5 Questions with Athletics Nation
by Ed Valentine on Jul 23, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in News
24 comments
The Yankees take on Oakland tonight at Yankee Stadium to open a four-game series. Here's a quick set of '5 questions' with '67Marquez' of our Oakland blog, Athletics Nation, to help you get to know the A's a bit.
Pinstripe Alley: The Yanks always seem to struggle against pitchers they aren't familiar with. Who are the A's throwing in this series that fits that description?
Athletics Nation: Well if that is truly the case, that can only be good for the A's. You get Vin Mazzaro on Thursday, who is making his 10th career start. The Yankees beat Friday's starter Brett Anderson in April, but he's been terrific of late: a 2-hit shutout at Fenway (you're welcome) and 6-2/3 perfect innings against the Angels. Then there's Gio Gonzalez on Saturday, and Dallas Braden on Sunday. The former, like Mazarro, has never faced New York, and the latter has pitched to 15 Yankees in 3 relief appearances.
PA: Are the A's going to be sellers at the trade deadline? If so, does it bug you that despite having good teams a lot of years Oakland always seems to be getting rid of guys?
AN: We've probably seen the last of Matt Holliday, but it's hard to wax nostalgic over a guy who just got here. I can lie and say as an A's fan, I've gotten used to it, but you never really do. Best thing to do is not to get attached in the first place. But I am envious that- although it's a lot more rare in this day and age- some teams have been able to keep their stars for the duration; Ripken Jr.and Gwynn for example.
PA: Catfish Hunter should be remembered as an Athletic or a Yankee? Why?
AN: Ah Catfish, our first to leave for greener pastures, if you know what I mean. No matter what the Hall-of-Fame cap says (or in his case, doesn't say), he is an A. Threw his Perfect Game here, won a Cy Young here, 3 led World Series champions here; I think you understand where I am going with this.
PA: I know we won't see Jason Giambi this series because he is hurt. But, is he really as washed up as his .193 batting average would seem to indicate?
AN: Jason is done. It happens to everyone. It's too bad. I was hoping for a more memorable swan song. I've always liked him. Sure it hurt to see him leave, especially for the Yankees, but I could not help pull for him.
PA: This season is, obviously, not turning out well for the Athletics. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about their ability to contend again in the next couple of years? Why?
AN: I believe you will get a glimpse of the future this weekend with our young arms. They are why we remain optimistic that better days are ahead.
-- Don't forget to check out my answers to AN's questions.
-- Athletics vs Yankees coverage
-- Athletics vs Yankees preview
0 recs |
24 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
A's always seem to have excellent young arms
I watched Brett Anderson’s domination of the Red Sox a few weeks back, and he looked easily the next one to be as good as guys like Haren, Zito, Mulder, Harden, etc.
Its a shame that there really are no great young hitters in the org just yet, tho it seems one was given away for Holliday in Carlos Gonzalez. There are probably a few in the minors of course (Chris Carter? I think), but it never seems the hitters are in line with the pitchers.
Im always a Yankee fan first and a baseball fan second, but things like this just make me want a salary cap in the game. The A’s are one of the best in terms of development, at least on the pitching side, and it always seems taht before they can field a team together they have to pull a Florida Marlin and sell the team away.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 23, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
salary cap
the A’s and other teams are MORE than able to take all that revenue-sharing money they get from the Yanks and others, and sign some FA’s. They choose not to. Maybe this is me just being an arrogant Yankee fan- but I just don’t feel sorry for teams not willing to spend the money.
by NumberSeven on Jul 23, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they need a new stadium to draw in more fans
I have been to the Colisseum a few times and it’s not the best place to see a ballgame
by Brian5517209 on Jul 23, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Though from what I understand...
…it is a good place to get drunk and smoke weed in the upper deck.
At least it was until they covered it with tarps.
by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true, Brian...
..however- chicken or the egg? If they spend the money to put a more entertaining and competitive team on the field, do they draw more of a crowd? Instead of how they’ve been doing it- putting a team out there that’s just good enough to hang around for half to two-thirds of the year, and then ultimately does not get the job done.
by NumberSeven on Jul 23, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of the main things
I meant with the cap was not necessarily the luxury tax, or that it would stop the yankee’s from going bat shit crazy on FA.
Its that it would force teams like the A’s to spend a certain amount. That’s the thing I don’t like about it. That the greedy owner pockets all the dough is what pisses me off.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 23, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha Ed I just read your post on Athletics Nation
and the general consensus of the A’s fans on that site was that they don’t like the Yankees or their fans, but there is no doubt that the Red Sox are worse.
Perhaps a small PR victory, but it’s still funny that in a few years the Sox have gone from lovable losers to more irritating than the “Evil Empire”
No one tell Louie the Lip about this or it will mean 6 more anti-Sox fanposts.
by Lord Duggan on Jul 23, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed
Some teams just have a different philosophy. Orgs like the Marlins, A’s, Twins, etc., just don’t believe in spending money the way the Yankees do. Blaming a lack of salary cap and our spending practices is just an easy way to point the finger and pocket more revenue.
by Hood on Jul 23, 2009 1:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Man the A's have let some BIG BOYS go....
Of course my man Reg-gie, and Catfish, Giambi,but I forgot Rickey made a BLine from Oakland to da Bronx!!!(jheri curl and all) But in actuality, Reggie did go to Baltimore B4 he was a Yankee.
by ReggieARodJeter on Jul 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
MARKJ BUERHLE JUST THREW A PERFECT GAME!!1!
by Brian5517209 on Jul 23, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Against The Rays.. mmmmhahahaaha
by Yankz09 on Jul 23, 2009 4:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Buehrle=most underrated pitcher of all time
by Brian5517209 on Jul 23, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and, in the Dept. of Absurdity Dept., congratulations to B.J. Upton
whom Yahoo! Sports lists as “Top Batter” for the steenkin’ Rays in that game.
by twinight on Jul 23, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i haven't been able to see it yet
still at work, you think ESPN or MLBNetowork will air it later tonight?
by Brian5517209 on Jul 23, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Idk about the entire game.. but espn and mlb network repeat the same stuff all day
by Yankz09 on Jul 23, 2009 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
The game in its entirety?
Not sure, but probably. ESPN Classic might, too.
by Hood on Jul 23, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do to MLB.com
I don’t know why more people don’t realize how good it is with highlights, but basically every significant play you will see a replay for if you click on the boxscore.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 23, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
