Ok my AN friends, this is my first DLD ever, so please, a little mercy if I fall woefully short.

I assume most everyone read this article, ESPN, about our Duke. I particularly like how the organization responded to this situation. It seems we are usually villainized by ex-players or we get skewered in our handling of players....like Bobby Crosby! Duke, if you are reading this, please resign with us!

Do you think if we wrapped Bobby Crosby in Bacon someone would want him?

The new Hall of O.K.ness nominees have been announced. WTF?! (What The Fame). Seriously? Todd Zeile? And Robbie Alomar leads the pack. That really makes me sick because to me it was painfully obvious he "bulked up" when everyone else was "bulking up" but because he did not break a hallowed home run record, he is the leading favorite to get into the hall. A less than inspiring bunch. Hey, Walt Weiss has been out of the league for a while. That would make for great conversation 50 years from now: "Hey Grandpa, look at this plaque. Who was "Walt Wess"? "What, oh, sorry, I was over here leaning against a bust of the great Todd Zeile catching my breath"

Failblog.org here Now this is what has been keeping me occupied in the off-season. Did anyone else have a big hot steaming pile of cake for Thanksgiving?

Many questions surrounding Tiger Woods this morning, who was in an early morning solo crash. Like "What was he doing driving out of his driveway at 2 in the morning?" Personally, I would like to know why he is not driving a Buick? WTF! (What the F&^%?) I bought this piece of crap Roadmaster because Tiger said Buick is cool, and he is out mowing the neighbors trees in the wee hours of the night in a Caddy! I feel used. And if this was my wife, unless she was demanding ice cream at 2 in the morning I WOULD NOT be leaving the house!

And last but not least, the obligatory goat photo for my good friend Nico, who I missed at the canned food drive in Berkeley the other day due to work considerations.

And I will leave you with an old favorite, Eddie Izzard, who is coming to Oakland's Oracle Arena next month. CAUTION! There are bad words in this video!!!!

 Dump Dumper Dumpiest! Let the dumpage ensue!

                                               Words to live by

Saturday morning, before the world awoke, three dedicated human beings representing the AN Community arose to collect used condoms, jugs and other flotsam and jetsam on AN Community Beach Clean Up Day.

Nico, Lynnzgal and OptimistPrime (who forthwith will be known as the only people on AN who care about the earth) showed up in force to join hundreds to clean the beaches and waterways throughout California.

As an avid surfer I am keenly aware of how dirty the ocean is (about as safe as spending the night with Brittany Spears) I have included a video here I encourage all of you to watch.

We were put through a rigorous training session with an employee of the City of Berkeley, which was very educational (yes, that was sarcastic). We learned that we were not to collect dead animals, which really threw a monkey(ball) wrench into things with Chez Nico coming up and all. We were also told to be on the lookout for plastic jugs (TWSS) to which Lynnzgal promptly assured us she was not a suspect.

This AN Community Day was not as much fun as last year when we flew to Somalia and built that hospital or when we cured Swine Flu in Zimbabwe, however, just like Halloween they let us take our bags of trash home! I was so excited!! I spread all the contents of the bag on the floor and separated out all the junk, and it was amazing what you find washed up on the shore! I found a frisbee, and I think Nico found Jason Giambi's batting average!

All in all it was a fun day, quite educational, and despite implicit instructions NOT to pick up dead animals, I am happy to report that Chez Nico will be well-stocked!

Everyone can jump on me for the short post if you want, but I will tolerate it.

I just wanted to say, officially, well, officially from me...welcome back Paul Thomas.

Baseball is such a game of personalities, and the A's have had their share. I became a fan when I was a kid because of the crazy uni's and because of Rollie Fingers. After reading the post about Bill King today, it reminded me that this game is about the personalities. And for the three years I have been a part of AN, people like Pam, Nico, Blez, Monkeyball have become these familiar "faces", like Norm at Cheers, but online.

And of all these characters, "PT" has always been a favorite of mine. Not for what he says, because he is usually wrong (JUST messing with you) but the way he says it, his usually well-thought out opinions and the passion he has for the game and our team. When I recently discovered he was just a young man, I had to laugh, because I always envisioned him some cantankerous older fart in Portland. Don't ask me why Portland.

Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome back kid, you were missed, and please don't go again (not in a Brokeback Mountain way...( not that there's anything wrong with that)). You are part of the flora and fauna that make this site a vital part of my daily life. And perhaps by making a fanpost, give others a chance to officially welcome you back.

Original post

And the winner is....

Ok, so Mr. Bendy is the highest bidder. Since the post is no longer on the front page, and it has been 5 days, I think it fair to award the winning bid to Mr. Bendy.

This ball has some miles on it. Let's see....

The Dan Giese autograph: Yankee Stadium, A's and Yankees, I was near the A's bullpen area during batting practice and several players were out on the field. I said to Dan as he walked by..."Hey, this is better than selling used cars!" Dan smiled and walked over and started telling me how he was selling used Hondas and Mercedes. Nice guy, gladly signed.

Dallas Braden: The magic phrase with Dallas is "209". Dallas walked all the way over from center field and signed for me out of the whole crowd and walked away. I tried it again at the A's game the other day and he threw me a ball. I love Dallas. Mancrush!

Andrew Bailey: We chatted for a bit and he was the typical wide-eyed rookie walking onto the hallowed ground of Yankee Stadium.

Santiago Casilla: He doesn't speak english well, but he recognizes Oakland fans on the road!

The rest of the autographs were all collected at the A's Slegna game the other day where Jon threw out the first pitch.

I hate parting with this ball. I had intended to outbid anyone and keep it, but that seemed a bit self-serving. So, what I will do is award the ball to Mr. Bendy with a winning bid of $150 and I will match Mr. Bendy with a donation of $150.

So, Mr. Bendy, do me a favor: Paypal Nico or send him a check for $150 and let  me know where to send the ball, or where we can meet up. $300 more for Jon's recovery. Some more AN love for the Wilhite family!

Mrs. Wilhite, Jon, Kurt and Mike Wilhite

Kurt and Jon

Mr and Mrs Wilhite, Jon and some guy in a funny red suit (not Santa)

Jon stylin' in the dugout. There were LOTS of media people!

Go A's! Thanks again to AN, to Nico for spearheading the charge for AN and to my lovely girlfriend for all the pics!

Me and Jon Wilhite

Read the article in today's OC Register

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Continue reading this post »

Ah, the good ol' days, when racism and sexism were taught to innocent children through Saturday morning cartoons, and kids dreamt of becoming President of the United States.

Well, times have changed thankfully, but to echo the sentiments in the song sung by Olive Oyl, "If I were President", I would make some radical changes, now.

First of all, Cahill and Anderson would get back down to Sacramento PRONTO. They never pitched in the minors (AAA) and they need the seasoning, not the intense media scrutiny and large crowds and elevated expectations that come with the big game. I would also stick Gallagher in the pen.

Then, I would go purchase the contracts of Mulder and Martinez. Since we are languishing at the bottom, the very bottom, of the American League, what do we have to lose? Nothing, and everything to gain in allowing our talented kids to develop. Duke will be back soon, so a rotation of Mulder, Martinez, Outman, Duke and Braden sounds better to me than what we have now. If I never have to see Gallagher start again I would die a happy man.

Then, I would bring up Petit, and let him ride it out at second. Let the guy have a legit chance at second. Sorry, but Kennedy and Petit cannot be that dissimilar at the plate. Kennedy has a better glove, but Petit has more upside potential.

Next....bye bye Buck! Join your friend Barton down in the minors. I would much prefer to see Cunningham get the chance out in right.

Next.... The big trade! I would go find us an emerging third baseman, or at least someone legit to man the position until we can secure a longer term solution.

Bobby Crosby? Oh Bobby Boy, you would be outrighted. Kaput! Adios. Bu-Bye. I am tired of your languishing bat and booting balls on the infield.

Radical changes, I know, what are we going to do, get worse? Is there a last-last place? Let our future star pitchers become future Maddux's not future VanPoppel's. Let's get some of our potential studs with upside some MLB at bats instead of shipping them back and forth all year, trading them or letting them go, and them watching them rake for another team down the road.

Last move? Bob Geren. How about someone with some passion? A younger, fiery ex-player who played more than 5 minutes in the game, or someone who can teach and is not afraid to pull players and bench them when they are stinkin' up the joint. At least someone who does not compliment the team when we are clearing not playing to the best of our abilities.

Eric Chavez? Minor league coaching job, golden handshake has already taken place in the form of way too much money given to a player who spent the majority of the past few seasons on the DL. Off the roster.

Yeah, that's what I would do.

Yesterday, in the sleepy burgh of Berkeley California, members of a secret society known simply as "AN" gathered at the compound of one of it's esteemed leaders, who answers to the moniker, "Nico". The purpose of the gathering was to sacrifice many small animals and feast on their flesh in an attempt to appease the baseball gods who afflict the object of their adoration, which, for this day, was represented by a poorly drawn oak leaf/elephant. And on this hallowed day, the adherents gathered, sacrifices were made and the gods were in fact appeased, as the Oakland Oaks defied logic and were in fact victorious despite the valiant efforts of Trevor Cahill.

The following adherents are personally responsible for yesterday's victory..

skigurl

optimistprime

nico

pam

gigglingone

englishmajor

wes7

oaklandSi

Guacamole was consumed, beer flowed in the streets, Puccini begged and cajoled, and farm animals within a 20 mile radius quaked.

On a personal note, having been an AN member for the better part of 4 years now it was a real pleasure and honor to put faces to the personalities! Nico is as pleasant and funny as he is online, and he graciously opened his home to us. Nico's home is beautiful and quite cozy. We all had the privilege of meeting Mother Nico who was a lovely woman and the famous Poochini was right there to offer a friendly lick to the chops.

After everyone settled in, we noshed on grilled goodies and chatted. What a great and opinionated group! Once the game started, we shared laughs and advice and funny quips. The game, as we all know, was not the prettiest thing in the world, but the outcome was a nice cherry on top of a very enjoyable evening! I highly recommend that you attend the next high meeting of the order of the Chez Nico!

skigurl and an elusive wes7 imbibing on ceremonial refreshments

I want to personally apologize the gigglingone, who in fact does giggle. I am sorry this photo was not better gigglingone, but you are cool!

Dead animals!

Pam was sporting the new BeerPhone from Apple

Did Crosby just swing at an outside breaking pitch?

Poochini, just moments before being placed on the grill. 

CommandCentral, where it all happens!

I was fortunate enough to follow our boys out to NY to catch Tuesday night's game and Wednesday's day game at the new Yankee Stadium.

The trip started out a bit surreal. My flight was scheduled at about midnight out of SFO, so I decided to stop in at Kincaid's in Burlingame for a drink. Who just happened to be at the bar but Carney Lansford! Of course I did not have a ball with me, so I waited until he was done socializing and asked him for an autograph on one of their menus. I told him I was an A's fan, which seemed to make him smile, probably because on that side of the bay he gets recognized as the Giants batting coach. He was very nice and happily signed.

Walking into the new Yankee Stadium is an amazing moment. It is overwhelming. Cavernous, monstrous, rife with tradition at every turn. Hard Rock Cafe, sushi, banners and posters of Yankee's past....like making the trip to Mecca for baseball fans.

I had close to rail seats for both games. I caught a batting practice foul ball at the first game, and of course, as we all know, that was about the highlight of game one. The pen looked great though, and in batting practice Giambi was flat drilling it. The fans were very generous to Giambi.

I must make a note here about Swisher: He is now a God. I am serious, they worship him there already! Everyone around me was telling me how much he has energized the fans. They chant for him!

The second game, the rainy extra inning day game, was eventful. NY Yankees open their stadium 3 hours before game time and the place is packed! Fortunately, they are very strict about letting you down to the rail unless you have a low level ticket. I had access to all the A's pitchers!

Using my intimate knowledge of the team, I was able to coax over several players. Andrew Bailey was the first to come over and sign for me and chat briefly. What a great kid!

Next, I saw Dallas. I shouted "209" to him and he answered back "Holler", but kept walking. When the pitchers were heading in, Dallas was midfield when I shouted his name. He walked clear across the field, signed for me out of the whole crowd and walked away. Same thing happened with Santiago. Because I recognized him and called him by name when he came out, on the way back he came up to me, signed, and walked back to the dugout, signing for no one else.

Had a nice conversation with Dan Giese. What an affable guy. Too bad he has coughed up late inning homers of late :( We talked about how he was selling Hondas and how this was a much better gig. I really hope he can put it together, however, I fear he won't be here long.

The last autograph I got was Phil Coke of the Yankees. Now, I had no intention of "polluting" a perfectly good A's autograph ball, however, the guy is a class act. During batting practice, way up at the top rail, where many fans who did not have low level tickets congregated, was a boy of about 5 years. Phil walked up to the rail and asked if I would take the ball up to the kid. I thought that was real class. Later he came over to sign for fans and we had a nice chat. I asked him to sign despite the fact I love the A's. He laughed and signed. Good guy!

Wearing my colors into enemy territory, I expected to be derided and mocked. I must say however that I found Yankee fans to be very nice, extremely informed, not only about their team, but several fans I talked to knew about our farm system and players two levels down. I was locked and loaded and ready to fight, but I saw they save their venom for Red Sox fans. The few masochists who wore Red Sox garb were loudly derided.

All in all, a great trip despite the outcome of the games.

Autograph tally:

Carney Lansford, Dan Giese, Santiago Casilla, Andrew Bailey, Dallas Braden, Phil Coke...and one game ball!

Click on the photos to see a larger version....

Pretty cool to have a Hard Rock at the ball park!

Our boys warming up in the new park.

Sweeney is the first Oakland Athletic to step in at the new park.

The Babe and Lou welcome you to the new house.

There were a few of us at the park.

Carney made a point of signing over the steak.

The ball from the inaugural series. Nice collectible.

Bailey, Giese and Casilla.

Braden and Coke