Begin Again, All is Well!

Here We Go....

(Note I. : I/We are back. The A's 50th season was a fun one, and in my household, a golden one as my wonderful spouse turned 50. I still am not sure how cool she thought it was to have her name in lights--but my kids and I loved it. As a first time Scoreboard Messenger, I must say, it was absolutely worth it! On the field, after a slow start, the Green and Gold were hot and fun to watch. They hit, they picked it, and they parlayed their way to a bonus game in the Big Apple. Ramon Laureano's catch & throw in Anaheim put the bow on the season. Chappy, Treinen, Krush, Jedi, and co., were surprisingly entertaining and stellar. Management even showed a willingness to add salary late in the year, but more importantly, ownership was taken in the Coli. The Treehouse was a sporty addition, and more fan-friendly seating choices are available in 2019. The Howard Terminal plans have created quite the positive stir! While expectations were exceeded in '18, much like the new stadium plans, now is the time to think Big. With Baby Jesus (Lazaro) set to arrive, the the time has come to raise the bar, and win that final game of the MLB season!)

2019 Resolutions/Wish List

1.  Spend, Spend, Spend. In 2018, the A's spent $80 Million on payroll. While Beane and Co. have proven they can buy in to the MLB postseason spending frugally, to advance in the postseason, it takes a big billfold. The Brewers spent nearly $109 Million, and nearly crashed their way into the fall classic. Let's start with breaking the $100 Million plateau! The Jackson Profar trade a tremendous start--he's a young, powerful switch-hitting and athletic Jed replacement. Naturally he is younger and less expensive. Signing veteran reliever Joaquin Soria, solid. Next on the agenda: bolster the catching position, add a left-handed reliever, and add a savvy, healthy, innings eater sidekick to go along with here-gone-here Mike Fiers. Then, at the deadline, add a dealmaker ace, and perhaps if need be a left-handed bat!

(Note II:  Lucroy. What really happened there? It was reported that the A's and Lucroy maintained some difference of opinion on the veteran's worth. One report mentioned the A's had offered Lucroy around $4 million; then last week the beaded one signs with the Angels for what appeared to be a very low figure in the 3 million range.  What gives? Did the A's simply not want Lucroy back? (He scuffled at the plate and didn't seem to frame well, but he did hold together the pitching staff, and down the stretch had a knack for throwing out opposing runners at key times.) Did Lucroy prefer SoCal? Is heir apparent Sean Murphy, the #3 rated A's prospect soon to be in Oakland? Another trade percolating under the surface?)

2. Attend, Attend, Attend. A's fans rolled in the turnstiles at an average of just over 19,400 per game. The schedule brings in the Cardinals & Brewers for interleague games, along with those wonderful Giants. Take (or should I say bring?) the kiddos to a fireworks game--can't go wrong with that call. If (or should I say when!) you do, plan on the Wave, lots of sugar and caffeine, but it is a good time for the family! Tailgate, food trucks, The Treehouse, options abound. No excuses, 20,000 per home game should be the goal--although, why not lucky 21,000?!? Bring a friend, attend, attend, attend.

3. No Game. Now I am old, and appreciate listening to A's games on the radio. Ken Korach in particular. Super-Sub Roxy "Sure Hands" Bernstein is a favorite of mine as well! The A's relationship with 95.7 The Game, well, perhaps it suffered from a lack of communication and expectations. It is pretty apparent the A's didn't pay the bills (The Warriors and the NFL appear to?). Interestingly, the only time A's chatter was really chattering was the week before or and during the interleague matchup with the Giants. The games were "bookended" around the Star Game, and quite frankly, it was wonderful. Across the dial, A's banter could be heard. KNBR 680, the Giants flagstation even joined in. Music for the ears. As summer went on, the green air faded away. A solution to have "All A's, all-the-time" has to exist in the universe (I am available if need be!). The Game host Kris Townsend would naturally be the lead, as he has carried the Athletics load on the airwaves. Will the A's be the first to provide some new innovative streaming sort of programming? Dave Kuvall has been great, and if can deliver on this one, I will forever refer to him as BIG DAVE. Think Big. Regular, scheduled programing please and thank you.

(Note III.:  Originally, 3G was a blog dedicated to my Athletic Crest. The Oakland A's, The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Raiders, formerly twice of Oakland. For the time being, I will focus primarily on the A's. The Irish, well, 12-0 ain't bad, but Bama and Clemson own the college football world right now. The Raiders, well.....fool me once, shame on me, fool me once, shame on you. The Raiders have now left town twice. Much like the Lucroy question above, I would really like to know what happened last year to the Raiders in Washington? I am certain there was SOMETHING. I have my theories, but I will save those for another day. Teaser: my gut tells me somehow the $25 million heck-of-a-guy quarterback was smack dab in the middle. Quick non sports note. The movie Bohemian Rhapsody was off the hook outstanding. If you have ever enjoyed We Will Rock You or We are the Champions, you will dig the movie. Holmes and Watson on the other hand, well if you love Will Farrell maybe. My daughter is and was steamed I chose the kind-of-sort-of-comedy. If you are a fan of Sherlock Homes, Do Not Watch this movie. Finally, my wife loved the NHL outdoor hockey extravaganza played in Notre Dame Stadium today. She has been humming the ND fight song throughout the day. Thank you NHL--I think you just landed me a future trip to South Bend for a football game--hockey too perhaps! To a wonderful, content, and blessed 2019. Brian "Fonz" Fonseca.)