Favorite Oakland A

by CrackBaby on Dec 11, 2006 3:05 AM PST

With so many different people on this web site. There are so many different stories and experiences that make you love the A's. As such i am also sure that all of us have an all time Favorite player for the A's. Mine is Jose Canseco. Forget the juice just remember the hits. Thank god for baseball. Please share your favorite player or moments. Think Spring. Oakland A's 2007 world champions!

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Sign of a true fan

As much as I want to take you seriously, first when you choose a me-first person like Canseco it is akin to loving TO or Barry Lamar Bonds. Secondly, you spelled the man's name WRONG - Canseco, not Conseco.

With regards to my favorite player it is Eck then Rickey. Both had great style and of course it doesn't hurt that they are are/will be HOFers. Plus any of the dozen of Rickey stories can put anyone in on the floor laughing.

(on the San Diego bus for Spring Training)

"Hey Rick you can't sit there." -Teammate

"Why not?" -Rickey

"'Cause that is Tony Gwynn's seat. And he has Tenure." -Teammate

"Tenure(or 'ten year' as rickey thought it was), Rickey got Twenty year." -Rickey

And I am sure a few of you remember this story from Harold Reynolds that he told on Baseball Tonight.

Harold had just lead the American League in steals with 60. Rickey had been injured that year, but had led the past years. So Rickey calls up Harold.

"Harold this is Rickey." -Rickey

"Hey Rick, What's up?" -Harold

"Sixty? Rickey got sixty by All-Star break." -Rickey

-Click- (Hangs up the Phone)

Harold is just left there holding the phone probably with his jaw dropped down to his knees.

Oh too many of those too tell, but all great. Probably if I had not been a pitcher growing up and Eck look an uncanny amount like my uncle I probably would have liked Rickey better, but for me growing up Eckersley was my favorite player period, with Rickey my favorite personality/position player. Oddly enough never really like McGwire all that much. Definately though he was great but way down on my list. Would have to go Eck, Rickey, Stewart, Hudson, Miguel, Giambi, Steinbach, Landsford, Weiss, Hendu, Canseco, Darling, Velarde, Menechino/Gallego (underdog support), Zito, Mulder (Threw a complete game shut out on my graduation day from High School against the Brewers, which I saw in person!), Ramon, Chavy, Byrnes, Duke, Harden, Haren, Street, and I will end with Ernie Young just because for some reason I thought he was cool and he had that awesome triple play while they were in Vegas.

by jasonlbe on Dec 11, 2006 5:19 AM PST reply actions

I remember that triple play

I would use Ernie Young in my video games (I think I remember that he was in Triple Play 99 but not on the A's, so I would trade for him and put him in center field) against my better judgement just because of memories of that triple play.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Dec 11, 2006 11:14 AM PST up reply actions

sorry

i know i shouldn't love a player like that but i can't help it. the first live game i saw was against the yankees and he hit a grand slam and a homerun. ever since then hes been my favorite.

Oakland A's 2007 World Champions!

by CrackBaby on Dec 11, 2006 12:14 PM PST up reply actions

COnseco?

jasonlbe already said it, but I hope that was a joke crack baby. My favorite player was Rickey. I was there for 939, and I would get chewed out in Little League for years for copying the snatch catch. Plus, Rickey is an Oakland guy. I wish the A's treated him with a little more respect. He's one of the greatest ever to play the game, and he's one of our own. Stew is my other favorite growing up. In the late 80's and early 90's, there was nobody scarier on the mound. That stare and that wicked forkball. Man, Stew was nasty. Another Oakland guy. Of the guys now, I like Bradley, Haren and Swish.

Cisco Kid was a friend of mine...Cisco Field, not so sure.

by haren4prez on Dec 11, 2006 8:54 AM PST reply actions

i know i know

I corrected the typo and i'm sorry and ashamed. I hadn't slept in 3 days when i wrote that and i feel terrible for the misspelling. That being said Jose Canseco is still the man. He deserves a spot in the hall of fame.

Oakland A's 2007 World Champions!

by CrackBaby on Dec 11, 2006 7:16 PM PST up reply actions

Laugh if you will but my favorite Oakland A

was either Rickey or Scott Hatteberg.

"I hate the Angels"

by Vegas A's Fan on Dec 11, 2006 9:50 AM PST reply actions

That's easy!

The one and only Rickey Henley Henderson. Despite all of the negative media he recived he was not only was he a really great player, but also really great to the fans and would wave back every time I waved at him between innings. I also was a terrible Babe Ruth league baseball player until I started imitating his batting crouch and it helped me hit a ton and eventually become a starter. Easily my favorite ball player of all time.

by may7 on Dec 11, 2006 9:56 AM PST reply actions

I wasn't that much better doing his crouch,

but damn, did I put a show on in the outfield...even in high school. All about The Snatch Catch.
As for Babe ruth, curiious as to who you played for and if you played at Greenman Field

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Dec 12, 2006 1:24 PM PST up reply actions

True leader

There have only been two captains, at least bonifide, in Oakland history. Sal Bando and Carney Lansford. Bando was the glue that held together the 71-76 team. He kept the team focused on winning. When somone was failing to to the job he would let them know. We have no leadership on the team now. He did not put up HOF type numbers but without him 72-74 would not have happened. #6

by billyball1981 on Dec 11, 2006 9:57 AM PST reply actions

All time favorite?

Well... it was seeing Matt Stairs that got me to be an A's fan, so I guess he would be my all-time favorite. I was also a huge fan of Frankie Menechino when he was an A (I'm a bit of a sucker for the underdog types... which is why Scoot is my current fave). But I don't think I'll ever stop being a fan of Barry Zito, even if he signs with the Evil Empire.

HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!?!

by JLaff on Dec 11, 2006 10:56 AM PST reply actions

Rickey

He stole two bases in the first game that I went to in 84 as a 7 year old. At that point I was smitten with him. Then I learned that his hometown was also oakland and that cemented it for me. I cried that offseason when he was traded and I jumped for joy in 89 when he came back. I was at his first game back (an extra inning loss against the blue jays) and the energy there was unreal.

One of the all time greats who will go into the hall of fame in an A's hat. Who can want more?

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Dec 11, 2006 11:17 AM PST reply actions

I remember crying when Rickey got traded..

wearing his Yankee hat DAMN THE YANKEES!!!
I was so pissed, I was ready to ghostride my big wheel!

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Dec 12, 2006 5:42 PM PST up reply actions

Hands down, Chavez.

The whole reason I became an Oakland fan was because of Eric Chavez. Obviously, because I'm female, I find him dead sexy, but it's so much more than that. Even with guys like the Giambi's on the team and the leadership of the Big 3, Chav, to me, was always a natural born leader. His defense amazed me and for whatever reason he is why I love the Oakland A's.

"It's true, Swisher can make a conversation with anybody"

by osuSwisher on Dec 11, 2006 12:37 PM PST reply actions

Have to say Rickey .....

...is number one, due to the pure excitement of watching him play and the childhood connection. I also love Dave Stewart and Miguel Tejada.

Good pitching beats good hitting. And vice versa.

by TheBigO on Dec 11, 2006 1:15 PM PST reply actions

truly was a pleasure to watch

I remember when he broke the stolen base record and ripped the base out of the ground. Oh an what a ball player. Truly truly one of the best ever.

Oakland A's 2007 World Champions!

by CrackBaby on Dec 11, 2006 7:14 PM PST up reply actions

Don't apologize crackbaby

Canseco was the man! Juicer? Yup. But one of the only guys with the stones to admit it. Doesn't make him a saint, by any means, but far more "honest" than McGwire, etc.
We were a laughing-stock before "Hose" got here ... I kept hearing about some guy down in Huntsville, Alabama -- "just wait till he gets there." Canseco helped us get a ring --THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS -- WINNING THE TITLE.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Dec 11, 2006 1:33 PM PST reply actions

Thank You

I couldn't have put it better my self. I have a bunch of pictures his photo ball and an autographed ball from him. I cried the day he got traded from the A's. Lets Go Oakland Lets go!

Oakland A's 2007 World Champions!

by CrackBaby on Dec 11, 2006 7:11 PM PST up reply actions

Ever: Dennis Eckersley and Rickey

Currently: Chavez and Mark Ellis

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Dec 11, 2006 1:53 PM PST reply actions

Joe Rudi

and Hendu!!

by Humboldt As Fan on Dec 11, 2006 2:40 PM PST reply actions

Dick Green

Mike Bordick, Mike Gallego, Mark Ellis

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is embarassing

by ArakSOT on Dec 11, 2006 2:54 PM PST reply actions

Rickey being Rickey..

that's the favorite... I love the SD story..I think I put that out earlier...
I love the Reynolds story (saw him tell that on BBTN)..
Rickey is my all time favorite... I would love to see the A's retire #35 and #24. Can someone get on the phone to A's management!!!
I used to imitate Rickey in Babe Ruth from his crouch, to his head first slide, to walking to first after getting a BB...seriously, walking...of course my coach yelled like hell from the 3B coach box.

Then there's Stew... go 9 innings, maybe 10 to get a win, and like Rickey, he's from Oakland..

I liked Canseco from his ROY to the MVP, Mr. 40/40... he was a bad bad man.

However I got to give a special shout out to Dwayne Murphy, with apologies to Hendu, the coolest CF to ever patrol the Oakland Coli... kiss the gold gloves, bitch!!

So it goes Rickey, Dwayne, Stewart, Canseco, Tejada!
As for those who I give more love to than probably most other A's fans: Mike Heath

Honorable mention to players who I liked then came to the A's at the end of their careers: Willie Randolph, Willie McGee, Davey Lopes

But no one is better than Rickey...can we honor the man already!

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Dec 12, 2006 1:22 PM PST reply actions

Dwayne Murphy

He does not get enough talk here. Very under rated. 6 straight gold gloves and a career 114 OPS+. A complete player.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Dec 12, 2006 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

Just a guess..

but I don't think there are a lot of AN who were fans back in the 80s. There are quite a few, but most seem to be from late 80s and 90s..
could be wrong, but just a guess..

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Dec 12, 2006 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

You might be right, E.B.E....

...but for those of us "old-timers", Dwayne Murphy was great. Not just with the glove, but with power, speed, and the batting eye that I didn't appreciate so well at age ten, but which was a major factor in his value. Plus he was just a smooth, classy player, definitely underrated but a great center fielder (best ever Oakland CF? I think so). I wish we had him and Rickey back in the outfield!

"There's one word that says it all about baseball--you never know." - Joaquin Andujar

by TheBigO on Dec 12, 2006 3:53 PM PST up reply actions

and that batting eye...

is what allowed Rickey to run like he did. After Rickey broke the single season record in Milwaukee, I'll never forget how he ran to the dugout and gave Murph a kiss on the forehead.
One of the best outfields ever:
Rickey, Dwayne, and Tony Armas (who was one of my favorite A's and I was really upset when he went to Boston and hit hella homers with Jim Rice)

"Straight outta Oakland, California where we sparkin on ya" - 2Pac

by Erik being Erik on Dec 12, 2006 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

Bob Welch

Welch used to live in the Marina district in SF. I have an October birthday, and when I was a kid I caught him coming home after throwing game 3 of the 1988 World Series. He autographed a ball "happy birthday, best of life." I was 9. That stuff sticks with you.

by MrIncognito on Dec 12, 2006 6:29 PM PST reply actions