Sunday, July 21, 2024

I was looking toward this weekend ever since I saw Jose Canseco’s name on schedule. I even cut my trip to Asia short to be able to see him. I had initially planned to attend yesterday to get his bobblehead, but I missed it due to a painful lupus and RA flare. I thought I would rest as much as I could so I could at least make it today.

I took two tablets of steroids (Prednisone, that is. Haha. Ironic, right?) this morning to relieve my pain, and off I went.

I got to the Coliseum at 945 a.m. and in line at the gate at 9:50 a.m. I thought I was going to be the first one, but there was a lone male fan who was there before me. I learned he was from Gilroy, and he was there to see Jose Canseco, too. Lol. I was ready for the slew of Jose’s fanboys who would be there. Canseco was our first love.

During the one hour and 45 minutes waiting in line, I developed rapport with other fans waiting in line. Since they were not familiar with where the signing would take place, they said they would follow me. 

I said we would probably have to run to be one of the first ones in line. The signing is only for an hour, and not all fans will be able to get autographs. And run up, we did.

I was out breath by the time we got in line. I couldn’t believe it that I actually. Thank God for Predisone!

And there he was, the man of the hour or fifty minutes: one half of the Bash Brothers. The fan girl, not the sports fan, in me came out. My heart fluttered a little. Yeah, Canseco is definitely not the same stud he was back in the late 80s. At the age of 60, he’s looking his age. The beer belly is looking like a beer belly. And he didn’t have to flex to see his huge biceps.

I know Canseco has less fans now than he did before, probably made some enemies, after publishing his tell tale/tell ALL book, Still, no one will ever take away that he will always be one of A’s all-tine greats!

Khris Davis, the 36-year-old former outfielder who spent five out of his nine-year MLB career with the A’s, was also there signing autographs with Canseco. He played decent during his time as an Athletic, leading the league in home runs at one point. I know he made his own set of fans, especially with the younger ones.

Initially, not too many fans lined up early outside the gate, but when I finished getting their autographs, a long line had formed for the actual signing. I am not sure if all of them would make the 1235 cutoff.

And the A’s went on to lose the last game of the series with the Angels. I really had hoped the A’s could have swept them so they could inch their way out of last place in the league.

Final score: LA Angels: 8      Oak: 5

A’s record: 39 – 62.        My Record: 4 – 10

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

I took BART again to the game. Second time in a row and the second time ever. It definitely saves me money, but the motion of the ride makes me so sleepy. I’m afraid that I will fall asleep and miss my stop. Lol.

I attended the game last night, which the A’s won, and willed myself to make it for today’s 1237 p.m. start. There were more people than I expected today. The $2 ticket promo was probably the lure, but I didn’t take advantage of that. I sat in my usual 123 section but in the shade. And oh! I bought a ticket at the ticket office. I wanted to get a printed ticket for souvenir purposes.

There was definitely a sea of orange everywhere. No doubt, a lot of the Baltimore Orioles fan were there for what will be their team’s final game at the Coliseum.

The national anthem today was fantastic! It’s the best one I have heard so far. It was a duo of trumpet players, and I knew they were going to hit some serious high notes at the end. And I wasn’t wrong. My ears were ready, and I loved it! Some folks were even recording it.

The A’s had taken the first two games of the series, but, again, they managed to lose the final game. It’s so frustrating when they initially dominate, then lose offensive power at the last series’s game. But then again…if our pitching/bullpen can do their part.

Final Score: BAL- 8     OAK- 1

A’s Record: 41-63           My record: 5 – 11

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