“I liked the part about his wife hitting him fungoes,” Dunn said. “That’s the only good part about that book.”

Boy, is the joke ever going to be on Dunn when he gets sent to Oakland next week

Ha - Adam Dunn, meet folding chair.

Hatteberg saved win #20. (For all the talk about postseason failure with the A's, that 20 game winning streak is probably one of my favorite moments as an A's fan. If I had to decide between it and a WS win, I'd actually have to think about it.) He'll always be a giant in Oakland. And he's way too sharp to have ever ended up in a Blockbuster. He would have been fine.

If I had to decide between it and a WS win, I'd actually have to think about it.

I wouldn't take 162-0 in trade for the Sox 2005 WS win. Maybe that's just me.

“I liked the part about his wife hitting him fungoes,” Dunn said. “That’s the only good part about that book.”
Boy, is the joke ever going to be on Dunn when he gets sent to Oakland next week

The funny thing is, that Dunn is the ideal Moneyball guy according to Michael Lewis' version of the philosphy. You'd think he'd like a book where a guy with his talents is appreciated instead constantly criticized and subject to trade rumors.

I don't know how long Shooty's been an A's fan, but I imagine he has '89, if not '72 thru '74. I'd be surprised if he remembers 1930.

This thread is confusing. Dunn's comment is hilarious. Everyone's, like, criticizing him for his joke.

I wouldn't take 162-0 in trade for the Sox 2005 WS win. Maybe that's just me.

It could be that I just don't value things correctly, but that 20 game win streak was an insane amount of fun, and the last 5 games especially were as tense as any postseason game I've seen. And, of course, win #20 was insane. I'd probably still take a WS, but lots of teams have won a WS. Only 2 teams have won 20 in a row.

why is this news now?

I don't know how long Shooty's been an A's fan, but I imagine he has '89, if not '72 thru '74. I'd be surprised if he remembers 1930.

I was born in '72, so I only really have '89 and, after the earthquake, it was hard to get into that series. So I really have never experienced the true joy of a WS win. (Weirdly, when the earthquake first hit, my first worry was that the power went out and I was going to miss the game. My second worry was that my stacks of baseball cards were going to fall off my shelf. 5 seconds later, I was more worried the fat lady upstairs--literally--was going to fall through the ceiling and kill me.)

I wasn't criticizing Dunn, BTW. I just thought he'd raed that book and think to himself, "Man, there is a place whwere fat guys who hit home runs and strike out a lot are loved! I only have to click my cleats together 3 times and say There's no place like Oakland. There's no place like Oakland. There's no place like Oakland." Of course, we already have our Dunn: Cust ops+ 164 Dunn +135 I know it won't last, but that's just crazy.

why is this news now?

Interleague series between the two. Is it the first time the Reds and A's have played since the 1990 Series? First time in Oakland? Who cares?

why is this news now?

Um, because despite the fact that we all read Moneyball, most folks haven't, and Hatteberg's return to Oakland makes for a nice little human interest story in the mainstream Cincy paper.

Dunn's comment is hilarious. Everyone's, like, criticizing him for his joke.

Oh, I'm definitely not criticizing him, because his joke absolutely is hillarious. But I do think that if he ends up in Oakland that would be pretty enjoyable in its own way.

It could be that I just don't value things correctly, but that 20 game win streak was an insane amount of fun, and the last 5 games especially were as tense as any postseason game I've seen. And, of course, win #20 was insane. I'd probably still take a WS, but lots of teams have won a WS. Only 2 teams have won 20 in a row.

Despite the number of objects flung across the room in October of 2000...2001...2002...2003, I gotta agree that the twenty game streak at least takes the sting out of, if not makes up for, the considerable playoff heartbreaks. It's the most fun I've ever had as an A's fan, #20 was easily the most awesomely communal sporting event I've attended, and it's one of the rare times that there was a palpable excitement about the A's in the Easy Bay air during the regular season. Add to that the number and variety of unlikely ways to win: a mess of scoreless outings from Cory Lidle (Cory Lidle!), Tejada's string of big hits, three wins from your closer, the comeback win in Detroit...even John Mabry was playing well. What a lot of fun.

Hatteberg was a big part of that, and I'll always have good memories of him because of his role on that team.

I'm just disappointed to learn that Dunn has taken up reading again. I remember a few years ago when he claimed to have only read two books: a kid's book back in school called Summer of the Monkeys and Friday Night Lights.

The best/worst part about #20 was that it wasn't even in TV in San Francisco.

"They had Dan Johnson coming up (at first base), and with the Oakland A's it's all about turnover, that's how they keep the payroll down," Hatteberg said. "They had him coming up and he's going to be something. It was the move I would have made, it was obvious. It was time for me to move on and that was that. It wasn't a move that shocked me."

maybe hatte should be a GM, and brian sabean should work at blockbuster.

(proud game 20 attendee, RF bleachers)
(hatte is a F'ing legend)

Dunn has a Kruk-style future in commentating if he wants it. Whatever his faults as a ballplayer (and I think the Reds have ###### it up by focusing on his negatives as I have said, so I am not a Dunn-basher) he is pretty funny.

he is pretty funny

Agree. Does anybody remember his quote from the All-Star game in 2002? Some reporter asked him if he knew he was the youngest player on the NL All-Star team. He replied, "I'm also the funniest and most handsome." (Or something like that.)

The funny thing is, that Dunn is the ideal Moneyball guy according to Michael Lewis' version of the philosphy. You'd think he'd like a book where a guy with his talents is appreciated instead constantly criticized and subject to trade rumors.

Given that the biggest basher of "moneyball" is the ultimate "moneyball" player (Joe Morgan), I am begining to believe that high-OBP guys objecting to "Moneyball" is the baseball equivelant of "Stockholm Syndrome"

Joe Morgan should have never read that book to Adam Dunn.

When Koch gave up the tying runs in the 9th to that little scrubby Royal, I hit myself in the head with the baseball bat I had been clutching the whole game. Gave myself a mild concussion, and watched Hatteberg's home run in a half-aware stupor, and it still ranks among my top ten baseball-watching moments.

As an 8 year old I think I was hooked into baseball when Canseco (my favorite player at the time, what did I know about jerks and steroids?) hit the grand slam against the Dodgers in the WS. My dad was a big Dodgers fan and I remember jumping on the couch and being a little #### pointing and laughing. I guess my dad got the last laugh that day, but I also learned what it would be like as a baseball fan (and life) that day.

Fellow A's fans, did anyone else see mlb.com is claiming we designated Milton Bradley for assignment?
What the crap? Is he being traded? Did he get angry about how long it is taking him to come back from injury and shiv Swisher?

From the CC Times:

Bradley went 0-for-3 with a walk. He took a called third strike in his final at-bat and appeared to have some heated words for home plate umpire Tim Timmons until Geren came out to pick up the discussion.

Bradley was still upset about something as he left the clubhouse after the game. As he climbed the stairs just outside the clubhouse, Bradley threw a couple of plastic chairs down the stairs and shouted expletives. Asked about the incident, general manager Billy Beane said he and Bradley had a discussion but described it as a "private thing."

"He wasn't that upset when he left (the meeting)," Beane said. "You just never know. We'll check on him (today)."

Bradley wasn't available for comment.

Fellow A's fans, did anyone else see mlb.com is claiming we designated Milton Bradley for assignment?
What the crap? Is he being traded? Did he get angry about how long it is taking him to come back from injury and shiv Swisher?

Holy crap. It looks to be legit. I'm flabbergasted. What the hell happened? Keith Law? Are you out there, brother? What's the scoop?

Bradley threw a couple of plastic chairs down the stairs and shouted expletives. Asked about the incident, general manager Billy Beane said he and Bradley had a discussion but described it as a "private thing."

I will sacrifice my Hank Aaron bobblehead to the Gods of Irony if MB is getting DFA'ed for throwing chairs. How cool would that be?

Man, I hope it's a trade. Losing him for nothing would suck-he's one of my favorite A's when he's not broken in many pieces.

Maybe Beane'll trade him to the Raiders.

I'm sure someone will give some value for him, but I doubt it's much.

Wow. Free above-average outfielder.

Milton to center, Damon to DL!!

If the Cubs hadn't just dealt the the Barrett bull****, I'd think Hendry might be jumping on this.

Its a bit of a shock, but I can understand not wanting to deal with Bradley if he's causing trouble.

Sure, he's talented, but when:

1) He's hurt all the time
2) he's a free agent to be
3) Kotsay, Buck, and Swisher can handle the OF, with the surprisingly healthy Shannon Stewart in a backup role.

You really don't need him.

Where does he go? I'd like to see him with the Orioles. Maybe the Giants, White Sox, or Cardinals take a chance on him.

So I guess we're going with a makeshift OF of Buck, Swisher, Kotsay and Stewart. I imagine Cust will play some left field, too, when Piazza gets back. Kielty should be back soon to be the 5th guy in the outfield. I'm sad to lose MB, but something behind the scenes must be going on. Maybe this will be the Jeremy Giambi moment for this year. Billy Beane is nothing if not decisive.

If the Cubs hadn't just dealt the the Barrett bull****, I'd think Hendry might be jumping on this.

Maybe they opened up a spot for designated a**h*le by moving Barrett first. Seems like the Cubs need an outfielder like they need another 2B though.

I love streaks - winning streaks, hitting streaks, whatever. The thing about them, as opposed to a playoff series, is that you know they'll end. So you've won 20 in a row? You're going to lose, eventually. So it is like a brave stand against certain death. Whereas a playoff series entails hope and gain (I'm not knocking winning series) and disappointment if you lose. I like a situation that is, ultimately, hopeless but you fight against valiantly anyway.

From Slusser's blog:

There is no further information yet; GM Billy Beane is expected to talk to reporters later today. One possibility is that the A's believe that Bradley will clear waivers (very possible, considering his injury history); another is that they have a possible deal in place to trade Bradley; or perhaps, with some roster crunches looming, the team has just decided to part ways early with a player who has spent much time on the DL and who will be a free agent next season.

There are any number of possible reasons, really. It's tough to speculate. The one thing that has been the case during Bradley's A's tenure: He repeatedly has said how comfortable he feels in the clubhouse and how much he enjoys playing for the A's. If this is a situation in which he does move on, for whatever reason, he cannot be too happy about it. Oakland has been a nice spot for Bradley.

Shooty-that outfield sounds pretty good, I'm just not sure why Beane feels the need to do it now, and not when Piazza gets back.

Unless a Bradley deal has been in the works for a bit and just on hold for him to get healthy.

The A's were in a bit of a roster crunch in that Chavez hurt himself at the end of yesterday's game, and they needed to get an IF from Sacramento to Oakland. There were easier ways, though, so something else must be up. Some people are suggesting there's a trade waiting to be announced, and they had to get Melillo up for the weekend. With the Pennington/Petit promotions, maybe Melillo's up for good...

Yeah, if there's no trade I would think you'd tell Mellilo to pack his bags and get to New York, but hold off on the announcement until Friday in case Chavez wakes up feeling dandy.

Of course, I am just babbling away on the internet, so whose to say.

Unless a Bradley deal has been in the works for a bit and just on hold for him to get healthy.

I can't imagine who would want to trade for him, though. It would have to be a contender, as he's going to be a free agent, but what contender needs him? Chavez is beat up and the A's will need to call somebody up to play third. With Kotsay back and Cust playing well, I guess MB is the odd man out. This is all guesswork on my part, though. I was hoping MB would get healthy and lead a second half charge. With the Angels a little dinged up now, it's time to make a move. Weird. It's fun following a Beane run team, though. There jsut aren't any leaks in the organization so stuff like this comes out of nowhere.

Ooh, maybe they'll trade him and some sandwiches for Elijah Dukes. That would be fun.

i'd love it if the cards won about 20 games in a row. heck, i'd love it if they won 5 ... but that playoff run last year saved my life. i was utterly miserable in all other aspects of my existence.

Ooh, maybe they'll trade him and some sandwiches for Elijah Dukes. That would be fun.

Geez, I hope not. I'd rather keep a slot open for Snelling if he ever gets healthy. Or for Kermit the Frog. Anybody, really.

but what contender needs him?

The Yankees.

Well, not "need", but right now they really, really, really could use another OF who can hit, with Damon hurt -- and then someone can slide into the DH spot when Damon comes back.

If Kermit makes a comeback it will be for the Giants. He's a little old for the A's.

Well, not "need", but right now they really, really, really could use another OF who can hit, with Damon hurt -- and then someone can slide into the DH spot when Damon comes back.

I can see that. They can get him cheap, too, but is Torre prepared to deal with him? This is going to be interesting. I wonder what Gary Sheffield thinks of all this? :)

I wonder what Bernie Williams would say if the Yankees signed Milton. Love to be a fly on the wall when he got the news.

If Kermit makes a comeback it will be for the Giants. He's a little old for the A's.

Last I saw Kermit, he was shooting heroin, giving Ralph the Dog a hummer and strumming his guitar AND strumming his guitar, if you kow what I mean. Youtube is effed up. I'd still take him on the A's before Dukes, though.

I dunno...I know he's a terrible man, but if we could stick him in Sacramento and wait to see if he's turned into a human being by the time Kotsay goes, I'd happily take Dukes. I doubt that's going to happen though.

I dunno...I know he's a terrible man, but if we could stick him in Sacramento and wait to see if he's turned into a human being by the time Kotsay goes, I'd happily take Dukes.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're not the father of post-pubescent girls in the greater Sacramento area.

True enough!

Beane: "Where did you learn this stuff?"
Bradley: "I learned it by watching you!"
Announcer: "GMs who throw chairs have players who throw chairs."

Why do the Cubs need Bradley? Pie is playing pretty well isn't he?