"More than chicks dig the long ball. When a power hitter strides to the plate, there is an anticipation in the ballpark that is almost palpable. Even old-timers who come to a baseball game just to drink beers and swap stories will stop and lock their sights on what could happen next.

With only 19 home runs in 31 games, the Oakland A's are not hot to trot, and the crowds at the Oakland Coliseum have been small and quiet.

Perhaps deep in thought, the fans must be wondering, "Whatever happened to that guy who led the team in home runs the last three years?"

Well, Jack Cust misses you guys too.

He also does a lot of thinking, as he commutes nearly three hours a day from his home in San Francisco to play for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. After hitting 84 homers the past three seasons, Cust was shocked when he was sent to the minors after spring training.

Cust is doing better nursing the chip on his shoulder than he was last month. But don't get it twisted; he's not doing well. He still can't believe a poor spring training (.216, one homer, 20 strikeouts in 51 at-bats) cost him his designated hitter job (to Eric Chavez)."