In my professional life, I use the first Monday of the new month to compile results from the previous period and then distribute reports to my associates.

I've been doing this today, but after attending 2 games of the A's opening homestand, I have a couple of lingering thoughts I woud like to share and see what the Nation thinks.....

1) Retired Numbers: Yesterday I took my girlfriend to her first A's game. Somewhere along the line when I was giving her the visual tour of the stadium and while explaining to her the retired numbers of the A's former legends, I came to the sudden realization that Rollie Fingers #34 was also worn by another A's legend who is certainly destined to be cannonized by the A's at some point, Dave Stewart.

Rickey Henderson, a certain Hall of Famer, who has yet to declare in which uniform he will be enshrined (one would have to bet that the Oakland native would be wearing the green and gold into the HOF), broke into the Majors with the A's wearing #35, but is remebered more frequently in #24.

What will the A's do in remembering these legends when the appropriate time arises. Two #34 jerseys? What about Rickey's #?

2) Emil Brown: No doubt that this is an aggresive ballplayer, and that his early season success has so far endeared him to A's fans. While sitting on the 3rd baseline yesterday I made a couple of observations of him that made me question this players mindset . On 2 seperate singles to left, Brown deliberately overthrew the cutoff man, Crosby, when there was absolutely no reason for it. They were to line singles straight at him and the runner had absolutely no thoughts of trying for 2. One throw even short-hopped Ellis a little, and in a tight ballgame, those are the kind of fundamental mistakes that can cost you dearly.

In the 9th, with the tying run on 1st provided by a walk from the Indians closer, Brown proceeded to swing at the first pitch. He hit it pretty good, a line shot in the right center gap, but of course it was tracked down by the center fielder.

I got the distinct feeling that maybe this guy's head is just a little bit big for his shoulders? What do you guys think?

Please feel free to use this thread or any of your own observations as well.   

In the summer of 1986, I turned 17, and baseball was in the forefront of my life.

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Hey gang.

Been away for awhile (see new sig), but I have been paying close attention and all I can say is this:

  I strongly dislike these other teams we are forced to watch, but I am a "Baseball" fan first and foremost. I am very excited that Boston has been eliminated, and I feel like a non-Bos/NYY ALCS will be not only a fresh breath of air, but a great movement towards a better health of the game.

  If the Yankees lose this series, or even the next for that matter, it will once again reinforce the message that "money cannot by you happiness".

  It has been a few years now since the Yanks have won a title, and it may take a few more, but "the game" will be stronger in the end.

A strange thing happened to me tonight.

 As I arrived home to my condo by the beach, I ran into a woman in the parking garage that I have crossed paths with before. Actually, I saw her just a few minutes before, at the grocery. I was a few people behind her in line. As I pulled into my spot she was unloading her cache of rice noodles and soy milk. I was lighthanded and offered her my services, as any gentlemen would.  She was fine, but did not recognize me from our previous encounters. An older woman, she had taken notice of my auto on another occasion, and I pointed it out and she made some recollection.

"You good looking guys look all the same" she said. A compliment I guess, thank you old friend.

 We exchanged small talk on the elevator ride up. It was as we exited and parted ways that she then blindsided me with a question of no immediate relevance:

"What is Kharma?" she asked.

  My reply came without hesitation. I have been thinking about it for awhile now, and I still find myself a bit perplexed by my own instant reaction.

I calmly answered, "It's the Lord's retribution"......and baseball was the farthest thing from my mind.

  Perhaps I subconsciously was reliving the moments before I left work, where my day was ruined by an unfortunate e-mail from my boss who inadvertantly crushed my spirits by CC'ing her criticisms of me to the whole company?

  Or perhaps I had just seen the Yankees come back to within 1 from down 5?

  Only time will tell, but I believe "Kharma" is on our side.

For me it's easy:

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Let's take a day off and think about it...

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RING...RING...Hello?

...Alpha Foxtrot, line secure.

Copy Alpha, please authenticate.

..."An Angel cannot fly with broken wings".

Roger that Alpha Foxtrot. Authentication verified. What is your status?

...On location. Premliminary recon complete. Cover intact.

Completion overview?

...Subjects seem unaware, overly confident. Initial atmospheric testing reveals high levels of toxins that may impair judgement.
...Sending intercepted radio transmission transcription now:

Host: "The Oakland A's begin a 3 game series with the Angels tonight. The A's, the hottest team in MLB since May 30th, find themselves only 7.5 games back in the division!"

Co-host: "The Angels will win the division. They are AL elite. The A's won't catch them".

Transmission received Alpha. Phase 2 status?

...Admission not secured due to heavy traffic volumes. Will exercise from remote location.

Weapon status?

...All sytems operational as evidenced in previous night's event:
...Molecular Mojo Decimator primed with adjusted bandwith for remote deployment.
...Foam-finger device locked and loaded.
...Lucky hat warming up.

Roger that Alpha Foxtrot.
Commence phase Z at 1900 hrs. Over.

...Roger.

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Last month I pegged June like a 140yd downhill par 3 with a 9 iron. But I wasn't really trying.

Score one up for the "optimists" I guess?

Colorado Fan asked, so what the hey? Maybe I'll  try a little bit harder this time and then blow minds with a brilliant plot twist at the end?

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This young A's ballclub has held true to the tradition of having a strong June. Here is a post I made on May 23rd...

June (1.25 / 0)
If there is one thing I have learned from watching the A's over the last 5 years, it is that they start slow. Above all the SI picks and other prognostications, we must wait until after June to judge this team or anyone involved.

Here's why:

       Apr-May W/L   Apr-Jun W/L  
2004      26-23         43-33
2003      31-23         46-35
2002      25-28         46-35
2001      26-26         38-41
2000      25-26         43-33

With the exception of 01', June has been an over-the-top month for the A's. Granted we have seen many personnel changes over these years, and there have been slight monthly volume of game variances, June has seen a dramatic increase in total win percentages, seasons to date.

I won't be bashing Beane, but if I was, I would wait until after June.

Our schedule will now get a little easier. We will get healthier, and start having some fun. I would not be surprised to see the A's finish out the month strong, and then have a great June putting us just above .500. In this division, that's right where we need to be at that point.

Are we the Yankees? The Red or White Sox? The O's?

No. But these guys have enough in them to make it interesting down the stretch. And that's all we, and Billy Beane are asking for.

I got a feeling our boys will be turning it around soon, and rez, no hard feelings.

Lord Vader... ...yesss massster? ...RISE!!!

by Force on Mon May 23, 2005 at 11:52:26 PM PST

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This is mostly a post I made in the Lewis interview thread, but it's something I've been thinking about for a few days.

What must be going on in the heads of these players? They have put on a great face while looking mostly like a AA ballclub on the field, and it must be something mental taking it's toll.

Here is the majority of the post:

"I can certainly rationalize the trades as Blez and Michael outlined, but Graybeard brings up a good point about the psycological effects they had on the current team.

They are all "professionals", but it's only human to have some fear or a blow to your confidence when losing so much of the glue year after year. Us fans are not the only ones who need "instant gratification", the players do to. Especially guys like Chavez.

How would it feel to be one of the best players in the game and watch your current team diminsh in such rich ML talent? It has to be hard to look ahead when the past has been filled with some pretty darn good times. He is still young, but I'd bet he can't help but feel that he's been dealt some tough cards in the prime of his career. He'll get past it, but who knows how long it will take and where it will happen (see A-Rod for example)?

If I was Chavez, or any other ballplayer, and I was continually dealt those kind of blows, I don't know how I would handle it.

I can garauntee that I would put on a good face, but deep inside, the powers of the darkside would be stirring."

What do you think?

My wife is out of town and I'd rather join a fellow AN'er than go at it alone. I need a ticket so an extra would be perfect or we could hit up a scalper. They usally have some pretty good seats and I've never paid much over face value.

I don't really understand why I am not being allowed to post this diary, so I have added this ridiculous commentery to meet the character requirements. I mean, I understand this diary is not relevant to every single user on this blog, but that is clearly evident in the title and no-one's time will be wasted reading it if they aren't in Seattle. Also, there is one for the Angel games right below?

And my apologies to Catfish27 for "bumping" him, but 1 comment? Please don't be pissed.

10:32 pm...

As I went to check the final ST standings, I see that the board has been prepared for the regular season to start.

The AL West all stacked nice and neat in alphabetical order(city of origin) with records of 0-0.

Blez, call me old-fashioned, but I don't like it. I get bad vibes seeing Anahiem over the A's without having done anything to earn it.

This is an A's site and there is no need to be politically correct. It's bad mojo, almost as if a prediction(allthough I know you would never!).

Please fix it, for I fear the wrath of the baseball gods closing in!