Optimistically Defying Logic

by louismg on Jul 29, 2007 2:04 AM PDT in News

"Quite simply captain, I examined the problem from all angles, and it was plainly hopeless. Logic informed me that under the circumstances, the only logical action would have to be one of desperation. Logical decision, logically arrived at."
-- Mr. Spock, Star Trek

I am excited for today's game. I can't wait.

I love the anticipation of the first pitch. I love the glimmer of hope that starts when every A's player strides to the plate, or starts their swing. I love anticipating what I think is going to happen. I love seeing the A's go ahead. I love trying to calculate just how the A's can mount a comeback should they fall behind. I love knowing that the 9th inning can always bring a story to tell, and that every game begins with both pitchers throwing a perfect game.

Does that change just because our team happens to be mired in 3rd place, 12 games out? Heck, no.

I am a fan. My decision to root for this team does not require logic. My expectation that a team which consistently does not meet expectations will somehow do it today does not require logic. My belief that we are a superior team with superior players does not really need defining or statistics. I am a fan, and I will demand my right to cheer for this team and wish them well, even if they have let me down before. Like the prodigal son, I know they will give up their bad habits and return to greatness.

This past NBA season, another team I root for let me down time and again. The Sacramento Kings went from early-season playoff contenders to something resembling disaster. On Sactown Royalty, we occasionally laughed along as the team seemingly imploded. But come gametime, even when we knew a late-season win would hurt our chances at a great draft pick, we wanted our team to win. That's not logical. But as a fan, I was fired up come tipoff.

Should this path continue here in Oakland, I won't be changing my allegiances, or rooting for other teams. I may boo occasionally, especially at players who don't seem to share my desire to win, and I may roll my eyes, but I do it because I care, and because deep down, I believe. It may not be logical. It may not make sense statistically, but I know I'm right. That's why you're here. You know the A's are your team, and you are ready to root them on to victory. Even when logic says that a hospital wing's worth of injuries and too many underperforming players with poor statistics will take this team down, you defy this logic. You know you're right.

We get to again try and prove ourselves right at 1:05 p.m. Pacific, with Lenny DiNardo taking on Jarrod Washburn, as the A's look to gain a split on the home turf of their division rival Mariners. Watch for that game thread to debut just prior to first pitch. I can't wait.

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For You GSW Fans...

Don't take my Kings allegiance as a slight. Born and raised in "extreme" Northern California in the 80s and 90s, the A's and Kings were a natural fit.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Jul 29, 2007 2:17 AM PDT 0 recs

Rooting for a team is at heart illogical

At its core the act of rooting for a team is an illogical one. Thus, illogical optimism is the only logical choice.

Our attachment to the A's is very much illogical. Major League Baseball is a wealthy and cutthroat business that would sell you and I out in a second if it served them but yet we still root. What logical attachment could we have to a set of laundry that plays baseball? For me, the attachment formed young as I grew up in Oakland and at the age of seven the simple fact that the jersey said "Oakland" on its front was enough for me. Although I have lived in Oakland more than in any one other place in life it has taken on more meaning to me. When I lived thousands of miles away, in another country even, the A's served as a reminder of my roots and of home, especially when I was homesick. Now, I live in Davis and my reaons seem to be different. I have been a fan non stop since 1984 at the age of seven. None of it is logical, however, so why should our optimism require logic?

The move to Fremont is going to test my fandom a great deal as it is going to sever the inital tie. I hope to remain a fan but I don't honestly know how I will feel when the time comes.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 29, 2007 6:50 AM PDT 0 recs

You live in Davis?!

Why?

grover
UC Davis Class of 2000

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Jul 29, 2007 8:13 AM PDT up 0 recs

why indeed?

inbillywetrust - UC Davis grad - Class of 1994

by inbillywetrust on Jul 29, 2007 11:15 AM PDT up 0 recs

I work in Vacaville

And Davis is nice enough. Following the A's is actually harder here than it was in Toronto but so be it.

My brother is a UCD grad from 2003.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 29, 2007 12:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

Lineups.

Oakland

S. Stewart lf
M. Ellis 2b
N. Swisher cf
M. Piazza dh
J. Cust rf
M. Scutaro 3b
D. Johnson 1b
D. Murphy ss
K. Suzuki c

Seattle

I. Suzuki cf
J. Vidro dh
J. Guillen rf
A. Beltre 3b
R. Sexson 1b
R. Ibanez lf
K. Johjima c
J. Lopez 2b
W. Bloomquist ss

Chavy's still wasting Daric Barton's roster spot.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Jul 29, 2007 12:23 PM PDT 0 recs

Why does Travis Buck hate me?

Why?

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Jul 29, 2007 12:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

I woke up today with a positive attitude. Sounds

like you are thrilled about Buck not playing too. Yea!

Tara Reid - "I make Jessica Simpson look like a rock scientist"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 29, 2007 12:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

He's just trying to assume Milton's former role.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Jul 29, 2007 12:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Travis doesn't throw enough chairs

to assume Milton's former role... yet.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Jul 29, 2007 12:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was in a good mood until I saw that Buck

isn't playing yet again. Fire Larry Davis the day after the season ends. Whether it's his fault or not it's time for a fresh, new approach.

It's nice to see Kotsay on the bench today. He really needs a mental break because the "I hit the ball hard today" excuse is getting a little old.

Tara Reid - "I make Jessica Simpson look like a rock scientist"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 29, 2007 12:41 PM PDT 0 recs

Illogical love for the Green and Gold

If any of us were logical about our love of sports, we would be trading our loyalties on the market like futures, stocks and bonds. There would even more Yankee fans and the Royals fanbase would be chopped up and sold to Manchester United.

Being more Captain Kirk or Bones McCoy than Mr. Spock, I lend my allegiances to the Oakland Athletics.

I think it is based off of stories than anything. If you are a fan of any sports team, there is a story behind why you continue to root despite the fact that unlike many other pastimes, there are so few winners and such a bad upside. For example, I can tell you the story about how I taught myself how to enjoy baseball and how I adopted the A's as my team (even though you are raised in the area of a team, i feel you have to adopt them regardless the situation to be a true fan). Also, I can tell you how frustrated or encouraged I feel for an entity I have very little control over.

If that is not irrational, I don't know what is.

The best games are great stories and the best fans have great tales to tell.

If love was a choice, who would choose such exquisite pain?

--Line from the movie Anna and the King

A's -- gotta love 'em.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jul 29, 2007 12:42 PM PDT 0 recs