SB Nation User Blog: JLaff

Padres play two!... in one game. San Diego lost to Arizona after 18 innings (5 hours, 45 mins.) on a three-run homer given up by infielder Josh Wilson.

via media.signonsandiego.com

Wilson was the logical choice because twice before he had pitched an inning in a lopsided losing cause – including earlier this season while playing for the Diamondbacks.

But this was the first time since his high school days in Pennsylvania that Wilson went to the mound with the game on the line.

"As the game was going on, I was preparing myself," said Wilson, whom the Padres claimed off waivers from Arizona on May 15.

"Pitching is fairly natural to me. I'm not saying I'm a pitcher, but I felt comfortable given the situation."

Nomar is still not ready to come back from the DL.

SF Chronicle columnist Scott Ostler thinks Matt Holliday will stick around for a while.

So with Mazzaro on a Cy Young path and the A's marching maniacally, does that mean Billy Beane will elect to not blow up the ballclub at midseason?

"It's always sort of (the media and public perception) that you're either in or you're out, you know?" said Beane. "You're going for it! You're not going for it! The A's have given up for the season! Now they're back in it!

"It's not nearly that dramatic in my own head; it's really not like that. Sometimes you're just trying to do the best you can with what you have."

So... how many copyeditors has the Chron laid off? Sad. (I love the Chronicle, I really, really, really do)

The A's six-game winning streak would seem to be putting a crimp in Billy Bean's Blowup Schedule.

Also, does anyone have recommendations for good, upbeat workout music? Thanks.

Poll

Best new movie?

The Hangover

39 votes

Up

22 votes

Land of the Lost

1 votes

Night at the Museum 2

0 votes

Star Trek

32 votes

Drag Me to Hell

6 votes

Angels and Demons

3 votes

Dance Flick

0 votes

Other

5 votes

108 votes | Poll has closed

DLD 5-7 + pics from the game

JLaff — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:41:52 -0000

Links:

Brett Anderson still has a blister on his throwing index finger and Sean Gallagher will make his next start. At this rate, will they need to amputate? We've seen how little injuries escalate. Also, Chavez and Nomar might be back by May 14 and Michael/Michel Ynoa/Inoa will report to extended spring training today.

Uh... what?

One area in which the Oscar-winning director will not be striving for realism, however, will be with Bill James, the stats guru who has a key role in Lewis’ book and whose body of work Beane applied to his management of the A’s. “My current plan is to animate him,” Soderberg revealed to MTV News while promoting his Tribeca Film Festival entry, “The Girlfriend Experience.”

Rick Reilly has a column about Yankees closer prospect Pat Venditte — a switch pitcher. Watch what happens when he faces a switch hitter.

This All-Hunger team, it's coached by Charles Barkley, right?

College coaches (and EVERYONE else, I'm discovering) are on Twitter. That thing is addicting. I'm sure the soul-sucking NCAA will find some way to make a buck and/or take the fun out of that.

USC football coach Pete Carroll has more than 17,000 followers on Twitter. Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean and new Kentucky coach John Calipari are engaged in a lighthearted competition to see who can get more followers. Former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is Twittering at Tennessee.

Meantime, Stanford basketball and football coaches don't have Twitter accounts, and Cal athletic department officials say accounts on the free social networking site are in the works for some of their coaches.

Last night, the A's lost 3-2. ~~Corey~~ Scott Feldman got the win, Dan Giese took the loss.

Some pics (full gallery here):

via farm4.static.flickr.com

I've always thought it was kinda funny, the temporary control that the guys who shag fly balls during BP have. Usually they're scrub pitchers (no offense to Derek Holland, above), but they possess the power to choose who gets stray balls. Some tend to revel in it and tease people about getting baseballs. But not Mr. Holland. He was in deep left field and ran over to this kid by the bullpen to give him a baseball and later autograph it. I thought that was cool.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Giese throwing pre-game

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Kurt Suzuki, who always (along with Travis Buck) seems to be smiling or about to smile.

Ben Copeland was jumping with joy after being called up to the majors.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Holliday standing in as a batter while Dan Giese warms up in the bullpen.

I never really realized that Stomper has hair.

Frank Francisco stretching his core chair-throwing muscles.

Enjoy your Thursday!

Poll

Best weekday not named Friday?

Monday

4 votes

Tuesday

2 votes

Wednesday

10 votes

Thursday

38 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

Photos: Ports vs. River Cats 4/8

JLaff — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:58:00 -0000

The future A's were playing... well... the near future A's. The Ports actually won 3-2 in a 7-inning exhibition contest where innings ended randomly.

Here are some of the shots I got last night. The entire album is here. Let me know if that doesn't work, I'll upload them to Flickr when I get home tonight.

It probably goes without saying, but please, ask me first if you want to use these pictures.

via photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net

Banner Island Ballpark scoreboard and Stockton Arena, home of the Stockton Thunder

via photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net

2B Michael Affronti and C Raul Padron signing autographs

Giovany Gonzalez, who should really go by that instead of Gio:

via photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net

via photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net

via photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net

1B Daric Barton. Hmm... he seems familiar.

via photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net

Ports starting pitcher Scott Mitchinson warming up

via photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net

The bullpen watching as Gio gets ready

via photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net

Area code 305 - Miami, FL. Gio was born in Hialeah, a town northwest of Miami.

via photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net

Cliff Pennington laying down a bunt

via photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net

More Gio

via photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net

Michael Affronti rounding 3rd on his 1st-inning HR off Gio

via photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net

C Anthony Recker (one of the biggest minor league players I've ever seen) blocking a ball

via photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net

Jack Hannahan

via photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net

I have no idea how to end this, so here's a ballboy with a cup on his head.

Poll

First ex-A River Cat to be called up?

Gio Gonzalez

73 votes

Aaron Cunningham

9 votes

Daric Barton

20 votes

Jack Hannahan

10 votes

Eric Patterson

1 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

D L D - 3.9.09 - Case of the Mond-A's

JLaff — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:16:16 -0000

Mondays are no fun.

Editorial in the SJ Merc: San Jose leaders must work together in pursuing the A's

Public participation early is critical here because the previous administration, while identifying a great site for baseball, railroaded the idea with too little involvement by neighbors. A ballpark can't be built without community support. Even if no public money goes into it, a public vote is inevitable for a project this big.

We believe San Jose residents would like having the A's play downtown. They've seen the Sharks and the arena enrich city life. And while some neighbors will fight a ballpark, others have moved downtown for a more urban experience. Condos near AT&T Park in San Francisco don't suffer from proximity to that great ball field.

Old man Randy Johnson shakes fist at A's, Giants win

via www.eastvalleytribune.com

Also, the A's triumphed over the Indians. Brett Anderson went 2 2/3 allowing two hits and striking out one.

via mlb.mlb.com

"The better hitters I face, the calmer I am," Anderson said. "Every time out it feels a little better, especially when I start and can get back on a routine."

Anderson is in the mix for one of two spots in the A's rotation.

"There are so many talented guys going for those spots I can't think about it like that," Anderson said. "Most guys have never seen me so I wanted to come in and showcase what I can do."

Oakland manager Bob Geren liked what he saw.

"He was very solid," Geren said. "After a leadoff walk he pitched well. He's not afraid to pound the inside part of the zone."

SF Chron's Bruce Jenkins says what most of us already know, that "Moneyball" is pretty much passé now.

But it was fascinating to watch Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra stroll into a conference room together for a news conference at Phoenix Stadium the other day. These are quality veterans with a mural of postseason history, and Beane's strategy - waiting until he could sign each man at a one-year bargain - was masterful.

He might not be through, either. The A's draw ever closer to a team capable of passing the Angels in the AL West ("We want to take over," as Cabrera said), and another starting pitcher or two just might do the trick.

Other:

The Drumbeat checks up on Kirk Saarloos

via farm1.static.flickr.com

Didn't see this posted, but here's a great story from Joe Posnanski about a Royals scout

Six months later, Art Stewart was at a ballgame, and he saw another scout making a move on a beautiful young woman. He heard the woman spurn him by saying, "There’s only one team, and that’s the New York Yankees." Art worked for the New York Yankees at the time. He stepped in.

North Carolina def. Duke, 79-71. Also... can someone who knows more about college basketball help me with this? If this Stephen Curry guy is such a great player, how come he didn't go to a better basketball school? Was he not that good in high school, did he have character/work ethic issues, etc.? I keep hearing about him.

Whimsy:

It's old, but parenting fail

Barbie turns 50 today

Just for the hell of it

Poll

Peanut butter?

Smooth

49 votes

Chunky

65 votes

114 votes | Poll has closed

The fANfest primer

JLaff — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:43:23 -0000

(Note from Nico - I'm putting this on the front page until the event has come and gone. Hope to see as many of you as possible!)

Who: Any and all ANers, regardless of seniority

What: fANfest

Where: The John Lewis Glass showroom at 10208 Pearmain Street, Oakland 94603 (google maps) (yahoo maps)

When: Sunday, Feb. 8, 12 - 4 p.m.

Why: Because we need some baseball and fun

Previous fANfest diaries:

- An AN FanFest?

- Gather Round AN...

Thanks, lynnzgal for setting up the showroom, it sounds like it's going to be awesome. She'll be there early in case anyone wants to get started on grilling, video set-up, et cetera. Leopold Bloom is making a banner, too (thanks!). There will also be a table for swapping/selling A's memorabilia.

From lynnzgal:

I'll have cutlery, plates, napkins, cups, aluminum pans, serving bowls, containers for icing beverages, and one gas grill. I also have a fully functional kitchen including an oven for heating or cooking and a fridge. Besides the memorabilia table, there are three other large, glass tables for serving food and bevs.

Please vote in the poll if you are coming so we have a rough headcount. This event is open to everyone, so if you just signed up for AN and want to meet some like-minded fans, feel free to show up! We'll even waive the initiation fee.

Food will be kind of a pot-luck style, so please, in the comments (or e-mail me), let us know what you can bring, and I'll update when I get home from work:

- Hot dogs/burgers (veggie and meat)
- Buns of both kinds
- Condiments
- Chips and dips
- Salads: Englishmajor (fruit)
- Beverages, both adult and regular: jaylikewise (beer), Englishmajor
- Desserts: gigglingone
- Plates/napkins/utensils

- Some sort of food: oblique, mrod, pam5981

- Veggie food: alea iacta est

I'll help chip in with whatever isn't brought.

Poll

Are you coming?

Yes

35 votes

Maybe

80 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

I was just going through some of my old photos and found Anthony Reyes. That's just plain ugly.

JLaff — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:40:27 -0000

I was just going through some of my old photos and found Anthony Reyes. That's just plain ugly.

An AN FanFest?

JLaff — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:49:04 -0000

Just because FanFest has been canceled this year doesn't mean that we resourceful ANers can't get an A's fix before Spring Training.

EDIT:

Who: Any and all ANers, regardless of seniority

What: FanFest

Where: Lynnzgal's showroom at 10208 Pearmain Street, Oakland 94603

When: Sunday, Feb. 8, 12 - 4 p.m.

Why: Because we need some baseball and fun

It sounds like visual entertainment shouldn't be a problem, and I have a couple DVDs I can also contribute. I think we should have a trivia game, too. Any other ideas? We could even sell beer and soda at exorbitant prices. Kraut, if provided, will be free.

Also, thanks everyone (hat tip to lynnzgal) for making this possible. A week or so before the event, I'd like to get a head count of how many people we'll have.

Gigglingone and I had an idea for AN to have its own "FanFest," albeit not as star-studded as the real one.

The possibilities are endless:

- A guided, roped-off tour of the Coliseum parking lot, a sports-themed restaurant, an ANer's home, or some other venue in the Bay Area.

- Q&A with AN's front page writers (be careful what you ask monkeyball and be sure to pronounce grover with a lower-case g!)

- Sign each others' baseballs, caps and jerseys for $20.

- Discuss whether or not AN should trade a poster or two to Deadspin or the ESPN A's board at the deadline.

- Trade/sell/giveaway bobbleheads, figurines, jerseys and other A's memorabilia.

- Have your picture taken with a picture of a World Series trophy.

and more...

We just need a time and a place to meet. If you choose to host this event, tarping off the roof or top story of your house is optional. I figured a Saturday or a Sunday would be best.

Would there be any interest in an offseason AN Day/FanFest/casual gathering?

Poll

What day is best to meet up?

Feb. 7

11 votes

Feb. 8

18 votes

29 votes | Poll has closed

DLD - 12/19 - What more can I say?

JLaff — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:19:21 -0000

Good morning.

via mtsix.com

There will be links in here, I promise.

This will be a little self-serving, I apologize.

Today is my final day as a college student.

Today could be Bobby Crosby's last day as an Oakland A.

i still can't believe it. This is something I've waited 4 1/2 years for. I finished an epic paper on the state of journalism last night, probably one of my best pieces of academic writing. There were 2 years of studying at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, where I had the priviledge of learning under some amazing professors.

Then it was on to San Diego State, where I spent 2 1/2 years ~~checking out California's finest student bodies~~ learning, working and doing the occasional studying. Getting through there wasn't exactly easy.

I've got a good feeling about their new football coach, though.

You want more actual links, huh? De La Salle in Concord, my alma mater, will be playing in the Division 1 bowl game tonight against Centennial of Corona. Go Spartans!

Also, I really hope Cathedral Catholic (from San Diego) does well in their bowl game. Head coach Sean Doyle is good people, and running back Tyler Gaffney is one of the most spectacular high school players I've seen.

Oh, right, back to baseball.

I have been waiting for this to happen. It HAD to happen eventually, right?

Niekro, who as recently as 2006 was vying to become the Giants' everyday first baseman, is exiting a brief retirement from baseball and will attempt a comeback at age 30 as a right-handed knuckleball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves have signed Niekro to a minor-league contract and will bring him to spring training to see if he can extend the legacy of his late father, Joe, and his uncle Phil and make his living floating baseballs to major-league hitters.

"It's going to be an adventure," Lance Niekro said Thursday from his home in Lakeland, Fla., "but it's going to be a fun one."

I love knuckleballers. I have a weird thing for them, and I think they're good for the game. There's nothing like a professional baseball hitter, trained to notice the difference between 95 mph fastball and an 80 mph changeup in a fraction of a second, looking silly on a pitch that wouldn't even break the freeway speed limit.

The Red Sox have admitted they've lost the Mark Teixiera sweepstakes. So is Anaheim now the most likely destination, or is there still a chance for the Orioles, or even better, the Nationals to sign him?

There really isn't a lot else for me to link, really.

- My favorite A's game in the past 4 1/2 years

- The most exciting game I've ever covered

- The most boring game I've ever covered

- For the hell of it: Steve Sparks

- Read Joe Posnanski. Just do it. Trust me on this one.

I love everything right now. Really, I do.

Except you.

Poll

What did you think of Kanye West's latest album, 808s & Heartbreak?

Loved it, Kanye's a genius

6 votes

Hated it, lose the vocoder

16 votes

Indifferent

21 votes

I applaud the creativity

7 votes

Kanye who?

51 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

DLD - 10/29 - Rain, rain, go away

JLaff — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:50:12 -0000

There's nothing here. Mobile users, rejoice.

So with the World Series resuming mid-game last night tonight(?), it poses an interesting question (well, one I heard this morning on ESPN). Cole Hamels was due at-bat, so it's not certain who will be sent in to pinch-hit for him, and with whom Tampa Bay will counter.

----

SB Nation will be getting some serious financial backing:

Former AOL executive vice president of consumer and publisher services Jim Bankoff has secured a "mid-seven-figure sum" of venture capital for SB Nation, a startup network of sports blogs.

/snip

Bankoff will serve as chairman for the company. Tyler Bleszinski, whose five-year-old Athletics Nation blog in Oakland was a building block for SB Nation, will remain president of the company. He has this to say about the news:

Yes, the humble company that I started back in November of 2003 (AN will be five years old in just nine days) has blossomed into a thriving new media company with funding. I'm very thankful and lucky to be associated with the quality of people and blogs that we have here.

----

NY Times readers sound off on the interesting health care proposal op-ed piece from Billy Beane, Newt Gingrich and John Kerry (recap: a medical staff of Scott Hattebergs would cure cancer).

The basic premise of the Op-Ed article by Billy Beane, Newt Gingrich and John Kerry is correct — medicine needs greater statistical analysis — but let’s not get carried away with the baseball analogy.

The number of variables in medical care (patient and treatment variability, co-morbid conditions) and degree of subjective interpretation (severity of illness) is far greater than in baseball.

It’s easy to overinterpret a single number or set of numbers (for example, surgical mortality rate) without context. And while changes in baseball occur gradually, changes in medicine are continual, making statistical interpretation harder. Today’s observer would recognize the game of baseball played in 1908 — not so in medicine.

I’m sure Mr. Beane, general manager of the Oakland Athletics, would agree that not everyone in baseball or sabermetrics agrees on the value or meaning of many new statistics. Experts sometimes come to opposite conclusions with the same data. It’s the same in medicine.

---

The A's official Web site has a piece on Adrian Cardenas and other A's in the Arizona Fall League.

He's also been able to get used to an old defensive home. A shortstop in high school, the Phillies moved Cardenas to second base after rookie ball because most felt he was better suited there and perhaps partially because of the presence of Jimmy Rollins. The A's, however, wanted him to work back at short. He got all of three games in there with Stockton before moving up to Midland and getting the news that's where he was going to play for the duration.

"I was nervous when I first got to Double-A and they told me I'd be the everyday shortstop," Cardenas said. "I was confident I could play there, but I was nervous at least until the first ground ball came. I'm new, I'm 20, with guys who are older and are in a playoff run. I definitely felt the pressure a little bit. Then I fielded that first ground ball and said, 'OK, I can do this.'"

---

Ouch.

---

On this day...

1929, stock prices collapsed on the New York Stock Exchange amid panic selling. Thousands of investors were wiped out.

Poll

Who should "start" Game 5 for Tampa Bay?

RHP Grant Balfour (who was already in)

20 votes

RHP Chad Bradford

7 votes

LHP JP Howell

0 votes

LHP Trever Miller

0 votes

RHP Dan Wheeler

1 votes

RHP Edwin Jackson

1 votes

LHP David Price

18 votes

47 votes | Poll has closed