What's in a name?
by LurkyLee on Jan 23, 2012 10:20 PM PST
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First off, apologies for the short-termer fan post ... I've been reading AN long enough to know it's not particularly appreciated to start dashing these things out willy-nilly when I've hardly commented on this site. But ... this is a particular phobia for a NRAF like myself and I need some reassurance. Here's the link (I hope):
With the A's long rumored to be on the move (sometime, somewhere), I've always worried about the potential of a uniform and/or name change. I'm in Washington Nationals territory, otherwise known as the team formerly known as the Montreal Expos. Hypothetically, had I been unlucky enough to have been a non-resident Expos fan with no particular links to the city, moving the franchise to D.C. wouldn't have been a serious issue. Changing the name of the team, however, is unthinkable for me. I've been an A's fan since (as best I can remember) like 1977, and since I've never even been to the fair city of Oakland or even the Bay area (it's on my list, OK; it's just a long list), it's the team itself that holds my particular loyalties. That's not to say I don't care about the move; I do, since Oakland is undoubtedly THE bastion of A's fandom and I like my team to play in front of its truest fans (just wish there were about 10,000 more of you folks a night). But if move they must, I can live with it as long as they're still the [insert city/state of choice] A's, wearing green and gold. If ownership decides to generate some fan buzz or some crap like that in their eventual new locale by screwing with the name/uniforms/colors, I don't know if I can hang in there ... especially a name change.
I'm banking on a pretty damn solid history of winning championships and the whole 100-years plus legacy carrying some weight, but like I said it worries me. Anybody know the procedure or fee for doing something along these lines, and is it a real possibility or am I spooked over nothing
Since this is my first (and last for a while, promise) fan post, in case my link didn't work and you don't know what the hell I'm talking about I'm referring to the Houston Astros ownership acknowledging at least considering a name change
Also, a poll (sorry again):
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I'd continue to call them the A's.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Only color scheme I'd be ok with is the original blue and white.
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out" -RIP Bill Hicks
by Johnny Carcinogen on Jan 24, 2012 1:28 AM PST reply actions
I could accept that, as it is their original color scheme, but...
…it is so predictable and boring.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Kinda funny
It is kinda funny, when I read the headline, I thought this was about interesting names of players…What’s in a name? So while I was wrong, I want to thank you for bring up names from the past. I just spent the last 20 minutes looking up guys like Joaquin Andujar and Micky Klutts. I am off to look up Shooty Babitt Miguel Dilone on Baseball referance.
thanks
Here's your reassurance:
Welcome, and thanks for posting! My two biggest tips for “writing FanPosts that are well-received” are to go into depth/expand on your ideas, and just to comment enough that people recognize you when you publish a FanPost. As for this FanPost, I say call them the “Oakland A’s” who happen to host their games 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
As in
As in the Philadelphia A’s that at one time hosted their games in Kansas City and in Oakland, but will so be hosting in San Jose?
and
who wore red, white, and/or blue for most of that time (although it’s getting close now). The green and gold was Finley’s invention and even those shades have changed from “kelly green” and “fort knox gold”.
That said I imagine that the marketing folks would not abandon the green and gold scheme because that’s surely what most people associate with their success. If anything they might inflict red white and blue “alternates” on you all more often.
The above comment is not affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, is not based on a secret source of team information, and may contain personal opinion.
"I'll never forget San Francisco and all those beautiful moments."- Andres Torres
by natteringnabob on Jan 24, 2012 7:48 AM PST up reply actions
California Gold
In the 1977 media guide, it has California Gold. Might be better to call it Finley’s Gold, for he wanted to keep all his gold.
Not to mention Kelly Green and Wedding Gown White.
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 24, 2012 12:33 PM PST up reply actions
that's funny
Was it only “Fort Knox Gold” in KC, or am I mixing this up with the basketball team he wanted to move to Louisville?
The above comment is not affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, is not based on a secret source of team information, and may contain personal opinion.
"I'll never forget San Francisco and all those beautiful moments."- Andres Torres
by natteringnabob on Jan 24, 2012 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, "California Gold" came along a little later. Not sure just when.
On a related note, you can find the “Charlie O. the Mule” song on YouTube. Worth a listen. If I weren’t such a Luddite, I’d post a link.
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 24, 2012 7:02 PM PST up reply actions
Wouldn't it be up to Lew Wolff as to what the name of the franchise is?
Does he own the naming rights or do they stay with the City of Oakland??
Every man for himself...
Yes and no.
Team names, i.e. “Athletics”, and logos are subject to approval by the commissioner’s office.
I learned this just yesterday while reading about the Astros considering a name change.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
Good post, Lurky Lee...
And good questions.
I think we all know that the city will change at some point. The colors? I love the green and gold… but the original Philly colors were blue, white & red, and Finley changed them on a whim so this could happen again.
The only thing that has been seemingly untouchable is the name Athletics.
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was an idiot.
Or, you could do this awful would you rather...
Would you rather change the team name or change the colors?
At first I thought I’d be most pissed about the colors. But really, it’s the Athletics brand I find myself more attached to. You just don’t get that kind of legacy much. Rather have the San Jose A’s with a new logo (best be keeping the elephant) and color (blue and bronze) instead of the San Jose Chippers in green and gold.
Yeah, name and logos (elephant & "A's") need to stay...
I would feel really weird not wearing green and gold, but would get over it…
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was an idiot.
by the_rozeboom on Jan 24, 2012 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
I dread a name change to the "Silicon Valley A's at San Jose" or something horrendous like that.
Please, just X city A’s, in green and gold!
by DDroney on Jan 24, 2012 10:01 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
I think it will be San Jose Athletics
the “at” and “of” bullshit needs to end with the Angels.
by Billy Frijoles on Jan 24, 2012 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 6 recs
I doubt that San José would be willing to see its 20 year campaign
to get an MLB club finally succeed, only to have that club have any other place but “San José” in its name.
Maybe they should assimilate every color, city, and mascot into one big incomprehensible ball.
The Philadelphia A’s of Kansas City, Playing in San Jose, Not Oakland.
You know, with their unforgettable Blue, White, Red, Green, and Gold rainbow uniforms and that loveable elephant riding a mule mascot (led around the stadium by MC Hammer).
Funny and scary at the same time...
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was an idiot.
by the_rozeboom on Jan 24, 2012 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
per your signature line..
When I was a kid I got to meet A’s OF Damon Mashore #33
At that moment in my life I liked him better than Canseco. I was an idiot.
Every man for himself...
Love the Joe Wallis avatar, btw...
Sisko: All right Niners, let's hear some chatter!
Kasidy: Hey batterbatterbatterbatterbatter!
Leeta: Hey batterbatterbatter! Batterbatterbatterbatter!
Worf: DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION!!!
Tarzan
My first favorite Oakland A’s player … actually due to his 1979 Topps card. I thought he looked like just like Joesy Wales (why I was watching that as a 6-year-old can only be summed up as "it was the 70s). The 1980 card features a more Grizzly Adams look but he remains a longtime favorite. After his mysterious disappearance from the roster, I latched onto Dwayne Murphy before making the inevitable switch to Rickey.
It is interesting
It is interesting how players can just go away like that. When you look at the age that they stop playing. Wallis was 27 in 1979 and never played again. Mike Edwards is the starter at 2b in 1978 and 79 and is gone after 1980 at 28 years old. Alan Worth out at age 24. Mike Warren, throws no hitter and is done at age 24. Wild
Joe Wallis
When he came to the A’s in 78 he hit the cover off the ball, I believe he hit 6 hr’s the first month with the team. One game I can remember Tim Conroy started and could not throw a strike and gave up 5 runs before getting the hook. Wallis hit a homerun in the first, went 4 for 5 we came back and won. For a brief time he was the big bat on the team. Sadly a shoulder injury cut his career short, hit his last homer in Texas at the end of the 79 season. He was a crazy dude, jumping off hotel balconies into swimming pools ergo the Tarzan nickname. Wonder where he is now.
Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969
by billyball1981 on Jan 24, 2012 1:58 PM PST up reply actions
Wondering where Tarzan Joe is now
was how I stumbled across AN. I was doing a fruitless internet search for anything recent on Joe Wallis, and ended up reading a Don Marquez fanpost. Hooked me like a fish. I joined that same day, lurked for a long-ass time, and finally started participating.
Thanks, Don.
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 24, 2012 3:13 PM PST up reply actions
What about Craig Minetto
I recognized your avatar right away. I have a tape of a game where he beat the Yankees 2-1.
Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969
by billyball1981 on Jan 24, 2012 3:49 PM PST up reply actions
His only Major League victory (sigh)
He was a really nice guy. Very polite to a certain geeky little fanboy…
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 24, 2012 6:53 PM PST up reply actions
No. Thank YOU.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Jan 24, 2012 11:50 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
It's cool to hear about the late 70's teams from you guys...
My first game wasn’t until 1980. And everyone knows about the early-mid 70’s, but I have gaps in my knowledge about the late 70’s and you guys are helping me fill them in.
Thanks.
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was an idiot.
by the_rozeboom on Jan 25, 2012 8:12 AM PST up reply actions
I'm liking it too, and I was there for it.
But to have others chime in is great.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Maybe we could mesh the worst of the Padres and Astros...
…earth tone rainbows.
A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.
~Humphrey Bogart
As long as they keep the white shoes
But I’m not betting on it.
"Hello and welcome to another wonderful and frightening night of A's baseball." - Gaijin_Suketto
by EddieVegas_NRAF on Jan 24, 2012 2:22 PM PST reply actions
Oh... I didn't think about that.
The white shoes need to stay!!!
At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was an idiot.
by the_rozeboom on Jan 24, 2012 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
I'm fine with changing the city name.
But changing the colors or the “Athletics” part would be a problem.
If it’s true that the green and gold colors are associated with Oakland, then keeping them would be a nice way to keep a historical attachment to Oakland even after they leave the city and “Oakland” is no longer in the name.
Difference of opinion among my community is a sign of the bounty of God.
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