Marty: This is being written on Friday afternoon, before the Giants begin ten games on the road against division rivals, starting with LA tonight. It would be pleasant to write solely about the past eight games, putting down words of wisdom, in the attempt to place some emphasis on the team’s performance during these games and what, if any, significance these eight games have for the future. Sadly, in SF, off the diamond events are the center of attention today for fans.

Putting these events to one side, for the moment, difficult though it is to do so, the past eight games are, in a strictly baseball sense, of interest. With the exception of one ludicrous eighth inning, where Atlanta scored eight runs on two hits, they played well. As recently said here, this may be the oldest, seriously contending ballclub in history, but the ancient players dominating the lineup just happen to be very good at what they do. An outfield of Finley, Alou and Winn would be competitive with any outfield in the league. A healthy, untroubled Bonds would only add to that.

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Rick Kaplan
Staff Writer

Why couldn’t I just like sixteenth century German poetry? Or worry about the Environmental Protection Agency losing its funding? How about brushing up on Kabuki theater in my spare time? If only I could enjoy dropping by Cal, and while away the afternoon listening to a lecture on invertebrate DNA.

But instead of DNA, for me it’s always been about Steve McCatty’s ERA. The EPA may mean more to the future of the world, but I was always more concerned about Tony Phillips’ BA and OBP.

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AL Baseball Is Better
by Glenn Dickey
Apr 11, 2006

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED did an article last week on the obvious superiority of the American League but didn’t make another obvious statement: that American League ball is more entertaining.

The AL reputation is for power, but it’s actually a much more balanced game. Good pitching can still dominate: The Oakland A’s came within an inning and a third of throwing three straight shutouts in Seattle last week, and a superb pitching staff is the main reason the Chicago White Sox are reigning World Champions. But if you trot an inferior pitcher out there, he’ll get lit up in a hurry in the American League – which is as it should be.

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By Rick Kaplan staff writer

I can’t argue with reality–You can almost certainly make more money in Fremont or Las Vegas.

But we need you more in Oakland.

Be forewarned. The baseball Gods are on our side. I have been informed by my sources that if you go ahead and Silicon-ize our A’s, then a horrible curse shall befall them that will make the eighty-eight year hex on the Red Sox seem like nothing more than a momentary hiccup.

Instead, let’s do something really special here. We think the Coliseum – yes, a beautifully and affordably re-configured and updated Coliseum – can be a model of community involvement and pride for the Bay Area, and the whole country.

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Recently when the Oakland Athletics played a long four game series at Safeco Field in Seattle I was telling A’S announcer Ken Korach why the City of Fremont would be perfect for the A’S.
As a 27 year-long resident of this City of Fremont,
please let me tell you why.

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Good News, Bad News for Giants
by Glenn Dickey
Apr 10, 2006

THERE WAS good news and bad news as the Giants rallied dramatically to beat Atlanta and close out a 4-2 first week yesterday.

Chief among the good news was the hitting of Lance Niekro, not just because he hit a game-tying home run in the ninth but because he appears to be a much improved hitter. He’s hanging in much better against tough right-handed pitchers; he had an RBI single off John Smoltz earlier in the game.

Niekro had been a top prospect for the Giants since he started in their minor league system in 2000. He hit well wherever he went, averaging .310 in his minor league career, but couldn’t stay healthy; in five minor league seasons, he played only 351 games. He started at third base but, knowing there was already a logjam at that position on the major league level, the Giants had him playing first base for about 40 per cent of the time in the minors.

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Rick Kaplan
Staff Writer

OAKLAND – The King is dead. Long live the King.

We all remember when Hudson, Mulder, and Zito were synonymous with annual trips to the post-season. But the Big Three was also synonymous with annual trips home in time for Halloween following the ALDS.

Now Huddy and Mulder are gone, having joined perennial NL bridesmaids Atlanta and St.Louis, respectively.

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Rick Kaplan
Staff Writer

OAKLAND – Nobody likes A.J. Pierzynski, the in-your-face, gets-under-your-skin backstop.

Except the White Sox and me.

Pierzynski is a ‘throwback’ player. Throwbacks are walking baseball cliches. They would look normal walking out of a cornfield in a woolen baseball uniform. They crash into walls. Most wear their pants fashionably ‘high,’ socks exposed to the knee.They run ’em all out, including everything from game-changing dropped third strikes in the 2005 ACLS (Thank-you, A.J.) to routine grounders in a 14-1 laugher. They get on base anyway they can, they move runners up, and they rise to the occasion with clutch hits.

They beat you.

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THERE’S NOTHING more distasteful to most sportswriters than a new idea. The latest one is teams using computer models as part of their talent evaluation, and never mind that NFL teams were doing it more than 40 years ago and the A’s have been doing it for a quarter-century. It still counts as a new idea for writers. I mean, Connie Mack never used computers, did he?

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Opening Day: Who’s On First?

Rick Kaplan
Staff Writer

OAKLAND – Nomar Garciaparra is playing first now? For the Dodgers? Am I crazy? I thought the Cubs just got the former all-star shortstop from the Red Sox, and to play third base at that.

It doesn’t seem very long ago that the Red Sox brought in Cabrera to replace him at short.

But Cabrera plays third for the Marlins now. Oh, wait, that’s Orlando Cabrera. Miguel Cabrera plays short for the Angels. Doesn’t he?

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