Edit: A cool story from a long-time AN member. Thought it was worth a wider look by everyone - cuppingmaster

Remember when they said from time to time there would be sponsored posts? This isn't one of them.

Yesterday, I opened my very own mattress store and the A's beat deposed King Felix. There obviously is a correlation, so the next logical step is to open another store today.

Seriously though, sitting here this morning wondering how I can shamelessly plug my new mattress store and disguise it as a post about the A's, I realize that much like our beloved team, this is a make or break point in the season, for us both. July 20th I was "let go" after 5 years and building a 6 million dollar a year business for the owners of my last gig and suddenly was facing the common reality so many others are, which is "Now how can I afford to go to A's game?" I took my paltry savings and went for it, decided to start my own business on a shoestring and bet the bank. Less than two months later, I have a brand and a store. I went for it all and now have to make it work.

There is no one who said the A's would be where the are, because this team literally did not exist at the start of the season. Did Daric Barton really play for US? The current A's squad is nothing like who we started as, built on the fly out of necessity by the Master Architect, aka the subject of my body doubledom. Now we are at the crossroads, make or break. And last night in my estimation was the signature game of this season. Coming on the heels of an embarrassing sweep at home against division rivals the A's could have easily gone into this game with Princess Leia, I mean King Felix, and rolled over. None of us would have been overly shocked, as conventional baseball wisdom states that Felix should have mowed down 20 guys. As it has happened at hands of lesser pitchers this season. And yet this resilient little bunch of scrappers, vets and too young to know betters did what they have been doing since the All-Star break: punching conventional wisdom square in the sack.

This season is magic, and we all are starting to grasp the fact that something amazing is going to take place. This is our year. The little inge-ine that could...is. You can't keep a good man down. And you can't keep a good team down. And this team, with its duct tape, bailing wire, bubble gum and a prayer is reminding us why we love baseball and our beloved A's. Sorry, I ended up making this post about the A's. Come buy a mattress in the bay area at my store, Nest Bedding. Bring in a ticket stub from any A's game you attended and get 10 percent off :)