (twenty years ago)

Criminy, I hadn't checked the standings since the weekend and lo behold the A's are now 1 game back of the Angels. They were something like 7.5 back just a little over a week ago.

They have been decimating the competition for the wildcard in the AL. They took the Rangers out last month with two series, their sweep of the Tigers last week possibly led Detroit's management to throw in the towel and deal Farnsworth, they won 2 of 3 from Cleveland and now are in the process of taking the ailing Twins apart.

I'm impressed. I just hope they don't peak too early and get cold in October.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

Zito won his eighth straight start ... he may have an outside shot at winning the Cy Young. He's 11-8, 3.65 and if he keeps it up and finishes around 17-9, 3.20 then he might get it. The Gambler has no hope in hell, Garland has the wins but not much else, and Buerhle has slipped a bit lately. Beurhle vs Zito could be reminiscent of Loiaza vs Halladay in 2003, with the latter going on a crazy run and finshing the season by wiping out a huge ERA deficit in the final month (except that Zito's crazy run might have come too late in the season).

Although speaking of Halladay, if he comes back and picks up where he left off, then the award is his, injury or not. 18-6, 2.40 won't be denied, at least not in the AL.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 4 August 2005 19:06 (twenty years ago)

Zito
W-L: 11-8
ERA: 3.65* as of today
WHIP: 1.18
K/BB: 1.90
K/9: 6.38
OPSA: .692
VORP: 30.6
Win Shares: 11

Harden
W-L: 9-4
ERA: 2.54
WHIP: 1.08
K/BB: 2.57
K/9: 7.89
OBSA: .570
VORP: 32.8
Win Shares: 10

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 4 August 2005 19:33 (twenty years ago)

They are absolutely beating up on Jose Lima-time and the Royals today, but aside from that, who do you vote for the AL ROY:

Street, Johnson or Swisher?

― gygax! (gygax!), Sunday, 7 August 2005 00:31 (twenty years ago)

cano deserves a mention. who is johnson?

― John (jdahlem), Sunday, 7 August 2005 01:15 (twenty years ago)

dan johnson, the guy who hits one home run per game.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Sunday, 7 August 2005 02:52 (twenty years ago)

Dan Johnson - 1B
25 years old
College World Series 2001,2002
Mentioned in Moneyball about 10 times
PCL (AAA) - MVP 2004

2005 MLB stats: .330/.414/.560

Cano's OBP/SLG are about 100 points lower each.

― gygax! (gygax!), Sunday, 7 August 2005 17:34 (twenty years ago)

Cano does play 2B though, for what it's worth. Actually, I think that the ROY award will be a tough choice. I'd rank em right now:

1. Chacin
2. Johnson
3. Street
4. Cano
5. Iguchi
6. Swisher

Chacin has been pretty overlooked, imo.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Sunday, 7 August 2005 17:54 (twenty years ago)

shelton has to be up there as well.

i've never heard of johnson!! (well i must've heard about him since i read moneyball, but i've completely forgotten.) i have no idea how that happened.

― John (jdahlem), Sunday, 7 August 2005 18:18 (twenty years ago)

Cano's got Jerome walton-level potential!

― gear (gear), Sunday, 7 August 2005 19:19 (twenty years ago)

Cano, among rookie middle IFs, trails both Iguchi and Russ Adams of Toronto in VORP (Adams is eligible? I knew virtually nothing about him til I saw him play Friday). Chacin and Street are 1-2 in rookie VORP, but if both continue at this level Street may win because the BBWAA overrates closers.

KC needed a mercy rule this weekend.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 12:34 (twenty years ago)

cano didn't play all april, of course. i guess i'm letting subjectivity get in the way here, cuz i rate cano above almost all of these guys.

― John (jdahlem), Monday, 8 August 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

The two top NL rookies might end up Duke and Francoeur, and they didn't play til July!

ESPN better be showing a couple of these OAK-LAA games. I'm afraid to look...

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 13:50 (twenty years ago)

Y'all should tune in to this game.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 11 August 2005 20:59 (twenty years ago)

I tried to go to last night's game but all the cheap seats were sold out and my friends didn't want to pay $20. I hate them.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:04 (twenty years ago)

wow. wow. wow.

― maura (maura), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:39 (twenty years ago)

talk about capitalizing on others' errors!

― maura (maura), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:39 (twenty years ago)

(what i am talking about)

'With a runner on third base, Frankie Rodriguez dropped a throw back from catcher Jose Molina, allowing Jason Kendall to score in the bottom of the ninth Thursday afternoon at McAfee Coliseum to give the Athletics a 5-4 victory over the Angels.'

the a's now have solo possession of first in the al west

― maura (maura), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:42 (twenty years ago)

OMG he dropped a catcher toss!?!?!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:49 (twenty years ago)

Crazy.

The Angels bullpen is looking a little less bulletproof as it did early this year.

Poor K-Rod, you don't easily forget losses like that (esp. on the road with the fans letting you know about it).

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:49 (twenty years ago)

The official line:

Bottom 9TH B:1 S:0 O:2
With Eric Chavez batting, Jason Kendall scores on defensive indifference. Bobby Crosby advances to 2nd on defensive indifference. Missed catch error by pitcher Francisco Rodriguez.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:50 (twenty years ago)

yup. while sulking about an unfavorable call, even.

― maura (maura), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:50 (twenty years ago)

That is unbelievable.

The A's probably got a little lucky in this series, making two late comebacks to win close games. But I'm not complaining.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 11 August 2005 21:56 (twenty years ago)

Vlad got the Bonds treatment (3 IBBs, including one with noone on base in the 9th). He had 2 SBs.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 11 August 2005 22:11 (twenty years ago)

i don't care who wins that division as long as both teams make the playoffs and the bosox win the east

― gear (gear), Thursday, 11 August 2005 22:15 (twenty years ago)

K-Rod will be reminded about this play for the rest of his career.

Two of the oddest plays this season in back to back days with this dropped ball and Mike Lowell catching that guy with the little league play last night.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 11 August 2005 23:43 (twenty years ago)

#1. video (c/p):
mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2005/open/topplays/archive08/081105_anaoak_gw_error_350.wmv

#2. Tonight Barry Zito was on KNBR and Ralph asked him what he thought about the masses saying that the A's can't possibly keep up this historic, record-breaking pace... that they're not seasoned enough to handle the pennant race or to make it beyond the first post-season series.

Zito's reply: "The masses is for the asses."

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 12 August 2005 05:00 (twenty years ago)

Hey gygax, what's your take on the Larry Krueger thing, if you have one.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

what did lowell do?

i for one don't feel at all sorry for the cocky little punk.

― John (jdahlem), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

From what I understand, Krueger used a rather unfortunate choice of words, didn't necessarily cough up an apology as quickly as he should have, and then the station managers couldn't let it go the next day. Because I don't listen to Sports Radio (aside from games), I don't really care one way or the other. It's probably a combination of frustration with Giants and bad manners.

Lowell did the hidden ball trick. MLB said he did one last year too.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:35 (twenty years ago)

I don't have anything against the As, but look at this description of our teams on this creepy racist site.

///www.castefootball.us

no way am i direct linking to that.

― whiteout (bobnope), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Here is a link about Mike Lowell and Todd Jones pulling off the hidden ball trick.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20050810&content_id=1165621&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Friday, 12 August 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)

S Goldman on the A's' and Yanks' polar-opp use of the farm (n case you haven't noticed):

http://www.yesnetwork.com/yankees/pinstripedbible.asp

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 15 August 2005 19:56 (twenty years ago)

Well surely you didn't expect them to play .750 ball rest of the way... The Royals enter in timely fashion (now watch them get off the deck?).

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 18 August 2005 18:58 (twenty years ago)

Haha I was hoping. When is Swisher coming back and who is he bereaving anyway? Canadian newspaper were no help.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 18 August 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

NO JINXING!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 18 August 2005 19:00 (twenty years ago)

OK, getting 2-hit by Nate Robertson (and -- Rodney?) better be hitting bottom.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

Check out Robertson's numbers this year, Morb. He ain't half bad.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 13:18 (twenty years ago)

Aside from Carlos Pena (ex-Beane admiree* who couldn't learn to walk), it was a classic pitching duel. Haren was left in about 20-30 pitches too long (111 total).

*as part of this classic Beane deal:

July 5, 2002
As part of a 3-team trade, traded a player to be named later, Carlos Pena, and Franklyn German to the Detroit Tigers. Received Ted Lilly, Jason Arnold (minors), and John-Ford Griffin (minors) from the New York Yankees and cash from the Detroit Tigers. In addition, the Detroit Tigers sent Jeff Weaver to the New York Yankees. The Oakland Athletics sent Jeremy Bonderman (August 22, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 15:23 (twenty years ago)

Well I can tell who lost that trade (the A's got Durazo and Kielty I think for Arnold and Griffin, I think.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

I know the A's got Kielty from the J's for Lilly.

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 17:23 (twenty years ago)

Oh maybe that's how it worked. I know that they ended up getting a slew of folks out of that Bonderman deal.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 17:25 (twenty years ago)

and while we're at it, tho it has nothing to do w/ the a's (sorry)

johnson: 174.1 IP, 4.34 ERA
posada: .249/.341/.411

vazquez: 167.2 IP, 4.67 ERA
halsey: 145.2 IP, 4.39 ERA
navarro: .271/.370/.343 (20 games)

i know it's a given the trade was bad, but i've never seen the numbers laid out.

― John (jdahlem), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 17:54 (twenty years ago)

Any trade where you give up Bonderman is a bad trade. But then again, "there's no such thing as a pitching prospect."

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 24 August 2005 18:25 (twenty years ago)

The lumber is back! Payton hits his 11th dinger in 134 AB since the trade.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 25 August 2005 18:58 (twenty years ago)

Anyone know offhand when the last time a team with as many contributing rookies (Street, Blanton, Swisher and DJohnson) made the playoffs, or where I can go to check besides trawling team by team, year by year through baseball-reference.com?

― Leeeeeeee (Leee), Monday, 29 August 2005 19:42 (twenty years ago)

Johnson just hit a three run shot off Bedard. Nice. He and Payton have been amazing.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 19:58 (twenty years ago)

BTW Payton has hit 8 of his 11 home runs in Oakland which is just plain weird.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:01 (twenty years ago)

leeee you'll have to narrow your definition of 'contribution'. (not that i can help you. weren't the braves playing a massive amount of rookies earlier in the year?)

― John (jdahlem), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:04 (twenty years ago)

The easiest way to check would be to look at the ROY voting year by year. I would doubt that any team has ever had four legit rookie players like this in a while (if maybe ever.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:08 (twenty years ago)

I totally forgot that a Dodger won ROY four years in a row in the early 80s though.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:10 (twenty years ago)

the braves-a's game i went to earlier this year had 3 braves making their major league debut that day. the braves have 8 rookies on their active roster right now, not including kyle davies who's back down in richmond right now. they've utilised 15 rookies this season, rookies account for 30.4% of runs scored, have hit 25.4% of braves homeruns.

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:23 (twenty years ago)

christ i'd forgotten that dodgers roy run in the 90s - karros, piazza, mondesi, nomo, hollandsworth, all in a row.

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:25 (twenty years ago)

The Dodgers have won twice as many ROYs (16) as the next team (the Yankees - 8).

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 20:38 (twenty years ago)

Of course eligibility enters the equation, but here are a list of teams that had three ROY candidates register on the ballots since 1950:

1997 Pittsburgh Pirates:
Rich Loiselle
Jose Guillen
Tony Womack

1995 LA Dodgers
Hideo Nomo
Chad Fonville
Ismael Valdes (scabbed in 1994, didn't he?)

1990 Montreal Expos
Delino Deshields
Marquis Grissom
Larry Walker

1981 Minnesota Twins
Dave Engle
Gary Ward
Brad Havens

1960 Baltimore Orioles (the only 3 AL ROY candidates registered!!!)
Ron Hansen
Chuck Estrada
Jim Gentile

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 29 August 2005 21:29 (twenty years ago)

None of those made the postseason to my recollection.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 21:32 (twenty years ago)

What I mean by "contributing" is starting position player, in the rotation or in a featured bullpen role (i.e. closer/setup guy). They don't have to be ROY candidates necessarily. Biggets key, though, is the team has to have made the playoffs.

― Leeeeeeee (Leee), Monday, 29 August 2005 21:46 (twenty years ago)

Well obv Willis and Cabrera for the 2003 Marlins were the biggest rookie contributors from recent memory. Were there any other big rookies on that team?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 21:47 (twenty years ago)

Anyway A's sweep the O's and are NOW a full game up on the Angels going into their three game series. Nice.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 29 August 2005 22:16 (twenty years ago)

Pretty much just the two of them. Looks like the 2k2 Angels have three, all pitchers: Lackey, KRod, Donnelly the Scab.

― Leeeeeeee (Leee), Monday, 29 August 2005 22:18 (twenty years ago)

From Jim Baker on Prospectus:

It is time to begin looking at the A’s 2005 comeback in historical terms... Of all the teams who have ever gotten at least 15 games under .500, only this group has managed to get it completely turned around so that they were at least 15 games to the good:

Year Team over .500 Deficit Turnaround
1914 Braves 35 -16 51
1965 Pirates 18 -15 33
2005 A’s 19 -15 34

(fix da columns if they screwed up? thx)

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 31 August 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

Morbs, the <pre> tag is your friend FYI.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 31 August 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

Thanks, but I'll likely learn to use that when my mom programs her VCR...

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 31 August 2005 15:28 (twenty years ago)

That Braves line is insane.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 31 August 2005 17:03 (twenty years ago)

Crosby on the DL with an ankle fracture; suckage.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2148344

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 1 September 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

Augh. I watched the bottom of the 9th of last night's game. Ellis lines a single down the left field line to bring up Chavez w/ 2 outs (against K-Rod, of course). And EC flails like a weeping willow at two low-and-in curveball / breaking ball things, and then flies out to center two pitches later. WORK THE COUNT YOU JACKASS! (I can see why Beane likes rearranging furniture so.)

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 1 September 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

Yeah Harden may be out for a while too. And Kotsay's back is in a funk too.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 September 2005 13:10 (twenty years ago)

September call-ups ahoyhoy! Move Joe Kennedy into Harden's rotation spot, lean on Juan Cruz & other young guns. An outfield of Kielty / Payton / Swisher isn't that bad (especially if Payton keeps on exceeding expectations). & maybe Freddie Bynum can play a key role as nu-Crosby!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 1 September 2005 13:23 (twenty years ago)

Oh I'm not that worried. This is a much much much better team than the one from May which was missing Crosby and Harden (and no one is really sure how long Harden will be out for anyway--he could be back by the Yankees series possibly.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 September 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

Also apparently the A's have been shutout 6 times (and been held to 1 run at least a couple of times) with Blanton pitching. I gotta think they score and win even half of those games and he's 11-7 rather than 8-10 that he's a shoe in for ROY. Poor guy.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 September 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

Blanton by month:


   G GS W L SV CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA   
 April   5 5 0 2 0 1 0 30.1 26 10 9 4 9 10 2.67 1.15 .230   
 May   5 5 0 3 0 0 0 18.1 31 28 27 5 14 6 13.25 2.45 .378   
 June   6 6 5 1 0 0 0 43.2 27 13 10 4 9 28 2.06 0.82 .174   
 July   4 4 0 3 0 0 0 24.1 25 12 12 2 11 17 4.44 1.48 .269   
 August   7 7 3 1 0 1 0 46.0 34 6 6 2 14 36 1.17 1.04 .207

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 1 September 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

Oh god burn that last post, plz.

Anyway: dude's been godlike this month.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 1 September 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

Yeah May seems like the aberration. Also 1.17 ERA in 7 games though and A 3-1 record! That's got to be one of the least lucky months ever.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 September 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

What's unlucky is that the A's went 4-3 in those 7 starts! All one-run losses, too - 4-3 to Baltimore (Blanton w/ 6 IP and 1 R), 5-4 to KANSAS CITY (B: 7 IP, 0 R), and yesterday's 2-1 loss to That Nomadic West Coast Team (B: 8 IP, 2 R, season-high 10 K).

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 1 September 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

One thing about the A's (esp. @ the oakland coliseum) is that it's never hard to get tickets.

I just picked up tix for 18 rows behind the Seattle dugout for Monday's Labor Day day game, Blanton vs. King Felix. I'm excited.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 1 September 2005 19:17 (twenty years ago)

Yeah the "I will walk up to the ticket window the day of game and pick up better tickets than I ever would have had normally" thing is the only part of the idea of the "new" stadium I am sad about.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 1 September 2005 20:01 (twenty years ago)

I had fairly crappy advance seats in June, but other Mets fans made their plans before I did.

"HR" basically declared the A's dead on BBTN because of 1) their W-L record w/out Crosby (hey, he's worth 400 winning-pct points all by himself!) and 2) "lineup protection." You can't use 2 bigger myths in 30 seconds.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 2 September 2005 13:24 (twenty years ago)

FLEECE A COW HR

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 2 September 2005 13:36 (twenty years ago)

Harold Reynolds is aware that they are still tied for both the division and wild card leads, right?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 2 September 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

Like that means anything! Who cares about the standings at the beginning of September? It's where you are at the END of the season that counts.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 2 September 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

Haha well the only thing that worries me about the A's is that the offense seems to be very feast or famine (esp. as of late.) Anyway I'm really interested in seeing who the A's bring up in this final month. Last time there were injuries-a-plenty we got Dan Johnson out of the deal.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 2 September 2005 14:25 (twenty years ago)

Did anyone see Jay Payton throw Chone Figgins out at home last night? The level of play that Payton has provided the A's is unbelievable.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 2 September 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

Off to the game in a bit! Go A's!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Saturday, 3 September 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

Woohoo!

― David R. (popshots75`), Saturday, 3 September 2005 17:02 (twenty years ago)

Grrr.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 04:02 (twenty years ago)

Ouch on Kotsay.

24,000 for this game? I KNOW it's Oakland, but if a rat could show up in the Seattle dugout...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250906111

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

I realize that BP and the A's have some sort of holy favoritism alliance but ranking Oakland #2 on their weekly hitlist is worthy of being filed under the dumbshit analysis thread. The A's are 1-6 in the past week and yet they are rated as no-change from last week, despite mentioning that Crosby & Harden's injuries are critical.

Has anyone on yardwork done a sendup of the overly zealous stathead/SABR-guru who doesn't give up on Oakland until they're 10 games out of the playoff-running (before conveniently switching alliances to Boston in late September)?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

"Has anyone on yardwork done a sendup of the overly zealous stathead/SABR-guru who doesn't give up on Oakland until they're 10 games out of the playoff-running (before conveniently switching alliances to Boston in late September)?"

Given that the A's are only 1.5 games back of Anaheim (and 1.5 games back of the wildcard), with 20+ games left, I think spoofing that would be dopey. (Not that I speak for YW, of course; this is just One Dope's Opinion.) If there's anything to spoof, it's the shitwits that counted the A's out 90 seconds after Crosby & Harden went down.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

'gax, did you read the BP thing on Hit List methodology recently? I think it was a response to an angry letter echoing your favoritism accusation.

(man, one Kent HR and peepul looze it)

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

Gygax! they've explained the way the hit list ranking system works time and time again (hint: it has nothing to do with injuries and everything to do with numbers.) Read the fucking mailbag.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

So do y'all want to see my Howard Dean impression after that Kent Taco last night?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 15:01 (twenty years ago)

At any rate, the weekly win-loss column at BP must be fucked unless they are giving the A's adjusted wins out of the loss column. If they get swept by the Mariners tonight they will be 1-7 of their last 8.

Am I reading it right if it says that the column was published 9/7 (ie, today)?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4383

Here is the explanation.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

Because the A's had gone 1-5 on the week, being swept by the Orioles at home and then losing two out of three to the Royals--who entered the series on an 18-game losing streak--the results set off a minor fury that included several accusations of bias.

Haha, a week later they go on another 1-6 slump (Angels/Yankees/Mariners). But they still have the Baseball Prospectus POWER™!!!

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

Because the list is based solely on the ratio of runs scored/runs allowed! What's so difficult to comprehend about this?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

They keep allowing more runs than they score is the problem!!!

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 16:51 (twenty years ago)

Yes, but their ratio of RS/RA is still better than all the teams that are below them on the list.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

holy shit! just when i wrote them off as dead, they channel the BP POWER™ gods to save them from JJ PUTZ in the 9th!!!!

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:44 (twenty years ago)

HAHAHAHA, Hatteberg out on a suicide squeeze bunt-pop-up with the bases juiced WITH NO OUTS!!! PURE BP-approved POWER™!!!!

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:52 (twenty years ago)

Hahaha and then they score the winning on a walk. A's should never ever under any circumstances and esp. with Scott Hatteberg batting try to ever ever EVER bunt. They are so thoroughly terrible at it, it is ridiculous.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:54 (twenty years ago)

xpost:

And Swisher walks the winning run home, A's scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to avoid a sweep by Mariners at home. Billy Beane is a genius, Al Leiter's corpse is resurrected, and, folks, never underestimate the power of err... POWER!!!

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 21:54 (twenty years ago)

BP's playoff odds chart gives them just a 3% chance at winning the wild card !?! (~ 30% shot at winning the division). The contrast between the A's schedule and Cleveland's over the final month is nearly laughable.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 7 September 2005 22:19 (twenty years ago)

The contrast between the A's schedule and the Angels is laughable! At least the Angel's finally lost last night (fuck you very much White Sox.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:08 (twenty years ago)

A's have been helped somewhat by Kotsay's return, but now Harden might finally be headed to the DL (hasn't pitched in a month, maybe not until 2006).

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

Yeah that's not hopeful, but strangely I think Harden is less essential than Crosby and Kotsay (despite being their best pitcher.) The A's pitching is just ridiculously deep.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:31 (twenty years ago)

Maybe, but if the A's make the playoffs w/o Harden, I don't think it's gonna buck their Beane-era playoff trend.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

*shrugs* I'll take Haren, Zito and Blanton against any top three starters that anyone else is throwing out there plus I think the A's have the best relief staff in the AL right now (def. the most confident looking closer these days.) The A's playoff chances depend mostly on their ability to score a few runs consistently. But yeah obv. I'd rather have Harden than Saarlos as the 4th guy out there.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 13 September 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

Crosby back tomorrow

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 19 September 2005 21:07 (twenty years ago)

Crosby starting today (and just drew a key walk.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 01:40 (twenty years ago)

I don't know most teams expect out of a utility middle infielder, but Mark Ellis is making a case for MVP this year:

April .279/.323/.328
May .283/.358/.367
June 304/.373/.435
July .323/.362/.492
August .310/.394/.540
September .424/.472/.591

not counting today where he's 3/4 (a double short of the cycle).

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 03:11 (twenty years ago)

He's been a godsend these past 2 months, but even thinking "MVP" is silly. Unless you're Jayson Stark. Then it's par for the course (which is, of course, the one w/ the windmill that you always quad-bogey).

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 03:39 (twenty years ago)

What if I quoted some crazy stat that showed the 2005 Oakland A's win-loss record with Mark Ellis batting lead-off versus their record with him not in the line-up/batting elswhere?

Because you know it would just be the greatest thing and when the A's make the playoffs again despite "trading away their 2 best pitchers" [sic] and some other such nonsense, you can all just think it's Billy Beane out there swinging away with his SABR OF TRUTH or simply the sumtotal of every statistical algorithim but I will know deep in my heart that Mark Ellis is carrying that forsaken team on his back (offensively at least).

Hey Kendall, hit a homer!

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 03:50 (twenty years ago)

Apparently Crosby tweaked his ankle again and Harden is most likely not going to start again this year. Sigh. Still 1 1/2 games back. I'm still hopeful.

Ellis has definitely been the A's MVP btw, but that's a far cry from the league MVP.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 04:30 (twenty years ago)

BTW I hope Steve Levitt lost a mint betting against the A's winning 83 games. Fucking dipshit.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

Well, Kennedy got thumped. :( Was he the best temp #5 starter option?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 20:06 (twenty years ago)

Kennedy was a good option, he just didn't have it today.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 20:11 (twenty years ago)

I'll tell you who wouldn't have been better options: Cruz or Yabu.

Both of those guys can't seem to get anybody out.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 20:40 (twenty years ago)

haha!

- K. Yabu relieved J. Witasick
- J. Bartlett hit by pitch

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 21:11 (twenty years ago)

The difference between Juan Cruz in AAA and Juan Cruz in the bigs is huge. He was tearing it up down there (admittedly as a starter.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 22:13 (twenty years ago)

What if, after all of this, we wind up with Angels, White Sox, Yankees, and Red Sox (WC)? That would be really boring.

And in the NL: Padres (sacrificial lamb), Cardinals, Braves, Houston (WC).

That would be nearly the exact same playoffs as last year, but with the Padres playing the part of the Dodgers and the White Sox playing the part of the Twins.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 22:16 (twenty years ago)

Yeah it would be really boring. That's why I hope the A's and Indians make it (esp. since I am an A's fan.) And I'd rather see the Phillies or the Marlins than the Astros frankly.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 22:28 (twenty years ago)

You guys are really gonna make me put $ on SD.

How has Crosby looked since his return? Was he hitting 7th earlier in the year?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 22 September 2005 12:54 (twenty years ago)

No he was hitting 3rd from the get go. Apparently he's looked pretty good (little twinge his first game back, but otherwise good.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 22 September 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

Then why'd he hit 7th yesterday?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 22 September 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

Macha wants to "ease him" into the lineup apparently (aka beats me.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 22 September 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

That one extra AB would kill him DO YOU SEE?!?!

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 22 September 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

Juan Cruz did have a nice season out of the bullpen last year for Atlanta. When Cruz was with the Cubs, it seemed he would often start off great the first time through the order and then fall apart somewhere after that.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 22 September 2005 17:15 (twenty years ago)

Will Carroll: "Rich Harden will throw a simulated game on Friday after a positive mound session on Wednesday."

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 22 September 2005 18:10 (twenty years ago)

Excellent. Maybe get an Angels game out of him yet. In other news apparently Haren is pretty close to signing a deal til 2009 (with an option 2010.) So Harden/Blanton/Haren look like the new big three. I'll take it.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 22 September 2005 19:56 (twenty years ago)

Looks rather grim, don't it?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Sunday, 25 September 2005 12:36 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, but the future looks really bright.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Sunday, 25 September 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

It's still possible, but they have to win all four games in Anaheim. Fucking Texas and Kenny Rogers.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 25 September 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

Both NorCal teams have to sweep their SoCal division leaders to have a chance for the playoffs (so yeah, uh... good luck!).

― gygax! (gygax!), Sunday, 25 September 2005 16:55 (twenty years ago)

Goddammit.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 26 September 2005 02:22 (twenty years ago)

I went to the Coliseum to check out the game on Saturday because Ive never been before. It was uh, interesting.

― Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Monday, 26 September 2005 17:09 (twenty years ago)

FUCKING MLB EXTRA INNINGS IS NOT TELEVISING THE GAME TONIGHT WTF

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Tuesday, 27 September 2005 01:17 (twenty years ago)

shit

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 27 September 2005 03:36 (twenty years ago)

STEVE FINLEY

Of all the times for that gimpy waste of $$$ to show up.

Also: a Gasface to Mark Kotsay for stranding at least 4 runners.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 27 September 2005 03:55 (twenty years ago)

Sigh well another year come and gone, but I can't be too disappointed with a lot of young guys and good arms for the future.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

Somewhere, Joe Morgan is preparing a column titled "How Billy Beane Blew It".

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 15:24 (twenty years ago)

I was gonna mention that BP finally took Oakland out of their top 3 hitlist this week (falling to #5).

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 15:42 (twenty years ago)

They cooled off with a 10-15 September, but they played in a load of close games over the past month and had a killer schedule. Last year, it seemed like they completely fell apart down the stretch.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 15:47 (twenty years ago)

Yeah I don't think they fell apart. I think injuries esp. to Harden and Crosby just killed their momentum and they just couldn't quite eke out those one run games.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

Yeah - inopportune bullpen farts coupled w/ run-scoring problems coupled w/ The The Angels Angels recieving love from Texas, Tampa Bay, & Detroit (while the A's had to wrassle w/ Boston, and Texas decided to show up against Oakland to boot) = it was a rebuilding year, after all.

I wonder how much Kendall's struggles cost the A's, given he (& his 670 OPS) sat in the top of their line-up most of the year.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

He cost them A LOT. In fact if you want to blame one individual for the A's failures you can feel pretty safe in blaming him, both for his execrable hitting and his almost as terrible fielding (worst % of base-runners thrown out in the league) and also for being a $10m dollar sinkhole.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

Ha, Ramon Hernandez is a free agent next year.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

BRING HIM BACK BILBO!

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:33 (twenty years ago)

Nah Kendall isn't going anywhere (mostly cause no one is going to pick up that salary.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:39 (twenty years ago)

Wasn't Towers trying to get Kendall for 2 (3?) years?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 16:45 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, but that was before this years decline!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:04 (twenty years ago)

Although Kendall did have to call the game for all those young unproven pitchers, Towers must be having the last laugh:

Ramon Hernandez
$4.3M
Offense: .289/.316/.454
WinShares: 8
VORP: 22.6
Range Factor: 7.55
Caught Stealing %: 25%

Jason Kendall
$10.6M
Offense: .272/.347/.322
WinShares: 12
VORP: 16.5
Range Factor: 7.30
Caught Stealing %: 18%

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:13 (twenty years ago)

Not one of Beane's better trades. The Mulder one makes up for it though, I think.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:15 (twenty years ago)

For the record because I had forgot who was involved exactly:

The A's traded Terrence Long and Ramon Hernandez to the Padres for Mark Kotsay.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:20 (twenty years ago)

Oh I meant the trade for Kendall. Long/Hernandez for Kotsay was a good trade. I like Kotsay.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:21 (twenty years ago)

The Kendall deal:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1932968

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 17:54 (twenty years ago)

Oh well...even though the A's did not make the postseason, this season has to be viewed as a success, especially considering the poor start to the season. Oakland has a young team that has been though a playoff chase and should be primed to make a run at winning the whole thing next year.

I thought the Angels had a good shot at winning it all last year, but then they got swept out for nothing. This year's team just doesn't really excite me. The Angels have a bit more starting pitching, but their lineup is pretty anemic and their bullpen is a bit less than last year. Shields and K-Rod have both had good seasons, but they both gave up much more runs and blew quite a few games in the second half. I think the LA Angels of Anaheim pitching will really get lit up by either the Indians, Red Sox or Yanks. I don't know how the seeding will work, but I doubt that they will face the White Sox in the first round whichever way it goes.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:02 (twenty years ago)

I'd love to see the A's surprise everyone and make a run on a big time hitter (Konerko? Matsui?) but of course this is not going to happen.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:07 (twenty years ago)

Maybe it will, they're under new mgmt.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)

They were under new management all year, and their big pickups this year were Jay Payton and Joe Kennedy. The first was a prescient move on Beane's part, but neither suggest any indication that Wolff is planning to spend money.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:51 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, but those were about the biggest pick-ups of the trading deadline this year. It's not like there were any Griffey type deals that went through or anything. They might try for someone like Dunn.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

When was the last time the A's signed a major free agent? I mean, as opposed to re-signing. The ones I can think of are Rhodes and Hatteberg. Everyone else of note was traded for or came from the minors.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:05 (twenty years ago)

JERMAINE DYE MOFO

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:38 (twenty years ago)

nope, he was either resigned or traded now that i think about it.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:39 (twenty years ago)

He was acquired in the Ben Grieve deal, I think. And that signing burned them, too, thanks to the broken leg. Beane's free-agent record (IIRC) ain't so hot. And if they weren't gonna drop $$$ for Giambi, I'll be damned if they drop $$$ for Konerko.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 29 September 2005 00:01 (twenty years ago)

Taking Sides: part I

St. Louis Cardinals
Mark Mulder (16 wins - 8 losses):
ERA 3.64
WHIP 1.38
K/9 4.87
K/BB 1.59
BAA .273
OPSA .745

vs.

Oakland Athletics
RP Kiko Calero (4 wins - 1 loss, 12 Holds, 1 Save, 1 Blown Save):
ERA 3.23
WHIP 1.13
K/9 8.41
K/BB 2.89
BAA .203
OPSA .611

Oakland Athletics
SP SP Danny Haren (14 wins - 12 losses):
ERA 3.73
WHIP 1.22
K/9 6.76
K/BB 3.08
BAA .255
OPSA .709

Stockton Ports (A) and Midland Rockhounds (AA)
C Daric Barton
BA .317 (160/504)
OBP .428 (97 Walks vs. 79 Strikeouts, 98 Runs scored)
SLG .478 (108 singles, 36 doubles, 3 triples, 13 HR, 89 RBIs)

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

O that Billy is a crafty one...

― Jimmy Mod wants you to tighten the strings on your corset (The Famous Jimmy Mod), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

Oh well I'd take Mulder cuz he has 16 wins haha.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

Unfortunately the other two offseason trades don't look so good. :(

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

all about Harden and Crosby.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

Next year, fuckers!

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Taking Sides part II

Atlanta Braves
SP Tim Hudson (14 wins - 9 losses):
ERA 3.52
WHIP 1.35
K/9 5.39
K/BB 1.77
BAA .265
OPSA .736

vs.

Oakland Athletics
RP Juan Cruz (0 Wins - 3 Losses, 0 Saves, 0 Holds)
ERA 7.44
WHIP 1.84
K/9 9.37
K/BB 1.55
BAA .290
OPSA .891

Sacramento Rivercats
SP Dan Meyer (2 Wins - 8 Losses)
ERA 5.36
WHIP 1.19
K/9 6.37
K/BB 1.46
[SF Chronicle: Dan Meyer was placed on the disabled list at Triple-A because of tightness in his shoulder.
Meyer missed time earlier this season with shoulder problems, so this setback is very concerning.]

Oakland Athletics
OF Charles Thomas
30 ABs = 5 singles, 5 BBs, 9 Ks
.109/.255/.109 = OPS .363

Sacramento Rivercats
OF Charles Thomas
277 ABs = 39 singles, 16 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HRs, 35 BBs, 56Ks.
.227/.314/.361 = OPS .675
[Contra Costa Times: Charles Thomas is hitting .429 (15-for-35) since being demoted to Triple-A.
Thomas looked completely lost at the plate with the A's, but he is not nearly that bad a player. Expect him to rejoin the team in the second half, because the A's aren't going to give up on him yet.]

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

What's the other trade Alex?

Mark Teahen for Octavio Dotel?

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:46 (twenty years ago)

Rhodes/Redman for Kendall.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

Yeah I'll pass on that one, use your imaginations.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

Anyway the second trade looks bad now, but if I was the Braves I'd be less than pleased that Hudson's #s got worse moving to the easier league. But if nothing comes of Meyer and Cruz and Thomas and none of those guys can be spun for anyone else well even a 3/4-strength Hudson looks like a great deal.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 17:03 (twenty years ago)

Okay, so one more eerie comparison (and boy do I mean eerie):

Joe Blanton (who?)
ERA 3.53
WHIP 1.22
K/9 5.25
K/BB 1.77
BAA .235
OPSA .692

vs.

Tim Hudson (OMG ONE OF THE BIG THREE LORD A MERCY WHAT ARE THE A's TO DOOOOoooooo!!!!):
ERA 3.52
WHIP 1.35
K/9 5.39
K/BB 1.77
BAA .265
OPSA .736

and just one kind reminder ladies and gentlemen, these statistics are provided for the sheer purpose of demonstration only. they are not intended for any masturbatory activity at all.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 19:46 (twenty years ago)

*masturbates self-loathingly*

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Monday, 3 October 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

A's make an offer to Macha, who will wait a week to make a decision (*ahem* Pittsburgh, Florida and LA).

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 4 October 2005 03:43 (twenty years ago)

he's not coming back (sorry for the xpost).

― maura (maura), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)

VORP:

Blanton 44.3
Hudson 40.5

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 19:28 (twenty years ago)

considering what Macha did this year, this failure to come to terms could be construed as a mistake (unless he's got some hidden Dusty-isms that freaked out Beane)

― gear (gear), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 20:34 (twenty years ago)

They agreed on three years but Beane offered a team-option after 3 and Macha wanted a manager-option.

But don't think for a minute that Beane doesn't have an ace in the hole. I would have liked to see Leyland (maybe my favorite manager ever) in there.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 20:39 (twenty years ago)

Hitting coach Dave Hudgen was also let go, maybe the Swingin' A's make more consistent contact in 2006.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 20:39 (twenty years ago)

I get the feeling that Beane will just hire a quiet guy who tows the line, and in year 3-4 when he starts getting lippy, Billy'll let the guy hit the road and get rich and fail somewhere else.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 21:01 (twenty years ago)

A thought: do you think Lou Pinella and Beane could co-exist? Or Beane and Bobby V?

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 21:52 (twenty years ago)

Doubtful, but even more important is that those managers you named demand a salary that is not in line with the A's "cheap-bastards" philosophy.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:03 (twenty years ago)

Why must you destroy my dreams with logic.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:11 (twenty years ago)

Tony Muser!

― gear (gear), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:14 (twenty years ago)

A's will probably promote from within = Ron Washington

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:15 (twenty years ago)

A's will probably promote from within = Ron Washington

That would be really awesome.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

Another good choice:

http://rivercats.com/team/office/?id=545

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:30 (twenty years ago)

What I meant to say but didn't is that DeFrancesco's coached most of these guys anyway (to much success).

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:34 (twenty years ago)

OK, what exactly did Macha do *independently* that helped turn the A's around this year? Isn't it clear from "Moneyball" and Art Howe's NY flameout that Beane considers a puppet who won't screw up good enough to manage?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 6 October 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

I didn't realize that anyone thought Macha really DID do much of anything.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 6 October 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

yeah i'm an idiot then, huh

― gear (gear), Thursday, 6 October 2005 17:27 (twenty years ago)

i mean obviously Macha is no Bobby Cox, he's not that good, but he's proven himself to be a Beane guy. why mess with it? god forbid they get a guy in there who has a notion in his head to try some tomfoolery!

― gear (gear), Thursday, 6 October 2005 17:40 (twenty years ago)

I don't follow the A's closely enough to know the extent of Macha's skills, but obv Beane feels as with closers, they're replaceable enough to avoid overpaying for.

Bobby V would likely be too expensive, tho he seems Moneyball compatible.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 6 October 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

just kidding!

The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has reached an agreement with Ken Macha on a three-year contract to manage the club through the 2008 season. Macha, 55, made his Major League managerial debut with the A's in 2003 and guided Oakland to a 275-211 record in three seasons with the club, which is the fifth best record in baseball over the last three seasons. His .566 winning percentage is the second best mark in franchise history to Dick Williams, who compiled a .603 winning percentage from 1971-73.

― maura (maura), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

OH LARRY'S GONNA BE PISSED!

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

Technically, the premise of that article is correct, as i posted upthread:

They agreed on three years but Beane offered a team-option after 3 and Macha wanted a manager-option.
But don't think for a minute that Beane doesn't have an ace in the hole. I would have liked to see Leyland (maybe my favorite manager ever) in there.

-- gygax! (gygax0...), October 5th, 2005 2:39 PM. (gygax!)

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:23 (twenty years ago)

Art Howe sez "Smart move."

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

Nah, it's not bad blood, or that Oakland low-balled Macha, or even that Macha's demands were THAT outlandish.

It's more of a trivial difference over the 4th year that neither side could come to an agreement on and both parties decided to part ways rather than resolve.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:44 (twenty years ago)

Word is that Larry Bowa may wind up as the bench coach or hitting instructor.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:54 (twenty years ago)

Did you read what Wash said poly? Let me dig it out...

Washington said, "It's not like they fired Macha (initially), you know what I mean? They just couldn't come together on the money, and I guess they worked that out.

"I still hope I made a good showing when I talked to them. I hope I impressed them.''

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 14 October 2005 19:31 (twenty years ago)

Sounds like he wants to keep his job.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 14 October 2005 20:12 (twenty years ago)

Macha? Or Washington? Cuz they ain't firing Washington! Everyone loves that guy.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 14 October 2005 22:35 (twenty years ago)

Washington. Everyone loves him, but they can't love him quite as much if he's coaching another team. Sounded to me like he was saying "hey guys, if I don't get a manager gig, I'm happy to stay.."

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 14 October 2005 23:34 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

So the A's declined Hatteberg's option? End of an era, tho well-timed.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 3 November 2005 22:59 (twenty years ago)

I'm not reading that much into it. They declined his $2.75M option but that doesn't mean that they can't offer him less than that (as they turned part of his $2.75M into a 2-year deal Witasick).

I predict he'll stay with the A's for an agreed upon part-time role (with part/all of the freed up $1.4M leftover from Witasick) and then finesse him into the front office.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 3 November 2005 23:06 (twenty years ago)

So any odds on whether Zito will still be around next April?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 3 November 2005 23:09 (twenty years ago)

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