SB Nation User Blog: eshock

A's finally have a radio home

eshock — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:20:15 -0000

A's finally have a radio home

KTRB, 860 AM will broadcast all 162 Regular Season games and 17 Spring Training games on their 50,000 watt tower. Looks like this Modesto-based station wants to make a splash in the Bay Area, and what better way to do this than the Oakland A's. I'm glad to be able to catch a game on AM radio, especially one that can be heard beyond Northern California. 50,000 watts means its a clear channel station and that on a clear summer night you'll be able to hear your A's in Seattle or San Diego possibly.

Colby Lewis insurance

eshock — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 20:15:46 -0000

Okay, a cast off from the horrendous staff of the Nats, I like the signing. The A's signed Colby Lewis to a minor league contract. He's reporting to the Rivercats, so I don't know if its diary-worthy. But, considering he's 6'4" and 230 and 27 years old, I think his signing points to that he's not a prospect and yet another live arm project.

Personal observations I haven't seen posted yet

eshock — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:39:46 -0000

Why watch baseball in HDTV? To see a player's face when he hits a series-clinching bases loaded double with 34k screaming his name in unison. I love to have been part of it, but equally enjoyed watching the replay at home where you can see his facial expression... A gaping mouth, pure elation.

Who's the filmmaker who featured Scutaro in the minors? I bet his film will be in much more demand after today.

Zito's voice sounded so different in post game interviews. I think he must have been leading the cheers.

We want the Tigers as we have home field advantage against them.

Everyone borrows from everyone, but I felt disingenuous waving a white homer hanky. I guess its better to wave a cheap towel than bang huge inflated chopsticks together.

Parking was a mess, but BART was surprisingly ready for the end of the game.

Swisher's happy-go-luckiness is misunderstood. He has been the recipient of some terrible strike calls.

Kotsay was throwing up 20 minutes before the game, and he was Bradley's MVP today. Great leadership. The reporter on the raw feed of CBS5 asked Mark how he enjoyed sweeping New York. I can't believe what our players have to deal with the national media types.

Jeter gets 5 strike ABs, that's why he's good.

Loaiza is a smart, articulate veteran who proved he's above any more snarky ridicule.

What happened to the clubhouse alcohol ban?

Don't hate on Crosby. He must be hurt bad. I can't imagine he wouldn't do everything humanly possible to be on the field for this. He was a saviour in 2005, he deserves the benefit of the doubt for a rebound in 2007.

Zito's blogs may be the best sports journalism I've read in a long time. Its not out of the realm of possibility that the A's sign him to a long term deal if they win the WS and break ground on a new stadium.

How important was it for Chavvy and Milty to rip those dingers? They will be primed for the ALCS.

And finally, "To get the monkey off one's back" is to overcome addiction. George Carlin often riffs on how its misused in Baseball to refer to ending over a losing streak. But, maybe that is a proper metaphor for our 2006 A's.

Hollow Win Hooey

eshock — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 16:32:25 -0000

The A's 19-9 post ASB record is the best in the majors. Why all the complaining? Is it frustration that they left too many men on base last night? What about their patience at the plate, Payton, of all batters, setting the tone. The Nico-inspired negativity is surprising. Where's the dissent? Is this place turning into sports radio where callers just parrot the opinions of the sportscaster?

I believe this last win was an example of the A's professionalism, an example of their 2nd half confidence. They do not look overanxious at the plate, trying to crush every pitch (except for a regression by Frank, popping out on the first pitch with bases loaded after 3 walks issued).

Smack-talking Scutaro for not rushing enough to get Carl Crawford out at 1st. Carl Crawford, the fastest guy in the majors. Scutaro was ranging to his left and threw after he regained control. With a 5 run lead, I'm okay with that. I'm also okay with his plate approach. With the consistent playing time, I finally saw the Marco we all remember from the last two seasons, a really tough out, making line drive contact.

The A's have handled themselves so well against the Devil Rays. They're playing with a can't lose attitude, and the Tampa players seem to know they can't win here. No let downs, one win at a time. Players are stepping up now, just like they have this whole millenia. This is a wonderful time to be an A's fan, and I don't want to spend it worrying about Crosby, Loaiza, Street, Chavez. I've learned that 2nd half has all new rules.

Why is this a hollow win for me?

eshock — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 07:05:29 -0000

I'm not being cynical above, but I expected the Walk Off HR on 3-0. He took one in his 2nd AB I believe. But after his deep fly in the 1st, I could feel his anger coming through my TV set as he stormed up to the clubhouse to review tape as Glenn surmized. I'm thinking, "Frank thinks he should be at 25, but for this park." But then, he realizes that everyone else is hitting them out, and I feel he's thinking, "Damn, I need to get in on this tonight." I don't begrudge him one bit as Kenny and Paul did back in Chicago. I think that when Frank and Billy met in Texas during Winter Meetings the dialogue went something like this...

Frank: Stats motivate me. Is that cool with you?

Billy: Dude, I'm all about stats. We need power, we just can't afford it.

Frank: Post-Steroid era... 500 HR is what it takes for a 1B/DH. Don't get me wrong, I love to win, it was great to be a part of that last year, but I'm hoping to accomplish both.

Billy: What can we do to help?

So, for a truly un-selfish, under-market contract, we have a guy pursuing an individual goal. I'm glad he's doing it here and not Arlington. While most of our offensive performance will fluctuate greatly, we are now realizing what having a future HOF power hitter means to the lineup.

19HR/206AB. You don't have to pay salb's tuition to marvel at better than a 1:11 ratio. But, back to the hollow feeling. I didn't jump for joy when he hit the HR, I expected it. And, I think that is the best news for us A's fans. We played to win tonight. We're growing up. AN has been frustrated over our lack of production with this roster because we had such high expectations this Spring. Tonight's game had all the elements to prove that we are ready to expect great things from this team in 2006. Of course, we were all high on the GS Warriors last preseason too.

In summary, Frank actually expects to hit a HR every AB. And, I expect to win games like this. I expect this team to defeat the two Sox clubs come October. Hell, even our fans are worth 2 RBI. That's way better than a chair in the noggin.

Open Thread Diary

eshock — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 03:11:18 -0000

I'm at PacBell/SBC/AT&T park participating in a fantasy draft and trying to pay attention to the game. Wind is blowing in from the bay. Very sparse crowd. Hope no one gets hurt as its been raining all day. Top 3 of Lineup is interesting...
Ellis
Kendall
Thomas
Haren vs. Lowry
Anyone else here at the game?

Athletics Nation Podcasts Live

eshock — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:35:51 -0000

I've taken it upon myself to set up a free podcasting host with switchpod for A's Nation since Blez admits to not being able to edit his mp3 files. (I'll happily show you how to do it with the freeware, Audacity, Blez) Anyway, here's the URL to add to your aggregator. For iTunes, its under Advanced... Subscribe to Podcast URL..

http://switchpod.com/users/asnation/feed.xml

no, clicking on it won't let you hear the interview. this is for podcasting which means you can subscribe to it and automatically download it when a new audio file is available. i tested it, since its free there is a small ad inserted. subscribe, and i'll stick the mp3 files when they're posted to the site. Keep the audio interviews coming, Blez, Nico.

Roy Steele, The Voice of God, Might Be Ailing

eshock — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 02:47:45 -0000

Since 1968, us A's fans have enjoyed one of the most distinctive, authoritative, and charming Public Address announcers in the biz. Like the late Bill King, Roy Steele brings a sophistication and flair to the pedestrian phrases to us A's fans. He Update [2006-3-4 22:24:38 by eshock]:was sick in September 05 including the last home stand last season, and he was too sick to participate in the latest round of A's ads.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060303&content_id=1333044&vkey=spt2006n ews&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnered=rss_oak

I feel sorry that the proper honors were not bestowed to Bill before his untimely passing, except for the bobblehead promotion. And, I'm appalled at the snickering regarding his surviving daughters. I don't know what that story is about, but its wrong.

I guess it just strikes me how important the Voice of God (coined by G-man John Miller while attending a game as a fan) is to my experience with the A's. I sorely hope he gets well soon. Does AN want to do something to let him know how much we appreciate him?

Wiki Entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcasters_for_the_Oakland_Athletics

Best Expensive Place to Watch the A's

eshock — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:51:31 -0000

Okay, Diamond Level is as good as it gets. Sit on your butt, be on tv the whole game, and have free food brought to you all night through your VIP tunnel entrance. I'm lucky enough to get MVP infield passed down to me every once in a while, and its a treat to have such a clear view of the plate. Usually, when I'm buying, I opt for seats over the A's dugout.

But this year, the Wolff tactics seem to be working. I wanna do it right. Which is better Westside or Eastside Club? Are there special tickets required to officially hang out there? I've been in there countless times, but I've always noticed ushers at the door. Who gets those sweet tables overlooking the game? Is this connected to the luxury suites or is it first come first serve. When you buy the plaza meal ticket, what is the meal? Is it any good? There's a dearth of info about this on the A's site, so I appreciate AN's advice.