Oakland A’s World Series Champion years

The 2013 Major League Baseball post-season spots are all locked up and the “experts” have all been proven wrong yet again. The Washington Nationals are not going to the World Series (or even the playoffs!). Nor are the Anaheim Angels or New York Yankees. Other big spending teams that came up short are the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Nobody predicted that low-budget teams like the A’s and Pirates would make the playoffs, and yet here they are alive and well despite payrolls less than half many teams that didn’t make it to the postseason. The A’s payroll is less than a third of the Yankees or Dodgers even though the A’s have more wins than either of those teams. The A’s paid about half a million in player salaries per win while the Yankees forked over about $3 million for each victory. The Giants and Phillies won’t come close to winning half their games despite spending about $100 million more than the A’s or Pirates.

Let’s hope the Dodgers, Tigers, Red Sox, and other big spenders make a quick exit this post season.

Posted on September 27th, 2013 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, nikon d7000, Nikon TC-17E II 1.7x Teleconverter, o.co, oakland. Comments Off on 2013 MLB Expert Predictions

Josh Reddick of the Oakland A’s

I watched Japan beat Brazil in Fukuoka this morning (on TV) in the WBC 2013. I would love to visit the Fukuoka Dome (福岡ドーム) for a game in June, but I think the Japanese All-Star Game will be happening then in Fukushima which isn’t anywhere near Fukuoka. Perhaps I’ll catch a game in Hiroshima on my way from Fukuoka to Osaka on June 21. The Tigers aren’t going to be in town.

Speaking of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, not a single A’s player was selected for the USA team. Hopefully my A’s will fly under the radar again, but win the American League West anyway like they did last year. If Josh Reddick hits 30+ homers again and bats higher than .250 I think the A’s will have a great chance.

Posted on March 2nd, 2013 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, nikon d7000, o.co, oakland, sports photography. Comments Off on Josh Reddick

Brandon McCarthy pitching for the Oakland A’s on May 12, 2012 at O.co Coliseum

In less than two months Spring Training 2013 will begin. Brandon McCarthy will be pitching for a new team (the Arizona Diamondbacks). After a poor showing in 2012 (.204, 1 HR, 6 RBIs), Daric Barton (pictured above playing first base) will be back with the A’s and will be hoping for something better than his 2010 season (.273, 10 HRs, 57 RBIs) instead of another 2012.

Posted on December 27th, 2012 under Other. Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, baseball, nikon d7000, o.co, oakland, sports photography. Comments Off on Spring Training 2013 countdown