by Clive Dahlton
Phoenix, AZ -- Tim Hudson got the nod for the Athletic's first spring training game, he lasted a 1/3 of an inning giving up 4 runs, 5 hits and walking 2. The blow that ousted Hudson from the game was a 2-0 pitch to Richie Sexson that was driven on a line into left center field, left fielder John Mabry gave chase and jumped at the warning track but it was just out of reach. "I'm not worried about it, it's spring training," Hudson emphatically explained. "I was working on a few new pitches over the offseason and want to try to establish a better repertoire, and I got just burned. Any time you throw a 75 mph hour curve ball that doesnt curve, major league hitters will mash it, I saw his eye's light up." Graham replaced Hudson early in the game with Jeff Tam for damage control, and seemed completely fine with Hudsons outing, "I'm not worried at all, I would much rather have him work on his pitches and get burned rather than just throw fastballs, this is what spring training is for, absolutely fine with it."
Tam pitched well in relief, pitching 2 innings giving up a walk and a hit, allowing zero earned. "I'm just trying to do my best to make the team, if its in a setup role, mop-up or otherwise, I just want to play ball," Tam said after the game. "We like his makeup, hes not a blow-it-by-you kind of pitcher but he pounds the strike zone and isn't afraid to challenge hitters. He'll get burned sometimes but he's never afraid, he trusts his stuff, and thats the kind of guys you want, he has great character," Graham told the media. Brewers ace Ben Sheets was absolutely dazzling striking out 7 in 3 2/3 innings of work, allowing zero earned and walking none.
Mark Ellis played the field for seven innings before being pulled for defensive replacement Randy Valerde, that was before notching two hits and driving home a run. The Athletic's were down 6-0 in the sixth inning, when Ellis drove home Scott Hatteberg lining a first pitch changeup down in the zone past Ray King into centerfield. Left handed catcher Cody McKay stepped up for Oakland, blasting a moon shot deep into right pulling the Athletic's within three going into the seventh. Milwaukee's Jose Cabrera pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out the side in order, pumping his fist powerfully walking off the mound. "That was the game," Graham said, "we just looked kind of dejected after that." Milwaukee closer Mike DeJean gave up a leadoff hit in the ninth to Miguel Tejada, and got third basemen Eric Chavez to swing on top of a sinking fastball for a 4-6-3 double play. Left fielder Adam Piatt was Oakland's last hope for a rally but struck out without even lifting the bat off his shoulders, ending the game. The final score: Athletics- 3 Brewers- 6
Graham waited for Piatt at the dugout with some words of encouragement, "Just keep your head up and put a good swing on it, I'd rather have you go down swinging, protect the plate and be agressive in those types of situations." Asked who would go for the next game at home versus Milwaukee, Graham didn't even hesitate a second, "Zito." Southpaw Barry Zito will take the mound for the Athletics in their spring training home opener at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The probable matchup will be Zito (17-8, 3.49 era) last season vs. Glendon Rusch (8-12, 4.63), last season with the New York Mets.
First pitch at 1:00 PT, hear it on XTRA 860 AM, your home for ATHLETICS BASEBALL!
GREEN COLLAR BASEBALL- '02 OAKLAND A'S
Thursday, February 28, 2002
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
OAK-TOWN PREPARES FOR SPRING TRAINING ACTION
by Clive Dahlton
Phoenix, AZ -- Oakland finished final preperations this morning for their spring training opener versus the Milwaukee Brewers, (68-94) last season. Graham watched players take their hacks in the batting cage, specifically noting how good Eric Chavez looked. "Thad [Bosley] told me how good he looked yesterday afternoon so I thought I'd come out and check him out, his swing looks so fluid. I watched some of the game tapes last year and it looked like he was trying to swing harder, hacking at the ball, this year he has a very nice compact fluid swing," Graham said of his potental all-star third basemen.
Tim Hudson (18-9, 3.37 era), last season, will get the nod for the Athletics in the spring opener. "It was a really flip a coin type deal, everyones gonna get their start," Graham assured. Hudson will go against Milwaukee's Ben Sheets (11-10, 4.76 era), last season. Graham will stick with Hudson for at least 3 innings. "We still need to figure out our bullpen, outside Billy Koch at closer we aren't guaranteeing anything. I'm looking at Chad Bradford [2-1, 2.70 era] as a viable option as a setup guy, but we need to see where he's at so far this spring. There's alot of guys to keep track of out of here, alot of non-roster invitee's to scout out as well." When asked if there was any of the non-roster invitees would be looked at for serious consideration to make the team, Graham shed a wry smile and said "I'm not saying anything, but theres a few with definite potential. Someone might get there golden ticket punched."
Barry Zito continued to impress off the mound, buckling 3 hitters in a row, at the knees. Pitching coach Rick Peterson has been working with Zito trying to get him to use offseason workouts to build up leg strength to get more stability and power. "I believe Zito will be a 20 game winner with Cy Young consideration, you guy's are gonna be impressed with how much stronger he is," Peterson said.
First pitch at 1:05 PT, hear it on XTRA 860 AM, your home for ATHLETICS BASEBALL!
Phoenix, AZ -- Oakland finished final preperations this morning for their spring training opener versus the Milwaukee Brewers, (68-94) last season. Graham watched players take their hacks in the batting cage, specifically noting how good Eric Chavez looked. "Thad [Bosley] told me how good he looked yesterday afternoon so I thought I'd come out and check him out, his swing looks so fluid. I watched some of the game tapes last year and it looked like he was trying to swing harder, hacking at the ball, this year he has a very nice compact fluid swing," Graham said of his potental all-star third basemen.
Tim Hudson (18-9, 3.37 era), last season, will get the nod for the Athletics in the spring opener. "It was a really flip a coin type deal, everyones gonna get their start," Graham assured. Hudson will go against Milwaukee's Ben Sheets (11-10, 4.76 era), last season. Graham will stick with Hudson for at least 3 innings. "We still need to figure out our bullpen, outside Billy Koch at closer we aren't guaranteeing anything. I'm looking at Chad Bradford [2-1, 2.70 era] as a viable option as a setup guy, but we need to see where he's at so far this spring. There's alot of guys to keep track of out of here, alot of non-roster invitee's to scout out as well." When asked if there was any of the non-roster invitees would be looked at for serious consideration to make the team, Graham shed a wry smile and said "I'm not saying anything, but theres a few with definite potential. Someone might get there golden ticket punched."
Barry Zito continued to impress off the mound, buckling 3 hitters in a row, at the knees. Pitching coach Rick Peterson has been working with Zito trying to get him to use offseason workouts to build up leg strength to get more stability and power. "I believe Zito will be a 20 game winner with Cy Young consideration, you guy's are gonna be impressed with how much stronger he is," Peterson said.
First pitch at 1:05 PT, hear it on XTRA 860 AM, your home for ATHLETICS BASEBALL!
Monday, February 25, 2002
OAKLAND IMPRESSES IN FULL SQUAD WORKOUTS
by Clive Dahlton
Phoenix, AZ -- Oakland took the field early this morning for full squad workouts with strength and conditioning coaches. Pitchers threw off the mound for the first time at full distance,(60 ft. 6 inches), albeit not at full strength.
Newly aquired Manager Eric Graham was incredibly amped up on the field. "The intensity is amazing, incredible," Graham said. Centerfielder Terrence Long joked it was hard to keep up with him, "the guy is bouncing all over the place, running down the basepaths, screaming, it's great."
Graham hit ground balls out to short and third during the morning, while pitchers worked out with pitching coach Rick Peterson. Shortstop Miguel Tejada bobbled balls momentarily but recoverd quickly, "still trying to get the rust out," Tejada smiled, joking with the media. Chavez fired crossfield occasionaly missing his target as well, though isn't worried about accuracy. "It's early in spring training, no cause for concern," Chavez said.
The energy level in the complex was extraordinary, something as simple as PFP (pitcher's fielding practice), was turned into a competition amongst the players. "We challenge each other every day, making each other better, competing trying to raise our game to the next level," Zito said.
Mark Ellis impressed playing a bit of small ball during downtime, laying down perfect bunts down the third base line. "What a show off," Mark Mulder said laughing in the dugout.
Barry Zito looked incredible throwing off the mound, hitting his spots with relative ease. "He looks in mid-season form already, he has great form coming out of the offseason," pitching coach Rick Peterson said. Zito said it's the best he's felt. "I worked out alot during the offseason, the last thing you wanna do when the year ends is hit the gym but you have to, you have to stay limber as a pitcher," Zito exclaimed during an interview.
Several positional players reported an hour early to take swings in the batting cage, third basemen Eric Chavez and first basemen Scott Hatteberg being the notables. Chavez has caught the eye of hitting coach Thad Bosley, Bosley had this to say about Chavez: "Chavez is coming off a career best season, hitting 32 homers and 114 ribbies, his offseason workouts and improved plate discipline have paid dividends. He is primed for his best year yet."
The workout ended with players practicing sliding into second base, [not actually on the basepaths]. "Our guy's are coming along very well, I'm extremely impressed thus far," Graham noted after the drills.
Manager Eric Graham joined the team in a post workout jog around the complex barking at the team to keep pace, "just keep pushing harder and harder." Graham has enstilled a winning attitude from the day he walked into the clubhouse. "We have great players, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have a good team," Graham said to the media. "I'm preaching 9 innings of hard fought baseball, I don't care if were down 15-0 in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs, were going to grind out every at bat, hustle on the basepaths every play. Some teams have a swagger walking out onto the field, we're going to be one of them. We're not there yet, but we will be, mark my words"
Phoenix, AZ -- Oakland took the field early this morning for full squad workouts with strength and conditioning coaches. Pitchers threw off the mound for the first time at full distance,(60 ft. 6 inches), albeit not at full strength.
Newly aquired Manager Eric Graham was incredibly amped up on the field. "The intensity is amazing, incredible," Graham said. Centerfielder Terrence Long joked it was hard to keep up with him, "the guy is bouncing all over the place, running down the basepaths, screaming, it's great."
Graham hit ground balls out to short and third during the morning, while pitchers worked out with pitching coach Rick Peterson. Shortstop Miguel Tejada bobbled balls momentarily but recoverd quickly, "still trying to get the rust out," Tejada smiled, joking with the media. Chavez fired crossfield occasionaly missing his target as well, though isn't worried about accuracy. "It's early in spring training, no cause for concern," Chavez said.
The energy level in the complex was extraordinary, something as simple as PFP (pitcher's fielding practice), was turned into a competition amongst the players. "We challenge each other every day, making each other better, competing trying to raise our game to the next level," Zito said.
Mark Ellis impressed playing a bit of small ball during downtime, laying down perfect bunts down the third base line. "What a show off," Mark Mulder said laughing in the dugout.
Barry Zito looked incredible throwing off the mound, hitting his spots with relative ease. "He looks in mid-season form already, he has great form coming out of the offseason," pitching coach Rick Peterson said. Zito said it's the best he's felt. "I worked out alot during the offseason, the last thing you wanna do when the year ends is hit the gym but you have to, you have to stay limber as a pitcher," Zito exclaimed during an interview.
Several positional players reported an hour early to take swings in the batting cage, third basemen Eric Chavez and first basemen Scott Hatteberg being the notables. Chavez has caught the eye of hitting coach Thad Bosley, Bosley had this to say about Chavez: "Chavez is coming off a career best season, hitting 32 homers and 114 ribbies, his offseason workouts and improved plate discipline have paid dividends. He is primed for his best year yet."
The workout ended with players practicing sliding into second base, [not actually on the basepaths]. "Our guy's are coming along very well, I'm extremely impressed thus far," Graham noted after the drills.
Manager Eric Graham joined the team in a post workout jog around the complex barking at the team to keep pace, "just keep pushing harder and harder." Graham has enstilled a winning attitude from the day he walked into the clubhouse. "We have great players, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have a good team," Graham said to the media. "I'm preaching 9 innings of hard fought baseball, I don't care if were down 15-0 in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs, were going to grind out every at bat, hustle on the basepaths every play. Some teams have a swagger walking out onto the field, we're going to be one of them. We're not there yet, but we will be, mark my words"
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
SPRING TRAINING UNDERWAY
by Clive Dahlton [Athletics beat writer]
Phoenix, AZ -- Fans have taken to the streets outside the Athletics spring training complex, lining up down East Van Buren Street, stretching for what seems like miles just to get a glimpse of Athletics ace lefty Barry Zito. Zito has established a bit of a fan following in Oakland, as a strike-throwing lefty with an eccentric personality.
Zito pulled up in a brand new Cadillac Escalade, donning aviator sunglasses. Zito signed autographs for about 10 minutes before heading into the complex to greet teammates old and new. The big story this spring will be the departure of team leader and slugging first basemen Jason Giambi, who signed with the New York Yankees during the offseason.
Newly aquired Eric Graham spoke to the media briefly before heading into the facility for a pre-workout meeting with the new team. "I'm absolutely thrilled about this season. We're playing in one of the toughest division's in baseball this year and it's going to be a dogfight from start to finish, but we're gonna be ready. I love the young core of pitcher's we have in camp and our lineup is probably just as balanced as any team out there." Graham expressed enthusiasm more than once over the pitching staff which includes Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. "I think when you can say your number four pitcher [Corey Lidle], is capable of putting up numbers that would make him a number two starter on a lot of other teams, that's saying something about our depth. If your going to make an extended run in the post-season you need pitching, and depth, and we have both."
The Athletics are due for a full-squad workout on the 25th, open to media and fans.
Graham is expected to follow formalities and be available for an introductory press conference/manager interview. The full press conference will be available online shortly.
The Athletics will open up their spring training schedule against the Milwaukee Brewers (68-94), last season.
by Clive Dahlton [Athletics beat writer]
Phoenix, AZ -- Fans have taken to the streets outside the Athletics spring training complex, lining up down East Van Buren Street, stretching for what seems like miles just to get a glimpse of Athletics ace lefty Barry Zito. Zito has established a bit of a fan following in Oakland, as a strike-throwing lefty with an eccentric personality.
Zito pulled up in a brand new Cadillac Escalade, donning aviator sunglasses. Zito signed autographs for about 10 minutes before heading into the complex to greet teammates old and new. The big story this spring will be the departure of team leader and slugging first basemen Jason Giambi, who signed with the New York Yankees during the offseason.
Newly aquired Eric Graham spoke to the media briefly before heading into the facility for a pre-workout meeting with the new team. "I'm absolutely thrilled about this season. We're playing in one of the toughest division's in baseball this year and it's going to be a dogfight from start to finish, but we're gonna be ready. I love the young core of pitcher's we have in camp and our lineup is probably just as balanced as any team out there." Graham expressed enthusiasm more than once over the pitching staff which includes Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. "I think when you can say your number four pitcher [Corey Lidle], is capable of putting up numbers that would make him a number two starter on a lot of other teams, that's saying something about our depth. If your going to make an extended run in the post-season you need pitching, and depth, and we have both."
The Athletics are due for a full-squad workout on the 25th, open to media and fans.
Graham is expected to follow formalities and be available for an introductory press conference/manager interview. The full press conference will be available online shortly.
The Athletics will open up their spring training schedule against the Milwaukee Brewers (68-94), last season.
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