1. Ball one to Johnny Damon
and we are under way.Copy !req
2. Damon has eight hits
in 18 at bats...Copy !req
3. a double, a triple,
a couple of stolen bases.Copy !req
4. He had four hits
in the series opener.Copy !req
5. Strike.Copy !req
6. Down the right-field line,
fair off the bat of Damon.Copy !req
7. It rolls by Spencer.Copy !req
8. And Damon will coast into
second base with a leadoff double.Copy !req
9. Into right-center field,
broken bat, it'll fall, a base hit.Copy !req
10. They wave around Damon.
He will score.Copy !req
11. And Jason Giambi delivers...Copy !req
12. with a run-scoring single
here in the opening inning.Copy !req
13. And the Athletics
have taken that 1-nothing lead.Copy !req
14. Go, come on, now. We gotta spin it.Copy !req
15. Let's go, Yankees!
Let's go, Yankees!Copy !req
16. Let's go, Yankees!Copy !req
17. Bases loaded.Copy !req
18. The Yankees have the tying run
at second, down 2-nothing.Copy !req
19. The A's are kicking it and throwing it
all over the field.Copy !req
20. And it might lead to their elimination
if they don't get it right in a hurry.Copy !req
21. Hammered down the right-field line.
Justice!Copy !req
22. The Yankees have taken the lead.Copy !req
23. They're standing,
anticipating another trip...Copy !req
24. to the League
Championship Series.Copy !req
25. The Yankees one out away.Copy !req
26. Eric Byrnes, never with an at bat
in Yankee Stadium...Copy !req
27. and they don't get much bigger
than this one.Copy !req
28. Or more hectic when you're up there
trying to get a job done.Copy !req
29. And they're a strike away.Copy !req
30. And they're roaring in the Bronx.Copy !req
31. Losing the first two games at home
in the best-of-five series...Copy !req
32. and roar back to...Copy !req
33. The Yankees will defend their title.Copy !req
34. It's okay, Joe, you can leave it on.Copy !req
35. - I don't need to watch.
- Joe, leave it on.Copy !req
36. Okay.Copy !req
37. Imagine how bad it'd be
if you were a Yankee player...Copy !req
38. and didn't like the taste
of champagne.Copy !req
39. Better ask to get traded.Copy !req
40. You gotta give the Yankees...Copy !req
41. win the big game.Copy !req
42. What a series that is gonna be
in the next...Copy !req
43. You know how many kids
are wearing Giambi's...?Copy !req
44. You know, Oakland Giambi's jerseys
and hats and pictures and posters?Copy !req
45. Those same kids will be booing
in July when the Yankees come here.Copy !req
46. Is it Giambi that's stabbing the back
or the Pinstripes on the East Coast?Copy !req
47. You can't blame them
for pilfering the henhouse.Copy !req
48. - The henhouse is there.
- I can't blame them?Copy !req
49. They're offering $120 million
over six years.Copy !req
50. The Yankees have deeper pockets
and they're willing to give him money.Copy !req
51. They're pilfering our players.Copy !req
52. It's like we're a farm system
for the New York Yankees.Copy !req
53. - How are the guys doing?
- That was a killer.Copy !req
54. That was a killer.
It's a tough one to swallow. It's...Copy !req
55. - They played great.
- They played their hearts out.Copy !req
56. They did. They played fantastic.
It just didn't fall our way.Copy !req
57. - You'll do better next year.
- But we were close, though.Copy !req
58. - We were so close.
- Right there.Copy !req
59. Almost had it.
You gotta feel good about that.Copy !req
60. I feel great about it.
I feel great about it.Copy !req
61. We're not gonna do better next year.Copy !req
62. - Why not?
- Well, you know we're being gutted.Copy !req
63. We're losing Giambi,
Damon, Isringhausen.Copy !req
64. Done deal. We're in trouble.Copy !req
65. You'll find new guys.
You found Jason, you found Damon.Copy !req
66. - I need more money, Steve.
- Billy.Copy !req
67. - I need more money.
- We don't have any.Copy !req
68. I can't compete against $120 million
with $38 million.Copy !req
69. We're not gonna compete with
these teams that have big budgets.Copy !req
70. We're gonna work
within the constraints we have...Copy !req
71. and you're gonna do the best job
that you can recruiting new players.Copy !req
72. We're not gonna pay $17 million
to players.Copy !req
73. I'm not asking you...Copy !req
74. for 10 or 20, 30 million dollars.Copy !req
75. I'm just asking for a bit of help.Copy !req
76. Get me a little closer and I will get you
that championship team.Copy !req
77. I mean, this is why I'm here.
This is why you hired me.Copy !req
78. And I gotta ask you,
what are we doing here...Copy !req
79. - Billy, I...
- if it's not to win a championship?Copy !req
80. - I wanna win just as much...
- That's my bar. My bar is here.Copy !req
81. My bar is to take this team
to the championship.Copy !req
82. Billy, we're a small-market team,
and you're a small-market GM.Copy !req
83. I'm asking you to be okay
not spending money that I don't have.Copy !req
84. And I'm asking you
to take a deep breath...Copy !req
85. shake off the loss,
get back in a room with your guys...Copy !req
86. and figure out how to find
replacements for the guys we lost...Copy !req
87. with the money that we do have.Copy !req
88. I'm not leaving here. I'm not...
I can't leave here with that.Copy !req
89. What else can I help you with?Copy !req
90. It's a good offer,
and you gotta match it. I...Copy !req
91. I need another day.Copy !req
92. His mind's pretty made up.
I just think you should know that.Copy !req
93. - I got a call. I'll get you back.
- I'll let him know.Copy !req
94. Bye.Copy !req
95. - Yeah?
- Billy, Scott.Copy !req
96. - Just got off the phone with Dan.
- You didn't.Copy !req
97. I was surprised he called me.Copy !req
98. Stop. I got Johnny for 7.5
or he doesn't play anywhere else.Copy !req
99. - That's the deal you made.
- Boston just upped it to 7.75.Copy !req
100. You there?Copy !req
101. - We had a deal, Scott.
- We have a deal, if it's 8 million.Copy !req
102. - Oh, man, you played me.
- I'm just doing my job for my client.Copy !req
103. No, you're playing me,
and you're still playing me.Copy !req
104. Congratulations, asshole. You win.Copy !req
105. I like guys that got a little hair
on their ass.Copy !req
106. He looks like a Mantle or a Mays,
quite frankly.Copy !req
107. - He's got a baseball body.
- Matty, who do you got?Copy !req
108. - I like Geronimo.
- Yes.Copy !req
109. The guy's an athlete.
Big, fast, talented.Copy !req
110. - Top of my list.
- Clean-cut, good face.Copy !req
111. - Yeah, good jaw.
- Five-tools guy.Copy !req
112. - Good-looking ballplayer.
- Can he hit?Copy !req
113. - He's got a beautiful swing.
- The ball explodes off his bat.Copy !req
114. He throws the club head at the ball,
and when he connects...Copy !req
115. he drives it, it pops off the bat.Copy !req
116. - You can hear it all over the ballpark.
- A lot of pop.Copy !req
117. If he's good,
why doesn't he hit good?Copy !req
118. - He is a good hitter.
- He'll be ready.Copy !req
119. He's gonna be a good hitter
against big-league arms?Copy !req
120. - Could be great.
- I don't think so.Copy !req
121. Kid needs at bats. Give him
400 at bats, he's gonna get better.Copy !req
122. - He can play.
- He's hit everywhere along the line.Copy !req
123. He's one of our guys.Copy !req
124. Okay, let's move on.Copy !req
125. - Artie, who do you like?
- I like Perez. He's got a classic swing.Copy !req
126. - It's a real clean stroke.
- I don't know. Can't hit the curveball.Copy !req
127. There's some work to be done,
I'll admit that, but he's noticeable.Copy !req
128. - Got an ugly girlfriend.
- What's that mean?Copy !req
129. Ugly girlfriend
means no confidence.Copy !req
130. You are full of it. Artie is right.
This guy's got an attitude.Copy !req
131. An attitude is good.Copy !req
132. He walks in a room, his dick's already
been there for two minutes.Copy !req
133. He passes the eye-candy test.
Got the looks.Copy !req
134. He's ready to play the part.
He just needs playing time.Copy !req
135. I'm just saying,
his girlfriend is a six at best.Copy !req
136. Look, if we're trying to replace Giambi,
this guy could be it.Copy !req
137. I agree with you.Copy !req
138. Damn, Billy, was that a suggestion?Copy !req
139. Guys, you're just talking.Copy !req
140. Talking... like this is business
as usual.Copy !req
141. It's not.Copy !req
142. We're trying to solve the problem.Copy !req
143. Not like this.
You're not looking at the problem.Copy !req
144. We're very aware of the problem.
I mean...Copy !req
145. Okay, good. What's the problem?Copy !req
146. Look, Billy,
we all understand what the problem is.Copy !req
147. - We have to...
- Okay, good. What's the problem?Copy !req
148. We have to replace three key players
in our lineup.Copy !req
149. Nope. What's the problem?Copy !req
150. We gotta replace these guys
with what we have...Copy !req
151. No. What's the problem, Barry?Copy !req
152. We need 38 home runs, 120 RBIs
and 47 doubles to replace.Copy !req
153. The problem we're trying to solve
is that there are rich teams...Copy !req
154. and there are poor teams,
then there's 50 feet of crap...Copy !req
155. and then there's us.Copy !req
156. It's an unfair game.Copy !req
157. And now we've been gutted.
We're like organ donors for the rich.Copy !req
158. Boston's taken our kidneys,
Yankees have taken our heart.Copy !req
159. And you guys sit around...Copy !req
160. talking the same old "good body"
nonsense like we're selling jeans.Copy !req
161. Like we're looking for Fabio.Copy !req
162. We got to think differently.Copy !req
163. We are the last dog at the bowl.Copy !req
164. You see what happens to the runt
of the litter? He dies.Copy !req
165. Billy, that's a very touching story
and everything...Copy !req
166. but I think we're all very much aware
of what we're facing.Copy !req
167. You have a lot of experience
and wisdom in this room.Copy !req
168. You need to have a little faith and
let us do the job of replacing Giambi.Copy !req
169. Is there another first baseman
like Giambi?Copy !req
170. - No, not really.
- No.Copy !req
171. - If there was, could we afford him?
- Nope.Copy !req
172. Then what the fuck
are you talking about, man?Copy !req
173. If we try to play like the Yankees
in here...Copy !req
174. we will lose to the Yankees
out there.Copy !req
175. Boy, that sounds like
fortune-cookie wisdom to me, Billy.Copy !req
176. - No, that's just logic.
- Who's Fabio?Copy !req
177. He's a shortstop.
He's a shortstop from Seattle.Copy !req
178. Now, this is no time
to push the panic button.Copy !req
179. Our scouts will find players,
Player Development will develop them.Copy !req
180. We'll teach them
to play Oakland A baseball.Copy !req
181. With all due respect,
we've been doing this a long time.Copy !req
182. Why don't you just let us
be responsible for replacing Giambi...Copy !req
183. with who we know that can play?Copy !req
184. - Easy power.
- And loose.Copy !req
185. Good face.Copy !req
186. This son of a bitch
is going in the first round.Copy !req
187. You're a premium player, Billy.Copy !req
188. You can run, you can field,
you can throw, you can hit...Copy !req
189. you can hit with power.Copy !req
190. That doesn't come along very often.Copy !req
191. This is Tom Martinez,
national cross-checker.Copy !req
192. - How you doing? Nice to meet you.
- Billy Beane.Copy !req
193. It's been a while since I've seen
a five-tool guy that can do everything.Copy !req
194. I'm hopeful your interest
in professional baseball...Copy !req
195. is as strong as ours is gonna be
in getting you in this upcoming draft.Copy !req
196. Mr. Beane?Copy !req
197. Mark is ready to see you now.Copy !req
198. - How you doing?
- I'm fine.Copy !req
199. - How are you?
- Good.Copy !req
200. - Hey, Billy.
- Hey, Mark.Copy !req
201. - Good to see you. Please sit down.
- You too.Copy !req
202. - These are the guys. Guys, Billy.
- Boys.Copy !req
203. - How's it going?
- All right. How you been?Copy !req
204. - You're filling out that chair nicely.
- I got three weeks in it right now.Copy !req
205. Good, good, man.Copy !req
206. - Yeah, man. How you doing?
- Fantastic.Copy !req
207. - Awesome.
- Couldn't be better.Copy !req
208. That's good to hear.
I'm not gonna waste your time.Copy !req
209. You just tell me
what you're looking for.Copy !req
210. Fifty million dollars
in additional payroll.Copy !req
211. You should try Giambi.Copy !req
212. I'm sorry. Too soon, right?
I want this to be a friendly meeting.Copy !req
213. It's not all on your shoulders.Copy !req
214. - Where's Steve in this?
- Steve's great.Copy !req
215. He's supportive
in rebuilding this team.Copy !req
216. That's what we're gonna do.Copy !req
217. - So, what are you looking for?
- A left-handed reliever.Copy !req
218. I'm thinking Ricardo Rincon.Copy !req
219. That's not gonna happen.Copy !req
220. Not even a discussion?Copy !req
221. Billy, even if you could afford him,
respectfully, we love him.Copy !req
222. We're not about to let him go.Copy !req
223. You got this Venezuelan kid
coming up.Copy !req
224. We had him.
We moved him to Detroit.Copy !req
225. What else you thinking?Copy !req
226. Outfielders.Copy !req
227. - To replace Damon?
- Yeah.Copy !req
228. - In your price range? No disrespect.
- Enough, Mark.Copy !req
229. Hollins?Copy !req
230. - García?
- No.Copy !req
231. Maybe Coste.Copy !req
232. That's it.Copy !req
233. - All right, tell me about García.
- To replace Johnny Damon?Copy !req
234. - Mark, is he healthy?
- Yeah, he's healthy-ish.Copy !req
235. He had that back thing.Copy !req
236. - He'll be ready for spring ball.
- I'll tell you what.Copy !req
237. I can give you Guthrie
if you kick in some cash.Copy !req
238. - Mark Guthrie?
- Yeah.Copy !req
239. - How much cash?
- Two hundred K.Copy !req
240. Okay.Copy !req
241. - So García's gonna be a no.
- You're kidding me, right?Copy !req
242. - You're kidding me.
- I'm not.Copy !req
243. Okay. Straight up, García for Guthrie,
no kicker.Copy !req
244. - No kicker?
- Straight up.Copy !req
245. I think it's gonna be a hard no
on García, but let's just keep going.Copy !req
246. - What else you thinking?
- What are we doing? Is this business?Copy !req
247. This is the way we do business
in Cleveland.Copy !req
248. Hey.Copy !req
249. - Hello.
- Who are you?Copy !req
250. I'm Peter Brand.Copy !req
251. What do you do?Copy !req
252. I'm special assistant
to Mark Shapiro.Copy !req
253. So, what do you do?Copy !req
254. Mostly player analysis right now.Copy !req
255. Been on the job long?
First job in baseball?Copy !req
256. It's my first job anywhere.Copy !req
257. - Wow, congrats.
- Thank you.Copy !req
258. First job. Whose nephew are you?Copy !req
259. Why does Mark listen to you?Copy !req
260. I don't think...Copy !req
261. I don't think he does very often.Copy !req
262. He just did.Copy !req
263. Well, in that circumstance...Copy !req
264. I think he was more listening
to Bruce than myself.Copy !req
265. Who are you?Copy !req
266. I'm Peter Brand.Copy !req
267. I don't give a rat's ass
what your name is.Copy !req
268. What happened in there?Copy !req
269. What happened in that room?Copy !req
270. I'm not quite sure
what you're asking me, Mr. Beane.Copy !req
271. What did you tell Bruce?Copy !req
272. - I just told Bruce I like García.
- You like García. Why?Copy !req
273. Why?Copy !req
274. I don't know.Copy !req
275. There is an epidemic failure
within the game...Copy !req
276. to understand
what is really happening.Copy !req
277. And this leads people who run
Major League Baseball teams...Copy !req
278. to misjudge their players
and mismanage their teams.Copy !req
279. I apologize.Copy !req
280. Go on.Copy !req
281. Okay. People who run ball clubs,
they think in terms of buying players.Copy !req
282. Your goal shouldn't be to buy players.
Your goal should be to buy wins.Copy !req
283. And in order to buy wins,
you need to buy runs.Copy !req
284. You're trying
to replace Johnny Damon.Copy !req
285. The Red Sox see Johnny Damon...Copy !req
286. and they see a star
who's worth $7.5 million a year.Copy !req
287. When I see Johnny Damon...Copy !req
288. what I see is...Copy !req
289. an imperfect understanding
of where runs come from.Copy !req
290. The guy's got a great glove.Copy !req
291. He's a decent leadoff hitter.
He can steal bases.Copy !req
292. But is he worth the $7.5 million
a year...Copy !req
293. that the Boston Red Sox
are paying him?Copy !req
294. No. No.Copy !req
295. Baseball thinking is medieval.Copy !req
296. They are asking
all the wrong questions.Copy !req
297. And if I say it to anybody,
I'm ostracized. I'm a leper.Copy !req
298. So that's why I'm cagey
about this with you.Copy !req
299. That's why...Copy !req
300. I respect you, Mr. Beane,
and if you want full disclosure...Copy !req
301. I think it's a good thing
that you got Damon off your payroll.Copy !req
302. I think it opens up all kinds
of interesting possibilities.Copy !req
303. - Where you from, Pete?
- Maryland.Copy !req
304. - Where'd you go to school?
- Yale. I went to Yale.Copy !req
305. - What'd you study?
- Economics.Copy !req
306. I studied economics.Copy !req
307. Yale, economics and baseball.Copy !req
308. You're funny, Pete.Copy !req
309. Tell me, why Billy?Copy !req
310. What is it that makes him special?Copy !req
311. Very rare do you come upon
a young man like Billy...Copy !req
312. who can run, who can field,
who can throw, who can hit...Copy !req
313. and who can hit with power.Copy !req
314. Those five tools,
you don't see that very often.Copy !req
315. Most of the youngsters
that we have an interest in...Copy !req
316. have one or two tools...Copy !req
317. and we're hoping
to develop an extra one.Copy !req
318. Your son has five.Copy !req
319. We're looking at a guy that's a
potential superstar for us in New York.Copy !req
320. The time is now to get him started.Copy !req
321. We're prepared to make
a sizable financial commitment.Copy !req
322. The Mets are gonna
stand behind Billy...Copy !req
323. because we expect him
to be our big-league center fielder.Copy !req
324. This check here
represents the offer...Copy !req
325. that the New York Mets
would be making to Billy.Copy !req
326. You do know that he's been accepted
to Stanford on a full scholarship?Copy !req
327. I do.Copy !req
328. So he can do both?Copy !req
329. Unfortunately, he can't do Stanford
and professional baseball.Copy !req
330. He would have to pick one
or the other.Copy !req
331. If he wants to be center fielder
for the Mets...Copy !req
332. wants to be a baseball player...Copy !req
333. he really needs to accept this
as life's first occupation, first career.Copy !req
334. We're all told at some point we can
no longer play the children's game.Copy !req
335. We just don't know
when that's gonna be.Copy !req
336. Some of us are told at 18, some of us
are told at 40, but we're all told.Copy !req
337. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.Copy !req
338. We want you badly...Copy !req
339. and we think that this amount
of money expresses that desire.Copy !req
340. Billy, this is your decision,
and whatever that decision is...Copy !req
341. you know it's fine
with your mother and I.Copy !req
342. - Hello?
- Hey, it's Billy Beane.Copy !req
343. - Hey, what time is it?
- I don't know.Copy !req
344. Listen, would you have drafted me
in the first round?Copy !req
345. What?Copy !req
346. After I left,
you looked me up on your computer.Copy !req
347. Would you have drafted me
in the first round?Copy !req
348. I did, yeah.
You were a good player.Copy !req
349. Cut the crap, man.Copy !req
350. Would you have drafted me
in the first round?Copy !req
351. I'd have taken you in the ninth round.
No signing bonus.Copy !req
352. I imagine you would've passed
and taken that scholarship.Copy !req
353. Yeah.Copy !req
354. Pack your bags, Pete.Copy !req
355. I just bought you
from the Cleveland Indians.Copy !req
356. - Is it attached to that clamp?
- Yeah, let me unhook it.Copy !req
357. - Slide it up right there. To the left.
- I did.Copy !req
358. - Yeah, yeah.
- Hang on, it's wet.Copy !req
359. Come on.Copy !req
360. - Morning, Suzanne. Coffee on?
- Yes.Copy !req
361. Great.Copy !req
362. - Billy Beane's office.
- Hey.Copy !req
363. - Peter Brand.
- Billy.Copy !req
364. - How are...? Hi, how you doing?
- Nice to see you.Copy !req
365. Good to have you here.
Boy, you move in fast.Copy !req
366. Yeah, yeah.
I got here early this morning.Copy !req
367. - All moved in.
- Yeah.Copy !req
368. Yeah.Copy !req
369. Hey, Billy...Copy !req
370. I wanted you
to see these player evaluations...Copy !req
371. that you asked me to do.Copy !req
372. I asked you to do three.Copy !req
373. Yeah.Copy !req
374. - To evaluate three players.
- Yeah.Copy !req
375. How many did you do?Copy !req
376. Forty-seven.Copy !req
377. Okay.Copy !req
378. Actually, 51.
I don't know why I lied just then.Copy !req
379. Why don't you walk me
through the board?Copy !req
380. Thank you.Copy !req
381. Using this equation
in the upper left...Copy !req
382. I'm projecting that we need to win
at least 99 games...Copy !req
383. in order to make it
to the postseason.Copy !req
384. We need to score at least 814 runs
in order to win those games...Copy !req
385. and allow no more than 645 runs.Copy !req
386. What's this?Copy !req
387. This is a code that I've written
for our year-to-year projections.Copy !req
388. This is building in the intelligence
that we have to project players.Copy !req
389. Okay.Copy !req
390. It's about getting things down
to one number.Copy !req
391. Using the stats
the way we read them...Copy !req
392. we'll find value in players
that nobody else can see.Copy !req
393. People are overlooked...Copy !req
394. for a variety of biased reasons
and perceived flaws.Copy !req
395. Age, appearance, personality.Copy !req
396. Bill James and mathematics
cut straight through that.Copy !req
397. Billy, of the 20,000 notable players
for us to consider...Copy !req
398. I believe
that there is a championship team...Copy !req
399. of 25 people that we can afford...Copy !req
400. because everyone else in baseball
undervalues them.Copy !req
401. Like an island of misfit toys.Copy !req
402. Billy, this is Chad Bradford.
He's a relief pitcher.Copy !req
403. He is one of the most undervalued
players in baseball.Copy !req
404. His defect is that he throws funny.Copy !req
405. Nobody in the big leagues cares
about him because he looks funny.Copy !req
406. This guy could be not just
the best pitcher in our pen...Copy !req
407. but one of the most effective
relief pitchers in all baseball.Copy !req
408. This guy should cost $3 million
a year.Copy !req
409. We can get him for 237,000.Copy !req
410. Billy.Copy !req
411. - That it?
- Yeah.Copy !req
412. Hey, Art.Copy !req
413. Can I talk to you
before you get started?Copy !req
414. - I'm a bit busy right now.
- I know.Copy !req
415. - I know.
- Okay.Copy !req
416. - Morning, everyone.
- Art.Copy !req
417. - Peter Brand. Nice to meet you.
- Where the hell's Pete?Copy !req
418. That's Pete.Copy !req
419. Grab a seat. I'll be right back.Copy !req
420. - All right, where did you say he's at?
- Okay. He's on...Copy !req
421. - Who's the kid?
- A friend of mine.Copy !req
422. I can't manage this team
under a one-year contract.Copy !req
423. Well, sure you can.Copy !req
424. No, I can't.Copy !req
425. Okay. I gotta put a team on the field.Copy !req
426. After that, I'll take a good long look
at your contract.Copy !req
427. Deal with the manager's contract,
then put a team on the field.Copy !req
428. At this moment, if a grounder's hit
to first, nobody's there to stop it.Copy !req
429. It's not easy doing what I do
under the cloud of a one-year contract.Copy !req
430. Okay, I understand that.Copy !req
431. - I've been there.
- I know you have.Copy !req
432. A one-year contract means the same
thing to a manager as to a player.Copy !req
433. There's not a lot of faith there.Copy !req
434. Which is strange
after a 102-win season.Copy !req
435. I see.Copy !req
436. If you lose the last game
of the season, nobody gives a shit.Copy !req
437. - So it's on me now?
- No, Art, it's on me.Copy !req
438. And the kid is the new assistant GM.Copy !req
439. - Okay.
- Okay, fellas.Copy !req
440. Hey, Billy.Copy !req
441. You can't deny his offensive output.
He can play.Copy !req
442. And we need people that can play.Copy !req
443. Who do you wanna talk about first?Copy !req
444. None of them.Copy !req
445. Billy, we got 38 home runs,
120 RBIs to make up for.Copy !req
446. Guys, you're still trying
to replace Giambi.Copy !req
447. I told you we can't do it,
and we can't do it.Copy !req
448. Now, what we might be able to do
is re-create him.Copy !req
449. - Re-create him in the aggregate.
- The what?Copy !req
450. Giambi's on-base percentage
was.477.Copy !req
451. Damon's on-base.324.
And Olmedo's was.291.Copy !req
452. Add that up and you get...Copy !req
453. Do you want me to speak?Copy !req
454. When I point at you, yeah.Copy !req
455. - 1.092.
- Divided by three.Copy !req
456. - .364.
- That's what we're looking for.Copy !req
457. Three ballplayers... Three ballplayers
whose average OBP is...Copy !req
458. .364.Copy !req
459. - Wait, that doesn't come out right.
- It's right, Artie.Copy !req
460. - Billy.
- You gotta carry the one.Copy !req
461. - Billy.
- Scratch this out.Copy !req
462. - Yeah?
- Who's that?Copy !req
463. That's Pete.Copy !req
464. - Does Pete really need to be here?
- Yes, he does.Copy !req
465. Okay, here's who we want.Copy !req
466. Number one:
Jason's little brother, Jeremy.Copy !req
467. - Oh, God.
- Billy, that's trouble.Copy !req
468. Billy, look, if I... Yeah.Copy !req
469. Billy, if I may,
he has had his problems off the field...Copy !req
470. and we know what he can't do
on the field.Copy !req
471. He's getting thick around the waist.Copy !req
472. There's reports about him on weed,
in strip clubs.Copy !req
473. His on-base percentage
is all we're looking at now.Copy !req
474. And Jeremy gets on base an awful lot
for a guy who only costs 285,000.Copy !req
475. - Jeez, Billy...
- Number two:Copy !req
476. - David Justice.
- Oh, no.Copy !req
477. - His legs are gone.
- Not a good idea.Copy !req
478. - Old Man Justice?
- Why is that?Copy !req
479. Steinbrenner's so pissed
at his decline...Copy !req
480. he's willing to eat his contract
to get rid of him.Copy !req
481. - Exactly.
- Ten years ago, Justice, big name.Copy !req
482. Been in big games.Copy !req
483. He's gonna really help
our season tickets early in the year...Copy !req
484. but in the dog days in July, August,
we're lucky if he's gonna hit his weight.Copy !req
485. Billy, his legs are gone,
and he's a defensive liability.Copy !req
486. I question
whether the bat speed's there.Copy !req
487. - His legs are gone.
- Grady.Copy !req
488. We'll be lucky to get 60 games
out of him. Why do you like him?Copy !req
489. Because he gets on base.Copy !req
490. - What is this?
- What are we doing?Copy !req
491. Okay, number three:Copy !req
492. - Scott Hatteberg.
- Who?Copy !req
493. - Hatteberg?
- Exactly.Copy !req
494. He sounds like an Oakland A
already.Copy !req
495. - Yes, he's had a little problem with...
- Little problem? He can't throw.Copy !req
496. He's a career.260 hitter.
The best part of his career is over.Copy !req
497. - It's just getting started.
- Boston wants to cut him.Copy !req
498. - No one wants to pick him up.
- Good. He's cheap.Copy !req
499. Let me get this straight.
You're gonna get a guy...Copy !req
500. that's been released
by half the organizations in baseball...Copy !req
501. because he's got nonrepairable nerve
damage in his elbow and can't throw.Copy !req
502. He can't throw and he can't field.
But what can he do?Copy !req
503. Oh, boy.Copy !req
504. Check your reports
or I'm gonna point at Pete.Copy !req
505. - He gets on base.
- He can get on base.Copy !req
506. - So he walks a lot.
- He gets on base a lot, Rocco.Copy !req
507. Do I care if it's a walk or a hit?Copy !req
508. Pete?Copy !req
509. - You do not.
- I do not.Copy !req
510. I got 37 free agents
that are better than those three guys.Copy !req
511. Wait a minute,
let me get this straight.Copy !req
512. So you're not gonna bring in one...Copy !req
513. but three defective players
to replace Giambi?Copy !req
514. You're not buying into
this Bill James bullshit?Copy !req
515. This is the new direction of the A's.Copy !req
516. We are card counters
at the blackjack table...Copy !req
517. and we're gonna turn the odds
on the casino.Copy !req
518. - I don't see it.
- Seriously, guys.Copy !req
519. I think we have to remember
this is the man.Copy !req
520. He answers to no one
except ownership and God.Copy !req
521. And he doesn't have to answer
to us.Copy !req
522. We make suggestions,
he makes decisions.Copy !req
523. That's all fine and well, but we've been
working our asses off...Copy !req
524. for weeks to make this club better,
and you're shitting all over it.Copy !req
525. This is not a discussion.Copy !req
526. - What are we discussing?
- Barry, not a discussion.Copy !req
527. Billy, man...Copy !req
528. there's one thing you're forgetting.Copy !req
529. None of those three guys
knows how to play first base.Copy !req
530. Well, you're gonna have
to teach one of them.Copy !req
531. Teach?Copy !req
532. Which one?Copy !req
533. This is really the kickoff to the holiday
season here in downtown Seattle.Copy !req
534. It took weeks of planning...Copy !req
535. to lead up to the big event,
but it was well worth it.Copy !req
536. The weather was ideal.
People are still having a great time.Copy !req
537. Thousands of people
were out earlier.Copy !req
538. We have a nice recap for you...Copy !req
539. of all the great events taking place
downtown in Seattle...Copy !req
540. - Hello?
- Scott?Copy !req
541. Yes.Copy !req
542. - It's Billy Beane of the Oakland A's.
- Yes.Copy !req
543. - Can we talk?
- Yeah.Copy !req
544. Do you wanna let us in?Copy !req
545. - Pardon me?
- We're out front.Copy !req
546. - What?
- On the curb.Copy !req
547. Yeah, yeah.Copy !req
548. Honey?Copy !req
549. - Oh, thank you.
- Thank you, ma'am.Copy !req
550. Very kind.Copy !req
551. How's the elbow, Scott?Copy !req
552. You know, it's good.
It's really good. It's great.Copy !req
553. - I can't throw the ball at all.
- Yeah.Copy !req
554. You've thrown your last ball
from behind home plate.Copy !req
555. - That's what I'd say.
- Well...Copy !req
556. Good news is, we want you at first.Copy !req
557. We want you to play first base
for the Oakland A's.Copy !req
558. Okay, well...Copy !req
559. I've only ever played catcher.Copy !req
560. Scott, you're not a catcher anymore.Copy !req
561. If you were, our call wouldn't
have been the only one you got.Copy !req
562. - Yeah. Hey, listen, no, I appreciate it.
- You're welcome.Copy !req
563. - But the thing is, is...
- You don't know how to play first base.Copy !req
564. - Scott.
- That's right.Copy !req
565. It's not that hard, Scott.Copy !req
566. - Tell him, Wash.
- It's incredibly hard.Copy !req
567. Hey, anything worth doing is.
And we're gonna teach you.Copy !req
568. Wait a minute here.
I mean, but what about...?Copy !req
569. Jason's gone, Scott.Copy !req
570. You want me to take Giambi's spot
at first base?Copy !req
571. - Yeah.
- What about the fans?Copy !req
572. - Maybe I can teach one of them.
- The fans don't... Good one.Copy !req
573. - Fans don't run my ball club.
- Honey, what are you doing awake?Copy !req
574. Sweetheart, can you...?Copy !req
575. That's my daughter.Copy !req
576. You got kids?Copy !req
577. Yeah, a daughter.Copy !req
578. Scott, this is a contract to play ball
for the Oakland A's.Copy !req
579. A copy's been sent over
to your agent.Copy !req
580. Discuss with your wife, let us know.Copy !req
581. Thank you.Copy !req
582. - Bye-bye.
- Bye.Copy !req
583. - Oh, and, Scott.
- Yeah?Copy !req
584. Don't tell anyone
about the first-base thing.Copy !req
585. - Yes, sir.
- Okay.Copy !req
586. - Happy holidays.
- All right.Copy !req
587. - Hey, Sharon.
- Hi, Billy.Copy !req
588. - Is she ready?
- She's out with friends.Copy !req
589. But she'll be back. Come in.Copy !req
590. - Okay.
- Yeah, she's right here. Hold on.Copy !req
591. Here you go.Copy !req
592. - Here, wanna have a seat?
- Yeah.Copy !req
593. - You good, Billy?
- Yeah. How are you, Alan?Copy !req
594. Good. Really good.
Things are peaceful around here.Copy !req
595. It's good to see you.Copy !req
596. Thanks, Alan.Copy !req
597. I haven't got to see you
since play-offs.Copy !req
598. I wanted to say
that New York was heartbreaking.Copy !req
599. I'm sure for you too.Copy !req
600. Not many teams make it that far,
and to watch you go that far was...Copy !req
601. - It was really an accomplishment.
- Well, that's nice.Copy !req
602. How is the team shaping up?Copy !req
603. - Team's good. Rebuilding.
- Good.Copy !req
604. I read you lost Giambonni
and Damon.Copy !req
605. - Giambi.
- Giambi.Copy !req
606. - Yeah.
- Damon, Isringhausen.Copy !req
607. - They're really...? They're gone?
- Gone. Yesterday's news.Copy !req
608. - That's terrible.
- No, but that is a tough situation.Copy !req
609. That's...Copy !req
610. You're gonna be fine, though.
You always figure something out.Copy !req
611. Where is she? Where was she?
Down the street or...?Copy !req
612. Oh, sorry, yeah. I just talked to her
on her cell. She's coming up the hill.Copy !req
613. Okay.Copy !req
614. She's got a cell phone?Copy !req
615. - Yeah.
- A 12-year-old?Copy !req
616. Yeah.Copy !req
617. For emergencies.Copy !req
618. Big parenting decision.Copy !req
619. But it's something that, you know,
we, you know, all should discuss...Copy !req
620. because if you have any objections,
of course...Copy !req
621. Her mother and I will discuss it.Copy !req
622. But thank you.Copy !req
623. Any of these?Copy !req
624. I don't know.Copy !req
625. - Do you...?
- This one's cool.Copy !req
626. - Is that good or bad? Butterflies.
- They're okay.Copy !req
627. - Look, that one's pretty. I like the red.
- Should we try?Copy !req
628. No?Copy !req
629. - Oh, I like this one.
- Yeah?Copy !req
630. Dad, look at this one.Copy !req
631. - Look how it's red.
- It's beautiful.Copy !req
632. - This one's pretty.
- Let's try it out.Copy !req
633. - Just right here?
- Why don't we go over there?Copy !req
634. Can we go over there?Copy !req
635. Oh, honey, you need to sing.
That's so good.Copy !req
636. That's beautiful.Copy !req
637. Sometimes I sing.Copy !req
638. It's fun to sing with your song,
but I don't want people to listen to me.Copy !req
639. Well, honey, I think people would love
to listen to you. That's beautiful.Copy !req
640. Would you sing a little for your dad?Copy !req
641. Right here
in the middle of the store?Copy !req
642. - Little bit.
- Little bit.Copy !req
643. - You ready?
- I'm ready.Copy !req
644. Okay.Copy !req
645. Billy Beane was taken
in the first round of the amateur draft.Copy !req
646. I think this is a steal,
to get Billy Beane.Copy !req
647. He's young, he's talented.Copy !req
648. A true five-tool player with speed.
This guy is a can't-miss prospect.Copy !req
649. This is a great sign
for the New York Mets.Copy !req
650. And it could be the turnaround
that they've been looking for.Copy !req
651. Ball one.Copy !req
652. I'll take Billy Beane
over Strawberry.Copy !req
653. Billy Beane, an interesting pick,
turned down a scholarship.Copy !req
654. He could've gone to Stanford.Copy !req
655. Sometimes you don't find out
till you get to the big leagues...Copy !req
656. This guy has never failed at anything.
He's coming out of high school.Copy !req
657. Billy was gonna go to college.
He could've been a great quarterback.Copy !req
658. Strike three.Copy !req
659. There's not an organization
in baseball...Copy !req
660. who would not have taken a chance
on this young guy.Copy !req
661. He didn't pan out.
That happens every year.Copy !req
662. Some do, some don't.Copy !req
663. I mean, if you're having any doubt
at all about this...Copy !req
664. Having the scholarship...Copy !req
665. Your son was born
with a God-given ability.Copy !req
666. Few scouts can go into the mind
of a young man...Copy !req
667. and determine
whether he's really confident...Copy !req
668. about what he can do.Copy !req
669. A very special player.Copy !req
670. So you can sign him
based on his ability...Copy !req
671. but then he's gotta be successful
to be confident.Copy !req
672. And once he becomes confident,
that's when you've got something.Copy !req
673. You make a decision
on what you see.Copy !req
674. And if things don't pan out,
you move on.Copy !req
675. That's baseball.Copy !req
676. Many are called, few are chosen.Copy !req
677. Billy, that is Kevin Youkilis.
That is the Greek God of Walks.Copy !req
678. That's my hero.Copy !req
679. That man gets walked
more than anybody in baseball...Copy !req
680. except for Barry Bonds.Copy !req
681. I tried to convince Shapiro
to pick him up last June...Copy !req
682. but he said he waddled
like a duck.Copy !req
683. Yeah, Boston snagged him.Copy !req
684. I think they wanna wait and see.Copy !req
685. - Are you okay, Billy?
- Billy?Copy !req
686. - Can we talk?
- Yeah. Yeah.Copy !req
687. You're unhappy, Grady. Why?Copy !req
688. - May I speak candidly?
- Sure, go ahead.Copy !req
689. Major League Baseball and its fans,
they're gonna be more than happy...Copy !req
690. to throw you and Google Boy
under the bus...Copy !req
691. if you keep doing
what you're doing.Copy !req
692. You don't put a team together
with a computer.Copy !req
693. - No?
- No.Copy !req
694. Baseball isn't just numbers.
It's not science.Copy !req
695. If it was, anybody could do
what we're doing, but they can't.Copy !req
696. They don't know what we know.Copy !req
697. They don't have our experience
and our intuition.Copy !req
698. Okay.Copy !req
699. You got a kid in there that's got
a degree in economics from Yale.Copy !req
700. You got a scout here
with 29 years of baseball experience.Copy !req
701. You're listening to the wrong one.Copy !req
702. Now, there are intangibles
that only baseball people understand.Copy !req
703. You're discounting
what scouts have done for 150 years?Copy !req
704. Even yourself?Copy !req
705. Adapt or die.Copy !req
706. This is about you and your shit,
isn't it?Copy !req
707. Twenty years ago,
some scout got it wrong.Copy !req
708. - Okay. Okay.
- Now you declare war on the system.Copy !req
709. Okay, okay, my turn.
You don't have a crystal ball.Copy !req
710. You can't look at a kid and predict
his future any more than I can.Copy !req
711. I've sat at those kitchen tables
with you...Copy !req
712. and listened to you tell parents,
"When I know, I know.Copy !req
713. And when it comes to your son,
I know."Copy !req
714. And you don't.Copy !req
715. You don't.Copy !req
716. Okay. I don't give a shit
about friendship...Copy !req
717. this situation, or the past.Copy !req
718. Major League Baseball thinks
the way I think. You're not gonna win.Copy !req
719. And I'll give you a nickel's worth
of free advice.Copy !req
720. You're never gonna
get another job...Copy !req
721. after this catastrophic season
you're about to set us all up for.Copy !req
722. You'll have to explain to your kid...Copy !req
723. why you're working
at Dick's Sporting Goods.Copy !req
724. I'm not gonna fire you, Grady.Copy !req
725. - Fuck you, Billy.
- Now I will.Copy !req
726. Good luck, Art.Copy !req
727. Kubota.
You never played ball, right?Copy !req
728. - I played a little T-ball.
- You're the new head scout.Copy !req
729. Congratulations.Copy !req
730. So Boston's gonna wait and see?Copy !req
731. Yeah.Copy !req
732. - Yeah.
- It's just you and me, Pete.Copy !req
733. And we're all in.Copy !req
734. It sounds like you're apologizing
for what they're doing.Copy !req
735. I'm not. I just don't know
what you're gonna do...Copy !req
736. with the budget that the A's have.
Who are you gonna get?Copy !req
737. I'm looking
at the spring-training roster.Copy !req
738. - You gotta be kidding me.
- How so?Copy !req
739. - He looked like a clown out there.
- Who?Copy !req
740. - Chad Bradford.
- Tell me about Bradford.Copy !req
741. I like him a little bit,
but he's a specialist.Copy !req
742. He's not a guy that you say,
"The eighth inning is yours...Copy !req
743. lefties vs. righties."Copy !req
744. In my opinion.Copy !req
745. I don't know what Billy Beane
and management...Copy !req
746. understands about him.Copy !req
747. He only throws the ball
about 82, 83 miles an hour.Copy !req
748. - There must be something...
- He is a freak, and not in a good way.Copy !req
749. - Let me ask you this.
- Talking about trying to win a division.Copy !req
750. We're counting on David
to be the guy he was.Copy !req
751. I have my doubts. He's gotten old.Copy !req
752. That's why he's not in New York
anymore, not in Cleveland anymore.Copy !req
753. We paid him the money we should've
been giving to Johnny Damon.Copy !req
754. - Hey.
- Jeremy Giambi.Copy !req
755. That's the one to worry about.Copy !req
756. He gets comps up and down Vegas
more than in Oakland.Copy !req
757. That should tell you something
right there.Copy !req
758. - Isn't that the deal with these guys?
- He has one good year.Copy !req
759. And he gets a huge offer
and then he gets traded.Copy !req
760. - Bob. Harder.
- Hatteberg.Copy !req
761. Good. Good.Copy !req
762. Billy, we have to talk
about Hatteberg.Copy !req
763. - Go.
- There's just no feel for the spot.Copy !req
764. I think it's a long shot that he can be
a big-league first baseman.Copy !req
765. It's day one of the first week.
You can't judge this yet.Copy !req
766. No, I think we can judge it.Copy !req
767. I mean, I like him, you know,
but I can judge him.Copy !req
768. First base is the moon to him.Copy !req
769. It wasn't to Giambi. Giambi's the worst
first baseman in baseball.Copy !req
770. - Gonna compare him to Giambi?
- What are we talking about?Copy !req
771. All right.Copy !req
772. What do you think, Wash?Copy !req
773. The nice way to say it
is he lacks confidence.Copy !req
774. Well, give him some.Copy !req
775. I'll do that, but we got Peña,
who can play first.Copy !req
776. And he's looking mighty good
out there.Copy !req
777. We wanna go with Hattie.Copy !req
778. We got six weeks.Copy !req
779. Get down in it.Copy !req
780. - There you go.
- Scotty H.Copy !req
781. - That's what I'm talking about.
- Picking machine.Copy !req
782. It's only baseball.Copy !req
783. This better work.Copy !req
784. I'm just kidding you.Copy !req
785. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
786. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
787. - What is wrong with this thing?
- It's a dollar, man.Copy !req
788. - What?
- Welcome to Oakland, D.J.Copy !req
789. Oh, you gotta be shitting me.Copy !req
790. I think this year, we're gonna show
that it takes a team to win...Copy !req
791. not any individual guy,
just a team.Copy !req
792. And I think we got
a hell of a ball club here.Copy !req
793. Chad, are you intimidated
at all today?Copy !req
794. I wouldn't say I'm intimidated, really.
I'm just really excited, like you said.Copy !req
795. Jeremy, how's the team gonna fare
without your brother, Jason?Copy !req
796. Well, you know,
the organization did a great job...Copy !req
797. of bringing in good young guys
to fill that role.Copy !req
798. Let's face it,
they're getting a deal with you.Copy !req
799. The Yankees are paying Jason a lot
of money.Copy !req
800. You are coming here on a dime.
How does that make you feel?Copy !req
801. I feel good.Copy !req
802. - How are the nerves in your fingers?
- You know.Copy !req
803. Gotta start with the age,
36 years old.Copy !req
804. How do you think
your body's gonna hold up?Copy !req
805. You spend a lot of time at strip clubs,
partying.Copy !req
806. Do you resent the attention you get
off the field?Copy !req
807. I love it.Copy !req
808. - You spend a lot of time in Vegas.
- I do.Copy !req
809. - I feel great. I did a lot of work to get...
- Excuse me. Get out of my shot.Copy !req
810. Sorry, go ahead.Copy !req
811. There have been questions
about my age...Copy !req
812. and my declining skills, some say,
but I'm here to prove that wrong.Copy !req
813. I asked if you were 100 percent.Copy !req
814. - Excuse me, Mr. Beane?
- Hey, Chad.Copy !req
815. - Hey, I'm not disturbing you, am I?
- Not at all. What's up?Copy !req
816. I wanted to say thank you
for this opportunity.Copy !req
817. Well, we enjoy having you.
It's gonna work out well for all of us.Copy !req
818. I appreciate it, sir. Nobody's ever
given me a chance like this before.Copy !req
819. Nobody?Copy !req
820. Well, just you, sir.Copy !req
821. Well, it's a big day,
one you won't forget.Copy !req
822. Appreciate it.
And I wanna let you know...Copy !req
823. I'm gonna be praying for you
and your family.Copy !req
824. No problem.Copy !req
825. Well, here we are just minutes away
from the season opener of 2002...Copy !req
826. for the Oakland A's.Copy !req
827. The first pitch is moments away.Copy !req
828. We'll come back
with the national anthem.Copy !req
829. Opening day is upon us.Copy !req
830. All right, fellas, smile. Here we go.Copy !req
831. I'm going in.
Text me the play-by-play.Copy !req
832. What? Why?Copy !req
833. I don't watch the games.Copy !req
834. Detail, halt!Copy !req
835. And forward face!Copy !req
836. That's the third Ranger batter
to be hit today.Copy !req
837. Twice Alex Rodriguez was nicked.
The ninth...Copy !req
838. I should've made you a bigger part
of the conversation from day one.Copy !req
839. It'd be clear what we're trying to do.Copy !req
840. That was my mistake, Art.
I take responsibility for that.Copy !req
841. - What are you trying to say?
- Doesn't matter what moves I make...Copy !req
842. if you don't play the team
the way they're designed to be.Copy !req
843. Billy, you're out of your depth.Copy !req
844. - Why not Hatteberg at first?
- Because he can't play first.Copy !req
845. - How do you know?
- Not my first baseball game.Copy !req
846. - Scott Hatteberg can't hit.
- He gets on base.Copy !req
847. Still keeps us in the plus column.
We need to be seven over.500.Copy !req
848. What?Copy !req
849. Anything else?Copy !req
850. Yeah. I would've rather seen
Bradford in the end than Magnante.Copy !req
851. Bradford's a righty.Copy !req
852. - I don't care about righty-lefty.
- I do.Copy !req
853. - Could this be about your contract?
- No.Copy !req
854. This is about you doing your job
and me doing mine.Copy !req
855. Mine's me being left alone...Copy !req
856. to manage this team
you assembled for me.Copy !req
857. - I didn't assemble them for you, Art.
- No shit.Copy !req
858. Good meeting.Copy !req
859. Every time we talk...Copy !req
860. I'm reinvigorated
by my love of the game.Copy !req
861. We got Grady Fuson, former head
of scouting with the Athletics.Copy !req
862. And, Grady, can you interpret for us
what's going on?Copy !req
863. - They call it Moneyball.
- Moneyball?Copy !req
864. Yes, and it was a nice theory,
and now it's just not working out.Copy !req
865. Billy Beane has built this team
on the ideas of a guy, Bill James...Copy !req
866. who wrote an interesting book
on baseball statistics.Copy !req
867. The problem is that Bill James
never played, never managed.Copy !req
868. He was in fact a security guard
at a pork-and-beans company.Copy !req
869. Do you see this as a decimation
of the organization?Copy !req
870. - He bought a ticket on the Titanic.
- Oh, boy.Copy !req
871. He's tried to come up
with a new approach.Copy !req
872. My hat's off to him. It won't work.Copy !req
873. One-two pitch. Tejada strikes out.Copy !req
874. And that is the game.Copy !req
875. The Seattle Mariners
win both games on this series, Ray.Copy !req
876. They've won 10 in a row.
Seattle is 13 and 3.Copy !req
877. I can't watch this shit.Copy !req
878. Go on the road with the team.Copy !req
879. You don't go on the road
with the team.Copy !req
880. - That's why I want you to do it.
- Why don't you?Copy !req
881. I can't develop personal relationships
with these guys.Copy !req
882. I gotta be able to trade them,
send them down, sometimes cut them.Copy !req
883. Which is something
you should learn to do, by the way.Copy !req
884. I would never have to cut a player,
unless you...Copy !req
885. - Oh, come on.
- "Come on" what?Copy !req
886. - Let's practice.
- No.Copy !req
887. Yeah. I'm a player.
You gotta cut me from the roster.Copy !req
888. - No.
- Go.Copy !req
889. - What do you mean, no?
- No.Copy !req
890. - Do it.
- This is stupid.Copy !req
891. Part of the job, man.Copy !req
892. Fine.Copy !req
893. Billy, please have a seat.
I need to talk to you for a minute.Copy !req
894. Go on.Copy !req
895. You've been a huge part
of this team.Copy !req
896. But sometimes you have to
make decisions for the team.Copy !req
897. I'm sure you can understand.Copy !req
898. - You're cutting me?
- I'm really sorry.Copy !req
899. I just bought a house here.Copy !req
900. - Well...
- In Oakland.Copy !req
901. Well... Well...Copy !req
902. "Well... Well..."?
That's all you got to say?Copy !req
903. My kid just started a new school.Copy !req
904. - They made friends.
- That's...Copy !req
905. You shouldn't pull them out
in the middle of the year.Copy !req
906. - You should wait.
- What the hell are you talking about?Copy !req
907. I don't know. I shouldn't have...Copy !req
908. I'm not gonna do this.
I think this is stupid.Copy !req
909. I'm not gonna fire anybody,
and this is dumb.Copy !req
910. They're professional ballplayers.
Just be straight with them.Copy !req
911. No fluff, just facts.Copy !req
912. Pete, I gotta let you go.
Jack's office will handle the details.Copy !req
913. That's it?Copy !req
914. Really?Copy !req
915. You rather get a bullet to the head or
five to the chest and bleed to death?Copy !req
916. Are those my only two options?Copy !req
917. Go on the road with the team.Copy !req
918. Okay.Copy !req
919. Say, bro.Copy !req
920. - Let me ask you a question.
- Yeah.Copy !req
921. How come your boss doesn't travel
with the team?Copy !req
922. He doesn't like to mingle
with the players.Copy !req
923. Is that supposed to make us
easier to cut?Copy !req
924. I don't know. I don't know.Copy !req
925. And how come soda
is a dollar in the clubhouse?Copy !req
926. I never seen nothing like that.Copy !req
927. Billy likes to keep the money
on the field.Copy !req
928. Soda money?Copy !req
929. Really?Copy !req
930. Where on the field
is the dollar I'm paying for soda?Copy !req
931. It's hard to see exactly...Copy !req
932. - but it's there, yeah.
- Yeah, it is hard to see.Copy !req
933. I'm done.Copy !req
934. - Hey, Dad.
- Hi, honey.Copy !req
935. - How are you?
- I'm good.Copy !req
936. - Was it bumpy?
- It was okay.Copy !req
937. So with this loss tonight,
the Oakland Athletics...Copy !req
938. incredibly, have lost 14
of their last 17 games.Copy !req
939. They are 10 games back
in the American League West.Copy !req
940. Is it fair to say
the experiment has failed?Copy !req
941. Well, absolutely. It was predictable.Copy !req
942. You don't wish anybody
a lack of success...Copy !req
943. - but the facts are in front of you.
- You can't blame Art Howe.Copy !req
944. - No.
- The fact of the matter is...Copy !req
945. this is not about statistics,
this is about people.Copy !req
946. Art Howe is not the problem.Copy !req
947. The problem
is in the general manager's office...Copy !req
948. with Billy Beane.Copy !req
949. The root of the problem for me
is philosophical.Copy !req
950. I said it before.
This is fantasy baseball.Copy !req
951. Billy is just not thinking.Copy !req
952. Start thinking about a new GM,
making changes.Copy !req
953. He never goes to the games.Copy !req
954. - This was very predictable.
- He needs to look at what's going on.Copy !req
955. - The man needs to get real.
- I want Billy Beane gone.Copy !req
956. Calling for Beane's head.
I want your thoughts.Copy !req
957. The past 18 games, they've been
shut out or scored one run four times.Copy !req
958. They're just not scoring enough.Copy !req
959. It's not just the offense,
not Thad Bosley and the hitters.Copy !req
960. It's everything. If there was one thing
you could pick out, you'd try to fix it...Copy !req
961. but just everything is in a funk
right now.Copy !req
962. What the hell am I doing?Copy !req
963. Oh, man.Copy !req
964. Look, Steve.Copy !req
965. I believe in what we're doing.Copy !req
966. The record doesn't reflect the strength
of this team...Copy !req
967. or where we're gonna be
at the end of the season.Copy !req
968. Now, Pete and I here feel very strongly
that we stay on the track we've chosen.Copy !req
969. Our sample size has been too small.
It's too...Copy !req
970. Early. It's still early.Copy !req
971. Where do we expect to be
by the All-Star break?Copy !req
972. Our goal and our expectation...Copy !req
973. is by mid-July
to be within seven games of first.Copy !req
974. That would be this working.Copy !req
975. - That keeps us in the hunt.
- Exceptionally well.Copy !req
976. - By July.
- July.Copy !req
977. And what's gonna prevent you
from accomplishing that?Copy !req
978. What are you afraid of?Copy !req
979. Nothing.
That's why we're here, Steve.Copy !req
980. That's why we get up in the morning.
That's all we do.Copy !req
981. - More?
- Yeah, a little more.Copy !req
982. - Don't tell your mother.
- I won't.Copy !req
983. - Chocolate sauce?
- Yes.Copy !req
984. Stop.Copy !req
985. - Big spoon or little spoon?
- Little spoon.Copy !req
986. Thank you.Copy !req
987. Dad, there's no way
you're gonna lose your job, right?Copy !req
988. What?Copy !req
989. - Well, I don't know. I'm just wondering.
- Where'd you hear that?Copy !req
990. Well, I go on the Internet sometimes.Copy !req
991. Well, don't do that.
Don't go on the Internet.Copy !req
992. Or watch TV or read newspapers...Copy !req
993. or talk to people.Copy !req
994. I don't talk to people.
I just read stuff.Copy !req
995. Honey, everything's fine.
Everything's fine.Copy !req
996. Really, you don't have to worry.Copy !req
997. But if you lose your job,
will you have to move away?Copy !req
998. Honey, I'm not gonna lose my job.Copy !req
999. You don't have to worry.Copy !req
1000. - Okay.
- Hey.Copy !req
1001. - There's no problem.
- Okay.Copy !req
1002. All right? I got uptown problems,
which are not problems at all.Copy !req
1003. You're not worried, right?Copy !req
1004. - No, I'm not worried.
- Okay.Copy !req
1005. Peña.Copy !req
1006. Okay.Copy !req
1007. I want Dye in right...Copy !req
1008. Justice DH'ing,
Peña on the bench...Copy !req
1009. Hatteberg at first...Copy !req
1010. and anyone but Mags
first out of the pen.Copy !req
1011. You want Peña on the bench?Copy !req
1012. That's right. So you can play Hattie.Copy !req
1013. Peña is not only
the best first baseman...Copy !req
1014. he's the only first baseman.Copy !req
1015. Hattie gets on base more than Peña.Copy !req
1016. - In fact, 20 percent more.
- And his fielding?Copy !req
1017. His fielding does not matter.Copy !req
1018. - I've heard enough of this.
- Have you?Copy !req
1019. And I...Copy !req
1020. I disagree with you,
plain and simple.Copy !req
1021. And moreover,
I'm playing my team...Copy !req
1022. in a way that I can explain
in job interviews next winter.Copy !req
1023. Okay?Copy !req
1024. Hattie. Not Peña.Copy !req
1025. What's up, skip?Copy !req
1026. - How you doing?
- Good, how you doing, man?Copy !req
1027. Get some sleep last night?Copy !req
1028. As the A's hit the field,
we are ready for baseball.Copy !req
1029. First one out of the dugout
is rookie sensation Carlos Peña...Copy !req
1030. one of the few bright lights in this
lineup, taking his spot at first base.Copy !req
1031. Billy, quick question. Do you expect
these guys to produce more or...?Copy !req
1032. - Not now.
- What's the reason for the slump?Copy !req
1033. Get down.Copy !req
1034. Is losing fun?Copy !req
1035. - Is losing fun?
- No.Copy !req
1036. What are you having fun for?Copy !req
1037. That's what losing sounds like.Copy !req
1038. Are you okay, Dad?Copy !req
1039. - You're doing it again.
- What?Copy !req
1040. You're worrying about me.Copy !req
1041. You're in last place, Dad.Copy !req
1042. - Do I look worried?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1043. Because you're getting on an airplane,
and those things crash all the time.Copy !req
1044. Please stop worrying
about your dad.Copy !req
1045. - We're all set.
- Okay.Copy !req
1046. - I love you.
- Love you too.Copy !req
1047. All right. Your dad's not in trouble.Copy !req
1048. Okay.Copy !req
1049. Yeah.Copy !req
1050. - Suzanne, get me Ed Wade.
- Okay.Copy !req
1051. - Coffee on?
- Yes.Copy !req
1052. - Good morning.
- Good morning, Billy.Copy !req
1053. Oh, hi, Louisa.Copy !req
1054. - I need Ed Wade for Billy Beane.
- Hi.Copy !req
1055. Please hold.Copy !req
1056. - What's up?
- Wade's on 2.Copy !req
1057. - Ed?
- Hello?Copy !req
1058. - Ed, it's Billy.
- Billy, what's up?Copy !req
1059. - Look, I need a little help on defense.
- Okay.Copy !req
1060. I'm willing to trade Jeremy Giambi
for it.Copy !req
1061. - Really?
- What?Copy !req
1062. - Who you got?
- What?Copy !req
1063. - Well, let me think.
- What are you doing?Copy !req
1064. Cleaning house.Copy !req
1065. - Mabry?
- Maybe what?Copy !req
1066. - No, Mabry.
- Hold on.Copy !req
1067. - No.
- Why not?Copy !req
1068. Because you can't trade
Jeremy Giambi.Copy !req
1069. He'll be fine, Ed.Copy !req
1070. Why do I get the feeling
you're picking my pocket?Copy !req
1071. I'm not. You're picking mine.
Giambi's name alone is worth more.Copy !req
1072. - What's wrong with him?
- Nothing.Copy !req
1073. Can we say it's done in theory
and start drawing up the paperwork?Copy !req
1074. - Okay, but you're gonna have...
- Great.Copy !req
1075. He was gonna say something else.Copy !req
1076. When you get the answer
you're looking for, hang up.Copy !req
1077. - Suzanne.
- Yes?Copy !req
1078. - David Dombrowski.
- Okay.Copy !req
1079. - And Peña's going too.
- I don't think you should do that.Copy !req
1080. - I really don't think you should do that.
- I want Hatteberg in the lineup tonight.Copy !req
1081. You need to take a minute.Copy !req
1082. I think you seriously need to think
about what you're doing.Copy !req
1083. - Because you're upset.
- Okay.Copy !req
1084. What am I missing?Copy !req
1085. These are hard moves
to explain to people.Copy !req
1086. Why is that a problem, Pete?Copy !req
1087. Don't make
an emotional decision, Billy.Copy !req
1088. - David Dombrowski's on 3.
- Look, we're gonna shake things up.Copy !req
1089. Dave. Peña's going on the block.
You're my first call.Copy !req
1090. Because he's making the rest
of the team look bad.Copy !req
1091. He's gonna be a Rookie of the Year.Copy !req
1092. - Probably an All-Star.
- He's an All-Star, Dave.Copy !req
1093. No. I want a reliever and cash.Copy !req
1094. Okay. You got five minutes, Dave.
I'm not waiting.Copy !req
1095. Billy, Peña is an All-Star, okay?Copy !req
1096. And if you dump him and this
Hatteberg thing doesn't work out...Copy !req
1097. you know this is...Copy !req
1098. This is the kind of decision
that gets you fired.Copy !req
1099. It is.Copy !req
1100. Yes, you're right.Copy !req
1101. I may lose my job.Copy !req
1102. In which case I'm a 44-year-old guy
with a high school diploma...Copy !req
1103. and a daughter
I'd like to be able to send to college.Copy !req
1104. You're 25 years old,
with a degree from Yale...Copy !req
1105. and a pretty impressive
apprenticeship.Copy !req
1106. I don't think
we're asking the right question.Copy !req
1107. I think the question
we should be asking is...Copy !req
1108. do you believe in this thing or not?Copy !req
1109. I do.Copy !req
1110. It's a problem you think
we need to explain ourselves.Copy !req
1111. Don't. To anyone.Copy !req
1112. Okay.Copy !req
1113. Now, I'm gonna see this thing through,
for better or worse.Copy !req
1114. Just tell me, do you project we'll win
more with Hatteberg or Peña at first?Copy !req
1115. It's close...Copy !req
1116. but theoretically, Hatteberg.Copy !req
1117. - What are we talking about, then?
- Dombrowski's on again, on 3.Copy !req
1118. Yeah?Copy !req
1119. Okay, that'll work.Copy !req
1120. Great. I need one more thing.Copy !req
1121. Soda. Yeah, I don't want my guys
paying for soda.Copy !req
1122. I want you to stock my machine
for three years.Copy !req
1123. I'm serious.Copy !req
1124. Great. It's a deal.Copy !req
1125. Go tell Peña he's gotta pack.Copy !req
1126. - You want me to tell Peña?
- Part of the job.Copy !req
1127. What about Giambi?
You want me to tell him too?Copy !req
1128. I'll tell him.Copy !req
1129. - Excuse me, Carlos?
- Yeah?Copy !req
1130. - Can I speak with you a minute?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1131. Carlos, you've been traded
to the Tigers.Copy !req
1132. This is Jay Palmer's number.Copy !req
1133. He's the traveling secretary
for the team.Copy !req
1134. He's expecting your call.
He'll take care of everything.Copy !req
1135. - Is that it?
- Yes.Copy !req
1136. Okay.Copy !req
1137. Okay.Copy !req
1138. Art, you got a minute?Copy !req
1139. Yeah. Take a seat.Copy !req
1140. You can't start Peña at first tonight.
You'll have to start Hatteberg.Copy !req
1141. I don't wanna go 15 rounds, Billy.
The lineup card is mine, and that's all.Copy !req
1142. That lineup card is definitely yours.Copy !req
1143. I'm just saying you can't start Peña
at first.Copy !req
1144. Well, I am starting him at first.Copy !req
1145. I don't think so.
He plays for Detroit now.Copy !req
1146. You traded Peña?Copy !req
1147. Yeah.Copy !req
1148. And Menechino, Hiljus, Tam
are all being sent down.Copy !req
1149. - You are outside your mind.
- Yeah. Cuckoo.Copy !req
1150. - You wanted to see me?
- Yeah, Jeremy, grab a seat.Copy !req
1151. Jeremy, you've been traded
to the Phillies.Copy !req
1152. This is Ed Wade's number.
He's a good guy, the GM.Copy !req
1153. He's expecting your call.Copy !req
1154. Buddy will help you
with the plane flight.Copy !req
1155. You're a good ballplayer, Jeremy...Copy !req
1156. and we wish you the best.Copy !req
1157. Jeremy's gone too.Copy !req
1158. You're killing this team.Copy !req
1159. Art, I can do this all day long.Copy !req
1160. Hey.Copy !req
1161. You agree with this?Copy !req
1162. Hundred percent.Copy !req
1163. You want this door closed?Copy !req
1164. - Scotty H.
- Sir?Copy !req
1165. - Go field some grounders.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
1166. Everybody, listen up.Copy !req
1167. You may not look
like a winning team...Copy !req
1168. but you are one.Copy !req
1169. So play like one tonight.Copy !req
1170. Oh, shit.Copy !req
1171. When you're getting your pitch,
you're hitting.625, massive.Copy !req
1172. You're crushing the ball.Copy !req
1173. But when you swing at things...
Your pitch is middle-in.Copy !req
1174. When you're swinging low and away,
you're batting.158.Copy !req
1175. Every at bat's
like a hand of blackjack.Copy !req
1176. Every card that's dealt,
your odds change.Copy !req
1177. So every first-pitch strike, your batting
average goes down about 75 points.Copy !req
1178. Seventy-five points.Copy !req
1179. He should throw 100 pitches
before the fifth.Copy !req
1180. You wanna knock that starter out.Copy !req
1181. I want you taking at bats off the 10th
and 11th pitcher by the end.Copy !req
1182. This is your basic breakdown
of the pitches...Copy !req
1183. where you should be hitting them,
why.Copy !req
1184. - So you want us to walk more?
- Good question. Yes.Copy !req
1185. Mr. Justice.Copy !req
1186. - Had a few thoughts.
- Yeah?Copy !req
1187. - Yeah.
- Gonna teach me some things?Copy !req
1188. Excuse me?Copy !req
1189. Never seen a GM talk to players
like that.Copy !req
1190. You never seen a GM
who was a player.Copy !req
1191. - We got a problem, David?
- No, it's okay.Copy !req
1192. I know your routine.Copy !req
1193. It's patter. It's for effect.Copy !req
1194. But it's for them, all right?
That shit ain't for me.Copy !req
1195. Oh, you're special?Copy !req
1196. You're paying me 7 million bucks
a year, man, so, yeah...Copy !req
1197. maybe I am, a little bit.Copy !req
1198. No, man, I ain't paying you 7.Copy !req
1199. Yankees are paying half your salary.Copy !req
1200. That's what the New York Yankees
think of you.Copy !req
1201. They're paying you $3.5 million
to play against them.Copy !req
1202. Where you going with this, Billy?Copy !req
1203. David, you're 37.Copy !req
1204. How about you and I be honest about
what each of us want out of this?Copy !req
1205. I wanna milk the last ounce of baseball
you got in you.Copy !req
1206. And you wanna stay in the show.Copy !req
1207. Let's do that.Copy !req
1208. I'm not paying you
for the player you used to be.Copy !req
1209. I'm paying you for the player you are
right now.Copy !req
1210. You're smart.
You get what we're trying to do here.Copy !req
1211. Make an example
for the younger guys.Copy !req
1212. Be a leader.Copy !req
1213. Can you do that?Copy !req
1214. All right. I got you.Copy !req
1215. We're cool?Copy !req
1216. We're cool.Copy !req
1217. Scotty H.Copy !req
1218. - Yo, what's up, D.J.?
- Picking machine.Copy !req
1219. How you liking first base, man?Copy !req
1220. It's coming along. Picking it up.Copy !req
1221. You know, tough transition,
but I'm starting to feel better with it.Copy !req
1222. - Yeah?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1223. What's your biggest fear?Copy !req
1224. A baseball being hit
in my general direction.Copy !req
1225. That's funny. Seriously, what is it?Copy !req
1226. No, seriously, that is.Copy !req
1227. Well, hey, good luck with that.Copy !req
1228. Be social out there.Copy !req
1229. - Social.
- Social. Like a greeter at the Gap.Copy !req
1230. Guy steps into your office,
chat him up.Copy !req
1231. You're well-read.
You went to school.Copy !req
1232. - Yeah.
- Have some fun. Relax.Copy !req
1233. Everyone wants to attack.
Quit trying to attack.Copy !req
1234. Let the game come to you, man.
There's no clock on this thing.Copy !req
1235. This is a war of attrition.Copy !req
1236. If I take more, I could even take
a few strikes, but I'll get walked more.Copy !req
1237. You get on base, we win.
You don't, we lose.Copy !req
1238. And I hate losing, Chavvie. I hate it.Copy !req
1239. I hate losing
more than I even wanna win.Copy !req
1240. And there's a difference.Copy !req
1241. - No bunts.
- Bunts is an out.Copy !req
1242. - Even if the third baseman is back?
- No bunting whatsoever.Copy !req
1243. If someone bunts on us,
throw it to first.Copy !req
1244. Don't be a hero and go to second.Copy !req
1245. Let them make the mistakes.Copy !req
1246. When your enemy's making mistakes,
don't interrupt them.Copy !req
1247. They're giving you an out.
Just giving it to you.Copy !req
1248. Take it. Say thank you.Copy !req
1249. Another thing. No more stealing.Copy !req
1250. That's what I do,
what you pay me to do.Copy !req
1251. I pay you to get on first,
not get thrown out at second.Copy !req
1252. This is a process.
It's a process, it's a process. Okay?Copy !req
1253. Jason takes it, goes to second
for the only out, and the A's get a run.Copy !req
1254. Jermaine Dye homers again,
his second in two games.Copy !req
1255. And the A's are still hanging in.
We'll get you scores here.Copy !req
1256. The A's pull within two
of the Angels for the wild-card chase.Copy !req
1257. The Reds have now dropped
five in a row...Copy !req
1258. as Oakland beats them
in the beginning of this series 5 to 3.Copy !req
1259. Tejada walks.Copy !req
1260. Ball four.Copy !req
1261. Ball four and Hatteberg walks.Copy !req
1262. What is happening in Oakland?
The A's have won seven in a row.Copy !req
1263. A lot of excitement.
What a winning streak.Copy !req
1264. But how about the calming influence
of Art Howe?Copy !req
1265. When you say "your source,"
if it's not me or Peter, they don't know.Copy !req
1266. He's managing
an unorthodox team.Copy !req
1267. - Right.
- It's not a perfect roster.Copy !req
1268. But right now, Art Howe is the reason
this team is winning.Copy !req
1269. - He deserves the credit.
- Great, thanks. Bye.Copy !req
1270. Did you hear that?Copy !req
1271. I heard "seven in a row."
You get the Cleveland matchups?Copy !req
1272. Yeah, right here.Copy !req
1273. - Voos.
- Billy.Copy !req
1274. - That smell is getting worse.
- I'm on it.Copy !req
1275. - What are we doing?
- Splitting it in half?Copy !req
1276. - Both sides of the plate.
- Got it.Copy !req
1277. - Huddy. Mix it up.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
1278. - Trust your slider, yeah?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
1279. You guys quit distracting him.Copy !req
1280. You couldn't hit that shit last night
with a paddle.Copy !req
1281. You gotta see more pitches.Copy !req
1282. - All right, Billy.
- Patience.Copy !req
1283. - Hey, David.
- Hey, Billy.Copy !req
1284. - Great at bats.
- Thank you.Copy !req
1285. - Really quality.
- Thank you.Copy !req
1286. Base hit to right field.
Tejada scores.Copy !req
1287. Chavez coming in.
The ball gets past Guiel.Copy !req
1288. The A's, from 5-nothing down,
now lead 6 to 5.Copy !req
1289. The Oakland A's are completely
out of hand at the moment.Copy !req
1290. They are an AL-best 17 and 4
this month.Copy !req
1291. They also took back-to-back series
at Boston and at New York.Copy !req
1292. Remember when they traded
Jeremy Giambi in June...Copy !req
1293. and everyone thought
they'd just given up?Copy !req
1294. Actually, not so much.Copy !req
1295. Suzanne, get Shapiro on the phone.Copy !req
1296. - You thinking Rincon?
- His season's done. He's lost faith.Copy !req
1297. - I think he's gonna dump him.
- Hard-core.Copy !req
1298. Shapiro on 2.Copy !req
1299. Mark, Billy. Let's be honest.Copy !req
1300. A premier setup man isn't
gonna get you closer to the play-offs.Copy !req
1301. - Are you referring to Rincon?
- He's a luxury you can't afford, man.Copy !req
1302. And you can?
There's half a million on his contract.Copy !req
1303. And we've got
at least one other suitor.Copy !req
1304. By "at least one," you mean one.Copy !req
1305. - Who is it?
- I'd rather not say.Copy !req
1306. - San Francisco.
- San Francisco.Copy !req
1307. I'll call you back.Copy !req
1308. What do you think we can get
for Magnante?Copy !req
1309. Nothing.Copy !req
1310. - What's left on Venafro's contract?
- Two seventy-five.Copy !req
1311. Suzanne,
get me Sabean on the line.Copy !req
1312. Get the Giants interested in Venafro,
Mark's only got one buyer for Rincon.Copy !req
1313. - Us.
- On 3.Copy !req
1314. Saby-Sabster, it's Billy.
What do you think of Venafro?Copy !req
1315. I can let you have him
for almost nothing.Copy !req
1316. - Why would you do that?
- Because I'm amazing.Copy !req
1317. I want a couple bucks
and a sweetener.Copy !req
1318. Throw in, say...Copy !req
1319. - Anderson.
- Anderson.Copy !req
1320. - I like Anderson.
- No, you don't. Nobody likes him.Copy !req
1321. I don't know why I'm doing this.
But let's do it.Copy !req
1322. Venafro for Michaelson. Anderson.
I don't know his name.Copy !req
1323. - I'll think about it.
- Think about it and call me back.Copy !req
1324. Get Shapiro on.Copy !req
1325. Shapiro's on 2.Copy !req
1326. - Mark.
- You can't afford him, Billy.Copy !req
1327. You sure about that?Copy !req
1328. I get the impression
the market for Rincon is softening.Copy !req
1329. I could be wrong,
but I'd call whoever's interested...Copy !req
1330. and see if they're still interested.
Call me back.Copy !req
1331. - What about the Mets for Venafro?
- You offered him to the Giants.Copy !req
1332. Suzanne, Steve Phillips.Copy !req
1333. Between Bonds, Kent, Nen, Snow,
San Francisco's never gonna do it.Copy !req
1334. - Totally agree.
- We just need them to cool on Rincon.Copy !req
1335. - Phillips on 2.
- Steve-o, it's Billy.Copy !req
1336. I hear you're looking for a reliever.
I can give you Venafro.Copy !req
1337. - I can make it quick and easy.
- What's the angle?Copy !req
1338. - No angle.
- Who am I getting fleeced for?Copy !req
1339. - Hang on a sec.
- Bennett, maybe?Copy !req
1340. - How old?
- Twenty-six.Copy !req
1341. Twenty-six, Double-A? Forget it.Copy !req
1342. Duncan, no.Copy !req
1343. No. Furbush, no.Copy !req
1344. Eckerton? Eckerton? Eckerton.Copy !req
1345. - Eckerton.
- Eckerton? I like Eckerton.Copy !req
1346. - You don't even know who Eckerton is.
- Is Venafro hurt?Copy !req
1347. No, he's fine, he's fine.
It's just an issue for us.Copy !req
1348. - Last couple times, he got hammered.
- Not his fault.Copy !req
1349. - That was us. We misused him.
- It's Steve.Copy !req
1350. - I'm almost done.
- Steve Schott.Copy !req
1351. Look, Steve-o,
let me be straight with you.Copy !req
1352. Here's the deal.
I'm getting Rincon. It's a done deal.Copy !req
1353. - I heard the Giants...
- Giants want Venafro for Michaelson.Copy !req
1354. - Anderson.
- I'd rather deal with you.Copy !req
1355. You can give me Eckerton
and $225,000 in cash...Copy !req
1356. and the Giants can't.Copy !req
1357. - I'll think about it.
- Think about it.Copy !req
1358. But whoever calls me back first
gets Venafro.Copy !req
1359. Schott hung up.Copy !req
1360. Oh, I want this one.Copy !req
1361. Why isn't anybody calling?Copy !req
1362. Shapiro's on 2.Copy !req
1363. Yeah?Copy !req
1364. Okay, let me talk to my owner.
I'll call you back.Copy !req
1365. - Get Steve on the phone.
- Schott or Phillips?Copy !req
1366. Why would we call Phillips?
Phillips has gotta call us.Copy !req
1367. Tell him I'm on the other line.Copy !req
1368. Hi, Mr. Schott, it's Peter Brand.
I apologize for putting you on hold.Copy !req
1369. - Billy asked me to call you back.
- Tell him we want 225,000 for Rincon.Copy !req
1370. Billy says he needs $225,000
for Ricardo Rincon.Copy !req
1371. Please.Copy !req
1372. Yes, I added the "please" at the end.Copy !req
1373. Okay. Let me...
Hold on one second, please.Copy !req
1374. Tell him I'll pay for him.Copy !req
1375. But when I sell him back for twice the
amount next year, I keep the money.Copy !req
1376. Okay, so Billy says
he'll pay for Rincon himself.Copy !req
1377. But when he sells him for more money
next year, he's keeping the profit.Copy !req
1378. Thank you very much.
We'll call you back. Thank you.Copy !req
1379. Come on. Come on.Copy !req
1380. Suzanne, call Shapiro ba...
Never mind, I got him right here.Copy !req
1381. Mark. Yeah.Copy !req
1382. Listen, I don't want Rincon
pitching against me tonight.Copy !req
1383. Tell him to change clothes and
send him over. I got you the money.Copy !req
1384. Yup.Copy !req
1385. Great.Copy !req
1386. I don't wanna dampen the mood at all,
but since we picked up Rincon...Copy !req
1387. We gotta send someone down.Copy !req
1388. - Mags.
- Hey, Billy.Copy !req
1389. I know I've been struggling lately.Copy !req
1390. But second half of the season,
definitely turn it around. Ricky and I...Copy !req
1391. Mike, I need you
to stop getting dressed.Copy !req
1392. Traded?Copy !req
1393. I'm sorry for the crap news.Copy !req
1394. I know it hurts.Copy !req
1395. Mike, I can't have 26 guys
in the clubhouse.Copy !req
1396. I get it. I get it.Copy !req
1397. Okay. Thanks.Copy !req
1398. Hey, Ricardo.Copy !req
1399. This must be a bit of a shock,
I guess.Copy !req
1400. Mabry hits one
deep to right-center field.Copy !req
1401. Racing back, Fick can't get it.Copy !req
1402. It bounces to the wall.
One run is in. Two runs are in.Copy !req
1403. Mabry, on one pitch,
has shot the A's in front.Copy !req
1404. Strike three called.
Twelve straight wins for the Athletics.Copy !req
1405. Man alive, was it hairy.Copy !req
1406. Something strange is now happening
in Oakland.Copy !req
1407. - You cannot argue that point.
- Twelve straight.Copy !req
1408. They're making a joke
out of the American League.Copy !req
1409. - They were in Detroit today...
- He throws to first.Copy !req
1410. And that's the sound
of 14 straight victories.Copy !req
1411. Fourteen, the longest run this year.Copy !req
1412. It has slingshot the A's into first
in the AL West.Copy !req
1413. - A nice streak.
- This team was written off.Copy !req
1414. How do you explain, otherwise,
the victories they've come up with?Copy !req
1415. The Oakland A's are gonna win
16 consecutive games.Copy !req
1416. This is the longest win streak
in baseball, folks, in 25 years.Copy !req
1417. - The A's have won 16 in a row.
- We're going to 20! We're going to 20!Copy !req
1418. To have a winning streak of
this duration, you have to be good...Copy !req
1419. but there's an element
of randomness to it.Copy !req
1420. The 1927 Yankees, Ruth, Gehrig...Copy !req
1421. Murderers' Row, some people
still say the best team ever.Copy !req
1422. Longest winning streak
for them that year? Nine.Copy !req
1423. You guys try to analyze it
from a numbers standpoint.Copy !req
1424. I'm telling you, there is no explanation
for what's occurring right now.Copy !req
1425. Do you have superstitions
going on?Copy !req
1426. Do you do things
so you keep the streak alive?Copy !req
1427. The all-time record of 20
does not seem impossible anymore.Copy !req
1428. The A's were on page one
of the New York Times.Copy !req
1429. They are the story in sports
in this entire country.Copy !req
1430. Two-two pitch, here it is.Copy !req
1431. Swing and a miss! Struck him out!
Number 17!Copy !req
1432. It's taken 71 years.Copy !req
1433. The Oakland A's
have tied the Philadelphia A's.Copy !req
1434. The all-time franchise record
17 straight...Copy !req
1435. and baseball's longest
winning streak since 1953.Copy !req
1436. The A's are two wins away from
tying the American League record.Copy !req
1437. It's gone! It's gone!
Tejada wins it! Do you believe it?Copy !req
1438. Eighteen wins in a row!Copy !req
1439. You could replay these 18 games
a hundred times over.Copy !req
1440. And nobody wins 18 straight again.Copy !req
1441. It defies everything we know
about baseball.Copy !req
1442. The most amazing thing
you could imagine...Copy !req
1443. happened over the last four days
at the Coliseum.Copy !req
1444. Tejada, up the middle.
The A's have won 19 in a row!Copy !req
1445. The 1906 White Sox...Copy !req
1446. the 1947 New York Yankees
have company.Copy !req
1447. - Nineteen in a row.
- The A's have a date with destiny.Copy !req
1448. They're going for the all-time
American League record...Copy !req
1449. 20 games in a row.Copy !req
1450. We're going to 20!Copy !req
1451. We're gonna take the AL record
to 20, baby!Copy !req
1452. Don't tell me the score, Pete.Copy !req
1453. No, Billy, it's me.Copy !req
1454. - Sharon?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1455. - You have a second?
- Yeah, what's up?Copy !req
1456. Well, I didn't actually expect you
to pick up.Copy !req
1457. I was gonna leave a message.Copy !req
1458. Casey and I, we're here
and watching the game at home.Copy !req
1459. And I just wanted to say...Copy !req
1460. you did good, Billy.Copy !req
1461. We're really proud of you.Copy !req
1462. I appreciate it, Sharon.Copy !req
1463. - Thank you.
- Good luck.Copy !req
1464. Okay.Copy !req
1465. Oh, Casey wants to talk to you.
Hang on.Copy !req
1466. Are you on your way
to the stadium?Copy !req
1467. No, I'm on my way to Visalia
to see our minor-league team.Copy !req
1468. - Turn around, please, Dad.
- No way, Jose.Copy !req
1469. - Turn around. Come on, Dad.
- Nope. Not gonna happen.Copy !req
1470. You're not gonna jinx it.Copy !req
1471. I'll talk to you later, sweetheart.
I love you.Copy !req
1472. Shit.Copy !req
1473. One out here in the fourth,
and if you're just joining us...Copy !req
1474. you missed a lot.Copy !req
1475. And the pitch to Raúl Ibañez.
Strike one.Copy !req
1476. I think my recap will be simple.Copy !req
1477. The A's scored six in the first,
one in the second, four in the third.Copy !req
1478. And people would be shocked
if you just did that.Copy !req
1479. Eleven to nothing, the A's do lead.Copy !req
1480. - Shit.
- Foul off the foot of Ibañez...Copy !req
1481. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
1482. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
1483. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
1484. Now batting, number 2,
catcher, Brent Mayne.Copy !req
1485. - Oakland!
- Here we go, Oakland!Copy !req
1486. Two.Copy !req
1487. Safe.Copy !req
1488. Now batting, number 18...Copy !req
1489. left fielder Raúl Ibañez.Copy !req
1490. Safe.Copy !req
1491. And the A's now lead by a score
of 11 to 3.Copy !req
1492. A nice cushion,
but you don't wanna give teams life...Copy !req
1493. and let them wedge their way
back in, even when you're...Copy !req
1494. Nobody out, the bases loaded.Copy !req
1495. And Art Howe on the way to the
mound to make a pitching change.Copy !req
1496. And this game is still in a state...Copy !req
1497. where it could get out of control
for the Athletics.Copy !req
1498. We're all told at some point we can
no longer play the children's game.Copy !req
1499. We just don't know
when that's gonna be.Copy !req
1500. Some of us are told at 18, some of us
are told at 40, but we're all told.Copy !req
1501. Mike Sweeney with runners
at first and third.Copy !req
1502. It's an 11-to-7 game,
the A's in front.Copy !req
1503. Tam peering in for the sign.Copy !req
1504. Two out. Runners at first and third.Copy !req
1505. And the 3-2 delivery.Copy !req
1506. It's weird, Billy.Copy !req
1507. You wanna give up baseball
to become a scout?Copy !req
1508. I'm not a baseball player.Copy !req
1509. Are you sure this is what you want?Copy !req
1510. The crowd is roaring.
Koch is ready. One-two pitch.Copy !req
1511. Alicea puts it in play,
a looper to left field for a base hit.Copy !req
1512. Around third, tearing for the plate,
here comes the tying run.Copy !req
1513. Sliding safe.
And the ball game is tied at 11-all.Copy !req
1514. Holy Toledo.Copy !req
1515. The A's have blown
an 11-to-nothing lead.Copy !req
1516. This is the specter of a development
that has been lurking now...Copy !req
1517. ever since the five-run fourth inning
by the Royals.Copy !req
1518. And the A's date with destiny
is on hold right now.Copy !req
1519. Hatteberg. Hattie.Copy !req
1520. Grab a bat.
You're hitting for Byrnesy.Copy !req
1521. Come on, let's go.
Get yourself loose.Copy !req
1522. Hitting for Eric Byrnes...Copy !req
1523. number 10, Scott Hatteberg.Copy !req
1524. In your typical A's fashion,
they want a base runner here.Copy !req
1525. Scott Hatteberg is so adept
at drawing walks.Copy !req
1526. He's looking for Hatteberg
to get on base...Copy !req
1527. maybe bring in a pinch runner.Copy !req
1528. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
1529. Let's go, Oakland!Copy !req
1530. That one is gone!Copy !req
1531. And it's 20 consecutive victories
for the Oakland Athletics...Copy !req
1532. on an unbelievable night...Copy !req
1533. when they lost
an 11-to-nothing lead...Copy !req
1534. and now they win it.Copy !req
1535. The crowd comes back
to insane life.Copy !req
1536. How do you explain it?Copy !req
1537. Crazy. Just plain crazy.Copy !req
1538. Hatteberg is mobbed at home plate.Copy !req
1539. In 103 years
of American League baseball...Copy !req
1540. the Athletics have accomplished
what no one has before.Copy !req
1541. They have won
20 consecutive games.Copy !req
1542. It's hard not to be romantic
about baseball.Copy !req
1543. This kind of thing,
it's fun for the fans.Copy !req
1544. It sells tickets and hot dogs.Copy !req
1545. Doesn't mean anything.Copy !req
1546. Billy, we just won 20 games
in a row.Copy !req
1547. And what's the point?Copy !req
1548. We just got the record.Copy !req
1549. Man, I've been doing this for...Copy !req
1550. Listen, man.Copy !req
1551. I've been in this game a long time.Copy !req
1552. I'm not in it for a record,
I'll tell you that.Copy !req
1553. I'm not in it for a ring.Copy !req
1554. That's when people get hurt.Copy !req
1555. If we don't win the last game
of the Series...Copy !req
1556. they'll dismiss us.Copy !req
1557. - Billy...
- I know these guys.Copy !req
1558. I know the way they think,
and they will erase us.Copy !req
1559. And everything we've done here...Copy !req
1560. none of it'll matter.Copy !req
1561. Any other team wins the World Series,
good for them.Copy !req
1562. They're drinking champagne,
they get a ring.Copy !req
1563. But if we win...Copy !req
1564. on our budget, with this team...Copy !req
1565. we'll have changed the game.Copy !req
1566. And that's what I want.Copy !req
1567. I want it to mean something.Copy !req
1568. The A's going to the play-offs
with the West Division title.Copy !req
1569. Forgive the A's
if they're not celebrating.Copy !req
1570. They have been here before...Copy !req
1571. when Oakland went up two games
to none on the Yanks in the ALDS...Copy !req
1572. and went nowhere
after losing three straight.Copy !req
1573. With a win today over the Twins,
Oakland moves into the ALCS...Copy !req
1574. - for the first time since 1992.
- But remember one thing.Copy !req
1575. Percentages hold up over a season,
but for one game, one at bat...Copy !req
1576. throw the percentages
out the window.Copy !req
1577. What the Minnesota Twins exposed
is the fact that the Oakland A's...Copy !req
1578. were fundamentally
not a sound baseball team.Copy !req
1579. They had a flawed concept that
started with the general manager...Copy !req
1580. and the brain trust
thinking they could reinvent baseball.Copy !req
1581. You can't approach baseball...Copy !req
1582. from a statistical,
bean-counting point of view.Copy !req
1583. It's won on the field
with fundamental play.Copy !req
1584. You have to steal, you have to bunt,
you have to sacrifice.Copy !req
1585. You gotta get men in scoring position,
and you gotta bring them in.Copy !req
1586. And you don't do that
with a bunch of statistical gimmicks.Copy !req
1587. Nobody reinvents this game.Copy !req
1588. Yeah.Copy !req
1589. Due respect to the Coliseum,
but this is a ballpark.Copy !req
1590. Yes, it is.Copy !req
1591. We're gonna have some lunch
in a little bit.Copy !req
1592. Why don't I have some coffee
sent up?Copy !req
1593. Denise?Copy !req
1594. Thank you, Denise.Copy !req
1595. - Thanks.
- You're welcome.Copy !req
1596. You know, it's her birthday
and I need to get her a present...Copy !req
1597. but she's usually the one
that does that for me.Copy !req
1598. So do you have any ideas?Copy !req
1599. Scarf.Copy !req
1600. You mean like wool?Copy !req
1601. No, I meant what women wear with...
You know, decorative.Copy !req
1602. And where would I get something
like that?Copy !req
1603. No disrespect, I just lost in five
for the second year in a row.Copy !req
1604. Get her a bowling ball for all I care.Copy !req
1605. Right.Copy !req
1606. Well, Steve told me he's offering you
a new contract.Copy !req
1607. Yes.Copy !req
1608. So why did you return my call?Copy !req
1609. Because it's the Red Sox.Copy !req
1610. Because I believe science might offer
an answer to the Curse of the Bambino.Copy !req
1611. - Because I hear you hired Bill James.
- Yup.Copy !req
1612. You know, why someone took so long
to hire that guy is beyond me.Copy !req
1613. Well, baseball hates him.Copy !req
1614. Well, baseball can hate him,
you know.Copy !req
1615. One of the great things about money
is that it buys a lot of things...Copy !req
1616. one of which is the luxury
to disregard what baseball likes...Copy !req
1617. doesn't like, what baseball thinks,
doesn't think.Copy !req
1618. Sounds nice.Copy !req
1619. Well, I was grateful for the call.Copy !req
1620. - You were grateful?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1621. For 41 million,
you built a play-off team.Copy !req
1622. You lost Damon, Giambi,
Isringhausen, Peña...Copy !req
1623. and you won more games
without them than you did with them.Copy !req
1624. You won the exact same number
of games that the Yankees won...Copy !req
1625. but the Yankees spent 1.4 million
per win...Copy !req
1626. and you paid 260,000.Copy !req
1627. I know you're taking it in the teeth,
but the first guy through the wall...Copy !req
1628. he always gets bloody.Copy !req
1629. Always. This is threatening
not just a way of doing business...Copy !req
1630. but in their minds,
it's threatening the game.Copy !req
1631. Really, what it's threatening
is their livelihood, their jobs.Copy !req
1632. It's threatening the way
that they do things.Copy !req
1633. Every time that happens...Copy !req
1634. whether it's a government,
a way of doing business, whatever...Copy !req
1635. the people
who are holding the reins...Copy !req
1636. they have their hands
on the switch...Copy !req
1637. they go batshit crazy.Copy !req
1638. I mean, anybody who's not
tearing their team down right now...Copy !req
1639. and rebuilding it
using your model...Copy !req
1640. they're dinosaurs.Copy !req
1641. They'll be sitting on their ass
on the sofa in October...Copy !req
1642. watching the Boston Red Sox
win the World Series.Copy !req
1643. What's this?Copy !req
1644. I want you to be my general manager.
That's my offer.Copy !req
1645. Heads up.Copy !req
1646. What was that?Copy !req
1647. - Sorry. I don't know.
- What the hell was that?Copy !req
1648. You knucklehead.Copy !req
1649. How was Boston?Copy !req
1650. Impressive.Copy !req
1651. Did Henry make you a good offer,
at least?Copy !req
1652. - Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter.
- What was it? What was it?Copy !req
1653. - Doesn't matter.
- What was it?Copy !req
1654. That makes you the highest-paid GM
in the history of sports.Copy !req
1655. So?Copy !req
1656. So what?Copy !req
1657. I made one decision in my life
based on money.Copy !req
1658. And I swore
I would never do it again.Copy !req
1659. You're not doing it for the money.Copy !req
1660. - No?
- No.Copy !req
1661. You're doing it
for what the money says.Copy !req
1662. And it says what it says to any player
that makes big money.Copy !req
1663. That they're worth it.Copy !req
1664. What a dump.Copy !req
1665. I really wanted to win here.Copy !req
1666. I really did.Copy !req
1667. I think you won pretty big, Billy.Copy !req
1668. Pete, we lost.Copy !req
1669. We lost.Copy !req
1670. It's only been a few days.
Give yourself some time to get over it.Copy !req
1671. Man, I don't get over these things.
Ever.Copy !req
1672. Come with me to the video room.
I wanna show you something.Copy !req
1673. No, man,
I'm not up for film right now.Copy !req
1674. Come on. Seriously.Copy !req
1675. Come on, Billy. Come on.Copy !req
1676. The Visalia Oaks...Copy !req
1677. and our 240-pound catcher,
Jeremy Brown...Copy !req
1678. who, as you know,
is scared to run to second base.Copy !req
1679. This was in a game six weeks ago.Copy !req
1680. This guy's gonna start
with a fastball.Copy !req
1681. Jeremy's gonna take him
to deep center.Copy !req
1682. Here's what's interesting...Copy !req
1683. because Jeremy's gonna do
what he never does.Copy !req
1684. He's gonna go for it.Copy !req
1685. He's gonna round first
and he's gonna go for it.Copy !req
1686. Okay?Copy !req
1687. This is all of Jeremy's nightmares
coming to life.Copy !req
1688. - They're laughing at him.
- And Jeremy's about to find out why.Copy !req
1689. Jeremy's about to realize...Copy !req
1690. that the ball went 60 feet
over the fence.Copy !req
1691. He hit a home run
and didn't even realize it.Copy !req
1692. How can you not be romantic
about baseball?Copy !req
1693. - It's a metaphor.
- I know it's a metaphor.Copy !req
1694. Okay.Copy !req
1695. Pete, you're a good egg.Copy !req
1696. I'll call you.Copy !req
1697. Hey, Dad, this is the song I told you
I'd record.Copy !req
1698. Please don't show it to anyone else.Copy !req
1699. Let me know if you change your mind
and stay in California.Copy !req
1700. If not, you're a really great dad.Copy !req