Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Cowboy Altitude for Wyoming Fans!

Falling in love with Oakland

I made my first visit to the Bay area a couple weekends ago (the home series vs. the Angels).  I was doing a couple things -- checking out a college, checking out the stadium, checking out the area.  All with a view towards whether I would want to live out there, because I've been in Missouri all my life and I'm ready for a change.  And if I'm going to move away from Busch Stadium?  It's going to have to be near another team I can get behind.  I've been an A's fan over a year, but still I wanted to check out the stadium, the fans, the atmosphere.  Just to be sure.

I got to the stadium on Friday the 22nd and was amazed at the energy.  The crowd was loud and proud and really into it.  (I'd been told not to expect too much)

I talked with the people around me & was struck by how at home I felt.  Usually at a baseball game, nothing can draw my attention away from the field itself and the players.  But in Oakland, I just kept looking around at the stadium, the fans, everything.  I was in love with it all.

And then at the end of the game, I found out we got to actually GO DOWN ON THE FIELD to watch the fireworks?  And I flipped.  Pretty much sealed the deal right there; I tumbled head over heels.

The rest of the weekend did not disappoint.  I had my first ballpark hot dog ever because the Coliseum sells veggie dogs.  (I took that as a sign).  I loved getting stopped by strangers on the subway who saw my A's attire, and being asked "Did we win today?"

On Sunday I saw the woman I'd sat beside on Friday, and she said "Welcome back!"  And I started crying then and there, because I knew I had to leave that day (had to leave the ballgame early, of all cruel things) and I missed it already.

I see BART schedules in my sleep now, and I daydream about Oakland.  And I am totally becoming a resident by Opening Day 2007.  

0 recs  |  Comment 16 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

wise choice
I was you in 1980

welcome home!

by OaklandSi on Oct 5, 2006 7:20 PM PDT reply actions  

And ...
I was you in '83.

Welcome Home.

Self-appointed VP, BBG Groupies, NorCal Chapter

by angus hanger on Oct 5, 2006 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

And I was you...
..on opening day, 2006.

Oddly, when Kirk Gibson spotted that backdoor slider, way back when, I was so not you.

But heck, you can't honestly be a Dodger fan and call yourself a baseball enthusiast. I saw the error of my ways over time.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 5, 2006 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

welcome aboard!
Glad to see that you had fun. Let's Go A's!!!!!!!

by uci anteater on Oct 5, 2006 7:24 PM PDT reply actions  

<sob>
<sob>

Awwwww...that's so awesome. And even though I feel exactly the same way about Los Angeles as a city, I feel JUST LIKE THAT at the Coliseum.

Now, if only the A's would win for me. Just one more big game. :(

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 5, 2006 7:25 PM PDT reply actions  

WOW.
you definitly picked the right game to go to.... Magic Marco =]

by iloveoakland on Oct 5, 2006 7:33 PM PDT reply actions  

wow
luckily you didn't visit 98th Ave. and International Blvd.

I'm kidding.  Sort of.

Oakland is the best city in the Bay Area, unless you enjoy ten dollar lattes.  Then move to SF.

1972...1973...1974...1989...2006

by emperor nobody on Oct 5, 2006 7:45 PM PDT reply actions  

Another Cards fan!
Hallelujah! ;) I love the Redbirds dearly, but I love the green and gold even more, and I'm glad that you found the best combo in baseball - who are both currently leading their respective Division Series 2-0!

Welcome to AN! Just to get you indoctrinated really fast (no explanation necessary):

WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!

"I could just kiss Marco on the mouth right now," Zito said. "What an unbelievable game. If that's my last one here, wow. How could I ever forget it?"

by Chavinator on Oct 5, 2006 7:49 PM PDT reply actions  

Busch Experience
Was back east at a few years ago when the A's played the Cards at Busch Stadium and I got to go to the game. I was stunned to find an older gentleman sitting behind me wearing A's colors. Turns out he was a fan when the A's used to be in PHILLY!! Way cool...
"I realize that I'm generalizing here, but as is often the case when I generalize, I don't care." -Dave Barry

by tmail on Oct 5, 2006 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Welcome to California and the Bay Area
Unlike many other states, we welcome one and all . . just bring your A's gear  :-)
Baseball is life. . . at least that is what my sweatshirt says.

by 0R0H0E on Oct 5, 2006 8:21 PM PDT reply actions  

For a certain type of person,
Oakland is the greatest city in the world.

by DavidA on Oct 5, 2006 8:44 PM PDT reply actions  

Wow...Just, Wow!!!
"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Oct 5, 2006 10:43 PM PDT reply actions  

Cool..
I was you back in '72! : )

Welcome to the bay area.

by Sheldon72 on Oct 5, 2006 10:49 PM PDT reply actions  

If you haven't officially MOVED by Opening Day...
...plan another visit for a Tuesday night game in April or May.  That's where you'll see why you were told to "not expect much" in terms of crowd size -- but we little (and cold) crowd are still loud & proud & into it...  ;)
"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 5, 2006 11:20 PM PDT reply actions  

I'm from K.C. and now live in Oakland
and I can tell you the transition may not be completely seamless for you, but this place rules nonetheless!  Just don't expect the cheap gas prices!  Mantra to self: quality of life over cost of living, quality of live over cost of living, quality of life over cost of living...

by Baseball Equals Life on Oct 6, 2006 1:59 AM PDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Oakland Athletics.

Community Guidelines ANcillary Terms
Start posting about the Athletics »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Snow_avatar_small
DLD - Labor Day Weekend Edition
Kitten-in-the-cup_small
DLD 9.3.10 – When you’re going bad...
The_baby_small
2010 Fan Scouting Report - Need A's Fans!
Jcandigrip_small
DLD 9.1.10 - Vote King
Hard_ball_iii_moskowitz_small
Holy Toledo! Vote now - Vote daily for Bill King

Recent FanPosts

Kitten-in-the-cup_small
GOG 46: Dry the Mariners!
Note_redirect_small
Colby Rasmus has requested to be traded (OMG)
Me-052210-160px_small
Photo Blast from the Past: 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game
Small
A's Sign Hermida
Icon_small
GOG 45- Let's forget that last series, mmkay. (A's/slegnA)
Snow_capped_mountain_small
Poll: Will 2010 Be a Winning Season for the A's?
Small
2 Raiders bobbleheads need a good home
Sbn_ds_small
Septemer 2nd, Athletics vs Yankees - Simulation

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Texas Rangers Michael Young, left, is held back by Texas Rangers third base coach Dave Anderson (obscured) after being called out at third by third base umpire Alfonso Marquez, front right, to end a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, in Minneapolis.  Rangers manager Ron Washington (wearing sunglasses) looks on. The Twins won 6-5. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia) +1 updates

Twins Top Rangers 6-5 Thanks To Controversial Ump Decision

LOS ANGELES CA - SEPTEMBER 04:  Jamey Carroll #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is pulled off the bag as Darren Ford #34 of the San Francisco Giants steals second base in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 4 2010 in Los Angeles California. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-4.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) +1 updates

Dodgers' Slide Continues With 3-0 Loss To Rival Giants

BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 05: Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Boston Red Sox heads for the dugout after he is pulled in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox on September 5 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

White Sox Score Four In 9th, Hand Jonathan Papelbon His Seventh Blown Save Of 2010

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Maya_papi_small Tyler Bleszinski

Green_small iglew

08-_the_author_small 67MARQUEZ

Zoidbergsperm_small danmerqury

Logo_small gigglingone

Baseball_small baseballgirl

Poochini-butt_in_box_2_small Nico

Venasfans_small OaklandSi

A_s_pic_5 emperor nobody

Editors

As_kings_cal_small louismg

Squirrel-eating_small Leopold Bloom

Authors

Myeyebrowpose_small jeffro

Moderators

Countdown_small Taj Adib

Img_1848_small notsellingjeans

Small vignette17