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Pics: Root Beer Float Day, Game Action and 'Unspeakables'

A random assortment of game play, HIGH SOCKS CREW, Mug's Root Beer Float day and autograph pictures from the Cleveland series!

Star-divide


I went down to the bullpen on Monday to get pictures of Zito. Then he started fixing his socks... Could this man be any more breathtaking?


Oh wait, the answer is... Yes.

I was riding BART on Tuesday when I got a phone call from almost reggie. Turns out he had first row tickets right in front of the bullpen! So I went down to visit him before the game. Once again, I had brought along both Joe Kennedy's authentic game used cap and my own Rockies cap. I was wearing my Rockies jersey in the hopes that I could get Kennedy and Witasick to sign my stuff. Well anyway, I talked to the usher for 128 a bit, begged him to let me stay until the game started, and then sat down next to almost reggie anyway when he didn't really tell me no.


Street came out first though. He had with him fruit punch Gatorade, even though I usually see him with lemon-lime Gatorade.

Finally, I saw Kennedy and Witasick come out of the clubhouse together! When they were almost in front of the bullpen, I stood up and waved to them, and asked, "Joe and Jay, may I please get your autographs?" And Kennedy shrugged and said sure, so I gave him his cap and questioned, "This really was a cap you wore before, right?" And he kind of shrugged again and said, "Yeah." I can see why Urban would say he didn't really fit in at Oakland... He wasn't mean or rude or anything, but he was just kind of quiet and almost abrupt. [Meanwhile, one of the security guys came by and scolded, "You're not supposed to ask for autographs at this time!" But he didn't make us stop.] After Kennedy finished signing, I thanked him and he nodded and sat down.

Witasick on the other hand was REALLY nice and really approachable. He stopped in the middle of signing and was like, "Oh wow... What number was I in Colorado? It's only been how long, and I've forgotten? 41? Yeah that's right, I was number 41." A few kids who saw Witasick signing quickly ran up with their stuff and he signed for them too, and he even asked if he could borrow my marker again since some of those people didn't have pens.

For some reason, I only seem to be able to get autographs when almost reggie is around. Maybe he's good luck. But then again, the A's can't seem to win the games we both go to.


Just a picture of their autographs...


Boone ripped a hole in his pants during the game.

Moving on to Wednesday. I met up with jlaff before the game started, and we all went to the Mug's Root Beer Float Day event. Too bad for us, we didn't get in until 11:45 or so, and all the players had left by then. At least we got to meet the player wives though.

Table 1:
Meredith Kielty
Michelle Duchscherer
Kristen Saarloos
Bitsy Hatteberg

Table 1.5 [Not really a table, there were only three 'official' wives tables.]
Marines Scutaro
Mrs. Calero

Table 2
Annette Ginter
Kelly Blanton
Briana T. [Otherwise known as Ms. Nick Swisher]
Holly Johnson

Table 3
Chantel Kendall
Alex Chavez
Sarah Ellis
[Jamie Kotsay's name was crossed out]


Here is the beautiful Marines Scutaro fixing Justin and his brother Tyler a nice root beer float!


Justin left pretty quickly so he could take pictures of Haren in the bullpen, but I hung around. [I was with my friend Andrew, but he doesn't matter since he still won't join AN.] Anyway, it was a good thing we stuck around since we saw Carney Lansford!


Then we got to see some more pretty Lady A's!! Here is Bri [Swisher's girlfriend] and Holly Johnson, who is absolutely adorable. Anyway I stood off to the side a bit and tried to take pictures of them, but it was hard since I didn't want to stick a camera in their face, but then people kept walking in front of table. After awhile of seeing me struggle with the camera, this convo happened.

Briana: HEY!! Stop that ;) Pictures are a dollar each!
Me: Are you serious?
Briana: It's for a good cause! If you don't help is out, we're going to turn away so you can't get any pictures!
Holly: *Laughing really really hard*
Me: Oh all right...

So I tipped them five dollars just to have them all sign my cup. Holly and Briana looked like they were just having a total blast, and thought my metallic silver sharpie pen was really cool. Bri complimented my handbag, and I told them they did a great job during the softball game since they won and all.


Here's another picture of Holly Johnson, she's soooooo cute!

Anyway I went around and collected all of the avalible wives' autographs. The rest of them were not so chatty as Briana, but they all were really nice about signing. [Once I tipped them, of course!]


Here is Chantel Kendall, Alex Chavez and Sarah Ellis. I overheard this convo that a fan had with Alex.

Fan: May I ask when you're due?
Alex: Oh I'm due in August!
Fan: Are you expecting a boy or a girl?
Alex: [I think] A boy.
Fan: Is he going to play baseball?
Alex: NO!! He's going to play GOLF!


Anyway here's a picture of one side of my autographed cup. [Did you notice that Briana signed her name as B. Swisher? ;)] If anyone cares enough to know what all the other wives' autographs look like, let me know and I'll take a picture of the other side.

So... Onto the game.


This was in the second inning, with one out and runners at first and third. Then Sizemore pretty much got picked off. But as they were trying to tag him out, the runner at third base broke for home, and the throw went to the plate instead and the runner was out at home. [Here, Sizemore watches home plate knowing that it was all his fault!]


Eric Chavez had these weird round band-aid like things taped to his arm.


In order to spit like all ballplayers do, Kendall had to lift his mask up first.


There's something I love about lefty pitchers.


No comment.


After hitting a solo homer, Kielty makes his way across home plate with the A's still down 2-4.


I'm getting tired of writing comments. This is the catch of Swisher's popup in the 7th.


STREET!


We're done, we're done!! I'm done, yay!

Edit: Thank you all so much for the nice comments! I don't want to be too excessive in driving up the comment counts, but please know that I?m really happy you guys enjoyed the pictures :)

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frikken awesome.
especially the caps...

and you need to make the "no comment." = "caption this yourself."

let's go oakland [clapclap clapclapclap]

the a's fan lj community.

by Jjjsixsix on Jul 28, 2005 10:28 PM PDT reply actions  

Great pics!!
You must have had really good seats; of course, a nice camera and photography skills help, heh. I think I must have clicked on this diary right before you edited it earlier because then it wasn't there anymore... anyway. Thanks for the great pictures and good stories about the A's wives! :)
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jul 28, 2005 10:28 PM PDT reply actions  

Wow I can't believe someone noticed!
I was testing the HTML code and I hit "submit" instead of "preview." So instead of having people see a bunch of photos and lines running into each other, I just copy/pasted the text and deleted the diary before fixing it up and reposting.

The seat itself was KILLER. 116, row 13, which is the first row above the diamond level. I was extremely lucky, someone was selling these tickets on eBay for 15 a pop. [The seller was from the East Coast; her vacation plans fell through and she had to sell the tickets or they would have gone to waste.] I only bid on the Monday/Tuesday games since I didn't think I could take a day off from work to go on Wednesday as well... But when the auction ended and no one bid on ticket #3, she offered it to me at the same price and I just couldn't resist.

And yeah, the camera is awesome too, but it's not mine either! It's borrowed from my high school yearbook, even though I graduated in 04 :)

by Melody on Jul 29, 2005 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ha
I must have hit "refresh" at the exact right (or wrong) time last night to catch the first diary. Of course, I was on AN wayyy too long last night anyway, but that's beside the point. And that's so awesome about those seats. Maybe I should check out ebay more often...
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jul 29, 2005 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great stuff....
DJ is a lucky man.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 28, 2005 10:29 PM PDT reply actions  

my thoughts exactly
I think he has the best looking wife of them all.

by Dog Days on Jul 28, 2005 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeppers
Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Jul 29, 2005 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

werd
Don't ban Guy talk.
Change is for the better. For both the A's and in life.

by WhiteElephantGuy on Jul 29, 2005 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

very nice pictures
multiple shots of the boys feeling their family jewels and some cute women as well.  Everyone's happy.

ps. I see Street is still carrying around the bullpen snack bag.  At least it's not the Barbie bag.

by Apricot on Jul 28, 2005 10:32 PM PDT reply actions  

Hot!
Oh man, great pictures! Great seats, too, it looks like.

When I was getting a Padres thing signed by Witasick two weeks ago (I went to school in SD and they sucked me in, what can I say?) he couldn't remember his number, either. That was all the way last season, though, the Rockies were two and a half weeks ago.... He also made me agree pick him up on my fantasy team, too. He's quite affable. Anyway.

by Nimvee on Jul 28, 2005 10:34 PM PDT reply actions  

wow!
love the pictures! thanks so much for sharing these ... always looking forward to new shots.

... that shot of scutaro seriously had me laughing.

by JyL3aN85 on Jul 28, 2005 11:00 PM PDT reply actions  

Nice pictures!
Those are GREAT. I love the mob shot at the end. And the Zito pictures! Man. Ellis has a REALLY pretty wife.

Scutaro's pic just scared me.

That's really nice of Witasick, he seems like a good guy.

"While I was there, it didn't always seem perfect, but when I look back on it I just might think it was perfect." --Eric Byrnes

by Kyli on Jul 28, 2005 11:20 PM PDT reply actions  

Yay!
Thanks for the pictures! I swear everyone on AN has the best cameras AND luck.

I think DJ and Scoots have the cutest wives on the team. :)

Huston switched to fruit punch after my comment here on AN about liking fruit punch gatorade more than lemon-lime. SOULMATES. ;)

Witasick seems like a nice guy. That's good to hear.

Street is a friggin physical marvel... -Mychael Urban

by rookieoftheyear on Jul 28, 2005 11:34 PM PDT reply actions  

What happened after Root Beer Float day
I saw Nick Swisher and ot his autograph.

I don't want to clog up diary space...

After the game ended, I went to Kirby's Sports Bar, not too far from one of my friend's house in the Irvington District of Fremont.  Kirby's is not a place I frequent because it serves an older crowd.  Kirby's is very good sports bar but it's also a very much of a older person/blue collar bar due to the fact that many people who work at the NUMMI plant usually congregate there after their shifts.  Me and my friends usually end up at Coach's up the street from Kirby's because a much younger crowd drinks there.

Anyways, I walked up to the bar and found out they were selling Coronas for two dollars a bottle.  Now, I don't like Corona but in my frugal nature I decided to drink some Coronas.

At around 5:30 PM Nick Swisher arrived at the bar, many were expecting Bobby Crosby and brough their Crosby bobbleheads.  But Crosby cancelled and Swisher took his place.  Corona in hand I joined some friends in line and waited to get our items autographed by Swisher.  Problem was, I didn't bring anything for him to sign.  So instead, at the last moment, I gave him my hat to sign.  And he obliged, he did seem tired and a but nonplussed but that's OK because a) he was tired from playing an extra inning game and b) I'm not a hot chick.

I also tried to get Melody to come along, she also lives within spittin' distance of Kirby's.  Alas she had to go to work and was afriad of the 21+ policy.  All I have to say is, Melody and many other under 21 fan-girls could have gotten in.  As long as they didn't order drinks nobody would have kicked them out.  I saw more than a few girls in line who were definitely under 21.

I took many photos of the event and only one of them ended up OK.  Look below:

Look at the lady on the lower left hand corner.  She walked up to me and said, "Are you a Corona drinker?"  I said, "Uhhh....Yes."  And then she handed me two vouchers for free tickets to any non-Yankees/BoSox/Giants game not in September or October.  I looked at the vouchers and saw that they were for the Plaza Outfield, or layman's terms, the second deck.  I got two free eighteen dollar tickets.  I thought they were handing out free tickets to the cheap seats.

Now why was I so lucky to get free tickets because I was drinking Corona?  This appearance by Nick Swisher was made possible by some promotion by Corona.  It turns out that Kirby's was the highest seller of Corona in Alameda County at some period of time, by volume.  With Coronas at two bucks, I could see why.

Well anyways, here's a picture of my new autographed A's hat.  I still have no clue how the signature stands for "Nick Swisher."  I mean my signature is a bunch of squiggly lines but you can make out a "K" and a "L."

"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Jul 28, 2005 11:35 PM PDT reply actions  

I can't see the pictures
but I got Swisher's autograph yesterday too, and it doesn't look a thing like English. Just a bunch of swirls and crap, not even a letter in sight. Of course, my sister got Mulder's autograph a couple years ago, and we decided it looked like "Eel Leu." Oh, and Huston's autograph is kinda funny-- really big and somewhat girly handwriting, but I figure it'll get smaller as he signs more. :)
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." -Earl Wilson

by whiteshoes40 on Jul 28, 2005 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sorry
The Swish (not a very good photo, it's time for me to save $$$ and buy a new camera)

And my hat:

"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Jul 29, 2005 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

I was there!
I thought I recognized a few faces from the Chez Nico pics.  I'm not much of a commenter, more of a reader, so don't think I'm weird or anything.  Haha.  Anyway, yeah, I was there with a couple of friends, one of which, was only 20.  We didn't know it was a 21 and up event until we started taking random pics outside-- with the A's SUV and the "Meet Nick Swisher" signs posted outside.  And had I known Coronas were only $2, I woulda bought one!  Er, if it weren't so darn crowded!!  Btw, the pics aren't showing up! =(
Bobby Crosby rocks my high socks. =D

by annie517 on Jul 29, 2005 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

So sad I couldn't make it!
I didn't even get back to Fremont until 5:15 because of the traffic... Got stuck in a bit of a logjam trying to get out of the parking lot, and then onto 880. [Andrew couldn't make a left turn because too many cars were going in both directions, so he made a right turn and then we got stuck in the middle of a line of cars trying to go towards SF instead.] I don't know how Swisher got to Fremont by 5:30, if he still had to shower and stuff after the game.

Great recap, I can almost imagine what the event was like. I'm really disappointed that I couldn't go because Kirby's is SO close to my house. Plus I've never seen a player outside of the stadium before... I'm telling myself it's not so bad since I have Swisher's autograph already [yeah I couldn't figure out what was up with that Arabic writing either - I wonder how long it took him to perfect his signature] but it's still sad to have missed such a great opportunity to meet an awesome rookie from my favorite team.

For the record, the 21 age policy never was an issue! And why, oh why, would you go to a meet/greet event and NOT bring something to sign? I though that was the rule.

Anyway, thank you for keeping me updated throughout the day. Since you seem to hear of these events before I ever do, let me know if they ever come 'round here again!

by Melody on Jul 29, 2005 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

Next time...
Park in the dirt on the frontage road across 880 or Coliseum BART.

They're free and there's less traffic.

"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Jul 29, 2005 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

Oh and
"The rest of them were not so chatty as Briana"

well, it's Swisher... he'd probably die if his girlfriend wasn't chatty like him.

Those Zito and Scutaro pictures... :D

Street is a friggin physical marvel... -Mychael Urban

by rookieoftheyear on Jul 28, 2005 11:35 PM PDT reply actions  

The Best Photos
Really, they seem professional! I need to get some GOOD seats someday so I can try.
And your comments are always perfect... the ones of Zito, so right! The man just touches his sock and women faint all over the park ;)
I don't know what to say about Marco though. Great clutch hit but, he might want to "arrange" himself in private next time...
Everything's cocoa and cookies once again--M. Urban, on A's win

by streetfan on Jul 28, 2005 11:44 PM PDT reply actions  

Pardon the pun, but
wasn't that a "crotch" hit before the cluth hit?

by arch on Jul 29, 2005 1:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Aww
GREAT photos, I can't stress that enough. The one of Kennedy is my fav, but I'm partial to action shots. And if I was alone, meaning not dragging a nine-year-old, I would've stayed. In retrospect, that's about the 4th game I've seen Haren, so I should've stayed. Ty wanted to go back and eat his float. :-).
Welcome to Oakland - Where our Barry doesn't need to cheat!

by JLaff on Jul 29, 2005 12:06 AM PDT reply actions  

Not sure if I got caught too...
The Scutaro picture is classic.  I can't stop laughing every time I see it.

by rightbackin on Jul 29, 2005 2:02 AM PDT reply actions  

Hey Mel:
in my books, your AN's offical photographer...you take great pix!

thanks,

bige

We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Jul 29, 2005 5:06 AM PDT reply actions  

Thanks!
These pictures are absolutely fabulous. Much love for the Zito shots <3

Poor DJ, doesnt he know that its a requirement to have blonde slutty wives if you play for the A's?

by granolabarsandsquishys on Jul 29, 2005 7:30 AM PDT reply actions  

Melody
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the Carney pic. Maybe I've missed this, but what's with the Rockies stuff? Not that I have a problem with that, the Rocks are my NL team.
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by lansfords1 on Jul 29, 2005 7:36 AM PDT reply actions  

You're the best Mel
But I can't believe you not only posted the Zito "hand in pants" picture, but Scutaro too? Those guys are gonna hate you if they ever find out!

You definitely made up for it with the player's wives photos though. I prefer brunettes, so I'll cast my vote for Holly J. as the cutest too.

For the record, the A's do not lose everytime we're at the same game. Just the times when we sit together. So for the sake of superstitions, we'd better keep at least one empty seat between us from now on!

For my perspective on the events before the game (including the Witasick senility incident), please read my diary:

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2005/7/28/12283/2249#readmore

Sorry for the plug, but my diary was ruthlessly buried under an avalanche of off-day diaries yesterday. And when you can't get your own diary recommended, ride on the coatails of someone else's! ;-)

"I don't care what anyone calls it as long as the umpires call it a strike." ~ Rich Harden, on his "Spluckle Ball"

by almostreggie on Jul 29, 2005 9:11 AM PDT reply actions  

Wow, even I missed that one
And I usually keep pretty good tabs on all diaries. Thanks for linking it, your humor is definitely welcome at any time. [I didn't even know you were paying attention to Witasick. What's your take on Kennedy? I was so much in a daze I'm not sure if I remember everything that happened,] And thanks once again for calling me, I have to say that was a little bit random but I'm really glad you did because it was great seeing you again! I'm sorry you got yelled at though :(

Oh yeah, and also, I apologize for calling you accidentally on Wednesday and asking for Andrew.

by Melody on Jul 29, 2005 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great Job Mel:
Those photos are all great...

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jul 29, 2005 10:35 AM PDT reply actions  

great Pics...
I loved the pics.... the one of Scooter kills me...and nobody rocks the socks like Zito!!!!

I too am really bummed that I missed the Swisher signing at Kirby's, (he is one of my favorites)thats ok, there might be more coming up soon...

going to the game tonight to cheer on my boys... lets go A's.....

"You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you." - Roy Campanella

by rocketgirl on Jul 29, 2005 10:58 AM PDT reply actions  

Great pics!
Hey I love the pics! The Scutaro one cracks me up! Love it! I think DJ has the prettiest wife. She's really nice too, I had my float poured by her.

Joe Kennedy doesn't seem very friendly, but Witasick is. I got his autograph and a pic wit him in the Eastside club! I have some other pics but I have a disposable camera, but as soon as I get that developed I'll be sure to post them!

LF Bleachers. Where's your flag?

by Cassandra on Jul 29, 2005 11:44 AM PDT reply actions  

awesome job
I guess Barry and Scooter think the rest of their team is hot, too.

Those pics look more like a pro sports photographer took them than a regular fan. You've got a great eye.

One question, though -- in the 2nd root beer float pic (the one with Carney, I think), who's the girl on the far right, staring up and to our right/her left?

"The sun has been there for 500, 600 years . . ." -Mike Cameron

by spal on Jul 29, 2005 12:24 PM PDT reply actions  

Nice pics Melody!
How did I miss DJ's hottie on Wednesday?

by Fongpay on Jul 29, 2005 12:34 PM PDT reply actions  

youre pictures
always make my day :)...
"Sweet way to end a trip, huh?" Crosby said. "Life's pretty good right now."

by CrosbysGirl510 on Jul 29, 2005 1:12 PM PDT reply actions  

Dude
Nice pictures, what's up with the Scutaro picture, pretty weird? Street's windup is awesome.
You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime.-Babe Ruth

by doublehustle22 on Jul 29, 2005 3:50 PM PDT reply actions  

excellent photos!
by the way, I'm finally back in the Bay Area. On Tuesday I finally got to see the 2005 on TV, and on Saturday I get to go to my first 2005 A's game!!!

by OaklandSi on Jul 29, 2005 4:14 PM PDT reply actions  

Swisher's revolving door??
That "Bri" chick looks totally different than the "Miss Swisher" that played in the wives' softball game. Did he switch girlfriends already??

by OaktownTribesman on Jul 29, 2005 8:45 PM PDT reply actions  

I totally agree!
I was confused as well...though you would think if she's signing "B. Swisher" they've been together for a little longer than since the softball game? ;)

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Jul 29, 2005 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

BTW
Who's the mystery woman on the far right in this picture? Me likey...

by OaktownTribesman on Jul 29, 2005 8:47 PM PDT reply actions  

Alex Chavez
I've always thought she seemed really sweet. I spoke to her (very) briefly at the last Fan Fest and she seemd really nice and down to earth.

Aww, i'm happy for Eric, he's going to be a daddy!

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Jul 29, 2005 8:58 PM PDT reply actions  

Melody, Great Piccys!
I wonder if GnGG has seen the pics yet, but with Zito, Huston and the fact the Swisher has a girlfriend, i wouldnt be surprised if shes still recovering from a heart attack.... :)
Love me some Haren.....

by GreenFairy301 on Jul 29, 2005 10:48 PM PDT reply actions  

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