Ah yes, in just over 72 hours, it begins, the Bay Bridge Series. I would argue this is indeed the best interleague matchup going. The series is hotly contested, yet never seems to overheat. Fans of both teams will be seen in the following week, taligaiting together! In the stands there is plenty of razzing and booing, but it doesn't seem to spill over into hate. I am comfortable with my children attending these games.
It is a little like playing your sibling, you sure as heck don't want to lose, and when you win, you kind of blow it off, some. Down deep however, imagine Tom Hanks saying, "I want to win, I want to win.!"
Since the arrival of PacBall or AT&T or the House That Barry Built, the rivalry has changed a little. The Gigantes winning 2 of 3 World Series also has giving the Gigos a little amo. The Giants right now are like the smarter, better looking, successful sibling, with very few warts. They flash the bling bling of the World Series Trophy (I have never understood the obsession with Giants fans and the World Series Trohpies? It's a little weird.) They drive a better car--even their kids and pets are smarter. They have the monopoly, and they are squeezing the dollar bills.
In Oaktown however, there is and has always been more personality. More fun. The younger sibling, bucking the trend, laughing and having a good time. Maybe a little unconventional, but cool, hip. Think Giambi, Beane, Reddick, these guys know how to par-tay! The last decade the A's have been oh so close to not only crashing the party, but in becoming belles of the ball. Back in 2010 the Giants coined the termed "torture," but if you want to hear some real torture (cue the violin) we could break down each of the playoff losses in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and even 2012. How is this number, since 2000 the A's are 1-6 in playoff series', AAARGH! Let's go back a little furher. In 1992, the A's lost in the Chapmionship Series; in 1990, the A's were swept by Rod Dibble's pesky Reds. That means in the A's last 9 playoff series, the A's have gone 1-8. Know I could go back one more, but I mean, come on aren't we all a little tired of the Sweep in the 89 series? Eck pumping the fist, Ricky running wild. Ahh the good old days. Even that infamous stretch of 1988-1990 was painful, with two world series losses to the Reds and the Orel Hersheiser's Dodgers. AARGH. The A's won a ton of games but man of man was the postseason painful!
The first 2 times I watched Moneyball, I was sick. The Winning Streak is cool, and it was fun, but man, MAN, it just ain't the same. AARGH.
Now here we are, even though the Giants would seem to have everything tilting their way in this Baylicious rivalry, there is one, well, two three little items the Gigo don't like to talk much about. Turn the clocks back to 1972, and 1973 and then 1974. Perhaps the greatest and most unhearalded baseball team of all time managed the trifecta, 3 in a row. Catfhish, Reggie, Vida, Blue Moon, my man man Joe Rudi, Campy Campaneris and of course Rollie. Personality, baby, person-AL-ity. Even their blankety-blank tyrannical outside of the box owner Charlie O Finley had some style. Dude was crazy, but he won 3 in a row. As Hammer would say, "Can't Top That...."So, right now, it has been a Great little run for the perfect child gigos, but they still just can't seem to be the life of the party. Hey Gigos, 2 out 3 ain't bad, for a good team.
Gigos fans always play the attendance card, always. Yawn. Understood, point taken, yada yada yada. Funny, take a look at attendance of the Stick back in the 70's and 80's and where were all those "lifelong" Giants fans we see today? Dressed as Dodgers fans perhaps? Ooohhh, like that one huh? (You all say you hate Tommy Lasorda...but I don't know?) I believe one of the reasons A's attendance is up a little this year is because the tallk of moving has subsided. You don't hear San Jose mentioned by A's ownership much anymore. I am not saying it is dead, I am just saying the brass ain't talking about it. (It is to me ironic, that the A's and Raiders who are kind of joined at the hip, would really benefit of one or the other would get the stadium issue resolved. Personally, I think the Colisuem site is perfect for football, plenty of parking, and with BART access, it is just a great locale. However, when you have 81 games plus, it ain't just about the team or the park, you need other activities. You need restrauants, and things to do before and after games. AT& T or PacBell or whatever, is situated in a great locale--and props to the Giants ownership for getting that done. The A's need new home, the Raiders should stay. Whomever built Mt. Davis, with seats facing the sun, as my son Noah would say, that was "Crazy." Oh well, time will tell. I just have a feeling eventually San Jose is taking this thing to court. More irony, is how the A's actually help the Giants to stay when they were sold to the group in Florida but older siblings don't like to pay if forward, they bite their lip and think the young one always get better treated. Pay if forward gigos, pay it forward.)
I actually think if the A's struck out less, and maybe could run a little bit--like the Gigos, well then someday the A's might drink from the cup too--buy hey, we can leave the X and o's and Barry Zitos for another day.
So see, does it get better than this? The history, the proximity, the it's not a big deal but it kind of is thing going on! Buster and Panda vs Cespedes and the little missles. The games are usually close and well played, and you know the fans will be into it. Again, I know this series doesn't mean much to Giant nation, I know, I know, but then why do so many make the trek over to Coli? Humph? I'm just asking.
So there you go man, those of you on the East Coast, we got to get you over some time for a little sample of Baysball!
On Deck: Ladies, don't forget Father's Day right around the corner. US Open Golf is on the horizon as well. Sergio now the most uncool athlete on the planet!
Movie to watch: Perfect Catch. Quirky little diddy, so if you have seen all the baseball movies, like Trouble With the Curve, then I would recommend it.
PS: Sorry to Bron Bron and the Shawks--ooh I shoudn't say Shark too loud, the Panda might get hungry!
Only 72 plus hours to go!
Sing it Steve,"When the Lights, go down in the City, and the Sun Shines on the Bay-e-ay, oh I want to be there-air, in my city by the bay-e-ay, Oh, oh, O O O." He must have meant Charlie O, and clearly he was singing about OAK-TOWN baby! See you there!
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