“It’s like we’re cousins. I come from where they come from.”
“We live vicariously through each other’s craft.”
Loved writing about the connection between Latino players and artists. S/O legends
@MYKETOWERS
and
@ForeignTeck
for the time.
At the end of the eighth inning, Chris Bassitt struck out Miguel Andujar, picked up some dirt from the Coliseum mound and put it in his pocket:
“I don’t know if I’ll ever see this place again," Bassitt said.
Tanner Roark told Cincinnati reporters he was sitting in an Arby’s parking lot eating a Beef n Cheddar and curly fries when he found out about the trade to the A’s.
Source: A’s are calling up No. 2 prospect A.J. Puk. The left-hander will join the club in time for Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees in Oakland.
Jesús Luzardo on watching Felix Hernandez, one of his idols growing up, tonight: “I didn’t even tear up for my Major League debut, but I teared up watching Felix tonight.”
Employment news: I have accepted a position with MLB dot com to cover the Oakland A’s starting April 15. I am excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started. I know I have big shoes to fill and promise to keep working hard to bring you all the best coverage possible.
Matt Chapman on winning without Khris Davis in the lineup: "We still don't even have KD back and I want it to go on record that we really need him back. He's our best player. We still need that guy."
Big news: A’s are calling up BOTH No. 1 prospect Tyler Soderstrom and No. 3 prospect Zack Gelof, per source.
Both will join the team for Friday night’s series opener against the Twins at the Coliseum.
Tony Kemp: "When I got to Oakland two years ago, I told my wife that I felt it was a great fit for me. I’m just blessed to be in this position. I love the guys. I love everything about the Oakland A’s. Hopefully, I can play here long term.”
Starling Marte with a message after possibly playing his final game with the A’s. He’ll go down as one of the most impressive Trade Deadline acquisitions in quite some time. Electric.
Chris Bassitt: "Going into this year, I don't know how many people on either team would have said the Mariners are better than us. But the game is proving otherwise."
Briefly spoke with Ramón Laureano. He said he views the DFA as a favor from the A’s with a chance to possibly join a playoff-contending team. Enjoyed his years here in Oakland.
Gotta say, this was truly an amazing effort on the part of A's fans, making 27,000 sound like 40,000, and the players certainly fed off that energy. Those of us from the Bay know the passion Oakland has for this team. Tonight was a reminder of that.
Tony Kemp on support from A's fans: “It means a lot. These fans have been behind me since I came here in 2020. It’s the fans who make the game. They came loud every time and poured their heart and soul. Wish the team could stay here. There’s a lot of good these fans deserve.”
Bob Melvin on securing home-field: “There’s gonna be 50,000 people in Oakland, I got a feeling. When we get that big a crowd at home, they have an effect. We’re excited about going home. There’s a great bond between us and the fans there, and they can get pretty loud.”
Stephen Vogt's postgame interview playing over the speakers. He gets a Gatorade bath from Chad Pinder: "I'm speecheless. Oakland fans are the best fans in the whole world."
Fighting back tears: "Thank you. I will always be an Oakland A. .. Today was a dream come true."
Cristian Pache on the A's vibes: “It’s important to have joy on the team. The game is won from the dugout. We’re united at all times supporting each other. Thanks to God, we’re a team with a lot of soul and always give the best of ourselves on the field so our fans can enjoy it.”
Olson on A's trading away core players: "It's tough. I think a lot of us, our first choice was to stay and be an A as long as we could. Try to flip the cycles that have been here in the past.. I know there's a business aspect to it.. I appreciate everything they've done for me."
Adam Oller just found out from A’s manager Mark Kotsay that he made the roster. An emotional moment for a 27-year-old righty who has had a long journey to this point.
Doing some research as I put together the A’s all-time shortstop list and realized yesterday was 13-year anniversary of Marco Scutaro’s walk-off blast against Mariano Rivera on Jackie Robinson Day
Felt this watching, and Ramón Laureano confirmed in ESPN article, that Garneau tackling him was probably best thing that could have happened. Garneau is well-respected: “He was protecting me 100%. One of the best teammates I've had. He said to me, 'You good?' I said, 'Thank you.'
“If I have 7 more weeks with the A’s and don’t come back, these 4 years have been awesome. I hope I’m remembered as a guy that always laid it out on the field.”
Tony Kemp risked his body in a blowout, displaying what he hopes to impart on these young A’s.
A's have officially clinched a postseason berth, their sixth in the past nine years. Only the Dodgers (8) have reached the playoffs more times over that span.
Elvis Andrus literally left it all out on the field yesterday. Felt the ankle pop while rounding third, which turned out to be a fractured fibula. Basically made it home to score the winning run on adrenaline and heart. Warrior stuff.
Stephen Piscotty release makes sense given A’s direction but still tough to see. I’ll never forget the great 2018 season he put up while dealing with emotional struggle of his mother’s battle with ALS. Also just one of the nicest dudes I’ve covered. Wish the Piscottys the best.
Marcus Semien has been named a finalist for AL MVP alongside Mike Trout and Alex Bregman. First time an A’s player has finished top 3 in MVP voting since Miguel Tejada in 2002.
Ichiro’s Major League career began with a Mariners 5-4 win over the Oakland A’s.
Ichiro’s Major League career ended with a Mariners 5-4 win over the Oakland A’s.
How about that?
Tough news to digest. Ray Fosse was always great to me. Enjoyed talking ball together. Spent many lunches on the road with him hearing stories from back in the day and learning about the game, particularly from a catcher’s perspective. RIP to a legend.
Matt Chapman on fan support tonight: "They came out and supported, even when we were down, they were loud. We wanted so badly to get some momentum going, but we didn’t give them something to cheer about. I’m sorry to our fans that we let them down and we let each other down."
Chad Pinder: "The last 6 years has given me so much. I wanted to really cherish that time I had out there today and soak it up with the guys. I take pride in that uniform. I take pride in being an Oakland A. If that's my last at-bat, to do that, it’s very special to me.”
I don’t know of a team who’s received a bigger lift from the Trade Deadline than the A’s. Impact of Starling Marte, Josh Harrison, Yan Gomes and Andrew Chafin is undeniable.
James Kaprielian said every time he takes a pause off the mound, he looks between the 3rd base dugout and home: "That's the same spot my Mom would sit at all my high school and college games. That's where I collect myself."
She died after a long bout with breast cancer in 2014.
A’s are calling up No. 1 prospect (No. 50 MLB prospect) Jacob Wilson, per source.
The shortstop has dominated Triple-A by slashing .398/.444/.639 with 4 HR and 8 2B. Almost a year to the day he signed his pro contract, he will reach the big leagues after 72 Minor League games.
Chris Bassitt: "We are so far behind in the standings that it's tough to look at. I don't know the plan for next time. It is what it is. I'm proud to be an Oakland A. Proud of this group, even though we absolutely sucked last month.. Still happy as hell to be part of this group."
Rangers manager Chris Woodward on the A’s: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the World Series. Their bat quality, way they are pitching, all these arms, way they play defense, they’re making every fricken play. Guys I never heard of making plays, They have a lot to play for.”
As you can expect, emotionally tough day for Jed Lowrie: “The number of years I’ve spent in this uniform, in recent history, I don’t know how many guys played seven seasons here. The A’s mean something to me.”
Says he’d like to keep playing but is “at peace” either way.
Frankie Montas on trade rumors: “I’m not gonna lie, of course I’ve been thinking about it. .. Today I thought, ‘Hey, this might be my last start here.’ I’m trying to think of the good moments I’ve been part of here. I’m here right now. Whatever happens, I’m still an Oakland A.”
A’s fan with two kids bobbled a foul ball that fell down to the lower level last inning. After the inning was over,
@DALLASBRADEN209
delivered a ball to them and took a selfie.
Baseball is hard. I watched Paul Blackburn have a good Major League debut and solid rookie 2017 season. Also watched him grind every spring and struggle going up and down from the Minors the last few years. To see him having success in a playoff push for the A’s is really cool.
Stephen Vogt on Jed Lowrie: “Jed’s family. Any time you play this game this long, our wives and kids are good friends. I’ve been through it three times and it hurt every time. I’m gonna miss seeing him every day. What an unbelievable Oakland A Jed Lowrie was and always will be."
From our MLB Research team: Since 1901, Mason Miller is the first reliever with a 15-game stretch of no runs allowed, 40-plus strikeouts and fewer than five walks.
Chris Bassitt on A's rotation: "Everyone doubted us and somehow still doubts us like these numbers are just gonna disappear. Manaea should have been an All-Star. Montas is pitching lights out. Irvin has been consistent and Kap, in my opinion, is one of the Rookies of the Year."
A’s outfielder Ramón Laureano provided hundreds of meals from Brenda's Oakland and SunnySide Catering & Biscuits to healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and the Oakland Fire Department's 24 stations today.
Hearing the A’s are promoting Nick Allen, their No. 3 prospect per
@MLBPipeline
, to Triple-A Las Vegas. Fresh off winning an Olympic silver medal, he’ll now get one step closer to the big leagues.
Mark Kotsay mentioned that Frankie Montas was pitching through personal stuff that had been weighing on him. Montas pitched with a heavy heart last night after his mother in law passed away just a few days ago.