SB Nation User Blog: oakath

not a good sign

oakath — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:10:39 -0000

recent scores depressing. 2009's attendance depressing. 10 teams in mlb history have relocated. with a new stadium in the works in miami, they are off life support. as are the come back from the dead devil rays. now, we are on the clock. that dark cloud doesn't make a hoot of difference to readers of this board. for marginal paying customers, however, it's a deal killer. naturally, we will probably be last in the league this year in attendance. thanks, lew. all has been kinda predictable to this point. - stadium sucks, we can't get a new stadium we'll move, we'll move close, can't build a stadium close, we really tried, team depleted to save payroll, attendance way down ... - the first of the 10 to move was boston braves to milwaukee in 1953. most recent, of course, les expos. characteristic of the movers is dwindling home attendance in the waning years of the franchise as fans exit a bad movie. 5 of the 10, as one would expect, were last in league attendance both of their last 2 years (boston braves, sl browns, first washington senators, ny giants, les expos). 2 of the remaining 5 were last in attendance the last year but not second to last year (milwaukee braves & phil a's). thanks to indians and the mistake by the lake, kc a's and second washington senators were next to last in their final year. in their second to last year, kc also could look to cleveland to draw worse and senators, surprisingly, on 1970, in their second to last year before texas called, were 8th out of 12 in the a.l. that leaves brooklyn dodgers. not a myth was their support in the face of relocation. in '57, last year, 5th out of 8 in n.l. in '56, 2nd out of 8.

spring training attendance

oakath — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:24:45 -0000

are we witnessing the beginning of the end of fan over-exuberance march madness in cactus country? just as the spring training mega stadiums come on-line. what is with the paltry attendance in the first week this year? economy stupid, i know, but...tempe diablo, my favorite target, as it's the site of my worst sports scalp 2 years ago - a weekday sellout pander to the ticket masters - has averaged 2700 for 4 games. only the cubs seem to be in their normal spring training 10k range. a ton of empty seats for yesterday's mets game in florida on a sunday on mlb network...in desert for first sunday of seasons' games, only dodgers first game in glendale a near sellout. other games not even close. and that includes cubs at giants in scottsdale. any thoughts?

pronunciation guide for ken korach

oakath — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:58:46 -0000

ken, i hope you read this. if you don't, someone who knows you will tell you the following. you are an awesome baseball radio god. bill and lon have absolutely nothing on you. doesn't hurt that i'm in santa rosa and you frequently mention bennet valley golf course, rancho cotate... but, please stop pronouncing emil brown - EE-meal -long e and accent on the first syllable - instead of uh-MEEL. (accept my apologies if the rbi machine told you that is the way he says his name). thanks bro.

harmonic conversion group consciousness

oakath — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:26:57 -0000

the power of positive thinking everybody at once one hour before game time today 1:30pm oakland time pause take a deep breath close your eyes grasp your favorite a's thing repeat three times concentrating on each and every syllable channeling good vibrations to our young men they will do this they will win today first win of 4 vs detroit.
"lets go oak - land"
"lets go oak - land"
"lets go oak = land"

moments in love

oakath — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 16:47:59 -0000

thanks a's.
as marco's ball touched down we all knew 3 would score and effectively end the series. not even huston at this stage could blow a six run lead (to become 5). what a great sports moment. as i was driving back to santa rosa, horrendous traffic could not dampen the euphoria that only a sweet a's win can bring. so i was thinking where does this rank all-time on the list of pro/college games i've attended?
-a's sweep west bay team in '89 series at 'stick
-'81 a's win 11th in a row to open season easter sunday vs mariners
-cal bears hoops ends 25 yr streak against ucla at harmon
-6th game world series 1986 bill buckner game at shea. standing right there cause many mets fans had departed.
-boston u hockey wins ncaa title in providence over arch enemy boston college 1978
-grounds crew longwood cricket club boston 1976 as bjorn borg (non baseball hero) wins tourny 15 ft away. get to be in his presence, sounds kinda wacko religious, all week
- yesterday. maybe the top. cause the a's have always had, since i moved here in 1978, the unique, bizarre element of a team that won't always be here - so enjoy it while it lasts. and throw in the big monkey...couldn't keep fremont out of my mind yesterday.

2 depressing news items to start our season

oakath — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 04:11:23 -0000

shocking, really. no better way to put it.
#1 - i moved to bay area in 1979. first thing i did was find the one spot in golden gate park where i could pick up a strong enough signal to listen to the a's on the radio on kdia. we got billy before the 1980 season and started with a real station ksfo either that season or next. from there to knew, then kfrc, and now, well, you know.
#2 - the tarp. ouch.
we've been served notice. hope everyone is paying attention. and not in denial. if we don't pack the park this season, we have no chance to keep this team here. if we fill the seats, we're still in the game.
anyone have any history of teams/parks who have tarped in any sport? i can only think of the marlins. and we know they're moving from miami. did the 'spos tarp? i'd like to know what kind of an indicator tarping has been historically.
my new year's resolution - beat the tarp. step 1.
next year. maybe get on the radio.

bruce sutter. am i the only

oakath — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 22:38:43 -0000

one who doesn't get why he's in hof? popularized splitter. wow. what is with the lovefest for him over so many other 90 innings a year players? i'm guessing playing for cards and cubs didn't hurt. (but, doesn't help lee smith.) it's so funny how these things work. baseball media has floated his name as a possible hof'er for so long - and yet continually dimisses the other short "closers" of his era smith, reardon, goose... as not worthy.

anyone been or know someone who has

oakath — Sun, 28 Aug 2005 15:14:03 -0000

gone to arizona in january for an a's fantasy camp? thinking about taking the plunge this coming winter before i get too old to pick up wash' signs at 11am on a weekday morning in the desert sun. not cheap. big $$. (and. do any women go to these? wife a peninsula gal, so a lifelong 26 splash hits - zero champs fan - bless her heart - she'd get a kick out of their team's gig). all about equal opportunity.

nick swisher

oakath — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 04:21:39 -0000

off day thoughts. saw the picture of n swisher from float day yesterday in one of the picture diaries. awesome pics. i'm guessing i'm one of the oldest who watches this board- 50 yrs young. so, i gotta a little perspective about the following. and, i've been a huge baseball radio guy all those years in different locales around the country. n swisher is the flat out best, most enthusiastic, least conceited, and egocentric player i've ever heard interviewed on the radio. that's it. i've got a man crush on him.

attendance stuff for a monday in may

oakath — Mon, 16 May 2005 23:53:49 -0000

considering we are currently showcasing the most unwatchable outfit in the bigs - count us posters as the only sets of eyes at the mac or in front of the tube enjoying this particular brand of the national past time - numbers not too bad at all. 19th in attendance with 23,676 per game which puts us on a pace for 1.9 mill. if this team can draw 2 mill or close to it, the season is a success. 2 mill has now become in 2005 the team attendance mendoza line. draw 2 mill and las vegas and portland, o can k our a. ( btw,we are 21st in salary, record 25th outa 30 teams but you knew that.)
on the attendance futures front, next homie we have many good seats available with tampa and canada coming in for 6. yikes. great news is the nl team in the area and nyy give us at 6 more 30k plus crowds this year.
let's go oakland!