Yet another reason to be an A's Season Ticket Holder... renewed ticket accounts will receive a Kurt Suzuki backpack! Free! F'real! This backpack is an exclusive item just for A's Season Ticket Holders. You'll notice it even says as much on the backpack. See John model the backpack like a pro. The backpack is a unique item in the shape of Kurt's chest protector. Though please don't actually use it behind the plate. The backpack will accompany your ticket delivery closer to the start of the season. It's not too late to renew your ticket plan and receive this limited edition backpack.

You may also be interested to know that the 2010 Season Ticket Holder collectors pin has been created. The pin will be mailed with your printed tickets and backpack. Do you like the pin? We do. We thought it up! If you don't like the pin... then your obnoxious co-worker did it.    

 Give us a ring at 510.568.5600 to renew your ticket plan or renew online today. Go A's!

backpack postcard.pdf 

Last week the Ticket Services Office received a visit from a well known employee on the baseball diamond. Left Handed Pitcher Dallas Braden stopped through to make a few phone calls to Season Ticket Holders. He is a natural on the phone. With confidence, ease, and a lot of humor - no wonder he's a successful starting pitcher - Dallas reached out to A's fans, reminding them to renew their ticket plans. As he told a Season Ticket Holder, he was hanging with the white collars in the office. We suppose that makes him a member of the no collars since there's not much use for a collar on a baseball jersey?  

 Dallas' visit was spur of the moment, special thanks to the A's Media Relations Department. Always great to have A's team members and A's fans interact, particularly when it's a surprise. Although Dallas didn't show up to the office today, the Ticket Services Office regulars are still here to help with anything A's baseball. So long as you don't ask up to strike out Nelson Cruz. That's still Dallas' job.  

You ever look at a date on a calendar and think, "That's so far away."? Sometimes it feels like that day will never come. Then - BAM - that date has arrived and all of a sudden have to get your wife a birthday gift. Today might be one of those days. Friday, December 18 - today - is the Early Bird deadline day. We know, it came fast. But by renewing in full today you will receive 2 FREE Field Infield tickets ($70 value). Accounts renewing tickets of at least $1,500 will receive a deeply discounted 18 person luxury suite for only $200 ($1600 value). See complete details about Early Bird Benefits.  

If you're not interested in Early Bird benefits, but still want to renew your tickets the A's now offer an online Payment Plan. You can renew your plan in three installments. Pay one-third today and additional one-third payments of the total will be spread out over the next three months. To pay in full or participate in the payment plan, visit your My A's Tickets account.

Our smiling Ticket Services crew is standing by on phones to help you with your renewal. Don't leave you or your wife hanging.

Contact A's Ticket Services at (510) 568-5600 or tickets@oaklandathletics.com 

Ticket Services Representative Adam has been claiming for months that "The Saltine Challenge" is impossible. He spelled it out as seven crackers in one mouth at the same time. No water to help swallow. To begin Early Bird Deadline week Catherine sat snacking on some saltines. Travis had to take the challenge. Under the watchful eyes of the office, and fair officiating by Adam, Travis shoved seven stacked crackers into his month- Scooby Doo style- and proceeded to munch. "Like eating sawdust," he wrote on a post-it note while unable to speak. In about 75 seconds he was in the clear. A high-five and an inflated sense of self worth later, Travis got back to work with a big bottle of water. Moti, visiting from Premium Seating down the hall, missed the challenge. "Let me know if you do it again," said Moti. Travis isn't so sure he'll be trying that challenge again anytime soon.

*Note: A quick online search revealed that "The Saltine Challenge" is actually eating six of the crackers in 60 seconds without liquid. A bit different from the completed challenge. Says A's Ticket Services, "Bring it on."      

It was an unseasonably chilly early December evening when A's Season Ticket Holders mingled with Rajai Davis, Brad Ziegler, and A's Front Office Staff- including your Ticket Services Staff favorites- at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek. While it was cold outside, inside the attendees enjoyed dinner, a meet and greet with the players, autograph and photo opportunities, and a question & answer session MC'd by A's broadcaster Ray Fosse. The Season Ticket Holders, all randomly selected, received party favors: new baseballs perfect for autographs, trading cards, and raffle tickets, where lucky winners received prizes such as game used bats, autographed baseballs, and an authentic Mark Ellis jersey. In the spirit of the season, each attendee brought one new unopened toy to the event as the A's teamed with California Police Youth Charities in support of their annual toy drive.

Some of our favorite quotes from the Q&A session:

Rajai Davis on stealing bases:

"You know what's fun is I look around at other teams and their catchers and I say, 'okay I got you, I got you, I got you'."

Brad Ziegler on switching to the submarine delivery:

"One of my minor league coaches actually suggested it to me. At first I was reluctant because I felt like going to a side arm delivery was sort of a last ditch effort for a struggling pitcher to stay competitive and at their best level. And I was pitching very well at the time. But once I started seeing the results I was getting I had to stick with it."

Rajai on his mindset as a basestealer:

"It's great to get on base and just have the confidence to know that I'm going to steal this bag and no matter what I'm not going to get out. A lot of times my coaches will give me the green light. Although sometimes I have a red light and occasionally happen to run that red light. As long as I don't get caught, then everything is okay."

Brad on making pitching adjustments:

"Making adjustments is something you have to do throughout your career from game to game and inning to inning. I even have to make adjustments during a single at bat. If I come inside to hitter and he turns on it foul, then I know if I come back inside I need to change something whether it be turning up the heat or changing the location."

We particularly enjoyed one entertaining exchange between Ray Fosse and Brad Ziegler when talking about changing the pace of the game as a reliever:

Fosse: "A pitcher once told me you either want to throw faster or slower than what everyone else is throwing. And this guy (points to Brad) throws slower."

(Audience laughs)

Ziegler: "Just to set the record straight, at a game in Anaheim this year I was clocked at 91MPH."

(Audience applauds)

As the A's staff, we enjoy opportunities to connect to our loyal fans on a more personal level at events such as these. And we should note, the players were amazing with everyone in attendance, showing full desire to be accommodating and involved. Interested in attending an event such as this in the future? As an A's Season Ticket Holder today you never know when we may randomly select your account to partake in events such as these. We wish you a very happy and healthy Holiday season!

Good morning! Along with your morning cup of coffee you should have received an email with everything you need to renew your season tickets online. We've worked hard with MLB.com to create an online brochure (or "e-brochure" if you like) as a one-stop shop for 2010 ticket plan and schedule information, ticket plan renewal, parking pass purchase, and Fielder's Choice game selection. Visit oaklandathletics.com/2010 to find everything under one roof, including a way cool intro video featuring the voice of Ken Korach and created by the A's Diamond Vision crew. To renew your season tickets online you'll need to access My A's Tickets. Your My A's Tickets login is your account number and your password has not been changed from your 2009 season password. If you are visiting My A's Tickets for the first time your password is your Season Ticket Account zip code. Once inside My A's Tickets you'll have the option to renew in one payment or three installments, with the final payment due in March of 2010.

We hope that you find this online renewal option helpful. In about one week you will receive your traditional invoice and brochure by mail, so fear not if you prefer receiving the paper version of this information.

Thank you for all of your support over the years. We hope to see you often at the Oakland Coliseum in 2010. If you have any questions about renewing your season tickets we're happy to help at (510) 568-5600 and tickets@oaklandathletics.com. Let's Go A's!

(Photo by Michael Zagaris)

Reflecting on the 2009 season we recalled that we forgot to post the Turn Back The Clock photos from Sunday, August 16. You made it out, right? Good. So you remember the 1929 uniforms the A's and White Stockings donned? You even picked up your own giveaway replica A's 1929 jersey and you're wearing it right now? Sweet! We had a laugh over the nicknames given to players on Diamond Vision, the old mic that Dick Callahan used to introduce players from behind home plate, and the many fans and employees that got into the action of partying like it's 1929 (pre-Depression).    

The band played. We danced the Charleston.  

The Ticket Services Office enjoys the game.  

A Season Ticket Holder, dressed to impress, visits the Ticket Services Office.

The grounds crew drags the field in 1929 shirts and hats.

The Philadelphia Athletics are World Series Champions, deafeating the Chicago Cubs.

Ticket Services gets in on the act.  

Now what the heck is an "Internet"?!?!

(Photos copyright Travis LoDolce)  

If you are an A's Season Ticket Holder, and if you're not you should be, you probably attended the Saturday, October 3 post-game event at the Coliseum. The feedback we've received is that it was a smashing success. In case you missed it, all Season Ticket Holders were invited onto the field after the A's game, where the ballplayers walked the circumference of the field to shake hands and give out "thank you" buttons. After the time on the field, fans visited the East Side Club. Robert Buan hosted the "Extra Innings" radio show with special guests Andrew Bailey, Ray Fosse, and Ken Korach. They talked A's baseball and, along with Senior Director of Ticket Operations Steve Fanelli and Vice President of Sale & Marketing Jim Leahey, held a live raffle for autographed and game used items. Promotional items from the season were handed out to everyone. Complimentary food and drinks were provided as well.

As mentioned, the positive response we've received is tremendous. We were happy to create an event that highlighted our appreciation of Season Ticket Holders. We're not only grateful for the response from A's fans, but also for the cooperation of all A's staff. It was a full team effort to host this event. The A's organization hopes all Season Ticket Holders know how much we appreciate their continued support of the ball club. 

If you have any photos or stories from October 3 we'd love to see or read. Feel free to share in the comments section. A few photos we snapped are below. Thanks again to all that attended and were involved in the October 3 event. We're already looking forward to 2010!