Elephant Rumblings: Miller reps A’s in Oakland’s All-Star swan song

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

The 2024 MLB Draft and All-Star Game are in the history books. Mason Miller made A’s fans proud in what was likely the last All-Star appearance by an Oakland Athletic. The Reaper cruised to a 1-2-3 inning in just 12 pitches, struck out Shohei Ohtani and Trea Turner, threw the fastest pitch in All-Star Game history, and was credited with the win for the AL.

Be sure to check out the recap of yesterday’s All-Star game by Frank Polito right here on AN.

Miller was the A’s third round draft pick in 2021, and if this year’s Draft Class produces any player half as talented as Mason, you can chalk that up as a success. Only time will tell what’s to become of the A’s newest crop of draftees, but AN’s Garrett Spain has been dropping some fantastic coverage of this year’s draft, so you don’t need to look anywhere else for top notch coverage and analysis including yesterday’s roundup of the third and final day of the 2024 Draft.

I suspect we all take some consolation from the torrent of bad press the A’s move to Vegas via Sacramento is getting, and there’s more of that to be had this week in both the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times, if you are equipped to negotiate those sites’ paywalls.

The regular season resumes on Friday as the A’s host the Angels for a second series this month. Oakland swept the first, and I’m hoping a second sweep will still be on the table when I get to the Coli on Saturday for what I sadly expect will be my final A’s game at the team’s troubled but storied home of over 50 years. Maybe I’ll see you there.

A’s Coverage:

• Mason Miller Earns win in AL Victory
• Rounding up Day 3 of the MLB Draft for the Oakland Athletics
• Manfred talks turf, schedule and money as questions over A’s moves to Sacramento, Las Vegas pile up ($)
• Column: MLB players with Vegas roots skeptical of A’s relocation: ‘It’s a terrible idea’ ($)
• Oakland A’s memorable All-Star Game moments, from Reggie to Rooker ($)
• Mason Miller Acknowledges Being Final Oakland A’s All-Star

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB could test automated strike zone in spring training 2025 ($)
• Rob Manfred Hints At Changes To Rules On Trading Draft Picks
• Ingrid Andress says she was drunk, going to rehab after National Anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby
• 2024 MLB Undrafted Free Agent Signing Tracker For Every Team
• Tony Clark defends MLBPA’s strength in first public remarks since power struggle ($)
• MLB trade deadline report: Teams trending toward buying, selling and … sideways? ($)
• Teoscar Hernández ends Dodgers’ Home Run Derby drought by playing it cool, calling his shots ($)
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Um, hellooooo..

A’s representing in Arlington.

Mason ready to play.

The red carpet walk.

Roster moves.

The 2024 Draft Class.

That’s a lot of team spirit.

Can’t dog on Shohei’s attire.