Blog Archives - Big-Time Athletics Fan!

Big-Time Athletics Fan!

Wanted: The Swingin' A's

5/31/2015

Today, we need to come out and be the Swingin’ A’s that we can be. And, of course, it would be nice to go error-free, something I always took for granted until this season. Entering this final game of this series with a 2-1 lead over the Yankees feels good; sitting 3-1 late this afternoon would feel even better! Just as important as that, we need our offense to come out swingin’ for Jesse Chavez.

In his last start against Detroit, Jesse threw eight great innings, didn’t give up an earned run, and was tagged with the loss after the offense left numerous base runners stranded.   So, today we need to be the Swingin’ A’s in full force and leave lots of cleat marks on the plate. Do it for Jesse, boys!

So how ‘bout that Jesse Chavez? How can anyone not love this kid? He has come a long way since he was drafted 1252nd (42nd round) in 2002. He has spent 9 years in the majors, four with Oakland, and has played for four other major league teams (Toronto, Atlanta, Pittsburg, and Kansas City). He played for Riverside Community College yet gained most of his education in the Bigs, having joined the A’s starting rotation in 2014 when Melvin had to make the tough choice and kept Chavez and optioned Kendall Graveman to AAA.

In 2015, Jesse has shown up with a new number and new tattoos and what I believe is a new confidence. With the A’s he’s logged enough games (82), innings (258), strikeouts (239), and a decent ERA (3.55) to develop that confidence. In 2015 he’s 1-5 mostly because of our lacking offense. He has 45 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.44.   All of this is on the heels of a solid performance in 2014 where he went 8-8 in 32 games and 146 innings logging a 3.45 ERA.

So let’s get swingin’, boys. Do it for Jesse!

Zobrist Needs to Go!

5/30/2015

There are things that have always bugged me about Zobrist. But last night at the game he made a lame attempt at a grounder in the 9th when he could have at least knocked it down. Zobrist needs to go. Period. Lazy is not our style. Parrino not running out his 3rd strike also bugged me, but he’s young so I forgive him (a LITTLE).
The only thing that compensated for those two was when Clippard positioned himself for the final high pop-up of the game and Vogt yelled something to the effect of "Move!" Cracked me up. Bottom line: Our boys had the fire last night and you need to join the fire or go away. If we lose and lay it all out there, I can live with that. As for Semien…Kept throwing high on Thursday and in the dirt last night, but Ron Washington has only been working with him for a week. Ron can make him who he and we want him to be!

Game #37: Want it, Need it, Denied it!

5/15/2015

http://www.athleticsnation.com/recaps/2015/5/15/8614527/game-37-want-it-need-it-denied-it

Game #34: Dueling Hit Parade Leaves A’s Short in 4-5 Loss to Boston

5/11/2015

http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/5/11/8590295/game-34-dueling-hit-parade-leaves-a-s-short-in-4-5-loss-to-boston

Coming Soon: Mark Ellis Feature

5/1/2015

One of my all-time favorite movies is 61*. You really get a sense of the gentle and kind, yet very competitive, Roger Maris. He didn’t swear; he barely drank; he was solid, grounded, one you would label an all-American boy. I don’t know that this is fair, but that’s how I’ve always seen Mark Ellis. He is one of THE most sincere players I have ever spoken too. His easy way with people and kind gestures and statements as he signed autographs made you happy to be around him...

Stay tuned for a feature article on Mark Ellis soon.