I don't write about baseball often (maybe just once?) and I wouldn't consider myself the kind of fan that boasts or boos. ("Boo" is a term of endearment, not an insult.) I started following the A's well after their 20 game streak, at a time when most people had given up on the team and were surprised if they'd made it over .500 for the season.
That being said, I've never felt so much heart around one team. Even before this season. I was once at the bottom of the theater of Epidauros in Greece, wearing an A's hat and a fellow fan, on the other side of the world, asked how the team was doing. And the time I was in Wales wearing my Harden jersey when one of the quietest kids in my group came up to me to talk about the team.
I'd always remembered those moments but it wasn't until this season that I'd really felt that Oakland love in a way that makes your heart melt with pride. It wasn't just winning the AL West when, at the beginning of the season, sportswriters everywhere expected them to trail at third or fourth in the division.
It was a team unknown to anyone but Oakland making waves with their 17 consecutive games with home runs, their All-Star rookie pitchers, their August 21st triple play, their absolutely [Reddick]ulous outfield, their out-of-nowhere sweeps, their walk-off pies, their Bernie lean. It was this team that brought the green and gold sea of fans back home to the Coliseum with blood, sweat, and pie.
Never been more proud of the green and gold. Well done, boys. Well done.
This post makes me want to cry. I have never been so proud of a group of guys in all my life. We have been fans of the a's since we moved back to the bay 7 years ago and i have never been touched by a team before. Watching them was what baseball is all about. So much heart and soul. None of the east coast ego and the money. Just a bunch of skilled players doing what they love and having it show. Also great management too! Yu could tell he was gonna be great because he did a great job with them at the end of last year when he was hired. He knows and loves the game for what it was and all the players respect him. last night was really sad but they did such a fantastic job the entire year that we have nothing but pride for them. When they saluted the fans last night, it melted my heart. I will always and forever remember this year, the year baseball touched my heart. Te greatest american sport.
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My family has been fans my whole life and I keep up with them as often as I can, but rarely go to games any more. That being said I am super proud of them!
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