SportsNation Blog Archives
Oakland Athletics
Opening Day -- well, Opening Night, really, and we technically already had one of those in Japan, but who's counting? -- is finally here, as the Cardinals will take on the Marlins tonight in the first stateside regular-season MLB game. It's bound to be an exciting season with so many players having changed teams, but has the power structure been altered significantly?
Vote: Pick each division and pennant, and the winner of the World Series
Rank: Baseball's best teams? | Top players in the game?
World Series repeat?
The Cardinals prevailed over the Rangers in the 2011 World Series, but St. Louis lost its biggest gun this past offseason ...
Best player?
... which is a pretty big loss, considering he might be one of the best players of all time.
Odd one out?
The Red Sox missed the playoffs last season after an epic September collapse. Will they be on the outside looking in once again?
AL's best?
Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols were probably the two biggest additions to teams in the American League, meaning the balance of power could shift.
NL's best?
Likewise, the addition of Jose Reyes to the Marlins could give the team a huge upgrade -- offensively with new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, and defensively at shortstop.
Will Beane stick around?
Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane just signed a contract which will keep him heading up the team until at least 2019, and he's not showing any signs of slowing down.
Is Beane still an asset?
Beane's star has dimmed somewhat since his glory days introducing sabermetric thought into the MLB mainstream, but is he simply still a great GM hamstrung by his own success?
Did you see Beane on the big screen?
We have to imagine Beane was happy with the actor they chose to portray him in the movie adaptation of "Moneyball," the book which made Beane and his ideas famous.
General managers in baseball can stick around for a good long while, or they can come and go like the seasons. Billy Beane's latest contract will keep him in Oakland until 2019, but he's one of the lucky ones; several teams changed leadership in the 2011 offseason, hoping to strike management gold. We've gathered all 30 MLB GMs into one easily rankable list, so you can let us know where they all stack up. Cast your vote now!
MLB general managers
Sandy Alderson
Sandy Alderson
New York Mets
Ruben Amaro Jr.
Ruben Amaro Jr.
Philadelphia Phillies
Alex Anthopoulos
Alex Anthopoulos
Toronto Blue Jays
Chris Antonetti
Chris Antonetti
Cleveland Indians
Billy Beane
Billy Beane
Oakland Athletics
Josh Byrnes
Josh Byrnes
San Diego Padres
Brian Cashman
Brian Cashman
New York Yankees
Ben Cherington
Ben Cherington
Boston Red Sox
Ned Colletti
Ned Colletti
LA Dodgers
Jon Daniels
Jon Daniels
Texas Rangers
Jerry DiPoto
Jerry DiPoto
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Dave Dombrowski
Dave Dombrowski
Detroit Tigers
Dan Duquette
Dan Duquette
Baltimore Orioles
Andrew Friedman
Andrew Friedman
Tampa Bay Rays
Mike Hill
Mike Hill
Miami Marlins
Jed Hoyer
Jed Hoyer
Chicago Cubs
Neal Huntington
Neal Huntington
Pittsburgh Pirates
Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty
Cincinnati Reds
Jeff Luhnow
Jeff Luhnow
Houston Astros
Doug Melvin
Doug Melvin
Milwaukee Brewers
Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore
Kansas City Royals
John Mozeliak
John Mozeliak
St. Louis Cardinals
Dan O'Dowd
Dan O'Dowd
Colorado Rockies
Mike Rizzo
Mike Rizzo
Washington Nationals
Terry Ryan
Terry Ryan
Minnesota Twins
Brian Sabean
Brian Sabean
San Francisco Giants
Kevin Towers
Kevin Towers
Arizona Diamondbacks
Kenny Williams
Kenny Williams
Chicago White Sox
Frank Wren
Frank Wren
Atlanta Braves
Jack Zduriencik
Jack Zduriencik
Seattle Mariners
Your Rankings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Worth the price?
The Red Sox finally made a significant move in the offseason, trading for A's closer Andrew Bailey and giving up outfielder Josh Reddick.
An injury risk?
Bailey has a history of going on the disabled list, with stints in 2010 and 2011. He's even already had Tommy John surgery, although he's fully recovered from it.
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
Let's just say SportsNation wasn't bullish on the Padres when the season began. If voters could have slipped some Pacific Coast League teams ahead of the team from San Diego, well, the Fresno Grizzlies look pretty good this season. As it was, voters ranked the Padres behind every team but the Royals, Pirates and Nationals.
Yet here we are with Memorial Day approaching and Bud Black's team is in first in the NL West. In looking at some of the season's biggest surprises, Jerry Crasnick suggests Adrian Gonzalez needs more help but does find some reasons for continued optimism.
- "Two positive signs: The Padres have a run differential of plus-45, second best in the National League. They're also 14-9 on the road, so their staff isn't just a Petco Park mirage. Young Mat Latos, in particular, is earning rave reviews throughout the league." -- Read Crasnick's Starting 9.
It's not just the Padres. Check out the upward mobility of some of the season's biggest surprises through the lens of SportsNation's Power Rankings.
trevor (ca)
which of your top three surprises is most likely to keep surprising?
Jerry Crasnick
Trevor, The only reason I think San Diego can hang around longer than Toronto is that the Padres play in the NL West. But they really need someone to step up and take the pressure off Adrian Gonzalez. Remember, Toronto started off quickly last year, then faded in June and July. That AL East is a bear. Full transcript
- Vote: Where do you stand on baseball's unwritten rules?
- Radio: Click the "Play" button below for John Kruk's take on the etiquette of bunting
- More from ESPN.com: The Max Info breaks down the numbers on Braden's perfecto
In the fifth inning of Dallas Braden's perfect game, Rays superstar Evan Longoria did a curious thing: He bunted.
This would be worthy of singling out in normal circumstances (Longoria is one of the best hitters in the league despite not yet being 25 years old), but this was obviously an exceptional occasion. Longoria might have violated one of baseball's unwritten rules: Never bunt in an attempt to break up a perfect game or no-hitter. Braden is a well-known arbiter of baseball's curious code, but he didn't have a problem with it. He might have been singing a different tune if Longoria's bunt hadn't rolled foul, but we've no way of knowing that.
SportsNation believes bunting in that situation is, at the very least, a greater no-no than cutting across the pitcher's mound, but there's a lot of nuance there. John Kruk said on "Mike & Mike" that bunting is A-OK, regardless of the situation. When should a player defer to history?
“as far as bunting to break up a no-hitter, a lot depends on the situation.....if it is a close game and a team is trying to get some base runners to get a couple of runs, then it is justified. However, if the team is getting smoked at the batters are bunting with the specific intent of breaking up the no-no, then that is a cheap shot attempt at ruining what could be a historic game.
” -- huffyt13
“Bunting to break up a no-hit bid is situational. If your team is being no-hit, but you're tied or down by a small margin, why shouldn't you bunt to try to get on base and make something happen? If it's an 8-0 in the ninth, then it's unlikely a bunt hit is going to spark a comeback. Hit the baseball or sit down.
” -- mrentfro
- Vote: How many more games will Dallas Braden win in MLB?
- Rank 'Em: Are the Rays still atop SportsNation's MLB Power Rankings?
- More from ESPN.com: Jerry Crasnick with more on Braden's perfection
Dallas Braden is now one of 18 players to share the company of Lee Richmond in one of baseball's most select clubs, which is saying something when you consider Richmond, born in 1857, was probably already throwing a baseball when Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. What we're saying is perfect games are pretty rare, even if we have seen two in the last 10 months.
There are plenty of subplots with Braden's gem. Is he now famous for something other than calling out Alex Rodriguez for stepping on his mound? Did the Rays' Evan Longoria break an even more important unwritten rule by laying down a bunt in the game? (Last week, SportsNation said bunting in a no-no is fine. But this morning? Not so much.)
But beyond all that, we're wondering what individual feat would be the ultimate to watch in person? A pitcher throwing a perfect game? A running back rushing for 300 yards? A pro golfer acing a hole? Is there anything you'd rather see in person than perfection?
“I LOVE seeing no-no's, perfect games, 4 home run games, cycles, and the such being done. They are so rare and such a joy to see. Seeing the feat done is one thing, but seeing the athlete's unadulterated joy is a whole different level of fun.
” -- breeze20
“12,000 peeps watched the game, but prolly 50K are already claiming they were there and that number will swell to 150K in five years.
” -- stevarino2009
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
On Oct. 17, 1989, the San Francisco Bay Area was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on the Richter scale. Sixty-three people died, and more than 3,700 were injured. A section of the upper deck of the Bay Bridge collapsed, as did sections of the Cypress Street Viaduct. The Bay Area suffered an estimated $6 billion in damage.
The earthquake hit at 5:04 p.m. Pacific Time. At that moment, ABC was broadcasting live from Candlestick Park, where the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants were warming up for the third game of the World Series. That meant viewers around the world saw the initial earthquake strike live, but ABC was knocked off the air before the tremor ended. ESPN went on the air 18 minutes later. Other national networks also began broadcasting live. The stadium was evacuated, and the series was postponed for 10 days.
Sunday on "Outside the Lines," ESPN's Bob Ley will take viewers back nearly 20 years to that day, telling the stories of what happened and sharing sports figures' memories of the natural disaster.
ESPN would like to hear your story, your remembrances of where you were and what you were doing the moment the earthquake struck. Share them in the comments below.
Six years ago, the world was rocked by a book that challenged the fundamental assumptions of many of the power elite. Long-held beliefs were called into question. History was re-examined. Even the Pope got involved ...
Wait. We're not talking about "The Da Vinci Code"? This is a sports Web site? I guess that explains all those ex-athletes walking around the building.
Anyways, except for the bit about the Pope (a longstanding proponent of the value of OBP), all the previous statements could have just as easily been made about "Moneyball." Written by best-selling author Michael Lewis, the book examined Billy Beane and how he was able to keep the Oakland A's competitive despite a disadvantage in money and resources. It's safe to say the book was revolutionary; many teams now utilize at least some of Beane's techniques, and the Red Sox have even hired Bill James as a consultant.
Still, the book's premise falters a bit when one looks at the current state of the A's. Last in the AL West, Oakland's offense features barely anyone who can get on base or hit for power, key tenets of the so-called Moneyball ethos. This is the third losing season in a row for Oakland. Is some of the luster off of Beane's genius? Or have his once-revolutionary practices become, as is so often the case, commonplace? When teams like the Red Sox are playing Moneyball with more money than you have, it's no wonder that losing seems to be the new market inefficiency.
- Mets GM Omar Minaya was portrayed as somewhat of a dupe in "Moneyball." These days, SportsNation seems to have agreed with that assessment.
- User Mike Gwizdala reminisces about A's great Rickey Henderson, a Moneyball player if there ever was one.
- Beyond the Nation: Billy Beane explains his team's struggles.
- SportsNation Groups: Oakland A's Baseball | Diehard A's Fans
“I would say the Twins are the role models for small market success. Great drafts and seem to let players go just before they burnout. What Tom Kelly did was unbelievable. Propably one of the best managers of this generation. Two worlds series, rebuild the team in the 1990's to four division titles this decade (should have been five re: 2008) on a budget less than 1/4 of the Yankees.
” -- ugolini78s
“Moneyball came within an inch of making it to the WS in 2001. If Giambi had used his head and slid instead of going in to home standing up, the A's are playing the D-backs for the WS. Instead, they let the Yankees off the hook and AZ beat the Yanks soundly in seven games. Thank B.K. Kim for blowing two games in NY or that series would have been over alot earlier. Beane is a genius considering the limited budget he's working with. Sometimes it just comes down to luck in certain situations.......lik e that Jeter tag at home. That A's team was better than the Yankees, as that team was on it's last leg....... Half the team retired after they were beaten by AZ.
” -- DIVISIONINCISION
“At the time of the writing of Moneyball, Beane identified that on base percentage was a statistic for which teams weren't paying greatly. Therefore, Beane and the A's could afford players with high on base percentages that other teams would overlook. When the book came out, other teams began to value OBP, and the market for OBP then rose/became more efficient. In any given year, the inefficient market could be different. One year it could be WHIP. Another year it could be steals. Another year it could be veterans. It is not strictly about OBP.
” -- scottecandage
FOLLOW SPORTSNATION ON TWITTER
