Elephant Rumblings: A’s May Strike Out on New Path, The Evolution of the Leadoff Hitter

A’s Coverage:

• Game #121: A’s drop extra inning contest to the Mariners, 2-0...
• Rohlfing: The Athletics may strike out on a new path...
• Lee: A’s embarking on ‘significant’ 20-game stretch...
• Gallegos: A’s need to take advantage of Altuve-less Astros...
• Ostler: Despite loss, A’s deadly serious about winning...

MLB News:

• Perry: Benches clear after Marlins drill Braves rookie Ronald Acuna to open series finale in Atlanta...
• Crasnick: New addition Wilson Ramos rallies Phillies past Red Sox in debut...
• Harvey: Yankees’ Aaron Judge not swinging bat yet as he recovers from wrist injury...
• Cwik: Kyle Schwarber destroyed a concession stand during Cubs batting practice...
• Boeck: Elon Musk’s Boring Company proposes building a tunnel to Dodger Stadium...

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Edwards: Betts, Carpenter, and the Evolution of the Leadoff Hitter...
• Chesteron: Rays first-base coach Ozzie Timmons stays in shape by doing pushups when the Rays score...
• Kepner: More Strikeouts Than Hits? Welcome to Baseball’s Latest Crisis...

Today in Baseball History:

• 1964 - Sandy Koufax hurts his elbow sliding into second base in a 3-0 win against St. Louis. He will miss the rest of the season. In the nightcap, Curt Simmons matches Sandy Koufax with a 4-0 shutout of the Dodgers. Cards center fielder Curt Flood has eight straight hits in the doubleheader split.
• 1976 - With the help of three picked-off Oakland runners at first base, the first such occurrence in the American League since 1910, the Brewers beat Oakland, 4 - 3. Another oddity happens when Oakland’s Billy Williams is called out on strikes after refusing to enter the batter’s box. He is then thrown out of the game.

Best of Twitter:

• Will need to be good this weekend!

• Thoughts?

• A cool story if you’re into vintage photos...