The Oakland Athletics in 2001 were slow out of the gate like blackstrap molasses.

After 11 games, they sported a record of 2-9! This equaled one of the worst starts in team history. By the end of the regular seasons, no one cared about the losing record. It was all about the run for October!

Here is the roster for opening day 2001.

Johnny Damon

The skateboard-riding-BART-hopping Damon was acquired from the Royals along with Mark Ellis in a 3-team trade , on January 8, 2001. Damon started in 155 games, appearing at the plate 719 times,scored 108 runs and collected 165 hits. His  BA only .256. His salary for 2001 was a whopping $7.1 million. Although he had a terrible arm for an outfielder, he had ended up with a respectable .992 fielding percentage.

Jose Ortiz

Signed by the A’s as an amateur free agent in 1994, made his debut on September 15, 2000. Ortiz started only 11 games, collected 7 hits and  4 runs. His average was a disappointing .167.By July 2001 he was part of the 3-team deal that brought Jermaine Dye from Kansas City and he was dispatched to the Colorado Rockies.

Jason Giambi

The Brewers drafted Jason Giambi in the 43rd round of the June 1989 draft, but he chose not to sign. It wasn’t until the ‘92 amateur draft that he was snagged by the A’s in the second round. This time he promptly signed within a month.

Giambi started 154 games that year. In his 520 AB, he had 178 hits,  including 47 doubles, scored 109 runs, hit 38 home runs, collected 120 RBI and a monster .342 BA. His OPS was a staggering 1.137.

In the TV Guide October 13-19, 2001 cover story, Giambi was described as the A’s “slugging prime minister with upper body so large that each of his tattoos has a separate area code”

According to USA today, Jason Giambi’s  salary for 2001 was $4.1 million.

Olmedo Saenz

Saenz was signed as a free agent on November 13, 1998 after being with the White Sox for 8 years.Chants of ‘Olmeeeedo Signs’ erupted from the left field bleachers each time he approached the batters box.

Saenz started in 106 games, with 304 AB, had 67 hits and 9 home runs. His average was only.220 and his role was reduced to backup player. According to Baseball Reference, his nickname was “Killer Tomato”.

Eric Chavez

Chavez was selected by the A’s as the 10th overall pick in the 1996  draft. By August he was signed and made his debut in September 1998. He started in all but 11 games for the A’s in 2001. With 552 at-bats, he amassed 159 hits with 43 doubles (surprisingly- no triples), 32 home runs. His BA was .288.

2001 Highlights for Chavez included: a career high 8 RBI in a game against the Orioles on  August 30; his first career two-homer game against the White Sox on April 26 in Chicago. The second home run was estimated to travel between 490-500 ft.- the longest at the time in the New Comiskey Park. He followed that performance with a 0-17 streak. His second longest hitless streak of his career to that point.

At Third, his movements were simply brilliant. Involved in turning 27 double plays,321 assists and 100 putouts. At one point during the season Chavez went 21 games without an error and ended the season with a .932 fielding percentage.

Miguel Tejada

On July 17, 1993, the A’s signed Tejada as a non-drafted Free Agent. His debut came on August 27, 1997 starting at SS. What a nightmarish debut – 0-5 against the New York Yankees. “Ironman” Tejada started all 162 games at SS in the 2001 season.

In 622 plate appearances, he scored 107 runs, had 166 hits, 32 HR but only 3 triples with 113 RBI. Batting .326 his on base percentage was.326.

It was his prowess in the field that made “Miggy” a fan favorite. He turned 93 DP, had 473 assists and 256 Putouts and ended the 2001 campaign with a .973 fielding percentage.

On April 14, Tejada hit the 10,000 home run in Oakland A’s history. A solo shot  against  Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers.He also homered in all 3 games against the Blue Jays in Toronto, which gave him six consecutive games with a home run in the Skydome.

The season was not all glory for Tejada. Between June 7 and June 10 he lived thorough a 0-15 hitless streak and committed two errors in the game against the SF Giants on June 17. Tejada bounced back from his earlier struggles with a 13 game hitting streak September 8-29. Here’s what he did: hit 4 HR; 19 RBI; scored 15 runs and ended the streak in grand fashion with a grand slam, while hitting for the cycle against Seattle on September 29!

Terrence Long

Long was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round of the 1994 draft. He arrived in Oakland on July 23, 1999 via trade for Kenny Rogers. He made his debut with the A’s in 2000, setting a Oakland rookie record with 104 runs and tied the rookie record with 168 hits. He was second in the AL rookie of the year voting.

T Long was the A’s second ironman in 2001, starting alongside Tejada in all 162 games. He played in all 3 outfield positions during the season  until he settled into left field after Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye claimed center and right field.

Jeremy Giambi

Jeremy Giambi , younger brother to Jason, was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round of the 18 draft on June 4, 1996. He came to the A’s by way of a trade from the Royals for Brett Laxton just before the 2000 spring training

Surprisingly, in 2001 Jeremy Giambi had career highs in every offensive category except batting average He went .283 with 12 home runs and 57 RBI  in 124 games.  He started at four different positions for the A’s that year, Including RF,LF, DH and First.

One of the highlights of 2001 for Jeremy Giambi, came on June 21 against Seattle. The Giambi brothers homered in the same game for the fourth time in their careers.  After the All-Star break, he went on to hit safely in each of his first 10 games, that made it the longest hitting streak of his career. The streak vaulted his average as high as .304 by August 4.

Jeremy Giambi was a big contributor for the green and gold in 2001. Of his 57 RBI, 23 either tied the game or put the A’s ahead. His best career numbers to that point against one team was six home runs and 19 RBI against Texas.

Ramon Hernandez

Ramon Hernandez was signed by the A’s  as a non-drafted free agent on February 18, 1999. He made his Oakland debut in 1999, appearing in 40 game for the A’s.

In 2001 Hernandez became the first catcher in Oakland history to catch more than 125 game in back-to-back seasons. Having started in 135 game  the previous year. His 2001 highlights include setting an Oakland record for catchers, taking part in 15 double play, but also tired for the league lead with 11 errors. He cut down 13 of 131 attempted base stealers. At one point opponents were successful in 17 consecutive stolen base attempts from April 20 to May 2, 2001.

Hernandez hit a career-high 15 home runs and added 60 RBIs to rank third among AL catchers in both categories .He ended the year with .254 BA, 115 huts, scored 55 runs and had 37 walks.

Tim Hudson

Hudson was the starter on opening day. You can read his 2001 performance in this related posted

What do you remember about opening day 2001? What was your highlight of 2001? Who was your favorite player that year?How many players do you recognize from the roster?

Share your story in the comments section of this post.

Source:Oakland Athletics 2002 Information Guide

The 2001 season for the Oakland Athletics, was all about the “Big 3’- Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder.

During the year, the A’s compiled a record of 102-60 and finished 14 games behind the Seattle Mariners to take second place in the AL West.

Art Howe captained the ship with Ken Macha riding shotgun. Rick Peterson manned the mound and Ron Washington held point at Third.

The Big Three

BARRY ZITO

Zito made his debut with the A’s in 2000. He had a woeful beginning to the 2001 season. Starting in 22 games up to mid July, he went 6-7 with a whopping 5.01 ERA.

By the middle of the summer, things started to click for Zito and he fired off an 11-2 record with a 1.32 ERA in his final 13 starts. He also struck out 200 batters to become the fourth A’s pitcher to do so in a single season.

2001 was nothing short of spectacular and had fans jumping out of their seats with his every start.

But on July 24, 2001 against the Minnesota Twins, Zito couldn’t make it past the second inning and had to watch his teammates from the dugout. He bounced back on August 9, 2001 with a stellar performance against the Boston Red Sox. Throwing a complete game 4-hit shutout, while not allowing a runner past first base.

Zito was awarded for his performances in August and September with Pitcher of the Month honors. Leading the AL in ERA and opponents batting average and tied in wins during August, while leading the AL in ERA in September and tied in the number of wins.

He saved his best performance  in 2001 for the Texas Rangers. Going 5-0 in seven career starts and a 3.52 ERA.

TIM HUDSON

Hudson, acquired by the A’s in the 6th round of the June 1997 draft, made his debut with the team on June 7, 1999. In 21 starts during his rookie year, he went 11-2 with a 3.23 ERA and led the team with 132 strikeouts. He won 20 games in 2000 and 18 in 2001, becoming the 12th pitcher in Oakland history with at least three consecutive 10-win seasons.

Hudson was the opening day starter in 2001 and became a workhouse for the A’s during the season. He led the team in innings pitched for a second straight year and had a career-high 3 complete games.

Among his 2002 highlights, Hudson struck out 11 Anaheim Angels in the game on April 7 and against Texas on June 22..

His low points came when he allowed a career high 12 hits in 3 losses to the New York Yankees on April 21, the Detroit Tigers on August 24 and to Anaheim on July 21.

By the end of 2001, Hudson posted a 8-1 record against the Angels in 10 career starts and was undefeated against Toronto,  Baltimore, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. However, by then he had yet to record a win against Cleveland or New York during the regular season.

MARK MULDER

At 6’6”, looking ever fit and handsome, Mulder had the air of a Superstar from the moment he was taken by the A’s, as the second selection overall, behind Pat Burrell in the 1998 draft.

Mulder made his debut with the A’s in 2000, making 27 starts before his season was cut short in mid-September by a herniated disc. Sadly, this injury was eventually demise from baseball.

In 2001 he had the best year of his career, with 21 wins and finished second to Roger Clemens in the AL Cy Young race.

Mulder in 2001 had an impressive 11-game streak of not issuing a walk. He struck out 153 batters and ranked first in the AL in double plays induced with 26. In 18 of his 24 starts that year, he went at least 7 innings, while allowing 3 runs or less 24 times.

Whereas Zito was a slow starter in 2001, Mulder sprinted out of the gates , going  5-0 in May and a 2.47 ERA. But Anaheim was his nemesis. In June, his winning streak went downhill like tumbleweed. He could only manage a 1-4 record with a ballooning 5.75 ERA.

His stellar performance of the year was an almost perfect game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, (who won the World Series that year) on July 6, 2001.  RF Danny Bautista hit a single to lead off the eight and broke up the perfect game. The only base runner he allowed in the game. Mulder did not get to ball three on any batter and struck out nine for a career high.

Six times during 2001, Mulder retired all nine hitters the first time through the order. For the second time in 2001 he took a no-hitter into the seventh against the Chicago Cubs, when Maglio Ordonez hit a two-run home run.

In July, Mulder was name AL Pitcher of the month, with his league-leading ERA and tying for second in wins.

Mulder in that year, defeated all 12 AL teams he faced at least once and defeated all four NL West teams he faced, ending with a 4-1 record with a 1.63 ERA and two shutouts in interleague play in 2001.

Hudson, Zito and Mulder accounted for 54 percent of Oakland’s wins during 2001.

What a year 2001 was for the Mighty Big 3 and the A’s.

With the 2011 Opening Day only 66 days away, Oakland A’s fans can look forward to the next Big 3…

Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez and Brett Anderson.

Philadelphia Phillies Ain’t got nuthin on the A’s!

Source: Oakland A’s Media Guide 2001, MLB.com, Baseball Reference.com

Oakland A’s pitcher, Ben Sheets has been the target of harsh criticism in more than a few of my earlier posts. No other player on the Oakland 2010 roster has infuriated me so much.

Then on a cool and rainy Sunday night in Chicago, I came face-to-face with Oakland A’s Pitcher, Ben Sheets!

I was at the end of a very long and tiring day. What started out as a fun day at AT&T Park in San Francisco ended with the sting of a 3-game sweep at hands of the cross town rivals. It was now long past midnight and there I was waiting impatiently in baggage claim in Chicago’s O’Hare’. The airport had the emptiness of the Oakland Coliseum…  during a mid-week series with the Kansas City Royals.

The flight from SFO was just under four hours, but seemed like 40. Two hours into the air, I became as restless as Raj Davis standing on first base. I wanted to get off the plane and walk the rest of the way. I couldn’t read, I couldn’t sleep, I was not having a good night.

Watching the luggage rumbling around on the carousel was sure making me dizzy. I was praying that our bags made the trip too.  The husband had left me in charge of our carry-on’s,while he went off to make a pit stop.

To prevent myself from getting cross-eyed, I turned around to watch the remaining passengers make their way slowly down the stairs. And that’s when I spotted him! I recognized the hair and the familiar gait. He looked so much taller on TV though, but there was no doubt in my mind who he was.

As he got closer to where I stood, I pointed at him and yelled, “Hey, you’re Ben Sheets!” With his Louisiana drawl and a big wide grin, he replied, “Yes. That’s me!”

After the lackluster performance in the Saturday game in San Francisco, I began putting ideas together for yet another critical post directed at Ben Sheets. Never got around to writing a word before the trip.

My big moment was here. My chance to meet Ben Sheets and the opportunity to tell him his pitching stinks!  How I doubted his ability to pitch well in 2010 and that he was overpaid.

And so there I was at baggage claim, long past midnight… standing face-to-face with Ben Sheets! A thousand things popping into my mind.

Without missing a beat, I started rambling about how the husband and I are A’s fans on a road trip to Wrigley Field and St. Louis. Ben said it wasn’t hard to miss the Husband’s familiar A’s hat as we took our seats.  We were the last to board the plane! We also told him we left the game in San Francisco and headed straight to airport.

Ben simply uttered. “Me Too!”

Then I thought, maybe, he’s not so bad after all. Imagine that. Ben Sheets and his family were on our flight, and they weren’t in First Class.

I have to admit, I was caught up in the moment. I mean, how often do you get the chance to come face-to-face with the person you criticized in your blog? I couldn’t wait!

I told him about my Blog blog and the stuff I wrote about him.

I was so busy thinking of the next thing to say, I can’t remember his response. All I know, I took it as a green light to blab some more. I smiled and uttered,

“Ben, what happened to you on the mound Saturday night?“

Again in his strong Louisiana drawl, he calmly replied, “I just didn’t pitch well, there was nothing wrong with me, it just didn’t go very well”

And just like that, no excuses, he just “manned-up.”

Not wanting to push my luck, I decided against mentioning the throwing error to First Base in the Saturday night game in San Francisco.What was he thinking?

But, there were other things I wanted to get some answers to. Firsthand. I asked about the heart-pounding, nail-biting events in the top of the Eight in the Saturday night game and again on Sunday afternoon. What it’s like pitching in the American League. Being a veteran among a bunch of young guys. I wanted answers….

Then without hesitation, Ben said “It would be nice if the A’s could get a ‘Big Bat’ to help the team contend for the AL West.”

And there I was, face-to-face with Ben Sheets and his wife, chatting as if we had known each other for years.

He teased his wife as she tried to work the Husband’s big a*** camera. She could not make it work! After some instructions and more ribbing from Ben, she managed to get a few shots. Me, Ben Sheets and the Husband! Whoa….

Ben’s wife is cool too. I talked with her about what it’s like being in Oakland and getting a chance to visit San Francisco. While just behind us, their kids were having fun playing around. They sure weren’t as tired as I was.

We chatted some more with Ben about playing in Oakland and living in the Bay Area. He talked about playing golf in Oakland on his off days, but didn’t mention his handicap! The Husband was pleasantly surprised, Ben was up to speed on East Bay current events. He mentioned a couple things that really caught us off guard.

With thoughts of the forgettable few months, Matt Holliday spent in Oakland and rumors of how he hated the place. I asked Ben if he really enjoys being with the Oakland A’s.

He said he really does. And with a measure of seriousness, he expressed his deep appreciation and respect for what Billy Beane did for him, in signing him to a one-year deal. (Yeah, I would be very happy too, if my boss signed me to a one-year $10 mil contract). Ben also remarked how tough it was as a baseball player to sit out the entire 2009 season. We also laughed about the fact that he never stops talking when he’s in the dugout.

Finally, his bag rolled off the carousel and we knew it was time to end the tête-à-tête. Ben was gracious enough to spend a few more minutes shooting the breeze. In the end, the Husband and I wished him good luck in St. Louis. (Yes, he was “given” 2 extra days off after his poor pitching performance in San Francisco.)

We told him we would see him at Wrigley on Tuesday. Ben in turn wished us good luck on our road trip.

And then he disappeared. Into the cool and rainy Chicago night, to enjoy the off-day with the family.

He had just hit the first Grand Slam Home Run of his career and it should have been a happy day for him and the team. After, what happened, I don’t think anyone associated with the Angels is celebrating today’s win.

I knew sooner or later, someone was going to get hurt. Every time I watch a team with a walk-off win, I would say it out loud.

“Someone is going to get seriously hurt”. Today it finally happened!

Maybe I jinxed it.

On a day when Major League Baseball should be celebrating the 20th Perfect Game, the specter of a serious injury at home plate looms over a good baseball story.

It is simply amazing how up until now, no player has been seriously injured from excessive celebrations after a team win in the bottom of the ninth. I can understand a World Series Game 7-Win, but celebrating a regular season win doesn’t need the acrobatics at home plate.

So what does the injury to Kendry Morales mean for the Angels?

As an A’s fan, no sympathy for the team. Of course, it is unfortunate it happened, no one wants to see a player get hurt. The A’s have had their share of bad luck with injuries to key players the past 3 years. Only today, it was announced that Justin Duchscherer is out for the rest of the season, with surgery scheduled for his other hip. He was out all of last season, pitched in a few games this year and “poof”, just like that he is gone…back to the DL. I predicted before the start of the season, he was not going to be on the opening day roster.

He lasted 6 weeks longer than my prediction.

Kendry Morales is by far the best player on the Angels. Always a home-run threat, he was having a good 2010 season.

In 51 games he is batting .290 with 39 RBI’s, 11 HR and 56 hits. He is also pretty good defensively at first base.
With a .996 fielding percentage making only 2 errors this year.

With the Angels “looking up” at the first-place A’s in the AL West, this might be an opportunity for the A’s to make a run for the division. The Pundits keep saying, it’s still early and the Angels are going to win the division.

I say, “not so fast.” In a few days, the calendar turns over to June and teams will be thinking of roster moves to make at the July trading deadline.

But back to the injury suffered earlier today by Angels first baseman, Kendry Morales.

Have you seen how high the players jump up and down at home plate, climbing on each others backs and pounding teammates? And to top it off, the helmet (which is there for protection) comes “flying off” as they approach home!

I think what happened today at Angels Stadium proves it! The excessive (and senseless) celebration at home plate should end… once and for all.

Mr. Commissioner, “the ball is in your court”.

Let me hear your thoughts.

Click on the comment link below and let me know what you think about those excessive home plate celebrations.

Ben Sheets was ready for opening day to my surprise. Plus, he made it out of spring training uninjured. Maybe his ego was bruised, when he failed to retire a batter in one start and gave up 10 runs.

At the time everyone said, “It’s spring training, it doesn’t count. Ben is working on his mechanics.” But I took note.

Ben has made a total of six starts this year yielding a 7.12 ERA. He has allowed 24 earned runs, including 6 home runs, walked 16 while striking out 16 in 30.1 innings. 17 of his earned runs came on the last road trip to Tampa Bay and Toronto – the only remaining domes in baseball.

The line for those two starts look like this: 7.1 IP, 4 SO, 3BB, 17 ER, 5HR – 2 losses for the team.

Surprisingly, Ben’s best outing so far came against the Yankees at the Oakland Coliseum. Going 6 innings, he walked 3, struck out 4, while yielding 4 hits and two runs. So far, his only win was against the Baltimore Orioles who had only one win prior to their series against the A’s.

I am sure Ben Sheets is disappointed in his most recent pitching performances and wants to do better. Based on his appearances in Tampa Bay and Toronto, wanting to pitch well and actually pitching well, seems like a mountain he is not equipped to climb.

If he is to pitch on his regular day, Ben should face the Tampa Bay Rays again on Saturday at the Coliseum. No excuses this time, the weather should be perfect for baseball. No domes in sight!

A good performance from Ben Sheets would help to turn the sentiment around. Until then will the real Ben Sheets please stand up?

I am passionate about baseball and I love the Oakland A’s, but it’s hard to get excited about the 2010 team. Too many injuries and uncertainties that lead me to believe the starting rotation won’t be what the A’s are expecting this year.

Here are some points to consider.

Reason #1 Ben Sheets– The ink was hardly dry on his $10 million contract before Manager Bob Geren announced he was his 2010 opening day starter. I understand name recognition and for the A’s to get some media attention. Remember Jason Giambi in 2009? I hope Ben Sheets proves me wrong, but I am skeptical.

I really hope his track record of the last 3 years is not a sign of (bad) things to come. I believe his frequent trips to the DL scared-off a number of other teams. So he ended up wearing the Green and Gold. (I don’t think he likes the colors). I can see the headlines:

“Bret Anderson named 2010 opening day starter after Ben Sheets retires to the Clubhouse with slight elbow stiffness on the mound today!”

Reason #2 – Justin Duchscherer. Granted he is a 2-time All-Star as a starting pitcher and a reliever. Not many players can claim that distinction. But, will he stay healthy in 2010? If the last two seasons were any indication, I would say no. Just when I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt…oops! A surgical procedure to relieve the back pain. Should I really be excited about his 2010 season?

I have never played baseball; but I played cricket; does that count? Maybe not, so it is definitely not my place to tell a player when to quit. But, my hope is someone will whisper in his ear, that he would be better-off coming out of the pen, or retire, perhaps?

Duchscherer may never regain his form of 2008. What a season. He went 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA and pitched 141 innings. His most memorable performance was against 2-time Cy Young Award Winner, Tim Lincecum at the coliseum on June 28, 2008. That was heart-pounding, sit-at-the-edge-of-your-seat kind stuff. Maybe he will prove me wrong and give us at least one more game like that.

Reason #3 – Josh Outman – Yes he was good for the short time he pitched in 2008 & 2009. I was disappointed he and needed surgery. But A’s fans got to see what the young ones could do and we were excited. Let’s hope there is more of that this year. I think Manager Bob Geren overused Outman last year.

Just when I though all was well, Jane Lee of MLB.com, reported last week that Josh Outman confessed to having shoulder tendonitis.

Result: 6-week delay in his rehab.

Reason #5 – Dallas Braden – I admire his fiery attitude every time he takes the ball. He wants to win and gives it his all. Last time I saw him pitch, it wasn’t a happy ending. He was visibly upset after Manager Bob Geren took him out of the game. Early reports were that he had a rash on his ankle and might miss a game or two.

He was gone for the rest of the season.

Forward to 2010, Dallas Braden is fit and ready for spring training, but he is well enough to join the rotation. According to Mychael Urban, CSN Bay Area Insider, he has permanent nerve damage because of the rash and has no feeling in some of the toes.

Could this could go down in Baseball history as “Rash-Gate?”

“The Tiny Rash that Derailed a Big League Career”.

Reason #6 – Joey Devine – Devine came over from the Braves as part of the Mark Kotsay trade. Hopes were high for him to become the next great closer for the A’s. He is the reason Huston Street and Carlos (Car-Go) Gonzalez are now playing with the Colorado Rockies. Carlos is already a star.

Joey Devine posted a 0.59 ERA in 42 appearances in 2008, but never made it to opening day 2009. He showed up in Spring Training complaining of elbow pain. By April, he was in Birmingham, Alabama where Dr. James Andrews performed elbow surgery. I hope we get to see him pitch sometime this year.

While the A’s are still trying to figure out who’s going to fill the fifth spot in the rotation, I strongly believe in 2010 we will see the same rotation as last year:

1. Brett Anderson
2. Trevor Cahill
3.Gio Gonzalez
4. Vin Mazzarro
5. TBD

I would love to know what you think.

Only time will tell if Ben Sheets will stay healthy. Unless you have a magic ball, you can’t tell how the season is going to play out. Every Spring Training all 30 baseball teams (except maybe the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals) have visions of playing post-season baseball, winning it all and having their parade. Yes, of course. Twenty-nine teams will be watching the World Series parade in November, from their vacation spots.

I would like to see Ben Sheets do well in Oakland. Not only for his sake, but also for the Oakland A’s and their fans. After three losing seasons, uninspiring roster moves, empty stands, fans need a reason why they should show up and be excited at the Coliseum this year.

The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Ben Sheets back in 1999 and he spent his entire major league career with them. The last time anyone saw him pitch was September 27, 2008. The A’s must have seen something in his workout (that no one else saw) to sign him to such a contract. Look, whether you like it or not, Ben Sheets is going to bring interest to the Athletics much like Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi did last year.

I don’t understand why baseball analysts aren’t willing to give this “marriage” a chance. Many have started to speculate as to what uniform Ben Sheets will be wearing after the July trading deadline.The Oakland A’s have a history of rehabilitating injured, washed-up players. You can’t forget Frank Thomas in 2006. He helped the A’s make it to the ALCS. I mean four games away from a World Series title. In 2009, Adam Kennedy, on the scrap heap with the Tampa Bay Rays, found his groove in Oakland. OK, so it didn’t work out with Jason Giambi, but I am sure you knew he had nothing left in the tank.

What’s your take? How many games do you think Ben Sheets will win in 2010? Do you think the A’s have a shot to be in the hunt by July?

A’s fans, Billy Beane and Bob Geren are putting their trust in Ben Sheets to lead the young staff. Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzales, Dallas Braden and Vin Mazzaro. I am hoping the experiment works. So whether you like it or not, he will be taking the mound opening day for the Oakland A’s. By Mid-May you will know whether Ben Sheets and the Oakland A’s is a marriage made in hell.

Reason Number 2. ANDREW BAILEY – Last year this time Bailey was struggling as a starter in AA Midland going 0-8. Maybe someone saw something in him that showed he could be a relief pitcher. He was converted to the bullpen and invited to Spring Training. No one expected him to make the roster. Yet at the July All-Star game in St. Louis, Bailey was the only rookie and the lone Oakland A’s representative. To date he has 25 saves – surpassing the record set by Huston Street in 2006. Bailey has 20 consecutive saves and is on a list with the likes of Mariano Rivera, Huston Street.
Andrew Bailey has distinguished himself as the 2009 AL Rookie of the year.

Reason Number 3. KURT SUZUKI – When the A’s promoted Suzuki to the big leagues, the writing was on the wall for Jason Kendall. A good veteran catcher and a solid member of the team. However, as the A’s have proven, youth is the building block of the organization. At the all-star break, a nervous Kurt Suzuki took over the reins of calling the game. His contributions have been valuable to the team since. He is leading the league in innings, improved his defense and works hard on his offense. In addition, he gives back to the community. What an amazing guy.

VOTE FOR KURT SUZUKI FOR THE 2009 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD

Reason Number 4 – BRETT ANDERSON- Hands down, he is he ‘ace’ of the A’s. He was highly touted as part of the “Little Three, the M-A-C Attack”. He has come of age. I know it is early to anoint him the next Cy Young Award Winner, but his performance has been spectacular.
A career-high 10 strikeouts against the Cleveland Indians at the Oakland Coliseum Friday night. With extra days rest, he seemed to have gotten stronger as the season went on. His poise on the mound and confidence in his pitches has propelled him to a .500 record this far.
His 1-hit performance against the Boston Red Sox earlier this year went largely unnoticed nationally. For A’s fans, it was a sign of things to come. Whenever he is on the mound, the team has the confidence that they will win the game.
In 28 games, so far he has pitched 164.2 innings with 139 strikeouts. What a performance.

Reason Number 5. THE BULLPEN. Michael Wuertz, Craig Breslow, Brad Ziegler, Santiago Casilla, Jeff Gray, Edgar Gonzalez.
Need I say more!

But for those lucky players, it must be nice playing for the New York Yankees.

Watching today’s game brought a big smile to my face.

Three former teammates with the Oakland A’s during the Yankees, Blue Jays game in The Bronx.

Marco Scutaro at the plate for the Toronto Blue Jays – batting average .297. Tied for fifth in the league in walks. – Traded to the Blue Jays by Billy Beane

Nick Swisher – “swishalicious” as John Sterling calls him- at first base, – third in the league in walks – traded to The White Sox – by Billy Beane

Chad Gaudin – on the mound, first appearance as a Yankee – thrown into the Rich Hardin trade to the Cubs – by Billy Beane.

I can only imagine all three players are enjoying their new teams. Yes, it was fun with the A’s, but now they

have a chance to play for winning teams. OK, the Blue Jays are not really a winning team but you get what I mean.

Chad Gaudin from the last place Padres to the New York Yankees, a World Series contender.

To the rocking sound of a packed Yankee stadium crowd. I can’t say “sold-out” as that only happens

with the Red Sox in town. A World away from the Oakland Coliseum with its ten thousand

fans per game. What a great feeling that must be for him.

And in his first appearance at Yankee Stadium. Chad Gaudin gets the win.

I wonder how that feels. It must be nice playing for the New York Yankees.

Thank you Billy Beane.

Kings of the Baseball World. The teams with the most to spend on “gobbling” up talent.

Should the Yanks enforce the “Joba” Rules? Should they have kept him on his normal day rest? Will he throw inside to Kevin Youkilis? Will the benches clear sometime during the weekend?

These are the questions on everyone’s mind. OK, at least in New York and Boston.

There are 28 other baseball teams, but the East Coast Media doesn’t seem to care. It’s all about Red Sox, Yankees.

Sports Talk Radio hosts who were on vacation, returned today to talk for hours on the match ups. Newspaper columnists in New York, who have nothing new to say, have resorted to writing about past series.

You have to feel sorry for the NY Mets. No one really cares. They are facing the Padres in San Diego this weekend. A chance for the Mets to pick up three games in the NL Wild Card from the struggling Padres. However, with the recent embarrassing sequence of events surrounding the team; it’s hard for anyone to care. It doesn’t help that the Padres has a worse record than the Mets.

Yes, it does not matter. The East Coast Media doesn’t care.

Back in 2007, I was frustrated at the constant national coverage of Red Sox, Yankee games. ESPN Friday night game. Fox Game of the Week on Saturday and ESPN Sunday evening game. I started my Blog then simply to vent.

The last two years, it appears the television stations realized we all were sick and tired of Yankees, Red Sox. Coverage was scaled-back.

It doesn’t help that the Red Sox are 8-0 for the season. Who has the edge.
The Yankees are trying to convince themselves, it doesn’t matter. That they can beat the Red Sox. But what if it is in their heads.
Something has to give this weekend.

Come Monday morning we will see who takes the lead in the AL East. Whatever the result, I am still sick and tired of the Yankees.

After this weekend, there will be six more games between these teams.

No doubt, the “hype” will be the same.