Oakland A's Allegedly Granted Rights to Move to San Jose
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2011 4:13 PM PST
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PrintNow I'm not sure if this is 100 percent accurate but Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the A's will be granted permission to move to San Jose. It won't happen until February if Nightengale is right but it's mixed news for A's fans.
I linked to it on Facebook and basically said, "Sucks for Oakland fans but it's been a long time coming and it's absolutely necessary." Believe me I know how much this sucks for the people who live in and around the Oakland area. But Oakland has so many other things going on right now that you simply can't blame the city for essentially giving up on the A's. I do believe that this will make the franchise much healthier over the long run as sports have turned into corporate products these days, with tons of revenue coming from luxury boxes and by moving to San Jose, the A's will suddenly have access to some of the most profitable tech companies in the world. Having a new stadium will also allow the A's to spend a lot more than they do right now and actually give them a shot to not only keep home grown stars but go after new free agents in the market. AND the free agents might actually want to come here as opposed to going anywhere BUT here. A new stadium with sparkling new facilities should also bring in a whole new casual fan.
I also have to think that Billy Beane knew that this verdict was on its way. I mean just look at the quotes from last night's Gio Gonzalez trade conference. He was talking about building the team like the next Cleveland Indians team so that when the team goes into the new stadium it's firing on all cylinders. That's what this offseason is all about and I don't believe it's just coincidence that Beane has fully committed to the rebuild the A's have needed for several seasons THIS season out of all seasons. Billy is really much more methodical than that.
Any way, I won't believe this is fully real until we get much closer...we all remember a little place called Fremont, right? But it's a small step towards a greater future for this franchise even if it crushes the past on the way to getting there.
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Agreed
It’ll be the end of a great era but I’m not sure I see any other way.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2011 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
Hopefully the beginning of a great new era as well.
Business man by day, fearless couch guardian by night.
+1
I too will miss seeing em in Oakland, but given the likely alternatives of either moving out of state or contraction and given how much brighter the future can be in a bigger, richer city like San Jose it is for the best. Oakland was never going to get it done.
Contraction isn't a likely threat.
Moving out of state, sure, but there is no chance the union would let contraction happen. Not a chance.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
If the team were sold to MLB
Which would be the likely result if SJ were denied, then I wouldn’t write anything off as impossible.
In this scenario, a second team would have to be contracted/sold to MLB at the same time.
Doesn’t seem likely to me.
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
How quickly people forget the Rays are in a similar mess to the A's...
And I’m not saying it’s the most likely scenario, a move out of state is the most likely end game. But it is a possible out come however unlikely. And frankly I think it has a better shot at happening then a new Oakland based owner voming forward with almost a billion dollars to blow on the purchase of th A’s and a new Oakland ballpark.
My heart lies in Oakland, but this is for the best.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
by UncleLeo on Dec 24, 2011 4:31 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
Pretty much this.
"Some of us know him as the a-hole who piled into Ray Fosse in an All-Star game (it's why Ray is the way he is folks)" - OptimistPrime
Yep, 100% this
Best way it could be summed up in 11 words or less…
"Minutes from the last save opportunity...Balfour got 3 outs..."- Nico
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2011 5:42 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, I guess
Sob.
San Jose is just too far away from El Cerrito to consider going to more than a couple of games a year. Driving through rush hour down 880 turns a 45 minute trip into an hour and a half. A game that ends at 11 pm means I wouldn’t get home until past midnight.
But I’m sick of the team not being able to compete, and even a new stadium in Oakland would leave the A’s somewhat bereft. What I really would have liked is some sort of way to keep all teams competitive, but the big money clubs have made that impossible. The only answer, in the Bay Area, is San Jose … of course, my own personal answer is that the Giants should move down there, and the A’s should move into AT&T Park. But that’s just me.
Not to worry , Bart will be done when the new stadium is completed .
You can take Bart from El cerrito . I can only hope they’ll do this right . And run bart all the way to down town .
There are no plans for BART to be extended to San Jose, sadly.
Where have you gone John Johnstone?
by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Dec 25, 2011 12:14 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
sorry somehow didn't post the link
Here is a link to the update on the extension to San Jose.
Thanks for the informative link!
Where have you gone John Johnstone?
by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Dec 25, 2011 10:36 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
What are you talking about?
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
Ahahahahahahahahaha.
…Yeah.
BART expansion tends to exist on a similar timeline to the Bay Bridge repairs.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
It will be alright, richwol.
I will miss the A’sin Oakland, too…..and I already live in San Jose. The pluses are many, especially the weather. In the summertime the weather in SJ is perfect and it rarely ever gets cold at night. And there are lots of places to eat and drink before and after the game. Hell, I’m hoping the A’s build their own sports bar in front of the stadium ala Public House in Sf! That would be perfect!
In any event, I’m sooooo excited about this news and it is indeed the best Christmas gift of 2011.
Happy Holidays to all of you, my brothers and sisters of Athletics Nation! God Bless…..M-Rod
"You're early, but hang around; we'll have a fight for you sooner or later."
-John "Blue Moon" Odom
Death of tailgating and an affordable ballpark experience, too.
I guess progress is making the product accessible to white-collar non-fans, though.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
by jeepers on Dec 25, 2011 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It's about keeping the team viable with a chance to succeed, not who's inconvenienced by not being able to tailgate any more, etc.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Why would people no longer be able to tailgate?
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
They allow tailgating at Pac-Bell Park
And the parking lot situation at Dridiron will probably be a bit better than the MissionPlace area of SF. Are you aware of a specific whey they are not going to allow it
I'd seen it in print before somewhere.
It’s not why HP is going to send out-of-state executives to their expensive seats, unless it’s a catered faux tailgating kind of experience.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I wonder what that other team is getting in compensation?
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Whatever MLB gives them, I'm thinking
Because the A’s in a brand new ballpark means one less team receiving revenue sharing, and that’s music to MLB’s ears.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I'm guessing there will be some financial compensation, but it will be modest.
Potentially coming in the form of a modest payment from MLB, similar to what Houston received for shifting to the AL West.
Business man by day, fearless couch guardian by night.
I hope it's exactly what they paid for it
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
MLB should make the Giants wait 3 years to find out what their compensation is.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Dec 24, 2011 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 12 recs
Hey, maybe form an Orange Ribbon Committee to discuss the issue.
Business man by day, fearless couch guardian by night.
by Hoegaarden on Dec 24, 2011 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm with ya...
…but I suspect they’ll get something just so MLB and everybody else can tell them to STFU.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
In all seriousness though
If an owner’s vote went through with more than 75% in favor, could MLB tell the Giants to stick it?
Do they have to give them something, or is it more out of courtesy and to avoid senseless lawsuits?
"Minutes from the last save opportunity...Balfour got 3 outs..."- Nico
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2011 5:43 PM PST up reply actions
It's the latter, but
I wouldn’t call it “courtesy” so much as concern for the precedent. None of the other teams want to have a precedent for the League screwing one team just because enough of them vote to do so. They want something reasonably fair so that they don’t worry about being the victim of similar treatment.
Baseball is a stupid-making enterprise in that nobody wants to be singled out or say something dumb. —Michael Lewis
In that case the compensation should come from MLB, rather than the A's, no?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 11:03 AM PST up reply actions
I'll always love Oakland and the Coliseum.
But this is for the best.
LETS GO OAK…LAND?
This. Team.
by Boonee on Dec 24, 2011 4:49 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
If this is true then this is fucking enourmous news.
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
YEAH IT IS.
I really want to know the terms now.
This. Team.
by Boonee on Dec 24, 2011 4:52 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I just emailed Lew Wolff to ask him comment on it
and here is his reply:
Nothing has changed as far as I know. The process continues.
Not that he’d say anything if he knew, but I had to ask, right?
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2011 5:01 PM PST reply actions
How? He didn't say anything.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 5:18 PM PST up reply actions
Because it's still an answer from the owner?
This. Team.
by Boonee on Dec 24, 2011 5:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Interesting
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2011 5:22 PM PST up reply actions
Entrepreneuring
"Minutes from the last save opportunity...Balfour got 3 outs..."- Nico
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2011 5:46 PM PST up reply actions
Interesting
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
interesting because
Lew Wolff actually responds to a lowly blogger’s email.
Interesting because Blez was actually doing some journalism. Hear a rumor, contact a knowledgeable source to comment on the rumor.
Interesting because several days later, no new news anyway.
Best Christmas present
Hip hip hooray!
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
I have a weird emotional attachment to San Jose
This would be great news to me, even if I live very far away. Reading this gave me chills. Although I guess the amount of alcohol in my body had something to do with the chills
I'm not impressed by your performance......
I'd rather have them stay in oakland, where they belong
but I’d also rather them stay in the bay area. So, its better than nothing.
hey little girl
…want a cookie?
There's probably a Nation's in San Jose
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
There is not.
But there are some other better burger places!
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
I think there's a Five Guys down there now
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
I really like that place but they're so expensive for a fast food burger
I know they build it in to having all the condiments and toppings free, but unless you like loading your burger up it’s not really worth it. Can’t complain about the amount of fries you get, though.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Haven't you heard? Nation's are located from Fremont up to Vacaville.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 11:34 AM PST up reply actions
if the news is true
than it will be the best news I heard regrading the A’s in a long time. Not to get ahead of myself but does anyone know how long would it take to get everything done and play in
the new ballpark?
"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story." Orson Welles
I used to love you then I took an arrow in the knee
by sfniners4life on Dec 24, 2011 5:57 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
my guess would be 2015
but I suppose it could be rushed in time for 2014.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2011 6:08 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Marine Layer's blog typically says it'll be for a 2015 opening.
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
No possible way to be done for the 2014 season
"Life is tough .... It's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne
Wasn't Nationals Park done in like 2 years or something crazy?
"He's listed as day to day, but then again, aren't we all?" — Vin Scully
well, i think that means more trades will be made
bailey and then anderson once healthy
"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin
this would be great news for construction workers to; two huge building projects
"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin
Warriors and Raiders soon also.....
"Life is tough .... It's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne
Warriors are locked in until 2017 I think and I don't see them breaking it before hand
if they plan to move to SF, for the Raiders that would be a SoCal stadium imo.
Bittersweet, but good news
Even as a San Jose resident, I feel like the team belongs in Oakland.
But I’m stoked for the local economy.
I see you driving
round town with the girl I love
and I'm like, haiku.
by noava22 on Dec 24, 2011 6:32 PM PST via Android app reply actions
I kinda wish they'd keep calling the team the "Oakland A's" anyway
like the Tampa Bay Rays are in St. Petersburg but that might be stretching it. But of course I’m excited considering I live in San Jose.
I really doubt that would happen
I cringe at the horror of it, but I wouldn’t be surprised at “Silicon Valley A’s of San Jose” or something else awful like that.
That name should be taken out and shot.
Merry Christmas to all!
"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."
by padmadfan on Dec 25, 2011 12:05 AM PST up reply actions 5 recs
I'm expecting the 'San Jose A's of San Jose in San Jose, Seriously, Finally in San Jose (Fuck You Selig)'.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 25, 2011 7:46 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the name they had tossed around in Fremont will get used
“The Silicon Valley A’s of Fremont”, They will just add San Jose. I better stock up on the Road Grey’s with Oakland on the front, they will be discontinued soon…..
I'd rather they just go with 'San Jose Athletics' (A's) and be done with it.
No need to get all cutesy about it.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Agreed
Although the “San Jose A’s” does feel a little awkward to say
Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!
Sounds like "The San Jose Yays!!!"
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
With a logo of a hose?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
They will be contractually obligated to be the San Jose A's
So we need not worry anout goofy at or of names
Yes, this.
But I hope they make sure the official name is San Jose Athletics. It just rolls better than San Jose A’s.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
It appears to be on all the renderings they've released
So I wouldn’t worry about it. They’re not about to repeat Finley’s mistake from the 70’s.
by athletics68 on Dec 27, 2011 10:21 PM PST up reply actions
They've been casually called "A's" for decades prior to Finley...
…he just put “’s” on the uniform & hats.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Bay Area A's?
Taking a page out of the Warrior’s book, or the old California Angels. I’m expecting the San Jose A’s.
Tampa Bay is a body of water. The city is called Tampa.
"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe
The city is called St Petersburg
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 11:04 AM PST up reply actions
Wake me when someone other then Nightengale is the source
bu I’ll be thrilled when it is in fact confirmed
All signs do indeed point south... hard not to get that vibe
May a big piece of the soul of this franchise always be identifiable with Oakland and what it accomplished in the 510, and may it go on to even loftier championship heights in its new home in the 408. We always wondered what Billy Beane could do with a real budget, and now it seems we are but a few years from finding out.
Oh yeah, and I almost forgot … fuck the Giants.
Death seed
blind man's greed
poets starve and children bleed
nothing he's got
he really needs
21st Century schizoid man.
by emperor nobody on Dec 24, 2011 8:13 PM PST reply actions 9 recs
haha yes!
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Dec 25, 2011 11:02 AM PST up reply actions
I've got a friend who's band just released an album called "Santa Never Died For Anyone."
"The Lord has blessed us with birthday cake!"
Wow wow wow wow wow wow
I am so pumped about this!
Check out my Cycling blog http://cyclebee.blogspot.com/
by Athletic on Dec 24, 2011 8:54 PM PST via mobile reply actions
This is/was an inevitability
As much as I love my OAKLAND A’s, I would prefer San Jose to somewhere far away.
Now, let’s build a gorgeous stadium and spend some green and win some gold.
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Dec 24, 2011 8:55 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Great but still waiting for The Selig...
Wish someone other than lew Wolff owned the team during new ball park era..he strikes me as a guy with no style and oozes boringness..worried how park will turn out under his vision…hope it is amazing and features unique characteristics that we can all fawn over
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Dec 24, 2011 9:35 PM PST reply actions
This is the preliminary artwork for the stadium.
by Mr. Clean Sweep on Dec 24, 2011 10:25 PM PST up reply actions
Looks pretty good..
I want there to be something amazing that defines the park that no other park has…any word on anything like that?
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Dec 24, 2011 11:48 PM PST up reply actions
There's a giant "big monsteresque" brick wall in RF
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
Let's call it "The Byrneskiller."
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 25, 2011 10:58 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
MLB is making the A's bump up the capacity
So the design will change to accommodate 4,000 extra seats.
by DJAX4Heisman on Dec 25, 2011 12:42 AM PST up reply actions
Looks Nice
So, I guess that means it’ll be called Cisco Field?
by Sean Fortuna on Dec 25, 2011 7:16 AM PST up reply actions
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but...
…it seems to me that this rendering is looking east. That would put the sun in the batter’s eyes in late afternoon. Am I looking at this correctly?
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
No, this is looking west
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
Hey, Where's the FOUL territory?
…And I’m not referring to the seagulls that show up around 4pm…
"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King
It has fairly typical foul territory for most of the modern stadiums
Which is to say very little.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Lol that marlins mural is epic..give me some of that with elephants.
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Dec 24, 2011 11:45 PM PST up reply actions
Yes please.
Someone really needs to make an animated GIF with psychedelic elephants.
Baseball is a stupid-making enterprise in that nobody wants to be singled out or say something dumb. —Michael Lewis
Yes, I want elephants in a pond in the outfield.
Whenever the A’s score, a trunk pops up and sprays water. Whenever the A’s hit a homerun, four or five anamatronic elephants pop out to spray way more water and loudly trumpet.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
And when we hit a grand slam...?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
The Official Athletics Pachyderm is drawn from his stable in the outfield and does a lap around the bases.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
I read this as a "lap dance" around the bases.☺
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
If nothing else, whoever is working on the Marlins stadium has decided not to go slightly- or half-ugly like some stadiums...
If you’re gonna be ridiculous, might as well be the Most. Ridiculous. Ever.
If they make a little table lamp version of that, I want one.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
Here's a better view from the inside upper deck
by athletics68 on Dec 25, 2011 4:42 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Looks like
a cross between Camden, Arlington, Atlanta….Coors & Jacobs, maybe? Probably others too.
"Never overlook an orchid while searching for a rose" - Buck Showalter
by Philip Christy on Dec 27, 2011 10:52 PM PST up reply actions
I think that's the point
That is the model that has proven popular. Last couple of parks that tried something different (Nationals Park comes to mind) flopped miserably by comparison.
My kids are the 4th generation of my family to watch games in Oakland
If this happens, which I hope it will, it will be both heart wrenching and game changing. If my kids get to watch players come up through the farm system and actually STAY Athletics rather than being shipped off elsewhere, as absolutely unfathomable as it once seemed, the A’s have to move. An extra hour each way will probably limit the number of games we go to each year, but something has to give. It just really sucks that nothing could be done in Oakland.
MexicAN AmericAN VegAN
Baseball for me is the smell of the grass, the stadium lights, the lazy summer days and nights that go on forever as the greatest sport humankind has ever invented plays itself out.
I know this is going to happen, sooner or later, but I cannot do anything but mourn a future where baseball is a tv screen to me, and not a lived experience.
Because fuck 880 traffic.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 24, 2011 9:53 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
I'm sure they'll set up some sort of Fremont-BART-to-the-stadium shuttle
But yeah, it was easier to drive to Fremont BART and head up to Oakland than it is to try and go in reverse.
Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!
Couldn't you turn the car the other way and go forward?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I wouldn't be sure about that -- that's a big thing.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
Not really, no
880 traffic is at it’s worst northbound long before the Mowry exit for BART. Southbound there is no major traffic in the afternoons on 880.
by athletics68 on Dec 26, 2011 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
weekend day games
commute shouldn’t be too bad. Weekday day games, potentially, too. And really, isn’t baseball best under the sun?
That is a good point. For anyone coming down 880 traffic will going the opposite direction...
So the trip even on week nights should not be half as bad as it is for those of ius who like south of the Coliseum today.
It is, but y'know. I work during the day. Which makes day games a tad difficult.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
So does almost everyone who attends day games. It's tradition.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
I love both Oakland and the A's, so
I’m sad about their impending divorce. But I think all signs have pointed to San José being a done deal for a couple months now, it’s just a question of when it’s announced officially. One more person tweeting about it doesn’t make it new news to me.
Baseball is a stupid-making enterprise in that nobody wants to be singled out or say something dumb. —Michael Lewis
Sigh...
I didn't realize you were veganalyst! This makes it totally different! You're one of my favorite twitter/ANers. - Susan Slusser
Merry Christmas A's!
Intercourse the Giants!
"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."
by padmadfan on Dec 25, 2011 12:06 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
Close enough.
REC"D!
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
Engage in coitus with the Giants!
"The Lord has blessed us with birthday cake!"
by ozzman99 on Dec 25, 2011 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
REC'D!
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
If you noticed, I didn't actually do it.
Thats because there is nothing "sweet"’ or"passionate" about the Gints.
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
Buy the Giants dinner, have your way with them, and then never call them again!
"The Lord has blessed us with birthday cake!"
Kindly request that the Giants fellate you!
"The Lord has blessed us with birthday cake!"
by ozzman99 on Dec 25, 2011 8:58 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
"Dexter" the Giants
Editor of JaguarsBlog
Follow me on Twitter @CaliforniaJag and @JaguarsBlog
by CaliforniaJag on Dec 26, 2011 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
I'm as ambivalent as many of you
I will also believe it when it happens.
Merry Christmas!
Whether you’re in the Oakland camp or the San Jose one, whether you like the trades or hate them, we all love the A’s. Hope you have a happy holiday and new year. It’s going to be a very rough 2012 at the Coliseum, but I will be there. Go A’s!
My therapist is Milton Bradley.
by Ricky T. on Dec 25, 2011 12:51 AM PST reply actions 5 recs
well said Rick
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Dec 25, 2011 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Winners and Losers
If the A’s move to San Jose,
Winners:
-Rich owners
-South Bay baseball fans
-East Bay fans who are just as happy to watch on TV or listen on the radio
-Rich fans who can afford the luxury stadium experience
-Fair weather fans who care more about winning than going to games just for the baseball experience
Losers:
-Fans who live in Oakland and to the north and east
-Fans who like cheap seats
-Fans who take public transit
-Fans who enjoy the fact that they can walk up to a game and get tickets, no problem (there obviously aren’t many of them, but it is nice for those of us who go)
I’m definitely in the second group. I live in Berkeley, I take BART to the game, I don’t have a lot of money, I go to games spur of the moment, and frankly, I’d rather be able to do all of those than have a team that was a billion-dollar business that can just buy championships.
My love of baseball developed watching the A’s of 1983-6 from the bleachers, pretty awful teams, but a wonderful time at the Coliseum, and I continued to enjoy watching our horrible teams last year, though the bleachers ain’t what they used to be.
I totally understand why ownership would want this (money) and why fans in the first group would be excited (the negatives won’t affect them), but the reality is that once the A’s move, the only Major League baseball I’ll be able to see will be in San Francisco.
If that happens, I’ll have to become a fan of the team I hate. Of course, my secret wish is that if the A’s move, a minor league team moves to Oakland.
by KingDuct on Dec 25, 2011 6:43 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
First post here on AN...
Winners
(Caveat…I’m a NRAF, so I can’t fully understand the problems this move will cause for local fans)
-Anyone who enojys following a PERENNIALLY competitive A’s team.
by doolallynastics on Dec 25, 2011 7:27 AM PST up reply actions
Welcome!
As an NRAF as well, I’m of the same opinion. I just want to see us win!
LIfe may not be a bowl of cherries.
But I’m currently eating a bowl of cherries, and it’s pretty f**kin’ awesome.
~GreenNGoldSooner
I'm an NRAF as well, but when I come home I stay in Daly City.
So while I’d rather catch BART to Oakland, I have no problem driving to San Jose. After a late game, I can even crash at my cousin’s place and drive back the next day, so that works out nicely.
"The Lord has blessed us with birthday cake!"
Yes, given your preferences, a minor league team may be just what you need. I think the A's
should move the River Cats to the Coliseum
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Or maybe the Ports
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
That would be an immense stadium for a minor league team
Surely the biggest in baseball.
It’d make more sense to build a small park at one of the other locations that’s been bandied about. Leave the Coliseum to what its current configuration supports— football.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
Even if they got rid of Mt. Davis and the third deck, it'd still be the biggest for any minor league team
Buffalo’s got the highest capacity in all of Triple-A at just over 18,000 and I’d be surprised if any lower levels have a place with more.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
If its at all possible, I wouldn't mind a MiLB park in Emeryville, near where the Oaks used to play.
Given that the E Bay’s population density is concentrated in the flatlands, Emeryville is at the geographic center of an urban population that stretches from Richmond to San Leandro, so pretty much anyone living between these two points would be able to ride their bicycle to a game. An Emeryville stadium would also be close to the freeway and Bay Bridge… and we could gamble on the games.
Regardless of the site, perhaps the Giants will try to move their A+ affiliate to the East Bay, venue permitting, as part of the deal.
I...
Totally understand why this hurts you personally, but I don’t think any true A’s fan would support the Giants just because our boys in Green and Gold move to San Jose. A better way to look at it is that you were fortunate enough to have that experience of being close to the team you love for so many years. Most people never have that. I live too far away to have ever experienced that “spur of the moment” A’s game you speak of, and I’m sure that’s an awesome thing. But just be happy that that was ever an opportunity for you. Hopefully in SJ tons of new A’s fans will be born who treasure the franchise just as much as our Oakland fans do (and will). The fan that lives 15 minutes from the Coliseum is no better than the fan that lives 3 hours from it. I think all A’s fans should rejoice upon hearing this news. It’s not about money, it’s about baseball. We are going to COMPETE again.
by Menechino_Incarnate on Dec 25, 2011 2:39 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
Speaking as a former East Bay fan who became a South Bay fan, it's a bit hard to sympathize.
I’ve been heading up to the Coliseum and not quitting on the team as a result of my move. I wouldn’t have quit on the A’s if they somehow moved even farther North. It makes it more difficult, but you make it work.
San Jose and the A’s will figure out some sort of public transportation system from the East Bay. There may be shuttles or transfers, but they’ll get something in place.
Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!
Gotta disagree with you on a few points
The move has nothing to do with fair weather fans who care more about winning than just going to games for the experience. As it is, the win/loss record hasn’t been all that great for a while now and I don’t see scores of fans filling the Coliseum just because they enjoy the experience.
There is no evidence to suggest fans who like cheap seats will be completely priced out of a new ballpark. Will tickets overall be more expensive? Of course. However, as it is, the average cost of a ticket to an A’s game has been very favorable to fans for ages. Yes, tickets will go up. Some will still be affordable, I’m sure of it.
The part about being able to just walk up and get tickets, especially good ones – well, that’s part of why they need a new place. An overabundance of good tickets available on gameday is NOT a good thing for the franchise and the lower the overall availability, the better off the team is when it comes to ticket revenue and, hopefully, the ability to put some of that back into the team.
I don’t see why a move south to San Jose would mean you have to become a Giants fan, though. That seems extremely fickle and pointless, especially for someone who’s been following the A’s for over a quarter century.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Yeah honestly, if the A's moved to Connecticut I'd still be a die-hard A's fan.
I’d be mad as hell but I’d still root for and follow the A’s.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
You'd be in the minority. Almost everyone in KC switched to the Royals pretty quickly
I find it hard to believe that East Bay people are less fickle than Kansas City people
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 8:58 PM PST up reply actions
Different situation
The good folks in KC got a team, it’s not like they became Cardinal fans.
SJ is just down the road, Athletics fans will stay true. No telling how it affects upcoming generations though.
Where have you gone John Johnstone?
by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Dec 25, 2011 9:35 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Oh, I am sure many bacame Cardinal fans.
I think the Royals out of town fan base must be in KS and OK, because the Cards have Mo covered.
by Eastwindquinn on Dec 25, 2011 10:03 PM PST up reply actions
Not sure about that
I live in Kansas City and the only Cardinals fans I know are transplants from St Louis. Not a lot of love lost between the cities – it’s approximately the same as the rivalry between SF/LA.
My brother-in-law grew up with the Kansas City A’s and he’s still an A’s fan. Then again, when your alternative was the Royals it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.
by coffee roaster on Dec 26, 2011 7:05 AM PST up reply actions
"In KC" certainly.
The places I have lived, were all out in the country, close enough to be Royals ground, but they were all going to AA Cards games in Springfield.
by Eastwindquinn on Dec 26, 2011 7:28 AM PST up reply actions
Yes but in Nico's example the team is moving to Connecticut.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 10:16 PM PST up reply actions
Where of course they'll sell out every game and never be snowed out
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
And Nico would be allowed to wear orange shorts.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
Oh you DI'INT!!!!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
This is how I first met Nico.
Good or bad, that’s how I will always envision him. The kids thought it was great
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
That's...really not the same thing at all
There was one team in KC. They moved. KC got an expansion team. It wasn’t like there were a pair of teams in the area, one moved a few dozen miles to another spot, and people switched over to the team that was closer.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
But Nico was saying how he would feel if the team moved to Connecticut.
I’m not saying that East Bay fans will support the Giants if the A’s are in San Jose.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 10:17 PM PST up reply actions
I'm with Nico on that point.
I don’t know where the age cut-off would be, but I suspect that older fans will tend to stick with their team no matter where they play, and younger fans will not be as loyal.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
See I thought the opposite...
The older you are the more an out of state move would crush you and make your want to abandon them. Younger people seem to be better at justifying rooting for teams that would have emotio ally destroyed older folks.
The odd factor there was Charlie Finley.
He pretty effectively and pro-actively killed support for the team before he even left. Wolff doesn’t seem to be the fan’s friend either, but he’s not as nearly open about it. Plus, they’re still “local”, and with no new team coming in to replace them, so that makes a big difference, I think.
I’m now an NRAF, so it’s not as critical to me, but even when I did live locally, I was near Sacramento, and a San Jose move would mean less games for me due to distance, but I seriously doubt my fandom would wane because of it.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Me too Nico!
I would be pissed, but still an A’s fan. It’s in my DNA now.
by robertmelvin on Dec 25, 2011 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
Here's Some News
A bittersweet Christmas present; I grew up watching the A’s play in the Coliseum and in Oakland, and that’s all I’ve ever known. It’s sad that they’re moving from Oakland, but this is what’s best for the team, and if this really comes true, then we could have many more Merry Christmases in years to come.
Merry Christmas everyone!
My Thoughts
1. I hate they are moving from Oakland, but at least they stay in the Bay Area. Hopefully they respect the Oakland heritage, and have some images of the Oakland A’s and not pretend the last 40+ years never happened. But I woun’t hold my breath.
2. After February, make the full on rebuild. Trade Suzuki and anyone making over 2 million. Spend a ton of money on the draft. Send a James Bond type scout to Cuba. I just can’t stand to watch a sick horse suffer.
3. Once they get a stadium, no more excuses.
4. A word of caution, A New Stadium is not a panacea. Ask the Pirates and Padres. The padres handed their most marketable star since Tony Gwynn to Boston, because they “could not afford him”. What the f___? I thought the whole point of a new statium was to provide enough revenue so you could afford your marquis players?
5. Merry Christmas Everyone (except Lew Wolff)!
Bingo.
3. Once they get a stadium, no more excuses.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Beane will find a way. He stays up nights thinking of excuses.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
I'm not worried about Beane's excuses
I’m worried about Wolff’s excuses. “We’re still settling in.” “We’re still figuring the best way to build the team in the new stadium.” “The stadium was expensive.” “We’re still figuring the best way to make money with the new stadium.” Remember he bought the A’s specifically to move them to San Jose and create a retail park, not to build a winning baseball team. I think it’s going to take the Leopard a little while to change his spots, if he changes them at all.
by jdr on Dec 26, 2011 8:58 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
"Remember he bought the A’s specifically to move them to San Jose and create a retail park, not to build a winning baseball team."
That’s your interpretation, but it’s not reality.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Beane's already used the "modern GMs don't horsetrade the way we used to in the old days" excuse
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 9:23 AM PST up reply actions
For your number 4, here are two examples from NHL Hockey
Phoenix Coyotes. Brand new “state of the art” arena in Glendale, Arizona. Plenty of luxury boxes and part of a larger “entertainment and sports” complex. (Now named the Jobing.com Arena for those of you who think the O.co Coliseum is a crappy name.) What happened? Tens of thousands of empty seats and eventual Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.
Atlanta Thrashers. Brand new Philips Arena. More luxury boxes than any other NHL/NBA arena. What happened? Not only were the seats empty, so were the luxury boxes. Eventual sale and move to Canada to become the Winnipeg Jets.
Bottom line? A new venue does not guarantee success, either financially or on the field (or ice as the case may be). Architecture does not win games or automatically put butts in the seats. You’ve got to have a competitive team.
by BatDay on Dec 25, 2011 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
While your point remains, I think there’s a huge difference between NHL franchises moving to places like Arizona and Georgia and a successful Athletics’ franchise not too far removed from 3-million attendance moving 30 or 40 miles.
The Padres and Pirates are more apt comparisons, and I’d think both would love to be moving into San Jose if they could.
Where have you gone John Johnstone?
by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Dec 25, 2011 11:04 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Agreed. Places like Phoenix are not, and have never been, hotbeds of hockey.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
In a way it surprises me that hockey's been so successful in San Jose
It’s to the point where every game is sold out and the Shark Tank has a strong reputation around the NHL as one of the elite places to play in.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I know what you mean.
I’m old enough to remember the Seals… in fact, a Seals game is the only pro hockey game I have ever been to… and I never thought the bay area was all that into hockey.
There is one point that plays in favor of southern locales. All the older people who migrate from the north to the south. But still, it never seemed enough to me to make a difference.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Good marketing is critical if you want to create a raucous fan atmosphere
… and of course A’s fans are quite familiar with the converse of that principle.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
it's a little surprising, but
San Jose is huge. If not the biggest, it’s got to be one of the biggest cities in the country without a major local sports team (MLB, NFL, NBA). People want to root for something, and if hockey’s all they’ve got (I am a huge hockey fan anyway) they’re going to root for hockey.
No. The only major leagues are the National League and the American League
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Not always...
they’ve had pockets of absolutely abysmal teams, and they still drew fans. It defies logic…
by RickeySteals on Dec 26, 2011 3:07 PM PST up reply actions
They've made the playoffs every year save one since 1997.
And they’ve only missed the playoffs three times since moving into the tank in 1993. If that’s not always good, please show me where to sign up.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
One thing you have to remember though, is 53% of NHL teams make the playoffs.
26% of MLB teams make the playoffs (30% with the added WC, if you consider the play-in game the post-season). Big difference when it comes to comparing playoff appearances.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
I'm aware of it.
It’s still a run that far defies the odds.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Great news
Granted, it would have been nice to keep the team in Oakland, but if that meant the same financial constraints we currently have, no thanks. And being that fans don’t come out in droves, I can’t blame the A’s for leaving. Even when we had a great product earlier this decade, attendance wasn’t high. This is largely because the Bay Area is the smallest US market for 2+ teams, and the Giants, by being in SF and having a nicer stadium, get most of the fans. I think a new stadium in Oakland wouldn’t have helped matters that much (and wouldn’t be good for the city, either, as it has far more pressing issues to worry about).
Oakland "has far more pressing issues to worry about" is my take on the situation.
Over the last ten years I’ve lived in Oakland, Berkeley, and Frisco (yeah, I called it that) and certainly it would be more convenient for me on a personal level for the A’s to stay in the East Bay. At the same time I work for an East Bay public library system – not OPL mind you, but having observed the recent gouging of city budgets, a phenomenon which is particularly severe in Oakland, I would have been pretty upset if the city had decided to pour millions of dollars into a ballpark. Oakland can’t afford to pay its educators, librarians, and public safety workers, and surely this should be a priority. I don’t know much about San Jose’s financial situation but it sounds like the Diridon park is cheaper than any proposed in Oakland. Likewise, the tech industry has weathered the current economic straits better than most, and I’m sure that Wolff’s Silicon Valley business buddies will play an important role not only in funding the ballpark, but also in expanding the A’s revenues to the point where they can have a competitive payroll.
San Jose's financial situation is shite-- they have no money either
However, they’re not paying for the park, merely giving away some land which probably ought to not be given away. (In fairness, this is far less of a boondoggle than any other recent new sports stadium that I’m aware of.)
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
I'm a little surprised
that people are putting so much face in a single tweet on the subject. What’s going to stop the Giants from litigating?
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Two things (as I understand them)...
1) An agreement within MLB that teams cannot sue other teams and/or MLB
2) Potential for losing the anti-trust exemption as a result of a court case, which serves nobody in MLB. They might win the case, but lose the ATE, in which case, any team can move anywhere… which means they lose anyway.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
All of which begs the question: What took Selig 3 years?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
His desire for unanimity
Selig doesn’t like making decisions until everyone agrees. He may have finally realized that won’t be possible in this instance. He’s going to have to act like a real commish and shove this down the Giants throats…
Fuck the Giants!
No one likes making decisions while not everyone agrees.
Doing it anyway is called ‘leadership’.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
everyone on this board can agree that Selig is not a great leader
But what he’s done here has been understandable. He tried to get the Giants to give up the rights voluntarily – they said no. Then he tried to get them to take a bribe – they said no. Now he’s (hopefully) forcing the move anyway and telling them they’ll take they can get. A good leader doesn’t get out the stick immediately. Three years isn’t a very long time in the MLB scheme of things.
This depends on how much you value consensus. I think there's value in avoiding
the creation of a faction of Baer and his friends/sympathizers. Once you isolate Baer you’re in a much stronger political position. If it means an extra two years, it’s probably worth it.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 9:19 AM PST up reply actions
I've heard an isolated Baer can be especially dangerous, especially if you stand between the Baer and his Cubs.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I thought he was a Giants fan
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions
Maybe he likes the Cubs because the Giants can beat them.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
So he hates the A's because he knows the Giants can't beat them!
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
I understand...
…that there is value in not being a dictator, but I agree that 3 years was unnecessary and uncalled for. It really shouldn’t have taken more than a year.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
I think Bud has played this just about right....
After all, even the Oaktown fans are recognizing the ecomomic realities. Bud has built support in more ways than one.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Ya, I think in the long run getting a consensus will prove to be more important
than shaving a year or two off the process
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 10:14 PM PST up reply actions
That is true
He’s waited long enough that it has become readily apparent to all but the most die hard Oakland only crowd that it will not happen in Oakland…
He's been much more masterful than that.
The Giants have been effectively marginalized, and they know it. They are going through the motions at this point because they know the fix is in, and whats more, they know they would vote the same way if it were another team in their position. At this point all they want is maximum return. Watch how quick they spout the party line when the time comes.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Truth
Newballpark.org has a great analysis of just how masterful waiting has turned out to be. It’s dropped what would have been a much higher compensation number down to likely only between 50-100 million. Far less than the 300 million that the Orioles were paid by the Expos/Nationals.
by athletics68 on Dec 26, 2011 11:10 PM PST up reply actions
$50M-$100M is a massive amount of money for something that can
be revoked for nothing by the rules.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 11:45 PM PST up reply actions
You guys are making good points.
Still frustrating from an A’s fan’s perspective, though.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
This what I understand as well.
If the Giants ownership tried to bring a lawsuit, they would quickly find themselves sans team.
Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!
Oh that'd be cool. Then the A's can move up to San Francisco.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
but aren't the giants basically suing the a's now via the sj giants, which the sf giants own?
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
They can sue municipalities, can't they?
Maybe they’re being cut a Giant check, I dunno…seems odd that they would just suddenly go away without a whimper, though.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Which municipality can they sue?
Oakland — You egregiously didn’t do enough to keep the A’s in the territory we defined for you!
San Jose — You don’t give a **** about the territories MLB defined! How dare you!?!
Chicago — It’s too cold and windy!
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
Presumably they would sue the City of San Jose on some other grounds
Like violation of local zoning laws, or breaching a contract with the San Jose Giants, or misusing public funds etc.
by Glorious Mundy on Dec 26, 2011 9:38 AM PST up reply actions
You violated your own zoning laws instead of changing them! Prepare to face the consequences!
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 10:01 AM PST up reply actions
They won't sue.
And they’ll be forced to give up their current suit once the territorial change is made.
by athletics68 on Dec 26, 2011 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
I don't have these answers, to be sure.
It just doesn’t pass the smell test. There’s no reason to believe the Giants will just suddenly go away.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Tney will if MLB tells them to
And MLB will tell them to sit down, shut up and behave if the territorial change occurs.
Bitter sweet, but good news nevertheless.
As a native of Oakland (circa 1939), as well as my parents (1912 and 1915 respectively) it will be sad to see the A’s move on, and for Oakland to be left without a baseball team, but move on they must! I grew up with the old english letter “O” of the Oakland Oaks hanging on the wall of my bedroom (I cut it out myself at woodwork shop at Hamilton Jr. High) where I grew up in East Oakland at the corner of High Street and East 16th St. (now Bancroft Avenue). …. and still have very clear memories of the PCL penants of 1948 (Casey Stengal.) and 1950 (Chuck Dressen),….and of course the four W.S. victories of the A’s. Not so sure that an “SJ” will be hanging in my bedroom, though, in the immediate future.
I will follow them just a closely but on TV and the internet, not in person; am too old for the roundtrip from Petaluma to SJ; in fact, even a one-way trip would be difficult without a few pit stops.
GO A’s
Hmmm....you're younger than my parents. If you need a ride to the new place, I'd be happy to
take you when I’m in town….say on AN Day?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 10:51 PM PST up reply actions
Another reason to love this site
A 72 year-old fan on a team’s blog.
Great to hear from you!
Hey! We old people have the internet too you know.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2011 11:32 PM PST up reply actions
I am not so young myself
I just think of my mom who I was finally able to talk into getting an ATM card last week….her first one at age 81.
How about middle aged, instead of "old"?
…..and, thanks for the offer Waddell for the ride. If it takes 3 or 4 years to build the new ballpark, then I hope the offer is still available for the season opener in April 2015?…although it might be a hard ticket to come by.
Also as a prediction: Brett Anderson will be the only “hold-over” from the pre-rebuild days, and be the Opening Day Ace of the staff in 2015. Billy likes his baseball lineage and will keep him around for old times sake.
[Also a quick question for a not-so-computer-literate person: how can I copy and paste the old Oakland Oaks logo on to “Post a Reply”?]
by robertmelvin on Dec 25, 2011 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
First the picture needs to be on the internet somwhere
right click on the image and copy its url or “image location”. Then when replying, press the little icon that says “image” when you hold the mouse over it. Paste the url in the box.
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
&docid=yNUd3QB3AafV2M&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/OaklandOaks(PCL)CapLogo.PNG/100px-OaklandOaks(PCL)CapLogo.PNG&w=100&h=100&ei=EUn4TovPK9DMrQfdnNnsDw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=173&sig=114311658652036260834&page=6&tbnh=80&tbnw=80&start=94&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:94&tx=56&ty=49)
Will leave in the second inning with a shoulder injury, too ;-).
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
This has me more pumped than any Christmas gift I received this year
…including the complete season of The Wire I received. Shiiiiiiiieeeeeeet.
I’m going to have to move home from NYC for this. Seriously, if this goes down, I am moving back home… to San Jose
Questions...
Where exactly is the location of the new stadium in SJ? What is the surrounding area like?
Are we sure that the basic design of the stadium is completed or is that still up in the air?
by Menechino_Incarnate on Dec 26, 2011 2:31 AM PST reply actions
It's right next to Diridon Station
Close to the Arena. And yeah there are renderings. Someone posted a couple of them earlier in the thread.
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
Go here:
That rug really tied the room together...
by Streams Of Whiskey on Dec 26, 2011 12:31 PM PST up reply actions
Seeing the A's move to SJ will be tough after following them for so long
But at least they will remain in CA and not too terribly far from Oakland.
by A's Fan in Virginia on Dec 26, 2011 8:00 AM PST reply actions
I found this interesting...
Last night I wandered over to that other team’s site to read any reactions regarding this.
In the past, their fans were adamant that it would never happen. They owned the territorial rights, the team would defend them vigorously, and that’s all there was to it, yada yada yada.
Now, most of the poster’s comments seemed to have resigned themselves to the fact that it’s a fait accompli, which is a total reversal from before. Some even said they could see it coming a mile away.
One poster did point out that they might get support from owners of other two-team markets, but they failed to mention that ALL the other two-team markets are shared, so those owners don’t have the same concerns to begin with.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Ha ha
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 9:14 AM PST up reply actions
Well that
And Reinsdorf who owns one of those two team market teams has publicly said he supports the A’s move to SJ. And Artie Moreno in Anaheim has not only co-opted their neighboring city’s name a few years ago but will also be looking to build a new ballpark in the coming years. He won’t want to limit his options prematurely should he run into problems in Anaheim.
Just checked it out
lol it turned into a Niner game thread
""Expelliarmus!" said Eckstein, attempting to knock the bat out of Matt Kemp's hands, just before Kemp laced a single to center." -Ken Tremendous
LOL, yeah, it did.
Kind of indicative of their fans… easily distracted by shiny objects.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
San Jose Athletics
It is what Lew wants and what the city is requiring him to do contractually even if he changes his mind (and they’ve taken steps to ensure no Anaheim style shennanigans happen either)
by athletics68 on Dec 26, 2011 12:27 PM PST up reply actions
I prefer San Jose Athletics for common usage...
…San Jose A’s would be fine, and I’m sure will be the default shortcut for most, but it is a little awkward to say.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
San Jose Athletics is the only way
The Angels embarassed themselves by naming themselves “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim”. You could possibly come up with something more goofy.
This name literally means “The The Angels Angels of Anaheim”.
It was much better when they were the California Angels and then the Anaheim Angels.
For the A’s, is San Jose A’s all the way.
by jeff-athletic on Dec 26, 2011 4:42 PM PST up reply actions
Other possibilities I could see (not endorsing any of them):
“California Athletics”
“Bay Area Athletics”
“Oakland Athletics” (who happen to play their home games in San Jose)
“South Bay Athletics”
“Google Earth Athletics”
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
When Fremont was still possible
I kinda liked Silicon Valley A’s.
Pavelski soaks panties faster than a firehose - Mr. Plank
by GoldenStateGuerrero on Dec 26, 2011 11:49 PM PST up reply actions
You did? Ugh.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 11:52 PM PST up reply actions
Los Angeles Athletics of San Jose near Silican Valley in territory stolen from the San Francisco Giants
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
by UncleLeo on Dec 26, 2011 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Let's go truly modern... 37°19′45″N 121°54′4″W Athletics
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Agreed.
San Jose A’s isn’t bad. Anything else could get silly rather quickly (Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Oakland A’s of San Jose, etc).
It's literally "The The Angels Angels of Valley Home"
TTAAOVH
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 10:28 PM PST up reply actions
I think the "Angels Angels" thing is a plus, not a minus.
It’s cool to have the team name go with the city, like the Oakland Oaks.
Baseball is a stupid-making enterprise in that nobody wants to be singled out or say something dumb. —Michael Lewis
What would the chant be?
My wife reminded me of the catchyness of “Let’s Go Oak-Land” and now that they will move to San Jose, what will we chant from the seats??? “Let’s Go San Jose” sounds weird. “Let’s Go A-AAA’s” is not working either… hmmm…
-Rytoe-
Right, but if someone's brain needed four in order to not go into seizures, you could chant "LET'S GO S-J."
Or “LET’S GO SAN HO”
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 12:02 PM PST up reply actions
Both of which sound really lame
So why not, “Let’s Go Upton!” since we’ll pretty much be the Upton A’s when we sign Justin to a 12 year/$713M deal to ring in the new ballpark.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
When I lived in San Francisco...
I preferred going to A’s games to Giants games because I could hop on BART rather than having to wind my way down to (cold and miserable) Candlestick. Though I’m a Rockies fan, I’ve sort of adopted the A’s as my AL team.
I think this is the best available move as it will keep the A’s in the bay area so even if you can’t go down to San Jose or just refuse to, at least you will be in TV/radio range. There were no credible plans to keep the A’s in Oakland, anyway and the Colosseum was an eyesore after Al Davis had his way with it. Even though we enjoy a new/old fancy-schmancy ballpark in Denver, there are Rockpile tickets on sale for $4 and upper outfield seats for $13 – plus our local supermarket chain does discount seats all the time. There’s really no reason to suggest die-hard, moderate-income fans should be squeezed out, You’re also lucky in that the bay area is always working on better public transit connections though it may be 2020 before BART rolls up to the gates,
Best thing that could happen, I think. Now the A’s will have the circumstances to field a competitive team year-on-year. I’m happy for the team and its fans and would very much love to join you in your cluster-fuck of the Giants.
There are no apostrophes in plurals.
A lot is two words. Allot can be one word but it has another meaning.
The only time you really want to use "myself" is when you are the recipient of your own action. Usually you're better off using "me."
Your is not the correct contraction of you are. The word you're looking for is you're.
It's anyway, not anyways.
But if you only remember one thing...
There are no apostrophes in plurals.
Good news if true
On another note, I’m sure mikev would like to respond with an “FK the Giants” post, but he is unable to as he has been banned for no apparent reason.
NOTICE ME NOTICE ME!!!11!!11!!!!!11!eleventy!!!!11!!
by doctorK on Dec 26, 2011 6:50 PM PST reply actions 6 recs
Really?
He was banned?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
check out the gio-trade thread (the one with 1750 comments)
NOTICE ME NOTICE ME!!!11!!11!!!!!11!eleventy!!!!11!!
fine, i'll do it then. fuck the giants.
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
by stm72 on Dec 27, 2011 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You are wrong
There is an apparent reason. It´s only that it´s a petty and stupid one
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by elcroata on Dec 27, 2011 11:50 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Wait, I'm confused.
I thought mikev has told everyone that he didn’t “get and just ignore” my first specific request that he email me.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I´m glad that you at least admit that you have banned one of the longest-tenured and most active members of this community because your ego couldn´t handle a joke in your direction
And I don´t have a fucking clue if your phantom “message” was ever sent or ever received. But adding two (you repeatedly saying that you tried to send him a pigeon on December 10th) and two (you flagging the named comment of his on the same day) together is well within my math capabilities.
And let me tell ya, when I add them together, the result stinks really bad…
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by elcroata on Dec 27, 2011 12:52 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
I've hunted through that thread and don't see any joke hurled by mikev in nico's direction
unless you mean that “notice me” thing. Was it deleted?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 1:00 PM PST up reply actions
It *is* the "NOTICE ME" thing
That´s what makes it absurd (apart from being obviously pathetic)
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by elcroata on Dec 27, 2011 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Is that a CGV?
I see CGVs as falling into one of the following categories:
1) Personal attacks
2) Prejudiced
3) Harassing
4) Relentless negativity
5) Politics
Which of those is this?
Was this agreed to by all the moderators?
However, a third “strike” will not be issued without weigh-in from all the moderators to ensure it is a decision the moderators, as a group, believe to be appropriate.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
6) Not kissing the ring of "The Chief Administrator"?
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by elcroata on Dec 27, 2011 2:34 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
Are there other businesses dependent on advertising where the
targets of those ads are expected to “kiss rings” of administrators? For example are those who look at out-of-home electronic media in BART stations expected to “kiss the ring” of the station manager or ticket seller? Isn’t a site administrator basically an employee of the shareholders of the business that owns the site and its brand?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 2:56 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Check elcroata's signature...
I think you’re on to something. Methinks he’s trying to see if Nico will wield the banhammer on him, too.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Can he do that unilaterally?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 1:26 PM PST up reply actions
He can and he did
To the best of my knowledge, mikev has never even had a single strike. If any of the moderators with some desire for transparency into how this place is run wants to confirm this, I would be grateful.
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by elcroata on Dec 27, 2011 2:32 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Then where does that statement in the CG that the moderators as a group
have to believe it to be appropriate fit in?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
There is a provision for it.
The site’s chief administrator may, at any time, choose to bypass the three-strikes process and ban a user if he feels the circumstances warrant it. If a user’s offense is judged to be exceptionally grievous in nature, that user may be banned immediately and unilaterally.
However, I’d be absolutely curious to see what Mike said or did that could be judged as “exceptionally grievous.” And I assume that it’s just basic logic that if it WAS based on an insult directed at Nico, that he would not be an impartial person to judge the punishment for said situation, that it would be what other mods are for.
But. Y’know.
Since a banning is a banning. Whether it’s a “talk to me” ban or not, it’s still being unilaterally banned.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2011 8:45 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Current feeling is...
Bloom made a comment about Nico’s abbreviated sabbatical, to which mikev replied: NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
Length o’ time late… e-mails sent/unsent (depends on the side you’re listening to)… mikev banned.
The monster at the end of this blog.
This whole thing seems to be blown out of proportion on all five sides.
by LoneStranger on Dec 28, 2011 12:20 PM PST up reply actions
If this is actually what the whole thing is about it's a completely
inappropriate use of an action that is only applied in response to an offense “exceptionally grievous in nature”, unless “notice me” has some urban meaning I’m not aware of.
Further as Kyli says, if the alleged offense was directed at a particular individual, that individual should be the last person to judge what response is appropriate if any.
And then the last person the banned party should be required to contact is the alleged victim of the offense.
Conflicts of interest appear to abound here. This would be exceptionally poor corporate governance.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 28, 2011 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs
If elcroata's Andy Messersmith, call me Dave McNally.
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 27, 2011 2:46 PM PST up reply actions
Nico, this needs a substantive response
Not speaking for anyone but myself, this apparent “extrajudicial” banning and your insufficient explanation of it has seriously dented my faith in this place as an online community.
by Glorious Mundy on Dec 27, 2011 2:24 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
It's just more incorrect conjecture.
As I’ve said repeatedly, I will discuss the matter only privately, with the individual, as is proper.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Have you said repeatedly why you don't wish to answer Glorious Mundy's
and elcroata’s question about transparency, and why you believe that an opaque system is “proper”?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs
He's not going to
He’s wrong, he knows it, so he’ll just be glib/authoritative and hope it blows over.
Does that in any way surprise you?
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Dec 28, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I don't think this situation is tenable for very long.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 28, 2011 1:29 PM PST up reply actions
Which part is conjecture?
That mikev is banned?
That you banned mikev?
That mikev was banned because of a comment he made towards you?
That you will not unban mikev until he has come to you for a talking to?
Feel free to point out the error(s) in the synopsis.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Dec 27, 2011 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Damn... forgot one...
Conjecture (cont.)
That you chose to ban mikev the day Gio was traded, thus creating a n unnecessary meta distraction on a day of actual A’s baseball import?
The monster at the end of this blog.
So it was the aborted TWSS joke mikev made, instead?
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by jeepers on Dec 27, 2011 3:13 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Even if we accept your position that you cannot publicly discuss the underlying issue between you and mikev
You can still explain what gives you the authority to unilaterally ban someone from posting because he didn’t email you. Whatever you wish to converse with him about, your actions read like an abuse of power.
by Glorious Mundy on Dec 27, 2011 3:15 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
so, shoot him an email
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
You are not alone with that feeling, my friend
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
by elcroata on Dec 27, 2011 2:32 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
What would be the financial impact of that "faith denting"?
My understanding is that SB Nation is trying to be a “for profit” venture that values “sticky eyeballs”. How much money would you reckon the investors in SB Nation are losing with a deterioration of that stickiness?
a) $0.01 per eyeball
b) $1 per eyeball
c) $1000 per eyeball
d) $100,000 per eyeball
e) More
Also what impact would you guess your “faith denting” has on the faith of other sticky eyeballs? Would the multiplier effect be:
a) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 100
e) More
IOW how much should anyone with skin in the SB Nation game care about this issue?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 2:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'll miss being an A's fan if this move happens.
Been one since 1971 as a kid growing up in Europe, but as the OP noted, the sport is pretty much a corporate tax playground now (as are almost all major sports) and this was only a matter of time.
I love the East Bay for reasons stretching well beyond sports, and for similar reasons, hold a terrible antipathy to the San Jose area. While ost fans don’t hold those sentiments, I’m sure I’m not alone.
All good things end, of course, and some of those endings you could see coming for miles, but to me the San Jose A’s might as well be the Miami Fighting Lorias for all I care.
I was hoping Oakland could work it out until I was dead….:) But no such luck. For those of you in the American Khaki Class, enjoy your handiwork. For those of you old enough to remember when this sport was accessible to almost every American, maybe you’ll understand where I’m coming from.
by Drone on Dec 26, 2011 7:29 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Really dude?
This is all bullshit. It is now as it’s always been. Sports teams have always been a capitalist enterprise, from the dawn of time. True enough, all things eventually end, but in this case the end heralds a better future for the fans of the Oakland A’s. Albeit they wont be the Oakland A’s, at least they will remain in the local area. What more do you have a right to ask? The “khaki class”? Really? I suppose you mean the “middle class”, as if they committed some great sin. I wish there were more of them, with their incessant consummerism and fickle ways.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Wouldn't this be anyone over the age of 4 months? The A's are a pretty affordable ticket.
For those of you old enough to remember when this sport was accessible to almost every American, maybe you’ll understand where I’m coming from
I once went to a weekday game and the scalpers were having such a bad day that one guy offered me a ticket for free. I said no, and bought a ticket at the box office.
If your point is that tickets won’t be given away in San Jose, then I’m pretty happy about that. I want a higher revenue and a better team. I’m pretty sure they’ll leave some token cheap section somewhere in the stadium. Most parks have one, and ticket prices have dropped around the league from 2010 to 2011.
In short I’m pretty old but I have no idea where you’re coming from.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 10:41 PM PST up reply actions
I mean,
at the Giants ballpark (so often dismissed around these parts as a super-expensive land where millionaires spend all game drinking wine and talking on their cell phones about how to screw the working man), it is possible to get GREAT seats— not good, excellent— for roughly $30. (I know this because I’ve done it myself. The upper-deck seats behind home plate are both fabulous and affordable.) If you’re willing to go for okay seats, you can halve that.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
American Khaki class?
Lived in the south bay most of my life and I’m wearing jeans dude. Levis to be specific. And I’ve driven up to Oakland for over 25 years to see games WITH traffic. You may look at the south bay with antipathy, but I look at Oakland with anger over their stupidity in fellating themselves to Al Davis and then screwing and stringing the A’s along for 15 years. They deserve everything that’s coming to them as sad as it is to see happen.
by athletics68 on Dec 26, 2011 11:18 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah. Why would anyone look to San Jose with antipathy? Has it harmed anyone?
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2011 11:44 PM PST up reply actions
Well, if you ask some people they're trying to "steal" the A's from Oakland
Conversely, I say they’re helping save the A’s from leaving the area entirely.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I also share this view
I firmly believe if SJ falls through the A’s will still not be playing in Oakland 5 years from now.
by athletics68 on Dec 27, 2011 12:53 AM PST up reply actions
The whole "khaki class" comment is just another form of stupid class warfare arguments
Last of the Ninth - Photography
So are Khaki wearing members of the Occupy movement really spies?
by athletics68 on Dec 27, 2011 12:54 AM PST up reply actions
Why would anyone wear khakis anyway? Sweatpants are so much more comfortable
and I don’t have to care how fat I get.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2011 8:15 AM PST up reply actions
Kudos to you for sharing an unpopular opinion.
Taking the Oakland out of the Athletics isn’t as trivial as the pro-San Jose crowd wants to make it sound. I won’t stop being an A’s fan, but it won’t be anywhere near the same, either.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
ha! thanks, jeepers, and it went about as I imagined it would.
Sometimes it’s good to take a nice big crap in the Temple of Winning…:)
This
It means that now, I have to drive over Pacheco Pass, instead of Altamont Pass. No matter where the stadium is, someone is affected by the traffic. Sure not worth complaining about. JUST GO TO THE GAMES!
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."-anonymous
"i guess i just like beer"-stm
Must snatch up all A’s gear that say “Oakland” on it now. Including the grey jersey.
Pavelski soaks panties faster than a firehose - Mr. Plank
by GoldenStateGuerrero on Dec 26, 2011 11:45 PM PST reply actions
I wore the grey jersey yesterday
The A’s seem to have very little gear that says “Oakland.”
Slegna must die!
by Athletics fan and runner on Dec 27, 2011 6:02 AM PST up reply actions
This saddens me though I feel it is necessarily.
I don’t believe the A’s would still be in Oakland in ten years should San Jose fall through. San Jose Athletics is a lot closer to Oakland than the Portland Hipsterathletics is.
I am an Oakland native who now lives 3000 miles from home. The A’s are my team because I grew up in Oakland and fell in love with the team. If they played in San Jose when I was a kid I would likely be a Gnats fan (screw that!). I find that now living so far away that my A’s fandom is more than a sports fandom it is rather a beacon of positive memories of my childhood and the life that I left behind. Part of me will die when they move to San Jose. That said, more of me will die if they were to move the Vegas or Portland. San Jose is a place that I had been as a kid and its still part of the bay area, my home area.
Slegna must die!
by Athletics fan and runner on Dec 27, 2011 5:59 AM PST reply actions
I feel ya...
I think when I tell people that I’m an A’s fan nowadays, it’s based more on history than anything else. The days of the Bash Brothers, when I was about 13-16 years old were a looong time ago. These days I can’t stand watching the A’s or even going to the Coliseum more than once a year. I think it just bothers me how much they’ve fallen. I watch the Giants more often, not because I’m a fan but because I admire their ballpark, their broadcasters and the way they run their business. I want the A’s to move to San Jose not only because I live here, but I’d love to see them get a fresh start and a chance at some success. I’d also love the move to stick in the craw of Giants ownership and their fans too. Look at McCovey Chronicles – their fans clearly see the South Bay as THEIR property as well. Interesting take, you’d think they were getting paid to be fans rather than forking over money…
Oakland folks, I have some sympathy, but get over it ...
… as someone who grew up and lives in the Sac area, and a long time die hard A’s fan, I really don’t sympathize with complaints from Oaklanders who now have to drive 30 something miles to see the A’s. Try 100.
For me, it’s pretty much a 2 hour drive from Sac (I live in the eastern suburbs). SJ is about 2hrs 15mins, and actually a more pleasant drive (680 is much nicer to drive down than 80 through east bay to 880).
Yes, it’s pretty nice for Oaklanders and other East Bay folks to have the A’s so close. But now the South bay folks are going to have that, and the East Bay folks will have to drive a little bit. But 30 miles? Big whoop. That’s just a drive across town. Heck, my house is about 30 miles from Raley Field, and I regularly attend River Cats games, and I find it totally easy and convenient. 30 miles is a daily commute for some, if not most people.
Bottom line is, the A’s are still local, still part of the Bay Area and Northern California, and they’re going to get a brand new, state of the art, downtown stadium in an area with great corporate base and high average income. The A’s are on now on their way to being a real MLB team again.
And that is something worth celebrating for ALL A’s FANS!
Anyone know if the A's are planning on changing colors when they move to San Jose?
I had heard a rumor that the colors would change (can’t remember where). I’m happy about the move, but if there is no more green and gold, that’s gonna piss me off.
There'd be zero sense changing a classic scheme.
There are no apostrophes in plurals.
A lot is two words. Allot can be one word but it has another meaning.
The only time you really want to use "myself" is when you are the recipient of your own action. Usually you're better off using "me."
Your is not the correct contraction of you are. The word you're looking for is you're.
It's anyway, not anyways.
But if you only remember one thing...
There are no apostrophes in plurals.
I hope not.
They’re unique and classy at the same time. Like MLB really needs another variation of red & blue.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
If anything, I would love for the Sharks to ditch that orange tertiary (or is it quaternary?) color to green.
by LoneStranger on Dec 27, 2011 12:10 PM PST up reply actions
this
that orange on the uni’s is puke inducing and makes no sense.
"Today I step into the shoes of a great man, a man by the name of Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho."
by S Jay Bruin on Dec 27, 2011 12:36 PM PST up reply actions
Orange is never good as a team color
Hinweis Mir! Hinweis Mir!
by doctorK on Dec 27, 2011 4:36 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Changing the colors might very well lose me as a fan.
I became an Oakland A’s fan because I have an emotional connection to Oakland. Once the Oakland connection is gone, what connects me to the A’s is 12 years of being a fan. In other words, what makes me loyal is tradition and continuity, and I think that’s probably true for many others as well. I can understand why the team wants to move to San Jose, but it’s hard for me to see what they gain by deliberately breaking tradition and continuity. What is the upside to changing colors?
Baseball is a stupid-making enterprise in that nobody wants to be singled out or say something dumb. —Michael Lewis
I can't see any reason they'd change the team's colors
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Doesn't look like it from what they're showing of what they want the stadium to look like
The seats are green and gold and so are all the accoutrements around the stadium. Plus it just wouldn’t make sense. Green and Gold are as part of the Athletics identity now as the “A’s” logo on the caps are.
by athletics68 on Dec 27, 2011 10:27 PM PST up reply actions
If they lose the white cleats, I will cut someone.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2011 8:41 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The obvious solution
Yes, i know it won’t happen, but the obvious solution is that the A’s and Giants should share a stadium. In terms of the schedule, it can and has been done (the Yankees and Mets shared Shea Stadium for a couple of years when i was a kid and they were remodeling Yankee Stadium).
Why would the Giants agree to share their beautiful stadium? Money; they would collect many millions a year, making money on their stadium that otherwise stands empty for 81 games a year. Their real competition is not the A’s, it is their divisional rivals. They also own a lot of things in the area of their stadium, which would be made more lucrative by the additional 81 home games. They could use the additional money to have an even larger payroll, presumably higher than the A’s would have.
Why would the A’s do it? They would get to play in a great stadium, it would be cheaper than building their own. Could happen much sooner than a stadium in SJ. They could keep a lot of their East Bay fans that they will lose if they go all the way down to SJ. Just being in a great park in SF gets you a lot of attendance from folks who are there as tourists or on business. They would get a lot better media attention in SF than in Oakland or SJ…..
If the ‘NY’ Giants and Jets can share a stadium, if the Niners and Raiders might be able to (and i think they should share one — in Oakland), then why can’t the A’s and Giants even be talked about. It’s insane for the A’s to spend, what?, over 500 million for new stadium when a great one is sitting empty for 81 game days a year right across the pond.
Hi ho.
Shared baseball stadiums are a bad idea
The field would take double the pounding. Not to mention sharing ATT Park would mean the A’s would just be second class citizens in the Giants park rather than second class citizens in their own over in the Coliseum. A team needs their own stadium to be financially viable.
I laughed the most at the idea the 49ers and Raiders should share a stadium in Oakland
And the reason the football stadium works for the Giants and the Jets is because they both have their own locker rooms plus the field – an artificial one – is set up so team-specific decorations and logos can easily be changed. Also, the new stadium is a 50/50 partnership, compared to old Giants Stadium where the Jets were tenants of the Giants.
There’s also this detail on the locker rooms: MetLife Stadium includes a total of four locker rooms: one for the Giants, one for the Jets and two for visiting teams. The home teams have locker rooms on opposite ends of the stadium with a visitor’s locker room adjacent to it; the unused visitor locker room is also used as a spillover area by the home team on game days.
If the A’s are playing in AT&T, you’re not going to be seeing a whole lot that’s to their benefit. They sure don’t have enough locker rooms to swap out Giants and A’s stuff depending on who’s there, plus the visiting one’s stuff.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Just make the visiting team do their business in the parking lot.
Problem solved.
That rug really tied the room together...
by Streams Of Whiskey on Dec 28, 2011 9:38 AM PST up reply actions
You bring up another good point
For baseball teams the home stadium is not “unused” on non game days. For most of them the home park is also being used as their corporate HQ, ticket center, rehab center, training center, etc… year round. Their home locker rooms in particular are like a permanent home base. It’s not just an operation that you can shut down on a whim 81 days a year because the A’s want to use Pac Bell…
It works for football because teams all have their independent HQ’s and practice centers (Niners and Raiders both are actually based out of Santa Clara and Alameda respectively).
by athletics68 on Dec 28, 2011 10:21 AM PST up reply actions
Why does sharing one in Santa Clara work any better?
It’s a new football stadium either way.
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
Oakland has little to no chance of getting any new stadium built, especially one for football
Last of the Ninth - Photography
So all the detail about shared space for football was just meaningless, then.
I hate San Jose so much.
NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!
Are you talking about Jean Quan's blathering?
That whole thing was meaningless.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Because the stadium in Santa Clara has full financing
Including private funds and public funds that Oakland can’t provide. That’s why it’s better. It’s going to happen. A new Oakland ballpark/stadium/arena (any of them) are all just pipe dreams that have no chance of happening. Oakland is done as a major league sports town. It’s not a matter of IF, it’s a question of WHEN.
by athletics68 on Dec 28, 2011 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
I don't get any of these problems.
They all have an easy work around.
shared stadiums would be great. Even better for football
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
No they wouldn't
Part of the fun of baseball is going to your team’s home stadium. What fun is it to go to some generic empty shell of a venue that is home to neither yet contains two teams? With football its forgivable due to it being so infrequently. For baseball it’s just unnatural.
by athletics68 on Dec 28, 2011 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
I still think those are cosmetic things that can be handled
THe biggest problem is team facilities, new clubhouses etc.
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
You'd have Giants fans farting in your season seats.
tko bira, masturbira -- Croatian proverb quoted by elcroata
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 28, 2011 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Well that
And you’d have to kick the entire Giants FO out of their offices during A’s game days. And also dedicate half of the office space in the ballpark to the A’s. Remember the guys on the field are only the tip of the iceberg of what goes on in a modern MLB venue. I know we’re not used to thinking about it since the A’s have been forced to share their hovel with the Raiders all these years, but the Coliseum is also not a modern venue. It’s the last of the multiteam throwbacks that have no place in the modern world.
by athletics68 on Dec 28, 2011 11:27 PM PST up reply actions
Historically...
…when baseball teams have shared stadiums, it has not worked well in the long-term.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
yes, in ye olde times.
but its workable. And much less of a drain on public money
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
It is workable
I don’t remember the Mets and Yankees having any huge issues sharing. Really, how hard it is to rotate the crap from two teams of about 25 baseball players? It’s not.
Wear and tear on the field? How beat up is it after a long homestand? I don’t remember announcers saying “well, we’re toward the end of the homestand, the field is really getting beat up..” They can handle a game every day.
There would be a disparity between the two teams because the A’s would be paying the Giants. But I think that the A’s would be better off in SF than in SJ; they would have better ratings, better attendance, more media. More money comes from all of that, and even more from not having to build a very expensive stadium ($500M stadium, paid at 5% for 25 years is about 30M a year).
As for the football stadium, it really depends on what a team needs. If you are trying to build a neighborhood with shops and stuff, that part of Oakland probably isn’t going to be your choice. But if what you really need is space for the stadium and parking and freeway access, it’s a great location. I don’t think any bay area city is going to put significant dollars toward the stadium beyond land and maybe some road work, so the city of Oakland’s financial situation is rather irrelevent. Especially if the A’s leave Oakland, the Coliseum site would be fine for a new football stadium, if Santa Clara doesn’t get one done before then. To me, football stadium location matters much less than baseball because of tailgating culture and the small number of games. I’ve no problem with Candlestick but apparently it is more expensive to build there than elsewhere.
Hi ho.
But it's a drain on the soul
Frankly if the A’s ever tried to move into Pac Bell long term I would make it my life goal to either have them forcibly removed from the Bay Area or contracted. I’d rather they be gone or no longer exist than share that den of inequity in McCovey’s polluted cove.
Fuck the Giants and anyone who thinks we should be sharing a park with them.
by athletics68 on Dec 28, 2011 11:29 PM PST up reply actions
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