I like playing for Oakland, they have a very colorful uniform.


– Rickey Henderson

Opening Day. What an experience. It started with me taking the train at
10 a.m. back to Oakland from the Sacramento area. I was so excited to be
going home for Opening Day! So many emotions were coursing through my
veins, and I was happier than a kid on Christmas morning. Before leaving
the house, I put on my A’s green and gold beads, A’s shirt,  and packed
my home sewn A’s purse. Inside of my A’s bag every season are: pencils
for keeping score, A’s Pompoms, A’s Scarf + Hat, A’s Jacket, and random
ticket stubs from the previous season. I guess I keep old ticket stubs
as good luck, and as a reminder of all the fun I had last year.  My
father and I drove to the Coliseum in our Green A’s truck with a
fAnatic sticker on the back window.  We arrived at the Coliseum around
4pm and everything was  in full swing throughout the parking lot.
Everyone was tailgating, playing various forms of beanbag toss or beer
pong, playing loud music, and just having a really good time. There was
so much Green and Gold to be seen, and a lot of Oakland Pride! I was so
happy to see my beautiful city being represented by so many having fun.
 

We were there for the “Lets Go Oakland” party co-sponsored by the
Oaklandish group, Lets Go Oakland, and BaseballOakland.com.  The tailgating party was a microcosm of what makes Oakland so amazing with free local beer, free hot dogs and tons of diversity!  The group Oaklandish was providing a spin the wheel and win prizes event, where I won a free Stay pennant.  There were Oakland school teachers, families, city council members, and crazy fans all intermingling. It truly showed the power of Baseball to bring people from all walks of life together.  One of the people working for the local brewery ended up being an old friend from Elementary school and it was so great to catch up. 

After our free beer and tailgating my father and I migrated over to the Stadium entrance.  As my father handed me my ticket I was beside myself with happiness! Opening night was finally here!  The people at the turnstiles were so friendly and I greeted them all with “Happy Opening Day!” as I entered the Coliseum.  As is tradition they passed out magnetic schedules and this year they are shaped like baseballs. Very nice touch!  Once inside I made a beeline for the team store and I could instantly feel the Matsui/Japanese influence on the A’s. They were selling shirts that were half Ichiro and half Matsui while most people in the store were wearing Matsui Yankees jerseys. I saw one family drop almost $400 on Matsui gear alone so  I think singing him was a very smart move financially even if he doesn’t produce a lot of runs this year. More to come in part 2 of my Opening Night Coverage.