Note by baseballgirl: I LOVE this pick. I thought the voting was really reminiscent of when Street won, but I was worried about Andrus. Bailey took the award with 13 first place votes, 6 second place votes, and 5 third place votes. He won with 88, Andrus finished second with 65, and Porcello took third with 64. Didn't think it would be such a big gap.

I LOVE IT!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ANDREW BAILEY! (Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and it's nice to see the A's get a little recognition.)

From the A's press release:

A’s reliever Andrew Bailey was named the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, becoming the third A’s player in the last six years to earn the honor. Bailey, 25, posted an Oakland rookie-record 26 saves in 30 chances and a 6-3 record with a 1.84 ERA in his first full season as a closer. Named to the All-Star team in July, Bailey also delivered a 0.88 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) and 91 strikeouts against 24 walks in 83 1/3 innings over 68 appearances. Bailey, who was transformed from a starter to a closer in the summer of 2008, follows in the footsteps of A’s winners Huston Street (2005) and Bobby Crosby (2004) among the seven Oakland A’s to have won the award.

The A's and ESPN.com are reporting that Andrew Bailey has won the AL Rookie of the Year award.  Woot!  At least someone has been watching our boy(s).  Way to go, Drew!! 

Heard a rumor to this effect and tried to find it on MLB.tv but they weren't posting results yet.  Just saw it on Facebook and Twitter, though, so it must be true!   More words needed:  OK, let's say it again:   Way to go, Bailey!  Awesome way to finish your season.  Can't wait to see more next season.

Just in case someone hasn't yet reached the saturation point, I have three single tickets to sell at face value.  They are located in section 117, 5th row (actual row #17), dead center behind the umpire's butt, um, mask.  Dates are Saturday 9/19, 1:00 pm (Cleveland), and 9/21 and 9/23 (both 7:00, both Texas). 

$50 includes VIP parking pass, $40 without parking.  This is a fantastic seat, with scouts nearby and long-time fans all around (including possibly LongTimeFan herself!).  Do yourself a favor before the season ends and enjoy a game from an awesome viewpoint.

Edit:  Someone or something just signed me up for a porn site, perhaps based on the fact that I posted my (munged) email address here.  So, if you're interested, respond here and I'll get in touch with you some way, somehow.

You've probably seen the story about Josh Hamilton's alcohol relapse back in January, complete with photos.  link here

Apparently, when the Rangers added him to their team they instituted a "zero tolerance" policy toward any incidents of alcohol-related behavior.  Well, now the team is saying that they do not plan any disciplinary action, nor do they intend to ask him to take a leave of absence.  Even though he isn't hitting as well as in prior years, he still is a threat in their line-up, and they are, after all,  in a pennant race (of sorts).  So, gee, let's just let him slide on this one and hope he doesn't relapse again and, say, get behind the wheel, and kill someone.  THEN will there be consequences?  Do people ever learn before it's too late?

Robert Bobb for Mayor of Oakland?

If this has been posted elsewhere I apologize, but I didn't see it.  I think this is the best news we've had in a long time about the chances for the A's to find a new home in Oakland.  Bobb was our champion when no one else was, and I will do anything I can to help him get elected.  According to the article, he is currently looking for a home in Oakland.  There's a really nice house down the street from me that just went up for sale -- now THAT would be grand!

Much as it pains me to miss the game, it would pain me even more to sit for 3 hours with a sore back.  So...my ticket for tonite's game is available at face value -- $40, plus $10 for VIP parking pass if needed. lt's in section 117, dead center, 5th row behind home plate. Posting limits require me to say that it's the best seat in the house.   Email me at ski gurl at sonic dot net (remove spaces) if interested. 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090402&content_id=4114394&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak

(Not sure if this link will work as I've presented it -- I'm new at this)

This is the latest statement from the A's Ken Pries about the status of negotiations between CSN-CA, DirecTV and Dish Network.  Hopefully everyone within reach is watching the A's/Giants right now (although not in HD, unfortunately), and it looks more promising than ever that things will be resolved by the end of this weekend.

Well, seeing as how we don't yet have a ticket buy/sell function available, I'm back to offer my ticket in 117 for next Wednesday's game.  Yes, I know the team sucks, and yes, I know it's hard to get rid of tickets right now, but here's your incentive to come out to the ballpark.  You can watch a truly remarkable Rays team (and how can one not root for them?) from a truly remarkable seat right behind the plate (5th row center).  If you're lucky, you'll be sitting right near assorted scouts and dignitaries.  If not, you'll be sitting with some of the best A's fans around.  Plus:  No crowds at the concessions, no crowds at the bathrooms, and easy Coliseum entry/exit.  As usual, face value:  $40 without or $50 with VIP parking pass.  Drop me a line at REMOVETHISskigurl@sonic.net. 

Having recently succeeded in getting Firefox to work with AN, I am now able to post again -- thanks to the SBN tech people for their great help. 

Is there any interest in a permanent "tickets for sale" area on the site?  I frequently have a ticket for sale, and I'd much rather it go to an ANer than a stubhub or craigslist reader. I've mentioned this to Blez and he's looking into the feasibility.

In fact, my ticket for the 7/29 and 8/13 games is available.  It's in 117,  row 17 (5th row, right near some MLB scouts), pretty much dead center behind the plate.  It's one seat, and it can be purchased with or without VIP parking.  I'm asking face value:  $40 or $50 with parking. 

I go to pretty much every game, but I'm willing to part with my ticket if there's a particular game you want to attend in one of the best seats in the park, so feel free to email me at REMOVETHISskigurl@sonic.net.

(edited to change an incorrect date)