The Game Thread Where Baseball Happens ← FREE KRAUT!

The Game Thread Where Baseball Happens 544

A’s vs Astros…Let’s Get It On!

544 thoughts on “The Game Thread Where Baseball Happens

  1. Bed Jul 23,2014 7:11 pm

    I have a feeling that one day ESPN is going to do a 30 for 30 about tonight’s game.

    But seriously, folks...
    • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 7:12 pm || Up

      What if I told you that Mark Krause batted cleanup for a major league baseball team?

      • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:54 pm || Up

        I have the Greg LeMond one on my DVR from last night…anybody watch it yet?

        But seriously, folks...
  2. Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 7:19 pm

    Surely someone on the A’s is going to use “Just a Friend” as their walkup music tonight. Or maybe “Vapors.”

  3. Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 7:29 pm

    Runs. Now. Let’s get ’em.

  4. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 7:31 pm

    That was an annoyingly shitty at bat by Moss. Peacock was clearly having issues throwing strikes to everyone so of course he goes up hacking at everything.

  5. Soaker Jul 23,2014 7:31 pm

    So just in case Verlander can’t go all the way in Game 5 we’ll have to get it done against Soria. Hmphh.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:41 am || Up

      Since we’ll be playing them in a best-of-seven, I’m not overly concerned about Game 5. Or Verlander, for that matter.

  6. Soaker Jul 23,2014 7:32 pm

    This is a good use of a first-inning replay review.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Soaker Jul 23,2014 7:37 pm || Up

      Except for the not resulting in any runs part.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  7. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 7:37 pm

    Don’t swing at fucking ball four.

  8. mother pucker Jul 23,2014 7:38 pm

    Swing at ball four once? Shame on me. Swing at ball four twice? You can’t sw–…that fking sucked.

  9. vignette17 Jul 23,2014 7:41 pm

    Missed in the challenge and anger we didn’t score, was that was some great baserunning by Jaso. He beat the throw at second when I think a throw to third gets Coco.

    • Future Ed Jul 23,2014 11:24 pm || Up

      his lead was about 20 feet. No joke. He was watching coco a lot. I think he was expecting to get a steal

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  10. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 7:43 pm

    By god, you’re right Bed. Baseball is happening!

    There is always a score.
    • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 7:44 pm || Up

      But is it happening with baseball players doing baseball things?

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:46 pm || Up

      I’m calling this one early…Thunderbutt wins the game thread.

      But seriously, folks...
      • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 7:57 pm || Up

        I kinda like that Thunderbutt guy.

        • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:58 pm || Up

          Thunderbutt is one of the most consistently funny people on FK.

          But seriously, folks...
          • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 7:59 pm || Up

            This seems like it should be a book jacket blurb.

            • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:01 pm || Up

              If Thunderbutt writes a book I’d be happy to blurb all over it.

              But seriously, folks...
          • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:01 pm || Up

            Unsung MVP?

            • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:02 pm || Up

              Seems fair. I on the other hand am more of a Unhung MVP.

              But seriously, folks...
            • mikeA Jul 23,2014 8:07 pm || Up

              I’ll go ahead and say Thunderbutt is probably my favorite poster here, or at least definitely highest enjoyment for me per post of anyone.

              • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:09 pm || Up

                Remember that time we lost him and I formed a search party? Good times.

                • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:11 pm || Up

                  Ha! I remember that phone call. I was generally pretty lost back then.

                  There is always a score.
                • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:15 pm || Up

                  Glad to have you back.

                • mikeA Jul 23,2014 8:13 pm || Up

                  I do. That monkey (or whatever it is) on his shoulder kidnapped him, right?

              • Future Ed Jul 23,2014 11:25 pm || Up

                Bed and I are compilers.

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
  11. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 7:43 pm

    Singleton, isnt he the prospect that was smoking up the joint earlier this year?

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 7:47 pm || Up

      Why? Did he test positive for canabis?

      There is always a score.
      • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:00 pm || Up

        Says he is definitely addicted to it. One of the reasons supposedly they called him up and he signed that contract right away was worries about the MiLB vs MLB testing policies.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:47 pm || Up

      ED!

      But seriously, folks...
      • AV Jul 23,2014 8:08 pm || Up

        !

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  12. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 7:48 pm

    So glad we traded Peacock.

    • Soaker Jul 23,2014 7:51 pm || Up

      I don’t think anybody misses Carter or Stassi that much either.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:53 pm || Up

        Well, I think inflation killed Carter…and Stassi was hurt by the oil crisis.

        But seriously, folks...
        • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 7:54 pm || Up

          Stassi was doomed to fail. Part if an evil empire that needed its wall torn down.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:56 pm || Up

            The Iran-Stassi affair almost brought down Reagan.

            But seriously, folks...
      • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 7:53 pm || Up

        I miss Carter. I understand and from a baseball view Im fine with it. But still TROGDOR!

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:54 pm || Up

          It was exciting when he came up for the first time.

          But seriously, folks...
      • MikeV Jul 23,2014 8:03 pm || Up

        I don’t think anybody misses Carter

        :(

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

  13. James V. Jul 23,2014 7:49 pm

    I guess Astros fans are probably complaining about ex-Astros homering against them right now.

    • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:52 pm || Up

      This assumes there are Astros fans.

      But seriously, folks...
      • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 7:52 pm || Up

        Well, there’s George Bush. Maybe Barbara.

        • Bed Jul 23,2014 7:53 pm || Up

          I’m pretty sure Barbara is more interested in UFC.

          But seriously, folks...
    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 7:55 pm || Up

      Here’s hoping Freiman gets a PH opportunity.

      There is always a score.
      • James V. Jul 23,2014 7:57 pm || Up

        When they play the Padres?

        • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:06 pm || Up

          We plucked him from the ‘Stros though, iirc.

          There is always a score.
          • James V. Jul 23,2014 8:13 pm || Up

            Oh yeah, Rule 5. But he never played for them in the minors or majors.

  14. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 7:49 pm

    Love seeing Sogard up there. Well ok, just love not seeing . but thats almost the same thing, right?

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  15. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 7:50 pm

    Reddick… Sogard… why are these names so familiar?

    There is always a score.
    • colin Jul 23,2014 7:52 pm || Up

      Which is more surprising? Sogard single… or Reddick walk?

    • doctorK Jul 23,2014 7:52 pm || Up

      I’m certain I’ve never seen both these names attached to baserunners at the same time.

  16. Bed Jul 23,2014 7:51 pm

    If you let Reddick and Sogard get on base back to back you’re uh…not good.

    But seriously, folks...
  17. James V. Jul 23,2014 7:54 pm

    Brad Peacock has thrown 50 pitches. He has recorded 3 outs.

  18. doctorK Jul 23,2014 7:56 pm

    That was a creative catch.

  19. James V. Jul 23,2014 7:56 pm

    Hernandez just made one of the luckiest catches I’ve ever seen.

  20. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 7:57 pm

    La Potencia!

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  21. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 7:57 pm

    There it is.

  22. James V. Jul 23,2014 7:58 pm

    Hernandez ain’t catching that one. Boom, Cespedes.

  23. doctorK Jul 23,2014 7:58 pm

    SEXY FEET

  24. Soaker Jul 23,2014 7:58 pm

    Well this feels much more like an A’s-Astros game should.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  25. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 7:58 pm

    I finally got tacos for dinner.

    • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:00 pm || Up

      A great day for America.

      But seriously, folks...
    • MikeV Jul 23,2014 8:08 pm || Up

      what kind

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:10 pm || Up

        I don’t understand the question.

        • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:11 pm || Up

          Asada, carnitas, tripas, cabeza?

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:11 pm || Up

          We’re the Tacos Eastern Orthodox or Methodist?

          But seriously, folks...
          • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:14 pm || Up

            If theyre Eastern Orthodox they wear a funny black hood.

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • doctorK Jul 23,2014 8:12 pm || Up

          Were they edible, or the kind of garbage normally found at your local Taco John’s?

          • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:14 pm || Up

            Homemade. We don’t have anything like that around here.

          • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:14 pm || Up

            Taco Johns: For people who think Taco Bell is too classy.

            But seriously, folks...
            • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:17 pm || Up

              Does the Mexican Peyton Manning do their commercials?

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
            • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:19 pm || Up

              Is that the place that has tater tots?

              • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm || Up

                Taco Time in the NW has mexican frys (tots)

                Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • PDXAthleticsfan Jul 24,2014 8:52 am || Up

                  Mexican fries…less Mexican than Eric Chavez.

                  A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
                • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 9:06 am || Up

                  indeed. I ran into my first Taco Time at Lloyd center on vaca and was fascinated by what Mexican fries might be. When I saw they were tots I almost asked for my money back. But then I remembered 1) I was eating at a food court and 2) TOTS!

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 10:02 am || Up

                  right?

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:32 pm || Up

                I think so…I last ate at a Taco Johns about 15 years ago in Lawrence.

                But seriously, folks...
        • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:14 pm || Up

          Choco tacos?

          • AV Jul 23,2014 8:16 pm || Up

            mmmm!

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  26. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:00 pm

    That’s some mighty fine baseball happening right there.

    There is always a score.
  27. Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:02 pm

    Peacock getting the Colby Lewis treatment here?

  28. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:03 pm

    I wanted a 32 ounce mug from RBFD. They were sold out. Sad face.

  29. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:03 pm

    For a second I thought they said James Buchanan in the bullpen.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:04 pm || Up

      He’ll fair to hold a lead or stop the drive towards Civil War.

      But seriously, folks...
      • andeux Jul 23,2014 8:06 pm || Up

        I was going to make some such joke about something James Buchanan did, but then I realized I couldn’t name anything that James Buchanan did.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:08 pm || Up

          He’s mainly known for what he didn’t do. He usually ranks dead last or darn near it on most Presidential power polls.

          But seriously, folks...
        • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:08 pm || Up

          Never got married, that’s what.

          • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:10 pm || Up

            Miss Nancy they said. SHOCKING!!!

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
            • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:18 pm || Up

              Is is accepted these days that he was gay?

              • mikeA Jul 23,2014 8:19 pm || Up

                Many historians have pondered that question and then gotten bored because it’s James Buchanan.

              • AV Jul 23,2014 8:19 pm || Up

                depends what the position of the word is is.

                *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
              • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:19 pm || Up

                He’s one of the three or four that many people think were.

                But seriously, folks...
                • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:20 pm || Up

                  Please say one of the others is Reagan.

                • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:22 pm || Up

                  I think Reagan was too busy loving himself.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • AV Jul 23,2014 8:28 pm || Up

                  nancy was always on top.

                  he could only fuck up!

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:34 pm || Up

                  I think I read that in “Dutch”.

                  But seriously, folks...
        • mikeA Jul 23,2014 8:15 pm || Up

          I know a lot about him. He ran for president. Probably signed and/or vetoed some laws. Appointed some people to some jobs. Said some nice things about slavery.

          • andeux Jul 23,2014 8:22 pm || Up

            I learn something new every day around here.

            TINSTAAFK
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:07 pm || Up

        or he’ll fail to…first of many typos I’m sure.

        But seriously, folks...
        • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:09 pm || Up

          He believes the A’s shouldnt be allowed to be this good, but he also thinks he is not allowed to get them out.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  30. mikeA Jul 23,2014 8:07 pm

    anger dissipating…

  31. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 8:14 pm

    Is it weird that Peacock’s still pitching? In his last outing he gave up a homer and a walk in 2/3 of an inning and gets taken out immediately. He pitches far worse in this outing and is still out there? I don’t get Bo Porter.

    • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:15 pm || Up

      Bo Knows…very little.

      But seriously, folks...
    • Soaker Jul 23,2014 8:17 pm || Up

      I think Bo is there to “build character”. When the Astros are ready to contend, they’ll hire a real manager.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • andeux Jul 23,2014 8:21 pm || Up

        Whenever people talk about what a smart organization the Astros are, I remember that they employ Bo Porter and Doug Brocail.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:26 pm || Up

          The Astros are smart at what exactly? Not signing their 1st round picks?

          But seriously, folks...
          • andeux Jul 23,2014 8:33 pm || Up

            They hired a bunch of stat folks, and are supposed to have a really good farm system. I’m not convinced either.

            TINSTAAFK
            • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:42 pm || Up

              After all the losing they’ve done they should have a good farm system.

              But seriously, folks...
    • mikeA Jul 23,2014 8:17 pm || Up

      12 innings last night, I would have been pretty surprised if he’d taken him out.

  32. AV Jul 23,2014 8:15 pm

    if there’s no game number in the title, it just feels like spring training. again.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:17 pm || Up

      Hmm…well, I don’t really know what game this is in the season. It was too busy watching a Lifetime movie with Tiffani Thiessen to look it up.

      But seriously, folks...
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:18 pm || Up

        The movie is called His Dark Thoughts: When Husbands Attack.

        But seriously, folks...
      • AV Jul 23,2014 8:20 pm || Up

        i usually look at the last game number and add 3.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:22 pm || Up

          I was told there would be no math.

          But seriously, folks...
  33. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:16 pm

    My guesses about RBF day.

    1. Canseco asked for a new jersey to wear. You can now find it on Ebay.

    2. Jim Johnson’s wife was not there. If she was her line had no waiting.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:49 am || Up

      All the wives and girlfriends were together. Don’t know if Mrs. JJ was there. Tina Milone was there, which is interesting.

  34. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:21 pm

    My 5 year-old cousin got mad at his 3 year-old brother today. He got out some scissors and started removing him from the family photos. That’s some hate.

    • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:23 pm || Up

      That sounds like something you do during a divorce.

      But seriously, folks...
    • AV Jul 23,2014 8:28 pm || Up

      that’s got all the elements of toddler 1984.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm || Up

        Now I want to see 1984 remade with an all toddler cast.

        But seriously, folks...
        • AV Jul 23,2014 8:30 pm || Up

          is animal farm with muppet babies too obvious?

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:38 pm || Up

            No, and besides Baby Kermit needs a job after his divorce with Baby Miss Piggy.

            But seriously, folks...
            • AV Jul 23,2014 8:45 pm || Up

              who’s gonna get custody of baby pigletadpole??

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  35. James V. Jul 23,2014 8:25 pm

    Old Doolittle A’s Community Fund commercial is old.

  36. Bed Jul 23,2014 8:25 pm

    The A’s were actually talked about on PTI today. Tommy Milone is big news apparently.

    But seriously, folks...
    • MikeV Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm || Up

      listen, any time a slightly below league average starter gets demoted and asks for a trade YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:31 pm || Up

        Sometimes you can’t be choosy when you have 30 minutes to fill.

        But seriously, folks...
  37. James V. Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm

    Cespedes Home Run Derby Night at the Coliseum.

    • Future Ed Jul 23,2014 11:34 pm || Up

      thats how come it was so full too, $2 and $5 tickets based on his performance

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • dmoas Jul 23,2014 11:41 pm || Up

        Heh. And they got what they paid for. Shitty pitching.

  38. doctorK Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm

    SEXY FEET (x2)

  39. AV Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm

    now this is more likely. and nicer too.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  40. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:29 pm

    Nobody tell Cespedes that that isn’t Gallego pitching.

    There is always a score.
  41. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:31 pm

    I love it when they do the “woop-wooooooo” at the Coli.

    There is always a score.
    • Soaker Jul 23,2014 8:33 pm || Up

      When you’re sitting down there by the visitors’ bullpen it’s pretty annoying IMO.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • AV Jul 23,2014 8:35 pm || Up

      :/

      i think of it as a giants’ thing.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:36 pm || Up

        It’s been happening at the Coli since at least 1994. I remember some Rangers pitcher that year getting very pissed about it right before the strike.

        • AV Jul 23,2014 8:42 pm || Up

          stupid facts and why i made sure to state it as reader-response criticism.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:36 pm || Up

        How big is a Giants’ thing?

        But seriously, folks...
        • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 8:43 pm || Up

          You know that Coke bottle they have?

          • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:45 pm || Up

            James Buchanan would approve.

            Pat Buchanan would not approve…at least publicly.

            But seriously, folks...
          • AV Jul 23,2014 8:47 pm || Up

            the one that used to be full of steroids until bonds decided to shrink his balls on bases?

            *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:38 pm || Up

        I didn’t know the Giants fans did it. I’ve seen it at the Colosseum for as long as I can remember. I saw a catcher from the opposing team double-clutch in an attempt to throw off the timing once. It’s a very Oakland thing in my mind.

        There is always a score.
        • AV Jul 23,2014 9:04 pm || Up

          it was were i first heard it. granted, i’d only been to one yankee stadium game and a year or two worth of A’s games when i witnessed it.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • AV Jul 23,2014 9:07 pm || Up

          oh shit. just remembered my work gave me tickets to the first game at ATT after 9/11 and i went on a friend non-date (because she was dating someone else) with my future wife!

          that may have been when i saw this.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:44 pm || Up

        Its been done at Beiden field since I was a kid. I’ll say 83 or so. Its a college/Fresno thing.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:53 pm || Up

          I would like that place more if it was Biden Field.

          But seriously, folks...
          • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 9:09 pm || Up

            They have quotes all over the stadium. Some of them are even ones he said first!

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
            • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:10 pm || Up

              Free Kraut: Where Joe Biden plagiarism jokes happen.

              But seriously, folks...
  42. Bed Jul 23,2014 8:33 pm

    So, should I order the home or away Matt Schaub jersey?

    But seriously, folks...
    • andeux Jul 23,2014 8:36 pm || Up

      Can’t you just put some tape over the name on your Daunte Culpepper jersey?

      TINSTAAFK
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:37 pm || Up

        That would be better for the environment.

        But seriously, folks...
  43. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:35 pm

    Baltimore has tied it up. Sweep, you dumb bastards, sweep!

    There is always a score.
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:39 pm || Up

      Did anyone ever see that travelogue show about Baltimore? I think it was called The Wire?

      But seriously, folks...
    • bear88 Jul 23,2014 8:51 pm || Up

      Hey, they’re ahead, thanks to our temporary friend Adam Jones.

  44. Bed Jul 23,2014 8:40 pm

    What was the last jersey you bought? Or have you ever bought a jersey?

    But seriously, folks...
    • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:43 pm || Up

      A’s or in general?

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:45 pm || Up

        Any sport.

        But seriously, folks...
        • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:49 pm || Up

          Oakland Oaks jersey from Ebbets field flannels in Feb.
          Last A’s was a home white CARTER in Oct 2012
          Last football jersey was a Napoleon Harris several years ago. (same last name, couldnt pass it up)

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:52 pm || Up

            The Oakland Oaks one sounds cool. I remember wanting a Sacramento Solons jersey back when I saw one as a kid.

            But seriously, folks...
            • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:56 pm || Up

              Im going to get a Solons one next year hopefully. They are becoming my big xmas/birthday present when they go one sale I will pick one up.

              Im also thinking about getting a Carr. My best friend has a cousin or something who can get some very nice looking, if slightly not authentic, jerseys for affordable prices. But Since ive known about it there hasnt been a single Raider jersey I wanted.

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
              • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:58 pm || Up

                I have three Raiders jerseys…Plunkett, Tim Brown, and the Marcus Allen one on the wall. I find retired players are better…they never get traded or suck on the field.

                But seriously, folks...
                • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 9:02 pm || Up

                  My thought has been to pick up a Biletnikoff or Plunkett but couldnt find them at a price that I was ok with.

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:04 pm || Up

                  I wouldn’t mind a Howie one or a Todd Christensen. I got my Dad an Art Shell one probably 20 years ago or so.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 9:13 pm || Up

                  Does it now stare at him silentky all day from the closet?

                  Oh sorry, I thought you bought Art Shell himself..

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:16 pm || Up

                  I really wish Art hadn’t comeback for the second go around as head coach. It’s hard to remember now but it was so cool when he got the job the first time. Who knows if Bo doesn’t get hurt maybe we beat Buffalo and take out the Giants in the Super Bowl and Art is a Super Bowl winning coach.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:19 pm || Up

                  In all honesty we still would have lost to the Bills but not by such a huge margin.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • andeux Jul 23,2014 9:19 pm || Up

                  Uh, 51-3.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:20 pm || Up

                  I know…that’s why I amended my statement in the next post.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:22 pm || Up

                  That’s one of those games I’d love to be able to forget.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • Soaker Jul 23,2014 9:25 pm || Up

                  Which made Scott Norwood famous.

                  What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:29 pm || Up

                  I’m sure he’s enjoyed all that fame.

                  But seriously, folks...
    • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:47 pm || Up

      I’ve never bought one. They’re too expensive and they don’t look good on me.

      • Soaker Jul 23,2014 8:48 pm || Up

        I have no idea whether they’d look good on me. They’re too expensive.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:50 pm || Up

          I have a Marcus Allen one but it’s framed and on the wall in my office.

          But seriously, folks...
          • Soaker Jul 23,2014 8:53 pm || Up

            Ah, I can see using it that way instead of putting a Monet print there.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
            • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:55 pm || Up

              My wife did the house…I did the office. Raiders stuff, Harry S. Truman bust, all the Genesis album covers in a collage print, and a signed picture of Jack Nicklaus.

              But seriously, folks...
          • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 8:55 pm || Up

            Didn’t realize you were such a big Chiefs fan.

            • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:56 pm || Up

              HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!

              But seriously, folks...
              • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:56 pm || Up

                USC?

                Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 8:59 pm || Up

                  Well…I’m more indifferent on that one. I guess my Marcus jersey is my only Los Angeles Raiders jersey…until we move back.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:00 pm || Up

                  I should get a Carney jersey and frame it like the Marcus jersey.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:01 pm || Up

                  I had one before but it got lost.

                  But seriously, folks...
                • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 9:05 pm || Up

                  When I was a kid I had a Casper and a Van Egan. They really werent jerseys, it was a heavy cotton almost like a turtleneck with the names and #s. Wish mom had kept them.

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:07 pm || Up

                  I had a Stabler one as a very young kid…maybe 3 or 4. It was handmade by a family friend. There are several pictures of me in it at the Coliseum back in 1977 or so.

                  But seriously, folks...
    • AV Jul 23,2014 8:56 pm || Up

      long sleeve though.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 8:58 pm || Up

        I think one reason I could get into soccer is the kits.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • AV Jul 23,2014 9:01 pm || Up

          that’s how it starts…

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:02 pm || Up

          I think my mom still has all my soccer jerseys…they should be clean as I rarely got near the action.

          But seriously, folks...
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:52 am || Up

      No lie: Milton Bradley. It was super cheap, it doesn’t actually look like any form of jersey that the team has ever worn in any context, and it says Athletics on it.

  45. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:48 pm

    2-1 O’s now. Pleaseohpleaseohplease.

    There is always a score.
    • lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 8:51 pm || Up

      Baltimore seems to be scoring most of their runs in that series with two outs. I bet it’s very irritating to the HalosHeaven denizens…

      • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 8:54 pm || Up

        Looks good on them, too.

        There is always a score.
  46. doctorK Jul 23,2014 8:53 pm

    Heh – Fosse just said Moss has a good arm. I know for a fact that this is wrong because Krukow told everybody multiple times that Moss does not have a good arm, and obviously Kruk is right because BUSTER POSEY and TIMMEH and GAMERBABES.

  47. andeux Jul 23,2014 8:57 pm

    Whose godawful version of Wild Thing is that?

    TINSTAAFK
  48. Bed Jul 23,2014 9:09 pm

    I just want to say I’ll all in on a Altuve for Milone trade…seems like a fair trade.

    But seriously, folks...
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:09 pm || Up

      I’d probably even throw in Sogard.

      But seriously, folks...
    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 9:11 pm || Up

      Yeah, I could be a pretty big Altuve fan.

      There is always a score.
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:13 pm || Up

        The only problem is I’m pretty sure it’s against the law for the A’s to have a good second baseman.

        But seriously, folks...
  49. bear88 Jul 23,2014 9:15 pm

    He probably should have come out a little sooner, but now is definitely the time.

    • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 9:16 pm || Up

      James Buchanan? It’s a little late, honestly.

      • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:17 pm || Up

        Agreed…the moment does seem to have passed him by. If he does however I’m pretty sure Tony Dungy doesn’t want him as his President…too much of a distraction.

        But seriously, folks...
      • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 9:21 pm || Up

        ☺

        There is always a score.
  50. bear88 Jul 23,2014 9:21 pm

    Now we have to worry about Cespedes’ thumb.

    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 9:27 pm || Up

      Meh. He’ll be okay. Probably just a little numb. Hitting a ball off the handle of the bat hurts like fking hell, but it’s only a temporary thing. With a lead like this, no reason for him to stay in.

      • AV Jul 23,2014 9:44 pm || Up

        ah.

        also.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  51. elcroata Jul 23,2014 9:26 pm

    Good morning. Your night shift was more successful than yesterday

    Because survival is insufficient
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:30 pm || Up

      Well, I ate a lot of fiber today so I was ready to win.

      But seriously, folks...
      • AV Jul 23,2014 9:31 pm || Up

        shift. he said shift.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 9:31 pm || Up

          Oh…nevermind.

          But seriously, folks...
        • AV Jul 23,2014 9:32 pm || Up

          where the hell is my kerning button??

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • elcroata Jul 23,2014 9:34 pm || Up

      However, Schoop didn’t

      Because survival is insufficient
  52. Bed Jul 23,2014 9:28 pm

    You know if we advertise that we spend most of our game threads talking about James Buchanan I think we can make this site bigger than Friendster.

    But seriously, folks...
  53. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 9:33 pm

    Yesterday’s game was too long. I’m sleepy.

  54. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 9:33 pm

    damnit

  55. AV Jul 23,2014 9:35 pm

    uhh… did someone get hurt during my ride home? VC with: “no word from the clubhouse yet” and “cespedes.”

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • elcroata Jul 23,2014 9:49 pm || Up

      How many lawns did you drive over?

      Because survival is insufficient
      • AV Jul 23,2014 9:52 pm || Up

        pshaw. i bicycled.

        (4 lawns.)

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  56. Soaker Jul 23,2014 9:39 pm

    Uh oh, here comes the Jim Johnson Showcase.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • andeux Jul 23,2014 9:40 pm || Up

      I would bid $1, but that still seems like too much.

      TINSTAAFK
  57. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 9:40 pm

    Freese is seriously terrible.

  58. doctorK Jul 23,2014 9:44 pm

    Tommy Hunter sucks.

  59. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 9:44 pm

    8 straight righties coming up. Jaso better not sit against any of them.

  60. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 9:44 pm

    Crap a maggot.

    There is always a score.
  61. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 9:45 pm

    This is happening.

  62. James V. Jul 23,2014 9:47 pm

    Great hustle by Gentry to get an insurance run before Johnson comes in.

  63. doctorK Jul 23,2014 9:48 pm

    I’d feel better about JJ’s impending appearance if Moss could loft a three-run Jimmy-Jack here.

  64. doctorK Jul 23,2014 9:49 pm

    Anybody remember when Brian Matusz was actually good?

  65. bear88 Jul 23,2014 9:50 pm

    The Orioles are back to infuriating me. Three consecutive walks score the go-ahead run (the first was intentional).

    • lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 9:54 pm || Up

      Navarro was the worst hitter of the guys coming up and Showalter elected to walk him for free.

      • bear88 Jul 23,2014 9:56 pm || Up

        I don’t understand the big fear of Navarro. That didn’t make sense at the time.

  66. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 9:50 pm

    Augh!

    There is always a score.
  67. Soaker Jul 23,2014 9:52 pm

    Ouch, I hate those plays.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  68. andeux Jul 23,2014 9:53 pm

    FK FK FK

    TINSTAAFK
    • elcroata Jul 23,2014 9:55 pm || Up

      Missed it, what happened?

      Because survival is insufficient
      • Soaker Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm || Up

        It was one of those throws that leads the first baseman into contact with the baserunner. It’s been a broken wrist/arm situation for some but Moss is apparently OK.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • andeux Jul 23,2014 9:58 pm || Up

        Throw off line from Donaldson, Moss tried the swipe tag, ball and glove came off when he made contact and it looked like he was in a lot of pain.

        But he stayed in the game, so may be ok.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:54 am || Up

          HE. WAS. OUT. Man this umpire crew is pissing me off this series. The ball was in the glove when the tag was made and CLEARLY stayed in long enough to establish the out.

  69. doctorK Jul 23,2014 9:54 pm

    This game is starting to suck.

    • AV Jul 23,2014 9:55 pm || Up

      thumbs.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  70. bear88 Jul 23,2014 9:55 pm

    I guess he’s OK.

    Meanwhile, the stupid Orioles can get Trout out, but not before they outsmart themselves with an intentional walk, and then more walks.

    • elcroata Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm || Up

      It’s a tough call, rooting against the Angels or against stupidity in the managing

      Because survival is insufficient
    • elcroata Jul 23,2014 10:01 pm || Up

      Street trying to return the favor, though

      Because survival is insufficient
  71. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 9:55 pm

    …isn’t that an out?

    • AV Jul 23,2014 9:56 pm || Up

      have to go 4 times ’round the merry go round without dropping the ball for it to count?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm || Up

      Personally I thought he held on to it long enough myself.

  72. MikeV Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm

    OH LOOK JIM JOHNSON CAME IN AND SUCKED BALLS

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:56 am || Up

      To be fair, there were maybe a combined three feet and a blown call between two runs and two outs. Altuve should have been called out and JD could have made a better throw anyway; just a few inches better and there’s no question about the out. And then the base hit to center field, that goes three feet further and Coco catches it. Now maybe the runner still tags up and scores, but one run and two outs is a lot better than how it turned out. Jim Johnson just doesn’t have a speck of luck to him.

      • James V. Jul 24,2014 6:35 am || Up

        I don’t know the specific rule on that sort of tag play, but I don’t see how it can be counted as an out since the ball (and glove) were dislodged as a direct result of the contact on the tag itself. Moss did not maintain any sort of control of the ball after making the tag.

        • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 10:31 am || Up

          I disagree. Watch it again, he holds the ball for a distinct period of time after making the tag. He then jettisons the glove, with the ball in it, because his hand/wrist hurts and he needs to address it. The ball does not leave the glove until his glove leaves his hand, but if you apply a tag, follow through with the baseball still in the glove, and then jettison the glove, I don’t see how it’s not an out.

          • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:34 am || Up

            That’s not the way I saw it, sorry.

          • dmoas Jul 24,2014 10:37 am || Up

            I saw that too BUT it happened so fast that I don’t think you can make the call that he really maintained position of the ball through the entire play. If you were to review it, at best you’re looking at inconclusive.

            • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:44 am || Up

              That’s where I’m coming from. If Moss maintained control, it was for no more than a fraction of a second. It all happened in the same motion as contact was made – not “tag then a couple seconds later he dropped the glove from the pain” – so I can’t agree that he held the ball for a distinct period of time after making the tag. I just can’t.

              • AV Jul 24,2014 11:00 am || Up

                is there a replay link? i seem to remember the ball went around in a circle twice. i know PTBNL will correct my diction, but my understanding of centripetal force says that the second moss loses control and lets go of that ball the ball will travel in a straight line along a tangent to that circle. so the time the ball travelled in that circle and not in a straight line is the distinguishable period when he held on. and twice around seems long enough.

                *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:08 am || Up

                  Not sure where a replay might be found. Didn’t see anything on MLB.com for that alone, but if anyone has MLB.tv they can probably view the condensed version of the game.

                  In fact, MLB AtBat offers the same thing. I’m looking at it now and yeah, Moss does a full spin after making contact with Altuve then the glove and ball flies off, but to me that’s still part of the whole motion of not maintaining control on the tag. I can see the argument for the other side, though.

                • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 11:12 am || Up

                  Yes, there is. It’s under “Moss’s apparent injury.”

                • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:13 am || Up

                  Ahh, there you go then.

                • dmoas Jul 24,2014 11:22 am || Up

                  Ha. I initially thought you were being snarky.

  73. bear88 Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm

    Bullpen better get up. It’s Johnson in Oakland.

  74. James V. Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm

    I hope the Marlins aren’t watching Jim Johnson tonight. This guy is completely broken.

  75. doctorK Jul 23,2014 9:57 pm

    DFA please.

    He’s not being “unlucky”, he just fucking sucks.

    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:57 am || Up

      No question he’s the worst pitcher in the bullpen, but he is not 7.50-ERA bad.

  76. elcroata Jul 23,2014 9:58 pm

    Johnson’s trade value is way up after this.

    Because survival is insufficient
  77. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 9:59 pm

    Give me a fking break.

  78. Soaker Jul 23,2014 9:59 pm

    Sorry, but the fans were right on Opening Night.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 12:58 am || Up

      The fans on Opening Night, and on the subsequent nights, are a big part of the reason for Johnson’s awful year.

      • James V. Jul 24,2014 6:36 am || Up

        The fans are not that big a reason why he’s allowed 20 ER in 14 IP at home.

        • James V. Jul 24,2014 8:15 am || Up

          (Guess 19 ER in 14 IP, as it seems one last night ended up unearned. Still.)

      • MikeV Jul 24,2014 8:09 am || Up

        Sorry but no. If he’s such a delicate flower that he can’t handle being booed when he’s the expensive $10M man who was brought in to be a proven closer(TM) then he’s really not fit to be in MLB at all, let alone on a team that’s expecting to make a deep run into the postseason.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 8:20 am || Up

          Especially when if he had 1-2 good outings all of the booing would stop.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 10:39 am || Up

            Perhaps you mean something like two good outings in a row, 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K? That was Jim Johnson, in Oakland, April 5 and 6. Or maybe that period between April 11 and May 4 when he gave up zero runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine in 11.1 IP. That was over the course of eight appearances. Then there were the two games in Toronto, and a couple more periods. And the booing never stopped.

            • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:46 am || Up

              Because, in large part, he never put together consistently good outings at home. That was the first “discussion” earlier in the year – he’s pitching much better on the road, but he can’t get it done at home. Oh, should we just use him in road games?

              Like I said last night, of his 17 games in the Coliseum he had a single, solitary 1-2-3 inning to his credit. That is not going to inspire confidence in the fanbase attending the games.

            • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:50 am || Up

              By the way, that stretch you mentioned of April 11 to May 4 was made up of 6 road games and 2 home games, with games at home against Houston and Texas (1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO). Even those were “dirty” outings for him.

              Then May 6 came around in that Seattle game where he allowed 4 runs in 2/3 IP. May 7 was the 1-2-3 outing.

        • dmoas Jul 24,2014 9:52 am || Up

          In fact, if he were that delicate, he should DL himself and go seek some help in a Greinke like fashion. Come back when he can handle it.

        • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 10:33 am || Up

          This is utterly unfair. Have you ever been in the middle of an arena, surrounded by tens of thousands of people who actively and vocally hate you? And then done it again and again, night after night? And then your wife got heckled at a charity event? Baseball players are humans, and humans have psyches. When a guy’s out there in that shit, there’s no amount of money that can assuage that. There’s no amount of “professionalism” that can make that go away, especially with the added pressure of knowing your career is crumbling.

          • MikeV Jul 24,2014 10:38 am || Up

            I can think of about 10 million reasons why he should put up with it.

            Except the wife thing. That’s bullshit.

            Players get booed and heckled. That’s a part of the game, especially when you’re brought in with the expectations that JJ had.

            And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

            Thanks, and go As.

          • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:52 am || Up

            The wife thing aside, because there’s zero excuse for that, this is why these guys get paid what they do. If they can’t handle fans booing them when they underperform consistently at home, they’re in the wrong profession.

  79. dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:00 pm

    I see that Limp Dick is pitching as great as ever. Ray, tell us how great Jim is.

  80. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:01 pm

    At this point Melvin can’t use Johnson in ANY situation at all short of the A’s losing a blowout. He HAS to go ASAP.

    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 10:05 pm || Up

      It’s stunningly unbelievable.

      There is always a score.
  81. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:01 pm

    Mayday! Mayday!

  82. FreeSeatUpgrade Jul 23,2014 10:01 pm

    Is there no impending victory so dominant that Jim Johnson cannot diminish it?

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 10:06 pm || Up

      Not sure this is an impending victory at this point.

  83. Soaker Jul 23,2014 10:04 pm

    Wow. This is an impressive implosion.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  84. bear88 Jul 23,2014 10:05 pm

    Angels win. Can the A’s?

    Hey, an out! Nice catch by Gentry.

  85. Bed Jul 23,2014 10:06 pm

    At some point you just have to eat the money and cut Johnson. He’s a joke and not the funny ha ha kind.

    But seriously, folks...
    • andeux Jul 23,2014 10:09 pm || Up

      It reached that point at least a month ago. And even that’s being generous.
      Using that roster spot on someone who can’t even get an inning or two of outs in a blowout puts more strain on the rest of the bullpen. It’s really maddening.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Bed Jul 23,2014 10:13 pm || Up

        Not one of Beane’s better moves.

        But seriously, folks...
        • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:15 pm || Up

          I dont remember anyone actually liking the trade. But no one thought this would happen.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • Bed Jul 23,2014 10:21 pm || Up

            I didn’t like paying a closer 10 million bucks. As far as giving up Weeks to get him it felt like the A’s had no more use for Weeks so I was fine with moving him.

            But seriously, folks...
  86. doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:06 pm

    FK you Showalter.

  87. AV Jul 23,2014 10:06 pm

    jesus fucking christ people.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  88. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:07 pm

    What the fuck nugget is happening?

  89. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:08 pm

    You all thought I was joking with that insurance run comment a few minutes ago, don’t you?

  90. lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 10:08 pm

    Unfuckingbelievable

  91. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:08 pm

    What. The. Hell.

  92. dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:08 pm

    FUCKING GET OUTS DAMN IT.

  93. doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:08 pm

    And now Otero is stinking out the joint.

  94. elcroata Jul 23,2014 10:09 pm

    This is a fucking nightmare

    Because survival is insufficient
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 10:11 pm || Up

      Wait…this game involves a giant spider chasing me up a mountain?

      But seriously, folks...
      • andeux Jul 23,2014 10:12 pm || Up

        Verrrry interesting…

        TINSTAAFK
        • Bed Jul 23,2014 10:19 pm || Up

          My therapist thinks the dream represents my fear of commitment.

          But seriously, folks...
  95. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 10:09 pm

    Baseball can stop happening now, please.

    There is always a score.
  96. Soaker Jul 23,2014 10:09 pm

    I wish it really were “an unbelievable turn of events”, Ken, but sadly it’s not that at all.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  97. bear88 Jul 23,2014 10:10 pm

    This game is now a crisis. They can’t lose to the Astros with a 9-2 lead in the 8th after sticking Johnson on the mound.

  98. nowBodhi Jul 23,2014 10:10 pm

    There just isn’t any way you run Jim Johnson onto this field ever again. Cut this chump TONIGHT.

    Never suck on a Blow Pop with the microphone open.
  99. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:11 pm

    Ok, what did I miss.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Bed Jul 23,2014 10:12 pm || Up

      Well, I brushed my teeth…took the dog out for a quick walk…did some yoga in the nude.

      But seriously, folks...
    • andeux Jul 23,2014 10:14 pm || Up

      Well, let’s see. First the earth cooled. And then the dinosaurs came, but they got too big and fat, so they all died and they turned into oil. And then the Arabs came and they bought Mercedes Benzes. And Prince Charles started wearing all of Lady Di’s clothes. I couldn’t believe it.

      TINSTAAFK
      • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:19 pm || Up

        Yes! Now get me Rex Cramer.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:32 pm || Up

          It’s a damn good thing you don’t know how much he hates your guts.

  100. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 10:12 pm

    Remember in that movie where they blew an 11-run lead and won anyway?

    There is always a score.
  101. doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:13 pm

    RING HIM UP YOU PINHEADED SACK OF SHIT

    • AV Jul 23,2014 10:16 pm || Up

      one of my top 5 favorite KK quotes.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • AV Jul 24,2014 12:11 am || Up

        i swear. if you picture him in your head saying that, you will laugh.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  102. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:13 pm

    You know someones career is over when you wish they just had Steve Blass disease.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  103. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:13 pm

    Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.

  104. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:14 pm

    If the A’s can’t convince someone to take Jim Johnson in a trade, they have to just cut ties with him. Can’t risk things any further.

    • elcroata Jul 23,2014 10:17 pm || Up

      On the other hand, if they can, BB is a fucking mindmaster

      Because survival is insufficient
    • lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 10:19 pm || Up

      I don’t care about whatever shitty minor leaguer Beane might be able to squeeze from the Marlins. He is hurting the team right now. It’s a complete joke if he’s not gone by the morning.

      • andeux Jul 23,2014 10:21 pm || Up

        With the trade deadline 10 days away, they could have DFA’d him yesterday with no loss of (nonexistent anyway) leverage.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 5:06 am || Up

          oh, he’ll pass through waivers

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
  105. bear88 Jul 23,2014 10:16 pm

    Yay, Gregerson!

  106. doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:18 pm

    I hope before tomorrow’s game that #45 has been DFA’d and Milone recalled.

  107. nowBodhi Jul 23,2014 10:19 pm

    They should pay the useless MFer his ten million dollars in pennies.

    Never suck on a Blow Pop with the microphone open.
  108. bear88 Jul 23,2014 10:19 pm

    Nobody is going to take Johnson in a trade. He has no value. If they want to take a chance on him, they can wait for the A’s to get rid of him.

  109. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:20 pm

    Jim Johnson’s Coliseum ERA jumps from 10.29 to 12.86. That’s 20 ER in 14 IP. 3.07 WHIP, too.

    • doctorK Jul 23,2014 11:05 pm || Up

      Your tweet on this was posted in the game thread on AN. I’m tempted to tell them they just posted a tweet from someone who was banned from AN, just to see if some good meta results, but I’m really too tired to care anymore.

  110. bear88 Jul 23,2014 10:21 pm

    Here’s my plan:

    DFA Johnson, or waive him, or whatever.
    Recall Milone.
    Put Chavez in the bullpen for a while.

    • lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 10:32 pm || Up

      They don’t need Milone to fill the last spot. They have plenty of viable right handed relief options in AAA.

      Scribner has 57 Ks and 7 BBs in 37 IP for Sacramento.
      Fernando Rodriguez has 35 Ks and 11 BBs in 31 IP (1.99 ERA).

      That’s what makes the whole thing doubly frustrating. They have good, ready options in Sacramento but they keep trotting out Johnson instead.

      • bear88 Jul 23,2014 11:00 pm || Up

        I know they don’t need Milone to fill the last spot. I just think Chavez needs to pitch less right now, and we know he’s a solid long reliever.

        I’m not hitching my wagon to Milone here. He’s OK and was on a hot streak when sent down. I’m just trying to solve multiple problems at once.

        I am fine with your options. Scribner and Rodriguez would both be improvements over Johnson, who simply cannot be used with the lead – no matter how big it is.

        • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 11:04 pm || Up

          A bag of peanuts would be less deleterious to the team in a roster spot right now.

          There is always a score.
          • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 11:53 pm || Up

            A bag of peanuts would be better to someone with a peanut allergy than he is to a baseball team right now.

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  111. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:22 pm

    Remember when his teammates were standing up for him against the boos? We havent that for a while. Interested to see what we hear tonight.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 10:29 pm || Up

      How booed did he get?

      • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:30 pm || Up

        Pretty good, Ray. Pretty good.

      • AV Jul 23,2014 10:34 pm || Up

        sounded pro forma to me. not as much hate as they coulda gotten away with. on the radio mic levels anyway.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 5:11 am || Up

          he didn’t get booed coming in, there was a smattering.

          But the comments “get him out” started immediately (even though the first baserunner was a lucky bounce)

          But the booing was vigorous when he left. but short, as it turned in to loud cheers for otero

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 10:40 am || Up

            Those weren’t cheers for Otero. Those were cheers for Johnson coming out.

  112. Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 10:24 pm

    So, I see Johnson pitched.

  113. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 10:24 pm

    I can’t recall any player ever playing so consistently awful. I really can’t.

    There is always a score.
    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:28 pm || Up

      That’s because most teams have the good sense to get rid of them by now.

    • Soaker Jul 23,2014 10:29 pm || Up

      Antonio Perez is the only one who comes to mind.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  114. MikeV Jul 23,2014 10:28 pm

    Jed Lowrie sac bunt against a LHP so that Josh Reddick can hit with 2 out and a runner on second.

    BOLD FUCKING MOVE, COTTON.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:31 pm || Up

      In fairness, Reddick smoked that one.

      • MikeV Jul 23,2014 10:34 pm || Up

        He actually did. Still a dumbass move to bunt Lowrie.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:35 pm || Up

          Oh definitely. I merely mentioned it for fairness, not smartness.

        • mikeA Jul 23,2014 10:36 pm || Up

          No way that was called from the dugout.

          • MikeV Jul 23,2014 10:39 pm || Up

            You think Lowrie tried a sac bunt on his own, or you think he tried to lay one down and just had a shitty bunt

            And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

            Thanks, and go As.

            • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:42 pm || Up

              I’d guess the latter, but wouldn’t put it past him for the former. It also could have been a message to Bo.

            • mikeA Jul 23,2014 10:43 pm || Up

              No one is dumb enough to sac bunt there (although Lowrie might have learned that play at Stanford), he was trying for a hit. Which is also really stupid…

  115. dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:30 pm

    If they were smart, they’d DFA him NOW in the middle of the game. Give a chance to change, get his shit together, and get out the door before anyone notices him. If you can’t hold a huge lead while facing one of the worse teams in baseball it’s time to stop dicking around collecting a paycheck and retire. Your career is over.

  116. doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:31 pm

    Didn’t Arthur Rhodes get people out once in a while? Johnson is worse even than him.

  117. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:32 pm

    In case anyone needed a clearer reason of why Johnson must go:

    • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:37 pm || Up

      If you lose SuSlu you have lost everything.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Soaker Jul 23,2014 10:39 pm || Up

        Cronkite doesn’t sound very happy either.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  118. Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 10:34 pm

    LET’S GO OAKLAND!

    There is always a score.
  119. nowBodhi Jul 23,2014 10:34 pm

    we need a bleacher sign that says “CIRCUMCISION NOW”

    Never suck on a Blow Pop with the microphone open.
  120. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:37 pm

    Sean Doolittle is my totem.

    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 10:38 pm || Up

      How much are we paying Doo?

      There is always a score.
      • 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:40 pm || Up

        A few million less than infinity ERA LD.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:40 pm || Up

        Not enough.

        • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:43 pm || Up

          I wonder

          • Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:45 pm || Up

            … If we can get Obama to sign an order forcing Johnson to turn over all his monies to DOOLITTLE.

  121. AV Jul 23,2014 10:37 pm

    thank goodness.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  122. James V. Jul 23,2014 10:38 pm

    Yes. Yes, he is. Might be even worse than the internet thinks.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Jul 23,2014 10:41 pm || Up

      Shh, quiet, retweet that at the Marlins.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:43 pm || Up

      Sounds like he’s blind.

    • doctorK Jul 23,2014 10:47 pm || Up

      That guy sure loves big fonts.

    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:03 am || Up

      The internet thinks he is a pitcher with an ERA north of 7. xFIP thinks he’s 1.5 points lower than that. I’d say he’s not as bad as the internet thinks he is.

      • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:03 am || Up

        Check that, closer to two points.

      • andeux Jul 24,2014 10:33 am || Up

        The theory behind FIP is based on sampling major league pitchers and observing that there is not much variance (beyond sample variance) in BABIP. (And for xFIP the theory is that the same thing is true, though to a lesser extend, I think, for HR/FB).

        We do not know that those facts would be true for non-MLB-caliber pitchers pitching to MLB-caliber hitters. In fact, at the extreme, we have the examples of batting practice and HR derbies, where we can be quite confident that those things wouldn’t be true.

        Johnson’s past success was based on great location – a very low walk rate, and keeping the ball down. Now, for unknown, reasons he has lost his command – his walk rate is way up. So it should not be surprising that when his pitches do find the strike zone they are still not where he wants them, and batters are able to tee off. And there is no reason to think that his FIP is necessarily a better measure of how he has pitched than his actual results.

        TINSTAAFK
        • DFA Jul 24,2014 11:05 am || Up

          This this this.

          In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
        • elcroata Jul 25,2014 8:59 am || Up

          Yup. I wrote a bit on that some time ago. But, a picture is worth…

          Because survival is insufficient
  123. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:38 pm

    Im now going to go have a couple of shots and restart the projects I was going to start in the 8th unning for wok tomorrow.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  124. dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:40 pm

    You know, we’ve had some really shitty pitchers. We’ve had guys you brought in and couldn’t rely on. The thing that irks me the most about Johnson above all others is just how fucking quick he implodes. There’s next to zero time. You can’t get the bullpen up and throwing quick enough to replace him in time. Instead you have to rush someone up and into the game to replace him. At least when others couldn’t find the strike zone and sucked, you could quickly get someone up and ready within a batter or two and minimize the damage. By the time you can pull Johnson, the damage can’t be undone.

    • lenscrafters Jul 23,2014 10:43 pm || Up

      He definitely works quickly.

    • mikeA Jul 23,2014 10:44 pm || Up

      He probably leaves the stadium faster than an angry mob can assemble too.

  125. 5Aces Jul 23,2014 10:44 pm

    Kudos to Bed tonight. I know it has been said already, but Baseball certainly did happen here tonight.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 10:45 pm || Up

      This was a fun game thread.

      • MikeV Jul 23,2014 10:48 pm || Up

        Also 5-1 Quakes over Chicago! Wooo

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

  126. dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:50 pm

    4 runs on 11 pitches. That’s got to be some sort of record for suckitude.

    • Soaker Jul 23,2014 10:54 pm || Up

      Do they have some corporate rule that they can’t eat more than $3 million? Cuz this needs to end now.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 10:58 pm || Up

        I think Picard said it best. The line must be drawn here. This far, no farther.

        • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:05 am || Up

          Still don’t know why they didn’t use the take of that line from the trailer. The take they used in the movie is a bit weak.

          • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 7:17 am || Up

            The way he says “here” is so ridiculous. I don’t know how Alfre Woodard didn’t fall over laughing.

    • ptbnl Jul 24,2014 12:26 am || Up

      2 pitchers have given up 5 runs on 11 pitches; 32 others have given up 4.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  127. Jennifer Jul 23,2014 10:52 pm

    What if Johnson just went missing? Asking for a friend.

    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 10:57 pm || Up

      I’m not sure what you mean by “missing.” I can’t imagine anyone doing that for him.

    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 11:08 pm || Up

      Does anybody know any Canadian gamblers?

      There is always a score.
  128. Glorious Mundy Jul 23,2014 11:06 pm

    Melvin can’t even summon the will to bullshit us.

    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 11:16 pm || Up

      My favorite was the Ray question to Reddick about what it’s like sitting out there while this is happening. My initial reaction was, “He can’t answer that over the air, Ray. It would start with a censored diatribe.”

      • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:10 am || Up

        Of course, first he asked a question starting with “How great did you feel?”

    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:07 am || Up

      Johnson is an utterly broken human being. You can’t call what happens to him an implosion; he’s defeated when he leaves the bullpen. I was sitting near there tonight, and his body language said, “Well, here goes nothing.” And when he came back to the dugout and guys tried to comfort him, he appeared to be saying, “What the fuck, you know? We’re all gonna die alone in the universe.”

  129. bear88 Jul 23,2014 11:10 pm

    I don’t agree with every decision Melvin makes, but I am pretty confident Johnson will not pitch with the lead in Oakland again. (He might pitch with a big lead on the road.)

    Keeping Johnson was an indulgence, a hope that a bad investment could be salvaged somehow. But tonight, with a huge lead late in the game, putting him in the game almost cost them.

    Even the victory came with a price, because the rest of the bullpen had to pitch.

    Melvin knows that the A’s have an imposing rival in the Angels. They can’t be throwing away games because Johnson is still on the roster. The whole point of the Cubs trade was to win now. If the A’s don’t win the division, they’re in a one-game playoff, possibly against someone like King Felix, and their season may end quickly.

    If you’re going to the Church of Win Now, you must worship there. And that means Johnson has to go.

    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:14 am || Up

      I think he’s here until the trade deadline. If the Marlins were still asking about him this morning, someone might still ask him about tomorrow morning. Personally, I’ve felt so many “last straws” with Johnson and Punto both, and none of them have ever actually been last straws.

      • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 1:14 am || Up

        That was supposed to be a reply to vignette17.

    • elcroata Jul 24,2014 1:34 am || Up

      Another price this victory came at? Doolittle’s arbitration with an extra save he shouldn’t have had…

      Because survival is insufficient
      • colin Jul 24,2014 4:53 am || Up

        Doolittle is already signed to a contract through 2020. The contract includes a salary boost if he is arby-eligible after this season, but that just depends on his service time, not number of saves.

        • elcroata Jul 24,2014 5:22 am || Up

          That’s what I get for not checking first.

          Because survival is insufficient
          • ptbnl Jul 24,2014 8:02 am || Up

            I thought the whole point of the internet was to get people to do your fact-checking for you.

            If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
            • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 10:03 am || Up

              that can’t be right? can it?

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • dmoas Jul 24,2014 10:06 am || Up

                I just checked for you. Yep. It’s correct.

  130. vignette17 Jul 23,2014 11:36 pm

    I don’t often expect to be able to predict Beane’s moves. But I will honestly be surprised if Johnson is not DFA’d tomorrow. I think tonight was the last straw.

    And there are times when I’ve felt bad for Johnson this year. He has seemed to be a dink, a dunk, a 2-run double type of guy this year. Perhaps there is an alternate universe where the luck went his way at the beginning of the year and he built on that success. But at some point, you have to admit that a guy simply won’t succeed with you. And the A’s are past that point. It’s in his head and in our heads.

    • dmoas Jul 23,2014 11:44 pm || Up

      I wouldn’t be surprised. I’d be horrified if he leaves Oakland with the team though. Somehow I still don’t think they’ll pull the trigger on the DFA. Our team would be so much better without him and using that roster spot with someone reliable. And we have that available to us.

      • bear88 Jul 23,2014 11:57 pm || Up

        I agree he’s been unlucky. The first hitter arguably should have been called out. The single in front of Crisp was bad luck too. He even occasionally throws that hard sinker that made him successful. But it doesn’t matter at this point. He has no confidence in himself, and the manager has no reason to have any confidence in him – even with a large lead. Melvin had to scramble to salvage that game, using his top relievers.

        Johnson may come back and pitch effectively at some point, and I wish him well. He doesn’t seem like a jerk, and he’s handled an awful situation as well as can be expected.

        But as vignette17 says, it’s not going to happen in Oakland, not this year. And he’s doing actual damage to the team, when there are obvious and better alternatives to pursue within the organization.

        • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 5:24 am || Up

          He has all the hallmarks of being unlucky, but its to such a sustained level, can we still categorize it as “unlucky.”

          his k/9 is 6 and his BB/9 is 5

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • dmoas Jul 24,2014 6:32 am || Up

          I really do have a ton of respect for him as a person. I don’t recall a single complaint from him. Not about his playing time. Not about how often he pitches. Not about the team, the city, the fans. Nada. He hasn’t made excuses or tried to blame anyone for it.

          • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 7:51 am || Up

            I was thinking aobut this last night. The only complaint? When asshats started talking bad to his wife. And he had every reason to be pissed about that.

            For all the jokes and all the frustration of wanting himoff my team right now, I will root for him more at his next stop than I ever did before. I hope he figures it out.

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
            • dmoas Jul 24,2014 7:53 am || Up

              Yup. That was entirely out of line. I also don’t view booing as booing him, but booing his performance. No one is sitting there actively wanting him to fail.

            • James V. Jul 24,2014 7:58 am || Up

              Well, if you see the link I just tossed in at the bottom, there’s some asshat still going on about his wife.

            • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 10:05 am || Up

              I actively and visibly clapped last night when he came in and was announced.

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • elcroata Jul 25,2014 9:01 am || Up

                You are a stand-up comedian man, Ed

                Because survival is insufficient
    • James V. Jul 23,2014 11:47 pm || Up

      Tonight did have some poor luck for him a bit, but by now it’s past the point of no return. Now 17 outings at home and he’s allowed runs in 9 of them, hits in all but two of them, and he walked a pair in one of those. Just one 1-2-3 inning at home.

    • vignette17 Jul 24,2014 10:12 am || Up

      Do I get to claim inside sources now or did I have to be more declarative originally?

  131. vignette17 Jul 23,2014 11:40 pm

    The A’s are once again tied for the league lead in runs scored with 496 with LAA. They are second in runs allowed at 345. Seattle is at 340, Washington at 349. The last team to league the league in both was 2001 SEA.

    • Thunderbutt Jul 23,2014 11:43 pm || Up

      …of 116-win fame.

      There is always a score.
    • AV Jul 24,2014 12:09 am || Up

      hmmm…. where was it i saw 5 unnecessary runs allowed just laying around?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  132. James V. Jul 24,2014 7:35 am

    Couple great posters here (warning: goes to you-know-where), mainly BrianJ12 and joetaptaco right below. Of course, Trainman offers up his usual brand of insanity by thinking the Angels might actually pick up Johnson if the A’s got rid of him. Though, how crappy would that be if they did and he pitched better again?

    • AV Jul 24,2014 9:08 am || Up

      yeah… i don’t think he actually thinks that any more than he actually thinks JJ’s going to crawl into a hole.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 10:47 am || Up

      Some nice anti-Jane Lee comments as well. You just know if Ray Ratto or some dude had covered the booing story instead, most of the people who hate Jane Lee for it wouldn’t have talked shit.

      • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:53 am || Up

        I’ve seen that sentiment on Twitter as well, like it’s a suggestion she’s trying to stir the pot by focusing on the booing so much as a reporter. I don’t see that as criticism because she’s a woman.

        • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 10:59 am || Up

          Same. Although honestly since that big blow up I dont feel like she has said much more about the booing than anyone else. Really it all got quiet after that. To me (who hasnt been at a game yet so not best place to discuss) it seemed like the booing got a bit better for a few games, but came back as he started blowing up again. And when it has come back there were less comments by both reporters and players saying how it was not understandable and we have to stick by him, etc.

          End of day it’s over and really no use rehasing.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:11 am || Up

            Fans gave Jim Johnson every chance possible to get his shit together at home, especially after it got called out early on. It sucks if Johnson ended up in the state of mind that any mistake would set off the powder keg, but it came down to him not making his pitches. Bad luck is bad luck, but his K and BB rates – especially the latter – were awful as well.

            • Dial C for Concupiscence Jul 24,2014 12:23 pm || Up

              I mean, he put up the worst numbers for a pre-season anointed A’s closer that I can recall. Definitely worse than TARE and FU.

              • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 12:30 pm || Up

                he was bad in spring too, FWIW

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 11:15 am || Up

          It’s not overtly about gender, but a lot of the tone of the criticism has used very gendered language. And now that I think about it, some of the stuff earlier in the season was overtly about gender, people saying that only a WOMAN would ever report on something as WUSSY as this. The narrative has felt, both overtly and covertly, very Damon Bruce.

          • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:23 am || Up

            I hate that narrative, yes.

            I’ve talked with someone who has had to edit a lot of her pieces before they go up on MLB.com and it seems she came into the job just not knowing a whole lot about baseball. She’s improved, to her credit, but she’s still not what I’d consider a go-to read for any recaps. The only reason I follow her is for breaking news, the same reason I follow Stiglich. Slusser, I like reading.

            There are a lot of men out there whose writing is worthless too, though.

            • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 11:27 am || Up

              like who she replaced (or replaced the replacement for)

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:31 am || Up

                No need to say HIS name.

                He burned bridges there when he left, too. Surprised? Didn’t think so.

              • andeux Jul 24,2014 11:31 am || Up

                Yeah, Urban was a lot worse, and at least around here got the appropriate amount of vitriol directed his way.

                TINSTAAFK
                • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:32 am || Up

                  I only had a couple exchanges with him on Twitter a few years back and his jackassery was readily apparent.

                • MikeV Jul 24,2014 11:41 am || Up

                  and yet like a fucking cockroach he is back covering bay area sports

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 11:42 am || Up

                  Bad for ball

  133. dmoas Jul 24,2014 7:50 am

    Johnson is now in first place in negative WAR for pitchers with a -1.3. Strange who is in the top 20 in pitcher WAR from our starting rotation.

    • colin Jul 24,2014 8:51 am || Up

      You’re talking fangraphs WAR? Just AL, or all MLB? I’m trying to figure out if your strange comment is about Gray at 16 and Kazmir at 21 (though they have essentially identical WAR), or if you are talking AL-only with Chavez squeaking into the top 20.

      • dmoas Jul 24,2014 9:59 am || Up

        I’m just going by whatever ESPN is using. But it’s MLB.

  134. Soaker Jul 24,2014 8:08 am

    A’s fans! Tune in to CSN California this afternoon to see Jeff Samardzija mow down the Astros for three hours’ worth of “Heartland Poker Tour”!

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  135. PDXAthleticsfan Jul 24,2014 9:57 am

    B’bye!

    A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
      • James V. Jul 24,2014 10:03 am || Up

        Now she adds, “Johnson was technically designated, not released, A’s say.”

        • doctorK Jul 24,2014 10:05 am || Up

          So now a trade for a couple of low-level minor leaguers or a bag of used equipment is still on?

          • dmoas Jul 24,2014 10:08 am || Up

            Meh, I don’t see anyone biting on that.

            • nevermoor Jul 24,2014 11:27 am || Up

              Don’t see why not. It’s a pure-upside play.

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
        • Dial C for Concupiscence Jul 24,2014 10:07 am || Up

          He is technically off the team is what matters

          • dmoas Jul 24,2014 10:09 am || Up

            Strange. Now that it’s happened, I kind of feel bad for him. Glad it was done (finally!) but still.

            • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 10:15 am || Up

              I’ve been feeling bad for him all season. Now I don’t feel bad for him anymore. This is what he needed.

              • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 10:22 am || Up

                yeah. I feel bad for the guy and always have.

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 10:26 am || Up

                  I feel bad that he won’t get to be in a World Series parade this year. Otherwise, I think he’ll be fine. Worst case, he got a big payday before he fell off the cliff.

                • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 10:27 am || Up

                  Same. Hope he goes to a NL team that won’t make the WS and pitches lights out for them the rest of the year against teams that are not us.

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • AV Jul 24,2014 10:10 am || Up

      ahhhhh!

      [taps twice]

      [zips up]

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Thunderbutt Jul 24,2014 10:17 am || Up

      Sorry that it didn’t work out for you here. Hope you bounce back with your next team. Can we get some of our $10 mil back?

      There is always a score.
      • Englishmajor Jul 24,2014 5:29 pm || Up

        Maybe he can come play for us for free next year, just like Octavio Dotel did.

    • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 10:23 am || Up

      NO JOHNSON? NO BARTON? WHO AM I GONNA BOO NOW!?!?!?!!?!!!!

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • MikeV Jul 24,2014 10:24 am || Up

        still barton

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 10:33 am || Up

          This. For all the talk the last 12 hrs, at least JJ was a problem we could avoid a lot by just not using him. We still have to put Nirc Pugard out at 2B every day.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • PDXAthleticsfan Jul 24,2014 10:13 am || Up

      They had to bring in a righty. After the last two nights, the only available relievers are Abad and O’Flaherty.

      A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
      • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 10:18 am || Up

        Scribby’s been pretty great in AAA:

        13.62 K/9
        1.67 BB/9
        1.97 FIP

        • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 10:22 am || Up

          Scribbles has always been ok. He just has been caught up in the Tommy Milone memorial numbers game for like 3 years. If Tommy thinks he can demand a trade then ES should be able to ask for like an ownership stake or something.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 10:54 am || Up

            His 3 scoreless innings in Game 162 after Griffin’s meltdown don’t get talked about enough.

            • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 11:17 am || Up

              that is one of the reasons it was so glorious for him to be on the mound for the clincher game in 2013 that is replayed everyday.

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 11:09 am || Up

        So I’m forecasting that Scribner saves our bullpen after a rough stretch for the fourth or fifth time now, and then gets demoted right back down, just like he always does.

        • James V. Jul 24,2014 11:13 am || Up

          Demoted for whom? He’s pitched well enough to stick around here for a while.

          It won’t be for Milone unless they move Chavez or Hammel to the ‘pen.

          • ptbnl Jul 24,2014 11:16 am || Up

            Barton, of course.

            If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
          • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 24,2014 11:17 am || Up

            I don’t even know if it’ll happen, just a comment on how I think he’s extremely underappreciated by this team and constantly gets rewarded for huge performances by getting demoted. If it does happen, I’d guess Milone up to the rotation, Chavez to the pen.

            • dmoas Jul 24,2014 11:26 am || Up

              I don’t think it’s necessarily under appreciated. It’s just a numbers game and not having a guy available for several days in a depleted bullpen isn’t conducive to winning those games.

          • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 11:18 am || Up

            Rodriguez is having a good year as well

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • 5Aces Jul 24,2014 11:24 am || Up

              The only way I see it is if we burn out the bullpen sort of like right now-Scribner has to pitch 4-5 innings and the rest of the bullpen is gassed. Then they flip him and Rodriguez. If it happened again they would flip again, or we get to 9/1 and they are both up, whichever comes first.

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  136. ptbnl Jul 24,2014 11:19 am

    A’s/Astros is the mlb.tv free game today for real and approxymate NRAFs.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  137. Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 11:43 am

    Kendrys Morales back to the Mariners. They appear to be quite desperate. He has already put up almost a full win below replacement in his brief time with the Twins.

    • andeux Jul 24,2014 11:47 am || Up

      Wow, I hadn’t noticed how terrible he had been. Stephen Drew has also been bad.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Future Ed Jul 24,2014 11:58 am || Up

        nobody ever wanted those guys anyway

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • nevermoor Jul 24,2014 12:00 pm || Up

          #Nevermoor’sCCObsession

          "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
      • Glorious Mundy Jul 24,2014 12:26 pm || Up

        As bad as Corey Hart has been — and he’s been very bad — Morales has been considerably worse. Amusingly, Michael Morse has been pretty good this year. This is also amusing:

        • ptbnl Jul 24,2014 12:28 pm || Up

          Should have include a no-trade-to-the-Mariners clause in his contract demands.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
          • Ben Folds' Nuts Jul 25,2014 9:35 am || Up

            Eh, he may well have done so, and just waived it since they look like they could compete for a WC spot.

  138. aardvark Jul 24,2014 12:31 pm

    The human in me feels for Johnson. The A’s fan in me wants to burst into a round of *Ding dong the witch is dead*

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