Let us celebrate today's special anniversary with Midori1967's tale of an especially perfect Mother's Day, one year later.        -EN

Let me explain . . . . .

On October 24, 2009, my Mom lost her battle with ALS.  My brother in-law, wrote her obituary, posting her "career stats" ~ 53 years of marriage, 7 children, 12 grandchildren, over 2,500 student taught, and about 40 teams coached.  I am the youngest of the 7 children, and had one or both of my parents as my softball coach for most of my life.  It took me until junior college to have a non-familial coach..  My first memories of A's games are with the entire FGSA (Fremont Girls Softball Association), sitting in the 3rd deck, getting sunburned and eating way too much junk food.  Mom was a huge advocate of sportsmanship.  Many of her championship teams also won sportsmanship awards, which were voted on by the very players they had beaten on the diamond.

An Oakland A's partial season ticket plan  was purchased by my sister and Dad back in 1987.  After several season of "moving up" they EARNED their current seats in Section 105, Row 1.  Although many fans would not choose to sit next to the visitors bullpen, my Mom enjoyed the interactions with the various teams.  And on a smaller scale, I think the players enjoyed Mom.  One evening game against the Mariners, Mom sneezed, very loudly, several times in a row.  Slowly a player rose from the dugout, turned around, and with a smile asked Mom if she was OK . . . that player was Arthur Rhodes.  Before a game against the Kansas City Royals, pitcher Jeff Montgomery, approached my parents, shook their hands and told them it has always been a pleasure coming to play in Oakland.  He wanted them to know that he had planned on retiring at the end of the year.  

As our family grew with spouses, significant others and grandchildren, Mom and Dad started buying the entire family bleacher tickets to a fireworks game.  The trek down to the field was always a challenge to make sure that we didn't lose anyone!  I believe that those games were the games Mom loved the most . . . surrounded by her large, loud and crazy family!  She wouldn't have had it any other way.

As the disease progressed, it became harder for Mom to attend games, but that didn't stop her.  It may have taken longer to get to her front row seats, she used the hand rail along section 105, but she did get there.

Her A's "family" grew as she took in ushers and security guards alike.  She brought cookies for all the regulars (Patty, Mark & Mark, Anthony & Anthony)  Some of them even took to calling her Mom!

Not in her usual seats, Mom attended her last game on September 20th, 2009.  From an outfield skybox she watched her A's beat up on the Indians 11-4.  Dana Eveland won his 2nd game of the year, and Adam Kennedy hit his 11th homerun.  During the game, she was visited by several her favorite ushers and security guards from section 105. 

May 9, 2010 - my first Mother's Day without my Mom.  I don't have children of my own (unless you count dogs and cats).  This day had always been about Mom.  The whole family would be gathering at Dad's for a BBQ, but I was in no hurry to get over there.  Feeling lost, I sat down at the computer and looked through pictures.  The A's game was on in the living room.  Somewhere between the tears and the Kleenex, I heard the announcers talking about "something special".  I pulled myself away from the pictures on the computer and went into the living room. 

I watched the game while pacing the living room floor.  I couldn't sit still.  Of all the pitchers on the A's staff. Dallas Braden was throwing a perfect game!  And when that last ball was hit and Penny threw a perfect strike to Barton, I cried.  This time the tears were joyful!  I had seen a lot of magical moments as an A's fan, but this one was so unlikely and so beautiful for a young man who had lost his Mom too soon!  I was so lucky to have 42 years with my Mom.

I hurried up and went over to Dad's house.  As soon as it was available "on demand", we watched the game again!  The rest of the day was spent talking about Dallas Braden and his perfect game.

So, on this day, a year later . . . . I would like to thank Dallas Braden for turning one of the most painful days in my life, into a day of celebration and happiness.  Mother's Day will never be the same for me, but I will always look back and smile when thinking about 2010. 

In honor of my Mom, Sue Galloway, I have changed my profile picture to her.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM !

Is anyone else still waiting for their "information packet" regarding the Moneyball filming for Thursday (tomorrow) from 4pm to 11pm ?  I was sent an email on Saturday saying that I would hear back by Monday afternoon at the latest . . . . . . but I still haven't received anything.  Anybody have insider information ?  My sister works at the FBO located at the Oakland airport, and she confirmed that Brad & Angie (and their 6 kids) left today.  Is it possible that filming will be finished today ? 

After spending 4 years of building a contending team, the guy running our fantasy keeper league decides to calls it quits!  We have 5 owners, but need to find at least 5 more to start our own league.  We will be drafting from scratch this year, which is quite disturbing to me since my infield consisted of Pujols, Utley, H. Ramirez and Sandoval.  It will be a 5x5 roto league, and you designate 10 keepers each year.  The entry fee would be $50 to start, with the hope of increasing it to $100 in a year or two when the economy gets better.  The draft will be held on-line.  If interested, I can email the rest of the details.

I seem to recall that at least a few the AN faithful were planning trips to New York this year.  We will be going in September, and I am looking to book a room for a reasonable price.  From what I've seen on line, there's a wide range of places to stay.  I would appreciate any feedback there might be from ANers that traveled to New York this year.  We are going to Cooperstown on September 11th, and will then drive into the city to attend games on the 12th & 13th.  Is it worth the savings to stay in New Jersey?  Any insights you may have will be appreciated.

Wouldn't you like to be in the house when the A's sweep the Giants this weekend?  Friday nights game will feature Dana Eveland (5-5) against Kevin Correia (1-5).

My sister has 4 tickets (season tickets) for this game.  They are in Section 106, Row 1, Seats 1-4.  She only wants what she paid for them ($25.00 each).  If you are not familiar with the park, Section 106 is the section behind the visitors (Giants) bullpen.  You can email my sister at Baseballfan13@sbcglobal.net if you are interested.

I've been a fan of Jeremy's since he came up with Giants.  Does anyone know if he is traveling with the team and/or  when he might come off the DL?  I'll be going to the games on Tuesday and Wednesday in Oakland, and my seats are behind the Jays bullpen.  I'm just wondering if Jeremy will be there.  I'm looking forward to also seeing Shannon Stewart and Marco Scutaro . . . . I miss both of them.  Any information you might have on Jeremy would be appreciated.  Thanks!

While doing some spring cleaning while the roommate was out of town, I realized that she was missing the Barry Zito bobblehead.  We have an extra Frank Thomas bobblehead and Eric Chavez figurine if anyone would like to make a trade.  If you don't need either of those, I can always get one of the four being given away this year to trade.  I'm also looking for the Chavez marionette that was given out a few years back.  Please leave your email address if you are interested.  Thanks!

This September I will be traveling to New York to visit Cooperstown and both NY ballparks.  I'm looking to AN for recommendations.  The tentative itinerary is;  September 10th - fly from Oakland to Albany, NY (either stay in the Albany area or drive to the Cooperstown area)  September 11th - visit Cooperstown, eat dinner and then drive to Flushing/Bronx area (about a four hour drive)  September 12th attend either Mets v Braves or Yankees v Rays (both night games)  September 13th attend either Yankees v Rays @ 1:05 or Mets v Braves @ 3:55.  September 14th fly from LaGuardia or JFK to Oakland.  I'm looking for hotel/motel recommendations, places to eat, whether we should see Yankee Stadium at night or in the day . . . . etc.  The one place we plan to visit for sure is Pacific Standard in Brooklyn.  Any other suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated.

Dateline Oakland, California -

This just in . . . . According to a reliable source (at least I can rely on them!)  SP Dana Eveland's passport was stolen (along with his laptop and possibly other items) when his vehicle was broken into at the Starbucks on Hegenberger Road earlier today.  He is not on the team flight to Toronto.  The good news is that he is not scheduled to start until the A's get to Cleveland on Friday.  In other Bay Area news, the Giants still suck!

Yesterday, during our family Easter gathering, my sister (an A's season ticket holder) relayed the following story;  On Saturday, she was at a restaurant celebrating the 18th birthday of a friend's daughter.  She passed by a table of three guys separating their season tickets and upon getting a closer look said . . . "You're a season ticket holder for the Giants?" . . . . The one guy said "Yes".  Without missing a beat my sister replied . . . . . . . "I'm sorry"  and walked away.

If we don't get a 10th team by the end of the day, the league will be deleted.

CBS Sportsline

Search private leagues 

League Name:  Bleeding Green and Gold 

Password:  Nation

Head to Head league using both AL/NL players

Automated draft this Friday (Feb. 22nd) 

I apologize for having to post this again, but I failed to provide all the information necessary to join the league on my earlier post.  

Search private leagues for Bleeding Green and Gold.  Password is Nation.  The league is head to head format and uses both AL and NL players.  The draft will be automated and is scheduled to take place near the end of March.

There are 7 spots left in the 10 team league.  GOOD LUCK!

Is anyone interested in a fantasy baseball league?  I pay to play in a keeper league, but would also like to have a couple of free "fun leagues".  I've played in both Yahoo and CBS Sportsline leagues and really don't have a preference.  If there is enough interest, I would sign up for a private league, and post the password on AN for anyone who wants to join.

Since 2005, a group of friends and I have planned a "road trip" or two with the A's (Houston & Seattle in 2007, San Diego in 2006 and Seattle in 2005).  I'm not sure if we will be able to do a trip with the A's next year, because I would like to take my Dad to NY to see Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium and the HOF.  That being said, I've grown tired waiting for the release of the A's 2008 schedule, and decided to take some action!

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While on vacation in Lake Tahoe last week, my sister bought one of those A's lottery ticket scratchers. If you haven't already seen one, there are two rows. Each row has a winning number (hidden behind the MLB logo). Following each winning number is a row of 5 baseballs (with a number hidden under each one). Basically, you have 5 chances to match the winning number. If you match the winning number, you win the prize listed.

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This is my first post, so please be gentle.  I've been and avid reader of AN, but never quite got up the nerve to write.  Perhaps it's because everyone is so well spoken (or should I say written) that I was just a little intimidated. Anyway, here goes;

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