Why I Am Still Getting Up At 3 AM For Opening Day

by A'sIN on Jan 19, 2012 2:01 PM PST

I created this account way back in 2008, when the memories of the 2002 season, and the 2006 season were still fresh in my mind, and the 2008 season had hope and high expectations. We opened that season in Japan against Boston, and my brother and I stayed up late to watch the game. I was 15, he was 12, and we were diehards. Of the players in that game, only Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki remain. Of the 2006 team, nobody is left. The team is getting ready to pack up and head to San Jose, and my favorite all-time A's, Mark Ellis, Eric Chavez, Tim Hudson are long gone. As are some of my current favorites, Trevor Cahill, Andrew Bailey and Gio Gonzalez. The 2012 season is bleak and the starting 9 will be filled with guys most people have never heard of. Brandon McCarthy, last year's 5th starter will be our opening day man opposing King Felix. I could go on and on why it is so difficult to remain an A's fan. However, I prefer to look at this team a different way.

As A's fans, we all embrace the us-against-the-world mentality that the MLB has thrust upon us with years of neglect and an owner who refuses to show an inkling of care about the team that is on the field. The Giants try to keep us from getting a new stadium at all costs, Bud "Slowest Decision Maker in Modern World History" Selig refuses to deal with our issues, and our stadium rarely sells out. But there is one thing we keep forgetting. When the Yankees win the World Series, only Yankee fans care. If they win 110 games and then lose in the first round, they're an unbelievable dissapointment. Tickets a few rows behind the Yankee dugout will set you back 4 figures. If this A's team somehow (and geez is this a stretch) makes even a close run at the West either this year or next year, it would be as exciting as anything we've seen in the past 10 years. In 2002, we started out terribly and went on a run like nothing baseball had ever seen, only to lose in the 1st round. A Yankee fan would call this a failure of a season, but young fans like me remember it as the most amazing season we've ever witnessed. I saw games 18-20 and the ball that Miguel Tejada hit for a walk-off single in game 19 is proudly displayed in my house. In 2006 we had a team that the experts didn't see as anything special, yet we made in to the ALCS.

So A's fans, lets be positive when we start this season not by looking at where we are but where we've been and where we're headed. This team is built to contend in 2015, and I'm fine with that. But we still have a great bullpen, good starters, a rising star second baseman, a decent outfield and a good shortstop. Our catcher is a team leader and veteran presence that can help grow our young prospect pitchers. If the past has taught us anything, its that pre-season expectations are moot. Last year SI said we'd win the division, and we failed miserably, but in 2006 and 2002, nobody saw us doing what we did. So maybe 2012 will bring us 100 losses, maybe 90, maybe .500. Who knows, but I know I'll be up at 3 AM again this year, with all the optimism and hope that I've had in seasons past. Because I'm an Oakland A's fan, the world tells me my team is done, hopeless, worthless and not long for the world. I don't care. I'm putting on the green and gold and cheering proudly for this team. Let's Go Oakland!

BTW this doesn't mean I won't be rooting as hard as I can that the Giants, Angels, Yankees,and Rangers all go 0-162.

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 12 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Here! Here!

Great Post. I think this is the least hype in years surrounding our A’s and it really gives us a chance to succeed without any pressure. I’ll be heckling extra hard against the Red Sox and Dodgers as well as the other teams you mentioned. Let’s Go A’s!

by justplainaj on Jan 19, 2012 2:07 PM PST reply actions

I'll take less "leaders" and more talent myself.

by Bed. on Jan 19, 2012 2:11 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for the Optimism

After all that has happend in this off season, we need a bit of opitmism around here!! I will also be excited for the green and gold on opening day albeit a 3AM opener will test the loyalty of any fan.

by diablokid on Jan 19, 2012 2:19 PM PST reply actions

This

Who knows, but I know I’ll be up at 3 AM again this year, with all the optimism and hope that I’ve had in seasons past. Because I’m an Oakland A’s fan, the world tells me my team is done, hopeless, worthless and not long for the world. I don’t care. I’m putting on the green and gold and cheering proudly for this team. Let’s Go Oakland!

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jan 19, 2012 2:30 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

I hear you!

I’ll be watching that game out of one bloodshot eye, and it’s going to SUCK being at work that Thursday. But I’ll be watching.

Sisko: All right Niners, let's hear some chatter!
Kasidy: Hey batterbatterbatterbatterbatter!
Leeta: Hey batterbatterbatter! Batterbatterbatterbatter!
Worf: DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION!!!

by CmdrKhraanik on Jan 19, 2012 3:07 PM PST reply actions

How amazing would it be...

If the Angels AND the Rangers went 0-162…when they play each other 20+ times this year. That would make my life.

Wade Hines

by Wader on Jan 19, 2012 5:20 PM PST reply actions

Good fanpost!

And sentiment! I just put up a front page post about the possibility of Parker, Peacock, and Milone all making the rotation out of spring training and I have to say that if they do it will make the 2012 season a heck of a lot more interesting even if we know the team won’t win a ton of games that season. Bring on the future and let’s root!

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 Jan 19, 2012 5:59 PM PST reply actions

So, 3am bar run?

Opening Morning Mimosa (kinda gold) and Bloody Mary (has green) Meetup on 3/28 at where-ever is willing to pour some drinks and broadcast the game feed?

by Ciderbeck on Jan 19, 2012 6:20 PM PST reply actions

S-so my houseit is-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

by Nico on Jan 19, 2012 6:36 PM PST up reply actions

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS POST

Sometime in December I was pondering over the idea of not watching sports for a whole year as my New Years Resolution, due to all the off season trades. Realizing I was full of sh*t on my anti sports stance of 2012, reading this article got me amped up no matter what the outcome is of 2012. Personally hope they play to win, with swagger and have a better overall hitting statistical team then the Giants.
Thanks so much , a unemployed part time 35 year old student can dream again.

by hotpuff415 on Jan 19, 2012 7:42 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

I'm less worried that you're unemployed,

and more worried that you’re only 35 years old part of the time. ;-)

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 Jan 19, 2012 7:47 PM PST up reply actions

My mistake.

Going to school part time, just recently laid off from a contract job. Hey I am 35 going on 17 1/2 hopefully.

by hotpuff415 on Jan 20, 2012 7:12 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks for this!

I’ll be your host for both of those games, likely! I was last time, and got quoted all over the place, since I was one of the only U.S. stories done in real-time ;-)

"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez

by baseballgirl on Jan 19, 2012 10:39 PM PST reply actions

if you'll have me, i'd love to join ya.

the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust

by stm72 on Jan 20, 2012 8:06 AM PST up reply actions

may I ask

how you have the ball from Game 19? Because that is pretty damn cool.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Jan 19, 2012 11:30 PM PST via Android app reply actions

I was sitting a couple rows behind the A's dugout

And Ron Washington gave the ball to Tejada and he just tossed it into the crowd and I caught it. It was the best moment in history, I’m fairly certain.

by A'sIN on Jan 20, 2012 7:36 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

I would agree.

Not sure what Miguel was smoking that he would toss history into the air like that, but I doubt that is any concern of yours. (ha)

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Jan 20, 2012 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

I still say that was the best game I ever went to

Down 5-0 in the 7th and they kept the streak alive. Amazing. Only one that was close to that was Scutaro’s walk-off against Rivera. When it hit the foul pole the place went absolutely bananas.

by A'sIN on Jan 20, 2012 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

the scutaro game was on jackie robinson day. best game i've ever been to.

the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust

by stm72 on Jan 20, 2012 11:10 AM PST up reply actions

I loved watching the Yankee fans in front of me just melt away after Scutaro hit it out

by OaklandSi on Jan 21, 2012 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

That was a fantastic game

So awesome that you just got the ball tossed to you by Tejada himself!

I assumed you bought it on ebay or something, this is way more amazing.

by Billy Frijoles on Jan 20, 2012 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

All I can say is

I definitely agree wholeheartedly with the last sentence!

by wcmori on Jan 19, 2012 11:42 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for the positive post

A lot of negativity around these days and it’s nice to hear a positive view. As an oldtimer A’s fan’s I too will keep cheering for my beloved team, no matter how many losing seasons they may have. Better days are ahead….better days are ahead

The greenmachine

by greenmachine on Jan 20, 2012 5:02 AM PST reply actions

it's great to hear some positivity!

I was mocked by many people (my ex wife included) for setting my alarm and getting up to watch the last series in Japan. Those same people jumped to the Giants bandwagon but suddenly stopped having an interest in baseball altogether after the Giants didn’t make the playoffs. I wonder who they’ll be backing this season?

Good things are coming. And no matter how long it takes them to get there I’ll still be rooting for my team. I won’t switch allegiances, win lose or otherwise.

"To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities." - Grand Master Bruce Lee

by malikot on Jan 20, 2012 6:56 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

This

Is true loyalty, sir, and I salute you for it. In times like these, it can be hard to root for your team, but you just have to remember why you love the A’s and baseball, and just get through the tough times. Right now, the A’s are looking at a few difficult years, and while I stray towards a more realistic path (the A’s aren’t so good, let’s wait and pool our resources), my heart grows warm whenever I come across an optimistic article like this that reminds all of us why we’re A’s fans. It’s just so much more fun then rooting for the Yankees or BoSox, because winning is actually exciting. A’s fans are real fans, not bandwagon fans like in SF.
I am hoping that I will be able to watch the game, but as a 16 year-old who has to attend school every weekday, it’ll be kinda hard to persuade my parents to let my stay up all night. But there’s always hope, and I’ll probably just tape the game or watch a rerun.

by Sean Fortuna on Jan 20, 2012 9:19 AM PST reply actions

so...you're not meeting us at the bar?

by Billy Frijoles on Jan 20, 2012 11:38 AM PST up reply actions

Considering The Fact That I Live In Italy,

No. Probably not.

by Sean Fortuna on Jan 20, 2012 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

isn't the first game on a Wednesday?

by OaklandSi on Jan 21, 2012 7:32 PM PST reply actions

That'd be a shame: To get up at 3am and find out the game was tomorrow.

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 Jan 21, 2012 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

yeah. I was trying to figure out which of those two games

I could possibly consider waking up to see or hear, and not totally mess myself up for work.

by OaklandSi on Jan 21, 2012 8:01 PM PST up reply actions

I haven't figured that one out

The games are in the middle of a school week for me; kind of no good way to go (except to start coughing a little on Monday and Tuesday).

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 Jan 21, 2012 8:40 PM PST up reply actions

I might be able to get away with watching a game on 3 am on Wednesday

but not Thursday.

by OaklandSi on Jan 21, 2012 8:54 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe I'll just go to bed around 5pm on Tuesday,

wake up at 3am on Wednesday, watch, shower after the game, have breakfast and go to work. It’s not like the quality of my students’ education is all that important anyway.

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 Jan 21, 2012 9:05 PM PST up reply actions