While it's definitely true that I've been away from the computer while working at this event, the blog has become even quieter than usual thanks to continued power issues on the laptop. Today I awoke to find the PowerBook completely out of juice at zero percent, and the power adapter I brought was doing no good at all. I'm sure it's probably an issue with the laptop now, as even after replacing the much-hated power adapters from Apple, we're still having problems, and it's not like me to want to be all Dell all the time, and I certainly was today. Not even the basics like FireFox and iTunes are nearly as good on Windows as they are on Mac OS X.

Somehow, I tricked the power adapter to start working this evening, and in this little window of optimism, I thought I'd check into a more pleasant OS. But I'll probably have to take this into the Apple store to see if they can diagnose the problem. They'll probably tell me it's out of warranty, and that I didn't buy AppleCare. Of course not - why would I ever need that? Grrr...

Listening to ''...Passing By'', by Ulrich Schnauss (Play Count: 10)

The Oakland A's opening day game against the New York Yankees yesterday was an unmitigated car wreck - down 7-0 by the top of the second inning, the team collapsed to a 15-2 finish, starting out of the gate in the worst way. Given that posters on Athletics Nation and other places tend to over-react to one game's ebb and flow, I posted a diary called "Small Sample Size: Large Stats", which extrapolated how the season numbers would look if that game were to happen every day for a full 162-game season.

With one game on the books for all teams, it's time to revisit the stat-o-meter and use that sample size to suggest end of the year statistics (with a heavy focus on our Oakland A's - after all, this is an A's site).
The A's pitchers are on pace to:
• Give up 2,430 runs
• Give up 2,268 earned runs
• Issue 1,458 free passes
• Hit 486 opposing batsmen

The A's offense is on pace to:
• Score a measly 324 runs on the season
• Draw ZERO walks on the season
• Sport a .228 OBP as a team

The A's defense is on pace to:
• Make 162 errors
• Give up 162 unearned runs
• Throw out 100% of base runners! (Go Kendall!)

Some other notable stats:

• Johnny Damon is set for a monster year, as he's on pace to have a record-shattering 486 hits in an incredible 1,134 at bats, and will surpass Ted Williams with a .429 batting average, making him worth every penny the Yankees paid for him.
• However, Hideki Matsui will claim the batting title with a perfect 1.000 average, and will dominate the league with 162 home runs, 648 total hits and 1,134 total bases. There's your MVP, folks.
• Frank Thomas will also show the A's he's worth every penny paid in free agency and more, with his 162 home runs per year contribution, and a slugging percentage of 1.333 - not too shabby.
• Best of all, the A's will draw a sellout crowd for every ball game this season, with the team's 35,077 capacity showing up at all 81 games, delivering a full year attendance of 2,841,237 - well ahead of expectations. This will provide Wolff and Beane with the money needed to trade Zito for Hideki Matsui in mid-season.
• Speaking of Zito, he will reach 216 innings pitched this year, according to early projections, which is fine, but his 47.25 ERA will leave much to be desired, and will likely set the team to continue on a 162-game slide unseen in baseball history. On the positive side, at least the bullpen will get in a lot of work.

At times during the Bush administration, it has seemed that cronies in the Republican party would have to commit murder in order to see any negative ramifications to their actions. Heck, even the vice president shot his friend in the face on a hunting trip - only to be apologized to later by his victim! Now, tonight, with the nation's eyes turned toward NCAA hoops and baseball's opening night (Damn Yankees are crushing the A's 13-1 right now), Tom Delay has officially announced his retirement from the political limelight, bringing an end to one of the most notorious blights on the political landscape.

Of course, it's not as if he's actually going to jail for his crimes of embezzlement and deceit, but instead, it looked as if he retired because he realized he was in serious danger of losing the election. So, while we have his smiling mug shot around to remind us the man should be in jail, we can at least rest comfortably knowing one fewer crook is running the asylum. How many more of these jokers will go down in flames on their own without giving the electorate the opportunity to throw them out on their ears?

Listening to ''Les Yper-Sound'', by Stereolab (Play Count: 9)

While the first official game of the season actually kicked off yesterday between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, the rest of the major leagues get into action today across the country, including our Oakland A's - who are scheduled to match up in the first of a three-game set against the New York Yankees. While I've been exiled down here to San Diego for work purposes, we passed along our season tickets to a friend from church, and he will be in Oakland for Opening Day, representing us.

As chronicled here time and again, the Oakland Athletics of 2006 are a very intriguing club. Coming off a strong 2005 campaign, they are achieving national accolades, and are widely expected to return to the playoffs. While it's way too early to talk about that, with so many variables, we are excited about this year unlike any year I can ever recall, and I think our obsession with Athletics Nation has definitely contributed. Why turn off my thoughts of baseball for the cold winter months, when I can think and strategize about the team year round and take it up a notch in April?

To me, baseball's opening day is one of reverence, the way others see Easter, Christmas, or any of the holiest holidays. It is a day with traditions and passion - with stories you can tell your grandkids for generations to come. I am eagerly looking forward to the 2006 season and hoping the A's will bring us many stories to be told with win after win all the way through October.

Listening to ''Back to Cali (Push Remix)'', by Mauro Picotto (Play Count: 3)