[:: All-Time Fave Oakland A's: The Hot Corner ::]

As the ball arrives at home plate, the unison flinching of the infielders never ceases to amuse me. Always quick on their feet, the ballplayers patrolling the bases are constantly aware. Third base seemed like the ugly stepchild of the infield. He's there, but no one really pays as much attention to him until he does something wrong.

Carney Lansford was a great hitter, always there in the clutch. Scott Brosius had a good year is '96, but the most memorable thing I can remember about him was his first hit was a home run that I was there to witness. Well, that and the fact that he was just "okay" until 1998 when he was just outstanding, with, who else but the NY Yankees. Brook Jacoby even pops into my mind when I think of 3rd basemen, and he only played 56 games for Oakland.

There is, however, one 3rd baseman who kept my interest in the hot corner once it began to dwindle. Eric Chavez. Wow. Eric-freakin-Chavez. Now that is one hot man manning the hot corner.

Now before you stick a pink jersey on me and label me a "bro-ho," I must tell you that Chavez' good looks (or the picture on the left, yumm) are not the reason he is my favorite. While I am always a baseball fan, there are times when being an A's fan is painful, this year for instance. During the late-nineties I was going through the nadir of my A's loving cycle. During the 2000 season, Chavez pulled me back in with his enthusiastic play, as well as his baseball charm.

Though Chavez has a penchant for swinging at pitches when he has no business even imagining doing so, he has come through at the plate many times. Give him credit though, he won the Silver Slugger in 2001 when he hit .275 (ya, don't ask me). In 2003 and 2005 he led the team in OPS, so his low average wasn't totally detrimental to the team. The man has hit 20+ home runs each season from 2000-2005, but his BA was never one to splash across your chest and be proud of. With a career BA of .269, it's safe to say I'm not into him for the average.

While I love a great home run, defense is what makes my heart palpitate. Chavvy won the Golden Glove for 3rd basemen every year from 2001-2006. His quick reactions and strong arm are why he is my favorite 3rd baseman. There isn't a moment when fear enters an A's fan's mind as he guards the left side. Eric Chavez won't let you get on base if you hit the ball his direction.

Chavez is a charismatic ballplayer, the kind of ballplayer that I go to the park to see. In today's world where the media dictates so much our lives, he has been accessible enough so that fans have been able to see him outside of an A's uniform by utilizing that outlet. As his career numbers are starting to dwindle, I'm still optimistic and am hoping that he becomes one ballplayer that can hold a title that few current players possess: A Career Oakland Athletic.

[:: Johan. Dammit. ::]

Johan to the Mets. The NL East looks like it's going to be a bit closer than earlier predicted.

The Phils should get Eaton to share his wisdom with Santana.

[:: Stepping Into Less Familiar Territory ::]

Let's welcome Chris Webber back to the Golden State Warriors! Once news broke that Nellie was dining with Webber in my neighborhood, one could not help but assume that we would see ol' Webber back in a Golden State jersey.

As a fan of the Warriors since the 80s, I am quite excited to see him join the ranks of our current players. Now, if this will be a good fit with the fast paced Warriors is yet to be seen. I trust our coach, so I say it's a good thing.

[:: All Time Fave Oakland A's - 1st Base ::]

From the way he would adjust his contacts before he hit to his unusual stance, I would notice it all. His horrible 1991 didn't cause me to give up hope, the opposite happened. His year-long slump made me depend on my faith when it came to the A's. Many things were said to have caused his worst career  year - divorce, not working out, etc. It didn't matter to me, Mark McGwire was and is my favorite Oakland A's First Baseman.

McGwire's .263 Career BA doesn't show what a threat he was at the plate. We are all familiar with his towering homeruns, his competition with Sammy Sosa for the homerun crown in '98 and '99, and his quick departure from the game.

Although there's a lot of controversy that surround McGwire, I find him one of the best players that existed in my lifetime (I must admit, I'm not to savvy with the early history of the game, I'm not going to front). 

He seemed so superhuman and yet was vulnerable at the same time. The need for privacy on team that thrived in the spotlight was a characteristic that drew me toward him. He was one of the "Bash Brothers," but he was so different when compared to Canseco. [By the way, the poster on the left graced my bedroom door for a good 4 years when I was in my early teen years.]

While McGwire has all but disappeared from the eyes of the media, his impact on the game has not. He helped rejuvenate the game after the bitter taste the strike was left in many fans' mouths.  Just as quickly as his single season HR record was broken by Barry Bonds, Mr. 25 was gone. I did hope for a second that he would join the Rockies as a hitting coach, but that was just an idea that floated around and away. Mark McGwire may be golfing somewhere away from all the cameras and reporters, but he is not lost in my Oakland A's thoughts.

[:: All Time Fave Oakland A's - Outfielders ::]

(Yes, it is rare for me to be blogging during the lunch hour but our schedule here at work has been modified because of an all-school lockdown [in my other life I teach HS English]. Apparently, a community member called in informing our administration that he/she witnessed someone hand a gun over to someone else right outside campus. After an extensive search 5 students were arrested. I don't know the exact details, there are rumors that the guns were a BB gun that resembles a real gun and an airsoft gun, but the fact is the day is pretty much ruined so I figure I'll focus on something I love.)

I know I am jumping around the field, but as a tribute to the source of my extra blogging time I present to you my favorite A's outfielders, a.k.a. the men with the guns.

1) Rickey Henderson
Rickey was affectionately know to me and my friend as "Thunder Thighs." According to his speech after breaking Lou Brock's all-time stolen base record, the most feared baserunner is, as he proclaimed, "the greatest of all time." Whether or not that statement is accurate may be hotly debated, what I know is that he is one of the best Oakland had patrolling the outfield.

The maniacal cheers filled the Coliseum when Rickey would do his signature "snatch catch." As a fly ball would drift to left field, we always knew it was coming.  This Golden Glover was no slouch in the outfield, having made over 100 assist in his career.  The man had guns.

In 1990, his MVP year, Rickey hit .325 with a fielding percentage of .970 (not his best, but still good). That year he had the highest on-base percentage and OPS in the majors, .439 and 1.016 respectively. He also led the league in Runs (119) and Runs Created (137). Needless to say, he won the Silver Slugger that year and it was truly deserved.

Admittedly, one of the things that I find appealing about Rickey was the way he would refer to himself in third person.  In the real world, I absolutely hate when people do this. In Rickey's world, I think it is one of the funniest things to witness.

2) Dave Henderson
Oh Hendu. He and Rickey were part of my fave outfield (as a whole). The combination of Henderson, Henderson, and Canseco still makes me smile just thinking of the personality.  Lots of cockiness in the outfield, but Hendu balanced it with his great smile and cheerful temperament.  

My favorite thing about him was how he used to mess around and dance during the lulls during the game (meetings at the mound, pitching change, etc.)

With a .258 career BA, he wasn't winning any batting titles, but he was still a vital part of the offense.  In a lineup with the Bash Brothers, it would be hard to stand out as a threat.  However, there was a time where the Oakland A's lineup was the one no pitcher would want to face.

In his All-Star year, 1991, Hendu had a phenomenal FP at .997.  That year, he also had 10 assists -- like I said, guns.

3) Nick Swisher

Swisher's numbers aren't anything to be impressed over with a career .251 BA and .988 FP, but it's not just the numbers that make a player a fan favorite. His personality on the field and off is playful and endearing. Just looking at his website, his humorous and serious characteristics are both displayed.

My favorite memory of Swisher, however, is when he charged the mound last year during a game against the Rangers. After getting hit by a pitch, Swish bolted out of the batter's box and tackled (at least attempted to) Padilla. Now, it wasn't pretty, Padilla crawled away as Swisher tumbled on to the ground grasping Padilla's leg, the benches cleared, and it became a blur. What can I say? This girl likes a good semi-brawl. 3-game suspension? Ahh, whatever. The tackle was funny. He should've made use of his guns.

*Now, these are my favorite outfielders as individuals.  The perfect outfield is another story for another day. So the lesson of the day is: guns are good when they refer to the fantastic throwing arms of outfields; guns are not good when students bring them to school and cause a 4-hour lockdown.

**Post edited in the evening. The lockdown provided me with time, but it wasn't enough to finish the post in one sitting

[:: All-Time Fave Oakland A's - Middle Infielders (SS) ::]

Shortstop, my favorite position in baseball. One half of the double-play turners, the executer of my favorite defensive gems, Mr. pop-up catcher, 2nd base coverer, and of late, position with the hottest players (hellooooo Derek Jeter! Hellooo A-Rod [I know, he doesn't play SS anymore, whatevs]).

Back to the issue at hand, my favorite SS on the A's. Now, the most logical choice would be the 1988 Rookie of the Year, Walt Weiss, but I must say my choice has to be Miguel Tejada.

Tejada was signed by the A's in 1993 and in 1997 he made his Major League debut. In 2002, he was named American League MVP and played in the All-Star game. Honestly, he wasn't the most spectacular all-around player, but he was my favorite. His fielding percentage was always in the .970s, but that man made some of the best diving stops. What captured me about Tejada was his dedication to the sport. More than once, he played every single game during a given season. He is 5th on the list of # of consecutive games played with 1152.

Now shortstop is not a position that is traditionally known for offense. Many times clubs needed to make a choice between a great fielder or a good hitter. Tejada is one of the early exceptions to the rule. Today, you will will find plenty of shortstops with offensive prowess, but during his Oakland A's stint, it was rare. I mean c'mon, we had Mike Bordick previous to Tejada's arrival. Listed at 5'9, he is small, but he had a great deal of power. Once Jason Giambi left, he was given the opportunity to showcase his talent.

When Tejada left for Baltimore, it broke my heart. But hey, that's a part of being an A's fan. Once you are religiously dedicated to one player, the team let's him go.

[:: All-Time Fave Oakland A's - Middle Infielders (2nd Base) ::]

(We have 26 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, so what better time to start a mini-series on my all-time favorite Oakland A's? Keep in mind, this list does not comprise of the best players at each position, just the players who are distinctive in my twisted little mind.)

There comes a time in every girl's life when the New Kids on the Block posters come down and the Oakland A's posters replace them. Okay, maybe not every girl, at least that is what happened in my life....

"Standing out there between the lines for the first time, it's one of those things that goes right there with getting married and the birth of your kids." - Mike Gallego

There is nothing more gratifying than to know that your favorite players value the game as much as you. They've struggled to reach the Show and it paid off. When we can see and hear the joy the players possess, being a fan is even more delightful.

My all-time favorite Oakland A's player is the fabulous 2nd Baseman (now Colorado Rockies' 3rd base Coach and Infield Instructor), Mike Gallego. Mr. Gallego played 1,111 Games for Oakland (1985-1991) until he signed with (who else?) the NY Yankees.

Sporting a .989 Fielding Percentage in 1991 (.977 overall), Gallego made me dizzily infatuated with the way he guarded the right side of the infield. Witnessing a 5'8 middle infielder (5'8 was very generous) make countless diving stops and turn run-saving double plays is priceless. The Walt Weiss-Mike Gallego combo used to make my heart flutter with baseball excitement.

At the peak of my Gallego obsession (1991) he hit 12 home runs. Understand, he was never the stellar hitter, with a career batting average of .239, so each of the 12 meant so much to me. Instead of loitering in local shopping malls I spent many afternoons in the confines of my bedroom listening to A's away games on the radio. There was nothing more important than an A's game in the early 90's.  Somewhere in my mom's house it's possible to find complete Oakland A's games recorded -- some of which include Gallego home runs.

Many may have forgotten Gallego and the miraculous plays he used to execute, but I am not one of them. At (close to) 5'8 he was shorter than the average baseball player, but he had sparkling defense for a man of any height. Being small in stature simple added to the charm. Take a gander at his baseball card. The fact that he appears, uh, 5'8 on a baseball card with nothing around him is fascinating.

Mike Gallego epitomizes one of the things I love most about baseball -- the unexpected/unnoticed hero. Yes, each sport has their big superstars, but there's always the unsung hero who makes a huge difference. In a time where power hitters outshine defensive masters, it's rare to point to a strong defender and say, "he's the MVP" or "he won the game tonight." The recognition is hardly there, but without the swift guys with weighty contributions the game would be an incomplete masterpiece.