SB Nation User Blog: Gerard

From the "Pitts" of Despair

Gerard — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:35:52 -0000

This game reminded me why I stay faithful to the Raiders after 39 years. Forget about the last 6 seasons. Forget about blown 1st round draft choices. Forget about an owner who still thinks his antiquated views of player assessment and foolish control of player personnel has sold this team into the depths of dysfunction that makes other football fans shake their heads at us and chuckle.

This game, for 60 minutes and as important to a team attempting to make the playoffs in 2009 faced the grit and determination from a local highschool QB who broke all of Dan Marino's passing records. The Steelers faced a team whose faithful continue to question the undying loyalty of their head coach who has absolutely refused to give up on the talent he sees in a mostly undisciplined team. This game, if I could just forget about all of the anguish this team has caused me recently. This game showed me that somewhere deep inside we really do have players that if they just believe the way their 4th yr QB believes, can beat any team on any given Sunday. I never want to see Jamarcus line behind a Raider center again. We have found a quarterback.

Not since the home opener in 1976 when Ken Stabler guided the Raiders to a stirring 31-28 home victory over the Steelers with 17 points within the last 90 seconds have I felt like a did all of those years ago. Excited about a Raiders victory. Of course, we won the SuperBowl XI that season, but it's just nice spend a Sunday afternoon with a smile on my face. That's why I stay faithful to the Raiders.

The A's have a new radio station

Gerard — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:10:49 -0000

It's been an arduos process keeping up with the A's radio stations over the past several years but they just reached an agreement and can be found at 860 on the am dial.

Here's the link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=34165#comments

The question is how much will this change our listening habits given a potentially stronger signal throughout most of the bay area. I think a special reward should go out to anyone on AN who can list the A's stations going back to...KNBR in the 70's (yes, THAT KNBR which we've grown to despise).

Bowie Kuhn's Effect on the A's

Gerard — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:33:50 -0000

I believe it was Finley that had a larger impact than Kuhn could have dreamed of. Okay, orange fluorescent baseballs didn't stick. What did was the DH and prime time playoffs and WS, which was Finley's idea. Kuhn...I'm really not so sure of his efforts and how productive they were. Indellible, yes but not productive.

In 1976 Finley attempted to trade Rudi and Fingers to the Red Sox and Blue to the Yankees. His goal was to use that money to retain his other players before they left for free agency. Was his act any worse than that of Connie Mack's? Hardly. In today's version of player dumping no on else has done a better job than the Marlins, who have 2 WS rings in a phenomenally short amount of time.

So Kuhn, in all of his brilliance, decided the A's dynasty should stick together. Well, at the end of the 76' season, many of those "dynasty" players left via free agency and Finley was left to look like a pauper. The $3.5M he would have received would have allowed him to continue to compete. Some may argue he was only being greedy. Let's not forget it was his eye for talent that built that team. He enjoyed winning more than most of his contemporaries. Yet, Kuhn will now be enshrined for his contributions to baseball. Please explain them to me. Bowie Kuhn has passed away and so ends an era in baseball that from our standpoint is mixed. Before the era of steroids Kuhn was Commisioner during the period that brought free agency to baseball. Drug use occurred as amphetamines were passed out like candy but it was an accepted part of the baseball culture in some circles.Like many, Kuhn remained idealistic but his actions were quixotic.

On one hand Kuhn didn't want to see dynasties broken up but at the same time he is single handedly responsible for the breakup of the Swingin' A's. Did baseball really change under Kuhn or were there others that influenced the game more in my mind forever be linked to Finley due to that infamous intervention.

To think that the A's would have had the opportunity to retain their captain Sal Bando, Bert Campaneris, Gene Tenace, along with keeping Billy North and possibly resigning Mike Torrez and Don Baylor whom they received in the Reggie Jackson trade changes the perception and quality of the 1977 team immediately. Of course, its fun (and painful) to speculate about what could have been. But this, in my mind was the result of Kuhn's decision. Does Marvin Miller have a role in all of this? Absolutly. But no team was more devastated than the A's. Who benefitted? Yep, King George as we all saw Reggie and his Reggie bar reached tremendous popularity. Never mind that they ended up with Catfish Hunter and Ken Holtzman.

So what is your impression of Bowie Kuhn (for those that remember)? Does he stand out in a positive way or was his tenure mediocre or poor?

How Good is Your Fantasy Baseball Team

Gerard — Mon, 21 May 2007 17:03:36 -0000

I thought just for fun we can talk about our fantasy baseball teams given our enlightened perspective on managing our fantasy baseball rosters.

Alright so Billy Beane HAS the job we all want. Nevertheless, our own abilities to manage a roster and make moves is within our grasp. So what diamonds in the rough, underappreciated or undervalued players have you picked up that have made the difference between your team and their competition.

Here's my roster that you can comment on or compare with yours. But some of the things that might be fun to share are: what has been your best pickup or worst move that you've made thus far this season that's now a a quarter of the way over.
C: Joe Mauer (IR) Picked up Bengie Molina off waivers
1b: Ryan Franklin (IR) picked up Dan Johnson (yeah baby) FA
2b:Orlando Hudson Free agent
3b: Ar. Ramirez
ss: J Rollins
OF: Vernon Wells
OF: Swisher FA (sitting this week)
OF: Jack Cust FA
OF: Matt Holiday off waivers
utility/3b: Mike Lowell FA
SP: Colon, Marquis, Harden (IR), Bonderman (IR), Verlander, Washburn, Sabathia
RP: Accardo, Putz, Valverde

Thus far, after an 0-3 start I'm now 3-3. My worst move was dropping Sheffield but picking up Holiday made up for it big time. How's your season going?

What's Going To Give

Gerard — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:31:46 -0000

Alright AN our heads are spinning with all of the injuries that have taken place. So what's this roster going to look like in the next month, by July and beyond? Theorists, prognosticators and cynics are all welcome.

The casualties thus far: Let's start form the top. Johnson went down in ST but is ready for the call. Torn labrum or not, he's playing to his usual AAAA capacity. Hey he's a "healthy body", so when does he come up?

Harden: Oh man, at this point I think he won't be right until he learns to be a pitcher vs a guy who pushes his body to the extreme but at the price of abusing his body.

Loaiza: Cervical Disc disease. It won't get any easier for him but the latest surgeries such as micro disc-ectomies show promising results for most individuals. All I can say is, get him healthy then trade him.

Kielty: if his calf injury lingers he will go on the DL then to Sacto depending on who's healthy.

Bradley: He wears his body down based on poor technique especially when running. Just watch him the next time he's able. He also does better in warmer weather. Don't question his motivation this is a contract year for him. He wants to play.

Kotsay: On the 60 day DL. We knew he'd be out for a awhile. Just a roster move b/c we knew he wouldn't be back in April or May. I target mid to late June...if all goes well.

Swisher: Hamstring injuries can be tough. But if you look at the replay he twisted his ankle as well. This can alter his gait which can have implications in terms of affecting his hips and back if he doesn't rehabilitate properly. I suspect he be limited to 1st base or DH.

Buck: He doesn't have the largest wrists in the world and twirling a bat can cause tendinitis which heals with time. Let's hope his therapy is going well.

Whew... I'm sure I forgot to mention other issues but this is exhausting. So what moves do we make? I'm not a huge Walker fan and replacing him with Johnson is okay with me. Swisher's injury may now affect that scenerio.

Starting pitching. Damn we're good. Are we now 7 deep? Maybe not so fast but the future remains promising DESPITE INJURIES. Our Bullpen is okay. I dont' think Duke is quite right but if a couple of people will be dropped I expect Dinardo and or Witasick.

So what will this team look like? Is their hope to still be had or are more medical consultations on the way?

The Torn Labrum (Not again)!

Gerard — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:56:11 -0000

Thought I'd share my thoughts about the latest set of injuries as I have some experience dealing with them.

Just a few years ago we all cringed when we heard about Ellis torn labrum (shoulder) when he collided with 'Crashkid Crosby'. At least this time we can blame the opposition,right? A torn hip labrum is rare. It takes very strong forces that cause compression and shearing of the labrum to rip it. The good news is that the hip joint is strong and with surgery 6-8 weeks of rest and then rehab. If you thought Kotsay rehab was long, this will be about the same if not longer. Sorry DJ, we had high hopes for you but now we'll see if Durazo fills in or Barton gets the call.

Loiaza's injury is a recurrent one. It's probably affected by his pitching motion, especially when he takes his arm back before releasing the ball. There are specific exercises that can be done to both release and calm down the trapezius, it's a question of whether the trainers have been monitoring him as closely as they should. My assumption is that they have but he's not exactly 26 anymore and it may be an issue of age to some degree. I guarantee he's not sleeping well when placing weight on the right side of shoulder/neck. Commonly other muscles get recruited to compensate for a strain of one muscle and his Levator scapulae muscle on the right side is probably also tender. He may need a week or two to get this to calm down. There's no reason a 4 man rotation couldn't work in the meantime.

Anyway, hopefully this is helpful and we dont' have blame Crosby this time for our team's ailments

Delayed Visas, I Just Don't Understand It

Gerard — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 19:00:20 -0000

Every year it seems like we go through the same story. This is almost as frustrating as watching "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray. So every season, after the players file out of the locker rooms and pack their bags for home we lose track of them except for a few words when the Carribean Series starts up.

Yet, our players from the Carribean (who know when Spring Training starts) invariably have trouble attaining their visas on time and show up at camp late. How can this be? It's not as if they don't have calenders down there. I know that because I've seen the calenders. At this point in their careers, they are essentially consecrated due to thier abilities and money is not an issue for them as much anymore.

This year, we see our favorite alias (although mine had her show cancelled) Santiago Cassilla and Antonio Perez delayed in arriving to Papago Park. So what's the excuse this time? Yet another name change, shaky birth certificates, bad food (bad crop year for beans and rice)...what could it possibly be this time? Please share your insights.

A's Sign Sauerbeck

Gerard — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:15:51 -0000

The A's have reportedly signed lefty Scott Sauerbeck who was recently released by the Cleveland Indians.

He was recently involved in a DUI case in which the woman who was driving his was intoxicated. In their attempt to evade authorities, they were found hiding in the bushes.

The question for us is whether or not he remains with the team short or longterm.

Options Beyond Crosby (see poll)

Gerard — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 21:57:22 -0000

Now that Nico stuck a needle in my side with his entry "At What Point..." regarding the health of Bobby Crosby, then Monkeyball twisted it (ouch), I've been compelled to ask the question regarding the depth of infield.
This roster has been carefully put together by Beane with the purpose of adding enough depth at all positions to handle any potential injuries to our starters. Most agree that this team has the deepest roster in terms of ability that we've seen in several years.
With the latest information about Crosby's injury, are we collectively comfortable with Marco Scutaro, Antonio Perez and possibly Mark Ellis filling in at SS?

Poll

Is AN comfortable with our backups for Bobby Crosby?

2.Yes, I'm comfortable with Scutaro but only for short term (< 1 week at a time)

31 votes

3. No, Scutaro is not adequate and we should look at Perez, Ginter or Ellis to fulfill short term needs in the infield

32 votes

4. Yes, I'm comfortable b/c Macha's options are so deep he can mix and match accordingly.

34 votes

5. No worries 'Mon, b/c Crosby's voodoo doll was lost shortly after he injured his shoulder and he will stay healthy all year

20 votes

1. Yes , I'm comfortable with Scutaro at SS for both short and long term use.

24 votes

141 votes | Poll has closed

MLB and MLBPA Change Penalties on Substance Abuse

Gerard — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 22:49:30 -0000

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I completely missed this story yesterday until I woke up and saw it in the morning paper today. I think baseball took a great step in getting this rectified. It's just too bad that it took the threat of Congressional action for it to happen. Also, what about the folks still using human growth hormone? Can we see an addition to that, please? Then we might finally know whether or not Bonds is actually hitting those home runs clean or not. - Blez]

MLB finally woke up to the 21st century regarding substance abuse. The penalties are much more severe for abuse steroids and (finally) amphetamines.

Apparently 1st offense for steroid abuse is 50 games, the 2nd is 100 games and the 3rd is banishment for 2 years before applying for reinstatement.

The details of amphetamine abuse is I believe 40 games, 80 games and then up to the Commissioner for further penalty (please forgive me I forgot the exact details).

Testing will be performed during Spring training and then randomly 1-2 times per season. The key point is random testing during the season.

Poll

Is the new policy for substance abuse:

Too Strict

4 votes

Not strict enough

19 votes

Appropriate

49 votes

72 votes | Poll has closed