With the passing of the non-waiver trade deadline, I kept reading the same sentence over again, "Mike Piazza is the type of player that will clear waivers..."  Sounded fine, but not one of the articles I read gave a good explanation of why.  It seems to me that he is the exact type of player that shouldn't clear waivers, much the way Canseco was picked up by the Yanks so he wouldn't go to the Sox.

I understand the concept of "you don't claim my waivers, and I won't claim yours."  But isn't Piazza a player that opposing GMs don't want to see on the team they're fighting in their respective races?  Please someone explain.

Reading online, I saw that if the Giants stay on their current rotation, Zito will start next Friday in Oakland.  I have no idea what to expect, but I can't wait to watch.  What a bummer that would be to have him miss that series.  I'm not sure if the A's are going to rake him out of the park, or just be completely lost.  He is known for walking a batter or two though...

What do you guys expect?

Fellow mlb.tvers, how do you get around the blackouts this year?  No longer can we do the "log in before the feed starts" trick.  I suppose they had to wise up to that sooner or later.  I remember someone saying something about getting a fake IP address, but I don't really know what that is or how to do it.  Has anyone figured out anything yet?  Maybe we're outta luck.  I live in LA, and don't have a tv, so I'm probably screwed for the Angels games this year.  

And what's up with the broadcasting teams?  I know it's usually the home team announcers you hear, but a few of the A's home games haven't been with our guys.  It's interesting to hear what other announcers have to say, but that's what the away games are for.  

And...scene.

I haven't played any yet, but will probably buy one.  Has anyone played one?  I'm probably going to get MLB07: The Show.  That's the one by the company that used to be 989, right?  The last title I bought in that series was the one with Chavvy on the cover.  The next year I got MVP05 (with Manny) and probably would have stayed with MVP except that they don't do baseball anymore.  

Last year I rented both MLB2k6 and MLB06.  I thought 2k6, despite all the hype, was retarded.  Every throw from right field to first was close to an out.  I didn't end up buying either, and just updated the rosters on my MVP05.  Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy one this year and I was wondering if there was a concensus (sp?) on which was the better title.  Any info would be great.  Thanks.

I just checked out mlb.tv and am going to buy it again this year, a must-have for any out of town A's fan.  I noticed that the premium option ($119) says picture quality is "twice as good as last season - video speed up to 700k."  The regular mlb.tv option ($89) says "video stream speed 400k."  

However, just below that under Available 2007 Options, it says "April to September, watch and listen to every out-of-market game live (up to 700k)."  It says the exact same thing under Available 2007 Options on the premium page as well.  I'm totally confused.  If the premium site offers better quality, it's a no-brainer.  But it seems like the only difference is the addition on mlb.tv mosaic.  That hardly seems worth the extra 30 bones.  If anyone can tell me the real difference, I'd appreciate it.

Ok, so I play music out in LA and I've got a tour scheduled for, guess what?  That's right, October 4-30 (give or take a day or two at the end).  Totally bent.  I mean, what can you do?  I still gotta go, but I'm going to miss pretty much every game.  I may be able to catch one or two on an off day, but there aren't many right now anyway.  Is there anyone out there that is planning on taping the postseason?  If so, I would kill for a copy of the games.  I haven't missed any postseason games in...well, maybe ever.  Starting with the bleacher seats we had for Game 4 of the '88 ALCS I think I've seen every postseason game.

But now I face the possibility of not just missing a game or two, but the whole freaking postseason.  Sure, I'll follow it in the papers of whatever town I'm in at the time, but I'd love to see the games when I get back.  I don't mind paying for all the costs (shipping, tapes or dvds, time spent, etc.) given they are resonable.  Of course, being that I'm leaving in less than a week and am currently broke as a joke (touring ain't cheap), I'd have to send the money when I get back.  

Is there anyone out there kind enough to help out an irritated A's fan?  If no one is planning on recording it, don't go to any crazy trouble, I'll live.  I also subscribe to MLB.tv and I watched some 2003 playoff games this year (think walk-off bunt), so maybe they'll have them up when I get back, but I don't want to chance it.  I mean, missing Z's last win for the A's in the World Series?  I'd probably jump off a (very short) bridge.  

Anyway, if anyone can help me out email me, or call.  I'll put all the info at the bottom.  Or, does anyone know if the games will be available on mlb.tv after the postseason is over?  Alright, thanks for all the help.  Oh, and check out the dates for the tour on my site.  Maybe we can get some ANers to the shows.  We're just straight up rock.  (I hope I'm not breaking any code by pimping myself out.  If so, sorry.)

Thanks alot guys.  GO A'S!!!!!

Scott Bartel
sbartel_01@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/scottbass
www.myspace.com/theunheardof

When I was a kid going to the coliseum (late 80's-early 90's), I distinctly remember a conversation with my dad.  "Son," he said, as we were discussing the standings late in the year, "Forget what the games behind says.  This is the time of year to start looking at the loss column.  That is of greater importance."  I didn't really grasp it at the time, although I believed it to be gospel since it was coming from pops.  And eventually I began to see the light the older I got.

Recent events have got me thinking about it again.  I know it's rough seeing the A's only 5.5 up (although that is still pretty cool), given the circumstances, but look at the loss column.  We're still 6 games up.  For anyone that hasn't thought about that (which I'm sure is few as we have some very quick baseball minds on here) here's a basic rundown:

It's much easier for the A's to think that while it may be easy for the Angels to make up the five wins (as they are a winning team), they also know it would be difficult (but certainly not impossible) for them to lose the six more times (as they are also a winning team).  Does that make sense?  It's kind of late, so maybe I didn't explain it very well.  I'm sure there is some type of fallacy that I probably walked into, but I started thinking about this when we were 8.5 up (9 in the loss column) and haven't noticed anyone else bring it up.  

So, even though we lost and the Angels won again (damn AK, why couldn't he put down a friggin sac bunt?), at least that 1/2 game is on our side.  I don't know if that means anything to you guys, but it matters to me.

GO A'S!!!!!

I was there with my girl and there must have been at least 10 A's fans there.  I was in row E, wearing the walk off bunt shirt.  It was good to see everyone representing the A's.  Even the Angels fans were mostly well behaved - except for a few drunks.  Great game to see live.  Missed Bradley, but got to see Street for 2 full innings.  Hope everyone there enjoyed it.

What's up Aners.  This is my first diary (on my third try, because I'm retarded) so if this has been debated before, please forgive me.  Can someone please tell me why #24 has not been retired to the outfield wall?  Rickey Henderson is one of the most important players in the history of baseball.  He owns (or had, until Barroids took a few) more significant records than any of the guys we've retired already.  If there was an all-time team, there is a strong argument to be made for Rickey leading off.  I know he's a headcase, but c'mon.  Does the team have to wait a certain period of time, like the HOF?  I like Danny Haren, too, but that number should be stripped off his back before the next start.  Maybe Zito could pick out his next number.

And what about all the great players we had in Philly (and to a much lesser extent, KC)?  We don't mind counting the titles they got in with ours, but what about all the players?  It's been awhile since I've been to the Coliseum, but I don't ever remember seeing any type of tribute to those players.  Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Eddie Collins and the $100,000 infield?  Anyone read about Connie Mack?  If we don't honor these players, who will?  The Phillies?

Anyway, go A's!