Tomko's moment trumped big picture

ARLINGTON, Sept. 15, 2009 -- The coolest part of Monday night's win for the A's, by far, was the enthusiasm radiating from rookie reliever Jeff Gray after Brett Tomko picked up his 100th career victory with a five-hit shutout.

In the oft-jaded world of pro sports, you don't often see an athlete turn into a 10-year-old before your very eyes, but that's exactly what Jeff did last night. He was so happy to have witnessed such a special moment in Brett's career, and his joy was infectious.

To be honest, I had planned to write my game story around Ryan Sweeney, for a few reasons. (1) He's going to be on the team next year; I'm not so sure that Tomko will be. (2) Sweeney is going OFF these days, looking like not just part of the future, but a huge part. (3) That Sweeney has made Rangers Ballpark his personal playground this season is a nice little angle.

Gray's inner child changed my mind. When you're covering a team this far out of contention, you tend to keep your eye on the big picture, but talking to Gray made me realize that the moment, in this case, was far bigger than the big picture

One hundred career victories might not sound all that impressive when you consider that 300 wins is the gold standard, but bronze medals are cool, too. To win 100 times in the Major League is a nice little feather in your cap.

Tomko, by the way, is the latest in a long line of dead-cool players to wear the green and gold. I'd heard great things about him from other writers and players when the A's signed him, and he's lived up to his rep in a big way. Personable, funny, approachable, etc. Good dude.

Unfortunately, win No. 101 might have to wait a while. Just before batting practice today, Tomko showed up with his right arm in a sling. He woke up with discomfort and was told he has an irritated nerve. He'll miss at least one start, so we might have a Dana Eveland sighting Sunday.

And now, time for a few wind sprints around Washington Place ...

... Given how hard it rained all day, by 3 p.m. on Monday I was convinced that the game was going to be either postponed or feature 197 minutes of rain delays. Instead, it ended up being one of the more pleasant nights I've ever experienced in Arlington. Not too hot, not too cold, a light breeze and no rain or thunder. For that, I resurrect a former favorite phrase of mine: Good For Ball.

... Ron Washington for AL Manager of the Year? I don't see why not. Dude was on the hot seat in a big way last year. Now he's got a little security and a young team that screams contender for the next several years. He's had help, in particular from club president Nolan Ryan, who demanded the team's pitchers stop being babied, and pitching coach Mike Maddux. But Wash deserves the lion's share of the credit. As A's fans know, it couldn't be happening to a better guy. Good For Ball.

... The A's are taking 40 percent off certain seats for their Sept. 20 home game in honor of AL Rookie of the Year candidate Andrew Bailey; go to oaklandathletics.com and enter the coupon code "bailey" to take advantage of the deal. Nice idea. But the club shot itself in the foot a little bit by announcing that they're going to have fans sign oversized cards supporting Bailey's ROY candidacy and send them to the president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. One problem: The man doesn't have a vote. Bad For Ball.

... On the flip side, and far more important, the A's are cutting ticket prices next season. Good For Ball.
 
... The bugs in Texas are big, too. A flying insect the size of a small vampire bat slammed into the side of my head last night on my nightly walk. It fell to the ground, stood up, dusted its wings off, looked me straight in the eye, said, "Sorry, dude," and flew away. Bad For Ball.

... Stopped by a placed called Sherlock's last night to watch the Raiders, and there I saw something that made me smile the whole way home. It was open-mike night, with a live band backing the singers, and up stepped a Goth-looking cat, really skinny and decked out in black with chains, looked like he was ready to belt out some Maroon 5 or Weezer or Korn. Instead, he launched into the best "Baby Got Back" cover I've ever heard. Classic. Good For Ball.

That's all for now, folks. Peace, hush puppies and Craig Mack's "Flava in Ya Ear" to all.
            
--Mychael Urban