Susan Slusser
@susanslusser
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SF Chronicle senior baseball beat reporter, on 🦋 same handle
SF/London
Joined February 2009
From the @sfchronicle’s Santiago Mejia, here is A’s rookie Bruce Maxwell becoming the first MLB player to take a knee for the anthem:
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A's catcher Bruce Maxwell is kneeling for the National Anthem. He's the first MLB player to do so. Maxwell has hand on heart, facing flag.
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Pretty big fan of Dodgers fans right now. Very drunk and big man accosted me walking to the parking lot, very threatening, and a group of LA fans surrounded me and walked me to my car and kept him away. Thanks to all of you. That was freaking scary.
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This is one of my favorite nights of the year, the Giants scoreboard pictures are drawn by pediatric cancer patients. I love them SO MUCH:
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Scott Boras tells me that after the Giants cancelled their press conference yesterday, they indicated they still wanted to negotiate about Correa. But he didn’t hear anything more from them. Twelve hours later, the Mets deal got worked out.
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Joc Pederson: “I think Pride Day is great. It’s about welcoming everyone. It’s like ‘love your neighbor.' . I think the LGBTQ community is awesome, and I think everyone should be able to express themselves in whatever fashion you want. Whatever makes you happy.”.
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One thing I've loved to see all day and evening: Cardinals fans have been so supportive of team sending Piscotty home to the Bay Area, where his ailing mother lives. Really restores some faith in humanity. Really well done by St. Louis.
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Buzz in the lobby is Judge is going to sign with the Giants.
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I’m so sorry to learn that Ray Fosse has died. I learned as much or more baseball from him over 25 years than maybe anyone else in the game. His tremendous insights and his passion for the A’s will be so missed. A very sad day for the organization and for Major League Baseball.
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Confirming: Correa to the Mets now after Giants flagged something in the physical and doctors disagreed.
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Sports will always break your heart at some point but this is next level and never should have happened. I feel, as always, for the A’s longtime, dedicated employees, and their amazing fans. What a dreadful day for baseball.
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Also rumbling among Giants players and other personnel that Judge is coming aboard.
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Bob Melvin says Ramon Laureano does not charge the Astros dugout "unless something completely offensive comes out of it." Says everyone knows what was said and who said it, and he expects the league will deal with it.
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Marcus Semien strongly says he believes the A’s should have a new stadium here, where the Coliseum is. Wants the team to stay, says “It’s about the people: the fans. The players on the field. The people who work here.” He believes Oakland is a big league city.
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Matt Chapman says he’s already heard from players with other teams about their potential interest in playing for the Giants after he signed a six-year extension.
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As the higher seed, the A's get the home clubhouse here at Dodger Stadium, which is a HUGE difference. The visiting clubhouse here is small and a pain to get to. Also: I am guessing the Dodgers wouldn't super love having the Astros in their clubhouse.
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Always wonder why some fans would prefer to see billionaires pocket revenues rather than spend it on the folks that the fans are actually going to see play. I don’t care if *you* would play for a song. This is a business. And the career is a short one. Pay the ones on the field.
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Big cheers for Mike Fiers here at A’s FanFest. He was just announced to even bigger applause.
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Asked about the Astros, Hendriks says the A’s want to stick it to them as much as they can and show who’s the top team in the AL West.
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Jorge Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Giants I’m told.
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A reminder: Jack Morris told my friend, the immensely talented late Washington Post sports columnist Jennifer Frey, “I only talk to women when I’m naked when they’re on top of me or I’m on top of them.” She was an intern at the time, in the clubhouse, doing her job.
No matter whether they mean it or it's just so ingrained that they don't intend maliciousness: it's time to de-platform announcers like Jack Morris and Bob Brenly who say thoughtless stupid racialized shit and thus propagate more thoughtlessness. Hold people to higher standards.
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LaMonte Wade Jr. says his parents are both postal workers who worked nights so they could take him and his brother to all their practices and games. He spoke movingly about them.
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LOL Billy Beane says Brian Cashman just suggested they go have dinner in the city together tonight and not check the score until some prearranged time like 10:30.
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For those who don’t understand why it’s important to have Pride Day and provide safe spaces and support for members of the LGBTQ+ community, this was just one of the emails I got after writing about the Giants adding Pride colors to their logo today. Bigotry and hatred is real.
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Darin Ruf says he didn’t think Flores went. But: Points out that his own check swing call went Giants way at the end of the season, helped them win the division.
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universal DH was proposed and seems ok for both sides, I'm told. unless tied to something else as a bargaining chip, almost assuredly would go through.
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Fernando Rodney just tied. CY YOUNG for most career appearances, with 906.
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Protest in front of Dodger Stadium has shut main gates. Police & Dodgers security est protest size at 2,000. The two protestors I talked to were both from out of state and seemed unclear on whether they’re protesting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Pride Night or both.
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I’m told the Giants do have some interest in Michael Conforto. Wait for it: He’s a Scott Boras client.
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The Giants will be the first MLB team to incorporate Pride colors in their on-field uniforms, with an SF logo Pride Patch on the right sleeve of their home jersey and a custom cap that incorporates the Pride colors into the SF logo on Saturday.
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For the record, I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community as a bisexual woman. Happy Pride month and congrats to the Giants for their long record of inclusion and support.
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Brandon Belt will be signing a one year deal with Toronto, I’m told. Deal will be announced tomorrow.
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Eli Simon, 10, of Bernal Heights, got the home run ball and traded it to Schmitt for a signed ball and a bat:
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I cannot adequately describe how much I hate this. He is worrrkkkking right now, let him do his job.
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Dodger Stadium is now playing Runnin’ With The Devil. Rest In Peace, Eddie Van Halen.
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Security guard here at Safeco told me, “Every baseball fan in America who doesn’t have a team in the playoffs this year is rooting for the A’s. What a great story.”.
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Sean Manaea was pretty unimpressed with the Astros presser this morning. “They didn’t own up to anything, they all just sort of said the same thing. They want to move on but they haven’t even said what they’ve done.”.
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A family friend of the Piscottys confirms that Gretchen Piscotty died last night. I feel very fortunate to have met her even just for an hour or two. What a sad day for such a wonderful family, their friends and for Pleasanton. My deepest condolences.
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Maxwell getting very loud applause as he steps to plate for first time he began taking a knee for the anthem.
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A's win 15-3 at San Francisco, sweep the series. They have the best record in baseball at 16-6.
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I’ve confirmed the Giants have received Kris Bryant from the Cubs.
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I’ve gotten confirmation that longtime A’s minor league coach and manager Webster Garrison is on a ventilator and battling COVID-19 in Louisiana. Webster is one of the kindest, friendliest, smiliest people in baseball, please keep him and his loved ones in your thoughts now.
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I’m told that whatever was or not flagged during his physical, Carlos Correa does *not* have a back issue.
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An @sfchronicle exclusive: A's owner John Fisher reverses course, apologizes: team will pay minor-leaguers; "I concluded I made a mistake," he tells me. He's also setting up an assistance fund for furloughed employees: .
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I’m hearing an awful lot of buzz on the Giants and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Some other teams in the hunt for him think the Giants might have an edge.
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Reminder: John Fisher does not own the Coliseum. Vandalizing it does not hurt him in any way. It only reflects poorly on those doing it, creates potential safety hazards and makes the entire fan base look bad. Don’t play into that narrative please.
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It sounds as if there was a very old Correa injury - pre MLB - that was raised as a potential issue. It has not cropped up again. None of Correa’s other physical issues have required medical intervention or ongoing treatment.
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Thanks, A’s fans, for being so freaking nice - I’m not surprised about that but it’s awesome. And thanks Giants fans for being so kind and welcoming. Much appreciated!.
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Hi Giants fans! I’m looking forward to getting to know you all after more than two decades covering the A’s, which included a stint as the national BBWAA president and a California Sportswriter of the Year award.
Big news from @SportingGreenSF. @susanslusser will replace me as #SFGiants beat reporter. I can’t think of a better choice. She is an amazing reporter with a wealth of experience and she’s going to do a fantastic job for you, along with @JohnSheaHey. Congrats to Susan. .
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When I started off covering baseball, there were basically just one or two women covering beats, for years and years. I’m thrilled that’s changed the past 15 seasons or so and this current group is so kickass and so fun:
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I’ve confirmed Chapman to the Giants, opt outs each year. And this does *not* mean they are out on Snell. They are still very much in.
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As this @sfchronicle story mentions, Maxwell is from a military family and is deeply patriotic:
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OK, even without fans, playoff baseball is still hella fun. So much tension!.
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Mike Fiers hasn't lost since April 20 and people are ripping him for having trouble against the Astros, sheesh. A's wouldn't be in a playoff spot right now without Fiers, maybe a little perspective might be in order.
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I’ve covered baseball for 30 plus years and I’ve heard raves about a lot of players teams acquired but nothing like what I’ve heard the last two days about Adames. Everyone loves this guy to the extreme. Leader, winner, outstanding attitude, work ethic - all that and more.
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Liam Hendriks named the AL Reliever of the Year, well deserved for the A's closer.
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Joey Bart is such a pro’s pro: he texts: “I’m excited for a new opportunity and wish the best to everyone with the Giants.”.
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Buster Posey as president of baseball ops is a natural fit. A great baseball mind and hugely respected.
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Jake Diekman on playing three noon games: “I think that’s horse-s. We’re the No. 2 seed and we’re playing three noon games?”.
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Mauricio Dubón tells me via text: I loved my time in Sf. My teammates were unreal. But I know it’s what’s best for my career and my family. Sf always going to have a special place in my heart. The fans were unreal.
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The A’s delivered 300 pizzas to Kaiser Medical Center in Oakland today, providing lunch for local health care workers.
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Roy Steele, the Voice of God, died today at his home in Auburn, just four days after his good friend Chester Farrow, the A’s longtime scoreboard operator. Someone is assembling a great press level in heaven.
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Sean Manaea throws the seventh no-hitter in Oakland A's history and does so against a team that had won 17 of past 18 games, was averaging six-plus runs per game. A's win 3-0 over Boston. Ten Ks for Manaea.
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This is even more of an honor because I get to share it with one of my best friends and main inspirations: .Chronicle's Ann Killion, Susan Slusser chosen state's co-sportswriters of the year
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I’m hearing the Giants are relieving Gabe Kapler of managerial duties, announcement imminent.
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Best wishes and lots of love to Ray Fosse as he battles cancer; he's been one of the few constants in the organization for a very long time, fiercely loyal and a tremendous voice for a team that long has deserved more attention than it usually gets. F cancer.
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Name I just heard tossed out as potential managerial candidate and he would certainly be a good one: Stephen Vogt.
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My favorite Vida story was how one year Charlie Finley didn’t give him a raise but gave him a gas card. So Vida would go fill up and then let everyone else at the station use the card, too. 💗.
Vida Blue, former ace of the A’s and Giants in the '70s, dies at 73 via @sfchronicle.
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Such sad news: Ricky Ricardo, the longtime owner and the heart and soul of East Bay sports bar Ricky’s in San Leandro has died at the age of 75, Tina Ricardo tells me. Ricky was immensely kind to everyone in Bay Area sports, including the media, and he will be so missed.
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Larry Baer just called to tell me he’s taking this matter seriously and is looking into better safety measures for all postgame. He doesn’t want a repeat of this for anyone. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
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Here is some super cool news - Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch tells me the Hall is taking LaMonte Wade Jr.’s jersey from tonight’s game back to the Hall of Fame. His name will represent the Giants team for this historic game.
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Oh no, more heartbreaking news, Duane Kuiper’s wife, Michelle, died on Sunday, the Giants have announced. Deepest condolences to all of the Kuiper family and to all who know and love them.
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The Chronicle has learned the A’s will pay all fulltime employees through May.
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It’s days like today that make me wonder why so many fans side with owners over players whenever there are labor issues. The players have every right to fight for as much as they can get. I wish other team employees could collectively bargain to do the same.
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My favorite addition to Giants camp is Max Pavlovic. He’s welcome in the press box any time. With proud papa @PavlovicNBCS who we are stuck with in the press box I mean who is also welcome
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A's stun Giants by scoring five times in the ninth to tie it up, win 8-7 in 10 innings. At 14-6, A's off to their best start in 30 years, with best record after 20 games since1990 club was 15-5.
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Another cool bit of news: I just ran into Reggie Crawford at Birmingham Airport and he said the Giants brought in a lot of their Black prospects to experience the Rickwood Field event, he raved about going to the Civil Rights museum, seeing CC Sabathia, Albert Pujols and more.
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Blake Snell is single-handedly (single mic'dly?) changing my mind about in-game interviews. Fantastic stuff, and so engaging. He asked K&K their plans for the break, then he said he likes everything about SF about the traffic, and asked K&K what they like best about SF.
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He’s baaaaack! Jed Lowrie signs a minor league deal with the A’s because of course he did.
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Brandon Crawford is such a vacuum at SS, Dyson really needs to give him an endorsement deal.
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Mark Kotsay is taking three bases home with him today. They’re using 27 bases - Clay Wood is taking the first-inning bases as befits the best grounds keeper in the game.
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A’s sign Khris Davis through 2021, and he’d wanted at least three years including this one, considering the A’s could provide a qualifying offer for 2020. Excellent news for Oakland.
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Here's a very cool thing: The A's are sending any fulltime staffers who want to go to Seattle for the series this week. More than 100 A's employees will be at Safeco.
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Curt Casali says via text: “I had the time of my life with SF. Felt like home and I have so many friendships I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. Truly amazing experience.”.
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Senseless to keep steroid guys out when the enablers are in Hall of Fame. I now will hold my nose and vote for players I believe cheated.
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@NYCBroadwayBaby Did you notice his hand on his heart and that he is facing the flag? It's a simple but respectful protest. Certainly not cowardly.
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Mark Canha tells me, “I’m coming home! I’m over the moon about this. I got lucky.”.
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Matt Chapman says he HAS been aiming for cutouts when he tosses balls in the stands and he’s found them to be very durable. Mad in Seattle one day, he winged one hard at a cutout and didn’t dent it “so I got even more mad,” he says.
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Matt Chapman becomes the first A’s player ever to be named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year.
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The Oakland A's, 12 games back two months ago, are tied for first place after beating the defending champion Astros 7-1. The last time Oakland held a share of first place outside of April was Aug. 25, 2014.
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I just talked to Tommy La Stella and he is psyched about coming to Oakland. “The best part of playing for the A’s is you don’t have to play against them.” He thinks Oakland is set up for a deep postseason run.
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