Everyone (I mean this loosely) has talked about how to replace Sizemore, namely trading for a guy on a Minor League deal or signing a free agent, but there's an easy solution. It's really too obvious but I guess it needs to be said. Don't do anything. I'll try to explain.

We are going to suck this year. Flat-out terrible. If we lose less than 100 games, that'd be somewhat of an accomplishment. And you know what? We should. Billy Beane is taking after the Rays and Royals, and the Houston Rockets albeit indirectly, that you have to suck to get better as a small-market team. Rockets GM Daryl Morey talks about how the worst place to be is in the middle of the pack and that's what we've been doing. People here have said it before, but it needs to be said again, we need to suck or else we're going nowhere. At least until we move into a new stadium. So why not load up on talent so we're good once that happens?

How does this relate to Sizemore? Because it'd be stupid to give up anything or spend any money getting a guy that won't make a difference in this team's success. Does it really matter who plays third for us? Not when you have the rest of the lineup the A's have and considering who's on the mound for the team (though I do love McCarthy, Colon ain't getting it done). Just throw Rosales or Donaldson or Sogard or Stephen Parker out there, at least then we can examine who we have.

So there it is. Leave it alone. Let someone surprise us, or more likely, let someone hit .200 and make 15 errors and really not affect the win total at the end of the day nor risk the team's future. It sucks this happened to Sizemore, but this doesn't change our season outlook at all. Welcome to being a bottom-dweller. I'm sure Royals fans will be sympathetic.

When Brandon Allen is traded, the other team doesn't send back players, players leave in fear of him.

This is just going to be a joke thread, where people can make Chuck Norris like jokes. Some of my favorites...

BA doesn't stand for batting average. It’s Brandon Allen, as in the percentage of a hitter’s worth compared to Brandon Allen. Ted Williams, at his best, was only 4/10th of the hitter Brandon Allen is today. -yonyonson

Brandon Allen is so strong, he once bunted for a home run-darooster

Brandon Allen won a gold glove at every position. Including DH. -me and yon

In his rookie season, brandon allen hit 0 HRs. he was intentionally walked 654 times.-stm

Please continue to come up with more!

OK, another Monday, another day off, and another pre-arranged promotion to the front page by me.... this time it's a heartfelt and excellent piece about how the essence of us is often inextricably intertwined with the team we love. This particular one is special because it comes from one of our favorite AN people who just happens to be heading off to college (sniff.... they grow up so FAST, don't they?) in a month's time and who wanted to share his thoughts and feelings triggered by this monumental transition, and how he feels shaped to this point by a lifetime of Athletics fandom.

So enjoy today (after all, we played pretty darn great this past weekend, and lo and behold! there were actual people there to see it!) and enjoy also the well-chosen and wise words of the WhizKid as he prepares to venture forth to become what he will be (hint: the sky's the limit) -- I feel certain you'll all enjoy his reminiscence about what the A's have meant to him in 17 years of living as he gets set to shove off for Arizona State and these next 4 years of Sun Deviltry in Tempe.     --Josh/EN

 

{PS: You ought also spend a portion of your Monday with Nico's Message of Hope, which is highly recommended reading in these tough times for the A's as a franchise.}

Ever since I was conceived, I was destined to be an A’s fan. I never had a choice; it was practically in my blood. It’s been a father & son thing through and through, and honestly I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

But sadly, things change, and right now I’m going through one of the biggest transitions I ever will: getting ready to leave for college. Since apparently this move marks the end of my childhood and the beginning of my adulthood, I’ve looked back at my first 17 years and done some thinking. Through my nostalgia, I realized how much of an influence the A’s have had on my life. Some of my best memories came from A’s games. I’ve shared a lot of moments with my dad that have brought us closer due to an A’s event. Even my decisions on which college I attend and what I major in have been influenced by my favorite team. It’s impossible to look at my life without finding the Oakland Athletics nearby. They’re forever intertwined. These are some events I’ll never forget and hopefully all fans will have similar memories like the ones I’m fortunate enough to have.

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While our trip was a bit more tame than the title may suggest, it definitely didn't lack in the "fun" department. From brats and liquid nitrogen ice cream to witnessing a tie and even a win (I'm not sure which one is more rare for the A's during our visits to Phoenix), it was no doubt a great weekend. This isn't going to be a post filled with statistical analysis or thought provoking questions, but I'm hoping I can share some of the things we noticed as well as just share an experience I hope all of you can experience one day as A's fans, as it is something you truly will never forget. Let's get started.

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I don't know if this is an annual thing already, but I think it would be really fun if one game this year we could get as many people from NN to come to a game, do some tailgating, and then either sit together or split up and watch the game with whomever you like. I went to a Warriors Golden State of Mind Night, and you got discounted tickets, a t-shirt and access to a post game interview with a player. It's a really fun thing to do and it helps build the community as well.

Any thoughts or ideas on the prospect of one? There's only 7 real home games this year, and as much fun as it would be to pack up at head off to London for a game, that doesn't seem too realistic(sorry UK fans!). If a game is too expensive, maybe have a viewing party for a game, such as the London one, instead. Please leave any suggestions, ideas, critiques, or whatever else you like.

Go Niners!

First, a joke:

According to the Chicago Tribune, the following statistic was given in the press notes for the June 7 Chicago-Oakland game:

"The Oakland Athletics are 32-0 in games in which they have scored more runs than their opponents."

Now onto the stats and scores...

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Looks like we will get our first taste of the Matt Holliday Era with Clayton Mortenson getting the start on Saturday, Brett "The Chosen One" Anderson on Sunday, and Gio going on Monday, scratching dallas braden from another start. Will Mortenson ever get a shot in the rotation or will he only be a long reliever, if in the majors at all? I think if converted to the bullpen he might have a decent career as a setup man.

Eric Patterson was optioned to AAA(again) to make room for tonight's starter, Chad Reineke. What have people heard about him and does he have any potential to be a future starter?


P.S. I feel bad for Buck/Patterson. Think about if at work they kept on promoting you but then sent you back down after a week because they hired someone else. I truly appreciate their willingness to do whatever it takes to help out the team. Guys like these deserve on a spot on any roster.

We are fortunate to have a problem figuring out whos in our rotation next year. We have prospects and we have "vets".

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After aquiring Brett Wallace, many people are anxious to see him in the bigs. Here's 3 reasons why he needs to finish the year in AAA

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