You'd Break Your Neck To Keep Your Chin Up

Fwd: Thank God I’m an Oakland Fan (as John Denver might have put it).

it’s a couple of interesting facts about your Oakland A’s

Thank God I’m an Oakland Fan (as John Denver might have put it).

As the new baseball season dawns, there is little hope that the A’s will contend this year. However, here’s a little something to help us remember how lucky we are to be Oakland fans. Our team has given us an interesting ride over the years like none other. Since 1970, the Oakland A’s have:

Been Excellent on the Field

Won more World Series (4) than anybody except the Yankees. Been to more League Championship Series (11) than anybody except the Yankees (12). Set the MLB record for consecutive wins (11) at the start of a season. Set the AL record for consecutive wins (20) within a season. Enjoyed three separate actual or near dynasties filled with notable “characters” and memorable players. Had five seasons in which no MLB team had more victories (1971, 1988-90, 2002). (And to help us appreciate the good times, they’ve also had a season with the worst record in baseball (1997).)

Boasted Exceptional Talent

Had more players win the MVP (7) than any other team. Had more pitchers win the AL Cy Young (5) than any other team (Dodgers have 5 NL). Had more players win the AL Rookie of the Year award (7) than any other team; (Dodgers have 9 NL) (The A’s also traded away two more ROYs before they reached the majors). Since 1990, had more pitchers (3) win the Rolaids Relief Award than any other team. Employed more of the Top 20 all-time home run leaders (6) than any other franchise. Starred three players who at the time of their retirement were, arguably, the best of all-time in their roles: Leadoff hitter (Rickey), reliever (Rollie), and closer (Eck). Of all the players elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA since 1985, more of them (10) played for Oakland than for any other team (BOS also 10).

Been Influential

Been credited by the Wall Street Journal for (in part) causing the downfall of the National League. Had a best-selling book written about them which was important in the baseball, business, and general interest communities. Had an Oscar-nominated film made about them, featuring one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. Heavily influenced the ways teams have thought about the draft. Heavily influenced the ways teams have thought about trades. Heavily influenced the ways players thought about PEDs. Heavily influenced the ways managers use their bullpens and their “closers.” Heavily influenced the way teams think about hiring front office staff. Seeded other teams with star-quality (Jocketty, Alderson, Dolich) and other top (Schueler, DePodesta, Ricciardi) executives. Employed five managers who have taken other teams to the World Series (Williams, Dark, McKeon, Martin, LaRussa). Had the owner whose idea led every league in the world (except the boring NL) to adopt more exciting rules (the DH).

Been Style-Setters

Been named the all-time favorite baseball team by Sports Illustrated (the ‘74 Champs). Been trendsetters for uniforms. Been trendsetters for looks (ie mustaches), and greetings (Bash Brothers forearm bash). Trialed orange baseballs. Debuted a form of cheering which became popular worldwide (The Wave, love it or hate it). Revolutionized (love it or hate it) the way music is heard at the ballpark (rock music from big speakers rather than organ music).

Been Interesting

Made some of the most intriguing trades, from the large (Garner, Blue), to the brilliant (Eck, Mulder), to the unusual (Tanner), to the disallowed (Fingers/Rudi, Blue), to the unfortunate (Huddy, Holliday) to the let’s-see (Gio). Made some of the all-time most unexpected drafts/signings/postings: (Van Poppel, Prieto, Ynoa, Iwakuma, Cespedes, Manny). Suffered two of the more celebrated labor disputes (Blue, Catfish). Spawned terms which uniquely described them (Swingin’ A’s, Billyball, Moneyball). Seeded the entertainment (MC Hammer) and dessert (Debbie Fields) worlds with stars. Created the Designated Runner. Paraded Charlie O, the mule, around the field (and in the press box). Used a mechanical rabbit to bring balls to the umpire. No hitters: Since 1968, no team has thrown more perfect games (2) (Yankees also 2). No hitters: Only team to be involved in three combined no-hitters. No hitters: Only AL team with two rookie no-no’s (StL also 2). Founded the 40-40 club. Honored as the only team to open their season in Japan twice. Dishonored as the only team to open their season in Las Vegas. Suffered endless city/stadium drama (Denver, Mt Davis, Fremont, San Jose). Had at least six official names for their home ballpark in 14 years. Had the second-highest AL attendance in some years, and the lowest in others. Attracted 653 people to one game. Had both the lowest payroll in the AL and the highest. Broadcast their games on a 10-watt college station and on an FM station. Had several local beat writers move on to star in the national media. The sport of baseball has been the cover story on Time Magazine 13 times. Four of those covers were about the A’s.

It’s true that other organizations have had some moments in the sun. The Yankees have been both successful and soap operatic. The Cubs and Red Sox have had fame, but primarily due to their old ballparks and traditional lack of success. And the Michigan basketball team popularized longer shorts.

But, no other baseball organization (with the possible exception of the Yankees) comes close to matching the A’s for all around excellence and intrigue.

Thank God I’m an Oakland fan. Can you imagine how dreary it would have been over the years to be a Rangers fan? Or an Angels fan?

After opening their season with a two-game series in Japan against the Oakland Athletics, the Seattle Mariners return home for a few more exhibition games before restarting the regular season with a 1-1 record. At this point in time:

1. The Mariners are averaging two runs per game. The Mariners entered the season with hope that their offense would improve from historically bad (where it has been the last few seasons) to just somewhat bad or maybe even average. After going 4-5 Opening Day, Ichiro went 0-4 to lower his batting average to a crisp .444. Dustin Ackley, after a homerun and two RBI Opening Day stands at 2-9, hovering just over the Mendoza Line at .222. Everyone else on the team is below .200. It’s certainly too soon to tell how significant this start is, but it is interesting nonetheless.

2. Both starters have delivered quality starts, but received No-decisions. Felix Hernandez went eight innings and allowed just one run Opening Day. Jason Vargas went 6.1 innings in game two and also allowed just one run. Yet the combined record of these two starters sits at 0-0. Hernandez has been victimized historically by an anemic Mariners offense. Vargas, as the No. 2 starter this season will probably receive his fair share of quality starts snake-bitten by the Mariners’ offensive futility. It’s better to be in games than to get blown out of them, but it appears that the Mariners will once again be a product of bullpen success or failure if the offense is unable to step up and support the starters.

3. The Mariners have drawn just one Walk through 20 innings of gameplay. It’s one thing not to hit, but when you combine that inability to hit with impatience at the plate, there is no source of offense. Athletics’ stater Bartolo Colon threw just 86 pitches in eight innings of work. It appears Ichiro, who is notorious for his impatience at the plate has affected the impressionable minds of his much younger teammates. In fact, at this point, no Mariners batter has seen more than four pitches per plate appearance through the team’s first two contests with Chone Figgins leading at 3.667 pitches per.

4. The Mariners are second in the league in homeruns. Their two homeruns place them firmly in second just behind the Athletics, who have three, and just ahead of the other 28 teams who have yet to play a regular season game. Enjoy it while you can, Mariners’ fans.

5. The opening two games were sold out. Say what you want about the merits or logic of opening the Major League Baseball season across the world, at a time when nearly every American is sleeping. The Tokyo Dome was sold out for both games, and those will probably be among the only sell-outs these teams have this season. Maybe Bud Selig is smarter than we think he is…