Baseball Guru
09-24-2001, 07:43 PM
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
September 24, 2001, 5:44 PM EDT
OAKLAND, Calif. -- When the Oakland Athletics were in a season-opening slump, they all got together to figure out how to turn things around.
"We sat down and talked about how we knew we could play better," first baseman Jason Giambi said. "We changed a few things and we got rolling again."
After an 8-18 start -- including a seven-game losing streak -- the A's rolled right into the playoffs on Sunday, clinching the AL wild card with a weekend sweep of the mighty Seattle Mariners.
"We set goals. We knew if we could stay competitive by the All-Star break, we'd have a good chance," center fielder Johnny Damon said. "We went out and played tough when we needed to."
Although the postgame celebration was more subdued than last year in light of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, champagne was flowing in the A's clubhouse.
Last season, Oakland won the West on the final day of the season, while Seattle earned the wild card spot.
Unable to catch the Mariners in the division race this season, the A's compiled the second-best record in the majors to become just the second team -- after Seattle -- to capture a playoff berth.
The A's were widely expected to dominate their division again this season, armed with a young and talented starting rotation _ starring Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito -- and Giambi, last year's AL MVP and unquestionable team leader.
Those predictions were soon dashed.
The A's stumbled to 10 games under .500 (8-18) by May 1. The Mariners, meanwhile, went 20-5 in April, launching their chase for the single-season record.
"Everybody wants to figure out why we started out so bad," third baseman Eric Chavez said. "But maybe there's no explanation for it."
Slowly, after that soul-searching team meeting, the A's began to put their team back together. From May 15-22 they strung together a seven-game winning streak. By the All-Star break, they were a game over .500 at 44-43.
"Nobody ever quit," Giambi said succinctly.
The Athletics' turnaround came without a lot of fanfare. More attention was focused on the daily trade rumors involving Giambi, who is a free agent at the end of the season.
The A's and their tattooed slugger had agreed to a six-year deal worth a reported $91 million back during spring training -- but the team wouldn't bow to Giambi's desire for a no-trade clause.
By the All-Star break it appeared that Giambi was all but gone, headed for a team with deeper pockets.
Then Oakland general manager Billy Beane, praised for putting together last season's division winners on a limited budget, did the unexpected: rather than trade Giambi, he picked up outfielder Jermaine Dye from the Kansas City Royals.
Dye hit a three-run homer Sunday as Oakland clinched, giving him 50 RBIs in 50 games with the A's.
"I wanted to help this ballclub get to the playoffs," he said, adding with a smile, "Things have worked out great for me."
Since the break, the A's have gone 48-15. They've won 19 of their last 21, and are 34 games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 21, 1992.
Mulder earned his 20th victory Sunday.
"They've been playing great in the second half," said Seattle second baseman Bret Boone. "They have talent and they're putting it together. They'll be tough in the postseason."
The A's became the sixth team in major league history to make the postseason after falling 10 games under .500, the first since Toronto rebounded from a 12-24 start in 1989.
The Athletics' remaining obstacle is the playoffs. Last season they fell in the opening round to the eventual World Series champion New York Yankees.
It's not certain who they'll play in the best-of-5 first round. If the season ended now, it would again be the Yankees.
"Hopefully we'll have three more of these celebrations," Giambi said as champagne rained on him in the A's clubhouse. "And we'll get a ring on our fingers."
Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press
AP Sports Writer
September 24, 2001, 5:44 PM EDT
OAKLAND, Calif. -- When the Oakland Athletics were in a season-opening slump, they all got together to figure out how to turn things around.
"We sat down and talked about how we knew we could play better," first baseman Jason Giambi said. "We changed a few things and we got rolling again."
After an 8-18 start -- including a seven-game losing streak -- the A's rolled right into the playoffs on Sunday, clinching the AL wild card with a weekend sweep of the mighty Seattle Mariners.
"We set goals. We knew if we could stay competitive by the All-Star break, we'd have a good chance," center fielder Johnny Damon said. "We went out and played tough when we needed to."
Although the postgame celebration was more subdued than last year in light of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, champagne was flowing in the A's clubhouse.
Last season, Oakland won the West on the final day of the season, while Seattle earned the wild card spot.
Unable to catch the Mariners in the division race this season, the A's compiled the second-best record in the majors to become just the second team -- after Seattle -- to capture a playoff berth.
The A's were widely expected to dominate their division again this season, armed with a young and talented starting rotation _ starring Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito -- and Giambi, last year's AL MVP and unquestionable team leader.
Those predictions were soon dashed.
The A's stumbled to 10 games under .500 (8-18) by May 1. The Mariners, meanwhile, went 20-5 in April, launching their chase for the single-season record.
"Everybody wants to figure out why we started out so bad," third baseman Eric Chavez said. "But maybe there's no explanation for it."
Slowly, after that soul-searching team meeting, the A's began to put their team back together. From May 15-22 they strung together a seven-game winning streak. By the All-Star break, they were a game over .500 at 44-43.
"Nobody ever quit," Giambi said succinctly.
The Athletics' turnaround came without a lot of fanfare. More attention was focused on the daily trade rumors involving Giambi, who is a free agent at the end of the season.
The A's and their tattooed slugger had agreed to a six-year deal worth a reported $91 million back during spring training -- but the team wouldn't bow to Giambi's desire for a no-trade clause.
By the All-Star break it appeared that Giambi was all but gone, headed for a team with deeper pockets.
Then Oakland general manager Billy Beane, praised for putting together last season's division winners on a limited budget, did the unexpected: rather than trade Giambi, he picked up outfielder Jermaine Dye from the Kansas City Royals.
Dye hit a three-run homer Sunday as Oakland clinched, giving him 50 RBIs in 50 games with the A's.
"I wanted to help this ballclub get to the playoffs," he said, adding with a smile, "Things have worked out great for me."
Since the break, the A's have gone 48-15. They've won 19 of their last 21, and are 34 games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 21, 1992.
Mulder earned his 20th victory Sunday.
"They've been playing great in the second half," said Seattle second baseman Bret Boone. "They have talent and they're putting it together. They'll be tough in the postseason."
The A's became the sixth team in major league history to make the postseason after falling 10 games under .500, the first since Toronto rebounded from a 12-24 start in 1989.
The Athletics' remaining obstacle is the playoffs. Last season they fell in the opening round to the eventual World Series champion New York Yankees.
It's not certain who they'll play in the best-of-5 first round. If the season ended now, it would again be the Yankees.
"Hopefully we'll have three more of these celebrations," Giambi said as champagne rained on him in the A's clubhouse. "And we'll get a ring on our fingers."
Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press