This is my attempt at forming a ST post where everyone can say when they are going to see our new group of strangers in A's gear this year. Hopefully with this post people will be able to meet up in AZ, share a beer or some nacho runs. I'm really not sure how many folks I know here anymore but I'm always willing to make new A's friends. With a very short ST this year I hope we all have a better chance to happen to catch each other at the games or even play catch in the parking lot.

My plan is to be there for the games 3/9-3/13

3/10-3/13 games will all be at PHOENIX MUNICIPAL STADIUM

This is one of our last years there so lets have some fun!

Hello, An

I need some advice please.  I try not to be a 'homer' but the more I think about the A's defense this year the more and more I'm convinced that there are 3 players for the A's that deserve Gold Gloves this year.  I would say 4 but Elli's lost a bit of range this year it seems and plus he has, gasp, 2 errors.  So am I a total homer to think that Pennington is the best shortstop I have seen play this year? Or that Dale is the best 1st baseman?  And is there any pitcher in the AL that can field his spot better than Cahill, granted he isn't pretty doing it.

I accept that I'm crazy to think any of the 3 above will win the GG but am I so blinded by the white shoes to think that all 3 should win?

In a classic case of everyone else is doing it why can't we, I would like to see how many AN'ers would be up for AN Days in Arlington on 8/25-8/27.  I guess first off are there any ANers in Dallas or Arlington?  I will be driving up from Austin on Friday 8/25 and would love to hang out with any fellow TX ANers.  If it makes any difference there may be a tiny chance we could get to watch the game from one of the Suites.  So, is anyone interested?  If so let me know here or just email me.

Program 25:  Week of March 25 - March 31, 2006
James T. Farrell, "My Grandmother Goes to Comiskey Park," read by John Shea
From: My Baseball Diary (Southern Illinois University Press)
Philip Roth, Selection from Portnoy's Complaint, read by Isaiah Sheffer
Published by: Vintage
Rolfe Humphries, "Polo Grounds," read by David Strathairn
Collected in: Baseball: A Literary Anthology (Library of America)
Yusef Komunyakaa, "Glory," read by Isaiah Sheffer
From: "Magic City" in Pleasure Dome: New and Collected Poems (Wesleyan University Press)
W.P. Kinsella, "The Thrill of the Grass," read by John Shea
From: The Thrill of the Grass (Penguin)
A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Green Fields of the Mind," read by the author
Collected in: A Great and Glorious Game: Baseball Writings of A. Bartlett Giamatti, edited by Kenneth S. Robson (Algonquin Books)

Please check your local NPR air time for symphony space.  "the thrill of the grass" is AN!!

Howdy AN, Please forgive me in advance for the crummy photos but "damnit Jim, I'm a Doctor not a photographer!"  Ok on with the show.

My brother changing in the parking lot.  Jeans are not needed at ST.  Binoculars are optional.

Lee Smith coaching the South African team seems fitting as he sadly was saddled with the Cubs for so many years.

I did meet 3 of the fathers of the SA team members.  It was interesting to hear them talk about the game and the growth of the game in South Africa.  I even caught a foul ball for the first time ever, wow I feel complete.
Shane Komine is small and need a latter to reach pitching rubber.


Barton never swings I should have tried to shot him while he was warming up.


ALERT ALTER AN Sighting

Then a little relaxing as I waited for my brother to pick me up.  He went to the SD vs Seattle game and was even in the 'peanut toss'.

Wait a second did I say 'peanut toss'

Yippy I threw peanuts and the A's dugout was actually heckling me.  I was focused and once I doubled my brothers record I threw peanuts into the stands instead of at the target.
Ugh, yes there is night life to be had too, I have a hangover to prove it.


WTF!!!
Ok last game and I actually got a few rare gems with my camera.

Mellhouse LIVES!!!

Still no love for Ellis' Ass on AN
And last but not least a picture of me with a real live player's grandma.

Next year I will have to go for a week instead of a few days.  Best time ever!

Street will be on one of our local stations here at 520central time.  All you lucky ducks and stream the interview if you wish.  http://sportsradio1300.com/livestreaming.html
I believe the time is set for 520 but they could have said 540, but just to be safe I wanted to include that note.
I would have posted this in a current diary but wanted everyone to beable to see this and have a chance to listen.  

 Like celebrity deaths, celebrity breakups come in threes. The A's pitcher and the actress just parted ways. The winner in this breakup? A's fans. With Zito forced to carry the staff in 2005, he'll need his full focus on baseball following the worst season of his career. -- Metro New York  

I don't know if this is true or not and really don't care too much either, but I thought some would find interest in this.

I am dying for some ball and can't seem to find the right fix.  I have tried to play video games and stuff but I just need the real thing.  Does anyone know where the Caribbean Series is on tv?  Is it on tv anywhere?  Please help me becuase I can't find it anywhere on the web at all.
Why the heck mlb.com isn't showing it is beyond me.  Bud wants a global game but won't show a global game on his site.  tisk tisk Bud.

Hey, Happy Holiday's everybody.
   I'm not sure how everyone else's family treats them this time of year but mine simply freak out when trying to get me a Christmas gift.  Since I am a baseball nut my family pretty much thinks I'm a flake.  They are so confused as to what to get a baseball fan and since they can't buy me a new glove, or even one of those huge foam hand things that say "we're number one" (which I wish I had one by the way), they all do the safe thing and buy me gift certificates to book stores.  
   I believe they do this in an attempt to get me interested in other topics or hobbies.  However, I will not let them break me.  So, in honor of the first gift cert that arrived in my email this weekend I am calling on all of you for help.  
   Can you suggest some good baseball books?  New or old, I really don't care just anything to get me through until spring.