Hi everyone out there in AN world.

Well,  because of economics for the first time ever I am working out of state.  I am working in the Las Vegas area on a project for the local telephone company here.   I am missing my wife, kids and dogs at home in Rocklin, CA  But, while I am out here I just checked the 51's schedule.   After reading Nico's article about the Rivercats it gave me an idea to try and catch a game here in Las Vegas.  Does anyone know what side is the visitors side?  The Website for the 51's doesnt show.  Of course I could just ask at the box office when I buy my ticket though.   Have any of you been sat here at Cashman Field before?   Any good places I need to go see in the Vegas while I'm here?

I was told recently of a great sportsbar in Henderson called Hammers on Horizon Dr.   I was told it's owned by a former NHL player?   I might go there this Thursday to see the NFL draft.  I am renting an apartment right now in Boulder City, Nevada.  It's amazing furnished and all utlities included for $650.00 a month.  That alone is a reality check that I'm not in Ca anymore....

Thanks, for any and all Info!!!!!

I was wondering if anyone out there in AN land could help me.

I'm looking for the name of the song (music) played at the game when say the bases are loaded and Holliday is coming up to bat.

It has a lot of bells ringing etc.

Someone, at a game  told me it was used in the WWF for entrance music?

I've tried I tunes looking under WWF but, so far no luck!!

If anyone can help I would appreciate it!!!!!

I have had an i-phone for a couple of monthes now.   I just wanted to let all you fellow baseball fans out there know about this application for sale.  I have Sirius satellite radio and when they combined with XM, I was excited to think I could listen to Howard Stern and Baseball.  A perfect world for me on the road at work.  But, for some unknown reason MLB won't allow the broadcasts of games on Sirius.  Only XM.  I have sent several letters to Sirius getting the standard answers of we are aware of the problem...trying to correct..... still offer quality broadcasts... etc.

Then I discovered this application on my i-phone.

It costs $9.99 and you get  to pick the game you want to hear (home or away) broadcast.

In addition you get "gameday" a small screen showing an animated hitter. pitchers name, total pitches thrown, strikes to balls.   And, pitch by pitch ball and strikes show up.  At Bat hitter name what they are in the game,  AVG. and on deck.  You can view all this while listening to the broadcast.

You can hit "field" to see the dimensions of the park and who is playing defense. and what runners are on base.

you can hit "box score "to see an in game box score.

You can hit "Summary "of scoring plays to see who scored when and how.

And there are the "video" highlights also!!!

I would have bought the phone just for this application.  It's great!!!

The only thing to keep in mind is, it burns up your battery getting all that streaming data.  So if you get this application and use it keep your charger handy.

If you have an i-phone,  you will want to check this out for sure!!!!!!

I was wondering if there was any news about this.  I have been traveling out of town a lot for work .   So there might have been news that I have missed.    I know I saw a date for  July 12th (sat. nite) agains't the Angels but, that's all.    I will be leaving soon for a long camping trip.   As of right now I don't have tickets for this game.   Are we buying some in a section?   Or do I need to buy my own?  I don't want to miss this!!!   My wife and I get away every year to AN day.  We get away from the kids spend the night down there and check out some restaraunts.  This year since it's a night game maybe we could go somewhere afterwards with fellow AN'ers  like Rickey's or something?

Well, I am looking to plan out my summer soon.

I know it's early!!!!

My wife is a school teacher so we are planning our summer.

We have gone to every An day except the first year.  I am not even sure if there was even one then.

My wife and I have made it an annual getaway from the kids weekend.

We have such a good time at the game we always wish it would spill over to some sportsbar or something in the evening when it's over.

We are planning a trip up North this summer to see my sister in Tacoma.

We are looking at doing this in July but, we haven't set a date yet.

I know, I know, it's early and todate they still haven't posted any of the promotions yet on the A's site.

But, I am just curious what fellow Aners out there might be thinking?

I just don't want to miss this event if I can help it.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year's.

Mike Heath

Well, After sitting in the sun my wife wasn't feeling all that great.

After a couple of motrins she felt better though.

I was thinking that we might still link up with some of you at the Pacific coast brewery.

But she wanted to have a nice dinner and go see a movie.

So we ended up having dinner at Spettro's on Lakeshore Ave.

It was very good.

Just kind of found it by accident though.

The place was full with a line out the door when we left to catch our movie "Sicko"

It was great to see this movie in the bay area.

We are both Democrats and live in a 92% Republican area of Rocklin, Ca.

We had a great time at AN day.

I enjoyed meeting some of you face to face who had made some of the sugestions we had with us at AN day.

Again, thank you!!!!   I will keep the list for next year.

My wife and I, are planning on making it a weekend getaway.

This will be our third year of doing this.

The last two times we have had breakfast in the hotel we stayed at.  (Airport Marriott)

This time we are staying at the Hilton.

Which, I was told has a great sports bar in it.

I was wondering If any of you fellow AN'ers out there have any ideas for both dinner and breakfast?

Thanks for any help!!!
See some of you Sat. can't wait!!!

But any ideas about the next AN day?

I have to start picking dates for summer vacations and I want to be sure I am around for this again.

My wife and I have gone to the last two hand have had a great time.

I am hoping I can at least leave a few weekends open after this diary.

Any ideas/dates?

A couple of monthes ago someone posted an idea for a road trip.

I think it was to Van. B.C., Sac. CA, Stockton CA, and Oakland if I remember right.

I am starting to plan some vaction time in for next year and I wanted to know if this or maybe some other road trip might be on.

If not this trip what about going down to see LAA and doing the AN section thing again.

I couldn't make it at the end of the season last year but, it looked like great fun.

Maybe we could organize a softball game agains't Halos in heaven?

Any thought's or ideas or dates out there in AN land?

I know the schedule for the A's is only tentative to this point though.

My wife and I are going to be in lot C.

But, if there is a group of AN'ers out there we would love to get together if time works out.

We are coming from Rocklin so we are going to be leaving early.

So who is going to be where or should we try to meet somewhere before the game maybe....????

Just ideas what do you think?

It's crazy I know, but hear me out.

What if the city and county of Sacramento say no to the Malooff Brothers demands for a new arena for the Kings to play in Sacramento.

They want a new arena and want the county to raise taxes to pay for it with a 1/2% raise in sales tax to pay for it.

From what I have heard they want all royalties though like parking, concessions, etc.

City officials from what I have heard are very upset by this.

What if the Kings move like they have threatned they would do.

The A's Lew Wolff group could move in demolish Arco and use the parking lot to build the new Stadium.

The areas around Sacramento is crazy for the Kings.

They are the only professional team the city has right now.

I have only lived in the area for three years now but, I'm still amazed how life stops around hear when the Kings play.

Showing fanatical fan support.

The area around Arco is in a huge growth and development stage right now with new stores and restaurants.

The Rivercats would have to move but I think this could be done.

I think Rohnert Park would be a great place for the AAA team.

When I lived there a few years ago, the Sonoma County Crushers played in the old Redwood Pionner single A stadium of the Angels.

While the league was around the Crushers led the league in attendance every year if I'm not mistaken.

Everyone in the Northbay was either a Giants fan or A's fan but, most of all they were Bay Area transplants who loved the game of Baseball.

I Know at the time I moved from Rohnert Park.  Sonoma State was hoping to get a new field to use for it's team so that the could host playoff games and Divion 1 Baseball college world series games so they might even go in on the cost of a stadium/renovation?

What do you think AN???

Is it too crazy of an idea???

Is there any one hotel any of you fellow ANer's are staying at for AN day3?

My wife and I had such a great time last year going to this event, we couldn't wait for this year.

We are going to the game on Sat. also.

So we plan on staying the night and make it a A's weekend.

Is there a place where AN'ers are going for post An day festivities?

Any Sports bars???

I am in the process of starting to put together a great weekend I hope.

I already had tickets for the Sat. before AN day, so my wife said let's make it an A's weekend and stay the night in a hotel around there.

That's why I married her!!!!

Any recomdations on where to stay, eat, go after the game's etc.

Is there a place where An'ers go after a game.

I would appreciate any information you could give.

Thanks!!!

I know it's early yet.....

But, has anyone got a clue when this might happen.

My wife is a school teacher so we have have a lot of time off in the summer.

I would really hate it though if we went away camping and missed this.

We had a great time last year.

We spent the night at a hotel and made a weekend getaway out of it.

The earlier we know the better.

Any ideas of a game out there?

I was hoping to make it Sat. but my oldest son who is in Boy Scouts has a Pine Wood Derby race.

I was wondering if someone could sign my name to the Bill King banner.

On the night at Rickey's I had to work.

So, I would appreciate it if someone out there in AN world attending Sat. would do this for me.

Right or Left field would be fine with me.

I just really would like to be apart of this.

Please let me know if you can do this for me.

My real name is Jeff Blagg.

I don't post much but, you guys are like family to me.

Thanks Again!!!

I was wondering Blez/Nico, anyone else out there in AN if there might be a tentative date picked out for this yet.

Last year my wife and I attended and made it a weekend by staying the night at a hotel.

We had a great time and want to do it again this year.  Maybe head somewhere after the game this year to a sportsbar or something.  Taking the party somewhere else.

My work is taking requests right now for vacations though.

I really don't want to be away on a vacation and miss this event.

I see the A's have yet to post any promotions but, I was wondering if anyone has had any ideas on dates yet??

I work with a season ticket holder of the Rivercats and she knows I belong to AN.

She wanted to know if there was any reported follow up information to A Rivercat Player that Died playing in a South-East Asia Baseball tournament?

I guess They found him dead in his hotel room.

Never saying more than that.

I remember hearing about this but, the name escapes me and her too.

Does anyone have or know where to find more information on this player who died?

Thanks

What about at the very least naming the broadcast boo5th after Bill King.

They could still have a sponsor like they normally do, I think last year it was Mercedes Benz....

At least at the end of the bradcast or even during the game the bradcast team could say "from the Bill King broadcast booth sponsored by......"

This way we won't forget the king.

I myself am 37 years old.  I feel like I have grown up with the King.

I am having a hard time trying to even think of the upcoming season without him and it pains me.

The Ford-Frick Award is a must I wish we could have got this done when he was alive but now it is a must for true A's fans to get this done ASAP.

But, in the meantime I think they should give the name of the broadcast booth his name to honor him.

O.k we still have time to contend in a year that was only supose to be a rebuilding year I know.

But, I'm getting that taste of being oh so close again then .....nothing (no playoffs)

In May all I wanted out of the team was for it go out and play some type of respectable baseball.

So the fact we are even contending after taking that nose dive I am surprised yes and happy.

That being said:  

With guys pressing and rookies looking tired down the final weeks they need some time off.

I realize how limited our roster is right now with with players that "have been there" , but the lack of offense is getting me sick.

I am starting to feel like I did last year heading into Sept. seeing that Huston was not one of the call-ups.

I realize he is but, one player but, I think that with him on the roster last year we would have made the post season again in 2004.

This year I think the difference maybe two players.  Barton and Either.  

This offense needs a jump start in a big way.

Let it be known: I am back on the fire Macha band wagon!

His lack of moving players in the line up resting players etc. is getting to me.

Just listening to him in the post game radio interview kills me.

lack of intensity stating the obvious....."We had our chances lack of excution"......

Same old quotes with no emotion behind them.

I can only dream of the day if Washington gets a chance with this team.

Going into todays game we had 26 games left.

I am not a manager by any means, but this falls into one of those what if's to me.......

Why not when facing a rookie phenom pitcher from AAA.

Send out the Sept. AAA Rivercat call cups from Sac.?

Could it have possibly of hurt us to start these guys behind Blanton today.  Let them go 4-5 innings and see what would have happened?

These guys at I believe faced Hernandez before when he was at Tacoma.

At least the veterans would have get a little rest and could go in later for defense if needed or pinch hit.

I know it's a little radical but I think the time is now to try someting different.

Yes, I know we are 1 1/2 back in both the divsion and wild card but it's not everyday you face a 19 year old that throws 98 miles an hour.

Can't wait for a future game putting Harden agains't this guy Hernandez.

Wow that will be something special for sure.

Just some rants, ideas etc.  I felt like I had to write something.

But this actually might make sense to me now.

With Kotsay's back flairing up again we could use a proven outfielder heading into the last 30 days.

The team wasn't suppose to contend this year and in May it wasn't.

The fact they are is truely amazing.

Now down the to the final days we have some questionable injurys.  (Harden, Crosby, and Kotsay and maybe Hatteburg to a degree)

Harden had some long toss and seems o.k.  Macha said he expects Crosby in the Line up on Tues. Vs. the O.C.

Hatteburg allthough he had three hits yesterday you have to wonder how healthy he is?

At least with Hatteburg if he's out you could plug in a couple of different players at DH.

But, Kotsays injury is getting me worried.

We really need him in these last couple of weeks.

But, I don't see this back problem going away anytime soon.

The question is would Rickey give up his Post Season with the Surfdogs to get in the middle of a playoff push with the A's?

I believe he would.

You could play Rickey in Left and Payton in center.  Or even off the bench.....

I like Watson and some of the other players we are developing in our system but, when it comes down to it I would love to see Rickey back at this time.

Am I crazy or am I the only one with "Run Rickey Run" who would love to see this?

I loved going to AN day2.

My wife and I had a great time meeting a lot of you.  We had so much fun we didn't want it to end after the 9th inning.

I wanted to ask someone while I was there if we were going to play that Softball game in Fremont I read about a month ago?

Is there any news?

I would love to Play.  I just need a date to request it off from work.

I am one of three people in on a Fielders Choice Plan.

I just bought my Post Season ticket Strips.

I was just wondering if there are any AN'ers out there that aren't Season ticket holders who might be interested in attending the Post Season?

I am entitled to getting two extra tickets and I have until Sept. 9th to purchase them.

It really would be nice to sell the Post Season out.

I hated it especially agains't Min. when they sold all there games out in the Metrodome and on weekdays no less and we had 30,000 if I remember for our games.

And besides I would much rather prefer sitting next too "our" fans in the stadium rather then say....."Redsox, Yankees, Or White Sox" fans.

Maybe, other Season Ticket holders could do this as well.  Put the offer out there.

I would get them and sell them for face value.  

If your interested let me know?

I would have to put this on my Visa so you would have to be serious.

I don't know what would be available so you would have to give me a order of what you would like first to last.

I can't afford to take a big gamble right now my Wife isn't working yet at this time.

My wife now thinks I am totally crazy.

Lets fill our home with our fans for the Post Season!!!

What do you think?

Now that we are back to .500 and respectability again.  

Who do you fellow AN'ers think think Billy will get before the trading deadline?

It's my favorite time of year.  To see who Billy will be pulling out from under his hat.

Play GM for a few minutes and come up with some fun two, three, four team deals.

I'm leaving for a trip down to Northridge university to see my daughter compete in a High School speach and debate tournament.  While I'm down there I'm going to try to escape early one night to see a Dodger vs. Rockies game if I can.  I asked this once before under someone elses diary but, any advice for those of you that have been there on where to sit.  The advice I got before was to sit in the bleachers.  "true" fans great experience I was told.  I would appreciate any advice on this.  I am looking forward to it.  It will be my fourth stadium if I get there.  "Devo" I love your Diary on ballparks.  I hope someday to get to more.  In the 80's I was driving through K.C. and I got Kaufman Stadium to see a Saberhagen Vs. Stewart matchup.  It was great and a very beautiful stadium with all the fountains and all.  There were even a few older old A's fans there who were very nice to me with all my A's stuff on.  It was a great night and we won to boot.  Thanks Again!!!!

I was Listening to "Extra Innings" a couple of games ago when a caller called in saying "I told you Baun we should have traded Zito and Dan Johnson for Puljols."   I loved Robert Baun's answer..."Oh you know Walt Jockety would have made that move do you?"  He then said his producer was getting a list of right handed hitter who are playing in their final year of their contract.  But, he never said anything more about this list.

I am curious to see this list since this the type of player more than likely we will trade for before the deadline if we can.  Does anyone know out there in AN where you can get this information?

I agree with Blez that the Al West has a lot of parity and one or two moves we can take it again.  I for one would love to see us playing in October again.  Nothing better to me than Halloween and the A's playing!!!!

I was listening to "Extra Innings" with Robert Baun a couple of games ago when a caller called in saying "I told you Robert we should have traded Zito and Dan Johnson for Albert Puljols.  I loved Baun's answer saying do you know Walt Jockety offered Puljols?  Baun said during the broadcast that his producer was going to check to see what Right Handed hitters were playing in the final year of their contract.

Since that would be the main area we would make a trade to another team for prospects more than likely.  I never heard him say anything after that.  Does anyone know if we can find that information on the web?  If so where?

I agree with Blez in we shouldn't panic yet.   But, I also agree with Blez, that the Al West has a lot of parity....One or two moves we might be back in the playoffs and enjoying October baseball.  I have already picked the last week in October for a vacation week at work hoping we will still be playing then.!!!

Thanks, to all ahead of time if you can help me get this information.

I was thiking the otherday about the Dan Johnson situation.  Where the guy has done everything right but, the A's haven't a spot for him on the roster.  It reminded me of Troy Neel.  He was a first baseman for the Tacoma Tigers who was hitting like crazy.  Not much of a fielder though if I remeber right.  Anyways, if I recall his agent at the time said the A's had firstbase locked up for years in McGwire.  I think he the signed a contract to play in Japan.  Does anyone no how he did?  And, if he ever made it back to the U.S. to play for a major league team again?  Even in the minors?  I think but, I'm not sure that when a player goes to play in Japan the team that held the last contract has the players rights.?  But, I'm not sure of that.  Does anyone know of any good sites that post ex-major league ballplayers stats in Japan?  I know someone out there in AN land knows the answers to these questions so, let me say thank you ahead of time to all of you who post comments now.  I appreciate it a lot!!!!!Thanks Again

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything about the new stadium we need.   Blez maybe you could contact someone from Louis Wolfe and Assoc. and interview them or ask someone to let us know where they stand currently.  I have heard about the building of the stadium in the parking lot in Oakland, Fremont, and the South Bay near Great America (Santa Clara).   Has anyone heard if Louis Wolfe has scheduled any meetings to have the other owners overrule the Giants teritorial rights to the Southbay?  Is Jack London Square still an Option?  I saw someone post recently that on a videogame that's our future site.  Funny since I thought that site was a dead issue.  I know the organization is waiting to finalize the new owners with MLB but, I for one would just would love to know where we stand right now.   Is there any timetable other than the Oakland Coliseum Lease?   Does anyone know if there any places we can go to on the web for the most current news regarding our future travel plans?   We have all done the polls, I'm just looking for some news.  Any out there?