Warts and Nostaglia

Thanks to the Halos, the Rangers are in fuego!  The 2013 Rangers are reminding me a little of, gulp, the A's last season!  Lots of season left, and in first place by 2 and 1/2 games not the worst place to be, but man, the A's need to as least split one with Texas the next two day, and rekindle that old pal Mr. Momentum.

All the A's "Warts" came into play in last nights 8-3 loss.
*Tommy Malone's lack of an out pitch--after Brandon Moss provided the sell out crowd with a 2-run double, Malone gives it right back when Nelson Cruz goes yard.  That was a momentum killer, and enough to get the Rangers and their mojo up and kicking.  Malone has a change, and his only other pitch appears to be  a fastball that hums in the high 80's.  In my opinion, he needs to add another speed, maybe an even slower, an off speed pitch around 70 mph perhaps?
*Coco makes a key mental mistake.  With the score tied at 2, runners on first and second, ball is hit to Coco.  Instead of throwing to second, he tries to get the runner at third;  both runners move up.  Beltre then hits ball that may have been double play.  That time of mental error, not the type champions make!
*The middle infield. To begin with,  I don't understand why you move a guy from the 9 spot, up to the second spot?  Why not to 6 or 7 first?  I am talking about Eric Sogard.  His bat as been consistent, but I am not sure he belongs in the two hole?  He and Big Al both had chances with men on and 2 out and didn't deliver.  Then, shortstop Bret Lawrie makes an error later.  I am still concerned the lack of speed and defensive range at short and second, may haunt the A's.
*Lack of a big hit from anyone not named Moss.  In their short careers Donaldson and Reddick have been very streaky, and they are a real concern.  Add Cespedes to the mix.  Seth Smith looks like he has just forgot how to hit?  Chris Young is at .192.
*Playing from the lead.  This very difficult to do.  A's fans should remember, this team lead the division essentially for no minutes last season.  When the last out was made, they were in front.  I argue one of the hardest tasks in sports playing from the lead.  The opponent playing from behind has literally nothing to lose, and here come the haymakers.  It will be interesting to see how the young veterans handle themselves down the stretch?
*Solution:  A healthy Bret Anderson may just be the emotional tonic this teams needs.  I still say bring up Michael Choice and see what he can do. Maybe Billy B has a trick or two up his sleeve.  The wavier deadline is August 31 and trades can still be made.  It is complicated process, but essentially, teams have the ability to trade players, but they must pass through waivers from all other teams.  For example, say the A's want to trade Anderson now.  They put him on waivers, and based on record, other teams have the right to claim him.  If a team claims him, then the A's could only trade him to the claiming team.  Teams claim based on there order in the standings, so right now, Texas can essentially block an A's claims.  I can only hop this makes sense?!?
*Solution #2.  Winning isn't everything, but it sure makes you feel better.  Just win A's, just win!

More Nostalgia:

As I wrote yesterday, the Guest Book that resides in the "Richardson" cabin, brought back all kinds of memories.  There are multiple entries by my sister, including her remarks about my skiing prowess.  Now for those of you who don' know me, I wasn't exactly the model for a behaved child--ask my brother sometime.  (Hey don't blame me, I am just a product of my environment!)  Props to my sister for not throwing me under the bus at any time in her notes!  It also made me recall fondly my main man and fellow Portuguese Leonard Freitas.  (I tried to name my own son Lenny, and Sonny, and Al, oh and Zebeddee, but I couldn't get em past the committee!  Timmy Brown was in their too, but I was dealing with a stockade of a blockade!)  Anyway, Leonard's mom made me the coolest pillow ever.  She stitched--with color--the A's, the Radiers, and the ND Irish all in one.  I will take a picture sometime and post it.  Back to Leonard, this guy so cool he took me to the circus in the now Oracle Arena, and even a Raider preseason game years ago played in Berkeley.  What I really remember, disturbingly so, is that he had me convinced I was going to have to put my head in the Tiger's mouth.  Unnerving.  To this day, I don't get too close to Big Cats, I just don't like the way they look at me! Rumor has it, Leonard's household may from time to time view this blog. Big Lenny also gave may some old swimming trophy of his, which I treasured!  One final tidbit, the cabin I mentioned, belonged to Mrs. Richardson, or Mrs. "R." as far as know.  Not only did she teach most of the people I grew up with how to play piano, she made the best jam (sorry mom, your runny apricot concoction up there too!).  To Mrs. R and Leonard, I raise my glass!  I can still play piano with the right hand, sort of!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and thanks for reading!