From the Monday Morning QB, (Sort of)
*Can the A's recent troubles scoring and at the plate be directly traced to the absence of catcher John Jaso? Jaso missed all of last week due to concussion like symptoms. Jaso was a typical Moneyball type of acquisition as he was acquired primarily for his ability to get on base. On a team featuring little star power, can one missing cog in the machine cause a negative chain reaction? Regardless, I would guess Jaso returns sometime this weekend in Toronto. Jaso currently leads the A's with an OPB of .387 (On Base Percentage), would rank him #11 in the MLB if he had the minimum amount of plate appearances. As a comparison, the A's team OBP sits as .320, which ranks 12 in the MLB. The A's problem isn't necessarily getting on base, it's knocking those runners in, or knocking a few over the fence!
*Have the A's just gotten a little long in the tooth? With Seth Smith and Coco Crisp struggling at the plate, is it simply Father Time? Do future contracts weigh on the minds of hitters? Did the A's simply catch lightening in a bottle in 2012? Is Cespedes more showman than player? Will anyone in the lineup put the team on their back? We will find out here in the last 50 games.
*Now that the Group of 13 have been handed out their suspensions, I have a couple of questions? Did any of these players actually test positive on a MLB drug test? Obviously the MLB had plenty of proof in the Bio Gate, but I just wonder, in our society, doesn't it seem like the Rat gets off pretty well? I mean, the Rat makes money on the way in, and the way out? Just curious, I know good investigative journalism had much to do with breaking the story, I just feel like there is much of the story left out there. I predict ARod will eventually serve close to a 100 games suspension. My exact guess 81 games, or half a season. We are such a hypocritical society. Most people chastise these players for breaking the rules, well, have you ever been on a freeway? There is a speed limit, so why do so many of us break that rule. Because we can right?
I know it is comparing orange baseballs to shiny white ones, but in our society, where do we draw the line?
It is very blurry indeed.
*Remember the line from this movie: "The enemy of your enemy is your friend." Well, if that is the case the Angels should find a way to beat the Rangers once or twice. Last night the Halos had the bases loaded in both the 7th and 8th innings but couldn't get the big hit. I won't even mention the error where former Athletic Colin Cowgill ran into second baseman Howie Kendrick allowing Ranger runs to score. Come on Angels, lets get this right. The movie by the way, wait for it, wait, Madonna, Warren Beauty, Dick Tracy of Course!
*The Dodgers just keep winning on the road. The Royals are also heating up. That's a lot of blue, that's for sure!
*The O.Co has been changed for football as the Raiders have a preseason game on Saturday. The Raiders were so baaaad last year, however this Fall, could they sneak up on some people? They still have Seabass and can McFadden stay healthy? Matt Flinn clearly has a lot to prove at the QB position, but call me crazy, weren't the prognosticators saying the same thing about the A's prior to the 2012 season. Charles Woodson the veteran surprise signing, isn't that a little like--or even better-than the A's signing Johny Gomes. I am just saying, a young team with something to prove that is under the wire. Hum, only the O.Co knows!
*Former softball superstar Jennie Finch ran a triathlon then played in the celebrity softball game before the All Star Game. Cool, like a Bucket List kind of day. People who can bring the heat always fascinating to me? Any one remember the Michelle Granger from Cal back in the day? I saw the lanky lefty pitch years ago, and man could she bring it. Granger single-handedly gave me a finer appreciation for the upper echelons of women's softball. Hey Michelle, today I raise my glass to you!
*The book "The Sports Gene" looks like a very interesting read. In the July 29th Sports Illustrated, there is an article on the same topic. The book know on my reading list.
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