Oakland Athletics Photograph Exchange

5/1 vs. Anaheim

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:50:58 GMT

My proposed improvement to Angel Stadium. There's too much red there for my taste.

Batting practice:

Who is this?

Dallas Braden has a 'fro? The things you miss living 500 miles away. I had to ask Huston to figure out who this was. I feel like I don't know half this team anymore.

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Joey Devine throwing to Santiago Casilla, whom I am still tempted to call "Jairo."

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Huston. One of the few I actually recognized.

Casilla:

via farm3.static.flickr.com

via farm4.static.flickr.com

The rock waterfall in center field.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Greg Smith can juggle, Dallas Braden is a goofball.

Braden also wears his area code (I believe?) on his shoes.

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Nick Adenhart at his best.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Duke in the bullpen.

I was in the nosebleeds for most of the game (view here ), but later I snuck down:

via farm4.static.flickr.com

via farm3.static.flickr.com

I found this funny. Given Vlad's usual helmet stylings, shouldn't it look like this:

via farm4.static.flickr.com

And the ending:

via farm3.static.flickr.com

via farm4.static.flickr.com

A Small Favor and Hello

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:13:39 GMT

Hi everyone! I thought that I would introduce myself before asking for anything. I'm from a small town in western Pennsylvania and have been a Pirates fan for most of my life, but once I hit high school and started getting into baseball more on my own, not just for home town pride, I discovered the A's. Now I'm hooked. However, living out here, it's somewhat difficult to find info on them because if it's not the Pirates, more than likely you will be swamped with Yankees, Mets, or Red Sox stuff. (Not to mention Steeler stuff...)

Anyway, this place seems fun and I look forward to getting to share in the excitement of the season with everyone.

Now for the question/favor. I was going through the archives and someone had posted an image of an old A's magazine. It had the Rich Harden and Huston Street He Said, She Said feature. I was wondering if anyone had that scanned somewhere where I could maybe see it. I feel a bit out of the loop whenever I'm reading the comments below and as an A's pitching fan, this would be so much fun to read. So if anyone has it and would be willing to post it or link me to it, I would be very grateful.

Thanks and again I look forward to celebrating this season.

E

Opening Night Photos

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:17:05 GMT

Hey... sorry about the late-ness of these. I've been going all over the Bay Area this week (I'm on Spring Break) and haven't had the time to post these anywhere. I was in the bleachers, so I didn't get really any game shots. But here's what I took:

The new ad campaign is 100% Baseball... which I think is kinda lame. Then again, how else would you sell an almost completely new team?

Kinda liked this one:

Gaudin:

Harden signing:

Casilla/Garcia, Harden, DiNardo?

Warning! Boston photos! (I'm not a Boston fan... I just miss taking baseball photos)
Ortiz running. Not pictured: oxygen tank

Pap(smear)

Clay Buchholz:

Honoring Dick Williams before the game:

Blanton warming up:

Both teams standing after introductions

And just the A's

Gotta love that batting average!

And uh... okay?

Complete set here

If you want to use any of these for icons/whatever, please let me know first - justin.a.lafferty@gmail.com. Thanks.

Spring Training photos!

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:14:40 GMT

Hi all!

I went to my first game last weekend and here are my photos to share! I haven't labeled any of them yet, so no names on them. But some of them are pretty self explanatory! I'll be going again today and tomorrow, so be on the look out for more.

Enjoy!

See all 98 photos here

Mrs. Chavez...Ohh that's me

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:21:51 GMT

Check for yourself, no words left for me to say :)
Am I dreaming?

he'll always be an A to me

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:34:55 GMT

i know this is a little late, but did anyone see that show CMI on, i believe fox sports, with zeets? it was pretty interesting and homeboy totally couldn't look the guy in the eye when answering "no" to the question of dating hilary duff.

all in all, it was enjoyable.

Spring Training Photos!

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:13:21 GMT

I've posted them on pretty much every medium I have (AN, Facebook, Myspace) and now here:

Gallery 1 - A's vs. Mariners and Rockies

Gallery 2 - A's vs. Angels

Commercials!

Sat, 31 Mar 2007 15:10:34 GMT

The Harden/Cain match-up yesterday was definitely a treat. I hope that happens again during the regular season.

Did you catch the first A's commercial? It was about Geren choosing between Harden and Haren for Opening Day. The kissy face Harden gives to Geren is priceless :)

It's here!

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:08:37 GMT

Spring training that is, and I went to my first game yesterday! Not a ton of stuff, because it was SO crowded. I've been to a ton of ST games and this was by far the most crowded and uncomfortable. I had standing room only seats but had snagged a seat till the middle of the third...when the people finally decided to show up. Suckers. By that time, there was not one place to stand! So yes Oakland A's, if you are going to see SRO tickets, make sure you don't over sell them so people are unhappy. /rant

ANYWAY on to the fun stuff, the photos!!!

Bobby Crosby

Nick Swisher

Dan Johnson

Mike Piazza

Milton Bradley

Jason Kendall & Dan Haren

That's all the teasers for you!

89 total photos can be found here!

alright. I'll go first.

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:35:40 GMT

I'm not really feeling the lining on the sides of the hats.

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Lenny's got a kind of Eric Bana quality to his profile, no?

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So he and I are breaking up ~~for a while anyway~~, but has anyone seen ST pics of Daniel John NumberChanging Jackass Haren?

Did anyone else catch Zito's full-page ad in the Chronicle today?

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 07:57:48 GMT

Made me teary-eyed.

Does anyone have a GINORMOUS scanner so I can actually get the whole thing all at once? I'll try to scan other parts of this and post them later.

Zito off the market?

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:41:37 GMT

MLB.com has sources saying Zito's signing with the Giants. Allegedly, seven years, $126 million. Richest contract ever signed by a pitcher. Because the Giants are INSANE. But yay for staying in the Bay Area.

And um. I'll make up for this OT post by posting some magazine scans tonight, or something ^_~

Insider Training is on TV

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:28:44 GMT

Thought I would let everyone know that Insider Training with Zito is on TV again this Thursday on Fit TV. I'll try and Tivo it and transfer it or whatever, but I'm not good with that sort of thing.

‘Pitching With Barry Zito’

Pitcher Barry Zito of the Oakland A's shows how he prepares for each game.

Date: Thu., Dec. 21, 2006
Time: 9:00PM

Strikeouts For Troops Holiday Bash

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:35:21 GMT

Barry is throwing a Strikeouts For Troops Holiday Bash party in Walnut Creek 12/11. I don't live there, so I can't go, but anyone who is 21 or older can.

http://www.pyramidbrew.com/home.php

Barry Zito's Strikeouts for Troops Holiday Celebrity Bash!

Monday, December 11th, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Pyramid Alehouse Walnut Creek 1410 Locust Street

$95 per person contribution includes:

• Buffet dinner

• Celebrity Bartenders

• A chance to meet the stars

• Autographs

Bring a toy for the Kids!

*All tickets will be held at will call.

Price: 95.00

Huston Interview

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 02:49:13 GMT

Huston was recently on the Almost Late Show with Bobby Bones. It can be viewed heree. The interview wasn't amazing but hey aleast we get to see Huston, he looks mighty fine in it. =)

Enjoy

A's are moving to Fremont

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:13:53 GMT

Too many damn changes in such a small time. I'm going to go hide under my bed!!

http://www.kcbs.com/pages/121049.php?contentType=4&contentId=236382

Plans Underway For New Stadium In Fremont

OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- KCBS has learned that the Oakland Athletics will soon announce plans to move the club to Fremont, and build a new stadium complex there.

KCBS sports anchor Steve Bitker broke the story Monday morning, learning via a source that Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is expected to come to the Bay Area next Tuesday, November 14, and is expected to make the announcement along with A's owner Lew Wolfe, Fremont city officials, and executives from Cisco Systems, which will lease the land for the complex.

The A's have not yet commented, except to say that they hope to make an official major announcement soon. The commissioner's office has not yet commented, either, but may comment shortly, according to Bitker.

The team has long worked for a new stadium deal, and KCBS's Bitker reports that the Fremont pact is expected to involve a 40,000 seat ballpark and surrounding residential and retail village.

Stay tuned to KCBS or log onto KCBS.com for updates, as they happen.

Ron Washington

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:17:25 GMT

This just in from the local paper here in Dallas! Ron Washington will be announced as the new manager of the Texas Rangers. Great opportunity for Wash! Sucks for us A's fans. I'm excited for the Texas fans here to see what Wash can really do for this team!

a little off the wall but...

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 05:00:31 GMT

i'm a sucker for throwback uniforms. i was wondering if anyone has any photos of the boys wearing them? doesn't matter the player really, just something i've been collecting for awhile and i only have like, 3 pictures of any given a's player with a throwback on ...

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 08:58:20 GMT

Here's Barry Zito and Eric Chavez on the Best Damn Sports Show Period, from April: Ipod ready format

urbansnowgirl commented on an earlier post about it, so, here it is for anyone else who wanted it! ayrdaomei had posted it in four parts, and I put them all together and compressed it into one file, and the size actually isn't too big, either.

I felt kind of bad just posting that by itself, so I also decided to include a Barry picspam that I had in my journal a little bit earlier. Most of which... has already been posted to this community previously, but, I just felt bad coming in kind of empty-handed! Ah well.

HAIR.

His hair doesn't have that awesome, "WOOO, EVERYWHERE!" thing going on here, but it's still cool :)

AHHHHHHHHHHHAHAH HE LOOKS LIKE HE JUST GOT UP. He probably DID.

Okay, ignore the watermark, but... HAIR!

Dunno why he's pulling this John Mayer looking thing here but... he still looks awesome!

Eeee, cute smile

AHAHAHAH HAIR.

EEEEEEE

WHAT THE HAIR

I'm so totally in love with this picture.

As I am with this picture. Dude, look at his HAIR!

Okay, I already posted this picture before, to show that crazy Jason Mraz-like thing he's pulling... I mean, what the heck IS that?!

I included this pic cause, he's kind doing the Mraz thing here again.

AND here.

I'm kind of in love with his profile.

Even though this isn't the best quality, he looks SO GOOD HERE.

Cutest smile ever.

AWWw, random cute little face!

;D

Cause guys with guitars are hot.

Awwww, cute smile.

Enjoyyyy.

Barry on Halloween

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:29:42 GMT

He was a cowboy at a very F-list party. Pauly Shore? Jason Davis?

There is only 1 picture at Wireimage, but I'm looking for more.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9002/11181412diaz72711320062ww7.jpg

Chavvy moves on to second hand....

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 22:37:35 GMT

Chavez was announced the '06 Gold Glove winner at 3rd base for the 6th year in a row today!!!!!! He worked very hard even though he was hurt all year. His offense suffered tremensly, but he kicked ass at defense. Congrats to Eric!!

Ellis got robbed. I know Grudzie had a fantastic year, but how can you beat the new record for FPct of .997 by a second baseman??? Come on people!

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061102&content_id=1729620&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

x-posted to my journal

Sad day....

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 01:21:00 GMT

Zito filed for free agency today. :( And so now the torture worsens.

NEW YORK -- Oakland's Barry Zito, who could be the most sought-after pitcher in this year's free-agent market, filed for free agency Tuesday.

Zito, a 28-year-old left-hander with a coveted, looping curveball, was 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts this season. He never missed a start because of injury in his first seven major league seasons with the Athletics, who acknowledged before the 2006 season they probably wouldn't be able to afford the 2002 AL Cy Young award winner once he became a free agent.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2645252

x-posted to my journal

Barry Zito icons

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:38:26 GMT

Ahh, as promised, I finally bring you guys some Barry Zito icons aaanannnndd... a wallpaper too! Now, I may or may not have used some pictures that you guys posted here, since I just saved like mad whenever I found any good pictures of him... so if you feel the need to have credit for some of them, let me know, and I'll add it into my post, alright?

Alright, I have one wallpaper and 28 icons. Six of the icons are cropped from the wallpaper.

Wallpaper preview:

Icon examples:
13. 18. 27.

( ZEETS )

And, a cry for help:
Also, would anyone happen to still have this episode of Best Damn Sports Show Period, I WILL LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH. PLEASE!!! *begs* Please! *pleads* Please! *beseeches* Please! *grovels* Okay, you get the picture! I need to know why there's a Giant Zito, thanks very much! I'd be very grateful, in short.

EDIT: WEEEEEEEEEEE ayrdaomei is a lifesaver! I got the downloads :D :D :D .... :O

An extremely short Barry video

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:48:14 GMT

I can't rip this and it's probably not worth ripping since Barry's on for a whole 5 seconds..but it's still Barry.

At some 2004 Hollywood Hunks party.
http://lulop.com/post.php/1813

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 01:09:14 GMT

anyone remember these? they can all be accessed from that link - 2001, 2002 and 2003. actually, there are a whole bunch of links to audio interviews with a lot of other current/past players on there as well. i could never get them to play for me before and of course, they're not working for me now even though i have a brand new computer. i don't suppose anyone knows of a way to rip them so we can get them in here before they're eventually deleted?

Barry Zito is 23 years old and well on his way to two things: 1.) becoming one of the most feared pitchers in the majors, armed with a curve and a change-up that will buckle the best hitters; and 2.) becoming one of the most interesting cats to walk into a big-league clubhouse in a while.

It started when the Oakland A's left-hander came to the majors toting a good-luck teddy bear and a pink pillow for road trips. It continues to this day as he barrels into the playoffs sporting a lifestyle heavy into Zen and an unkempt mane of hair that could hide several nests of rare birds. He's a lefty. He surfs, he listens to punk rock and he reads books that espouse a universal life force that he credits with his midseason turnaround. Meanwhile, a few lockers away, a teammate is reading "Barely Legal Centerfolds."

Page 2 caught up with Zito on the eve of the playoffs:
1. Page 2: Best hair in the bigs?
Zito: (long pause) By far, by a landslide, Matt Anderson. He's got the full perm, dude. He's my inspiration. I don't have the balls to perm it, dude. I'm just gonna kick it into my Elvis look right now. Here (puts on aviator shades, approximating early '70s Elvis look), I've got the Elvis look going, dude.

1a. Are you consulting a stylist on this look?
Zito: No, not at all. I've just got to get back in form for when I go back to L.A. in the offseason. I just gotta start getting my style back. (Points to pair of elephant bell bottoms in his locker) I kinda got off track earlier in the year, but I'm starting to get my style look now. I love it.

1b. This is sort of a '73 Elvis, isn't it?
Zito: Yeah. The younger Elvis is probably the look I'd like to attain, though. The older Elvis, with like the jumpsuits and stuff? I'm not into the jumpsuits. Like, with the sequins and crap. But I do like the younger Elvis. I'm talking about the attire. I'd like older Elvis hair, the rest younger Elvis.

2. Do more big-league players need Zen in their lives?
Zito: Regardless of what you want to call it, guys need some type of spirituality they can grab onto. If it's Christianity, which is a very structured approach, or if it's something that's a little more open-ended ... like, Zen's something you can make yourself a part of. You can interpret it for yourself, like Taoism and stuff like that. But yeah, I think every guy needs something he has to follow.

3. Why are lefties better than righties?
Zito: I think we're just more of a commodity, you know? Everyone puts us on a pedestal, because you don't see 'em all the time. Obviously, that's the case in baseball, where 30 percent are left-handed, or whatever, compared to the normal population, where it's like 2 or 3 percent. I think we know that we're rare, and a commodity, and that kind of brings out the differences in us. It almost makes us dwell on our differences.

4. If you wind up hitting -- say, in the World Series -- what music should play?
Zito: Punk rock, definitely. My favorite punk band is NOFX. They've got an album called "White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean." It was gonna be called "White Trash, Two Kikes and a Spic," but that wouldn't pass the FCC or whatever. But any song from that album. All these guys in this clubhouse know is hip-hop. They don't know anything.

4a. Fantasy national anthem performer?
Zito: By far, my favorite artist is Ben Folds. He recently went solo. He's a creative genius.

5. Which power would you wish for: The strength of 1,000 men, the ability to fly, or the ability to be invisible?
Zito: Be invisible. Because I'm a pervert, dude. I'd be in every girls' bathroom, locker rooms. All of it.

6. Four people, living or dead, to your fantasy dinner?
Zito: (long pause) Sandy Koufax. (long pause) FDR, probably. (pause) Ben Folds. And my date would be Penelope Cruz.

7. Best flake in ball history?
Zito: I'd have to say Dock Ellis, dude. Pitching on LSD? That's pretty impressive. I could never function -- or at least pitch -- on LSD. I don't know how you could ever do that. Pitching's hard enough.

8. Hitter you least want to face?
Zito: (long pause) I'd say Robby Alomar. Just a very tough out, man. Probably the toughest out in the league, in my opinion.

9. A book everybody in the bigs should read?
Zito: It's a book on spirituality, a big reason for the turnaround in my year. It's called "Creative Mind and Success," by Ernest Holmes. It's pretty deep, man. Very deep. Be prepared, if you're gonna read it. Because a lot of beliefs people have about Christianity and other stuff ... it doesn't contradict them, but it says stuff more about universal things. The message is basically one concept, which is that there's a universal force out there, such as gravity or electricity, that is to our using. We can use it, we can access it.

10. Who in the bigs would make a great surfer?
Zito: Actually, I know some guys who surf. Jaret Wright does. Trevor Hoffman, Ryan Klesko, Brent Mayne, too.

10a. Is there something to soul surfing, the art of communing with the ocean?
Zito: Oh, it's unbelievable, dude. It's like no other feeling. I mean, I can't even compare it to ... the nearest feeling I've gotten from baseball was pitching in the playoffs in Yankee Stadium. Other than that, nothing comes close. And it's not even as good. Early morning, 5:30, sun's still coming up, it's dark out, but the sun's starting to peek out, and you paddle out, and sit on the outside, and it's all glassy, it's freezing cold, you're blowing out air, and you're the first guy out there ... you just see the waves come peeling off, dude. Oh, it's an unbelievable feeling.