SB Nation User Blog: easyraider

40 Year Anniversary Pins!?!

easyraider — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:37:55 -0000

40 Year Anniversary Pins!?!

Has anyone seen this available anywhere?
I collect pins for my kids and I am surprised with all of the promotions surrounding the 40 year anniversay this year, the A's are not selling this...at least not that I am aware of.
I checked all of the gift shops the last time I was up in Oakland for a game. Been checking mlb.com shop.

Help?

Start Spreading the News…NY Help!

easyraider — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:47:07 -0000

To finish the line, I’m (not) leaving today…but actually Wednesday.

Sorry, I could not meet some new fellow ANers at AN Day 5 Saturday but I planned a New York trip with my son and the two trips would have been too much, too close. I will have to try to keep my even year AN Day streak alive next year – went to AN 2 and 4 with my son.

Now for the help part. I have never been to New York. I know there are many on AN who live in or near New York…and many more who have attended games at Yankee Stadium.

Current itinerary:

We are flying into Long Island Wednesday the 16th and staying in a hotel near the airport.
We are then staying in Secaucus, NJ Thursday through Monday the 21st. My understanding is that the trip from Secaucus to Times Square is just a quick bus ride. And I have been told that you can pretty much get to anywhere from Grand Central Station.
Thursday will probably be Empire State Building.
Friday: Ellis Island booked.
Saturday: Game and Monument Park. Tickets already bought for the game.
Sunday: Probably another game.
Monday: Thinking of taking the train to Baltimore for a game (only other East coast team playing at home while we are in NY)

I am also going to squeeze in the Natural History museum either Thursday or Monday.

I have purposely not prepaid for much just in case this trip was not going to happen for whatever reason, only purchasing the game tickets and Ellis Island. I did not want to miss out on those by waiting but everything else is refundable or I can safely purchase once in NY.

So any tips AN?

Anything else I need to do?

Any traveling tips to any of the locations listed above? Someone suggested I could catch a bus or something to the Bronx from Grand Central Station. Someone else said I should take the subway because of traffic.

Tips for the game? I saw on the Yankees site that Monument Park opens when the gates open (two hours before the game) and closes 45 minutes before game time. Also, can’t get in with bleacher tickets. Anything else I need to know to get into Monument Park?

Autographs? I figure we will miss bp if we are visiting Monument Park which is why I am thinking we may catch Sunday’s game too. Where are when are the best times and places to try for autographs.

Anything else I need to know? Thanks in advance!

Any help is appreciated and I would be happy to reciprocate for those visiting SoCal for the A’s-Angels.

Coming in a couple weeks...request for Sacramento tips. Been there once for work and going again in early August. Planning on catching my first Rivercats game.

GO-DAN! And Pictures from Behind the Red Curtain...

easyraider — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:00:43 -0000

I think I have a new player to add to my favorites...and I KNOW my son does.

We went to the Angel game Friday with the Angel fan brother-in-law and his kid and made it in time for BP. Our seats were right next to the bullpen entrance by the left foul pole.

A’s pitchers were shagging balls and occasionally lobbing them into the stands. Witasick and Gaudin were parked in left field. Gaudin stood out because he actually looked like he was having fun. I know he is practically a rookie and I understand why most players tune out the fans (especially in enemy territory) but it is refreshing nonetheless to see a player enjoying himself out on the field.
We were actually able to get Chad’s attention amongst a see of red and he came over to toss my son a ball. Unfortunately, a little Angel fan stuck out his glove and snagged the ball. Not to fear, after the next ball was hit to left, Chad went and retrieved the ball, came over and handed the ball to my son. Very nice gesture AND that ended up being the last ball hit in BP.

Oh yeah, AN was represented Friday in Anaheim as I ran into Amnesiac727.

So Sunday rolls around and I heard that kids were going to be allowed on the field before the game. I bring my camera this time, as well as my other little guy, the two year old. My older son brought the Gaudin ball in hopes of landing an autograph.
After exiting the field and re-entering the stadium, we headed over to the A’s dugout and who was the only player signing autographs – Chad Gaudin. My son was pretty happy to have the same player who gave him a ball, sign it as well. And, as I understand from Jennifer, they got us on camera before the game! – not sure if it was EI or mlb.tv.

Back to the field walk. We entered the around 11:30 near the right foul pole

The A’s were stretching just off the base line

Said ‘good luck’ to Geren and he commented something like ‘you are wearing the right colors.’

Our seats were right above the tunnel that leads to the bullpens.

Pictures from the bully:

Embree

Calero on his way in

One of a dozen or so times an antsy Street gets up to get loose

Marshall

Street grabbing a little something

Street going in to close it out after a-hole Angel fans spent the last 10 minutes razzing him as he warmed up

Easy's Goings...and ST Pics!

easyraider — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 19:46:01 -0000

Work has been kicking my ass past couple/few weeks so my AN time has been cut back more than any time I remember in the past couple years - only been able to skim through a few diaries every few days.

I have a few things I wanted to put in a diary so I saved them all up and put them into one - from Spring Training, to little league to Dirtbags to Extra Innings. Without further ado...

Spring Training
I took the family out to Phoenix March 16th – 18th. The wife and daughter are not big baseball fans so they came along to hang out at the hotel pool and shop while I took the boys to the games. Had a Marriott voucher and we drove so this was turning out to be a pretty nice, inexpensive trip until...
Got out of SoCal a little later than I was hoping and tried to make up the time on the 10...until Roscoe P. Coltrane pulled me over just on the 70 MPH side of the state line...as my speedometer hit 93. Unfortunately, he hit me as I was sped up to pass another car. Dude was a real a-hole. Sort of reminded me of that cop who pulled over Chevy Chase in Vacation. "Don’t you know how fast you were driving?" You had to of seen me?" You looked right at me." Dude, obviously I did not see you or I would have slowed down...and it would not have mattered anyway because he already tagged me. He was better after writing the ticket but initially he was treating me as if I had been dragging a dog from my bumper for the past few miles.

After checking into the hotel, I took my older son to Phoenix Muni and we caught the second half of the night game (a beautiful night still in the 80’s) against the D-Backs.
I love Phoenix Muni. For those that have not made the trek, it is away from the city and pretty much away from any buildings – just off a two lane road between Phoenix and Scottsdale. Beautiful landscape of rock formations around the stadium.

A few notes:
·I was wondering why Byrnsie was wearing the wrong uniform until I realized it was Buck in our outfield (first time I had seen him)
·Great to see Piazza in an A’s uniform for the first time
·The killer B’s, Bradley, Buck and Barton, were swinging the bat
·Not much quit in our lovable muppets. It was already 6-0 when we finally got to the game and we rallied for 5 runs with a chance to win late.
·The first of back-to-back sellouts.

St Paddy’s Day was a scorcher – mid 90’s. I spent most of the game keeping my boys hydrated and happy. Got a sweet St Paddy’s Day A’s cap. We had great seats right behind the A’s bullpen. We had a great view of Marshall warming up. You can see that he is going to kill lefties. Very impressive with two shutout innings. Also got to see a Piazza dinger.

Marshall warming up

Fat Joe warming up

Buck

Me and the boys

My older son getting Curt Youg's autograph

Little League
The season started recently and I was stoked to hear my son with be an Ocean View Little League Athletic. After his coach called to let me know my son was drafted on to his team and that his team was the A’s, I went over to my son. "So, what do you think about playing on the Angels?" He had a look on his face like I just told him the dog was dead, "Aww" he said. I said, "Don’t worry about it. You are going to be on the A’s!" I wish I had a picture to capture the excitement on his face. That’s okay though, it is ingrained in my memory. God, I love baseball. He really loves to play and I love coaching and watching. I am sure a lot of you on AN can relate.

More Baseball
Took the two little guys again to see the series finale between my alma mater, Long Beach State, and Fullerton last weekend. What a rivalry. These teams are great every year and produce so much major league talent. And the games are always close – like the A’s and Angels. Definitely recommended for SoCal baseball fans.
The Dirtbags let one slip away by blowing a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth. That’s okay, they will both be there at the end of the season...as always. And remember the name Danny Espinosa. Dude will be following the path of other CSULB greats Crosby, Giambi, Jeremy Reed, Jared Weaver, seventh overall pick in 2005, Troy Tulowitki, and third overall pick in 2006, Evan Longoria...among others.

Extra Innings
Well, I am holding out until 4/1 but I may just end up switching over to Direct TV. I have subscribed through InDemand (cable) the past few years and now I am not sure I can live without Extra Innings. This is extremely inconvenient as I currently have the cable/high speed internet/phone package.
I thought about mlb.tv and after reading what Blez wrote about mlb.tv and not monopolizing the television in his house...well, I really appreciate my wife. She buys me Extra Innings ever year for my birthday (pretty close to opening day) and puts up with baseball on our main tv...and, as I mentioned, she really is not much of a sports fan. This year she actually took the initiative and started looking into Direct TV...even though switching over would be a pain...and she dislikes sports...just so I can have my A’s baseball.
I know I am lucky. Trust me ladies, I do not take it for granted.

Two A's Fans in the Walmart Garden Center

easyraider — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 05:34:35 -0000

So yesterday I am in the Walmart garden center with my wife and two sons waiting to purchase a bicycle for my daughter...as well as a bunch of other stuff I do not need.

I look behind me and see an A's cap. I ask my older son if he sees it - he is turning into a huge A's fan. While it is not uncommon to see other A's fans in SoCal, it is still nice to run into one nonetheless.

I say to the A's fan behind me, `Still up 5 ½,'
Now, I am not the most social person in the world, however it sure helps when there are common interests involved - baseball...and the A's.
We talked about where we grew up - he in Livermore and me in San Jose.

I mentioned that I have be lucky enough to attend quite a few games this year - just about every game in Anaheim, a game at Petco, a game in Seattle a few weeks back with my son, and a few games in Oakland when on business.

I can see his eyes light up, `I miss going to games in Oakland,' he says.

I mention in the last series that I was fortunate enough to get to sit with the drummers in the left field bleachers (thanks again Saint and Duke). I told him it was one of my best experiences ever at a game in Oakland. It is so nice to be able to talk to someone in person who knows what I am talking about.

I ask if he is going to any games in the final series in Anaheim. I said I had tickets to Friday and Saturday. He had tickets to all four.

Well, before I knew it, 10 minutes, a line of about 10 people, and a lot of A's discussion had passed. We paid for our purchases and headed off in our separate directions...but with the same team in our thoughts.

My wife said it was nice that I had an A's fan in line to talk to. Yeah, it was.

The only thing I forgot to ask was if he knew about AN....or if he was a member. Maybe I will see Dude at SoCal AN Day.

So, a lot of you may be thinking, `So what, you talked A's baseball with another fan.' Well, I guess it is just the realization that most of my A's discussion is online. Most of the time I talk baseball with live people is with Angel fans. It was nice to have a discussion with one of my own.
Then again, maybe a lot of you do know what I am talking about. Quite a few of us `ANers' are not in the Bay Area...but our hearts are...with the A's.

Open Thread Alternative - SoCal Style

easyraider — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:46:53 -0000

Open for all who wish to join.

Getting ready to bbq some chicken. Drinking some hef and feeling pretty good. Weather is great. The Angel-fan in-laws are over and the Halos have already lost. Going into the game 4 up looking towards 4 ½. Hey, if anyone has any nice Angel rips to lay on my in-laws, please share. I am so sick about hearing of 2002.
I am liking the schedule gods now. TB, Seattle, and KC...are you kidding me. Time for us to distance ourselves from the pack.

Watching the game on E.I. while barbequing. Come one, come all. Feel free to post. I am feeling good about tonight...I am feeling good about the next week or so.

Man I love the A's. And man I hate the Halos.

LET'S-GO-OAK-LAND. CLAP CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!

On a Lighter Note: Sports/Celebrity Look-a-likes

easyraider — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:27:29 -0000

Since the apocalypse is now upon us after falling into a first place tie...and amongst all the talk of blowing this team up...I thought I would try to lighten things up. Sure I am concerned about our beloved green and gold but we could all use a little distraction every once in awhile.

The distraction...sports/celebrity look-a-likes. Ever look at one of your favorite athletes and say, `Dude looks just like___.' Well, I took a shot at a few. Please feel free to agree, disagree, or add some of your own.

Swish:

Evil Swish (Dude from Rockstar Supernova):

Wolff:

Dude from the Burbs:

Hatte:

Doogie:

A hockey look-a-like for Blez-
Tie Domi:

Henry Rollins:

Zito Sucks!?! By easytoon

easyraider — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 04:56:54 -0000

Zito is horrible.
5 innings. 7 runs. Uncle Charlie my Ass.
I know I know what you folks are saying - "Easytoon, you just said yesterday that `Zito was the best of this time.'" Well that was seven hours ago folks. A man has a right to change his mind.
We gotta trade this guy for some mid level outfield talent now. I do not want to see this guy pitch another game for the green and gold this year...Randy Jones wannabe. Billy needs to make one good move as GM. Freakin' shark jumper. Shit, I have called every one of his bad moves...after the fact you might say but that is just nitpicking.

Check the facts people and look at his first and last start - 14 runs in 6 1/3. You cannot argue that HollywoodOz.
`Yeah, westHollywoodOz.' - easycotton (aka easytoon's alternate login)

Seriously, look at game 3 of the AL playoffs against the Yanks. 1-0. Jorge Posada...please. You morons probably want to blame that loss on the Giambi non slide (I miss little G). No clutch and no grit pitcher if you ask me (today).

Billy needs to blow up Zito and keep the rest of the team. We would have won 3-0 tonight without Zito's seven runs allowed. Did you see the Swish home run tonight? He is definitely one player we need to keep (as of today anyway). He is the future of this franchise after all...and don't tell me what I said yesterday damnit. He's no DJ who sucks...I mean he should have never been sent down...no, I mean he sucks.

If this diary results in my third strike, so be it.

Boston ANers Help!

easyraider — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:36:49 -0000

I know we have some ANers in Boston and I was looking for a little help.

I have a couple airline tickets and I would like to take my son to a game out of state. We have been to all the stadiums in California (and I have been to Chase myself) but we have never been to any parks outside the state.

I have always heard that the ballparks that must be seen are Wrigley and Fenway. And since we are playing the NL West this year for Interleague, looks like Fenway.
Problem is...each A's game next month is sold out...and nothing is available via Replay.

Here is where my AN brothers come in. While it would be great if someone had extra tickets to sell, I realize that is wishful thinking. I am hoping, though, that you can give some advice as to reputable ticket brokers. I have looked on Craigslist in Boston. Basically, I am looking for a known entity that will not take my money and run. In addition, I am hoping to not get too reamed with the cost. The tickets on Craigslist were pretty pricey.

Music to My Ears

easyraider — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:52:35 -0000

What a pleasure it is to listen to Vin Scully. Being in Southern California, I truly take for granted that we have a legend down here - one of the prices of being an A's fan in SoCal I guess (that and listening to bandwagon Angel Homers every day).

Vin's unique voice, his encyclopedia of knowledge, his ability to blend his wonderful, descriptive play-by-play (that radio voice) with his player profiles (I like how he lists the player's height and weight too), including their high school, college and pro careers, and stories...he is one of the greatest. The was he covers play-by-play and color with no dead air is just amazing.

I know everybody on AN has heard Vin but I thought I would share a few of his stories and observations from last night's game since I assume most folks heard the A's broadcast. I learned more new things about the A's on this broadcast than I have all year listening to other announcers (including Oakland's) on Extra Innings.

On Zito's strikeout of Jose Cruz Jr.: "Oh what a breaking ball. You could have seen that from San Francisco."

Zito's second grade teacher had all of her students draw a picture of who they thought they would be when they grew up. Zito drew a pitcher and across the top wrote `making a million dollars.'

Dan Johnson dreamed of becoming a forward for the Minnesota North Stars.

Jay Payton was one of the rare non pitchers to have Tommy John surgery.

Kielty redshirted as a pitcher at USC before transferring to Mississippi.

Referring to Ramon Martinez' head first dive into third as a "belly whopper."

Swisher has the initials of his deceased grandmother tattooed on his chest.

Chavy's parents had him playing baseball as soon as he could walk, He wanted to be a fireman.

On Dan Johnson's sense of humor: He has a second persona, Dale Edwards, captain of the Nebraska bowling team.

Payton lived with Barry Larkin while playing Connie Mack ball.

Scautaro "batting ninth, not a butter and egg man." Not sure what that means but it sounded funny.

I have heard many Zito/Randy Jones stories over the years but never this one. Jones would tell Zito to practice 500,000 windups. If he did one incorrectly, Jones would spit his tobacco juice on Zito's new white Nike sneakers.

Swisher does yoga for 90 minutes in 120 degree heat. Helps with fatigue.

Kielty's GPA in high school was 4.3.

Hope some of you enjoyed. I know it is not the same as listening yourself.

Tonight, my son watches the game (and not Playstation) with Dad to listen to a legend. That will be a wonderful pre-Father's Day gift. And something I think he will have to look back on when he is older.