Games 22-24: Eric Sogard returns! ← FREE KRAUT!

Games 22-24: Eric Sogard returns! 115

They used to call him “Keebs” but I always thought Simon was a pretty good comp too.

Simon and Sogard

A.134/.241/.165 with the Brewers in the early part of last year earned him the rest of the summer in Colorado Springs and his eventual release. The Jays brought him to camp as an NRI and he was called up a few days ago. His 6-for-12 with 2 2B and 1 BB in 3 games, 1 at 3B and 2 at 2B, already puts The (Near) Face of Baseball as the #8 mugshot in B-R’s Top 12 by WAR of the largely anonymous Jays.

The Jays have a couple lefties in the bullpen but their starters are all righthanded:
Friday night: Aaron Brooks vs. Marcus Stroman
Saturday afternoon: Mike Fiers vs. Matt Shoemaker
Sunday afternoon: Brett Anderson vs. Aaron Sanchez

Ex-A’s report: in addition to Sogard; there’s just one more:

Billy McKinney: The A’s first-round choice in the 2013 draft went to the Cubs, along with their first-round choice in the 2012 draft, in the Samardzija/Hammel deal in 2014. After a lot of time in AA and AAA in the Cubs and Yankees systems he got a long look in the Jays outfield at the end of last season and has been their primary right fielder to open this season. He’s off to a bit of a slow start at the plate though, at .207/.281/.328.

115 thoughts on “Games 22-24: Eric Sogard returns!

  1. vignette17 Apr 19,2019 10:30 am

    I look forward to Sogard hitting 2 HR’s in the series. I’ll take one off Fiers and one off Petit for 1000, Alex.

    Speaking of, who’s been watching Jeopardy? If not, I suggest you do. The reigning champ is probably pushing the show’s profitability into the red.

    • colin Apr 19,2019 11:27 am || Up

      Yeah, he is just insanely dominant.

      • andeux Apr 19,2019 11:49 am || Up

        11 wins, all but one a runaway before final jeopardy, including the four biggest single-day totals ever.

        On the scounting side, he seems to know almost everything to start with, is fast on the buzzer, and is as aggressive a bettor as the show has ever seen (which he can afford to do without being reckless, given the other two tools).

        There have been other impressive contestants with long win streaks, but no one who has seemed unbeatable like this. (I can’t even decide if the best chance of it happening would be someone else managing to find the daily doubles and beating him at his own game, or him finding them as usual but getting unlucky and missing two or three of the doubles plus final. Either one seems like a very long odds parlay.)

        TINSTAAFK
        • Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 12:48 pm || Up

          The five tools of Jeopardy:

          1. Buzzer speed
          2. Knowledge
          3. Betting
          4. Personal anecdotes
          5. Penmanship

          • dmoas Apr 19,2019 1:53 pm || Up

            I could have sworn I read somewhere that it was less about speed and more about timing. That you had to wait a certain amount of time after the clue has been finished otherwise it locks you out for a bit.

            • andeux Apr 19,2019 2:05 pm || Up

              Yes but there is a light that comes on, visible to the players, indicating when it is ok to ring in. So you can think of it as either speed (wait to see the light and then ring in as fast as possible) or timing (anticipate when the light will come on based on the reading of the question).

              TINSTAAFK
        • colin Apr 19,2019 12:53 pm || Up

          I think you need both — he has to get unlucky on daily doubles / final jeopardy but there also has to be someone who is quick enough to hang with him on the regular questions.

        • AV Apr 23,2019 12:09 pm || Up
          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • Glorious Mundy Apr 24,2019 12:13 pm || Up

            Hmmm, he’s a “professional sports gambler.” Interesting.

  2. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 19,2019 10:46 am

    The power of nerds compels you!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  3. Future Ed Apr 19,2019 11:32 am

    DV aside, Samardzjida deal hasn’t been too bad in actual outcome. It was still a lot of potential at the time, which is should be judged.

    DV included, phew

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  4. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 12:54 pm

    The distance between first and second in the AL East is bigger than the distance between first and last in all but the NL East.

  5. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 2:26 pm

    Let the kids play?

  6. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 2:34 pm

    Aw, cute

  7. andeux Apr 19,2019 3:22 pm


    Sogard leading off.

    The numbers still say playing Profar and Grossman against RHP, while Pinder sits on the bench, is the right thing to do, but it sure feels wrong. Same with Morales/Canha.

    TINSTAAFK
  8. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 4:26 pm
    • dmoas Apr 19,2019 9:41 pm || Up

      Yes please. Such an obnoxiously bad song to begin with.

  9. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 6:18 pm

    All the hamate does is “break” as far as I know.

  10. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 7:32 pm

    Triple play please

  11. lenscrafters Apr 19,2019 7:37 pm

    Aaron Brooks DFA please

    • dmoas Apr 19,2019 9:42 pm || Up

      Might as well swap him with Gio. Not that Gio is doing particularly great.

  12. Soaker Apr 19,2019 7:39 pm

    I couldn’t find FSU in the lot but from this seat I could easily nail ptbnl in the white mane with a french fry or something.

    Also, Brooks sucks.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 20,2019 9:01 am || Up

      Sorry I missed you!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  13. Glorious Mundy Apr 19,2019 8:36 pm

    This strike zone is a mess.

  14. Soaker Apr 19,2019 8:54 pm

    Ugh, I should have gone to the Snoop Dogg show.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  15. andeux Apr 19,2019 9:07 pm

    In the games of his I’ve seen, Brooks seems like he has decent stuff, but just leaves pitches up way too often.

    TINSTAAFK
  16. Soaker Apr 19,2019 9:08 pm

    A night of weak-ass outs and now we get Rodneyed, the final indignity.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  17. Soaker Apr 19,2019 9:46 pm

    LOL at the final pitch. Oh well.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • andeux Apr 19,2019 9:48 pm || Up

      Laureano was not amused.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Soaker Apr 19,2019 10:16 pm || Up

        I wanted to say hi to Mr. and Mrs. ptbnl after the game but they were bolting the premises while I was making sure Laureano didn’t go all Milton Bradley on us.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • ptbnl Apr 19,2019 10:34 pm || Up

          Yeah – we had to get home to the teen alone.

          Sorry you had to suffer that game.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  18. Soaker Apr 20,2019 11:40 am

    Obvious benefit of Clear, which I signed up for last night, was 8 people in that line on a bobblehead day vs. thousands in the regular security line. There’s no anal probe or even a walk-through metal detector; they just glance at your bag and you’re in.

    The punch line is that the Clear fingerprint sensor wasn’t working, so any of those thousands of people could enter there by claiming to be signed up for Clear.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • MikeV Apr 20,2019 11:43 pm || Up

      Sorry, but FK that. I couldn’t be any opposed to shit like that service. Charging more money to bypass security theater is fucking BULLSHIT.

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

      Thanks, and go As.

      • Soaker Apr 21,2019 10:02 am || Up

        I respect a general opposition to Lexus Lanes. To clarify, the ballpark version is free. You do give up a set of digital fingerprints and an e-copy of your driver’s license so there may be privacy concerns. I already gave all that to the TSA private contractor who was processing Precheck registrations (not free). As with anything that’s pitched as “free” I assume a marketing tsunami will follow but Gmail handles that fairly well.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  19. Soaker Apr 20,2019 12:49 pm

    Chapman is personally handing out some extra bobbleheads out by the A’s bullpen. Nice cheer for that.

    Also the RF bleachers have a 4/20 Green and Gold peace symbol next to Sogard’s glasses.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  20. Soaker Apr 20,2019 1:50 pm

    Jays got a run there because they sac bunted ahead of Sogard. Revenge of the Nerd.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  21. Soaker Apr 20,2019 2:01 pm

    Well that’s one way to get rid of the opposing pitcher.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  22. Soaker Apr 20,2019 2:08 pm

    Now we need to get rid of our own pitcher.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 20,2019 2:10 pm || Up

      Fiers looks so dang hittable.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  23. lenscrafters Apr 20,2019 2:13 pm

    Gio just opted out and Keuchel is still on the market. I’m tired of watching this pathetic pitching staff hamper a playoff caliber core.

  24. Soaker Apr 20,2019 2:18 pm

    I fear getting Rodneyed twice in 24 hours and I can’t Denogginize with a 4 hour drive home.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  25. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 20,2019 2:37 pm

    At least the suck part of the bullpen is getting plenty of chances to work on things.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 21,2019 2:33 pm || Up

      And again today. And they haven’t all sucked.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  26. Soaker Apr 20,2019 2:56 pm

    The A’s usually aren’t this putrid when I visit. This is more like a Cal football game.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  27. Soaker Apr 20,2019 3:16 pm

    Rickey collapsed in a heap just before the finish of the Big Heads race.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  28. Soaker Apr 20,2019 3:32 pm

    My Matt Chapman bobblehead will forever be a treasured memory of this wonderful afternoon.

    RODNEYED aaaaah

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  29. Future Ed Apr 20,2019 3:34 pm

    no ray, this isn’t necessarily good pitching

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  30. Soaker Apr 20,2019 3:37 pm

    Also to complete the day the kid a couple seats down from me puked on the guy in front of him.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  31. Soaker Apr 20,2019 3:48 pm

    KENDRYSED aaaaah

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 20,2019 4:05 pm || Up

      Every trip to the ballpark is a chance to see something you’ve never seen before.

      Drive home safe!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker Apr 20,2019 4:15 pm || Up

        With the final nice tackle of the second dipshit by the 2B umpire. Thank goodness for smartphones so I could share this experience with you FKers not lucky enough to be here. Good night!

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  32. 5Aces Apr 20,2019 6:43 pm

    Wow, I have been fortunate to be away visiting friends. What an ugly series and pitching staff. There has to be some type of move made here.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Soaker Apr 20,2019 9:20 pm || Up

      Before any moves are made they have to try to salvage something from their $5 million by having Rodney pitch the first inning.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  33. Glorious Mundy Apr 20,2019 8:32 pm

    The pitching is apparently going to suck, so maybe they could at least shake the offense up a little. Get some kids up here, dump Morales and Hundley, sit Profar. Do something.

    • Glorious Mundy Apr 20,2019 8:52 pm || Up

      Are Mark Payton and Seth Brown’s AAA numbers a mirage? Quite possibly! Would I enjoy finding out more than I am enjoying the Kendrys Morales and Robbie Grossman experience? Most definitely!

      Does Sean Murphy need more AAA seasoning? Maybe! Do I care right now? No!!!!

      • MikeV Apr 20,2019 11:49 pm || Up

        There were no other outfielders available this offseason. Robbie Grossman was the only one. Sorry.

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

        Thanks, and go As.

      • Future Ed Apr 21,2019 7:58 am || Up

        hundley, a catcher, has a negative WAR.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 21,2019 9:44 am || Up

        On the Profar front, it’s a bit unfortunate that the one guy not hitting for Vegas is Barreto. I wonder how much of that is him being frustrated at getting cut for washed Kendrys.

        Better news is that Jorge Mateo has come out of the gates on fire with the bat. I imagine he could play some 2B if needed.

        • Soaker Apr 21,2019 10:04 am || Up

          Don’t know what management would be PO’d at Barreto about but it seems like they’ve sent him multiple messages that they are skeptical of his big league future, and I can’t blame him in the least for wanting a shot with another organization.

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • andeux Apr 21,2019 3:38 pm || Up

        I’ve been inclined to just live with Kendrys until Olson is back, but that’s getting harder to justify. Sure, call up one of the probably AAAA guys, or just give more playing time to Canha and Pinder.

        TINSTAAFK
        • colin Apr 21,2019 4:08 pm || Up

          Pinder actually has more PA than Kendrys so far, but Canha has only been in 14 out of 23 games despite his 156 wRC+.

          • Glorious Mundy Apr 21,2019 7:50 pm || Up

            Not saying that Giles would be a great matchup for him, but I felt sick today that Canha didn’t get an AB.

  34. ptbnl Apr 21,2019 9:41 am

    So the Premiership is going to come down to Liverpool having played United when they were basking in Ole’s arrival, and City playing them now they’ve fallen apart again. It’s all about the timing …

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • Future Ed Apr 21,2019 9:45 am || Up

      other than liverpools eventual draw at newcastle

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  35. Future Ed Apr 21,2019 11:06 am
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 21,2019 2:07 pm || Up

      I was wondering whatever came of Byrnes’ cross-country triathalon attempt, begun with a cross bay swim last opening day. He claims he made it.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  36. Soaker Apr 21,2019 1:30 pm

    That was hilarious. I thought Laureano’s throw was going to end up in the second deck.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • andeux Apr 22,2019 1:27 pm || Up

      No assist and no double play per rules 9.10(b)(3) and 9.11 but he did get the MLB play of the week for it.

      TINSTAAFK
  37. andeux Apr 21,2019 1:51 pm

    Can Laureano pitch?

    TINSTAAFK
    • MikeV Apr 21,2019 6:29 pm || Up

      mound is way too close.

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

      Thanks, and go As.

  38. Soaker Apr 21,2019 1:53 pm

    All right, who had Brett’s fifth start in the pool?

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 21,2019 2:06 pm || Up

      On the previous play I was surprised Brett got up unharmed after dive-rolling out of Kendrys’ way. A second play in the same inning was never gonna end ok.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  39. Soaker Apr 21,2019 1:58 pm

    Coco is the opposite of Fosse on radio. He’s making Ken and Vince work hard to coax him to say anything.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  40. andeux Apr 21,2019 2:38 pm

    In 24 IP, Mengden has 28 K, 8 BB, 15 H, 10 R (8 earned, 3.00 ERA).
    If we’re going to discount all the goofy numbers some of the Vegas hitters are putting up, then Mengden’s look even better. Not that he’s suddenly going to be a major league ace or anything, but I wouldn’t mind seeing what he can do.

    TINSTAAFK
  41. lenscrafters Apr 21,2019 2:47 pm

    That was another typical Profar at bat. He’s swinging way too much and getting himself out on bad pitches.

    • andeux Apr 21,2019 3:35 pm || Up

      And again.
      Yeah, it really looks like he has no pitch recognition at all, and just swings at anything, usually managing to make some sort of weak contact.

      TINSTAAFK
  42. Soaker Apr 21,2019 3:35 pm

    Bad pitching looks worse when the team’s own hitters are having white-flag innings like that last one.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  43. lenscrafters Apr 21,2019 4:04 pm

    Morales is so done.

    • Soaker Apr 21,2019 4:12 pm || Up

      It’s been apparent in this series why the Jays were willing to eat quite a bit of money to get that dead weight off their roster.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 21,2019 6:03 pm || Up

        His power seems to have left the scene, and it’s not like he brings much else to the party.

  44. lenscrafters Apr 21,2019 4:24 pm

    I’m still not a Phegley believer. All the swing adjustments in the world won’t help you if your eye is still shit.

    • lenscrafters Apr 21,2019 4:35 pm || Up

      Not to mention what a stark example of why having two shitty catchers sucks so much. There’s no reason for Phegley to even be hitting there, but because a PH had to be used for the other, even shittier catcher earlier in the game, Phegley had to hit.

      I honestly don’t know how anyone can justify how poorly the front office constructed the roster this year anymore.

  45. Soaker Apr 21,2019 4:35 pm

    That was Coco’s first regular season game and he just didn’t have anything to say. He spoke in baseball generalities and I didn’t have the impression he’s watched much if any of the A’s on TV this season. Try following the team and learn the actual strengths and weaknesses of the players please, otherwise you’re doing nothing but distracting Ken and Vince. They said he’ll be in the booth for the remaining three games of this homestand.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  46. Glorious Mundy Apr 21,2019 6:03 pm

    A couple did a gender reveal with Kara and Stomper during an inning break today, popping a balloon to reveal blue confetti.

  47. MikeV Apr 21,2019 6:38 pm

    No idea who this person is but PLEASE LET IT BE TRUE.

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

    Thanks, and go As.

    • andeux Apr 21,2019 6:48 pm || Up

      I would still prefer one of the downtown sites IF they could pull it off, but … 85% dead sounds about right, so my money would be on something at the existing Coliseum site. Does he really mean renovating the current stadium, as opposed to building something new there? I’m not so sure about that part.

      TINSTAAFK
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 22,2019 12:36 pm || Up

        According to Matier the A’s have a deal in place to buy out the County’s 50% share of the Coliseum complex. Notwithstanding Kaval’s newfound love for deconstructed “Roman ruins” it is hard to believe the A’s are investing that much capital for land away from the site they plan to build their ballpark.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • Soaker Apr 22,2019 1:32 pm || Up

          That could just be a good deal on valuable real estate though. They’ve put so much time and effort into exploring other sites, the “hard to believe” part to me would be tucking their tail between their legs and settling for a new building there. I think Fisher putting the team up for sale and taking a rich offer from somebody in Montreal is more likely.

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
          • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 22,2019 2:31 pm || Up

            We’ll have to agree to disagree and see how it plans out. It’s true that buying the Coliseum land could be simply a real estate/financing deal. Seems more likely to me, though, that it’s a stadium site Plan B in the face of an uphill battle for Howard Terminal.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • dmoas Apr 22,2019 3:23 pm || Up

              I could have sworn I read they had wanted that site’s land even back when they were first talking about the Peralta and HT sites as a means of financing the stadium. With the land owned by the team, I would imagine if he were looking to sell, you’d get someone willing to build here just as easily as you would to build, along with all the politics involved, in Montreal. Plus the league would much rather have Montreal available for expansion rather than give it up. Especially with a site available and SF’s stranglehold to the south making future expansion in the bay area difficult.

    • Glorious Mundy Apr 21,2019 7:17 pm || Up

      This Lieberman character has always been weird, but clicking over to his blog suggests he’s gone over the deep end into some serious misogyny.

      • Soaker Apr 21,2019 7:23 pm || Up

        He throws a ton of shit into the fan and hopes a little of it sticks to his victims.

        Doing anything that doesn’t include blowing up the Coliseum is a non-starter. No matter how much money they dump into that concrete bowl, it will never be anything but a relic of bad 1960s multipurpose stadium design. “Great stadium a la Anaheim”…hmmm, that place is the same age as the Coliseum, it was fully renovated after the Rams left and now the Angels are looking elsewhere anyway.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • dmoas Apr 22,2019 12:27 pm || Up

          The stadium in Anaheim was a piece of shit a decade ago the last time I was there. There’s some prettish looking parts, I guess, but from a fan experience it’s on par with the Coli. That would be monumentally stupid, which is why the A’s likely do it.

    • vignette17 Apr 22,2019 5:04 pm || Up

      I gotta say, if this is truly the case, I think Oakland is dead. There’s simply no way to make the Coliseum an attractive location even with a teardown. The only successful stadia these days are downtown ones.

      I’ve been to Anaheim. It ain’t a gem. And it’s near enough to Disneyland that people can visit both. The Coliseum is near what exactly? If Howard Terminal fails, I’d expect the A’s to announce that they are moving by 2021 or so.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 22,2019 7:33 pm || Up

        I get the pessimism, and I could be wrong but I don’t see it this way at all.

        1. The A’s have been genuine in their Oakland ballpark efforts in the post-Lew era. They clearly tried hard with Laney and are still working hard (even today) for Howard Terminal. Coliseum as Plan C is most likely the next true step. These are not only the window dressing PR efforts of the old days.

        2. Also likely, MLB has flat insisted they get it done in Oakland. Losing their second team in the 3rd biggest market would be a very big deal the league won’t let happen, at least not until many more cards have been played.

        3. The Coliseum is the most freeway and transit accessible piece of land within 100s of miles. It includes inner East Bay real estate with friendly zoning which could be incredibly lucrative if well capitalized. And the A’s can get it for a relative song. Paying for your own stadium obviously always costs more than having some other city build for you. But the Coliseum land certainly has earning potential to help finance a park.

        4. The definition of a “successful stadium” is changing fast. Sure you’d love to be an Inner Harbor or LoDo downtownish neighborhood, but the future may not be as location-dependent. Fewer tickets but more at the high-end, A’s Access types of cross-benefits, more ways to spend your fan dollar after already inside. And ticket sales in total are a smaller share of the pie. Whether or not the Coliseum brings in the elusive corporate sponsor dollar may be less a product of location in the long run.

        None of which is to say a new ballpark near 66th and 880 is a sure success. But there’s some reason to think it could be, if you’ve got deep enough pockets to see it through.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • vignette17 Apr 23,2019 9:01 am || Up

          1) I agree they have been super committed to the last two proposals. I don’t think they view the Coliseum as viable at all. They’ve even hinted as much a couple times. I think once they get that far down the list, their commitments to Oakland are no longer as ironclad. That’s where we disagree.

          2) Sad as it is to say, the Giants own the market. The A’s barely (if at all) show up when they do polls/maps/whatever in region. I’m not sure having such a red headed step child is worth it to MLB. The NFL is leaving the market and there may very well be more Raiders than A’s fans. Now, there’s plenty of other factors in that move, but it’s a data point that the market is not so key that another league absolutely has to keep 2 teams there like LA/NY.

          3) It’s got great access to transit. But even with that, the neighborhoods 2-3 blocks away from the Coliseum aren’t thriving. I don’t see any new money flowing in. That means that the whole shebang will have to be made by the A’s. I just can’t see the A’s making the area a destination. Maybe I just lack imagination. Maybe you can build whole neighborhoods that have trendy restaurants and clubs and parks and whatever else. The area would need to be a destination even without the ballpark. Do you honestly believe that is possible and I’m just missing it? That’s not facetious. I really can’t imagine it and would love to hear from someone who can.

          4) Is it? I know the Braves are trying something different, but every other successful stadium to me still seems to be downtown. The best ballparks I’ve been to (Pac Bell, Wrigley, Fenway, Safeco, Petco) are all walkable to downtown. Now, maybe they can succeed by creative ways. But it seems like yet another hurdle to clear. And you set enough hurdles, eventually you’ll trip on one of them.

          • sslinger Apr 23,2019 11:23 am || Up

            Not so sure about 4. The Phillies’ ballpark is in a sports complex with the football stadium and some other surrounding attractions, but not really downtown. The Rangers are sticking with Arlington, rather than a move into either Dallas or Ft. Worth. Kansas City is still out there. Mets & Yankees stuck with their outer boroughs rather than try to find a spot in Manhattan. Miller Park in Milwaukee is in kind of a residential neighborhood quite a ways from downtown, but they have a great system where numerous city bars/restaurants offer free van shuttles to and from the game. It would be great to have such a system in Oakland, go downtown/uptown and have dinner or a drink at a favorite spot, their van takes you to the ballpark, then picks you up after the game and you’re back where you started. The Coliseum location could continue to be viable with even a modest attempt to improve the surroundings. And, as seen in the case of the Twins, the downtown ballpark is great, but when the team sucked a few years after it opened the fans stayed away in droves.

  48. Glorious Mundy Apr 21,2019 8:20 pm

    Sharks!

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 21,2019 8:57 pm || Up

      Amazing game.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • dmoas Apr 22,2019 12:29 pm || Up

        Man, I had to leave around the time it was ending. They had that penalty and my thought was, “Well, I’ll hang around until the end of the penalty. Hell, they’ll probably drop a short hand goal to end it.” Not a minute later the break away hits. Laughed my ass off.

  49. colin Apr 22,2019 6:54 am

    This morning (in Cincinnati) I parked behind a car with California plates and an Oakland Athletics license plate holder.

    • colin Apr 22,2019 6:54 am || Up

      I thought about leaving a note like “that Blue Jays series really sucked, huh?”

  50. Glorious Mundy Apr 22,2019 3:16 pm

    If Anderson goes on the DL, the A’s won’t have a single lefthanded pitcher on the active roster.

    • Glorious Mundy Apr 22,2019 5:00 pm || Up

      Is that Fernando Rodney’s music I hear?

      • Soaker Apr 22,2019 6:05 pm || Up

        They must not think Wang or Blevins can help. Martini is already about 37 days into the IL stay so he could go to the 60 and Olson will probably be 60 days as well.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 22,2019 10:05 pm || Up

        He did get Choo out. That’s something.

  51. Glorious Mundy Apr 22,2019 3:42 pm

    • vignette17 Apr 22,2019 5:07 pm || Up

      How much money have the Giants paid groups to be the opposition to the A’s ballpark proposals over the years? Is it in the 10s of millions at this point? They’ve sure done a great job.

      • Soaker Apr 22,2019 5:54 pm || Up

        If it did get to the point where Fisher considers selling to out-of-town buyers I wonder if the Giants would try to push it along/sweeten it by paying him for the permanent territorial rights to Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • 5Aces Apr 22,2019 8:14 pm || Up

          First they would ask if we would just go ahead and give it to them for free.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty

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