Angus Young wrote:I take it you haven't been too thrilled with the efforts of former Athletics Cory Lidle and Aaron "Boom" Harang the past couple of years.

It's not them in particular. My point was that the Reds haven't seen a lot of 10 inning, complete game shut-outs lately; excpeting of course the ones that are thrown against them.

Regarding your former Athletics:

Cory Lidle is no longer our concern.

Aaron Harang is off to a decent start. The Reds are really trying to stress the need for their pitchers to throw strikes. With 10 walks in 24 innings, I'm not convinced that Aaron's getting the message. Still, he's a servicable 3 or 4 starter. He comes at the right price and (assuming the bats will eventually spring to life) ought to win double-digits this year.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:In his last two starts (versus Pittsburgh and Houston), Mark Mulder has thrown 18 innings (including a complete game ten inning shutout yesterday). In these two games, Mark Mulder surrendered a total of one run, no earned runs, six hits and three walks.

Say what you will about the Pittsburgh and Houston lineups and Mulder's strike/ball ratios in these games. And I wouldn't be entirely comfortable knowing that I had to rely on Mulder for a whole season -- and I certainly would not have traded Haren, Calero and Daric Barton to get him (and his salary). Nevertheless, Mulder's recent results are very impressive.

But at least you're not calling him a "tree trunk".

I can't believe you responded in this way to an obviously silly post.

Or maybe I can.

For the record: Mark Mulder was my personal favorite pitcher of the "Big 3." I wish him no ill will whatsoever. I was fascinated by the possibility that he really might have lost his ability to pitch effectively in the major leagues, and that the Athletics were able to get so much in the trade for him.

It seems as though this isn't the case, so the story isn't really that interesting for me anymore. If he starts to really suck again...it might be interesting again but probably not. In any case, I am really enjoying the players the Athletics got for Mulder, and am extremely glad the trade was made.

Here's an interesting thing to look at when this season is done: will Mulder's ERA be better than Haren's, taking into account the difference between the two leagues? What do you think? I'd almost be willing to bet on Haren.

Now, on the subject of true ace pitchers- the White Sox better take Rich Harden seriously in a couple days. I'll be at the yard to make sure they do.

Angus Jung wrote:I can't believe you responded in this way to an obviously silly post.

Or maybe I can.

You're not often silly when it comes to baseball.

Jeff wrote:
Regarding your former Athletics:

Cory Lidle is no longer our concern.

So nice for you! So nice!

Never am I to forget gutless, terrible pitchings of Signore Lidle in Game 4, 2001 ALDS!

She is the same game in which Signore Dye is fracturing his leg on a foul ball! Never again to be same balls-player!

So terrible, these game.

Jeff wrote:Aaron Harang is off to a decent start.

Once I meet these-a guy, Aaron "Boom" Harang. Is true!

These-a guy, Harang, his dome, she is larger than largest melon of Italia.

Signore Jeff, please ask Reds team to give Athletics one of their spare young outfielders. No Junior, please. But any other one. So badly, we are needing this!

angus young wrote:Signore Jeff, please ask Reds team to give Athletics one of their spare young outfielders. No Junior, please. But any other one. So badly, we are needing this!

Signore Young, forgive me the fake italian, I speak it not so good, but for you, I try.

The Reds team, she need to play in special league - one that plays outfielders five and does not involve pitching. In this league the Reds team will win. Griffey, Dunn, Kearns, Pena and Freel. Such an outfield!

Sometimes the Reds team speaks to trade Wily Mo Pena. This is the talk of crazy men.

I do not know for outfielders to trade. Perhaps at the deadline to trade the Reds talk. Maybe you need closer then? Danny Graves is closer molto bella.

Hey hey:

Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson are pitching against each other tonight in Atlanta.

I'm guessing the game will be on TBS.

I might have to check that out.

Dan Haren pitched his first major league complete game last night. He allowed one run on 5 hits. Despite the one run allowed, he still managed to win the game. For the Oakland Athletics, this is saying something.

HAREN/MULDER ERA WATCH:

Haren: 4.34
Mulder: 3.62

Go here and look at "By Opponent."

Mark Mulder has clearly feasted on the bad teams he has faced (not all of them- the Royals got him pretty good), and has clearly struggled against the good ones. Is this really the ace the Cards thought they were getting?

Factoring in the ERA difference between AL and NL, these guys are having pretty similar seasons thus far.

I hate the Oakland Athletics baseball team.

Heard a rumor this morning on ESPN1000 AM that the Cubs are trying to acquire Zito.

spitfister wrote:Mulder will have the most wins. His team will give him the most run support.

I'm sticking to this

wes9 wrote:Heard a rumor this morning on ESPN1000 AM that the Cubs are trying to acquire Zito.

I think Barry Zito could have one or two very good years in the NL.

Once hitters learned not to swing at his curve, he could still be a good #3-4 rotation guy.

He has started throwing a slider this year. It's not bad.

He aspires to the kind of "offbeat," "colorful" pseudo-celebrity nonsense that Cubs fans would probably eat up. He could bring his guitar up to the booth and sing during the stretch.

His current team really sucks.