Battle of the Bay

Hillenbrand a San Francisco Giant? AJ Pierzynski Part II, I hope (yes, that's right)...as SF = aging drama queens & divas + BARRY


During the *Moneyball* era the A's organization has had to rely on stats, instinct/trust & heart to further build upon the much-storied, successful, MLB A's franchise before the team was sold to SF real estate developers Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann, prior to the '96 season...

The A's still managed to be semi-successful, while calling that decrepitated coliseum shared w/ wacky+unfaithful Al Davis & his riot-inducing Raiders home, on top of dealing with a dysfuntional city w/ $ issues

(Fremont A's?..UGH, it could be worse...at least they'd still be in the Bay)

The green&gold continually draw a relatively small yet fanatical 'hockey-style' fanbase...

Though, despite their second half success, they must constantly play the role of the unloved step-child to 'Barroids & friends', who receive *dominate* coverage -radio/print/broadcast in the Bay Area.....because they have a state-of-the-art facility & dirty$$$ to sign their (aging) superstars

During the week, I'd say 5-of-7 major Bay Area publications dedicate a photo/story to Bonds on the top/front page, regardless of how frivilous his current play or issue may be ---> (look! Bond's smiling! yaaay...Bonds stands in the outfield, weee....Bonds steps up to the plate, OMG rly!.....((A's, pg 8))




So you ask...why don't the A's just keep Zito?

the aforementioned BS is why...

the A's develop STARS, that ultimately seek more money, a bigger fanbase & a larger market

A's = AAA for the MLB

I thought Zito might be different - a heart/soul kindofguy who would be willing to work with the small market/semi-successful/$tight 'white elephants' - but then he suddenly latches onto Scott Boras............so honestly, since I don't like Loaiza, & with Harden hurt again, Haren finding no support & Z with his heart elsewhere - I'm not really digging this season....I'm near ready for rebuild mode as I'm mostly anticipating the play of Rouse & Windsor....



I guess, in the end, it almost comes full circle - with the Giants seeking youth & the A's searching for $stability

maybe both squads will be reset to face-off in time for a Battle of the Bay, 2009

Zito is leaving the AL to find some sucker NL team to give him big bucks and to pad his stats.

Zito is leaving the AL to find some sucker NL team to give him big bucks and to pad his stats.


exactamundo


but I wouldn't call the 'winning team' a sucker for aquiring his services...sure it'll take big bucks now to do so with BorASS at the helm, but I'm sure it'll pay off in the end...one way or another - he's very down-to-earth, talented, sociable, well-spoken, dedicated to his *strike-out for troops* & other causes, great image, sturdy and kinda stubborn in a good way...yet, can get too emotional & now the possible $ issue

oh, & he can't hit worth ****

It will be very interesting, Thresher, with me as a Giants fans and you as an A's fan. The Giants are the type of team that uses free agency and the trade market, coupled with a few good young players, to "rebuild/retool". The A's are forced to used their farm system, just because of a mere lack of money. SF will have almost 40 million, just from their outfield, to re-build their team this offseason and in the future. Couple that with 10 million from a likely-departed Jason Schmidt and a few more from Ray Durham, it will be like a cycle. The Giants time to win was from 2000-2006, a 6 year window where they often came close but couldn't get over the hump. It will be a rebuilding period, with a team built around pitching and defense, like the Giants teams of 2000 and 2002, just without Barry Bonds. I'm very much looking forward to it.

Thresher, you know fully well what a HR hitter can do for team publicity. Just take your own juiced Bash Brothers, Canseco and McGwire, and remember how popular the A's were in the late 1980's?

The A's will never have any precedence in the Bay Area until/unless they get a new stadium. Both you and I know that.

Zito is leaving the AL to find some sucker NL team to give him big bucks and to pad his stats.

Padres = willing and waiting :D

Padres = willing and waiting :D


I've read that most Pads fans are now pessimistic about their chances of aquiring Z after he re-hired Boras

The latest Z-rumor involves the Mets & their top scout Russ Bove - who will apparently be in attendance at McAfee this weekend


& rohan ~ I may actually catch a live Giants match once Frandsen solidifies a spot in the rotation...I covered the NCAA SJSU baseball beat after he was drafted & his former Spartan teammates had nothing but good things to say about him and were in awe of his talent & dedication...longtime SJSU head coach Sam Piraro said he had never seen one of his players excel through the minor system so quickly

at the start of the 2004-05 NCAA season I noticed the Spartan players were wearing blue (Lance Armstrong) style armbands...I asked their ace about their significance...he said the team was wearing them in honor of Kevin's brother DJ - who passed away in '04 after a near lifelong battle with cancer

For Frandsen in San Fran, I'd cheer my heart out


*

as for the A's...they have Nick 'Moneyball-fame' Swisher with his loudmouth antics...Curveball-King Barry Zito head of the staff...rookie phenom Huston Street holding it down...M.Bradley trying to regulate his notorious ways...plus the 'Big Hurt' crackin' them out of the park for 500,000+

& they've authored notable records as of late

so the entertainment value is there....

but the stadium SUCKS - though Oakland has far more pressing issues at the moment, which I tend to agree with...education & safety should be top priority

though, at the same time maybe the A's could be a catalyst for the aforementioned issues if a new stadium is constructed in Oakland - to draw more business in a revamped area, tourism, donations, media-support, sponsors, etc...I can't help but think Oakland would be worse off if the A's bolted, leaving the city w/ the futile RAIDERS and Warriors

the A's are a shining, storied organization overshadowed by a poor, decrepit home


in the end, when it's Giants vs A's...it's 'location-location-location'

Btw, I've got tickets for the August 27-28-29 Sox/A's series in Oakland.

not with the mets in the nl

Btw, I've got tickets for the August 27-28-29 Sox/A's series in Oakland.

nooooooooooo





j/k - like last time, I'm sure McAfee will likely be 2/3rds R.Sox fans & the boys in green'n'gold will have to endure yet another pseudo road series - as the most deafening roars will likely be reserved for the opposing fans...transients, bandwaggoners & those poor misguided BoSox-cheerin' children :sarcasm:

in all seriousness though - I hope you enjoy your trip & the series

but not too much......







as for the Giants - HEY, they finally ended their mega-skid....yet remain within striking distance in the NL West...about 3-some games out

A's - - - Z on the hill tomorrow vs the Mariners - it's sweet to know the A's ace will stick out the season, yet it's still bitter-tasting knowing Boras all but signals the end of the 'Curve-King' era (I hate you Boras...so very much)...Payton's hand is apparently still in tact, though badly bruised - may miss the series...hopefully Milton's fever has subsided and Swish gets his groove back.... the AL West is far too comfy & cosy