Bleacher Report - Articles by raiderdad4ever

Remember The Good Old Days? Bat Day With Real Bats.

raiderdad4ever — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:03:49 -0400

My friend gave me an original Sal Bando green A's bat today, in great shape, and it made me think of all the great bats they gave out at the stadium during bat day in the old days. They were the real deal Louisville sluggers. Many were used in little League and on playgrounds and streets. Most would be too heavy, but were still used because they had a real signature burned in like the pro's. No sponsor logos were the best part.

Over the years I have collected many bats from this era when the A's gave out green bats begining with Charlie O Finley and "The Swinging A's." Does anyone know if any other Major League Baseball team during that time gave out colored bats on bat day?

The San Jose Sharks Are Best "Team" in this Year's NHL

raiderdad4ever — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:47:32 -0500

Could the San Jose Sharks be the best "Team" in this year's NHL?

When Ryane Clowe scored the game-winning goal in their shoot-out victory Thursday night vs. the St. Louis Blues, it was the first time in 12 victories this season that someone had two game winning goals.

Leading into Thursday's game 11, different Shark players had game winning goals in their previous 11 victories. That alone would qualify them for the best "team" in hockey, but it doesn't stop with that. The Sharks also lead the NHL in points without a single top 20 scorer.

This is also a team that has a completely new coaching staff as well as three new veteran defenseman. That would make most teams suffer a little in transition.

Look at the difference the Sharks young defenseman like Ehrhoff, Murray, and Vlasic have brought to the team. Each is now blasting shots as well as playing solid defense and becoming better offensive-defenseman with each game.

The Sharks have every member of the team contributing. The credit should go to the best General Manager in the Bay Area and Doug Wilson and his vision of what the Sharks needed to do to become a real "team".

Can anyone think of a team in the NHL playing better right now as a "team" than the San Jose Sharks?

Will Jose Canseco Try the WWE Next?

raiderdad4ever — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:38:52 -0400

After reading that Jose Canseco has agreed to fight Danny Bonoduce, I began to wonder if Jose Canseco could make it in the WWE.

What has kept Vince McMahon from making a run at signing Jose to a wrestling contract? Could Jose Canseco make it in the WWE? He could always be a manager and just talk.

I think he would be great. Maybe he could manage the Colon brothers...

Philadelphia Phillies and Oakland A's Fans Thank Billy Beane for Joe Blanton

raiderdad4ever — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:32:06 -0400

Many Phillie and A's fans were celebrating for different reasons during Game Four of the World Series. The Phillies fans are laughing and getting ready to party and are thanking the so-called "Baseball Genius of Bay Area" Billy Beane. Ask any Phillie fan if they would trade Blanton back to the A's for the three players they traded ?

Joe Blanton dominated the game and even hit a home run (wow, that is one more that Billy's boy Chavez will ever get on the A's). The A's fan's get to enjoy the playoffs and World Series every year because of the trades Beane makes. The playoff and both World Series teams all feature former A's.

Beane gets all the credit for the prospects he picks up in these fire sales, but what type of player does he get? He has continued to trade for four-year college players who have been all glove and no power. The other teams scout, sign, and develop these young players, then Beane trades his the players, who are now developed and ready to cash in.

We all know his story.

I can't believe he is mentioned as a top GM. He has not won. What really upsets me is he gets a basic "free pass" because of the small payroll and market. Could you image a job where the boss tells you "spend only $50 million this year and don't worry about your job because I know you can't win?"

When the great Charlie Finley tried to do to the A's what Beane has been doing since his tenure, he was told he could not, in the best interest of Major League Baseball. Why has Major League Baseball continued to let small-market teams develop players in the minors or trades and then just trade them off when they don't feel like paying what the player has earned.

I understand when a guy leaves via free agency, but to trade guys under contract this year and next, and the big names all end up on playoff teams (Swisher, Harden, Haren).

To tell the fans that it is OK to trade quality major-league players for a number of minor-league players is wrong, and the A's fanbase proved it by their lack of attendance this past year.

Will John Madden Return To The Raiders Front Office?

raiderdad4ever — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:10:30 -0400

Could John Madden be the Football man with "local ties " that Mr. Davis mentioned in his post comments following the raiders latest coaching change? When asked Mr. Davis mentioned He had been thinking of a certain person with strong local ties and a football background.

It would be great to have Coach Madden return to his team. I could not think of a single person who could help bring a sense of stability with the Raiders front office other than Coach Madden. He is getting up in age and must be tired of all the travel, plus we all know how Coach Madden feels about the Raiders and Mr. Davis, it would be the perfect choice.

Coach Madden could deal with the media and bring back some of the Raider Magic that has been missing for years. This would be a true dream for all Raider fans. Coach Madden "being the right hand man" for Mr. Davis and the Raiders General Manager.