Game #102: A's 5, Red Sox 1

July 26, 2006 | A's vs. Boston

HAREN'S HEAT MELTS THE RED SOX

After not posting a W since June 14, Dan Haren prevents a sweep by the Red Sox and stuns the Big Papi/Manny Being Manny duo that humbled the A's in the last two days.

Frank Thomas homered twice today and drove in four of the five A's runs. He's pretty incredible. You know that I not an avid fan of him because, to me, he's still heavily identified with the White Sox. But I respect him greatly.

MLB.com's Mychael Urban reported on the income generated by Frank Thomas for his playing time this season. You recall that Billy Beane gave Thomas an incentive-laden contract that, at first glance, covered the A's if the Big Hurt turned out to be too hurt to play.

In addition to the $500,000 he's guaranteed, Thomas has incentive clauses that could push his total take up to $3.325 million, and he's already picked up $1.45 million beyond his base salary. He's made $1.25 million for not being on the DL with injuries related to his foot or ankle on May 1 ($325,000), June 15 ($325,000) and July 15 ($375,000), and with 310 plate appearances this year, he's picked up $200,000 for passing 300.

He'll earn another $375,000 if he's not on the DL with foot or ankle issues on Aug. 15, and there's another $1 million out there, with $200,000 available for every 50 plate appearances beyond 300, up to 550. [MLB.com]

Here's a tongue-in-cheek thought: Maybe Billy Beane can structure all the A's players' contracts in a similar way?



Mychael Urban also reported on Dan Haren's new look today.

Normally one of the A's who wears his pants down to his shoe tops, he went with the high-socks look Wednesday to mix things up and get out of his slump. He'd already tried a new glove, a new hat and a new necklace.

Asked if he was going to stick with the look, he was quick to answer.

"No way. My calves are way too small," he said. "I look the second-worst on the team with high socks." [MLB.com]

Unfortunately I couldn't find a photo of Haren with the socks. :-(


(Game experience: None )

A's record: 52-49 | streak: W-1 | well-A-meter: 3

[Note to self: I wrote this blog entry and posted it from the shuttle while commuting home from work!]