Athletics offended by Lowe's antics

AP ^ | 10/7/03 | JANIE McCAULEY

[Mr. Mojo]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Some of the Oakland Athletics were furious with Derek Lowe, accusing the Red Sox pitcher of making obscene gestures toward them after he struck out Terrence Long to finish Boston's 4-3 victory in the AL division series Monday night.

``It's a situation where if you did anything where you offended anyone, I'm sorry,'' Lowe said. ``I was swinging my arms around. I don't know what I did. I did the same crazy thing I do every game.''

The A's thought Lowe simulated a sexual act with his arms and made a gesture toward his crotch following the final out, sending Oakland shortstop Miguel Tejada into a rage in the clubhouse moments later.

``Derek Lowe is going to be paid back for that sign,'' Tejada screamed hysterically through the clubhouse, shouting expletives. ``My kid is in the stands. He's going to pay.''

Oakland general manager Billy Beane escorted the crying Tejada away.

Tejada was later told that Lowe apologized.

``I feel better now that I hear he apologizes,'' Tejada said after calming down. ``He was jumping around and making a scene. They have families up there, we have families up there.''

Tejada is one of the most emotional players on the A's, and this was probably his final game with them because he can become a free agent.

``He takes everything personally, wins and losses, and plays with his heart on his sleeve,'' first baseman Scott Hatteberg said of Tejada. ``He plays with everything he's got.''

Other A's players were offended.

``That's extremely unprofessional,'' center fielder Chris Singleton said. ``That's a shame that's the type of person he is. He was the only one who showed less than professionalism.''

Hatteberg spent seven seasons with the Red Sox and 11 in their organization. He and Lowe were teammates.

``To have that done is absolutely classless and unprofessional,'' Hatteberg said. ``I'm disappointed having known him. I don't think it was aimed at (Tejada), it was aimed at us. I know we show emotion, but I can't think of anything we've done to show them up.''

[mhking]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/996822/posts

[Mr. Mojo]

It's a wonder I haven't gone bald from pulling out my hair every season.

You may need to buy some Rogaine after this next week ;)

[Not A Snowbird]

Ah, yes. That was the team I grew up cheering for when I was a kid in the Bay Area. I can't stand this current bunch of whiners.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

hey tejada put some ice on it and go golfing.

[Mr. Mojo]

And I forgot to mention Reggie Jackson.

I started watching baseball a couple years before the A's won their first of three in a row ('72-'74). They may not have been the most dominant team of the decade (that honor goes to the Big Red Machine), but they always found a way to win the big games.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

We used to call him Derek "Lowe and Outside" here in Seattle. ; )

[stop_fascism]

How much more would the owners have to pay to get players who know enough to touch home plate, and not to get into bar fights the night before they pitch?

[Mr. Mojo]

Thanks

[Mr. Mojo]

Exactly. A $200 million payroll wouldn't magically grant Tejada baserunning smarts.

[stop_fascism]

Yeah, it's hard to find a shortstop who hits .002 in the playoffs, and stops running in the middle of a play.

[Rome2000]

I sure didn't see anything.

It was all in Tejedas mind.

Some people hear voices, others see sex acts.

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

Bill Lee

What a pinko he is.

[exmarine]

It doesn't matter- the Yankees will give Boston its usual and expected drubbing.

[stop_fascism]

I thought the Giants set a new world record for sucking in the playoffs until I watched the last three A's games. The choke of the century. Fred Merkle, rest in peace. We got bonehead byrnes and bonehead tejada to take your place.

[stop_fascism]

Charlie didn't pay those guys squat, but they still played hard and won.

[My2Cents]

AL MVP in 2002.

[My2Cents]

Your guys are used to losing. Come back after four years straight of losing in the first round, going five games each year. That's my point.

[NittanyLion]

If the A's could've at least managed a swing at one of two called strike 3's they might not be crying.

[got_moab?]

Oh yeah, how did Heathcliff Chokem' work out for you guys?

[ThreeYearLurker]

Over rated and the 4th best SS (at least) in the AL.