A’s beat writer Slusser discusses O’s killer Reddick, shortstop Semien and a pitcher who couldn’t fly

A new “Around The Beat” podcast is up and – back-patting alert – it’s a pretty darn good one.

It’s good because of my guest, Susan Slusser, the Oakland A’s beat writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. As I gush in the podcast, she is arguably the best in our business when it comes to blending reporting skills and writing acumen.

The A’s come to town for a three-game set with the Orioles beginning today and Susan breaks down their 13-16 start, which actually may be better than most outsiders had expected.

She gives her thoughts on Oriole killer Josh Reddick, promising shortstop Marcus Semien and slightly struggling ace Sonny Gray. (At the time of the interview I thought Gray, a Vanderbilt product, may face two more ex-Commodores in Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Flaherty in this series. But to the Orioles’ delight, they don’t have to go against Gray this time around.)

Slusser, author of “100 Things A’s Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” also gives a glimpse into her book and into the oddball that was Hall-of-Famer Rube Waddell.

She talks Buck Showalter and Manny Machado, and I even got to tease her about her admiration for MASN announcer Gary Thorne, whom she believes is a broadcast legend – (I do, too, but don’t tell him I said so).

Check out Slusser’s work at http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/ or on Twitter (@susanslusser). And, of course, check out the podcast now. You’ll be a better person, and more informed baseball fan, for it. I promise.