DLD 6/12/07 Mr. McFood's Wild Ride to AT&A Park
by McFood on Jun 12, 2007 10:43 AM PDT
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PrintAs mentioned in a recent DLD, the family and I drove to Jack London Square on Sunday to take the ferry to Telecomglomerate Park on Sunday to root on the East Bay Nine.
My first tip is that you should park in the above ground lot with the clock tower on Clay St., which is the closest lot to the dock, because you get a discount rate with validation. I learned that you buy your tickets AFTER you board the ferry, so we queued up with the green 'n gold 'n orange 'n black swirl of humanity around us to wait for the ferry. We got there about 11:00, and the ferry leaves at 11:30, so we had a chance to mock the Giants fans in line behind us, who were a bit disorganized, by telling them that the fans can't get it together off the field, just like the team can't get it together on the field. After we boarded I once again queued up to buy tickets and get a parking validation. The price is 11$ r/t for adults and $5.50 for kids. Not bad at all. We found seats on the top deck and took in the panoramic view of the estuary and bay. After a stop at Alameda for more passengers we headed for tangerine town. There is a gate right at the ferry landing so you can go right in. We saw the flag toter who was sporting the Athletics Nation hoodie on Friday night walk by and we gave him a yell and a thums up, then headed for our seats behind 3rd base. Brooms a'plenty were in evidence, sported by A's fans, natch, but nary a one piloted by Poppy.
After getting some food and drink we took our seats and began to enjoy the pitching duel. Is it DiNardo, or is it Memorex? Another great performance by our Lenny Come Lately. After a couple of innings the two seats behind became occupied by a couple of kindred spirits of FSU's, only these were Gnats fans. Alsa, they weren't on their best behavior, seeming to favor only a single adjective of the effing variety, so as I took the girls out for a slide through the Coke bottle, I asked the usher to check their tix the next time down. As luck would have it, when we returned, the profanity spewers had been banished to the cheap seats. Then Super Marco did his thang and the die was cast when Super Stew followed with some insurance. We headed back out to the dock for the return trip after Embree put the ixnay on Mr. OndsBay. I peaceful return voyage was enjoyed from inside seats, and after lining up once again to pay for parking, we were on our way homeward. An excellent day in all.
I did meet a fellow AN fan who was wearing the exact same AN ringer tee as I and was sitting nearby with his family. What's up, Jeremy! And a as we waited in line to board the ferry on the return trip a young lady high-fived me and said she loved an and read it all the time, but didn't post. What's up, Lurker Girl!
In summary, I urge you all to try the ferry the next time our boys go kick some mango and licorice ass!
WARNING! NO DUMPING! FLOWS DIRECTLY TO BARRY BONDS LOCKER!
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Yeah, it's pretty lame, isn't it?
I like the story, but where are the f'n links? Is this the Daily STORY Dump?
Don't pretend you didn't complain to Blez
and get my diary deleted.
What’s part Jag, part fire hazard, and has
green and gold fleas?
(Aphid's stuck day-jobbing, so I'm cross-posting for him)
It’s the Alameda Aphid’s crazy Turbo II: Junkyard Boogaloo boombox, made entirely of car parts and featured here at a Coliseum tailgate party a few weeks back. If you look closely you’ll see me and mikeA, and Poppy! Well, actually, Poppy’s guacamole. But (like old married couples and people obsessed with their dogs), they sorta resemble one another.
Part one of the post is here; it shows off all the cool features like the three cigarette lighters, the cupholder, and the telescoping dual power antennae!
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2007 10:55 AM PDT reply actions
I didn't notice this light before...
I'm the one on the right.
See what happens when a camera gets pointed at me? I fall over at unnatural angles.
Yeah
They call me the "White Larry Bird."
Well, I took some home
and sent it to Sara E. so she wouldn't have to cook...
I hope it was guac.
Uh... that was clam dip.
I'd re-dump my gay bomb
link, but it seems this is a link-free zone.
Isn't that what got the diary on the wrong track
to begin with.
by theblackpearl on Jun 12, 2007 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Tips for ferry riders
McFood is right, the ferry is the only way to go to SomeBigCo park. It's fun, pretty, romantic, and salty...whoo hoo! Two ferry tips from the cheapskate's view:
--You can openly drink your own beer on the upper deck and won't get hassled. They also sell beer, but, ya know...
--Parking is free at the Alameda ferry landing. Embark there instead of Oakland. It's a more nautical feeling dock too.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2007 11:05 AM PDT reply actions
This has been interesting
[Trying again] More on the Ron Washington situation in Texas (links found at Lone Star Ball):
Jim Reeves article in the Star-Telegram
Evan Grant's blog
Several A's have pages available for sponsorship at Baseball Reference:
For $15 each
Joe Blanton
Mark Ellis
Chad Gaudin
For $20
Travis Buck
A bargain at $40 (ooooh, this is tempting)
Jason Kendall
Scariest Pitching Line Ever
after my own:
Still raving about his heat, the D-Backs promoted (!) Neighborgall to South Bend of the Midwest League this year. The stat line looks like a hallucination. In five games and one inning, Neighborgall gave up a dozen walks and tossed nine wild pitches for a dozen earned runs and a 108.00 ERA. Even playing a simple game of catch required more control that Neighborgall could muster before he was dispatched to extended spring training.
What Good is an 83-MPH Fastball?
somebody would probably steal it while
That little "by" actually makes me sad.
It's haunting, really...
Maybe he's related to Linda Blair.
if I hadn't rec'ed it, it wouldn't be there
but I've learned my lesson now
I was going to post a Dump today
but instead you get this crappy homemade comic. (Link only...why do wide pictures get cropped?)
I was wondering where you'd got to!
Shall I delete this DLD so yoiu can post yours?
Yes?
Ok, then, let's do.
Don't you dare.
My poor little dump gave its life bravely for your LINKLESS STORY, and you are not going to make 42 innocent comments suffer now.
Dyn-o-mite!
The diaper-themed intro draw largely from your own experiences, not doubt.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2007 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
how did that not show up on my google search?
Hopey says: Thank you for remembering my birthday! Now give me a green jellybean.
apricot, killfile still doesn't work
But new comments aren't blocked
on autorefresh, and on manual refresh I have to killfile someone each time for everyone else to be killfiled.
like i said
apricot, killfile still doesn't work
sound like bugs indeed
this damned Web 2.0.
Anyway, I suggest you talk with Daniel Martin (here's the script homepage) and file a bug report. Tell him Eric sent you and that you're on athleticsnation.com and that you found some bugs. He will probably respond. He is a great guy, though don't expect a lot since he wrote that thing for free out of the goodness of his heart. Tell him how great it is and be polite.
I myself haven't been using it since I don't use FF that much and I avoid the trolls by never going on the game threads...
fantastic
I love the moment of existential quandry - "But I love Wash! What do I do?"
by popcornjames on Jun 12, 2007 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
We're Number 1!
At losing! Follow the quest of #755 if you will, but Phillies fans are tracking a more substantial milestone: only 14 losses until they tally the 10,000th loss in franchise history! And now the New York Times has noticed. Still, the august Grey Lady's not as entertaining the official countdown to 10,000 page.
But, as a commenter at the 700 level observes, The Phillies are "the oldest continuous holding one-name, one franchise in all of the professional sports." So they've had lots of chances. At least 10,000 + 1.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2007 11:29 AM PDT reply actions
"We know exactly where the watch is"
Warning: If you're traveling in Albania, make sure no one steals your personal effects.
Christopher Walken wasn't there, was he?
maybe it's like when Putin
kept Kraft's superbowl ring. The Albanian thought Bush's watch was a gift, seeing that he was shoving his arms into a mass of STARVING ALBANIANS. Bush should be happy he pulled anything back bigger than a stump anyways. Fricking Albanians.
And the Albanians seemed to love him so
I guess it was all an act. Maybe Bush's minions should work the local pawn shops to get his watch out of hoxha.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2007 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Unless Zonis is a slug.
Does he TALK??
dan meyer!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...
Meyer, who won for Sacramento at Fresno on Monday night, has struck out 24 batters, total, in his last three starts, covering 16 innings. He has given up six runs and seven walks in those three outings.
"Comeback player of the year,'' A's director of player development Keith Lieppman said. "He's been just wild enough to put up great strikeout numbers. Dan's velocity is back and he's healthy. He's able to do what he wants.''
let's not get ahead of ourselves
if he turns into a servicable reliever, I'll consider it a success at this point.
With our bullpen struggling, maybe he could provide some stability. Doubtful, given they probably want to get him a bunch of AAA innings to get his mechanics and confidence back, but not out of the realm of possibility.
Bullpen Struggling?
Really? Didn't I just see a stat that said our bullpen has been the 3rd best in MLB since April 18th?
2008 Rotation:
Haren
Blanton
Gaudin
Loaiza
Meyer
Bullpen: Street, Harden, Duke, Calero, Embree, Dinardo, Marshall
Harden - emergency 6th Starter
Dinardo - emergency 7th Starter
by Colorado Fan on Jun 12, 2007 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
switch Harden and DiNardo
by rubin sierra on Jun 12, 2007 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Loaiza
Is Loaiza getting traded? A package of Loaiza + Calero might net a decent prospect. I don't think it could get you Milledge, but one never knows.
S.Casilla and C.Lewis can slide into bullpen roles behind Street and Duke.
** I won't even start w/ the Harden being Dead Rumor **
by Colorado Fan on Jun 12, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
2 free tickets to Sunday's game!
I won't be able to go. Section 115, Row 37. Just be the first to respond below.
Yes, but
you also have to take and dispose of 50 soiled matresses from the Springfiled men's shelter.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 12, 2007 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Not quite....
first you have to scrub them clean with a toothbrush, THEN dispose them.
by kaweahkaweah on Jun 12, 2007 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks
I'll bring an anti-Poppy sign so the seats are well represented.
Bless you
I'd send you more tickets if I could
by kaweahkaweah on Jun 12, 2007 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Your meanness is rampantly contagious.
Can I have your autograph?
<looks smoking hot>
That's ok
I get to see Scutaro's HR!
Is the DeLorean sweet?
say hi to Doc Brown for me when you travel back.
PS: please travel further back and stop Harden from snagging that hit back at him with his throwing hand...
PPS: Kill Larry Davis's parents...Just one will do...
BB = Zen Master
Big Hurt's big compliments: In his first trip back to the Bay Area since rejuvenating his career in Oakland last season, Frank Thomas was warmly greeted by fans and had nothing but nice things to say about his former organization and general manager Billy Beane.
"It's been unbelievable, but Billy's the Zen master," he said about the A's dealing with a plethora of injuries. "I didn't want to leave here, but I had to weigh the future. I got a third year. At my age, you do what you have to do for your family."
Thomas said he's still adjusting to the life of American League East baseball.
"It's not laid-back like the Bay," he said. "Playing the Yankees and Boston so much, it's a circus."
JP to Thomas: Please quit sucking
you're making me look silly
Yeah
I thought we should have tried a lot harder to sign him at the time. Now...
I didn't want to resign him
*making* him look silly
giving a multi-year deal to someone that old, big, slow and injury prone (to play on turf) is pretty idiotic, i don't think jp needs frank's help.
Not trying to slam the Hurt
because if I did I'd just end up flat on my ass in a lot of pain. But I always wonder, when players make statements like they're just "setting themselves up financially" or "providing for their family" -- it's like the thought process of someone who makes $6.50/hr in a meat packing plant, transferred to someone who makes enough in a few months to set up most American families for life. It's just a little weird to me. "With that extra $8M, I know we'll be secure." => "Without it, I think we'd end up at the shelter." Weird.
hmm...
that's a hard one in a certain respect.
Yet, saying, "I needed that third year to make sure that the next five generations of my family are upper class" probably would make him sound like an ass.
Then again, if you had the opportunity to hook up your unborn great grandchildren so that they would never have to work a crap job, you just might do it.
Frank did.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 12, 2007 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, it's not clear cut
I'm definitely not saying I wouldn't do exactly what he did -- it depends on a lot of factors, but obviously there's a good chance I would.
I just don't think I'd come out and say something that implied I was worried about my family's economic well being, and "taking one for the team" or making some sort of sacrifice ("you do what you have to do...").
It's a physical job
I can keep doing my job till I'm senile, but an athlete has to be in the peak physical form, after which they have to rely on savings & such.
He has only how many years left he can earn the big bucks?
Yeah, but if I did my job till I were senile
and totaled up the salary, I'd be nowhere near the $8M (or whatever) he'll earn next year (all in gross wages, his and mine)...and yet, I earn well enough to more than provide for the family that I imagine I will one day have, very comfortably.
I'm not saying it's wrong to take the money -- I'm sure we all would take it. I just think that it's a little disingenuous to put it in terms of scraping by as a provider, when that's pretty far off the truth. If I were living paycheck to paycheck, really trying to provide for a family, I'd probably be very annoyed by statements like those -- for that matter I'd probably be pretty annoyed by guys like ME pretending we understood what they go through..
It's just a lame cliche'
that should be allowed to die...
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 12, 2007 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I completely agree with that sentiment.
No ifs, ands or buts.
If you just want more money, just say you wanted more money. Unless you've been a total idiot with the several million dollars you've already earned, your family will be fine for a long, long time.
He went to Toronto
because it's a gambling haven.
Frank in SF
Big Hurt makes himself useful in an NL Park. By being Bonds on-field lounge chair.
by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Jun 12, 2007 12:32 PM PDT reply actions
I have this song stuck in my head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozn-C...
His vest ties in so well.
AN guy with flag
= BleacherDave
http://www.athleticsnation.com/comme...
Bleacher Dave is The Man
After he, with surgically precise wordsmithing, tore the now banned AN poster formerly known as reztips, a new one, while exposing him for the rat bastard that he is.
Plus he kicks Ralph's ass and puts the smackdown on the Giants and their fans when he calls in to KNBR.
Go Bleacher Dave!
Except for when he went on KNBR
April 3rd, 2007 and said A's pitching staff "will be exposed for the FRAUDS that they are." I'm still waiting for that to happen.
Other than that minor mistep, Bleacher Dave is the Man!!!
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 12, 2007 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
That was a HUGE misstep!
But, c'mon, did you see this coming from Kennedy, Gaudin, DiNardo, et. al?.....
And that's kinda scary that you remember the date. Pardon me while I wipe my feet....I seem to have (mis)stepped in somethin' stinky.
Anyone have a tape/DVD of Friday night's game?
by BleacherDave on Jun 12, 2007 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Nah man, I just went back and looked up
my former post re: that comment. I don't have that type of memory nor am I a bleacherdave stalker. I do however truly appreciate the articulate manner in which you talk about the A's on KNBR. If you were not as well informed or well spoken they'd just be able to discount you as a 'typical A's fan' or some BS like that. Keep up the good work, it is truly enjoyed and appreciated.
Re: the comment. I didn't see the A's starters holding up like this, but I did have a little more faith than was espoused by that comment. Go A's and thanks for representin' the A's on that lame Giants' station. Anyone notice how they failed to talk about the A's sweep of the Giants yesterday and instead focused on the Sopranos and 49ers yet today after they beat the mediocre Blue Jays they go on about the Giants resurgance endlessly? I try my best not to listen.
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 12, 2007 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
knocking on wood, that
kennedy can keep it up tonight!
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 12, 2007 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
<takes viagra>
casilla's success
well, casilla does mature faster than other players.
More on Casilla's success
He is the ultimate player to be named later success story. Kendall should try changing his name if he doesn't break the Mendoza line soon.
We went to Saturday's game. I was able to get decent tix for face value using their "doubleplay window." The sight lines and food are much better than the Coliseum. However, it is pricey and the Giants mgt complaining about their $20 million per year nut for the ballpark seems bogus.
by NoeValley on Jun 12, 2007 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I know his biggest wall was control...
Ah well, every bullpen needs a fireballin' wild right hander.
I just read this whole dam' thread ...
... and there's nary a mention of A "T&A Park" or T&A N-E-thing, and certainly no pitchers thereof.
That's false advertising, McDump.
If you had seen the buxom blonde on the ferry...
with the "just a bit too small" top on, trying to keep everything covered as we sailed across a wind swept bay, you'd know what I was talking 'bout, Willis.
That's better.
But next time, pls take along EnglishMajor as expedition photog.
by The Dogfather on Jun 12, 2007 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey McFood!
It was great to meet a fellow ANer at the game on Sunday! Nothing like a day with your family watching a great A's win!
omg, vince cotroneo
using the term "Frisco" my mother,2nd generation native, would give a loud harummppphhh.
At least he ripped
on the Female PA 'personality' at the Phonebooth. God I can't stand her voice. To me, it's like nails on a chalk board. I'm glad someone, a baseball man, finally had the backbone to call her out as being horrible. It was one of the finer moments in Cotroneo's A's broadcasting career.
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 12, 2007 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I wish I'd heard that.
I hate Renel's ballpark "personality." Her radio voice is quite good, though.
I agree, it's
as if she's two different people.
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 12, 2007 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
who'd win the fight
between Mr. Wizard and Bill Nye the Science Guy?
I always thought Mr. Wizard was kind of a dick, so I bet he'd fight dirty. I'll give him the nod in honor of him explaining "death".
John Daly QOTY
"I just want the fans to know that I love them very much and my wife is a liar, a liar. I'm tired of being a victim of all this crap. She beats me up when I go to sleep. Every time I go to sleep she throws her fists on me. I just married the wrong woman."
http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/...
So, That's where my ex- went.
by The Dogfather on Jun 12, 2007 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions
soy bomb
mikea, what was the gay bomb link?
is it as powerful as the soviet A-241/BIS device?
other cool maps from that site:
http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/200...
http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/200...
http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/200...
"Iowa man candy" just doesn't sound right.
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