Category: Dailies
Practice Makes Perfect
The A’s are on the field stretching, hitting, and fielding. Robert Buan is in the outfield interviewing players. Ken Korach in foul territory with coaches. Tsuboi in the stands with fans. A good day to relax and enjoy.
Met a fan named Tom who flew in from Atlanta for this event. A previous Bay Area resident he and his now college age son began coming to games in the late 1990s. Now reitred in Atlanta he follows the team on television with occasional trips to see the team on the road and here in Oakland. Bought his daughter an Eric Chavez jersey so she can sport it throughout the southern USA.
A question for the fans, which new player do you think will make the biggest impact on the team this season? Will it be a hitter like Holliday, Nomar, Cabrera or our old friend Giambi? Could it be a pitcher like rookies Brett Anderson or Trevor Cahill? Would love to hear your thoughts?
More On Field Action
The main attraction a moment ago was Matt Holliday, Ryan Sweeney, and the late addition of Jason Giambi sitting down to speak with Kuiper. Giambi mentioned his penchant for using the word “dude” and how that goes over much better in California than it does in New York.
Bobby Crosby and a handful of other players still signing autographs on the edges of the field. A very nice, warm day at the ballpark. Anyone thrilled to have a Friday night game to open the home season? Date night, right?
Middle Infield
Kupier discusses the 2009 season with Mark Ellis, Nomar Garciaparra, and Orlando Cabrera.
Garciaparra notes what an honor it is to wear an A’s uniform.
Cabrera, “We’re here to take (the division).”
By-the-way, the guys donned the black cap and black jersey for the event.
Interactivity
The As new in-game personality Kara Tsuboi engages fans in queue for autographs. Two high school students from Albany attend almost 40 games between them each season. Expect to see Kara in the stands often this season. Dont be shy, say hi.
Live Blog: Fan Appreciation Workout Day
Good morning! Gates are open. Fans are inside and still comign for the Fan Appreciation Workout Day, a free event to all A’s baseball fans. Glen Kuiper is currently on the field holding an interview with Bob Geren, and tomorrow’s starting battery Dallas Braden and Kurt Suzuki. Kuiper asked the guys about nerves as they pretain to Opening Night. These guys seem excited to get the season started.
If you’re in the Bay Area and want to attend today’s event, activities will continue until 3pm. Parking and admission are free. Take BART to the Coliseum stop or visit us at the Oakland Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, 94621.
Let The Games Begin! (And a Free Event too.)
“Spring has sprung.” You’ll find that line used a lot this time of year. It’s catchy and cute, even though not very original. It is honest. Spring Training, at least the out-of-state variety, is complete. Right about now the A’s are taking the field for the first of three Bay Bridge Series games. The culmination of the series is in Oakland on Saturday. 1:05 start. But there’s also a special event on Sunday. Fan Appreciation Workout Day is this Sunday, April 6. Parking and admission are free to all fans. Here’s the skinny:
Phoenix Fly By
Hard to believe the Spring Training season has just one week remaining. Over the past few weeks the A’s have played some great baseball, upping the ante in the American League West. Since we’re mostly focused off the field perhaps you’d take a stroll with us around Phoenix Muni and even on a road game?
Triplets Sela, Ari, and Alex, better known to fans as TripleFire!, jam outside the main entrance to Phoenix Muni as guests enter. You can see them play again this Friday, March 27 around 6pm as the A’s host the Padres at Muni for a rare 7:05pm night game.
Inside the ballpark a couple of the newest A’s take batting practice. Nomar Garciaparra and Orlando Cabrera fist bump when they exchange spots in the cage.
Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins visits with Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Joe Torre in the visiting dugout prior to the game. Jenkins later signs autographs on the concourse for donations to his charitable fund. Joe Torre signs copies of his new book for Jenkins’ fund.
Glen, A’s fan of the game, tosses the ceremonial first pitch. Steee-rike!
Visiting the A’s on a road game, we watch Mark Ellis take a pitch inside for a ball at the Indians’ ballpark in Goodyear.
In the seats we spark up the conversation with friendly A’s fans. Sue and Tom from the Bay Area share some of their experiences at Spring Training.
Tom tell us, “Our trip to see the A’s in Arizona is our first robin of the spring — we try never to miss it. We love the associations and friendships we’re building — and the instant camaraderie a team jersey supplies with friend and baseball foe. We stopped at a restaurant in Palm Springs and immediately struck up a conversation with some young guys in Dodger Blue — the common language of baseball made the introductions automatic and the friendly exchange irresistible. Or the Rockies fan at the motel who came over to tell us what a steal we got in Matt Holliday. We also enjoy the head start we get on seeing the team’s prospects — “the young talent” as Sue says – because the stats alone just can’t substitute for seeing them ‘live.'” Thanks Tom and Sue! We’ll see you in Oakland.
And speaking of die-hard fans. Who should we find in left field? The Oakland Left Field Bleacher Crew. With flags and all. Thanks for A’s love folks.
See you back in Oakland before we all know it. First game at the Coliseum is Saturday, April 4 @ 1:05pm. The Giants visit for the annual Bay Bridge Series.
The home opener is a Friday night game! Pretty sweet, no? The Mariners come to town on Friday, April 10. Game time at 7:05pm.
Finally, this will eventually be a separate blog entry, the A’s host a free event on Sunday, April 5 from 11am to 3pm. Fan Appreciation Workout Day features the full A’s 25-man roster before the team departs to Anaheim to start the season. Parking and entry are complimentary to all fans. A great way to jump into the A’s baseball season.
Update from the Road
Major League Baseball is in full “swing.” Though not locally just yet. A’s Spring Training is seven home games deep at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Arizona. The United States has two wins in the World Baseball Classic. And A’s Ticket Services is involved with both.
Deadline Day
A friendly reminder… today is the final day to guarantee your reserved seat location for the 2009 A’s baseball season. Renew your A’s ticket plan today to ensure you receive the commemorative ticket stock which arrives bound in a booklet featuring all of your season tickets (another year of the commemorative tickets looking great!).
New Ticket Employees: Buck, Eveland, Sweeney
Late last week A’s Ticket Services received a visit from three faces more familiar with the field than the phones. A’s outfielders Travis Buck and Ryan Sweeney and pitcher Dana Eveland dropped by to call A’s Season Ticket Holders.
A's Ticket Services 