SB Nation User Blog: JLaff

DLD 11/11/09 - Veterans Day and Baseball

JLaff — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:37:25 -0000

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served our country, and to those who are overseas now.

Military doctors said, "Amputate the leg." The corporal with a contract to play Major League Baseball said, "No."

A star in the textile baseball league of South Carolina, Leland Lou Brissie of North Augusta turned down a signing bonus with the Dodgers before signing with the Philadelphia A's. His baseball career was set. And then came World War II.

"The Dodgers made an offer with a $25,000 bonus, but I turned it down to sign with the Athletics. I signed in 1941, and the deal was I attend college for three years and then report to the ball club. That never happened. The war came along and most of us didn't get our three years in."

Brissie enlisted in the 88th Infantry Division of the United States Army in 1942. In the spring of 1944, his unit was sent to Italy to combat the Axis powers. On Dec. 7, 1944, Brissie's life changed forever.

A story about some Athletics during the Great Depression and World War II

When the total loss of players to the war effort was calculated, the Athletics had contributed more personnel, 36, than any other team in baseball.

But the Athletics had finished last in 1941, before the war. The couldn't blame military inductions for their poor showing. Throughout the war, with the exception of an aberrational fifth-place finish in 1944, the American League cellar remained in the sole possession of the Athletics.

And of course, 1944 was also the year the St. Louis Browns turned the baseball world on its ear by winning the American League Pennant!

As the players returned from the war, there were massive roster changes throughout the league. For the Athletics the 1946 season meant another cellar finish, but things were looking better. In 1947, the Athletics produced their first winning season in 15 years, gaining a fifth-place finish.

via cache.thephoenix.com

This is a long read, but a damn good one about WWII vet and Hall of Famer Ted Williams by John Updike.

For me, Williams is the classic ballplayer of the game on a hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill.

DLD 10.29.09 - Best sports video game?

JLaff — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:03:13 -0000

Yay, the weekend is almost here!

Links:

- Warriors drop season opener to Rockets. At least the A's aren't as dysfunctional as the other two Oakland teams.

- Yankees lefty Phil Coke is an everyman... because he used to have a second job? He still makes exponentially more than I do.

- Redskins owner Dan Snyder has banned all signs from ~~North Korea~~ ~~Communist China~~ FedEx Field.

A spokesman told me that this policy is meant to protect spectators from getting injured by signs, and also to make sure everyone can see the action. Because obstructed views at that stadium could not possibly be tolerated.

- Need relationship help? Ask Madden.

Video games put you in the game. You're the quarterback, the point guard, the center, the pitcher. You must use both your brain and the players' brawn to win. You have to know the game and make the best decisions on the fly. If you don't, you're probably going to lose. Basic instinct teaches us to prefer winning to losing, so we learn the intricacies of whatever game we're playing. And in the case of females like my sister, playing video games can give that basic knowledge of the Power I formation, power forwards, power plays and power hitters, about which they have been wondering -- but afraid to ask -- for ages.

What do you ANers think is the best sports game?

Some of my favorites:

MVP Baseball 2004 (and 05)

via cdn1.gamepro.com

All-Star Baseball 2004 (I loved that you had to worry about options in the franchise mode)

via xboxmedia.ign.com

Madden NFL 2002

via i.testfreaks.com

Madden 10, Wii (Yes, I know. But I'm finding it really fun!)

via cache.g4tv.com

via sydlexia.com

via cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com

These are completely subjective and in no way indicative of what I think the best sports video games are. Your thoughts, since I know baseball games have been talked about in past DLDs?

DLD

JLaff — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:34:32 -0000

We haven't had one in a while

via www1.pictures.zimbio.com

Scott Hairston might not be back this year. This could hurt them in the later rounds.

Prepare for more Brett Fav-ruh love on ESPN.

Ouch.

A link that is always in style.

Athletics vs Mariners coverage

I vote this for most incredible jersey customization, even if it is an Angels one:

via farm3.static.flickr.com

(wiki, if needed) (more photos)

I tried to add a poll, but this computer is being weird. What famous writer would you have on the back of your jersey?

My photo archive (pretty much) complete

JLaff — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:46:44 -0000

My photo archive (pretty much) complete

Pretty much every good baseball photo I've taken since 2004 is up on Flickr now... enjoy!

AN Day pics

JLaff — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:50:07 -0000

First off, big thanks to everyone who organized, brought food/drinks/good conversation. It was lots of fun, even more so because it ended with a walk-off! I don't have everyone's name, so feel free to comment and let me know if you were left out.

The full gallery is here. Also, I've put my photo "archives" from 2007 to now (most of them) into a Flickr pro account. Look for a player or a team by going to the tags page.

LeopoldBloom's awesome banner, sent all the way from Florida (right?)

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Gigglingone & Wes7's cupcakes. The cool people had theirs personalized. Sorry, mikev.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

I know designatedforassignment is in the middle, and 67Marquez is on the right. Others, feel free to ID yourself... sorry!

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Pam signing the banner for Duke

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Kate and Kate

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Nico and his cupcake

via farm3.static.flickr.com

This seemed like a really interesting story...

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Ice Cream, mikev and the "big ass grill"

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Evidence of AsFanSince1980's awesome night out with Swish, Rich Harden and Charles Thomas.

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Cake courtesy of Mike Heath's son. That's not Asia, btw.

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Noava22 (speak up, dude!), Flashfire and Lynnzgal

via farm3.static.flickr.com

The blogfather

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Who names a kid Clete?

via farm4.static.flickr.com

K...

via farm4.static.flickr.com

... Hill!

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Lynnz hanging the banner in LF

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Mr. and Mrs. Louismg plus 2

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Noava22 making his thoughts known about LF Carlos Guillen

via farm3.static.flickr.com

And fireworks!

via farm3.static.flickr.com

EXTRA: Athletics win base-ball contest over Chi

JLaff — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:29:51 -0000

Lineups:

Chicago White Stockings

Leftfielder Scott "Bugsy" Podsednik
Thirdbaseman Gordon "Buster" Beckham
Rightfielder Jermaine "Stretch" Dye
Hitter who has been designated Jim "Crusher" Thome
Centerfielder Alex "Slim" Rios
Catcher AJ "Wet Blanket" Pierzynski
Short Stop Alexei "Smiley" Ramirez
Firstbaseman Mark "Lefty" Kotsay
Secondbaseman Jason "Bugsy" Nix

Hurler John "Ace" Danks
Field Manager Ozzie "Skip" Guillen

Defending Worlds Champs Philadelphia Athletics

Thirdbaseman Adam "Machine Gun" Kennedy
Centerfielder Rajai "Crazy Legs" Davis
Catcher Kurt "Stone Wall" Suzuki
Leftfielder Scott "Knuckles" Hairston
Hitter who has been designated Nomar "Fidgets" Garciaparra
Short Stop Bobby "Bing" Crosby
Firstbaseman Tommy "Babyface" Everidge
Secondbaseman Mark "Hands" Ellis
Rightfielder Aaron "Noodles" Cunningham

Hurler Trevor "Chief" Cahill
Field Manager Bob "Gipper" Geren

The ambiance of this sporting match, played at a shortened Shibe Park in the Land of Oaks, was spiffy. None of that hipping and hopping, but just good ol' timey music, even a live band.

However, upon entering the bless-ed ballpark, I realized a vandal was afoot! The grass was a wreck. Must have been those rapscallion Frankford Yellow Jackets. Bad form, I say!

via lh3.ggpht.com

I must have been in good fortune on this day, as Henry Ford chose this base-ball game to showcase his latest horse-less carriages. Gee, I'd look swell in one of those.

via lh3.ggpht.com

Athletics famed flapper girl Kara was quite a doll

via lh4.ggpht.com

What is this? Words betwixt rivals?

via lh4.ggpht.com

White Stocking hurler John Danks

via lh4.ggpht.com

Trevor Cahill, he of Oceanside, California, was quite the bees knees today, though he did not receive a decision. Thanks for giving it the ol' college try, sport!

via lh5.ggpht.com

Eventually, my colleague and I trotted from the two-bit seats to the three-bit seats to get a closer view of the action. Here's "Knuckles" Hairston.

via lh5.ggpht.com

Surely these gents are talking about the dashing rookie campaign of southpaw Jamie Moyer. Now, that cat is on the up and up.

via lh4.ggpht.com

After Field Manager Bob Geren attempted to give this umpire the business about his need for updated spectacles, he was given the bum's rush. Better luck next time, Gipper.

via lh6.ggpht.com

Good heavens, what an odd throw. This man simply lobbed it underhand. What are they teaching these kids now? Must be the talking pictures.

via lh5.ggpht.com

Second-sacker Mark "Hands" Ellis proved to be quite the cat's pajamas this afternoon, launching a Home Run to make his Philadelphia nine the victors.

via lh6.ggpht.com

Not pictured:

via northcoastbob.files.wordpress.com

(Full gallery here. Hope you enjoyed it!)

How about some fANtasy football?

JLaff — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:20:54 -0000

How about some fANtasy football?

Yeah, yeah, I know... football. I didn't want to clog up the FanPosts lists with this, but wanted to make it available to those interested. It's on the always-awesome Yahoo, which has free live scoring this year.

League ID#: 504634
League Name: Athletics Nation 2009
Password: oakland
Custom League URL: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/athleticsnation
Draft Type: Live Draft
Draft Time: Sat Sep 5 12:00pm PDT (Don't worry, the A's game this day doesn't start until 6 p.m.)
Max Teams: 14
Scoring Type: Head-to-Head

Pics: 8/4, 8/5 vs. Texas

JLaff — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:40:41 -0000

Sadly, I didn't get to go to the Root Beer Float day, so no pictures from that. But I was fortunate enough to have really good seats for Tuesday and Wednesday. I haven't really had the time to upload these until now.

Tuesday:

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Tommy Everidge is a big boy

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Narcoleptic Gio Gonzalez woke up to pitch a gem

via farm3.static.flickr.com

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Rajai Davis is becoming my favorite player, for now anyway

via farm4.static.flickr.com

He stole 2nd... then 3rd... I was really hoping he'd steal home. You could tell he wanted to.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Andrew Bailey warming up

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Game over, A's win!

Wednesday:

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Chad Reineke warming up

via farm3.static.flickr.com

After fistbumping the bullpen, he was ready to go

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Hairston rounding 3rd after he tattooed a ball to left field

via farm3.static.flickr.com

This pitch... and a few others Padilla threw that night... would not get pulled over on the freeway, except for maybe going too slow.

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Live dot racing

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Cliff Pennington celebrating in the dugout after his first career home run

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Idiot #1 who ran onto the field (note, I do not condone nor promote this type of behaviour. We were cheering for the security guards (or an outfielder) to catch him, not cheering for him. Well, at least that's me.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Idiot #2 being tackled by the A's bullpen. Both were handcuffed and taken off the field by security.

Rickey Henderson day (8/1) tailgate?

JLaff — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:59:03 -0000

This is short and sweet, but I just wanted to see what kind of interest there would be in an AN tailgate party before the game on August 1, when Rickey Henderson will have his number retired. There's a jersey giveaway, so I figured all of that would garner heavy AN interest. Why not have a beer or a burger while you wait for gates to open? The game starts at 6 p.m. I have no idea when the parking lot opens, but we could congregate somewhere shortly after that happens.

Poll

Would you be able to go to a tailgate before the 8/1 game?

Yes, I can attend

1 votes

Yes, and I can bring stuff (let us know what)

2 votes

No

13 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

Pics: Dog Day 7/17 vs. Los Angeles of Anaheim

JLaff — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:05:58 -0000

Friday was "Dog Day" at the Coliseum, where people were encouraged to bring their dogs to the ballpark... well... the plaza bleachers.

Here are some pictures... sorry, I lack any kind of creative intro at the moment.

via photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net

Some people got really into the Dog Day spirit

via photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net

The victory van, about to run over Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter.

via photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net

The dogs (and their humans) were invited to walk around the warning track before the game

via photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net

A Piazza jersey? Random.

via photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net

One of the more creative outfits

via photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net

via photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net

I've gotta know... which ANer did this? It rocks!

via photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net

I don't envy that guy.

via photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net

Cahill watching the dogs go by

via photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net

Cahill warming up

via photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net

Kurt Klutch

via photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net

Geren arguing the home run call

via photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net

Kennedy doing this weird thing where he would get to second without anyone hitting him over. Like, he'd just run over and take the base. Wonder what that's called?

via photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net

Sitting behind the bullpen gave me a weird angle of Brad Ziegler warming up.

via photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net

Yale alumnus Craig Breslow.

A's actually won this game, 7-3! View the full gallery here.