Mark down Jack Cust as one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. After riding the wave from can't-miss to never-was, the 28-year-old has emerged with the Athletics, putting up the sort of numbers that talent evaluators once envisioned. You can regard Cust as more than just another great find by Oakland general manager Billy Beane. He also will serve as a human blockade, come this offseason, to no less notorious a duo than the "Game of Shadows" cover boys, Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. Beane's A's have historically served as a haven for aging designated hitters, from John Jaha to Ron Gant to David Justice to Frank Thomas to the 2007 model, Mike Piazza. Not next year, however. Not with the gifted hitter, and not gifted athlete, that is Cust.