I have to admit to a disturbing dislike for the Giants. I can say it came from my father, but that's too easy. I mean, I'm kind of all grown up now and can make my own choices, right? Um, right?
Look, it's not like the Giants are in the same league as the A's (both literally and figuratively speaking). In fifty-one seasons since leaving New York for greener pastures, they are 0-for-San Francisco in the championship department. In fact, if you ever want to leave an usher at AT&T Park scratching his/her head, ask them the whereabouts of the team's World Series trophy room.
But seriously, I've tried really hard to figure out where this disdain for all things black and orange comes from. And you know what it is? It's their fans, man. At least the ones that end up sitting near me. I guess I attract smug. Who knew?
There was the lady one row behind me at the '89 Series mocking Carney Lansford when he'd come to the plate. "Carney Warney, Carney Warney", she'd sing in that irritating voice. OK, she was like seven years old; does that really matter?
Or how about the guys yelling "Crosby sucks" every time the shortstop batted during a game in 2004? So what if they were right?
Then there was the lady (for real this time) ringing her cowbell in my face, and then after the Giants took an extra-innings lead in a 2006 contest, she raised her hand expecting me to high-five her. When I refused, she said, "Aw, what's the matter? No love, A's fan?" If she wasn't in that wheelchair, I might have pushed her with more force. Just saying.
In May of 2007, as the Giants were avoiding a third consecutive loss at the Coliseum, a young woman (who would have actually been cute if her allegiances were for the right team) walked up and down my aisle "apologizing" to A's fans that there would be "no sweep". I still don't know how that soda ended up on her shoes.
And finally last year. Somehow I escaped having any obnoxious fans sit in my section. No, this time they waited. As I walked through the parking lot, a young boy- no older than nine- sitting safely in the back of Daddy's truck yelled out to me, "How'd you like that beating in your own house?" I was so disappointed in my niece for allowing me to go after the kid. Well, I say "allow". She actually walked as far away from me as possible. I don't know; I guess I embarrassed her or something.
So when UnleashTheGore asked innocently enough, "Suggestions for a visitor?" I so wanted to answer, "Yes. Don't sit anywhere near me."
And so it goes.
But enough about my issues. There is a game tonight. And though it may not count in the standings, we do love our bragging rights, que no? Well, in that case I'll go ahead and mention that the A's are 13-3-1 in the last seventeen meaningless battles against their Bay Area brethren.
If you are a fan of pitching, the hosts are sending their Cy Young Award winner, Tim Lincecum, to the mound. For the good guys, it's Trevor Cahill. Also scheduled to throw for the A's are Jerry Blevins, Gio Gonzalez, and Brad Ziegler.
Lineups - thanks vegAN ryAN!
Oakland
Sweeney, R, CF
Cabrera, SS
Giambi, 1B
Holliday, LF
Chavez, 3B
Cust, RF
Suzuki, C
Ellis, 2B
Cahill, P
San Francisco
Winn, RF
Renteria, SS
Lewis, LF
Molina, B, C
Sandoval, P, 3B
Ishikawa, 1B
Rowand, CF
Burriss, 2B
Lincecum, P
