The good news is that a larger than expected crowd came out to see the A's vs The Stinkin' Fish on a Tuesday night. The bad news is that 7,945 of the reported attendance was actually Japanese media covering what was supposed to be Nomo's 200th victory. Instead of being Nomo-esque, however, he was Hideo-us. And I now proclaim that there shall be NOMO bad puns about Hideo. Or ye shall receive a virtual kick in the crotch for your crimes.

Nomo sayeth, "I shall sidekick you in the crotch for mocking me."

I did not have my regular seats for this game, so I cruised around and took pictures until game time. And while I was near the DRays dugout, who should step onto the field but Tommy Lasorda. I can only assume he was in town to witness Nomo's landmark victory. He waved a lot, shook Nomo's hand, and signed some autographs for kids.

My sources say that Tommy only signs autographs for kids. Fat kids. Fat kids in Dodger jerseys.

I then went back to my regular section near the bullpen to take some shots of Haren warming up. Macha and Fischer walked out, saw me, and offered a friendly hello:

Is that %^$%# Oaktoon taking pictures of us?

Hudgens and Young quickly joined them, and they had a quick discussion, some of which I was able to jot down for the benefit of AN.

Macha: So I like SMSed about 100 votes for Carrie Underwood.
Hudgens: Are you crazy? Like excuse me, she's Miss Zero Personality.
Fischer: Hello? Bo Bice should have won! He's Tim Hudson with long flowing locks!
Young: Yeah, but how's his cutter?

It was getting near game time, so I returned to my section. My friend helped me get these seats so I was pleasantly surprised to find them dead center behind the plate, 2nd row of 117 behind diamond level. So I was actually able to get some pretty decent shots of Haren:

Darn that protective screen!

Needless to say, it wasn't Nomo's night. But in the strangest act of management ever displayed, Nomo came out to pitch the 5th after being batted around on in the 4th, only to be pulled after walking one and throwing two balls to the next batter, and replaced by Seth McFly sporting a fancypants 10.27 ERA. McFly went on to walk the batter, prompting us to wonder why Pinella would elect to stomp out the last shred of dignity Nomo had on a night that should have been a celebration of his career. That Pinella, he's a mean drunk.

Haren did his best impression of Tim Hudson and completely dominated the Deviled Eggs hitters. And then, A's fans were treated to an event that was previously only a distant memory: a post game celebration.

Macha: Great job, uh...ballboy. Here's five bucks; go get yourself a slice of pie at Nation's.