http://mlb.mlb.com/news/index.jsp?c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Oakland Athletics News http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081010&content_id=3608618&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:16:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081010&content_id=3608618&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Van Burkleo to return as hitting coach Two days after first-base coach Tony DeFrancesco was reassigned to an unspecified Minor League post, hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo announced that he had been asked back for a third season with the Athletics. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=3603686&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:48:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=3603686&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak King fans have to wait another year The late Bill King, the longtime voice of the Athletics, did not finish among the top three this year in online balloting for the Ford C. Frick Award, the Hall of Fame's top honor for broadcasters, meaning A's fans will have to wait another year. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081005&content_id=3596414&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:22:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081005&content_id=3596414&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Mailbag: When will Carter arrive? Is it too early to think that Chris Carter might compete for a job at Spring Training? Is outfielder Javier Herrera still considered a high-ceiling prospect? Beat reporter Mychael Urban answers these questions and more in this week's A's mailbag. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081002&content_id=3584547&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:10:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081002&content_id=3584547&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Cahill, Carter named A's tops in Minors The A's named right-hander Trevor Cahill their Organizational Pitcher of the Year and first baseman Chris Carter the Player of the Year on Thursday. Cahill was 6-1 with a 2.19 ERA in seven outings at Double-A, while Carter hit 39 homers this season. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080919&content_id=3509885&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_oak Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:38:52 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080919&content_id=3509885&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_oak http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081002&content_id=3583688&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:35:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081002&content_id=3583688&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Rebuilding A's look to spend wisely The A's used the 2008 season to get experience for many young players and several of them showed their promise. General manager Billy Beane looks to surround those youngsters with a few creative answers at other positions, either through free agency or trade. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081005&content_id=3594225&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:07:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081005&content_id=3594225&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak How A's acquisitions fared in 2008 A's general manager Billy Beane began an overhaul of Oakland's farm system while cutting payroll as he began the makeover last offseason by trading Marco Scutaro, Dan Haren, Nick Swisher and Mark Kotsay for prospects. Rhett Bollinger http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081001&content_id=3580249&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:20:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081001&content_id=3580249&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sweeney's surgery successful A day after pitcher Justin Duchscherer told MLB.com that his hip surgery was a success, A's assistant general manager David Forst on Wednesday told MLB.com that star rookie outfielder Ryan Sweeney's recent surgery also went well. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080930&content_id=3576653&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:42:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080930&content_id=3576653&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Duchscherer deems surgery a success One of Oakland's more significant unknowns heading into the offseason was the status of Justin Duchscherer's injured right hip. Duchscherer offered some clarity when he told MLB.com on Tuesday that his exploratory surgery was a success. "Everything went well," he wrote. "I just had some torn cartilage cleaned out. I'll be fine in two months." Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080925&content_id=3550075&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080925&content_id=3550075&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak A's newcomers step up General manager Billy Beane dealt away several A's staples prior to and during the 2008 season, but those trades loaded the roster with players who stepped up. Mychael Urban http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080928&content_id=3566696&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:09:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080928&content_id=3566696&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Outman ousted in season finale The A's unlocked the secret to the baffling knuckleball in the first inning, scoring three runs, but nothing after that in a 4-3 loss to Seattle to close the 2008 campaign on Sunday. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080928&content_id=3566724&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:34:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080928&content_id=3566724&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Devine sets mark for 40 innings or less Joey Devine, who turned 25 on Sept. 19, worked one inning Sunday in the A's 4-3 loss to Seattle, escaping without allowing a run. That's what he's been doing all season. He has only allowed only three runs in 45 2/3 innings. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080928&content_id=3566738&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:46:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080928&content_id=3566738&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Geren likes progress despite record Everything is virtually the same as last season for the A's as they close out this season. Yet it isn't. A year ago the A's finished with a 76-86 record, their first losing record since 1998. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3559956&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:01:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3559956&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Shaky first dooms Smith, A's in loss Greg Smith, the A's rookie left-hander, found a competitive groove on Saturday in which the Seattle Mariners could do little against him offensively. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3562565&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:43:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3562565&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak A's still have sights on reaching goals Manager Bob Geren and the A's still have some goals in mind for this season, such as finishing with a better record than last season. It's reachable, since they had one game rained out and no makeup date. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3560299&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:55:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3560299&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak A's youngsters want to end with a bang First impressions are important, but what most of the young A's players like Josh Outman prefer are lasting impressions. This helps them through the offseason. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080926&content_id=3554236&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:12:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080926&content_id=3554236&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak A's overwhelmed in loss to Mariners Oakland showed some grit on Friday in coming back twice against Seattle, but unfortunately for the A's, the Mariners also came back twice -- with bigger numbers. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080926&content_id=3555260&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:49:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080926&content_id=3555260&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Smith ready to take on Mariners again Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080926&content_id=3555111&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:26:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080926&content_id=3555111&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Geren sees injuries as key to season It's been a longer-than-usual season for the Oakland A's, as they started Spring Training before just about every team in baseball and began the season well ahead of the others with their March 25 tilt in Tokyo against Boston. Bob Sherwin http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080924&content_id=3539481&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:41:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080924&content_id=3539481&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak A's pitching struggles vs. Rangers Left-hander Dana Eveland allowed seven runs on eight hits in five-plus innings, as the A's dropped their series finale against the host Rangers, 14-4, on Wednesday. Jack Cust hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, his 32nd long ball of the year. Shawn Shroyer http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080924&content_id=3539544&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:06:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080924&content_id=3539544&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak&partnerId=rss_oak Gallagher over bump in road A's right-hander Sean Gallagher had a rough August but has rebounded in September with three good starts. Manager Bob Geren said Gallagher's approach to the strike zone has changed, allowing for more confidence from the second-year player. Shawn Shroyer