Over the past few weeks, there has been much debate on AN about the areas that the Athletics need to improve on the most to contend for the AL West crown in 2009, and I think that the overall consensus on has been that the weakest link in Oakland's chain of potential is its starting pitching. With a rotation that consists of 4 question marks and one set of fingers crossed as our ace, and with Billy Beane shooting down the idea of bringing in an established starter it might be time for the A’s to work some of their high risk/high reward mojo to bolster its rotation. A name I have seen thrown around AN on more than one occasion is Mark Mulder, which could be a strong signing if  Beane can get him on a minor league contract, and his velocity returns and can at least top that of Barry Zito. But a name that has not come up as often in conversation on AN, and one that might have real potential is Freddy Garcia. Now Freddy Garcia is definitely a risk as he is coming back from a serious shoulder injury; but in his 2 starts in Detroit’s minor league system last year he pitched 5 innings, gave up no runs, and struck out 5. Garcia ended the season striking out 12 batters through 15 innings pitched, while giving up 11 hits and 6 walks. In his Tigers debut on September 17, Garcia, with a limited pitch count, threw 5 scoreless innings to get the win, with his slider was looking as nasty as ever. Garcia has been a solid number 3 starter where ever he has been, pitching for Seattle during their hot run in the early 00’s, and the White Sox during their Championship 2005 season.  If the A’s can sign Freddy to an incentive heavy one year deal, he could be a strong veteran presence in a largely untested rotation (Duke included.)
Again this would definitely be a high risk/high reward signing, but with the options available to the Athletics this off season, he may be key to solidifying a strong rotation, to complement a starting lineup that may have a chance to win the AL West.

Since Carp posted the fan post a few days ago, about Dave Stewart calling out Roger Clemens, I have thought a lot about Stew and the impact he had on the Athletics during Oakland’s second "Championship" Run from 1986-1992. Dave Stewart was more than just the Ace of the starting rotation, he was the intimidating presence on the mound that struck fear into the hearts of all opposing hitters who dared step foot in the batters box, and along with Rickey Henderson he was a true home town hero pitching for the city he was born and raised in. But I don't have to preach the greatness of Stewart in this diary ( World series MVP, ALCS MVP, 4 consecutive 20 win seasons, a no hitter in 1990), what I do want to do is start a movement for the Oakland Athletics to retire the number 34 for Dave Stewart, as well as Rollie Fingers. I believe that there should be a 34 Stewart jersey hanging right next to Rollies 34 on the Athletics wall of fame. Why not? The number is already retired, and Dave Stewart is one of the only players from the great teams of the late 1980's and early 1990's that we can still be proud of. I think Stewart is such an important figure in the history of the Athletics franchise, that it’s a travesty that 34 is NOT retired for him already. So what do you say AN? Lets pull together and make our voices heard!!!!! Lets get a 34 Stewart jersey retired and celebrate the Oakland Athletics glorious past!

When it comes to baseball merchandise I guess that you could say, that I am somewhat of a purist. Nothing makes me cringe more than seeing a baby blue, an all black, or a (god forbid) red and white Athletics hat (It's part of that whole, I hate the Angels thing...). But what I saw today at a store in the mall, had to take the cake over all of the above listed examples. What I saw was a true to the bone, traditional Athletics hat ( The green hat, with a yellow brim that is worn with the home whites, or the road grays) but upon taking a closer look, I noticed that the hat did not have an A's logo on it, at all,  but instead it was replaced with a  Giants logo! Even worse, the hat next to it was of the same color, except that it had the logo of the L.A Dodgers!!!!!  WTF is this world coming to? Fashion is one thing, and ive heard many a young "gangsta" talk about "representing the bay", fine,  that may be their prerogative; but at what point does fashion cross the line of what is sacred??? Its been a huge pet peeve of mine for years to see people wearing Red A's hats, who upon talking to them I find out do not follow the A's at all, and in fact they know nothing about the game of baseball period. But to me, when you take a teams color's and bastardize them for the sake of fashion, then you are going to far.....

I didnt see this posted yet, so I had to throw it up. Im a youngin around these parts (I grew up with the Bash brothers, Rickey, and the split finger fast ball) but to some of the Oakland originals, they will remember Dick Williams as the skipper who guided the band of misfits known as the Swinging A's to 2 of their 3 championships in the early 70's. And its official, he is going to the hall with an A's hat!!!!

Williams, who won the World Series twice as manager of the A's and will go in wearing an Oakland cap, teamed up with Gossage in 1984, as the Padres won the first National League pennant in franchise history, but lost a five-game World Series to the Tigers.

Williams' wife, Norma, answering the phone on Tuesday at their Las Vegas home, said Williams had already spoken to Gossage, and that her husband "was just as giddy as the day he got into the Hall of Fame."

"They just acted like two crazy little people," she said.

Williams was one of five managers and executives elected last month by separate, newly formed Veterans Committees...

Continue reading this post »

Well I saw there was no weekend DLD up so I thought I would throw one up. I just uploaded some more videos, from my Backyard wrestling public access show, CWF DEVASTATION, which you can now see on youtube! well here is a clip from the Infamous Room of Doom match between Butcher Knife Vs Alcoholocaust. http://youtube.com/watch?v=drZqGznKL44

Here is the second part to the devastating match here:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=wZfhDb4nXDM

Yea I dont have any real links, so I thought id just throw these bad boys up here. You can use this DLD as an open thread about backyard wrestling if you want. Here is a cool outro to the television show with a nickleback theme.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=umE5orqRz...

Well D backs VS Rockies in the NLCS... what a postseason so far!

So the Oakland Athletics this year have had a record number 50 players, swing through their turnstiles this season. So I post a challenge to all of ye who are up to accept it. Who can name (without cheating!!!!!) Off the top of your head all 50 Athletics to play in this very interesting 2007 season???? The grand prize for the winner(again who really does it off of the top of their head) IS the right to boast to all of us AN know it alls, and also a little bit of personal boast... but its also a sign that you might need to get away from your LED devices a LITTLE bit more often.... ANyway yall rock on, and may the best fan post 50....

Well after yesterdays crazy game who knows what the rest of the weekend has to offer. I got more than a little drunk yesterday, and passed out by the 5th inning, so needless to say I was very confused when I awoke later on last night and turned on ESPN...

Well I don't have much as far as Links go, im just putting this bad boy up, because, well someone has to do it. Lets see what I can conjure up...

Here is a clip that someone made of the 1988 world series game one 9th inning match up between Eck and Gibson, but to a western theme. Its sort of creative I guess, and Frankly I've got nothing for the DLD so at least its something. http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=15282702

Here is the classic Miller light commerical with Billy Martin and the boss, if yu have been watching "The Bronx is Burning"(acutally better than I thought it would be) you will get a kick out of it... http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q9mNkEcUR3s

And speaking of Billy Ball, here is the man himself in a 1981 A's commerical, they had a "different brand of baseball" even back then..lol http://youtube.com/watch?v=DlcRC3TQj5c
Oh yea it you were drunk like me yesterday and watched the game with one eye open, there is a recap from MLB.com

I hope it works....lol. Well what can I say, another day, another dollar. Except for the dollar part...

Thought I would slip this bad boy in before anyone noticed its absence. Well I dont have very many baseball links, and im hung over as all hell so I guess im gonna throw up the usual wrestling stuff. This shit is gold, here is the Macho Man Randy Savage reading Green Eggs and Ham:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni9Ntq_r1z0. If you guys didnt know, back in the Vince Russo WCW days there was a shitty character called "The Demon" He painted himself like a member of kiss. Well anyway the guy that played that gimmick is named Dale Torrborg. He now is the pitching coach for the White Sox, which explains why lots of ballplayers have been showing up on TNA. Here is some footage of that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjuAh... and some action here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pWEI... Ok and this is awesome, here is Ozzie Guillen smashing Simon Diamond with a Steel chair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj50-...

ok I bought the spring training package from MLB.com and so far its kicked ass. I woke up today way way to hung over to really watch the A's VS Angels game live, but you can go back and watch a video clip of the game once its over. So that got me thinking, If I order it during the Regular season, then Even games that Im at work for, ill still get to see because of the archive. Now the whole point of my Diary is this. During the Regular season, since I live in Vallejo, how many games will be blacked out? Every home game? or every game not on television. And now say for instance the A's were playing the Royals. If the game was blacked out A's fans,  could I watch the Royals feed of the game? And once a game is played, say it was blacked out, can you watch the archive version of it, or is that game forever lost to local A's Fans? If any of yall could answer one or many of these questions I would much appreciate it. Thanks a million. Angels suck.

Well Sunday is 2/11 and in honor of such, I shall spend the day drinking tall cans of Steel Reserve. Again I do not have very many devastating links, but the Link Dump must be posted or the sun will never set, so without further ado, I bring to you, my DLD number two...

Well on NWA TNA(for those of you who don't follow wrestling, its a professional wrestling league, with a TV show called "The Impact Zone") David Eckstein is going to wrestle A.J pierzynski. Johnny Damon made an appearance on thursdays show you can see here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pWEI1m0VRM&NR.

Wow wrestling and baseball together at last!!!! yep so I dont have much, but at least its up.

Well I don't have much as far as links go, but that dosent matter right? Its the fact that the DLD mearly exists is enough, right? Well I saw part of the carabien world series last night on MLB.com and Ol Ruby Durazo has really been tearing the leather off the ball.http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070202&content_id=1792889&vkey=news_ oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak
Other than that, may your evenings be well, May the Angels go to hell. Alright everyone stay Swell

Hey does anyone have any information on when 2007 All Star Game, and Home Run Derby tickets go on sale? Where do you purchase them from? I think it would be awesome to go so I want to get on the ball early to insure that I get tickets. I am sure that Home Run Derby tickets would cost much less than All Star Game tickets, but I do not know what the price range would be. Also does anyone know about any Fan Fest type events going on during All Star Game Week? Any information would be much appreciated.

I would say looking back at the Teams that were Managed By Ken Macha 2003-2006, The biggest flaw in the teams offensive strategy has been its stubborn refusal to hit and run and steal bases. The results of this thinking not only affect the team in the most obvious ways such as grounding into double plays and leaving runners stranded. But it also takes away potential base hits, because opposing defense players don't have to position themselves to hold runners on base, which allows them to position themselves in the ideal position to take away a base hit, that would have been out of the infielders reach had he been holding the runner on base. Now my question and the point of this diary is this: Now that Geren is at the helm is any of this going to change? Obviously Billy Beane has his ideals in place that run through out the organization, but Geren is his own man, and has Been a Skipper before even if it was in the minor leagues. Will A Difference be seen with the 2007 Athletics? I Sure hope so...

On Extra innings tonight, Robert Wong asked the question, "which former athletic would you bring back to the team if you had the chance to improve the 2006 ball club." The most common answer was Tejada which was expected, especially since he got done killing us today. But that lead me to ponder another question. What if didn't limit it to current ballplayers. What if we could bring back ANY former Athletic Player living or dead. And not only just that player, but the player during a specific year in his career. For Example Dennis Eckersley 1992, would be a much more valuable player than the Eck in 1986. So here is my question if you could bring back any former Athletic, who would it be, and from what season? My choice though I know it is controversial is Jose Canseco 1988. That year was Canseco's famed season where he went 40/40 he batted .307 with a .569 Slg .959 OPS he hit 42 home runs and drove in 124 RBI's playing in 158 games. I'm sure you guys will come up with better choices, but that's my 2 cents.

Well it is once again the all star break, and you know what that means, almost a whole week without A's Baseball. I like the Home Run Derby and game don't get me wrong, but its not like the Athletics are represented very well this season. Anyway that got me to thinking the same type of thoughts that I think during the off season, "wouldn't it be great to watch an A's game right now?". Before the season started I swore to myself that I was going to get a DVD burner so I could record some of the more triumphant games to watch this off season. Well do to me and my roommates irresponsibility we no longer have cable for me to record any games. Anyhow this gets me to the point of this diary, I was wondering does anyone have any older footage from the Fighting 70's the Bash brothers are, or the years of the big 3, or even last year and this season. IF you did and would be willing to burn me a copy I would be forever grateful. I defiantly would pay the cost of the blank DVD's themselves, and buy you a beer at a game. Let me know, you can hit up my email or send me something on my myspace. I have both the links on my AN user page. Well hopefully this turns into some rockin A's footage I can watch during the days without baseball. Who knows, maybe we can organize a cool Video trading group sort of like Grateful Dead fans used to have where they would trade copies bootlegs. Let me know what you think...

im not sure if anyone posted anything about this, because I have been out of town and have not been on AN for a few days, but has anyone seen that gatorade commercial(I saw it last monday on ESPN) where it shows famous clips in sports history with a different outcome. First it Shows Jordan Missing that 3 point shot that won the bulls the championship, but then it shows the 2001 ALDS where Jeter flips the ball to Jorge and he tags the Non Sliding Jeremy Giambi out(we all have seen this clip a billion times, but in the commercial Giambi dosent Slid,but Posada goes to Tag him and he misses, and Giambi is Safe(well done computer editing). Well at the end of the commercial it shows everyone drink gatorade and the plays are shown the way they really happend. but the point is watching that clip it was so surreal, it made me really think, what if? I have waited 5 years to see giambi called safe. I wish they would have edited the Kirk Gibson Home run in the 88 series, with Eckersley striking him out, but oh well. Anyway I just thought I would put that out.

I finally finished the article I wrote for http://www.Insidethedugout.blogspace.org about the top 10 Athletics Prospects.  Well so here it is, let me know what yall think.  And thanks for all the good feedback you guys gave me in the previous diary. Hope you agree with my picks, and the list is not nessecarly a 1-10 of 1 is the best(altho he is) and 10 is the 10th best.  I view it more of as 10 top Prospects... Anyway here it is.

The Oakland Athletics Top 10 Prospects

By Joseph Shippee

The Oakland Athletics are a small market baseball team that has been constantly winning since the year 2000.  This is due in no small part to General Manager Billy Beane's philosophy of drafting proven players, and signing veterans who are undervalued by other General Managers.  Year after year has seen draft picks become prospects, prospects become superstars, and superstars leaving Oakland for big paydays in New York, Boston, and Baltimore.  Yet year after year the Athletics still not only contend, but also are in the think of their divisional race down to the Final week of September.  This is due in a large part to the compensation picks received by the departing free agents used to draft the nucleus of what is becoming a well rounded and dominate baseball franchise.  The Oakland Athletics have one of the most complete minor league systems of any Major League club, a farm system that follows the same philosophy from A to AAA, and will continue to mold superstars for the foreseeable future. With former Oakland prospects Bobby Crosby, Nick Swisher, Joe Blanton, Dan Johnson, and this years likely Rookie Of The Year Huston Street all playing for the Major league team, lets take a look at the hot 10 prospects currently in the Athletics organization.

Prospect Number 10. Cliff Pennington, SS, 5'11 180lbs DOB: 6/15/84
The 2005 number one draft pick of the Oakland Athletics, Pennington is a switch-hitting Short Stop whose college accomplishments include the third highest batting average in the Big 12 conference at .363.  That same season he stole 29 bases and led his team in 12 offensive categories earning him a spot on the All Big 12 team, and team MVP honors.  Since June 26 he has appeared in 69 games for the Kane County Cougars batting .297 with an OPB of .364 and driving in 29 runs.  Not necessarily a power bat, but Pennington has the combination of speed, fundamentals, and a strong glove defensively that should equal success at the major league level. Projected to start 2006 at AA Midland.

2005 Stats: single A Kane County Cougars .276/. 364/.359SLG 3HR 25SB in 290 AB

Prospect Number 9. Jared Lansford, RHP, 6'2 190lbs DOB: 10/22/86
The son of former Oakland Athletic Third Baseman Carney Lansford, Jared was the 69th Draft pick overall in 2005, and although his father Carney hoped that his son would be drafted as an infielder, Jared decided to sign with Oakland as a pitcher.  Lansford's pitches include a change up, curve ball, and 2 and 4 seam fastballs that reach into the mid nineties. Jared went 8-4 during his first full season as a starter at Santa Clara high school posting a 1.59 ERA and notching 96 strikeouts with Just 19 walks.  Since his draft in June, Lansford has appeared in 8 games for the AZL Athletics striking out 20 batters in 21 innings, and posting an ERA of 1.27.  Jared seems to have the control, velocity, and mental makeup that it will take to be a successful Major League starting pitcher. Projected to Start 2006 at A Kane County.

2005 stats: Rookie league AZL Athletics 0-1 1.27 ERA 16H 4BB 20SO in 7G 21.1IP

Prospect Number 8. Kevin Melillo, 2B, 5'11 185lbs DOB: 5/14/82
Selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round of the 2004 amateur draft from the University of South Carolina, where he was the Co MVP of the 2004 SEC tournament,. Melillo has been tearing up the minors since his arrival, Batting .400 with and .800 SLG in 22 games for the Stockton Ports, which earned him a quick pass to AA Midland. This season in Midland he had an OBP of .347 in 37 games driving in 34 runs and stealing 9 bases.  He has a solid glove at second base, and shows developing power. Melillo should develop into a quality Major League middle infielder. Projected to start the 2006 Season at AAA Sacramento.

2005 Stats: Single A King County .286/.399/.457 SLG 8HR 36RBI 80H in 280 AB
                   Single A Stockton Ports .400/.471/.800 SLG 9HR 23RBI 36H in 90 AB
                   Double A Midland Rock hounds .282/.347/.519SLG 7 HR 34RB in 131 AB

Prospect Number 7. Thomas Italiano, RHP, 6'3 190lbs DOB: 7/22/86
The 53rd overall pick of the 2005 draft, Thomas Italiano is a right-handed pitcher, who is said by many to be the hardest throwing highschooler of the draft. With a fastball that reaches the upper nineties, Italiano has impressed many scouts with his overall dominance and raw power.  Since reporting to the Arizona rookie League Italiano has devastated hitters, striking out 27 in 18.2 Innings pitched. Italiano Relies mostly on his fastball with a solid curve ball mixed in. Italiano has devastating potential but still needs time to develop his control. Projected to Start 2006 at A Kane County.

2005 Stats: Rookie League AZL Athletics 1-2 6.75 ERA 20H 8BB 27SO in 8 G 18.2 IP

Prospect Number 6. Kurt Suzuki, C, 6'0 200lbs DOB: 10/04/83
Selected 67th Overall out of Cal State Fullerton in the 2004 draft (2nd round) Suzuki has had an Illustrious college career, winning the Johnny Bench Award in 2004(Awarded to the nations top collegiate Catcher) and being named a First team All American.  In the 2004 season he batted .413 with 16HR and 87RBI and was named the Big West player of the year.  In 2004 he set a College World Series record for most chances handled in a career without an error.  Scouts have praised Suzuki as a 5-tool player "who can catch, run, and hit, and shows a mature demeanor behind the plate." Also know for having a strong arm, one scout added that he's seen Suzuki "throw out all three base runners that tried to steal on him". Projected to start 2006 at AA Stockton Kurt Suzuki is projected to be the Athletics everyday catcher by the start of the 2007 season.

2005 Stats: Single A Stockton Ports .277/.378/.440SLG 12HR 63RBI 122H in 441 AB

Prospect Number 5 Dan Meyer, LHP, 6'3 210lbs DOB: 7/03/81
Selected as the 34th pick overall (1st round) in the 2002 by the Atlanta Braves out of James Madison University.  Meyer was the center piece in a November 2004 trade that sent Athletics ace starting pitcher Tim Hudson to Atlanta, for Meyer, pitcher Juan Cruz and Outfielder Charlie Thomas. Through the 2004 season in the Atlanta Braves farm system Meyer had a career record of 19-19 posting a 2.71ERA Striking out 381 batters while only walking 87 in 352 Innings pitched.  Meyer has two plus pitches in his 91-93 MPH fastballs, a sneaky slider, and an effective change up.  Meyer has solid control, throws strikes and keeps the ball down in the zone, and though his pitches are usually around the plate, opposing hitters have great difficultly making contact.  Meyers 2005 season was cut short by injury, but despite that fact he is projected to start the 2006 season as a member of the Oakland Athletics starting rotation as the fourth or fifth starter.

2005 Stats: Triple A Sacramento River Cats 2-8 5.36 ERA 101H 43BB 63SO in 89.0 IP
(Note Meyers 2005 stats may be deceiving due to his shoulder injury)

Prospect Number 4 Richie Robnett, OF, 5'10 200lbs DOB: 9/17/83
Richie Robnett was the 26th overall pick (1st round) of the 2004 draft out of Fresno state. Robnett is a super athletic player compared by many scouts to a young Reggie Jackson. Robnett is natural athlete with great speed and a muscular build. Robnett may have the most potential for power out of any prospect in the Oakland Athletics organization. He began the 2005 season with the Stockton Ports, but missed the first two weeks due to a pinched Hamstring.  In his first minor league season for Stockton Robnett hit 20 home runs, and drove in 74 runs in 115 games. He also struck out 151 times.  Scouts reports on Robnett Praise his power saying "...he attacks the ball, the ball explodes off his bat and he has the ability to hit for power to all fields..." yet he lacks experience and discipline at the plate, swinging with maximum effort no matter what the count is. Robnett is defiantly more talented as a power hitter than he is as a defensive outfielder, and will need to improve his glove work as he advances through the minor league system.  If Robnett learns to balance his aggression while cutting down his swing to make more contact he will mature into a deadly major league hitter.  Robnett is projected to start 2006 in single A Stockton.

2005 Stats: Single A Stockton Ports .243/.324/.440SLG 20HR 74RBI 111H 457AB

Prospect Number 3 Andre Ethier, OF, 6'3 195lbs DOB: 4/10/82
Selected by the Oakland Athletics 62nd overall in the 2003 Amateur entry draft, Ethier is a solid contact hitter with a good eye at the plate.  In 2004 Ethier hit .313 with a .383 OBP and racking up 131 hits in 419 AB for the Modesto Athletics. The 2005 season has been even more productive for Ethier.  In 505 AB's for the Midland Rockhounds Ethier hit .319 with an On Base Percentage.385, 18HR, 80 RBI's and 251 total bases, earning him a promotion to Triple A Sacramento.  If Ethier can continue to progress as he's had over the past two seasons, he could develop into a quality major league outfielder by the start of the 2007 season.  Ethier is projected to start 2006 in Triple A Sacramento.

Andre Either (cont)
2005 Stats Double A Midland Rockhounds .319/.385/.497OBP 19HR 80RBI 161H

Prospect Number 2 Javier Herrera, OF 5'11 191lbs DOB: 4/9/85
Herrera was signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent in 2001. Herrera has been tearing up the minors ever since, having his breakout season in 1994. Herrera was named the 2004 NWL Most Valuable Player, during a season in which he was batted .331(4th best in the league) and finished 2nd in the NWL in hits and stolen bases. Herrera shows discipline at the plate, speed on the base paths, a solid glove in the outfield, and is described by scouts as a natural athlete. 2005 started on a sour note for Herrera, when he was suspended for 15 games after testing positive for steroids. Herrera bounced back after serving his suspension batting .275, stealing 26 bases, and driving in 62 runs in 94 games for the Kane County Cougars.  If Herrera can continue his success through the 2006 season, and prove to the Athletics front office that his numbers were due to his talent and not performance enhancing drugs, Herrera could be an everyday starter in the Oakland outfield by 2007. Herrera is projected to start 2006 in Triple A Sacramento.

2005 Stats Single A King County .275/.374/.444 SLG 13HR 62RBI 99H 360 AB
                  Triple A Sacramento  .417/.533/.750 SLG 1HR 3RBI 5H 12 AB

Prospect Number 1 Daric Barton, 1B, 6'0 205lbs DOB: 8/16/85
Acquired by Oakland in the November 2004 trade that sent Mark Mulder to the St.Louis Cardinals, Daric Barton has been described by many as "The best pure hitter in the Minor Leagues".  Barton has been compared to such power hitters as Mike Piazza and Albert Pujols; this left-handed powerhouse has the potential to develop into a Major League Superstar.  In 2004 playing for the single A Peoria Chiefs, Barton hit .313 with a .435 OBP, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 77 RBI's in 313 at bats. The kid can Straight Mash!  Barton has a keen eye at the plate walking 69 times during the 2004 season while only striking out 44 times. Barton started 2005 in single A Stockton where he hit .318 with a .438 OBP in 79 AB's, earning him a ticket to double A midland, which should prove to be just a stop on his path to the big show.  Barton's hawk like eyes and patience at the plate, allow him to work deep into counts, and cause many sleepless nights for opposing pitchers.  Where will Daric Barton start in 2006? Some think Triple A Sacramento, some think as the DH for the Oakland Athletic, but wherever he starts mark my words, Daric Barton will soon be a household name!

2005 Stats Single A Stockton Ports .318/.438/.469 SLG 8HR 52RBI 93H 292 AB
                  Double A Midland Rockhounds .316/.410/.491 SLG 5HR 37RBI 67H 212 AB

We were close. We were damm close, and that is allot more than most Fans can say of their teams.  Our green and gold were in it until there were only 5 games left. 5 Games!!!!! If you would have told me this on May 31st I would have called you a Liar. At the start of the season most so called "baseball writers" picked us to either finish 3rd behind Texas, or at the bottom of the Division. Hell Ray Ratto said we would not win 60 games (though he later said it was 65) just that thought makes me happy, We Proved EVERYONE wrong, and were still in contention even in the first season of the "post big 3 era".  And do you know what is even better? We Have AN... Athletics Nation is by far the best Baseball blog on the Net (ever visited the Angels blog or the D rays blog?, its very sad) We as A's fans have a community like no other.  And even though the season is basically over, AN is not over!!! AN will be here for us all winter all spring and will still be here come game one 2006. And I know I said this allot in the game threads tonight after we lost but I really mean it, ALL OF YOU ON ATHLETICS NATION ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.  Do you know why? Because like me all of you BLEED green and gold.  We are green and gold till death.  Its going to be a very interesting off season, and I cant wait to discuss all of our off season moves with all of you. Just remember....IN BILLY WE TRUST!!!!!!

Hello fellow An Comrads, maybe to take our minds of some of the Misery we have shared lately, we can talk about something positive...The Future.
   I am writing an Article for Insidethedugout.blogspot.com, about the top 10 prospects in the A's Organization.  I pretty much have my mental list down, but I also would like some input from all of you, so I can Compile a very complete list.  If any of you could help me out, feel free to tell me who your top 10 prospects are.  Also any stats that could help me back my points would be Extremly helpfull.  I will post my completed Article here on AN when I get finished with it.  Any feedback from yall would be MOST APPRECITATED.  cause everyone knows A's fans are the smartest fans in baseball.

It seems to have slipped under the radar to most here on AN but consider what has lead to our lack of run production...  When Durazo went down in may, the team was struggling so bad, and was so full of Injuries nobody here on AN seemed to notice, and if they did they really did not view it as a big loss.  But look at the team now. With Durazo down it forced Hatteberg into the role Of DH which he is obviously not suited for, and it sort of forced a domino affect on the rest of the team.  Suddenly players like Chavez and Kotsay have all the Offensive weight placed on their backs when he was historically they are more of the  R.B.I type guys, then our power hitters. That is what the DH is really for. I realize that it did give an early opportunity to DJ, but who says that he would not have been called up anyway.  Durazo was NOT having a mirror of his 2004 season when he went down, that much is true, but I just have to think that if he were our DH today, and we still had Dan Johnson playing first base that we might not have lost some of those close games, and we would be much closer to the Playoffs than they now look in our distant future....Just remember though have faith in 1995!

I wrote this article for insidethedugout.blogspot.com... but I think it might be of interest to AN...

Are The Oakland Athletics Better off trading Barry Zito?

By Joseph Shippee

As a long time fan of the Oakland Athletics and a long time fan of Pitcher Barry Zito, the Obvious answer to this question would be Yes, sign Barry to a long term deal, but when I look at the Situation a little more Objectively the Obvious answer might not be the correct one.  First we should take a look at the overall Oakland Athletics team this year.  A team of Strong Starting Pitching, A very Solid bullpen, but an up and down offense.  It seems like the motto of this year's offense has been Feast or Famine.  An Offense that takes pride on Taking walks and working the count, but what does it do against Pitchers that don't give up too many walks?  Alot of time they end up scoring zero or one run, while the Starting Pitcher Might just allow one or two runs.  Clearly this teams biggest weakness is its offense, and it's the Issue that needs to be addressed this off season.  Now what's a solution to this problem?  Trade Barry Zito for a big bat.  
    Zito this season has finally regained the composure on the mound that he showed during his Cy Young winning season.  His trade value might never be higher, especially in an off season market that looks to be very dry of quality starting pitching.  Another thing to take into consideration is the Strength of the Athletics remaining Starting Pitching.  With Rich Harden as the Number one starter of the future (if he remains healthy) Danny Haren as the Number two, and the Rookie Sensation Joe Blanton as a solid third, this pitching staff might have the same devastating punch that the famed "big 3" did from 200-2004.  In that case with the starting rotation Solid, a bullpen that Dominates with Justin Duchschure, Kiko Calero, The Sensational rookie Closer Huston Street, and a possible returning Octavio Dotel as the Set up man, Barry Zito seems to be the Trading Chip that could solidify the offense, and help Oakland Dominate 2006 and beyond.

Not that I am a fan in any way shape or form of the Giants, but both the A's and the Giants, if the planets align correctly, could both sweep their respective Southern California opponents and win their Divisions?  To me that would be so sweet to just Snuff lame ass Southern California of any playoff apperances, while the Bay and Northen California get to represent again?  The likelyhood of this is probally slim to none but right now this is definatly a possibility... who would have thunk it?  The Bay could back!!! 2 4 game sweeps of Northern Cali over the South, that would be to sweet....

im not sure if this is diary worthy, but I always watch espn news, and they have different baseball experts on who dont look like former ballplayers, but work for different .com sites.  Now I was wondering, how does one become a professional baseball analyist?  how does one become a sabrmetrician?  is there a college major that would help get into these fields of work.  what can one do other than watch many many many hours of baseball and study it?  it seems like such a cool career field, but I really cant think of a way to get into it.  Help me I want to be the next Bill James....

as the season has progressed and swish has got some time at first I have noticed that his glove is way better than Johnsons.  That got me thinking, how about next season Move Swisher to our everday first baseman, and have Johnson replace the departing Hatteberg as DH.  Then we could add another big outfield bat to replace Payton.  and when you think about it Payton is making 4 mill this year, and Durazo and Dont ask Do-Tel have been sucking up 8 million this year doing nothing.  So if we dont sign payton that gives us 16 million (roughly) to sign that big free agent outfield bat. Next year our offense is really going to be devastating I can feel it.

I have not seen a diary on this yet, and I figured someone w ould mention it eventually, but isnt it crazy how much time Adam (the ball boy in the A's bullpen) gets?  He gets more replays a night than most players.  And fosse spends whole innings talking about him.  I just thought this was funny so i would throw it out there.....

I proposed in some threads for the past few days, that if our Offense gets really hot, we can have the Killer K's with Kotsay Kendall Kielty and Keith Ginter.  A few people thought that was not really  the best name,(espically the K part can be confused for Striking out alot), so I ask yall, what would be a good nickname for our Devastating Offense if it ever does get that way? the Cards have their Murders Row, the Stinkin Angels had their Lame ass "G force", so what about the Fighting A's?, We need something Rockin again Like the "Mustache Gang" or the "Bash Brothers", something with a little Personalty and thought. Something Devastating. Something we can really shove down the throats of all those stinkin Gnats fans... So what should it be if not our Killer K's(thats really all I could think of off hand)