Hanging in there....

RobDogBucky · May 5th, 2007, 12:40 PM

So, the kvetching has been deafening, with everyone aghast at the A's injuries. Yes, there have been a lot of them (when has there not been?) especially for the beginning of the season. They include self-induced strains (Harden reaching for the grounder over his head vs Skanks) and Milton trying to stretch a single into a double in cold weather, and Swisher taking wide turn and putting on breaks, etc. There were two collision induced injuries to DJ and to Piazza. It seems bad, but if we can get past this patch, and hover near .500 and near first place in our division (heck that doesn't even matter until July or so), then we should drive our patented 2nd half push toward another division championship.

Consider the good news about Kotsay:

"Mark Kotsay (back) has begun light baseball activity, including taking a limited number of swings, and he is hoping to be cleared to do more soon.

If he continues to make good progress, Kotsay estimates he could be back with Oakland by June 1.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle "

And the good news that Harden will return on May 12, that Swish is already DHing and will start in KC, the only ones lingering will be Milton and Piazza. Oh, yeah, I did forget Loaiza. He is close as well, but I admit that at this point, any good starts we can get out of him at all for the remainder of the season will be a plus.

The kvetching and whining and the calls for blowing up this lost cause team is hilarious. Are these so-called fans blind or do they just have blinders on? Look at the rest of the league in terms of injuries:

Jays lied about Ryan's back condition
Angels' Anderson goes on DL with hip injury
Orioles' Loewen has stress fracture in elbow
Marlins demote RHP Sanchez to Triple-A
Phillies closer Gordon goes on 15-day DL
Sosa could play this weekend
Royals' Sanders DL bound with hamstring tear
Giants' Ortiz goes on DL; Lincecum coming up?
Report: Pavano could need Tommy John surgery
Millwood scratched from Thursday start

I fail to see where we are any different. Are we lying about injuries yet?

Our pitching has been near the best in the league, our prospects have come in and helped out, DJ seems ready to contribute (please continue to do so!) and we should have almost everyone back by June. That's not bad in this environment if you ask me.

Two things that do not add up yet this season; Brewers in first and Yankees in last. Very surreal, but then again, it is only the first week of May.

Carry on regardless,

Later,
RDB

RobDogBucky · May 7th, 2007, 05:04 PM

So, no comments when the reality is shown about the situation, instead of hysteria?

We took that weekend series from the Rays, with real grit, with late inning heroics, great pitching (not such good fielding). Melhuse, Swisher, Cust, Snelling, Buck (when he is in there), are all in there telling us, remember it is only the first part of May and we are in a marathon, not a sprint. Can this starting pitching keep up this pace?

We will have everyone back within a month or so. I am crossing my fingers, legs, eyes, arms, rolling my tongue, etc., and hope that Harden and Loaiza can both make it back too, although I have my doubts about them. With all the experience the backups are now getting, this will be a deep, game-tested outfit come September.

C'mon, this ain't so bad. We are .500 and within a series or two of first place. As for the Brewers, they were bought from the hapless Selig family a few years ago, and they already had Melvin in place. Stick with a good baseball guy, Ned Yost, get a little bit more money spent by new owner Attanasio, raise a few good prospects within their own farm system (worst system in 2000, one of baseball's best in 2006) and voila! A first place team in May in the weakest division in baseball.

Being a cheesehead by birth, I know how much they have suffered for the last 25 years. I wish them well, but for now they are on a high, thinking they will conquer the world this year. They are just beginning the long, arduous road to those teams that seem to re-invent themselves every other year and make it back into the playoffs, ala, our own Oakland A's. Good luck Brewers, may we see you in October.

Later,
RDB

Nat · May 7th, 2007, 05:26 PM

I'm not worried either, until given reason to worry...DJ is finally making himself a necessity in this rather than a hopeful (Kendall & BC remaining the only real question-marks, I suppose). Snelling had a good series, but it WAS Tampa Bay. Buck and Walker are sustaining while Putnam has tailed off...Cust can only help at this point.
I agree all in all, someone will pick up any slack, even the rotation til Rich returns, so it should be another fun summer in Oakland.

lastexit · May 8th, 2007, 02:39 AM

players coming off the DL are the new on base percentage

May 5th, 2007, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Hanging in there.... So, the kvetching has been deafening, with everyone aghast at the A's injuries. Yes, there have been a lot of them (when has there not been?) especially for the beginning of the season. They include self-induced strains (Harden reaching for the grounder over his head vs Skanks) and Milton trying to stretch a single into a double in cold weather, and Swisher taking wide turn and putting on breaks, etc. There were two collision induced injuries to DJ and to Piazza. It seems bad, but if we can get past this patch, and hover near .500 and near first place in our division (heck that doesn't even matter until July or so), then we should drive our patented 2nd half push toward another division championship. Consider the good news about Kotsay: "Mark Kotsay (back) has begun light baseball activity, including taking a limited number of swings, and he is hoping to be cleared to do more soon. If he continues to make good progress, Kotsay estimates he could be back with Oakland by June 1. Source: San Francisco Chronicle " And the good news that Harden will return on May 12, that Swish is already DHing and will start in KC, the only ones lingering will be Milton and Piazza. Oh, yeah, I did forget Loaiza. He is close as well, but I admit that at this point, any good starts we can get out of him at all for the remainder of the season will be a plus. The kvetching and whining and the calls for blowing up this lost cause team is hilarious. Are these so-called fans blind or do they just have blinders on? Look at the rest of the league in terms of injuries: Jays lied about Ryan's back condition Angels' Anderson goes on DL with hip injury Orioles' Loewen has stress fracture in elbow Marlins demote RHP Sanchez to Triple-A Phillies closer Gordon goes on 15-day DL Sosa could play this weekend Royals' Sanders DL bound with hamstring tear Giants' Ortiz goes on DL; Lincecum coming up? Report: Pavano could need Tommy John surgery Millwood scratched from Thursday start I fail to see where we are any different. Are we lying about injuries yet? Our pitching has been near the best in the league, our prospects have come in and helped out, DJ seems ready to contribute (please continue to do so!) and we should have almost everyone back by June. That's not bad in this environment if you ask me. Two things that do not add up yet this season; Brewers in first and Yankees in last. Very surreal, but then again, it is only the first week of May. Carry on regardless, Later, RDB Last edited by RobDogBucky; May 5th, 2007 at 12:44 PM. Reason: Delete errors and add content for continuity

May 7th, 2007, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	So, no comments when the reality is shown about the situation, instead of hysteria? We took that weekend series from the Rays, with real grit, with late inning heroics, great pitching (not such good fielding). Melhuse, Swisher, Cust, Snelling, Buck (when he is in there), are all in there telling us, remember it is only the first part of May and we are in a marathon, not a sprint. Can this starting pitching keep up this pace? We will have everyone back within a month or so. I am crossing my fingers, legs, eyes, arms, rolling my tongue, etc., and hope that Harden and Loaiza can both make it back too, although I have my doubts about them. With all the experience the backups are now getting, this will be a deep, game-tested outfit come September. C'mon, this ain't so bad. We are .500 and within a series or two of first place. As for the Brewers, they were bought from the hapless Selig family a few years ago, and they already had Melvin in place. Stick with a good baseball guy, Ned Yost, get a little bit more money spent by new owner Attanasio, raise a few good prospects within their own farm system (worst system in 2000, one of baseball's best in 2006) and voila! A first place team in May in the weakest division in baseball. Being a cheesehead by birth, I know how much they have suffered for the last 25 years. I wish them well, but for now they are on a high, thinking they will conquer the world this year. They are just beginning the long, arduous road to those teams that seem to re-invent themselves every other year and make it back into the playoffs, ala, our own Oakland A's. Good luck Brewers, may we see you in October. Later, RDB

May 7th, 2007, 05:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,317	I'm not worried either, until given reason to worry...DJ is finally making himself a necessity in this rather than a hopeful (Kendall & BC remaining the only real question-marks, I suppose). Snelling had a good series, but it WAS Tampa Bay. Buck and Walker are sustaining while Putnam has tailed off...Cust can only help at this point. I agree all in all, someone will pick up any slack, even the rotation til Rich returns, so it should be another fun summer in Oakland.

May 8th, 2007, 02:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
lastexit Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SF Posts: 88	players coming off the DL are the new on base percentage