Browsing the Athletics' Nation chunk of SB Nation late, I read this and shook my head.  I've already had a fairly bad day, so this wasn't fun.

From ESPN Front Page on Inoa

Inoa and his parents turned down more lucrative offers from the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers due to Oakland’s positive results developing young pitchers. The Reds offered a $5 million signing bonus and a major league contract, while the Rangers offered $5.2 million, according to Inoa.
“After careful thought, my parents and I decided that Oakland has a better pitcher development program, and that will be more important for my career in the long haul,” said Inoa, who became eligible to sign with any major league ballclub on Tuesday at the strike of midnight.

Inoa (6 foot 7, 210 pounds) is a right-handed hurler with a three-pitch repertoire consisting of a fastball (93 mph), changeup and curveball.

A’s general manager Billy Beane was expected to make an official announcement Wednesday at noon from Santo Domingo.

“I think the personal treatment that Beane put into this was the determining factor so that Inoa’s parents opted to stay with Oakland even though there were higher offers,” said Edgar Mercedes, president of the Born to Play baseball academy where Inoa played since he was 12.

by Trainman on Jul 2, 2008 1:44 AM EDT

If this report is correct, and it seems to be. 

http://forum.newbergreport.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5143

It doesn't add anything toward 75 words, but here is the source of the quote

Smoaky.com

Pretty big news, and will surely mean some roster changes beginning tomorrow (Thursday 6/26).  Also makes one wonder if the Hamilton discomfort or the Bradley aches are more than has been reported. 

In the meantime, pound out those Kinsler-Young-Hamilton-Bradley AllStar votes!

 

 

Jennifer, an Athletics Nation fan, posted a FanPost covering her trip to see the recent A's series in Arlington. She did a very nice job of recounting the trip, and her photos are good as well. Definitely worth a read-through. Also noticed in the comments that some of the A's fans didn't realize that RBIA is a really nice venue, and some now want to trip here. I hope the 75 word limit has been reached, it's late and I can't even count on my fingers. Here is the link:

http://www.athleticsnation.com/2008/6/3/543857/texas-the-lone-win-state

 

From an email from Jamey Newberg: "Texas was predictably unable to find a team interested in taking on Ben Broussard's contract (or trading a non-roster prospect in exchange for Broussard on a subsidized basis), and so, according to multiple local reports, the Rangers have placed Broussard on release waivers, which means the club is on the hook for the entirety of his $3.85 million contract." I'm not surprised the Rangers made him available, but that there were no takers. Or seemingly so.

Today baseball's brass, including the Commissioner, Donald Fehr from the players' union, are testifying on the hill.

I intended to pay little or no attention to anything coming out of the hearings.  However, this morning I decided to get a little breakfast down the road.  Driving back, I heard these excerpts from today's testimony.

Unidentified Congressman:  Something about did Palmieri knowingly take steroids before his *300th* hit?

Same nincompoop:  Mr. Sellick is to be congratulated on his attention to the matters.

Let's see.  Members don't know the names of the people involved.  Or can't pronounce them.  These are our national leaders.  I say don't worry about baseball, worry about Congress.

And wannabe stars, and those who might be pretty near stars, but are in a bad place or find out that getting paid the big bucks in sometimes not a sufficient reason to be in and tolerate New York City (spelled out to try to rush to 300 characters, although this is not diary worthy, it just doesn't fit topically in any current thread).

Man, NY fans are a tough crowd.  From the writeup on the Mavs-Knicks game 12/10.

"The Knicks weren't the only New York athletes booed. John Maine and Oliver Perez, starting pitchers on the Mets team that blew a huge September lead and missed the playoffs, were booed when shown on the overhead scoreboard in the third quarter."

http://sports.excite.com//news/12102007/v9369.html

10 minutes ago, KRLD had a sports director from WFAN in Minneapolis on a taped interview.  Most of the discussion was about the Vikings/Boys game this weekend, with a good deal of talk about the Minny defense and some more about how good Adrian Peterson is.  Then the topic switched.

WFAN guys believe that Torii Hunter will not give anyone a hometown discount, supposedly third hand from his own comments to MSP friends.  Then the big rumor.  Quote, if Torii goes, Johan Santana will say 'trade me' despite his no trade clause. And will go to the same team that Hunter chooses, especially if it's a New York team.  Followed by, "of course, he or they could decide Texas is the place".

Sounds to me like the NYY are the destination of choice.  Angels were not mentioned.

Posted on NMLR by Mike S.  Apparently this is the biggest joint enforcement effort ever, and the DEA got the database of all users.  Multiple countries are involved, and 26 U.S. states.  Mike's question as posted asks how many pro athletes do you guess will be on that database.

http://tinyurl.com/yutukg

Doing some form of remembrance of 9-11-2001 occupied me early today.  I'd ask that if you have a flag, even a small one, display it either outdoors or in a window.  Sometimes I'm just angry about the event, sometimes quite sad.

This date impacts me more than any other, even Pearl Harbor (I was only 4 in 1941).  Lost friends, former co-workers, and a distant relative.  All of whom I remember with clarity, even though I wasn't really close to any of them.

So in a private way, please hold those you may have known, and all those lost in the incidents, a place in memory today.  

A 23 year old lefty strikeout pitcher, who's had some rough outings with the Marlins.  Just recently suspended a couple of games for fighting with teammate Sergio Mitre.  Various boards and items speculate Florida would like to dump him. I have nothing on his background except high K rates through the minors (and apparently a fiery attitude).  Talk has it Florida wants a serviceable outfielder for him, maybe that's just speculation.  Any interest in a live arm, live wire lefty?