Hurting

ALCS - Game 1
Tigers 5, A's 1

ALCS - Game 2
Tigers 8, A's 5

Tigers lead series 2-0, best of 7

Leaving runners in scoring position, errors, and woeful starting pitching have put the A's in a difficult 0-2 hole against the Tigers going back to Detroit. Under normal circumstances, I would be upset with the A's lack of discipline, but the tragic death of former A's pitcher Cory Lidle have pushed any concerns about baseball aside.

If you want to be an A's fan, you must accept the fact that the A's will let go of any player at any given time, no matter how well that player performs or how popular with the fans. It's the price you pay to be competitive while on a low budget. So the A's lose superstars, and replace them with more affordable prospects, journeymen, and castoffs past their prime. While it hurts to see former A's do extraordinary things with other teams, there's a certain magic to the Oakland uniform. You see it all the time; a guy rejected by other teams puts on an Oakland uniform, and they play like a superstar. John Jaha, Matt Stairs, Scott Hatteberg, Frank Thomas, Marco Scutaro. Cory Lidle.

Cory, you were a true professional in every sense of the word. You were always solid when you were on the mound. And no A's fan will forget August '02, when the A's won 20 straight, when no pitcher on Earth could match you. You were a gamer, and baseball lost one of its best. We'll miss you, man.