Alexander Pope is responsible for the "Hope springs eternal..." quote which surfaces about this time every year when Major League Baseball players report to training camp and prepare for another grueling 162-game season. This year's American League West is wide open. My favorite team, the Oakland A's, is back as a contender with Silver Slugger Matt Holliday on board after an offseason deal with the Rockies. Jason Giambi is back. And the A's always have strong arms on the mound, which I expect to be the case once again this year.Baseball has been a major part of my life. My dad coached me from Pinto League through Bronco. I played for the Bears, Stars, and Pirates in my six years of Little League. It wasn't that I was ever any good at baseball, though I did make the All-Stars twice in my six years. But many of my heroes growing up were ballplayers. I was fortunate to get out to the Coliseum throughout my childhood to watch my favorite team hit the field.
The A's actually made it to the American League Championship Series in 1981. That year was unusual because of the strike which caused MLB to create a division series pitting the first half division winners against the second half division winners in a best-of-five series. The A's swept the Royals, 3-0, before going on to lose to the mighty N.Y. Yankees, 3-0. My favorite player is and always has been Rickey Henderson. While he didn't win a ring that year, he did go on to win a World Series in Oakland in 1989 and is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
I'll never forget my baseball trip of a lifetime in August of 2006. I traveled from here in the Bay Area all the way to Houston, Texas, to meet up with a few fantasy football friends. Along the way, my buddies Derrick, John, Jeff, and I watched games in Los Angeles (Dodgers), Phoenix (D-backs), Denver (Rockies), Arlington (Rangers), and Houston (Astros).
After that little trip down memory lane, I am excited to report that we can dream again for a shot at glory here in Oakland. The A's are no longer heading to Fremont, so they should be sticking around for a few more years at least. Let's hope. Kari and I have enjoyed attending ballgames at least once or twice every year. Claire and I make it out to a couple of games. I wind up getting invited with friends and family (thanks James and Bridget!), or I do the inviting from time to time. And I'm really looking forward to bringing my boy out to the ballyard for some action this year.
In fact, I'm happy to report that I've arranged for a special date night with Kari when the new-and-improved A's hit the field for their season opener against the Seattle Mariners. It'll be kind of bittersweet because last year in the spring we were actually in Seattle, but this might be about as close as we come to Washington this year. Ken Griffey, Jr, is back in Seattle, and it will be fun to get a chance to see him one last time before he retires. It will simply be fun to attend yet another season opener. I haven't missed an opening night game in 10 years!
Another fun night in April will be on the 24th when we get to attend the special fireworks celebration. The A's play another low-payroll-but-highly-successful-team, the Tampa Bay Rays, and we have the Family Fun Pack. Basically, we get great seats in the Plaza Level along the third baseline, drinks, hot dogs, and chips for the four of us at a low price of $50. Not bad! (Another great benefit about the A's: you really don't need to spend much to enjoy a night at the ballpark.)
So, get out the green and gold. Let's get to know our team once again. And if you're able, we'd love to go and check out a game or two with you this year! And if Tampa Bay can make it all the way to October, there's no reason to think that this year's Oakland A's can do any less! I know I've had my ups and downs rooting for Oakland because they've broken my heart numerous times in the postseason (Kirk Gibson, anyone? Jose Rijo ring a bell? Derek Jeter? Jeremy Giambi? Barry Zito's classic meltdowns? Manny Ramirez? Gil Heredia? The list goes on.) But I can't lie. They're my first and true love when it comes to baseball - ratty old stadium and all. Love'em or leave'em. The A's are 100% baseball!
MEET YOUR 2009 OAKLAND ATHLETICS:
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