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"