A group weblog for Oakland A's fans
Thursday, July 22, 2004
The Tour de France
I know this is a baseball blog, but I have been totally engrossed in watching the Tour de France the last few days. OLN, the outdoor life network, channel 81 on cable in Mountain View, has been showing the day's races around the clock for the last few weeks.
The crowds on these races are insane, with fans blocking the path of the riders until the very last second. In yesterday's time trial up the L'alp Huez mountain, Lance said he couldn't recognize the course because there were over a million people on the 10 mile route. He only knew where he was because there were turn numbers painted on the road. A lot like Mardi Gras except guys trying to win the biggest bike race in the world are trying to get through the drunken mob. The strategy of these races is insane. In today's stage the top 4 over the first 15 stages were also the first 4 across the line, with Lance putting on huge bursts of power in the last 100 meters to win it. In the first 10 days, Lance won one stage, the team time trial, but in the last 5 days he's won 4 stages. They are in the Alps now, and Lance Armstrong is showing he is just clearly the best bike rider on the planet. It's worth checking out.
I know this is a baseball blog, but I have been totally engrossed in watching the Tour de France the last few days. OLN, the outdoor life network, channel 81 on cable in Mountain View, has been showing the day's races around the clock for the last few weeks.
The crowds on these races are insane, with fans blocking the path of the riders until the very last second. In yesterday's time trial up the L'alp Huez mountain, Lance said he couldn't recognize the course because there were over a million people on the 10 mile route. He only knew where he was because there were turn numbers painted on the road. A lot like Mardi Gras except guys trying to win the biggest bike race in the world are trying to get through the drunken mob. The strategy of these races is insane. In today's stage the top 4 over the first 15 stages were also the first 4 across the line, with Lance putting on huge bursts of power in the last 100 meters to win it. In the first 10 days, Lance won one stage, the team time trial, but in the last 5 days he's won 4 stages. They are in the Alps now, and Lance Armstrong is showing he is just clearly the best bike rider on the planet. It's worth checking out.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
How about that Hockey Mask Guy?
Lately on the A's broadcasts at A's home games and games against the Giants, the cameras show a guy in the crowd with an A's hockey mask and hockey jersey. It seems like they find him every night. He is always sitting forward with the mask on, intensely watching the game. I love this guy. He is wearing his enthusiasm to every game. Here's to you, hockey mask guy. Keep up the good work.
Lately on the A's broadcasts at A's home games and games against the Giants, the cameras show a guy in the crowd with an A's hockey mask and hockey jersey. It seems like they find him every night. He is always sitting forward with the mask on, intensely watching the game. I love this guy. He is wearing his enthusiasm to every game. Here's to you, hockey mask guy. Keep up the good work.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
M&M
Mark Mulder pitched another good game today, Dotel got another nice save. The A's beat up on the bitch sox, taking 3 of 4. Mulder is 13-2 and looking like a Cy Young candidate. I still am not a believer in the Rangers. Maybe they are legit, but I question all of their starters, even Kenny Rodgers seems to do it with mirrors. The Rangers have the bats though. It seems like Beane has one more great trade/move in him this year, and I am guessing that move is for a hard hitting infielder who can play 2nd and 3rd. McLemore is cool, but it doesn't look like there is a whole lot left in his tank or his knees. I wonder what the M's would take for Boonie? I don't suppose they want Rhodes back.
Mark Mulder pitched another good game today, Dotel got another nice save. The A's beat up on the bitch sox, taking 3 of 4. Mulder is 13-2 and looking like a Cy Young candidate. I still am not a believer in the Rangers. Maybe they are legit, but I question all of their starters, even Kenny Rodgers seems to do it with mirrors. The Rangers have the bats though. It seems like Beane has one more great trade/move in him this year, and I am guessing that move is for a hard hitting infielder who can play 2nd and 3rd. McLemore is cool, but it doesn't look like there is a whole lot left in his tank or his knees. I wonder what the M's would take for Boonie? I don't suppose they want Rhodes back.
