Elephant Rumblings: KBO Opening Day!

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

Baseball is back, in South Korea at least. The KBO had its Opening Day on Tuesday, which was late Monday night here in California. It’s a 10-team league that plays a 144-game schedule, and they’re still hoping to play the full slate. However, they’ll do so without fans in the stands, and they’ll pause the season if any players or coaches get infected.

We’ll have more about the KBO in a separate post (here it is!), including details about some former A’s players who are playing in the league. For now, check out links below by John Hickey (Sports Illustrated), R.J. Anderson (CBS), Craig Calcaterra (NBC), and ESPN, for more info on the KBO and its newly launched 2020 campaign.

ESPN2 is airing one KBO game each night, so check the link below for info on when to watch. If you missed the opening game last night, then it’s re-airing on ESPN2 at noon PT and again at 11:30 p.m. PT tonight. (I’m pretty sure those are the Pacific times, not the Eastern ones? Double check to make sure if you’re planning to tune in.)

Here in the U.S., Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reported on the financial incentive of players to get the MLB season started. Over five dozen players stand to earn $100,000 per game, with four top names banking more than $200,000 each time they take the field. None of this is necessarily news, just an analysis of contract info that was already available to the public, but it’s still interesting to see it all broken down in the AP’s analysis (see link below).

A’s Coverage:

• Seamheads podcast: Guest is Brodie Brazil (Apple) | Spotify | Stitcher
• Hickey: Former Athletics’ 3B Coach Matt Williams New Managerial Career in Korea in Full View Now
• Hickey: In a `Crazy’ Time, Former Athletics Starters Straily, Brooks Ready To Go in Korea
• Gallegos: A’s Top 5 center fielders
• Lockard: Mocking the 2020 MLB Draft: A’s and Giants land big arms with their top picks ($$$)
• Byrne: Remembering An Athletics One-Hit Wonder (It’s a trap!)
• Hall: Appreciating minor league Star Wars uniforms

MLB News & Interest:

• ESPN: Everything you need for KBO opening day
• ESPN Reaches Agreement to Televise Six Live KBO League Games Per Week in U.S.
• Anderson: Everything to know about Korea Baseball Organization
• Calcaterra: Why they’re playing baseball in KBO and why we’re not playing here
• Blum: AP Exclusive: Trout, Cole top 65 to earn $100,000 per game
• Petriello: He had a HOF pitching career ... it began at age 39
• Randhawa: 1 guy you forgot was ever on your favorite team
• Byrne: Has Seattle Found Its Solution At Short?
• MLB Quiz of the Day: Best players by jersey number
• Today in Baseball History

Best of YouTube:

Some of last year’s fireworks, to celebrate Star Wars Day.

Best of Twitter:

Interesting rumor

Keep your eye on the ball, if only so you don’t look behind you

Getting creative during weird times

Almost had our first blooper of the season

Heartwarming video of the day

Happy 168th birthday to Oakland! Monday was the anniversary of the town’s incorporation in 1852.