Good morning, Athletics Nation!
It took until the second-to-last day of May, but the Oakland A’s finally told their full-time employees that they’ll be paid through the end of next month. That catches the A’s up with the rest of MLB, as every other team had already made such a commitment to their staffs. For all the details, check out the link below to Susan Slusser’s full writeup at the S.F. Chronicle.
This news came as a sigh of relief. Between the A’s general reputation for thriftiness, the reported effects of the pandemic on the team owner’s other businesses, and the club’s oddly long holdout on the matter, it was easy to be nervous about whether they were planning to join the other 29 teams in stepping up for their employees during this moment of need. It took until the 9th inning, but they came through.
The A’s also sent word to Access ticket holders about refunds for games that have been postponed during the lockdown. For games in March, April, and May in 2020, they can choose between two options — either request a refund, or apply a credit to 2021 games with a bonus 5% discount. For more details, see Slusser’s writeup and tweet below.
Add this to the list of many reasons that we hope baseball comes back as soon as possible. The sooner teams can start generating revenue again (much less opening the gates for fans), the fewer tough decisions they’ll have to make on the financial side.
A’s Coverage:
- Slusser: A’s inform employees they’ll be paid through end of May amid coronavirus shutdown ($)
- Slusser: A’s provide fans with ticket-refund information ($)
- Brazil: Stephen Vogt Q&A: Why former A’s catcher believes he’ll be good manager
- Coffey: Jeremy Giambi had slid into home in the 2001 ALDS? ($$$)
- Hall: Latest 2020 plan calls for three divisions, home ballparks
- Hall: Today in Oakland A’s history (4/29): Longest game in Oakland history end in Brandon Moss walk-off
MLB News & Interest:
- 2020 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction weekend canceled
- Monagan: A brief, colorful history of the Hawaii Winter League
- Rivera: Yadier Molina now open to new team if Cardinals not option
- Adams: Nearly Half The Astros’ Starting Lineup Is Up For Free Agency This Winter
- MLB: This is the biggest trash talker on every team
- MLB Quiz of the Day: Gehrig plays his final game
- Today in Baseball History
Best of Twitter:
Details about the ticket refunds
The email A’s ticket holders (Access members) just received about refunds: pic.twitter.com/8RoNXbwmik
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 29, 2020
Nothing to see here, yet
Contrary to reports, Major League Baseball has not canceled the Minor League Baseball season, according to a league spokesman.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 29, 2020
Getting to know Luzardo a bit better
.@Baby_Jesus9 grew up a huge @Marlins fan in Broward County. Was Fightin' Fish great @KMillar15 his favorite childhood player? @ChrisRose | @Athletics | @TheToroCompany pic.twitter.com/Jx2wslAz3o
— Intentional Talk (@IntentionalTalk) April 29, 2020
Here’s one vogt in favor of the future skipper
Sam Fuld as my GM and Steve as my manager >>>> https://t.co/hsYZphvBSO
— Trevor Plouffe (@trevorplouffe) April 30, 2020
Random trivia for the day
Since Bull Durham is being shown so frequently these days, here’s some trivia: Did you know the baseball card on Annie’s mirror in opening scene is none other than Brian Snitker, Durham Bulls manager when the movie was filmed in 1987? pic.twitter.com/HnjPjzA9gc
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 30, 2020
The student becomes the professor
And that kid grew up to be Greg Maddux.
— MLB (@MLB) April 29, 2020
(via oc_baseball_kid/IG) pic.twitter.com/nayVQgph1u