http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/teams/oakland_athletics/20 Recent articles about Oakland Athletics en-us When Jose Canseco is not on Twitter trolling Shaquille O’Neal, he is busy trying to get back into baseball. The former Major League star will act as a player/coach for the independent Fort Worth Cats for their first home series of the year. The series begins Thursday against Edinburg at LaGrave Field.  Edinburg is managed by Canseco’s brother Ozzie. “I am excited to come to Fort Worth and mentor the young ballplayers,” Canseco said in a statement. “I love Dallas/Fort Worth and I can’t wait to go up against Ozzie.” Canseco will remain with the Cats for all seven games of their initial homes tand. Canseco, an admitted steroid user played for eight teams in the majors, making the All-Star team six times and winning the American League MVP honors once, in 1988 while he was on the Oakland Athletics. The 48-year-old last played in the major leagues during the 2001 season. His big league career consisted of 462 home runs and a list of boneheaded on field incidents. Since his big league car... Tue, 21 May 2013 15:16:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/jose_canseco_to_play_baseball_again/13664689 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/jose_canseco_to_play_baseball_again/13664689 Jose Canseco to play baseball again http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/jose_canseco_to_play_baseball_again/13664689 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/f/bf1337f6384729a0b8645520e39015104d0b2f55/mini/baseball-stars-testify.jpg Not that it should come as a surprise to anyone, Manny Ramirez’s many peculiarities have not disappeared simply by him making the long trek to play professional baseball in Taiwan. In fact, Manny’s change of location has made his eccentricities that much more compelling, especially to his new fans in Asia, as evidenced by this [...]The post Moonwalker: Manny Ramirez continues to be Manny Ramirez in Taiwan (video) appeared first on Sportress of Blogitude. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:40:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/moonwalker_manny_ramirez_continues_to_be_manny_ramirez_in_taiwan_video/13664374 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/moonwalker_manny_ramirez_continues_to_be_manny_ramirez_in_taiwan_video/13664374 Moonwalker: Manny Ramirez continues to be Manny Ramirez in Taiwan (video) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/moonwalker_manny_ramirez_continues_to_be_manny_ramirez_in_taiwan_video/13664374 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Manny Ramirez had another hilarious moment during a baseball game in Taiwan over the weekend when he threw himself so off-balance after taking a big swing on a foul ball that he ended up backpedaling to prevent himself from falling. By the time he finally regained his bearings, Ramirez had walked backwards at least 20 feet from home plate. A nightly news program in Taiwan found the Ramirez "moonwalk" hysterical, and even spliced in footage of the famous Michael Jackson moonwalk from the "Billie Jean" performance at the Motown 25 television special as a basis of comparison. Just "Manny being Manny" once again. H/T BLS. Visit us at holdoutsports.com and follow us on Twitter @HoldoutSports. Tue, 21 May 2013 05:47:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/manny_ramirez_moonwalks_in_taiwan_after_losing_balance_at_plate_video/13660978 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/manny_ramirez_moonwalks_in_taiwan_after_losing_balance_at_plate_video/13660978 Manny 'moonwalks' after losing his balance http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/manny_ramirez_moonwalks_in_taiwan_after_losing_balance_at_plate_video/13660978 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/6/d675a97c14c28f8c71feb97a3b3d3012b2743a63/mini/manny.jpg Start believing the hype on Oakland A’s top prospect center fielder, Michael Choice.  Currently batting .284, with 8 HRs, 34 RBIs, a .393 OBP, and a .872 OPS, he has the makings of being a really good Major League ballplayer.  He hits for power, as he is second in the Pacific Coast League in HRs, and possesses a good batters eye, having an almost 1:1 K/BB ratio this season at Triple-A Sacramento (Rivercats).  With the A’s are currently sitting at 22-22 in the win-loss column and in sole possession of second place in the AL West division (6.5 games back of first place Texas Rangers), Choice may soon graduate from Triple-A to the big league club sooner than expected.  Here’s how. While it’s still early in the season, A’s General Manager, Billy Beane, has shown in the past that he is not afraid to start selling off players earlier than expected (whether than waiting till the MLB trade deadline), in order to capitalize on their peak value, and in return snag a better-than-normal prospec... Mon, 20 May 2013 02:39:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/michael_choice_learn_to_bernie_lean/13652749 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/michael_choice_learn_to_bernie_lean/13652749 Michael Choice – Learn To “Bernie Lean” http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/michael_choice_learn_to_bernie_lean/13652749 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Sunday was Barry Zito bobblehead day for fans of the Sacramento River Cats.The first 2,500 fans through the gates at Raley Field received a complimentary replica of the San Francisco Giants southpaw, who spent part of 2000 pitching for the Triple-A squad as a member of the Oakland Athletics organization. Those fans who were lucky enough to get their hands on one of the miniature Zitos are probably disgruntled with the finished product.First, the bobblehead depicts Zito wearing a glove on his left hand, which means a mistake was made in making the MLB veteran right-handed here.Second, the bobblehead features Zito sporting an incredibly splotchy beard, which was enough to make even the guys from Duck Dynasty horrified.Epic fail, guys. Epic fail.Via For the Win Sun, 19 May 2013 17:05:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/photo_oakland_athletics_affiliate_gives_away_worst_bobblehead_ever/13650670 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/photo_oakland_athletics_affiliate_gives_away_worst_bobblehead_ever/13650670 Photo: Oakland Athletics affiliate gives away worst bobblehead ever http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/photo_oakland_athletics_affiliate_gives_away_worst_bobblehead_ever/13650670 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Your browser does not support iframes. An Oakland A's fan in the right field stands displayed impressive skills with the glove he brought to the O.co Coliseum when he snagged a foul liner by Coco Crisp in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Royals. Someone get that fan a contract. Video via MLB. Visit us at holdoutsports.com and follow us on Twitter @HoldoutSports. Sun, 19 May 2013 14:13:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/as_fan_snags_coco_crisp_line_drive_with_glove_video/13649950 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/as_fan_snags_coco_crisp_line_drive_with_glove_video/13649950 A's fan snags Coco Crisp line drive with glove (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/as_fan_snags_coco_crisp_line_drive_with_glove_video/13649950 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Your browser does not support iframes.Is there anything more exciting than catching a foul ball?Okay, so there are probably many more exciting things in life than snagging a foul ball, but don't tell that to this Oakland A's fan, who made a great grab on a ball hit by Coco Crisp Saturday night.Watch as the sure-handed fellow snares Crisp's sharp line drive and draws plenty of cheers and back slaps from those sitting around him. His night was made. Sun, 19 May 2013 09:34:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_athletics_fan_makes_great_catch_on_foul_ball/13648846 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_athletics_fan_makes_great_catch_on_foul_ball/13648846 Video: Athletics fan makes great catch on foul ball http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/video_athletics_fan_makes_great_catch_on_foul_ball/13648846 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Josh Reddick took dry swings for the first time Saturday since going on the disabled list with a sprained wrist. A’s manager Bob Melvin commented, “so far so good,” in response to how the session went. It is a good sign that he has not suffered a setback considering that he commented that surgery was not out of the question for him less than a week ago. Reddick is currently batting .152 with one homer and 14 RBI for the A’s. He had been playing with the injured wrist for most of the season though, having originally injured it while sliding into a wall in foul territory against the Houston Astros on April 7 in the first week of the season. The A’s would like to see him return to the form he showed in 2012 when he led the Athletics with 32 homers and displayed Gold Glove worthy defense in right field. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 24, when the A’s play the Astros in Houston. In other A’s related news, Hiro Nakajima’s rehab stint with the Sacramento River Cats is ... Sat, 18 May 2013 23:15:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/josh_reddick_nearing_return_hiro_nakajima_likely_staying_in_sacramento_for_now/13647637 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/josh_reddick_nearing_return_hiro_nakajima_likely_staying_in_sacramento_for_now/13647637 Josh Reddick Nearing Return, Hiro Nakajima Likely Staying in Sacramento For Now http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/josh_reddick_nearing_return_hiro_nakajima_likely_staying_in_sacramento_for_now/13647637 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/d/3d8c7c0e1da8f70f7441789b18ae0d91e4002cd3/mini/6619138.jpg The Oakland Athletics have activated outfielder Chris Young from the disabled list. A's manager Bob Melvin put Young into the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Young, who had been out with a strained left quad, batted seventh and was in right field. An offseason acquisition from Arizona, Young has struggled in his first season with the A's. He was batting just .172 with 15 RBIs in 23 games before getting hurt. To clear room, Oakland first baseman Daric Barton was designated for assignment. Barton hit .143 with one home run and three RBIs in eight games with the A's. Sat, 18 May 2013 20:59:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/as_activate_young_from_dl/13647172 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/as_activate_young_from_dl/13647172 A's activate Young from DL http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/as_activate_young_from_dl/13647172 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/2/22e200435a1fe88712ee668d95af86cde590c907/mini/MLB_APR_24_43b6.jpg The Athletics made a pair of roster moves Saturday afternoon, activating outfielder Chris Young from the 15-day disabled list and designating first baseman Daric Barton for assignment to make room on the 25-man roster. Prior to going on the disabled list on May 4 (retroactive to April 30), Young had been batting .172 with 15 RBI in 23 games with the A’s. Ten of his 15 hits are for extra bases, including five doubles, one triple and four home runs. Young went 1-for-1 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base while starting in center field in his only rehab game with Sacramento against Oklahoma City on Thursday. He was with the A’s on Friday and put on an impressive power display during batting practice prior to being activated for Saturday’s game. Barton, batting .143 with a homer and three RBIs in eight games, was selected from Sacramento on May 8 and added to the 40-man roster as well as the 25-man roster. His designation opens a spot on the 40-man roster. He batted .287 with ... Sat, 18 May 2013 18:44:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/oakland_as_chris_young_activated_from_dl_daric_barton_designated_for_assignment/13646743 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/oakland_as_chris_young_activated_from_dl_daric_barton_designated_for_assignment/13646743 Oakland A’s: Chris Young Activated From DL, Daric Barton Designated For Assignment http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/oakland_as_chris_young_activated_from_dl_daric_barton_designated_for_assignment/13646743 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/4/b490db30333e8ad2ce9689eeb28306195db04ab4/mini/MLB_APR_24_c810.jpg Oakland Athletics left-handed starting pitcher Brett Anderson has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot, the team announced yesterday. The #Athletics announced that LHP Brett Anderson has a navicular stress fracture of his right foot. He will be reevaluated in four weeks. — Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) May 17, 2013 Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle speculates that the news will mean Anderson will be sidelined for roughly two months, assuming he doesn’t face another setback. This isn’t a safe bet, as Anderson has been hampered by issues relating to his ankle throughout the 2013 campaign. Anderson will be shut down four weeks before his stress fracture is reevaluated. If his ankle doesn’t show improvement by that point, season-ending surgery could become a real possibility. While he’s understandably frustrated by the situation, Anderson is trying to remain as upbeat as possible: “I wouldn’t have predicted on Sunday I’d  b... Sat, 18 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/athletics_brett_anderson_out_two_months_with_stress_fracture/13644253 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/athletics_brett_anderson_out_two_months_with_stress_fracture/13644253 Athletics’ Brett Anderson out two months with stress fracture http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/athletics_brett_anderson_out_two_months_with_stress_fracture/13644253 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/d/8d52b1d475352a2236909140298d6fcfcd1120d4/mini/mlb-oakland-seattle-april.jpg Turns out Brett Anderson’s injury status is far worse than believed. The A’s opening day starter, already nursing a sprained right ankle, will be out for at least the next four weeks with what the team called stress fracture in his right foot. Officially it’s a navicular stress fracture and will require rest and wearing a walking boot. Via John Hickey: The A’s are saying the injury is not related to the sprained right ankle that put him on the disabled list May 1. He pitched in an injury rehabilitation assignment on Sunday but felt additional pain in his foot the next day. That led to the determination of the stress fracture on the inside of his right foot. The A’s medical team will wait a month before reevaluating Anderson, so it is likely he will not be available to pitch until sometime around the All-Star break, if then. GAH. It’s almost as if Anderson and Andrew Bogut are in some contest over whose body can completely break down first. In the last year, Anderson has missed time ... Sat, 18 May 2013 02:06:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/brett_anderson_out_for_4_weeks_with_stress_fracture_in_right_foot/13643545 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/brett_anderson_out_for_4_weeks_with_stress_fracture_in_right_foot/13643545 Brett Anderson out for 4 weeks with stress fracture in right foot http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/brett_anderson_out_for_4_weeks_with_stress_fracture_in_right_foot/13643545 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Josh Donaldson of the Oakland Athletics has been tearing it up this season. Donaldson is slashing a .315/.387/.523 line that has the entire fantasy community wondering if it’s just a hot streak or if he’s enjoying a sustainable breakout season. Donaldson is 27 years old with an interesting minor league history. Throughout the minors Donaldson has enjoyed a pattern that involves struggling the first time through the league before mastering it the second time. Let’s take a look. Read more by logging in or signing up for TheFantasyFix.com's "Front Office" package >>>>>>. Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/josh_donaldson_hot_streak_or_breakout/13628924 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/josh_donaldson_hot_streak_or_breakout/13628924 Josh Donaldson: Hot Streak or Breakout? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/josh_donaldson_hot_streak_or_breakout/13628924 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d50a49c68b4a9e959c72c097c7b356351b91b8ae/mini/tampa-bay-rays-oakland.jpg In last night’s Athletics-Rangers extra-inning affair, Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson went 4-for-5 with two doubles. Oakland lost, but it was not Donaldson’s fault that no one was on base when he came up to the plate, or that the As only drove him in once of the four times he was on base himself. Donaldson’s 2013 performance so far has been excellent. Donaldson has been the team’s primary third baseman while also starting three games at catcher, his original position in the minors, and has hit .315/.387/.523 (152 wRC+). Voros’ (McCracken’s) Law states that “any major league hitter can hit just about anything in 60 at bats.” Donaldson is beyond that threshold: 168 plate appearances so far this season. A sample of 168 is not exactly huge (to put it mildly), but there might be something to glean from it. On Monday, Carson mentioned Donaldson as one of the hitters who Steamer Rest-of-the-Season projection had changed most significantly for the positive from his pre-season projecti... Wed, 15 May 2013 13:30:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_reality_of_josh_donaldson/13623449 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_reality_of_josh_donaldson/13623449 The Reality of Josh Donaldson http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_reality_of_josh_donaldson/13623449 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d50a49c68b4a9e959c72c097c7b356351b91b8ae/mini/tampa-bay-rays-oakland.jpg It all started when Oakland Athletics shortstop Adam Rosales was robbed of a home run on Wednesday. The homer would have tied the game in the top of the ninth inning with two outs. Instead, the Cleveland Indians were able to finish the save attempt and go on to win the game. How did this happen? How did Angel Hernandez’s crew screw-up a blatant ninth inning home run with the aid of replay? Please click here to read this story/watch this video. The post Adam Rosales homerun theft showcases modern officiating issues appeared first on Players View. Sat, 11 May 2013 11:35:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/adam_rosales_homerun_theft_showcases_modern_officiating_issues/13596245 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/adam_rosales_homerun_theft_showcases_modern_officiating_issues/13596245 Adam Rosales homerun theft showcases modern officiating issues http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/adam_rosales_homerun_theft_showcases_modern_officiating_issues/13596245 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/9/0974838b55fa00ba3f939d535033c6577ae010c4/mini/mlb-white-sox-athletics.jpg Anyone else find it interesting that even though Manny Ramirez couldn't find work here in the States, anytime the beleaguered former big leaguer does anything...we pay attention? The 12-time Major League All-Star, and current Chinese Professional Baseball League home run leader (sure, he has only five, but still), dressed up as the Incredible Hulk during a recent road trip for his current team, the EDA Rhinos...and it's all the internets could talk about. I guess that's how you know you're a truly superstar. And speaking of being a superstar.  Through his first 25 games, Ramirez is hitting at about where he was during his prime, carrying a .347 batting average, those five homers and 26 RBI. I guess this is where the tired "Manny Being Manny" cliche would go. Sat, 11 May 2013 00:27:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/we_still_cant_get_enough_of_manny_ramirez/13594451 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/we_still_cant_get_enough_of_manny_ramirez/13594451 Manny dresses up as the Incredible Hulk http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/we_still_cant_get_enough_of_manny_ramirez/13594451 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/e/de05d9a4bc83d0a0c9663125ae205341d7b325ef/mini/mr.jpg Athletics utility guy Adam Rosales is known for his home run trot — rather than the slow jog of most players, he sprints all 360 feet around the bases. Rosales didn’t get that chance during the ninth inning of Oakland’s Wednesday game against the Indians, hitting a ball that appeared to be off the wall and parking himself happily on second base. Except that on second look, Rosales’ supposed double appeared to actually be a home run. A’s manager Bob Melvin immediately came out to argue the call, and to their credit the umpiring team did go to review the replay. According to replays available to television audiences, the ball clearly hits a railing well above the yellow line on top of the left field wall. However, crew chief Angel Hernandez and the rest of the crew apparently didn’t see it that way, upholding the on-field call of a double. Not only did the blown call come with Oakland down 4-3, but what’s worse is that Hernandez didn’t seem to care to be accountable for the blown call... Thu, 09 May 2013 09:24:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angel_hernandez_athletics_indians_umpiring_crew_blows_home_run_call_even_after_looking_at_replay_video/13581959 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angel_hernandez_athletics_indians_umpiring_crew_blows_home_run_call_even_after_looking_at_replay_video/13581959 Angel Hernandez, Athletics-Indians Umpiring Crew Blows Home Run Call Even After Looking at Replay (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/angel_hernandez_athletics_indians_umpiring_crew_blows_home_run_call_even_after_looking_at_replay_video/13581959 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/c/3c4345a56121e984b25403b4ca241fedbc6e6421/mini/mlb-athletics-mariners-apr.jpg The Athletics trailed the Indians 4-3 going into the ninth inning in Cleveland on Wednesday night. A's shortstop Adam Rosales hit a ball to deep left center field that hit off of the railing on top of the fence, above the yellow line, at Progressive Field. Ground rules say that's a home run. The umpires reviewed the call...and ruled that the ball was in play, and Rosales would have to stay at second.  Naturally, Oakland manager Bob Melvin went positively nuclear after the call wasn't overturned and was ejected from the game. Naturally, second base umpire and crew chief Angel Hernandez essentially gave a copout answer of "we didn't see enough to overturn the call" when the evidence was as clear as day. Hernandez also took the oh so classy route of having no recorded interviews after the game, only written interviews. It's pretty bad when MLB institutes replay to make sure situations like this don't happen, and then they happen anyway. But remembe... Wed, 08 May 2013 22:27:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/adam_rosales_athletics_get_screwed_on_replay_call_in_cleveland/13579619 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/adam_rosales_athletics_get_screwed_on_replay_call_in_cleveland/13579619 A's screwed on botched review by umpires http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/adam_rosales_athletics_get_screwed_on_replay_call_in_cleveland/13579619 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/d/4dc7d5dc6b86e6d8b9626fa767ae53776d2e25c4/mini/bm.jpg Your browser does not support iframes. Adam Rosales was robbed of a home run after the umpires blew the review of the instant replay in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game between the Oakland A’s and Cleveland Indians. The A’s were down 4-3 with two outs in the top of the ninth. Rosales was facing Indians closer Chris Perez and took him deep to left. The ball traveled out of the park and hit the railing in front of the seats in the left field bleachers. It deflected off the railing and hit off the top of the wall, landing back in play. Rosales ran out the play and ended up with a double. Despite reviewing the play on instant replay, the umpires gave Rosales a double instead of a home run. Oakland got the next two runners on, but Seth Smith grounded out with the bases loaded to end the game. In the screenshot below, you can see that the ball hit off the iron fence: A’s pitcher Brett Anderson derided the call over Twitter shortly after the game ended: Over the fence must mean extra... Wed, 08 May 2013 22:07:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/adam_rosales_robbed_of_home_run_after_umpires_blow_instant_replay/13579463 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/adam_rosales_robbed_of_home_run_after_umpires_blow_instant_replay/13579463 Adam Rosales robbed of home run after umpires blow instant replay http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/adam_rosales_robbed_of_home_run_after_umpires_blow_instant_replay/13579463 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f0d0e4b5970f50905e2a20c78a0ac9a92dfe4660/mini/adam-rosales-home-run.jpg Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:43:34 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/manny_ramirez_having_the_time_of_his_life/13472695 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/manny_ramirez_having_the_time_of_his_life/13472695 Manny Ramirez having the time of his life? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/manny_ramirez_having_the_time_of_his_life/13472695 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/0/40149c7342f9969dcda8700ad92546ff56e5259f/mini/6115412.jpg