ADH, here's an article on your new favorite player Jason Kendall...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2413121
The A's won 88 games in 2005, which was supposed to be a transition year after the trades of Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder and the loss of Jermaine Dye, but the A's rallied behind a young pitching staff that produced the AL's fourth-lowest ERA and limited batters to a .241 average, lowest in the majors.
Kendall's presence behind the plate was a big help.
"I think he should get a lot of credit for our young pitching staff's development last year," A's manager Ken Macha said. "That's been the major impact he's had. He does an excellent job in preparation."
Closer Huston Street was the AL's top rookie, and fellow rookie Joe Blanton won 12 games and produced a 2.53 ERA after May. Dan Haren, acquired from St. Louis in the Mulder trade, won 14 games in his first full season. Rich Harden, an ace in the making, battled injuries but posted the AL's second-lowest ERA (2.53) among pitchers with at least 100 innings. Kirk Saarloos was a valuable No. 5 starter.
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I agree with some of his points and it doesn't really matter what we think if the A's are happy...but question to you is, who would you rather have?
Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes
or
Jason Kendall
Because that was the deal and those 2 guys were garbage...we were lucky to get anything for those 2 losers. Plus who did we have for a catcher before Kendall? Miller? And who before him? I can't even remember...bring back Steinbach!!!