Pennsyltucky 34:36-5000 ← FREE KRAUT!

Pennsyltucky 34:36-5000 161

A’s visit the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers and what could turn out to be a sloppy track.

By My Standards there could be value here! Bob Melvin, stoic and Tacitus, enjoys Maximum Security after last year’s success. Can he parlay it into a Game Winner? Tune in all weekend to find out.

Tonight the A’s start Anderson (questionable stamina in pedigree). Tomorrow it’s Bassitt (grinder, mediocre speed figs), and Sunday Montas (green, could run if he gets a loose lead). Pirates start three lower-level claimers.

"Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."

161 thoughts on “Pennsyltucky 34:36-5000

  1. FreeSeatUpgrade May 3,2019 1:45 pm
    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  2. AV May 3,2019 3:00 pm

    oh this is terrible.

    i was taking a quick open-air break at the park. opened my laptop to look for something…

    and turns out i logged onto a kaiser hospital wifi once.

    which my computer remembers.

    and the signal from the big kaiser building by the lake has the same login and reaches all the way to the fairyland sign.

    and it’s faster than my own at my desk?

    hello summer office. goodbye productivity.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  3. Soaker May 3,2019 3:48 pm

    That would be the confluence of the Bad Pitching and the Worse Hitting which merge to form the Losing Streak.

    Rather than giving in to the temptation of PNC Park beer I’m going to hang out in the hotel room for a while. It doesn’t look bad and I don’t think the delay will be long.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  4. Soaker May 3,2019 4:44 pm

    I did give in. $10.75 for a 16 oz can of Southern Tier 2X IPA (8.2 percent). BTW Pirates fans pee into individual urinals while drunk Steelers fans over at Heinz Field aim into troughs.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  5. Glorious Mundy May 3,2019 5:00 pm

    WHAT
    THE
    FUUUUUUCK

  6. Soaker May 3,2019 5:13 pm

    LOL Brett that was fantastic.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  7. Glorious Mundy May 3,2019 5:13 pm

    The Pirates are indeed bad.

  8. 5Aces May 3,2019 5:22 pm

    The bats were just parched!

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 3,2019 5:24 pm || Up

      I seem to remember that pouring water on the bat handles was an old-timey slump remedy.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • 5Aces May 3,2019 5:39 pm || Up

        I would suggest something similar for Jurk store, but that might be considered waterboarding.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  9. 5Aces May 3,2019 5:40 pm

    Phegles!!

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  10. 5Aces May 3,2019 5:42 pm

    Brett Anderson: on base machine.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  11. FreeSeatUpgrade May 3,2019 5:43 pm

    Anderson beats out an infield hit pays 25-1.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  12. Soaker May 3,2019 5:48 pm

    When the team scores after the Brett infield hit keeps the inning alive, it’s the A’s night (he said far too early).

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  13. 5Aces May 3,2019 6:14 pm

    Phegs with 7 RBI, exactly how we drew it up.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Soaker May 3,2019 8:31 pm || Up

      2 doubles, a homer, another hit and 8 RBIs, and he still managed to squeeze a GIDP in there.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  14. Soaker May 3,2019 6:19 pm

    You robbed Brett of an RBI you bum.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  15. Soaker May 3,2019 6:45 pm

    Goodness gracious Jurickson.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  16. FreeSeatUpgrade May 3,2019 6:48 pm

    Man, The Thing has Profar bad.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  17. Soaker May 3,2019 6:57 pm

    They aren’t going to DFA him so I think they have to manufacture an injury. He cannot continue to play.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  18. Glorious Mundy May 3,2019 7:15 pm

    Jack Zduriencik is the official scorer in Pittsburgh?

  19. Soaker May 3,2019 7:47 pm

    Profar’s “Don’t hit it to me” thought bubble is hard to miss. I look at him between pitches and feel like I’m staring at something I shouldn’t be staring at.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  20. Soaker May 3,2019 8:07 pm

    And it’s raining. Not staying through a delay so finish it please.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  21. Future Ed May 3,2019 8:42 pm

    woooo! is all i heard on yhe radio

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  22. Soaker May 4,2019 5:00 am

    Amplified music and PA announcements in connection with Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend started promptly at 7 a.m. This event is taking over downtown Pittsburgh all weekend. Phegley and Profar both had their reasons to go out drinking after last night’s game; if they did they may be regretting that now.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  23. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 11:14 am

    7 races into the Churchill Downs card not a single favorite has won. Five winners at $23 or better.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  24. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 11:41 am

    Primera Upgrade, already known for her sharp horse sense, may now have added insight as a soon-to-be Gaucho. She’s got $5 to win on #14, Win Win Win.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed May 4,2019 12:06 pm || Up

      was that her essay? Primera the greek?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Soaker May 4,2019 12:33 pm || Up

        If she’s a Gaucho it must have been “How Ken Korach Has Influenced My Life”.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  25. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 12:20 pm

    Rain may be coming but that’s fine with me, horses I like should take to a wet track. I’ll be playing #7 Maximum Security, #8 Tactitus, and especially #3 By My Standards as a live longshot. Couple others on the back end of exotics. I want to see how the 10th race goes, hoping favorite Instagrand disappoints which would validate some of my handicapping.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux May 4,2019 1:09 pm || Up

      I have $2 on Tacitus.

      TINSTAAFK
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 1:50 pm || Up

      Excellent validation.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  26. Glorious Mundy May 4,2019 12:29 pm

  27. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 12:30 pm

    If the Giants had any chance at all I might feel different, but as it stands I have warm fuzzies for Stephen Vogt.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  28. Soaker May 4,2019 12:56 pm

    No up and coming trendy neighborhood in America is complete without a bunch of microbrewery/brewpubs. I passed up Cinderlands this afternoon in favor of Eleventh Hour in the old warehouse a block away. The food truck is from Emporio, the Official Meatball of the Pittsburgh Penguins (“Check out our balls!”). Mmmm the sandwich was good.

    The IPAs here are all the hazy New England style which is a pleasant change from the usual.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 12:58 pm || Up

      Oh man a meatball hoagie sounds awesome right now.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • ptbnl May 4,2019 3:19 pm || Up

      “The usual” where? Pretty much everything is hazy and super-fruity here now – its like orange cream soda!

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  29. Soaker May 4,2019 1:29 pm

    Another big green blob approaching from the west on the radar. It’s a bobblehead night so the Pirates will do everything they can to complete 5 innings.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Soaker May 4,2019 2:44 pm || Up

      Whoops, the Bobblehead Night Jinx strikes again.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  30. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 2:08 pm

    My ticket:

    $20 Win on #3 By My Standards. Could be peaking off big Louisiana Derby upset win. Like like his chances of getting a perfect set up trip here. I’d bet him at half the price but at 17-1 I was tempted to put my entire bankroll here.

    $5 Win-Place-Show #8 Tacitus, total $15. Won two preps despite really tough trips, that augers well for Derby success.

    $2 Trifecta #7 Maximum Security over 3, 8 and 16 (Game Winner) over 3, 8, 16, and 14 (Win Win Win), total $18. I like Max Security’s chance of winning, would have bet straight win at the 10-1 morning line but down as the favorite it’s less enticing as a stand alone.

    One of the most open Derbys in the last 10 years, should be fun.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 3:33 pm || Up

      Late worsening track so I cut trifecta in half, $1.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 4:00 pm || Up

      Maximum Security the fave for a reason, turns out. BMS and Tacitus never showed up.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • andeux May 4,2019 4:09 pm || Up

        The stewards review has turned this into the longest two minutes in sports.

        TINSTAAFK
        • 5Aces May 4,2019 4:16 pm || Up

          HOLY SHIT!

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 4:21 pm || Up

            That was bizarre. Unreasonable to say Country House actually wouldve won but for that foul.

            Flavien Prat goes from AAA Golden Gate Fields last week to a Derby victory today.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • andeux May 4,2019 4:31 pm || Up

              Is that the standard, though?
              The trainer of Country House said something like: “Well, my guy wasn’t really impeded, but some others were, and if this were some midweek claiming race, he would be disqualified without much question.” Though his saying that is self-serving, it sounds right to me.

              TINSTAAFK
              • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 4:51 pm || Up

                Yeah, not sure what the decision tree is there. The NBC guys clearly wanted no part of an unprecedented DQ, but the ex-jockeys seemed to acknowledge it was problematic.

                Inquiries sometimes lead to a re-placing of horses based on projections of how they would’ve run, but that’s maybe not as discretionary for a foul/no-foul call,

                "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • andeux May 4,2019 5:50 pm || Up

                  It seems my view on this is not shared within the household.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 6:49 pm || Up

                  I’m still unsure. I’ve seen enough nothing claimers to agree with Bill Mott that a DQ fits the facts. It just doesn’t fit the context of this specific race, much less that of the stage.

                  I lost either way, but my mother-in-law had MaxSec WPS and is irate.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • FreeSeatUpgrade May 6,2019 3:24 pm || Up

                  A few days later and I’ve come around to your view, shared by many horse-knowers. Clear foul, properly adjudicated.

                  Interestingly, twinspires.com is refunding win bets on MaxSec anyway (up to $10).

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  31. 5Aces May 4,2019 2:31 pm

    I know nothing about racing and less about turf races, but Bricks and Mortar is one helluva finisher.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  32. andeux May 4,2019 4:17 pm

    Another long shot comes in: Kendrys Morales Triple.

    TINSTAAFK
  33. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 4:52 pm

    Meanwhile the juleps aren’t helping as I eventually find the A’s on Fox Sports.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  34. andeux May 4,2019 5:24 pm

    Do not let Bassitt face Bell a third time.

    TINSTAAFK
  35. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 5:32 pm

    I may be buzzed but Joe Giarardi has a tolerable grandpa-telling-stories style.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed May 4,2019 6:06 pm || Up

      i dont mind. he is filling a lot of air space, tho

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 6:33 pm || Up

      For the record it turns out I am nine full months younger than Joe Girardi

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  36. Soaker May 4,2019 5:33 pm

    Hound not inspiring the greatest confidence.

    Rain is light enough that they can play all nine if it stays like this.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 6:16 pm || Up

      If so it will be fun to watch Clint Hurdle play one run / last inning NL baseball for five straight innings.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker May 4,2019 6:22 pm || Up

        I assumed he thought it was the last inning and figured he could take advantage of Bob oddly sticking with Hendriks. Puddles are forming and this should have been stopped at the end of the sixth.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 6:32 pm || Up

          They’ve invested too much to quit now, it’s Vietnam all over again.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • andeux May 4,2019 6:33 pm || Up

            Can’t we just declare victory?

            TINSTAAFK
            • Future Ed May 4,2019 6:46 pm || Up

              do we get to win this time?

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 6:50 pm || Up

                Depends who write the books. In twenty years we may yet have won Vietnam.

                "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • Future Ed May 4,2019 6:55 pm || Up

                  ” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen>

                  its been on my mind because I have a clieng with traumatic brain injury that told me he was a green beret and what he can do is “first blood shit”

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • Soaker May 4,2019 6:38 pm || Up

            Rain did get much lighter right after I wrote that. They must have had a”keep going” forecast.

            What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  37. Soaker May 4,2019 5:44 pm

    I want Kendrys to hit for the cycle a week before the DFA. That didn’t help.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  38. Soaker May 4,2019 6:00 pm

    I think they give the Pirates the bottom of the sixth and then bring out the tarp.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  39. Future Ed May 4,2019 6:14 pm

    bang a kang, liam!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  40. Future Ed May 4,2019 6:22 pm

    wow. that was an all timer of a first hit

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  41. Soaker May 4,2019 6:51 pm

    Well that was as much fun as a bowl of soggy Corn Flakes.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  42. Future Ed May 4,2019 7:10 pm

    so, the nationals had this guy and treinen?

    ANd they traded for Doolittle and Madson?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  43. FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 7:27 pm

    In keeping with the flow of the day the Sharks just got screwed out of a seemingly clear goal on replay.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  44. Glorious Mundy May 4,2019 7:35 pm

    Ah. That explains it.

  45. Glorious Mundy May 4,2019 7:39 pm

    Fosse was on the radio tonight. Apparently he had walked over that yellow bridge to the game and had noticed that people for some reason attach locks to it, which he is concerned will make the bridge fall down from too much weight. This was a multi-inning topic of conversation. At one point Korach told him he prefers his lox with bagels.

  46. Glorious Mundy May 4,2019 7:47 pm

    The Warriors-Rockets game is brought to you by “America’s Biopharmaceutical Companies.”

    OK

    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 10:15 pm || Up

      Long before tipoff tonight this had the look of an NBA-scripted Houston win. The wide open NHL playoffs stand in sharp contrast and have completely won me over.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  47. Soaker May 4,2019 7:51 pm

    Git er done, Kaval.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 4,2019 10:12 pm || Up

      Dang that’s pretty.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  48. Soaker May 5,2019 9:19 am

    The Pirates have some excellent statues around PNC Park — Clemente, Wagner, Stargell, Mazeroski. This one is a few hundred yards downriver near Heinz Field. You have to see this atrocity in person to appreciate how bad it is. The sculptor clearly intended to terrorize little kids. It reminds me of that hideous George Moscone bust.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  49. Glorious Mundy May 5,2019 9:24 am

    Over/under May 20 for the TJS announcement.

  50. Soaker May 5,2019 10:24 am

    7-8-9 are Profar, Hundley, Montas.

    Happy 19th anniversary of the Wild Alcoholic Dream.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  51. andeux May 5,2019 11:03 am

    Hundley GIDP pays $2.10

    TINSTAAFK
  52. 5Aces May 5,2019 11:03 am

    I enjoy these Pirates uniforms but really wish they had Stargell stars.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  53. Soaker May 5,2019 11:03 am

    And Khris is deceased.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  54. Soaker May 5,2019 11:18 am

    2-7 would sound a lot better than 1-8. Well maybe a little better anyway. So far this looks like “Let’s get on the plane and go home” though.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  55. Soaker May 5,2019 12:30 pm

    That was startling. That 1-0 lead felt like 10-0.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  56. Soaker May 5,2019 1:09 pm

    Trivino already used for two innings and Treinen unavailable. Mmmkay good luck Bob.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  57. Glorious Mundy May 5,2019 1:54 pm

    It’s baseball in a beautiful park, and more of that is always welcome. But boy, this isn’t the most exciting game for Soaker.

  58. Glorious Mundy May 5,2019 2:01 pm

    These uniforms do not flatter Melky Cabrera.

  59. Soaker May 5,2019 2:05 pm

    Brett is going to win this with a pinch-hit home run in the 19th inning.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  60. Soaker May 5,2019 2:22 pm

    Rodney going to close, get all the runs you can.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Glorious Mundy May 6,2019 10:39 am || Up

      It was terrible luck not to score more, but I am certain Rodney would have given up at least the number they scored plus one.

      • Soaker May 6,2019 12:39 pm || Up

        I knew what was going to happen, of course, and was grateful for the quickness of it.

        I have been checking Slusser’s feed frequently for news of the DFA. I’m in Chicago right now, hope it’s a done deal by the time I get back to Reno.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  61. Glorious Mundy May 5,2019 8:44 pm

    FK Fernando Rodney

  62. Future Ed May 5,2019 10:13 pm

    i liked it when the site was down

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  63. FreeSeatUpgrade May 5,2019 10:35 pm

    This turned out to be a good day to not follow the A’s game.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  64. Soaker May 6,2019 4:05 am

    36 games would be historically early for Billy to admit a $5M mistake but with Edwin Jackson needing a roster spot, firing Rodney is the logical move.

    With the starters never going more than 6 they need a multiple-innings mop-up guy in lost causes and Brooks is fine for that until they need to find room for Manaea, Luzardo, Puk or anyone else.

    Pittsburgh has been an excellent trip. The only direct impact of baseball losses on it for me was that I had both an Imperial Stout and Imperial IPA before staggering back to the hotel last night.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 6,2019 7:43 am || Up

      Avoiding being duckwalked by Imperial Stormtroopers.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker May 6,2019 8:27 am || Up

        Bag space was tight but I was able to jam the Obi-Wan Jameson Taillon bobblehead in there so he can take his spot alongside George Brett, the Cincinnati Reds garden gnome and a few other keepsakes from the road.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  65. FreeSeatUpgrade May 6,2019 8:56 am

    The Chron reminds that the previous mulrlti-run extra inning collapse was also on a Sunday. It it happens again May 12 I can only conclude that God hates us.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed May 6,2019 1:48 pm || Up

      yankees in 2012? old man chavez complaining about dancing?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • 5Aces May 6,2019 4:11 pm || Up

        Horrible balk call in the 1st inning started that whole mess.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
        • Future Ed May 6,2019 7:00 pm || Up

          blackley?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • 5Aces May 6,2019 10:49 pm || Up

            Yep. Larry Vanover (pretty sure thats his name) made the call.

            I remember that game as being a point that I thought our luck had run out and hey, we stayed on contention way longer than anyone thought we would.

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • andeux May 6,2019 1:56 pm || Up

      I think it’s impossible to blow a lead in extra innings at home, but theologians might differ.

      TINSTAAFK
      • FreeSeatUpgrade May 6,2019 2:36 pm || Up

        I feel like Fernando Rodney haas this within him.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Glorious Mundy May 19,2019 2:23 pm || Up

        Wait until September 6.

  66. Glorious Mundy May 6,2019 1:39 pm

    Certainly a title-worthy goal if it holds up.

    • Future Ed May 6,2019 1:57 pm || Up

      title always goes through brighton

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • MikeV May 6,2019 6:45 pm || Up

      That was his first shot on frame from outside the box since 2013.

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

      Thanks, and go As.

  67. Future Ed May 7,2019 9:07 am
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • 5Aces May 7,2019 9:29 am || Up

      They forgot SBC as one of the former names.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Future Ed May 7,2019 10:42 am || Up

        i caught tht but couldn’t remember the name

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  68. Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 10:42 am

    • Future Ed May 7,2019 10:53 am || Up

      I mean, this is above my pay grade.

      He has done more impeachable things than anyone. there are slam dunk criminal cases against him in a wide variety of areas.

      And yes, his base is solid. They will be emboldened by any confrontation. but will that solidify the rest of the voting public that are just run of the mill conservatives? I don’t know

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 10:58 am || Up

        IMO, run of the mill conservatives are already quite solidified around him. They want Ginsburg’s seat, don’t they?

      • andeux May 7,2019 11:32 am || Up

        I’ve been generally pro-Pelosi, both because for the most part she has done a good job of the cat-herding necessary to keep the Democratic caucus unified, and because the only real challenges to her leadership have come from the right, not the left.
        But it seems like she’s just missing the boat on this one.

        The arguments seem to be
        1) The Senate won’t convict anyway, and an acquittal will just allow him to claim vindication.

        The first part of that is almost certainly true. The second part sort of is, but not impeaching at all also lets him claim vindication (as he already has.)

        and
        2) The act of impeachment will rally his base, with the implication that it would do so more than it would rally the resistance.

        I am not really clear why Pelosi et al. are so sure of this. I’ve seen a lot of comparisons with Watergate, pointing out that Nixon’s approval ratings only really nosedived after impeachment hearings started. Granted, this is a different case (tons of evidence is already public) and a different time (Fox News). But it seems like another case of Democrats not really understanding what Republicans in general and Trump in particular have been good at for so long: the way to win a PR battle is to talk up your side constantly. Make the news be about your opponent’s criminality. Even if the stories focus on their refutations, just the fact that this is what is being talked about is good for you. (How anyone can fail to understand this after n years of stories about Hillary’s emails is somewhat mystifying.)

        Meanwhile, they are also ignoring
        3) Trump is a criminal. It’s the House’s job to remove him from office.

        I saw a normally thoughtful person claim that this argument is just “virtue signalling,” i.e. that no one really cares about the underlying crimes, it’s all just politics. That’s probably true sometimes, but this just goes way beyond normal political skirmishes. Trump’s approach (way before he got involved in politics) seems to be that he will do anything he can get away with. With that in mind, since he is (practically, though not actually legally) immune from usual prosecution, the House needs to do all it can to not let him get away with things. Waiting for another election seems like a poor substitute.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Future Ed May 7,2019 12:07 pm || Up

          Are “impeachment hearings” distinct from oversite investigations?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • dmoas May 7,2019 12:23 pm || Up

            My understanding is yes. The specific nuance, I couldn’t tell you. But best guess is one as a specific question in mind while the other is more general.

            • colin May 7,2019 1:36 pm || Up

              I think this is a key question. Might be that Pelosi is just avoiding the “i-word” but intends to have the same level of robust investigation and hearings (which could very well lead to impeachment). But if there are additional investigative powers that she is leaving on the table, then that is unacceptable.

              • dmoas May 7,2019 4:39 pm || Up

                Almost positive impeachment hearings give more powers. Likely removes executive privilege from the table.

          • dmoas May 7,2019 12:25 pm || Up

            If he leaves office and the new AG doesn’t indict him immediately upon taking office, I’ll be very pissed. And the fact that he’d have been indicted if he weren’t President just means they have a fundamental responsibility to impeach, political fallout be damn. At some point you have to do what’s right because it’s the right thing to do, not because it’s politically safe.

            • FreeSeatUpgrade May 7,2019 1:04 pm || Up

              I share this view. I also think, though, that the Dems need a national message-setter who stays away from the Trump trap and works exclusively positive, articulating a vision. Cant be Pelosi, because she’ll be in the impeachment fight, and also she’s always sucked at positive vision.

              Honestly the Dems need to find their Dave Kaval.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
              • dmoas May 7,2019 1:20 pm || Up

                Yup. Very much so.

              • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 2:00 pm || Up

                Liz Warren!

                I don’t agree with needing to be exclusively positive though. You have to attack him hard, but do it in a way that ties in with your program (anti-corruption, protecting the little guy, in her case).

    • dmoas May 7,2019 10:56 am || Up

      I don’t see how it’s possible for his base to get any more solidified than it already is.

      • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 11:06 am || Up

        Right. There is no prospect of them just melting into the scenery in 2020, regardless of what Democrats do. They are going to stay pissed off and show up.

        The election will turn on boosting Democratic turnout back to Obama levels and persuading as many non-ideological voters as possible who sometimes vote Republican not to vote for this Republican. Impeachment hearings that thrust a whole bunch of bad stuff about Trump to the forefront of people’s attention can only help in both regards, considering that there is a whole lot of actual bad stuff. And there’s no reason why the Democratic nominee can’t simultaneously stay focused on other stuff.

        • dmoas May 7,2019 11:26 am || Up

          I also don’t see the impeachment proceedings looking good for Senate Republicans up for re-election. They’ll be forced to either protect him against these serious crimes or vote against the Republican President. Given the mountain of evidence, it’ll be a difficult sell to the fence sitters that this is purely political. Not that Republicans won’t try that tactic, which they have been doing anyway.

        • Future Ed May 7,2019 12:09 pm || Up

          I guess the question comes down to timing. Do you want house hearing in the fall of 19 or the spring of 20?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 12:58 pm || Up

            I don’t so much care when an “impeachment hearing” happens. What I want is for the Democrats to commit to using all of their constitutional powers to ensure Trump’s myriad coverups don’t succeed. They have to force the issue now in order for a proper investigation to occur, because until John Roberts votes this administration isn’t going to comply with subpoenas. Taking impeachment off the table based on some kind of “no, that’s just what he wants us to do” argument just allows him to run out the clock.

            • andeux May 7,2019 1:13 pm || Up

              Yep.
              And a formal impeachment procedure makes it much harder for Roberts to buy the argument that there is no legitimate reason to subpoena his taxes, McGahn’s testimony, etc.

              TINSTAAFK
              • FreeSeatUpgrade May 7,2019 5:05 pm || Up
                "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  69. Soaker May 7,2019 12:16 pm

    Maybe Susan would give a better answer if FSU’s wiping question were the one she pulled out of her mailbag.

    @Manprin: Have we seen the last of Fernando Rodney in an A’s uniform?

    No, the team likes Rodney in the role it brought him back for, the seventh-inning-type reliever. He’s not reliable in high-leverage situations at this point, but he’s been OK with clean innings in the later going — if he’s not used in save situations, he should be fine, the general feeling goes.

    His last eight appearances have been in “clean innings” but they have almost all been mop-up situations.

    1. Down 0-8, pitched 6th inning.
    2. Down 1-5, 8th.
    3. Down 0-9, 8th.
    4. Ahead 6-1, 9th.
    5. Down 1-7, 7th.
    6. Down 4-7, 7th (he gave up a run to make it 4-8).
    7. Ahead 14-1, 9th.
    8. Ahead 3-1, 13th.

    The “team” (read Beane/Forst) may “like him in that role” but the manager got burned a few times the first dozen games of the season and refuses to use him that way. A mop-up man has to be able to go more than one inning and Rodney never does that.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • andeux May 7,2019 12:32 pm || Up

      I was tempted to go FJM on her whole answer to that question (which also mentions his salary, and the fact that they kept Jairo for so long last year), but decided to let it go.

      TINSTAAFK
  70. ptbnl May 7,2019 12:16 pm

    Another one and we might have a game on our hands.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • Future Ed May 7,2019 12:31 pm || Up

      its a start

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 1:16 pm || Up

      We might have a game on our hands.

      • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 1:16 pm || Up

        We definitely have a game on our hands.

        • ptbnl May 7,2019 1:19 pm || Up

          Holy FKing crap!

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
          • Future Ed May 7,2019 1:22 pm || Up

            shit i turned it off to do work!

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • ptbnl May 7,2019 1:23 pm || Up

            Although an away goal at this point would be a killer.

            If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
            • Future Ed May 7,2019 1:28 pm || Up

              dammit now a client is here

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 1:32 pm || Up

              They’ll save that for extra time to inflict maximum pain.

            • Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 1:40 pm || Up

              OK, now the away goal will be a killer.

              • ptbnl May 7,2019 1:51 pm || Up

                They’ll wait for the 98th minute for that.

                If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  71. FreeSeatUpgrade May 7,2019 12:30 pm

    Dear A’s, please DFA Kendrys before I get to the ballpark tonight. Thanks.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker May 7,2019 1:14 pm || Up

      Kendrys was just about the best thing about the Pittsburgh series. But, yeah.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • andeux May 7,2019 2:29 pm || Up

      Nope.

      TINSTAAFK
  72. Glorious Mundy May 7,2019 3:10 pm

    From “fuck the draft” to “I eat ass”: A half century of First Amendment jurisprudence

    Coming soon to a law review near you.

    • Soaker May 7,2019 3:18 pm || Up

      Half the cars in Southern California used to have those cropped burger joint bumper stickers that read “In-N-Out Urge”. I guess it’s a good thing In-N-Out never did business in Florida.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade May 7,2019 4:04 pm || Up

        Somewhere in FL I hope someone is modifying a burger joint logo to read “Five Guys, One Cup”

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  73. sslinger May 7,2019 11:36 pm

    Well that was the weirdest no-hitter I ever missed in person.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade May 7,2019 11:44 pm || Up

      Missed? We saw you there (if not in the right thread)!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."

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