Round-Up

For Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
............1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
SEA (33-43) 0. 0. 0. 2. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0... 2. 3. 0
OAK (37-40) 3. 1. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0. 1. X... 6. 9. 1
box wrap log
W: Blanton (5-6) L: Franklin (3-10)
HR: SEA: A. Beltre (6) OAK: N. Swisher (9)

Comments:
-Nick Swisher's homerun was his sixth in his past 11 games.
-Bobby Kielty recorded multiple hits for the third game in a row.
-Joe Blanton allowed only 10 earned runs in 43.2 June innings (2.06 ERA).
-Justin Duchscherer worked a scoreless 9th, lowering is ERA to 1.36.

Blanton paces A's to sixth straight win
Right-hander aces Mariners to earn his fifth victory of June
CJ Bowles, MLB.com

Pitching powers A's
Blanton stretches team's winning streak to six with eight stellar innings
Susan Slusser, SF Chronicle

A'S REPORT
Kotsay's bid for an extension hung up on no-trade clause
Susan Slusser, SF Chronicle

Slow start might hurt Chavez's All-Star chances
Joe Roderick, Contra Costa Times, (Registration Required)

Stew's no-hitter: Hendu in charge
Josh Suchon, Oakland Tribune
____________________________________________________________
Sacramento River Cats
NO GAME
____________________________________________________________
Wichita Wranglers at Midland Rockhounds
..........1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9.10...R..H..E
WIC (4-3) 0. 2. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 2.. 5. 9. 2
MID (4-2) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 2. 0. 1.. 4. 8. 0
wrap box log
W: C. Griffin (1-0, 4.08); L: A. Santos (2-1, 1.11); SV: T. McGill (2)
HR: MID: A. Ethier (12)

Comments:
- Andre Ethier was 3-5, a triple short of the cycle. His average now stands at .327.

Groves' big hit in 10th is difference in 5-4 victory against RockHounds
Dave Sager, Midland Reporter Telegram
____________________________________________________________
Stockton Ports
NO GAME

Future looks bright for Barton
Prospect showing why A's traded Mulder for him
Kevin T. Czerwinski, MLB.com
____________________________________________________________
Kane County Cougars at Beloit Snappers
..........1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R...H..E
KCC (4-3) 2. 4. 0. 1. 0. 0. 1. 0. 1... 9. 13. 1
BEL (4-3) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0... 1.. 5. 2
wrap box log
W: T. Evans (4-0, 1.32); L: D. Shinskie (1-6, 7.75);
HR: KCC: M. Leslie (5)

Comments:
-Cliff Pennington was 3-6, raising his season average to .296. He also made his second error of the season.
-Tony Evans, who joined the Oakland organization earlier this month from the Sioux City Explorers (Northern, Independent), allowed just one earned run on five hits and one walk, while striking out three, over seven innings. His record is now 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA. Too bad he's 25 and only in A-ball.

Evans stays perfect with rout
Kane County Chronicle
____________________________________________________________
Tri-City Dust Devils at Vancouver Canadians
..........1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
TRI (4-5) 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0... 1. 4. 1
VAN (6-3) 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0. 2. 0. X... 3. 8. 1
wrap box log
W: J. Gray (2-0, 2.08); L: P. Stanley (1-1, 6.00); SV: S. Bryant (1)
HR: None.

Comments:
- Jeff Gray, Oakland's 32nd round pick of the 2004 draft, allowed just one earned run on three hits, while striking out four, over seven innings.
_____________________________________________________________
ASL Mariners at ASL Athletics
....1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
MAR 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0... 1. 6. 8
ATH 2. 2. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 3. X... 9.13. 1
wrap box log
W: A. Rea (1-0, 2.45); L: C. Huang (1-1, 4.91);
HR: None.

Comments:
-Chad Bradford pitched a scoreless inning, allowing just one hit.

Round-Up

Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
............1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
SEA (33-42) 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0... 1. 7. 0
OAK (36-40) 2. 1. 0. 4. 0. 1. 0. 0. X... 8.12. 0
wrap box photos
W: Zito (4-8) L: Moyer (6-3)
HR: SEA: Suzuki (6) - OAK: Scutaro (4)

Kielty paces fifth straight win
Outfielder drives in four runs to help sink Mariners
By CJ Bowles, MLB.com

Crosby brings energy to A's
Joe Roderick, Contra Costa Times (Registration Required)

A'S REPORT
Byrnes reviews his X-rays, and clears himself to play
Susan Slusser, SF Chronicle

Notes: Pitchers on the mend
Bradford, Meyer, Cruz working their way back from injuries
By CJ Bowles, MLB.com

A's Rincon gets plenty of outs, but little notice
Jorge L. Ortiz, SF Chronicle

An A's student beats the odds
Flores, a 29th-round draft pick, got his degree in the minor leagues
Josh Suchon, Oakland Tribune
___________________________________________________________
Portland Beavers at Sacramento River Cats
........... 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10.11..12..13..14..R..H..E
POR (40-39) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.. 1. 0.. 0.. 0.. 1..2. 7. 4
SAC (45-35) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.. 1. 0.. 0.. 0.. 2. 3.11. 1
wrap box log
W: C. Mabeus (4-2, 4.76); L: S. Stewart (2-4, 4.67);
HR: None.

Comments:
-Brant Colamarino went 0-4 with two walks, dropping his average to an even .200.
-Jimmy Serrano allowed only three hits and three walks, striking out seven, over seven shutout innings.

Longing for a win, injured Cats prevail
Scott Howard-Cooper, Sacramento Bee (Registration Required)
___________________________________________________________
Wichita Wranglers at Midland Rockhounds
..........1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
WIC (3-3) 1. 0. 3. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0... 5. 8. 0
MID (4-1) 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 3. 1. X... 6. 8. 2
wrap box log
W: E. Fahrner (6-1, 2.39); L: B. Armitage (2-2, 3.76);
SV: A. Santos (10)
HR: MID: J. Perry (15), F. Gomez (3), M. Kiger (1)

Comments:
-Dallas Braden allowed five earned runs on six hits and five walks, striking out six, in 5 1/3 innings.
-Jason Perry has seven RBI over his last three games.

New addition Spanos lifts 'Hounds to win
Len Hayward, Midland Reporter-Telegram

RockHounds Notebook
Len Hayward, Midland Reporter-Telegram
___________________________________________________________
Stockton Ports
NO GAME

Comments:
-Danny Putnam was 0-3 in the Cal League vs Carolina League All-Star Game
___________________________________________________________
Kane County Cougars at Beloit Snappers
..........1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
KCC (3-3) 0. 0. 2. 0. 1. 1. 0. 0. 0... 4. 9. 2
BEL (4-2) 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 1. 0. 0. 0... 2. 7. 0
wrap box log
W: M. Rogers (5-4, 4.03); L: J. Mijares (4-1, 3.14);
SV: R. Semerano (8)
HR: BEL: T. Plouffe (7)

Comments:
-Cliff Pennington DH'ed, went 2-3 and drove in his first RBI.
-Mike Rogers finished June with a 4-1 record.

Cougars' Rogers continues good month
Kane County Chronicle
___________________________________________________
Tri-City Dust Devils at Vancouver Canadians
........ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.10.11.12.13.. R.. H. E
TRI(4-4) 0. 1. 0. 2. 1. 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1.. 5. 13. 1
VAN(5-3) 0. 2. 1. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.. 4. 10. 1
wrap box log
W: J. White (2-0, 0.00); L: B. Davis (0-1, 0.00);
SV: G. Delgado (3)
HR: TRI: B. Kirby (2)
___________________________________________________________
ASL Athletics at ASL Giants
....1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
ATH 0. 2. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0... 2. 6. 4
GIA 1. 1. 2. 0. 0. 0. 0. 3. X... 7. 7. 2
wrap box log
W: M. Walk (1-0, 0.00); L: K. Eusebio (0-1, 0.00);
SV: J. Gomez (1)
HR: None

Baseball Been Barry, Barry Good to Me

Another fine start by Barry Zito. Eight of his 12 starts since May 1st have been of the quality variety. Not bad. I don't think I'm ready to say that he's "back," but this certainly is encouraging.

It's a damn shame that in those eight quality starts Zito's only been credited with three wins. Which is the same number of losses he's been credited with. So as it stands, Zito's record is currently 4-8. That LOOKS really bad.

Mark Mulder had a pretty nice game tonight as well. He went 6.1 innings and allowed just one earned run. He also picked up a win, bringing his record to a very respectable 9-5.

Mulder's performance also lowered his ERA to 4.54, which is 1/3 of a run worse than Zito's. And Mulder's in the pitcher-friendly NL...but I don't really want to get into how much easier it is to pitch in the NL than it is in the AL.

(I wrote that last sentence about 10 minutes ago. Apparently I DO want to get into it.)

2005 Player Stats
Batting #9... Avg. Slg%. Runs.. RBI.... TB
AL Hitters.. .252. .376.. 423.. 412.. 1359
NL Hitters.. .195. .274.. 329.. 303.. 1089

And as if the disparity in Runs, RBI and TB didn't look bad enough, don't forget that the NL has two more teams than the AL. The patheticness of the number nine hitters in the NL (pitchers and pinch hitters) not provides one auto-out each time through the line-up, it also allows NL pitchers to pitch around the number eight hitter whenever they so choose.

Even though Mulder's ERA doesn't look that much worse than Zito's, it is. It's A LOT worse.

So why is one ESPN moron proclaiming that Zito's "wheels have fallen off" and another couple of ESPN morons putting Mark Mulder in a group of five "Aces" that pitched tonight?

Because they're dopes. Dopes who can't look past their respective records.

If I had to choose between having Zito or Mulder on my team for the second half, I'd choose Zito. And I wouldn't even have to think twice about it.

Round-Up

For Monday, June 27th, 2005

Oakland Athletics
NO GAME


Beane biding his time as deadline nears
A's general manager pondering short- and long-term moves
By Mychael Urban, MLB.com

Beane's plans not affected by one good month
Joe Roderick, Knight Ridder (Registration Required)

A's Notebook
Kendall regains RBI stroke after an extended drought
Ross McKeon, SF Chronicle

Not all is bad for A's, Giants
Lori Gilbert, Stockton Record

Man who allegedly doused Giambi with beer pleads not guilty
AP, Yahoo! Sports
___________________________________________________________

Portland Beavers at Sacramento River Cats
............1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
POR (40-38) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2... 2. 6. 0
SAC (44-35) 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0... 1. 4. 0
wrap box log
W: S. Stewart (2-3, 4.46); L: J. Garcia (1-5, 4.79); SV: B. Baker (22)
HR: None.

Comments:
-Juan Cruz struck out 10 and allowed two hits in 5 1/3 shutout innings for Sacramento.
-Dan Meyer pitched 1 2/3 innings, retiring the first five batters he faced before allowing a walk and a single.
-Jairo Garcia blew his fourth save.
-Charles Thomas had one hit on the night, a triple, and is now batting .367 since being sent down.


Cruz adjusting to starter's role
In just his second start of the season, he strikes out 10, but the Cats lose.
Scott Howard-Cooper, Sacramento Bee (Registration Required)

Colamarino's future looks grand
Scott Howard-Cooper, Sacramento Bee (Registration Required)
___________________________________________________

Wichita Wranglers at Midland RockHounds
..........1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
WIC (3-2) 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 4. 0. 0. 0... 5. 8. 0
MID (3-1) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 0. 0... 2. 4. 3
wrap box log
W: R. Baerlocher (2-0, 1.61); L: M. Lynch (5-6, 5.08);
HR: MID: J. Perry (14).

Comments:
-Jason Perry's 14th homerun of the season accounted for both of Midland's runs.


RockHounds Notebook
Oscar Leroy, Midland Reporter Telegram

Mistakes doom RockHounds in loss to Wranglers
Oscar Leroy, Midland Reporter Telegram

Hounds return home after sweep of Tulsa
Jack Marrion, Midland Reporter Telegram
__________________________________________________________

Stockton Ports
NO GAME
__________________________________________________________

Kane County Cougars at Beloit Snappers
..........1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
KCC (2-3) 1. 0. 0. 2. 0. 0. 1. 1. 0... 5. 8. 0
BEL (4-1) 1. 0. 0. 1. 1. 0.10. 1. X.. 14 19. 1
wrap box log
W: J. Martinez (3-0, 1.98); L: J. Corchado (0-3, 7.63);
HR: KCC: K. Melillo (8). BEL: T. Plouffe (6).

Comments:
-Ryan Webb allowed four runs (all earned) on 11 hits, including one homerun, and one walk in 6.0 innings.
___________________________________________________________

Tri-City Dust Devils at Vancouver Canadians
..........1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
TRI (3-4) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 1. 3. 0... 5. 9. 1
VAN (5-2) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 0. 0... 2. 4. 2
wrap box log
W: P. Stanley (1-0, 4.50); L: S. Martinez (0-1, 4.05); SV: G. Delgado (2)
HR: TRI: J. Sweeney (1).
___________________________________________________________

ASL Athletics at ASL Angels
..........1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
ATH (3-1) 0. 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 3... 5. 8. 1
ANG (3-1) 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0. 0... 1. 6. 4
wrap box log
W: J. Lugo (1-0, 1.59); L: B. Beck (0-1, 0.00);
HR: None.

Comments:
-Chad Bradford threw one scoreless inning, allowing one hit and recording one strike out.

Turning this Bitch Up a Notch

One of my five regular readers has now become a contributor.

Greg hates Macha just as much as I do and will offer his opinions whenever he so desires. Enjoy.

On-Topic Off Day

I'm considering whether or not to make this a daily feature on this here blog. It takes a lot of work and I'm a pretty lazy guy, so we'll see.

Roman's Round-Up (I might have to come up with a new, less gay name)
Sunday, June 26th, 2005

San Francisco Giants @ Oakland Athletics
............1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
SFO (33-44).0..0..0..0..0..0..0..0..0....0..1..0
OAK (35-40).3..2..1..5..5..0..0..0..X...16.24..1

Hitters ...........AB. R. H RBI BB SO LOB. AVG
J Kendall C ........3. 3. 3.. 3. 1. 0.. 0 .268
.a-A Melhuse PH-C.. 2. 0. 0.. 0. 0. 0.. 1 .125
M Kotsay CF........ 5. 1. 3.. 2. 1. 0.. 1 .279
B Crosby SS........ 6. 1. 4.. 2. 0. 0.. 4 .316
E Chavez 3B........ 4. 1. 2.. 0. 0. 0.. 1 .266
.b-K Ginter PH-3B.. 2. 0. 0.. 0. 0. 0.. 3 .171
S Hatteberg DH..... 5. 2. 1.. 1. 1. 0.. 3 .282
B Kielty LF........ 5. 2. 3.. 1. 0. 0.. 0 .285
D Johnson 1B....... 5. 2. 2.. 3. 0. 0.. 2 .286
N Swisher RF....... 5. 3. 3.. 4. 0. 0.. 1 .246
M Scutaro 2B....... 5. 1. 3.. 0. 0. 0.. 0 .254
Totals............ 47 16 24. 16. 3. 0. 16
a-grounded to shortstop for J Kendall in the 5th
b-grounded to third for E Chavez in the 5th

BATTING
2B: M Kotsay (18, B Tomko); B Kielty 2 (11, J Christiansen, B Tomko); J Kendall 2 (12, B Tomko, B Puffer); D Johnson (6, B Puffer); S Hatteberg (11, J Christiansen); B Crosby (6, J Christiansen)
HR: N Swisher 2 (8, 4th inning off B Puffer 1 on, 2 Out; 5th inning off J Christiansen 1 on, 0 Out)
RBI: M Kotsay 2 (41), B Crosby 2 (11), B Kielty (32), J Kendall 3 (20)
2-out RBI: N Swisher, M Kotsay
GIDP: K Ginter 1
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: S Hatteberg 1, K Ginter 2, D Johnson 1, B Crosby 2
Team LOB: 10

FIELDING
E: K Ginter (5, ground ball)

Pitchers.......... IP. H. R ER BB SO HR PC-ST. ERA
R Harden (W, 4-3) 7.0. 1. 0. 0. 1. 3. 0 76-46 2.37
R Flores......... 1.0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0 13-10 0.00
K Calero......... 1.0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.. 9-6 6.06
Totals........... 9.0. 1. 0. 0. 1. 3. 0 98-62

PITCHING
Batters faced: R Harden 24; R Flores 3; K Calero 3
Ground Balls-Fly Balls: R Harden 7-11; R Flores 1-2; K Calero 1-2


Swisher homers twice as A's one-hit Giants
Harden allows a single in seven innings; Oakland pounds out 24 hits
By Mychael Urban, MLB.com

Oakland throws a Sweep 16 party
A's score 15 insurance runs as Harden befuddles Giants
Ross McKeon, SF Chronicle

NEW BLOOD
Giants, A's are rebuilding but disdain that label
John Shea, SF Chronicle

Zito on trade rumors: 'I'm not going anywhere'
Joe Roderick, Contra Costa Times (Registration Required)



Portland Beavers at Sacramento River Cats
............1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9....R..H..E
POR (39-38) 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 3. 0. 0. 0... 4. 6. 1
SAC (44-34) 0. 0. 0. 6. 0. 0. 0. 0. X... 6. 8. 1

Hitters..... AB. R. H RBI BB SO. AVG
Bynum RF......5. 0. 1.. 0. 0. 2 .296
Beattie 2B....2. 1. 0.. 0. 2. 1 .301
Thomas CF.....3. 1. 0.. 0. 1. 0 .368
Cust LF.......3. 1. 1.. 0. 1. 0 .285
Garrett DH....4. 1. 2.. 1. 0. 0 .299
Rouse SS......3. 0. 0.. 1. 0. 1 .295
Smith 3B..... 4. 1. 1.. 0. 0. 0 .261
Colamarino 1B 4. 1. 1.. 4. 0. 0 .222
Baker C...... 4. 0. 0.. 0. 0. 3 .259

BATTING
HR: Colamarino, B (5, 4th inning off Hensley, C, 3 on, 1 out)
RBI: Garrett (42), Rouse (49), Colamarino, B 4 (15)
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Smith; Thomas; Baker 2
SF: Rouse
Team LOB: 7

FIELDING
E: Beattie (4, fielding)

Pitcher......... IP. H. R ER BB SO HR. ERA
Sparks (W, 7-3) 5.2. 4. 4. 3. 4. 5. 1 5.19
Mabeus (H,3)... 1.1. 1. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0 5.03
Reames (H, 1).. 1.0. 1. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0 4.13
Garcia (S, 8).. 1.0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 0 4.19

WP: Sparks, Reames
Ground outs-fly outs: Sparks 6-6, Mabeus 1-2, Reames 2-1, Garcia 0-1
Batters faced: Sparks 26, Mabeus 5, Reames 5, Garcia 3
Inherited runners-scored: Mabeus 2-1


Sacramento edges Beavers
Michael Echan, MLB.com

Schedule-maker does River Cats 16 huge favors
That's the number of home games for them in a 21-day stretch.
Scott Howard-Cooper, Sacramento Bee (Registration Required)



Midland Rockhounds
NO GAME



Stockton Ports
NO GAME


(I've decided that posting links to box scores is A LOT easier for me than posting the actual box scores.)


Kane County Cougars at Clinton LumberKings
..........1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.. R... H. E
KCC (2-2) 0. 0. 0. 2. 5. 0. 1. 0. 0.. 8.. 11. 3
CLI (2-2) 1. 0. 0. 3. 2. 0. 0. 1. 2.. 9... 9. 1
wrap box log
W: M. Padgett (3-3, 1.88); L: M. McBeth (1-1, 4.50);
HR: KCC: E. Kim (6). CLI: W. Susdorf (4).


Cougars lose series on walk-off home run
Kane County Chronicle



Tri-City Dust Devils at Vancouver Canadians
..........1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9... R. H. E
TRI (2-4) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0. 0... 1. 3. 0
VAN (5-1) 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. X... 2. 4. 0
wrap box log

W: S. Bryant (1-0, 0.00); L: D. Patton (0-2, 6.52); SV: B. Kilby (2)
HR: None.



ASL Athletics at ASL Padres
NO INFO AVAILABLE

Kotsaying Goodbye

Editor's Note: I started this entry before Saturday's games, so some of my numbers may be a little off.

Mark Kotsay is one of the most valuable members on this 2005 club, but this team is in last place, seven games under .500, 10.5 games out of first place and nine games out of the Wild Card. So while our mighty A's are hot and playing their best ball of the year, they're still in pretty bad shape. And as well as they've been playing lately, I still don't think they're a playoff-caliber team. So is locking up a 29-year-old, defensive centerfielder really the smartest move?

It might be...if we didn't already have Kendall.

So I guess the REAL question is: Is tying up one third of the payroll on two thirty-somethings with little to no power really in the best interest of the club?

It might be...but I doubt it.

So the REALLY REAL question is: Is this new ownership group going to open up their pocketbooks and bump up the payroll so that Kotsay and Kendall don't make up one third of it?

Beats me.

But if they're not, I will fully support a trade of Kotsay. It'd suck losing him, but it'd suck even more if he opted out of his contract after this season and we only got draft picks in return. This team is THIS close to being REALLY good for the next five years. If Kotsay can gain us a couple Major League-ready youngsters, I say do it.

"What do we do about centerfield? Kotsay's defense out there has been invaluable."

--You

Well, we'd just throw Byrnes out there.

Just kidding. Byrnes sucks.

At this point in the season, I wouldn't be opposed to throwing Charles Thomas out there every day. Sure, we'd be making a significant downgrade both offensively and defensively, but Thomas is cheap and, at the very least, serviceable. And whenever he's been given the opportunity to play everyday, he's produced. So who's to say that that trend won't continue if he's given that opportunity with the big club?

Billy Beane gave up Tim Hudson for this guy. It'd be a major mistake to give up on him so quickly. And if he proves that he can't hit Major League pitching, we'd still have other options. And money to spend.

"Other options? OH REALLY?!?! Like who?"

--You again

Well, Swisher's an option. He's a little reckless, but he's experienced.

Another option would be Mike Cameron.

"Mike Cameron?!?! He makes more than Kotsay!! AND he's older than Kotsay!!!"

--You yet again

Gawddamn, you ask a lot of questions.

If Billy made a deal for Cameron in the off-season, he 1) wouldn't have to give up too much and 2) would get cash in the deal. Cameron's only under contract for through the 2006 season, so he'd also, more than likely, get some draft picks once Cameron became a free agent.

.....................AB....Avg....OBP....Slg%...OPS
Kotsay, 2003.........482. .266.. .343.. .384.. .727
Cameron, 2003........534. .253.. .344.. .431.. .775

Kotsay, 2004.........606. .314.. .370.. .459.. .829
Cameron, 2004........493. .231.. .319.. .479.. .798

Kotsay, 2005.........285. .274.. .331.. .389.. .720
Cameron, 2005........142. .296.. .402.. .535.. .937

Kotsay, Since 2002..1666. .292.. .358.. .435.. .793
Cameron, Since 2002.1572. .241.. .335.. .450.. .785

Cameron's a bonafide power hitter. His average might be too low and he might strike out too much, but you you know exactly what you're getting with him: Gold Golve-caliber defense, 25-30 homeruns and 80-90 RBI. He'd bring to the club something that it's sorely lacking: Power.

This year, at age 32, Mike Cameron is averaging a homerun every 23.67 AB's. That's better than Chavy (26.27 AB/HR). He'd most definitley stabilize the middle of the order.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that if I had to choose between three or four more years of Kotsay or just one year of Cameron, I'd choose Cameron. This isn't a knock on Kotsay. I think he's terrific. I just don't see him in the long-term plans.

In my perfect world, Kotsay would come out and say that he isn't going to opt out of his contract and we'd keep him for just one more year. However, I don't see that happening.

It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. "Buy low, sell high" is tried and true. That doesn't mean that it doesn't suck sometimes.

Damn Fool

Jeez, I don't even know where to begin.

"It's no one person's fault; we just didn't get it done,"

--Ken Macha

Uhhh, it's your fault, dipshit. If you knew how to manage a bullpen, we would have won that game.

When Calero started the 9th, I just figured that Duchscherer was unavailable. He had worked the previous two nights and probably SHOULD have been unavailable. So I had no problem with what appeared to be Macha's plan. He even showed a little foresight. Having Calero face Sexson and Rincon face Ibanez, Boone and perhaps Reed would have put the team in the best position possible to win. Things were actually setting up very nicely for us.

Then Sexson reached on a weak-ass in field single. Then Ibanez hit a rope to right.

PANIC!!!

Next think I know, Duchscherer's warming up in the 'pen.

"What the fuck??? Why isn't he unavailable? He SHOULD be unavailable! Glynn's nails against righties, you moron!!!"

--Roman

And, in what came as no surprise to me, the lead was gone after only one Duchscherer pitch.

In what might not be a popular opinion, I really do think that Glynn was the best option for a number of reasons.

1) Duchscherer was being asked to work in his third consecutive day.
2) Glynn's numbers versus righties are microscopic this year.
3) Bringing in Glynn would have put the team in the best position possible to win.
4) Duchscherer needed the rest.
5) Duchscherer can't pitch everyday.
6) Duchscherer should have been unavailable!

Ryan Glynn
Vs. Righties, 2005

33 AB.. .212 BAA.. .257 OBP.. .212 Slg%.. .469 OPS

When Macha finally did bring Glynn in, he retired four of the first six batters he faced, striking out three (including Mike Morse looking). He also would have recorded the win had it not been for Crosby's crucial error.

Now we're left with another one in the loss column, Duchscherer unavailable for a couple of days and Glynn more than likely unavailable for today's game with Kirk "I Can Only Go Five" Saarloos on the hill.

I was hoping for a series win or even a sweep, but I guess a split will have to do.

Hey Now, You're a Moron

NEW YORK -- Detroit's Alan Trammell and Oakland's Ken Macha were selected as coaches Wednesday for the American League in next month's All-Star game by Boston manager Terry Francona.

Even though I hate the Boston Red Sox more than I hate Ken Macha, I really like Terry Francona. I remember watching one of those Spring Training previews on the Phillies back when he was their manager and being really impressed with what he had to say. He was so upbeat, so positive. And I'm sure he wasn't just saying all the right things because he was on TV. He was nothing but genuine. I've liked him ever since.

I also remember when Francona got fired. I was pretty pissed. I understood the move, but didn't agree with it (because Philly was gonna suck no matter who was managing them). After that, years went by before I heard another word about him. I don't remember his name ever coming up when another position opened up. I never saw him coaching third for another club. Maybe I just stopped paying attention, but he had fallen off the face of the earth for all I knew.

Then Ken Macha hired him to be his bench coach (Macha wasn't a moron back then). After all that time of not hearing a single word about Francona, I was thrilled. Then I read about all the shit he had gone through, and found myself respecting him even more. Then he got sick again and it looked as though he might join the team afterall.

"He called me up with about two weeks left until spring training. He said, 'I know you've been waiting a long time to manage a big-league team, and I don't want to screw that up for you. I'm not myself. I can't even throw batting practice. You better get someone else.'"

--Ken Macha

Thankfully, Macha waited for him and he recovered. And the rest is history.

"I told him, "Terry, I didn't hire you to throw batting practice. I hired you to be around our team, to let us pick your brain. I hired you because your demeanor is so positive, it can't help but rub off on people."

--Ken Macha

As much as I hated watching the Sox win the Series last year, I couldn't help but be a little happy for Francona. After all he had gone through, he really deserved it.

And now he's repaying the man that made it all possible.

Home-field advantage in the World Series is overrated anyway.