I highly recommend "The Pitch That Killed" by Mike Sowell. It chronicles the fatal 1920 beaning of Ray Chapman of the Indians by Carl Mays of the Yankees. I dare say it might be the best baseball book I have ever read.

The best thing is that I found this while looking for another baseball book at my local library. I just wanted to share this with my Green and Gold brothers and sisters who might be interested.

I own two fitted A's caps. Home and away. Color me weird, but does anyone else only wear the home cap when they are playing at home and the away when they are on the road?

I do. Even when I go on vacation I bring them both with me and make sure not to deviate from this practice. I know in the big scheme of the season it doesn't matter, but my world would be off balance if I did not do this.

The Oakland A's pitching mound, Bank of Earth, replied to the recent criticisms of Texas Ranger pitcher C.J. Wilson.

"I hate when he pitches here. He sucks, his teammates suck. It's too bad because I became pretty close to their manager Ron Washington when he was a coach here."

"It's kind of sad because I have spoke with may other pitchers here - guys like Cahill and Gonzalez- All Star pitchers and they love pitching here."

"I would rather be a mound here than in Texas. I like the weather here a lot better and C.J. Wilson mounts me less often."

"He hates me anyways so it doesn't matter. The other pitchers on their team hate me, whatever. I don't care."

How well do you think this team could do if they were in the NL? The lack of any power hitting is killing them in the AL. The pitching could actually be more dominant there as well.

I am not saying they would take the pennant, but I don't believe they would do any worse than what is happening now. Melvin also has experience managing in the NL so that could be an added benefit.

Just a thought on a lazy Friday afternoon.

When is the last time an A's pitcher dusted off an opposing hitter? I am not advocating a bean ball war, but it would be nice to see an batter hit the deck. Especially one of the Red Sox hitters.

It just seems to me that opposing hitters dig in with zero fear, work the count and then hammer that 2-0 or 3-1 pitch. I know Boston has some great hitters, but being their punching bag is getting frustrating.

I also understand the fact that umpires these days are liable to toss a pitcher for dusting off a batter, but it would sure be nice to see Manny or Ortiz eat some dirt.

Just one man's opinion.

Since I do not live in the Bay Area I get my A's fix via MLB Extra Innings. For some odd reason I have not been able to get either of the first two Padre games. Of course I have my choice of just about every other game scheduled.

Granted watching them get wracked twice in San Diego would not have made me feel great, but at least I would have had the choice of placing myself in front of the TV to get that warm and fuzzy feeling.

What is starting to piss me off is that the A's seem to be the one team with this MLB Extra Innings setup that gets the fewest televised games. I can get all of the Royals and Pirates games my heart desires (as well as the Skanks and Red Sux) but there put me on a strict A's lite diet.

What gives?

This should be the A's new slogan. If it wasn't for bad luck this team wouldn't have no luck at all. Geez.

The injuries and bad breaks just keep piling up. I know stuff happens, but it sure seems like it is happening more to the A's than anyone else. Maybe BB made a deal with the devil somewhere and payback is due.

If Harden isn't healthy this team is in trouble. He is the ace and they need him out there dealing.

Fellow A's fans,

Stop all of this gloom and doom talk. So we lost 2 out of 3 to KC, so we went 4-8 on this homestand, so our Wild Card lead is down to 1/2 game. Life ain't fair.

I am viewing this 2005 season with a glass half-full attitude. I want the A's to win and make it to the postseason as bad as the next AN'er. I just understand that this is still a very young ballclub and it's margin for error is pretty darn slim.

I thought if everything went their way, the A's could MAYBE win 83 or 84 wins this season. I was prepared to take 81 and be happy. Then these "dumb kids" go out and raise the bar on us by contending for a playoff spot.

Lets not put the A's Express in mothballs just yet. There still is plenty of games left to see if they can prove the critics wrong. Leave all the whining and crying to Yankee fans.

Last evening John "Please Pass The Doughnuts" Kruk predicted the A's will lose to the Royals on Friday. Lima will handle the A's hitters according to Nostradomus.

His affable sidekick, Peter "I Look Like Andrew Jackson" Gammons stated that the Royals will beat the A's on Sunday vs Joe Blanton.

This was after both guys pretty much ripped the Royals for their gosh awful losing streak. Gammons then went on to say he "feels sorry" for the players.

Those players are the reason the Royals blow rhino.
I am sure none of them would want anyone's sympathy.

I know Chavez is "worried" about these "tough Royals" coming to town, but if the A's don't at least take 2 out of 3 than we got some problems.
A sweep isn't being unrealistic as well.

I can't wait until Mr Kruk has to eat his words on Friday night.

I agree that with this team's youth the future looks good, but what is wrong with trying to make the playoffs this year? Isn't this what every MLB team plays for?

I bring this up in light of the Chavez comments about Macha's use of Street in yesterdays game with the Chi-Sox. Some fans seem to think that Macha's desire to win the game was misguided. These same fans act like wanting to win this season isn't realistic.

I was at the game and I saw a team that is playing with a purpose and a desire to win. I am sure that BB and Co are looking to do all they can to make a run in the second half.

Don't get me wrong. I am not advocating that the A's go out and make some foolish short-term trades to make this push. I actually would like to see them stay pat and see how this present group makes out.

There is plenty of time in the offseason for some trades. Maybe I am wrong, but as a fan I want this team to approach every game as a must win. I see no reason why they cannot and keep the future intact.

According to Ozzie Guillen (and that dope Hawk Harrelson) the White Sox "gave away" and "gift wrapped" the game to the A's last evening.

Granted, those 10 walks hurt the White Sox, but the A's earned the majority of them with being patient. Too many hitters swing at Contreras borderline pitches and the A's laid off them.

Of course the Wiz and Hawk fail to mention those two unearned runs in the first inning. The White Sox may have the best record in baseball, but they have caught a ton of breaks themselves and have benefited greatly from playing in the AL Central.

Ozzie Guillen was a big mouth as a player and he is the same as a manager. This is especially so this season now that they are winning. Shut yer piehole Ozzie, you have won your only ring as a coach with the Marlins.

I wasn't sure if this had been posted, but earlier in the week I was listening to the local ESPN sports radio station here in Chicago. This is the flag station for the White Sox.

There was a rumor spreading that the White Sox and A's were looking for a possible trade. The A's would send Chavez to the White Sox for their 3B Joe Crede and pitcher Brandon McCarthy.

Speculation was that McCarthy was given the surprise Sunday start vs the Cubs to showcase him.
El Duque had been slated to pitch that game but was suddenly scratched.

This could just be scuttlebutt. Just thought I would share it.

Go A's.

These next 12 games with the Skanks and BoSox could determine the A's 2005 fate. I know coming off a sweep by the Rangers isn't a good way to start it, but I think the A's could go 6-6.

The Yankees are a mess. Their starting pitching is brutal and they are really showing their age.
If the A's can take Game 1 tommorrow they could win that series. The pressure of that $200 million dollar lineup may be too much.

The Red Sox have struggled as well, but they always seem to tatoo the ball against the A's. I will be happy if Oakland can win 1 of 3 there.

I will go with my 6-6 prediction. It may be optimistic, but I have always been a glass half-full type of guy when it comes to A's baseball.

Since I live in Chicago I have been forced to watch the games on the White Sox flag station. I have MLB Extra Innings, but they blackout the A's games when they play the White Sox.

For those unaware. Ken "Hawk" Harrelson is the play by play man for the White Sox. He is the biggest homer for a play by play man that I have ever seen. He openly roots against the opposition and for a guy that hit .238 for his career talks like he hit .367.

The best time to catch his act is when the White Sox are getting their butts whipped. He is as quiet as a church mouse. Otherwise his constant homer chirping is extremely annoying.

I am hoping that the A's can shut his piehole tonight with a nice thrashing. Barring that I am wishing for a well-placed foul ball (from an A's bat) to do it's duty and find him in the booth.

If both of the above happen it will put a big smile on this fan's mug.

Well that loss against the Angels stunk tonight. Those two balls that were hit right at Shields could have easily been base knocks. Sometimes the only luck a team gets is bad.

Speaking of luck, the 15-4 White Sox are coming to town. They have had some good pitching, but every break has been going their way as well. I live in Chicago and have seen them play.

Of course, it is almost impossible to listen to their broadcast team. These guys make Bagdhad Bob look like a piker.

I am going to predict that the A's hex over the White Sox in Oakland continues. They will take 2 out of 3. Something has got to give so why not against the Pale Hose?

I know it's only a two game series, but I sure hope the A's can overcome the House of Horrors in Arlington. It seems like the Rangers always score a ton of runs off the A's (this was true when the Big Three were here) in Arlington.

I have a good feeling about Haren tonight. If he can keep his pitches down I like the A's chances.

I know he hasn't got a hit yet, and he made a bad play in the field last night, but I do like the potential of this guy. He just looks like a good baseball player.

This is only his second year in the big leagues and he is in a new league so I am sure his adjustment period will take a bit longer.

I am curious how my fellow A's fans view Thomas
long term.

The Athletics Nation was referenced in a article about Billy Beane in the 3/21/05 sports edition of the Chicago Sun Times. It mentioned how Beane really enjoys interacting with the members here.

I wasn't sure if anyone was aware of this article or not. I am a die-hard A's fan living here in White Sox and Cubs country.

Remember when you were a kid and OPS was just three letters in the alphabet? I totally understand the importance of it (especially to the A's), but when exactly did it become such a big deal?

Was there a world before OPS??? :)

Come on people. Sure Hudson was a great pitcher and he will be missed. But does anyone think for a minute that the A's could have resigned him?

The A's ownership views the team as a business and not some hobby to sooth their egos. This has been no secret for quite some time.

As I stated in Blez's post, I am going to have to give BB the benefit of the doubt and keep my faith in the man. He has been right alot more than wrong.

Regardless of what some fans may feel I am very excited about next season. I like the makeup of this team and see no reason why they cannot contend for the division.

Honest Angst is all part of being an A's fan. It makes success all that much sweeter knowing that we are sticking it back in the bullies faces. If you want to root for boring franchises like the Yankees go ahead.

I am sticking with the Green and Gold.

Anyone know what progress has been made on resigning Durazo and Byrnes? What are the chances the A's will resign either or both?

I keep reading about suggestions that the A's trade Byrnes. Why? He can play all three outfield positions, has improved as a hitter, can steal a base (when given the chance), hustles his butt off and is great in the clubhouse.

Granted he isn't a Gold Glover or All-Star, but he produces and no one can ever question his desire. His salary fits the A's as well. I think trading him would be a mistake.

This team looked DOA tonight. With the exception of Byrnes and Harden who in the hell showed up? They made that Mariners pitcher look like Cy Young.

If they lose tommrrow amd the Rangers lie down, er, I mean the Angels win you can forget about it.

C'mon fellow fans lets all get the positive mojo going for this final stretch! The A's still control their destiny and need our support. Let the Angels or Rangers earn it.

Being A's fans means knowing that the deck is always stacked against you. We are the Chris Moneymakers of the baseball world. The struggles will all be worth it in the long run.