that Pete Carroll has allowed his team to show up against a vastly inferior opponent unprepared and ill-equipped to win.  I know that the coaches can't suit up and play the game themselves, but there is absolutely no excuse for getting their asses kicked against Stanford in '07 and now OSU this year.  No excuse. 

Just an embarassing effort (if you can call it that) against a team that the scout team beats routinely if they play tomorrow.  I'm a Carroll fan (I liked him when he was an assistant with the Vikings) -- but as far as I'm concerned, these two losses are as big a statement as the two national championships.  Shame on us, seriously.

I can't remember now what the point spread was against Stanford ... hell, I've tried to forget ... but I bet it's been years since a team has lost  in back to back seasons vs. teams they were favored to beat by so much.  Even in the 90's, I was never embarassed by our teams ... we were overmatched at times, but never played with shi*** effort.  But I'm sad to say I'm embarassed.  Shame on us.  Seriously, shame on us.

After watching Memphis completely fall apart in the last two minutes of last night's NCAA championship game, several of us got into a water cooler discussion today about what it means to truly "choke."  Too often, that word is thrown out there simply because someone is mad a game or series of games ends differently than they'd hoped.  However, when a team and/or athlete loses a game or series they were favored to win, this doesn't necessarily qualify as a choke job.  In other words, the Patriots did not choke in the Super Bowl this year -- they were simply beaten that day by a team that outplayed them ... had they played again, the result might very well have been different, but alas ....

Anyway, I was wondering if you all had an opinion as what qualified as "choking" ... we decided to today on one rule -- for it to be a true choke job, one team had to have the game or series completely in hand and the only way to lose would be a colossal blunder or series of blunders that allowed the other team to come back. (By the way, not to take anything away from Kansas, but we all agreed that last night's game qualified as a monumental choke job by Memphis ... and it wasn't just the missed free throws.  The inbounds pass stolen by Kansas and converted into a 3; Dorsey's unbelievably boneheaded foul; and the cherry on top -- not fouling Kansas before they could get off a desperation 3 at the end of regulation.) 

Do you think that any of the A's early 00's playoff failures qualify?? Hard to say ... comments???

I rarely start a new thread, but I just have to rant a bit and get this off my chest amidst all of the "world is falling" nonsense ...

Continue reading this post »

So glad that Ty Van Burkleo called a meeting yesterday in order to go over the team's horrific performance with RISP. Not only are our beloved A's last in the majors in batting avg. with RISP, I'm assuming we've got to be one of the worst (if not the worst) teams when it comes to driving in runners from third with less than two outs.
Van Burkleo said, "We talked about situational hitting, the approach to it, the mentality you take to the plate."
Yes!! Contrary to what some AN'ers think, it's nice to hear a coach recognize that at-bats must be approached differently from time to time!!!!! It is a mistake to enter the batter's box with the same approach and philosophy each time ... different situations require different adjustments!

Continue reading this post »

So Chavez sinks to new lows offensively last night, and now I hear "his forearms are hurting."
I'm sorry, but that's crap. Plain and simple. Maybe not the claim that he's hurting -- that may very well be true -- but the timing of it leaves much to be desired.
If Chavez is injured, than he should have "mentioned" this some time ago.  Don't wait until you manage to even embarass yourself (finally) at the plate before you "reveal an injury."  I just find the timing of the announcement awfully convenient.  I'd have a lot more respect for him if he simply said the truth, something like,
"You know what? I'm not getting the job done ... and I haven't gotten the job done for quite some time now. I've gotten better defensively, but I've digressed ... BIG TIME ...offensively. Now I'm a liability and I need to get better."
That's the kind of "honesty" I need to hear ... but please, don't strand seven baserunners (in one game !? That is HARD to do) and "oh, by the way, my forearms are hurting." That is such garbage.

I would have included this in last night's game recap, but since I haven't seen one yet, I just needed to get this off my chest.
Look, I'm all for the A's being more aggressive on the base-paths.  Like several of the players said, I think it will serve us well in the long-run.  Put the pressure on the other team's D and make them throw you out once or twice a game -- sometimes you'll get burned, but more often than not, you'll manufacture a win or two a week this way.
But, for goodness sakes, don't stop being aggressive when you're being aggressive!! When Chavez got caught in that rundown last night, (bad mistake, but they happen) what the *&%$ was Swisher doing??!!  I was listening to the game on satellite radio, and when Chavez got thrown out, I said to myself, "Well, at least Swish got over to second, and he can score on a hit, now." Then, when Buck singled, I figured "tie game," only to then discover, of course, that for some unbelievably ridiculous reason, Swisher never advanced!!!!  
Is there something I'm missing?! What the heck was our first-base coach doing?!  Like I said, if we're gonna be more aggressive, great ... but everyone has to take their heads out and stop acting like you've never been taught fundamentals, or it will never work.

I need some Chavez "love." PLEASE tell me this was just a couple bad games. PLEASE tell me this was an abberation (you know, like the 10 pitches I've seen him swing at in the dirt or above his head.) PLEASE tell me this "oh no, here we go again" feeling is just my "anti-Chavez" bias. PLEASE tell me that he will begin to at least make contact, for cryin out loud.  PLEASE.
And I'm writing this with a smile, by the way, in spite of the Ellis news, etc.  Chavez is gonna show up for this thing, right? .... right?

Athletics Nation has always been pretty split when it comes to "Does the team show enough fire" opinion . . . half of us wish Macha/Chavez/whomever would throw a tantrum after every failed at-bat, while the other half seems to think it ok to see someone smile while the A's lose 10 in a row, the team plane loses an engine, and the hotel goes up in flames.
In other words, it's hard for us to find a happy medium. My ? is this -- is it time for Macha to rally the troops in a meeting, especially if the A's get swept today? Or do they just write the slump off to injuries, and say "What's the use?"
I loved it that Leyland ripped into the Tigers barely 2 weeks into the season -- and I'd love to claim it's the reason they're playing so well -- but then, I definitely fall into the "pitch a fit" every time something goes wrong side of the spectrum.
Then again, expecting someone (Macha) to do something outside of his character is probably unrealistic.  Sure would love to see someone "go off" right about now, however -- always makes me feel better when I see at least one guy on the team cares as much as we do.  

I know, I know, this shouldn't be a separate thread, please forgive me . . . but I wanted to respond to your question regarding Chavez . . .
Yes, by all means, credit/kudos/applause for Eric's hot start! He is hitting like I always thought he was capable of -- you must remember, I never claimed that Chavez "sucked," or any other such nonsense.  
I got on his case because these are the type of numbers he should put up on a regular basis. Beginning of season, mid-season, late season, whatever. With Giambi, with Tejada, with Matt Stairs, whomever.
It was interesting that Suchon today mentioned he thought Chavez is feeling less "mental pressure" this season with some other hitters in the lineup.  I agree. I know this makes some AN'ers angry, but I have always thought Chavez' biggest problem was mental.  He slumped because he pressed too often -- he has always had -- I repeat, he has always had the ability.  What he lacks from time to time is the mental fortitude to suck it up and do the job regardless of the circumstances.  To be honest with you Nico, I don't think he's one of those "win at all costs" competitors.
Now, please hear what I'm saying. I'm NOT saying he doesn't want to win, or that he doesn't care.  I'm saying it may not be that important to him ... and you know what? He's probably got his priorities right.  I don't know ...
But again, my frustrations with Chavez were because this current kind of production is what I expect of him -- right or wrong -- it was never because I thought he was lazy.
On a more personal note, I stayed away for awhile as well, because I hated squabbling with other passionate A's fans like you ... so, I'm done with that. I now reserve my "hatred" for Red Sox Nation, the Giants, and our division rivals. :-)  You guys do a great job on this site, I appreciate your hard work, and I know the A's will bust out of this slump with Chavez leading the way!  Go A's!

I'm having a great time watching the game and watching the posts ... both positive AND negative.  But you know what's just as bad as listening to people bitch and moan about the A's? People who bitch and moan about the people who bitch and moan.
It's currently 3-3, by the way. But you "positive thinkers" need to relax a bit as well.  Some people show their emotion by getting angry and saying things they don't really mean. You, on the other hand, choose to stay positive. That's great ... but don't get upset because everyone's not like you.  Your positive "vibes" and all that other stuff doesn't effect the game one bit .. just like the negativity doesn't.  This is a forum for everyone, like it or not. So stop crying about it.  People express their passion in many different forms. Some get excited, some (like a certain 3B I know,) choose to stay calm. Whatever. But it makes it fun, so lighten up.
Remember one thing ... guys like Oaktoon and the rest LOVE THE A'S JUST AS MUCH AS YOU DO.
So whining about the whining is every bit as chicken-s#$%! Go A's!

I must admit I'm writing this while incredibly frustrated by the 4-1 start to tonight's game .... but I have to laugh at some of your short memories regarding Jason Giambi.

Before I say anything else, let me agree that Giambi's $$ gesture towards Ron Washington is very classy .... I don't think Giambi is a horrible guy by any stretch. But please stop with the "he never wanted to leave ... stop booing" nonsense.

Giambi stood in front of his locker after every game in 2001 and swore over and over again how desparately ... how vehemently ... how passionately he wanted to remain an Athletic. Once the A's offered a very fair deal, oops, now "all I need is a no-trade clause."  Once the A's capitulated and offered the no-trade clause ... oops, "now it's too late." Once midnight rang on the night other teams could offer a deal, the Yankees called and a deal was in place the next morning.

All of the above is fact, there is no opinion or conjecture there.  Giambi wanted to be a Yankee all along ... should he be villified for this? No, I've got no problem with that, really.  What he should be booed for is lieing to A's fans over and over and over again instead of just admitting he would be leaving once the season was over.  

Now, maybe the booing should stop .. I don't know and frankly I don't care.  But please stop trying to paint him as some sympathetic figure that deserves "some love." He gets exactly what he deserves.

sorry to use an entry on this, but I couldn't find it addressed in any of the other recent posts.  

In today's SF Chronicle, Susan Slusser writes that the umpire ruled that "Ellis intentionally dropped the ball, so only Cabrera was out." (This on the play with Figgins on first -- he later scored.)  Because I'm in Alabama, I wasn't able to watch the game.

First of all, in 30 years of watching baseball, this is the first I've ever heard that it is "illegal" to intentionally drop a baseball. In fact, I'm pretty sure this is not an illegal play.  Why would Figgins be allowed to take second base if this were intentional and illegal?

It seems more likely to me that the umpires ruled Ellis actually caught the ball ... however, why then would Figgins not be doubled up?

Again, because I was unable to watch or listen, please enlighten me on this play.  Thanks.

I wanted to stay positive, and I know that if I say "this team is horrible," I will be chastised the rest of the night for being so negative, and, well, just downright mean.

Heaven forbid I say something bad about our beloved team. So I will keep my post pleasant, and positive.

Scott Hatteberg. Well, another routine ground ball that any 6 year old could field .... wait, a screaming line drive that bounced off his glove in the 8th.
This was a tough chance, and gosh darn it, didn't you see him look at his glove afterward? There must have been something wrong with it .... I think he was saying, "What is this thing on my hand??!!"  

Wait, no, scratch that. That wasn't very nice.

How 'bout that routine fly ball into left .... no, wait, that screaming line drive into the gap that Kielty and Kotsay couldn't reach.

Just like Kelly Leek in Bad News Bears, Kotsay should take everything hit to the outfield.

Oops. I'm sorry AN. Again, not very nice.

Oh well. Just another wonderful game at the ole' ballyard, and I'm just so happy with this wonderful bunch of guys!!!!  

Good night everyone, and God bless. It's been a pleasure sharing these wonderful, positive thoughts with you all.

Hope you enjoyed the marvelous effort put out by the worst team in Oakland history .... oops, there I go again.

but it's your site, and you can do anything you like.

I thought it pretty lame though, that you labeled the one site "Pessimist." Should have been "Realist."  

But I understand it makes you angry to watch our team get smoked on a daily basis, and then hear some tell it like it is.

Sorry to disappoint the more "superstitous" ones, but "mojo," "positive vibes," and "energy" have nothing to do with the current state of our team. They're bad. Deal with it.

But you go ahead, stay positive, and keep convincing yourself that this team is good. If that's how you deal with life, then ignore the truth and keep on sending out those "positive vibes."

Thought you were a little above that Blez .... hope they don't ask you about mojo when you're on TV .. that might get embarassing.
I'm sure things will turn around soon.

hey man, sorry to take up diary space, but I wanted to address your question from a few days back asking me "where are the holes?"

Well, let's see .... LF - we have a -- let's just say "below average" -- defensive player out there who manages to cost the team about 2 runs a week (conservatively.) He hits less than .200 vs. RHP, which there are a lot of in the league.

1B - we have a "power" spot being taken up by a great guy -- don't get me wrong -- but someone who will be lucky to hit 15 home runs this year. We need a 1B that can be counted on for 30 HR's minimum.  This is a prime "power spot" on the field -- if you're not getting it somewhere else, your 1B has to have pop.

2B -- not a gaping "hole" to be sure, but with the team hitting as anemically as it is, the 3-headed Ellis/Scutaro/Ginter monster is adequate at best. With a power threat in LF and 1B, this spot isn't so bad, however.

Currently, of course, until healthy, we have a gigantic hole at SS. Enough said. That MIGHT be filled if Crosby comes back whole, but how long will that take?

3B -- Well, you know how I feel about Mr. Chavez. Definitely not a "hole," but he'll be lucky to hit 30 HR's this year, and that's IF he heats up. Chavez will finish with 20-25 HR's tops, with 70-80 RBI. Horrific season for someone with his potential and contract.

Closer - I definitely don't think Dotel is as bad as the last two days might indicate, but "he ain't too hot," either.  Velocity way down, and the slider nonexistent. Huge hole here.

So, are we the Royals? No. But far too many holes to compete for the title this year IMO.
Hey, not the end of the world. That's why I like the idea of making moves that look to strengthen us for NEXT season.

Although it's the apologists favorite line lately, "Well, remember that one time Tejada started off slow ......"
Tejada, with numbers in the next 4-5 seasons like he's put up lately, will be in the Hall of Fame.
Chavez will take his kids there one day.
Embarassing. Disgusting. Shameful.
Pick your adjective.
One thing I do know ... you'd see Tejada super-pissed off right now ..... Chavez?
Well, he'll "just laugh about it."

Don't ever ask again what Billy Beane's biggest blunder was.  Giving this guy with a red nose, floppy shoes, and a little tricycle, the biggest contract in Athletics history will forever be the prize-winner.

with RISP until May.  Write it down. (If then.)

Hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.  No guts, no glory.

"Oh, please,please,please walk me."  It's gone beyond bad, it's actually sad now to watch.

He's scared to death, and it ain't gonna get no better folks! (Pardon the bad English.) The more this gutless wonder thinks about it, the worse he's gonna be.  

How unbelievably pitiful.  Shame on you Eric, you're stealing money.  

Although it seems like "no big deal," isn't it nice to see the on-deck guy telling the oncoming baserunner whether to slide or not?! (That is his job, by the way.)
Kotsay was imploring Swisher to slide the moment Swisher headed for home. Nice job.
Oh, if only Billy Mac might have reminded Byrnes he needed to touch home for the run to count (vs. Boston,) ........ and (this kinda ruins my rant,)who was in the on-deck circle, by the way, during the most famous non-slide in our history??!! I honestly don't remember .... I think I passed out.

I had to go to work today in the midst of our back and forth regarding Chavez.  Looks like Blez thought it got a little personal. My man Nico took it waaaaay too seriously I thought, but oh well. Better it stop .... don't like arguing with my "A's brothers" anyway.
I hope you know my friend, that I do like Chavez, and I love our A's .... I hope he goes on a tear and makes me eat my words from here on out!!!! That just means more wins for our team .... but after today, you're beginning to see what I mean, aren't you??  C'mon Ohad ... you can admit it. :-)
(I noticed you on the game thread just DIEING for him to come through so you could let me have it!! I love it!!! )
I hope you remain that passionate for our team -- keep up the good work, and remember my jabs at your youth are all in fun.

when a team needs its star player to really step up and put the team on his shoulders.  The great ones do -- Delgado, Bonds, Guerrero, Hunter, Ramirez, etc. -- whether their team is slumping or not, these guys remain dangerous.
Our multi-million dollar baby on the other hand, would just as soon sit idly by and hit .215.  
Oh sure, "he'll heat up," and hit his 20-30 home runs (most of which will come in games in which one team or the other is up by 5+ runs,)and end up with a half-way decent average.
But let's face it -- does Eric Chavez really scare anybody? (Other than the catcher who knows he'll have to catch a foul pop with runners on base and less than 2 outs.) Do you even remember the last time he really came through with a clutch hit?  I can't. I can remember when Tejada did, when Byrnes did, when Ellis did, when Hatteberg did, even when Giambi did.  But I'll be damned if I can remember one time when Chavez won a game for us.
Eric Chavez is like Scottie Pippen. If he's got someone else on the team taking the pressure off -- if he doesn't have to be the man -- he'll do fine.  But ask him to be the leader, and this is what you'll get.
We gave the wrong guy the money.
I'm sorry -- I know I'll get the typical "you're over-reacting, it's too early, we love Eric" responses because most of you can't see past your green and gold glasses and would rather discuss "who's the cutest Athletic," or "what's the best food at the Coliseum," or "what did you get in first period English," but it's true.
The most uninspired, lackadaisacal, underachieving Athletic in recent memory ..... Eric Chavez hands down.
 

Just kidding ..... just wanted to take this opportunity to admit when I'm wrong.  I have been an outspoken proponent of trading Byrnes as soon as possible.  I have taken every opportunity to bash his defense and scream for a deal that would rid us of him.
Well, I have seen the light. The guy hits, I just can't deny it.  He hits. Period.  And since "right handed" and "power" are nowhere else to be found in our lineup .... play the guy every day as far as I'm concerned. You will no longer hear me demanding a Byrnes trade. (But the first time he butchers a fly ball; why, I oughta ...........)

In a recent issue of Baseball America, former Rangers GM Tom Grieve was quoted, "I'm convinced (Jose Canseco) would have been nothing more than a marginal utility outfielder if he had not used steroids.  He squandered a fortune and made an embarassment of himself."  
Now, Grieve's obviously biased opinion of Canseco notwithstanding ... regardless of how you feel about Canseco the person, there is no denying his immense God-given talent ..... isn't this an admission by Grieve that,at least in his opinion, steroids can have a huge impact on performance??
I would be interested to hear how he feels steroids impacted the performances of players such as McGwire and Bonds ..... if he were to claim he doesn't think these two used steroids, then any integrity he expects his opinions to have would be completely lost.
I'm surprised this quote was not given more attention.  Your thoughts?

Is it inconceivable to consider Nick Swisher possibly beginning the season in Sacramento if he continues to struggle at the plate?  I realize there is plenty of time left for him to heat up, but with Byrnes and Thomas both playing well, maybe we go with those guys and Kotsay until Swisher finds his stroke (?)  Just a thought.

...."USC sucks." What a brilliant, insightful comment.  Yeah, they're awful.  Never seen such a horrible football team.
No wonder some of you clowns love Byrnes so much -- how do you type with those big white gloves, and a horn in one hand? Does the minature tricycle make it tough to get around?
Cameron makes sense if only from a defensive standpoint, but he adds so much more in other areas as well.  The A's would instantly have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball, and a badly needed right-handed power threat.  His OBP, RBI with RISP, and IQ ......BFD.

Alright AN faithful -- now take it easy on me -- but would Mohr fit in our outfield picture right now?  I'm embarassed to admit I can't remember what side he hits from -- but I think he's right-handed isn't he?  Not Roberto Clemente, but not horrible either.... what do you think?

Help me understand now why some of you (and Billy Beane it sounds like) think 2005 will be a rebuilding year?  Or why 2006 will be "so much better?"  Does losing Hudson mean we go from contender to pretender?  Will we somehow have more $$ to throw around after this season?  Inquiring minds want to know . . . . seriously, I'm having a problem "accepting" rebuilding -- why won't we contend next season?

You are 5'7", 205, and you bench press 405 pounds doing sets of 8??!!  I've been a gym rat for over 5 years -- that's absolutely amazing!  Frankly, it's hard to believe .... but since I don't have any "hard-core" evidence, it must be true.  Like because we never saw McGwire shoot up, he never took steroids.  Man, no one has ever been a bigger A's fan than me over the years, but if some honestly think Mac didn't juice they're being unbelievably naive. "Gradual growth?!" Wow. The guy was a skinny kid one year and a monster two summers later.
P.S.  Never saw a hint of acne early in his career. Those who are suggesting "this was always a problem" are misinformed as well.

Why all this hand-wringing about "poor Giambi?"  Giambi is getting exactly what he deserves .... this is a guy that has obviously used steroids for some time now -- if you needed his "confession" to realize this, you're beyond naive -- and now it's time to pay up.  His health problems, although not all tied to steroid use, will unfortunatley plague him as a result.  Not to mention the oncoming fall-out from the BALCO case.  I guess the thing that really bothers me the most though was his consistent denial of something he now seems to finally admit is true.  I just have no sympathy for a person who lies over and over and over again and finally gets busted -- now I'm supposed to feel sorry for him?!  But why should I be surprised when he stood in front of his locker after every game several years ago and swore over and over again how "desparately," how "passionately," how "devotedly" he longed to remain an Athletic.  Please.  The guy's a loser.