Here's the Oakland A's thread without the Giants. Totally different teams and fans . They just don't belong in one thread.

[ March 16, 2005, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: Tarkus ]

What do you think of the possibility that Huston Street, pitching stud rookie from the beloved University of Texas, will be in the bullpen for the A's this season, versus stuck a while in AAA?

God, he's GOT to be better than whoever was in the bullpen last year. To use a Jewish curse, may their names and memories be forgotten.
P.S. Caught the preseason game yesterday and Haren sounded damn good. At least the top 3 of the rotation (Zito, Harden, Haren) seem set.

I am just so totally pissed off that Mulder and Hudson are gone. What a stupid move on Beane's part. :confused:

It does make sense to have 2 threads esp since others were getting confused.

I heard Huston Street is a lock to make the team esp since sinkerballer, Chad Bradford will be out undergoing back surgery. He won't close unless Octavio Dotel falters.

I can't wait to see the young guys play! It's like watching a group of college all-stars play against major leagers. I love being in the David vs. Goliath role.
From what I saw at the Oakland fanfest, there are enough cuties to make Bill forget about Hudson and Mulder. wink

I closed the combined thread and retitled this one. It's now all A's, all the time.

I didn't know Barry Zito was a photographer. His spring training pics were featured in SI.com.
Zito's Crazy Clubhouse Pics There are some nice one's of Zito. Enjoy!

I didn't know Barry Zito was a photographer. His spring training pics were featured in SI.com.
Zito's Crazy Clubhouse Pics There are some nice one's of Zito. Enjoy!

Is there anything Barry Zito doesn't do? He surfs, does yogo, and now he's a photographer. His spring training pics are being featured in SI.com.
Zito's Crazy Clubhouse Pics

There are some nice casual pics of Zito. It's funny, there are no shots of sexy babes, hmmm....

Is there anything Barry Zito doesn't do? He surfs, does yogo, and now he's a photographer. His spring training pics are being featured in SI.com.


Zito's Crazy Clubhouse Pics

There are some nice casual pics of Zito. It's funny, there are no shots of any sexy babes, hmmm....

Love the pic of Eric Byrnes!

[ March 26, 2005, 06:54 AM: Message edited by: PatSanFran ]

As far as I know, Street will be in an Oakland A's uni on April 5th. Chad Bradford is going to have back surgery and will be out for at least 2-4 months. So that leaves a nice big hole for Street to fill in.

Street is going to be big. He was almost the whole College World Championship team for the Longhorns and he was also playing third base at the time! He's going to be a star.

What a great fantasy baseball pickup in later rounds. wink

With only 1 year's experience in the bigs, the A's have signed Canadian Rich Harden to a 4-year $9 million contract extension.

Harden may miss his first start of the season, though, as a precautionary measure.

The new ownership is on the ball, making GM Billy Beane a part owner and then the signing of Harden, which I think is the best of the former Big 3.

Harden has officially been scratched for Wed's start against the Orioles and replaced by Kirk Saarloos who had a strong spring training.

Just like "da baby Bulls" in the NBA, it's "da baby faced A's" raking up an impressive win today blanking the O's 7-0. The rooks are lookin good.

Kirk Saarloos: A 1 hitter in 6 shutout innings.

Nick Swisher: (draft pick received in the loss of Johnny Damon) 2 home runs and 3 RBI.

Huston Street: (future A's closer, and draft pick received in the loss of Tejada) 1 shutout inning from the bullpen and a strike out of Sammy Sosa.

Still, more rookies to be showcased later...

Although I was a little disappointed about the trading of fan favourite, Eric Byrnes, I thought I'd restart this forum for the resurgent Oakland A's. Byrnsie will be an instant star in Colorado. If he's an everyday player, he can easily smack 30 home runs in Coors Field.

Young stud, Rich Harden, flirted with a no-hitter through 7 1/3 innings 2nite allowing just 2 hits in a 6-0 complete game win against the Tex Rangers.

Since dropping 15 games under .500, the A's have gone 28-11 incl a sweep of the ChiSox in the southside. The win tonight moved us within 3 1/2 games of the wildcard spot.

The A's are absolutely hot right now! Things seem to be falling into place for them...

He did more than that -- flirted with a perfect game. Then ESPN picked up the feed of the telecast in the top of the 8th and that's when the hit occurred. Ooops. wink

When the A's dismantled their storied pitching staff last season, it was a head scratcher to me. Seeing what the young arms--like Harden--have been doing, last year's moves seem to have been the right thing to do. Heard on ESPN Radio they may actually try to move Zito. Again a head scratcher (if true) but it may be wise.

~Adam

Zito's not going anywhere this year, esp if we're serious about contending. Despite Z's unflattering stats, he has been pitching really well of late. Dealing him would put too much pressure on the young staff.

Of course, no one is untouchable. If someone offers Billy Bean a knock your socks off deal, I'm sure he'll bite.

The pitching happens to be a team strength, so it's not totally out of the question. But trading Zito would really risk alienating fans in the wake of the Byrnse deal.

If he's dealt, our starting five would look something like this:

1. Rich Harden (Team Ace)
2. Danny Haren (Better than Mulder)
3. Joe Blanton (Rookie of the month in June)
4. Kirk Saarloos (Solid 6 inn starter)
5. Juan Cruz (Strike out machine) OR, the recently acquried Joe Kennedy(?).

Barry Zito took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of last night's win over Texas following Rich Harden's gem the night before.

We're getting knocked around today and are currently losing 10-3 to the Rangers.

Kenny "the gambling fool" Rogers is looking to improve on his dominant 21-4 record pitching in Oakland.

Yes, "Mr. Photogenic" wins again at the Coliseum.

I was roasting in the bleachers, finally moved to a seat under the overhang. When they got rid of the wood benches they put in plastic and metal seats that are miserable in hot weather.

Take 3 out of 4.

I'm glad to see Zito is on a hot streak again. He really gets dumped on when he's not pitching well and then the media darling and potential Cy Young winner when he does. Either way, I think he's a cool dude that looks great in those white pants, so I'm glad he's on the upswing.

He's still nowhere near as hot as Mark Mulder.

Anyone else see Baseball Tonight yesterday (Friday)? They were doing a recap of the A's at KC and at the end they showed two players in a mouth-to-mouth kiss. They only showed it for a second. I'm pretty sure Zito was one of them and think Eric Chavez may have been the other but am not sure. Anyone?

Are you sure it was not an optical illusion of some kind? If not, what did the Baseball Tonight hosts have to say about it?

I have yet to go see a game this season.

I need to go especially with the A's playing so well

Joe, I think they just said something like "A's celebrate". Then quickly moved the camera elsewhere. I assure you it was not an optical illusion. Last year Zito kissed Tim Hudson mouth-to-mouth on TV, to the embarrassment of local broadcasters. They put the camera on the starting pitchers sitting together on the bench and just then the kiss happened.

Wow, like I need more reasons to love the A's ... must get to work on my short story where Zito, Harden and Haren go over to Jason Kendall's house! wink (we can throw Chavez, Payton and Witasick in there too)

Looks like ESPN2 is showing the middle game of the Angel series, Zito's start.

Hey, Bill, plan on joining them there?

Go A's!

Holy shit! What a game and an incredible series! I roasted my butt off out there today and it looked like we were headed for a loss until the bats awakened. It was great seeing the almighty Angel bullpen self-destruct again.

Sole possession of 1st place in the AL West after a 17 - 32 start.

Go A's !

And I agree, no one's hotter than Mulder.

The A's have redefined the term "hot" this season. They appear to be peaking at just the right time.

So long as they hold off the Angels, then the A's will get the East winner...and I'll take the A's over either NYY or Boston. But if the A's stumble into a WC, I'm reluctant to take them over CWS.

Good luck to your boys in green.

If the A's end up winning the West by 1 game, that play by Jason Kendall stealing home when the Angels pitcher Rodriguez nonchalantly mishandled the throw back from the cather. With my Twins out of it, the White Sox with that homophobic douche bag for a manager and the Yanks and Red Sox just so tired, I'll be rooting hard for whoever comes out of the West and I'm hoping it's the A's.

I was at that game, too...I'm pretty old (no I won't say how old) and I've watched baseball a lot of years, but I've never seen a walk-off like that. Woo-hoo!
As for the White Sox, according to ESPN they have been rooting for the A's to catch the Angels so they won't have to face a wild card A's team. The A's have owned them this year, including sweeping them on their home field just before the all star game. ChiSox came to Oakland right after the break bent on revenge but A's took 2 of 3. A's even beat the White Sox in May when the A's were not beating anybody.
But it may all be academic, the A's could end up with the best record in the AL by October if things continue. This team isn't hot. It's good.

I will be cheering Eric Byrnes' return to Oakland tonight to show my appreciation for his hard work, hustle and the dedication he brought to every play when he was with the A's.

On the other hand, I'm confused how Rafael Palmeiro was cheered the other night in Baltimore. :confused: I will be loudly booing Palmeiro for his deceit, his lies, and his cheating the game and its fans. I can guarantee it won't be a 50/50 split tonight.

God, what a mess last night. First 6 innings everything seemed under control, but the A's did a Keystone Kops imitation in the 7th. Infield hits, hit by a pitch (2 strikes), little dribbler (2 strikes), Zito falls down, first walk of the games ties it, error on sure DP ball. A's need an exorcism. They have to get rid of the ghosts of the first 2 months! Now!!!

What the hell happend? Zito was pitching a 2-hitter and then the roof caved in. The bobbled ball by Z and the double play Crosby should have made. The offense too was flat. That 7th inning reminded me of April and May. :mad:

Okay, I'm normally a mild A's fan, but they need to lose big and lose consistently. They're threatening my Yanks' playoff berth. The AL Wildcard mustn't come from the west, knowwhatImean?

Looks like your wish is coming true. Our bats have gone silent - back to April and May levels. :mad: It won't get any better 2morrow against Bonderman.

The showdwon w/ the Yanks in 2 wks should be exciting.

Yeah, what the HELL has happened to the A's? I mean, it's one thing to face Johann Santana when he was in the zone, then you just tip your cap. But I was there Saturday when they left 12 runners on base, going 0-13 with runners in scoring position, losing 2-1 to KC!!! I said that Macha should horsewhip each and every guy in the line-up. Then Sunday the bullpen reverted to May form when they blew a 3 run lead in the 8th, depriving poor Joe Blanton of a win yet again.

They were great tonight though!

I hope it is a harbinger of things to come and that the past 2 weeks were just an anomaly.

clobberin' the Tigers again today! 11-1! Chavvy's wife should give birth more often! wink

[ August 25, 2005, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: RGMike ]

Actually, Chavy's situation may well have had an effect, or I should say, his wife's situation. Chavy is the leader on that team and the clean-up hitter; it's not a stretch to say as Chavy goes, the hitting goes. Not surprising that with his wife in the final weeks of her first pregnancy and the baby overdue he'd have a few things on his mind.
At least, I hope that's what it was. Now that Diego is safely in the world Chavy can relax and hit the cover off the ball.

Back in 1st place! wink

Hasn't the acquisition of Jay Payton from Boston been a godsend?

Since his arrival, he's been batting .298 with 11 HR's, driving in 33 RBI in just 37 gms. Can't wait to see the numbers this guy puts up as an everyday player. And Billy Beane is expected to pick up his option for next season.

Yeah, I was sad to lose Byrnsie but Payton has been incredible. And the supposed attitude problems he had in Boston have not been anywhere near the West Coast, he must have left them behind.
Who'da thunk (how does one punctuate that?) the Angels would be swept by the Deviled Eggs?

anyone hitting the series this weekend with the Yankees (gag)

I'm going to try and go on Sunday--the BF works Saturday

Deviled Eggs? I like that.

It's tied 5-5 going into the 9th. Jay Pay smacked another homer today - a 2-run shot in the 1st.

I have my ticket for Saturday's game but I won't know about Sunday until that day. If I can go on Sun, I'll most likely be stuck in Mt. Davis. :mad: Damn Raiders!

I just ordered my tickets and they're on the first base side

the seats don't look too bad

the A's scored 5 runs in the 12th and won 10-5

Whoo hoo!

[ August 29, 2005, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: theodoresdaddy ]