Moneyball--The Sequel

   #Ourbad #Canwin #Onegameatatime #DoitforMac32 #Darkhorse #PlayoffPush #Moneyball...Win, lose or tie it's the A's 'till I die. Does anyone quite understand what is going on out in OakTown?! Is there something in the water? Let's just ask the elder statesman of this youth filled team, the scruffed, tatted-Jonny Gomes.

   "We came in with a square wheel, if you're able to sand down the edges, you're gonna roll." Well, there you go...

   Still don't understand? Still wondering how the Oakland Athletics, with the 29th payroll are in position to secure a wild card spot and have a better record than the mighty Yankees? Is it a pact with the devil? A blessing from the baseball Gods? Magic? A miracle?

   The A's have every excuse to be a "rebuilding" team, a team that shouldn't even be competing. Beginning the season that was what myself, as well as other A's fans expected. "I just want a team to root for, a team that will actually be competitive", seemed to be a common phrase thrown around from one Athletics fan to another. Manny Ramirez was supposed to be the savior of the season, all of our faith was instilled in this washed up outfielder. After a suspension, a release and injuries to our 2 of our top 3 starters (Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden). Continuing injuries to Brandon Mccarthy, the trades of Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill, the demotions of Kila Kaihue and Jemile Weeks, the lack for an MLB ready shortstop and the 29th payroll in the league should equal just another losing season in Oakland. Well, the A's were never told they weren't supposed to compete, or frankly they just don't care.

   Billy Beane seemed to go into hibernation, with his "moneyball" theory after 2007, our last winning season. Oakland has been irrelevant since the Milton Bradley, Frank Thomas days of '07. This year, we're back! 'Bout Time. Beane should be a favorite for GM of the year and Bob Melvin deservedley so is the front runner for manager of the year. These two baseball masterminds put together with a group of knuckleheads,  has been the recipe for success.

   As described by perhaps the A's best all around player this year Josh Reddick, "good pitching and a bloop and a blast." The A's represent the 3rd best ERA in all of baseball, even after using 10 different starters. The bloop comes from walk-offs, and not relying on one guy to come through in the clutch, but rather anyone that wants to step up on that given day, that given moment. Names ranging from Brandon Inge to Brandon Hicks, to Coco Crisp and finally the Cuban import Yoenis Cespedes.

   So what did Billy Beane do this off-season that created this magical environment that has become Oakland over the past few months. He created a locker room where guys are just having fun, playing one game at a time and there is no pressure. Signing 26 year old Yoenis Cespedes to a 4 year $36 million deal was frowned upon and questioned by many, but he has become a star in the Bay Area. No doubt he would be rookie of the year if it wasn't for Mike Trout.

   Let's go through the A's lineup and find out how they got here--this is very interesting.
Coco Crisp- Signed a 2 year deal this off-season, the speedster is a stellar center fielder. MLB journeyman has found a home here in the Bay Area. One of few veterans.
Stephen Drew- Acquired at the deadline to sure up the infield and finally introduce a true shortstop into Oakland's defense.
Josh Reddick- Acquired this off-season for closer Andrew Bailey, who is out for the year. Reddick is leading Oakland in RBI's and home runs. Boston viewed him as just another Out Fielder.
Yoenis Cespedes- Cuban import who many doubted, suffered a wrist injury earlier this year.
Chris Carter- Began and started a good chunk of the year in AAA, finally called up and the 6'5 first baseman has been a power, RBI producer. He was acquired in the Dan Haren deal four years ago.
Josh Donaldson- Drafted by the Cubs, came to Oakland, finally was called up and given a chance this year when Inge went down. He has been an incredibly consistent, solid third baseman.
Derek Norris- Like many others, began the year in AAA, called up and is the future catcher of this organization. Traded Kurt Suzuki to give time to Norris. Norris was acquired from Washington for Gonzalez, along with Jarrod Parker.
Brandon Moss- A scrap metal pick up for virtually nothing. The cast off of the Red Sox has 17 homers this year with Oakland.
Cliff Pennington- Began year as shortstop, will end year as second baseman. He is 5'9.
Seth Smith- Cast off from Colorado, signed this off-season for a $2.3 million deal. He has power and RBI pop.
Jonny Gomes- Elder statesman, easy to get along with. Petaluma native. Locker room influence, as well as leadership and home run power. Tampa Bay cast-off.
Adam Rosales- Funky, fundamental player. Cast off because of his corkiness with no batting gloves, wierd trot (run) and batting stance. Has been a solid utility player all year.
George Kottaras- Acquired at the deadline for reliever Fautino De Los Santos. Has been insurance for the young catcher Norris.
Brandon Inge- Began the winning mentality in Oakland after hitting two grand slams, and two more home runs in his first four games in Oakland after being released by Detroit.
Jemile Weeks- Rickie's younger brother began year as starting second baseman. Struggled all year, but hit a walk off in July.
{Pitchers}
Jarrod Parker- Acquired for Trevor Cahill. Has been the most consistent of all A's starters. 10 wins.
Tom Millone- Acquired from Washington for Gio Gonzalez along with Norris. Has been solid lefty, with 12 wins.
Brett Anderson- Underwent Tommy John surgery this off-season, ace of the A's. 24 years old. A top 10 pitcher when healthy. Has a 0.69 ERA since coming back.
Brandon Mccarthy- Injuries early in the year, was struck by a ball in the head, one of the A's top 2 starters along with Anderson.
A.J. Griffin- Was converted to a starter this off-season after entering AAA as reliever. He is 5-0.
Travis Blackley- Arizona, Giants cast off. Been incredibly consistent whether as reliever or starter.
Dan Straily-Wasn't even a top 10 organization prospect. Came out of nowhere, dominated AAA. He led all of minor leagues in strikeouts.
Ryan Cook- Acquired in trade for Gio Gonzalez. Lone All-Star on this team. One of 11 rookies on roster. setup/closer.
Grant Balfour- Tampa Bay cast-off. Became closer of Oakland in late July.
Sean Doolittle- Began minor league career as a first baseman and last year converted to a pitcher. He is arguably the A's best lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

   The A's are a team full of castoffs, prospects and knuckleheads. Yet, they boast the 2nd best record in the American League. Everywhere you look in this organization, there are stories like these and in the end, it equals this group of knuckleheads. Guys like Brandon Moss, Jonny Gomes, Seth Smith and Travis Blackley...no one wanted these guys but when brought into the right system, that is Oakland, there isn't the same pressure to perform or even the pressure in the locker room. From what I have heard the locker room is about as free and relaxed as can be. This is the perfect environment for these cast offs, and all the young guys. This recipe has equaled success for the Athletics this season. Moneyball is again relevant.

   So why does a team poised to make the playoffs and in the middle of a post-season push still have the 2nd lowest attendance in the league?! Well, it has to do with Lew Wolff, the San Francisco Giants and neighboring cities in the Bay Area. The Giants don't want the A's to move anywhere near SF, or San Jose...so it will be really interesting to see what happens. I am for team Oakland. With all the speculation of the A's rebuilding, moving on and lack of attendance it should equal disaster. The knuckleheads, that are the A's were never told about this. That is a few billionaires problem, not theirs. They are only concerned about what they do best--play ball and play ball well.
 
   No one said the A's could, no one believed. The players don't care. So don't doubt this Oakland team. Is this just a sequel to Moneyball? Are we witnessing part II of the historic run 10 years ago?! Fingers crossed.  Look out AL, the A's can pitch, hit and with a combination of a bloop and a blast, they have become the most dangerous team since the All-Star break. This is the greatest story in sports. A true darkhorse, defying all baseball odds, upsetting the baseball Gods, winning off a "silly" concept that is Moneyball and trusting the fountain of youth. Don't tell the A's they can't, because they don't care. Half the team has been told that throughout their career, but with the right environment and right group of guys, anything is possible. What the A's have going on this season is nothing short of spectacular. The sky truly is the limit out in Oakland. Lew Wolff, as well as every Athletics fan out there can't wipe the smile off their face. There are no household names on this team, no superstars, our only All-Star was a rookie, but that isn't holding this "miracle" team back. You have to love what is going on in the Bay Area. Let's just hope this ends in a storybook ending. Go A's!