A's skid reaches 9; Bob Geren era over

The AL East has collectively taken a dump on the chest of the Oakland Athletics, and it has finally lost Bob Geren his job. Billy Beane has finally done it. He's drawn the line in the sand and said enough is enough is enough. I applaud him for it. A change of some sort needed to be made.

I imagine the decision to fire him kind of went like this:


I personally do not like blaming the manager for the shortcomings of a ball club. But, at the end of the day, Bob Geren was the leader of a team that was failing miserably, and you have to blame somebody.

This was a team who became the sexy pick to win the AL West in the offseason. The team that was supposed to challenge the Rangers with its retooled lineup and elite starting pitching. Instead, this team has looked good at times, and kind of like this at other times:


So, goodbye Bumblin' Bob and thank you for your service. Though you did not get the job done that we had hoped for, you served the A's as well as you could, and we appreciate your efforts. Even though they ended with a three game sweep at the hands of the Orioles, we know you tried. And yeah, that's all the analysis you're gonna get there sports fans, it was just too painful.

OK, I lied, you get a bit more. I'm very happy that the organization has decided to call up Jemile Weeks, and though I love Ellis, Weeks may be our guy for a few years to come. I am also looking forward to seeing Adrian Cardenas and/or Michael Taylor (who both are posting solid AAA numbers) come up soon and wear the green and gold. Other than that, there's not much to say about this series. After a rough start Gio had a good outing. Outman pitched well enough last nigh for a guy who started the season as the number 9 SP on the depth chart. But unless Gerald Perry gets the bats going soon, I hope he is gone as well.

Hello new Bob. Bob Melvin becomes the next skipper of the A's. And here he is:



No, no.... that's Gonzo the Great. This is Bob Melvin.



Melvin was the coach of the Mariners and Diamondbacks from 2003-2009. He got fired about 30 games into the 2009 season after a poor start. BUTTTTT, he did take the DBacks to the playoffs in 2007 as the NUMBER 1 SEED and even won a series. Oh, and he was named manager of the year. And oh, he got beat by the Rockies in the NLCS who just freaking decided to beat everybody except the Red Sox. So, his career numbers are 493 wins and 508 losses. Not terrible awesome, but a lot better than Bob Geren ever could hope to be. And one last thing he's got going for him? Guess his Alma Mater. CALIFORNIA. Golden Bears. Getting it done.

The A's take on the White Sox for a four game set this weekend, and hope to end the skid under New Bob. Friday will see the major league debut of Graham Godfrey, whose long term success would validate the trade of Marco Scutaro. Let's welcome New Bob, let's validate letting Marco go. Let's Go Oakland!