I posted this in the offseason thread and was encouraged to create a separate fanpost with a poll. I'm curious about the breakdown on PR between students, professionals, working, non-working, retired, etc rowbots. I get the feeling a majority are students but I could be wrong, of course. 

If you care to do so, you can elaborate in the comments, it's always interesting to hear what people do. (ie professional in what, student where majoring in what...you get the idea).

Poll

I am (a):

25%

Student

19 votes

54%

Professional

40 votes

4%

Not working

3 votes

6%

Retired

5 votes

9%

Working (not professional)

7 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

Which is the subject of this fanpost...

About two years ago, I had tickets to opening day, and I was so totally excited about it. Then, I got the idea from somewhere (maybe from my dad?) that I should make a sign to express my enthusiam about the fact that the baseball season was back. So I did. "Baseball is Back!!!" Notice the THREE exclamation points. And then, much to my delight, the sign was so popular that I was in the newspaper, and even in the Rockies magazine. I spent that year gathering autographs on the page with my picture, and of course, that was the year of the World Series.

Last year, I managed to get a ticket at the last minute, and so I brought my sign and my magazine. The sign was a hit. The Rockies lost badly, and the magazine was lost, in perhaps one of the most disappointing days in baseball I have experienced. The season was nothing like I was expecting, and by the offseason, I had had it with baseball, and effectively tried to ignore everything about it.

Of course, then spring training poked its nose in the door, and I can't help it. I suddenly realize just how much I missed baseball, and I forgive (mostly) everything I was on a soap box about before. What's the point? Baseball's back.  Like a little kid on Christmas morning, when the two hours before you can actually start opening presents are torturously long, so were all those games in ST this year. And now, finally, wonderfully, the baseball season is back.

This year, of course, I am in New York City, and I believe the sign has been lost in kid-moved-out cleaning. However, I would love to see it back this opening day. I am currently having trouble finding a picture of it, but I'm sure someone can track it down, and if I not, I can provide a good explanation of what it looked like. I would love it if someone could recreate it (I know this is really short notice), because what hey, no matter who's been doing what or trading who or who got injured or who thinks we'll suck this year...

Baseball is Back!!!

I was thinking about this after my recent excursion to the new Yankee Stadium, and I thought since I am currently trying to avoid a paper (though it's following me around), it would be a great time to make a fanpost about it.

I have noticed in my various wanderings between the east and the west - AKA between Colorado and New York City - that there's quite a culture shock. I know. Surprise surprise. I could easily see that in my day to day life, the people, the atmosphere, etc, and I know that there is a huge difference in the sports as well, but yesterday I was finally able to experience it and really put a finger on what exactly is different. It's easy to say, the teams in the east have more money, they have Steinbrenner, etc, but that doesn't say much about what that does exactly to the feeling of simply attending a game as a simple fan.

First of all: I paid thirty three dollars for a seat I could have gotten at Coors for nine. That's not remarkable, again, we all know things cost more in New York than they do in Colorado.

The atmosphere of the stadium, though, was, to me, remarkable. Coors will always be the prettiest ballpark in my mind, but I'm biased. Still, the area around Coors is very open, lots of places to walk. Lower downtown is a lovely place of town now, with the performing arts center and the convention center. Yankee Stadium is cramed into a mess of subways, overhead passes, trains, and well, city. The difference is startling. Sitting in the third deck of Yankee Stadium, you see city. Sitting in the third deck of Coors, you see a wall of mountains. Already at Yankee Stadium, the second you get off the subway, then, there's a different kind of energy and tension, just because there has to be with so many people and so much going on around the stadium.

Inside Yankee Stadium, it's a madhouse. The team shop is the size of a small museum. The sheer amount of people is a huge difference from Colorado. Usually when I get into Coors, I will wander around and then head down to the first baseline to watch BP and see if the guys will sign when they come out to warm up, maybe talk with the ushers. Not so in Yankee Stadium. Even before the game, tickets are checked, and no one but the true bigshots with enough money to pay three hundred dollars for a trip to the ballpark are allowed to go down that close to the field. The ushers are there as crowd control only. They aren't even called ushers - they are security personnel. 

I suppose it has to do with the way the clubs are run, but the Rockies are so much more approachable than the Yankees. I had fun at the game, of course, when you take away everything I'm a fan of whoever's playing baseball, but it made me miss long evenings at the ballpark in Colorado, when the sky turns pink and orange for the sunset, and it's just relaxing to hang out and watch some baseball. Of course, say what you want about fans who don't care about the game and are just socializing, but there's something to be said for an atmosphere that allows baseball to be a fun night out, which is something that I found to be almost nonexistant in Yankee Stadium.

I'm sorry if this is all totally obvious to you, but I was really struck by the whole difference in energy, and thought I'd try and articulate it.

I've been curious about this for awhile, so I thought I'd put the question out there and see what you guys have to say. There's no right answer. I kind of feel like I know what most people will say, but what the heck, here goes.

Basically, I'm wondering how to choose to root for teams and how you decide to stick with them. Do you root for the team or the players? Do you come to root for the team because of the players and then just stay with the team, or do you follow your favorite players to other teams? If a team trades most of your favorites, can you still root for that team as easily? What attracts you to a team essentially, the organization, or the players?

Again, I'm not looking for any particular answer, I'm just curious.

I don't have the gift of gorgeous prose like my sister Silverblood does, so this will be fairly short, but hopefully get the point across.

My Rocktober experience began in April. Rocktober without the season would have been awesome, but for me, it just would have been cool, not the amazing wonderful Rockies extravaganza that it was. I was present at 15 games last season, caught in between my junior and senior years of high school. It's a good place to be, finished with the stress of junior year and not having to deal with the idea of leaving for college yet. I knew my senior year would be easy, so I could just enjoy the summer...and attend a ton of baseball games, since I wasn't yet pinching every penny. But anyway.

First there was opening day, with the start of the "Baseball is Back!!!" sign tradition. It was a huge hit and I was in the Rockies Magazine. That magazine came with me to every game during the regular season, and every game I was down by the first base line. I finished the year with 11 autographs, including Tulo, Todd, and a slew of my other favorites. (What happened to the magazine this year is another story and should be left alone). Then photo day occurred, which was a really fun, casual, and relaxed time to meet and greet the guys, without the push of too many people. Then there was the fourth of July, which featured a sneaky dash past the usher into section 148 to get on the field for the show. There was a crazy mad ninth inning rally on Silverblood's birthday when we were there, and then another crazy rally when Todd hit the game winning HR off Saito. I know I was at that game, but I have to admit I don't remember a lot about it.

I have the ticket to prove I was at the Saturday, September 29th game, but I can't for the life of me remember it. I know I went with my older sister Darcy, because Silverblood was already at college. I think it was exciting and loud and all that. I was a little upset because of the night previous, and I'm fairly sure Tulo hit his grand slam then, which I thought was awesome especially for the curtain call afterwards.

See, I don't remember events about Rocktober, and you'll notice this as we go on in this story. The only game I remember clearly is the tiebreaker, but everything else is just impressions. I remember feelings. I remember the noise, and that the most amazing thing in the world is 50,000 people yelling 'YEAH!" at the exact same time. I remember how excited Denver was about the Rockies and how awesome I thought it was, especially since I clearly remember freezing in an empty third deck some chilly night earlier in the season. I remember reading the paper, and reading "Rocktober" on my calculus 3 test because my teacher was a Rockies fan.

I was in rehearsal the last day of the season, but I remember being really anxious about the Rockies and checking my cell phone at every break possible to see if Silverblood had sent any updates. I knew the Padres were winning, and I thought that was it, but later discovered they'd lost. It was the bottom of the eighth when I got out of rehearsal. Driving home, I didn't think I was going to listen to the game until I heard someone else listening to it with their window open, so I was curious and turned it on, dying with every pitch Manny threw in the ninth.

As soon as I got home I wanted to know what the deal was for tickets the next day, and I sent my family out to check at the King Soopers- but they were sold out. So I got on the website, and was placed on the online equivalent of hold. I opened the web and forgot about it until I suddenly noticed that I wasn't on hold anymore. What followed after was a mad dash to enter all the info so I could get the tickets before they expired. And then, I had two tickets, for me and my friend Betsy (who posts on this site). In the very top row of the stadium, third base side.

And let me tell you, they were so very worth it. The game was ridiculously nerve wracking and tense, with plenty of reasons to sit down, shut up, and put your head down, and more reasons to stand up and scream. Everyone was into the game from the very first pitch, which was amazing. There's nothing like that feeling, to know that everyone's paying attention and is cheering their lungs out for the Rockies. I remember screaming and dancing, and of course sitting down, completely silent, when the ball went over the fence in the thirteenth inning.

But then we all know what happened, and I just remember high fiving complete strangers, jumping around, and wondering why Matt wasn't getting up. I didn't want to leave. It hadn't really set in yet, we were going to the playoffs.

I watched the next two games in pieces. I was in class at a community college during most of them, but when I had breaks, I plopped down in front of the TV in the lobby, playing the game of course, and watched. I wasn't too worried, at least I don't remember being, and it was just like riding the wave.

My last game of the season was game 3 of the NLDS. I don't remember a ton about the game itself. I remember we got the rally towels and it was just as loud and exciting as before. I think the game was really tight but I don't remember being tense. I remember being confident - whether I actually was is another question. I remember that once the Rockies went ahead the stadium went mad, and it was a simple thing to seal the deal, and we were going to the championship series. We stayed awhile to watch the celebration, and I just remember being completely and totally happy.

The rest of the story you all know. I didn't go the NLCS for financial and technical reasons, but I watched all of them on TV and jumped around and screamed with the best of them. The last great day of Rocktober was when we won the pennant, and then Rocktober magic kind of petered out. You all know what happened.

Rocktober was just a ridiculously exciting time in my life for many reasons, and that summer was one of the best I've had...maybe the best. Rocktober was just an amazing conclusion to such a summer. There will never be anything like it, and unfortunately everything will be compared to it, but it was just incredible. I have a hard time describing it because it wasn't specific. For me at least, it was rush of emotion and impressions and excitement, best remembered in  my head and hard to detail.

Go Rockies. Thanks for all that. And please, let's have a better '09 season.

 

Dear Rockies -

I had tickets to this game for nearly two months. When I bought them, I didn't expect a record like this. I didn't expect a six game losing streak or any of that. I could have stayed home.

Yeah right. The thought didn't even cross my mind. I knew your record was 15-27 and about the losing streak, and all that. Whatever. I've been good luck in the past. I guaranteed a win to everyone I knew, being the egoistical thing I am. But I have to say, I was honestly nervous on the drive down. What if you proved me wrong?

You didn't. It was a beautiful night for the game. Coors Field is pretty in the worst of times, and with the sun shining and Colorado remembering it's supposed to be spring, it was a wonderful night for baseball. It didn't start out so well, though, and I have to admit that watching a perfect game against you for five innings was a little disheartening.

But I bought a hot dog because it was baseball, and the kid was pitching amazingly. So I just waited, and then...voila. The magic came back. Not just the big guys, but up and down the lineup. You got a run. Herges gave it up, but I was counting on you to get it back. I went and got the obligatory ice cream so I wouldn't have to watch and by the time I got back, you were already working on tying it up.

It surprised me how many people were there and how loud they were. Apparently Denver still cares, and quite a lot. They stood up and yelled and got loud when the scoreboard suggested it. They were standing for the final two batters, cheering madly. I knew Fuentes wouldn't blow it. You were going to win. I'd guaranteed it. You weren't going to make a liar out of me now, at the very end.

I was the crazy one in the 25th row, left field field level. I did my spastic penguin dance during the 8th inning pitching change and screamed when you got your hits. I told you to do something useful with your lives, which you sometimes did and sometimes didn't.

So what I'm getting at through all of this is, who cares what your record is. I saw today the team from last year, and I remain absolutely convinced you'll turn it around. In a week, I will have graduated. In the past tense. This was in many ways a celebration for the end of the year, and you couldn't have made it better. I hope it's a celebration for you - for breaking the funk and getting into the good times.

So thank you for a wonderful evening at the ballpark, and here's to many more this season.

Yours truly,
Squeaky

I've figured it out, Rockies fans. I know exactly why we suck so much this year:

My Rockies magazine, the one with my picture from opening day, the one I took with me to every single game I went to and collected 11 or 12 autographs, including Hawpe, Tulo, and Helton, that one:

It's gone. I just realized it today. It's not with my other Rockies magazine, and everywhere I thought it was, it's not. I've turned my room upside down, and the basement, but no luck.

Sorry Rockies fans...rest assured I'll keep looking, but I'm running out of ideas...

Squeaky is one of those constantly happy, annoyingly optimistic sort of people. Put with an early bedtime and lots of sleep, I've decided the only way to deal with this schneid is to make fun of it. Everyone: Fans, Coaches, players, etc is taking this very seriously/sullenly. Not saying they shouldn't, just saying that's what I see. So my brilliant idea was to lighten it up a bit.

I woke up with the song "Heart" from Damn Yankees stuck in my head. Go figure. I think we need all our heart back...

Anywho. Here are my ideas for some improvement. Not really sure how any of them is supposed to work. At the very least it would make the games incredibly amusing to watch.

1. Pull up all the socks and turn hats inside out.
2. Dunk Tulo in the fountain for a symbolic "rebirth"
3. Change the colors for one day to neons.
4. Hold the bats upside down and convince the pitcher to roll the ball instead.
5. Whenever the pitcher is about to throw, all fielders turn in a circle. You can just imagine the batter thinking, "what the heck?!" and then striking out badly.
6. Change the lineup so it's exactly like last year's. Sans Matsui, otherwise the same.
7. Send everyone into a deep hypnosis induced trance and make them believe that it's October 2007.
8. Clone them all. Genetically enhance the clones and have them play the games, then send the real ones out as a super secret crime fighting force, complete with Matrix-like soundtrack.
9. Blow raspberries at the DBacks.
10. Strategically placed trapdoors under the field that are used to remove players when they are not doing well. Players will remain in time out for five whole minutes before being allowed to return.
11. Geysers that randomly blow the bases off whenever an opponent is standing on it.
12. Secret voodoo rituals held on the very top of the rockpile under the full moon at midnight, then repeated at high noon.
13. Release Iannetta and Buchholz from the bullpen bathroom where they were locked all of last season via battering ram and an army of dancing robots.

Thirteen reasons. Anyone else have any ideas?
Aside: I just thought I lost this WHOLE post. I was going to be SO upset.

I've seen a lot of people who've said they are going to the game tomorrow, so I was just wondering where everyone is. I'll be the girl with the "Baseball is Back!!!" sign and the Everday is a Holliday T-shirt. Feel free to show up and say hi - I could only afford one ticket, so I'll be alone, which is slightly retarded. But what hey. I'm in Section 144, Row 35 (I think) and seat 5 (I think). Somewhere in the general vicinity.

It should be a great time, win or lose!! Though a win would also be nice..and a few (three or four) homeruns would also be kind of cool. I would be okay with that.

Anyway, I'm planning to be there around 12:10, 12:15...I expect it will already be a madhouse!!

This can also be used as a thread to discuss the game afterwards, tomorrow afternoon.

Last year was luck of the draw that I got to go to Opening Day. It wasn't sold out either, and Silverblood was in New York, and so the two tickets she got were given to me and my Dad. This year I wasn't so quick and Opening Day's completely sold out. I hadn't even planned to be there, but seeing the commercials on FSN with my sign, I'm starting to wish I was going. So. Does anybody have an extra ticket, or tickets they can't use (I can pay for them!)? If not, maybe I could arrange to get the sign to someone? It should become a tradition! I would love to see it out there again, even if I can't be there.

This is something I've been wondering about as I've been learning more about football as an institution and corporation. Obviously, the NFL has a salary cap and baseball doesn't...is the salary cap for the whole team? So they can choose to spread individual salaries as they please? I think it's definitely something that baseball needs (I'm a huge baseball fan) - see: New York Yankees, esp. Alex Rodriguez's contract (yikes). What do you think of the salary cap? Does it work? Should it be in place?

With the onset of the offseason, there were a couple articles about players and money that caught my eye. One was talking about the Giants and how they might look really different next year, because all the players will use their rings to go out and shop for a lot of money from other teams. This struck me as unbelievably mercenary, so I have to ask; is that common? Or is that the journalism world putting words into mouths? The other ones I've noticed have all been about Asante Samuel and how salaries of CB's are going to rocket sky high because of him demanding a higher price. Obviously, in every professional sport, you have overpaid players, but what do you guys think of the skyrocketing salaries? Are they worth it, or is it the name that matters? I guess the answer will vary with everyone's opinion, but do you think prices go up needlessly for certain players and overblown reputations?
Thanks!

This is not about football, but I thought I'd post it and let you know about it. My dad and I have been working on producing a show for awhile now, and we are going to do a Sneak Preview for it on February 16th in Denver (at 7:30PM - it will run for about an hour) The website is www.notthisday.com if you are interested in learning more...tickets for this event are FREE!! We'll be putting six scenes from the show onstage along with some commentary on how we got here, what the show is about, etc. It's going to be awesome - there will be dance, an aerial fabric piece (like in Cirque du Soleil), a video backdrop, all original music, and a really cool set. If you're in town, please check it out!

If anyone wants more details, either check out the website or e-mail me.

So I apologize, this has taken me awhile to get up. The pictures were left to develop and forgotten about, but then I rememebered and have now been sitting around for a bit.

But here is my little Opening Day experience.
Dad took me out of school at 11:30 and we booked it downtown, getting stuck in all the traffic. It was only about 12:15 and there were TONS of people! It was very cool. But anyway, we muscled our way through the crowd (heh). I had a sign with me, maybe you've seen it:

Sorry it's not quite centered. I took this in the car, so it's not that good.

Anyway, so we got to the stadium and found our seats...WOW! They were amazing! Here's me hanging around there and proudly holding my sign...

Anyway, enough of the sign. You've seen it. Well, I had to go over to see if I could get it signed and ran into Prospector along the way - couldn't figure out who was calling me Squeaky there for a second!

I love baseball fields. Here's a shot from behind home plate:

So I got my sign signed (hee) by both Jason Hirsh and Jamey Carroll, which I was just pleased as punch about. Then they started the festivities, so I left and went off to take more pictures. By the way, I forgot to take pictures while I was waiting for autographs. Sorry. Camera was in my pocket and everything.

Anyway, the festivities:

This dude was awesome...he had a banner for every single batter or situation. Matsui? "Todd's Day Care." I didn't get a picture of that one. :(

yay, Jeff Baker hit a homerun!

And how about just the gorgeous field? I was trying to get a picture of Atkins, but a) my camera was a cheap disposable so you can't tell, and b) the third base ump was always in my way!!! I had to wait until Garrett wandered towards shortstop.

And last...The Rockies lost, but Squeaky had a great time!

If you want to see ALL my pictures from the day, go to http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u228/cirquegirl17/

If that doesn't work, yowl and I'll change it.

Go Rockies!!! I hate off days!

Is it spring yet? It is? Yay! Why are there still five foot banks of snow on my driveway?

I have some links, less remarks, less witty ideas of random wordplay. With that in mind, I present...

The FIRST LINK!

Continue reading this post »

This doesn't happen everyday.

Little fishy Anibal Sanchez no hit the D-Backs last night on his 13th start of the year. How about that? I watched the highlight reel for it and, keeping in mind that I really have no affection whatsoever for the Marlins, I got extremely excited. It's just so...cool. And so unusual.

Anyway, I thought I'd post this here because it's baseball related and I thought Anibal deserved some recognition. Go rook!

Not only do the animals themselves give me the creeps, the baseball team is just downright annoying, often leading to depression and possibly dangerous anger symptoms. In wayman terms, I feel like throwing chairs after last night's debacle.

There are some slightly less gloomy bits of news from mudville: MaEl is back! Bring out your "MaEluvr" signs and wave them proudly!

The BIGHURT came back as well (same link) and everyone's hoping that maybe something will finally happen somewhere and that something will hopefully be useful. Little bunny BoCro says it better:

"It will be good for us," Crosby said. "Our offense could use a little boast right now. We're not hitting as well as we could right now, so it will definitely help."

All very well and good, Bunnies, but my way to discuus that is more interesting.

Little tidbits in that link:

• Clark and Rouse optioned to AAA.
  
• Chavez has tennis elbow and is day to day, but probably won't need a stint on the DL to recover. All which means, in Larry Davis speak, that unfortuantely Eric Chavez is critically injured and, as soon as our secret lab produces the latest medical technology, he'll be back.
  
• Kielty's having shoulder problems?! He stole Swisher's day off because of it. No word yet on how Nick is taking it.
  
• Bradley's getting better. Which could mean anything.
• And, one last thing I can discover from that...Macha Hearts Scoot. "The job [Scutaro] did was more than commendable," said A's manager Ken Macha. "We have been fortunate to have him here the last three years."

Anyway, today the A's are again playing the evil Snaky things, and Esteponthegas DUIaza is pitching, and LAST TIME, he didn't suck! Whoohoo!

If you weren't already sick and tired of fan voting and All Star Game crap, you, yes, YOU, STILL have a say in what goes on! (Liars). This story is some propaganda about the (drumroll please) FINAL VOTE! Or something like that. <yawns>

In case you weren't reading my title, it's the first of July (and I hate snakes). There's an awesome recap of the month, AND the A's got a mention! What do you know!

Last...in news around AN, don't forget to sign up for Chez Nico II! Of course, please bring your own dead animal, preferably dead before you get there, and cook it there. For us NRAF's, please post pictures and stories.

All links dump here!

Update [2006-7-2 13:46:11 by cirquegirl14]: Saturday was very slow, so I'm reusing this for Sunday with a few extra links.

Tidbits, news, and extras from the AN Newsfeed:

• - A suggestion for a new All Star policy. Interesting idea.
  
• - Joe Kennedy is, apparently, alive. One can only hope that this revival is permanent.
  
• - From the comments, Harden is also alive (link below). It appears the newest revival techniques are back from the A's secret lab.

Other than that, really, there's a lot of stories about us sucking last night, so I decided not to include them, because we already know about. Happy Sunday!

Poll

Snakes:

66%

Give me the willies

20 votes

33%

Good pets, bad team

10 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

Settle down with your juice and cookies!

Ever since I've heard people calling Bobby "Little Bunny BoCro", this idea has been pounding in my head. Since it is relevant to the A's, I decided to post it. Apologies to BobbyCrosbysgirl for using her picture and to whoever wrote Little Bunny Foo Foo for using their song. Without further ado, I present:

Little Bunny BoCro and the LostAngelHost Angel of Abhorrant Orangutan Colony

One day, little bunny BoCro was hopping his merry way along the basepaths. He had gray fur and big floppy ears, and a fluffly tail. Little bunny BoCro loved to pick up the fielders and bop them on the head! He was so happy he sang this song as he went:

"Little bunny BoCro hopping down the basepaths,
picking up the fielders and boppin'em on the head!"

The fielders ran before him, but little bunny BoCro always caught them.

But then...the sky darkened. The ground began to tremble. Little bunny BoCro froze where he was, terrified! He covered his eyes with his big floppy ears and tried to put his fluffy tail between his legs, but it was too short.

Slowly, a horrific figure descended from on high. It was twisted and ugly, with way too much hair and an awful expression on its face. Yes, it was a LOSTANGELHOST ANGEL, from the dreaded abhorrant orangutan county. Little bunny BoCro began to tremble.

"What do you want?" little bunny BoCro cried valiantly, peering one eye from under his ear.

"Little bunny BoCro!" The giant ogre boomed, bearing down upon the terrified bunny. "I predict you'll come to woe, if you keep grabbing those fielders, and boppin'em on the head!"

The LostAngelHost Angel, with its single, staring eye, and its awful smell that accompanied its long, stringy hair, was truly a frightening sight. But it wasn't finished with little bunny BoCro!

"Furthermore!" it said, its words echoing through the silent baseball stadium, "If you keep bopping fielders on the head, you too will grow long, stringy, and disgusting hair. You will grow fat, and you will grow ogre's ears out the sides of your head! Yes, little bunny BoCro, your punishment will be to BECOME a LostAngelHost Angel!"

With that, the horrible apparition vanished back into the ugly gray sky, which immediately turned blue. Little bunny BoCro carefully peeked out from under his ear.

"Is it over?" he wondered. Seeing no one, he sat down on second base and sighed.  

"What am I going to do?" little bunny BoCro wailed. "If I do stop, I'll never get to bop fielders on the head again! If I don't stop, I'll be turned into a LostAngelHost Angel!"

Little bunny BoCro hung his head in despair. He sat there for so long he started to get hungry. He looked around and saw, on third base, a carrot. Little bunny BoCro was so shocked he blinked and had to rub his eyes!

Then he realized that, to get there, he was going to have to hop along the basepaths! And, with the fielders in the way, he was going to have to bop them on the head!

"It's the LostAngelHost Angel!" little bunny BoCro cried, curling his paw into a fist and raising it to the sky. "He's trapped me!"

Little bunny BoCro sat there and thought and thought and thought. Then suddenly, he got an idea! Little bunny BoCro hopped tentatively off second base, took a lead, and looked around.

He hopped again. The sky began to darken, and little bunny BoCro almost lost his nerve. But then he looked at that carrot, just waiting for him, and he knew he couldn't turn back. He began to hop as fast as he could!

As the fielders began to get in the way, little bunny BoCro just grabbed them, bopped them on the head, and continued on.

But, as little bunny BoCro got closer and closer to that carrot, so he was almost close enough to taste it...the LOSTANGELHOST ANGEL of the abhorrant Orangutan Colony landed in front of him!

"Last chance, bunny BoCro! If you don't stop, you will began the changes and you will become just like me!" The giant warned.

Well, little bunny BoCro might have stopped, but that carrot was beckoning him. So he kept right on hopping. He hopped right into the legs on the LostAngelHost Angel! The LostAngelHost Angel was SO surprised he fell over. And then, little bunny BoCro hopped over and bopped the LostAngelHost Angel on the head!

The LostAngelHost Angel could do nothing to stop little bunny BoCro as he hopped to the carrot and munched happily, seating himself on third base. The LostAngelHost Angel slunk away in shame.

And as for little bunny BoCro, he decided it was the best carrot he had ever tasted.

THE END

I've been to the past two games at Coors Field. Statistically? They've sucked. Thousands of runners stranded, no pitching, bad defense, etc, etc. Shutout for 18 innings in a row at Coors. Ew.
But now you ask, have I had fun in these games? The answer, surprisingly enough, is a resounding 'YES!' I will add in deep and meaningful thoughts on the why of this in a minute. First...the highlights.

The first game, I got five autographs. Huston, Chavvy, Barry, Ellis, and Swish. They are all extremely cute and I had a nice little chat with Zito about the effects of high altitude. That was amazing. It was really, really cool to actually meet them in person and I think I was having an excitement overload. I mostly just stood there and worshipped. The first game really has nothing to say for it except that I somehow managed to enjoy myself thoroughly and I loved watching Danny pitch, and rooted so hard that someone thought I was his sister.

Anyway. Nobody was signing tonight except Swish, Kielty, and Halsey (I got the two latter). I thought this was very annoying, and I really wanted Hareball's autograph. I tried calling him over (I called him Danny, though), but he wasn't interested at the moment. Maybe tomorrow. However, I got a picture with Swish. I also gave him a card I had - I got this idea the night before. The card said "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." I wrote a fairly long, rambling, message inside (if you want to see it I can add it). It was for the whole team, and hopefully Swish showed it to some of the guys.

The second game was also somewhat forgettable in stats, but I was having a great time. Why?

DEEP AND MEANINGFUL THOUGHTS
I think the reason I was able to have a good time is because I don't base my happiness on who contributes, who doesn't, who wins, who loses. The "goat" of the game I can forgive instantly. I base my happiness on the beauty of the game. The way it looks, sounds, smells. The way it's played. The moments of perfect stillness punctuated by bursts of activity. The tense suspension just before the pitch is thrown. The batting music. The crowds. What happened in the game? I don't know. I was too busy watching and reveling in the game of baseball itself. What just happened? I don't know, but that pitch was gracefulness embodied in a physical form. I'm in love with baseball, and I'm in love with the A's. Put it together, and I can't not enjoy myself. I'm watching the A's play baseball, and that's just fine with me.

Tomorrow I'll be down there looking for Hareball's autograph, maybe Crosby if I'm lucky. Tomorrow I'll be watching and watching and drinking up the sight, hoping store it in my memory forever. Watching the A's play live. Tomorrow I'll be rooting just as hard, and tomorrow I can promise that, no matter what happens, I will be satisfied.

The ending of the card I gave the team said this; "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, the stars are waiting. And I'll be watching the rocket trails and rooting for a smooth landing when you get there."

-circus girl

When I learned of Rich Harden's return to the DL, my immediate reaction was textbook perfect - shock (you're KIDDING!), denial (No way. It's a cruel joke), anger (how dare he!!!). I was counting on watching him pitch at Coors Field in two weeks and the fact I wouldn't be nearly undid me. I was furious at Rich for daring to get injured all the time, especially when I was counting on him to be present and healthy. I was quick to lay the blame on him and whoever else I could name. I was heartbroken. Rich just might be my favorite player. My one chance to see him was host. I screamed loud obscenities and punched things. All of them were inatimate.

I decided to go for a run to get some of the my anger out. Running at 8200 feet and uphill is no easy feat, and there is something about forcing you body to do something very difficult that is amazingly calming. About halfway through the two and a half mile loop, I was working much too hard to by angry. As I approached the last stretch, I re-evaluated things in my head. I first established the facts:

     1. I'm still in love with the A's and Rich. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be so angry.
        2. I'm not mad at Rich for getting injured, I'm mad at him for being injured. There's a difference, and I decided it was important to make this distinction.
        3. I was Rich to come back and be healthy.
        4. I'm still going to see the A's play - for the 3 games.
        5. The A's are still putting a team on the field.

I thought, in the earlier stages of my run, about why, and came up with the conclusion that some divine power doesn't like the A's. Later, I thought about this and decided, considering I don't hold with divine powers, that was entirely stupid. I chose instead to believe in some other reason, like bad karma, bad luck, bad vibes, bad hocus pocus, ghosties and ghoulies, whatever you want to call it, something that isn't nice. I then came to the conclusion that I probably couldn't do anything about it besides shake my fist and shout "Curse you!" which wouldn't be any help anyway.

I was definitely feeling calmer by the time I puffed back into my house, and a few spoonfuls of mint chocolate chip ice cream helped. I couldn't really explain what happened between then (the start of the run), and now, but I hazarded a guess that I passed into the "acceptance" stage. Of course I want Rich back and of course I hate it that he's out. I had two choices of what to do about it:

    A. Rant and rave and get completely upset at Rich and the A's, and miss out on the opportunity to really enjoy seeing them.

                  OR

        B. Accept I still love Rich and the A's, send positive energy by the truckload, mail, and all other means possible, and have a riotously good time when they come to town.

I think you know which one I chose. Whatever kind of hocus pocus you want to call it, all this bad stuff must even out sometime. As a hopeless optimist, I prefer to look at that day. In the meantime...

I'm ass over teakettle in love with the A's.

Amazingly enough, the world didn't end yesterday (06-06-06). I had my helmet all ready. I'm glad I didn't need to use it.

Anyway, to baseball news. Blanton is pitching today. Bradley may or may not play, because he apparently has some issues with Cleveland.

A's manager Ken Macha isn't sure if Bradley will play Wednesday night. If he appears in one of the two remaining games in the series, he will be playing his first game in Cleveland since the Indians traded him prior to the 2004 season. Bradley's departure from Cleveland came when he was benched by manager Eric Wedge for not hustling during a Spring Training game. Bradley left the ballpark in a cab during the game and the Indians traded him to the Dodgers a few days later.

Bradley has criticized Wedge on several occasions since the trade, but had little Tuesday night. Asked if he had a reaction about returning to Cleveland, Bradley said, "No. It's best to keep my mouth shut."

I think Bradley has a good idea, there.

All the draft news:
The A's picked Trevor Cahill on the 66th pick. There was some confusion about whether or not he'd be able to sign because of a commitment to Dartmouth.

So Cahill, who carried a 4.6 grade-point average -- on a 4.0 scale -- at Vista thanks to advanced-placement courses, told the scouts that if he wasn't picked fairly early Tuesday, he'd happily pack his bags for the Ivy League come fall.

"I met with [the A's] a couple days ago, and we agreed that I'd sign if I went in the top four rounds," he said. "And I went in the second round, so ... I'm pretty excited to be playing professional baseball this summer."

Here's the scoop on the first day draft picks.

Injury news:

Milton Bradley and right-hander Jay Witasick were activated from the disabled list on Tuesday. Bradley was placed on the DL May 7 with a sprained right knee and then suffered a pulled oblique muscle. Witasick has been on the DL since April 14 with a sprained left ankle.

Bradley played the last three days on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento and spent the day Tuesday traveling to Cleveland. Manager Ken Macha said Bradley was due in town during the game.

DCKNCVR, people, Loaiza is going to start on Thursday.

Macha said right-hander Esteban Loaiza (strained left trapezius) will start Thursday against the Indians. He's been on the DL since April 29.

Loaiza was 0-3 with an 8.35 ERA in four starts before the injury. He made two rehab appearances for Sacramento, where he allowed five earned runs and 11 hits in 7 2/3 innings. Macha said he was throwing between 86 and 88 mph in the rehab outings. Loiaza was throwing 82-83 mph in his starts with the A's before he went on the DL.

"We were pleased with the way he threw the ball," Macha said. "He threw 80 pitches [in his start] so he should be able to go into the 90s if he's pitching well enough."

A roster move will be made when Loiaza returns.

I thought this was a cute story. Apparently, Schmidt was accosted by Noah Lowry and Tim Worrell, who dumped booze all over him. 16 strikeouts are quite a feat and the Giants thought it would be a good idea to celebrate it.

From the Giants website:
Left-hander Noah Lowry pitched at Class A San Jose on Friday night in what Giants head trainer Stan Conte called a "real test." Lowry had an 85-pitch limit, and how he comes out of the outing will determine when he can rejoin the rotation.

"If he gets to 85 pitches, we can look at a five-day rotation," Conte said. "On paper that means Wednesday, probably in [Triple-A] Fresno, but that hasn't been decided yet. [Friday night] is the real test for me in regards to the injury. If he pitches another rehab, that's more for baseball purposes."

Against the High Desert Mavericks, Lowry went 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out nine. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 7 with a right oblique (side) strain. He was the only Giants pitcher to make all 33 of his starts last year.

The first rains in 143 days cancelled five Cactus League games, including the A's vs. Giants. Danny Haren, who was supposed to start today against former college teammate, Noah Lowry, will start tomorrow against the Orange County Angels of GodKnowsWhatTheyAreCallingThemselvesToday (OCAOGKWTACTT for short!!).

However, the Battle of the Bay will go on!

Right-hander Justin Duchscherer and his wife, Michele, hosted a "Battle of the Bay" Video Game Challenge on Saturday in Tempe to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Arizona Chapter.

The event features A's and Giants players who will square off in the Home Run Derby mode of 2K Sports' Major League Baseball 2K6.

A's "Extra Innings" host Robert Buan broadcast the event live from Gordon Biersch Brewery on KYCY 1550-AM and KNTS 1220-AM in the Bay Area.

Proceeds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society will be raised through live and silent auctions, as well as the sale of raffle tickets and commemorative T-shirts.

Kielty is apparently having some trouble with that danged oblique muscle...let's hope it isn't contagious. Seattle Mariners Gil Meche suspect in the first contamination of Kielty.

Crosby is anxious to play, but will wait until the rain finally goes away.

"I was expecting it to rain," Crosby said. "I was looking forward to playing. I can live with one more day."

Milton Bradley is enjoying the friendly A's.

"For the most part, the guys, my teammates, everybody is pretty cool. Everybody talks to everybody, everybody likes everybody. You do things as a team and a unit." His new teammates aren't casting judgment about Bradley's past but rather focusing on what he can do to get them back in the playoffs after a two-year drought. "He's funny, he's completely opposite of everything that's been written about him," Chavez said. "Obviously there have been some unfortunate situations with him, but coming into it I think everybody was open minded and there was no doubt in anybody's mind that he was going to have a good time here and he was going to get along with the guys. Since I've been here, there haven't been any jerks or bad personalities."
As far as I can tell, the A's could loosen up anyone. Team chemistry is NOT a weakness.

Finally, Round 2 of the World Baseball Classic will commence tomorrow. Match-ups:
Cuba vs Venezuela
Japan vs the USA
Puerto Rico vs the Dominican Republic
Korea vs Mexico

Come on, people! I didn't intend to post this myself, but I have an addiction to the Link Dump. So. Here goes.

Apparently, our various ailing players are getting better. At least, Meyer and Crosby are. Refreshing!!

The A's commercials (scroll down) are back!!

In one, Nick Swisher is shown running hard to first base on the most routine of groundballs. When the camera pans wide, the viewer sees why Swisher is hustling; manager Ken Macha is standing near the batting cage with two menacing dogs ready to chase any lollygaggers.
Another classic features Blanton drawing uncomfortable looks from his teammates as he works out with a thigh master on the weight room floor.

Also in that article, Urban says that Richard the Lionheart is feeling better after a bout of food poisoning, but lost EIGHT pounds in TWO days!!

"I lost eight pounds in two days," he said. "It [stinks], because I worked my [tail] off putting weight on during the offseason, and I had finally got myself up to 196 [pounds] before this happened. Now I'm back to 188 and have to start building myself up all over again."

In case any of you didn't see it, here are the pictures from the A's photo day!

Okay. Commence dumping.

Justin Duchscherer, reliever for the A's, and his wife, Michele, are sponsoring a video game challenge (MLB 2K6) between the Giants and the A's players to benefit and raise money for National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There will also be a raffle and a silent auction. The web site is here . It will begin an hour after the last out at the Giants/A's ST game. Check it out!

I like collecting Fanfest stories from anywhere I can get them, since I generally live too far away to be able to find my way to any of them. I was wondering if anyone had some fun stories or pictures from the day that they might be willing to share.

Hey AN, I need your help. I'm extremely confused about this whole WBC thing. First of all, how can a player play for two different teams? Where will it be played? How does it work? How do teams get eliminated? How many different countries are represented? Why are Mulder/Saarloos/Danny playing for the Netherlands?

I'm totally interested in following the WBC, but I figured I should at least know what's going on if I do...

[editor's note, by cirquegirl14] You guys can use this as an Open Thread. :D

For those of you who don't know yet, Byrnes signed a deal with the D-Backs. The deal is for one year and $2.25 million dollars.
The whole story is here.

In un-A's-related deals, it seems the Pirates are trying to improve. They signed FA Joe Randa from the Pads to a one year, four million deal. It makes you wonder why he would want a 36 year old....I guess that's why it's just for one year.

On the A's Official site, there is an interesting article about Dave Parker, and his Hall chances this year. He's been on the ballot 10 times before and has only gotten 12.6%, rather than the required 75%. The link is here. Parker, apparently, believes he should be in the Hall. Does anybody know anything about his numbers?

It's a very slow day in baseball news...how much longer until Spring Training? I miss baseball!!!