Oakland A's Days Underappreciated A -- Candidate #1: Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis, how we don't give you your due.  There was a moment there, at Spring Training 2004 when you were our favorite (after signing an autograph and seeming so genuinely nice and truly South Dakota-y (in a goood way)).  But the next day Mark Ellis, we watched you and Bobby Crosby run into each other and we thought maybe our new found appreciation was a jinx.  And while we missed you last year Mark Ellis, we will admit that we came to accept Marco Scutaro and Mark McLemore as pretty good A's and reliable-enough second basemen.  Maybe since we were still feeling guilty about the role we played in your year-long injury, when we heard you were coming back Mark Ellis we were excited, but also worried about what that would mean for our old friend Scoot.

But this year has been awesome.  It is so great to see you with your cute closed mouth grin, shaved dome, high socks and big arms.  And we love hearing Ron Washington call you "Mark Ellis" over and over.  Always "Mark Ellis" both names, never just Mark.  And he talks about how special he thinks you are, and you can tell he really means it.  And last night's game in Anaheim was astounding Mark Ellis!  Ken Kourac said your homerun was hit so hard it sounded like thunder.  And your defense too -- just incredible.  We are so glad you are back Mark Ellis.  We should have said it sooner.

And by the way, although it feels really nice to express our love for you Mark Ellis, we have to take a moment to hate on Mike Scioscia.  The Angels manager was up to his old tricks again last night, forcing Huston Street to take off the innocuous green wristband on his glove hand before pitching.  That Scioscia feels the need to stoop to this level all the time is pretty lame.  But when you view these tactics in light of his response to the whole Brendan Donnelly actually cheating thing, well, Mr. Scioscia seems downright pathetic. 

Finally, we love that Barry Zito said this: "We've got to send a message to Anaheim that we're coming."  Message sent!  Go A's!

Comments

[ArakSOT]

In the clubhouse, they call Mark Ellis "Ellie". Isn't that, like, the worst nickname ever?

[oaklander]

Ha, I have a 3 year old niece named Ellie. She is really cute.

While it is pretty convenient that the A's nicknames are coordinated -- Hatty, Chavy, Ruby, the dearly departed Huddy and Byrnesy, and, as you point out Ellie -- they do seem to lack creativity.