Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: The 2009-2010 Card Chronicle Big East basketball preview

08/08/06 & 08/09/06: A Tale of Two Ballgames

As many of you know, I was in Estonia this past year, but I'm finally back.  I got back like a week ago and it's been crazy.  From family and friends to my dog, to all of the comfort foods, 700 channels and TiVo, I'm realizing all of the things I took for granted before moving to Eastern Europe.

But the one thing I was missing most?  Our Oakland Athletics.

No doubt that I had you guys this past year, which was tremendous in terms of satisfying (and intensifying) my baseball addiction throughout the offseason, spring training, and the first half, not to mention the all-inclusive MLB.tv package I got by forking over $100 (~€77.8).  But this was no comparison to actually going to the games in person and feeling the Oakland mojo flow.

But as my job search has yet to fully materialize, I've made it a point to get to as many games as I can, while I still can.  I hit up the Coliseum Yesterday and Today (well, I guess technically it's yesterday and 2 days ago, but who's picking nits...besides monkeyball?) for the 2nd and 3rd games of the Rangers series, and I had a great time both days, but the games were entirely different, as you guys know.

Tuesday night was one of the best games I've been to in recent memory, as it was exciting throughout, not to mention the fact that I was sitting 5th row behind home plate thanks to some tickets my friend somehow acquired.  I was there with 5 high school friends (wow, high school was 6 years ago, I feel old), so it was great to see them, and the highlight of the game was definitely the Back-2-Back magic of Swish and JayPay.  When "Nicholas," as the people next to me were calling him, hit his 3-run homer, the stadium erupted. Then, just as we all were realizing that the game was starting again and that we needed to calm down, JayPay unloaded, as if to say "Keep cheering, OAKLAND!!!"  It was the encore of encores, and I slapped 5 with complete strangers around me.

Saarloos came in and dominated, which made him the player of the game, in my opinion.  He bailed the rookie out; I hope Komine was taking notes.

Street gave us a scare in the 9th, as we easily could have lost the game, or at least gone to extras, but he got the job done.  Or rather, Kendall got the job done.  But regardless, a win is a win, even it is not the prettiest thing in the world.

Less than 14 hours later, I was back at the the stadium formerly know as The "Net-Ass Coliseum," where I was hoping to witness a sweep of the Rangers and the A's head to an off day with a 7 game winning streak.  Problem is...exactly the opposite happened.

14-0?!?  That's a football score, after the first quarter.  Zito gave up 4 homers...what gives?  I mean, we haven't had a loss like this since Opening Day, when the Yankees trashed Zito.  But luckily, he bounced back after that start, and hopefully can do the same thing this time.  I'm not worried, but this wasn't pretty today.  But, then again, just as a win is a win, a loss is a loss.  It doesn't matter if your opponent scores 1 or 14 runs, if you don't score any yourself.

But while the A's just didn't have it today, it still was a lot of fun at the game.  Today I was in the more economical (though nothing compared to the $2 seats of old) left-center field bleachers with my parents, and as the game progressed, I scarfed down 5 dollar dogs.  YUM.

Before leaving for the game, I'd posted back and forth briefly with saint , and knew that we'd be in same the vicinity during the game.  So when I spotted who I thought to be him, I went over and said whats up.  Nice meeting you, bud!  I also met Duke of Left Field, high street, and JLaff.  Hopefully sometime soon I'll get a chance to catch a game with them and chill drummer-style in left field.  They definitely do it right and the energy, mojo, or whatever you want to call it, that they generate is off the charts.  It's definitely one of the reasons I love the A's so much, and one of the reasons that catching games live in person is so much fun.  Rock on guys and gals.

Even though it was H-O-T, I had a great time, and can't wait to get back to the Coliseum again soon.  I'm out of town for the TB series, but I'm back again Monday and think I'll catch at least 2 of 3.  I'll definitely be going to the Wednesday game-- would anyone be down to do a mini-tailgate before, possibly in the BART lot, and then hit up the $1 Dogs inside while watching the A's mash the Mariners for the 15th straight time? {crosses fingers} {knocks on wood} If there is interest we can definitely make sometime happen.

Well, it's great to be back, to be going to A's games, and to be meeting some of you guys.  Let's hope our August mojo continues-- 6-2 so far, with the D-Rays and the M's next.  Go A's!!

[editor's note, by rungood]

{crosses fingers} {knocks on wood} {breaks finger} {cries} {bandages finger} {types using hunt & peck method} {injures back while squinting at keyboard} rungood placed on 15-day DL

0 recs  |  Comment 5 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Hey Man:
It was cool meeting you. I wish I wasn't so ill!!!?!?!

On Wed there is a keep our A's in Oakland tailgate in the South Lot near the power tower. That's where we'll (The LF Creatures) be. Come on by.

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Aug 10, 2006 8:31 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

awesome
i'll do my best to be there on wednesday!
Me and your kid probably have the same IQ!! -Swisher to Chavvy

--

My Blog

by rungood on Aug 10, 2006 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So fun!!
(Wish you would have gotten the 'W' though!!)
"I'm living in a cuckoo clock!" ~HollywoodOz
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover

by baseballgirl on Aug 10, 2006 12:39 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

nice meeting you too
And sorry i couldn't/didn't chill, I was at the game with my folks who i haven't really spent much time with since being back in the states.  But Wednesday I will do my best hit up the Keep the A's in Oakland tailgate and stumble to LF to chill with you guys!
Me and your kid probably have the same IQ!! -Swisher to Chavvy

--

My Blog

by rungood on Aug 10, 2006 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Ph3spec_small
Having fun with Pythagoras, or, who got lucky during 2009
Dsc00764_small
DLD - 11/07/2009 - How to Keep Yourself Occupied in the Off-Season
527918550406_0_bg_small
2010 Off-Season Blueprint
Depaulbluedemons_small
Community Prospect List #15
Super_grover_small
2010 Offseason Primer

Recent FanPosts

Countdown_small
Bill James 2010 Projections Now on Fangraphs
Depaulbluedemons_small
Zonis's Off Season Charter
Bill_king_small
AFL Rising Stars Showcase Tonight on MLBN @ 5PM
Me_at_att_park_small
Greener Grass, Episode 4: The Biggest Off Season (Potential) Decision Doesn't Involve Free Agents
Oaklandathletics_small
Hardy to Minnesota. What's with the early offseason trades?
Tyler_at_maya_school_small
Happy 6th Birthday, AN!
Oaklandathletics_small
facebook Members: Keep the A's in OAKLAND
Bill_king_small
Organizational Statistics: Winter Leagues

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS


Managers

Tyler_at_maya_school_small Tyler Bleszinski

08-_the_author_small 67MARQUEZ

Baseball_small baseballgirl

Poochini-butt_in_box_2_small Nico

As_kings_cal_small louismg

Editors

Countdown_small Taj Adib

Ziegler160px_small Flashfire

527918550406_0_bg_small notsellingjeans