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Thunder Showers Rain Down in Bay Area; All Eyes Now Shift to Canadian Import

Posted by Chaim Witz on July 11, 2008 As I type this, I'm watching the Oakland Athletics take the whooping stick to the Danny Glover-led Angels 9-2 heading into the bottom of the 8th. Why should you care? Dear reader, I should let you know that this marks the Oaktown debut of former Cubs Sean Gallagher and our own Thunder Matthew Murton. And dammit if I'm not having buyer's remorse before seeing Rich Harden throw one pitch.

Thundacious already has the Oakland fan base eating out of the palm of his outstretched Christian hand. He delivered a clutch, bases-loaded single which plated two runs and made not one, but two highlight reel catches in left field. Below average defense huh?

Even better was Sean Gallagher, who was quickly becoming one of my favorites before the trade, and tonight he showed why Billy Beane insisted on him being the cornerstone of the deal. 7IP, 2H, 2ER, 7K. Sean was dealing and looked even better as the game wore on.

Tomorrow Richard Harden takes the mound for the first time for the North Siders and all eyes will be on his fragile arm, with which he carries the hopes and dreams of 100 years of Cubs fans. How's that for pressure? If he fares poorly, expect irrational panic, and call for an annulment of the trade, not unlike my two quickie Vegas marriages.

*One quick note: I thought Hammer was a bat boy for the A's? Was he off tonight?

**Another hasty note: Rest assured reader, we will refrain from ever using this picture of Mr. Harden again. Never more! Thunder, is that you?
Chaim Witz

