| | ESPN.com
Ben Grieve knew it had to get better a year ago. It couldn't get worse.
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A'S LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Ben Grieve overcame an awful '99 slump. |
1999: 87-75
Runs: 893, 4th in AL
Allowed: 846, 6th in AL
Key facts
The power of base on balls: the A's had a .259 batting average, 13th in the AL, but finished fourth in the league in runs scored.
They led the AL with 770 walks, the fifth-highest total ever.
Eric Chavez and Ben Grieve both struggled against lefties last season: Chavez hit .184 (9-for-49) and Grieve hit .156 (17-for-109).
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: They walk and slug their way into the playoffs for the first time since 1992.
Worst-case: They can't repeat last year's terrific season, they can't re-sign Jason Giambi and they can't draw enough fans to the ballpark to give this franchise a chance to thrive.
Prediction: 1st in AL West
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The same guy with that sugary sweet swing who was the '98 Rookie of the Year was barely hitting .098 at the end of April last season. He had moved from right field to left field and was wondering what to think about his new address.
But while Grieve struggled, his Oakland Athletics teammates thrived. Jason Giambi, Matt Stairs and John Jaha kept Grieve's early-season funk from becoming contagious. They fueled a left-handed heavy lineup that proved there is life after Mark McGwire in the East Bay.
Grieve eventually got his stroke together, setting a franchise record for home runs by a left fielder (28) while driving in 86 runs. If that was an off year, and it appears it was, it's no wonder why Grieve is in such a great mood this spring.
"I don't think anyone last spring had as much confidence as they do this spring that we can compete in the division," Grieve said. "It's definitely a different attitude. We hung in there most of the way last year. We're planning on being better this year."
After an unexpected run at the wild card last year, Art Howe's A's have their sights set on a West title. Players were thrilled in the offseason when owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann not only gave GM Billy Beane the resources to exercise an option on Kevin Appier's contract but also to re-sign free-agent pitcher Omar Olivares. Beane traded for both last July.
"In the past, they realized why go out and get one or two guys when you're not going to win with them anyway," said Grieve, the son of former Texas GM Tom Grieve. "Now that they know we can compete, that's the reason they went out and did those things."
Grieve hits in the middle of one of the AL's deepest lineups. In addition to Giambi, Stairs and Jaha, the A's get production from shortstop Miguel Tejada and second baseman Randy Velarde. They are looking for a breakthrough season from third baseman Eric Chavez and were thrilled with the play of center fielder Terrence Long in the spring.
"This year we're all pretty confident that we're going to be able to compete day in and day out," Chavez said. "Ben's only going to get better, and I know I'm going to have a better year. I know that for a fact."
Just like Grieve knew his troubles wouldn't last.
-- Phil Rogers
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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T. Long, CF
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Dividend of Kenny Rogers trade won job with fabulous spring
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I
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R. Velarde, 2B
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Now 37, set career marks in 1999 for BA, RBI, SBs, G's and ABs
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B
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Matt Stairs, RF
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Stocky, but better on D than most realize. Terrific arm
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B
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Jason Giambi, 1B
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Great arm but brutal thrower -- especially to 2B on DP. Makes up for it with stick
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B
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John Jaha, DH
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Muscleman: "I just look at weights and get bigger."
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B
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Ben Grieve, LF
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Terrible start, fine finish. Perfect swing. Now taking better routes to balls in OF
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B
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Eric Chavez, 3B
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Rookie stats didn't match hype. But A's still believe he has the goods
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B
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Miguel Tejada, SS
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More extra-base hits (58) than Mo Vaughn (53)
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B
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A.J. Hinch, C
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Needs to stop analyzing mechanics and just throw the damn ball
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D
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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Tim Hudson, SP
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Great athlete. Doesn't look like a pitcher. Except for that unhittable sinker
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B
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Kevin Appier, SP
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Since 1900, only four other 16-game winners have had higher ERAs than his 5.17
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C
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O. Olivares, SP
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A nibbler. Needs to challenge hitters more often with hard sinker
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C
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Gil Heredia, SP
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Only 34 BB in 33 starts. League's best BB/IP ratio among 200-IP guys
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C
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T.J. Mathews, RP
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Since trade for McGwire in 1997, he has 160 IP -- and Big Mac has 159 HRs
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C
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J. Isringhausen, RP
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"Just odd enough to be a closer," sez Doug Jones. GM Billy Beane's best deal
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B
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