I went to the A’s game yesterday and was a guest of Good Neighbor Pharmacy. The had the right field
bbq pavilion available for their guests and after a great lunch we watched the game from the seats there in right field. For me, it was an interesting perspective and brought back many memories of
my childhood. When I was a young kid back in the 50’s, I would go to Fenway Park and sit in the bleachers in right field right in back of the bullpens. You could hang over the railing and talk to the players in the bullpen. You can’t do that at the coliseum but the feeling was the same.

The A’s played a terrific game. They had 4 homeruns and Rich Harden pitched well. He was
sharp in the 1st inning but by the 5th inning his pitch count was up to 119 pitches. He was saved by one of the best catches that a fan will ever see.
Mark Kotsay made a spectacular catch going for a ball off the bat of Mark Texeira that made Sportscenter last night. It looked like the ball was over the 400 ft marker and Kotsay leapt high and
caught the ball in the web of his glove as it was about to leave the park. It deflated the Rangers
and the A’s cruised to 9-2 win. Kotsay also homered. He is a terrific ballplayer and has brought
a lot the A’s Billy Beane took a chance on a player
that was injured last year and Beane’s faith in Kotsay has been rewarded. Good hitter and good
defense. The A’s are in good position to overtake the Rangers as Hudson will be back soon and
I don’t think the Rangers pitching will hold up.

Jerry Feitelberg
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The greatest rivalry in baseball made the lead story on all the sports shows. The brawl between A-Rod and Jason Varitek continues the saga of the bad blood between the two teams. The yanks have eaten the sox’ lunch since 1920. No matter what, the
sox are always chasing the yanks and sometimes adrenaline
and testosterone take over. The rivalry reflects the
rivalry of the cities. Boston against New York. The Bostonians believe they have a better quality of llife.
The old refrain was ” New York is a nice place to visit but who would want to live there?”. New York.the financial capitol of the world, Show business and home to the news networks. THe Big Apple. Bostonians and New Englanders live on hope.
Every year they hope that this year will be the one . So far 2004 doesn’t look like it will be their year. Derek Lowe has been a major disappointment. Bronson Arroyo and Tim Wakefield
are erratic. The Yanks have an all-star team but their pitching has been banged up and it looked like
they might falter. However, they have the second best record in the majors. Will they be caught ?
Perhaps not. Saturday’s game may be a turning point for the Red Sox only if they win on Sunday.
They go on the road and their performance there has been less than stellar. If they win they will be 7 1/2 games back and will have a chance to overtake
the Yanks. But don’t count on it. They have a much better chance at the wild card. It should be interesting Sunday. Keep your eyes on this one.

Jerry Feitelberg [Read more →]

a-rod to the yanks -yuk

jerry f

Not a long comment by Jerry, but one shared by many Red Sox fans. I thought I’d post it anyway to get the ball rolling.
Marty [Read more →]

If anyone out there reads the NY Times, you will see an excellent example of Yankee arrogance and some questionable journalism.

The Times quotes two Yankees sources (unnamed) saying they are trying to work a deal to send prospects to the NY Mets for Armando Benitez, who would then be sent to the Giants for Felix Rodriguez AND a prospect.

That the Yankees would actually believe the Giants would do this is off-the-chart ridiculous.

First of all, Benitez isn’t much better than F-Rod, if at all. But he makes $7 mil compared to F-Rod’s $3 mil. Plus, FRod has a deal for another two years at $3 mil a year (although it goes up if he becomes the closer). Benitez is a free agent. With Worrell also a free agent, FRod is the Giants only fallback plan if Robb Nen is unable to pitch in 04, which is a distinct possibility. To think that the Giants would make this deal AND throw in a prospect boggles the mind. [Read more →]

Marty,

Here’s some NY baseball news for A’s fans who aren’t thrilled by NY baseball, especially the Yankees.

There is much internal dissension between George versus Torre and Zimmer. By the end of April, the Yankees had won the Division, the ALCS and were ready to issue World Series tickets. But bad things began to happen like no hitting, no pitching, poor fielding etc. which alllowed the Red Sox to first catch the Pinstripers and then pull ahead. So Mr. Steinbrenner who, for years, extolled the virtues of Joe began to hound him, blaming him for the sudden demise of the squad. Now “Zim” has joined in knocking George who’s been knocking his pal Joe. It’s a real circus in the Bronx. Furthermore George feels he overpaid for Matsui since the man, who was a Japanese great, ain’t cutting the mustard in Uncle Sammy baseball. Additionally Mr. Giambi was hitting a hot .203 because, as he said, his personal trainer and psychiatrist was fired by George. Now it looks like the shrink will return and hitting coach Rick Down will be fired.

On the other side of the tracks, Art Howe of course can no longer pull his dome hair out so he’s working on his ear and nose hair being frustrated by the fact that a very good manager can’t win pennants with garbage as his daily starting nine. I notice that each picture I see of him day to day, he looks older and what I saw in the NY Post today puts his countenance at 109 and counting. What a shame. In Oakland he’d be going to the playoffs while in Flushing Meadows he’s going to the proctologist because the team with whom he’s associated is one gigantic hemorrhoid.

Best,

Charlie [Read more →]

Jerry Feitelberg is a great baseball fan. I’ve known him for the past six years and his passion for the game is unmatched. 2002 was a very trying year for Jerry and his wife Jerilyn and their family, baseball played a role in helping the family overcome major challenges. One night in particular stands out. Take a minute and click below to read a story of life and baseball and tell me what you think. In my opinion, Jerry’s story is why I love the game. Baseball’s impact on everyone associated with it is profound.

Thanks Jerry, you made my day,

Marty Lurie [Read more →]

While era of Randy Velarde’s ties with baseball and the Oakland Athletics are over, some may feel sad because he never received the World Series ring he wanted before his retirement. Even while he had a brief stint with the Yankees in 2001, it was spoiled by a Luis Gonzalez broken bat blooper over the head of one Derek Jeter.

Although Velarde’s tenure with the A’s was only about 2 and a half years, he became a fan favorite here in Oakland. Whether it was his “Movie Star” l looks, chiseled physique, or his hard-nosed-hustle, he was a player you pulled for.

Velarde was one of the hardest workers on the A’s. Spending countless hours in the weight room and on the field, you knew he just didn’t want a paycheck, but another motivation was stirring in the 40-year old veteran–a world series championship.

Randy had some great moments here in Oakland. From his unassisted triple play against the Yankees in New York, to his game winning homer to clinch the A.L. West in 2000 againts Texas, causing tears to flow down the eyes of his wife in the stands; to hiiting the first pitch he saw after coming back from the disabled list this year for a homerun against the White Sox.

When the A’s signed Velarde this off-season he stated, “Me and the A’s have some unfinished business.” Velarde remembered how the A’s came so very close to beating the Yankees in 2000 and thought 2002 was the year to finally do it.

A big off-season move I questioned after the 2001 season, was trading the Velarde to the Texas Rangers. The A’s wanted to give a shot to the still struggling rookie Jose Ortiz, but we all know how that panned out.

Even during the 2001 stretch run, sources said the A’s were trying to require Velarde from the Rangers again. I was very excited and thought that acquiring him would set the team over the top. However, the Yankees knew how he would help the A’s in the post season and literally stole him from us and never utilzed him at all.

To this day, I still think Randy Velarde would have taken the team over the top in 2001. Just look how Frankie Mennechino did in the playoffs that year.

Excitement was in the air opening day 2002, when Velarde was in the starting lineup, but in his first at bat he was hit on the wrist by a fastball thrown by Chan Ho Park. He was immediately put on the disabled list and Velarde’s playing time was never the same.

Even when Randy came back, the emergence of hard-nosed rookie second baseman named Mark Ellis elimated his playing time. Although he could have been complaining about not playing, he always looked positiive and was always intently prepared for the critical time Art Howe may need him.

Finally, after the A’s lost game five this year to the Twins, Randy was a class act and answered all questions about his retirement and the palyoffs with dignity and professionalism.

Thanks for your stay here in Oakland Randy. Too bad things couldnt work out.

Dale

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1962 New York Yankees beat

San Francisco Giants in 7 games

****

1974 Oakland Athletics defeated

the Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 games

****

1988 Los Angeles Dodgers beat

the Oakland Athletics in 5 games

****

1989 Oakland Athletics swept the

Giants in 4

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Growing up in the Boston area in the seventies gave me a chance to watch Carl Yastremski, Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn do their stuff in Fenway Park. I have fond memories of hot sticky summer nights spent listening to games on the front porch.

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It was the night before the strike, pain through the night.

Not a newsflash was breaking, what a dreaded sight!

Trying to sleep, I imagined the best, but with still no word, I prayed for the best.

Awaiting for news from Donald of Bud, the issues like Luxury Tax will rise like a flood.

Steroids…! Competitive balance….! Let’s deal with this crap…It’s time to see the Royals back on the map.

The owners and players, both do I blame. Will you take away the joy, I get from this game?

It’s 4:00 AM and I’m still wide awake, I ponder and hope the our hearts will not break.

I think about the Twins and the fate of their fans, will contraction be a part of Commissioner Bud’s plans?

What a damn waste a strike would cause! Oakland’s 15-game winning streak, would come to a pause.

To think of the pennant races that may never be won, No MVP? This list would go on..

What great stories the season has brought! The Angels and the Twins may land a playoff spot.

So, Donald and Bud, you both need to learn, with a strike right now, we won’t return.

After sleeping two hours, I wake up in joy, a deal has been reached, it’s better than a Christmas toy.

Finally, some closure, and the games will be played, St. Louis at Wrigley, and my painful memories will fade.

Now, I can finally get some damn sleep.

The Fan [Read more →]