Bill's Journal Entry #9

Network Associates Coliseum

Date: July 19, 2002

Location: Oakland, California

Opponent: Washington Senators (see below for explanation)

Travel companion: Matt Glover, a friend

Link to my photos: http://cards.webshots.com/cp-30820525-HuEe-album/45278872FibOhW 

Game Result: The story of this game can be told in two words—Corey Lidle. The A’s pitcher threw a complete game one-hitter. Only a double by Juan Gonzalez to lead off the eighth kept him from a no-hitter. In fact, Gonzalez was one of only two Rangers to reach base—the other baserunner being Frank Catalanotto, who walked to start the game. Homers by John Mabry, Scott Hatteberg, and Miguel Tejada highlighted the A’s offensive output, as they coasted to a 10-0 win. 

Stadium Summary: If anyone at all who reads this on the Internet personally knows Al Davis, will you please go up to him and bitch-slap him for me? I had never been to this stadium before, but it definitely looked like it may have once been a fairly sharp place to play baseball. True, it has way too much foul territory, leaving most of the infield seats seemingly miles away from the game. And it’s also true that it’s in a neighborhood that doesn’t look like a place you want to go walking with the kids after the game. But the hills visible in the distance from the parking lot clearly would have made a decent view from inside the park, and the stadium is clean and well-kept. But now, instead of that view of the hills, there’s a concrete monstrosity in center field—stands and luxury boxes built to appease the Raiders and Al. The worst thing is, not only does this ruin the park for baseball, but it also appears that it wouldn’t be any good for football either. Except for those newly built center field “Mt. Davis” stands, most of the stadium’s seats will still be quite a distance from the football field, and won’t be facing the field either. While in the Bay area, I heard many reports that the A’s are exploring the construction of a new baseball-only stadium. As long as the only other option is sharing this monstrosity with Al and his one-eyed warriors, that new stadium can’t be built soon enough.

Worst way to celebrate your history: To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the A’s 1972 World Series win, both the A’s and the Rangers wore throwback uniforms. For the Texas Rangers, that meant going back to when they were the Washington Senators. Not only was this reflected in their uniforms, which had the “W” on the hat and “Senators” across the jersey, but the scoreboard also showed the game as being Oakland vs. Washington, and the stadium announcer introduced the players with, “Now batting for Washington, …” It seemed like a good, fun way to recognize the 1972 team, until the 2002 A’s took the field—in ugly, bright yellow jerseys. Maybe this had something to do with Corey Lidle’s pitching success—the Rangers’ batters were blinded by his shirt.

Most fun fan support: The drummers in the left field stands. Not only were they continuously supportive, bordering on incessant, but they also did a better job of coming up with special “music” for each A’s batter than did the stadium’s music director. The Bam! Bam! Bam-bam-bam! Bam-bam, bam-bam! “Tejada!” chant was surprisingly addictive.

Most confused fans: The large group of guys wandering the concourses, yelling “RAI-ders” over and over. Sorry guys, your calendars need calibration. Go home, sober up, and come back in a few months, OK?

A trend continues: Three homers by the A’s tonight, and I’m now a perfect nine-for-nine in home team homers. It’s almost getting to the point where I might have to start wagering on it…

Stadium grade: D   I suspect that this grade is accurate for this place for both baseball and football.

Overall grade of my experience at the game: C-   Corey Lidle was great, but he couldn’t overcome the negative impact of Mt. Davis and the yellow jerseys.

-- Bill Verkuilen    biggbill@hotmail.com

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