Elephant Rumblings: Barry Zito gets first start with Savannah Bananas

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s had another ridiculously bad road series over the weekend. Let’s forget about that for a moment and turn our attention to something that is ridiculous on purpose, in a fun way.

On Saturday, former A’s Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito made a surprise start for the Savannah Bananas, who I would describe to the uninitiated as a touring baseball circus troupe. The Bananas, currently on their Banana Ball World Tour, made a stop in Nashville, where Zito resides.

Zito only pitched the first inning of the game, but he also serenaded the capacity crowd while coaching third base later in the game.

I think I’d have rather watched this “game” than the one the A’s played on Saturday in Miami. Let’s see if the boys in green and gold can turn things around in Pittsburgh this week and break the Pirates’ five-game winning streak.

A’s Coverage:

• Nico: “Uh-Oh”s Galore After 61 games
• Willis: A’s come up short in a 7-5 loss to the Marlins
• Kawahara: A’s fans raise thousands to make ‘Sell’ shirts for June 13 game ($)
• Martin: MLB owners waiving A’s relocation fee conditional on key factor
• Golonka: Sports economists pan public funding for A’s ballpark deal as ‘standard stadium grift’
• Page: Close to Home: Fans lose as A’s owners strike out
• Martin: Watch former Giants, A’s pitcher Zito make Savannah Bananas debut

MLB News & Interest:

• Fegan and The Athletic: White Sox’s Liam Hendriks earns first win of season on National Cancer Survivors Day ($)
• Shea: Roger Craig, SF Giants manager who energized ’80s youth movement, dies ($)
• Shea: Ex-Giants managers Bruce Bochy, Dusty Baker are tearing it up in Texas ($)
• Deeds: Padres Notes: Bogaerts, Odor, Tatis
• Deeds: Diamondbacks Extend Torey Lovullo Through 2024
• McDonald: Nestor Cortes Likely To Be Placed On IL With Shoulder Issue
• Deeds: Guardians Designate Zach Plesac For Assignment
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Roster moves.

Perhaps they are vampires.

Congrats to CBass on the new addition.